Kofi Annan says he is quitting his role as the U.N. and Arab League envoy to Syria, as violence from the country’s 17-month-long uprising continues to spiral out of control. Mr. Annan said Thursday that the increasing militarization on the ground and a lack of unity in the U.N. Security Council had changed the circumstances […]
Envoy Kofi Annan Resigns Amid Syria Violence
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 2:30 pm (UTC-5)
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British Rockers Call for Release of Russian Opposition Band
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
Leading British musicians, including Pete Townsend of The Who, Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdin and Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys, are calling on Russia to free three members of the punk rock band Pussy Riot, who are on trial in Moscow on hooliganism charges. In an open letter published in The Times of […]
Egypt Swears in New Cabinet
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 1:05 pm (UTC-5)
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has sworn in a new Cabinet, which includes key positions for holdovers from former President Hosni Mubarak’s era. The swearing-in ceremony for the 35-minister Cabinet took place on Thursday, about a month after Mr. Morsi’s inauguration. Some officials from the previous government retained key positions, including Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi […]
Afghan Forces Thwart Attack on Kabul
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 1:05 pm (UTC-5)
Authorities say security forces have thwarted a major attack on the Afghan capital, after killing five insurgents in an early morning gunbattle. Intelligence agency spokesman Latifullah Mashal said Afghan forces Thursday raided a compound in eastern Kabul, where the insurgents linked to the militant Haqqani network had gathered to prepare for an attack. He said […]
WFP to Air Drop Tons of Food to Refugees in South Sudan
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
The World Food Program says it will soon begin air-dropping food aid to tens of thousands of refugees in South Sudan. The U.N. food agency said Thursday the situation has grown dire for more than 100,000 people in Upper Nile State, including 35,000 recent arrivals. Spokeswoman Rene McGuffin says the start of the rainy season […]
Several Million Syrians Face Food Insecurity
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 12:35 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations says up to 3 million people will need food, crop and livestock assistance within the next year in Syria, where a 17-month uprising has forced thousands to flee their homes. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization says about half of those who are vulnerable will need immediate food assistance, within the next […]
Bangladesh Orders Aid Groups to Suspend Services to Rohingya Refugees
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 12:30 pm (UTC-5)
Bangladesh is ordering international humanitarian groups to stop providing aid to ethnic Rohingya refugees who have fled deadly communal violence in neighboring Burma. Local administrator Joynal Bari confirmed Thursday to VOA Bangla Service that the groups Doctors Without Borders, Action Against Hunger and Muslim Aid have been instructed to stop their activities in the southeastern […]
WFP to Air Drop Tons of Food to Refugees in South Sudan
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 11:40 am (UTC-5)
The World Food Program says it will soon begin air-dropping food to tens of thousands of refugees who have fled into South Sudan in recent weeks. The U.N. food agency said Thursday the situation has grown dire for more 100,000 people in Upper Nile State, including 35,000 recent arrivals. Most have crossed from Sudan to […]
Envoy Kofi Annan Resigns, Amid Syrian Violence
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
The U.N. says Kofi Annan is stepping down as the U.N. and Arab League envoy for Syria, where violence between government and opposition forces has escalated. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he had “deep regret” as he announced Mr. Annan’s August 31 departure. In a Thursday statement, Mr. Ban said the “hand extended to turn […]
Egypt Swearing In New Cabinet With Mubarak Holdovers
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil has defended his selections for the new 35-minister Cabinet, which includes key positions for holdovers from former President Hosni Mubarak’s era. The prime minister told a news conference Thursday he chose ministers based on competence. State-run television says he also called for unity and urged Egyptians to work together for […]
