The European Central Bank is taking new action to try to end the financial turmoil in the 17-nation euro currency union. Bank chief Mario Draghi says the central bank is ready to buy the government bonds of the continent’s debtor nations, which could ease the heightened borrowing costs for Spain and Italy. Draghi set no […]
European Central Bank Acts to Quell Debt Crisis
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
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Top US Commander Sees ‘Progress’ in US-Pakistan Relations
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan discussed border coordination with Pakistan’s army chief Thursday during his first visit to Pakistan since it ended its seven-month blockade of NATO supplies. A joint statement released after the meeting quoted General John Allen as saying he is pleased with the “upward spiral” in the U.S.-Pakistan […]
Ethiopia Rejects Rumors, Says PM’s Health Improving
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 10:30 am (UTC-5)
A top Ethiopian official says the health of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is “much improved” in recent days, following treatment for an unspecified illness. Mr. Meles has not been seen in public for more than a month, and opposition websites this week reported the Ethiopian leader is dead. In an interview with Ethiopian television late […]
Syrian Forces, Rebels Pound Targets in Aleppo
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
Syrian rebels have used a captured tank to shell a military base in the northern city of Aleppo, as government forces pounded rebel strongholds in the city with tank and artillery fire. The opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the government shelling left seven people dead. The Britain-based group also says cell phone and […]
Europe’s Central Bank to Buy Bonds of Debtor Nations
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
The European Central Bank says it is ready to buy the government bonds of the continent’s debt-ridden countries, a move that could ease the rising borrowing costs of financially troubled Spain and Italy. Bank President Mario Draghi did not disclose the size of the bond purchases, but said Thursday it would be sizeable enough for […]
Afghan Forces Thwart Attack on Kabul
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 8:45 am (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 […]
Top US Commander Sees “Progress” in US-Pakistan Relations
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 8:30 am (UTC-5)
The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan discussed border coordination with Pakistan’s army chief Thursday during his first visit to Pakistan since it ended its seven-month blockade of NATO supplies. A joint statement released after the meeting quoted General John Allen as saying he is pleased with the “upward spiral” in the U.S.-Pakistan […]
Spain Arrests 3 Suspected al-Qaida Members
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 8:05 am (UTC-5)
Spanish authorities say they have arrested three suspected members of al-Qaida. Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz told reporters Thursday that there was a “clear indication” that those detained could have been planning an attack in Spain or Europe. Authorities accuse the men of storing explosives that the minister said would be especially damaging with […]
Egypt’s Defense Minister Keeps Post in New Cabinet
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 8:00 am (UTC-5)
Egyptian Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi will keep his post as defense minister in the country’s first government since former President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation last year. Officials announced on Thursday that Tantawi would be part of the new Cabinet chosen by Prime Minister Hisham Qandil. Tantawi, a hold-over from the Mubarak era, also ruled the […]
Bangladesh Orders Aid Groups to Suspend Services to Rohingya Refugees
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 7:50 am (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. Diderik Van Halsema, a spokesperson for Doctor’s Without Borders, (MSF) tells VOA his organization is one of three groups that have reportedly been ordered to suspend their services to the Rohingya along […]
