Top officials of the U.S. central bank signaled Wednesday that they may launch a new effort to boost the economy if growth does not improve. U.S. Federal Reserve officials indicated that bolstering growth might include a program intended to lower long-term interest rates with a complex program of buying bonds. The hope is that lower […]
South Sudan’s Deputy Military Chief Dies In Kenya
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 4:50 pm (UTC-5)
A powerful South Sudanese military commander and former militia leader, Paulino Matip, has died in a Kenyan hospital after a long illness. Information minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin announced Matip’s death Tuesday, describing him as a champion of peace and reconciliation. Matip switched sides several times during the north-south civil war that killed hundreds of thousands […]
Syrian Forces Shell Damascus, 35 Killed
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 4:25 pm (UTC-5)
Syrian government forces have renewed their attacks in the capital, Damascus, killing at least 35 people in a campaign of shelling and artillery fire. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told VOA that Wednesday’s deaths occurred in Kfar Souseh, Daraya and other southern districts where anti-government rebels operate. Residents said the shelling and aerial […]
Mars Rover Drives on Red Planet
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 3:50 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. Mars rover Curiosity has successfully competed its first drive on the Red Planet. NASA engineer Matt Heverly said the rover drove 4.5 meters Wednesday, rotated and backed up 2.5 meters. He said the drive confirmed that the soil on the planet is firm. Pictures from the Mars rover showed tire tracks made during […]
Obama Campaigns in Nevada, Ryan in Virginia
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 3:10 pm (UTC-5)
President Barack Obama says teachers and students are suffering from cuts in U.S. state budgets, and he says his Republican opponent’s plans to reduce government spending would hurt them more. Mr. Obama told a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Nevada Wednesday that fewer teachers are returning to public schools, which has increased class sizes for […]
Ethiopia Delays Installation of New Prime Minister
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 3:00 pm (UTC-5)
Ethiopia has delayed plans to swear in Hailemariam Desalegn as the new prime minister, following Monday’s death of Meles Zenawi. Parliament had been expected to hold an emergency session Thursday to install Mr. Desalegn. He had served as Mr. Meles’ deputy since 2010. However, the government communications office issued a statement late Wednesday saying the […]
Russia Becomes 156th Member of WTO
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 2:50 pm (UTC-5)
TYPE: CN )) Russia became the 156th member of the World Trade Organization on Wednesday, following nearly two decades of negotiations. Russia was one of the world’s last major economies to join the Geneva-based institution, having previously expressed concerns about the potential influx of Western goods and services. As part of its membership, Russia has […]
Zuma Meets Miners at Site of Police Killings
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
South African President Jacob Zuma has assured miners his government will uncover the “truth” about the police killing of 34 striking mine workers. Mr. Zuma spoke to hundreds of striking miners at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana. Police opened fire on protesters demanding higher wages at the Marikana mine last week. At least 10 […]
Father’s Age Linked to Autism Risk
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
The older a man is when he fathers a child, the more likely it is that he will pass on damaging mutations, such as those that lead to developmental problems like autism. While that had been suspected, scientists in Iceland have quantified the risk. They found that the average child born to a 20-year-old father […]
Greek PM Launches Bid to Secure Better Bailout Terms
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 12:25 pm (UTC-5)
Launching a diplomatic bid aimed at securing better economic-bailout terms, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has met with Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker in Athens. Later this week, Mr. Samaras will meet in Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and in Paris with French President Francois Hollande. Before meeting Juncker, Mr. Samaras told the German newspaper […]
