Kenyan police are investigating a violent clash between two ethnic groups, in the eastern Tana River region, that left at least 48 people dead. Police and residents say at least 100 members of the Pokomo clan raided a village inhabited by members of the Orma group, late Tuesday. Investigators say some villagers were killed after […]
US Troop Deaths Top 2,000 in Afghanistan
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
The number of U.S. military members killed in the war in Afghanistan has surpassed 2,000, with more than half of the deaths coming in the past 27 months. The increased casualty rate came as President Barack Obama poured thousands of extra troops into the country to intensify the U.S.-led NATO coalition’s battle against insurgents. Those […]
Russia Becomes 156th Member of WTO
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
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 agreed to lower […]
Ethiopia Prepares for New Prime Minister as Nation Mourns Meles
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 9:15 am (UTC-5)
Ethiopia’s parliament is preparing to hold an emergency session to swear in the successor to the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who died on Monday. Parliament is set to meet Thursday to install the new prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, who has served as Mr. Meles’ deputy since 2010. Mr. Desalegn is to serve out the […]
48 Killed in Ethnic Clashes in Kenya
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 9:00 am (UTC-5)
At least 48 people, including 11 children, have been killed in clashes between two ethnic groups in Kenya’s eastern Tana River region. Police said Wednesday the victims were either hacked to death or burned after fighting erupted between the Pokomo and Orma communities. There has been an ongoing dispute between the two groups over land […]
Amnesty Urges Protection of Pakistani Girl Accused of Blasphemy
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
Amnesty International is urging the Pakistani government to ensure the safety of a Christian girl accused of violating the country’s blasphemy laws after she allegedly desecrated a religious text. Police arrested Ramsha Masih last week after angry neighbors surrounded her house in Islamabad and accused her of burning pages inscribed with verses from the Koran. […]
Report: Thousands of Chinese Forcibly Institutionalized
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
A new report says thousands of Chinese each year are committed to mental institutions against their will, often for punishment or political purposes. The Chinese Human Rights Defenders group says those locked up for alleged mental illnesses are frequently subjected to forced medication, violence, and other mistreatment such as electrical shocks. It says many have […]
Syrian Forces Shell Damascus, 12 Killed
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 6:10 am (UTC-5)
Syrian government forces have renewed their attacks in the capital, Damascus, killing at least 12 people. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told VOA Wednesday’s deaths occurred in Kfar Souseh, Daraya and other southern districts where anti-government rebels operate. Residents said the shelling and aerial bombardment were some of the fiercest since the army […]
Greek PM Says Country Not Seeking More Money
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is seeking to reassure the country’s international creditors, saying Greece is not looking for any additional money to help its recession-plagued economy. Mr. Samaras is hosting talks Wednesday with Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker, and will travel for meetings later in the week with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President […]
US Troop Deaths Top 2,000 in Afghanistan
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 5:15 am (UTC-5)
The number of U.S. military members killed in the war in Afghanistan has surpassed 2,000, with more than half the deaths coming in the past 27 months. The increased casualty rate came after U.S. President Barack Obama sent thousands of extra troops into the country to intensify the U.S.-led NATO coalition’s battle against insurgents. Those […]
