The United Nations General Assembly on Friday approved a non-binding resolution that condemns Syria’s government’s use of heavy weapons in the fight against rebel forces. The vote also criticizes the U.N. Security Council for failing to stem the violence in Syria. The vote came as Syrian activists report more violence in the 17-month uprising against […]
US Labor Market Advances, but Jobless Rate Is Higher
Posted August 3rd, 2012 at 12:50 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. says its labor market improved markedly in July, even as the national jobless rate edged higher. The government reported Friday that employers added 163,000 jobs last month, after three straight months of sluggish hiring, and the most since February. But even as more unemployed workers found new jobs, the country’s unemployment rate increased […]
At Least 1 Killed in Nairobi Blast Ahead of Clinton Visit
Posted August 3rd, 2012 at 12:45 pm (UTC-5)
An explosion in Kenya’s capital has killed at least one person, a day before U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due to visit the city. A VOA reporter in Nairobi says the explosion occurred in the neighborhood of Eastleigh, an area where many Somali immigrants live. He says the explosion was apparently the result […]
UN Assembly to Vote on Syria Resolution
Posted August 3rd, 2012 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations General Assembly is meeting on a Saudi-drafted resolution on Syria, as activists report more violence in the 17-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. Kicking off debate on the resolution late Friday morning, U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon said the Syria conflict is now a “proxy war” and urged major powers to end the […]
India Facing First Drought in 3 Years
Posted August 3rd, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
India is facing its first drought in three years, with this year’s monsoon rains down by nearly 20 percent. In a report issued late Thursday, the Indian Meteorological Department said more than half of India has received deficient rainfall between June and August of this year. Portions of the country’s northwest, including key food-producing states […]
Clinton Urges Sudan, South Sudan to Settle Issues
Posted August 3rd, 2012 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is urging Sudan and South Sudan to resolve bitter disputes that earlier this year pushed the countries to the brink of war. Clinton spoke to reporters Friday during a brief visit to the southern capital, Juba, where she met with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir. VOA correspondent Anne Look, […]
Women Make History on Day 7 of the London Games
Posted August 3rd, 2012 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
Fans at the 2012 London games witnessed history Friday, watching as several countries fielded female athletes for the very first time. Spectators met Saudi Arabia’s Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani with a round of applause when she took to the mat in the women’s judo competition, becoming the first Saudi woman ever to compete in […]
Pakistan’s Supreme Court Strikes Down Contempt Law
Posted August 3rd, 2012 at 10:30 am (UTC-5)
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has struck down a law that would have given the prime minister immunity from contempt charges, as a fight between the judiciary and government heats up. Parliament passed the law last month to protect Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and other top government officials from the same fate as former Prime Minister […]
US Labor Market Advances, but Jobless Rate Is Higher
Posted August 3rd, 2012 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. says its labor market improved markedly in July, even as the national jobless rate edged higher. The government reported Friday that employers added 163,000 jobs last month, after three straight months of sluggish hiring, and the most since February. But even as more unemployed workers found new jobs, the country’s unemployment rate increased […]
Al-Qaida Suspects Questioned in Spain
Posted August 3rd, 2012 at 9:15 am (UTC-5)
Three suspected members of the al-Qaida terror group are being questioned in a Spanish court, where a judge will decide whether they remain behind bars. Armed police shut down streets in Madrid Friday as the three men were led into the Audiencia Nacional Court. Spanish officials say the suspects are of Russian and Turkish origin, […]
