Three bomb blast ripped through a central market in Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least eight people. Another 20 were reported wounded. The blasts occurred mid-day in the Iraqi capital’s Shorja market as shoppers were preparing for the Muslim Eid al-Adha festival. Though insurgent violence across Iraq has dropped significantly this year, U.S. and Iraqi […]
6 Killed in Afghan Blast
Posted November 6th, 2011 at 9:35 am (UTC-5)
Officials in northern Afghanistan say a suicide bomber has killed at least six people, including one policeman, and wounded 15. Authorities say the attacker struck Sunday as worshippers were leaving a mosque after prayers in Baghlan province. The attack happened on the first day of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday, which is traditionally a time […]
Activists: Syrian Forces Kill At Least 13 in Friday Protests
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 3:15 pm (UTC-5)
Activists say Syrian security forces have killed at least 13 people as thousands of protesters rallied across Syria Friday to test the government’s acceptance of an Arab League peace initiative. Syrian state television denied there were killings. Government officials say they have offered amnesty to anyone who surrenders weapons in the coming days. But U.S. […]
Sudan Captures Rebel Stronghold in Blue Nile
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 2:50 pm (UTC-5)
Sudanese government forces have captured a rebel stronghold in the restive border state of Blue Nile. Sudanese officials say the army has succeeded in pushing the rebels out of Kurmuk, a town located close to South Sudan, which broke away from Sudan in July. Officials said the town has been “totally liberated and secured” from […]
Obama Says Progress Made in Stabilizing World Economy
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama says the world’s leaders have “made important progress” in stablizing the global economy and that he is confident European leaders will be able to resolve the continent’s debt crisis. Mr. Obama told reporters Friday at the end of the Group of 20 summit in Cannes, France, that “more hard work” remains […]
Slight Improvement For US Job Market
Posted November 3rd, 2011 at 9:45 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. job market improved slightly last week, with fewer Americans signing up for unemployment compensation. Thursday’s report from the Labor Department of new unemployment claims fell 9,000 to a nationwide total of 397,000. The lower total reflects fewer layoffs, which are a step toward lowering the relatively high U.S. unemployment rate. Economists surveyed by […]
New Poll Shows Rise in Approval for Obama
Posted November 2nd, 2011 at 5:10 pm (UTC-5)
A new public opinion poll has good news for U.S. President Barack Obama, who is seeking a second term next year. The poll by Quinnipiac University gives the president a 47 percent approval rating, up considerably from the 41 percent positive rating in September. Pollster Peter Brown tells VOA that the president’s boost may have […]
Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Poland
Posted November 1st, 2011 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
A Boeing 767 jet aircraft traveling from the United States made an emergency landing at Poland’s Warsaw international airport Monday after its landing gear failed to come down. The plane circled above the airport for some time before the pilots landed the plane safely on its belly on the runway, which had been sprayed with […]
US Delegation to Attend ‘Water Dialogue’ in Pakistan
Posted October 31st, 2011 at 6:50 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. State Department says Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Maria Otero, is leading the U.S. delegation to a meeting of the U.S.-Pakistan Water Dialogue in Islamabad. A State Department statement issued Monday says the purpose of the working group meeting is to develop actions that promote water security in response […]
Croatia Announces New Elections for December 4
Posted October 31st, 2011 at 9:35 am (UTC-5)
Croatian President Ivo Josipovic has announced that new parliamentary elections will be held on December 4. Mr. Josipovic made the announcement Monday, after Croatia’s parliament voted to dissolve on Friday. The ruling Croatian Democratic Union will take on a coalition of center-left parties, after the HDZ was shaken by a spate of corruption scandals. The […]
