A Syrian human rights group says security forces have arrested at least 68 people, including three children, over the past few days in and around the coastal city of Banias. Mataz Suheil of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told VOA Tuesday the “arbitrary detentions” of 25 women, three children and at least 40 […]
Syria Rights Group: Dozens ‘Arbitrarily’ Detained in Banias
Posted September 25th, 2012 at 3:35 pm (UTC-5)
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Bomb in Eastern Turkey Kills 7
Posted September 25th, 2012 at 2:10 pm (UTC-5)
A bomb blast Tuesday killed at least seven people in eastern Turkey. Security sources said the device went off at a point along a road in the city of Tunceli as a military vehicle was passing by. At least six soldiers and one civilian were killed. Another vehicle was also hit by the blast. Smoke […]
Romney, Obama Focus on Foreign Policy
Posted September 25th, 2012 at 1:20 pm (UTC-5)
Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney laid out some of his foreign policy goals Tuesday in a speech to global leaders meeting in New York. Mr. Romney said he plans to initiate what he called “Prosperity Pacts” with developing nations. Under the plan, the U.S. government and private sector would identify barriers to investment and trade […]
Tibetan Exiles Meet in India to Discuss Self-Immolations
Posted September 25th, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
Tibetan exiles from around the world are holding talks in northern India on ways to respond to a wave of self-immolations by Tibetans protesting Chinese rule. Some 400 delegates met in the Indian town of Dharamsala Tuesday for the start of the Special General Meeting of Tibetans. Tuesday’s gathering began with a procession of attendees […]
Obama Calls for End to Extremism, Slams Syria and Iran
Posted September 25th, 2012 at 11:05 am (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama called on world leaders to “speak out forcefully against violence and extremism,” saying the world can only make progress by pursuing tolerance and freedom. Mr. Obama spoke Tuesday to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly getting a smattering of polite applause. He told delegates “it is time to […]
Presidents of Sudan, South Sudan Set for 3rd Day of Talks
Posted September 24th, 2012 at 11:25 pm (UTC-5)
The leaders of Sudan and South Sudan are set to meet again Tuesday after two days of negotiations failed to resolve issues left from the two countries’ split last year. Talks Monday between Presidents Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and Salva Kiir of South Sudan, as well as African Union mediators, ended without a breakthrough. Officials […]
UN Envoy: No Plan Yet for Saving Syria
Posted September 24th, 2012 at 1:20 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations and Arab League envoy for Syria is painting a bleak picture of conditions inside the war-ravaged country, offering few solutions to the crisis. Lakhdar Brahimi briefed the U.N. Security Council Monday, telling reporters afterwards, “there is no disagreement anywhere that the situation in Syria is very bad and getting worse.” Brahimi also […]
International Observers Criticize Belarus Vote
Posted September 24th, 2012 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
International observers are strongly criticizing Belarus’ recent parliamentary election as “not [being] competitive from the start,” saying its administrators lacked impartiality. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe had sent more than 300 observers to Belarus to observe the vote. In a statement Monday, it said “a free election depends on people being free […]
Lukashenko Warns Opposition Not to March Against Parliamentary Vote
Posted September 23rd, 2012 at 4:35 pm (UTC-5)
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is warning the opposition not to march against Sunday’s parliamentary elections, which opponents call a sham. Mr. Lukashenko called the opposition “cowards” who have nothing to say to the people. He said the world should admire what he called the “boring” elections in Belarus that he said are carried out with […]
Suicide Bomber Kills 2 at Nigeria Church
Posted September 23rd, 2012 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
Nigerian police say a suicide bomber has killed at least two people and wounded more than 45 at a church in northern Bauchi state. The attack took place on Sunday morning at Saint John’s Catholic Church in Bauchi city, the state capital. Authorities say the attacker detonated a vehicle loaded with explosives during a security […]
