http://www.voanews.com Voice of America is an international news and broadcast organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries http://www.voanews.com/img/voa/rssLogo_VOA.gif http://www.voanews.com en-US 2012 - VOA 60 Sat, 25 May 2013 14:08:13 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA Korean-American tourist Kenneth Bae has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in North Korea, in what analysts are describing as a familiar ploy meant to win concessions from Washington and boost Pyongyang's domestic credentials. At least six Americans have been detained since 2009 in the notoriously reclusive state. While some were given similarly harsh sentences of hard labor, all were eventually released. In most cases, their release was won following much-publicized visits by ... http://www.voanews.com/content/sentence-of-american-viewed-as-bargaining-chip-for-north-korea/1652984.html http://www.voanews.com/content/sentence-of-american-viewed-as-bargaining-chip-for-north-korea/1652984.html Thu, 02 May 2013 06:28:08 -0400 Asia William Gallo Analysts say securing energy deals will be a main focus of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's week-long economic diplomacy tour of Russia and the Middle East. Accompanied by a delegation of more than 100 Japanese business leaders, Prime Minister Abe is in the middle of a trip that includes stops in Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Securing cheaper energy imports is crucial for resource-starved Japan, which has struggled to recover from the loss of almost all ... http://www.voanews.com/content/japan-abe-focuses-on-energy-during-trip-overseas/1651517.html http://www.voanews.com/content/japan-abe-focuses-on-energy-during-trip-overseas/1651517.html Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:20:04 -0400 Asia William Gallo Analysts and officials are cautioning against drawing too many conclusions from the partial disclosure of a U.S. intelligence report that suggests North Korea has succeeded in being able to place a nuclear warhead on a ballistic missile. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Pentagon's spy wing, has "moderate confidence" that North Korea has nuclear weapons capable of delivery by a ballistic missile, according to an unclassified portion of the report disclosed Thursday. ... http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-downplay-us-report-on-north-korean-missiles/1639919.html http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-downplay-us-report-on-north-korean-missiles/1639919.html Fri, 12 Apr 2013 06:24:10 -0400 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-downplay-us-report-on-north-korean-missiles/1639919.html#relatedInfoContainer The United States' highly visible show of force on the Korean peninsula has raised some concern by analysts that such gestures may be provoking further bellicose action by North Korea rather than deterring it. The U.S. has used some of its most advanced stealth bombers and fighters in highly publicized annual military exercises with South Korea over the past several weeks. It is also expanding American missile-defense systems in the region and moving two guided-missile destroyers closer ... http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-debate-effectiveness-of-us-show-of-force-on-korean-peninsula/1635312.html http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-debate-effectiveness-of-us-show-of-force-on-korean-peninsula/1635312.html Fri, 05 Apr 2013 06:19:12 -0400 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-debate-effectiveness-of-us-show-of-force-on-korean-peninsula/1635312.html#relatedInfoContainer Analysts say it is too soon to tell how North Korea's decision to resume operations at a shuttered plutonium nuclear reactor and  further uranium enrichment will impact Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. It would take about six months to get the plutonium reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear complex running again, estimates Mark Fitzpatrick, director of the London-based IISS's non-proliferation and disarmament program. "The danger is that if North Korea could get the ... http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-downplay-north-korean-nuclear-threats/1633098.html http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-downplay-north-korean-nuclear-threats/1633098.html Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:54:56 -0400 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-downplay-north-korean-nuclear-threats/1633098.html#relatedInfoContainer Groups that organize trips to North Korea say the country is no longer offering mobile Internet to foreign visitors, just weeks after it unveiled a new 3G service that promised an unprecedented look into the notoriously closed state. The apparently uncensored Internet service was introduced last month, setting off a flurry of Instagram photos and Twitter posts. The move offered a rare glimpse into a country that does not allow its own citizens to access the web. Koryo Tours, a group that ... http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-cuts-3g-mobile-web-for-foreign-visitors/1630236.html http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-cuts-3g-mobile-web-for-foreign-visitors/1630236.html Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:00:06 -0400 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-cuts-3g-mobile-web-for-foreign-visitors/1630236.html#relatedInfoContainer Analysts say the Pentagon's recent announcement that it is working with Japan to counter any Chinese military action to seize disputed islands in the East China Sea is a surprisingly blunt warning to Beijing. A U.S. defense official on Wednesday said the chief of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces Joint Staff, General Shigeru Iwasaki, will meet later this week with the head of the U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Locklear, to discuss a plan to retake the islands Japan calls the Senkaku, ... http://www.voanews.com/content/us-jjapan-discuss-plan-to-counter-china-over-disputed-islands/1625754.html http://www.voanews.com/content/us-jjapan-discuss-plan-to-counter-china-over-disputed-islands/1625754.html Thu, 21 Mar 2013 06:35:39 -0400 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/us-jjapan-discuss-plan-to-counter-china-over-disputed-islands/1625754.html#relatedInfoContainer North Korea appears to be preparing its people for a potential conflict with the U.S.-backed South, by taking steps to camouflage public transport and broadcasting messages from citizens in favor of war. South Korean and Japanese media reported Wednesday that authorities in Pyongyang have begun to cover up buses and trains with camouflage netting, a precautionary measure that has not been seen in the North Korean capital for years. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the situation in ... http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-prepares-public-for-potential-conflict-with-south/1616568.html http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-prepares-public-for-potential-conflict-with-south/1616568.html Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:53:10 -0500 Asia Michael Lipin, William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-prepares-public-for-potential-conflict-with-south/1616568.html#relatedInfoContainer As of this week, foreigners living in and visiting North Korea can access Twitter, Facebook, and other social media on their mobile phones, providing what could be an unprecedented, real-time view of the notoriously isolated country. A slow but steady stream of tweets and Instagram photos have already emerged since the mobile service provider Koryolink unveiled its apparently uncensored 3G network, setting up a rare direct connection with a country that remains a mystery to most outsiders. ... http://www.voanews.com/content/new-internet-regulations-provide-windew-into-nkorea/1612311.html http://www.voanews.com/content/new-internet-regulations-provide-windew-into-nkorea/1612311.html Thu, 28 Feb 2013 02:07:04 -0500 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/new-internet-regulations-provide-windew-into-nkorea/1612311.html#relatedInfoContainer China is adamantly denying a report by a U.S.-based Internet security group that accuses Beijing's army of carrying out a "long-running and extensive cyber espionage campaign" against American government and business targets. Beijing's Defense Ministry on Wednesday released a statement saying the Chinese army has never supported cyber attacks. It said the Tuesday report by Mandiant "is not based on facts" and "lacks technical proof." Mandiant says its ... http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-army-rejects-us-report-on-cyber-hacking/1607033.html http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-army-rejects-us-report-on-cyber-hacking/1607033.html Wed, 20 Feb 2013 02:07:56 -0500 Asia William Gallo, Victor Beattie http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-army-rejects-us-report-on-cyber-hacking/1607033.html#relatedInfoContainer A U.S.-based Internet security group is accusing the Chinese government of involvement in a sophisticated campaign of cyber attacks against American businesses, government and critical infrastructure. A 60-page report released Tuesday by Mandiant details dozens of attacks by a prolific, China-based hacker group it says is using "direct government support" to wage a "long-running and extensive cyber espionage campaign." Mandiant says the group, referred to as APT1, has ... http://www.voanews.com/content/us-firm-links-chinese-army-to-cyber-attacks/1606283.html http://www.voanews.com/content/us-firm-links-chinese-army-to-cyber-attacks/1606283.html Tue, 19 Feb 2013 01:03:14 -0500 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/us-firm-links-chinese-army-to-cyber-attacks/1606283.html#relatedInfoContainer Analysts say North Korea's test of what it says is a miniaturized nuclear device is a step forward in its goal of developing a weapon capable of striking the United States. North Korea on Tuesday said its third underground nuclear test used a smaller and lighter atomic bomb than in previous tests in 2006 and 2009. Initial reports suggest it was also more powerful, generating significantly more explosive yield than its previous bombs. Though it is impossible to confirm the exact nature ... http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-nuclear-test-reveals-progress-in-weapon-program/1602717.html http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-nuclear-test-reveals-progress-in-weapon-program/1602717.html Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:46:12 -0500 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-nuclear-test-reveals-progress-in-weapon-program/1602717.html#relatedInfoContainer As the world waits to see whether North Korea will follow through on its threat to conduct a third nuclear test, some analysts say the international community should look into new ways of dealing with Pyongyang. Last month, North Korea promised to soon conduct a "high-level" nuclear test after the United Nations Security Council tightened sanctions against the communist state. The 15-member body was responding to a November long-range rocket launch that North Korea was banned from ... http://www.voanews.com/content/effectiveness-of-un-sanctions-on-north-korea-questioned/1597381.html http://www.voanews.com/content/effectiveness-of-un-sanctions-on-north-korea-questioned/1597381.html Tue, 05 Feb 2013 08:08:57 -0500 Asia William Gallo Chinese hackers have conducted a growing number of attacks against foreign companies and government institutions in recent years, leading a recent U.S. congressional report to call China the "most threatening actor in cyberspace." Although the attacks are difficult to trace to a specific source, many suspect the hackers are targeting overseas business, media, political and security institutions at the direction of, or with the permission of, the Chinese government or military. ... http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-cyber-hackers-a-growing-threat/1594302.html http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-cyber-hackers-a-growing-threat/1594302.html Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:59:39 -0500 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-cyber-hackers-a-growing-threat/1594302.html#relatedInfoContainer The nominee to be the United States' next top diplomat, John Kerry, turned some heads Thursday when he appeared to criticize parts of one of the Obama administration's key foreign policy objectives: the U.S. pivot toward Asia. Kerry, who is almost certain to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when she steps down later this year, told a Senate confirmation hearing he is "not convinced that a military ramp-up is critical yet" in Asia, saying it may unnecessarily offend ... http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-concerned-about-us-military-buildup-in-asia/1590642.html http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-concerned-about-us-military-buildup-in-asia/1590642.html Fri, 25 Jan 2013 06:19:01 -0500 USA William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-concerned-about-us-military-buildup-in-asia/1590642.html#relatedInfoContainer Analysts say China will likely ignore the Philippines' decision to take a long-running territorial feud to an international tribunal, continuing its insistence on solving maritime disputes without third party involvement. Philippine foreign secretary Albert del Rosario said Tuesday his government will take the issue to an arbitral tribunal under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which has been ratified by both countries. The Philippines wants the panel to reject ... http://www.voanews.com/content/china-likely-to-ignore-philippines-challenge-in-south-china-sea-dispute/1589292.html http://www.voanews.com/content/china-likely-to-ignore-philippines-challenge-in-south-china-sea-dispute/1589292.html Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:27:47 -0500 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/china-likely-to-ignore-philippines-challenge-in-south-china-sea-dispute/1589292.html#relatedInfoContainer This week's visit to North Korea by Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt has drawn attention to Pyongyang's policy of severely limiting Internet access to the nation's ruling elite and their families. Schmidt directly addressed that policy as he ended his four-day private mission to the reclusive communist state. Speaking to reporters after landing in Beijing on Thursday, he said he warned Pyongyang that its continued isolation from global information networks will harm economic ... http://www.voanews.com/content/google-chairman-urgers-n-korea-on-internet-freedom/1581083.html http://www.voanews.com/content/google-chairman-urgers-n-korea-on-internet-freedom/1581083.html Thu, 10 Jan 2013 06:51:28 -0500 Asia Michael Lipin, William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/google-chairman-urgers-n-korea-on-internet-freedom/1581083.html#relatedInfoContainer The influential Chinese newspaper at the center of a rare protest against government censorship has a long history of progressive and controversial reporting that has tested the limits of free speech in China's strictly controlled media environment. The Southern Weekly is part of the larger Nanfang Media Group, which is known for its in-depth and aggressive reports on sensitive topics, such as the 2003 SARS outbreak or China's massive network of illegal detentions centers. The ... http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-paper-has-long-history-of-challenging-authorities/1579654.html http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-paper-has-long-history-of-challenging-authorities/1579654.html Tue, 08 Jan 2013 07:24:27 -0500 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-paper-has-long-history-of-challenging-authorities/1579654.html#relatedInfoContainer India has set up a so-called "fast-track" court to try the men accused of the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old girl in New Delhi whose case has prompted nationwide protests and public demands for swifter justice for sexual assault victims. The fast-track court is one of five being set up in New Delhi, ominously known by some as the "rape capital of India." The courts will hear cases of sexual assault and other crimes against women in an effort to bypass India's ... http://www.voanews.com/content/effectiveness_questioned_of_indias_fast_track_courts_seeking_justice_for_rape_victims/1578020.html http://www.voanews.com/content/effectiveness_questioned_of_indias_fast_track_courts_seeking_justice_for_rape_victims/1578020.html Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:48:10 -0500 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/effectiveness_questioned_of_indias_fast_track_courts_seeking_justice_for_rape_victims/1578020.html#relatedInfoContainer China says it has improved the quality health care to its population, but observers say continued reforms are needed to fix a dysfunctional system that is still plagued by high costs and uneven access. A government white paper released this week says health care reforms launched in 2009 have made medical services more affordable and accessible, and have narrowed a substantial gap between care received in urban and rural regions. Beijing has set the goal of providing universal health care to ... http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-china-health-care-improving-but-more-reforms-needed/1573022.html http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-china-health-care-improving-but-more-reforms-needed/1573022.html Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:41:35 -0500 Asia William Gallo http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-china-health-care-improving-but-more-reforms-needed/1573022.html#relatedInfoContainer