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, 18 May 2013 22:18:50 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA Russia is ordering the immediate departure of a U.S. embassy employee it accuses of trying to recruit a Russian intelligence officer to work for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Acting Deputy State Department Spokesman Patrick Ventrell confirms that an officer of the U.S. embassy in Moscow was briefly detained and released. "We have seen the Russian Foreign Ministry announcement and have no further comment at this time," Ventrell said. Russia's Federal Security Service ... http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-detains-us-diplomat-accused-of-spying/1660648.html http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-detains-us-diplomat-accused-of-spying/1660648.html Tue, 14 May 2013 09:33:08 -0400 Europe Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-detains-us-diplomat-accused-of-spying/1660648.html#relatedInfoContainer The rebel takeover in the Central African Republic has stalled international efforts to track down the outlaw Lord's Resistance Army (LAR) and its leader Joseph Kony, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court.  Rebels who seized power in the Central African Republic (CAR) this year effectively halted efforts to find the LRA there.  Ugandan troops and their U.S. advisers suspended the hunt amid uncertainty over how the rebel coalition, known as Seleka, might pursue the ... http://www.voanews.com/content/car-instability-helps-lords-resistance-army-regroup/1660577.html http://www.voanews.com/content/car-instability-helps-lords-resistance-army-regroup/1660577.html Tue, 14 May 2013 07:52:31 -0400 Africa Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/car-instability-helps-lords-resistance-army-regroup/1660577.html#relatedInfoContainer Asian countries are expanding their navies -- at a time of competing maritime claims over fishing rights and oil prospects.  China is leading the way. China is modernizing its navy with new spending on destroyers, frigates, submarines, and aircraft carriers.  But Beijing still has a long way to go, said King's College professor Geoffrey Till. "The Chinese navy is, if you like, in many ways the new kid on the block facing a very steep learning curve," he said. Till ... http://www.voanews.com/content/military-buildup-in-asia-pacific-adds-to-tensions-over-maritime-disputes/1658366.html http://www.voanews.com/content/military-buildup-in-asia-pacific-adds-to-tensions-over-maritime-disputes/1658366.html Fri, 10 May 2013 08:27:08 -0400 Asia Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/military-buildup-in-asia-pacific-adds-to-tensions-over-maritime-disputes/1658366.html#relatedInfoContainer A senior State Department official says he has been demoted following his criticism of the Obama administration's handling of last September's attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya.  Four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, were killed.  State Department officials say there has been no retaliation against Benghazi whistleblowers. Since his return to Washington following the Benghazi attacks, Gregory Hicks, the former deputy chief of mission in Libya, ... http://www.voanews.com/content/state-department-denies-demoting-benghazi-whisteblower/1658112.html http://www.voanews.com/content/state-department-denies-demoting-benghazi-whisteblower/1658112.html Thu, 09 May 2013 17:21:57 -0400 USA Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/state-department-denies-demoting-benghazi-whisteblower/1658112.html#relatedInfoContainer Human Rights Watch says Nigeria's military is covering up attacks on civilians during its fight against Islamic militants in the north. The rights group said satellite images following last month's violence in the northern Nigerian town of Baga show more than 2,000 buildings destroyed. Nigeria's military says only several dozen homes were burned during an attack by the militant group Boko Haram.  Deputy Washington Director Sarah Margon has doubts. "It doesn't ... http://www.voanews.com/content/military-cover-up-in-nigeria-violence-says-rights-group/1657536.html http://www.voanews.com/content/military-cover-up-in-nigeria-violence-says-rights-group/1657536.html Thu, 09 May 2013 06:34:07 -0400 Africa Scott Stearns Human rights groups say the outlawed Lord's Resistance Army has found safe-haven along the still-contentious border between Sudan and South Sudan. Chinese influence may help convince the government in Khartoum to get tough with the LRA. Facing an international arrest warrant for war crimes in East Africa, Lord's Resistance Army commander Joseph Kony is on the run. Human rights groups believe he has found refuge in Sudan. "We have uncovered that the LRA has been setting up ... http://www.voanews.com/content/human-rights-groups-say-lra-safe-havens-are-in-sudan/1656124.html http://www.voanews.com/content/human-rights-groups-say-lra-safe-havens-are-in-sudan/1656124.html Tue, 07 May 2013 09:33:36 -0400 Africa Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/human-rights-groups-say-lra-safe-havens-are-in-sudan/1656124.html#relatedInfoContainer China continues to accuse Japan of provoking disputes over contested islands in the East China Sea. The Obama administration opposes any unilateral change to Japanese administration of the islands. China says Japanese activists near the disputed islands are worsening tensions between Beijing and Tokyo. "It's Japan that stirred up and exacerbated tensions on the islands issue. It's also Japan that took direct and threatening actions. These are very evident facts that say who is ... http://www.voanews.com/content/china-says-japan-and-allies-risk-long-term-damage-over-islands/1654301.html http://www.voanews.com/content/china-says-japan-and-allies-risk-long-term-damage-over-islands/1654301.html Fri, 03 May 2013 15:48:57 -0400 Asia Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/china-says-japan-and-allies-risk-long-term-damage-over-islands/1654301.html#relatedInfoContainer U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry travels to Russia next week for talks with his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and an expected meeting with President Vladimir Putin.   Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov have already met several times over the past few months, but this will be the secretary of state's first trip to Moscow.  "And the visit, in my judgment, is overdue. I look forward to that particularly given the range of issues that we need to discuss from ... http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-us-russia-lavrov-syria/1652812.html http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-us-russia-lavrov-syria/1652812.html Wed, 01 May 2013 16:59:43 -0400 USA Scott Stearns South Korean President Park Geun-hye meets with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington next week for talks that are expected to focus on North Korea's nuclear program.   While the two leaders will discuss closer military cooperation, U.S. officials believe Chinese involvement is key to improving relations on the Korean peninsula. South Korea's military remains on alert for a missile strike from the North. "As long as North Korea does not completely withdraw its ... http://www.voanews.com/content/improving-north-south-korean-relations-may-depend-on-china-us-says/1651498.html http://www.voanews.com/content/improving-north-south-korean-relations-may-depend-on-china-us-says/1651498.html Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:31:42 -0400 Asia Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/improving-north-south-korean-relations-may-depend-on-china-us-says/1651498.html#relatedInfoContainer U.S. officials say shifting more diplomatic, commercial, and military assets to the Asia-Pacific region is not a threat to China. Stepped-up Chinese naval exercises are partly a response to the Obama administration's diplomatic and military rebalance to Asia. But U.S. officials say it's not about confrontation, it's about stability. "In this respect, the success of the rebalance hinges on having a positive and productive relationship with China. So absolutely the rebalance is ... http://www.voanews.com/content/us-diplomatic-military-rebalance-to-asia-no-threat-to-china/1649363.html http://www.voanews.com/content/us-diplomatic-military-rebalance-to-asia-no-threat-to-china/1649363.html Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:57:32 -0400 Asia Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/us-diplomatic-military-rebalance-to-asia-no-threat-to-china/1649363.html#relatedInfoContainer The United States is hoping to help ease tensions between Japan and South Korea that could undermine regional unity on North Korea. South Korea's foreign minister cancelled a trip to Japan this week over a visit by Japanese government ministers to a controversial war shrine. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said Japan and South Korea are central to containing North Korean aggression. So Washington is working to reduce tensions between Tokyo and Seoul. "We believe that strong ... http://www.voanews.com/content/us-looks-to-ease-japan-s-korea-tensions/1646977.html http://www.voanews.com/content/us-looks-to-ease-japan-s-korea-tensions/1646977.html Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:56:18 -0400 Asia Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/us-looks-to-ease-japan-s-korea-tensions/1646977.html#relatedInfoContainer The U.S. State Department Friday released its annual report on human rights around the world.  Secretary of State John Kerry says the Obama administration is calling for the protection of rights regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, race, sexual orientation, or disability. As he released this year's Human Rights Report, Secretary Kerry said one of the bright spots is Burma, where democratic reform and better human rights protections are ending years of isolation. "Has it ... http://www.voanews.com/content/state-department-human-rights-report-syria-burma/1645426.html http://www.voanews.com/content/state-department-human-rights-report-syria-burma/1645426.html Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:30:07 -0400 USA Scott Stearns U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry travels to Turkey Saturday for a meeting of foreign ministers who back opposition groups fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The issue of refugees will be high on the meeting's agenda as Syrian government attacks continue to drive people across the border into Jordan. "You can imagine the destabilizing impact and the problem for the Jordanians, who have other issues and challenges economically. So this is a big deal," said ... http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-travels-to-turkey-for-syrian-opposition-meeting/1644871.html http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-travels-to-turkey-for-syrian-opposition-meeting/1644871.html Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:07:51 -0400 Middle East Scott Stearns U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said China is key to resolving the nuclear standoff with North Korea. Briefing U.S. lawmakers on talks last week in Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo, Secretary Kerry said resolving the standoff with North Korea peacefully depends largely on involving China. "I think it's very clear from the last 15 or 20 years that the United States of America doesn't have direct influence with North Korea, other than the military threat," he said. "And ... http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-china-key-to-resolving-north-korea-standoff/1643608.html http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-china-key-to-resolving-north-korea-standoff/1643608.html Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:26:52 -0400 Asia Scott Stearns U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry travels to South Korea on Friday, to China on Saturday, and to Japan on Sunday.  This first trip to Asia will focus on North Korea and a series of regional disputes. While in Seoul, State Department officials say Kerry will discuss an agreement already in place for a "proportional" response by the United States and South Korea to any North Korean aggression. There will also be talk of South Korea's civilian nuclear program and President ... http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-heads-to-south-korea-china-japan/1639601.html http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-heads-to-south-korea-china-japan/1639601.html Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:00:12 -0400 USA Scott Stearns U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry makes his first trip to Asia later this week, where he will be talking about North Korea and a more active U.S. military and diplomatic presence in the region.  On Asia, President Obama's second term starts where his first left off --boosting military, diplomatic, and commercial assets in the region as part of a so-called "Asia Pivot." Ahead of his first trip to Asia as secretary of state, John Kerry compared U.S. goals for the region to ... http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-asia-pivot-tops-kerrys-agenda/1639121.html http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-asia-pivot-tops-kerrys-agenda/1639121.html Thu, 11 Apr 2013 06:31:11 -0400 Asia Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-asia-pivot-tops-kerrys-agenda/1639121.html#relatedInfoContainer A prominent Islamic scholar says the war on terror focuses too much on religious extremists and not enough on the problem of weak central governments failing to serve rural populations. French troops fighting al-Qaida-affiliated terrorists in Mali have helped restore order to areas overrun by an ethnic Tuareg rebellion. But local leaders, like Moussa Ag Oumeytta, say solving the crisis means improving the quality of rural life. "What brought on all these problems is poverty and the ... http://www.voanews.com/content/war-on-terror-focuses-too-much-on-extremists-scholar-says/1638369.html http://www.voanews.com/content/war-on-terror-focuses-too-much-on-extremists-scholar-says/1638369.html Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:23:18 -0400 Africa Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/war-on-terror-focuses-too-much-on-extremists-scholar-says/1638369.html#relatedInfoContainer U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry travels to Asia later this week for talks on how best to deal with threats of war from North Korea. He will visit South Korea, China and Japan. With troops training in what North Korea says is a "state of war," Kerry says Pyongyang can still end international isolation over its nuclear program.  And once again, China is the key. "They can come back to the table and join all of those other countries, including their nearest neighbor and ... http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-says-china-key-to-resolving-north-korea-crisis/1637629.html http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-says-china-key-to-resolving-north-korea-crisis/1637629.html Tue, 09 Apr 2013 07:48:18 -0400 Asia Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-says-china-key-to-resolving-north-korea-crisis/1637629.html#relatedInfoContainer U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry makes his first trip to Asia next week, where talks in Beijing are expected to focus on an increasingly-aggressive North Korea and on territorial disputes in the South China Sea. China's maritime rivals are pursuing their claims in a variety of ways. Beijing says its live-fire exercises in the South China Sea are meant to defend against naval and air attacks in the contested waters. But Vietnam says those Chinese patrols endanger navigation. It says ... http://www.voanews.com/content/south-china-sea-claims-china/1635118.html http://www.voanews.com/content/south-china-sea-claims-china/1635118.html Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:23:28 -0400 Asia Scott Stearns http://www.voanews.com/content/south-china-sea-claims-china/1635118.html#relatedInfoContainer U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry travels to Asia next week for talks on how best to deal with an increasingly aggressive North Korea. China once again has a central role in approaching the reclusive state. For all of what he calls North Korea's "dangerous and reckless" threats, Kerry said Pyongyang can still negotiate its way out of international isolation over its nuclear program. "They can come back to the table and join all of those other countries, including their ... http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-tops-kerrys-agenda/1634202.html http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-tops-kerrys-agenda/1634202.html Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:14:29 -0400 USA Scott Stearns