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 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:34:17 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA Turkish police have arrested several people holding a silent protest in Istanbul's Taksim Square. Turkey has seen violent anti-government protests in several cities across the country for nearly three weeks. The government said Monday it may use the army to help stop the protests, if police power is not enough. Two major Turkish trade unions held a nationwide strike Monday against the police crackdown on Gezi Park demonstrators. The unions, which together represent hundreds of thousands ... http://www.voanews.com/content/silent-protesters-arrested-in-turkey/1683805.html http://www.voanews.com/content/silent-protesters-arrested-in-turkey/1683805.html Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:06:30 -0400 Breaking News U.S. President Barack Obama has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a potential no-fly zone over Syria. In a television interview broadcast late Monday, Mr. Obama said if there was a move to restrict flights by the Syrian air force, that "may not be actually solving the problem." The president also said he will "preserve every option" available to him, and that the U.S. will be involved in a "careful, calibrated way." The White House has not ... http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-skeptical-about-syria-nofly-zone-potential/1683803.html http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-skeptical-about-syria-nofly-zone-potential/1683803.html Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:36:24 -0400 Breaking News A spate of alleged thefts from the office of South Sudanese President Salva Kiir may have been an inside job, officials investigating how tens of thousands of dollars went missing from Kiir's office said Monday. Some $70,000 U.S. that was kept in the president's office to pay staff who do not have bank accounts, along with two laptops, went missing from Kiir's office in the space of a week in March, Justice John Gatwech Lul, who led the investigation, said. “The burglary took ... http://www.voanews.com/content/theft-south-sudan-kiir-office-inside-job/1683794.html http://www.voanews.com/content/theft-south-sudan-kiir-office-inside-job/1683794.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:00:22 -0400 Africa webdesk@voanews.com (Mugume Davis Rwakaringi) http://www.voanews.com/content/theft-south-sudan-kiir-office-inside-job/1683794.html#relatedInfoContainer G8 leaders say global economic prospects remain weak as Europe, Asia and the United States still try to recover from the worldwide recession. After the first day of their annual summit in Northern Ireland Monday, the G8 said significant policy actions taken by the eurozone, U.S. and Japan have reduced the risk of an economic downturn. The leaders said promoting growth and jobs remains their priority. They called the fight against long-term and youth unemployment critical. Earlier Monday, the ... http://www.voanews.com/content/g8-leaders-world-economic-prospects-still-weak/1683776.html http://www.voanews.com/content/g8-leaders-world-economic-prospects-still-weak/1683776.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:19:30 -0400 Breaking News The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that states cannot demand proof of citizenship when people register to vote. The justices' 7-2 ruling Monday struck down Arizona's requirement that voters prove they are U.S. citizens in order to use a federal registration form. The court's ruling could affect other states with similar laws, including Alabama, Georgia and Kansas. Twelve other states are contemplating similar legislation. States say the laws were designed to prevent voter fraud, but ... http://www.voanews.com/content/supreme-court-strikes-down-voter-id-law/1683742.html http://www.voanews.com/content/supreme-court-strikes-down-voter-id-law/1683742.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:34:27 -0400 Breaking News Russian President Vladimir Putin says the U.S. and Russia differ on Syria, but they agree that the violence must stop and all parties must negotiate a settlement. Mr. Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama discussed Syria Monday on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Northern Ireland. Mr. Obama thanked the Russian president for what he called a useful conversation. He agreed that their opinions on Syria do not coincide. But he said both sides share an interest in stopping the violence and the ... http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-putin-agree-to-disagree-on-syria/1683719.html http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-putin-agree-to-disagree-on-syria/1683719.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:46:27 -0400 Breaking News Fifteen years after his death in a small plane crash and more than 40 years after his first hit, John Denver’s songs are getting a new lease on life. “The Music Is You,” is a new tribute that brings musicians from various genres and generations together to re-imagine Denver’s biggest hits. The musicians include southern rockers My Morning Jacket, who cover “Leaving On A Jet Plane.” The 10-piece alternative band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros reinterprets “Wooden Indian.” And ... http://www.voanews.com/content/john-denver-tribute-the-music-is-you/1683717.html http://www.voanews.com/content/john-denver-tribute-the-music-is-you/1683717.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:43:23 -0400 Arts & Entertainment webdesk@voanews.com (Katherine Cole) The European Union official in charge of tax policy tried to persuade Switzerland on Monday to agree to surrender more information about clients of its big banking industry as part of a drive to combat tax evasion.   Commissioner Algirdas Semeta's meeting with Swiss Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf in Bern came as British Prime Minister David Cameron was due to put his aim of fighting tax evasion on the agenda of a G8 summit he is hosting on Monday and Tuesday.   “It is ... http://www.voanews.com/content/eu-tax-chief-swiss-bank-secrecy/1683707.html http://www.voanews.com/content/eu-tax-chief-swiss-bank-secrecy/1683707.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:54:33 -0400 Economy webdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) World leaders gathering at the G8 Summit in Northern Ireland have been discussing how to end the Syrian conflict - and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been defending his support for Syrian leader Bashar al Assad, despite criticism from the his G8 counterparts. Intense gun battles rage in the heart of Damascus and Aleppo on the same day that G8 leaders gather in Northern Ireland. The gulf of disagreement on how to end the fighting appears to be widening. Chris Phillips of Queen Mary ... http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-conflict-exposes-old-rivalries-at-geight-summit/1683699.html http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-conflict-exposes-old-rivalries-at-geight-summit/1683699.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:48:55 -0400 Middle East webdesk@voanews.com (Henry Ridgwell) The U.S. space agency has introduced eight new astronaut candidates, selected from a pool of 6,300 applicants. The new astronaut trainees - Josh Cassada, Victor Glover, Nick Hague, Christina Hammock, Nicole Mann, Anne McClain, Jessica Meir and Dr. Andrew Morgan - have all dreamed of becoming space explorers. During the past year-and-a-half, they have passed rigorous medical and psychological evaluations, and have performed well during multiple tests and interviews. Now they are letting their ... http://www.voanews.com/content/us-selects-8-new-astronauts/1683685.html http://www.voanews.com/content/us-selects-8-new-astronauts/1683685.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:32:29 -0400 Science & Technology webdesk@voanews.com (Suzanne Presto) Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is warning Europe it will "pay the price" if it arms the rebels fighting to drive him from power. Assad told Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper that giving the rebels weapons would "export" terrorists to Europe. He said fighters in Syria would gain combat experience and return to Europe with extremist ideologies. The Syrian president also denied U.S. accusations that he has used chemical weapons on rebel fighters with ... http://www.voanews.com/content/assad-warns-europe-will-pay-the-price-for-arming-rebels/1683681.html http://www.voanews.com/content/assad-warns-europe-will-pay-the-price-for-arming-rebels/1683681.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:29:08 -0400 Middle East webdesk@voanews.com (VOA News) http://www.voanews.com/content/assad-warns-europe-will-pay-the-price-for-arming-rebels/1683681.html#relatedInfoContainer More than 1,200 migrants reached Italy over the weekend after attempting the perilous sea passage from Africa in flimsy vessels, the Italian coast guard said on Monday.   The coast guard said it had rescued most of the migrants at sea after intercepting nearly 20 boats and was still searching for others but it could not confirm reports that up to 10 people had died during the attempted crossing.   This year's first wave of summer heat has brought with it relatively calm waters, ... http://www.voanews.com/content/migrants-italy-drownings/1683682.html http://www.voanews.com/content/migrants-italy-drownings/1683682.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:27:51 -0400 Europe webdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) Serbia and its former province of Kosovo exchanged envoys on Monday for the first time since a 1998-99 war, a step loaded with symbolism for the Balkan neighbors as the European Union considers whether to set Belgrade on the path to membership. Dubbed liaison officers, the officials will help with the implementation of a landmark accord brokered by the EU to improve ties between the two countries, five years after Kosovo declared independence from Serbia with the backing of the West. Serbia ... http://www.voanews.com/content/bidding-for-eu-talks-serbia-swaps-envoys-with-kosovo/1683683.html http://www.voanews.com/content/bidding-for-eu-talks-serbia-swaps-envoys-with-kosovo/1683683.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:26:03 -0400 Europe webdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) http://www.voanews.com/content/bidding-for-eu-talks-serbia-swaps-envoys-with-kosovo/1683683.html#relatedInfoContainer Four more people have died and three more have fallen ill in Saudi Arabia from the new SARS-like coronavirus MERS-CoV, the Saudi Health Ministry said on Monday. The ministry said the four deaths were among previously registered cases. The new infections were in Eastern Province, in the capital Riyadh and in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah. Saudi Arabia has been the country most affected by the respiratory-system virus, with 49 confirmed cases, of whom 32 have died, according to data from ... http://www.voanews.com/content/mers-coronavirus-kills-four-more-in-saudi-arabia/1683677.html http://www.voanews.com/content/mers-coronavirus-kills-four-more-in-saudi-arabia/1683677.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:21:02 -0400 Health webdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) http://www.voanews.com/content/mers-coronavirus-kills-four-more-in-saudi-arabia/1683677.html#relatedInfoContainer Uganda’s foreign minister has warned foreign envoys in the country not to interfere in the East African nation’s internal affairs. Henry Okello Oryem says he has told the envoys to use regular diplomatic channels with President Yoweri Museveni’s government to resolve their concerns about governance issues. “Ambassadors and other diplomatic missions come with clear terms of reference by which we accept them to be diplomats in Uganda, amongst which [it] is very clear that if you have any ... http://www.voanews.com/content/uganda-warns-meddling-envoys/1683674.html http://www.voanews.com/content/uganda-warns-meddling-envoys/1683674.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:05:03 -0400 Africa webdesk@voanews.com (Peter Clottey) http://www.voanews.com/content/uganda-warns-meddling-envoys/1683674.html#relatedInfoContainer The tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza clothing factory in Bangladesh in April that killed more than 1,200 people has brought greater pressure to increase garment building safety and worker protections. A number of European fashion companies have signed an accord to address workplace safety. But, most U.S. retail firms have not signed the pact. The factory fell just days after it was considered unsafe, but employees were told to come to work anyway.  U.S. Congressman George ... http://www.voanews.com/content/most-us-retailers-choose-not-to-sign-bangladesh-factories-accord/1683655.html http://www.voanews.com/content/most-us-retailers-choose-not-to-sign-bangladesh-factories-accord/1683655.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:36:47 -0400 Economy webdesk@voanews.com (Deborah Block) Few religious communities have gone as far in fighting climate change as a church in Queensland, Australia, which has 24 solar panels bolted to the roof in the shape of a Christian cross.   “It's very effective. It's inspired some members of our congregation to install panels on their homes,” Reverend David Lowry said of the “solar cross” mounted in 2009 on the Caloundra Uniting Church, which groups three Protestant denominations.   Many religions have been wary of moving to ... http://www.voanews.com/content/religions-going-green-pope-francis-environment/1683649.html http://www.voanews.com/content/religions-going-green-pope-francis-environment/1683649.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:31:02 -0400 Science & Technology webdesk@voanews.com (Reuters) http://www.voanews.com/content/religions-going-green-pope-francis-environment/1683649.html#relatedInfoContainer The daughter of former South African president Nelson Mandela says he is "doing very well" as he recovers in the hospital from a lung infection. Zenani Mandela-Dlamini, South Africa's ambassador to Argentina, spoke Monday to reporters gathered outside of the Pretoria hospital where her father is being treated. On Sunday, President Jacob Zuma said the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon remains in serious but stable condition, but said his doctors are seeing sustained ... http://www.voanews.com/content/family-mandela-is-doing-very-well/1683621.html http://www.voanews.com/content/family-mandela-is-doing-very-well/1683621.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:01:23 -0400 Breaking News Russian President Vladimir Putin says the U.S. and Russia differ on Syria, but do agree that the violence must stop and all parties must negotiate a settlement. Mr. Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama discussed Syria Monday on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Northern Ireland. Mr. Obama thanked the Russian President for what he called a useful conversation. He agreed that their opinions on Syria do not coincide, but that they agree on the need to hold talks and secure Syria's chemical ... http://www.voanews.com/content/g8-summit-opens-in-northern-ireland/1683617.html http://www.voanews.com/content/g8-summit-opens-in-northern-ireland/1683617.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:59:30 -0400 Breaking News A top African Union official says Africa has everything it needs to move toward a prosperous future and to become a leading player in global affairs.  AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says Africa has many hurdles to overcome, but she remains optimistic that the continent is up to the task. The African Union is celebrating its 50th anniversary. AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says this is a time for reflection - a time to look at past failures and ... http://www.voanews.com/content/au-says-africa-should-move-toward-prosperity/1683610.html http://www.voanews.com/content/au-says-africa-should-move-toward-prosperity/1683610.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:44:38 -0400 Africa webdesk@voanews.com (Lisa Schlein) http://www.voanews.com/content/au-says-africa-should-move-toward-prosperity/1683610.html#relatedInfoContainer