News for Sunday, November 28, 2004
• Coal Mine Blast in China Traps Hundreds China Coal Miner - file photoA huge subterranean gas explosion has ripped through a Chinese coal mine Sunday morning in what may be China's worst mining disaster in years. Massive fatalities are expected, as rescue workers try to free at least 170 miners still trapped deep underground.
• Iraqi Government Dismisses Calls to Postpone Elections A spokesman for Iraq's interim government has rejected calls, mainly by Sunni and Kurdish groups, to postpone the country's first national elections.
• Sharon, Abbas WIlling To Meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas say they are willing to meet.
• Supporters of Rival Candidates in Ukraine to Meet Leonid Kuchma Demands for a new runoff vote in Ukraine are growing, after Parliament voted Saturday to declare the results of last Sunday's presidential election invalid. Outgoing President Leonid Kuchma has said that a compromise must be found to end the crisis, while supporters of the two rival candidates held new rallies.
• UN Campaigns to Improve its Image in Ivory Coast Displaced people of Ivory Coast (VOA photo - N. Colombant)The United Nations is trying to polish its stained image in Ivory Coast, following acts of intimidation against aid workers in the rebel-held north. U.N. workers face growing distrust throughout the country, even as humanitarian conditions are worsening.
• Yang Yang of China Wins Women's 500-meter Race Olympic champion Yang (A) Yang of China continued her successful return to speedskating in Madison, Wisconsin, by winning the women's 500-meter race in a World Cup short-track tournament.
• Hundreds Protest Arrest of Woman in Eastern Afghanistan Hundreds of people in eastern Afghanistan have taken to the streets to protest Friday's detention of several local people, including a woman, by U.S. forces.
• Ministers Focus on Expanding Free Trade Ahead of ASEAN Summit ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Vientiane Southeast Asian ministers have wrapped up preparations for ASEAN's 10th summit, which starts Monday. Free trade and expanding ties with Asian neighbors China and India are high on the agenda. Meanwhile, ASEAN's business leaders say free trade will not ease commerce, without infrastructure support.
• Diplomats Say Iran Withdraws Nuclear Research Demand Western diplomats say Iran has withdrawn its demand to continue research and development of uranium enrichment technology, seen by critics as a potential cover for developing nuclear weapons.
• 33 Dead in Vietnam Floods Vietnamese make their way in boats along a flooded street in HueLandslides and flash floods triggered by Typhoon Muifa have killed at least 33 people in Vietnam's Central Highlands.
• Pakistani Islamists Want President Musharraf to Quit as Army Chief Pakistan's Islamist parties have staged a big rally in Karachi to kick-start a campaign to force President Pervez Musharraf to quit as army chief, and hold only one post.
• Spanish Newspaper: FBI Links Madrid Bombings to September 11 A Spanish newspaper says U.S. investigators have found the clearest link yet between the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the Madrid train bombings earlier this year.
• Romanians Choose President to Lead Country into EU Romanian woman exits voting cabin before casting her vote in BucharestIn Romania, voters are deciding who will lead the impoverished former Communist nation toward membership in the European Union. The elections for a new president and parliament have been overshadowed by public anger over poverty and corruption.
• Meeting on Eradicating Land Mines Opens in Kenya Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki has opened an international conference in Nairobi aimed at strengthening efforts to eradicate millions of land mines around the world.
• US Military says 17 More Bodies Found in Iraqi City of Mosul The U.S. military in Iraq says 17 more bodies have been discovered in the northern city of Mosul.
• Eastern Leaders in Ukraine Threaten to Hold Referendum Officials in eastern Ukrainian say they could schedule a regional referendum on autonomy if "political developments in Ukraine take the worst critical course."
• Ukraine's Opposition Urged to Stay in Streets Viktor Yushchenko gestures as he stands with his wife, Kateryna, right, and daughter Sofia, left, attending a massive rally Ukraine's pro-Western opposition leader, Viktor Yushchenko, is appealing to his supporters to continue their week-old street protests over disputed presidential elections. Meanwhile, the Russian backed candidate, who was declared the winner of last Sunday's election, is meeting with leaders of eastern and southern regions who are warning they may pursue autonomy.
• Swiss Voters Approve Stem Cell Research, Not Cloning Swiss voters have overwhelmingly approved limited stem cell research using human embryos, but ruled out cloning.
• Russia Captures Fed Cup Tennis Title Favored Russia has captured the Fed Cup tennis title for the first time, with a dramatic 3-2 win over defending champion France in Moscow.
• China Mine Blast Kills 25 An explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 25 miners and left more than 100 others trapped.
• Dozens Wounded in Brazil After Drug Lord's Killing Authorities in Brazil say gang members, angered by the killing of a suspected drug lord, have shot and wounded dozens of people at a local nightclub.
• Jordanian King Strips Half-Brother of Crown Prince Designation Prince Hamzeh, left, and his wife Princess NoorJordan's King Abdullah has stripped his half-brother, Prince Hamzeh, of his title of crown prince.
• Russia Takes Fed Cup Tennis Title For First Time Former Russian president Boris Yeltsin jubilates as his wife Ludmila embraces Anastasia Myskina Favored Russia has captured the Fed Cup tennis title for the first time ever, with a dramatic 3-2 win over defending champion France in Moscow.
• Bush Urged to Push Through Intelligence Reform Thomas Kean The chairman of the commission that investigated the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States says President Bush must pressure Congress to pass intelligence reform legislation. Thomas Kean stresses these reforms are essential to the United States' national security.
• Debate Continues on Date for Iraqi Elections Some U.S. lawmakers say they oppose any move to postpone elections in Iraq, currently scheduled for January 30, fearing that could embolden insurgents. This week, several political groups in Iraq called for a delay of up to six months because of continuing violence in parts of the country. The Iraqi government says it is determined to hold elections on schedule. One of the proponents of a delay outlined his concerns on U.S. television Sunday.
• Neville Brothers "Walkin in the Shadow of Life" The Neville Brothers' "Walkin' In The Shadow of Life"The Neville Brothers are considered one of the musical dynasties of New Orleans. For three decades, the family group has been presenting a soulful mixture of funk, blues and rock, along with the jazz, Cajun and Creole influences of their native city.
• US, European Officials Await Decision on Iranian Nuclear Program The International Atomic Energy Agency could act to resolve a dispute over Iran's nuclear program Monday. European negotiators and Tehran have been working behind closed doors to strike a deal.
• Tony Bennett Returns With "The Art of Romance" Tony Bennett's "The Art of Romance"All is well with veteran jazz crooner Tony Bennett. At 78, he looks great, and says, with no uncertainty, that he's feeling just fine. Well, why not? His career remains in full swing. Tony recently performed at a benefit concert with Paul McCartney and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Tony also jetted off to the island of Anguilla in the Caribbean to sing at a wedding on national television, and has released a five-disc anniversary collection. Tony Bennett captures our hearts, yet again, with a new CD titled "The Art Of Romance."
• Couples Prevails Over Woods to Win Golf Skins Game Fred Couples prevailed in four playoff holes over fellow American Tiger Woods to win a record fifth Skins Game, an annual exhibition golf tournament.
• Powerful Quake Rattles Northern Japan; 8 Injured Japanese authorities say at least eight people have been injured in a powerful earthquake that rattled Japan's northern island Hokkaido.
• Eagles Claim 1st NFL Playoff Berth of Season The Philadelphia Eagles have claimed the first postseason berth in the National Football League with a 27-6 victory over the New York Giants. Philadelphia has won 10 games and lost only one. The win gives the Eagles the NFC East division title. The team is just the third since the NFL instituted a 16-game schedule in 1978 to clinch a division title after 11 games.
• China Mine Blast Kills 25, 141 Still Trapped An explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 25 miners and left more than 100 others trapped.
• Musharraf in Brazil to Begin Latin American Tour Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf is in Brazil on the first leg of a
• Chilean President Proposes Reparations for Torture Victims Chile's President Ricardo Lagos has proposed reparation payments for