News for Tuesday, January 16, 2007
• Cuba's Castro Reported in Very Serious Condition Granma web site Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006" hspace=2 src="/english/images/Granma_Fidel_Castro_210.jpg" width=163 vspace=2 border=0> Cuban leader Fidel Castro is reported to be in very serious condition after a series of three failed operations and complications from an intestinal infection.
• NBA: Arenas scores 51 in Wizards Win Over Jazz No summary available.
• Sharapova, Nadal Win Early Matches at Australian Open Top-seeded Maria Sharapova of Russia had to overcome heat and her own mistakes to reach the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne, the first Grand Slam tennis event of the year.
• UN Says More Than 34,000 Iraqis Killed in 2006 A top U.N. official in Baghdad says more than 34,000 Iraqis were killed in violence across the country last year.
• US Defense Secretary Visits Afghanistan U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is in Afghanistan for his first visit since being sworn in last month. The secretary's trip comes as Afghan and NATO forces are bracing for an expected rise in insurgent activity later this year. VOA's Benjamin Sand reports from Islamabad.
• Pakistan Army Strikes Al-Qaida Camps Near Afghan Border Pakistan forces launched a powerful air strike against a series of suspected al-Qaida military camps in the country's tribal region near the Afghan border Tuesday. Officials say a number of foreign militants were among those killed. VOA's Benjamin Sand has more from Islamabad.
• First NFL Game Outside North America to be Played in London The National Football League has chosen London, England, to host the league's first regular season game to be played outside of North America.
• Ivanov: Russian Missiles Delivered to Iran Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has confirmed that Russia has sold new anti-aircraft missiles to Iran.
• South Korean Returns Home 31 Years After Alleged Abduction by North A South Korean man who was abducted by North Korean agents more than three decades ago has arrived in Seoul. South Koreans, who helped him return, say delicate but persistent diplomacy brought him home - but they say many other abducted South Koreans are not so lucky. VOA's Kurt Achin reports from Seoul.
• Report Says Israelis, Syrians Held Unofficial Secret Talks A published report in Israel says unofficial representatives from Israel and Syria have held a series of secret meetings, and drafted a document that could form the basis of a future peace deal between the two countries.
• Iran Denies Asking Saudi Arabia to Mediate with US Iran has denied reports that it asked Saudi Arabia to mediate with the United States.
• Philippine Military Says Abu Sayyaf Leader Injured Philippine military soldiers have clashed with Islamic extremists Tuesday, killing at least one and wounding a senior leader of the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group.
• Chinese Veteran Revolutionary Bo Yibo Dies at Age 98 China's official Xinhua news agency says one of the country's last revolutionary elders, Bo Yibo, has died at the age of 98.
• Japan and Thailand Confirm Outbreaks of H5N1 Officials in Japan and Thailand have confirmed outbreaks of the lethal H5N1 strain of bird flu. Authorities in Vietnam say the virus has spread to a seventh province there.
• Somali Government Reverses Ban on Media Closures The Somali government appears to have reversed a ban on four media outlets it imposed Monday. As Cathy Majtenyi reports for VOA from Nairobi, the closures of the outlets received widespread international condemnation.
• Guinea Strike Leaders Call for President to Hand Over Power Guinea's trade unions say they are waiting for a response to their demand that President Lansana Conte hand over power and create a new national unity government. That is one of several conditions labor groups say must be met or else they will intensify a general strike that has paralyzed the country since last week. For VOA, Jordan Davis reports from our regional bureau in Dakar.
• Former Cheney Chief of Staff Goes on Trial A former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney goes on trial Tuesday on charges of misleading investigators looking into who leaked to the press the identity of a former covert CIA officer.
• Rice Optimistic About Three-Way Middle East Talks U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says her pending meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders could produce a break-out in a dialogue between the parties that has stalled over local issues. Rice is in Kuwait for talks with Gulf region foreign ministers on Iraq and the Middle East conflict. VOA's David Gollust reports from Kuwait.
• Oil Prices Dip as Saudis Say No Need for More OPEC Production Cuts Oil prices in the United States dipped Tuesday after Saudi Arabia's oil minister said there is no need for further OPEC production cuts.
• French President Considers Sending High-Ranking Envoy to Iran The government of France says it may send an envoy to Iran for talks on the Middle East, including the situation in Lebanon.
• British Court Sees Dramatic Video of Alleged Bomb Plot A British court has been shown dramatic video footage of an alleged would-be suicide bomber trying to blow up a crowded London subway.
• US Defense Secretary Meets Karzai to Discuss Taleban Attacks U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is praising Afghanistan's efforts to build an army, saying the force continues to grow in size, strength and confidence.
• Democratic Rising Star Barack Obama Explores Run for President Democratic U.S. Senator Barack Obama says he is taking the first step towards running for president in 2008.
• Israel's State Prosecutor Orders Criminal Investigation of Prime Minister Olmert Israel's justice ministry says it has ordered a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's role in the sale of an Israeli bank two years ago.
• Top Zimbabwe Judge Says Justice System Has Collapsed The president of the High Court of Zimbabwe, Judge Rita Makarau has broken tradition and issued a stinging criticism of President Robert Mugabe's administration. The judge has accused the president of starving the state legal system of resources and undermining democracy. As Peta Thornycroft reports for VOA, Judge Makarau says the lack of funding has crippled the justice system.
• UNICEF Reports Progress Against HIV/AIDS A new report by the U.N. Children's Fund finds signs of progress in meeting the needs of children affected by HIV/AIDS more than a year after a global campaign was launched to focus attention on the plight of AIDS-affected children. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.
• Social Workers Warn Hong Kong Youth Face Risks When They Seek Drugs in China The recent detention of more than 100 Hong Kong people in southern China for drug abuse highlights the increasing popularity of cross-border entertainment trips. Social workers in Hong Kong want closer collaboration between Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to help stem drug abuse. VOA's Kate Pound Dawson has this report prepared by Lindsay Cui in Hong Kong.
• Fan Website Says Bye Bye Britney; Beckhams Moving to California Britney Spears posted another message on her web site after learning that the webmaster of her largest fan site, www.worldofbritney.com is closing it down. Ruben Garay, who founded the site in 2000 says, "As Britney keeps losing her identity and credibility within fans and industry people, so is WoB. We're moving on to greater, bigger things. I would therefore like to announce the permanent shut down of World of Britney.com beginning January 31, 2007." More than 37 million fans have visited World of Britney.com. Britney said in her latest message to fans, "The last couple of years have been quite a ride for me. The media has criticized my every move and printed a skewed perception of who I really am as a human being. Behind every decision I have made in my public life there always seems to be an apparent contradiction. I have come to terms with that which is why I usually don't pay much attention to it. The last couple of years have been very enlightening for me and now that I've had the time to be 'me,' I've been able to sit down and think about where I want to go with myself as an entertainer with absolutely no strings attached. I am now more mature and feel like I am finally 'free.' I've been working so hard on this new album and I can't wait for you all to hear it and to go on tour again! I would like to exclusively tell you that I am working hard to release the new album sometime later this year, but the date is of course not certain yet. I look forward to coming back this year bigger and better than ever, and to also reaching out to my fans on a more personal level. I noticed today that one of my biggest fan sites is shutting down soon and I want you all to know that I do understand all the reasons that went behind making that decision, and I am sad to see it closing. If I were you I'd be unhappy too if I had to read what I've been reading every day. But trust me, I get it. I know I've been far from perfect and the media has had a lot of fun exaggerating my every move, but I want you all to know that I love my fans so much, and I appreciate everything you have done for me."
• Sri Lanka Expects Economic Growth Despite Conflict Sri Lanka's government says the country's economy is continuing to grow, but economists caution renewed hostilities between the government and Tamil rebels will continue to hamper the South Asian country's potential. VOA's Steve Herman reports from Washington an international donors' conference is to discuss Sri Lanka's economy later this month.
• No Comment From Cuba on Reports Castro in Serious Condition Granma web site Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006" hspace=2 src="/english/images/Granma_Fidel_Castro_210.jpg" width=163 vspace=2 border=0> Cuban authorities have not commented on reports that President Fidel Castro, 80, is in serious condition.
• Iraqi VP Speaks Against Foreign Troop Withdrawal Iraqi Vice President, Tareq al Hashimi is warning against any quick withdrawal of foreign forces from his country. Speaking in London, Hashimi also warns of continued interference in Iraq by neighboring Iran. VOA's Sonja Pace reports from London.
• Russian Authorities Issue Security Alert Over Terrorist Threat Russian authorities have placed security forces on high alert after receiving information of plans for a possible terrorist attack on the country's transportation system.
• US Prosecutors File Charges in UN Oil-for-Food Scandal Prosecutors in New York have indicted the former director of the United Nations oil-for-food program, Benon Sevan, on charges of bribery and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
• Spanish Judge Reopens Case Against US Soldiers A Spanish judge has reinstated an international arrest warrant for three U.S. soldiers on charges arising from the death of a Spanish journalist in Iraq.
• French Parliament Lower House Approves Presidential Immunity Bill France's National Assembly has approved a bill that would make France's president immune from prosecution while in office, but leave him exposed to charges once his term ends.
• Bush, Ban Discuss Sudan U.S. President George Bush and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met at the White House to discuss efforts to reform the world body. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, they also discussed continuing violence in Sudan's troubled Darfur region.
• Bush: Iraqi Government Fumbled Saddam Execution President Bush says the Iraqi government's execution of toppled leader Saddam Hussein shows it still has some maturation to do.
• Report Blasts BP Oil Company for Safety Failures A panel led by former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker criticizes the London-based BP oil company for multiple safety lapses at U.S. facilities, which contributed to the March 2005 blast at a plant near Houston that killed 15 people. VOA's Greg Flakus has more on the story from Houston.
• Lithuania Gives Accused Belarusian Spy to Poland Lithuania has handed over an alleged Belarusian spy to Polish authorities.
• UNICEF: Program to Help Children With AIDS Encouraging The United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, says its strategy to prevent and support children affected by AIDS is showing signs of success despite tepid response for the international community. From VOA's New York Bureau, correspondent Barbara Schoetzau has the story.
• US Congressional Democrats Look Ahead to Votes on Iraq Resolutions Members of the U.S. Congress have been discussing resolutions expected to be debated as early as next week that will put lawmakers on record regarding President Bush's military strategy in Iraq. VOA's Dan Robinson reports on this and other developments on Capitol Hill.
• Israeli Military Chief Resigns Amid Hezbollah War Probe The Israeli military says the country's army chief has resigned amid a probe into the military's handling of Israel's war with Hezbollah last year.
• UN Chief Ban Shares Goals for UN Tenure U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region, peace in the Middle East and nuclear disarmament are among his top priorities. He also says strong partnership between the U.N. and the United States is important. VOA's Sean Maroney reports.
• Report Says US Military Equipment Gets to Iran, China A U.S. news agency reports that surplus American military equipment has made its way to Iran and China through unscrupulous dealers and a lack of security in a Defense Department program. VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.
• Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah Captures 10th Stage Victory in Dakar Rally Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah of Qatar has captured his first victory in the car division of the Dakar Rally by winning the 10th stage. The BMW driver on Tuesday completed the 366-kilometer route that began and ended in Nema, Mauritania in 3:49:48.
• US Lawmakers Examine Plight of Iraqi Refugees Millions of Iraqis have been displaced by the sectarian violence wracking their country, and many have sought refuge in neighboring countries - severely straining those governments' resources. Some U.S. lawmakers believe the United States should do more to help Iraqi refugees, especially those who provided direct support to U.S. troops in Iraq. Two Iraqis who worked for the U.S. military in Iraq told Congress Tuesday that they were forced to flee their country after they received death threats. VOA's Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.
• Bush Continues Campaign for Iraq Plan President Bush has made his toughest comments to date on the way Iraqi officials handled the execution of Saddam Hussein. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports from the White House, the president's remarks came in his second nationally broadcast interview in less than a week.