News for Saturday, January 20, 2007
• Philippine Military Confirms Death of Senior Leader of Abu Sayyaf The Philippine military says DNA tests confirm that Khaddafy Janjalani, the leader of Muslim militant group Abu Sayyaf and one of the most wanted men in the country, is dead.
• Chavez: Castro Battling For His Life Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he spoke with Fidel Castro a few days ago and that the Cuban leader is in a "battle for his life."
• Three US Servicemen Killed in Iraq Friday, Saturday In Iraq, a roadside bomb in northern Baghdad has killed one U.S. soldier and wounded another.
• US Envoy Urges N. Korea to Consider Benefits of Ending Nuclear Capabilities The top U.S. negotiator on North Korea nuclear disarmament is in Tokyo, halfway through four days of shuttle consultations with regional allies. Christopher Hill says he expects multinational talks with North Korea to resume within weeks. VOA's Kurt Achin reports from Seoul, where Hill began his latest Asian tour.
• Iran Demands UN Action Against US For Detaining Iranians in Iraq Iran has sent an official letter of complaint to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon demanding action against the United States for its recent arrest of five Iranians in Iraq.
• Millions in India Take Part in Holy Hindu Festival Millions of Hindus have congregated in northern India to celebrate a holy festival known as the Ardh Kumbh Mela. Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, the 45-day event, is the largest religious gathering in the world.
• Some Worry China's Booming Stock Market is a Bubble China's stock market is soaring as investors in the country rush to buy stocks and mutual funds. While some analysts believe the bull run will continue, others are worried that the boom is a bubble, which could quickly collapse. Claudia Blume reports from VOA's Asia News Center in Hong Kong.
• Attack on Ethiopian Forces in Somali Capital Turns Deadly Witnesses to a shooting in Somalia say at least four people were killed Saturday after an Ethiopian military convoy was attacked in Mogadishu.
• Abbas, Hamas Leader Set for 'Unity Government' Talks in Syria Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is in Syria for talks with Khaled Mashaal, the exiled political leader of Hamas.
• At Least 10 Killed in Violence Across Iraq Insurgents have killed at least 10 people in Iraq, including a senior Iraqi army official and a U.S. soldier.
• Car Bomb Wounds Five Dutch Soldiers in Southern Afghanistan The Netherlands' defense ministry says a car bomb explosion wounded five Dutch soldiers in southern Afghanistan on Friday.
• Hillary Clinton Enters Presidential Race Democratic U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton has officially begun a campaign to be elected president in 2008.
• Indonesia Woman Dies From Bird Flu Indonesia's Health Ministry has announced the country's 62nd human bird flu death.
• US Helicopter Crashes Near Baghdad, Killing 13 A U.S. military helicopter has crashed near Baghdad, killing all 13 people aboard.
• Vatican Eyes Strategy With China Relations Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday said the church will pursue efforts to form diplomatic ties with Beijing as it tries to help its "suffering" faithful there. Church officials are holding a summit at the Vatican to map out the church's strategy with China since it broke off diplomatic relations with the country in 1951. For VOA, Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.
• Bush Urges Health Insurance Reform President Bush is calling for reforms to make private health insurance more affordable for Americans without raising taxes or creating new Federal entitlement programs. Mr. Bush said in his weekly radio address Saturday that rising health care costs make insurance too expensive for many Americans.
• World Food Program May Slash Food Aid to Cambodians The World Food Program (WFP) warns it will be forced to slash food aid to hundreds of thousands of hungry Cambodians next month if it does not receive new donations soon. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva WFP says those who will lose out include young children and HIV/AIDS and TB patients.
• Indonesian Woman Dies From Bird Flu Indonesia's Health Ministry announced Saturday the death of another woman from Avian influenza, raising the country's death toll to 62. Meanwhile, South Korean officials are planning to slaughter hundreds of thousands of poultry to contain their own bird flu outbreak. VOA's Sean Maroney reports from Washington.
• Madagascar President Appoints New Prime Minister Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana has appointed a former interior minister as the island nation's new prime minister.
• Three Die in Guinea Strike's 11th Day Witnesses in Guinea say at least three people were killed in clashes with security officers in the 11th day of a strike that has paralyzed the nation.
• Nigerian Militants Kidnap As Many As Seven Workers Officials in Nigeria say militants have kidnapped seven workers from a ship in the volatile Delta region.
• Peterhansel Closing in On Another Dakar Rally Title Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel is just 16 kilometers away from celebrating another Dakar Rally title after arriving in the Senegalese capital Saturday with a seven-minute advantage.
• UN Investigates Misuse of North Korean Aid The United Nations Development Program has announced plans for an outside audit of its activities in North Korea, after allegations that the Pyongyang government diverted millions of dollars in aid for its own use.
• Denny Doherty, Member of Legendary 60s Rock Group, Dies Denny Doherty, a founding member of the 1960s folk-rock group the Mamas and the Papas, has died at the age of 66.
• Anti-Capitalism Forum Begins in Kenya Thousands of people from around the world are in Kenya Saturday for the start of the World Social Forum, an annual conference to protest the effects of global capitalism.