News for Sunday, January 21, 2007
• NBA: Iverson's 36 Points Leads Nuggets Past Rockets National Basketball Association star Allen Iverson banked in a running three-point shot in overtime Saturday to rally the Denver Nuggets past the Houston Rockets, 121-113.
• Political Bloc of Iraqi Shi'ite Cleric al-Sadr Ends Boycott of Parliament Iraqi lawmakers say the political bloc of radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has ended its two-month boycott of the country's parliament.
• Putin, Merkel to Discuss Energy Security, Mideast Peace Sunday German Chancellor Angela Merkel visit Russia Sunday for talks with President Vladimir Putin expected to focus on European energy security worries, the Middle East.
• Earthquake Strikes Eastern Indonesia Seismologists say a strong earthquake has struck under the sea off Indonesia's Sulawesi Island.
• US, China Discuss Next Round of Talks on N. Korea's Nuclear Programs The chief U.S. negotiator on North Korea's nuclear programs has arrived in Beijing to discuss preparations for the next round of six-nation disarmament talks. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.
• US Reinforcements Arrive in Baghdad, Bomb Blasts Kill Seven The U.S. military says about t3,200 American troops (from the 82nd Airborne Division) have arrived in Baghdad as the first part of a military buildup to help Iraqi security forces fight sectarian violence.
• Sri Lankan Navy, Tamil Tigers Clash at Sea Sri Lankan military officials say Tamil Tiger boats have attacked a foreign merchant ship in the seas off northern Sri Lanka, sparking a fierce battle with the Sri Lankan navy.
• New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Announces Bid for Presidency The Democratic governor of New Mexico says he intends to run for U.S. president in 2008.
• Serbian Voters Cast Ballots Ahead of UN Action on Kosovo Serbian voters cast ballots Sunday in parliamentary elections expected to determine whether the Balkan nation continues to pursue Western reforms or returns to its nationalist past.
• Two Frenchmen Win Auto, Motorcycle Dakar Rally Veteran Stephane Peterhansel won his ninth rally title, his third win in an automobile, a Mitsubishi.
• Palestinian Faction Leaders Meet in Damascus Leaders of rival Palestinian factions are meeting in Damascus.
• Netanyahu Hopes Ahmadinejad is Brought to Trial Israel's opposition leader is calling for the the president of Iran to be brought to trial in an international court. As Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, it is the latest sign of deepening concern in Israel over Iran's nuclear program.
• US Legislators Debate Resolution Opposing Troop Surge in Iraq Leading Democrats in Congress say they will push ahead with a resolution opposing President Bush's plans to boost U.S. troop strength in Iraq. VOA's Michael Bowman reports from Washington, where administration officials and some Republican members of Congress say such a vote would send the wrong message to America's military - and to anti-democratic forces in Iraq.
• Chavez Defends Plan to Rule by Decree Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has defended his plan to pass legislation by decree, calling U.S. reservations about his actions unacceptable meddling in Venezuela's affairs.
• Radicals Claim Win in Serbia, But Not Enough to Form Government Serbia's ultra-nationalist Radical Party is claiming victory in Sunday's parliamentary election, but admits it will not have enough seats to form a government.
• Beached Freighter Leaks Oil Into English Channel Napoli which lies on its side off Branscombe Beach" hspace=2 src="/english/images/ap_britain_ship_napoli_195_eng_21jan07.jpg" width=210 vspace=2 border=0> The British Coast Guard is keeping close watch on a crippled freighter leaking oil into the English Channel off southwest England.