News for Sunday, March 25, 2007
• Earthquake off Central Japan Kills 1 Injures 150 Japanese officials say a strong earthquake off the coast of central Japan has killed at least one person and injured 150 others.
• EU Hopes to Restart Stalled Iran Nuclear Talks European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana says he hopes to revive negotiations with Iran on its disputed nuclear program.
• Hong Kong Election Nudges City Along Road to Democracy Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, has won re-election. The election result was pre-ordained by the Chinese government in Beijing, but participants say the campaign might have pushed the former British colony somewhat closer to true democracy. VOA's Barry Kalb reports from Hong Kong.
• Iraqi Police Foil Chlorine 'Dirty Bomb' Attack in Ramadi The U.S. military says Iraqi authorities have foiled a suicide chemical bomb attack in the western city of Ramadi.
• Bangkok Reopens Old Airport While Repairs Continue at New Facility Bangkok's old Don Muang Airport has reopened for domestic flights. The move is meant to relieve pressure on the Thai capital's new $4 billion Suvarnabhumi International, while repairs and improvements are made there. Ron Corben reports from Bangkok.
• Rice Meets Mubarak in Egypt, Voices Concern Over Referendum U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak for talks on democracy in Egypt and regional issues.
• UN's Ban Meets Palestinian President United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
• Pressure Grows on Iran to Free British Naval Detainees International pressure is increasing on Iran to release 15 British Navy personnel seized Friday in a disputed waterway between Iraq and Iran.
• Rice Tones Down Criticism of Egypt on Constitutional Changes A day before Egyptians are to vote in a controversial referendum on constitutional changes, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice says she told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak about her concerns over the progress of democratic reform in Egypt. VOA Correspondent Challiss McDonough reports from Cairo opponents of the Mubarak government say the proposed constitutional amendments would shrink protections on human rights and limit peaceful political activity.
• Security Forces in Belarus Contain Protests on Key Anniversary Belarussian security forces beat back dozens of opposition activists from gathering in Minsk's October Square. The protesters then rallied at another site under close police watch, but without interference. Bill Gasperini has more for VOA from Moscow on the rally marking the first anniversary of unprecedented protests in the former Soviet republic.
• British Archbishop Calls on Blair to Formally Apologize for Slave Trade The Church of England's first black archbishop, Archbishop of York John Sentamu,says Britain should formally apologize for its role in the slave trade.
• Former US Ambassador to UN Skeptical Over Latest Vote on Iran A former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says only regime change will cause Iran to halt its nuclear program. VOA's Michael Bowman reports from Washington, Ambassador John Bolton spoke one day after the U.N. Security council voted to impose new sanctions on Tehran for refusing to stop enriching uranium.
• Rice: Israel, Palestinians Must Set 'Common Agenda' to Move Forward U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged Israel and the Palestinians to establish a common agenda to move toward peace and the creation of a Palestinian state.
• US Military: Roadside Bombs Kill Five US Soldiers in Iraq The U.S. military says roadside bombs have killed five more American soldiers in Iraq Sunday, including four in the volatile province of Diyala north of Baghdad.
• Pakistan Opposition Claims Detentions Ahead of Protests Opposition leaders in Pakistan say police have detained at least 150 activists across the country before planned protests on Monday against the removal of the country's top judge.
• Two Construction Workers Kidnapped in Nigeria Freed Police in Nigeria say two construction workers kidnapped earlier this week have been freed.
• Iran Considers Charges Against British Navy Personnel Iran says it is considering charging 15 detained British sailors and marines with illegally entering Iranian waters.
• Strong Aftershock Rocks Central Japan A 5.3 magnitude aftershock has jolted central Japan - the same area where an earthquake killed one person and injured more than 170 others one day earlier.
• NCAA Basketball 'Final Four' Teams Set The teams are set for the Final Four of the U.S. men's college basketball national championship tournament, with Georgetown shocking East region top seed North Carolina, 96-84, in overtime.
• Britain Refusing to Extend N. Ireland Power-Sharing Deadline Northern Ireland's Protestant and Catholic political leaders have until the end of the day Monday to restart a power-sharing executive, or Britain will dissolve the government.
• UN Envoy Warns Darfur Aid Effort at Risk The United Nations humanitarian chief has warned that aid efforts in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region are at risk of collapse.