Car Bomb Kills 16 Outside US Embassy in Yemen
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E3CA97:E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8&
Group calling itself Islamic Jihad in Yemen claims responsibility for attack, threatens further strikes
Yemeni policemen, soldiers stand guard near U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, 17 Sep 2008Islamist militants are claiming responsibility for a car bomb explosion outside the U.S. Embassy in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, that has killed at least 16 people.A group calling itself Islamic Jihad in Yemen also threatened further strikes. U.S. Embassy spokesman Ryan Gliha said several other explosions occurred after the car bomb blast Wednesday. Witnesses also say they heard gunfire near the embassy after the explosions.Police have cordoned off the area. Officials say six Yemeni soldiers and six attackers are among the dead. In recent years, Islamic extremists have carried out several attacks in Yemen targeting Americans. Last April, the U.S. State Department ordered non-essential staff to leave Yemen, following a militant attack on a residential compound and an al-Qaida attack targeting the U.S. Embassy.Yemen is the ancestral homeland of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
US Rescues AIG with $85 Billion Loan
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E3CA98:E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8&
US Federal Reserve Board says a bankruptcy involving AIG would cause significant problems in the world's already fragile financial markets
American International Group building in New York City, 16 Sep 2008The U.S. government has announced it will provide the world's biggest insurer, AIG, with an $85-billion emergency loan, to prevent the company's collapse. From Washington, VOA's Sean Maroney reports.The U.S. Federal Reserve Board justified its action by saying a bankruptcy involving AIG would cause significant problems in the world's already fragile financial markets.New York Governor David Paterson announced the loan late Tuesday, saying individuals' insurance policies and jobs will be unaffected."The Board of AIG has accepted an offer from the Federal Reserve Board whereby the Feds will allow AIG to receive a revolving loan of 85-billion dollars, to be paid back over a 24-month period," he said.In exchange for the loan, the U.S. government will own nearly 80 percent of AIG's equity. The company's stock price has declined by 98 percent, in the past year.Insurance analyst Cliff Gallant says AIG's financial problems started with the mortgages it backed."They placed a very large, big bet and I think the collapse of the housing markets began a spiral which caused that bet to go bad," he said.The Dow Jones industrial average closed Tuesday with a gain of 141 points, following Monday's dramatic sell off when investment bank Lehman Brothers went into bankruptcy protection and Merrill Lynch was acquired by Bank of America. Some investors say the market's rally, in the final two hours of trading, was triggered by rumors of the rescue of AIG.
------------------------------------------------------
McCain, Obama Offer Plans to Fix Financial Crisis
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E3CA99:E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8&
Republican presidential nominee John McCain holds rallies in Ohio, Michigan with running mate Sarah Palin while Democratic rival, Barack Obama makes two stops in Nevada
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. smiles during a rally at the Tampa Convention Center in Florida, 16 Sep 2008
U.S. presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama are campaigning in three crucial battleground states Wednesday, as both men seek an advantage in addressing voter concerns about the faltering U.S. economy. McCain, the Republican nominee, spends the morning in Ohio then travels on to Michigan, where he will hold a rally with his running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Obama, the Democratic nominee, makes two stops in the western state of Nevada.At a rally Tuesday in Ohio, McCain criticized Obama, saying he talked about struggling Americans and then flew off to Hollywood to attend a lavish fundraiser. The event, featuring singer and actress Barbra Streisand, was expected to raise $9 million for Obama's campaign and the Democratic Party.Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addresses supporters at a rally in Golden, Colorado, 16 Sep 2008Earlier Tuesday in Colorado, Obama criticized McCain's call for a commission to study the cause of the country's financial crisis. He said it already is known how the financial crisis came about, and he said the country needs leadership to solve the problem.In a separate development, five lawmakers in Alaska are suing to stop an investigation involving Governor Palin and her firing of a public safety commissioner. The lawsuit calls the investigation led by the Alaskan Legislative Council unlawful, biased and partisan. Some of Palin's opponents say the commissioner was fired for refusing to dismiss a state trooper who is Palin's sister's ex-husband. The McCain campaign says the commissioner was fired because of insubordination on budget issues and that Palin likely will not speak with investigators in the probe.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, and AP.
------------------------------------------------------
Israeli Ruling Party Votes for New Leader
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E3CA9A:E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8&
Two front-runners for the prime minister position are foreign minister Tzipi Livni and transportation minister Shaul Mofaz
Israel's ruling centrist Kadima party is holding primary elections that will result in the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The likely change of leadership will come as Palestinian peace negotiations falter over the longstanding issues of Jewish settlements and the status of Jerusalem. VOA Jerusalem correspondent Luis Ramirez reports. About 70,000 members of the centrist Kadima party are eligible to vote in these primary elections Wednesday. Their party has been shaken by a corruption scandal that has forced Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to promise he will step down as soon as a new leader is chosen. Tzipi Livni, Israeli Foreign Minister and candidate for Kadima party leadership, gives speech before casting her vote during Kadima elections in Tel Aviv, 17 Sep 2008The two front-runners are foreign minister Tzipi Livni and transportation minister Shaul Mofaz. Livni's nickname is "Mrs. Clean," a reputation that her supporters hope will win favor among voters tired of corruption in politics. She is also known for her diplomatic skills gained from her experience in negotiating with the Palestinians. She spoke as she cast her ballot in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.Livni urged Kadima members to vote, saying party members can decide the direction of the party, and show they are tired of what she said are "old-fashioned politics." Mofaz is a former army chief of staff and defense minister known for his strong stance on security issues and is expected to draw the votes of party members who favor giving the Palestinians fewer concessions in the negotiations. He also spoke while voting.Mofaz said he is confident he will win, thanks to support from those who support his tough stand on security. One of the Kadima candidates must win at least 40 percent of the vote. Otherwise, these primaries will go into a second round.Analysts say the vote might be an indicator of whether Israelis will swing to the right in general elections. The poll may come in the next few months - up to a year-and-a-half ahead of schedule - if the winner in these primaries is unable to form a coalition government within a month.
------------------------------------------------------
China Contaminated Milk Scandal Widens
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E3CA9B:E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8&
Health Minister Chen Zhu says there are now 6,244 reported cases of infants made sick from drinking tainted milk formula
A third infant has died in China from contaminated milk and more than 6,000 made sick. The scandal has forced nationwide recalls of milk products by China's top dairy producers, including some exported to five countries. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.Chinese Health Minister Chen Zhu China's Health Minister Chen Zhu on Wednesday said there are now 6,244 reported cases of infants made sick and, among those, three have died from drinking tainted milk formula. Speaking at a news briefing broadcast live on national television, he said the numbers could go up as more parents take their children to hospitals.Chen says there are now 1,327 infant patients in the hospital. He says 158 are suffering from acute kidney failure.The scandal over tainted milk powder surfaced after large numbers of babies were hospitalized suffering from kidney stones. All had been fed formula made with powdered milk.Parents with babies suffering from kidney stones at a hospital in Lanzhou, northwestern China's Gansu province, 14 Sep 2008China's largest powdered milk producer, Sanlu Dairy, was found to be using milk laced with melamine, an industrial chemical that can make food appear higher in protein. Chinese officials said an investigation of 109 powdered milk producers found that 20 percent of them added melamine to their products, including China's largest milk producer Mengniu.Li Changjiang, head of China's quality watchdog., says starting today they will station 1,400 inspection teams amounting to nearly 5,000 people at all dairy producing enterprises. He says they will make on-the-spot inspections and conduct strict and effective oversight.Li says his department has ordered a recall of all suspect products, including goods from two companies that exported to Bangladesh, Yemen, Burma, Gabon, and Burundi.The New Zealand dairy company Fonterra is part-owner of Sanlu and says it raised concerns about tainted milk weeks ago but Sanlu was slow to respond. New Zealand's prime minister says the Chinese government began investigating only after she raised the issue through official channels.The manager of Sanlu and four local officials in Hebei, where Sanlu is based, have been fired over the scandal.Chinese officials have vowed to inspect all dairy products in the country and say they may for the first time begin regular testing for illegal additives such as melamine.This is not the first time milk powder has killed babies in China. In 2004 at least 12 infants died from drinking fake milk powder.
------------------------------------------------------
Top US Military Official Meets Pakistani Officials
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E3CA9C:E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8&
Meeting with Admiral Michael Mullen aimed at easing tensions over missile strikes on Pakistani territory
Admiral Mike Mullen (File)The U.S. military chief has met with top Pakistani officials in Islamabad, in an effort to ease tensions over U.S. missile strikes on Pakistani territory.Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, held separate talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and General Ashfaq Kayani Wednesday. The tensions stem from recent U.S. missile strikes on suspected al-Qaida and Taliban militant targets in Pakistan's tribal regions. But a Pakistani military official Wednesday rejected recent media reports that Pakistan has ordered its troops to fire on aircraft if there are any future cross-border incursions. Instead, the official told VOA that Pakistan's army reserves the right to retaliate in self-defense against any foreign aggression.Speaking from Kabul, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the U.S. will cooperate with Pakistan to disrupt the militant safe havens. In a separate development, Pakistani officials say government troops backed by fighter jets targeted militant hideouts in the Bajaur tribal region Wednesday, killing at least 10 insurgents.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
US Defense Secretary Expresses Regret for Afghan Civilian Deaths
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E3CA9D:E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8&
Robert Gates says he offered all Afghanistan his 'sincere condolences' for recent loss of innocent life as result of coalition airstrikes
US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates delivers a speech at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, 17 Sep 2008The U.S. defense secretary has expressed "personal regret" for civilians killed by U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan.Robert Gates said in Kabul Wednesday that he offered all Afghanistan his "sincere condolences" for the recent loss of innocent life as a result of coalition airstrikes.Gates said the U.S. military makes every effort to avoid civilian casualties, but he added that the military has to work even harder.Afghanistan's government and people have expressed anger with the U.S. military about the increasing number of civilians killed during attacks on militant targets.Gates earlier discussed the situation with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.Separately Wednesday, the U.S.-led coalition said a roadside bomb killed four soldiers and an Afghan national in the country's east.It did not identify the troops' nationalities, or say where exactly the explosion happened. Most foreign troops serving under the coalition in eastern Afghanistan are from the United States. The troops have been working with the Afghan army to fight Taliban militants since 2001, when a U.S.-led invasion pushed the Taliban from power.The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, said Tuesday that 10,000 more troops are needed to fight the Taliban, in addition to the U.S. combat brigade due to arrive in January.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
Twin Car Bombs Kill 8 in Iraq
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E3CA9E:E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8&
Officials say bombs exploded minutes apart, 20 others wounded in western Baghdad
Iraqi security officials say two car bombs have killed eight people and wounded at least 20 others in western Baghdad.Officials said the bombs exploded minutes apart Wednesday.Violence in Iraq is at a four-year low, but three bombings earlier this week killed 34 people.On Tuesday, General Ray Odierno became the top U.S. commander in Iraq, replacing General David Petraeus who is credited with helping reduce violence in the country and overseeing the U.S. troop surge.Odierno said the security gains in Iraq are "reversible" and warned that the work there is far from done. General Petraeus oversaw a change in U.S. counter-insurgency strategy and the U.S. troop surge when he took command in February 2007. He will now lead the broader U.S. central command, which includes Afghanistan and Iraq.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
------------------------------------------------------
Thai Parliament Elects Somchai Prime Minister
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E3CA9F:E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8&
Somchai Wongsawat is the brother-in-law of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup two years ago
Thailand's parliament approved the candidate from the People Power Party, Somchai Wongsawat, to be the next prime minister. As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, Mr. Somchai says national reconciliation will be his priority, after weeks of anti-government protests. Somchai Wongsawat gives a traditional greeting to members of his party after they voted for him to become the next prime minister at Parliament House in Bangkok, 17 Sep 2008House speaker Chai Chidchob announced the results of Wednesday's parliament vote for prime minister. Chai says Mr. Somchai was backed by 298 lawmakers in the House of Representatives. Mr. Somchai has been acting prime minister since last week, when Samak Sundaravej was forced to step aside after a court found him guilty of a conflict of interest. Both men are members of the People Power Party, which leads the six-party coalition government.Mr. Somchai's supporters cheered their candidate outside the parliament before the vote.The long-time senior bureaucrat takes up the reins with Thai society deeply polarized between supporters of his brother-in-law, former Prime Minister Thaksin, and those who oppose him. Mr. Thaksin's critics accuse him of being corrupt and authoritarian, and say the PPP-led government acts on his behalf. Mr. Thaksin, who led his allies to two national election victories, was ousted in a coup in 2006. He fled to Britain last month during his trial on corruption. His supporters are chiefly the poor and rural residents, while most of his critics are from wealthier urban areas.The People's Alliance for Democracy leads the opposition. Thousands of PAD supporters have camped outside the main government administration building for weeks. Originally they called for Mr. Samak's resignation, but now they vow to continue their blockade until the PPP is out of power.PPP spokesman Kudeb Saikrajang says Mr. Somchai's first task is to ease political tensions. "The party has made it clear to the public that the most important task for us is to promote reconciliation - or what we call national reconciliation - to bring back unity to the country and to assure the public that the PPP will avoid confrontation with any group of people in the society," said Kudeb. Buranaj Samutharak, a spokesman for the opposition Democrats, says his party will watch to see whether the government allows corruption cases against Mr. Thaksin to proceed and whether it pursues unpopular constitutional changes."We'll have to wait and see whether the government succeeds in addressing some of the main concerns of the people which have led to the present state of political crisis," said Buranaj. Some political analysts say Mr. Somchai, who is known for his gentlemanly manner, may not be able to ease tensions. If not, they say the crisis could continue until there are new elections, or something else, such as a military coup, changes the government. Also on Wednesday, a Thai court postponed issuing the verdict in a corruption case against Mr. Thaksin. Instead, the court issued new arrest warrants for him and his wife and set a new hearing date for October 21.
------------------------------------------------------
Zimbabwe's Political Parties to Discuss Cabinet Posts
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E3CAA0:E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8&
Officials from President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and opposition Movement for Democratic Change say negotiators will meet soon
Morgan Tsvangirai speaks at his home a day after signing of power sharing deal which saw him becoming the new PM of Zimbabwe, 16 Sep 2008Zimbabwe's main political parties are set to hold talks on the allocation of Cabinet posts in a new unity government.Officials from President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) say negotiators will meet soon, though they expressed doubt the talks will happen Wednesday.On Monday, Mr. Mugabe agreed to give up some power for the first time in his 28-year rule, signing a power-sharing deal with main MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and the head of a smaller opposition faction, Arthur Mutambara. Under the deal, Tsvangirai will become prime minister, while Mr. Mugabe will remain president and preside over Cabinet meetings. The agreement aims to end months of political deadlock stemming from disputed elections and state-sponsored attacks on opposition activists.In an interview published by Britain's Guardian Wednesday, Tsvangirai said some senior members of Mr. Mugabe's party could be tried for the violence.Tsvangirai said he does not think Mr. Mugabe himself can be held accountable.Many Zimbabweans say they hope the power-sharing deal will lead to an improvement in living standards. The country is suffering from food shortages and an annual inflation rate of 11 million percent.Foreign donors have said they want to study the agreement and see if Tsvangirai is allowed to assert real authority before committing new funds and programs to help Zimbabwe.Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
If you have questions about this E-mail newsletter send an e-mail to:
Click here to unsubscribe from the VOA Daily World News Summary: http://enews.voanews.com/u?id=E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8
Forward this E-mail: http://enews.voanews.com/bin/ftaf?id=E2FDB7E6D97F93736E4E59AC4C9B99ECB3350E090FE6A6E8
No comments:
Post a Comment