Roberto Abraham Scaruffi: http://enews.voanews.com

Thursday, 20 August 2009

http://enews.voanews.com

VOANews.com - News from Voice of America

Voters in Afghanistan go to the polls 20 August for the nation's second presidential election since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. The election is being held in the midst of a war that involves more than 100,000 U.S. and foreign troops battling a Taliban insurgency that controls vast parts of the country. Follow the news leading up to the election and the voting from our special report, Afghan Elections: Challenges of Voting During Wartime.

Iraqis gather as fire fighters respond to massive bomb attack near Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, 19 Aug 2009 Baghdad Blasts Kill 95 Audio Clip Available
At least 536 people also wounded in series of explosions near high-profile targets across Baghdad


Afghan counter-terrorism officer stands guard in Kabul, 19 Aug 2009 Afghanistan Tries to Assure Voters About Adequate Security on Election Day Audio Clip Available Video clip available
Taliban vows to disrupt process by attacking polling stations, retaliating against those who dare to vote


Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Arrests 44 Suspected Militants
Authorities arrest suspects for allegedly planning to carry out terrorist attacks


Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, South Korea's first space rocket, sits on launch pad at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Korea, 19 Aug 2009 South Korea Postpones First Rocket Launch Audio Clip Available
Officials say launch will not happen for time being, without immediately giving reasons for delay


Taiwan's Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (file) Two More Taiwan Officials Tender Resignations Over Typhoon Response Audio Clip Available
Prime Minister Liu Chao-shiuan says possible Cabinet reshuffle is in the works


Lt. General Pichet Wisaijorn, Commander Thailand's 4th Army Southern Provinces Thai Military Says It Makes Progress in Ending Insurgent Violence in South Audio Clip Available
Since 2004, more than 3,500 people have died in an Islamic insurgency in the provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla, home to mostly ethnic Malay Muslims


Housing units are seen in an outpost near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Itamar, near Nablus, 18 Aug 2009 Mixed Reaction to Israeli Announcement of Partial Settlement Freeze Audio Clip Available
Jewish settlers, allies say it is a catastrophe, while Palestinians describe it as a publicity stunt


S. Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon (r) shakes hands with India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma during a signing ceremony at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, S. Korea, 07 Aug 2009 Indian Trade Pacts Will Contribute to Economic Integration of Region Audio Clip Available
Agreements also signal that India is keen to attract more investment from East Asia


Mohammed Yunus Nobel Laureate Opens Poverty Reduction Center in Thailand
Center is first outside Bangladesh, where Muhammad Yunus established micro-credit bank offering small loans to poor


Zach Bonner Eleven-Year-Old Boy Walks to Help Homeless Children Video clip available
He travels hundreds of kilometers in US to raise awareness of the problem