Three soldiers have been cleared of the manslaughter of a junior colleague at a barracks in Wiltshire two years ago.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Media Coverage Controversy at Arlington Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, is at the center of a controversy over media coverage of military funerals for those killed in the Iraq war. The complaints over restricted press access have led some to accuse the U.S. government of trying to limit images of the human costs of a war that most Americans now think was a mistake. But others at the center of the controversy say the problem stems from the lack of a clear policy outlining the parameters of media coverage - a policy the Pentagon says it is examining. More from VOA's Bill Rodgers.
Federal Law Violated in Hiring Practices at Justice Department
The inspector general at the Justice Department told members of Congress on July 30, 2008 that political bias was a serious problem in decisions about hiring at the U.S. Justice Department.
The investigator concluded that senior aides to former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales discriminated against job candidates affiliated with the Democratic Party and that violates civil service law and department policy. In a number of cases, less qualified candidates were chosen over those with more experience. VOA's Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.
'Rockefeller' Missing Child
More information in the case of Reigh Rockefeller who was forcibly taken by her father. Dawn Hasbrouck from WBZ TV reports and Maggie Rodriguez talks to two family friends.
Barack Obama and JFK_July 24 2008
Heinz Ickstadt, a retired American Literature professor from the Kennedy Institute at Berlin University compares his experience watching Barack Obama speak in Berlin with John F. Kennedy's speech in the same city 45 years ago.
A fragile victory over the Mahdi army
REPORT: In southern Iraq, government security forces appear to have finally regained control of the area from the Mahdi army. (L. Menget)
Nato's 'Taliban problem' in Afghanistan
General David McKiernan, commander of the Nato led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, says his biggest problem is Taliban infiltration from across the border in Pakistan.
According to Nato's military chief, they need a more sizable fighting force to defeat the Taliban.
McKiernan took over the post two months ago, as a result he is the most senior US general in Afghanistan.
Al Jazeera's James Bays reports on the exclusive interview.
McCain Ad Mocks Obama's Fame
With three months before Election Day, the McCain campaign launched a negative ad that mocks Barack Obama's popularity, comparing him to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Chip Reid reports.
Raw Video:Lufthansa strike
German airline Lufthansa had to cancel several long-haul flights as a pay strike by ground and cabin staff entered its third day.
Raw video:Turkish President visits the area where a bomb blast....
Turkish President Abdullah Gul visited the Istanbul neighbourhood where two bomb blasts killed 17 people
New cult uncovered in Penza
A new cult has emerged in Russia's central Penza region, two months after a doomsday sect gave up its underground wait for the apocalypse. A group of around 20 people has barricaded themselves in a house on the outskirts of Penza.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Argentina's illegal abortions
Abortion is illegal in Argentian, and leaves many women struggling to find access to safe procedures.
In Argentina, some 400 women die due to botched back street abortions every year.
Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo reports from Buenos Aires
13 seized pit bulls returned to owner
Thirteen pit bulls found cut and scarred were seized by York County sheriff's deputies this weekend, but a judge returned them to their owner on Tuesday.
New Zealand:Falling tree almost hits motorist
A motorist in Nelson had a lucky escape from a falling tree while driving in a storm. The moment was captured by Dave Finlay.
Search for Missing Girl Turns to High Seas
Police say they believe a father who allegedly kidnapped his daughter may have taken her onto a yacht and could be sailing for Bermuda or Peru.
Ehud Olmert's political legacy
Ehud Olmert, Israel's prime minister, was under growing pressure to resign amid allegations that he recieved politically-motivated funding before he became head of the Israeli cabinet.
An investigation into the 15 years of funding is the latest incident to hit Olmert's once-glittering career.
Al Jazeera's David Chater discusses his political legacy.
Raw Video: Israel's Prime Minister to Step Down
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced Wednesday he will resign in September, throwing his country into political turmoil and raising doubts about progress for U.S.-backed Mideast peace efforts.
Possible HIV Cure?
Two doctors in Houston, Texas, believe they might have discovered the Achilles heel of the HIV virus. KHOU's Lee McGuire reports.
Barack Obama: Town Hall in Springfield, Missouri
On July 30th, 2008 Barack Obama spoke at a town hall about economic security and his policy differences with John McCain.
International Olympic Committee Withdraws Ban on Athletes
Iraq has succeeded in its bid to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games. On Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee, meeting with Iraqi officials in Lausanne, Switzerland, lifted its ban on Iraqi athletes at the games. Iraq is expected to send two track and field athletes to Beijing. IOC officials said Iraq's government has pledged to ensure independence of its national Olympic committee. Leta Hong Fincher has more.
'Fallen' Miss USA Speaks
Crystle Stewart, who fell at the Miss Universe pageant, talks to Dave Price about getting back up - in life.
Michelle Obama at Women For Obama Lunch
Michelle Obama spoke at a Women for Obama lunch reception in Chicago, IL, unveiling the Obama campaign's Blueprint for America's Working Women and Families
Preparing For The 'Big One'
Experts say L.A.'s 5.4 magnitude earthquake was just a harbinger for the "big one." Naval doctor Andy Baldwin tells Maggie Rodriguez what every family should do to prepare.
The Mythbusters Vs. The Sharks
Few fish are surrounded by more myths than the shark. Who better to prove -- or disprove -- shark mysteries than the Discovery Channel's Mythbusters? Harry Smith reports
Iraq Olympic ban lifted
CNN's Morgan Neill reports on the lifting of the Olympic ban against some Iraqi athletes.
Good news for John McCain. Doctors tell the Republican presidential candidate the there is no evidence of skin cancer in the small patch of skin removed from his right cheek.That means he doesn't have to worry about any further treatment.McCain had the biopsy as a precaution during a regular checkup with his dermatologist near Phoenix.The Arizona senator has a medical history of dangerous melanomas. He has survived three bouts of the disease.
Raw video:California earthquake shakes Judge Judy filming
Court proceedings were interrupted on US show Judge Judy by the strongest eathquake to hit Southern California in decades. Cameras caught the action.
US firms up for sale to foreign investors
The falling dollar means foreign investors are buying thousands of American firms, but at the same time American companies are going to countries such as Mexico in search of cheap labour and lower prices. Al Jazeera's Sherine Tadros reports from Greenville, Michigan on what the foreign buy-up of America could mean for the US in the long term.
Police: Man kills landlord during eviction
Police have arrested a 26-year-old man who allegedly shot and killed his landlord in east Charlotte on Tuesday afternoon.
IOC probes China censorship claims
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is looking into reports of internet censorship for journalists covering the Olympics.
As the Olympic Games approach, there are still limits to the amount of internet access granted to reporters.
China's foreign ministry says some websites will remain blocked.
Brazil deals with food price hikes
Brazil's traditionally humble dish known as Feijoada, is gradually turning into a luxury meal.
Video Essay: Earthquake Rocks California
The strongest earthquake in a decade struck California Tuesday. AP video journalist Ted Warren takes a closer look.
Karadzic extradited to The Hague amid protests
Radovan Karadzic, the war crimes suspect, has arrived in the Netherlands to face trial at The Hague on charges of genocide for his actions in the 1992-95 Bosnia war.
His departure came just hours after supporters fought running battles in the streets with police.
Many are hoping that as news of Radovan Karadzic's move to The Hague spreads, the violence of Tuesday night will not be repeated.
Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher, reports from Belgrade.
Suspect Arrested in Pregnant Soldier Death
Police have charged a soldier from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in the death of a pregnant soldier found dead in a motel bathtub.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
What do you think of Pakistan's plan to put more of their troops into the country's tribal areas?- Do you feel Pakistan is a threat to the U.S.?
Israel shoots dead nine-year-old boy
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli soldiers have shot dead a nine-year-old Palestinian boy, near the village of Ni'lin, according to witnesses.
It happened at the end of a demonstration against the separation barrier Israel is building.
The Israeli military say they will conduct a full investigation.
Jacky Rowland reports.
Quake Shakes S. Calif.; Minor Injuries Reported
A strong earthquake shook Southern California just before noon Tuesday.
Inside McCain's Campaign
Katie Couric looks at Sen. John McCain's campaign staff, and how the candidate interacts with his top aides.
Taliban leader says group has army of suicide bombers
The Taliban currently has direct control over large areas of the North West Frontier Province in Pakistan and tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan.
But this is only the start according to the Taliban's second-in-command.
Maulana Fazlullah, the Taliban's leader in Swat, has told Al Jazeera that the group has an army of suicide bombers than can strike at any moment with the capacity to take control of the entire valley.
Imran Khan reports.
Voters on: Barack Obama, Race, and the Election
In this feature series, VOA examines voter perceptions across the country and asks Americans if the United States is ready for a black president. VOA's Chris Simkins has our story.
Matron at Winfrey School Pleads Innocent
A former dormitory matron at Oprah Winfrey's South African girls school looked nervous and sullen as her trial got underway. Tiny Virginia Makopo is charged with assaulting and abusing six teens and a fellow 23-year-old dorm matron. But the 28-year-old denies the charges.
Justice: Senator Stevens Charged With 7 Felonies
Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator, was indicted Tuesday on seven counts of failing to disclose thousands of dollars in services he received from a company that helped renovate his home.
Mental health survey stuns British Parliament
A survey published in Britain suggests that one in five members of the British Parliament has suffered from stress-related mental health problems. The report also criticises a law which forces MPs to give up their seats for life if they're treated in a psychiatric hospital.
Candidates Duel Over Economy
Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama are turning their attention to the economy, and they're calling on some of the biggest names in business for help.
World's deepest lake gets even deeper
Two Russian submersibles have set a new record by reaching the deepest point of the world's deepest lake -- Baikal, in Siberia. Mir-1 and Mir-2 descended 1680 meters. It was previously thought that Lake Baikal was only 1637 meters deep. Also see Russia's endangered Lake Baikal...
Gujarat Muslims fear Hindu backlash after bombings
Muslims living in the Indian state of Gujarat fear a Hindu backlash following deadly bomb attacks in the religiously tense city of Ahmedabad. The attacks which killed over 49 people, were claimed by a little-known Islamist group.
'Rockefeller' Kidnapping Probe
A divorced man claiming to be a Rockefeller takes his daughter during a supervised visit. Beth Germano from station WBZ reports and Maggie Rodriguez talks to legal analyst Lisa Bloom.
Another Emergency Landing for Qantas Airways
For the second time in less than a week, a Qantas Airways jet had to make an emergency landing. This time, the airline says it was simply precautionary -- after a landing gear door failed to close...