2016-12-10 Acceptance of Torture During War is Growing
A new study has found changes in public opinion on the issue of torture and its use to get “important military information.” The study found that the percentage of people…
2016-12-09 Leaders, Activists Launch Campaigns to End Sexual Violence in South Sudan
Many cases of rape are reported in the world’s newest country, South Sudan. Government forces, unidentified armed groups, and rebel fighters are suspected of these crimes. Yet not one individual…
2016-12-08 Islamic State Expanding Schools in Eastern Afghanistan
Afghan officials say the Islamic State, or IS, is trying to strongly influence children in the country’s East through a growing number of religious seminaries and schools. The militant group…
2016-12-07 Germany’s Merkel Calls for Ban on Full-Face Covers
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for a ban on full-face veils worn by some Muslim women. Merkel announced her position Tuesday at a conference of her Christian Democrat Union…
2016-12-07 Trump Names US Defense Secretary Nominee
American President-elect Donald Trump named retired Marine General James Mattis to be his secretary of defense this week. Mattis left military service three years ago. At the time, he led…
2016-12-06 How Will Europe’s Populist Movements Change the EU?
As populist movements grow in Europe, it remains unclear how they will affect the European Union. Italy is the latest country to vote against its leadership. On Sunday, Italian voters…
2016-12-06 Cameroon Denies Security Forces Abused Protesters
The government in Cameroon says its security forces did not abuse protesters during demonstrations in two areas last month. Students, teachers, and lawyers in English-speaking parts of the country were…
2016-12-06 Japan’s Abe to Visit Pearl Harbor; Will Not Apologize for Attack
Japan says Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will not apologize for his country’s 1941 attack on United States forces when he visits Pearl Harbor, Hawaii later this month. Wednesday marks the…
2016-12-07 Returning Somali Refugees Rebuild Lives
Abdullahi Mohamed, a former refugee from Somalia, has returned to his country in search of work. Mohamed, now in his 20s, spent many years living in the Dadaab refugee camp…
2016-12-05 South Korea, Japan Join United Nations in Punishing North Korea
South Korea and Japan are adding to recent international punishment against North Korea for its nuclear testing programs. Japanese and South Korean officials announced the sanctions Friday. They are in…
2016-12-04 Africans’ Demand for Democracy Declines
A report about a new public opinion survey shows that a ten-year-long period of Africans demanding democracy has recently ended, and such demands have been declining since then in the…
2016-12-04 US Air Force Faces Shortage of Fighter Jet Mechanics
The United States Air Force has a shortage of mechanics to provide support for its fighter airplanes. VOA recently reported that the Air Force has 725 fighter pilots less than…
2016-12-03 Pakistan’s New Army Chief Takes Command
General Qamar Javed Bajwa has taken command of Pakistan’s army, the sixth-largest in the world. The official change of command ceremony took place earlier this week near the General Headquarters…
2016-12-04 Clothing Designer from Malawi Targets Overseas Markets
Lilly Alfonso is one of the top fashion designers in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Alfonso has shown her creations at fashion shows in London, Paris and Amsterdam. Her clothes…
2016-12-01 Indonesia Seeks to Balance Sea Claims, Economic Interests
Indonesia says its armed forces will expand their watch around a group of islands in the South China Sea to keep away Chinese fishing crews. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said…