VOA News: Top Stories Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:12:30 -0400 http://www.voanews.com/ Up to the minute news from Voice of America Obama Winds Up Asia Tour With South Korea Summit Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:12:30 +0200 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:12:30 -0400 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:12:30 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-18-voa7.cfm?rss=topstories US president demands North Korea move toward ending nuclear program in show of solidarity with South Korean president "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-18-voa7.cfm?RSS=TopStories" Iraqi Vice President Vetoes Part of Election Law Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:07:03 +0200 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:07:03 -0400 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:07:03 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-18-voa5.cfm?rss=topstories Tariq al-Hashemi says he wants more representation for Iraqis living abroad, many of whom are Sunni Arabs "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-18-voa5.cfm?RSS=TopStories" NATO Chief Confident Afghanistan Will Have More Troops Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:03:50 +0200 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:03:50 -0400 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:03:50 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa9.cfm?rss=topstories Secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen makes it clear that despite intensifying insurgency and uncertainty over whether President Obama will send more troops, NATO will remain in Afghanistan "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa9.cfm?RSS=TopStories" Obama: US Presenting Benchmarks for Afghan Government Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:01:18 +0200 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:01:18 -0400 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:01:18 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-18-voa6.cfm?rss=topstories US President Barack Obama also has promised a decision soon on if or how he will reinforce the nearly 68,000 US troops fighting militants in Afghanistan "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-18-voa6.cfm?RSS=TopStories" Afghan Corruption Concerns US Policy Planners Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:10:52 +0200 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:10:52 -0400 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:10:52 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa42.cfm?rss=topstories In Transparency International's 2009 survey of world corruption, Afghanistan was ranking 179th out of 180 countries surveyed, only Somalia is perceived as being more corrupt "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa42.cfm?RSS=TopStories" US Dismayed at Israeli Building Plan for East Jerusalem Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:13:26 +0200 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:13:26 -0400 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:13:26 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa47.cfm?rss=topstories Israel approves 900 new housing units in mostly Arab east Jerusalem despite US, Palestinian objections "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa47.cfm?RSS=TopStories" EU says it is Not Time to Recognize Palestinian State Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:55:07 +0200 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:55:07 -0400 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:55:07 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa22.cfm?rss=topstories Swedish foreign minister says it would be 'premature' to recognize Palestinian state as conditions for such move are not yet there "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa22.cfm?RSS=TopStories" Czech Republic Marks 'Velvet Revolution' Anniversary Amid Political Turmoil Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:18:43 +0200 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:18:43 -0400 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:18:43 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa32.cfm?rss=topstories Velvet Revolution led to end of communist rule in what was then Czechoslovakia "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa32.cfm?RSS=TopStories" Russia Expects New START Agreement by December 5 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:23:02 +0200 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:23:02 -0400 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:23:02 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa15.cfm?rss=topstories Russian FM says Moscow and Washington will abide by terms of agreement pending ratification by lawmakers in both countries "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa15.cfm?RSS=TopStories" US Army Suicides Continue at Record Pace Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:26:55 +0200 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:26:55 -0400 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:26:55 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa36.cfm?rss=topstories Army Vice Chief of Staff reports there have been 140 suicides among active duty soldiers this year, and another 71 among reservists and members of National Guard "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa36.cfm?RSS=TopStories" Annual Report Finds Sub-Saharan Africa Especially Hard Hit by Corruption Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:08:26 +0200 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:08:26 -0400 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:08:26 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa14.cfm?rss=topstories Somalia ranks as most corrupt country on bottom of 180-nation list "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa14.cfm?RSS=TopStories" African Leaders Discouraged But Undaunted by Climate Talks Outlook Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:20:32 +0200 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:20:32 -0400 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:20:32 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa25.cfm?rss=topstories Negotiators say they will insist on political deal that meets their demands "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa25.cfm?RSS=TopStories" Al-Shabab Accuses ONLF of Aiding Islamist Rival in Somalia Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:10:32 +0200 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:10:32 -0400 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:10:32 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa19.cfm?rss=topstories Al-Shabab group says members of Ethiopia-based rebel group, Ogaden National Liberation Front, are fighting alongside Hizbul Islam "www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-17-voa19.cfm?RSS=TopStories"