By Challiss McDonough Cairo 17 December 2007 Millions of Muslims from around the world have arrived in the Muslim holy city of Mecca to begin the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The four-day ritual is taking place under tight security, and officials in Saudi...
By Daniel Schearf Islamabad 17 December 2007 A top American general has said Afghanistan's security is improving, despite a resurgent Taliban and increased violence in the country. The general also cited a drop in cross-border attacks and the capture...
By Carol Pearson Washington 17 December 2007 2007 was a year notable for breakthroughs in medicine. VOA's Carol Pearson looks back at some of the top medical stories of the year. One of the most promising developments in health in 2007 was the disco...
By Delia Robertson Johannesburg 17 December 2007 South Africa's ruling party has delayed choosing its new leader, as tensions run high between supporters of President Thabo Mbeki and party deputy Jacob Zuma. The 4,000 delegates to the African Nationa...
By Jim Teeple Jerusalem 17 December 2007 After seven years, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are talking once again. That development came at the end of 2007, a year of turmoil and transition which saw the Palestinian territories split, politicall...
By Larry London Washington 17 December 2007 With five Number One hits between 1992 and 1997, the group Boyz II Men has secured a permanent place in music history. Through their wonderful harmonies and poetic lyrics, and a career that has spanned 20 y...
By Laila Azimi Washington 17 December 2007 Muslims from around the world are on their way to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the spiritual pilgrimage known as the Hajj beginning December 18. This annual event takes place during the 12th month of the Islami...
By Edward Yeranian Beirut 17 December 2007 Lebanon's presidential election has been postponed a ninth time, as top political leaders again failed to reach a political deal that the Hezbollah-led opposition is demanding before a vote can take place. T...
By Paul Sisco Washington 17 December 2007 2007 was a year notable for further evidence about global warming, terrestrial and extraterrestrial discovery and scientific breakthroughs. VOA's Paul Sisco takes a look back at some of the top science storie...
By Peter Fedynsky Moscow 17 December 2007 President Vladimir Putin has agreed to become the prime minister of Russia and offered an assurance he will not seek any redistribution of power should his chosen successor win the presidency. VOA Moscow Corr...
By Kurt Achin Seoul 17 December 2007 A former Seoul mayor nicknamed the bulldozer is closing in on what experts predict will be a decisive victory in this week's South Korean presidential vote. Lee Myung-bak has aimed his campaign message straight at...
By Lisa Bryant Paris 17 December 2007 International donors pledged $7.4 billion over the next three years to help the cashed-strapped Palestinian government. Lisa Bryant has more for VOA from the Paris donors' conference. Spread out over a three-year...
By Anjana Pasricha New Delhi 17 December 2007 A mass jailbreak in central India led by Maoist rebels has demonstrated the growing strength of a communist insurgency in the region. Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi on how nearly 300 prisoners man...
By Matt Steinglass Hanoi 17 December 2007 A new law has taken effect in Vietnam requiring all motorbike riders to wear helmets. Motorbikes are the most common form of transportation in Vietnam, but drivers long refused to wear helmets, leading to hug...
By Naomi Martig Hong Kong 17 December 2007 Experts with the World Health Organization are urging countries to step up surveillance of bird flu outbreaks in poultry. The announcement follows Pakistan's first human bird flu fatality and Burma's first r...
