Voice of America
SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has appointed his brother-in-law to an influential defense position.  That has fueled discussion about what might happen to North Korea’s government if the aging leader’s health should fail.
Jang Song Taek saw his share price rise dramatically this week in North Korea’s political market.  He is […]

Voice of America
ROME — Rescuers in central Italy continue to search for possible survivors in the rubble of Monday’s earthquake as funerals begin for the victims of the disaster. So far, the death toll is 279, which includes at least 20 children. Local and government authorities have introduced anti-looting patrols in the quake-stricken area to […]

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 9, 2009 – Pirates still hold the captain of the Maersk Alabama on the waters off Somalia, but the Navy destroyer USS Bainbridge has arrived on the scene, a Defense Department spokesman said today.
“There’s intense interest in this, and I appreciate that, but I must ask that you […]

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 9, 2009 – The safe return of the American maritime captain being held captive by pirates off the coast of Somalia is of primary importance, senior U.S. officials said here today at the annual Australia-U.S. Ministerial.
Following ministerial discussions on Afghanistan, U.S. engagement in Asia and other topics, […]

Voice of America
FRI RESEARCH STATION, Antarctica, April 7, 2009 — Considered a remote location for so long, Antarctica is becoming more accessible to outsiders and as a result, tourists are arriving in record numbers. But in the continent’s pristine environment even the smallest changes are magnified despite the best efforts of tour operators to prevent […]

Voice of America
ROME — Italy is preparing to hold the first funerals for victims of the powerful earthquake that struck the country’s central Abruzzo region.  Services will be held outside the badly hit regional capital L’Aquila, as many of its buildings remain unstable.
The rescue operations in L’Aquila and nearby areas hit by the earthquake are […]

Voice of America
Rescue workers are searching for survivors of a powerful earthquake in central Italy that killed more than 150 people early Monday. Hundreds of others were injured in the quake and many thousands were left homeless.
Frantic rescue operations are underway in L’Aquila and nearby towns in an effort to find survivors that are believed […]

Voice of America
Italian officials are pressing for steps to prevent a repeat of the tragedy involving hundreds of migrants from Africa who are missing and believed to have drowned in the Mediterranean over the weekend. The migrants were cramped in un-seaworthy vessels which left Libya for Italy. Italy’s Interior Minister is hopeful that these crossings […]

Courtesy of ARAcontent
As medics put him on a stretcher and rushed him to an evacuation helicopter, Sgt. Jeremy Feldbusch, a 23-year-old mortar gunman in the Army’s 3rd Battalion, 75th Regiment, recited the Ranger creed.
“Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight and I will shoulder […]

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 12, 2009 – As President Barack Obama considers deploying National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to control escalating violence, Arizona’s governor has requested about 250 more National Guard troops on its border with Mexico, and the Texas governor is considering a similar action.
“We’re going to examine whether, […]