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From Washington, this is VOA news. Leaders from the U.S. and Russia are to discuss a possible Ukraine action. Sunday morning search for Malaysia Airlines 370 is underway. I'm Vincent Bruce reporting from Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meet in Paris Sunday as Washington and Moscow work toward a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine. VOA's State Department correspondent Scott Stearns has more in this report from the French capital. Kerry and Lavrov will meet at the residence of the Russian ambassador to follow up on a late Friday telephone conversation between Preside Putin and President Obama about the need for a diplomatic settlement in Ukraine. The White House says Mr. Obama told Mr. Putin that Russia must pull back its troops and not move deeper into Ukraine. The Kremlin says Mr. Putin is suggesting "possible steps the global community can take to help stabilize the situation." The United States and its European allies are threatening tougher sanctions targeting the Russian economy if Russia's troops push deeper into Ukraine. Lavrov says "Russia has absolutely no intention of, or interest in, crossing Ukraine's borders." Scott Stearns, VOA news, Paris. Chinese planes have spotted objects in the Indian Ocean bearing the same colors as the missing Malaysia Airlines jet. Investigators, however, say those objects and others that have been pulled from the water cannot be confirmed as debris from the jet. The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is now into its fourth week. Ships and planes headed to the new search area, about 1,850 kilometers off the western Australian city of Perth Sunday morning local time. Malaysian Defense Minister Hishamuddin Hussein has told the families the searchers are doing whatever it takes to find the plane. In the U.S. state of California, a 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook Los Angeles Saturday a day after a 5.1 temblor hit the region. No major damage or injuries are reported after both quakes. Friday's seismic shock cut power, caused gas leaks, and knocked goods off store shelves. Friday's quake was centered near Brea, about 32 kilometers south of downtown Los Angeles. Safety crews are inspecting bridges, dams and railroad tracks for damage. Guinea's Ministry of Health says eight cases of the Ebola virus have been confirmed in the capital, Conakry. Aid organizations say the spread of Ebola to Conakry, the capital of Guinea, poses new challenges. Jennifer Lazuta has more from VOA's West Africa bureau in Dakar. West Africa's first ever outbreak of the Ebola virus, which began in Guinea's southeastern forest region last month, is spreading. Guinea's Ministry of Health says eight people have tested positive for the virus in Conakry. One person has died. The World Health Organization confirmed that there have been eight suspected cases in Liberia, including six fatalities. The Ebola virus, which is one of the most contagious viral diseases, is spread through contact with bodily fluids. There are no known vaccines or treatments available for Ebola. The only way to stop its spread is by preventing further infections. Health centers in Conakry are now offering treatment for all suspected Ebola cases free of charge. Jennifer Lazuta, for VOA news, Dakar. More details on these stories at voanews.com. A court in Egypt has sentenced two supporters of former President Mohamed Morsi to death. The two were on trial for throwing two people off the roof of a building in the coastal city of Alexandria during mass protests against Mr. Morsi's ouster a year ago. Egypt's interim authorities have been cracking down on supporters of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and Mr. Morsi, in custody since he was removed from office about nine months ago. Taliban militants on Saturday attacked the headquarters of the Afghan Independent Election Commission, the latest in a series of attacks across the capital. Sharon Behn has a report from Kabul The sound of shooting echoed once again in the streets of Kabul on Saturday. This time, Taliban militants climbed onto a roof to shoot rockets into the heavily-protected compound of the Independent Election Commission. The Taliban quickly took responsibility for the assault, the latest in a series of attacks across the city that has left more than two dozen dead in the last 10 days. Kabul police chief Mohammad Zahir said by late afternoon most of the fighting was over, and there were no casualties among IEC personnel or security forces. The Taliban, which dismisses the April 5th elections as a Western sham, has vowed to disrupt the vote. Sharon Behn, VOA news, Kabul Lebanese security officials say a suicide car bomb has exploded at an army checkpoint in eastern Lebanon near the Syrian border, killing at least one soldier and wounding others in the town of Arsal. More details on these and other stories at our website at voanews.com 24 hours a day. I'm Vincent Bruce, VOA news, reporting from Washington. |