U.S. presidential candidates hold a debate today. Violent demonstrations reported in Iran's capital.
I'm David DeForest, reporting from Washington.
Four explosions ripped through a government-controlled section of Syria's largest city, Aleppo, killing at least 40 people and (wounding) nearly a hundred. The Syrian government and its opponents said today three of the blasts were car bombs that went off in a square located near a hotel that, residents say, housed pro-government militiamen. An officers' club and other military and government buildings are also in the area. A fourth bomb blew up close to the Chamber of Commerce building.
U.S. President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romeny will confront each other today in the first of three (debates). With just five weeks remaining before the November 6 election, Mr. Obama is entering the debate with a lead over Mr. Romney in voter opinion polls. Both men spend Tuesday behind closed doors to practicing.
While the stakes are great for the politicians seeking the nation's highest office, the debate experts are saying techniques used in the presidential debates have practical applications. That's we hear from Kate Woodsome.
Know your facts and be able to articulate them in a concise, short and still (substantive way). That is the advice from Louden, the chair of Department of Communication at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.
"There is a judgment which says this person is knowledgeable and has a handle and control of an issue which is independent of their stance."
Louden says a weak debater will pander, underestimating the audience’s ability to follow the arguments. An effective technique is arguing through the lens of your audience's perspective, rather than from your own. Kate Woodsome, VOA news, Washington.
For more on the American presidential campaign, check at our website, voanews.com.
Witnesses in Iran's capital say police have fought with protesters who were demonstrating against the (plunge) in the nation's currency value. Police in riot gear were reported to be breaking up the demonstrations in central Tehran.
Islamist militants who control northern Mali have publicly executed a man accused of murder. A spokesman for the militant group Ansar Dine says the man, a Malian Tuareg, was killed Tuesday by firing squad in Timbuktu. Witnesses (confirmed) the execution.
Amnesty International says South Sudanese security forces have committed human rights violations, while carrying out a campaign to disarm civilians in Jonglei state. The group said in a report today the violations by members of the police and army include torture, shootings and sexual violence.
Buddhist monks are protesting a wave of violence (targeting) the Buddhist community in Bangladesh. About 200 monks marched in Bangkok demanding an end to Muslim terrorism against Bangladesh's small Buddhist community. Thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims rioted Saturday and Sunday, targeting Buddhist temples across the country's southeast. The attacks began after Muslims found a photo of a burned Quran and blamed it on a Buddhist.
Russia's foreign ministry says it hopes Monday's parliamentary election in Georgia will help normalize relations between the two countries. Foreign Ministry's spokesman Alexander Lukashevich expressed hope that Georgia will move toward normal and (constructive relations) with its neighbors. Georgia's president Mikheil Saakashvil Tuesday conceded an electrical defeat to the Georgian Dream coalition led by Bidzina Ivanishvili.
The Japanese Coast Guards says three Chinese government ships have entered the waters near a (disputed) island chain in the East China Sea. In a statement today, the coast guard says the Chinese ships ignored warnings from Japanese patrol vessels. It says the Japanese ships are demanding the Chinese vessels leave the area, but have not received a reply.
Top government officials and security experts gathered today in Manila, met for the opening of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations annual (maritime) conference. Though the annual meeting is to focus on protecting water resources and securing trade routes, it comes at a time when four ASEAN member nations are engaged in disputes with China over parts of the South China Sea.
A Chinese-owned company has sued U.S. President Barack Obama for blocking its bid to build a wing farm near an American naval site used test unmanned drones. China's official Xin Hua news agency says the company is Ralls Corp.
On Wall Street, U.S. stock indexes are up.
I'm David Deforest, more news at voanews.com.