International News

Obama to meet Myanmar, other ASEAN leaders  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:39 EST

Obama to meet leaders of Myanmar, other Southeast Asian nations in Singapore. President Barack Obama will meet leaders of Southeast Asian nations, including Myanmar, next month in a high-level affirmation of Washington's new policy of engaging the military-ruled country despite its dismal human rights record.

 

British treasury chief urges climate agreement  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:38 EST

British treasury chief urges world officials to reach agreement on climate change costs. British Treasury chief Alistair Darling has urged the world's top finance officials to reach an agreement on bearing the cost of fighting climate change before a UN summit on global warming next month.

 

Unique homecoming to Vietnam for US commander  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:14 EST

Unlikely odyssey brings Vietnamese 'boat person' back home as commander of US Navy ship. On the day his side lost the Vietnam War, Hung Ba Le fled his homeland at the age of 5 in a fishing trawler crammed with 400 refugees. Thirty-four years later, he made an unlikely homecoming ? as the commander of a U.S. Navy destroyer.

 

US official: Troop increase under new Afghan plan  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:06 EST

US official says a troop increase is certain under new Afghan plan. A top Pentagon official says President Obama's new plan for Afghanistan will certainly involve an increase in the number of international troops.

 

Iran says over 100 people detained at anti-U.S. rally  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:47 EST

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian police detained more than 100 people for "disturbing public order" during a rally this week to mark the anniversary of the seizure of the U.S. embassy, the official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday.

 

Iran says over 100 people detained at anti-U.S. rally  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:47 EST

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian police detained more than 100 people for "disturbing public order" during a rally this week to mark the anniversary of the seizure of the U.S. embassy, the official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday.

 

Afghan gov't says UN representative out of line  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:32 EST

Afghan gov't: UN official exceeded his authority in comments critical of the administration. Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry said Saturday that the top U.N. official in the country overstepped his authority by giving instructions on how to rid the government of corruption and warlords.

 

Pakistan's fashionistas defy Taliban  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:22 EST

Amid drum beat of militant violence, Pakistan models take part in first fashion week. Some women strode the catwalk in vicious spiked bracelets and body armor. Others had their heads covered, burqa-style, but with her shoulders ? and tattoos ? exposed. Male models wore long, Islamic robes as well as shorts and sequined T-shirts.

 

Pakistan: 11 militants killed in strongholds  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:19 EST

Intelligence officials say 11 militants killed in overnight battles in Taliban strongholds. Pakistani soldiers killed at least 11 militants during overnight gunbattles in three Taliban strongholds, intelligence officials said Saturday.

 

Venezuelans struggling with water shortages  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:12 EST

Water rationing hits Caracas, but for some lack of running water a long-standing grievance. While a drought has put Caracas under widespread water rationing for the first time in years, for Venezuelans in this hillside slum it's just more of the same.

 

U.S. House set to open healthcare debate  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:01 EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With a close vote looming, the U.S. House of Representatives was expected to open debate on Saturday on a sweeping reform bill that would spark the biggest healthcare changes in four decades.

 

China offers Africa more trade, investment  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:51 EST

Official: China offers Africa more trade and investment at key summit. China is offering to abolish import duties on some commodities from Africa and make sure Chinese exports to the continent are safe as part of a package to boost already thriving economic ties, China's commerce minister said in an article published Saturday.

 

Tens of thousands of homes flooded in Mexico  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:49 EST

Rains leave more than 200,000 people in flooded homes along Mexico's Gulf coast. A week of torrential rain has flooded the homes of more than 200,000 people along Mexico's Gulf coast, officials said Friday. Residents in some towns complained that no help had arrived.

 

Thaksin on a mission to humiliate Thai government  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:30 EST

Thailand's fugitive ex-leader tries new tactic to return to power after 2006 coup. Thailand's fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has spent much of the past three years roaming the globe, shopping for diamonds in Africa, golfing at Asian resorts ? and humiliating the government from a distance.

 

UN urges Karzai to fight corruption  Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:30 EST

UN Security Council urges new Afghan government to improve security and fight corruption. The U.N. Security Council joined calls Friday on Afghan President Hamid Karzai to fight corruption, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calling the country's political situation "delicate" following deeply flawed elections.

 

Abbas' move reflects deep Palestinian despair  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:52 EST

Abbas' reluctance to seek re-election reflects deep Palestinian despair. By saying he wants to step down as president, Mahmoud Abbas has highlighted a deep Palestinian despair rooted in decades of failed peace initiatives and fruitless violence.

 

Cuban blogger says she is briefly detained  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:50 EST

Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez says she is briefly detained, harrassed by state security agents. A Cuban blogger who has gained international attention for her searing commentary about life on the communist island said she was briefly detained Friday and warned by state security agents about her opposition activity.

 

Bin Laden videotape not new, monitoring site says  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:26 EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A videotape of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden released on Friday is the Pashto-language version of a tape released several months ago, said IntelCenter, a U.S.-based terrorism monitoring firm.

 

Madagascar rivals agree power-sharing deal  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:25 EST

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Madagascar's political rivals struck a deal late Friday on the make-up of a unity government, paving the way for an end to a 10-month political crisis that has rocked the Indian Ocean island.

 

Guard arrested for torture in Tijuana prison riots  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:24 EST

Mexican prison guard arrested for torture; abuse sparked deadly riots that killed 2 Americans. Mexican police caught a prison official who spent a year on the run from charges of killing a 19-year-old inmate, whose beating death sparked riots that left nearly two dozen dead, including two American prisoners.

 

Paraguay president explains military shake-up  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:50 EST

Paraguay pres: Military shake-up gives opportunities to young officers dedicated to democracy. Paraguay needed a military shake-up to create opportunities for young officers with a proven commitment to democracy, President Fernando Lugo said Friday in his first explanation for removing his top commanders this week.

 

Vatican official seeks more access to Cuban media  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:23 EST

Vatican official says he would like Roman Catholic Church to have more access to Cuban media. A senior Vatican official said Friday he has asked Cuba's government to allow the Roman Catholic Church more access to mass media, saying Cubans are a religious people and should be given broadcast access to their pastors.

 

Ida drenches Central America, might approach US  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00 EST

Ida drenches Central America, forecasters say it might regain force, head toward US. Former Hurricane Ida drenched Central America as a tropical depression Friday and edged back out over the Caribbean, where forecasters said it had some chance of regaining force and heading toward the United States.

 

Motive probed in Fort Hood shooting rampage  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:55 EST

KILLEEN, Texas (Reuters) - Investigators searched on Friday for the motive behind a mass shooting at a sprawling U.S. Army base in Texas, in which an Army psychiatrist trained to treat war wounded is suspected of killing 13 people.

 

Danish man dies from wound in Guatemala mugging  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:15 EST

Danish tourist dies from gunshot wound suffered during robbery try in Guatemala cemetery. A Danish tourist died Friday, two days after being shot by robbers who tried to steal his camera while he visited a cemetery. Police said two suspected gang members had been arrested.

 

2 Canadians linked to Detroit imam granted bail  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:02 EST

2 Canadians linked to slain Detroit imam granted bail by Ontario judge. A judge on Friday granted bail for two Canadian men who face extradition to the U.S. on charges linked to the slain leader of a radical Detroit-area Islamic group.

 

Austrian Holocaust institute loses key members  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:35 EST

Key members of Austrian Holocaust Institute abandon project after fight with Jewish community. Key members of an Austrian Holocaust research center have quit in a dispute with the city's Jewish community.

 

Honduras leadership in limbo as accord dissolves  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:29 EST

Future of U.S.-brokered accord grim as Hondurans head for elections. They can't both be right. Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya says a deal that could have returned him to power is defunct. Roberto Micheletti, who took power after a coup, says the same deal has been successfully accomplished.

 

Parents plan Web broadcast for disabled daughter  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:05 EST

Disabled with severe cerebral palsy, 32-year-old Anne Lamic spends her days in southeastern France mostly in bed, surrounded by stuffed animals and dolls. She cannot speak or walk, and she sometimes has seizures.

 

NZ lawmaker sculpted in cow manure  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:04 EST

Artist makes sculpture of New Zealand lawmaker from cow manure to protest pollution policy. A sculpture of a New Zealand government minister crafted from cow manure sold for New Zealand dollars 3,080 ($2,220) on an auction Web site. The bust of New Zealand Environment Minister Nick Smith, sculpted as a protest by artist Sam Mahon, attracted 112 bids before being picked up by an anonymous buyer on Friday.

 

GM in talks to bring Chinese cars to India: report  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

US auto giant General Motors is in advanced talks with its Chinese partners on a proposal to bring their vehicles to India, the Press Trust of India reported Saturday.

 

New Zealand's turnaround delights Vettori  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori believes his team's conscious effort to improve in key areas helped them beat Pakistan and level their three-match series at 1-1.

 

Egypt's first envoy to Iraq since 2005 arrives  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

Egypt's new ambassador to Iraq has arrived in Baghdad, a diplomatic source said on Saturday of Cairo's first diplomatic representative in the country since its charge d'affaires was killed in 2005.

 

Saudi forces battle Yemen rebels on border  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

Saudi forces battled Yemeni rebels on the oil kingpin's border with its impoverished neighbour, both sides said on Saturday, with the rebels claiming to have captured Saudi ground troops inside Yemeni territory.

 

Obama delays Japan visit following Texas shooting: Tokyo  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

US President Barack Obama has delayed his visit to Japan next week by one day following a deadly shooting at a military base in Texas, according to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.

 

Madagascar leaders sign power-sharing agreement  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

Madagascar's top four political figures -- including ousted President Marc Ravalomanana -- on Saturday signed an agreement on sharing power ahead of elections next year.

 

US grieves after Muslim doctor kills 13 on army base  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

US President Barack Obama led his nation in mourning Saturday as shocked Americans struggled to understand why a Muslim army doctor unleashed a massacre at a US military base, killing 13.

 

US grieves after Muslim doctor kills 13 on army base  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

US President Barack Obama led his nation in mourning Saturday as shocked Americans struggled to understand why a Muslim army doctor unleashed a massacre at a US military base, killing 13.

 

China not courting Africa only for energy: Wen  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao denied that Beijing was developing ties in Africa purely to satisfy its need for energy, as he headed for talks with the continent's leaders, according to state media.

 

China not courting Africa only for energy: Wen  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao denied that Beijing was developing ties in Africa purely to satisfy its need for energy, as he headed for talks with the continent's leaders, according to state media.

 

Obama delays Japan visit following Texas shooting: Tokyo  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

US President Barack Obama has delayed his visit to Japan next week by one day following a deadly shooting at a military base in Texas, according to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.

 

Afghanistan reject UN, foreign criticism of Karzai  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

Afghanistan Saturday rejected criticism of President Hamid Karzai by foreign leaders and the senior UN official in the country, accusing them of disrespecting the country's sovereignty.

 

Taliban attack kills three Pak soldiers: officials  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

Taliban militants killed three Pakistani soldiers in an assault on a check post in the northwest as the military pressed its ground and air offensive, officials said Saturday.

 

Iran refuses to send enriched uranium abroad: MP  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

Iran is refusing to send its low-enriched uranium abroad for further processing, the influential head of parliament's national security and foreign policy committee was quoted as saying on Saturday.

 

African Union imposes sanctions on Guinea junta  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

The African Union has implemented sanctions on Guinea's military rulers, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra said Saturday.

 

ASEAN urges 'maximum restraint' in Thai-Cambodia row  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

The head of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations urged Thailand and Cambodia to show "maximum restraint" amid tensions over Phnom Penh's job offer to a fugitive former Thai premier.

 

Afghanistan rejects UN, foreign criticism of Karzai  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

Afghanistan rejected criticism of President Hamid Karzai by foreign leaders and the senior UN official in the country, accusing them of disrespecting the country's sovereignty.

 

Taliban attack kills 3 Pakistani soldiers: officials  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

Taliban militants killed three Pakistani soldiers in an assault on a check post in the northwest as the military pressed its ground and air offensive, according to officials.

 

'US supports Dalai Lama visit to Indian state  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

The United States has given its backing to a visit by the Dalai Lama to a remote Buddhist region in India that is claimed by China, according to reports.

 

'US supports Dalai Lama visit to Indian state  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

The United States has given its backing to a visit by the Dalai Lama to a remote Buddhist region in India that is claimed by China, reports said Saturday.