|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Israeli doubts over Syria peace (World, 34 articles)
|
As the chief intermediary between Israel and Syria he held separate talks with both the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The day was perhaps of greater significance as marking a restoration of ties between Paris and Damascus and the start of a process that may well end Syria's isolation. The Israel-Syria peace process, thanks in large part to Turkey's efforts, is back on track. Where is it heading? And how long is the road ahead? The central issue is the fate of the Golan Heights, captured by Israel in 1967. This area, close to the Jordanian border, was part of Syria up until the Arab-Israeli war of 1967. Today the resort boasts hot springs, swimming pools and even a small zoo - it is famous for its crocodiles - and is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Israel. Unlike the Golan proper the Israelis maintain that this small parcel of land has always been part of Israel. " The main purpose of the negotiations so far is to make it easy for President Assad not to retaliate for the Israelis knocking out his nuclear reactor at Kibar on the Euphrates on 6 September 2007.
|
|
|
|
ABC News: Pakistan Militants Focus Afghanistan (World, 22 articles)
|
A senior Defense Department official told ABC News today that attacks on outposts in eastern Afghanistan are a tactic often used by Taliban militants, but that this attack was noteworthy for its significant discipline, training and size of the attacking force. KABUL, Afghanistan - An insurgent raid that penetrated an American outpost in eastern Afghanistan, killing nine soldiers, has deepened doubts about the U.S. military's effort to contain Islamic militants and keep locals on its side. The statement will likely strain already difficult relations between the two neighbors, whose shared porous border has become a safe-heaven for Taliban, al-Qaida and other militant groups, whose attacks have killed thousands and are threatening the stability of both countries.
|
Other stories about Afghanistan, Afghan and Nato:
| |
ABC News: Darfur Genocide Warrant for Sudan Pres. (World, 27 articles)
|
Top Sudanese officials will soon face war crimes charges after the international prosecutor declared the "whole state apparatus" responsible for a campaign of rape and pillage in Darfur. The filing marked the first time prosecutors at the world's first permanent, global war crimes court have issued charges against a sitting head of state, but al-Bashir is unlikely to be sent to The Hague any time soon. (CNN) The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is seeking the arrest of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on charges of genocide in a five-year campaign of violence in the country's Darfur region.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Iran 'to target Israel, US bases' (World, 13 articles)
|
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's hard-line president said Monday he would welcome direct talks with the U.S. if both parties are on equal footing, adding such talks could happen " in the near future. Speculation of a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities has increased following a report that Israel staged an air exercise which was designed as a rehearsal for such an attack. Barack Obama will visit the West Bank later this month, Palestinian officials say.
|
Other stories about Iran, Israel and nuclear:
| |
ABC News: Israel, Hezbollah to Swap Prisoners on Wed (World, 6 articles)
|
In particular, the families are worried that criticism of Hezbollah's report on Ron Arad, and the fact that his fate remains a mystery, could provide an excuse for cancelling the deal. A number of ministers and advisors estimated Monday that despite such problems, a majority of the cabinet will vote in favor of completing the exchange tomorrow. The prison service said Sunday Israel would free five Lebanese, including the perpetrator of one of the most notorious attacks in Israeli history.
|
Other stories about Olmert, Minister and Israel:
|
|
|
| |
|
|
South Korea Recalls Envoy to Japan (World, 8 articles)
|
Kim said the South Korean government planned to send an official message calling for the North's cooperation later Tuesday through a liaison office in the border village of Panmunjom. On Tuesday, Kim also raised other questions, such as why a witness claimed to hear gunfire about 30 minutes after the North said the shooting occurred. South Korea and Japan both lay claim to a group of desolate, rocky islets which Seoul calls Dokdo and Tokyo calls Takeshima.
|
| |
‘Anti-Islamist group’ charged with plotting military coup in Turkey (World, 5 articles)
|
Turkish prosecutors filed charges yesterday accusing 86 people of murder, bombings and inciting public unrest as part of a militant secularist plot to overthrow the Government. " The indictment covers crimes such as forming an armed terror group and attempting to overthrow the Government by force Aykut Cengiz Engin said. ISTANBUL - In an explosive case that reflects political turmoil fueled by the country's religious-secular divide, Turkish prosecutors yesterday brought charges against 86 people for allegedly trying to overthrow the government.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Blow as Russia and China veto Mugabe action (World, 5 articles)
|
Russia and China said they had opposed the resolution last Friday because the situation in the country did not threaten international stability. The failure of the United States campaign to gain approval for international sanctions on Zimbabwe s leaders returns the focus to South African efforts to end the political crisis in Zimbabwe. Russia and China on Friday night vetoed United Nations sanctions against the Zimbabwe leadership, delivering a stinging blow to western efforts to turn the screw on President Robert Mugabe's regime.
|
| |
Mother Exhales After Son’s Release in Colombia (World, 4 articles)
|
Jo Rosano was sitting with her husband in a hotel room near the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris on the evening of July 2 when her five and a half years of despair began to ease. Like other victims' family members, Nieto fears that the predicament of her husband and other hostages will now go from international cause celebre to a back-burner issue. The rescue's aftermath should also serve as a continuing reminder of the many hostages still being held by rebel groups and criminal bands, hostage families emphasize.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Pope welcomes world youth pilgrims to Australia (World, 8 articles)
|
SYDNEY, Australia- A court struck down a new law Tuesday that banned people from annoying participants of a Roman Catholic youth festival in Australia that the pope plans to attend, ruling that the law restricted free speech. The ruling handed down on the opening day of the six-day World Youth Day festival paves the way for activists to hand out condoms and coat hangers symbolizing abortions to pilgrims in a demonstration planned for Saturday. SYDNEY, Australia- A massive Catholic youth celebration kicked off Tuesday with an Australian "G'Day" and a welcoming text message from Pope Benedict XVI to the tens of thousands of pilgrims who have traveled here from around the world.
|
| |
Drug cartels ‘threaten’ Mexican democracy (World, 4 articles)
|
The head of Mexico's intelligence service has warned that the country's democratic institutions, including the national Congress, are under threat from powerful drugs cartels. Mr Valdes said the gangs, which have grown wealthy from the multibillion-dollar drugs trade, had co-opted many members of local police forces, the judiciary and government entities in their efforts to create local structures to protect their business. " Congress is not exempt . . . we do not rule out the possibility that drug money is involved in the campaigns of some legislators said Mr Valdes.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Iraq faces dilemma over US troops (World, 4 articles)
|
British troops to have long-term Iraq role Major-General Barney White-Spunner, who is in charge of British forces in southern Iraq, reveals military expectations. US presidential contender Barack Obama has repeatedly seized on statements attributed to Iraqi leaders to support his call for a troop withdrawal deadline. The key statement cited by Mr Obama and others was made by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki last Monday in his address to Arab ambassadors in the United Arab Emirates.
|
| |
|
|
blaster@cs.columbia.edu
|
