Obama defends plans for direct talks with Iran (AP)

Posted by on Jul 23, 2008

US Democratic presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill, listens to Israel's President Shimon Peres, not seen, during a meeting in Jerusalem, Wednesday, July 23, 2008. Obama pledged Wednesday that as president he would preserve the close ties between the United States and Israel, and that the Jewish state's security would be a top priority in his administration.(AP Photo/Baz Ranter, Pool)AP - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama defended his proposal to negotiate with Iran Wednesday and said he would use “big sticks and big carrots” to persuade the country’s leaders not to develop nuclear weapons.

Original post by AP and software by Elliott Back


Iraqi president rejects election law (AP)

Posted by on Jul 23, 2008

An Iraqi woman, carrying a newborn infant, scurries from her home as a U.S. Army soldier from Ghostrider Company, Third Squadron, Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment prepares to search the house during Operation Wolfpack Catseye near Qara Tappah, about 75 miles northeast of Baghdad in Iraq's volatile Diyala province on Monday, July 21, 2008.  The squadron fanned out near the Iranian border to root out al-Qaida leadership and deny them safe haven as part of a renewed push to secure the Diyala province. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)AP - Iraq’s president promised to reject a draft law paving the way for U.S.-backed provincial elections, saying Wednesday it would worsen sectarian rifts among Iraqis.

Original post by AP and software by Elliott Back


Pakistan coalition leaders vow to fight terror at home (AFP)

Posted by on Jul 23, 2008

File photo of Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of Pakistan People's Party. Pakistan will not be used as a base for terrorism and attacks on Pakistan will be tolerated, members of the ruling coalition announced after talks.(AFP/File/Aamir Qureshi)AFP - Pakistan will not be used as a base for terrorism and attacks on Pakistan will be tolerated, members of the ruling coalition announced after talks on Wednesday.

Original post by AFP and software by Elliott Back


‘Back from dead canoeist’ and wife jailed (AFP/File)

Posted by on Jul 23, 2008

AFP/File - A husband and a wife who faked his death in a canoeing accident so they could claim life insurance payments were sentenced to jail terms totalling more than 12 years on Wednesday.

Original post by AFP/File and software by Elliott Back


Nigerian health workers defer strike (AFP)

Posted by on Jul 23, 2008

Striking hospital workers stand outside the locked gates of a Lagos hospital during a strike in 2000. Nigerian health workers have put off a potentially crippling strike due to begin July 23 because they failed to inform the government of the protest in time, their spokesman said.(AFP/File/Pius Otomi Ekpei)AFP - Nigerian health workers have put off a potentially crippling strike due to begin Wednesday because they failed to inform the government of the protest in time, their spokesman said.

Original post by AFP and software by Elliott Back


Beijing setting up designated protest zones during Olympics (AP)

Posted by on Jul 23, 2008

Chinese paramilitary soldiers rehearse an oath taking ceremony near the Bird's Nest National Stadium at the Olympic Green in Beijing, Tuesday, July 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)AP - Beijing will set up specially designated zones for protesters during next month’s Olympics, a security official said Wednesday, in a sign China’s authoritarian government may allow some demonstrations during the games.

Original post by AP and software by Elliott Back


Iraqi PM pitches reconstruction work to German firms (AFP)

Posted by on Jul 23, 2008

AFP - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki expressed confidence Wednesday that German companies would decide “in the coming days” to head back to his country, after meeting more than 100 business leaders here.

Original post by AFP and software by Elliott Back


Serb’s fugitive life had mistress, bogus family (AP)

Posted by on Jul 23, 2008

Brother Luka Karadzic, center left, lawyer Svetozar Vujacic, center right,  and a nephew, left,  are checked by security on their way to visit war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic at the special war crimes court where he is being detained, in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 23, 2008.  A Serbian official says genocide suspect Radovan Karadzic will be handed over to the U.N. tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, this weekend or early next week. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)AP - Radovan Karadzic’s secret life included a mistress, a bogus family he claimed he left behind in the U.S., and frequent visits to a Belgrade pub called “The Madhouse,” acquaintances said Wednesday.

Original post by AP and software by Elliott Back


Militants threaten Nigeria’s main oil pipelines (AP)

Posted by on Jul 23, 2008

Armed members of an ethnic group in the creeks of the Niger Delta. Nigerian oil group NNPC has acknowledged paying 12 million dollars (7.56 million euros) in protection fees to Niger Delta militants to enable the repair of a damaged key crude supply pipeline.(AFP/MEND-HO/File)AP - Nigeria’s main militant group is threatening to destroy the country’s major oil pipelines within 30 days.

Original post by AP and software by Elliott Back


Pakistan coalition meets on terrorism, rifts: officials (AFP)

Posted by on Jul 23, 2008

File photo of Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of Pakistan People's Party. Leaders of Pakistan's ruling coalition have met to discuss the threat of Islamic militancy and rifts over the restoration of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf, officials said.(AFP/File/Aamir Qureshi)AFP - Leaders of Pakistan’s ruling coalition met on Wednesday to discuss the threat of Islamic militancy and rifts over the restoration of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf, officials said.

Original post by AFP and software by Elliott Back