U.S. President Barack Obama’s chief counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan, met with officials in Sudan Wednesday, discussing cooperation against al-Qaida as well as the crisis in the oil-rich Abyei region. A White House statement said John Brennan underscored President Obama’s “deep concern” over the continued presence of North Sudanese forces in Abyei and urged a “rapid […]
Obama Counterterrorism Adviser on Trip to Sudan and Middle East
Slain Syrian Teen Becomes Rallying Symbol for Protesters
A Syrian teenager who activists say was tortured and killed by security forces has become a rallying force for anti-government protesters during a continuing government crackdown that has killed hundreds. Witnesses say protesters in Syria have marched with pictures of 13-year-old Hamza al-Khatib. Videos posted on the Internet of his bloodied corpse have fueled international […]
US Senator in Burma for Talks
U.S. Senator John McCain is in Burma to confer with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and to assess the new government’s commitment to democratic reforms. The senator launched his three-day visit Wednesday, meeting with Burmese Vice President Aung Myint Oo in Naypyitaw, the Burmese administrative capital, and plans to meet with Aung San Suu […]
Boehner: ‘Productive’ Talks with Obama on Deficit, Debt
The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives says he and his fellow Republicans had a “very productive” meeting with President Barack Obama on the country’s deficit and debt. House Speaker John Boehner told reporters after Wednesday’s White House talks that some of the uncertainty facing the nation is caused by the debt the country […]
Pakistan General Rules Out North Waziristan Offensive
A top Pakistani army commander says the military has no plans to launch an offensive against Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants in the North Waziristan tribal region. Lieutenant General Asif Yasin Malik refuted media reports earlier this week that said the military was planning such an operation at the request of the United States. Malik told […]
Report: US Should Delay Aid to Pakistan
A new report by a U.S. research center says the United States should hold back much of its $7.5 billion Pakistan aid package until Pakistan adopts reforms. The report by the Washington-based Center for Global Development says the caution is most advisable in sectors where the U.S. has committed to disbursing its aid funding primarily […]
US Senator in Burma for Talks
U.S. Senator John McCain is in Burma to confer with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and to assess the new government’s commitment to democratic reforms. The senator launched his three-day visit Wednesday, meet with Burmese Vice President Aung Myint Oo in Naypyitaw, the Burmese administrative capital, and plans to meet with Aung San Suu […]
Israelis Mark Anniversary of Capture of Jerusalem
Thousands of Israelis have turned out for a “Flag March” celebration, commemorating the day when Israel seized control of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War. Participants marched through the city waving blue and white Israeli flags on Wednesday in a procession that ended at the Western Wall, a Jewish holy site. Israeli media […]
US Stresses Commitment to Afghanistan, Central Asia
A senior U.S. official has underscored the U.S. commitment to Afghanistan and to a long-term relationship with Central Asia during a three-day trip to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. In Tashkent Tuesday, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough met with Uzbek President Islam Karimov, who said relations with the United States are developing stably and consistently […]
Blatter Re-Elected to FIFA Presidency
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been re-elected as head of football’s world governing body after being the only candidate remaining in an election dogged by corruption allegations. The 75-year-old Swiss earned his fourth term Wednesday after receiving 186 out of the 203 votes cast at the FIFA Congress in Zurich. Blatter’s only rival, Asian football […]