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Showing posts from December, 2010

West: Russian's longer term political

Western governments on Thursday condemned a Russian court's decision to extend the prison sentence for imprisoned oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky in a ruling widely viewed as flouting the rule of law and evincing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's political ambitions.

Rights groups question Indian activist's conviction

An Indian court's decision to sentence an award-winning human rights activist and physician to life in prison on charges of sedition has caused an uproar among civil rights groups, who claim that evidence in the case was fabricated.

U.S. presses Sudan as south prepares for independence vote

The Obama administration is stepping up efforts to press northerners and southerners in Sudan to reach a deal on an oil-rich province, warning that a failure to do so will lead to instability.

Sudanese president warns against secession

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has alarmed human rights activists and non-Muslims in the south of his country by saying that strict Islamic law will be enforced in the north if the south secedes in a referendum next month.

Obama vows to be more relentless than Taliban, al Qaeda

The Obama administration on Thursday said it is committed to the strategic defeat of al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, noting that the terrorist group continues to launch attacks against the U.S. and its allies from havens in the region.

Afghan report to fault Pakistan safe havens

The Obama administration will identify Pakistan's continuing support for terrorist havens and the absence of good governance in Afghanistan as key factors that are undermining U.S. and coalition efforts in Afghanistan.

Also from WikiLeaks cables: First-lady face lifts and alcohol-soaked dinners

A first lady who has a problem showing a "full range of facial expressions" as a result of extensive cosmetic surgery? A soulful rendition of "Layla" by rock legend Eric Clapton to thaw frosty U.S.-North Korea ties? David Letterman: No. 1 weapon against religious extremism?

US global troubleshooter dead

Richard C Holbrooke, the US special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan who earned the nickname “Bulldozer” for his hard-nosed diplomacy, died in Washington on Monday evening after he underwent surgery for a torn aorta. He was 69.

Referendum on oil-rich Sudan province likely delayed

A referendum to decide the fate of an oil-rich province of Sudan is unlikely to be held on time as northerners and southerners remain locked in an impasse over issues that include voting rights, demarcation of borders and oil revenue.

Hark, The Neo World Order

Anarchist, liberator, web terrorist, www messiah, predator or a man cornered? How exactly would you describe Julian Assange?

Outrage at patting down of Indian envoy in US

India’s ambassador in Washington, Meera Shankar, was subjected to a humiliating pat-down by security officers at Jackson-Evers International Airport in Jackson, Mississippi, last weekend. The incident was reported by the Clarion-Ledger of Jackson on Wednesday. Shankar travelled to Jackson on the invitation of Janos Radvanyi, chair in International Security Studies at Mississippi State University (MSU).

House OKs resolution to release jailed Chinese dissident

The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for the release of jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo and congratulating him on winning this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

Clinton: Pakistani militants ran group from jail

Two leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) continued to run the Pakistan-based terrorist group's operations while locked up in a Pakistani prison, according to a 2009 diplomatic message by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

War-crimes probe opened against N. Korea

World leaders focused attention on North Korea on Monday, as an International Criminal Court prosecutor opened a war-crimes investigation into the reclusive country's recent military strikes and as U.S., Japanese and South Korean officials conferred at the State Department.

Sri Lankan war crimes suspect gets post as representative to U.N.

The Sri Lankan government has appointed a senior army officer accused of war crimes in the conflict with Tamil rebels as its deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

‘Transition will take time’

Since her release from house arrest on November 13, pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi’s days have been jampacked with meetings and interviews. In a telephonic interview from Rangoon with Ashish Kumar Sen, The Tribune’s Washington Correspondent, Suu Kyi carefully chose her words as she held out an offer of reconciliation with the military rulers while admitting that it is too early to say if they had softened.

Treasury Department acts against members of terrorist group

The Treasury Department on Thursday acted against three senior members of Pakistan-based terrorist groups that have been behind attacks in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, including the kidnapping and beheading of a U.S. journalist.

US fails to rein in ISI

A senior U.S. diplomat suggested that the only way to end Pakistani support for anti-India militant groups is to resolve the Kashmir dispute and reassess India’s role in Afghanistan.

Pakistan making small nukes to target India

While India’s Ministry of External Affairs reserved its comments on Wednesday, the second instalment of the US State Department cables, accessed and leaked by whistleblower website WikiLeaks, reveal a worrying web of rogue elements inimical to India active in Pakistan.

China warns Nobel winner's kin against going to Oslo

Chinese authorities are warning the family and friends of jailed democracy activist Liu Xiaobo against traveling to Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize on his behalf and have stepped up a campaign to discourage other governments from sending representatives to the investiture ceremony on Dec. 10.