Saturday, August 14, 2010

World News Briefs -- August 14, 2010



Obama Stands Up For Ground Zero Mosque -- Politico

President Barack Obama on Friday endorsed a controversial plan to build a mosque and Islamic center just blocks from Ground Zero in Manhattan, despite the strong objections of conservatives, the ADL and those who lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks.“Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground,” Obama said at a White House dinner celebrating the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. “But let me be clear: as a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.”

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Kurdish rebels announce ceasefire to September 20.

Iran: Bushehr reactor to be activated mid September.

Gunmen kill 5 in Baghdad checkpoint shootings.

ASIA

UN says no aid yet for 6 mln flood victims in Pakistan. Pakistan PM Gilani says floods affect 20m people.

Barack Obama and Hamid Karzai pledge unity on Taliban.

Labor has big poll lead before Australia election.

Curfew imposed on India-controlled Kashmir.

Sri Lankan president approves former army chief's dishonourable discharge.

AFRICA

U.N. pleads for humanitarian access to Darfur camp.

Specter of war haunts South Sudan referendum.

Zimbabwe's coalition agrees on some disputed posts.

4 African migrants killed in Egypt desert clash.

EUROPE

Wildfires across Russia abate.

Kremlin, Belarus strongman trade barbs in new spat.

Suspect in Hamas killing in Dubai is freed by Germany.

Four E.U. nations stoke fears of an immigrant flood.

AMERICAS

Obamas to vacation on Gulf Coast — for about 24 hours.

Colombia offers $260K reward in Bogota car bombing.

Canada hints LTTE behind human-smuggling ship.

Ever the revolutionary, a resurgent Fidel Castro turns 84.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Khadr's attorney airlifted from Guantanamo, trial delayed one month.

Caucasus Emirate leaders rally around Doku Umarov.

Al-Qaeda plots a comeback.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. Fed's Hoenig: Keeping rates too low 'dangerous gamble'.

Why Bernanke isn't doing more to boost the economy.

New China search engine will be state-controlled.

No comments: