China steps up security in Tibetan areas

China steps up security in Tibetan areas

Chinese troops in Tibet streets during the violent crackdown in 2008. China is stepping up security measures throughout ethnic Tibetan areas following a crackdown on unrest around a monastery in Sichuan province, in a sign of growing tension in the region. Residents of Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture reached by telephone on Sunday reported that armed […]

Nigerian president takes huge lead in vote

Nigerian president takes huge lead in vote

Nigerian incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan cast his ballot in Otuoke, Nigeria, Saturday, April 16. / AP Photo/Godwin Omoigui ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan took a nearly insurmountable lead Sunday in the election to lead the oil-rich nation, though fragmented returns suggested the Christian incumbent faced strong opposition from the country’s Muslim north. Meanwhile, authorities […]

Bin Laden said to have directed Al Qaida ops from Pakistan compound

WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community has been revising its assessment regarding Osama Bin Laden’s role in Al Qaida. Officials said the CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency have been pouring over material found in Bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan. They said the material, including hard drives, thumb drives and fiber-optics, suggest that Bin Laden helped […]

Israel agrees to recognize Palestinian government that includes Hamas

JERUSALEM — Israel, despite threats to torpedo any Palestinian reconciliation deal, is quietly preparing to accept a Hamas-Fatah government. Officials said the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not take measures to threaten the proposed unity government of the Palestinian Authority. They said such an assurance has already been relayed to the United States. […]

Air strikes on Libya? What is your plan, Mr. President?

Air strikes on Libya? What is your plan, Mr. President?

From the beginning of the meltdown in the Middle East, the White House has seemed to want to do—or at least say—something meaningful about the situation. In this endeavor, it has failed abysmally. Though it has mouthed general platitudes about freedom, the Administration vacillated even when it comes to talking tough. At times the State […]

FAITH MATTERS: The tsunami last week and the Apocalypse . . . eventually

FAITH MATTERS: The tsunami last week and the Apocalypse . . . eventually

By Uwe Siemon-Netto The Bible cautions believers against speculating about the date and time of the Apocalypse, although current world events and calamities seem to invite such conjecture. There are the uprisings in the Middle East. In Japan, the tsunami and earthquake disasters are fueling  nuclear fears. And then the nuttiness of clergymen fitting Luther’s […]

Chavez stands with Qadafi: Calls for ‘national dialogue’

Chavez stands with Qadafi: Calls for ‘national dialogue’

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez gestures before delivering a speech to supporters Sunday, Feb. 27. / AP/Fernando Llano CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela’s government, which has forged close ties to Moammar Gadhafi, called Sunday for dialogue between allies and adversaries of the Libyan leader amid a deadly crackdown on protesters. Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro also said Venezuela would […]

The tsunami of panic in the wake of tragedy

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, you probably aren’t suited for a career in politics and certainly not in the media. Joining the stampede of panic in the wake of disaster is much more likely to put you in front of a camera. Some of our politicians who […]