Modest US gains against Taliban

Modest US gains against Taliban


Modest US gains against Taliban

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 11:14 PM PST

Many Afghans believe that the US will head for an exit, just as the former Soviet army did.


Student rally confined in Yemeni capital

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 12:19 PM PST

Police in Yemen's capital of Sanaa thwarted a demonstration by students and activists at Sanaa University on Wednesday, the fifth rally since the Tunisian people forced their president to leave office and the country.


Hu faces tough audience in Washington

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 11:17 PM PST

After all the niceties of a state dinner at the White House, the reception Chinese President Hu Jintao receives on Capitol Hill on Thursday may be a bit chilly in comparison.


Dubai police find `shock' robots at camel races (AP)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:51 PM PST

AP - Dubai undercover agents say they've wrapped up a real sting operation — finding devices that delivered electric shocks to camels to make them run faster in races.


Japan firm makes eco-friendly electronic rickshaw (Reuters)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:57 PM PST

Reuters - Everything old is new again for one Japanese manufacturer, which has unveiled an electronic version of a rickshaw.


In town at center of Tunisia uprising, 23 years of repressed emotions burst forth (The Christian Science Monitor)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 01:59 PM PST

The Christian Science Monitor - The dusty provincial town where Tunisia’s revolution started doesn’t look like it’s accustomed to attention.


Why 'Baby Doc' Jean-Claude Duvalier returned to Haiti: 5 theories (The Christian Science Monitor)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 12:59 PM PST

The Christian Science Monitor - Jean-Claude “Baby Doc†Duvalier’s surprise return to Haiti after nearly 25 years has baffled observers and spurred dueling theories over why the former dictator returned now.


China Top Official: Hu's Visit 'A Great Success'

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 09:32 PM PST

Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Washington "is proved to be a great success," said Cui Tiankai, China's vice Foreign Minister, after the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama in honor of President Hu.


U.S. and China tout $45 billion in export deals (Reuters)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:18 PM PST

Final assembly takes place on passenger planes at Boeing's Everett, Washington plant, April 30, 2009. REUTERS/Robert SorboReuters - The United States and China on Wednesday agreed on $45 billion in U.S. export deals and to give U.S. companies greater access to China's $88 billion-plus government contracts market at the start of Chinese President Hu Jintao's four-day state visit.



Brazil flood toll nears 730 mark

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:34 PM PST

Break in rain allows rescuers to step up delivery of supplies to isolated areas of Rio de Janeiro state.


Hu's Visit: Can Timothy Geithner Prevent a U.S. China Trade War? (Time.com)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 09:50 PM PST

Time.com - As the U.S. has become a debtor nation, the Treasury Secretary must tame creditors, of which the most significant right now is a communist government in Beijing


Malaysian Hindus do bloody penance at festival (AFP)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:07 PM PST

More than one million Hindu devotees flocked to Malaysia's Batu Caves Thursday to mark a colourful Hindu festival during which they pierce themselves with hooks and skewers.(AFP/File/Saeed Khan)AFP - More than one million Hindu devotees flocked to a Malaysian cave temple Thursday to mark a colourful Hindu festival during which they pierce themselves with hooks and skewers.



Line in NZ sand helps pilot's rescue from sea (AP)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 09:48 PM PST

AP - A line scrawled by a villager in beach sand helped point airborne searchers to a downed helicopter pilot after his aircraft crashed Thursday into a bay on the coast of northern New Zealand, rescue officials said.


Roaring Tigers, Anxious Choppers (Time.com)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 09:50 PM PST

Time.com - One sure thing about parenting: no one can crack the code


Khalid Sheik Mohammed killed U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl, report finds

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 09:06 PM PST

A recently completed investigation of the killing of Daniel Pearl in Pakistan nine years ago makes public new evidence that a senior al-Qaeda operative executed the Wall Street Journal reporter.


Study Tracks Pearl Murder Probe

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:49 PM PST

A new report on the murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl reveals that U.S. officials used a forensic technique called vein analysis to corroborate the confession of the self-professed killer, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.


Credit Line Made Available to Macedonia

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 08:56 PM PST

The IMF said it had approved a $641 million, two-year arrangement for Macedonia under its precautionary credit line, the first time it has used the facility since its creation last year.


Britain bans controversial U.S. pastor

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 06:16 PM PST

Britain has denied entry to the Florida pastor who said last year that he was "praying about" whether to burn Qurans to protest the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.


Jankovic falls to China's Peng in Australia

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 08:36 PM PST

Former world number one Venus Williams came through an injury scare to defeat Sandra Zahlavova 6-7 6-0 6-4 at the Australian Open on Wednesday.


Four Irish cabinet ministers quit: reports (AFP)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 08:47 PM PST

Four Irish cabinet ministers have resigned in a surprise move that comes a day after the foreign minister quit following his failed attempt to oust Prime Minister Brian Cowen (pictured), reports said Thursday.(AFP/File/Peter Muhly)AFP - Four Irish cabinet ministers have resigned in a surprise move that comes a day after the foreign minister quit following his failed attempt to oust Prime Minister Brian Cowen, reports said Thursday.