Time to end obsolete policies on Cuba
When President Barack Obama pledged a more diplomatic United States that respects the sovereignty of other nations, I, along with 142 other U.S. citizens and residents took him up on that claim.
Persecuted Middle East gays hope for resettlement
In Iran, there is a three to four day gap between when an individual is reported to the police for being homosexual, and when the police arrive to arrest that individual. Most flee before the police arrive, making such preparations as they can and becoming refugees. Iranians don't need visas to enter Turkey, so that is a common destination. Most refugees flee over the mountains, a grueling trek.
German Left Party scores gain in state elections
BERLIN -- After state elections Sunday, all five main parties in Germany tried to stick in a thumb and pull out a plum or two. Some plums were very sweet, with others rather on the sour side, and the TV smiles of some leaders seemed very forced. The big fight will be on September 27th when the entire Bundestag, or national parliament, is chosen. But the elections to three state legislatures and for mayors and city councils in a fourth state were exciting enough.
Shoethrower to be released for good behavior
The Iraqi journalist imprisoned for hurling his shoes at former President George W Bush will be released next month after his sentence was reduced for good behaviour.
Japan elections: JCP as 'constructive opposition party' gains support
At a news conference on August 24 in Nagano City, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo made the following comments at the present stage of the election campaign:
US role in Colombia and Honduras sparks Latin American criticism
Storm signs are up over Latin America as new tensions play out against historical memories. The great liberator, Simon Bolivar, said in 1929 that the United States is "destined by Providence to plague America with misery in the name of liberty". Over nearly 200 years of U.S. military and economic intervention in Latin American affairs have taught the leaders, governments and peoples of the hemisphere to be on their guard.
WORLDNOTES – Iraq, Canada, Italy, Chile, China, and Cuba
On Aug. 17, the Nouri al-Maliki government expressed backing for a national referendum next January on the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) reached late last year. U.S. officials were caught unawares, according to the Washington Post, because the Parliament had failed so far to implement the referendum that lawmakers had advanced as a condition for supporting the SOFA.
Afghanistan exit strategy needed
As the U.S. death toll in Afghanistan creeps upward, and the country continues to be ravaged by violence and poverty, an increasing number of voices are warning that, as peace advocate and former California state Sen. Tom Hayden put it, "quagmire is more likely than success in the predictable future."
Honduran talks fail: U.S. suspends visas
The head of the de-facto government which ousted Honduras' left-leaning president, Manuel "Mel" Zelaya in a military coup spat defiance and refused to give an inch to the entreaties of a last ditch delegation of Organization of American States foreign ministers on Tuesday. The ministers admitted that their mission was a failure.
U.S. strategy debated as Afghan war grows deadlier
When four U.S. troops were killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan Aug. 25, it made 2009 the deadliest year for foreign troops there since the 2001 U.S. invasion.
