News Updates For January 25, 2009

Map of Sri Lanka locating Tamil Tigers' military HQ, Mullaittivu. Sri Lankan troops have overrun the last town controlled by Tamil rebels, army chief Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka has said, striking a significant blow in Asia's longest-running ethnic conflict. (AFP/Afp Graphics)

TERRORISM

Al Qaeda is resorting to insulting President Obama.

Presidnet Obama's counter terrorism strategy ... a commentary.

Al Qaeda is freaking out over Obama.

MIDDLE EAST

Arabs, Kurds take their fight to the polls. The various Iraqi tribes outside the main cities are going to determine the outcome of this election.

Iraq's Abu Ghraib is reopening.

Israel opposition candidate Netanyahu leads in polls. President Obama's Middle East envoy comes calling next week.

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,232.

ASIA

Sri Lanka says it captured last rebel stronghold.

Pakistan deploys soldiers to guard schools against Taliban attacks.

World's highest drug levels entering India stream.

Sri Lanka: Army has seized last rebel stronghold.

EUROPE

Are there death squads targeting Chechen exiles?

Russian Orthodox church elects a new patriarch.

Illegal immigrants are protesting in Italy.

Russian Ukraine gas dispute may spur plans for Balkan pipeline.

AFRICA

World Food Program: Kenya is facing catastrophic food shortages.

Ugandans are still afraid that violence will return and that peace in the region will disappear.

Left seizes control of South Africa’s ANC.

Congo's risky push to crush rebels.

THE AMERICAS

Mexico's ominous drug wars are taking their toll. But the President of Mexico is singing a different tune.

Mexican authorities now know why many bodies have disappeared in the drug cartel war.

Will President Obama change American policy towards Cuba?

Bolivia's new constitution seen winning approval.

News Updates For January 24, 2009

CHAIR CHAT - A U.S. Army soldier chats with an Iraqi boy during a visit to a police station to discuss local activities and conduct a neighborhood patrol in Haswah, Iraq, Jan. 13, 2009. The soldiers are assigned to the 4th Infantry Division's Charlie Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class James Wagner

Terrorism

Obama's Guantanamo decision has repercussions in Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Yemeni Center prepared to receive 100 Gitmo detainees

U.S. terrorism suspect's prison conditions OK: judge.

Middle East

Hamas leaders in Gaza Strip continue to lie low.

Hamas-Israel Gaza truce expected to hold-official.

Europe

Russia-Georgia War: Plenty of blame to go around.

US 'welcomes' end of Russia-Ukraine gas dispute.

Migrants break out of overcrowded Italian facility.

Asia

Over 170 schools bombed, burned in Pakistan: UN.

Son of NKorea's Kim has 'no interest' in taking over: report -- Yahoo News/AFP

China dismisses US remark on currency manipulation

Sri Lanka presses rebels, but at a mounting cost.

Africa

Suicide car bomb kills 14 in Somali capital.

Somali pirates free a chemical tanker.

Attempt to smuggle shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles into Djibouti foiled by Somaliland police.

Anti-rebel raid raises hopes and risks in Congo: rights group.

Central Africa's new regionalism: Yes they can!

The Americas

Alleged acid disposal man for Mexico gang nabbed.

US diplomat walks out on Bolivia's Morales -- Myway/AP News

Argentina releases first picture of Castro in 2 months.

Bolivia poll won't end opposition.

News Updates For January 23, 2009

In this photo distributed by China's official Xinhua news agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, right, talks with Wang Jiarui, left, head of the Chinese Communist Party's International Department, in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, on Friday January 23, 2009. Kim Jong Il met Friday with the senior official from China in Pyongyang, Chinese state media reported, the first known meeting between the reclusive leader and a foreign dignitary since he reportedly fell ill last August. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Zhang Binyang)

Terrorism

Are there Islamic Terror cells in the U.S.?

A former Guantanamo prisoner is now the head of Al Qaeda in Yemen.

Comment: Is CIA Director nominee a hypocrite?

Asia

India completes crucial highway for Afghanistan.

Chinese officials meet Kim Jong-il in North Korea. The Korean leader wants a nuclear free zone.

The U.S. is talking tough with China on currency.

Censored U.N. aid agency is going back to North Korea.

Sri Lanka civilians are now getting caught in the crossfire. More news HERE, and more HERE.

Europe

Europeans in dilemma Over Guantanamo prison closing. Some more info here.

Britain is now officially in a recession. British PM never saw it coming.

Spain's jobless rate hits 13.9%.

Iceland's safety net is still there, but it's political scene is melting.

The Pope hits You Tube.

Ukraine wants to renegotiate the gas deal with Russia.

Middle East

A week after the ceasefire with Hamas, Israel's leaders are now popular but Benjamin Netanyahu is still in the lead.

According to the AP, Gaza is edging back to normalcy. Hamas agrees, they are back to targeting and killing Fatah members in Gaza

The Danger Room reports that Gaza's tunnels are now back in business. Story 1 and story 2.

The big fight in Gaza will be who controls reconstruction aid. The Europeans, not to be undone, are proposing solutions for peace in Gaza.

A Gaza Post-Mortem .... a commentary.

Mass executions are back in Iran.

Latin America

Mexican Drug Traffickers Now ‘Greatest Organized Crime Threat’ to U.S.
A Tale of 2 cities. One in Mexico, the other in the U.S.

Churches oppose the President in Bolivia referendum.

Castro does not think he will be around in 4 years.


The Fidel brothers are trying to dance with Obama.

Africa

2,755 have died from Cholera in Zimbabwe. Cholera is now moving into the countryside.

Congo rebel arrested by his former financer.

With Ethiopian pullout, Islamists rise again in Somalia.

Somali pirates may soon face trials outside homeland.