International Glance
China rejected President Bush's criticism Thursday of its human rights record and restrictions on religion, diplomatically telling him to stay out of its affairs only hours before he arrived in Beijing to attend the Olympics.
In a speech in Bangkok outlining America's achievements and challenges in Asia, Bush pushed for a free press, free assembly and labor rights in China, and against its detentions of political dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists. He said he wasn't trying to antagonize China, but called such reform the only path the potent U.S. rival can take to reach its full potential.
China on Bush: Don't interfere in our affairs
Unmanned spy planes to police Britain
The Government is drawing up plans to use unmanned "drone" aircraft currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan to counter terrorism and aid police operations in Britain.
The plans have been backed by the House of Commons Defence Committee but have attracted criticism from civil liberties campaigners concerned about the implications of covert surveillance of civilians.
Gareth Crossman, director of policy at the civil rights watchdog Liberty, said: "The question is not so much about the technology but what one does with it. We have quite definite laws about where CCTV can be used but of course with UAVs you have much greater ability to gather material in private spaces and this would lead to concern."
He added: "If they are used to simply hover to gain random information then that would obviously be a matter of worry and a civil liberty issue."
Coup underway in Mauritania
A coup appears to be underway in the north-west African republic of Mauritania, where the army has seized the President and the Prime Minister after the President sacked several top army officers.
A presidency source says soldiers have seized President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, Prime Minister Yahya Ould Ahmed Waghf and the interior minister, and taken them to an unknown destination.
Chinese border assault kills 16
Sixteen Chinese policemen have been killed in an attack on a border post in the restive Muslim region of Xinjiang, state media say.
Candidate who wants Olmert's job once 'sought deaths of 70 Palestinians a day'
A leading candidate to be Israel's next premier called for a death toll of 70 Palestinians a day when he was head of the military during the second intifada, according to a best-selling book by two Israeli journalists.
The account of a briefing given in May 2001 to senior West Bank army commanders reinforces the image of hawkishness enjoyed by Shaul Mofaz.
"Shanghai Six" and the Collective Security Organization are to React to American Missile Defence Plans
Russia is member of the post-Soviet Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which brings it together with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Armenia.
Together with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the CSTO is considering a joint response to American plans for missile defences in Eastern and Central Europe.
The Organization sees the NATO defence infrastructure and American missile defences so close to its western borders as a serious threat to its vital security interests.
TVNL Comment: Bush called himself a "uniter, not a divider". He was correct. He has united the world against us!
Israeli Leaders Find Generous Donors in U.S.
American businessman Morris Talansky has riveted Israel with tales of bankrolling the plush lifestyle of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert: the expensive cigars and five-star suites, a fine watch and an Italian vacation.
While most Israelis have been galled at the extent of the alleged corruption, no one has been surprised by the source of the funds. Politicians in Israel have long known that if they want to raise large amounts of money, for whatever reason, they'll find it in the United States.
More Articles...
Page 117 of 121
