World News

Haiti police: one dead, 120 injured in Carnival fete

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A police spokesman in Haiti says one person has been killed and 120 others revelers have been injured in accidents and in street clashes during Carnival festivities. Gary Desrosiers of the Haitian police force says the most of the injuries stemmed from skirmishes in the streets of Les Cayes. He says a 29-year-old man died when
US, NKorea nuclear envoys set to meet

BEIJING (AP) — U.S. and North Korea envoys reopen nuclear talks Thursday, seeking ways for Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear programs in return for much-needed aid. The countries were on the verge of a deal to have Washington provide food if Pyongyang suspends its uranium enrichment program when the agreement was upended by the death of the country's longtime leader
Japan royal heir suggests easier load for emperor

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's crown prince believes efforts should be made to reduce the burden on his ailing father, Emperor Akihito, as the 78-year-old monarch recovers from heart bypass surgery. Crown Prince Naruhito said that as Akihito gets older it is increasingly important to ensure that his official duties are not too heavy. Naruhito, the heir to the throne, made
Australian PM calls party leadership ballot

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Prime Minister Julia Gillard is announcing that her party will vote next week on its leadership. Gillard said on Thursday she will abandon her leadership ambitions if her Labor Party lawmaker colleagues choose former foreign minister Kevin Rudd over her in the ballot on Monday. She called on Rudd to abandon his ambitions if he loses.
UN chief sending humanitarian official to Syria

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A U.N. spokesman says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is dispatching his top humanitarian official to Syria. U.N. deputy spokesman Eduardo del Buey told reporters Wednesday that Ban wants Valerie Amos, the undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, to survey the situation there and renew the call for urgent access of aid. Ban is in London, where he will discuss
Afghan president appeals for calm

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The president of Afghanistan is appealing for calm, amid continued protests over the burning of Muslim holy books at a U.S. military base. The protests brought clashes today in several cities between Afghan security forces and demonstrators. Seven people were killed. In a statement, President Hamid Karzai said Afghans "have the right to protest peacefully," but
Venezuela's Chavez says his cancer is likely back

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez has raised serious doubts about whether he'll have the stamina for a successful re-election bid, revealing that he needs to return to Cuba to have a lesion removed that is probably malignant. Chavez was meeting with top aides on Wednesday to plan for his absence while expressions of support poured in from his
Two foreign journalists killed in Syria

BEIRUT (AP) — Two foreign journalists have reportedly been killed by government troops shelling the city of Homs. Marie Colvin, who covered conflicts from Sri Lanka to Syria in her quest to bring stories about the world's most troubled places to light, is reportedly one of the journalists who has died in the shelling attack. French government spokeswoman Valerie Pecresse said
Findings in Quran burning probe due soon

WASHINGTON (AP) — A spokesman for the international military force in Afghanistan says findings from an investigation into the burning of Muslim holy books at a NATO base may come out as early as today. German Brig. Gen. Carsten Jacobson told reporters at the Pentagon by video-teleconference from Kabul that Afghan authorities joined the probe of what he called a
Australia's Foreign Minister resigns

SYDNEY (AP) — Australia's foreign minister has resigned amid an ongoing leadership squabble, saying he cannot continue in his role without the support of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced his resignation during an early morning news conference Wednesday in Washington, where he is visiting on official business. His decision comes amid relentless speculation that he planned