The plan was a standard one in the CIA's war against extremists in Pakistan: The agency was using a Predator drone to monitor a residential compound; a Taliban leader was expected to arrive shortly; a CIA missile would kill him.On the morning of Aug.5, CIA Director was informed that Baitullah Mehsud was about to reach his father-in-law's home.Mehsud would be in the open, minimizing the risk that
CANBERRA – Australian Prime Minster Kevin Rudd's ruling Labor Party suffered a large loss of support in weekend elections in Australia's two smallest states, in a result which could disrupt his plans for sweeping health reforms.Voter support dropped more than 7 percent for longstanding Labor governments in South Australia and Tasmania, signaling a revival for the conservative Liberal Party
KALININGRAD, RU.S A But he is not ignoring them anymore -- and neither is Putin.In recent months, the protesters have joined thousands of others upset by the failing economy here in larger demonstrations against local authorities.In doing so, they have helped thrust Kaliningrad, westernmost city, to the forefront of a disjointed, nationwide protest movement that has rattled the Kremlin and sent
LONDON – The father of a five-year-old British boy held hostage for 12 days in Pakistan said Sunday the kidnappers had threatened to chop off parts of the boy's body if he did not pay a ransom.Raja Naqqash Saeed told the Mail on Sunday newspaper how the gang holding his son Sahil had warned: Do exactly as we say, or you will be receiving a little gift -- any part of his body. When he trie
The longest-held foreign hostage in the Sudanese region of Darfur has said he was not mistreated, but faced a daily struggle to stay positive.Gauthier Lefevre, a 35-year-old French-British aid worker, spoke about his 147-day ordeal in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, two days after his release.He said he was moved around regularly, and had been held in mountain camps or isolated in vast expanses
MEXICO CITY – More Americans in Mexico are falling victim to a wave of drug violence sweeping the country, a change driven home by the recent killing of a U.S Consulate employee and her husband who were gunned down after leaving a children's birthday party.The number of U.S citizens killed in Mexico has more than doubled to 79 in 2009 from 35 in 2007, according to the U.S State Departmen
South Africans are preparing to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre, an iconic moment in the nation's liberation struggle.Sixty-nine people died on 21 March 1960 when police gunned down unarmed people protesting against apartheid laws.The dead will be honoured as part of Human Rights Day, with church services, the laying of wreaths, and a speech by Deputy President Kgalem
JOHANNESBURG – A half century ago, police officers massacred 69 black South Africans in the township of Sharpeville, where protesters had burned the passbooks that the white-led apartheid government required them to carry at all times.But survivors of the massacre here are tired of telling their stories: They are wondering when the change they thought they were fighting for 50 years ago wil
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