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Netanyahu shows pragmatic side as he takes power

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:14:01 PDT

During the election campaign, Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed peace talks with the Palestinians, supported expanding West Bank settlements and warned that concessions only embolden Israel's enemies.

But preparing to become Israel's prime minister Tuesday, Netanyahu adopted a more conciliatory tone, reflecting the same pragmatic streak that in the past allowed him to navigate complex domestic and global politics.

New Iraq mission requires diplomacy, patience

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:48:57 PDT

During his first tour, Capt. Nathan Williams worried for the safety of his soldiers fighting insurgents in west Baghdad. This time, he fears his troops may drop their guard as violence wanes.

For Williams and thousands of other soldiers, the mission has changed. U.S. troops are playing a support role since the new U.S.-Iraq security agreement went into effect Jan. 1.

Migration group: 300 drown off Libyan coast

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:38:56 PDT

Vessels carrying hundreds of migrants capsized off the coast of Libya, with more than 300 people believed to have drowned, an international migration group said Tuesday.

The International Organization for Migration said Libyan officials reported between one and three ships had sunk in Libyan waters Monday. The group confirmed the information with diplomatic sources, spokesman Jean-Philippe Chauzy said.

Sri Lankan rebels appeal again for cease-fire

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:23:55 PDT

The Tamil Tiger rebels appealed again Tuesday for a halt to fighting in their war against the Sri Lankan government, though they denied they were on the brink of defeat despite being backed into an ever-shrinking pocket of land.

The appeal for a cease-fire from S. Pathmanathan, in charge of international diplomatic relations for the rebels, comes as the government says it is close to crushing the rebels and ending 25 years of civil war.

British man sentenced in Hong Kong Olympic protest

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:13:58 PDT

A British man who unfurled banners denouncing China's human rights record on a major Hong Kong bridge the day of the Beijing Olympics' opening ceremony has been sentenced to six months in jail.

A court document obtained by The Associated Press says Matt Pearce, a 33-year-old teacher from Bristol, England, was convicted of creating a public nuisance and sentenced Monday.

Meeting to launch new commitment to Afghanistan

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:03:57 PDT

More than 70 nations were meeting Tuesday to reinvigorate international efforts to stabilize Afghanistan and Pakistan's lawless western border region.

The hastily convened one-day conference in this Dutch city brings together all the countries bordering Afghanistan, including Iran, and all nations contributing troops to the NATO-led international force fighting Taliban insurgents.

Madagascar suspended from southern African group

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:13:57 PDT

Madagascar's neighbors have suspended the impoverished nation from their regional development and democracy club, and threatened Tuesday to take further steps if the Indian Ocean island's ousted president is not restored to power.

A Southern African Development Community summit that ended early Tuesday also called on the West to lift sanctions against another member, Zimbabwe.

Fujimori's defense points to Peru's president

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:34:19 PDT

Former President Alberto Fujimori's lawyer on Monday asked how a court could convict his client of murder and kidnapping if Peru's current president was never charged for human rights abuses allegedly committed during his first term in office two decades ago.

"The same logic that served for not charging President (Alan) Garcia should serve to acquit Fujimori if this trial is legal and not political," defense lawyer Cesar Nakazaki told the court on the final day of six weeks of closing arguments in the 15-month trial.

Argentina, China sign tentative currency swap deal

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:34:19 PDT

Argentina and China have tentatively agreed to swap $10 billion worth of their currencies to enable South America's second-largest economy to avoid using dollars in trade between the nations, banking officials said Monday.

It is the first such swap between China and a Latin American country, and allows Argentine businesses to buy Chinese imports directly in yuans. The move aims to help Argentina by cutting trading costs, giving it access to hard currency and strengthening its financial position as it is battered by the global financial crisis, analysts say.

Mercedes Sosa hospitalized with pneumonia

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:34:19 PDT

Famed Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa has been hospitalized with pneumonia.

Fabian Matus, Sosa's son, says the singer was brought to a hospital after suffering from a fever and dehydration.

Official: Pond search for Holloway nearly done

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:05:15 PDT

A private investigator scouring a drained pond in Aruba for clues that could help solve the mystery of a missing U.S. teen is preparing to wrap up his latest search and report any findings, an official on the Dutch Caribbean island said Monday.

Ruben Croes, president of the Aruba Search and Rescue Foundation, which has helped look for Natalee Holloway off and on since she vanished in May 2005, said U.S. investigator Fred Golba will end his probe of the garbage-strewn retention pond on Tuesday and then depart the island.

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,262

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:40:43 PDT

As of Monday, March 30, 2009, at least 4,262 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

The figure includes eight military civilians killed in action. At least 3,425 military personnel died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

Mexico announces 'super-max' prisons

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:55:49 PDT

Mexican and U.S. military commanders on Monday were analyzing how to combat drug trafficking amid related violence that has claimed nearly 9,000 lives in Mexico since 2006, at a meeting near the U.S. border.

Meanwhile in London, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said Monday he has ruled out joint raids with the United States aimed at stemming drug cartel violence along their border, but called for closer cooperation.

Miss Universe and Miss USA tour Guantanamo

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:25:37 PDT

Miss Universe and Miss USA have taken a firsthand look at the U.S. prison for terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay.

The beauty pageant winners took part in a VIP tour to entertain American military personnel at the prison in Cuba.

Ivory Coast fans blame police for deadly stampede

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:25:12 PDT

Fans who survived a deadly stadium stampede in the Ivory Coast blamed police Monday for the tragedy, saying security forces provoked the panic by tear gassing people who had nowhere to run.

World soccer body FIFA called for a prompt investigation into the stampede Sunday at Abidjan's Felix Houphouet-Boigny arena that left 19 people dead and injured more than 130. The president of Ivory Coast declared a three-day period of mourning.

Man killed in Puerto Rico tourist zone

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:20:14 PDT

A 21-year-old man died after being beaten, tied up in public and choked with a belt in a tourist district of Puerto Rico, police said Monday.

Three men were arrested but authorities were seeking "many more" who apparently either witnessed or took part in the attack, detective Angel Rivera Casillas said. The other suspects fled before police arrived.

US pledging $40 million for Afghan elections

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:15:13 PDT

The United States will pledge $40 million toward smooth elections this summer in war-weary Afghanistan, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday. She did not rule out a rare face-to-face meeting with Iran's representative to an international conference on pacifying Afghanistan.

"I have no plans" to seek out diplomats from the longtime U.S. adversary during Tuesday's one-day discussions, Clinton said. "I can't forecast tomorrow."

Canadian judge doesn't allow British lawmaker in

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:50:15 PDT

A judge on Monday upheld a government order banning an outspoken anti-war British lawmaker from visiting Canada for a speaking tour.

The government refused entry to Parliament member George Galloway on national security grounds, saying he provided money to the Palestinian group Hamas, which is banned in Canada as a terrorist organization.

Judge kills Cuban lawsuit on Havana Club trademark

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:25:14 PDT

A federal judge dismissed a Cuban lawsuit Monday over the termination of U.S. trademark rights for its Havana Club rum, a victory for Bacardi's effort to take over the brand name as its own in the United States.

The dispute dates back decades and is entangled in property seizures during the Cuban revolution, the trade embargo with the island nation and U.S. trademark law.

Correction: Venezuela-Rebel Leader story

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:05:13 PDT

In March 26 story about a march honoring the late Colombian rebel leader Manuel Marulanda, The Associated Press erroneously reported in the headline and initial reference that he had been slain. Marulanda died of a heart attack, as noted elsewhere in the story.