World News

Complaints persist as US frees Afghan detainees (AP)

AP - The Pashtun tribal leaders picked at the chocolate cake and fruit laid out for them at the conference table. Politely, they listened to speeches touting a new program to release detainees from Afghanistan's largest U.S.-run military prison if community leaders vouch for them.

Palestinians threaten to call off peace talks (AP)

AP - The Palestinians are threatening to pull out of U.S.-mediated peace talks with Israel before the negotiations even start.

Law bars Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi from voting (AP)

AP - Not only is Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi effectively barred from upcoming elections, but she will not be allowed to vote — and her opposition party's landslide win at the last polls has been formally invalidated, according to new election laws published Thursday.

Mexico's Slim becomes 'world's richest' person (AP)

AP - The naming of Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim as the world's richest person — the first from a developing nation — underlines the loosening of America and Europe's stranglehold on the top spots in the billionaires' club.

Confusion over location of kidnapped British boy (AP)

AP - The whereabouts of a British boy kidnapped from his family's home in Pakistan was unclear Thursday, with conflicting reports about whether he has been found and diplomats scrambling for confirmation.

Pakistan's Acid-Attack Victims Fight Back (Time.com)

Time.com - A landmark court ruling has opened the way for women to seek greater protection through a new law being debated in parliament

Ukraine coalition picks ex-finance minister as PM (Reuters)

Reuters - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich secured a coalition majority in parliament on Thursday and lined up a close ally for prime minister, moving to restore stability needed to tackle a deep economic crisis.

Gates: Iran support for Taliban 'pretty limited' (AP)

AP - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that Iranian support for the Taliban in Afghanistan isn't much of a problem for the United States — yet.

Press group: 8 reporters kidnapped in Mexican city (AP)

AP - Eight journalists have been kidnapped in a Mexican border city in a two-week span in a wave of abductions unprecedented in the Western Hemisphere, the Inter-American Press Association said Wednesday.

Red Cross: Zimbabwe back to brink of food crisis (AP)

AP - An estimated 2.17 million Zimbabweans — perhaps a fourth of the country's population — are in need of food aid, the Red Cross said Thursday.

Gates: Iran support for Taliban 'pretty limited' (AP)

AP - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Iranian support for the Taliban in Afghanistan isn't much of a problem for the United States — yet.

Canada Parliament eats seal to defy "ignorant" EU (Reuters)

Reuters - Canadian parliamentarians tucked into a meal of seal meat on Wednesday to defy both animal right activists and the European Union, which has banned imports of seal products.

Aussie 'miracle' elephant baby gaining strength (AP)

AP - An elephant calf that was believed to have died during a nine-day labor is feeding itself and has earned the nickname "Mr. Shuffles" since learning to stand, Taronga Zoo officials said Thursday.