WRAL.com - AP World News

Assad: Syria transition talks are internal matter

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:52:51 -0400

Syrian President Bashar Assad said in a newspaper interview Saturday he won't step down before elections and that the United States has no right to interfere in his country's politics, raising new doubts about a U.S-Russian effort to get Assad and his opponents to negotiate an end to the country's civil war.

Attacks kill 16 in Iraq, 8 police kidnapped

Sat, 18 May 2013 13:21:31 -0400

A string of attacks killed at least 16 people in Iraq on Saturday, while gunmen abducted eight policemen guarding a post on the country's main highway to Jordan and Syria, the latest in a wave of violence to grip the country.

Afghan lawmakers block law on women's rights

Sat, 18 May 2013 11:25:48 -0400

Conservative religious lawmakers in Afghanistan blocked legislation on Saturday aimed at strengthening provisions for women's freedoms, arguing that parts of it violate Islamic principles and encourage disobedience.

Denmark favorite to win Eurovision Song Contest

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:25:59 -0400

An ethno-inspired flute and drum tune from Denmark is the bookmakers' favorite to win this year's Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, which also features a bizarre opera pop number from Romania and an Armenian rock song written by the guitarist of Black Sabbath.

French president signs gay marriage into law

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:16:11 -0400

France will see its first gay weddings within days, after French President Francois Hollande signed a law Saturday authorizing marriage and adoption by same-sex couples and ending months of nationwide protests and wrenching debate.

SKorea says NKorea fires 3 short-range missiles

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:39:27 -0400

North Korea fired three short-range guided missiles into its eastern waters on Saturday, a South Korean official said. It routinely tests such missiles, but the latest launches came during a period of tentative diplomacy aimed at easing tensions.

Reporter remembers fear in Videla's Argentina

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:13:19 -0400

It was just about a day after Argentine strongman Jorge Rafael Videla had seized power in March of 1976, and the bloodletting was already beginning.

AP Impact: Myanmar sanctions list languishes

Sat, 18 May 2013 01:11:32 -0400

If you're American and want to do business in Myanmar, there's a list of people and companies you have to steer clear of by law. But it leaves off a former minister's son U.S. officials suspected of brokering arms deals with North Korea, and high-rolling relatives of the man who led the repressive military government for 19 years.

Nigeria military declares 24-hour curfew in city

Sat, 18 May 2013 12:34:15 -0400

Nigeria's military declared a 24-hour curfew Saturday on neighborhoods in a northeastern city that's the spiritual home of an Islamic extremist network as soldiers continued the government's emergency campaign in the region, with authorities saying they killed 10 suspected insurgents.

Pope leads pep rally at Vatican, meets with Merkel

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:46:18 -0400

Pope Francis toured St. Peter's Square to greet tens of thousands of people attending a rally of prayer, music and speeches Saturday, and he embraced the brother of a Pakistani politician who was assassinated in his country after calling for greater religious freedom for Christians there.