washingtonpost.com - World

As Global Recession Threatens, China Pulls Back on Environmental Efforts

Ariana Eunjung Cha — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

SHANGHAI -- In February, the Fuan textile factory became one of the first major casualties of China's anti-pollution campaign when the multimillion-dollar company was shut down for dumping waste from dyes into a neighboring river and turning it red.

Iraq's Prime Minister Defends U.S. Security Pact in Public Address

Mary Beth Sheridan — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

BAGHDAD, Nov. 18 -- Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki addressed the nation Tuesday to defend a security pact that would let U.S. troops stay in Iraq three more years and expressed concern that some lawmakers were trying to block it for political reasons.

Melamine, Lead and Other Scares Lead FDA to Send Safety Inspectors to China

Maureen Fan — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

BEIJING, Nov. 18 -- Under fire for not having the resources to better protect consumers at home, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is deploying staff members abroad to work directly with importers and foreign regulatory agencies to guard against contaminated animal feed, counterfeit drugs, toys...

After Oil Tanker Hijacking, Saudi Arabia to Join Anti-Piracy Efforts

Faiza Saleh Ambah — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 18 -- Saudi Arabia's foreign minister on Tuesday condemned the hijacking of a Saudi supertanker carrying $100 million in crude oil, calling piracy "a disease that has to be eradicated."

United Nations Official Warns of Social Strife in Asia

Tim Johnston — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

BANGKOK, Nov. 18 -- A senior U.N. official warned Tuesday of the prospect of social unrest as the export-driven economies of Asia start to slow in response to the fallout from the global financial crisis.

Aide to Ahmadinejad Approved as Interior Minister in Iran

Thomas Erdbrink — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

TEHRAN, Nov. 18 -- A close aide to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was narrowly approved as Iran's new interior minister by parliament Tuesday.

Closing Guantanamo Bay Prison Could Mean the Release of Yemenis Who Are Unrepentant Terrorists

Peter Finn — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

The single biggest opportunity -- and potential difficulty -- for the incoming administration's plan to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, comes from the same group of Yemeni prisoners, who make up fully 40 percent of the detainees still held there.

Congo rebels to pull back to allow talks

TODD PITMAN — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:47:32 EST

KAYNA, Congo -- Rebels were pulling back their forces from the frontlines to allow talks with the army, their spokesman said Tuesday, as retreating army soldiers battled mobs of spear-wielding militiamen.

U.S. Security Agreements and Iraq

Greg Bruno, Staff Writer — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:17:22 EST

Americans, Europeans Share Immigration Worries

Pamela Constable — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Americans and Europeans share deep concerns about immigration, with a large percentage worrying that it can bring crime and displace workers, even though a majority agree that it does not increase the risk of terrorism, according to an opinion survey sponsored by the German Marshall Fund.

Soaring Crime Rate Could Hurt Venezuela's Chávez in Regional Elections

Juan Forero — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Three of Miriam Sánchez's sons had already been shot dead in neighborhoods where the crackle of gunfire is a nightly occurrence. So she feared the worst when word arrived one recent night that her 24-year-old son, José Luis Arias, had been shot.

British Business Group Issues Warning on Economy; Brown Criticizes Comments by Conservative Osborne

Kevin Sullivan — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

LONDON, Nov. 17 -- Britain's leading business organization issued a grim warning on the U.K. economy Monday as the country's political leaders bickered about how frankly they should discuss their economic worries in public.

Japan Stanches Stench of Mass Trash Incinerators

Blaine Harden — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

TOKYO -- It doesn't smell like a dump. If it did, there are a quarter-million neighbors to complain about Tokyo's Toshima Incineration Plant, which devours 300 tons of garbage a day, turning it into electricity, hot water and a kind of recyclable sand. Japan burns more garbage in the heart of its...

Israel's Olmert Vows to Set Free 250 Palestinian Prisoners

Mark Lavie — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

JERUSALEM, Nov. 17 -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised Monday to release 250 Palestinian prisoners, a goodwill gesture to the moderate Palestinian Authority president at a summit overshadowed by violence in the Gaza Strip that threatens a cease-fire.

Bush Speaks With Libya's Gaddafi in Historic Phone Call

Post — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

President Bush called Libya's Moammar Gaddafi yesterday -- apparently the first time any president has spoken to the African leader -- to voice his satisfaction that Libya had settled a long-standing dispute over terrorist attacks, including the bombing of a Pan Am jet over Scotland, the White House...

Bush's Reversal on Iraq Deadline Gives Obama Flexibility

Michael Abramowitz — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

By agreeing to a fixed deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, President Bush contradicted years of promises that he would never agree to anything but a "conditions-based" plan for phasing out the American military role there. But he may also have given President-elect Barack Obama ...

Taliban Rejects Afghan President's Offer of Peace Talks

Post — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Nov. 17 -- Taliban insurgents rejected an offer of peace talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, reiterating Monday their position that there would be no negotiations until foreign troops leave Afghanistan.