World - McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Uighur emigre leader Rebiya Kadeer, accused by China of organizing violent protests in western China, disputed the charge Friday and said she was against all violence, including that by members of the Chinese Muslim community.

ACCRA, Ghana — President Barack Obama isn't descended from slaves; his father was from Kenya, his mother from Kansas.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — It was nearing midnight in Riyadh's upscale shopping district, and 29-year-old Todd Nims and 26-year-old Ali Kalthami were searching cafes and malls for a fat, funky teenager who wants to be a television sitcom star.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan's forthcoming military operation in Waziristan will rely on air power rather than on ground offensives, an approach that isn't likely to eliminate the homegrown extremists and probably will disappoint Western allies, according to Pakistani officials and analysts.

VATICAN CITY — President Barack Obama wrapped up a three-day summit of world leaders Friday and met with Pope Benedict XVI, his first face-to-face meeting with the spiritual leader of the world's Roman Catholics.

TEHRAN, Iran — Chanting a bitter new rallying cry, thousands of Iranians marched through Tehran Thursday in the latest protest over last month's disputed presidential election, but teargas-firing riot police blocked them from reaching their intended goal of Tehran university.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military on Thursday reluctantly turned over to Iraq five Iranians it had accused of fomenting violence in Iraq. The Iraqi government promptly invited them to meet Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and then released them to Iranian custody.

WASHINGTON — As President Barack Obama and other world leaders meet in Italy, a global survey released Thursday reflects wide concern that governments won't meet their budgets in this economic climate — and a universal preference to respond by cutting services rather than raising taxes.

WASHINGTON — The political crisis in Honduras has cost the country nearly $20 million in U.S. aid — and the price tag could rise if the dueling governments aren't able to reach a solution.

WASHINGTON — The Drug Enforcement Administration has removed an agent from his pilot duties after he refused to be sent to Afghanistan on a 60 day-detail.