World briefs: U.N. chief warns of food crisis
U.N. chief warns of crisis
UNITED NATIONS -- A rapidly escalating global food crisis has reached emergency proportions and threatens to wipe out seven years of progress in the fight against poverty, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned Monday. He called for short-term emergency measures in many regions to meet urgent food needs.
Cubans buy cell phones
HAVANA -- Lines stretched for blocks outside phone centers Monday as the government allowed ordinary Cubans to sign up for cellular phone service for the first time. The contracts cost about $120 to activate, half a year's wages on the average state salary. And that doesn't include a phone or credit to make and receive calls.
Photographer to be freed
BAGHDAD -- The U.S. military said Monday it will release Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein on Wednesday, more than two years after he was detained on suspicions of links to insurgents. The military said it has determined Hussein, who was cleared this week by Iraqi judicial committees, is not a threat.
Carter a 'communicator'?
AIRPORT CITY, Israel -- Former President Jimmy Carter defended his plan to meet with the top leader of the violently anti-Israel Hamas movement, saying Monday he hopes to become a conduit between the Islamic militant group and Washington and Israel. Isolating Hamas is counterproductive, Carter said.
Red Cross urges hearings
KABUL, Afghanistan -- The Red Cross criticized how the U.S. handles prisoners at the secretive Bagram military base, urging reforms Monday that would allow detainees to introduce testimony in their defense. The criticism of the prison, which few outsiders have seen, goes to the heart of U.S. detainee policy.
Berlusconi back in power
ROME -- Conservative leader Silvio Berlusconi reclaimed power in Italy on Monday after clinching decisive victories in both houses of parliament. The 71-year-old media mogul was congratulated by his main rival, former Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, who conceded defeat even though vote counting was still going.
Zimbabwe court says no
HARARE, Zimbabwe -- Zimbabwe's High Court rejected an appeal Monday for the immediate release of presidential election results, dashing hopes for an end to a paralyzing political crisis and prompting the opposition to call a nationwide strike. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he won the election.
Beijing to monitor air
BEIJING -- Construction will halt, heavy industries will close, and even spray painting will stop in order to clean Beijing's polluted air for the Olympics, an issue suddenly secondary to political protests. The aggressive plan hopes to cut back emissions by 30 percent at 19 heavy-polluting companies. Story on Weather Page.
At least 4 Kenyans killed
NAIROBI, Kenya -- A notorious criminal gang exchanged gunfire with police and put up blazing roadblocks Monday, threatening to spread violence nationwide unless authorities free their leader in an unsettling new danger for Kenya's bloody postelection crisis. The upheaval killed at least four people.
Torch run through Oman
MUSCAT, Oman -- The Olympic torch made its way through the steep streets of the Omani capital Monday on the brief Mideast leg of a 20-nation tour that has been marked by chaos and protests. Muscat's festive mood was in sharp contrast to protests that have marred the torch relay in other countries.
British journalist rescued
BAGHDAD -- Iraqi troops freed a kidnapped British journalist for CBS News on Monday after finding him in a house during a raid in a Shiite militia stronghold in Basra. Richard Butler's rescue after two months in captivity was a welcome success story for Iraq's military, which has been strongly criticized lately.