Another Week in the World – 02/05/2010
Americans charged with abducting 33 Haitian children
Haitian officials charged 10 American missionaries with child abduction and criminal conspiracy Thursday for allegedly attempting to transport 33 children to an orphanage in the Dominican Republic. The accused Americans include five men and five women, most of whom are from Idaho.
China responds to Obama’s currency accusations
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu shot back at President Barack Obama’s comments regarding the alleged artificial undervaluation of the yuan Thursday. The latest remarks are part of a continued strain in Chinese-U.S. relations following the U.S. arms deal with Taiwan Saturday. Obama has reiterated his commitment to meeting with the Dalai Lama later this month, a symbolic gesture sure to further disgruntle the Chinese government.
India proposes to resume dialogue with Pakistan
India has offered to restart talks with Pakistan that were suspended following the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. India blamed Pakistani-based Islamic militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the 170 people killed during the terror strike, escalating tensions between the two nuclear powers. Pakistani officials are awaiting confirmation on the proposed resumption of talks.
Obama condemns Uganda’s anti-gay bill
Obama criticized a bill proposed in Uganda calling for long jail terms or even the death penalty for homosexual intercourse Thursday. Homosexual acts are currently illegal in Uganda with maximum sentences of 14 years. The bill would raise the penalty to possible death sentencing.