FP morning post 4/13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Talks with China and a deal with Ukraine at nuke summit

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Top news: The massive U.S. -rganized international summit on nuclear nonproliferation continues in Washington today and President Barack Obama is continuing to seek agreements on securing nuclear material and isolating Iran.

China has been reluctant to agree to new sanctions on Iran but holds a critical vote on the U.N. security council. After a 90-minute meeting between Presidents Obama and and Hu Jintao, U.S. officials said that China had agreed to discussions on new measures meant to ratchet up pressure on Iran's nuclear program. However, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman later said that China remains committed to finding a "fitting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations.”

China's currency policies were also reportedly discussed at the meeting between the two leaders.

In another promising development for the summit, Ukraine agreed to give up its stockpile of highly-enriched uranium. The announcement came shortly after a meeting between Obama and new Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Kyrgyzstan: Ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev now says he is willing to resign if the new interim government guarantees his and his family's safety.

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Asia Thailand's red-shirtprotesters are threatening to march on the army barracks where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is currently bsed. Thailand's electoral commission ordered Abhisit's political party to dissolve yesterday. Islamist militants disguised as soldiers attacked a city in the southern Philippines, killing at least 11. Pakistani jets reportedly killed dozens of civilians in an attack near the Afghan border. Africa Voting in Sudan's national elections has been extended until Thursday as officials report that irregularities are preventing hundreds of thousands from voting in the south of the country. Eight Red Cross staffers were abducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At least 19 people, mostly civilians, were killed in fighting between African Union peacekeepers and militants in Mogadishu. Europe Britain's parliament was officially dissolved in anticipation of elections on May 6. The Vatican published new guidelines urging bishops to report abuse cases to local authorities. The body of Poland's first lady -- killed in the plane crash last weekend that also took the lives of her husband and dozens of government officials -- was flown home to Poland where a special memorial service was held in her honor. Middle East A Palestinian gunman was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip. A new order going into effect today will allow the Israeli military to deport Palestinians living in the West Bank without proper identification. In a letter to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged the United Nations to investigate western actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Americas Rio de Janeiro has begun demolishing slums in areas at risk of mudslides. Haiti has begun forcibly evacuating people from the tent cities set up after January's earthquake. A Brazilian rancher was found guilty of the murder of a U.S. nun.   -By Joshua Keating

The Kremlin's Post-Crash Charm Offensive Is the U.S. Economy Really Roaring Back? Sudan's Election Is Worse Than We Thought Why Is Obama Still Apologizing for America?

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