http://www.mail.com/subjects/499552-political-defections.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/499552-political-defections.html http://www.mail.com/news/world/2071622-dozens-kidnapped-m23-fief-congo-officials.html RUTSHURU, Congo (AP) — Nearly 30 people have been kidnapped in eastern Congo by the M23 rebels in their fief of Rutshuru since the beginning of April, said a community leader on Wednesday. The kidnappings appear to be for ransom, a new and worrying trend in Congo's lawless east. The latest abduction took place Sunday, when an advisor to the area's Catholi... Wed, 08 May 2013 17:45:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2071622-dozens-kidnapped-m23-fief-congo-officials.html 2013-05-08T17:45:15Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2064414-libya-bans-gadhafi-era-officials-posts.html TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Under pressure from armed militias, Libya's parliament passed a sweeping law Sunday that bans anyone who served as a senior official under Moammar Gadhafi during his 42 year-long rule from working in government. The Political Isolation Law could lead to the dismissal of many current leaders, some of whom had defected to the rebel sid... Sun, 05 May 2013 23:39:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2064414-libya-bans-gadhafi-era-officials-posts.html 2013-05-05T23:39:01Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2056938-syrian-president-showing-renewed-confidence.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad and his allies are showing renewed confidence that the momentum in the civil war is shifting in their favor, due in part to the rapid rise of al-Qaida-linked extremists among the rebels and the world's reluctance to take forceful action to intervene in the fighting. His invigorated regime has gone on the offensi... Wed, 01 May 2013 20:16:36 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2056938-syrian-president-showing-renewed-confidence.html 2013-05-01T20:16:36Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2053150-storming-ministries-libyas-militias-pressure.html TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Gunmen swooped in on trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns and surrounded Libya's Justice Ministry on Tuesday, cutting off roads and forcing employees out of the building in the latest instance of powerful militiamen showing their muscle to press their demands on how Libya should be run more than a year after Moammar Gadhafi's ouster. ... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:06:05 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2053150-storming-ministries-libyas-militias-pressure.html 2013-04-30T21:06:05Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2046420-group-sudan-army-supporting-fugitive-warlord-kony.html KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The fugitive African warlord Joseph Kony recently found safe haven in territory controlled by Sudan, a watchdog group said Friday, accusing the Sudanese military of offering aid to commanders of the Lord's Resistance Army. The U.S.-based group Resolve said in a new report that Kony recently directed killings from an enclave protecte... Sat, 27 Apr 2013 10:16:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2046420-group-sudan-army-supporting-fugitive-warlord-kony.html 2013-04-27T10:16:44Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2017678-report-sudan-supporting-rebels-south-sudan.html JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — Sudan has supplied weapons and ammunition to rebels fighting neighboring South Sudan's government, says a report from the Small Arms Survey, an independent Swiss research group. Sudan denies having links to rebels led by David Yau Yau, who is based in the restive Jonglei state. But the research group says it has evidence Sudan air... Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:18:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2017678-report-sudan-supporting-rebels-south-sudan.html 2013-04-13T16:18:18Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2014112-syrian-regimes-air-power-rebels-check.html BEIRUT (AP) — President Bashar Assad has exploited his greatest advantage in the Syrian civil war — his air power — to push back rebel advances and prevent the opposition from setting up a rival government in its northern stronghold. Along the way, fighter jets and helicopters have hit civilian targets such as hospitals, bakeries and residential buildings... Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:36:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2014112-syrian-regimes-air-power-rebels-check.html 2013-04-11T19:36:39Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2001728-eyeing-syria-white-house-woos-regional-rulers.html WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Barack Obama meets over the next month with leaders from Mideast and other regional nations, he will have a timely opportunity to try to rally the Syrian opposition's main backers around a unified strategy to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad. Jordan, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — whose Sunni Muslim leaders... Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:30:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2001728-eyeing-syria-white-house-woos-regional-rulers.html 2013-04-05T23:30:45Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1980230-gears-up-legal-dispute-abortion-laws.html BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple said his decision to sign strict new abortion laws, including the nation's toughest restriction on the procedure, was not based on "any religious belief or personal experience" and that he believes legislators have a right to ask such questions about abortion restrictions. The Republican governor sign... Wed, 27 Mar 2013 07:07:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1980230-gears-up-legal-dispute-abortion-laws.html 2013-03-27T07:07:13Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1979042-rallies-held-to-protest-anti-abortion-measures.html BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — More than 300 abortion-rights activists carried signs and chanted, "Veto! Veto! Veto!" in a demonstration Monday at the state Capitol protesting a package of measures that would give the state the toughest abortion restrictions in the nation. The newly formed Stand Up For Women North Dakota also planned rallies Monday in Fargo, Grand... Tue, 26 Mar 2013 02:00:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1979042-rallies-held-to-protest-anti-abortion-measures.html 2013-03-26T02:00:18Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1959060-high-ranking-syrian-general-defects-army.html BEIRUT (AP) — One of the highest-ranking military officers yet to abandon Syrian President Bashar Assad defected to neighboring Jordan and said in an interview aired Saturday that morale among those still inside the regime had collapsed. In another setback for the Assad regime, a leading human rights group accused Syria's government of stepping up its use... Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:14:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1959060-high-ranking-syrian-general-defects-army.html 2013-03-16T20:14:57Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1953992-khmer-rouges-ieng-sary-dies-amid-genocide-trial.html PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Ieng Sary, who co-founded the communist Khmer Rouge regime responsible for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians in the 1970s, and who decades later became one of its few leaders to be put on trial, died Thursday before his case could be finished. He was 87. Ieng Sary was the brother-in-law of late Khmer Rouge leade... Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:38:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1953992-khmer-rouges-ieng-sary-dies-amid-genocide-trial.html 2013-03-14T16:38:57Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1953490-khmer-rouges-ieng-sary-dies-genocide-trial.html PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Ieng Sary, who co-founded the brutal Khmer Rouge movement in 1970s, was its public face abroad and decades later became one of its few leaders to be put on trial for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians, died Thursday morning before the case could be finished. He was 87. His death before any verdict was reached in ... Thu, 14 Mar 2013 06:35:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1953490-khmer-rouges-ieng-sary-dies-genocide-trial.html 2013-03-14T06:35:24Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1948256-syrian-army-eroded-defections-battle-deaths.html BEIRUT (AP) — A top Syrian cleric's appeal to young men to join the army raised the question of whether President Bashar Assad is running out of soldiers, prompting a pro-government newspaper to reassure readers Tuesday that the military can keep fighting insurgents for years to come. Syria's civil war, with its large-scale defections, thousands of soldie... Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:49:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1948256-syrian-army-eroded-defections-battle-deaths.html 2013-03-12T19:49:59Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1946018-congo-agreement-with-rebel-group.html GOMA, Congo (AP) — A peace agreement between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group remains uncertain just days before a negotiation deadline expires, Congo's government spokesman said Monday as fighting continued in the country's troubled east. The rebel group, which is believed to be backed by neighboring Rwanda, overran the eastern city of Go... Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:52:08 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1946018-congo-agreement-with-rebel-group.html 2013-03-11T20:52:08Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1935726-syrian-refugees-neighboring-countries.html BEIRUT (AP) — The massive, chaotic influx of Syrians fleeing their country's civil war has stretched the resources of the neighboring countries taking them in and raised fears of sectarian fighting spreading across the region. As the U.N. refugee agency announces that the number of Syrians who have fled their country and are now seeking assistance has passed the one million ... Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:53:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1935726-syrian-refugees-neighboring-countries.html 2013-03-06T15:53:48Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1921578-key-military-players-syrias-civil-war.html BEIRUT (AP) — A list of key military players in the Syrian civil war: —SYRIAN REGIME: Despite major defections and the loss of significant territory to rebels, the Syrian military remains a potent force against a poorly armed opposition. President Bashar Assad's inner circle has largely remained cohesive and united, avoiding high-level defections that sap... Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:26:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1921578-key-military-players-syrias-civil-war.html 2013-02-28T16:26:37Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1908308-iranian-diplomat-seeking-asylum-norway.html OSLO, Norway (AP) — A lawyer says an Iranian diplomat in Norway is seeking asylum in the Nordic country. Joergen Loevdal, the Norwegian attorney, says the diplomat, who he declined to name, defected from the Iranian Embassy in Oslo in December, and sought help from his Humlen & Rieber-Mohn law office, which specializes in immigration law. Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:18:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1908308-iranian-diplomat-seeking-asylum-norway.html 2013-02-22T16:18:39Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1898208-libyas-struggle-to-deliver-justice-fuels-violence.html BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — Col. Faraj el-Dersi, who defected to the rebel side from Moammar Gadhafi's police force, was gunned down late last year on the streets of Benghazi, and he bled to death in the arms of his teenage daughter. As Libya on Sunday marked the second anniversary of the start of the uprising that toppled Gadhafi, the death of el-Dersi and ne... Sun, 17 Feb 2013 21:02:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1898208-libyas-struggle-to-deliver-justice-fuels-violence.html 2013-02-17T21:02:15Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1858368-syria-threatens-retaliation-israeli-airstrike.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria threatened Thursday to retaliate for an Israeli airstrike and its ally Iran said the Jewish state will regret the attack. Syria sent a letter to the U.N. Secretary-General stressing the country's "right to defend itself, its territory and sovereignty" and holding Israel and its supporters accountable. "Israel and those who protect it a... Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1858368-syria-threatens-retaliation-israeli-airstrike.html 2013-01-31T22:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1813394-syrian-rebels-seize-key-air-base-activists.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels and Islamic militants overran a major military air base in the north Friday and, buoyed by the victory, intensified their offensive on two other bases in their most aggressive campaign yet to erode the air supremacy on which the regime of President Bashar Assad has increasingly relied the past year. The rebels control the groun... Fri, 11 Jan 2013 20:48:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1813394-syrian-rebels-seize-key-air-base-activists.html 2013-01-11T20:48:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1793408-north-korea-cracks-knowledge-smugglers.html HUNCHUN, China (AP) — The warning came from Kim Jong Un, the North Korean ruler who sees his isolated nation, just across the border from this busy Chinese trading town, as under siege. The attack, he said, must be stopped. "We must extend the fight against the enemy's ideological and cultural infiltration," Kim said in an October speech at the headquarte... Mon, 31 Dec 2012 17:48:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1793408-north-korea-cracks-knowledge-smugglers.html 2012-12-31T17:48:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1790946-north-koreas-caste-system-faces-power-wealth.html SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — For more than a half-century, a mysterious caste system has shadowed the life of every North Korean. It can decide whether they will live in the gated compounds of the minuscule elite, or in mountain villages where farmers hack at rocky soil with handmade tools. It can help determine what hospital will take them if they fall sick, whether they go to... Sat, 29 Dec 2012 19:26:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1790946-north-koreas-caste-system-faces-power-wealth.html 2012-12-29T19:26:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1786880-syrian-minister-leaves-beirut-fear-arrest.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's wounded interior minister cut short his treatment at a Beirut hospital Wednesday and returned home for fear of being arrested by Lebanese authorities, while Syria's chief of military police defected to the opposition, becoming one of the highest-ranking officers to switch sides. The twin developments reflected the deepening isolation... Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:36:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1786880-syrian-minister-leaves-beirut-fear-arrest.html 2012-12-26T19:36:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1775640-syria-rebel-chief-describes-clandestine-life.html MAARET MISREEN, Syria (AP) — The new Syrian rebel chief said he's been moving between safe houses since taking up command, even changing quarters twice in one night when he feared regime spies. Grappling with largely untrained and at times undisciplined fighters, Salim Idris said in an interview that he is trying to turn local militias into a united force... Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1775640-syria-rebel-chief-describes-clandestine-life.html 2012-12-19T18:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1776246-us-claims-progress-lra-hunt-want.html KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The foot soldiers searching the deep jungles on the hunt for African warlord Joseph Kony were convinced they had cornered his deputy as they exchanged fire with a band of Lord's Resistance Army rebels. When the shooting subsided the soldiers found a pair of lifeless rebels and two children deserted by insurgents. But the deputy — Do... Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:06:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1776246-us-claims-progress-lra-hunt-want.html 2012-12-19T13:06:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1773266-syrian-rebel-training-motivation-trumps-skills.html MAARET IKHWAN, Syria (AP) — Sixteen grunting rebel fighters dropped down for pushups in a rain-slick backyard, practiced storming a house from the cover of an olive grove, and then assembled for a refresher course on firing rocket-propelled grenades. Their instructor, a former Syrian commando, said his young trainees still have a lot to learn, but that th... Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:38:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1773266-syrian-rebel-training-motivation-trumps-skills.html 2012-12-18T16:38:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1771472-syrian-vice-president-army-win.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's vice president has acknowledged that the army cannot defeat the rebel forces trying to topple the regime and called for a negotiated settlement to save the country from ruin. The rare, candid comments by Farouk al-Sharaa, a longtime close aide to President Bashar Assad's family, suggested his embattled regime may be contemplating an ... Mon, 17 Dec 2012 20:20:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1771472-syrian-vice-president-army-win.html 2012-12-17T20:20:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1768342-syrian-fm-blames-west-nations-suffering.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's foreign minister blamed the suffering of his country's people on U.S. and European sanctions imposed on his country, telling a top U.N. official Saturday that the international body should condemn these measures and work toward lifting them. Officials in Damascus say U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos during her one-day visit to Sy... Sat, 15 Dec 2012 16:54:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1768342-syrian-fm-blames-west-nations-suffering.html 2012-12-15T16:54:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755368-syrian-rebels-capture-parts-army-base-north.html BEIRUT (AP) — Rebels captured part of a sprawling Syrian army base outside the embattled northern city of Aleppo, tightening the opposition's grip on areas close to the Turkish border, activists said Monday. The gains by rebel forces came as the European Union denounced the Syrian conflict, which activists say has killed more than 40,000 people. "The curr... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1755368-syrian-rebels-capture-parts-army-base-north.html 2012-12-10T18:07:00Z