
Top story: Reacting angrily to a planned U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, China has threatened to slap sanctions on U.S. companies participating in the deal. China has also suspended planned visits between high-ranking military officials, postponed a planned arms control meeting, and summoned U.S. ambassador Jon Huntsman to voice its disapproval of the deal, which was announced on Friday. The $6.4 billion deal includes 60 Black Hawk helicopters, 114 Patriot air defense missiles, and two Osprey mine-hunting ships.
The Chinese media lambasted the United States for the deal with the government-run China Daily saying it, "exposes [its] usage of double standards and hypocrisy on major issues related to China's core interests." The People's Daily described as evidence of "rude and unreasonable Cold War thinking".
The latest tensions could be the first of a series of diplomatic flare-ups between the United States and China this year. President Barack Obama is also expected to meet soon with the Dalai Lama, further straining ties with Beijing.
Haiti
- The United States is resuming airlifts of injured Haitians to U.S. hospitals, five days after the flights were suspended.
- Aid agencies have launched a new food distribution program focusing primarily on women.
- Ten Americans from an Idaho church group were arrested for trying to transport 33 children over the Dominican border without proper identification.
Middle East
- At least 41 people were killed in a suicide bombing targeting Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad.
- The Israel Defense Forces disciplined two officers for approving the use of white phosphorous in Gaza last year.
- Yemen's government rejected a ceasefire offer from the country's northern rebels.
Asia
- Envoys of the Dalai Lama met with Chinese officials in Beijing.
- The Pakistani Taliban denied reports that leader Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a U.S. drone strike and says it will produce evidence that he is alive.
- North and South Korea held talks on Monday, days after gunfire was exchanged across the border.
Africa
- The African Union elected Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika as its new president, despite a bid from Libyan leader Muammar al Qaddafi to stay on.
- A Royal Dutch Shell oil pipeline was sabotaged in Nigeria shortly after the country's Mend rebels declared they were ending their ceasefire.
- Heavy mortar fire between African Union peacekeepers and Shabaab rebels in Mogadishu killed at least 12 civilians.
Americas
- Gunmen killed 14 people at a high school birthday party in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
- The Honduran government reinstated its top immigration official, 24 hours after firing him.
- After a series of crippling blackouts, Venezuela announced plans to increase its electricity capacity.
Europe
- Russian police broke up anti-Kremlin demonstrations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, arresting more than 100.
- U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is in Cyprus for unity talks.
- German authorities say a Swiss source offered to sell them confidential bank data showing tax evasion by over 1,500 German citizens.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images











Read More







(5)
HIDE COMMENTS LOGIN OR REGISTER REPORT ABUSE