Susan Heavey

U.S. to hold Afghan peace talks with Taliban in Doha

reuters.com — U.S. officials said the Taliban will issue a statement Tuesday opposing the use of Afghan soil for attacks on other countries and that they support an Afghan peace process. The United States will insist the Taliban break ties with Al Qaeda, end violence, and accept the Afghan constitution, including protection for women and minorities, the officials told reporters in a conference call.

America's Worst Charities

tampabay.com — Regarding the Times/CIR ranking of Kids Wish as the nation's worst charity, Schwartz said, "There are more than 100,000 children and their families in whose lives Kids Wish Network has helped make a positive difference. They would surely refute any negative characterization as to the importance and successes of the charitable efforts of our organization."

Special Report: For top U.S. lawyers, case in Guam is rare prize

reuters.com — Credit: Reuters/Victor Consaga 1 of 6. Steve Levin poses at the entrance of Guam Territorial Law Library in Hagatna, Guam March 19, 2013. Picture taken March 19, 2013. But last year, the itinerant 64-year-old had something of great value to elite lawyers half a world away: a case that reached the U.S.

'The Taliban is ready to talk peace,' says senior Afghan official

reuters.com — "The peace talks will certainly take place between the Taliban and the High Peace Council," said the senior official, referring to the body created by Afghan President Hamid Karzai in 2010 to broker peace with the insurgency.

"Standing man" inspires silent protests in Turkey

news.yahoo.com — ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish man has staged an eight-hour silent vigil on Istanbul's Taksim Square, scene of violent clashes between police and anti-government protesters in recent weeks, inspiring hundreds of others to follow his lead. Erdem Gunduz said he wanted to take a stand against police stopping demonstrations near the square, Dogan news agency reported.

Putin faces isolation over Syria as G8 ratchets up pressure

reuters.com — Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque 1 of 15. U.S. President Barack Obama (L) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the G8 Summit at Lough Erne in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland June 17, 2013. Following an icy encounter between the Kremlin chief and U.S.

Turkey could deploy army to quell protests

reuters.com — Credit: Reuters/Dado Ruvic 1 of 17. Members of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK) take part in a protest in central Ankara, June 17, 2013. Bulent Arinc made the remarks in Ankara, where 1,000 striking trade union workers faced off briefly against police backed by several water cannon, before police retreated and the crowd left.

Pope wades diplomatically into gay marriage debate

bigstory.ap.org — VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis waded diplomatically into the gay marriage debate Friday, telling the Archbishop of Canterbury he wants to work together to promote family values "based on marriage."Francis, who vigorously opposed gay marriage in his native Argentina, and Archbishop Justin Welby chatted, prayed and had lunch together

U.S. to increase military support to Syria rebels

reuters.com — Credit: Reuters/George Ourfalian 1 of 7. Barricades are seen on a street in Aleppo's countryside, June 13, 2013. The new assessment and decision came as Assad's surging forces and their Lebanese Hezbollah allies turned their guns on the north, fighting near the northern city of Aleppo and bombarding the central city of Homs after having seized the initiative by winning the open backing of Hezbollah last month and capturing the strategic town of Qusair last week.