Former Chinese political prisoner detained ahead of 1989 Tiananmen protest anniversary

BEIJING — A former Chinese political prisoner has been detained just days before the 20th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests, a human rights group said Tuesday.

Anti-abortion groups fear political backlash to doctor’s murder may hurt their cause

NEW YORK — Anti-abortion leaders voiced concern Sunday that the Obama administration and other Democrats may try to capitalize on the murder of Dr. George Tiller to defuse the abortion issue in upcoming Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

Anti-abortion groups fear political backlash to doctor’s slaying may hurt their cause

NEW YORK — Anti-abortion leaders are deeply worried that the Obama administration and other Democrats may try to capitalize on the slaying of Dr. George Tiller to defuse the abortion issue in upcoming Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

Bahrain Shiites demands for equality mired in Mideast cold war between Sunnis and Iran

MANAMA, Bahrain — It seemed like a moment of reconciliation in this Gulf island nation’s bitter sectarian divide, when Sunni Muslim rulers suddenly released a group of jailed Shiite activists. Shiites, who days before had been burning tires in protests, cheered in the streets.

Secret tapes basis for memoir of ousted Chinese leader sympathetic to Tiananmen protesters

BEIJING — It took hours of secret recordings and years of clandestine planning to get the material smuggled out and translated.

Russian lesbian couple denied marriage license ahead of banned gay pride parade in Moscow

MOSCOW — Supporters considered it a historic moment: two radiant women applied for a marriage license in a Moscow government office, claiming to be the first same-sex female couple to try to marry in Russia.

Fidel Castro defends Cuba’s state-controlled press; says rich control news in other countries

HAVANA — Fidel Castro defended Cuba’s government-controlled press Friday, arguing that news coverage is manipulated by those wealthy enough to finance newsgathering even in countries guaranteeing press freedom.

Amnesty: A year into Medvedev’s presidency human rights in Russia have not improved

MOSCOW — Rising attacks against rights activists and journalists in Russia as well as ongoing violence in southern regions show little has been done to improve human rights since President Dmitry Medvedev came to power a year ago, Amnesty International said Thursday.

Judge frees Zimbabwean rights activist, 14 others, reversing previous day’s decision

HARARE, Zimbabwe — A judge has ordered Zimbabwean rights activist Jestina Mukoko and 14 others freed on bail, reversing her decision of a day earlier that sparked outrage among rights activists and politicians in this country and abroad.

Russian gay rights activists plan parade before Eurovision Song Contest final

MOSCOW — Russian gay rights activists announced plans Tuesday to hold a parade hours before this month’s finals of the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow, potentially setting the stage for a confrontation with city authorities and extremists.

Russian gay activists plan parade ahead of Eurovision song contest final in Moscow

MOSCOW — Russian gay-rights activists say they plan to hold a march and rally May 16 before the final night of the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow.

Sick Gazans trapped, denied treatment in latest round of Hamas-Fatah power struggle

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hundreds of Palestinian patients have been trapped in the Gaza Strip, unable to travel abroad for crucial treatment for cancer and other diseases, because of political infighting between Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers and their Palestinian rivals.

Struggle for survival: Yemen’s ancient Jewish community feels growing Muslim hostility

KHARIF, Yemen — In this village in northern Yemen, where a kosher butcher slaughters chickens and the school bus carries young boys in side curls along a dirt track to their Hebrew studies, one of the oldest Jewish communities in the Arab world is fighting for its survival.

US Marine leaves Philippines after appeals court overturns his rape conviction

MANILA, Philippines — A U.S. Marine whose rape conviction was overturned by the Philippine appeals court has left the country, the U.S. Embassy said Friday.

Raul Castro seems ready to talk to Washington, but Fidel dampens hopes of improved relations

HAVANA — Raul Castro seems ready to discuss improving relations with Washington. Brother Fidel is clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

45 years after Freedom Summer, Miss. quietly gets rid of laws meant to thwart civil rights

JACKSON, Miss. — While researching a case, attorney Ed Blackmon stumbled across leftovers of Mississippi’s segregationist past — laws enacted to discourage the fight for equal rights for blacks.