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Merkel thanks Gorbachev on Berlin Wall anniversary for making change possible in East Germany

Merkel thanks Gorbachev on Berlin Wall anniversary

Germany celebrates day Berlin Wall collapsed, paving the way for reunification

Germany celebrates fall of Berlin Wall

BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel has joined former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and other luminaries at what was once a fortified border crossing — retracing her steps on the night 20 years ago that the Berlin Wall fell.

Kenyan attorney general explores possible legal action against US for revoking his travel visa

Kenyan attorney mulls legal action against US

Diplomats expelled in deepening row; Australia warns of ‘coup culture’ in the Pacific

Pacific diplomatic row deepens

SUVA, Fiji — New Zealand and Australia expelled Fiji’s top diplomats Wednesday after the military-ruled nation threw out their emissaries, and the Australian leader vowed to stay tough on Fiji to prevent a coup culture from spreading.

Guinean hunger strike protesters released from custody after being forced to eat by military

Guinea protesters freed after being forced to eat

African Union imposes travel bans, asset freezes on Guinea’s military junta

AU to impose sanctions on Guinea’s leaders

European Union set to slap sanctions, arms embargo on Guinea’s military regime next week

BRUSSELS — The European Union is preparing to impose an arms embargo and visa ban to punish Guinea’s military rulers for a massacre at a pro-democracy rally, an official said Thursday, in the latest effort to step up international pressure on the junta.

Tibet receives record number of tourists in 2009 despite travel bans after last year’s riots

BEIJING — Tibet received a record 4.75 million tourists in the first nine months of this year, state media reported Wednesday, marking a rebound from ethnic rioting and security clampdowns last year that shut the Himalayan region to travelers.

New, tougher Iran sanctions could strengthen hold of country’s elite Revolutionary Guard

CAIRO — Tougher sanctions against Iran that the U.S. and its allies are considering to pressure it over its nuclear program might only strengthen its hard-line president and the Revolutionary Guard, boosting the elite force’s economic and political muscle, experts warn.

Senator says Cuba travel policy leading to canceled orchestra trip is ‘outrageous’

WASHINGTON — U.S. restrictions on travel to Cuba that led to the New York Philharmonic calling off a trip to the communist country are outrageous and should be ended, a senator who has long called for lifting trade and travel restraints said Monday.

US voices concern over Turkmenistan’s bid to stop students traveling to foreign universities

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — The United States expressed its concern Monday over efforts by Turkmenistan to prevent students from traveling to U.S.-linked universities.

Cuba says civil defense system, free health care _ not vaccine _ keys to containing swine flu

HAVANA — Cuba is ready to use just about everything at its disposal, from its well-oiled civil defense system to the soldiers of a totalitarian government, to keep swine flu cases to a minimum.

US Senator’s spokesman says Honduran leader vowed liberties to be restored by or on Monday

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — A spokesman for a U.S. Senator says the interim president of Honduras vowed that civil liberties would be restored in the troubled Central American country no later than Monday.

Conservative US lawmakers visit Honduras leaders, highlighting Washington divide over coup

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduras’ coup-installed president told a U.S. congressional delegation Friday that full civil liberties would be restored within days, a spokesman for one of the lawmakers said following a meeting that challenged Washington’s attempts to isolate the interim government.

NY Philharmonic postpones plans for Cuba tour, citing US travel restrictions for patrons

NEW YORK — The New York Philharmonic is postponing a planned trip to Cuba, citing U.S. travel restrictions that prevent patrons from going on the historic journey to the communist country.

Honduras gives Brazil 10 days to resolve standoff at embassy, where Zelaya seeking refuge

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduras is giving Brazil 10 days to decide what to do with ousted President Manuel Zelaya, who has been inside the Brazilian Embassy since sneaking back into the country last week.

US ambassador: Kenyan officials blocking political reforms face travel ban

NAIROBI, Kenya — The United States will impose travel bans on Kenyan ministers and other prominent people blocking government reforms aimed at preventing political violence, the American ambassador to Kenya said Thursday.

China bans foreign tourists from Tibet ahead of Beijing celebrations

BEIJING — China has banned foreign tourists from traveling to Tibet ahead of a parade in the capital to mark 60 years of Communist rule, an official said Tuesday, amid stepped-up security across the country to ensure nothing mars the celebrations.

Obama says Juanes Havana concert doesn’t hurt, but carries no US stamp of approval

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says cultural diplomacy with Cuba can be helpful to a point.

Honduras: US revokes visas of 16 interim officials in addition to those of Micheletti

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — A Honduran official says the United States has taken away the diplomatic and tourist visas of 16 interim government officials.

Honduras’ interim president says US revoked his visa in response to coup, but no hard feelings

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Washington has revoked the visas of Honduras’ interim president and 17 other top officials to pressure the Central American nation to reinstate ousted leader Manuel Zelaya, Honduras’ government said Saturday.

Honduras’ interim president says US has revoked his visa in response to June 28 coup

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduras’ interim president says the United States has taken away his diplomatic and tourist visas to protest the June 28 coup.

Industry pushes new visitor, industry fees to attract international travelers

WASHINGTON — Members of Congress would like to attract more international travelers to the United States, but the welcome mat would come with a $10 price tag.

UNICEF protests expulsion of spokesman from Sri Lanka, rejects allegations of bias

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The United Nations children’s agency expressed concern Tuesday about Sri Lanka’s decision to expel its spokesman and rejected allegations that it was biased against the government during the recently ended 25-year civil war.

United States terminates aid to Honduras over Zelaya ouster, urges return to democratic rule

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduras’ coup-installed government dug in its heels after Washington cut off millions of dollars in aid to the Central American nation, vowing that ousted President Manuel Zelaya would not return to power despite increasing international pressure.

Tough talk on possible Iran sanctions as Western deadline for negotiations looms

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — There is no shortage of warnings that September could be a very bumpy month for Iran.

US, Cuba to begin talks on resuming long-suspended direct postal links

WASHINGTON — The United States and Cuba will start talks this month on resuming direct mail service between the two countries for the first time in nearly half a century as the Obama administration continues to try to engage the communist island, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

US says Gitmo prisoner sent to Portugal was Syrian who complained of harsh conditions, abuse

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Guantanamo inmate who said the prison’s harsh conditions drove him to attempt suicide has been sent to Portugal, the U.S. said in court documents.

In Cuba, Richardson says travel ban should end; to relay observations to Obama ‘as a citizen’

SAN FRANCISCO DE PAULA, Cuba — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Wednesday that he’s just a governor on a trade mission and carries no message from the U.S. government as he visits Cuba this week. But he does plan to report his impressions to President Barack Obama.