Nation & World Digest

US aid cuts hit democracy groups

CAIRO

President Barack Obama has dramatically cut funds to promote democracy in Egypt, a shift that could affect everything from anti-corruption programs to the monitoring of elections.

Washington’s cuts over the past year — amounting to around 50 percent — have drawn accusations that the Obama administration is easing off reform pressure on the autocratic government of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to ensure its support on Mideast policy, including the peace process with Israel.

“Obama wants change that won’t make the Egyptian government angry,” said Ahmed Samih, head of a Cairo-based organization that in 2005 used U.S. funds to monitor parliament elections. “And in the Egyptian context, that means there will be no change.”

Suicide bomber kills 7 in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD

A suicide bomber rammed a truck loaded with explosives into a police station in northwestern Pakistan on Sunday, killing a child and six other civilians, police said. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility.

The attack was the second this weekend in the Kohat area, illustrating the resilient nature of militant networks in Pakistan despite army offensives targeting their sanctuaries along the Afghan border.

At least 26 people were wounded, including six police, officials said.

Survivors, families observe anniversary

OKLAHOMA CITY

Survivors and family members of those who died in the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building will gather at its former site today to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the deadliest domestic terrorist attack in U.S. history.

Hundreds of people are expected at the Oklahoma City National Memorial to remember the 168 people who were killed in the April 19, 1995, explosion at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. More than 600 others were injured in the attack that caused hundreds of millions of dollars of damage in parts of downtown Oklahoma City.

NASA to astronauts: Rain delays likely

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

NASA warned space shuttle Discovery’s astronauts Sunday to expect rain delays as they wrapped up their two-week mission and got ready to come home.

Discovery and its crew of seven were scheduled to land this morning at NASA’s Florida spaceport.

Hard-liner wins election in Cyprus

NICOSIA, Cyprus

Hard-line challenger Dervis Eroglu won a key Turkish Cypriot leadership election Sunday, vowing to continue peace talks amid fears his victory could grind reunification negotiations with the Greek Cypriots to a halt and scuttle Turkey’s bid for European Union membership.

Eroglu won just enough votes for an outright victory, with 50.38 percent, compared to leftist incumbent Mehmet Ali Talat’s 42.85 percent, according to results on the Turkish Cypriot High Electoral Board’s Web site.

Iran demands that Israel joins NPT

TEHRAN, Iran

An Iranian-hosted international disarmament conference concluded Sunday with a demand that Israel join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to assure a nuclear weapons-free Middle East.

The two-day conference followed closely behind a 47-nation nuclear security conference hosted by President Barack Obama in Washington last week, which excluded Iran and nuclear-armed North Korea.

Associated Press