The United Nations says ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan has forced about 400,000 people to flee their homes. Many are gathering near the Uzbek border in camps with no water or food. A UN humanitarian official said about 100,000 of the displaced had fled to Uzbekistan. Violence between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks began June 10 in the southern Kyrgyz cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad. Nearly 200 people have died in the violence. The UN refugee agency says the situation remains insecure in Jalal-Abad. The UN says may ethnic Uzbeks fear continued attacks. Many of the displaced are afraid to return home. Both the United States and Russia have promised aid. Both countries have air bases in Kyrgyzstan.
Israel says it is easing its blockade of the Gaza Strip. An Israeli government spokesman said the plan approved Thursday will let more goods reach Gaza. He said the plan will expand the flow of supplies for use in civilian projects under international supervision. But materials that could be used to make weapons are still banned. Both Hamas and other Palestinian leaders in the West Bank dismissed Israel's action. They said it was not enough. The United States welcomed the announcement. The State Department said the Obama administration would like more goods permitted into Gaza while Israel's security needs are met. The European Union said it is waiting for details from Israel and that more goods should be permitted into Gaza.
European Union leaders have agreed to join the United States and the United Nations in pressuring Iran because of its nuclear activities. The EU measures approved Thursday include a ban on new investment and technical assistance. They also include restrictions on the movement of technology to Iran's oil and natural gas industry. The measures are meant to put financial pressure on Iran. The United States has also taken additional steps against Iran as has the UN Security Council. Russia's Foreign Ministry criticized the EU and American action. It says the additional measures threaten efforts by the Security Council and its members to act cooperatively on Iran. Western countries believe Iran is using its nuclear program to build weapons. Iran denies the accusation.
The chief executive of BP says he feels a great deal of responsibility for the huge oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. Tony Hayward told lawmakers in Washington it is too early to know what caused the disaster. Members of a subcommittee in the House of Representatives questioned him on Thursday. They accused BP of taking dangerous measures to save time and money. Mr Hayward repeatedly said he was not part of the decision-making process. He also said he was waiting for the results of BP's own investigation. He denied that he was not cooperating with the subcommittee.
In Colombia, an explosion at a coal mine has killed at least 16 workers. Many more are feared dead at the San Fernando mine in the northwestern province of Antioquia. More than 70 people were reported to be in the mine at the time of the explosion. Officials believe that a buildup of methane gas was the possible cause of the explosion.
A federal jury has brought charges against Faisal Shahzad for last month's failed car bombing in New York City's Times Square. The Justice Department announced the charges Thursday. The crimes include attempted use of a weapon of great destruction and several terrorism and weapons charges. Mr Shahzad could face life in prison if found guilty. The 30-year-old man was arrested May 3 after police connected him to a vehicle containing a bomb. Mr Shahzad was born in Pakistan but is a United States citizen.
In the western state of Utah, a man sentenced to death for murder is expected to be executed by gunfire early Friday. Ronnie Lee Gardner will be the third person since 1976 to be put to death in the United States by a firing squad. Gardner chose the execution method before Utah banned it in 2004. On Thursday, Utah Governor Gary Herbert refused Gardner's request to delay the execution until he had another hearing. Gardner's lawyer has appealed to the Supreme Court to delay his execution. Gardner was sentenced to death for killing a lawyer in 1985 when he attempted to escape from a courthouse.
Top United States officials have urged the Senate to approve a new nuclear arms agreement with Russia. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the United States can withdraw from the agreement at any time. She also said Russia could also withdraw if it feels threatened by United States missile defenses. Ms Clinton said the agreement would help American efforts to control illegal nuclear weapon. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told the Senate committee that the agreement in no way limits the nation's missile defense plans. A United Nations diplomat to Burma has called on the government to release democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. A UN working group ruled for the sixth time that there is no cause for her detention. On Thursday, Tomás Ojea Quintana said Burma should answer UN calls for Aung San Suu Kyi's release. She has been detained for 14 of the past 20 years. Mr Quintana also called on Burma to release all political prisoners before planned elections this year. He said this would create conditions for a fair election process.
