Beijing lashes back over Obama World Press Freedom Day speech naming detained journalists

September 30th, 2009 China launches probe into imports of US chickenBEIJING — China on Sunday started investigating complaints that American chicken products are being dumped in China and are unfairly benefiting from subsidies, adding to a string of trade disputes with Washington. The Commerce Ministry said the probe was launched Sunday on broiler products and chicken products, following requests by Chinese companies to investigate the U.S.

September 29th, 2009 HARRY POTTER author J.K. ROWLING was refused a top civilian honour by former U.S.

August 19th, 2009 Obama to appear in back-to-school programWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will appear in a back-to-school television special with singer Kelly Clarkson and basketball star LeBron James next month. Obama is appearing in a 30-minute documentary that will air at 8 p.m.

August 8th, 2009 Exiled Uighur activist say she is 'woman of peace'MELBOURNE, Australia —An exiled Uighur activist whom Beijing blames for recent deadly riots in China said Saturday that she is a "woman of peace," as she attended an Australian film festival for the screening of a documentary about her life. Rebiya Kadeer, a U.S.-based activist who has denied instigating last month's ethnic violence in western Xinjiang province, was escorted into the sold-out screening of "10 Conditions of Love" at the Melbourne International Film Festival through a back entrance as a small group of protesters demonstrated nearby.

August 4th, 2009 NKorean media says Clinton arrives in PyongyangSEOUL, South Korea — North Korea's state news agency says former U.S. President Bill Clinton has arrived in Pyongyang, following reports that he's headed there to win the release of two detained American journalists.

August 4th, 2009 Iran TV: Detained Americans propaganda toolTEHRAN, Iran — Iranian state television says that issue of the Americans who strayed into Iran is being used as propaganda against the Islamic republic. The Arabic language Al-Alam also quoted the deputy governor of Iranian Kurdistan province that the three American hikers are being held on the outskirts of Marivan district and an investigation is underway.

July 7th, 2009 Obama's speech not widely seen on TV in RussiaMOSCOW — President Barack Obama's speech to a graduating class of Moscow college students Tuesday was not widely available for the Russian people to see on television. Obama's speech at the New Economic School was being televised live on 24-hour news channel Vesti, but not on any of the main, more widely watched Russian TV channels like First Channel, Rossiya, or NTV.

July 2nd, 2009 Obama says he grew up listening to Michael JacksonWASHINGTON — The King of Pop had a fan in the White House. President Barack Obama described himself as a longtime follower of Michael Jackson, the legendary performer who died June 25 at age 50.

June 30th, 2009 Journalists briefly detained by troops in HondurasTEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduran troops detained seven international journalists covering the aftermath of a military coup Monday, freeing them unhurt a short time later. The government also took at least two television stations off the air and interrupted the broadcasts of others.

June 23rd, 2009 Obama girls get San Francisco cable car treatSAN FRANCISCO — The daughters of President Barack Obama have helped inaugurate something new in San Francisco. While their mom, Michelle Obama, was helping volunteers build a school playground Monday, Malia and Sasha Obama were among the first passengers on a new cable car making its maiden runs in the city.

June 17th, 2009 Media watchdog urges Gambia to free journalistsBANJUL, Gambia — A media watchdog group is calling on Gambia to release seven journalists detained this week after criticizing the nation's president, who has ruled the tiny country since a 1994 coup. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement late Tuesday the detainees include the head of the West African nation's press union and newspapermen who together criticized President Yahya Jammeh over the unsolved 2004 murder of local newspaper editor Deyda Hydara.

June 17th, 2009 Obama: Unnamed TV network attacks White HouseWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says one television network is "entirely devoted to attacking my administration." Obama didn't name the network during an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, but his administration has often taken issue with Fox News. When the interviewer asked if Obama meant Fox News, the president didn't respond.

May 9th, 2009 Chance for Obama to jab at DC's establishmentWASHINGTON — It's a chance for President Barack Obama to jab at the Washington establishment and perhaps chide his critics. The forum is the White House Correspondents' Association's annual black-tie dinner Saturday night, which attracts a mix of politicians, celebrities and journalists.

May 5th, 2009 An Obama bump for lucky novelistNEW YORK — The Obama book bump has struck again. President Obama told The New York Times during a recent interview that he has been reading Joseph O'Neill's "Netherland," a highly praised novel about cricket, marriage and living in a post 9/11 world.

May 3rd, 2009 Girardi lashes out at A-Rod bookNEW YORK — Joe Girardi is already sick of an unflattering biography of Alex Rodriguez, and the book isn't even out yet. The New York Yankees manager lashed out at Sports Illustrated writer Selena Roberts' upcoming bio "A-Rod" before Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.