Obama to attend alliance of civilizations meeting in Istanbul, says UN's Ban

UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon yesterday confirmed that the US President Barack Obama will attend the Alliance of Civilizations meeting early next month in Istanbul. Ban, who spoke with Obama, said this will be the first time the US has attended a meeting of the alliance and that its goal is to develop understanding between different cultures and religions in the world. While in Istanbul, Obama will reportedly also meet with Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos.