Debt-ridden Greece is facing a final decision whether to adopt steep new austerity measures to ease its precarious financial state and avoid a default on its loans next month. Greek lawmakers representing socialist, conservative and far-right political parties met Wednesday to consider a 50-page plan negotiated with the country’s international creditors. It would cut Greece’s […]
Greek Lawmakers Deciding Whether to Accept New Austerity Pact
Syrian Troops Pound Homs as Russia Warns Against Intervention
Syrian troops are continuing their assault on the protest hub of Homs, reportedly killing dozens of civilians, as Russia said the world faces a growing “cult of violence” in international affairs and warned the West against outside intervention in Syria. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces used tanks, rockets and mortars […]
Maldives Protesters Clash with Police After Leader Ousted
Supporters of the former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, clashed with police Wednesday, a day after an alleged coup forced his resignation. Mr. Nasheed, the country’s first democratically elected president, told supporters Wednesday that he was forced from office in a coup and that the new President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, his former second-in-command, should […]
India’s Most Populous State Votes in Key Election
Millions of people are heading to the polls in India’s most populous state, in a month-long election that pits a powerful low caste leader against the ruling Congress Party with repercussions that could affect the entire country. Analysts expect the seven-stage election to be a major national test for the ruling party, which has been […]
Ousted Maldives President Claims Threats Forced Resignation
The ousted president of the Maldives says threats of violence forced him to resign and that new President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, the former vice president, should immediately step down. Mohamed Nasheed told his supporters Wednesday that he was forced from office in a coup. He urged the country’s judiciary to investigate those responsible for his […]
Pakistan, NATO Hold Border Talks Following Deadly Attack
Pakistani military and NATO officials are holding talks on border security after last November’s cross-border coalition attack that killed 24 Pakistani troops. That attack brought relations between the United States and Pakistan to a new low and prompted Pakistan to block NATO supply routes into Afghanistan. The Pakistani army said Wednesday’s talks were taking place […]
Report Says Somali Piracy Costs $7 Billion Per Year
A new report says Somali piracy cost the world economy nearly $7 billion last year, most of it spent to protect ships from hijackings. The report, from the U.S.-based One Earth Future foundation, said Somali pirates command an average ransom of $5 million per ship. But it says ransoms were only a small fraction of […]
Santorum Pulls Off Major Wins in Three Republican Nominating Contests
Rick Santorum’s campaign for the U.S. Republican Party’s presidential nomination received a major boost with victories in Tuesday’s nominating contests in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado. With most of the returns counted, the former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania won the Minnesota caucuses with 45 percent of the vote. U.S. Representative Ron Paul came in second with […]
Chinese Politician Goes on Leave for ‘Stress’ Amid Speculation
A high-profile politician in southwest China is reported to have suddenly gone on leave, amid rampant speculation about a possible political scandal involving a rising star in the Communist leadership. The Chongqing city government said Wednesday that Wang Lijun was undergoing “vacation-style treatment” because of “long-term overwork, a high level of mental stress and physical […]
UN: Hunger Crisis Worsening in South Sudan
The United Nations says ongoing conflict and a weak harvest in South Sudan have put millions of people on the brink of a severe hunger crisis. A joint report released Wednesday by the World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says the number of food-insecure people in South Sudan has risen […]