A long-time U.S. senator, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, is now third in the line of presidential succession in the country. Leahy, a Democrat who has served in the Senate since 1975, was sworn in Tuesday as the president pro tempore in the upper chamber of Congress. It is a largely ceremonial position he is assuming […]
US: Veteran Senator Now Third in Presidential Succession
Russia Sends Warships to Mediterranean, Eyes Syria Evacuation
Russia has sent warships to the Mediterranean after some of its senior diplomats said last week that Moscow may call for the evacuation of Russian citizens in Syria if the government in Damascus falls. The Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday that ships from its Baltic Fleet would replace other vessels that have been patrolling the […]
US Leaders Edging Closer on ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Compromise
U.S. leaders are edging closer to a compromise on contentious end-of-year mandates for sharp spending cuts in key government programs and tax increases for almost all American workers. Significant hurdles remain to a deal, but the outlines of an agreement seemed to be emerging Tuesday, even as U.S. President Barack Obama and his Republican opponents […]
Six Polio Workers Killed in Pakistan
Pakistani officials say unidentified gunmen have killed six workers involved in United Nations-backed polio vaccination efforts in two different cities. Police say four female workers were killed in a series of coordinated attacks in the port city of Karachi Tuesday, a day after a male volunteer working on the joint local government-World Health Organization project […]
Schools Reopen in US Town Where Mass Shooting Occurred
Students in Newtown, Connecticut, returned to school Tuesday, in the small northeastern town still reeling from one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history. Schools opened two hours late as parents, educators and police hoped to resume some normalcy four days after a gunman opened fired at an elementary school, killing 20 students and […]
Fresh Protests in Egypt Against Islamist-Backed Constitution
Egypt’s main opposition coalition has launched new protests against a contentious Islamist-backed draft constitution that is set to go to a second round of voting on Saturday. Demonstrators gathered Tuesday outside half a dozen Cairo mosques, as the National Salvation Front staged multiple marches towards the presidential palace and Tahrir Square. Opponents say the proposed […]
Russia, Ukraine Postpone Gas Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych have postponed talks in which they were to discuss a new deal on natural gas supplies and stronger economic ties. Officials on both sides said Tuesday more time was needed to prepare documents they planned to sign. The meeting was meant to resolve a gas pricing […]
US Leaders Edging Closer on ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Compromise
U.S. leaders are edging closer to a compromise on contentious end-of-year mandates for sharp spending cuts in key government programs and tax increases for almost all American workers. Significant hurdles remain to a deal, but the outlines of an agreement seemed to be emerging Tuesday, even as U.S. President Barack Obama and his Republican opponents […]
US Leaders Edging Closer on ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Compromise
U.S. leaders are edging closer to a compromise on contentious end-of-year mandates for sharp spending cuts in key government programs and tax increases for almost all American workers. Significant hurdles remain to a deal, but the outlines of an agreement seemed to be emerging Tuesday, even as U.S. President Barack Obama and his Republican opponents […]
Iraqi President in ‘Stable’ Condition After Stroke
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is reported to be in “critical but stable condition” after having been hospitalized for a stroke. Mr. Talabani’s office said he was taken to a Baghdad hospital late Monday and that the 79-year-old president remained under intensive medical supervision after treatment for blocked arteries. The Iraqi president has dealt with several […]