The United States is imposing new sanctions in an attempt to crack down on human rights abuses by Iran’s security forces. The U.S. State and Treasury departments announced the move Thursday, freezing assets of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Basij Resistance Force and the Law Enforcement Forces , also called Iran’s national police. The […]
US Hits Iran with New Sanctions, Targets Police
Suicide Bomber Attacks Mogadishu Port
Somali police say a suicide bomber has attacked the main port in the capital, Mogadishu, killing at least one civilian and also losing his own life. Authorities say the attacker and another man penetrated a security wall on Thursday. Police say the first man detonated explosives he was wearing, killing himself and another person. Security […]
Greek Anger Rises as Economy Teeters
Angry Greeks are taking to the streets, demanding the government back off plans to save the economy by privatizing their government jobs. Thousands of workers from state-run companies walked off their jobs Thursday, protesting in downtown Athens ahead of a key Cabinet meeting. Prime Minister George Papandreou and his ministers are to approve new austerity […]
French IMF Candidate Voices Satisfaction After Beijing Talks
French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde says she is “very satisfied” after two days of talks with Chinese leaders about her bid to become managing director of the International Monetary Fund. Lagarde spoke to reporters in Beijing Thursday following meetings with Vice Premier Wang Qishan, central bank chief Zhou Xiaochuan, and other senior officials. She said […]
Clashes Lead to Arrests in Spain Protests
Demonstrators frustrated with Spain’s high unemployment and corruption clashed with police Thursday in the eastern city of Valencia, leaving several people injured. Police arrested five protesters, who had gathered in front of the city’s parliament where newly elected lawmakers were to start work. The regional leader is facing charges of corruption. The demonstration was part […]
US Defense Nominee Outlines War, Budget Priorities
The nominee for U.S. defense secretary, Leon Panetta, says his first task at the Pentagon will be to ensure the U.S. prevails in the conflicts it is engaged in, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. Panetta, who currently heads the Central Intelligence Agency, testified Thursday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination. Panetta […]
Vegetable Ban Overtakes Russia-EU Summit as Death Toll Rises
Russian officials are refusing to back down on a total ban on all vegetables from the European Union as the continent’s E. coli outbreak claims more victims. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and other top officials are hosting top EU officials for a two-day summit in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod starting Thursday. Russia outraged […]
US Stocks Rise
U.S. stock market indexes rose in Thursday’s early trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 rose six-tenths of a percent and the NASDAQ gained three-tenths of a percent. European stock markets were higher in afternoon trading. London’s Financial Times 100 index gained seven-tenths of a percent, the CAC-40 in Paris moved up […]
International Donors Pledge Millions to Libyan Rebels
Libyan rebels are seeking hundreds of millions of dollars from international envoys meeting in the United Arab Emirates to plan a national destiny without Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Italy — Libya’s former colonial ruler — pledged nearly $600 million for Libyan rebels during the Thursday meeting. The aid would include loans and fuel products to […]
World Powers Condemn Iran’s Nuclear Enrichment Expansion Plans
World powers meeting in Vienna to discuss global atomic issues have criticized Iran for proposed moves this week to accelerate its capability to produce nuclear fuel. Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States expressed their concerns in a joint statement Thursday to a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35-member board of […]