The White House has indicated that President Barack Obama will not accept an invitation to meet Thursday with Senate Republicans on the deficit and debt. Presidential spokesman Jay Carney says the White House already knows what the Republican position is on the issue. The top Senate Republican, Mitch McConnell, invited the president to Capitol Hill […]
White House Rebuffs Republican Invitation on Debt Talks
Russia: France May Have Violated UN Arms Embargo on Libya
Russia says France may have violated a U.N. arms embargo on Libya by air-dropping weapons to rebels fighting troops loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi earlier this month. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday Moscow has asked Paris to explain the arms drop to rebels in Libya’s Western Mountains region. He says that if […]
EU Court Convicts Kosovo Albanian of Terrorism
A European Union court in Kosovo has convicted a Kosovo Albanian of terrorism and sentenced him to 10 years in prison. European authorities said Thursday the court found Asim Sopa, a member of the Albanian National Army, guilty of firing a rocket at the Pristina offices of a United Nations prosecutor in 2003. The U.N., […]
US Stocks Rise
U.S. stock market indexes rose in Thursday’s midday trading, as progress on the Greek debt issue encouraged investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.2 percent, the S&P 500 rose one percent and the NASDAQ gained 1.2 percent. European stock markets were higher at the close of trading. London’s Financial Times 100 index gained 1.5 […]
UN Warns of Deepening Food Crisis in Somalia
The United Nations says a food crisis in Somalia is rapidly growing due to rising food prices and an ongoing drought in the region. The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, warned Wednesday that many may die of malnutrition unless something is done to address the problem. Bowden said food prices in Somalia have […]
Former Top Officials in Kabul Bank Scandal Under Arrest
Afghanistan is going after former officials linked to a massive banking scandal that has jeopardized tens of millions of dollars in foreign aid. Deputy Attorney General Rahmatullah Nazari said Thursday authorities have arrested the former chairman and former chief executive at Kabul Bank, the country’s biggest private lender. He refused to share the specific charges […]
China Opens World’s Longest Sea Bridge
China opened the world’s longest cross-sea bridge Thursday. The 36-kilometer Jiaozhou Bay Bridge stretches from China’s eastern port city of Qingdao to the island district of Huangdao. Chinese media say the bridge – touted as the longest of its kind – cost more than $2.3 billion. The official Xinhua news agency says the bridge will […]
Thai Voters Choose New Parliament Sunday
Thai voters go to the polls Sunday to choose a new parliament. Here are some key facts about the election: The Main Candidates: Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva: The Oxford educated Mr. Abhisit enjoys strong backing from the Thai military and the country’s royalist elite. He was appointed prime minister in 2008, following two years of […]
Republican Invites Obama to Capitol for Debt Talks
The top Senate Republican has invited the president to Capitol Hill to discuss stalled efforts on cutting the government deficit and raising the U.S. debt ceiling to prevent a default on the nation’s loans. Mitch McConnell said Thursday that President Barack Obama should hear directly from Republican lawmakers about why the president’s call to eliminate […]
Report: US Drone Targets Militants in Somalia
A Washington newspaper reports that a U.S. drone aircraft fired on two leaders of Somalia’s al-Shabab militant group last week, apparently wounding them. The Washington Post based its report on an unnamed senior military official familiar with the operation. The official said the drone strike was carried out amid concerns that al-Shabab is working more […]