European police have arrested 61 people accused of involvement in “skimming” bank and credit cards. The EU police organization Europol says the ring is believed to have stolen $70 million from accounts around the world during the past nine years. Skimmers use an illegal electronic device to copy data from the magnetic strip of consumers’ […]
European Police Arrest 61 In Credit Card Fraud
Indian Prime Minister Reshuffles Cabinet
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reshuffled his cabinet Tuesday in a move aimed at tackling allegations of corruption and mismanagement. No major changes were made to the government’s top ministries such as finance, defense, foreign affairs and home affairs. Environment minister Jairam Ramesh was moved to the rural development ministry. Ramesh made waves after halting […]
More Talks Three Weeks Before US Hits Debt Limit
U.S. congressional leaders are scheduled to meet again with President Barack Obama Tuesday, with no signs of progress on a deal to reduce the deficit and raise the government’s borrowing limit. Tuesday’s talks come three weeks before the August 2 deadline, when the U.S. Treasury Department says the country will run up against the $14.3 […]
Iran, UN Watchdog Appear Deadlocked on Nuclear Dispute
Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency appear to remain deadlocked in a dispute over the Iranian nuclear program following talks between Iran’s foreign minister and the agency’s chief in Vienna. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi described Tuesday’s meeting with IAEA chief Yukio Amano as “very positive” and said both sides agreed to have […]
Lebanon Tribunal Wants Victim Participation in Hariri Case
A U.N.-backed special tribunal has offered victims of the 2005 attack that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri a chance to participate in the trial and help in seeking compensation. The tribunal issued a statement Tuesday that says people who suffered “physical, mental or material harm” from the attack can apply to take part […]
Pakistan Threatens to Pull Soldiers From Tribal Regions
Pakistan’s defense minister says if the United States cuts off $800 million in military aid, the government may recall troops fighting militants in the restive tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan. Ahmed Mukhtar told Pakistani media on Tuesday that Islamabad cannot afford to keep its soldiers out in the mountains for such a long […]
As Russia Mourns Tourist Boat Victims, Medvedev Orders Transport Safety Investigation
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a sweeping check of the nation’s transport services as the country observed a national day of mourning for more than 125 people believed killed in Sunday’s sinking of a Volga River tourist boat. Boats on the river blew a long blast of their horns at noon Tuesday to mourn […]
China’s Premier Promises to Cool Prices, Economic Fluctuations
China’s Premier Wen Jiabao has pledged to slow down inflation, but also said the government must work to avoid fluctuations in economic growth. The comments, published in state media Tuesday, indicate that the central government is worried about both growth and rapidly rising prices. State media also say Mr. Wen has pushed government agencies to […]
Europe Wrestles With Debt Crisis
Falling stock prices and rising borrowing costs showed Tuesday that investors remain skeptical of efforts to solve Europe’s debt problems. Hong Kong stocks lost three percent, while London and Tokyo were off one percent or more. In Brussels, European finance ministers have been haggling over details of a new bailout for Greece, and discussing concerns […]
Astronauts Conducting Final Spacewalk of US Shuttle Era
The final spacewalk of NASA’s 30-year shuttle program is underway. American astronauts Ron Garan and Mike Fossum stepped outside the International Space Station Tuesday to begin the walk, which should take about six and a half hours. The operation involves retrieving a broken ammonia pump from outside the space station and installing a robot used […]