Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko testified against ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in her abuse of power trial in Kyiv Wednesday, while her supporters chanted “Shame! Shame!” Mr. Yushchenko testified that the natural gas agreement Ms. Tymoshenko signed with Russia in 2009 was a bad financial deal for Ukraine, saying that Ms. Tymoshenko traded national interests […]
Former Ukrainian President Testifies at Tymoshenko Trial
Turkey, Israel Refuse to Budge on Flotilla Dispute
Turkey’s prime minister says ties between his country and Israel will not improve unless Israel apologizes for the 2010 raid on ships trying to reach the Gaza Strip that resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish activists. The statement came just hours after Israeli officials said Israel’s prime minister informed the U.S. he will not […]
Indian PM Criticizes Anti-Corruption Activist as Protests Swell
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is criticizing a hunger strike by a leading anti-corruption activist as misconceived, while fresh protests sweep across India for a second day. Thousands marched through the center of New Delhi on Wednesday, shouting slogans in support of Anna Hazare. Similar demonstrations were held in the country’s financial hub, Mumbai, and […]
Syrian Forces Launch New Raids
Activists say Syrian security forces have detained dozens of people in Latakia — a day after the government announced it was withdrawing its military from the port city. State-run media had announced the pullout after a four-day operation to crush dissent. But the activists said there were more arrests Wednesday, with security forces conducting house-to-house […]
Biden Visits China Amid Anxiety Over US Debt
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in China Wednesday evening for a five-day visit aimed at delivering assurances about the U.S. economy and building ties to the next generation of Chinese leaders. China has expressed concern about the recent deal to raise the U.S. debt ceiling saying it did not do enough to trim the […]
Officials: Obama to Present Proposals on Jobs, Deficit
White House officials say U.S. President Barack Obama will present new plans to create jobs and cut the budget deficit early next month, after he and Congress return from summer vacations. They say Mr. Obama will likely call for tax cuts, infrastructure investment and help for the long-term unemployed. Mr. Obama has hinted about new […]
Uganda Police Fire Tear Gas on Opposition Rally
Ugandan police fired tear gas and water cannons Wednesday to disperse an opposition rally, called to remember people killed in protests earlier this year. Witnesses say several hundred people had gathered for the rally in a suburb of the capital, Kampala. But they say police moved in soon after the event started and broke up […]
Nepal Reaffirms Support for China
Nepalese leaders have reaffirmed support for China, saying the Himalayan nation will not allow anti-Chinese activities on its soil. More than 20,000 Tibetan exiles are living in Nepal, after a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule. Nepal has prohibited demonstrations by Tibetan exiles and cracked down on such gatherings in recent years as part of […]
Opposition Coalition Formed in Yemen
Anti-government activists in Yemen have met in Sana’a to elect a “national council” that will explore ways of taking power from President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The meeting in the capital Wednesday comes a day after Mr. Saleh announced that he would be returning soon from Saudi Arabia. The French News Agency says the various opposition […]
Former Soviet Leader Gorbachev Says Russia in “Going Backwards”
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has criticized the Russian government and expressed sadness that the country is “going backwards” nearly two decades after the coup that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Speaking Wednesday, two days ahead of the 20th anniversary of the coup that ousted him, Mr. Gorbachev said Russia needs free […]