British Prime Minister David Cameron has set up a panel to look into allegations that British security services were involved in delivering terrorism suspects to Libya, knowing that they would be tortured. In a speech to Parliament on Monday, Mr. Cameron said the investigation will examine whether “relations between the British and Libyan security services […]
Inquiry Examines Possible British-led Renditions to Libya
US Congress Returns, Facing Major Decisions
The U.S. Congress returns this week after a month-long recess, facing major decisions on a host of economic and money-related issues. Lawmakers left Washington after a contentious summer debate over raising the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt limit, which eventually was approved. Now they face equally thorny questions about how to cut more government spending, and […]
Hundreds Protest in Swazi Capital
Hundreds of demonstrators have marched through the capital of Swaziland against the government of King Mswati III, considered Africa’s last absolute monarch. Heavy security surrounded the march in Mbabane, which is the first demonstration in what organizers say will be a planned week-long strike to press demands for better working conditions and increased pay, as […]
Russia to Start Delivering Gas To Europe Through Baltic Pipeline
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Monday that natural gas from northern Russia will start flowing through the Nord Stream pipeline straight to Germany this week. The Baltic Sea pipeline known as Nord Stream connects the city of Vyborg in northwestern Russia to the German port town of Greifswald, bypassing Ukraine. There have been numerous […]
Libyan Fighters Surround Gadhafi Stronghold
(new info grafs 5, 6, minor edits)) Reinforcements for Libyan provisional authority fighters headed Monday toward one of the last remaining strongholds of ousted leader Moammar Gadhafi. There are reports that negotiations aimed at persuading Gadhafi loyalists to peacefully surrender the desert town of Bani Walid have broken down. But there is confusion about what […]
Stock, Oil Prices Fall As Investors Worry About Growth
Stock markets declined in Europe and Asia on Monday following disappointing economic reports in the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies. Key European stock indexes plunged between three and five percent, while the closely-watched market in Hong Kong fell almost three percent. U.S. markets were closed for Monday’s Labor Day holiday, after […]
European And Asian Stocks Fall Sharply
European stock markets were sharply lower in afternoon trading. London’s Financial Times 100 index lost 3.4 percent, the CAC-40 in Paris fell 4.5 percent, and the DAX in Frankfurt plunged 5.2 percent. Earlier in Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei index dropped 1.9 percent to close at 8,784. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lost nearly three percent to […]
Ethiopia Detains 29, Including Opposition Members
The Ethiopian government says it has detained 29 people, including several opposition members, across the country on terrorism-related charges. Government spokesman Shimeles Kemal said Monday that the suspects were involved in terrorist activities. He says they are also linked to the rebel Oromo Liberation Front. Among those detained are two prominent opposition politicians arrested last […]
Artist Vann Nath, Khmer Rouge Survivor, Dies at 66
Cambodia’s Vann Nath, one of only seven survivors of a vast and notorious Khmer Rouge torture center, died Monday at age 66. The human rights icon and artist was hospitalized late last month after heart problems and has been in a coma for days. His son-in-law called his death “a big loss for the history […]
Zoellick To China: More Domestic Sales, Fewer Exports
The head of the World Bank is urging China to do more to develop its domestic market and put less reliance on investment and exports. Ending a visit to Beijing Monday, Robert Zoellick said it is “hard to see” how export-led growth will help China over the next 10 years. Bolstering the domestic demand requires […]