European financial markets rebounded in early trading on Thursday after signs of possible breakthroughs in the long-delayed formation of new governments in Italy and Greece. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has promised to step down after parliament passes tough austerity measures, appeared Thursday to endorse the man widely seen as his replacement, leading economist […]
European Stocks Rally; Possible Breakthroughs in Greece, Italy
Korean Protesters Clash With Police Over US Trade Pact
The cancelation failed to satisfy the protesters, who say they want the government to re-negotiate the agreement with Washington. Protester Kim Won-yeol said the existing bill should be scrapped completely. The government had been expected to use its majority in the legislature to push through the ratification last week. But it has repeatedly postponed a […]
India, Pakistan Expect Closer Ties from Future Talks
The prime ministers of India and Pakistan say they expect the next round of formal talks to continue bringing the two sides closer together. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Thursday the countries have wasted a lot of time on “acrimonious debates,” and that while much progress has been made in the past year, more […]
China: Dialogue Not Sanctions for Iran
China says sanctions will not “fundamentally” resolve international concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. A foreign ministry spokesman made the comments Thursday, a day after several Western powers said Tehran could face additional penalties if it refuses to cooperate with U.N. nuclear inspectors. The spokesman said Beijing favors dialogue. Britain, France and Germany raised the possibility […]
Reports: Chinese Police Kill Three AWOL Soldiers, Wound One
Chinese state media say police have killed three soldiers and wounded a fourth who fled from their base in northeast China with an assault rifle and almost 800 rounds of ammunition. The reports say at least one police officer was wounded in a gun battle with the soldiers Thursday. No motive was offered for the […]
Rescuers Search for Survivors After Deadly Turkey Quake
Rescue workers in Turkey are searching for survivors after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake killed at least seven people. Officials said Thursday 25 people have been pulled out alive after rescuers worked through the night following the quake late Wednesday in the Van region near the border with Iran. Dozens of people are believed to be trapped […]
Republican Candidates Debate Economy; Perry Stumbles
U.S. Republican presidential hopefuls debated how to fix the economy and create jobs, as they faced off in Michigan, and Texas Governor Rick Perry may have hurt his chances by struggling to answer a question. Perry failed to remember the names of all three federal agencies he has promised to eliminate. Once a front-runner in […]
Japan to Announce Decision on Joining Pacific Trade Pact
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda abruptly postponed a news conference Thursday at which he had been expected to announce that his government will join negotiations on a trans-Pacific free trade pact. Japanese news reports say the prime minister planned to announce the decision to the Japanese people Thursday and personally notify U.S. President Barack Obama […]
Amnesty Intl. Urges Shell to Clean Up Nigeria Oil Spill
Amnesty International released a report Thursday saying Shell Oil should commit $1 billion to start cleaning up two spills in southeastern Nigeria that have impacted the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and fishermen. Amnesty says British lawyers representing those affected by the oil spills in the Bodo, Ogoniland area of the Niger Delta in 2008 […]
NATO Chief Says Georgia Needs Further Reforms Before Membership
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says Georgia has made a lot of progress but still needs further reforms before being admitted to the alliance. He spoke Wednesday in the capital, Tblisi, after meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri and other officials. Rasmussen said upcoming elections in Georgia will be a key test of its […]