Australia’s parliament moved forward Thursday on a landmark scheme to remove trademarks and advertising from cigarette packages, defying threats of a multi-billion-dollar legal challenge from tobacco companies. The upper house approved the bill and sent it back to the lower chamber for routine approval of several minor amendments. The law, which mandates that cigarettes be […]
Australia Advances Cigarette Bill, Defying Threats From Big Tobacco
Posted November 10th, 2011 at 8:15 am (UTC-5)
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Russia Clears Key WTO Hurdle
Posted November 10th, 2011 at 7:50 am (UTC-5)
A World Trade Organization panel has approved a package of proposed reforms for Russia, clearing the way for the country to join the group after 18 years of negotiations. The WTO said Thursday that Russia’s bid will now go before a meeting of all 153 members in December, where it is expected to get final […]
European Stocks Rally; Possible Breakthroughs in Greece, Italy
Posted November 10th, 2011 at 7:40 am (UTC-5)
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 […]
Korean Protesters Clash With Police Over US Trade Pact
Posted November 10th, 2011 at 7:20 am (UTC-5)
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
Posted November 10th, 2011 at 7:05 am (UTC-5)
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
Posted November 10th, 2011 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
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
Posted November 10th, 2011 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
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
Posted November 10th, 2011 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
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
Posted November 10th, 2011 at 6:20 am (UTC-5)
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
Posted November 10th, 2011 at 6:00 am (UTC-5)
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 […]
