Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is taking his presidential campaign to South Carolina, aiming to solidify his bid to secure the Republican nomination. Romney kicks off his South Carolina campaign Wednesday fresh off a victory in Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, winning 39 percent of the vote. Texas Congressman Ron Paul finished second with 23 percent […]
Race for Republican Nomination Marches South
Russian Police Officer Killed While Defusing Bomb in Dagestan
A Russian policeman was killed and at least eight of his colleagues were wounded when a powerful bomb exploded as they were attempting to defuse it in the North Caucasus region of Dagestan. Russia’s Interior Ministry said Wednesday the bomb was found near the village of Komsomolskoye, in the northern part of Dagestan. The ministry […]
EU Heightens Pressure on Hungary for Reforms
The European Union is heightening its pressure on Hungary for reforms, saying that it has failed to effectively control its budget deficit and that its new constitution may be unlawful. EU economy minister Olli Rehn said Wednesday that the Budapest government has failed to permanently keep its deficit spending below the EU-mandated level of 3 […]
US Treasury Secretary Seeks Chinese Support for Iran Oil Sanctions
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner held talks with Chinese officials Wednesday on the U.S. push for new sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran to end its controversial nuclear program. But China gave no public hint it is willing to go along with the U.S. measures, as Geithner wrapped up a two-day visit to Beijing. Geithner met […]
Bangladesh Jails Islamist Charged With War Crimes
A tribunal has jailed the former chief of Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party while he awaits trial on war crimes charges. 89-year-old Ghulam Azam is accused of collaborating with Pakistan’s army in carrying out murders and rapes during Bangladesh’s war of independence from Pakistan. He was head of the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami party. On Wednesday, the government’s […]
Ghana Seizes Arms Believed Bound for Nigeria
Police in Ghana say they have seized a truckload of weapons believed to be headed to Nigeria, where the government is struggling to contain sectarian violence and protests over rising fuel costs. Authorities say they found double-barrel guns and ammunition inside a truck marked with the name of a soft drink company. Police say the […]
Failed Russian Spacecraft Falling Back to Earth
The failed Russian Phobos-Grunt Mars probe is falling from orbit and may hit Earth as soon as Sunday. The 13.2-ton probe was launched in November on a mission to explore the Martian moon Phobos. But the craft became stuck in orbit when its computer malfunctioned and rocket boosters failed. Russian space experts are unsure of […]
Pressure Mounts on Nigerian Government Over Fuel Prices
Thousands of Nigerians are demonstrating against soaring fuel costs for a third straight day, as the country’s main oil unions consider joining the protest. Leaders with the two main unions — one for senior staff, one for workers — said Wednesday they are discussing a possible shutdown of oil production and exports. The move could […]
Afghan Police Chief Escapes Suicide Bombing
The police chief of Afghanistan’s restive Kandahar province has escaped a suicide bombing outside his office. Authorities say the attacker entered the police station in southern Kandahar city Wednesday, posing as a resident who wanted to file a complaint. Officials say he managed to make it to the waiting room outside the office of the […]
First Drone Strike Hits Pakistan After NATO Incident
Pakistani officials say a U.S. drone strike has killed four suspected militants in the country’s northwest near the Afghan border, the first such attack in two months. The missiles hit a compound near Miran Shah, the main town in the North Waziristan tribal region, late Tuesday. Residents reported seeing the building on fire. U.S. officials […]