Uncertainty is gripping world financial markets, after elections in Greece and France raised concerns about the future of austerity measures to help rescue Europe’s debt-ridden governments and its ailing economies. Key Asian markets fell sharply, with Japan’s Nikkei index closed down 2.8 percent and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng off 2.6 percent. The Athens stock exchange […]
Uncertainty Grips World Financial Markets in Wake of European Elections
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 10:10 am (UTC-5)
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France Elects New President
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 9:35 am (UTC-5)
France’s new president-elect, Francois Hollande, has begun the work of forming a new government following his win in Sunday’s runoff election. Final results Monday show Mr. Hollande won 51.6 percent of the vote to Nicolas Sarkozy’s 48.4 percent. The 57-year-old former leader of France’s Socialist Party will assume office on May 15. The vote reflected […]
Activists: Syrians Boycott ‘Sham’ Parliamentary Election
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 9:15 am (UTC-5)
Syrian activists say people in rebellious towns and villages across the country are largely boycotting a government-run parliamentary election that major opposition groups have dismissed as a sham. The activists say streets were empty and shops were closed in the central town of Hama and other opposition strongholds, as residents observed a general strike to […]
Putin Takes Russian Presidency for Historic 3rd Term
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
Russia’s Vladimir Putin took the oath of office Monday to become president for a historic third term. At an elaborate Kremlin ceremony attended by some 2,000 dignitaries, Mr. Putin placed his hand on a copy of the constitution and swore to “respect and protect the rights and freedoms of the people.” Police tightened security in […]
Clinton Urges Pakistan to Act on Mumbai Terror Suspect
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 6:55 am (UTC-5)
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Pakistan needs to take action against the founder of a terror group blamed for attacks in India. Speaking at a town hall event Monday in Kolkata, Clinton said Pakistan has not acted on U.S. and Indian calls to capture or try Hafiz Mohammad Saeed. He founded Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, which […]
France Elects New President
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 6:15 am (UTC-5)
France has a new leader after Socialist challenger Francois Hollande beat conservative incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in the French presidential election. Final results Monday show Mr. Hollande won 51.6 percent of the vote to Mr. Sarkozy’s 48.4 percent in Sunday’s runoff election. French media say the outgoing president will officially hand over power on May 15. […]
China Criticizes US Role in Dissident Case
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 5:55 am (UTC-5)
China says the United States should “take necessary measures” to prevent a repeat of events like the case involving dissident Chen Guangcheng. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei made the comments Monday during a briefing in Beijing. “The incident of last week reflected the U.S. interference with China’s internal affairs. What the U.S. side should […]
Al-Qaida Militants Kill 20 Yemeni Soldiers
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 5:40 am (UTC-5)
Yemeni military officials say suspected al-Qaida militants have killed at least 20 soldiers during a surprise attack in the country’s south. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Monday’s assault occurred in the volatile Abyan province. The attack comes a day after a senior al-Qaida leader in the Gulf region was killed […]
Suspected Bali Bomber Apologizes to Victims
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 5:15 am (UTC-5)
An Islamic militant accused of making the bombs used in the 2002 Bali nightclub attacks has apologized to victims and their families. During emotional testimony at his trial Monday, Umar Patek said he played only a small role in the attacks that killed 202 people, and did not know nightclubs were the target. Patek faces […]
Greek Conservatives Must Form Coalition Government
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 4:55 am (UTC-5)
Greek voters have pushed the country into more political uncertainty after no party garnered nearly enough votes to form a government. Results Monday from parliamentary elections the day before show the conservative New Democracy party winning about 19 percent of the votes. That is the most of any single party, but the percentage falls far […]
