German lawmakers are urging Chancellor Angela Merkel to push for more democracy in Russia when she meets with President Vladimir Putin next week in Moscow. On Friday, Germany’s Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, is set to debate a motion focusing on Mr. Putin’s confrontational course toward government critics. Ms. Merkel’s center-right coalition will present […]
Chinese President Urges Communists to Address Party Woes
Posted November 8th, 2012 at 6:30 pm (UTC-5)
China’s President Hu Jintao has called on the ruling Communist Party to combat corruption and strengthen governance to prevent disintegration as the country continues on the path of economic development. Mr. Hu delivered a keynote report in Beijing Thursday at a Party Congress that will inaugurate a new slate of leaders. Addressing more than 2,000 […]
Pentagon: Iran Shoots at US Drone Over Persian Gulf
Posted November 8th, 2012 at 5:30 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. Defense Department says Iranian fighter jets fired on an unarmed U.S. drone over international waters in the Persian Gulf last week. Pentagon spokesman George Little says the unmanned Predator was on a routine classified surveillance mission November 1. Little said the plane did not enter Iranian waters, was not hit and returned safely […]
US Exports Rise
Posted November 8th, 2012 at 1:25 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. exports rose in September, cutting the trade deficit to the lowest level in nearly two years. Thursday’s report from the Commerce Department said the gap between what Americans sell abroad and what they buy from foreign sources narrowed more than five percent to $41.5 billion for the month. Officials said growing demand from South […]
Russia Hopes for US Flexibility on Missile Defense Plan
Posted November 8th, 2012 at 12:45 pm (UTC-5)
Russia says it expects the United States will show more flexibility in a dispute over U.S. missile defense plans following the re-election of President Barack Obama. Speaking Thursday at an international conference in Moscow, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin expressed hope that the U.S. president will take into account the opinions of Russia and others […]
Developing European Countries Get $38 Billion Aid Package
Posted November 8th, 2012 at 12:45 pm (UTC-5)
Three international development banks are sending a new aid package to central and southeastern European countries to help them cope with the fallout from the contracting economy in the neighboring euro currency bloc. The World Bank, European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said Thursday they will send more than $38 […]
Darfur Peacekeepers Find Attacked Village ‘Deserted’
Posted November 8th, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
Peacekeepers in Sudan’s Darfur region say a village that was reportedly attacked last week is now “completely deserted.” The U.N.-African Union Mission in Darfur, UNAMID, said Thursday that a team visited the Sigli village in North Darfur state this week to verify the attack. The mission says the team found burnt houses, killed animals, and […]
Armenia, Iran Build Joint Power Plant
Posted November 8th, 2012 at 11:20 am (UTC-5)
Armenia and Iran have begun building a joint hydroelectric power plant along their countries’ shared border. Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and members of an Iranian delegation led by Iran’s energy minister, Majid Namjoo, attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the plant Thursday on the Arax River, near the southern Armenian town of Meghri. The construction of […]
Germany Says Quick Greek Aid Unlikely
Posted November 8th, 2012 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
Germany, the economic leader of the euro currency bloc, says that Greece should not expect quick action on new bailout funds even though it has approved another unpopular austerity plan. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said Thursday he does not expect eurozone finance chiefs meeting next Monday to immediately release another $40 billion rescue package […]
Armenia, Iran Build Joint Power Plant
Posted November 8th, 2012 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
Armenia and Iran have begun building a joint hydroelectric power plant along their countries’ shared border. Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and members of an Iranian delegation led by Iran’s energy minister, Majid Namjoo, attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the plant Thursday on the Aras River, near the southern Armenian town of Meghri. The construction of […]
