U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice has withdrawn her name from the list of candidates who could be nominated as the new secretary of state to replace outgoing Hillary Clinton. President Barack Obama issued a statement Thursday saying that he accepts her resignation. He said Rice will continue to serve as U.N. envoy […]
Rice Withdraws From Consideration for Secretary of State
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 4:20 pm (UTC-5)
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Obama, Boehner to Meet at White House
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 4:00 pm (UTC-5)
The Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, will meet with President Barack Obama at the White house Thursday with the fiscal cliff deadline looming over the economy. Both the White House and the Republican-led Congress have rejected each other’s offers and counteroffers. All sides must agree on a package of budget cuts […]
South African President Challenged For Top ANC Spot
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 4:00 pm (UTC-5)
South Africa’s deputy president, Kgalema Motlanthe, will challenge President Jacob Zuma for the leadership of the ruling African National Congress. Motlanthe’s spokesman, Thabo Masebe, confirmed Thursday that the deputy leader accepted the nomination after receiving the endorsement of several of the country’s provinces. Motlanthe is also running to retain his post as deputy. Mr. Zuma, […]
Britain’s Credit Outlook Deemed ‘Negative’
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 2:00 pm (UTC-5)
A major financial services company has trimmed its outlook on Britain’s top-rated credit standing, cutting it from stable to negative. Standard & Poor’s on Thursday became the third of the three major credit rating services to change its view of Britain’s ability to repay its debt, but none has actually cut the country’s rating. Earlier […]
Putin Slams US Rights Bill, Vows Measured Response
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized U.S. legislation that imposes sanctions on Russian officials suspected of human rights violations. Mr. Putin on Thursday described as “unfriendly and politicized” a U.S. bill known as the “Magnitsky Act,” saying it will hurt U.S.-Russian relations. He promised an “appropriate response.” His comments come a day before Russian lawmakers […]
US Jobless Benefit Claims Drop Sharply
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 11:20 am (UTC-5)
Claims for jobless benefits have dropped sharply again in the United States, a new signal that the country’s labor market may be improving. The government said Thursday that 343,000 jobless workers sought unemployment compensation last week, down 29,000 from the week before. It was the fourth straight week the number has declined and is the […]
‘Lincoln’ Leads Golden Globe Award Film Nominations
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. Civil War-era drama “Lincoln” led Hollywood’s annual Golden Globe awards Thursday with seven nominations, including best drama, best director for Steven Spielberg and acting honors for Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones. Tied for second place with five nominations each are Ben Affleck’s Iran hostage-crisis thriller “Argo” and Quentin Tarantino’s slavery-era […]
Ukraine Parliament Reappoints PM, Elects Speaker After Brawls
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
Ukraine’s newly elected parliament has approved the president’s re-nomination of Mykola Azarov as prime minister and selected a new speaker, despite violent brawls between ruling party and opposition supporters. Azarov was voted in for a second term Thursday by 252 deputies in the 450-seat chamber. Azarov, a close ally of President Viktor Yanukovych, has served […]
Eurozone Approves Greek Aid, New Bank Regulation
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
Eurozone finance ministers have approved the release of more bailout money for Greece, ending weeks of fears that the debt-ridden country might default on its financial obligations. The finance chiefs approved the $44 billion payment to Athens Thursday after the Greek government this week bought back $41 billion in government bonds from private investors at […]
UN Nuclear Inspectors Visit Iran
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 4:15 am (UTC-5)
A team of United Nations nuclear inspectors is in Tehran seeking to renew efforts to engage Iran over its controversial nuclear program. The seven-member delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived Thursday for the first talks with Iran since August. Chief inspector Herman Nackaerts said the focus of the visit is to resolve outstanding […]
