Russian President Vladimir Putin has fired the defense minister to clear the way for an investigation into a corruption scandal. Mr. Putin said Tuesday that he has dismissed Anatoly Serdyukov from the powerful position and replaced him with former emergency minister and regional governor Sergei Shoigu, a staunch Putin ally. The move comes just weeks […]
Putin Replaces Defense Minister Amid Corruption Scandal
Posted November 6th, 2012 at 8:10 am (UTC-5)
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Greek Workers Strike as Parliament Debates Cuts
Posted November 6th, 2012 at 6:55 am (UTC-5)
A 48-hour public workers’ strike has begun in Greece, as lawmakers discuss a new round of austerity measures required for another infusion of bailout funding from the European Union. It is the third general strike in the past six weeks. Lawmakers began Tuesday to debate the austerity bill, which includes $17 billion in spending, benefit […]
Ukrainian Election Officials Call For Partial Vote Recount
Posted November 5th, 2012 at 6:15 pm (UTC-5)
Election officials in Ukraine have called for a recount of ballots cast in several districts during last month’s vote, after the opposition threatened to boycott the country’s new parliament over alleged vote-rigging. Some 2,000 protesters gathered outside the Central Election Commission building in Kyiv on Monday. Police clashed with protesters but there was no major […]
Greek Workers Strike Ahead of New Austerity Vote
Posted November 5th, 2012 at 1:50 pm (UTC-5)
Greek public transport workers and journalists have launched a week of strikes against a new round of austerity measures the Athens government is seeking to impose. Tram and metro stations throughout the capital were closed Monday, and journalists began a 24-hour walkout over job layoffs. A 48-hour strike is set to begin Tuesday, including a […]
Russian PM: Pussy Riot Should be Freed
Posted November 2nd, 2012 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says he believes the two members of the punk band Pussy Riot should be released from prison. RIA Novosti news agency quotes Mr. Medvedev Friday as saying it was not “right” for Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyoknina to serve prison sentences, adding that they had “already been in jail long […]
Ukraine’s Tymoshenko Refuses to End Hunger Strike
Posted November 1st, 2012 at 4:55 pm (UTC-5)
Ukraine’s jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko is refusing to end a hunger strike she began this week to protest alleged widespread vote irregularities in Sunday’s parliamentary polls, which have been described by U. S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as “a step backward” for the nation’s democracy. Ms. Tymoshenko — in custody at a […]
Clinton in Albania on Last Leg of Balkans Tour
Posted November 1st, 2012 at 11:05 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Albania’s feuding political factions to work together to push through democratic reforms and ensure free and fair elections next year, during a visit that coincides with the country’s 100th anniversary of independence. During a speech to parliament in the capital, Tirana, Clinton said Albania must continue working […]
Clinton: US Optimistic About Croatia’s Future
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 5:00 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Croatia’s leaders Wednesday that their country has great potential and that the United States is optimistic about its future in the European Union. Croatia is set to join the 27-nation bloc in July of next year. It is already a member of NATO. Clinton is visiting Croatia’s capital, […]
Clinton Visits Future EU Member Croatia
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 2:50 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on a five-nation Balkan tour, is in Croatia, where she will praise the country’s expected accession to the European Union next year. Clinton met with Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic Wednesday in the capital, Zagreb, for talks on Zagreb’s future EU membership and its role as a NATO ally. […]
Vatican Considers Limiting Sistine Chapel to Visitors
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 1:10 pm (UTC-5)
The Vatican says it may consider limiting the number of visitors to its Sistine Chapel to prevent further damage to Michelangelo’s famed frescoes. Museum Director Antonio Paolucci says the paintings — which include the famed scene where God gives life to Adam — are being damaged by the breath, sweat and heat from the nearly […]
