Italy’s caretaker Prime Minister Mario Monti says he would consider an offer to govern the country again but will not stand as a candidate in the February elections. Mr. Monti told a news conference Sunday that if one or more political forces were backing his agenda and asked him to be premier, then he would […]
Italy’s Monti Says Ready to Lead, But Won’t Run in Election
Posted December 23rd, 2012 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
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February Elections Seen for Italy
Posted December 22nd, 2012 at 12:55 pm (UTC-5)
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano dissolved the country’s parliament Saturday, clearing the way for general elections expected in February. Prime Minister Mario Monti resigned Friday after parliament approved his controversial budget. Mr. Monti will lead an interim government until the elections. He is expected to announce on Sunday whether he will lead a centrist coalition that […]
Putin Calls EU Heads ‘Wrong’ on Energy Policy
Posted December 21st, 2012 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with European Union officials at a summit in Brussels, discussing contentious issues such as energy, trade, human rights and policy on Syria. Afterward, Mr. Putin and the EU leaders held a contentious news conference in which Mr. Putin called European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council […]
Russia, EU Talks Focus on Energy, Rights, Syria
Posted December 21st, 2012 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is in talks with European Union officials at a summit in Brussels, discussing contentious issues such as energy, trade, human rights and policy on Syria. Mr. Putin met Friday with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy. Russia supplies a large chunk of Europe’s energy […]
BAE Signs $4 Billion Deal with Oman
Posted December 21st, 2012 at 5:55 am (UTC-5)
A British aerospace and defense company has signed a multi-billion-dollar contract to supply 20 military aircraft to Oman. BAE Systems said Friday the $4.1 billion contract will provide Oman with 12 Typhoon fighter jets and eight Hawk jet trainers. Delivery of the aircraft is slated to begin in 2017. BAE said the contract covers the […]
Russian Protest Leader Charged with Fraud
Posted December 20th, 2012 at 2:15 pm (UTC-5)
A prominent Russian opposition leader has been charged with fraud and money laundering. Russia’s Federal Investigative Committee said Thursday that Alexei Navalny and his brother, Oleg, are accused of defrauding a mail transport company of $1.8 million. In a statement posted to his website (blog), Navalny said the charges were reprisals for his efforts to […]
Russian Court Cuts Khodorkovsky Jail Sentence
Posted December 20th, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
A Russian court has reduced the jail sentence of opposition leader and former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky by two years, clearing the way for him to walk free in 2014. The Moscow City Court says the decision, announced Thursday, came as a result of recent changes to Russian law regarding economic crimes. Khodorkovsky was arrested […]
Putin Backs Proposed Law Banning US Adoptions
Posted December 20th, 2012 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is defending a proposed law that would ban Americans from adopting Russian children. During a news conference Thursday in Moscow, Mr. Putin acknowledged the bill recently passed by the State Duma, or lower house of parliament, was an “emotional” response to a new U.S. law that imposes sanctions on Russian officials […]
Putin Backs Proposed Law Banning US Adoptions
Posted December 20th, 2012 at 6:10 am (UTC-5)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is defending a proposed law that would ban Americans from adopting Russian children. During a marathon news conference Thursday in Moscow, Mr. Putin acknowledged the bill recently passed by the State Duma, or lower house of parliament, was an “emotional” response to a new U.S. law that imposes sanctions on Russian […]
