U.S. officials say they will not negotiate with al-Qaida over the fate of a 70-year-old American aid worker held hostage in Pakistan, despite the man’s video plea for help from President Barack Obama. White House spokesman Jay Carney said Monday that Washington “cannot and will not” negotiate with al-Qaida, but that there is great concern […]
US: No Negotiating With al-Qaida on American Hostage
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 3:00 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment
Greek Coalition Talks End in Stalemate
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 2:10 pm (UTC-5)
The head of Greece’s conservative party, Antonis Samaras, says he is unable to form a coalition government. Samaras, whose New Democracy party won the most votes in Sunday’s election, was given the first chance to form an administration by President Karolos Papoulias. But after holding talks Monday, Samaras failed to convince other parties to join […]
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 […]
World Markets Fall After European Elections Raise Concerns
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
Investors pushed major markets across Asia and Europe lower Monday, following elections in Greece and France that raised concerns about the future of austerity measures put into place to help rescue ailing eurozone economies. Stocks in Greece plunged more than 7 percent in early trading, while markets in Germany and France fell more than 1 […]
Syria Holds Parliamentary Elections as Violence Rages On
Posted May 6th, 2012 at 7:55 pm (UTC-5)
Also: audio of UN observer spokesman Neeraj Singh in APTN feed below VIDEO: AP and Reuters feeds attached below; shot lists in asset manager WEB: TYPE: OCN )) Syrian voters choose a new parliament Monday in the country’s first multi-party elections, as violence between government and opposition forces rages on across the country. Authorities are […]
Exit Polls: Greek Austerity Parties Suffer Major Losses
Posted May 6th, 2012 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
Exit polls show Greece’s two main austerity parties have suffered major losses in parliamentary elections. The surveys, reported minutes after polls closed Sunday, indicated the conservative New Democracy party — the leading vote-getter — carrying 17 to 20 percent of the vote, down from 33.5 percent in 2009 polls. The samplings showed the left-wing PASOK […]
France Votes in Presidential Runoff
Posted May 6th, 2012 at 6:50 am (UTC-5)
French citizens are casting their ballots in a presidential runoff election Sunday. The latest opinion polls indicate President Nicolas Sarkozy has narrowed the gap behind his Socialist rival, but Francois Hollande is still expected to emerge victorious. Mr. Hollande cast his vote Sunday in the central town of Tulle, where he was once the mayor. […]
Clinton Arrives in India for Talks
Posted May 6th, 2012 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in India where she will urge New Delhi to reduce the oil it imports from sanctions-hit Iran. Clinton arrived in Kolkata Sunday after visits to Bangladesh and China. She will head to New Delhi Monday to meet with top government officials. India has made some reductions in its […]
Obama Begins Re-Election Campaign
Posted May 5th, 2012 at 11:25 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama has officially started his re-election campaign at a rally in Ohio. Mr. Obama told an enthusiastic crowd at Ohio State University in the state capital, Columbus, that America has had a tough time rebounding from a deep recession. But he said it has come too far to turn back now. He […]
Ahmadinejad Suffers Major Setback in Iranian Elections
Posted May 5th, 2012 at 7:05 pm (UTC-5)
Final results from Iran’s runoff parliamentary elections show that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has suffered a major setback that could influence the outcome of next year’s presidential elections. According to results reported late Saturday by state media, Mr. Ahmadinejad’s supporters won only 13 of the 65 seats contested in Friday’s vote, further reducing his power base […]
