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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Second major blackout hits India

Second major blackout hits India

Second major blackout hits India

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 09:27 AM PDT

Failure of rickety distribution occurs less than 24 hours after power was restored across north India following the collapse of the northern grid

Navalny charged with large-scale embezzlement

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 09:42 AM PDT

Leading Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny calls charge 'absurd' and claims prosecutors have changed previous accusation

Punk band trial reveals Putin’s dark side

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 08:45 AM PDT

The trial of Pussy Riot is one element in a clampdown on civil society, apparently aimed at snuffing out opposition protests that flared in the winter

China attacks Japan over islands dispute

Posted: 30 Jul 2012 11:52 PM PDT

South Korea also criticised Japanese claims to contested islands, amid rising tensions between the Asian powers over maritime territorial disputes

Economic data pierce US gloom

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 12:25 PM PDT

Data provide some rare good news ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting where officials will decide whether to take further action to boost the economy

Chinese social media defend Ye Shiwen

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 12:58 PM PDT

China reacts angrily to the controversy surrounding the 16-year-old swimmer whose world-record performance raised eyebrows on Saturday

Beijing pushes to improve air pollution

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 12:00 AM PDT

In a multibillion dollar effort to reduce air pollution, Beijing is shutting down its coal-fired plants and replacing them with natural gas-fuelled stations

Spain’s largest regions defy Madrid

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 10:37 AM PDT

Two regional governments rebel against attempts by Madrid to rein in their spending as data shows the country's budget shortfall surging

Hollande and Monti vow to protect euro

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 10:02 AM PDT

French president and Italian prime minister welcome ECB head Mario Draghi's statement that he would do whatever it takes to protect the single currency

Romney gets friendly reception in Poland

Posted: 31 Jul 2012 10:45 AM PDT

Last call in an overseas trip beset by controversies that have seen Republican rebuked by the UK premier and accused of racism by Palestinians
Posted by Anonymous at 1:08 PM 0 comments

Monday, July 30, 2012

North India crippled by power cuts

North India crippled by power cuts

North India crippled by power cuts

Posted: 30 Jul 2012 07:04 AM PDT

New Delhi and much of northern India hit by blackout after collapse of the electricity grid in India's worst power cut for more than a decade

Iran sentences bank fraudsters to death

Posted: 30 Jul 2012 10:11 AM PDT

In a blow to president Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, judges rule that four people convicted of a $2.8bn fraud will be executed

Pussy Riot punks plead not guilty

Posted: 30 Jul 2012 10:34 AM PDT

Three members on trial for impromptu gig in famous cathedral lambasting president Vladimir Putin

Eurozone business confidence falls

Posted: 30 Jul 2012 05:57 AM PDT

Indicator hits three year low amid fears that southern Europe's debt crisis will damage the bloc's economically stronger northern states

Jobless generation puts brakes on US

Posted: 30 Jul 2012 07:27 AM PDT

A weak job market and record educational debt threaten the future earning power of young Americans and could have long-lasting effects on growth

Romney stirs Palestinian reaction

Posted: 30 Jul 2012 10:13 AM PDT

The chief Palestinian peace negotiator on Monday lashed out at Mitt Romney, accusing the presumptive Republican presidential candidate of making racist statements

‘New model’ rocks Italian politics

Posted: 30 Jul 2012 10:19 AM PDT

Maverick comedian Beppe Grillo's grassroots and anti-establishment Five Star Movement has tapped a rich vein of discontent with politics

Syrian reprisals raise sectarian alarm

Posted: 30 Jul 2012 09:36 AM PDT

Tit-for-tat killings in Damascus highlight simmering tensions between religious groups, with some Sunni Muslims feeling victims of the fighting

Jordan ‘shielded by $2bn IMF package’

Posted: 30 Jul 2012 07:50 AM PDT

Foreign investors to read loan as sign that Jordan's allies in the west and the Gulf are determined to shield it from troubles of other Arab regimes

Greek bank staff strike against takeovers

Posted: 30 Jul 2012 08:59 AM PDT

Employees stage a protest against consolidation of the sector following the takeover of state-owned ATEbank by Piraeus Bank
Posted by Anonymous at 1:08 PM 0 comments

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Romney forced to clarify Iran position

Romney forced to clarify Iran position

Romney forced to clarify Iran position

Posted: 29 Jul 2012 11:27 AM PDT

Republican presumptive candidate would only say on Sunday night that he supported Israel's 'right to defend itself' over Tehran nuclear programme

Syrian regime keeps pressure on Aleppo

Posted: 29 Jul 2012 05:19 AM PDT

Troops fire tank shells and artillery into rebel strongholds as the Syrian National Council starts to put together a transitional government

Schäuble view on eurozone at odds with US

Posted: 29 Jul 2012 09:16 AM PDT

German finance minister pours cold water on talk of more help for Greece or Spain as Geithner heads to Europe for talks on eurozone crisis

China keeps up block on Bloomberg website

Posted: 29 Jul 2012 07:26 AM PDT

Month-long blackout after exposé on the riches amassed by the family of Xi Jinping, who is expected to be the country's next president

EU business rivals divided by rates

Posted: 29 Jul 2012 09:51 AM PDT

Without a common monetary policy for all the eurozone, businesses are struggling to compete on an equal footing across borders

Romney seeks to woo ‘soccer moms’

Posted: 29 Jul 2012 10:14 AM PDT

With just over three months to go, both presidential campaigns know that their ability attract certain segments of the female vote will be decisive on election day

Romanians vote on fate of president

Posted: 29 Jul 2012 11:45 AM PDT

Traian Basescu is fighting for his political life in an impeachment referendum seen as a test of democracy in one of the EU's poorest members

ECB stirs expectations ahead of summit

Posted: 29 Jul 2012 09:01 AM PDT

Draghi is scheduled to meet Bundesbank chief before Thursday's governing council meeting as the possibility of eurozone bond buying is hinted at

Thousands in Hong Kong education protest

Posted: 29 Jul 2012 02:04 AM PDT

Parents march against a plan to introduce Chinese national education in schools that they fear amounts to pro-Beijing 'brainwashing'

Protests lead to shelving of China waste plant

Posted: 29 Jul 2012 09:02 AM PDT

Government of Nantong, a city close to Shanghai, said it was scrapping construction of a plant that would have discharged water from a paper factory
Posted by Anonymous at 1:37 PM 0 comments

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Helicopters pound Aleppo

Helicopters pound Aleppo

Helicopters pound Aleppo

Posted: 28 Jul 2012 08:22 AM PDT

Battle for the city of 2.5mn people is a crucial test of the government's control of its two main power centres, Aleppo and the capital Damascus
Posted by Anonymous at 1:25 PM 0 comments

Friday, July 27, 2012

Syrian regime renews Aleppo assault

Syrian regime renews Aleppo assault

Syrian regime renews Aleppo assault

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 09:25 AM PDT

Western powers warn of impending massacre as the former UN Syria peacekeeping mission chief says fall of government is 'only a matter of time'

US economic growth slows to 1.5%

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 11:10 AM PDT

Data, which were broadly in line with market expectations, confirm the loss of momentum in the world's largest economy since the spring

Rwanda claims UN report is biased

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 09:46 AM PDT

The UN findings have forced the most significant negative international reaction to date against Rwanda, a donor darling that has managed to cut poverty

Politicians back Draghi’s aggressive stance

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 08:49 AM PDT

Officials caution against market hopes that the European Central Bank is preparing to restart its long-dormant bond-buying programme

Greece urged not to waste austerity measures

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 09:31 AM PDT

The EU and IMF officials held a stormy discussion with leaders of Greece's trade union federation GSEE, which is trying to reverse reforms

Bundesbank repeats hostility to ECB bond buying

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 07:48 AM PDT

Market optimism following ECB president Mario Draghi's hint that he could act more decisively in the eurozone debt crisis now dampened

Democrats jibe Romney over London foibles

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 10:08 AM PDT

So far the trip represents a missed opportunity for the Republican candidate to appear statesmanlike and focus attention on his turnround record in the Salt Lake City Games.

Pakistan details doctor’s role in bin Laden case

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 09:17 AM PDT

Recently publicised Pakistani intelligence report is based on interrogations of Shakil Afridi, the imprisoned physician lauded as a hero in the US

Bo awaits fate after wife’s indictment

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 02:34 AM PDT

Whether Bo Xilai's case stays in the hands of the internal party probers or is turned over to the courts, the final verdict is likely to be political

Spaniards fight to save dying industries

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 10:35 AM PDT

The battle of a small mining community in Asturias, northern Spain, has become symbolic of a national debate over the government's economic reforms
Posted by Anonymous at 1:14 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

North Korea announces leader is married

North Korea announces leader is married

North Korea announces leader is married

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 09:30 AM PDT

State TV's declaration that Kim Jong-eun is married to Ri Sol-ju is the latest sign of the leader's desire to make his mark on the authoritarian state

Romney team defensive over race remarks

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 11:46 AM PDT

Campaign denies an anonymous adviser made comments about 'shared Anglo-Saxon heritage', while vice-president Joe Biden responded angrily

Romney takes cold warrior message abroad

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 05:49 AM PDT

In a trip to the UK, Israel and Poland, Republican US presidential challenger is promising to stress themes of liberty and freedom

Syrian troops mass on Aleppo

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 07:43 AM PDT

Days after rebels announced an operation to "liberate" Syria's commercial capital from state control, troops mass on the city in their thousands

Italy stands firm in face of markets crisis

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 10:29 AM PDT

Country will not be panicked into taking more emergency measures, insists prime minister Mario Monti, as it braces for an August attack on its bonds

Barroso to push Athens on reforms

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 11:23 AM PDT

Greek officials insist they can get their bailout back on track – but senior EU officials question whether the programme is salvageable

India’s farmers pray for rain

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 02:58 AM PDT

Across the country farmers – as well politicians and executives – are bemoaning the poor monsoon as another blow to an economy under strain

Obama trip draws marijuana protests

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 06:08 AM PDT

Protesters vow to pull their votes for incumbent in November's election because of recent federal crackdown on cannabis dispensaries

Social media make mark at London games

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 12:39 PM PDT

In a new wave of athletic endorsements, a star's presence on Twitter and Facebook are factors in which athletes marketers choose to sponsor

UK sinks deeper into recession

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 05:28 AM PDT

Osborne accused of self-defeating austerity as economy contracts 0.7%, making it the longest double-dip downturn in more than 50 years
Posted by Anonymous at 1:45 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Germany to defend ‘safe haven’ status

Germany to defend ‘safe haven’ status

Germany to defend ‘safe haven’ status

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 10:16 AM PDT

Leaders of the bloc's strongest economies hit back at the decision by rating agency to downgrade the outlook of Germany and the Netherlands

Greece under scrutiny as ‘troika’ arrives

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:04 AM PDT

Civil servants staged protests and work stoppages as Antonis Samaras lashed out at foreign politicians for doubting his country's efforts to solve its problems

Brooks and Coulson charged over hacking

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:20 AM PDT

Seven former News of the World staff and a private detective are accused of conspiracy to intercept voicemails and phone calls of up to 600 victims

Conflict squeezes life in Damascus

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 10:24 AM PDT

The ripple effect of the clashes in Damascus has killed commerce in many areas that would expect to be busy during Ramadan

German private sector woes mount

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 02:48 AM PDT

Survey shows Germany's private sector is shrinking at its fastest rate in more than three years, underscoring spread of crisis to eurozone's core

Hedge funds back gay marriage

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 11:39 AM PDT

A group of wealthy pro-Republican hedge-fund managers is backing efforts to legalise same-sex marriage in four US states that will vote on the issue in November

US deficit-cutting duo step up mission

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 12:11 PM PDT

Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson are redoubling their efforts for a "grand bargain" with a new campaign – called Fix the Debt – backed by top figures from both parties

Ghana’s ailing president dies

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 12:04 PM PDT

Vice-president John Dramani Mahama to be sworn in after sudden death of incumbent, John Atta Mills, who had been suffering from throat cancer

Egypt irrigation minister to be premier

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 04:51 AM PDT

President has asked Hisham Kandil, who is unknown outside his field of managing water resources, to form new government

Lee Myung-bak apologises for corruption scandal

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 02:08 AM PDT

Lee Myung-bak, the South Korean president, has apologised to the public over a "disgraceful and scandalous" corruption scandal involving his brother
Posted by Anonymous at 1:23 PM 0 comments

Monday, July 23, 2012

Syria confirms it has chemical weapons

Syria confirms it has chemical weapons

Syria confirms it has chemical weapons

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:38 AM PDT

Foreign ministry says government will never use chemical or biological weapons against protesters, but may deploy them against external aggressors

Latin America dogged by former leaders

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:09 AM PDT

Latin America is finding that the one thing worse than having a disruptive former president appears to be not having a disruptive former president

Madrid in duel with regions for aid

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:41 AM PDT

Between six and eight of Spain's 17 autonomous regions may seek emergency aid from Spain's recently created €18bn liquidity fund

Iraq bombings kill at least 100

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:58 AM PDT

More than 268 people were also wounded in attacks around the country in what officials say was the bloodiest day in two years

Romney shifts focus to foreign policy

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 09:58 AM PDT

Republican presidential candidate will use visits to the UK, Israel and Poland to draw a sharp contrast with President Barack Obama's foreign policy record

US mass shooting suspect appears in court

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:55 AM PDT

The chief suspect in the Colorado cinema shooting has appeared in court, three days after he allegedly went on the rampage in a film screening

Chinese nationalists eye Okinawa

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 03:56 AM PDT

Chinese nationalists are calling for Okinawa to be added to the country's territorial claims, risking an escalation in tensions with neighbouring Japan

Very British eurosceptic gains viral following

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:50 AM PDT

Eurosceptic Nigel Farage's viral success appears to be translating into mainstream backing – his UK party is routinely ahead of the Lib Dems in polls

Japan panel rebukes Fukushima operator

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:11 AM PDT

Experts say safety systems put in place by Tepco before disaster were 'inadequate' and accused the utility of operating with flawed safety culture

Beijing floods leave 37 dead

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 10:47 PM PDT

Freak storm in China's capital that paralysed the city sparks questions over poor infrastructure in the world's second-largest economy
Posted by Anonymous at 1:07 PM 0 comments

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Fighting rocks Aleppo as death toll rises

Fighting rocks Aleppo as death toll rises

Fighting rocks Aleppo as death toll rises

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 10:57 AM PDT

Commander urges residents to stay indoors until his forces 'liberate' the country's main commercial hub as battles there rage for a third day

Syria’s fate alarms neighbours

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 07:54 AM PDT

Those who back Bashar al-Assad fear the loss of a valuable ally but even those who despise him have fretted over what comes after him

Saudi spy chief move hints at policy shift

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 08:20 AM PDT

The surprise appointment of Prince Bandar bin Sultan as the kingdom's intelligence chief suggests plans for a more aggressive foreign policy

US shootings unlikely to deter gun sales

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 09:10 AM PDT

Business is brisk in shop cinema gunman bought one of his weapons as attention focuses on debate around America's relationship with firearms

Indignation eats away at Spanish state

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 08:13 AM PDT

Remobilisation of society is bypassing politics and the country's increasingly tarnished institutions

Berlusconi seeks return to liberal roots

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 09:20 AM PDT

As his comeback campaign takes shape, the former PM is no longer anti-euro and would continue with reforms, says an ex-defence and foreign minister

US cuts military aid to Rwanda

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 09:33 AM PDT

In a significant shift in policy, the US has cut military aid to Rwanda because of evidence that Kigali is supporting rebels in Congo

Wiggins claims first British victory in Tour

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 10:32 AM PDT

Team Sky stamps authority on the most French of sporting events to cement a recent surge in British performance in road-racing

Bill Clinton leads Athens charity talks

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 11:29 AM PDT

Hellenic Initiative backed by prominent overseas Greeks aims to raise $100m for medical supplies and poverty alleviation in Greece

Bombs kill 20 and wound 80 across Iraq

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 11:25 AM PDT

Car bombs in two towns south of Baghdad and in the Iraqi city of Najaf killed a total of 20 people and wounded 80, police and hospital sources said
Posted by Anonymous at 1:39 PM 0 comments
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