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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Hagel pledges ‘world’s strongest military’

Hagel pledges ‘world’s strongest military’

Hagel pledges ‘world’s strongest military’

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 11:14 AM PST

The run-up to the confirmation hearing has been one of the most controversial in recent memory, with groups taking out adverts against him

Rajoy drawn into corruption scandal

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 09:23 AM PST

Spain's prime minister denies receiving secret payments as newspaper publishes what it claims are accounts showing kickbacks to ruling party leaders

Political gloom surrounds Italy election

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 08:50 AM PST

The poll campaign is becoming fraught with a hung parliament looking likely. Yet, the Milan stock market remains buoyant as investors shrug off instability

Syria lashes out over Israeli strike

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 10:29 AM PST

Diplomats and military analysts have played down the risk of retaliation from either Bashar al-Assad's embattled regime or its regional ally Hizbollah

China’s workers endure unhappy new year

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 10:40 AM PST

The austerity drive of the Chinese leadership has led government departments to cancel or radically scale back new year festivities this year

Riots highlight Morsi’s limits on power

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 10:31 AM PST

With thousands flouting a curfew imposed last week, the president is struggling to impose his authority on a divided country where violence has become more frequent

Chicago toll rises despite gun clampdown

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 08:27 AM PST

Last year, 506 people were murdered in Chicago, where gun laws are strict, up from 433 in 2011: the highest murder rate of any American city

Pakistan to build $1.5bn Iran pipeline

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 09:22 AM PST

Islamabad move to buy gas from neighbour to address chronic power shortages risks alienating the US at a time of tight western sanctions on Tehran

Row erupts in India over free speech curbs

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 07:24 AM PST

Reputation as a haven of free speech and the world's largest democracy has been tarnished amid protests over controversial publications and films

Russia’s growth slows to 3.4%

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 10:44 AM PST

Economists say the figure, which missed forecasts of 3.6 per cent, highlights need for reforms to diversify economy away from reliance on oil and gas
Posted by Anonymous at 1:13 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Israeli jets hit target near Syria border

Israeli jets hit target near Syria border

Israeli jets hit target near Syria border

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 11:52 AM PST

Israeli military analysts said that Netanyahu's government had become concerned by the movement of Syrian SA-17 batteries towards Lebanon

US growth hit by surprise setback

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 06:04 AM PST

The first reported decline in the US economy since the end of the recession checks confidence and highlights the damage done by the budget battles in Washington

France presses Mali to talk with rebels

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 04:15 AM PST

Paris attempts to forge good relations with Tuaregs who control town of Kidal as difficulties of reuniting fractured state emerge

Hagel nomination awakens ghost of Vietnam

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 06:09 AM PST

Senate hearing on Thursday will pit Chuck Hagel, Obama's nominee for defence secretary, against his fellow war veteran and former friend, John McCain

Republicans start to shift budget stance

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 09:42 AM PST

After politicians passed on a fight over the debt ceiling, Washington, in the words of one commentator, suddenly felt like a 'demilitarised zone'

Gillard gambles on Australian election date

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 04:39 AM PST

Labor leader Julia Gillard shocks Australia by setting date eight months ahead, giving the opposition, leading in the polls, time to plan its campaign

US pension fund eyes selling oil holdings

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 09:10 AM PST

Seattle City Employees' Retirement System considers divesting from oil and gas companies after request from mayor over climate change

South Korea successfully launches satellite

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 03:14 AM PST

Seoul's move comes a month after North Korea launches satellite of its own, drawing international condemnation amid concerns over missile development

Departing general warns of Afghan threats

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 09:54 AM PST

US commander John Allen has spoken of the achievements of his 18-month mission, but says the gains could be corroded without effective governance

Park’s promised fresh start falters

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 03:01 AM PST

South Korea's incoming president forced to rethink her choice of prime minister after her preferred candidate was caught up in a property scandal
Posted by Anonymous at 1:19 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Up to 80 bodies pulled from Aleppo river

Up to 80 bodies pulled from Aleppo river

Up to 80 bodies pulled from Aleppo river

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 09:36 AM PST

As many as 80 men of fighting age were shot in the head and their bodies dumped in the water in a rebel-controlled neighbourhood of the Syrian city

Mali war casts Hollande in positive light

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 09:48 AM PST

The swift French advance in Mali and the apparently low level of resistance from Islamist rebels have eased the pressure on President François Hollande

Separatist rebels take Mali town

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 10:27 AM PST

A spokesman for the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, says his group took Kidal after Islamists fled French air strikes

Military chief warns of Egypt’s collapse

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 07:12 AM PST

The challenges facing the country represent a 'danger to Egyptian security and the cohesion of the Egyptians' state', says General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

Kiev police chief jailed for Gongadze murder

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 10:27 AM PST

A senior police officer found guilty of killing journalist Georgy Gongadze 13 years ago implicated a former president and his aide as he was jailed for life

Fischer to retire from Bank of Israel

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 12:04 PM PST

The Israeli central bank has announced that its governor, former IMF deputy managing director Stanley Fischer, is to retire at the end of June

India’s finance minister draws red lines

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 10:28 AM PST

Palaniappan Chidambaram is clear on the boundaries that he will impose to cut India's swelling deficit and insistent that bank reform is coming

Singapore calls for 30% population growth

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 05:15 AM PST

In a long-awaited white paper, the government says the ageing nation must accept more immigrants if it wants to maintain economic growth

US weighs boost to high-skilled visas

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 01:28 PM PST

Lawmakers are using the relatively uncontroversial issue of visas for skilled workers to kick-start a broader effort for comprehensive immigration reform

Greece seen as over worst of crisis

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 10:25 AM PST

Most Greeks believe an exit from the eurozone is 'not any longer on the table, which means improved confidence', central bank governor says
Posted by Anonymous at 1:57 PM 0 comments

Monday, January 28, 2013

Dutch Queen Beatrix to abdicate

Dutch Queen Beatrix to abdicate

Dutch Queen Beatrix to abdicate

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 10:22 AM PST

After 33 years on the throne skilfully navigating controversy the monarch has stepped aside in favour of her son the crown prince Willem-Alexander

Fears for treasures as Timbuktu totters

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 11:48 AM PST

Hundreds of French and Malian soldiers have surrounded the city on the edge of the Sahara, one of three main bases of the al-Qaeda-linked militants

Erdogan displays his more moderate side

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 09:17 AM PST

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sounded more conciliatory of late on Kurdistan, Syria and EU membership but his motives are opaque, as ever

Egypt clashes continue as tension rises

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 05:55 AM PST

Violent protests continue for the fifth day in cities across the country as opposition declines to meet president for reconciliation talks

Iran sends monkey into space

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 09:42 AM PST

Western analysts say that if correct, Iran's successful launch would mark progress in its bid to develop ballistic missile technology

Austerity French-style as city sells wine

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 10:59 AM PST

Dijon has auctioned half its prized municipal collection of 3,500 bottles, amassed since the 1960s, in order to fund social spending

Obama to unveil immigration reform plans

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 09:40 AM PST

Speech in Las Vegas comes day after bipartisan group of eight senators unveiled proposals to create 'tough but fair path to citizenship'

Disaffected south holds key to Italy poll

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 08:06 AM PST

Many people in and around Naples are unhappy with high unemployment, struggling public services and what they see as empty political promises

Chávez calls for Latin American unity

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 10:35 AM PST

Despite rumours that Mr Chávez's health will force him to stand down, Venezuela's leader could not resist the audience of the CELAC-EU summit
Posted by Anonymous at 1:27 PM 0 comments

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Brazil nightspot fire kills at least 245

Brazil nightspot fire kills at least 245

Brazil nightspot fire kills at least 245

Posted: 27 Jan 2013 11:12 AM PST

Civil police and regional government said that the total number of victims was still unclear and there may be hundreds injured

Soldiers comb Timbuktu for rebels

Posted: 27 Jan 2013 09:59 AM PST

French and Malian soldiers encounter little resistance and work to secure control of ancient city as Islamist rebels retreat in face of airstrikes

Egypt violence illustrates tortuous transition

Posted: 27 Jan 2013 09:28 AM PST

On the second anniversary of its revolution chaos at the weekend stemmed in part from the lack of a political consensus across the country

Republicans back off from Lew battle

Posted: 27 Jan 2013 08:30 AM PST

Jack Lew's appointment as America's next Treasury secretary appears to be on track, with Senate Republicans shying away from a fight to block his confirmation

US faces fresh financial shock

Posted: 27 Jan 2013 10:17 AM PST

Automatic spending cuts Obama once promised to avert are looking increasingly likely to threaten a shock to confidence in the US economy

Palestinians fleeing Syria are double refugees

Posted: 27 Jan 2013 08:51 AM PST

Forced out of Syria by violence, stateless Palestinian people face obtaining extra visa hurdles or are refused entry to neighbouring countries

Gazprom bill puts strain on Ukraine finances

Posted: 27 Jan 2013 10:52 AM PST

A $7bn bill that Russia's Gazprom slapped on Ukraine for failing to import agreed amounts of gas has piled pressure on Kiev ahead of talks with the IMF

Argentina has week to present debt case

Posted: 27 Jan 2013 08:48 AM PST

Funds urge court to uphold New York judge's ruling that Buenos Aires must pay 'holdouts' when it pays holders of country's performing debt

Japan to cut reliance on bond sales

Posted: 27 Jan 2013 01:59 AM PST

Prime minister Shinzo Abe is seeking to demonstrate a determination to repair the state's stretched finances

French want UK to stay in EU – or maybe not

Posted: 27 Jan 2013 04:26 AM PST

Strongest support for the UK remaining in the EU comes from those under 35, while those on French left more likely to favour of 'Brexit'
Posted by Anonymous at 1:25 PM 0 comments

Friday, January 25, 2013

Obama sets out to liberalise US politics

Obama sets out to liberalise US politics

Obama sets out to liberalise US politics

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 11:06 AM PST

President's defence of government and explicit backing of gay rights marked a moment that was Reaganesque in its ambition to remould debates

Day a one-eyed jihadist came to Timbuktu

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 08:39 AM PST

How the arrival of Mokhtar Belmokhtar in the fabled desert city of Timbuktu last year heralded upheaval not just in Mali, but far beyond its borders

Global warming to benefit Russian fish stocks

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 09:53 AM PST

Melting sea ice allows more sunlight to reach marine phytoplankton, the first link in the ocean food chain, and in Arctic waters, production is likely to soar

China and Japan attempt to ease tensions

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 03:08 AM PST

China's incoming president meets Japanese envoy in first high-profile discussion between the two countries since start of bitter territorial dispute

Syria consensus coalesces in Davos

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 06:43 AM PST

Delegates to the World Economic Forum mostly agree on what needs to be done to end Syria's civil war but differences remain on how to do it

Russia hands Ukraine $7bn gas bill

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 11:04 AM PST

Demand presented as Ukraine signs deal with Royal Dutch Shell to exploit 'unconventional' reserves and threatens to reopen energy dispute

Egypt’s revolutionaries split over legacy

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 05:15 AM PST

Dividing line between nation's secular and Islamist camps and difference in their perceptions of ousting of Mubarak could not be starker

Wages in way of Abe’s war on deflation

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 01:09 AM PST

Japanese government says inflation target of 2% is crucial, but with wages stagnant and employers looking to cut salaries some doubt it is achievable

Growth puts whisky sector in high spirits

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 09:17 AM PST

Burgeoning export demand and plans for new distilleries have created a boom

Birth rate blues dog Singapore’s rulers

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 07:34 AM PST

By-election throws spotlight on efforts to boost reproduction rate, with the government dangling incentives to persuade its citizens to procreate
Posted by Anonymous at 1:15 PM 0 comments

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Spain tries to peel back business rules

Spain tries to peel back business rules

Spain tries to peel back business rules

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 10:48 AM PST

Madrid set out proposals to cut through obstructive rules and regulations imposed by country's autonomous regions and improve situation for companies

Cameron says reform will boost whole EU

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 11:36 AM PST

UK prime minister uses appearance at Davos to frame his approach on union as having wider European appeal, saying deregulation is unavoidable

More states tell citizens to leave Libya

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 12:08 PM PST

Germany and the Netherlands cite 'imminent threat' and follow Britain's lead, but leave oil rich country starved of production expertise

Obama names White to head SEC

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 11:57 AM PST

Nominee worked for nearly nine years as US attorney in Manhattan, where she gained recognition prosecuting white-collar crime and terrorism cases

Fears of violence overshadow Kenya poll

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 07:37 AM PST

Many people from minority communities are leaving Nakuru amid worries that the ethnic clashes that followed polls in 2008 could be repeated

North Korea threatens new nuclear test

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 10:42 PM PST

Pyongyang warns it will carry out a fresh nuclear test in response to the tightening of UN sanctions that was announced on Tuesday

Merkel: eurozone not ‘closed shop’ to UK

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 06:37 AM PST

The German chancellor says eurozone countries' rules should be 'binding' on themselves but 'freely accessible' to other EU members

Japan records its largest trade deficit

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 06:43 AM PST

Weak exports, high energy costs and strong yen create Y6.9tn shortfall, underlining Abe government's determination to force through monetary easing

Making a big difference with a small grant

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 08:03 AM PST

Straitened times mean doing more with less and a new breed of small and nimble charities are able to make a big impact with smaller amounts

Mali rebel faction calls for peace talks

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 05:02 AM PST

The Ansar Dine movement has split, with a breakaway group distancing itself from al-Qaeda-linked insurgents and saying it is ready for negotiations
Posted by Anonymous at 1:44 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Centre-left revival shakes up Israel

Centre-left revival shakes up Israel

Centre-left revival shakes up Israel

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 05:35 AM PST

High turnout in elections has resulted in surprise success for former talk-show host Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party and a weakening of the far right

Japan fires back at currency critics

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 02:50 AM PST

New economy minister Akira Amari rejects criticism from Germany that the country is designing policies to deliberately weaken the yen

Scientists look to DNA for data storage

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 10:47 AM PST

A team at the European Bioinformatics Institute in Cambridge has developed a new method to meet the huge challenge of storing electronic data

Live: Davos Day One

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 09:00 AM PST

Davos kicks-off with speeches from Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan chief executive, Mario Monti, Italy's outgoing prime minister, and economics heavyweight Nouriel Roubini

European leaders hit out at Cameron

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 06:50 AM PST

France and Germany tell the UK prime minister the EU cannot be treated 'à la carte' after he launches attempt to renegotiate Britain's relationship

Pentagon faces a rebel yell over pensions

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 06:07 AM PST

The incoming defence secretary will face tough battles on military spending just as the costs of funding veterans' entitlements are escalating

ConocoPhillips pushes to open up Arctic

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 09:37 AM PST

ConocoPhillips has urged Norway to open up more of its Arctic waters for development months before a vote in the parliament in Oslo

Turkey seeks to build six-runway airport

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 10:26 AM PST

Government plans to hold a tender in May to build and operate near the Black Sea coast in its efforts to make Istanbul a global hub

UK military ties to Kenya reviewed

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 07:47 AM PST

Disagreement over prosecution of British soldier after the shooting of a local pastoralist has strained 40-year-old military co-operation agreement

War set to cause food shortages in Syria

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 08:53 AM PST

UN warns farming sector is in 'tatters' as output of some foodstuffs falls up to 50%. Analysts say privations could hurt rebels more than regime
Posted by Anonymous at 1:52 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Bruised Netanyahu leads Israel election

Bruised Netanyahu leads Israel election

Bruised Netanyahu leads Israel election

Posted: 22 Jan 2013 01:15 PM PST

The prime minister's Likud-Beitenu party was forecast to win 31 seats but the centre-left made surprising gains, complicating coalition-building

US healthcare costs seek home remedy

Posted: 22 Jan 2013 09:27 AM PST

FT series: America's Debt Dilemma – Richard McGregor on the battle to control the spiralling cost of Medicare, on which the US spent $550bn in 2012

Return of warlike rhetoric from China

Posted: 22 Jan 2013 06:33 AM PST

Speeches in Beijing spout less about peaceful moves and more on military might, words that risk being viewed not as a deterrent but as threatening

Berlusconi drops ally accused of Mafia link

Posted: 22 Jan 2013 10:35 AM PST

Former Italian PM ditches Nicola Cosentino in his party's list of candidates in an effort to clean up his image ahead of next month's election

Reluctant BoJ given deflation-beating role

Posted: 22 Jan 2013 07:43 AM PST

There is little in the BoJ's policy decision, or the accompanying statements, to suggest it embraces the role of lead deflation fighter with enthusiasm

Greece charges statisticians over size of deficit

Posted: 22 Jan 2013 11:10 AM PST

Andreas Georgiou, head of the independent statistical agency Elstat, and two senior officials are accused of inflating the 2009 budget deficit figure

Russia signals talks with Syrian groups

Posted: 22 Jan 2013 10:39 AM PST

Moscow says it will widen discussion with the opposition as Saudi Arabia warns that negotiations with Bashar al-Assad's regime are 'inconceivable'

China’s lottery boom sparks social fears

Posted: 22 Jan 2013 04:41 AM PST

China's state-run lotteries are thriving with $40bn sales but authorities are accused of doing little to combat social ills that have grown alongside it

Jordan election undermined by boycott

Posted: 22 Jan 2013 09:43 AM PST

Islamist opposition is refusing to participate in parliamentary poll as critics charge that voting will take place under a biased electoral system
Posted by Anonymous at 1:21 PM 0 comments
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