World
EU threatens new sanctions on Syria
posted: 02/08/2012 11:15 a.m. Comment 1
The European Union will impose harsher sanctions on Syria, a senior EU official said Wednesday, as Russia tried to broker talks between the vice president and the opposition to calm violence.
Russian scientists reach lake under miles of Antarctic ice
posted: 02/08/2012 11:04 a.m. Discuss
After more than two decades of drilling in Antarctica, Russian scientists have reached the surface of a freshwater lake hidden under miles of ice for some 20 million years.
Frustrated in Iraq, U.S. to cut diplomatic mission
posted: 02/08/2012 6:32 a.m. Discuss
Less than two months after U.S. troops left, the State Department is preparing to cut by as much as half the diplomatic presence it had planned for Iraq.
Special forces prep for bigger role in Afghanistan
posted: 02/08/2012 6:26 a.m. Discuss
Adm. Bill McRaven said Tuesday that special operations forces in Afghanistan are preparing for a possible expanded role as overall U.S. forces begin to draw down after a decade of war.
Russians press Syria for calm
posted: 02/08/2012 6:24 a.m. Discuss
Days after blocking a U.S.-backed peace plan at the U.N., senior Russian officials pushed for changes Tuesday during an emergency meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, promoting a settlement to end the uprising without removing him from power.
Rivers burst banks in Bulgaria, Greece; homes underwater
posted: 02/08/2012 6:20 a.m. Discuss
Swollen rivers in Bulgaria and Greece burst their banks Tuesday, leaving dozens of homes underwater, as Bulgarian officials declared a day of mourning for eight people confirmed killed after a dam collapse nearly washed away their village.
Hamas says it’s ready to submit to unity leaders
posted: 02/08/2012 6:19 a.m. Discuss
Gaza’s ruling Islamic militant Hamas is ready to cede power to an interim unity government led by its longtime rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a spokesman said Tuesday, but problems loomed over government policy and international recognition.
Maldives’ president relents, resigns as power wanes
posted: 02/08/2012 6:17 a.m. Discuss
President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives resigned Tuesday after weeks of mounting protests and an apparent police mutiny.
Italy: Court keeps Costa Concordia captain under house arrest
posted: 02/07/2012 9:05 a.m. Discuss
An Italian court has refused to lift an order of house arrest for Francesco Schettino, the captain of Costa Concordia cruise ship that ran aground off a Tuscan island last month.
U.S., Britain order envoys to leave Syria
posted: 02/07/2012 5:33 a.m. Discuss
The U.S. closed its embassy in Syria and Britain recalled its ambassador to Damascus on Monday in a new Western push to get President Bashar Assad to leave power and halt the murderous grind in Syria — now among the deadliest conflicts of the Arab Spring.
Obama stiffens sanctions on Iran bank
posted: 02/07/2012 5:30 a.m. Discuss
President Barack Obama levied tough new sanctions on Iran’s Central Bank on Monday amid increased tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program and the specter of an Israeli attack on the Islamic republic.
Hustle on elections, Egypt’s leader orders
posted: 02/07/2012 5:27 a.m. Discuss
A new wave of street protests demanding that Egypt move more quickly to hand power to an elected government prompted the nation’s military leader to instruct electoral officials on Monday to speed preparations for presidential elections.
Flood kills more as Europe tries to thaw
posted: 02/07/2012 5:19 a.m. Discuss
Overwhelmed by deep snow and harsh temperatures, some countries in Europe closed down schools and struggled to run public transportation Monday, as post-snow rains caused a dam to collapse in Bulgaria, flooding a village and killing at least four.
Indonesia ‘rail surfers’ face brooms with goop
posted: 02/07/2012 5:15 a.m. Discuss
Indonesia has another bizarre way to keep commuters off the roofs of trains: swat them with brooms drenched in putrid goop.
Court favors bail for terror suspect
posted: 02/07/2012 5:13 a.m. Discuss
A British court ruled Monday that an extremist cleric described as one of Europe’s leading al-Qaida operatives should be released on bail.
