Cameron eyes 2011 Afghan pullout

Cameron eyes 2011 Afghan pullout


Cameron eyes 2011 Afghan pullout

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:47 PM PST

British PM says improved conditions on the ground could allow UK troops to start withdrawing from Afghanistan next year.


EU likely to back Russia WTO bid

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:14 PM PST

Brussels is expected to approve Moscow's long-standing bid to join the World Trade Organisation.


Wikileaks: Baltic plan revealed

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:54 PM PST

US cables revealing plans to defend Baltic nations against Russia have been published in the Guardian newspaper, following their publication on Wikileaks.


Euro falls as EU aid burden rises

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:56 PM PST

The Euro has fallen again on the foreign exchanges after European ministers failed to agree new steps to prevent the region's debt crisis growing further.


China says does not want to "replace" U.S. as world power (Reuters)

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:47 PM PST

RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2010 - SWITZERLAND - Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama stands beside a Swiss national flag as he greets supporters during the Tibet-Solidarity Rally at the Muensterplatz square in Zurich April 10, 2010.   REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION IMAGES OF THE DAY)Reuters - China does not want to "replace" the United States from its dominant role in the world, and the world should not fear China's rise, the country's top diplomat wrote in an essay.



U.S. blocked Iran candidate election on climate body: WikiLeaks (Reuters)

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:39 PM PST

Reuters - The United States government lobbied the head of the U.N. climate panel to block the appointment of an Iranian scientist to a key position, saying it would be problematic, leaked U.S. diplomatic cables show.


Crisis-hit Ireland awaits crucial 2011 budget (AFP)

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:52 PM PST

Protesters burn an image of Ireland's Prime Minister, Brian Cowen, outside the country's parliament in Dublin. Facing a humiliating bailout, the nation is set to unveil another harsh budget - on top of some 6 billion euros of painful tax hikes and spending cuts already flagged to stabilise its crippled public finances.(AFP/File/Ben Stansall)AFP - Ireland, facing a humiliating bailout, will unveil another harsh budget Tuesday -- on top of some 6.0 billion euros (8.0 billion dollars) of painful tax hikes and spending cuts already flagged to stabilise its crippled public finances.



Haiti waits for election results amid fraud, chaos (AP)

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:00 PM PST

Haiti's presidential candidate Michel Martelly speaks during a press conference in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, Dec. 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)AP - Officials sorted through fraudulent ballots and scrambled for compromises to head off the threat of social unrest as Haiti prepared for the expected release Tuesday of results from its dysfunctional presidential election.



U.S. blocked Iran candidate election on climate body: WikiLeaks

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:39 PM PST

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The United States government lobbied the head of the U.N. climate panel to block the appointment of an Iranian scientist to a key position, saying it would be problematic, leaked U.S. diplomatic cables show.


Stuff I Learned On My First Day At Forbes

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:22 PM PST

Well, I?ve been at Forbes now for a whole day, and I learned a lot of useful things. Some of t


In Battle for Marble, Israel Can't Resist Iran

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:31 PM PST

Even though the two countries are enemies, Iranian marble is featuring prominently in some of the Jewish state's most prominent buildings, despite a near-total ban on trade with Iran.


U.S. Steps Up Push on Korea Crisis

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 09:46 PM PST

The U.S. secretary of state said after a meeting with her counterparts from South Korea and Japan that talks with North Korea can't resume until Pyongyang ceases "its provocative behavior."


Iran Nuclear Talks Resume

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 01:27 PM PST

Iran met with the U.S. and other global powers for the first time in more than a year in Geneva amid hopes for a reduction in tensions over Tehran's pursuit of nuclear technologies.


U.S. General Sets Afghan War Goal

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:34 PM PST

The measure of success in the Afghan war, the U.S.-led coalition's day-to-day commander said, will be whether Afghan civilians decide to join public service despite Taliban intimidation.


Continental Guilty in Concorde Crash

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:14 PM PST

A French court found Continental Airlines guilty of involuntary homicide in the crash of an Air France Concorde ten years ago, ordering Continental to pay more than $1.6 million.


Ivory Coast Crisis Hurts Economy

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:08 PM PST

A political impasse between two presidential candidates has cast a shadow over the economy of the Ivory Coast, the world's largest cocoa producer and a growing gold exporter.


Germany Resists Larger Rescue Fund

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:51 PM PST

Germany beat back bids for more expansive approaches to Europe's rescue of its fiscally troubled countries, leaving the euro zone to muddle through in the near term as markets warily watch Portugal and Spain.


International Court Probes N. Korea

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:01 AM PST

North Korea came under inquiry by the International Criminal Court over whether it has committed war crimes against South Korea, including with its recent shelling of a South Korean island.


Israel Arrests Teen Suspect In Fire

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 02:03 PM PST

Israeli police say they have arrested the prime suspect in the nation's worst wildfire — a 14-year-old boy who says the blaze was an accident.


Toll Mounts in Colombia Landslides

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 02:04 PM PST

The worst rains in 40 years triggered landslides that left thousand homeless and damaged crops.


Fraud crackdown nets 500 people

Fraud crackdown nets 500 people


Fraud crackdown nets 500 people

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 12:07 PM PST

A nationwide crackdown on investment fraud in the US leads to criminal or civil actions against more than 500 people since August.


At War: An Iraqi Returns to Baghdad After a Trip Abroad

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:53 AM PST

A quiet day elsewhere is a day when no lives are lost and tears shed. But this is the Baghdad of today, where logic rarely applies.


Argentina recognises Palestine

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 12:32 PM PST

Buenos Aires follows Brazil in recognising a "free and independent state" for the Palestinians.


Jol steps down as manager of Ajax

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 12:49 PM PST

Martin Jol quits as manager of Dutch side Ajax after a poor run of form by the four-time European champions.


Bits: Google Unveils the Nexus S Smartphone

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:38 AM PST

Google announced plans to begin selling a second "Google phone," called the Nexus S.


Bucks: Spousal Chatter and Bankruptcy Fear

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:57 AM PST

Just because spouses mention somebody else's new kitchen or car doesn't mean they want to blow the household's budget.


ArtsBeat: Winfrey Picks 2 Dickens Novels

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:20 AM PST

The author is not expected to appear on her show.


Medvedev Stresses Better Ties to Poland

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 12:47 PM PST

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday took his mission to modernize his country and improve ties with the West to Poland, a former Soviet satellite with which it shares a troubled but improving relationship.


Nuclear program dominates talks between Iran, world powers

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:46 AM PST

GENEVA- Iran and six world powers on Monday held their first talks in more than a year, with Iran's nuclear program dominating the discussion, according to diplomats familiar with the proceedings.


In WikiLeaks cables from Pakistan, U.S. officials struggle for leverage

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:42 AM PST

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - At a January 2008 meeting with the U.S. ambassador, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called himself pro-American and praised the U.S. government's move to "arrange" the naming of the new Pakistani army chief.


General Describes Afghan Challenges

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:41 AM PST

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, the coalition's day-to-day commander in Afghanistan, said the measure of success in the war will be whether Afghan civilians decide to take risks and join public service.


Russia checking citizenship of arrested aide to UK lawmaker

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:36 AM PST

Russia is checking to see whether an aide to a British lawmaker, who has been arrested and is facing expulsion from the United Kingdom, is a Russian citizen, according to media reports.


Live - Liverpool v Aston Villa

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:29 AM PST

Aston Villa travel to Anfield as former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier goes back to his old club for the first time as a manager.


Three injured as Greek police clash with protesters

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:10 AM PST

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek police clashed with youths hurling petrol bombs in Athens on Monday during protests to mark the anniversary of the 2008 police killing of a teenager that triggered the country's worst riots in decades.


Texas examines death penalty law

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:57 AM PST

A Texas judge is to consider whether the death penalty is constitutional in a hearing ahead of a man's trial on murder and robbery charges.


Arrest of Assange Appears Near

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 12:27 PM PST

The noose tightened around Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, for questioning on accusations of rape.


Young Smoker Is Blamed in Israel Fire

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 12:10 PM PST

A 14-year-old boy was arrested on Monday as the prime suspect in the largest fire in the nation's history.


Experts debate merit of making drinking age 21

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:47 AM PST

What role does the 21-year-old drinking age play in the phenomenon of young adults bingeing on alcohol? This has become a fiercely debated topic in the past few years.



Afghan Government Softens Ban on Security Firms

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:56 AM PST

The modified policy would allow most licensed firms to continue their work, but leaves important details in doubt.


Charges to tackle ship emissions

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:00 AM PST

On the sidelines of the UN climate summit, a plan is being hatched to charge cargo ships on the basis of their emissions.