President Obama’s call for a “world without nuclear weapons,” and his agreement with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev to work towards just that, have helped revive an issue that slipped off the foreign-policy agenda following the end of the Cold War two decades ago. But nuclear disarmament hasn’t been completely forgotten in recent years. In 2007, four diplomatic heavyweights — former U.S
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Sri Lanka rejects Tamil Tigers cease-fire
Sri Lankan officials rejected a proposed cease-fire from the Tamil Tiger rebels Sunday, warning instead that government troops intended to continue a new offensive until the group surrenders, a senior government official said. “The government is firm that (the rebels) lay down their arms and surrender. We do not recognize this so-called offer,” said Lakshman Hulugalle, director of Sri Lanka’s Media Center for National Security.
What’s Driving the Bull Market in Commodities?
Eighteen months ago, when the world was awash in asset bubbles, there was perhaps no market more overheated than commodities. Prices of everything from iron ore to palm oil to corn reached dizzying heights.
Indian officials ‘read riot act’ over Sri Lanka war
Two senior Indian officials met with the Sri Lankan president Friday in Colombo to address the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn island nation. Shiv Shankar Menon, the Indian foreign secretary and M.K.
The Perils of Rubina: The ‘Slumdog’ Star vs. the Media
Slumdog Millionaire propelled nine-year old Rubina Ali to instant stardom and fame. However, too much fame can be a bad thing for a pretty little girl from an impoverished background.
IMF: World economy won’t recover until 2010
World economy — better luck next year. That’s the message the International Monetary Fund gave this week, further downgrading its projection of 2009 global economic growth to -1.3 percent — nearly 2 percent less than originally forecast. The IMF called it “the most severe recession since World War II.” A modest recovery is predicted for 2010, but at 1.9 percent would be “sluggish relative to past recoveries.” “These projections are based on an assessment that financial market stabilization will take longer than previously thought, even with strong efforts by policymakers,” Oliver Blanchard, IMF chief economist and Jose Vinals, head of the IMF’s monetary and capital markets department, said in a joint statement.
Suspected rebels ‘stop’ train in India
Suspected Maoist rebels in eastern India "stopped" a train Wednesday, but the number of passengers aboard was not immediately clear.
Russia Rearms
Russia’s leaders are getting used to cutting budgets this year. As the country sinks deeper into recession — unemployment, according to some estimates, is as high as 12% and the economy is predicted to shrink by about 4.5% in 2009 — the government is slashing spending at most of its ministries. The Energy Ministry’s budget is down by 33%, and that of the Transport Ministry by 30%
At least 19 dead after Indian freight truck overturns
A freight truck carrying more than 30 passengers overturned Monday in western India, killing 19 of them, including six children, police said.
Suspected U.S. drone kills 3 in Pakistan
A suspected U.S. drone attack killed three people in a compound known to house militants in Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, local officials and residents said Sunday.