DUBLIN (Reuters) – Ireland’s “bad bank” could see its balance sheet swell by close to 50 percent as it assumes the assets of the liquidated former Anglo Irish Bank. Ireland’s government rushed through emergency legislation earlier this month to liquidate the failed Anglo Irish Bank as part of a deal struck with the European Central Bank to ease the country’s debt burden. …
Tribunal postpones start of trial in slaying of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – A judge at the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon has postponed the start of the landmark trial in absentia of four Hezbollah fighters charged in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Hariri slaying trial postponed at UN-backed court
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- A judge at the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon has postponed the start of the landmark trial in absentia of four Hezbollah fighters charged in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Italy's Bersani on anti-glamour quest for power
ROME (Reuters) – In an electoral landscape crowded with some of the most colorful personalities in European politics, Italy's center-left leader Pi er Luigi Bersani is a conspicuously unglamorous exception. Bald, rumpled and habitually seen dragging on a stumpy Tuscan cigar, opinion polls suggest the 61-year-old head of the Democratic Party (PD) is the man most likely to lead the next government after elections on Sunday and Monday. … UN nuclear agency to issue latest Iran report
VIENNA (AP) -- Diplomats say the U.N. nuclear agency is set to issue its latest report on Iran’s atomic activities, just days before Feb. 26 talks between Tehran and six world powers.
Lawmakers target ECB to stop Iran from using euros
WASHINGTON/FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Lawmakers are crafting a bill aimed at stopping the European Central Bank from handling business from the Iranian government, a congressional aide said on Thursday, an attempt to stop Tehran from using eu ros to develop its nuclear program. The bill, in the early stages of drafting, would target the ECB's cross-border payment system and impose U.S. economic penalties on entities that use the European Central Bank to do business with Iran's government, the aide said on condition of anonymity. … Jerry Sandusky will continue to seek new trial, files notice of appeal to higher court
BELLEFONTE, Pa. – Jerry Sandusky’s attorney filed notice that he’ll take his quest for a new trial to a higher level court.
Wal-Mart U.S. shoppers feel gas pains, tax-return delay
CHICAGO/BOCA RATON, Florida (Reuters) – Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Thursday that U.S. sales weakness persisted into early February, as Americans absorbed the impact of higher payroll taxes and gasoline prices, along with slow tax refunds that put some spending on hold. The weakness came even as the world's largest retailer reported a bigger-than-expected profit increase, which was helped by a lower-than-anticipated tax rate. Wal-Mart also raised its dividend payout. Wal-Mart's shares rose 3 percent, or $2.09, to $71.30 in morning trading as the company said that U.S. … Finmeccanica, Indian officials discuss bribery claims
ROME/MILAN (Reuters) – Italian defense group Finmeccanica and Indian officials discussed corruption allegations conne cted with the purchase of 12 helicopters in a meeting on Thursday that both sides said was positive. The Indian delegation is in Italy to collect evidence relating to allegations that Finmeccanica paid bribes to win the 560 million euro ($750 million) contract awarded in 2010 to its Anglo-Italian helicopter unit AgustaWestland. … Fallen 'Idol:' TV talent show winner arrested on drug charges in the Dominican Republic
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – A winner of the TV talent show “Latin American Idol” has been charged with drug smuggling after police in the Dominican Republic say they found heroin stuffed in the heels of her platform shoes.
Syria says 53 killed in Damascus car bomb
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- A car bombing near Syria's ruling party headquarters in Damascus killed 53 people on Thursday, according to state media, while mortar rounds exploded near the army's central command in the city. Pressure mounting on Ottawa to salvage capsized Nova Scotia fishing boat
WOODS HARBOUR, N.S. – The pressure is mounting on Ottawa to salvage a capsized fishing vessel that may contain the bodies of five missing Nova Scotia fishermen.
Dublin offers loads for visitors to see, hear for free - if you don't mind walking in the rain
DUBLIN – Dublin isn’t cheap. But the flat, compact Irish capital is exceptionally walkable, with a wide range of free attractions easily reached on foot from any downtown hotel. Live music might cost no more than the pint that’s probably in your hand. And exhilarating seaside hikes with a salty breeze are just a 15-minute train trip away.
French eat both frozen meals and fine cuisine
PARIS (AP) -- In France, eating is supposed to be an art. Foodies from around the globe flock to the world's gastronomic center to discover the true meaning of fine dining -- a convivial sharing of dishes, lovingly prepared, which capture the imag ination, the taste buds and the essence of the land. A year on, Pussy Riot claim a victory in Russia
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Yekaterina Samutsevich has few regrets about the day a year ago when she marched into a Russian Orth odox church with four other members of the Pussy Riot punk band, pulled on a balaclava and reached for her guitar. Guards grabbed her before she could join in the band's "punk prayer" against Vladimir Putin, and she went on to spend several months in detention before facing trial last year with two bandmates who are still in jail. … Analysis: Bulgarian crisis ill omen for struggling emerging Europe
SOFIA (Reuters) – The violent protests that forced Bulgaria's cabinet from power this week underscore the lose-lose situation facin g the European Union's newest members as they struggle to stop economic downturn and stem growing public anger. Ruling parties which stick with strict austerity programs to win investor trust risk being bounced from power by voters fed up with cost cutting and tax hikes. Governments which loosen the fiscal screws or try unconventional ways to rebuild support before elections may alienate investors and invite more pain down the road. … Bomb blasts rock southern Indian city; at least 11 dead
HYDERABAD, India (Reuters) – Two bombs placed on bicycles exploded in a crowded market-place in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad on Thursday, and the federal home minister said at least 11 people were killed and 50 wounded. All major cities in the country were placed on high alert, television channels said, adding that as many as 15 people may have been killed in the explosions. Hyderabad is a major IT center in India, only second to Bangalore. Microsoft and Google have major centers in the city. …
Analysis: Power struggle, not nuclear deal, priority for Iranian elite
DUBAI (Reuters) – Preoccupied with an intensifying domestic power struggle, Ir an is unlikely to agree with world powers next week on ways out of a nuclear dispute: Surviving a turbulent period of pre-electoral infighting will be the priority for its faction-ridden elite. Despite eye-catching suggestions among Iranian policymakers that a more imaginative approach is needed to engagement with its Western adversaries, Iran's electoral calendar may pre-ordain several more months of stasis in the nuclear negotiations set to resume in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Tuesday. … AP Source: Breedlove likely pick to lead NATO
BRUSSELS (AP) -- Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, the top U.S. Air Force commander in Europe, is the likely choice to become commander of all U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, a senior NATO official said Thursday.
11 killed in explosions in southern Indian city
HYDERABAD, India (AP) -- At least 11 people were killed and 50 injured Thursday in a pair of explosions in a crowded area of the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, officials said. 
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