Dilemma X

26 European Union leaders agree to fiscal curbs; Britain only holdout for broad deal By Anthony Faiola The Washington Post   BRUSSELS — A landmark summit of the 27-nation European Union ended here Friday with both a pledge and wedge: A pledge among nations to work toward a new treaty binding them more closely together […]

Nigeria, Indonesia sign $960 million investment deal AFP Nigeria and an Indonesian consortium on Monday signed a $960 million investment deal involving the mining, oil and rubber sectors in two southern states, a government statement said. Trade Minister Olusegun Aganga signed the memorandum of understanding with Indonesia’s Bakrie Group chief, Indra Bakrie, for the investments […]

Australia uranium sales to India ‘will improve ties’ AFP Australia’s ties with India are set to benefit from the ruling Labor Party’s decision to lift a ban on exporting uranium to the growing Asian power, Defence Minister Stephen Smith said Monday. Prime Minister Julia Gillard had pushed for the scrapping of the ban on exports […]

Zimbabwe ‘to raise diamond mining fees’   AFP   HARARE — Zimbabwe plans to increase diamond mining fees to up to $5.0 million, state media said on Friday, just one month after winning approval from the global “blood diamond” watchdog to export the gems.   “The period where foreign miners exploit our resources for next […]

Ivory Coast Claims Ghana’s Oil Fields   Ghana Business News   The government of Ivory Coast led by President Allasane Ouattara has mapped out a new maritime border it is sharing with Ghana covering some of Ghana’s jubilee oilfields.   The country has therefore publicly challenged Ghana over title to the offshore acreage hosting some of […]

British workers strike over retirement benefits CNN LONDON– Mass strikes swept across the United Kingdom Wednesday, with public sector workers walking off jobs in schools, hospitals and police stations to protest proposed pension reforms. As of lunchtime, the strike appeared to be having a limited impact on many public services, the government said, although more […]

A daring Swiss pilot has completed his latest dramatic stunt by flying with just a jet-propelled wing alongside two planes over the Swiss Alps.

S&P Hits Biggest US Banks With Credit Rating Downgrades By Mark Gongloff The Wall Street Journal S&P has reviewed its credit ratings for 37 of the world’s biggest banks, cutting the ratings of several, including all of the Big Six. This is not the most shocking news in the world, but it is not good […]

China’s first aircraft carrier starts second trial AFP BEIJING — China’s first aircraft carrier began its second sea trial on Tuesday after undergoing refurbishment and testing, the government said, amid heightened regional tensions over maritime territorial disputes. The 300-metre (990-foot) ship, a refitted former Soviet carrier called the Varyag, underwent five days of trials in […]

Russia sending warships to its base in Syria By Thomas Grove Reuters  MOSCOW- Russia is sending a flotilla of warships to its naval base in Syria in a show of force which suggests Moscow is willing to defend its interests in the strife-torn country as international pressure mounts on President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Arab League […]