Abbey Westbury
NATO chief says professionalism of Afghan security forces gives him confidence for 2014
CANBERRA, Australia – NATO’s chief says the professionalism of Afghan security forces and their recent suppression of Taliban attacks in Kabul gave him confidence they will be ready to handle their nation’s security by 2014.
EU to warn new Serbian president over nationalist rhetoric
BRUSSELS – The European Union will warn Serbia’s new president to tone down his nationalist statements if he wishes to see his nation progress toward membership in the bloc, officials said Thursday.
Weekly US unemployment aid applications rise to 386,000, a sign job market remains sluggish
WASHINGTON – More Americans sought unemployment aid last week, suggesting hiring remains sluggish.
Russia continues weapons trade with Syria despite escalating conflict
MOSCOW – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has accused Russia of sending attack helicopters to Syria, warning that the shipment “will escalate the conflict quite dramatically.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has rejected Clinton’s claim, saying that Russia is only shipping air defence systems under previously signed contracts.
Canadian dollar advances amid rising borrowing costs for Spain, Italy
TORONTO – The Canadian dollar advanced Thursday amid slight moves in commodity prices and higher borrowing costs for Spain and Italy.
TSX heads for negative session as Italian, Spanish borrowing costs rise
TORONTO – The Toronto stock market appeared heading for a lower open amid slight moves in oil and metal prices while Spain and Italy were in focus as both countries dealt with higher borrowing costs.
Transat AT posts $13.2-million loss, revenue declines from European units falls
MONTREAL – Transat A.T. Inc. (TSX:TRZ.B) continues to operate in the red.
Police say 11 killed, many hurt in explosion at steel plant in southern India
HYDERABAD, India – An explosion in a state-owned steel plant in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has killed at least 11 people, police said Thursday.
UN observers enter mountainous enclave overrun by Syrian troops
DAMASCUS, Syria – Witnesses say a team of United Nations observers has entered the Syrian town of Haffa, one day after the government overran the area near the Mediterranean coast.
Nobel winner Aung San Suu Kyi wants foreign investment to help Myanmar become more democratic
GENEVA – Foreign investment must help — not hurt — Myanmar’s goal of moving toward full democracy, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Thursday as she welcomed efforts to reach out to her country as it emerges from decades of isolation under military rule.
Angry Birds to roost in China, airs plans for theme park, retail outlets
SHANGHAI – Angry Birds is migrating to China.
N.L. opposition politicians take break from filibuster after marathon debate
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Newfoundland and Labrador’s politicians have taken a break after three straight nights of marathon debates about a bill that changes the access-to-information law.
Magnitude-5.5 earthquake shakes southeastern Turkey, some minor damage, injuries reported
ANKARA, Turkey – A moderate earthquake shook southeastern Turkey on Thursday, damaging a mosque’s minarets and injuring a handful of people who jumped off buildings in panic, authorities said.
Police: Truck carrying workers overturns in western India, killing 24 and injuring 25
AHMADABAD, India – A cargo truck carrying workers overturned on a slippery road Thursday after overnight rains in western India, killing 24 people and injuring another 25, police said.
Wildly popular ‘Walking Dead’ introducing two new main characters in season 3
BANFF, Alta. – With many fans of the AMC mega hit “The Walking Dead” still talking about last spring’s season 2 finale, the man running the zombie apocalypse show is giving a tantalizing glimpse into the upcoming season.