OECD report to help G8 offensive against tax evaders
The OECD provided ammunition Tuesday for an expected G8 offensive against tax evasion in a report outlining how to bring about automatic sharing of financial information that would shoot a hole through banking secrecy.
Defiant Putin sets himself up as G8 outsider
Vladimir Putin's participation in the first G8 summit of his new term was supposed to seal his comeback to the global stage as Russia's paramount leader after winning a third presidential term last year.
Rowhani firm on Iran nuclear policy but vows more openness
Iran's newly-elected president Hassan Rowhani ruled out any halt to the nuclear activity that has drawn UN sanctions but said he hoped an early deal could be reached to allay the concerns of major powers.
18 June 2013 13:19
Palestinian statehood at 'dead-end': Israel minister
Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett said on Monday that the idea of a Palestinian state was at a "dead end", prompting the Palestinians to accuse him of sounding the death knell of a two-state solution.
18 June 2013 11:43
Vote shows Iranian people want 'different direction': Obama
US President Barack Obama said that Iran's election result showed the country's people wanted to back away from confrontation with the outside world but ruled out for the moment lifting economic sanctions on Tehran.
Activist says China pressured New York University
Activist Chen Guangcheng charged that China waged an "unrelenting" pressure campaign that led New York University to end his studies as he voiced fear for academic freedom in the United States.
17 June 2013 19:02
Czech PM Necas quits amid corruption scandal
Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas said Sunday he would step down amid a massive corruption scandal in which his top aide -- and alleged lover -- was indicted for bribery.
17 June 2013 18:42
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan call for UN review of disputed dams
The presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan called for the United Nations to review the potential impact of two disputed hydroelectric dams proposed by their regional rivals Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
S. Korea calls for action from North, not words
South Korea on Monday joined the United States in insisting that rival North Korea take "concrete" steps towards abandoning its nuclear weapons if it genuinely wants to end its international isolation.