The Korea Herald

Ahmadinejad seeks rebound in elections

World NewsFeb 9, 2012

TEHRAN (AP) ― There’s a Persian saying used to describe an under-the-radar political effort: “Driving at night with the lights off.’’ Allies of embattled President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may be doing just that as they campaign in Iran’s hinterlands in hopes of scoring a comeback in next month’s parliamentary elections.The voting March 2 should ― momentarily, at least ― shift attention from Iran’s international standoffs over its nuclear program back to the country’s internal power plays: The ruling
Clinton meets freed Myanmar activists

World NewsFeb 9, 2012

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed activists from Myanmar including a comedian recently freed from prison as part of Washington’s efforts to encourage reform in the country.Clinton stretched out both hands to greet Zarganar, a poet, filmmaker and performer who has been a prominent source of dissent in the country formerly known as Burma.Zarganar, who was repeatedly incarcerated and sentenced to decades in prison after helping survivors of devastating Cyclone Nargis in 2008, was rel
Afghan forces will be ‘good enough’ to take over: US

World NewsFeb 9, 2012

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- Afghan forces will be “good enough” to take over their country‘s security by the end of 2014, even though only a small number of them now operate independently from NATO-led troops, a top U.S. general said Wednesday.Lieutenant General Curtis Scaparrotti, deputy commander of U.S. forces and the head of the NATO-led force’s joint command, acknowledged that Afghan army and police still had a way to go before overseeing security without major assistance from foreign troops.But he
Washington state lawmakers pass gay marriage bill

World NewsFeb 9, 2012

Washington state lawmakers voted to approve gay marriage Wednesday, setting the stage for the state to become the seventh in the nation to allow same-sex couples to wed. Robin Tyler (right) who with her partner Diane Olson, not shown, became the first same-sex couple to wed in Los Angeles County in
Greek coalition talks end without full agreement

World BusinessFeb 9, 2012

Greek government coalition talks on austerity measures ended Wednesday, with one remaining point of disagreement, the prime minister's office said.The three coalition partners who took part in the talks on a rescue plan for the Greek economy reached agreement on "all the points of the plan except on
Airline industry split widens over EU carbon tax row

World BusinessFeb 8, 2012

BRUSSELS (AFP) ― A split widened within the aviation industry Tuesday over EU charges for carbon emissions, as Europe’s low-cost carriers accused Chinese and U.S. rivals of “gunboat” diplomacy against the system.A day after China barred its airlines from complying with what many consider a tax, the head of the International Air Transport Association warned that several nations view the EU scheme as an “attack on sovereignty.”“Non-European governments see this extra terrestrial tax as an attack o
Chairman, 3 others out in Yahoo board shake-up

World BusinessFeb 8, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ― Yahoo Chairman Roy Bostock and three longtime board members are stepping down, submitting to the demands of many frustrated shareholders who blame them for contributing to the follies that have dragged down the Internet company’s revenue and stock price. The shake-up announced Tuesday continues a drastic makeover of Yahoo’s leadership during the past month as the company negotiates to sell its Asian assets in a complex deal that could help ignite a long-promised turnaround.
Bernanke says job market remains weak despite gains

World BusinessFeb 8, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Ben Bernanke says the job market isn’t as strong as the steadily declining unemployment rate might suggest.Responding to questions at a Senate hearing Tuesday, he noted that the unemployment rate doesn’t capture the plight of millions of people who have stopped looking for work or part-timers who can’t find full-time jobs.His cautious view helps explain why the Federal Reserve plans to hold interest rates at record lows until late 2014. Many economists were looking to see if Be
Greek talks drag on, banks signal progress

World BusinessFeb 8, 2012

ATHENS (AP) ― Greece’s private creditors signaled progress late Tuesday on a debt-relief deal but crucial talks between Greek coalition leaders about forcing more austerity upon a hostile public were again postponed.Anger flared on the streets of Athens as more than 20,000 protesters marched through the Greek capital and unions called a general strike Tuesday against the new cuts in jobs and spending. The strike halted trains and ferries, closed down schools and banks and put state hospitals on
U.S. sanctions on Iran aim to head off Israel

World NewsFeb 8, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Additional U.S. sanctions on Iran are more significant for their timing than their immediate effect on Iran’s economy, coming as the United States and its allies are arguing that Israel should hold off on any military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities to allow more time for sanctions to work.The U.S. ordered tough new penalties Monday to give U.S. banks additional powers to freeze assets linked to the Iranian government and close loopholes that officials say Iran has used to
Maldives leader quits after protests; V.P. sworn in

World NewsFeb 8, 2012

MALE, Maldives (AP) ― The first democratically elected president of the Maldives resigned Tuesday and was replaced by his vice president after the police and army clashed in the streets of the island nation amid protests over the arrest of a top judge.Mohammed Waheed Hassan, who previously worked as a top UNICEF official, was sworn in as the new Maldivian president in the afternoon. Soon after, the judge was released.In a televised address, Hassan promised to protect his predecessor, Mohamed Nas
Santorum sweeps Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri

World NewsFeb 8, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A resurgent Rick Santorum won Republican presidential caucuses in Minnesota and Colorado on Tuesday night, a stunning sweep that raised fresh questions about front-runner Mitt Romney‘s ability to appeal to the ardent conservatives at the core of the party’s political base.Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, triumphed, as well, in a nonbinding Missouri primary that was worth bragging rights but no delegates to the party‘s national convention.Romney, the former Massachusett
Greece faces hour of decision on austerity and rescue

World BusinessFeb 8, 2012

Greece reached the hour of decision on Wednesday over more budget cuts demanded by the EU and IMF and a debt deal to obtain a second rescue and close a key chapter in the eurozone crisis.A finalised plan on new Greek aid that was hammered out with the European Union and International Monetary Fund h
US, Japan pave way to send Okinawa Marines to Guam

World NewsFeb 8, 2012

The transfer of thousands of U.S. Marines to Guam will not require the prior closure of a base on the southern Japan island of Okinawa, the United States and Japan announced Wednesday in a compromise they hope will break a stalemate over opposition to the large U.S. military presence there.The annou
Mobius: Brazil one of ‘world’s most exciting markets’

World BusinessFeb 8, 2012

Brazil is among the “world’s most exciting markets,” according to Mark Mobius, executive chairman of Franklin Templeton Investment’s Emerging Markets Group. Mobius made the comments in a post on Templeton’s website following a recent trip to Sao Paulo to look for new investments and to visit companies that his firm had invested in. The fund manager visited banks, one of the nation’s car rental firms, a beer and soft-drink producer and a software company, he wrote, without naming the businesses.