US says China not seeking trade edge with weak yuan

WASHINGTON: The United States ruled on Friday that China was not manipulating its currency to gain an unfair trade advantage but it called the yuan "significantly undervalued" and vowed to press the Asian power for currency reforms.

Security connection between Israel, China warming up

JERUSALEM (AP) -- After a prolonged chill, security ties between Israel and China are warming up.

Iran, big powers extend talks despite split over sanctions

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iran accused world powers on Thursday of creating "a difficult atmosphere" in talks on its atomic energy program, signaling a setback in efforts to reach an agreement that would allay their fears that Iran is secretly trying to develop nuclear bombs.

Syria says sanctions have cost country $4 billion

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's oil minister blamed international sanctions Wednesday for shortages of cooking gas and other basic goods, saying the measures have bled $4 billion from the nation's ailing economy.

Eurozone failure could spark rise in extremism, warns Nick Clegg

BERLIN: Europe faces a new wave of extremism and nationalism if the eurozone fails to resolve its problems, Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has warned in a German news magazine.

Security Issues Open G-8 Talks With European Debt Next

Leaders from the Group of Eight nations opened two days of economic and security discussions by considering ways to keep Iran from gaining nuclear weapons capability and to promote peaceful political transition in Syria, according to a U.S. official familiar with the talks.

Greece starts work on new polls as euro crisis deepens

ATHENS: Greece began preparing Friday for its second election in just six weeks, with increasing alarm over the crisis in the eurozone after the savage downgrading of banks in Spain.