 | G7 finance ministers pledge to work together
Finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations have pledged to work together to do all they can to combat the worst global economic downturn in decades. In a statement released at the end of two days of talks in Rome, they pledged to promote growth and employment and to strengthen the banking system. They also warned against protectionism, saying that this would undermine economic growth. This point reflects fears expressed by both Europe and Canada about a Buy American clause included in Washington's plans to revive the US economy. The statement included a gloomy prediction, saying that the severe economic crisis would continue through most of this year. The G-7 is made up of Germany, Canada, Britain, Japan, France, Italy, and the United States. |  | | US Senate approves $787b stimulus bill
The United States Senate has passed a 787-billion-dollar plan to resuscitate the economy. The bill was passed by 60 votes to 38, marking the last stop for the legislation before it passes to President Barack Obama to sign into law. Only three Republicans voted for the measure, disappointing the Obama administration, which had hoped to gain bi-partisan support for the massive proposal. Just over a third of the package allows for tax cuts, while the rest aims to boost the economy through spending on infrastructure, health care and assistance for state governments. The Republicans had called for greater tax cuts. | | | Lebanon rally marks anniversary of al-Hariri's murder
Tens of thousands of people have held a rally in Beirut to mark the fourth anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. The rally at Martyrs' Square, where Hariri is buried, comes as the country prepares for legislative elections in June. It also comes as final preparations are underway in The Hague for the launch of an international tribunal set up to bring Hariri's killers to justice. Syria has been accused of being behind the killing. Damascus has denied the accusation. Lebanese and international pressure that followed the assassination led Syria to pull its troops out of Lebanon, ending three decades of military presence. | | | Olmert says there will be no truce without Schalit's release
Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says there will be no cease-fire with the Islamist militant group Hamas unless an Israeli soldier captured almost three years ago is released. Olmert's office issued the statement as indirect talks on the terms of a durable truce were said to be ongoing. There has been speculation that the two sides are close to reaching a deal. Both sides have imposed unilateral cease-fires, which have been breached from time to time, since Israel ended a three-week long offensive on the Gaza Strip last month. Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit was seized by Palestinian militants in Gaza during a cross-border raid in the summer of 2006. | | | German salary negotiations at crucial stage
The salary negotiations for the around 700,000 employees of Germany's federal states have entered what is expected to be the decisive phase this Saturday. Should the talks in Potsdam, which are scheduled to last until Sunday, break down, strikes in the public service sector are likely. The trade unions had already threatened such action during warning strikes staged over the past two weeks. The powerful services union, Verdi, and the German Federation of Civil Servants are demanding eight percent more pay and at least 200 euros more for the lower income groups. Employers have so far rejected the demands.
| | | US missile strike ''kills 25'' in Pakistan
Pakistani intelligence officials say a suspected US missile strike near the Afghan border has killed at least 25 people and wounded more than a dozen others. Officials said an unmanned drone aircraft targeted a house which was used as a hideout by Taliban militants in the troubled South Waziristan tribal region. The Taliban confirmed that militants were killed in the attack. Pakistan is a key ally of the United States in its fight against terrorism, but it has opposed missile strikes in the country's tribal regions where Taliban and al-Qaida insurgents are believed to operate.
| | | Neo-Nazi, counter rallies held in Dresden
Thousands of people have held a rally in the eastern German city of Dresden to show their opposition to an annual march through the city by neo-Nazi demonstrators. Police said several hundred right-wing extremists took part in the march to mark the allied bombing of the city in 1945. Members of several political parties, including left-wing politicians, as well as trade unionists and church representatives attended the counter-march. More than 25,000 people died during the two-day bombing of the city in 1945. | | | Ice buildup reported on crashed US plane
Investigators in the US say an ice buildup may have contributed to the crash of a Continental Airlines plane near the city of Buffalo that killed 50 people on Friday. Authorities said the crew noticed significant ice build-up on the wings and windshield just before the plane began pitching violently. However, officials stressed that the investigation remained open. All 49 people on board the flight were killed, as well as one person on the ground, when the turbo-prop aircraft came down in a suburban area. | | | Germany's Wilhelm, Riesch strike gold
In sports: It's been a good day for the German women at two separate world championships. First, Kati Wilhelm won gold in the women's sprint at the world biathlon championships in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The 32-year-old Wilhelm bagged her fourth world title, hitting all 10 targets in the shooting range and covering the 7.5-kilometre distance in 21 minutes 11.1 seconds. Germany's Simone Hauswald finished second. Later, at the alpine skiing world championships in Val D'Isere, France, Maria Riesch took the gold medal in the women's slalom. | | | | |
German Chancellor Joins in Critique of Executive Bonuses
