http://www.mail.com/int/subjects/1374-national-governments.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/int/subjects/1374-national-governments.html http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2091070-obama-acts-scandals-republicans-unsatisfied.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama, seeking to regain his footing amid controversies hammering the White House, named a temporary chief for the scandal-marred federal tax agency Thursday and pressed Congress to approve new security money to prevent another Benghazi-style terrorist attack on U.S. diplomatic missions abroad. The efforts did little to ... Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2091070-obama-acts-scandals-republicans-unsatisfied.html 2013-05-17T00:00:23Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2090656-senate-committee-approves-3-judicial-nominees.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved three of President Barack Obama's judicial nominees, including one for an influential appeals court, for a full Senate vote. Senators voted 18-0 to move forward with nomination of Sri Srinivasan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, considered the most impor... Thu, 16 May 2013 19:36:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2090656-senate-committee-approves-3-judicial-nominees.html 2013-05-16T19:36:58Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2089918-watchdog-israel-trying-to-legalize-settlements.html JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli watchdog group on Thursday accused the government of taking steps to legalize four unauthorized settlement outposts in the West Bank, days before the U.S. secretary of state is set to arrive on a new peace mission. The government announced its move this week in a filing to the Supreme Court, threatening to cast a shadow over Se... Thu, 16 May 2013 19:27:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2089918-watchdog-israel-trying-to-legalize-settlements.html 2013-05-16T19:27:58Z http://www.mail.com/int/scitech/news/2090046-lawmakers-accuse-google-dishonesty-taxes.html LONDON (AP) — U.K. lawmakers subjected search giant Google to blistering criticism Thursday, accusing the U.S. Internet company of playing games with Britain's tax rules to avoid paying what it owed. In his second appearance before Parliament in roughly six months, Google Vice President Matt Brittin tried to defend his company's complex corporate structur... Thu, 16 May 2013 16:04:36 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/scitech/news/2090046-lawmakers-accuse-google-dishonesty-taxes.html 2013-05-16T16:04:36Z http://www.mail.com/int/business/markets/2090058-luxembourg-pm-downplays-swift-tax-evasion-deal.html BERLIN (AP) — Luxembourg's Prime Minister says he doesn't expect an agreement on one of the European Union's key policies against tax evasion to emerge at next week's summit of the bloc's 27 leaders. Jean-Claude Juncker said Thursday in Berlin it won't be possible to agree on an EU-wide automatic exchange of information on interest gains from bank deposit... Thu, 16 May 2013 12:20:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/business/markets/2090058-luxembourg-pm-downplays-swift-tax-evasion-deal.html 2013-05-16T12:20:48Z http://www.mail.com/int/business/markets/2089698-uk-campaign-group-loses-challenge-tax-deal.html LONDON (AP) — A U.K. pressure group Thursday lost its legal challenge to what it called a "sweetheart" tax deal between U.K. authorities and Goldman Sachs. UK Uncut Legal Action, which campaigns against tax avoidance, had sought a High Court declaration that it was unlawful for the U.S.-based investment bank to avoid a multimillion pound interest bill on ... Thu, 16 May 2013 09:58:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/business/markets/2089698-uk-campaign-group-loses-challenge-tax-deal.html 2013-05-16T09:58:03Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2088798-britain-urges-pressure-syrian-regime-rebels.html UNITED NATIONS (AP) — British Prime Minister David Cameron is calling for urgent action to pressure the Syrian government and opposition to get together and agree on a transitional government that everyone can support. Cameron told reporters after meetings at the U.N. on Wednesday that he supports the U.S.-Russian initiative for a new conference to launch... Wed, 15 May 2013 22:37:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2088798-britain-urges-pressure-syrian-regime-rebels.html 2013-05-15T22:37:20Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2086918-egyptian-judges-suspend-talks-with-president.html CAIRO (AP) — In the judiciary's latest face-off with Egypt's Islamist rulers, the country's top council of judges decided Wednesday to suspend its participation in a government-backed judicial reform conference following a renewed push by lawmakers on a controversial bill that would force thousands of their colleagues into retirement. The declaration by t... Wed, 15 May 2013 21:08:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2086918-egyptian-judges-suspend-talks-with-president.html 2013-05-15T21:08:22Z http://www.mail.com/int/business/economy/2086838-greece-to-break-up-power-company-money.html ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's conservative-led government on Wednesday announced plans to break up the state-run Public Power Corporation by 2016, as part of a privatization program demanded by the crisis-hit country's creditors. Government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou said that about 30 percent of PPC's resources would be spun off to create a rival compan... Wed, 15 May 2013 16:23:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/business/economy/2086838-greece-to-break-up-power-company-money.html 2013-05-15T16:23:32Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2084006-us-diplomat-ordered-to-leave-russia-spy-case.html MOSCOW (AP) — A U.S. diplomat was ordered Tuesday to leave the country after the Kremlin's security services said he tried to recruit a Russian agent, and they displayed tradecraft tools that seemed straight from a cheap spy thriller: wigs, packets of cash, a knife, map and compass, and a letter promising millions for "long-term cooperation." The FSB, the... Wed, 15 May 2013 02:18:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2084006-us-diplomat-ordered-to-leave-russia-spy-case.html 2013-05-15T02:18:55Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2084096-israeli-leader-under-fire-costly-lifestyle.html JERUSALEM (AP) — For years, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been saddled with an image of a cigar-smoking, cognac-drinking socialite. Now a new disclosure about his soaring spending on housekeeping, furniture, clothing and other expenses is increasing pressure on him in a country whose leaders once were known for washing their own dishes and taking out the garb... Tue, 14 May 2013 18:59:47 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2084096-israeli-leader-under-fire-costly-lifestyle.html 2013-05-14T18:59:47Z http://www.mail.com/int/business/markets/2083696-eu-to-shift-bill-bank-failures-to-creditors.html BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union governments want to shift the cost of rescuing troubled banks from taxpayers to the banks' creditors — including the holders of large deposits— as part the region's plan to shore up its shaky financial system. Finance ministers from the 27-country bloc meeting in Brussels on Tuesday sought to hammer out the new rules on how ... Tue, 14 May 2013 17:15:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/business/markets/2083696-eu-to-shift-bill-bank-failures-to-creditors.html 2013-05-14T17:15:02Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2083778-syria-wants-details-us-russian-initiative.html DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The Syrian government wants more details before deciding whether to take part in a proposed U.S.-Russian initiative to negotiate a peaceful end to Syria's crisis, the country's information minister said, staking out a similar position to the main opposition group. Washington and Moscow called last week for an international conferenc... Tue, 14 May 2013 13:06:14 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2083778-syria-wants-details-us-russian-initiative.html 2013-05-14T13:06:14Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/uk/2082026-obama-tries-to-swat-2-controversies.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama tried Monday to swat down a pair of brewing controversies that have put the White House on the defensive, emboldened Republican lawmakers and threatened to overtake his second-term agenda, already off to a rocky start. Republicans ramped up criticism following recent disclosures that talking points on the attack in... Mon, 13 May 2013 23:05:42 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/uk/2082026-obama-tries-to-swat-2-controversies.html 2013-05-13T23:05:42Z http://www.mail.com/int/business/markets/2083058-report-uk-military-unrealistic-cost-risks.html LONDON (AP) — Britain's Ministry of Defense has taken an over-optimistic approach to its equipment budget, an influential committee of lawmakers warned Tuesday, expressing doubts that the department plagued by cost overruns and late delivery of projects has properly planned for potential pitfalls over the next decade. Britain's military is shrinking from ... Mon, 13 May 2013 23:03:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/business/markets/2083058-report-uk-military-unrealistic-cost-risks.html 2013-05-13T23:03:50Z http://www.mail.com/int/business/economy/2081572-euro-ministers-urge-troubled-slovenia-to.html BRUSSELS (AP) — European finance ministers on Monday urged Slovenia to move swiftly in addressing the problems in its banking sector and get its public finances under control in a bid to avoid the nation from becoming the bloc's sixth member to require a bailout. "The Slovenian government has to take swift and decisive action," said Jeroem Dijsselbloem, w... Mon, 13 May 2013 20:11:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/business/economy/2081572-euro-ministers-urge-troubled-slovenia-to.html 2013-05-13T20:11:58Z http://www.mail.com/int/entertainment/music/2081720-france-mulls-culture-tax-smartphones.html PARIS (AP) — The French government is considering creating a new tax on smartphones and tablets in a bid to raise millions to support the creation of digital cultural content inside France. The proposal, handed to President Francois Hollande Monday, outlines a 1 percent tax on the sale of Internet-compatible devices, targeting companies such as Google, Ap... Mon, 13 May 2013 13:51:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/entertainment/music/2081720-france-mulls-culture-tax-smartphones.html 2013-05-13T13:51:44Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2081540-bulgarian-center-right-wins-votes.html SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The center-right party of former Prime Minister Boiko Borisov has fallen far short of winning a majority needed to form a government, according to nearly final election results released on Monday, and appears to have no willing partners to join a coalition. That would leave the second-place party in position to lead a new government... Mon, 13 May 2013 12:32:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2081540-bulgarian-center-right-wins-votes.html 2013-05-13T12:32:33Z http://www.mail.com/int/business/markets/2081412-liechtenstein-ready-to-relax-banking-secrecy.html BERLIN (AP) — Liechtenstein's prime minister says the principality is prepared to discuss an automatic exchange of bank client information with the European Union. Adrian Hasler told German daily Handelsblatt in an interview published Monday that the tiny Alpine nation would consider following the lead of Austria and Luxembourg. The two countries have com... Mon, 13 May 2013 11:09:07 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/business/markets/2081412-liechtenstein-ready-to-relax-banking-secrecy.html 2013-05-13T11:09:07Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2079992-israeli-pm-criticized-installing-bed-plane.html JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will seek alternate sleeping arrangements when traveling after receiving a sky-high bill for installing a customized bed on a recent flight to London, officials close to the Israeli leader said. Netanyahu found himself facing a public uproar on Sunday after Channel 10 TV reported over the weekend that he ... Sun, 12 May 2013 21:43:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2079992-israeli-pm-criticized-installing-bed-plane.html 2013-05-12T21:43:50Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2080144-partys-withdrawal-threatens-moroccan-govt.html RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco's second largest political party has announced it is withdrawing from the Islamist-led government elected during the Arab Spring and leaving its fate up to the king, a party spokesman said Sunday. The move by Istiqlal is the first time in Morocco that a party has withdrawn from a ruling coalition. It is now up to King Mohamme... Sun, 12 May 2013 16:16:04 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2080144-partys-withdrawal-threatens-moroccan-govt.html 2013-05-12T16:16:04Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2078492-pakistani-prime-minister-declares-victory.html ISLAMABAD (AP) — Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared victory following a historic election marred by violence Saturday, a remarkable comeback for a leader once toppled in a military coup and sent into exile. The 63-year-old Sharif, who has twice served as premier, touted his success after unofficial, partial vote counts showed his Pakist... Sun, 12 May 2013 00:38:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2078492-pakistani-prime-minister-declares-victory.html 2013-05-12T00:38:58Z http://www.mail.com/int/business/economy/2078770-g7-japan-playing-currency-rules.html AYLESBURY, England (AP) — Finance leaders from the Group of Seven leading industrial economies say Japan's stimulus policies are directed at boosting its economy out of a two-decade period of stagnation, not an attempt to drive down its currency to make Japan's exports more competitive. At the conclusion of a two-day meeting of leading financial represent... Sat, 11 May 2013 19:44:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/business/economy/2078770-g7-japan-playing-currency-rules.html 2013-05-11T19:44:40Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2078664-syrian-rebels-government-fight-key-highways.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels on Saturday cut a newly built bypass road linking the capital Damascus with the northern city of Aleppo, an activist group said, while state media reported that government troops have secured a strategic highway between the capital and the southern city of Daraa. The reported fighting came as an activist group said U.S. ambassa... Sat, 11 May 2013 19:32:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2078664-syrian-rebels-government-fight-key-highways.html 2013-05-11T19:32:31Z http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2078944-pro-berlusconi-rally-italy-draws-cheers-jeers.html ROME (AP) — Thousands of supporters of former Premier Silvio Berlusconi rallied in a northern Italian city Saturday to protest the media mogul's recent conviction by a Milan appeals court for tax fraud, cheering their hero as police in riot gear separated them from jeering opponents. The backers turned out for the "Everyone for Silvio" rally by his Freedo... Sat, 11 May 2013 18:23:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/2078944-pro-berlusconi-rally-italy-draws-cheers-jeers.html 2013-05-11T18:23:35Z