G8 leaders seek common ground on ending economic stimulus, climate change, dealing with IranROME — Leaders of the Group of Eight will push for common positions on promoting democracy in Iran, combatting climate change and coordinating their exits from huge government stimulus measures — even amid a growing sense that the group’s pre-eminence may be fading. Survivors of central Italy’s earthquake stage torch-lit march to mark 3 months from disasterL’AQUILA, Italy — Survivors of central Italy’s earthquake staged a torch-lit procession overnight in the ruined city of L’Aquila, where leaders from the Group of Eight industrialized nations will gather this week for a summit. G-8 summit in quake-hit Italian town brings hopes for help and fears of wasted resourcesL’AQUILA, Italy — At this week’s Group of Eight summit, the leaders will stay in a barracks instead of the usual luxury hotel. The road to the site is lined with ghostly houses ruined by the earthquake that hit the central Italian mountain town of L’Aquila three months ago. China to press for bigger developing world voice, but not new global currency, at G8BEIJING — China will likely push for a bigger voice for developing countries in international monetary policy at the G8 meeting this week, but a top Chinese diplomat said it won’t raise its proposal for a new global currency to replace the dollar. Obama sets out to reshape US relations in Russia, meet Pope Benedict XVI, make mark in AfricaWASHINGTON — Determined to change the way the world views the United States, Barack Obama is onto his next foreign mission: rebuilding relations with Russia, proving to global leaders that America is serious about climate change, and outlining his vision for Africa, his father’s birthplace. Obama sets out to reshape US relations in Russia, meet the Pope, make a mark in AfricaWASHINGTON — Determined to change the way the world views the United States, Barack Obama is onto his next foreign mission: rebuilding relations with Russia, proving to global leaders that America is serious about climate change, and outlining his vision for Africa, his father’s birthplace. Pope urges G8 leaders to rewrite financial rules, defend poor world’s from economic crisisVATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has urged G-8 leaders meeting in Italy next week to rewrite global financial rules and defend the world’s poor from the effects of the economic downturn, the Vatican said Saturday. Italy using G8 summit to urge participants to ‘adopt’ quake-damaged monumentsROME — Italy is using the upcoming Group of Eight summit in quake-devastated central Italy to encourage participating countries to adopt monuments damaged in the temblor and pledge to help restore them. Iran reports more protest arrests, Russia rejects G-8 sanctionsEDITOR’S NOTE: Iranian authorities have barred journalists for international news organizations from reporting on the streets and ordered them to stay in their offices. This report is based on the accounts of witnesses reached in Iran and official statements carried on Iranian media. Germany’s Merkel says market reform pledges must be fulfilled, no more ‘business as usual’BERLIN — Governments must follow through on pledges to reform the global financial system, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday, insisting that signs the crisis is easing cannot mean a return to “business as usual.” Italy’s Berlusconi says G8 leaders will discuss possible sanctions against Iran at summitROME — The Group of Eight leaders meeting next week in central Italy will discuss possible sanctions against Iran, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Monday. Italian premier Berlusconi, mired in sex scandal at home, boosts presence on world stageROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi is expanding his presence on the world stage leading into next week’s Group of Eight summit with a flurry of diplomacy aimed, at least in part, in part at diverting attention from the starlet scandal that has engulfed him at home. Italian premier Berlusconi, mired in sex scandal at home, boosts presence on world stageROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi is expanding his presence on the world stage leading into next week’s Group of Eight summit with a flurry of diplomacy aimed, at least in part, at diverting attention from the starlet scandal that has engulfed him at home. Berlusconi boosts international diplomacy as problems mount at home over starlet scandalROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi is expanding his presence on the world stage leading into next week’s Group of Eight summit with a flurry of diplomacy aimed, at least in part, in part at diverting attention from the starlet scandal that has engulfed him at home. Italy says it considers invitation to Iran for this week’s G-8 summit rejectedROME — Italy considers its G-8 meeting invitation to Iran rejected since Tehran has not yet responded, the foreign minister said Monday in a sign of Rome’s growing impatience. Report: Italy says Iran should reply to invitation to this week’s G8 summitROME — Italy will consider its G-8 meeting invitation to Iran rejected unless Tehran replies by the end of the day, the foreign minister said Monday in a sign of Rome’s growing impatience. Berlusconi meets with Obama, Italy agrees to take 3 Guantanamo detaineesWASHINGTON — Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, seeking to restore some shine to his tattered international image, agreed to take three detainees from Guantanamo Bay and praised President Barack Obama after a long meeting at the White House. Berlusconi, Obama to meet Monday at White House; economy likely subject of talksWASHINGTON — Italy will consider taking in at least three detainees from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, an aide to Silvio Berlusconi said Monday ahead of the Italian premier’s meeting with President Barack Obama. A study in contrasts, Italy’s Berlusconi meeting with Obama ahead of summit in ItalyWASHINGTON — Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s meeting Monday with President Barack Obama offers the Italian leader a chance to rehabilitate his international reputation after a scandal over his link to an 18-year-old model and ahead of a major summit he is hosting next month. G-8 finance officials seek agreement on exit strategies amid early signs of recoveryLECCE, Italy — Top financial officials from the Group of Eight industrialized nations faced divisions Saturday over the importance of unwinding hefty stimulus packages now that the first signs of global economic recovery have emerged, as well as whether Europe should run U.S.-style stress tests on its banks. G-8 finance officials face rifts over regulation, exit strategies as they discuss recoveryLECCE, Italy — A rift loomed at a summit of top finance officials here on Friday over drafting a so-called “exit agenda” from hefty stimulus government measures as the global economy now shows some signs of recovery from the recession and financial crisis. Anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu says Obama’s ‘complexion’ will help him deal with AfricaLONDON — Retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu says that President Barack Obama’s background and race will help him influence African leaders. Group backed by Bono, Geldof, says Italy fails give promised Africa aidLONDON — Italy has failed to meet its commitments to reduce poverty in Africa and has lost credibility in its relationship with the region, an aid group backed by Bono and Bob Geldof warned Thursday. G-8 finance ministers to coordinate efforts, boost confidence amid ‘green shoots’ of recoveryMILAN — With markets up but still hesitant, finance officials from the Group of Eight countries will try to encourage nascent confidence at their summit in southern Italy as they take stock of measures taken so far to counter the world economic crisis. A look at economic developments and activity in stock markets around the world WednesdayA look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Friday: |