US humanitarian exports to Iran rose in early months of Obama administrationWASHINGTON — Iran spent nearly twice as much on U.S. imports during President Barack Obama’s first months in office as it did during the same period in 2008, showing that despite trade penalties and tense relations, the two countries are still doing business. US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,316 Friday, according to Associated Press countAs of Thursday, June 26, 2009, at least 4,316 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. Spanish police say car bomb blast in Basque country kills policeman, ETA suspectedMADRID — A powerful bomb exploded Friday near the Basque city of Bilbao, killing a policeman in an attack blamed on the separatist group ETA. Spain says one person killed in car bombing in Basque regionMADRID — Police in Spain’s Basque region say a car bomb blast has killed one person. Spanish police report explosion in Basque country, apparently a car bomb attackMADRID — A car bomb exploded Friday near the Basque city of Bilbao, possibly killing one person, police said. Spanish bishops urge Catholic lawmakers to vote against abortion reform billMADRID — Spain’s bishops are urging Catholic lawmakers to vote against a bill that would ease the country’s abortion law. Airbus wins order for 50 jets with budget carrier Wizz Air, promises more on the wayLE BOURGET, France — Airbus extended its lead over archrival Boeing Co. in the hunt for orders at the Paris Air Show on Thursday with the signature of two deals with Chinese and Hungarian airlines. ‘Global’ graffiti gang nabbed in LondonSYDNEY - Six Australian graffiti artists caught defacing trains in London had been on a global graffiti spree that had taken them to Japan, Germany, Spain and Italy, news reports said Thursday. American engineers who developed e-mail, mobile telephone win prestigious Spanish prizeMADRID — Two American engineers who were instrumental in developing e-mail and mobile phones on Wednesday won one of Spain’s prestigious Prince of Asturias awards for revolutionizing the way people communicate. US asks Spain to take in 4 inmates from Guantanamo Bay prison campMADRID — The United States has asked Spain to accept four prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay prison for terrorism suspects, the foreign minister said Wednesday. Boeing gets first Paris Air Show order, still lags behind Airbus in race for scarce businessLE BOURGET, France — Boeing Co. finally joined the orders race on the third day of the Paris Air Show, but its $153 million order Wednesday for two single-aisle planes paled beside the $6.25 billion already chalked up by European rival Airbus. Boeing gets order for 2 737-800 jets from MC Aviation PartnersLE BOURGET, France — Boeing Co. says it has won an order for two of its updated 737-800 jets from aircraft leasing company MC Aviation Partners, the U.S. planemaker’s first jet order to be announced at the Paris Air Show. Lockheed, Boeing hopeful Europeans will pick US airlifters amid A400M delaysLE BOURGET, France — With Airbus’ new A400M airlifter bogged down in delivery delays, Lockheed-Martin and Boeing are hoping their proven C-130J and C-17 models will lure European air force buyers in urgent need of a new transport. US asks Spain to take in 4 inmates from GuantanamoMADRID — The United States has asked Spain to accept four prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay prison for terrorism suspects, the foreign minister said Wednesday. US defense companies woo buyers at Paris Air Show as commercial jet sales lagLE BOURGET, France — American defense contractors elbowed into the troubled market for European military transport planes at the Paris Air Show on Wednesday amid scarce orders for commercial planes for rivals Airbus and Boeing. US official travels to Spain to discuss transfer of Guantanamo prisonersMADRID — The U.S. government’s point man for closing the Guantanamo Bay military prison was in Spain for talks Wednesday, part of a behind-the-scenes European tour as the Obama administration ramps up efforts to transfer detainees. Brit lesbians turning to Spain for marriage and babiesLONDON - A newly launched packaged tour is luring Brit lesbians by offering marriage and fertility deal in Spain. Moody’s downgrades ratings of 30 Spanish banks and other lendersMADRID — Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the ratings of 30 Spanish banks and building societies, citing Spain’s economic downturn and a big rise in non-performing loans. Obama meets Italian Premier Berlusconi, says Italy will take 3 Guantanamo detaineesWASHINGTON — Italy has agreed to accept three detainees from Guantanamo Bay, President Barack Obama said Monday, as the administration continues its struggle to find homes for the prisoners so the facility can be shut down early next year. Speaking after an Oval Office meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Obama praised the leader for supporting U.S. efforts to close Guantanamo, saying his assistance “is very important to us.” At meeting with Berlusconi, Obama says Italy will take 3 Guantanamo detaineesWASHINGTON — Italy has agreed to accept three detainees from Guantanamo Bay, President Barack Obama said Monday, as the administration continues its struggle to find homes for the prisoners so the facility can be shut down early next year. Italy, US break up hacking group that may have financed terrorists in Southeast AsiaROME — Italian and U.S. authorities have broken up an international group that hacked into long-distance phone lines and may have provided funds to terrorists in Southeast Asia, officials said Monday. EU agrees to ‘turn the page’ with the US on Guantanamo and accept detaineesLUXEMBOURG — The European Union agreed on Monday to help the administration of President Barack Obama “turn the page” on Guantanamo, saying individual EU nations will take detainees from the American prison in Cuba. First planet spotted outside the Milky Way may lie in Andromeda galaxyLONDON - A team of astronomers has claimed to have seen hints of the first planet to be spotted outside the Milky Way galaxy, in the Andromeda galaxy. EADS CEO: Year-end A400M first flight could coincide with new contractPARIS — EADS CEO Louis Gallois said he hopes the fate of Europe’s troubled A400M military transport plane will be resolved by the end of 2009, ending months of agonizing and costly uncertainty. Mice cloned for the first time in SpainWASHINGTON - Making one of the biggest breakthroughs in cloning, researchers at the Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) have become the first one to clone mice in Spain. $131M for Ronaldo? European soccer shows American sports counterparts how to wheel and dealAnother reason to love European football: Owners who really wheel and deal. European soccer clubs show American sports counterparts how to wheel and dealAnother reason to love European football: Owners who really wheel and deal. Body of late president returns to GabonLIBREVILLE, Gabon — Helicopters circled and security forces lunged forward to secure the plane Thursday as a Spanish Air Force jet carrying the body of the president of Gabon landed at the country’s international airport. All revamped, International Dolls Museum set to open doors in ChandigarhCHANDIGARH - Once again, the inhabitants of Chandigarh, especially children can enjoy a glimpse of the art and culture of various countries — and that too without stepping out of the city. Mexican university wins Spanish Prince of Asturias awardMADRID — The National Autonomous University of Mexico has been awarded Spain’s Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities. |