International Business News - POL http://www.ibtimes.com All articles are copyrighted by IBTimes.com 400 100 http://www.ibtimes.com/ http://www.ibtimes.com/images/top_logo_ibt2_3.gif As of Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, at least 4,145 members of the U.S. military have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080821/us-military-deaths-in-iraq-war-at-4-145.htm Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:23:02 EDT Merrill, Goldman, Deutsche in deal with regulators NEW YORK (AP)--Merrill Lynch & Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Deutsche Bank on Thursday joined other major financial companies in settling with regulators over their roles in selling risky auction-rate securities to retail investors. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080821/business-highlights.htm Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:26:09 EDT Africa already is suffering from "climate shocks," the president of Ghana told a 160-nation climate conference Thursday, joining a chorus of calls to speed up the pace of talks on a new agreement to rein in carbon emissions. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080821/delegates-told-to-speed-up-talks-on-climate-change.htm Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:16:24 EDT Several prospective running mates of Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain campaigned for their candidate on Thursday, while other potential picks spent time at home or at work. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/113507-veepstakes.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080821/the-whereabouts-of-potential-veep-picks.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080821/the-whereabouts-of-potential-veep-picks.htm Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:26:21 EDT Russia has halted all military cooperation with NATO, the Western alliance said Thursday, in the latest sign of East-West tension over the invasion of Georgia. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080821/nato-russia-halts-military-cooperation.htm Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:47:48 EDT Russia should be temporarily kicked out of the Group of Eight and denied entry into the World Trade Organization as punishment for its actions in Georgia, Sen. Joe Lieberman said Thursday. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/113319-poland-us-russia.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080821/lieberman-wants-russia-tossed-out-of-g-8.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080821/lieberman-wants-russia-tossed-out-of-g-8.htm Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:57:24 EDT Oil prices shot up more than $5 a barrel Thursday, rising to the highest level in over two weeks as escalating tensions with Russia stoked fears of supply disruptions to the West. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/113190-offshore-drilling.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080821/oil-rises-in-asia-on-falling-us-gasoline-supplies.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080821/oil-rises-in-asia-on-falling-us-gasoline-supplies.htm Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:24:13 EDT As of Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008, at least 4,145 members of the U.S. military have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/us-military-deaths-in-iraq-war-at-4-145.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:17:47 EDT The prospective running mates of Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain focused on their day jobs or chores at home Wednesday. Obama, the Democrat, is expected to choose his running mate in the coming days. Republican rival McCain is considering announcing his as early as next week. Here's a look at the whereabouts of their possible choices for vice president: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/the-whereabouts-of-the-potential-veep-picks.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:36:53 EDT Leo Abse, a colorful Welsh politician who took a leading role in liberalizing laws on homosexuality and divorce, has died at age 91. Abse died Tuesday in London, according to Leo Abse and Cohen, the Welsh law firm that he founded. The cause of death was not announced. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/retired-uk-lawmaker-leo-abse-dies-at-91.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:30:22 EDT A prominent U.S. senator advocated strengthening Georgia's capability to defend itself against possible future Russian attack as he visited the country Wednesday in a signal of solidarity. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/lieberman-advocates-stronger-georgia-defense.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:11:10 EDT Valassis Communications Inc. said Wednesday it sold its French subsidiaries to HighCo, a French marketing services company, to focus on its business with more growth potential. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/valassis-communications-sells-french-subsidiaries.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:06:02 EDT Negotiators assemble this week in the Ghanaian capital of Accra to resume work on a new climate change treaty as they discuss ways to prod developing countries to join the fight against global warming. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/climate-negotiators-reconvene-this-week-in-ghana.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:54:19 EDT Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic Party's vice presidential candidate in 2000 and now an independent who is one of John McCain's strongest supporters, will speak at the Republican National Convention, an official said. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/112724-mccain-2008.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/sen-joe-lieberman-to-speak-at-gop-convention.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/sen-joe-lieberman-to-speak-at-gop-convention.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:29:06 EDT Russian forces dug trenches and built sentry posts deep inside Georgia on Wednesday, showing few signs they would pull back later this week as promised. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/112590-georgia-russia.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/russia-moves-toward-pullback-but-shows-strength.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/russia-moves-toward-pullback-but-shows-strength.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:48:03 EDT The United States and Poland signed a deal Wednesday to place a U.S. missile defense base just 115 miles from Russia--a move followed swiftly by a new warning from Moscow of a possible military response. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/112614-poland-us-missile-defense.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/rice-to-sign-missile-defense-deal-with-poland.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/rice-to-sign-missile-defense-deal-with-poland.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:09:45 EDT Poland's prime minister says his country will offer asylum or a $40,000 payment to any Iraqi working for its military or police in Iraq. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his government on Tuesday approved the plan. Poland has decided to withdraw its troops from Iraq this October. There is a fear that Iraqis who worked for the U.S. allies could become the target of attacks. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080819/poland-to-offer-asylum-money-to-iraqis.htm Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:29:04 EDT Poland's government gave formal approval to a missile defense deal with the U.S. on Tuesday before a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the deputy prime minister said. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080819/polish-government-approves-missile-deal.htm Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:03:26 EDT Reigning world champion Gerd Kanter of Estonia has won the gold medal in the men's discus throw at the Beijing Olympics. Kanter hit the front with his fourth attempt at 68.82 meters (225 feet, 9 inches) in Tuesday's final. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080819/kanter-wins-discus-throw-for-estonia.htm Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:51:36 EDT Nine sports. Five press buses. Six taxis. More than 75 miles. Eight trips through security, with X-rays and metal detectors and ever-upbeat security personnel whose relentless smiles were, by the end of the day, driving me insane. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/111937-beijing-olympics-synchronized-swimming.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080819/beijing-beat-9-sports-1-day-an-olympic-feat.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080819/beijing-beat-9-sports-1-day-an-olympic-feat.htm Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:53:58 EDT