Word: signal
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...backed by the U.S., made clear its determination to prevent Najaf, an ancient city sacred to the country's majority Shi'ites, from becoming a Fallujah-style sanctuary for militants. The Prime Minister may also have chosen to strike at the Mahdi Army in hopes of sending a strong signal to other rebels: Look what happens when you go up against this government. Allawi, widely regarded among Iraqis as little more than a puppet of the U.S., needed to come out on top if his provisional regime was to acquire credibility...
...week. The companies that closed up shop included tobacco giant Surya Nepal, whose taxes account for up to 4% of the government's revenue; others ceased operation voluntarily, fearing they would be targeted next. Enforced by the threat of "action" against any who defy the Maoists' orders, the moves signal a new tactic in a conflict that has already claimed 10,000 lives: to bring Nepal to its knees economically. "It could be a disaster," warns Bishwambher Pyakuryal, political-science professor at Tribhuvan University. "A contraction is inevitable if this situation continues...
...Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba tells TIME that "we are determined to give full protection to the industries and citizens" of Nepal, but the rebels' intimidation continues: last Friday, explosions rocked a Kathmandu government office and a guard post. Nepalese security analyst Indrajit Rai says cutting off Kathmandu could signal a possible endgame. "[The Maoists] are beginning to tighten their grip," he says. "Penetration [of Kathmandu] could follow the blockade, including sabotage attacks in Kathmandu. That's always been the plan." A full-scale siege is unlikely?the Maoists remain an outnumbered guerrilla force?but their war of harassment...
...Bush announced a major recall of around 70,000 U.S. troops from Europe and Asia, he kicked off an argument in the U.S. - but the reaction in Europe was muted. Challenger John Kerry said the plan shortchanges U.S. allies and the war on terrorism: "This is clearly the wrong signal to send at the wrong time," he said in a speech to veterans. But in Germany, where the cuts will hurt the most, they were portrayed as an overdue change in mission that will mostly be felt in the small towns where the soldiers are based; one trade union forecast...
...market mover. Oil prices hit $46.65 per bbl. last week - the highest in the 21-year history of New York Mercantile Exchange futures - amid fears of political unrest in the wake of oil-rich Venezuela's recall referendum on President Hugo Chávez. The soaring price might not signal a return to the 1970s oil shocks, but it was enough to cause stock markets to tumble and prompt economic leaders to warn of the threat to global economic growth. Right on cue, here comes Saudi Arabia to save the day. Last week the kingdom said it was prepared...