General Politics

Bush pledges to move forward on financial rescue plan

Bush pledges to move forward on financial rescue plan Washington  - US President George W Bush on Monday vowed to move forward on a strategy to resolve the nation's financial crisis after the House of Representatives delivered a stinging defeat to his 700-billion-dollar bail-out package.

"We put forth a plan that was big because we've got a big problem," Bush said, adding he planned to tackle the crisis "head on."

"We'll be working to develop a strategy that will enable us to move forward," he said.

Democrats and Republicans trade blame, promise to start again

Democrats and Republicans trade blame, promise to start againWashington  - Democratic and Republican leaders of the House of Representatives traded accusations over the failure of a massive rescue plan for the US financial industry, but promised to go back to the drawing table to find a workable compromise.

"We delivered on our side of the bargain," said Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, pointing out that 60 per cent of majority Democrats voted for a bill proposed by Republican President George W Bush.

Ecuador's Correa celebrates triumph in referendumgen

Ecuador's Correa celebrates triumph in referendumgenQuito  - Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa celebrated Monday the approval of a draft for a new constitution that he had advocated.

The leftist Correa commented to foreign media in Ecuador just hours after a referendum on the proposed new constitution on Sunday passed with 64 per cent of votes in favour, according to official results after roughly 80 per cent of the ballots had been counted.

White House disappointed over defeat of bail-out plan

White House disappointed over defeat of bail-out plan Washington  - The White House, reeling from the congressional defeat of its 700-billion-dollar plan to bail out Wall Street on Monday, was evaluating what to do next to stave off a broader economic collapse.

"It's a disappointment," Tony Fratto, a White House spokesman, told CNN. "We thought there would be enough support for this legislation."

Uncertainty after House rejects financial bail-out

Uncertainty after House rejects financial bail-out Washington  - In a shocking development that plunged the United States back into uncertainty Monday, the US House of Representatives rejected a massive government plan to rescue the economy from the brink of financial meltdown.

The House voted 228-205 against the bill. Republicans led the opposition, voting 2-1 against the 700-billion-dollar bail-out plan. There was a small possibility the bill could come up again with some new amendments included.

Austrian conservative leader steps down after massive election loss

Austrian conservative leader steps down after massive election loss Vienna  - Austrian Vice Chancellor Wilhelm Molterer stepped down Monday as the Conservatives' leader, one day after his party suffered heavy losses in Austria's parliamentary elections.

As Molterer announced that Agriculture Minister Josef Proell would take over his job at the helm of the conservative People's Party (OeVP), chances for continuing a governing coalition with the Social Democrats (SPOe) rose.

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