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BERLIN – Germany has responded coldly to Greece’s request for a six-month extension to its rescue loan agreement without the associated spending cuts. German Finance Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said in a statement Thursday that a letter from the new Greek government “is not a substantial proposal for a solution.” …

ROME – Italy and Switzerland have signed an accord ending Swiss banking secrecy. The neighboring countries, in the agreement signed in Milan on Monday, pledged to exchange information for tax purposes in line with international standards. Italy hopes the arrangement will help it fight tax evasion. Under a recent law, …

SYDNEY – Two men from Malaysia and Hong Kong have been charged with smuggling more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine, or ice, worth 65 million Australian dollars ($50 million) into Sydney in a shipping container from China, authorities said on Thursday. The men, whose names have not …