South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has dismissed a government minister in charge of North Korean affairs, in what presidential advisers say is a minor cabinet reshuffle aimed at revitalizing the ruling conservative party ahead of 2012 elections. Rumors of the move to replace hardline Unification Minister Hyun In-taek had circulated in recent days, as ruling […]
South Korea Changes Unification Minister in Cabinet Reshuffle
Posted August 30th, 2011 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
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European Stocks Mixed in Midday Trading
Posted August 30th, 2011 at 7:50 am (UTC-5)
European stock prices are mixed in midday trading Tuesday. London’s Financial Times index is up 2.4 percent. The CAC-40 in Paris is down one-tenth of one percent, and the DAX index in Frankfurt is down four-tenths of a percent. In New York, the S&P futures contract is down more than six points, indicating a lower […]
Sudan Lodges Complaint Against South Sudan At UN
Posted August 30th, 2011 at 7:40 am (UTC-5)
Sudan has submitted a complaint about South Sudan to the U.N. Security Council, accusing the south of sparking unrest in a border state. A spokesman for Sudan’s foreign ministry said Tuesday that the complaint accuses South Sudan of supporting rebels in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan state. Sudan’s government is battling ethnic Nuba fighters in the state, […]
UN Warns of New Threat of Bird Flu
Posted August 30th, 2011 at 7:30 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations is warning of a possible resurgence of the deadly bird flu virus, including a mutant strain that is spreading in Asia and elsewhere. The world body’s Food and Agriculture Organization said Monday that a variant strain of the H5N1 virus , which appears able to bypass the defenses of existing vaccines, has […]
IKEA Foundation Donates $62 Million for Refugee Camp
Posted August 30th, 2011 at 7:25 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations refugee agency says the IKEA Foundation is donating $62 million to help expand emergency relief at the refugee complex in Dadaab, Kenya. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said Tuesday in a statement the money is the largest private donation it has ever received, and is expected to help up to 120,000 […]
New Zealand News Service to Shut its Doors
Posted August 30th, 2011 at 7:05 am (UTC-5)
New Zealand’s national news agency is preparing to end operations Wednesday after 131 years of service, falling victim to changing technology and media consolidation. Founded in 1880, the New Zealand Press Association grew into a news gathering powerhouse by its centennial. During its peak years — the 1980s and 90s — it employed dozens of […]
Asia Markets Close Mixed
Posted August 30th, 2011 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
Major Asian stock markets closed mixed Tuesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained nearly one and one-fourth percent to finish at 8,954. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index soared nearly one and three-quarters percent to finish the day’s trading at 20,204. Share prices were higher in Mumbai, Seoul, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington, but lower in Bangkok and Shanghai. […]
Late Eid Postponement Creates Confusion in Indonesia
Posted August 30th, 2011 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
Shopkeepers and residents in Indonesia scrambled to rearrange their schedules in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation Tuesday after the government announced a last-minute change in the Eid al-Fitr festival. Indonesians had prepared for days to celebrate the festival, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, on Tuesday along with most of […]
Malema Supporters Clash with South African Police
Posted August 30th, 2011 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
Police in South Africa have set off stun grenades and fired water canons to break up supporters of the controversial head of the ruling party’s youth league. Hundreds of people supporting Julius Malema gathered Tuesday outside the African National Congress headquarters in Johannesburg, where they threw stones and bottles at police. They were also seen […]
Botched Attack Kills 2 Suspected Suicide Bombers in Karachi
Posted August 30th, 2011 at 5:55 am (UTC-5)
Pakistani police say two suspected suicide bombers were killed after their explosives detonated prematurely while riding a motorcycle in the volatile port city of Karachi. Police say the men were travelling through a residential area of the city on Tuesday when the blast occurred, killing both men instantly. Officials believe the men were carrying the […]
