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India Hikes Interest Rates to Curb Inflation

Posted September 16th, 2011 at 9:40 am (UTC-5)
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India has increased interest rates for the 12th time in less than two years in order to curb the country’s rising inflation. The Reserve Bank of India on Friday raised the rate from 8 percent to 8.25 percent. Analysts say the interest rate hikes have done little to slow the country’s nearly 10 percent inflation, […]

Tags: , Posted in Economy, South Asia

Libya’s Anti-Gadhafi Forces Storm Bani Walid, Sirte

Posted September 16th, 2011 at 9:30 am (UTC-5)
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The forces of Libya’s interim government have stormed into the desert town of Bani Walid and are engaged in fierce fighting in Sirte, Moammar Gadhafi’s hometown. Friday’s battles marked an expansion of the interim government’s offensive against the few remaining pro-Gadhafi strongholds. Witnesses said NATO planes flew over Sirte as rapid gunfire and the explosion […]

Tags: , , Posted in Middle East

Pakistan PM Cancels US Trip Due to Floods

Posted September 16th, 2011 at 8:42 am (UTC-5)
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Pakistan’s prime minister has canceled his trip to the United States to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly, in order to deal with widespread floods at home. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s office said Friday that the Pakistani leader will coordinate relief efforts and begin visiting flood-affected areas on Saturday. Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in South Asia

Uganda Sentences 2 for Al-Shabab Bombings

Posted September 16th, 2011 at 8:37 am (UTC-5)
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A Ugandan judge has sentenced two men for their part in twin bombings that killed 76 people in Kampala last July. The Somali insurgent group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings, which targeted a group of people who had gathered to watch the 2010 World Cup final. On Friday, the judge sentenced Edris Nsubuga […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in Africa

Activists: Syrian Forces Kill Four in Hama

Posted September 16th, 2011 at 8:22 am (UTC-5)
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Syrian security forces shot and killed at least four people during a raid Friday as they continue to wage a violent campaign against protesters flooding the streets after prayers. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 11 others were wounded earlier during the raid in the central province of Hama. Activists say there were […]

Tags: , , Posted in Middle East

Death Toll in Pakistan Suicide Attack Rises to 40

Posted September 16th, 2011 at 8:15 am (UTC-5)
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The death toll from a suicide attack on a funeral in northwest Pakistan has risen to 40. Thursday’s bombing targeted members of an anti-Taliban militia as they gathered for funeral prayers in the Lower Dir tribal area. Some 70 people were hospitalized with injuries. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Pakistani […]

Tags: , Posted in South Asia

European Stocks Lower in Midday Trading

Posted September 16th, 2011 at 8:00 am (UTC-5)
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European stock prices are higher in midday trading Friday. London’s Financial Times index is up nearly three-quarters of one percent. The CAC-40 in Paris is up four-tenths of one percent, and trading on the DAX index in Frankfurt is eight-tenths of one percent higher. In New York, the S&P futures contract is down six points, […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Economy

Thai PM Continues Regional Diplomatic Mission

Posted September 16th, 2011 at 7:55 am (UTC-5)
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Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrived in Laos Friday for a one-day official state visit. Ms. Yingluck was slated to hold talks with her Lao counterpart Tongsing Tammawong on bilateral relations, trade and investment. She is expected to announce an assistance package for those in Laos affected by recent natural disasters and a school partnership […]

Tags: , Posted in East Asia Pacific

Basque Leader Receives 10-Year Sentence

Posted September 16th, 2011 at 7:20 am (UTC-5)
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A Spanish court has sentenced a Basque separatist leader to 10 years in prison for trying to rebuild the banned political wing of the militant group ETA. The National Court handed down the sentence Friday for Arnaldo Otegi. Otegi had been in prison since 2009 awaiting trial and sentencing for secretly plotting to rebuild Batasuna. […]

Tags: , Posted in Europe

Asia Markets Close Mostly Higher

Posted September 16th, 2011 at 7:05 am (UTC-5)
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Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Friday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose two and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,864. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index soared nearly one and one-half percent to finish the day’s trading at 19,455. Share prices were higher in Jakarta, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington, but lower in […]

Tags: , Posted in Economy