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Japan Sends North Korean Defectors to South Korea

Posted October 3rd, 2011 at 11:40 pm (UTC-5)
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Nine North Korean defectors are scheduled to arrive in South Korea Tuesday, nearly a month after leaving their country in a rare seaborne defection. The six adults and three children have been held in a Japanese immigration facility since they were found on September 13 drifting in a small wooden boat near the port city […]

US Defense Chief Warns About Palestinian Aid Block

Posted October 3rd, 2011 at 10:35 pm (UTC-5)
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U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has criticized lawmakers at home for suspending $200 million in aid slated to fund development projects in the Palestinian territories at what he calls a “critical” moment in the region. Speaking Monday at a news conference with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Tel Aviv, Panetta said this is “no […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Middle East

US Senate Advances Measure On China Currency

Posted October 3rd, 2011 at 10:30 pm (UTC-5)
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The U.S. Senate has voted to formally consider a bill that would punish China for allegedly undervaluing its currency. A motion to move forward with the bill easily won enough votes Monday evening. Lawmakers now will likely spend days debating the measure before a final vote is taken. The bill has bipartisan support, but it […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in East Asia Pacific

Cypriot President Rejects Blame for Deadly Munitions Blast

Posted October 3rd, 2011 at 9:35 pm (UTC-5)
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Cyprus President Demitris Christofias is rejecting an official report that he is personally responsible for the July 11th munitions blast at a military base, killing 13 people. The report released Monday says the stored gunpowder and other explosives were a time bomb waiting to go off. It says Mr. Christofias was aware that the munitions […]

Tags: , Posted in Europe

Juncker: EU Determined to Prevent Greek Default

Posted October 3rd, 2011 at 8:20 pm (UTC-5)
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Chief eurozone negotiator Jean-Claude Juncker is strongly denying allegations that some in the EU want Greece to default on its debt and tossed out of the eurozone. Juncker said Monday the eurozone finance ministers will do everything to avoid a Greek default. He said a final decision on whether Greece will get an $11 billion […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Economy

Anti-Wall Street Protest Movement Spreading

Posted October 3rd, 2011 at 8:15 pm (UTC-5)
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A protest movement is growing in the United States, decrying corporate greed, social inequality and the poor state of the economy. What began in New York City more than two weeks ago and labeled “Occupy Wall Street” has spawned similar demonstrations in several major U.S cities, including Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles and across the […]

Tags: , , Posted in US

UN to Vote on Syria Resolution; Assad’s Forces Detain Thousands

Posted October 3rd, 2011 at 8:00 pm (UTC-5)
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The U.N. Security Council may vote Tuesday on a resolution condemning Syria’s brutal crackdown against civilians, amid reports that security forces have carried out mass detentions in the rebellious central town of Rastan. Diplomats say it remains unclear whether Russia will veto the resolution or abstain from voting. Moscow opposes the imposition of sanctions against […]

Tags: , , Posted in Middle East

Karzai to Convene Assembly to Discuss Afghan Peace Process

Posted October 3rd, 2011 at 7:25 pm (UTC-5)
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Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he will convene an assembly of tribal elders to determine a way forward in the peace process after the killing of the country’s top peace envoy. Former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, the head of the High Peace Council, was killed in a suicide bombing at his Kabul home on September 20. […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in South Asia

US Senate Advances Measure On China Currency

Posted October 3rd, 2011 at 6:50 pm (UTC-5)
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The U.S. Senate has voted to formally consider a bill that would punish China for allegedly undervaluing its currency. A motion to move forward with the bill easily won enough votes Monday evening. Lawmakers now will likely spend days debating the measure before a final vote is taken. The bill has bipartisan support, but it […]

Tags: , , Posted in East Asia Pacific

Kirk Confident Russia Can Join WTO by End of Year

Posted October 3rd, 2011 at 6:45 pm (UTC-5)
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U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk says he is confident Russia will complete negotiations for entry into the World Trade Organization by the end of the year. Kirk met in Washington Monday with First Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov. Kirk said Russia has made great progress on its WTO membership bid. He said he is […]

Tags: , Posted in Europe