The U.S. space shuttle Endeavour returned to Earth early Wednesday after completing its final voyage to the International Space Station. Commander Mark Kelly and his crew landed safely at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was the 25th time the U.S. space agency, NASA, has landed a space shuttle in darkness, about a fifth […]
US Space Shuttle Returns from Its Final Mission
Gates to Stress US Commitment to Asia at Singapore Forum
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he will stress America’s continuing commitment to Asia during an upcoming security forum in Singapore. Gates spoke to reporters in Hawaii during a stopover on his way to the Shangri La Dialogue, which will be attended by defense ministers and military chiefs from across the Asia-Pacific region. China is […]
Japan’s Nikkei Rises, Dollar Falls
Japanese markets closed higher Wednesday, while the U.S. dollar is lower against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained more than one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,720. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 81.36 yen, a loss of just over one-fourth of a yen from Tuesday. The Taipei market finished at […]
Japanese PM Bracing for No-Confidence Vote in Parliament
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan is facing a no-confidence vote in parliament, with many members of his own party signaling they will vote to remove him from office. The Asahi newspaper says more than 50 members of Mr. Kan’s Democratic Party of Japan support the no-confidence motion, which is expected to come up for a […]
Gates Says Afghan Warnings Reflect “Pain” of War
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says warnings about civilian casualties from Afghan President Hamid Karzai reflect the “pain and suffering” the Afghan people have endured after 30 years of war. Gates said Tuesday it is important for both sides to jointly investigate civilian casualties and that Mr. Karzai and the Afghan people recognize the U.S.-led […]
Belfast Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Launch of Doomed Ship Titanic
The Northern Ireland capital Belfast has marked the 100th anniversary of the launch of the doomed ship Titanic with a celebration. A flare was set off Tuesday at the exact moment the ship was launched from a Belfast dock 100 years ago, as the city ended a century of downplaying its role in the construction […]
South Korean Military Bans Kim Jong Il Images in Target Practice
South Korea’s defense ministry says it will instruct training centers not to use images of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and his family as targets at their shooting ranges. The Chosun Ilbo newspaper says some units have been using pictures of Mr. Kim, his late father, North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, and Mr. […]
Khmer Rouge Prosecutor Challenges Judges in Deepening Spat
A British lawyer charged with prosecuting Khmer Rouge war crimes has formally accused the international tribunal’s investigating judges of exceeding their authority in a deepening spat. Prosecutor Andrew Cayley has formally appealed an order from the German and Cambodian investigating judges that he retract recent remarks calling for a more complete investigation of two Khmer […]
WHO Says Child Injuries Reach New High in Somalia Fighting
The World Health Organization says increased fighting in Somalia’s capital has pushed the number of child casualties to a new high. The group says children under the age of 5 suffered nearly half of the weapons-related injuries in Mogadishu last month. That number is up from 3 percent in April. The WHO says the main […]
Miami Heat Win Opening Game of 2010-11 NBA Finals
The Miami Heat defeated the visiting Dallas Mavericks 92-84 to take the first game of the National Basketball Association championship series Tuesday. LeBron James led the Heat with 24 points, including four three-pointers, while the other members of the team’s storied “Big Three,” Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, finished with 22 and 19 points respectively. […]