Asian stock markets closed mixed Wednesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained nearly one-tenth of one percent to finish at 9,449. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lost one percent to finish the day’s trading at 22,662. Share prices were higher in Manila, Shanghai, and Wellington, but lower in Sydney and Taiwan. In currency trading, the dollar was […]
China Warns Philippines in South China Sea Dispute
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 4:10 am (UTC-5)
China is telling the Philippines to stop harming its rights and interests by complaining about Chinese activities in the South China Sea. In a statement published on its foreign ministry website late Tuesday, spokesman Hong Lei said the Philippine government should stop publishing “irresponsible statements” that do not match the facts. He added that Chinese […]
Another Indian Activist Fasts to Protest Government Corruption
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 3:40 am (UTC-5)
Indian social activist Anna Hazare has started a day-long fast against corruption and the government’s crackdown on a similar protest led by a popular yoga guru. Hazare began his protest Wednesday at the New Delhi site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Hazare sat on a stage dressed in his traditional white cotton clothes as about […]
China Opens Military Procurement to Civil Bidders
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 3:40 am (UTC-5)
Chinese state media say the government has for the first time published a list of companies that are authorized to supply military equipment. The official Xinhua news agency said Wednesday that 1,600 suppliers are named on the list, which is being made public as part of a reform of the military procurement process. The agency […]
Poll: Most Australians Say Gay Marriage Inevitable
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 3:40 am (UTC-5)
A new public opinion survey has found that most Australians believe same-sex marriage will be legalized in the country. The survey found about 75 percent of those asked agree that it is inevitable that the law preventing homosexuals from marrying will be repealed. The poll was commissioned by the advocacy group Australian Marriage Equality. Alex […]
German E. coli Infections on Decline
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 3:35 am (UTC-5)
Germany’s health minister Daniel Bahr says the number of new E. coli infections in Germany is dropping, signaling a possible end in sight for Europe’s worst E. coli outbreak in recent history. He said Wednesday that it is too early to declare an end to the crisis, but he said the most recent data gives […]
Chinese-Based iPhone Maker is Stripped of Blue-Chip Status
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 3:15 am (UTC-5)
Foxconn, the troubled, China-based manufacturer of iPhones and other electronic devices, has suffered a blow to its prestige with its delisting from Hong Kong’s Hang Seng stock index. Tuesday’s action is the latest in a series of setbacks for the world’s largest electronics subcontractor, which also assembles Apple iPads, Amazon Kindles, Nokia smartphones and other […]
Japan’s Nikkei Makes Slight Gains
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
Japanese markets closed slightly higher Wednesday, while the U.S. dollar is lower against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained nearly one-tenth of one percent to finish at 9,449. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 79.98 yen, a loss of just over one-tenth of a yen from Tuesday. The Taipei market was closed […]
Poll: Most Australians Say Gay Marriage Inevitable
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 2:30 am (UTC-5)
A new public opinion survey has found that most Australians believe same-sex marriage will be legalized in the country. The survey found about 75 of those asked agree that it is inevitable that the law preventing homosexuals from marrying will be repealed. The poll was commissioned by the advocacy group Australian Marriage Equality. Alex Greenwich, […]
China Warns Philippines in South China Sea Dispute
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 2:25 am (UTC-5)
China is telling the Philippines to stop harming its rights and interests by complaining about Chinese activities in the South China Sea. At a foreign ministry briefing Tuesday, spokesman Hong Lei said the Philippine government should stop publishing “irresponsible statements” that do not match the facts. He added that Chinese vessels were carrying out scientific […]
