Somalia’s feuding political leaders have agreed to postpone their nation’s presidential election for one year and hold the vote by August, 2012. The agreement was announced Thursday, after talks in Uganda’s capital between Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden. The deal was brokered by Ugandan President Yoweri […]
China Rejects UN Criticism of Monk Arrests
China has rejected criticism from a United Nations human rights panel about the status of more than 300 Tibetan monks arrested earlier this year in Sichuan province, saying the detained monks are undergoing “legal education” under the local authorities. The U.N. Working group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances on Wednesday called on Beijing to disclose […]
At Least 3 Chinese Kidnapped in Colombia
Leftist rebels in Colombia have kidnapped four Chinese oil workers in southern Caqueta province. Both the Colombian and Chinese governments confirmed the incident Wednesday. Officials said the kidnapping took place Tuesday when armed men forced the workers out of their vehicle at gunpoint near the town of San Vicente de Caguan. The Colombian driver of […]
Somali Pirates Free Chinese Ship With 29 Crew
Somali pirates have released a Chinese cargo ship and its 29 Chinese crew members after nearly seven months in captivity. The European Union’s anti-piracy force said Thursday that the MV Yuan Xiang is heading for a safe port after being freed a day earlier. It said it had no information on the condition of the […]
European Stocks Mixed in Midday Trading
European stock prices are mixed in midday trading Thursday. London’s Financial Times index and the CAC-40 in Paris are virtually unchanged, while the DAX index in Frankfurt is up two-tenths of one percent. In New York, the S&P futures contract is up more than five points, indicating a higher opening. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained two-tenths […]
NATO Chief Predicts Afghans Will Be In Control by 2014
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says operations in Afghanistan remain a “key operational priority” for the alliance and predicted the Afghan government will take full control of security by 2014. He spoke in Brussels at a meeting of NATO defense ministers and those from non-NATO allies in the international security force in Afghanistan. The […]
Chinese Coal Driver Sentenced to Death in Killing of Mongolian Herder
A Chinese coal driver has been sentenced to death for killing a Mongolian herder in a case that sparked weeks of unrest across Inner Mongolia. China’s official Xinhua news agency said the sentence was handed down Wednesday after a six-hour trial in the Chinese autonomous region. The court found that driver Li Lindong killed the […]
Asia Markets Close Mostly Higher
Major Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Thursday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,467. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lost nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish the day’s trading at 22,609. Share prices were higher in Bangkok and Sydney, but lower in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Mumbai, […]
NATO Bombs Tripoli as World Powers Chart a Libya Without Gadhafi
NATO has launched more airstrikes near the residence of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi as global powers gathered to discuss a Libya without him. Loud explosions rocked the Libyan capital Tripoli late Wednesday, with the first bombs striking an area near Mr. Gadhafi’s compound and the second attack near a hotel where foreign journalists have been […]
North Korea Threatens to Release Recordings of Secret Talks With South
North Korea is threatening to disclose recordings of a secret meeting it held with South Korea to prove Seoul called for summit talks with Pyongyang. The North’s official Korean Central News Agency says it will release the recordings if South Korea refuses to reveal what was actually discussed during the meeting last month in Beijing. […]