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 calls for Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed to resign within thirty days. The international community has been pressuring Somali officials to reach a resolution before the transitional government’s term expires in […]
Russia Cuts Electricity to Belaurus Over Debt
Posted June 9th, 2011 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
Russia’s state run electric company said Thursday it has reduced the amount of power it sends to Belarus because of an outstanding debt. Russia’s InterRao power provider lowered its to supply to Belarus to 200 megawatts, which is half of what it usually provides. Belarus has owed Russia just over $48 million in unpaid electric […]
Malaysia to Launch Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants on July 1
Posted June 9th, 2011 at 6:15 am (UTC-5)
Malaysian officials say they are set to go ahead on July 1 with an amnesty program aimed at an estimated 2 million illegal immigrants in the country. Deputy Home Minister Lee Chee Leong announced the starting date Thursday, saying the government will impose a temporary freeze on the recruitment of new foreign workers at that […]
UN Official Accuses Syria of Bludgeoning Its People
Posted June 9th, 2011 at 5:55 am (UTC-5)
The top U.N. human rights official is accusing Syria of trying to “bludgeon its population into submission” with its crackdown on anti-government protesters. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said Thursday that it is “utterly deplorable” for any government to deploy tanks, artillery and snipers against its people. She urged Syria to […]
South Korean Footballers Charged in Bribery Scandal
Posted June 9th, 2011 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
At least 10 South Korean football players have been charged in connection with a scheme to fix matches in exchange for money. Prosecutors in the southeastern city of Changwon have accused the players of accepting bribes from gambling brokers to fix games played in April. Eight of the players are from a single club, the […]
Former Polish President Lech Walesa Hospitalized
Posted June 9th, 2011 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
Polish officials say former president Lech Walesa is being treated at a hospital in his hometown of Gdansk. Mr. Walesa told the the French Press Agency he went to the hospital Wednesday, suffering from gastric problems and a fever. The 67 year old founder of the anti communist Solidarity movement in Poland in the 1980’s […]
Japan’s Nikkei Loses Ground
Posted June 9th, 2011 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
Japanese markets closed higher Thursday, while the U.S. dollar is higher against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,467. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 80.01, a gain of more than one-tenth of a yen from Wednesday. Gold is trading at $1,534.33 an ounce.
India’s “Picasso” Dies at 95
Posted June 9th, 2011 at 5:35 am (UTC-5)
An artist sometimes called “the Indian Picasso” has died in London at the age of 95. M.F. Husain — whose full name was Maqbool Fida Husain — began his career in India as a Bollywood poster artist and later developed a style combining Indian traditions with a Western-influenced Cubist style. He was also known for […]
Syrians Fleeing Violence as They Seek Refuge in Turkey
Posted June 9th, 2011 at 5:00 am (UTC-5)
Another thousand Syrians have fled to safety in Turkey, which has vowed to keep its doors open for those seeking refuge from the violence in their homeland. The Turkish government said the Syrians crossed the border overnight into the early hours Thursday, boosting the number of refugees to 1,600. They are looking to escape Syrian […]
Greek Workers Protest More Austerity Measures
Posted June 9th, 2011 at 5:00 am (UTC-5)
State workers in Greece have called a strike Thursday to protest government plans to privatize their jobs as part of an international bailout agreement. The work stoppage was called for the same day Prime Minister George Papandreou and his cabinet are set to meet to approve new austerity measures through 2015 that include higher taxes. […]
