European stock prices are lower in midday trading Thursday. London’s Financial Times index is down just over one percent. The CAC-40 in Paris is down one and one-half percent, and the DAX index in Frankfurt is down nearly one and one-quarter percent. In New York, the S&P futures contract is down eight points, indicating a […]
Red Cross Demands Hamas Prove Israeli Soldier is Alive
Posted June 23rd, 2011 at 7:15 am (UTC-5)
The International Red Cross has demanded that the Palestinian militant group Hamas prove that kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is alive. In a statement Thursday, the ICRC said its demand comes because there has been no sign of life from Shalit for almost two years. The 24-year-old was last seen in a 2009 videotape released […]
Afghan Court Reverses Parliamentary Election Results in Vote Fraud Probe
Posted June 23rd, 2011 at 7:15 am (UTC-5)
A special court in Afghanistan has overturned a quarter of last year’s parliamentary election results in a vote fraud investigation, possibly creating a constitutional crisis. The tribunal threw out results for 62 of the 249 seats in the Afghan parliament on Thursday, with the possibility that more results could be overturned when it reconvenes on […]
Police Disperse Protesters in Senegal With Tear Gas For A Second Day
Posted June 23rd, 2011 at 7:10 am (UTC-5)
Senegalese police have fired tear gas on marchers in Dakar protesting proposed changes to election laws that opponents say would make it easier for the president to be re-elected. Witnesses say the demonstrators were throwing stones at the parliament building when the altercation began Thursday. VOA’s correspondent in Dakar said Wednesday protestors destroyed a bus […]
Asia Markets Close Mixed
Posted June 23rd, 2011 at 7:05 am (UTC-5)
Major Asian stock markets closed mixed Thursday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index lost more than one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,597. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lost almost one-half of one percent to finish the day’s trading at 21,759. Share prices were higher in Jakarta, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore and Wellington, but lower in Bangkok, Kuala […]
New Zealand Offers to Buy Homes in Quake-Damaged City
Posted June 23rd, 2011 at 6:55 am (UTC-5)
The New Zealand government says it will offer to buy 5,000 homes in Christchurch that were severely damaged by a series of powerful earthquakes. Prime Minister John Key told reporters Thursday the homes cannot be rebuilt because they sit on land that is too unstable. He says it will cost up to $500 million to […]
Egypt Jails 3 for Spying for Israel
Posted June 23rd, 2011 at 6:50 am (UTC-5)
A court in Egypt has sentenced an Egyptian businessman and two Israelis to 25 years in prison for spying for Israel. The court on Thursday sentenced Tareq Hassan, who was accused of seeking to recruit telecommunications workers in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon to become Israeli spies. Hassan, who runs an import-export company, was arrested last […]
Michelle Obama Continues African Trip
Posted June 23rd, 2011 at 6:45 am (UTC-5)
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama meets Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu Thursday as she wraps up her visit to South Africa. The two are set to meet in Cape Town. But Mrs. Obama’s planned ferry ride to Robben Island prison, where former South African President Nelson Mandela was jailed for 18 years, was cancelled […]
Asia’s Millionaire Total Tops Europe For First Time
Posted June 23rd, 2011 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
A new study finds there are more millionaires in Asia than in Europe for the first time. The study released Thursday says there are now 3.3 million people in Asia with investable assets — not counting their primary homes — of $1 million or more. That exceeds the 3.1 million people in Europe and is […]
Defiant Gadhafi Denounces NATO as “Murderers”
Posted June 23rd, 2011 at 6:20 am (UTC-5)
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has vowed to continue fighting, as he denounced NATO for airstrikes that caused civilian casualties. Mr. Gadhafi said in an audio statement broadcast late Wednesday that NATO states are “murderers” who have “killed our children and grandchildren.” NATO acknowledged an airstrike on Sunday that caused civilian casualties and one on Friday […]
