U.S. Senator John McCain has arrived in Burma for a three-day visit during which he expects to meet with senior government officials and with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The senator was expected to meet government officials later Wednesday in Naypyitaw, the Burmese administrative capital. He plans to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi […]
US Space Shuttle Returns from Its Final Mission
Posted June 1st, 2011 at 5:10 am (UTC-5)
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 […]
Philippines Protests Chinese Incursion in South China Sea
Posted June 1st, 2011 at 4:55 am (UTC-5)
The Philippine government says it has conveyed “serious concerns” to the Chinese embassy about reports that Chinese ships unloaded building materials and put up markers on reefs claimed by Manila in the South China Sea. The foreign ministry said Wednesday the Philippine military observed the activity near what is known as the Iroquois or Amy […]
US Condemns Killing of Pakistani Journalist
Posted June 1st, 2011 at 4:55 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has strongly condemned the killing of a Pakistani journalist who wrote about possible links between Pakistan’s military and al-Qaida. Clinton said the U.S. welcomes Pakistan’s investigation into the death of Syed Saleem Shahzad, who reported for the Hong Kong-based Asia Times Online and the Italian news agency Adnkronos International. […]
Israeli Police Guard Against Jerusalem Day Violence
Posted June 1st, 2011 at 4:50 am (UTC-5)
Security is high in Jerusalem Wednesday as Jewish residents celebrate Jerusalem Day, the anniversary of Israel’s seizing control of East Jerusalem in 1967. Israel’s police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says 3,000 officers have been deployed throughout the city to ensure that the situation remains peaceful as thousands of people march through the streets of the city. […]
Belarus Asks IMF for a Rescue Loan
Posted June 1st, 2011 at 4:50 am (UTC-5)
Belarus says it is asking the International Monetary Fund for a rescue loan to help it cope with a deepening financial crisis. The former Soviet republic announced the request Wednesday, a day after it froze prices on some basic foods until July 1 and several days after it devalued its currency by more than a […]
Japan Wants Office Workers to be “Super Cool”
Posted June 1st, 2011 at 4:35 am (UTC-5)
The Japanese government hopes to ease anticipated power shortages with “Super Cool Biz” — a revamped version of its annual program to encourage office workers to dress casually during the hot weather months. Beginning Wednesday, office workers are urged to abandon conventional suits and ties in favor of t-shirts, polo shirts and brightly colored Hawaiian […]
Asian Stocks Mixed
Posted June 1st, 2011 at 4:35 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets closed mixed Wednesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained more than one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,720. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lost nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish the day’s trading at 23,626. Share prices were higher in Manila, Taipei and Wellington. Trading was either flat or unchanged in Shanghai […]
UN Refugee Agency Concerned About Sudan’s Abyei Region
Posted June 1st, 2011 at 4:10 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations refugee agency says it is concerned that the number of displaced people in Sudan’s Abyei region could rise after a recent outbreak in fighting. The UNHCR said Tuesday the security situation in the region remains precarious a week after fighting erupted involving forces from both north and south Sudan. The agency said […]
Philippines Protests Chinese Incursion in South China Sea
Posted June 1st, 2011 at 3:55 am (UTC-5)
The Philippine government says it has conveyed “serious concerns” to the Chinese embassy over reports that Chinese ships unloaded building materials and put up military posts on reefs claimed by Manila in the South China Sea. The foreign ministry said Wednesday the Philippine military observed the activity near what is known as the Iroquois or […]
