Greece’s beleaguered government is preparing for a 48-hour general strike as lawmakers debate a new round of austerity reforms. An official with the Greek air traffic controllers’ union said the airports would close four hours in the morning and again in the evening, both Tuesday and Wednesday. The strike is set to disrupt or stop […]
Sudan’s Bashir Arrives in China Amid International Intrigue
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 3:35 am (UTC-5)
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is in China for a controversial visit following a mysterious delay blamed by Sudanese officials on U.S.-backed pressure. Chinese officials said after Mr. Bashir’s arrival early Tuesday that a meeting with President Hu Jintao — originally set for Monday evening — will now take place Wednesday. It was not clear whether […]
Blackwater Guard Sentenced for 2009 Shooting of Afghan Civilian
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 3:15 am (UTC-5)
A U.S. federal judge sentenced a former Blackwater guard on Monday to 30 months in prison and two years probation for his part in the May 2009 shooting death of an unarmed Afghan civilian. Prosecutors say Justin Cannon fired at the rear of a retreating vehicle following a nighttime automobile accident in his convoy. One […]
Japan’s Nikkei Finishes in Positive Territory
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
Japanese markets closed higher Tuesday, while the U.S. dollar is lower against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained nearly three-quarters of one percent to finish at 9,649. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 80.75 yen, a loss of just over one-tenth of a yen from Monday. The Taipei market closed at 8,479, […]
Aung San Suu Kyi Cites “Arab Spring” as Inspiration for Burmese
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
The British Broadcasting Corporation says Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi will compare the Arab Spring protests to developments in her own country in lectures to be aired on the British network beginning Tuesday. The BBC says the two lectures were secretly filmed in Burma and smuggled to Britain, where they were played before […]
Former Citigroup VP Pleads Not Guilty to Charges of Embezzlement
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 2:05 am (UTC-5)
A former vice president of Citigroup has pleaded not guilty to charges that he embezzled more than $19 million in a case that prosecutors are calling the “ultimate inside job.” Federal prosecutors say Gary Foster funneled money from various Citigroup bank accounts to his personal account in eight separate wire transfers between July and December […]
South Korea to Lift Ban on Canadian Beef Imports
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 1:50 am (UTC-5)
South Korea has agreed to end its eight-year-old ban on beef imports from Canada imposed after an outbreak of mad cow disease in the North American country. The Agriculture Ministry announced Tuesday that South Korea has agreed to accept Canadian beef from cows aged 30 months old or younger. The ministry says the deal will […]
Chinese Firm Opens Iraq’s First Oil Field in 20 Years
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 1:45 am (UTC-5)
China’s largest state oil company says it has begun operations at an oil field in Iraq, marking the first new oil project to get under way in that country in more than 20 years. The China National Petroleum Corporation said on its website that it began pumping oil last week at the Al-Ahdab field 180 […]
TEPCO Officials Face Heckling, Jeers at Annual Meeting
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 1:05 am (UTC-5)
Directors of the Tokyo Electric Power Company faced a barrage of insults from angry shareholders Tuesday at the company’s first annual meeting since a March 11 tsunami disabled its Fukushima nuclear power plant. Several hundred shareholders backed a resolution calling for the company to get out of the nuclear power business, while others demanded the […]
Afghanistan Warns Against Foreign Intervention in Political Dispute
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 1:05 am (UTC-5)
The Afghan government has warned against foreign intervention in a political dispute after lawmakers asked for outside help in reversing a presidential-backed court-ruling that calls for the dismissal of one-quarter of the country’s members of parliament. Lawmakers on Sunday appealed to the United Nations for help in reversing the ruling by a special tribunal set […]
