A second night of riots erupted in Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast, after police blocked Irish nationalists from confronting Protestant loyalists after an annual march Tuesday. The riots took place in the flashpoint area of Ardoyne, in north Belfast. Police used water cannons and fired plastic bullets against the rioters, who threw gasoline bombs, bricks and […]
Thai Election Commission Fails to Certify Yingluck’s Election
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 6:00 am (UTC-5)
Yingluck Shinawatra says she is still confident of becoming Thailand’s first female prime minister despite an obstacle thrown up by the country’s election commission. Ms. Yingluck was among 142 of the 500 winning candidates in this month’s election whose victories were not certified by the commission late Tuesday because of complaints of fraud or other […]
Kashmir Under Tight Security on “Martyr’s Day”
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 5:55 am (UTC-5)
Indian security forces have imposed tight security restrictions in the Kashmiri city of Srinagar ahead of Wednesday’s eightieth anniversary of a violent crackdown on Kashmiri Muslims in the city. Kashmiri separatist leaders have called for a strike and public processions to commemorate the 1931 killings of 21 Kashmiri Muslims who were revolting against the rule […]
Japanese Poverty Rate Reaches New High
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
The Japanese government says the nation’s poverty rate rose to a record 16 percent in 2009. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry says the figure is the highest since the government began to compile the data in 1985. The 2009 rate is 0.3 percentage points higher than the last previous survey in 2006. Japan’s poverty […]
Kan Says Japan Should Become Nuclear-Free Society
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan says Japan should begin working to build a society that can function without nuclear power. Mr. Kan proposed a wide-ranging review of Japan’s energy policies at a news conference Wednesday. He said a long-awaited bill to boost the use of renewable energy sources will be introduced to parliament on Thursday. […]
Media Watchdog Criticizes Egyptian Ministry Return
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 5:30 am (UTC-5)
A media watchdog group has criticized Egypt’s reinstatement of its information ministry, saying the move is a “setback for media freedom” in the country. The Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement that the ministry is not suitable for reforming Egypt’s media industry because of its history as an arm of ousted autocratic president […]
Japan’s Nikkei Rebounds
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 5:25 am (UTC-5)
Japanese markets closed higher Wednesday, while the U.S. dollar is higher against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained nearly four-tenths of one percent to finish at 9,963. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 79.27 yen, a gain of a fraction of a yen from Tuesday. Gold is trading at $1,572.33 an ounce.
Philippines Chides China For Rejecting Tribunal in Sea Dispute
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 4:50 am (UTC-5)
The Philippines says China’s refusal to submit its claims to disputed areas of the South China Sea to an international tribunal demonstrates the weakness of its case. Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario issued a statement Wednesday saying China’s decision could lead to doubts about the validity of its claims. Del Rosario proposed during a visit […]
Asian Stocks Mostly Higher
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets mostly higher in early trading Wednesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained nearly four-tenths of one percent to finish at 9,963. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was up nearly one and one-quarter percent to finish the day’s trading at 21,927. Share prices were also higher in Manila, Shanghai and Sydney, but lower in Taipei […]
WikiLeak’s Assange Continues Fight Against Extradition
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 4:35 am (UTC-5)
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange returns to court Wednesday for a second day to fight extradition from Britain to Sweden for questioning over sexual misconduct. Assange denies any sexual wrongdoing and claims the extradition to Sweden is politically motivated. He fears a fair trial would not be possible in Sweden. The 40-year old Assange’s disclosure of […]
