Asian stock markets closed mixed Thursday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index lost just over one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,936. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained a fraction of one percent to finish the day’s trading at 21,940. Share prices were higher in Manila and Shanghai, but lower in Sydney, Taipei and Wellington. In currency […]
Ai Weiwei’s Wife, Lawyers Dispute Tax Charges at Hearing
Posted July 14th, 2011 at 5:30 am (UTC-5)
The wife and associates of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei appeared Thursday before a local taxation bureau to challenge charges that the artist has evaded hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes. Ai’s wife, Lu Qing, appeared at the hearing with lawyers for the design company Beijing Fake Cultural Development, which is headed by Lu. The […]
Sarkozy Calls for Security Meeting After Afghanistan Attack
Posted July 14th, 2011 at 5:25 am (UTC-5)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called a special meeting with his top security advisers to discuss new security conditions for the country’s soldiers in Afghanistan, a day after a suicide attack there killed five French soldiers. Sarkozy said Thursday he wants to talk about security measures during the transition process before French troops begin withdrawing […]
China Urges US to Protect Investors as Debt Ceiling Looms
Posted July 14th, 2011 at 5:10 am (UTC-5)
China is calling on the United States to protect the interests of its investors as its politicians engage in a policy battle that has brought it to the brink of default. At a foreign ministry briefing Thursday, spokesman Hong Lei said China hopes the U.S. government will adopt “responsible policies and measures to guarantee the […]
Suicide Blast Kills 4 at Service for Afghan Leader’s Brother
Posted July 14th, 2011 at 5:00 am (UTC-5)
Afghan officials say a suicide bomber has attacked a mosque in the southern city of Kandahar, killing four people during a memorial service for the assassinated half-brother of President Hamid Karzai. The Interior Ministry said the attack Thursday killed the head of the provincial religious council and three others. Local officials said another 13 people […]
Former First Lady to be Buried in Michigan
Posted July 14th, 2011 at 4:30 am (UTC-5)
A final funeral service for former U.S. first lady Betty Ford will be held Thursday before she is laid to rest next to her husband in her hometown in the northern state of Michigan. Mrs. Ford’s flower-draped casket arrived Wednesday night in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where hundreds of mourners participated in a procession and public […]
Japanese Foreign Ministry Boycotts KAL in Island Dispute
Posted July 14th, 2011 at 4:10 am (UTC-5)
Japan’s foreign ministry has ordered a one-month boycott of Korean Air to protest a demonstration flight by the airline that passed over islands claimed by both countries. Officials said Thursday that Japanese diplomats have been ordered not to use the Korean airline for the next 30 days. In addition, KAL officials will not be invited […]
ASEAN Said Ready to Hand China Draft Code of Conduct
Posted July 14th, 2011 at 3:55 am (UTC-5)
Japanese news outlets say China will be presented with a draft code of conduct for the South China Sea at a meeting of Southeast Asian nations in Indonesia next week. Japan’s NHK television quotes diplomats Thursday as saying the draft will address military exercises and exploration for natural resources, as well as appropriate responses to […]
Afghan Civilian War Deaths Up 15 Percent Over 2010
Posted July 14th, 2011 at 3:50 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations says the number of civilians killed in the war in Afghanistan in the first half of this year rose 15 percent over the same period a year ago. The U.N. mission in Afghanistan said Thursday more than 1,400 civilians had been killed, and attributed the deaths to increased ground fighting, roadside bombs, […]
ASEAN Said Ready to Hand China Draft Code of Conduct
Posted July 14th, 2011 at 3:35 am (UTC-5)
Japanese news outlets say China will be presented with a draft code of conduct for the South China Sea at a meeting of Southeast Asian nations in Indonesia next week. Japan’s NHK television quotes diplomats Thursday as saying the draft will address military exercises and exploration for natural resources, as well as appropriate responses to […]
