Asian stock markets were lower in trading Monday. Japanese markets were closed for a national holiday . Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index slipped three-tenths of a percent to end at 21,805. Elsewhere, share prices were lower in Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington. Markets edged up in Manila. The dollar was selling at 79.02 yen in […]
Japan Wins Women’s World Cup
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 4:25 am (UTC-5)
Japan’s women’s football team has won the 2011 World Cup championship, beating the United States in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw after extra time. The win Sunday made Japan the first Asian nation to win the World Cup title, and it denied the United States a chance to become the first team to […]
International Court to Rule on Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 4:25 am (UTC-5)
The U.N.’s highest court is expected to rule Monday on a request by Cambodia for an immediate Thai troop withdrawal from a disputed border area around an ancient Khmer temple. The two sides orally argued their cases before the 15 judges at The Hague at the end of May. The International Court of Justice ruled […]
World Celebrates Mandela’s Birthday
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 4:20 am (UTC-5)
South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela, is celebrating his 93rd birthday Thursday, as people all over the world honor his life by giving back to their own communities. The United Nations designated the former leader’s birthday as Nelson Mandela Day in 2009, with a call for individuals to do 67 minutes of community service […]
Petraeus Hands Over Command In Afghanistan
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 4:05 am (UTC-5)
U.S. General David Petraeus, who has been the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan for a year, has officially handed over command of the international alliance to his successor, U.S. General John Allen. The transfer of power was conducted Monday at a ceremony in the Afghan capital, Kabul. Allen was most recently the deputy commander […]
Security Issues Top ASEAN Agenda as Diplomats Arrive in Bali
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 3:50 am (UTC-5)
Southeast Asian diplomats have begun arriving in Indonesia for a regional conference that is expected to dwell on security issues, including disputes in the South China Sea. Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations open their annual meeting in Bali Tuesday, and then invite China, Japan and South Korea to join them Thursday […]
China to Launch Pilot Carbon Trading Program
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 3:35 am (UTC-5)
China’s official news agency said Monday that the country will start a pilot carbon emissions trading project, and gradually set up a carbon emissions trading market. The Xinhua news agency quoted Xie Zhenhua, a top climate official, as saying Sunday that the plan would employ preferential and punitive tax polices to provide incentives to develop […]
Space Shuttle Atlantis Prepares for Last Flight Home
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
NASA says Monday will the last full day a space shuttle will spend docked at the International Space Station. On Sunday the astronauts of space shuttle Atlantis finished packing two tons of old equipment and trash from the ISS into a cargo hauler for the return flight to Earth. The Italian-built cargo pod will be […]
Top Karzai Aide, Lawmaker Killed in Kabul
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 2:30 am (UTC-5)
Afghan officials say a senior adviser to President Hamid Karzai and a member of parliament have been killed in an attack in the capital, Kabul. The officials said Jan Mohammad Khan, a former governor of southern Uruzgan province and a close adviser to Mr. Karzai, was killed along with Uruzgan lawmaker Mohammad Ashim Watanwal late […]
Beijing Leaders Mark 60 Years of Chinese Rule in Tibet
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 2:25 am (UTC-5)
A Chinese delegation led by Vice President Xi Jinping is in Tibet for ceremonies marking 60 years of direct Chinese rule in the territory. Others in the 59-member delegation include Vice Premier Hui Liangyu and Chen Bingde, the armed forces chief of staff. China’s official news media say the 59-member delegation was greeted at Lhasa’s […]
