A Japanese rock musician has died in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. Pacific possession, after he was arrested for unruly behavior on a flight to the commonwealth. U.S. officials say rocker Taiji Sawada died Sunday at Saipan’s Commonwealth Hospital while he was still under in detention. He was 45. Officials did not say how […]
Atlantis Crew Wrapping Up Final Shuttle Mission
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
Astronauts on the space shuttle Atlantis have said farewell to their counterparts at the International Space Station, as they prepare to wrap up the final mission of the 30-year shuttle program. Atlantis astronauts Monday used a robotic arm to detach a cargo hauler full of old equipment and trash from the space station and load […]
Russia Launches Probe Against Jail Officials in Magnitsky Death
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
Russian investigators have launched a criminal probe into two prison officials for their suspected role in the 2009 death of a jailed lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky. The chief physician at Moscow’s Butyrskaya prison, Larisa Litvinova, and the prison’s deputy chief, Dmitry Kratov, are suspected of negligence in Magnitsky’s death. Magnitsky, who worked for a London-based investment […]
Apartheid-Era Defense Minister Malan Dies in South Africa
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
A South African defense minister who led military efforts against the anti-apartheid movement has died. A statement released by the family of General Magnus Malan says he “died peacefully” early Monday at his home in Cape Town. He was 81. Malan served as South Africa’s defense minister from 1980 to 1991 and before that as […]
Pakistani Taliban Release Video of Police Execution
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
The Pakistani Taliban has released a graphic video purportedly showing militants executing 16 Pakistani police officers who were captured in the country’s northwest last month. The video, which was posted on a website, shows the tribal police officers, wearing traditional baggy shirt and pants , lined up with their hands tied behind their backs. The […]
Egypt Postpones New Cabinet Swearing-In
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
Egypt on Monday postponed the swearing-in of a new Cabinet for at least a day as protesters vowed to continue a sit-in at Cairo’s main square, saying government reforms do not go far enough. Egypt’s military-appointed Prime Minister Essam Sharaf announced Sunday that he has chosen one of his two newly-appointed deputies to serve as […]
US Stocks Fall
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 10:30 am (UTC-5)
U.S. stock market indexes declined in Monday’s early trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated eight-tenths of a percent, the S&P 500 fell seven-tenths of a percent and the NASDAQ lost six-tenths of a percent. European stock markets were lower in afternoon trading. London’s Financial Times 100 index lost nine-tenths of a percent, the CAC-40 […]
Vatican and Malaysia Establish Diplomatic Ties
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
The Vatican and the predominately Muslim nation of Malaysia have established diplomatic relations. The Vatican made the announcement Monday after Pope Benedict met with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak south of Rome. Religious tensions have been on the rise in Malaysia in recent years, with religious minority groups complaining of discrimination by the country’s Muslim […]
South Africans Celebrate Mandela’s Birthday
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
Millions of South Africans are celebrating the birthday of Nelson Mandela, who turned 93 Monday. South African schoolchildren began their day by singing a special birthday song for Mr. Mandela, while many adults heeded his call to mark the day by performing community service. The anti-apartheid icon celebrated with family and friends at his home […]
Unrest in Xinjiang Claims at Least 4 Lives
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
Chinese state media say at least four people were killed Monday when a group attacked a police station in the country’s western Xinjiang region. The official Xinhua news agency said the rioters attacked the police station in the city of Hotan, seizing hostages and setting the building on fire. It said additional police converged on […]
