At least 41 people were killed and six injured Friday, when an overloaded bus caught fire in central China. China’s official Xinhua news agency said 47 people were on board when the 35-seat bus caught fire early Friday in Xinyang City, Henan Province. Xinhua said that among the six injured, one person was in critical […]
Pakistan Protests US Arrest of Alleged Agent
The Pakistani government has protested the arrest in the United States of a man accused of acting as a Pakistani agent to influence Washington policymakers on the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. Pakistan said Thursday it had registered its concerns at the U.S. embassy in Islamabad and accused the United States of a slander campaign […]
Reports: US Military One Step Closer to Allowing Gays to Serve Openly
U.S. news outlets say Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is expected to announce Friday that the military is ready to repeal the ban on openly gay men and women from serving in the armed services. Panetta’s announcement complies with a law signed in December by President Barack Obama that overturned the 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” […]
North, South Korea Hold Direct Nuclear Talks
South Korean officials say nuclear envoys from North and South Korea held talks Friday on the sidelines of the ASEAN security conference in Bali, Indonesia. Diplomats said it was the first meeting between chief nuclear envoys from the two countries since six-party nulear talks collapsed in December of 2008. The South’s Yonhap news agency said […]
Red Cross Visits Former Ivory Coast President in Detention
The International Committee of the Red Cross says it has visited former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo,who has been detained in the west African nation since April. A Red Cross spokesman said Friday officials from the organization met with Mr. Gbagbo and several others in detention or house arrest to make sure they are being […]
Tokyo Stocks, Dollar Up
Japanese share prices ended higher Friday, while the dollar rose against the yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained more than one percent , to close at 10,132. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 78.54 yen, up a quarter of a yen from late Thursday. Gold was trading at $1,587.91 an ounce.
Tokyo Stocks, Dollar Up
Japanese share prices ended higher Friday, while the dollar rose against the yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained more than one percent , to close at 10,132. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 78.61 yen, up three-tenths of a yen from late Thursday. The Taipei market gained about one-half a percent , to close […]
Asian Markets Higher
Asian stock markets were higher in early trading Friday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained more than one percent , to close at 10,132. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped nearly three percent , to end at 22,445. Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Taipei, Sydney, Shanghai and Wellington. Manila markets inched up slightly. The dollar was […]
China to Ordain 7 More Bishops
China’s official media reported Friday that the state-controlled Catholic church plans to ordain at least seven more bishops, despite a deepening rift with the Vatican. The China Daily newspaper cited the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association as saying local churches in seven dioceses were preparing to ordain bishops. The report did not indicate when the ordinations […]
Third Chinese Railways Official Investigated for Corruption
Another senior Chinese official is under investigation in the latest case targeting corruption in the rail system. News reports said Friday that authorities detained Su Shunhu, deputy director of the Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Railways last month. The bureau is responsible for railway construction plans and coordinating rail traffic. The reports said Su […]