South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela, is celebrating his 93rd birthday Monday, 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 […]
Asian Markets Close Mostly Lower
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 6:30 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets closed mostly lower 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, Taipei, Seoul, Sydney, Mumbai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Wellington. Markets inched up in Bangkok, Jakarta and Manila. The […]
Philippines Lawmakers to Visit Spratlys to Reinforce Claim
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
Five Philippine legislators say they will visit a disputed island in the South China Sea Wednesday to reinforce their country’s claims in the area. The island is in the potentially oil- and gas-rich Spratly Islands, which are claimed in whole or part by six governments. Both Vietnam and the Philippines have complained of Chinese naval […]
2 Killed in Chile Subway Shooting
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
Police in Chile’s capital say a man opened fire on a subway train Sunday, killing at least two people and wounding four others. Santiago police say the assailant killed himself after the attack. The gunman has been identified as 45-year-old Israel Huerta Cespedes. Police say the shooting happened in the Plaza Maipu station. They have […]
Indonesian Volcano Continues to Erupt
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
A volcano in central Indonesia continued to erupt on Monday, a day after it unleashed its most powerful eruption in weeks. Vulcanologists said Mount Lokon on northern Sulawesi island erupted twice within a half-hour period Monday afternoon. On Sunday, the mountain shot ash and debris 3,500 meters into the air. There were no reports of […]
International Court Rules on Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 6:00 am (UTC-5)
The U.N.’s highest court has ordered both Cambodia and Thailand to immediately withdraw all troops and police from a newly declared demilitarized zone around an ancient Khmer temple on their border. The International Court of Justice in The Hague also ruled Monday that both countries should allow observers from the Association of South East Asian […]
Britain to Slash Army Size
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 5:55 am (UTC-5)
British Defense Secretary Liam Fox is expected to announce a major troop reduction for the British Army. Fox will tell the House of Commons that the regular Army will shrink to its smallest size in 110-years. The Army will reduce its ranks by at least 17,000 people, to just above 80,000 active duty members. The […]
Somali Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
The European Union’s anti-piracy force says suspected Somali pirates have hijacked an oil tanker in the northern Indian Ocean. The task force said in a statement Monday the MV JUBBA XX was seized Saturday and has been spotted traveling towards the northern Somali coast. The task force said nine pirates have been reported on board. […]
Iraqi PM Visits China Seeking New Investment Sources
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 5:30 am (UTC-5)
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki is in Beijing for high-level talks aimed at securing investment in the reconstruction of his war-ravaged country. Mr. Maliki is expected to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other officials during his first visit to China, which winds up Thursday. In an exclusive interview with […]
Tokyo Markets Closed, Dollar Down
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
Japanese markets were closed Monday for a national holiday . In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 79.08 yen, down slightly from late Friday. Gold was selling for $1,598.74 an ounce.
