Asian stock markets were higher in trading Monday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose one percent to close at 9,965. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped one-and-two-thirds percent to end at 22,770. Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Shanghai, Sydney, Wellington, Taipei and Manila. The dollar was selling at 80.62 yen in currency trading, down two-tenths of […]
EU to Give Millions in Food Aid to North Korea
Posted July 4th, 2011 at 4:55 am (UTC-5)
The European Commission says it will give more than $14.5 million of food aid to North Korea to help around 650,000 people at risk of starving. The Commission said Monday the food will be delivered under a strict monitoring system to those most vulnerable to malnutrition in the northern and eastern provinces of the country. […]
Thai Election Victor Looks to Boost Majority
Posted July 4th, 2011 at 3:03 am (UTC-5)
Political novice Yingluck Shinawatra is looking to smaller parties to boost her majority in Thailand’s parliament a day after elections that will make her the country’s first female prime minister. Election officials said Ms. Yingluck’s Puea Thai party captured 265 of the 500 seats in Sunday’s voting. The outcome was a stunning setback for the […]
China Suspends Search for Trapped Miners
Posted July 4th, 2011 at 3:01 am (UTC-5)
Chinese state media say rescuers racing to save 19 trapped coal miners suspended their efforts Monday because of high levels of toxic gas. The Xinhua news agency said the rescue command center at the Heshan mine in southern Guangxi province ordered rescuers to retreat when carbon monoxide and other gases spewed out of the shaft […]
Palestinian Government Blames Donor Shortfall for Wage Cuts
Posted July 4th, 2011 at 2:55 am (UTC-5)
The Palestinian Authority says it can only pay its employees half their salary this month, as donors have failed to deliver on their pledges of financial aid. Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said Sunday the government has received only $330 million of the $971 million pledged for this year. He said the gap has […]
Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi Travels to Temple City
Posted July 4th, 2011 at 2:40 am (UTC-5)
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is traveling outside her home city of Rangoon for the first time since she was released from seven years of house arrest. The Nobel Peace laureate arrived by plane Monday in the ancient temple city of Bagan with several of her close colleagues for a four-day visit. She […]
Tokyo Stocks Up, Dollar Down
Posted July 4th, 2011 at 2:15 am (UTC-5)
Japanese share prices ended higher Monday, while the dollar dipped against the yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose one percent to close at 9,965. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 80.72 yen, down one-tenth of a yen from late Friday. The Taipei market closed up four-tenths of a percent to close at 8,775.
Britain Pledges $61 Million in Food Aid to Ethiopia
Posted July 4th, 2011 at 2:05 am (UTC-5)
Britain has pledged $61 million in emergency food aid to Ethiopia as the Horn of Africa experiences its worst drought in decades. British International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell announced the aid to the World Food Program Sunday, saying the money could feed 1.3 million people for three months. He said Britain is acting quickly to […]
South Korean Marine Kills 3 Colleagues
Posted July 4th, 2011 at 1:50 am (UTC-5)
South Korea’s Defense Ministry says a marine corporal opened fire on colleagues at a frontline guard post Monday, killing three and wounding two. A military spokesman said the corporal was on duty at the Yellow Sea island base of Ganghwa island, 70 kilometers west of Seoul. The official said the dead included one officer and […]
Burma Defector a 31-Year Career Diplomat
Posted July 4th, 2011 at 12:35 am (UTC-5)
Kyaw Win, Burma’s number two diplomat, who defected to the United States on Monday, is a career diplomat who has worked for Burma’s Foreign Ministry for 31 years. During that time, he served in Madrid, Geneva, New Delhi, Brasilia and Washington. Kyaw Win has held the position of Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington since […]
