Asian stock markets closed higher Wednesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained just over one percent to finish at 9,039. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index soared well over than two and one-quarter percent to finish the day’s trading at 19,784. Share prices were also higher in Manila, Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington. In currency trading, the dollar […]
Death of Gadhafi Son Refuted, as Libyan TV Airs Alleged New Footage
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 4:30 am (UTC-5)
Libyan state television has broadcast what it says is footage of leader Moammar Gadhafi’s son Khamis recorded Tuesday, days after rebels claimed he was killed. The man reported to be Khamis Gadhafi was shown visiting wounded Libyans in a hospital. The Libyan government has denied rebel claims that Khamis, commander of one of his father’s […]
Ai Weiwei Called “Politically Feisty” in First Post-Release Interview
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 4:20 am (UTC-5)
Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei denies that he confessed to tax evasion and says he will continue to speak out against injustice in his first published interview since being released on bail in June. The internationally renowned artist also describes his sense of isolation during almost three months of detention following his arrest at […]
French-Vietnamese Dissident is Jailed for 3 Years for Subversion
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 3:40 am (UTC-5)
A Vietnamese court Wednesday sentenced a French-Vietnamese activist to three years in prison on charges of subversion. Pham Minh Hoang was convicted after a half-day trial of “carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the people’s administration.” Authorities say he posted several anti-government articles on the Internet, and had ties to Viet Tan, a pro-democracy group […]
Australia Lifts Ban on Budget Airline
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 3:25 am (UTC-5)
Australian aviation officials have lifted a six-week ban on the Australian subsidiary of Singapore-based Tiger Airways. The director of the nation’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority said Wednesday that Tiger Airways can resume domestic flights “at a date and time of their choosing.” The action comes after the airline agreed to new safety measures. The ban […]
South Korea Reports Artillery Exchange With North Near Border Island
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 3:10 am (UTC-5)
South Korean officials say North and South Korea exchanged artillery fire Wednesday in an area near the tense border with North Korea. Initial reports said three shells were fired on either side and most appear to have landed in the sea short of the border. There was no immediate evidence of damage or injuries. South […]
Asian Markets Soar in Response to US Fed Action
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 3:10 am (UTC-5)
Stock markets across Asia are closing in positive territory Wednesday, mirroring the previous day’s big rebound on Wall Street from Monday’s massive sell-off. Japan’s main Nikkei index finished Wednesday’s trading session one percent higher, while Taiwan’s stock exchange gained over three percent. Markets in Hong Kong and Sydney were trading at least two percent higher […]
Republicans Retain Control of Wisconsin Senate in Recall Elections
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 3:05 am (UTC-5)
Republicans have retained control of the Senate in the northern U.S. state of Wisconsin, winning four of six recall elections sparked by a contentious battle over public workers’ collective bargaining rights. The effort to remove the incumbents was linked to a budget measure passed earlier this year by both houses of the Republican-dominated state legislature […]
Suspected U.S. Drone Strike Kills 20 in Pakistan
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 2:50 am (UTC-5)
Pakistani intelligence officials say a U.S. drone strike has killed at least 20 militants in the North Waziristan tribal region along the Afghan border. The officials said the unmanned aircraft fired two missiles into a house Wednesday near the town of Miranshah, and that the militants include members of the Haqqani network. The militant group […]
Japan’s Nikkei Continues US Markets Recovery
Posted August 10th, 2011 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
Japanese markets closed higher Wednesday, while the U.S. dollar is lower against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained more just over one percent to finish at 9,039. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.80 yen, a loss of less than one-fifth of a yen from Tuesday. The Taipei market finished the day’s […]
