Iraqi officials say two bombs have exploded in the southern city of Kut, killing at least 34 people and wounding 60 others. Police say a roadside bomb exploded first, followed by a car bomb that detonated as people arrived at the scene. Kut is located about 150 kilometers southeast of the capital, Baghdad. No group […]
10 Die in Chinese Mine Explosion
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 3:05 am (UTC-5)
Chinese officials say 10 people have been killed by a gas explosion in a southwest China coal mine, in the latest in a series of fatal accidents to plague the industry. The blast occurred Sunday evening in Guizhou province, while 11 men were working underground. The one survivor was injured. Despite improved safety standards in […]
Hackers Steal Data from US City’s Transit Agency
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 2:50 am (UTC-5)
Hackers have published the contact information of thousands of customers of San Francisco’s mass transit system after the transit agency blocked cell phone service in some stations to prevent a protest. The group Anonymous posted the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of about 2,000 people on its own site Sunday after taking the […]
Reports: Pakistan Likely Granted China Access to Downed US Helicopter
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 2:45 am (UTC-5)
Published reports say Chinese engineers were likely given access to the wreckage of a stealth American helicopter that crashed during the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. U.S. officials have told reporters that Pakistan’s intelligence service allowed the engineers to photograph the helicopter, which contained special technology designed to allow the aircraft to elude radar. […]
Tokyo Markets, Dollar Higher
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 2:15 am (UTC-5)
Japanese share prices ended higher Monday, while the dollar rose against the yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose 1.37 percent , to close at 9,086. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.90 yen, up two-tenths of a yen from late Friday. The Taipei market jumped 2.39 percent , to close at 7,819.
Cold Snap Brings Rare Snowfall to New Zealand
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 2:10 am (UTC-5)
A polar blast dumped snow and freezing rain on New Zealand Monday, closing roads, cutting power and bringing areas of the country to a standstill. Snow fell in Auckland for the first time in more than 30 years, while authorities warned residents of Wellington to stock up on supplies and stay put, as the capital […]
Russia Promotes Gas Pipeline Through North Korea to South
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 2:10 am (UTC-5)
North Korea says it has received a message from Russian President Dmitry Medvedev seeking cooperation on the construction of a gas pipeline from Russia, through North Korea to South Korea. Pyongyang’s official KCNA news agency said Monday the message also proposed connecting railways and power lines across the three countries. It said the message was […]
Study Shows Infants with Autistic Siblings at Higher Risk
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 1:55 am (UTC-5)
A new study says children who have older siblings with autism have a higher risk of developing the disorder than previously thought. Researchers at the University of California at Davis studied more than 650 infants who have an older sibling with autism, and found 19 percent of the younger children were also diagnosed with the […]
Pakistan, Iran Discussed as Chinese Military Chief Visits Israel
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 1:30 am (UTC-5)
Chinese military chief Chen Bingde is in Israel, becoming the most senior Chinese officer ever to visit the country. Chen met with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Israeli defense chief General Benny Gantz after his arrival Sunday for a three-day visit described by Israeli officials as “historic.” Israel’s defense ministry said the officials discussed relations […]
Asian Markets Rise as Japan Exceeds GDP Expectations
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 12:15 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets trended upward Monday, riding a global market rally and buoyed by news that Japan’s earthquake-battered economy shrank less than expected in the April to June period. Japan’s gross domestic product contracted 0.3 percent over the three months as manufacturers struggled with the effects of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. But that […]
