The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Irene has strengthened into a hurricane, the first of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. Irene, with winds of 120 kilometers per hour, is expected to strengthen further in the next two days. A hurricane warning is in effect for parts of Puerto Rico and the northern coast […]
Hurricane Irene: First of the 2011 Atlantic Season
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
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Biden Visits Mongolia to Boost Trade and Encourage Democracy
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 5:40 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden praised Mongolia’s transition to democracy Monday during a 1-day visit that featured talks on closer economic and defense cooperation. Biden arrived in Ulan Bator after a 5-day trip to China. He is the first U.S. vice president to visit Mongolia since 1944, though former president George W. Bush made a […]
Obama: Time for Gadhafi to Relinquish Power
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 5:30 am (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama has called on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to “relinquish power once and for all,” saying the momentum against him has reached a tipping point. In a statement late Sunday after Libyan rebels pushed into the capital, Tripoli, Mr. Obama said Mr. Gadhafi needs to acknowledge that he no longer controls the […]
Stricken Japanese Nuclear Plant to Remain Off-Limits
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
Top Japanese government officials say that some areas around the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant will likely remain off-limits for several decades. Recent readings within 20 kilometers of the plant show dangerous radiation levels several times higher than international safety standards. Officials say the government is considering providing further support to evacuated residents, including long-term housing. […]
Tokyo Stocks Down, Dollar Up
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 5:15 am (UTC-5)
Japanese share prices ended lower Monday, while the dollar rose against the yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index dropped one percent to close at 8,628. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.71 yen, up two-tenths of a yen from late Friday. Gold was selling at $1,888.07 an ounce.
Cambodia to Acquire Military Helicopters From China
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 5:05 am (UTC-5)
Cambodia has agreed to acquire an unspecified number of military helicopters from China. The deal involving Chinese-made Z-9 utility helicopters became public Monday. It was one of more than two dozen agreements concluded Saturday during a visit to Phnom Penh by Chinese Politburo member Zhou Yongkang. Among the other agreements were deals on mining and […]
Germany Cuts Its Deficit Forecast
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 4:50 am (UTC-5)
Germany’s Finance Ministry revised its deficit forecast Monday from 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent of gross domestic product this year. The drop would meet the Maastricht 3-percent deficit limit requirement two years ahead of schedule. German tax revenue grew nearly 10 percent in July to 9.9 percent from a year ago. The Finance Ministry says […]
Tropical Storm Irene Nears Hurricane Strength
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 4:30 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Irene is just below hurricane strength as is moves across eastern Puerto Rico with winds of 110 kilometers per hour. While the Dominican Republic has downgraded a hurricane warning for its southern coast to a tropical storm warning, the northern coast remains under a hurricane warning. A […]
Asian Markets Mostly Lower
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 4:30 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets were mostly lower in trading Monday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index dropped one percent to close at 8,628. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up half a percent to end at 19,487. Elsewhere, share prices were lower in Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei and Manila. Wellington stocks edged up. The dollar was selling at 76.82 yen in […]
North Korean Leader Travels in Secrecy Toward Russian Summit
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 4:10 am (UTC-5)
Tight secrecy surrounded the travel plans of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il Monday, as his armored train carried him toward a summit this week with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. South Korea’s Yonhap news agency quoted unnamed intelligence sources as saying Mr. Kim would likely stop in the Siberian city of Skovorodino before continuing on […]
