The U.N. Human Rights Council has ordered an investigation into possible rights violations committed by Syrian security forces during a deadly crackdown against dissent. The 47-member council voted Tuesday to approve a resolution by a 33-to-4 margin, with the rest of the members abstaining. China and Russia were among those that opposed the measure, saying […]
UN Rights Council Orders Probe of Syrian Violence
Posted August 23rd, 2011 at 5:55 am (UTC-5)
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Japan’s Nikkei Rises
Posted August 23rd, 2011 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
Japanese markets closed higher Tuesday, while the U.S. dollar is lower against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained nearly one and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,733. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.57 yen, a loss of nearly one-quarter of a yen from Monday. Gold is trading at $1,885.33 an ounce.
“Day of Mourning” Cripples Karachi
Posted August 23rd, 2011 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
A general strike called to protest the ongoing political and ethnic violence in Karachi has left Pakistan’s largest city mostly deserted Tuesday. Karachi’s main political party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement , called for the “day of mourning” after nearly 100 people were killed during the past week in the southern port city. MQM says that […]
China Defends its Oil Interests in Libya
Posted August 23rd, 2011 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
China is stressing what it calls the “mutually beneficial” aspects of its huge investment in Libya’s oil sector after rebel suggestions that Beijing could suffer for its failure to support the rebel cause. A senior Commerce Ministry official said Tuesday that China hopes “to develop economic and trade cooperation with Libya in every aspect” following […]
Turkey Says Air Raids Killed 90 to 100 Kurdish Rebels
Posted August 23rd, 2011 at 5:05 am (UTC-5)
Turkey’s military says it has killed an estimated 90 to 100 Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq since launching airstrikes and artillery attacks last week. The military said in a statement Tuesday that Turkish warplanes have struck 132 targets during the campaign, and that another 80 rebels have been wounded. It also said the air and […]
China to Name Names in Report on Bullet Train Crash
Posted August 23rd, 2011 at 4:45 am (UTC-5)
Chinese authorities say a report due in mid-September will identify individuals responsible for the deadly crash of two bullet trains in the eastern province of Zhejiang one month ago. A spokesman for the State Administration of Work Safety said Tuesday the report will also identify the direct cause of the crash. Forty people were killed […]
Asian Stocks Mostly Higher
Posted August 23rd, 2011 at 4:35 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Tuesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained nearly one and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,733. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index soared two percent to finish the day’s trading at 19,876. Share prices were higher in Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei and Manila, but lower in Wellington. In currency trading, the dollar was […]
India’s Government Calls All-Party Meeting to Discuss Graft Bill
Posted August 23rd, 2011 at 4:10 am (UTC-5)
India’s government has called for an all-party meeting on Wednesday to discuss ending the standoff with hunger-striking activist Anna Hazare, who is calling on India’s parliament to pass tougher anti-corruption legislation. Hazare’s hunger fast entered its eighth day Tuesday. Doctors say the 74-year-old activist has lost five kilograms. On Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signaled […]
Rights Groups Denounce Malaysia for Deporting 11 Chinese Uighurs
Posted August 23rd, 2011 at 3:35 am (UTC-5)
Leading human rights groups are denouncing Malaysia’s decision to hand over a group of ethnic Uighurs to China rather than permitting them to appeal for asylum to a U.N. agency. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch say the 11 Uighurs may be subject to harsh imprisonment or torture in China. Human Rights Watch is appealing […]
Swiss Bank UBS Announces Huge Job Cuts
Posted August 23rd, 2011 at 3:30 am (UTC-5)
Swiss bank USB has announced it is cutting 3,500 jobs worldwide, in the bank’s latest effort to save $2.5 billion annually by 2013. USB’s investment bank unit will see 1,600 jobs eliminated – about 45 percent of the total expected job cuts. The banking giant has 65,000 worldwide employees located in more than 50 countries. […]
