As clean-up efforts continue in the eastern United States in the wake of Hurricane Irene, the next tropical Atlantic storm has already formed and could become a hurricane later Wednesday. Tropical Storm Katia has slowed slightly as it moves west across the Atlantic Ocean at 33 kilometers per hour. Katia’s top winds have already been […]
Tropical Storm Katia Could Become Hurricane Wednesday
New South Korean Minister Promises Flexibility Toward North
South Korea’s new minister for relations with North Korea said Wednesday he will seek ways to be flexible in his dealings with Pyongyang. Yu Woo-ik, who was appointed as unification minister in a cabinet reshuffle Tuesday, told reporters he will maintain the government’s existing policies on North Korea. But, he said, he will look for […]
Japan’s Nikkei Flat in Wednesday Trading
Japanese markets closed closed virtually unchanged Wednesday, while the U.S. dollar is lower against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained just a fraction of one percent to finish at 8,955. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.62 yen, a loss of less than one-fourth of a yen from Tuesday. Gold is trading […]
Pakistan’s Zardari Pledges to Help China Fight Terrorism
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has pledged his country’s fullest cooperation in helping China fight against terrorism, nearly a month after Beijing blamed an attack on militants allegedly trained in Pakistan. Mr. Zardari made his comments to political leaders in China’s western Xinjiang region after he arrived Tuesday ahead of a China-Eurasia Expo. He also […]
NASA: Space Station May Be Evacuated
U.S. officials say the International Space Station may need to be temporarily evacuated unless Russia proceeds with the launching of its Soyuz rockets by November. NASA space station program manager Mike Suffredini said the six astronauts aboard the ISS may have to leave the craft unless Russian scientists discover what caused last week’s crash of […]
Indonesians Celebrate Eid Untroubled by Day’s Delay
Muslims flocked to mosques across Indonesia on Wednesday to celebrate the end of Ramadan a day after most other Muslims — and a day later than they themselves expected. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was among the thousands who celebrated Eid al Fitr at the Istiqlal Grand mosque in Jakarta, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. […]
German Trial Starts for Accused US Airmen Shooter
A 21-year old Kosovo man goes on trial in Frankfurt, Germany Wednesday for allegedly killing two U.S. Air Force personnel earlier this year. German prosecutors charged Arid Uka with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder for the March 2 attack at Frankfurt airport. Uka was employed at the airport at the […]
Iran’s Supreme Leader Urges Election Calm
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appealed for order during the country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for early next year. The supreme leader called for national unity and said the elections set for next March should not become a “challenge to national security.” His comments came Wednesday at Tehran University at prayers marking the end […]
Asian Stocks Higher
Asian stock markets closed higher Wednesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained just a fraction of one percent to finish at 8,955. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose nearly one and three-quarters percent to finish the day’s trading at 20,535. Share prices were also higher in Manila, Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington. In currency trading, the dollar […]
Bomb Kills 10 After Eid Prayers in SW Pakistan
Pakistani police say a suspected suicide car bomber has killed 10 people and wounded at least 17 others, as people were heading home from morning prayers at the start of a major Islamic holiday. Authorities said the blast occurred Wednesday in the southwestern city of Quetta, as hundreds of people were leaving a mosque following […]