A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Chile early Wednesday . The earthquake was centered 35 kilometers north of Valparaiso, Chile and 119 kilometers northwest of Santiago, Chile. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred offshore, at a depth of 19 kilometers. There were no early reports of damage or injuries. There have been several earthquakes […]
Rights Group Honors Writers Worldwide With Monetary Awards
Posted September 14th, 2011 at 5:30 am (UTC-5)
Human Rights Watch is honoring 48 writers in 24 countries for their commitment to free expression and what it describes as courage in the face of persecution. The New York-based advocacy group on Wednesday announced recipients of the Hellman/Hammett awards of up to $10,000, which are going this year to journalists bloggers, and novelists, as […]
Australian Lawmaker Names Catholic Priest as Accused Sex Abuser
Posted September 14th, 2011 at 5:30 am (UTC-5)
An Australian lawmaker has angered the Catholic Church by naming a prominent clergyman as a suspect in a 40-year-old sexual assault. Senator Nick Xenophon revealed in parliament Tuesday that Monsignor Ian Dempsey is the previously unnamed priest accused of repeatedly raping Archbishop John Hepworth in the 1960s. At the time, Dempsey was a seminary student […]
Japan’s Nikkei Finishes in Negative Territory
Posted September 14th, 2011 at 5:25 am (UTC-5)
Japanese markets closed lower Wednesday, while the U.S. dollar is trading slightly lower against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index lost one and one-tenth percent to finish at 8,519. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.88 yen, a loss of a fraction of a yen from Tuesday. Gold is trading at $1,828.85 an […]
Sudan Appoints First Vice President from Darfur
Posted September 14th, 2011 at 5:15 am (UTC-5)
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has appointed the country’s first ever vice president from the war-torn region of Darfur. On Tuesday, President Bashir named al-Haj Adam Youssef to the office of vice president. He will serve as the country’s third in command, behind Mr. Bashir and Ali Osman Taha, who was appointed to the office of […]
Bombings, Shooting Kill 17 in Iraq
Posted September 14th, 2011 at 5:10 am (UTC-5)
Iraqi officials say a wave of attacks has killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 50 others, including policemen and Iraqi soldiers. Police said at least 13 people were killed Wednesday when a car bomb exploded outside a restaurant near the city of Hilla, about 90 kilometers south of the capital, Baghdad. At […]
Axe-Wielding Man Kills Four on Chinese Street
Posted September 14th, 2011 at 5:00 am (UTC-5)
An axe-wielding man attacked children and adults on a city street in central China Wednesday, killing six people. Authorities in Gongyi city in Henan province say a child and three adults were killed in the initial attack, while another child and adult died later in a hospital. Media reports said the adults were taking their […]
Former French Prime Minister Acquitted in Slander Trial
Posted September 14th, 2011 at 4:45 am (UTC-5)
A French appeals court acquitted former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin Wednesday of slander charges. Mr. Villepin had been accused of taking part in a smear campaign targeting French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Mr. Sarkozy and Mr. Villepin are considered political rivals. Political experts believe the slander case has hurt Mr. Villepin’s political future, including […]
Asian Stocks Mostly Lower
Posted September 14th, 2011 at 4:45 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Wednesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index lost one and one-tenth percent to finish at 8,519. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained a fraction of one percent to finish the day’s trading at 19,045. Share prices were higher in Shanghai, but lower in Manila, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington. In currency trading, the […]
US Envoy Calls For Actions to Match Burmese Promises
Posted September 14th, 2011 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
U.S. special envoy Derek Mitchell says Burmese officials claim they are committed to reform, but he has urged them to back up their words with concrete actions. Mitchell, the new U.S. coordinator for Burma policy, spoke to reporters Wednesday as he was ending a five-day visit to Burma. He said he was encouraged by the […]
