The conductor of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra says symphony musicians from North and South Korea have agreed to stage joint performances in both countries later this year. Chung Myung-whun announced the agreement Friday in Seoul after returning from a four-day trip to North Korea. Chung told reporters the concerts would be held alternatively in Seoul […]
South Korean Conductor Plans Joint Symphony Concerts with North
Posted September 16th, 2011 at 7:01 am (UTC-5)
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Libya’s Anti-Gadhafi Forces Storm Bani Walid
Posted September 16th, 2011 at 6:55 am (UTC-5)
Forces for Libya’s interim government are storming into the desert town Bani Walid, expanding their multi-pronged offensive against Moammar Gadhafi’s remaining strongholds. Witnesses at the scene say explosions and gunfire echoed throughout the area Friday, as fighters for the National Transitional Council met strong resistance from Gadhafi loyalists. The charge into Bani Walid comes a […]
Korean Nuclear Envoys to Meet in Beijing
Posted September 16th, 2011 at 6:15 am (UTC-5)
The nuclear envoys of South and North Korea will meet in Beijing next week in another attempt to restart stalled negotiations on the North’s nuclear program. A spokeswoman at the South Korean Foreign Ministry says Wi Sung-lac will travel to China for talks with North Korean counterpart Ri Yong Ho “in the middle of next […]
Denmark Elects First Female PM
Posted September 16th, 2011 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
Denmark’s Social Democratic leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is set to become the country’s first female prime minister, after her center-left bloc narrowly won general elections, ending a decade of center-right rule. She began talks Friday to form a new government. Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen conceded defeat late Thursday. Ms. Thorning-Schmidt and Mr. Loekke Rasmussen share […]
Ugandan Judge Sentence Two Men for Kampala Bombings
Posted September 16th, 2011 at 5:51 am (UTC-5)
A Ugandan judge has sentenced two men for the twin bombings that killed 76 people in the capital, Kampala last July. On Friday, the judge sentenced Edris Nsubuga to 25 years in prison on terrorism charges and Edris Nsubuga received a five year sentence for conspiracy to commit terrorism. Both men had entered guilty pleas […]
Japan’s Nikkei Closes Week with Second Straight Day of Gains
Posted September 16th, 2011 at 5:30 am (UTC-5)
Japanese markets closed higher Friday, while the U.S. dollar is slightly higher against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose two and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,864. The dollar was selling at 76.71 yen, a gain of a fraction of a yen from Thursday. Gold is trading at $1,779.44 an ounce.
US Treasury Secretary Meets With EU Finance Ministers
Posted September 16th, 2011 at 4:55 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is in Poland for talks with European finance ministers meeting on the eurozone debt crisis. Analysts say Geithner’s rare presence at the European talks is a sign of increasing U.S. concern about the global impact of the eurozone debt crisis. The world’s leading central banks agreed Thursday to provide additional […]
Asian Stocks Mostly Higher
Posted September 16th, 2011 at 4:30 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Friday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose two and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,864. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index soared nearly one and one-half percent to finish the day’s trading at 19,455. Share prices were higher in Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington, but lower in Manila. In currency trading, the […]
Mexico Celebrates Independence Day
Posted September 16th, 2011 at 4:10 am (UTC-5)
Mexico kicked off Independence Day celebrations Thursday night. Shortly before midnight in Mexico City, President Felipe Calderon gave the call to arms “El Grito,” before thousands of revelers under heavy police security. There have been no reported incidents in the capital. But in the small western town of Morelia, gunmen threatening to attack people forced […]
Malaysia Ends Unpopular Security Law
Posted September 16th, 2011 at 4:10 am (UTC-5)
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak says his country will abolish a half-century old security law that allows for people to be detained without trial. Mr. Najib announced the abolition of the Internal Security Act Thursday in a nationally televised speech, saying it would be replaced with two new laws aimed at combating terrorism without infringing […]
