Gunmen have opened fire in a bar in western Burundi, killing more than 20 people in the deadliest attack in the country this year. The attack happened late Sunday in Gatumba, about 15 kilometers west of the capital, Bujumbura. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack. Burundi has been relatively peaceful […]
Japanese Swim to Taiwan to Show Gratitude for Quake Assistance
Posted September 19th, 2011 at 4:46 am (UTC-5)
Six Japanese swimmers reached the eastern coast of Taiwan Monday after challenging heavy winds and high waves for 52 hours. The group’s leader explained the point of the swim. He said he and the others wanted to show their appreciation for the assistance provided by Taiwan after Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in March. The […]
Asian Markets Lower
Posted September 19th, 2011 at 4:35 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets were lower in Monday trading. Japanese markets were closed Monday for a national holiday . Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 2.76 percent , to end at 18,918. Elsewhere, share prices were lower in Shanghai, Sydney, Wellington and Taipei. Manila stocks closed slightly higher. The dollar was selling at 76.84 yen in […]
South Korea Allows Religious Leaders to Visit North Korea
Posted September 19th, 2011 at 4:21 am (UTC-5)
South Korea has approved plans for religious leaders to make a rare visit to North Korea aimed at promoting peace on the divided peninsula. The heads of South Korea’s seven largest religious groups, all members of the Korean Conference of Religion for Peace, will travel to Pyongyang by way of China on Wednesday for a […]
8 Killed in Blast Targeting Pakistani Police Official
Posted September 19th, 2011 at 4:10 am (UTC-5)
Pakistani police say a suicide bomber has detonated a vehicle packed with explosives outside the house of a senior police official in Karachi, killing at least 8 people. Officials say six of the eight killed Monday were police officers who were guarding the police official’s residence. Authorities say a woman and a child were also […]
China Warns of Consequences of US-Taiwan Arms Deal
Posted September 19th, 2011 at 4:05 am (UTC-5)
Chinese state media are warning of “severe consequences” if the United States goes ahead with a reported plan to upgrade Taiwan’s existing fleet of F-16 jet fighters. Members of the U.S. Congress are telling news organizations they have been briefed on the plan, which falls short of Taiwan’s request to purchase the latest generation F-16s […]
Report: US Considering Military Hotline with Iran
Posted September 19th, 2011 at 3:54 am (UTC-5)
A U.S. newspaper says the United States is considering trying to establish a direct military hotline with Iran in order to defuse potential confrontations between the two countries’ military forces. The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that one proposal would create a link between the Iranian Navy and the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which is […]
Greece Pleads Financial Case in Conference Call With EU and IMF
Posted September 19th, 2011 at 3:46 am (UTC-5)
Greek officials will try to convince officials from the European Union and International Monetary Fund that the country’s austerity plans will be tough enough to reduce budget deficits during a conference call Monday. The outcome of the call will determine whether Greece is eligible to receive its next aid payment, due in October. Prime Minister […]
Record $198,000 Paid for Bottle of Scotch Whisky
Posted September 19th, 2011 at 3:31 am (UTC-5)
An unidentified Chinese businessman has agreed to pay almost $200,000 for a bottle of Scotch whisky, setting a world record. Officials at Singapore’s Changi airport said Monday the 62-year-old bottle of Dalmore single-malt whisky had been on display for six months before the buyer spotted it and put down an $80,000 deposit. Dalmore’s director of […]
Strong Quake Kills 45 in India, Nepal, China
Posted September 19th, 2011 at 3:22 am (UTC-5)
The death toll from a strong 6.9 earthquake that shook a Himalayan region straddling India, Nepal and China climbed to at least 45 on Monday as authorities tried to reach remote, mountain communities to assess the full extent of the damage. The epicenter of the quake was in the Indian state of Sikkim, about 60 […]
