The lawyer for two American hikers jailed in Iran says a judge has approved an order for their release. Masoud Shafiei said Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal would be turned over Wednesday to the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which represents U.S. interests in Iran. The move follows days of delays as the two men waited […]
Dutch Court Damaged in Blast
Posted September 21st, 2011 at 5:27 am (UTC-5)
An explosion early Wednesday morning damaged an Amsterdam courthouse complex. Dutch police said no one was injured in the blast. Damage was visible, but Dutch media report courts were operating as usual Wednesday. Television video showed workers removing broken glass from the area. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
Obama to Address UN on Arab Spring, Mideast Peace Efforts
Posted September 21st, 2011 at 5:15 am (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to focus on the U.S. response to the “Arab Spring” and Mideast peace efforts when he delivers his address at the annual gathering of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. The White House says Mr. Obama will speak about the “unprecedented mandate” to intervene in Libya as an […]
Report: China to Lift Freeze on Nuclear Plant Construction
Posted September 21st, 2011 at 5:05 am (UTC-5)
A Chinese business journal says the government could lift a freeze on approval of new nuclear power plants next year, prompting a surge on Chinese stock markets. The China Securities Journal reported Wednesday that authorities have completed a nationwide safety inspection that was ordered after the March disaster at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant. It […]
Yemen Cease-Fire Takes Hold Amid Deadly Unrest
Posted September 21st, 2011 at 5:04 am (UTC-5)
A cease-fire has brought an uneasy calm to the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, after three days of clashes that killed more than 70 people and wounded hundreds more. Both government forces and dissident troops vowed to stand by the truce negotiated late Tuesday by Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. The dissident troops are loyal to […]
Obama to Meet Netanyahu, Abbas in NY Wednesday
Posted September 21st, 2011 at 4:51 am (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama is holding separate meetings in New York Wednesday with his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid a push to head off a diplomatic clash at the United Nations. Mr. Abbas is moving ahead with a campaign for full U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state, despite efforts […]
Natural Disasters Cost Insurance Giant
Posted September 21st, 2011 at 4:50 am (UTC-5)
Insurance giant Lloyd’s of London has suffered its largest ever first half loss due to claims from recent earthquakes, floods and tornadoes. Lloyd’s says the earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand, the Australian floods and U.S. tornadoes cost the company more in the first half of 2011 than it paid in claims for all of […]
South Korean Religious Leaders Travel to North Korea
Posted September 21st, 2011 at 4:46 am (UTC-5)
Leaders of seven South Korean religious groups left Wednesday on a rare trip to North Korea, with the aim of easing recent cross-border tensions. The 24-member delegation belongs to the Korean Conference of Religion for Peace. They are heading to Pyongyang on a four-day visit that will include talks and joint prayer meetings with their […]
Asian Stocks Mixed
Posted September 21st, 2011 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets closed mixed Wednesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish at 8,741. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lost one percent to finish the day’s trading at 18,824. Share prices were higher in Manila, Shanghai, Sydney and Taipei, but lower in Wellington. In currency trading, the dollar was selling […]
Afghans Protest Killing of Former President
Posted September 21st, 2011 at 4:25 am (UTC-5)
Hundreds of Afghans gathered Wednesday to protest the killing of former Afghan president and peace negotiator Burhanuddin Rabbani at his home in the capital Kabul. Police say Mr. Rabbani, who served as president from 1992 to 1996, was killed Tuesday by a Taliban suicide attacker who detonated a bomb hidden in his turban. At least […]
