Leaders of Pakistan’s rival political parties are meeting Thursday to discuss recent U.S. accusations of a link between Pakistan’s government and an al-Qaida-linked militant group. The talks come as U.S. Secretary of States Hillary Clinton said the U.S. is conducting a final review on whether to designate the Haqqani network a terrorist organization. The meeting, […]
Pakistan Parties to Discuss US Pressure on Haqqanis
Fire at Singapore Refinery Burns for Second Day
Firefighters in Singapore are battling a massive blaze at a major oil refinery for a second day Thursday. The fire broke out Wednesday at the Palau Bukom island, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of non-essential employees. Officials with the Singapore Civil Defense Force say there has been a “surge” in the fire at the plant, […]
British Businessman Face Extradition in Wife’s South Africa Murder
Britain’s Home Secretary Theresa May has approved the extradition of a British businessman to South Africa to go on trial for his bride’s murder. Shrien Dewani is accused of hiring a hitman to kill his wife during their honeymoon in South Africa in November. British authorities say Dewani has 14 days to appeal his extradition. […]
South Korea Closes Door to Vietnamese Guest Workers
South Korea has suspended the admission of guest laborers from Vietnam because too many of them have disappeared after their visas expired. Officials said Wednesday that Seoul has stopped allowing Vietnamese to take a Korean language test which is required before temporary workers can be admitted. More than 4,000 Vietnamese workers entered South Korea in […]
Security Council Considers Syria Resolution as Violence Continues
The U.N. Security Council is considering a possible compromise resolution on Syria that avoids immediate sanctions but condemns the escalating violence, as clashes between government security forces and dissident soldiers continue. The 15-member Council met Wednesday to discuss rival draft resolutions on the Syrian crisis drawn up by European powers and Russia. France, Britain, Germany […]
Japan’s Nikkei Index Closes in Positive Territory
Japanese markets closed higher Thursday, while the U.S. dollar is trading lower against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose one percent to finish at 8,701. The dollar was selling at 76.57 yen, a loss of a fraction of a yen from Wednesday. The Taipei market closed at 7,183, a gain of one-half of one […]
Passengers Said Unaware as Japanese Airliner Turned Belly-Up
Japanese aviation officials say analysis of a recent mishap shows an airliner plunged almost two kilometers in 30 seconds and turned almost upside down before the pilots recovered control. Pilots on the trans-Pacific All Nippon Airways flight managed to land safely in Tokyo on September 6. Officials said Wednesday that two crew members were slightly […]
Search Crews Head For Indonesian Crash Site
Officials in Indonesia say a small aircraft carrying 18 people has crashed in a mountainous area on Sumatra island. The Spanish-built CASA 212 plane took off Thursday on a short flight from North Sumatra to the nearby province of Aceh when it lost contact with air traffic controllers. Officials say the aircraft sent out an […]
Deadly Typhoon Hammers Hong Kong on Path to Southern China
A powerful typhoon is pounding wide areas of southern China Thursday after cutting a path of death and destruction through the Philippines. Hong Kong officials reported heavy winds and rains from Typhoon Nesat, which was centered about 350 kilometers southwest of the Chinese territory and on a path for Hainan island with maximum sustained winds […]
China Counts Down to Key Space Launch
Chinese scientists are counting down to a space launch Thursday evening that is billed as the first step in the nation’s ambitious plan to build its own space station. Chinese newspapers and broadcasters splashed detailed reports on the planned launch of an 8.5-ton module known as Tiangong-1, or “Heavenly Palace.” Another unmanned spacecraft to be […]