The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman for “their nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.” The Norwegian Nobel Committee made the announcement Friday in Oslo, saying “we cannot achieve lasting peace in the world […]
Sirleaf, Gbowee, and Karman Win Nobel Peace Prize
Tokyo Stocks Up, Dollar Down
Japanese share prices ended higher Friday, while the dollar slipped against the yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained one percent , to close at 8,605. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.67 yen, down slightly from late Thursday. Gold was selling at $1,652.80 an ounce.
A Decade of War in Afghanistan
Friday marks the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, which ousted the Taliban. The assault was launched less than a month after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S. NATO says its plans to hand over security responsibility to Afghan government remain on track. The coalition has begun to relinquish security duties […]
Asian Markets Higher
Asian stock markets were higher in early trading Friday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained one percent , to close at 8,605. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 3.11 percent , to end at 17,707. Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Taipei, Sydney, Manila and Wellington. Shanghai markets were closed for a holiday . The dollar was […]
Bahrain Youth Killed During Rally
Police in Bahrain are investigating the death of a teenager who was killed during an anti-government rally. A government statement says the youth, identified as Ahmed Jaber, died late Thursday during violent clashes at a rally in the country’s north. Opposition and human rights groups say he died when a shot from a police pellet […]
New Zealand Scrambles to Prevent Oil Spill
New Zealand officials say the country is facing an environmental disaster, as a stranded container ship threatens to break up and leak hundreds of tons of heavy fuel. Officials say none of the 25 crew members on board were injured when the Liberian-flagged ship hit a reef off the coast of Tauranga on New Zealand’s […]
Dalai Lama to Make Video Appearance at S. African Celebration
The Dalai Lama will appear by videoconference at celebrations marking Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday, after being denied a visa to enter South Africa. The exiled Tibetan leader will join the festivities on Saturday, via videolink from Dharamsala, India. A South African government official rejected a last minute request by Archbishop Tutu to grant a […]
Moody’s Downgrades 12 British Banks
Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the credit ratings of 12 British banks over concerns that the government will not provide adequate support to the institutions if they become financially troubled. The credit rating firm said Friday that the downgrades were caused by a “reassessment of the support environment in the U.K..” It said recent government […]
Ivory Coast Urges Ghana to Arrest Election Violence Suspects
Ivory Coast’s president has urged Ghana to arrest and hand over Ivorians charged with crimes during post election violence in his country. Alassane Ouattara made the request Thursday during a visit to Ghana for talks with President John Atta Mills. The United Nations estimates at least 3,000 people were killed in the five-month power struggle […]
Tokyo Stocks Up, Dollar Down
Japanese share prices ended higher Friday, while the dollar slipped against the yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained one percent , to close at 8,605. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.65 yen, down slightly from late Thursday. The Taipei market rose 1.12 percent , to close at 7,212.