Syrian rights activists say 31 people have been killed in clashes across the country as months of bloodshed continue. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 14 of those killed Sunday were civilians, including seven people shot dead by government security forces in the central flashpoint province of Homs. The group said others died […]
Tokyo Markets Closed, Dollar Down
Posted October 10th, 2011 at 5:10 am (UTC-5)
Tokyo markets were closed Monday for a national holiday, while the dollar slipped against the yen. The dollar was selling at 76.59 yen in currency trading, down one-tenth of a yen from late Friday. Gold was trading at $1,662.15 an ounce.
Poland Centrists Win Second Term
Posted October 10th, 2011 at 5:00 am (UTC-5)
Center-right Polish leader Donald Tusk has become the first prime minister since the fall of Soviet communism 22 years ago to win a second consecutive term in Poland. With 93 percent of ballots counted, Mr. Tusk said his Civic Platform Party had 39 percent of the votes in Sunday’s election. Its nearest rival, Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s […]
Libya’s NTC Chief: Gadhafi Strongholds Could Fall Within Days
Posted October 10th, 2011 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
The head of Libya’s provisional government says he expects the last strongholds of those loyal to former leader Moammar Gadhafi to fall within the week, as clashes continue in Mr. Gadhafi’s hometown of Sirte. National Transitional Council chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil said Sunday anti-Gadhafi fighters have made huge gains in Sirte and Bani Walid, southeast […]
Asian Markets Mostly Higher
Posted October 10th, 2011 at 4:35 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets were mostly higher in trading Monday. Tokyo markets were closed Monday for a national holiday . Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose slightly to end at 17,711. Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Taipei, Sydney and Manila. Markets closed lower in Shanghai and Wellington. The dollar was selling at 76.65 yen in […]
China Reveals New Military Technology
Posted October 10th, 2011 at 3:55 am (UTC-5)
China’s official military media say a new, land-based, mid-range surface-to-air missile system is operational and has been delivered to an air defense unit in the northeastern city of Shenyang. The People’s Liberation Army Daily said that in a recent drill, the new SAM system successfully launched two HQ-16 missiles that hit their aerial targets. The […]
Bangladeshi Opposition Leader Begins Tour Calling for Elections
Posted October 10th, 2011 at 3:45 am (UTC-5)
Former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia has begun a cross-country trip with thousands of her supporters to call for new elections. Ms. Zia left the capital, Dhaka, on Monday in a convoy of at least 1,000 vehicles for the 200-kilometer trip to the city of Sylhet in northeastern Bangladesh. She is expected to address at […]
Chinese Oil Firm Sparks Anger Over Excessive Spending
Posted October 10th, 2011 at 3:40 am (UTC-5)
China’s largest oil-refining company is the latest state enterprise to run afoul of an Internet-empowered public. State media report Monday on a wave of public anger over online accusations that a subsidiary of China Petrochemical Corporation, or Sinopec, grossly overspent on business cards for its staff. Reports say a writer claiming to be a company […]
Oil from Grounded Ship Hits New Zealand Beach
Posted October 10th, 2011 at 3:35 am (UTC-5)
Clumps of fuel oil from a grounded cargo ship began washing up on the shore of New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty Monday as salvage crews prepared for a storm bearing down on the area. Workers installed covers to seal the ship’s fuel tanks in case the container vessel breaks apart in heavy seas and sinks […]
United States Celebrates Columbus Day
Posted October 10th, 2011 at 3:05 am (UTC-5)
Americans are celebrating Columbus Day Monday. Columbus Day is a federal holiday observed on the second Monday in October, marking the anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas. Columbus, an Italian explorer sailing under the Spanish flag, led four expeditions to the New World, but never accomplished his original goal — to […]
