Switzerland’s government is proposing to ban all mercenary firms in a bid to protect the Swiss tradition of neutrality and show the country’s respect for international law. A draft bill submitted to parliament Wednesday would ban all Swiss-based companies from direct participation in armed conflicts abroad, and from recruiting or training mercenaries in Switzerland. It […]
Swiss Government Proposes Ban on Mercenary Firms
Posted October 12th, 2011 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
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Liberians Await Results of Second Post-War Election
Posted October 12th, 2011 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
Liberians are awaiting results from Tuesday’s parliamentary and presidential elections, the country’s second polls since the end of a 14-year civil war. The chairman of Liberia’s National Elections Commission, James Fromoyan, says initial results will be released Thursday. Final results are not expected until October 26. A top official of the U.S.-based Carter Center says […]
Afghan Beekeeping to Get Boost
Posted October 12th, 2011 at 8:15 am (UTC-5)
Afghan orchards and honey makers are hoping to get a boost from millions of dollars in aid from France. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Agriculture announced the almost $9 million aid package at a signing ceremony Wednesday. Agriculture Minister Mohammad Asif Rahimi said $4 million will go to promote beekeeping so that the country has more hives […]
Burmese Prison Release Includes Dozens of Political Prisoners
Posted October 12th, 2011 at 8:10 am (UTC-5)
Human rights and Burmese opposition groups say more than 100 political prisoners have been released as part of a mass amnesty affecting thousands of inmates. Among the most prominent of those freed Wednesday was a popular comedian named Zarganar , who angered the government by criticizing its response to a deadly cyclone in 2008. Rights […]
Swiss Government Proposes Ban on Mercenary Firms
Posted October 12th, 2011 at 7:25 am (UTC-5)
Switzerland’s government is proposing to ban all mercenary firms in a bid to protect the Swiss tradition of neutrality and show the country’s respect for international law. A draft bill submitted to parliament Wednesday would ban all Swiss-based companies from direct participation in armed conflicts abroad, and from recruiting or training mercenaries in Switzerland. It […]
Liberians Await Results of Second Post-War Election
Posted October 12th, 2011 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
Liberians on Wednesday are awaiting the results of the country’s second national election since the end of its 14-year civil war. A National Election Commission official said late Tuesday that the election went smoothly, with no reports of unrest. Officials say initial results will be announced on Thursday, although final results are not expected to […]
Philippine President Rejects State Honors for Late Dictator
Posted October 12th, 2011 at 6:55 am (UTC-5)
Philippine President Benigno Aquino says he will not approve a state funeral for his predecessor, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Mr. Marcos ruled the Pacific island nation under martial law for more than two decades before he was overthrown in a “people power” revolution in 1986. His widow Imelda has waged a long campaign to […]
Britain’s Unemployment Rate on the Rise
Posted October 12th, 2011 at 6:55 am (UTC-5)
Britain’s Office for National Statistics said Wednesday the country’s unemployment rate has topped 8 percent for the first time in 15 years. The unemployment numbers reported for the June-August period show an increase of 0.2 percent over the May-July period, bringing the unemployment rate to 8.1 percent. The official statistics also reveal the number of […]
Asia Markets Close Mostly Higher
Posted October 12th, 2011 at 6:50 am (UTC-5)
Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Wednesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index fell nearly one-half of one percent to finish at 8,739. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained just over one percent to finish the day’s trading at 18,329. Share prices were higher in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Singapore and Shanghai, but lower […]
