Asian stock markets closed mixed Friday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index lost nine-tenths of a percent , to close at 8,747. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index dropped 1.36 percent , to end at 18,502. Elsewhere, share prices were lower in Shanghai, Taipei, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Wellington. Markets closed higher in Seoul, Mumbai, Singapore, Bangkok and […]
NYC Demonstrators Vow to Resist Order to Leave Protest Site
Posted October 14th, 2011 at 6:20 am (UTC-5)
Demonstrators with the Occupy Wall Street protest movement in New York City are facing an early Friday morning deadline to end their sit-in at a privately-owned park near the city’s financial district, setting up a potential showdown with authorities. The company that owns Zucotti Park, which is open to the public 24 hours a day, […]
UN Rights Chief Calls for Action in Syria
Posted October 14th, 2011 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
The top U.N. human rights official is calling on the international community to take immediate measures to protect civilians in Syria, saying the death toll in seven months of anti-government protests has risen above 3,000. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said Friday those killed in the Syrian government’s crackdown included at least […]
Tokyo Stocks Down, Dollar Unchanged
Posted October 14th, 2011 at 5:10 am (UTC-5)
Japanese share prices ended lower Friday, while the dollar was steady against the yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index lost nine-tenths of a percent , to close at 8,747. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.93 yen, unchanged from late Thursday. Gold was trading at $1,677.23 an ounce.
Berlusconi Expects to Survive Confidence Vote
Posted October 14th, 2011 at 4:55 am (UTC-5)
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is expected to survive Friday’s confidence vote in parliament. Mr. Berlusconi was forced to call the vote after his center-right majority party failed to pass a budget provision by one vote earlier this week. On Thursday, Mr. Berlusconi told lawmakers there is no viable alternative to his coalition. He said […]
Malawi Refuses to Arrest Sudan’s President, Despite International Urging
Posted October 14th, 2011 at 4:45 am (UTC-5)
The European Union is urging Malawi to comply with an International Criminal Court warrant and arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during his visit to the country for a regional trade summit. A spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Friday that she was “concerned” by the visit, and called for Malawi to “respect […]
Memorial of Slain Israeli Leader Defaced
Posted October 14th, 2011 at 4:45 am (UTC-5)
Israeli police say a man has defaced a memorial to slain Israeli leader Yitzhak Rabin, days after officials announced a prison swap deal to release a captured Israeli soldier. Police say the memorial in Tel Aviv was splattered with paint and had the words “price tag” scrawled across it. Officials say a 27-year-old man was […]
Asian Markets Close Lower
Posted October 14th, 2011 at 4:30 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets were lower in early trading Friday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index lost nine-tenths of a percent , to close at 8,747. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index dropped 1.36 percent , to end at 18,502. Elsewhere, share prices were lower in Taipei, Sydney, Shanghai and Wellington. Manila markets closed up slightly In currency trading, the […]
Clinton: Asia New Focus of US Economic, Foreign Policy
Posted October 14th, 2011 at 4:20 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says America needs to put economic issues at the heart of its foreign policy, and reach across the Pacific to build stronger ties with Asia. In a speech prepared for delivery Friday at the Economic Club in New York City, Clinton will tell business leaders America is facing a […]
S&P Lowers Spain’s Credit Rating
Posted October 14th, 2011 at 4:15 am (UTC-5)
Standard’s and Poors has lowered Spain’s long term credit rating because of its weak economy and concern over bad bank loans. S&P downgraded Spain’s rating one level to AA- from AA. The rating change means it will likely cost Spain more to borrow money in the long term. The Fitch rating agency also downgraded Spain’s […]
