Asian stock markets were higher in Monday trading. Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose 1.5 percent to close at 8,880. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped two percent , to end at 18,874. Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Shanghai, Sydney, Wellington, Taipei and Manila. The dollar was selling at 77.38 yen in currency trading, up two-tenths […]
Philippines Brushes Off Proposed Taiwan Missile Deployment
Posted October 17th, 2011 at 4:20 am (UTC-5)
A Philippines spokesman says the country’s military is not concerned about reports that Taiwan wants to deploy advanced missile systems in the disputed Spratly Islands. Department of National Defense spokesman Zosimo Paredes was responding to remarks last week by Taiwan Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu, who said Coast Guard units deployed on Itu Aba island in […]
Rights Groups Welcome Cambodian’s Ban on Workers to Malaysia
Posted October 17th, 2011 at 4:15 am (UTC-5)
Human rights groups are welcoming a decision by Cambodia to stop sending domestic workers to Malaysia while Phnom Penh investigates several recent cases of sexual and other abuse. Rights groups in both countries said Monday the ban should not be lifted until measures are in place to make sure the maids are not exploited by […]
Clashes Kill 3 in Yemeni Capital
Posted October 17th, 2011 at 3:45 am (UTC-5)
Clashes between troops loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and opposition forces have killed at least three people in the capital, Sana’a. Medics said those killed in Monday’s fighting were in the city’s Change Square, which has served as a center of anti-government protests. At least six people were wounded in other parts of […]
Testimony in Anwar Sodomy Case Draws Toward a Close
Posted October 17th, 2011 at 3:10 am (UTC-5)
Lawyers say testimony in Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s long-running sodomy trial could conclude as early as this week. Anwar’s lawyers Monday completed their defense case, in which they argued the charges were the result of collusion between Prime Minister Najib Razak and Anwar’s chief accuser, a former aide who says he was sodomized in […]
Israeli Families Attempt to Block Palestinian Prisoner Swap
Posted October 17th, 2011 at 2:50 am (UTC-5)
Israel’s Supreme Court is set to hear arguments from Israelis opposed to a proposed exchange of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Lawyers representing Israeli families whose relatives have been killed in Palestinian attacks will make their case Monday in a last-minute legal attempt to block the swap with the Islamist […]
Tokyo Markets Up, Dollar Down
Posted October 17th, 2011 at 2:30 am (UTC-5)
Japanese share prices ended higher Monday, while the dollar slipped against the yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose 1.5 percent to close at 8,880. In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 77.12 yen, down a tenth of a yen from late Friday. The Taipei market gained 1.4 percent to close at 7,461.
China Replaces US as EU’s Largest Trading Partner
Posted October 17th, 2011 at 2:20 am (UTC-5)
China says it has surpassed the United States to become the European Union’s largest trading partner. The Ministry of Commerce said Sunday that China-EU trade exceeded trade between the United States and Europe for the first time in July. Citing data from the European statistics agency Eurostat, the ministry said China-EU trade totaled $49.4 billion […]
Activists Monitor Cancelation of China Dog-Eating Festival
Posted October 17th, 2011 at 2:20 am (UTC-5)
Animal rights activists are converging on the Chinese city of Jinhua to ensure that a festival Tuesday celebrating the eating of dogs does not proceed as scheduled. The city, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, canceled the 600-year-old festival in September after local officials were shamed by an Internet campaign begun by animal rights advocates. […]
Child Killed in Afghan Suicide Blast
Posted October 17th, 2011 at 2:05 am (UTC-5)
Officials in northern Afghanistan say a young boy has been killed in a suicide bombing that targeted a provincial intelligence chief. Authorities say the spy chief, Sayed Ahmad Sadat, was on his way to work when the bomber struck Monday in Maymanah, the capital of Faryab province. Officials say Sadat and at least four other […]
