Officials in western Afghanistan say a roadside bomb has exploded in Herat province, killing five Afghan soldiers. The blast happened Wednesday in Pashtun Zarghun, where officials say the four soldiers and one officer were traveling in a vehicle. Meanwhile, NATO said Wednesday Afghan and coalition forces killed several armed insurgents during an operation Tuesday in […]
Kurdish Rebel Attack Kills 24 Turkish Soldiers
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 4:05 am (UTC-5)
Kurdish rebels are reported to have killed 24 Turkish soldiers and wounded 18 others near Turkey’s border with Iraq, in the deadliest such attack in years. Reports say rebels from the Kurdistan Workers Party opened fire on military outposts in Cukurca and Yuksekova, in southeastern Turkey’s Hakkari province. A pro-Kurdish news agency said Turkish military […]
Australians Rolls Out Warm Welcome for Queen Elizabeth II
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 3:50 am (UTC-5)
Australia provided a warm welcome for Queen Elizabeth II when the British monarch arrived in the country late Wednesday, in spite of the government’s stated commitment to ending the nation’s allegiance to the crown. The 85-year-old Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, landed at an Australian air force base in the capital, Canberra, and were […]
U.S. Accuses Iran of ‘Unabated’ Brutal Repression
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 3:45 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. State Department says Iran has continued “unabated” a brutal repression of its citizens, despite international condemnation and the country’s increased isolation. State Department spokesman Mark Toner made the comment Tuesday in a statement in which he welcomed a report from a U.N. special investigator. Special rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed cited alleged human rights abuses, […]
China’s Li Keqiang to Visit South Korea Next Week
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 3:30 am (UTC-5)
Officials say Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang will travel to Seoul next week on his first visit to South Korea since taking office in 2008. South Korea’s foreign ministry said Li will arrive October 26 for a two-day visit. The vice premier is widely expected to succeed Premier Wen Jiabao after a ruling party congress […]
Rights Groups Question Malaysia-Burma Refugee Swap Plan
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 3:15 am (UTC-5)
Lawyers and human rights groups are calling for close scrutiny of a plan under which Malaysia and Burma would exchange potentially hundreds of illegal immigrants. Malaysia’s home minister announced agreement in principle on the plan this week, saying there are about 1,000 Burmese being held at detention centers in Malaysia. But the Malaysian rights group […]
Obama Wrapping Up Bus Tour to Promote Jobs Bill in Virginia
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 3:10 am (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama will continue his effort to gain public approval for his $447 billion jobs plan as he wraps up a three-day bus tour in the eastern state of Virginia on Wednesday. On Tuesday, President Obama blasted Republican lawmakers who have refused to pass the bill, accusing them of killing jobs and raising […]
Australians Promise Warm Welcome for Queen Elizabeth II
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 2:55 am (UTC-5)
Australia is planning a warm welcome for Queen Elizabeth II when the British monarch arrives late Wednesday, in spite of the government’s stated commitment to ending the nation’s allegiance to the crown. The 85-year-old Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, are scheduled to land at an Australian air force base in in the capital, Canberra, […]
Japan’s Nikkei Rebounds
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
Japanese markets closed higher Wednesday, while the U.S. dollar is trading lower against the Japanese yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained more than one-quarter of one percent to finish at 8,773. The dollar was selling at 76.76 yen, a loss of a fraction of a yen from Tuesday. The Taipei market closed at 7,353, losing a […]
Report: Chinese Rail Projects Short of Cash
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 2:25 am (UTC-5)
Chinese state media say some railroad construction projects are running out money due to the government’s tighter lending policies. The China Daily newspaper Wednesday quotes Wang Mengshu, the deputy chief engineer at China Railway Tunnel Group, as saying millions of migrant workers have not been paid for months, and at least 10,000 kilometers of projects […]
