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US Defense Chief Says North Korea Still a Threat

Posted October 27th, 2011 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
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U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says he is “skeptical” about the outcome of the latest round of direct U.S. talks with North Korea aimed at resuming stalled nuclear disarmament negotiations. Panetta expressed his reservations to reporters Thursday after holding talks with South Korean officials in Seoul. He said Pyongyang remains “a serious threat” by engaging […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in East Asia Pacific

US Stocks Rise Strongly

Posted October 27th, 2011 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
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News that European leaders made a deal to expand a bailout fund in the region’s debt crisis encouraged investors, and stocks soared around the world Thursday. U.S. stocks made strong gains in early New York trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2 percent, while the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ moved up 2.5 percent. […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Economy

Israeli-American Freed in Prisoner Swap

Posted October 27th, 2011 at 9:45 am (UTC-5)
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Egypt is freeing an Israeli-American man detained on charges of spying under a prisoner swap deal with Israel. Egyptian authorities have taken Ilan Grapel to the Taba border crossing with Israel Thursday. Israel is exchanging 25 Egyptian prisoners, three of whom are minors. Grapel apparently entered Egypt in January. In June, Egyptian authorities accused him […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in Middle East

Hundreds of Chinese Riot Over Taxes

Posted October 27th, 2011 at 9:45 am (UTC-5)
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Hundreds of small business owners in eastern China protested Thursday, throwing rocks and torching vehicles after a dispute over tax collections. State-run media said the riots broke out after the owner of a children’s clothing company in the two of Zhili, in Zhejiang province, refused to pay his taxes, and then got a group together […]

Tags: , Posted in East Asia Pacific

HRW to Kenya: Account for Missing in Mt. Elgon Crackdown

Posted October 27th, 2011 at 9:25 am (UTC-5)
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A human-rights group is calling on Kenya to account for at least 300 people who disappeared three years ago during a crackdown on insurgents in the Mount Elgon region of western Kenya. U.S.-based Human Rights Watch says an independent group should investigate suspected mass graves and atrocities allegedly committed by Kenyan security forces and the […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Africa

HRW to Kenya: Account for Missing in Mr. Elgon Crackdown

Posted October 27th, 2011 at 9:00 am (UTC-5)
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A human rights group has called on Kenya to account for at least 300 people who disappeared as authorities cracked down on insurgents in the Mount Elgon region three years ago. U.S.-based Human Rights Watch is calling for an independent investigation of suspected mass graves and of atrocities allegedly committed by Kenyan security forces and […]

Tags: , Posted in Africa

US Economic Growth Speeds Up

Posted October 27th, 2011 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
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The U.S. economy grew faster in July, August, and September, as consumers stepped up spending. Thursday’s report from the Commerce Department says the U.S. economy expanded at a 2.5 percent annual rate in the third quarter. That is the fastest rate in year, and a big improvement over the previous three-month period. A separate report […]

Tags: , Posted in Economy, US

Turkey Scrambles to Help Quake Survivors as Death Toll Rises

Posted October 27th, 2011 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
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Cold weather and snow have complicated rescue efforts in Turkey, four days after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake decimated much of the southeastern part of the country. Turkish authorities are racing to provide shelter for thousands of victims left homeless by the quake. Officials say the death toll from Sunday’s temblor has risen to 523 with […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Europe

4 Killed in Syria’s South, Massive Rally in North

Posted October 27th, 2011 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
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Syrian activists say security forces have killed four people in the country’s south while supporters of President Bashar al-Assad held a big rally in the northwest. Activists say security forces carried out raids and arrests in Daraa province Thursday. They say those killed included a boy under the age of 15. At least 26 people […]

Tags: Posted in Middle East

Markets, Leaders React Positively to Eurozone Debt Plan

Posted October 27th, 2011 at 8:35 am (UTC-5)
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World financial markets soared Thursday after the European Union approved a plan to cut Greece’s debt in half and significantly increase a bailout fund designed to contain the eurozone debt crisis. Major stock market indexes in Germany and France gained about five percent after the announcement from Brussels early Thursday. The common European currency, the […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Economy, Europe