The United Nations’ refugee agency says three of its employees are among the five people killed in a suicide bombing in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar. United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon said those killed included three UNHCR security guards and two security contractors. Two guards were also injured in the attack early Monday. Authorities […]
Attack Near UN Offices in Southern Afghanistan Kills 5
US Business Expands More Slowly
A measure of U.S. business expansion slowed slightly in October as new orders eased. Monday’s report from the Institute for Supply Management, a business research group, examined business activity in the Chicago area. Some economists say the mix of services and manufacturing in this midwestern area is very similar to the overall makeup of the […]
Palestinians Granted Full UNESCO Membership
The United Nations cultural agency has accepted the Palestinian bid for full membership, a move that could threaten U.S. funding for the international organization. Monday’s action by the Paris-based UNESCO boosts the Palestinian effort for international recognition as an independent state. Applause broke out after delegates approved membership by a vote of 107 to 14, […]
US Republican Candidate Cain Denies Sexual Harassment Report
One of the U.S. Republican presidential candidates, Herman Cain, is denying a report about sexual harassment allegations in the 1990s. The news website Politico.com is reporting that Cain was accused by two women of sexually inappropriate behavior while serving as president of the National Restaurant Association. The report says the women were given five-figure financial […]
S&P Keeps Pakistan’s B- Credit Rating
The Standard & Poor’s rating agency has maintained Pakistan’s B- long-term credit rating, despite the country’s low-income economy and high debt. S&P said Monday the stable rating outlook reflects confidence that Pakistan will be able to maintain an adequate level of foreign-exchange reserves because of funds provided by donor countries. The agency gave Pakistan a […]
Former PM Wins Presidency in Disputed Kyrgyzstan Election
Kyrgyzstan’s former prime minister, Almazbek Atambayev, is poised to become president after taking a commanding lead in the country’s first presidential election since last year’s bloody uprising ousted the government. With about 99 percent of the first-round votes counted, official results have the Moscow-backed Mr. Atambayev far ahead of 15 other candidates, with 63 percent […]
Palestinians Granted Full UNESCO Membership
The United Nations cultural agency has accepted the Palestinian bid for full membership, a move that could threaten U.S. funding for the international organization. Monday’s action by the Paris-based UNESCO boosts the Palestinian effort for international recognition as an independent state. Applause broke out after delegates approved membership by a vote of 107 to 14, […]
2 Million Without Power in Northeastern US After Rare Snowstorm
The northeastern United States is digging itself out of a rare October snowstorm that has left more than two million homes and businesses without power and killed at least five people. As much as 76 centimeters of heavy, wet snow fell on the region Sunday, snapping trees still bearing leaves and cutting power lines. Widespread […]
OECD Report: Europe Faces 2012 Economic Slowdown
A new report says the 17 eurozone nations are facing a marked economic slowdown in 2012, with some countries sliding into a recession. The Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) predicted Monday that collectively the economies in the countries that use the euro currency will virtually stall in 2012. It projected growth of […]
World Welcomes Seven Billionth Baby
The world’s population hit 7 billion on Monday amid celebrations and concerns about how the growing number of people will impact the earth’s resources. The United Nations chose October 31 to mark the milestone. Although it is impossible to pinpoint the arrival of the world’s 7 billionth baby, the Philippines was the first country to […]