Asian stock markets were mostly lower in trading Monday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index lost about two-thirds of a percent to close at 8,988. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down three-quarters of a percent to end at 19,865. Elsewhere share prices were lower in Shanghai, Taiwan and Sydney. The market in Wellington was up slightly. The […]
Arab League Awaits Syria’s Reply on Ending Crackdown
Posted October 31st, 2011 at 5:05 am (UTC-5)
The Arab League is waiting for Syria to respond to a proposed plan that would end the country’s deadly crackdown on an opposition uprising. Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jasim al-Thani said a “positive” and “serious” proposal was given to Syria Sunday after he led talks in the Qatari capital, Doha. Sheikh Hamad said the […]
4 Killed in Afghan Suicide Blast
Posted October 31st, 2011 at 4:25 am (UTC-5)
Afghan officials say a suicide car bomb blast has killed four people near the offices of a non-government organization in the southern city of Kandahar. Authorities say at least four people were wounded in the Monday morning blast. After the explosion, armed insurgents rushed into the area and seized control of an animal clinic. Afghan […]
World Population Breaks 7 Billion Mark
Posted October 31st, 2011 at 4:20 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations says the world’s population has reached the 7 billion mark. A number of “seven billionth” babies are being honored around the world. The Philippines was chosen as the first country to celebrate the symbolic birth – feting a baby girl born late Sunday in Manila. The U. N. looks at the 7 […]
Thailand Floods Pass Peak, Raising Hopes in Bangkok
Posted October 31st, 2011 at 4:20 am (UTC-5)
Thailand’s rain-swollen Chao Phraya River passed its peak stage Monday, raising hopes that central Bangkok will be spared the flooding that has already inundated much of the city’s northern and western suburbs. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the government is now focused on repairing several ruptures in the city’s flood barriers where water still is […]
UNESCO Vote on Palestinian Membership Could Boost UN Bid
Posted October 31st, 2011 at 4:15 am (UTC-5)
Palestinians expect to win full membership at the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO as early as Monday, in a vote that would boost their bid for international recognition as an independent state. Paris-based UNESCO is the first U.N. agency the Palestinians have sought to join since President Mahmoud Abbas applied last month for full recognition of […]
China to Test Skills With Tuesday Space Launch
Posted October 31st, 2011 at 3:35 am (UTC-5)
China is counting down to Tuesday’s blast-off of an unmanned rocket that will largely determine whether China has mastered the technology to begin building its own space station. Officials announced the flight plan Monday, saying it will set the stage for one or two manned space flights next year. The Shenzhou-8 spacecraft will take off […]
NATO Set to End Libya Mission
Posted October 31st, 2011 at 3:25 am (UTC-5)
NATO is set to end its mission in Libya Monday after a seven-month air campaign to protect civilians under a U.N. Security Council mandate. The alliance formally decided to halt the mission after the U.N. canceled the mandate last week, though Libya’s transitional leaders had urged NATO to continue until the end of the year […]
Qantas Returns to Air After Labor Tribunal’s Order
Posted October 31st, 2011 at 2:50 am (UTC-5)
Australia’s national airline is back in the air after a labor tribunal ordered worker’s unions to end a job action that shut down the airline and to return to the negotiating table. Qantas Airways’ first flight took off early Monday afternoon, about 12 hours after the tribunal’s back-to-work order. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said […]
Air France Flight Crews on Strike
Posted October 31st, 2011 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
Air France flight crews are on strike until Wednesday protesting the proposed reduction of crew members per flight. Air France management cancelled many flights Sunday, and expects to cancel about 15 percent of scheduled flights Monday. Air France has been relying on other airlines to lessen the strike’s impact. The strike coincides with a busy […]
