Moody’s Investor’s Service says it has cut the credit ratings of five Dutch banks and that the difficult conditions for banks in the Netherlands are likely to continue throughout the year and possibly longer. The ratings service said in a statement that the affected banks include ING and ABN AMRO, whose ratings were cut by […]
Miami Heat Beats Oklahoma City Thunder to Tie NBA Finals
Posted June 15th, 2012 at 2:10 am (UTC-5)
LeBron James scored 32 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 100-96 win over the host Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday in game two of the National Basketball Association championship series. The Heat’s Dwayne Wade scored 24 points, making up for a poor performance in game on, while teammate Chris Bosh added 16 points and […]
Court Ruling Casts Cloud of Confusion over Egypt
Posted June 15th, 2012 at 1:55 am (UTC-5)
Egypt is bracing for protests Friday after judges appointed by former President Hosni Mubarak dissolved the Islamist-led parliament and allowed his former prime minister to compete in a presidential run-off election. The ruling by Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court was immediately denounced Thursday by senior Muslim Brotherhood officials, who said it amounted to a power grab […]
Reports: Japan Captures Last Aum Shin Rikyo Fugitive
Posted June 15th, 2012 at 12:15 am (UTC-5)
Media reports out of Japan say police have arrested the last fugitive from the religious cult that launched deadly nerve gas attacks on Tokyo’s subway system in 1995. Japan’s public broadcaster NHK said 54-year-old Katsuya Takahashi, a former member of the Aum Shin Rikyo cult, was arrested Friday at a comic book cafe in downtown […]
Coca Cola Returning to Burma After 60 Years
Posted June 14th, 2012 at 9:10 pm (UTC-5)
Burmese consumers will soon be able to enjoy a bottle of “the real thing.” Coca-Cola announced Thursday that it is ready to start doing business in Burma for the first time in more than 60 years. The company said it is waiting for the U.S. government to grant a general license to allow American businesses […]
US Recalls South Korean Shellfish, Suspects Human Waste Contamination
Posted June 14th, 2012 at 7:50 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. federal regulators are urging food handlers to remove South Korean oysters, clams, mussels and scallops from the market because the shellfish may have been exposed to human waste. The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday the affected products could be contaminated with norovirus, which causes nausea, cramps, diarrhea and fever. The recall includes fresh […]
European Leaders Discuss Economic Crisis Ahead of Greek Vote
Posted June 14th, 2012 at 7:20 pm (UTC-5)
French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti have agreed that budget discipline must not be allowed to hamper economic growth. The two leaders met Thursday in Rome for talks ahead of national elections in Greece Sunday and a summit of 20 economic powers next week in Mexico. They called for a unified […]
US Unveils New Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa
Posted June 14th, 2012 at 6:50 pm (UTC-5)
The United States has announced a new strategy toward sub-Saharan Africa to improve democracy, economic growth, security and trade in the region. A White House statement issued Thursday said the plan takes a “proactive and forward-looking” approach toward Africa, one that is grounded in partnership. The policy directive aims to advance African democracy by strengthening […]
Death Toll in Burma’s Sectarian Violence Reaches 28
Posted June 14th, 2012 at 5:55 pm (UTC-5)
Burmese officials say the latest outbreak of sectarian violence between Buddhists and Muslims in western Rakhine state has claimed 28 lives, as a top U.N. envoy ended his visit to the conflict stricken region and stressed the importance of handling the situation delicately. The officials say violence between ethnic Rahkines and ethnic Rohingyas has caused […]
Court Ruling Casts Cloud of Confusion over Egypt
Posted June 14th, 2012 at 4:55 pm (UTC-5)
Tempers flared and protesters took to the streets after Egypt’s constitutional court issued twin rulings effectively dissolving the Islamist-led parliament and allowing former officials to run for office just days ahead of a presidential run-off election. Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court ruled Thursday that one-third of the Egyptian legislature was elected illegally, making the entire parliament […]
