Bombings in several Iraqi cities have killed at least 36 people and wounded nearly 100 others. The bloodiest attack Tuesday was in the southern city of Diwaniya, where a truck bomb in a crowded market killed at least 25 people. Authorities have declared a curfew in the city, some 150 kilometers south of Baghdad. Elsewhere, […]
UN Report: North Korea Defies UN Sanctions
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 7:40 am (UTC-5)
A United Nations report has concluded that North Korea continues to “actively defy” international sanctions by attempting to ship arms to Burma and Syria and by importing luxury goods. The report by a panel of experts says U.N. sanctions imposed on North Korea following nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009 have slowed but failed to […]
Truck Bomb Kills 25 in Southern Iraq
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 6:10 am (UTC-5)
A truck bomb has exploded in a crowded market in southern Iraq, killing at least 25 people and wounding at least 50 others others. The attack Tuesday happened in Diwaniya, about 150 kilometers south of Baghdad. Shortly after the blast, authorities declared a partial curfew in the city. Earlier Tuesday, at least four people died […]
Burma Frees 20 Political Prisoners in General Amnesty
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 6:00 am (UTC-5)
Burma has freed at least 20 political prisoners as part of a general amnesty the government says is aimed at promoting “national unity.” The state-run New Light of Myanmar says 46 prisoners were released Tuesday, under an order by President Thein Sein. It also says 34 foreign prisoners were deported. Activists say among those released […]
China to Ban Shark Fin Soup from Official Events
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
China plans to ban shark fin soup from being served at government banquets in an attempt to protect endangered shark populations and reduce spending on lavish state functions. The Communist Party-controlled Global Times said Tuesday it would take about three years to remove shark fins from the menus of official banquets and other government events. […]
Report: Assad Regrets Syria Downing of Turkish Jet
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
A Turkish newspaper has quoted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad saying he regrets that his forces shot down a Turkish military jet last month. The Cumhuriyet newspaper published comments from Mr. Assad Tuesday in which the leader insisted the jet was flying in Syrian airspace that had been used by Israeli planes three times in the […]
China Vows Crackdown on Environmental Protesters
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 4:15 am (UTC-5)
Chinese authorities are vowing to inflict what they call “severe punishment” on organizers of a two-day protest who are concerned about the environmental impact of a proposed heavy metal refinery in their town. Authorities say unrest broke out Monday when several thousand protesters clashed with police outside a government building in the small central city […]
Rights Group Urges Afghanistan to Protect Press Freedom
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 3:25 am (UTC-5)
Human Rights Watch is calling on Afghanistan to withdraw a draft media law the group says will increase government control over the press and “undermine free expression.” The New York-based group said in a statement Tuesday that the Afghan government has taken steps to undercut the work of journalists and that the draft law is […]
Burma Frees 46 Prisoners: State Media
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
Burmese state media say 46 prisoners have been freed as part of a general amnesty aimed at promoting “national unity.” The state-run New Light of Myanmar says 37 men and nine women were freed Tuesday, under an order by President Thein Sein. It also says 34 foreign prisoners were deported. But, it does not mention […]
China Coach Blames Bad Athletic Performance on Tainted Meat Fears
Posted July 3rd, 2012 at 1:40 am (UTC-5)
Chinese athletes who hope to compete in next month’s London Olympics are blaming a series of humiliating performances on not being able to eat meat for fear of banned chemicals. The coach of China’s women’s national volleyball team says his players have not eaten any meat for three weeks out of fear they could test […]
