South Africa’s trade deficit rose sharply in September, mainly due to labor unrest that cut mining production. The government said Wednesday that the deficit jumped from August to $1.6 billion. Total exports fell nearly eight percent, as exports of base metals, minerals, and precious and semi-precious stones all dropped. Mining is one of the most […]
Mining Unrest Drives Up South African Trade Deficit
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
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Thousands Flee as Cyclone Hits Southern India
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 11:00 am (UTC-5)
Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes Wednesday as Cyclone Nilam slammed into India’s southern coast. India’s Meteorological Department said Nilam struck the port city of Mahabalipuraman, south of Chennai. It was expected to move towards Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry over the next few hours, bringing heavy rains and winds approaching 100 […]
Clinton Reaffirms U.S. Support for Kosovo Independence
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has firmly reiterated Washington’s support for an independent Kosovo, during a tour of the Balkans. On Wednesday in Pristina, she said “the United States remains firm on Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” She was addressing the tensions that remain between the ethnic-Albanian Kosovo government and the Serbian government, which […]
Russia’s Upper House Passes Treason Bill
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
Russia’s upper house of parliament has approved a controversial new draft law on treason that would make it a crime to give harmful information to foreign-based nongovernmental organizations. The Federation Council passed the measure Wednesday. That move clears the way for President Vladimir Putin to sign it into law, as he is expected to do. […]
EU Welcomes Afghan Election Date Announcement
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 8:35 am (UTC-5)
The European Union has welcomed Afghanistan’s announcement that presidential elections will be held in April of 2014. The EU’s special representative to Afghanistan, Vygaudas Usackas, said Wednesday the decision to hold elections demonstrates Afghan authorities are fulfilling their duties in accordance with political commitments. Usackas said the EU is supportive of “inclusive and transparent elections […]
Clinton Reaffirms U.S. Support for Kosovo Independence
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 7:15 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has firmly reiterated Washington’s support for an independent Kosovo, during a tour of the Balkans. On Wednesday in Pristina, she said “the United States remains firm on Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” She was addressing the tensions that remain between the ethnic-Albanian Kosovo government and the Serbian government, which […]
Japan Spending Reconstruction Funds on Unrelated Projects: Audit
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 6:30 am (UTC-5)
A recent audit conducted for the Japanese government has found that about a quarter of the funds meant for reconstruction following last year’s devastating earthquake and tsunami has been spent on unrelated causes. Japan’s Board of Audit, a constitutionally mandated but independent agency, says parts of the $148 billion reconstruction budget went to projects such […]
Obama, Christie to View NJ Damage
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama will visit the storm-battered state of New Jersey Wednesday as residents struggle to recover from one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit the region. Mr. Obama and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — a Democrat and Republican normally at odds with one another — are expected to view the […]
Brahimi Seeks Chinese Support for Syria Solution
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 5:55 am (UTC-5)
The U.N.-Arab League envoy to Syria is urging China to be a part of a solution to Syria’s 19-month-long crisis. Lakhdar Brahimi told Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at a meeting Wednesday in Beijing that he hopes China “can play an active role” in resolving the conflict. Brahimi is in China for a two-day trip, […]
Chrysler CEO Denies Plans to Shift Jobs to China
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 5:25 am (UTC-5)
The chief executive of U.S.-based automaker Chrysler says his company is not shifting production of Jeep vehicles to China. His comments follow a series of statements by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s campaign that appear to suggest otherwise. Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said in an email to employees Tuesday that Jeep assembly lines will remain […]
