A United Nations expert on foreign debt and human rights has urged the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to audit the country’s debt as a step toward increasing transparency and accountability. In a statement concluding a 10-day visit to Congo Friday, Cephas Lumina said the government needs a clear picture of the country’s […]
US, Europe Markets Concern Spreads to Asia
Posted August 5th, 2011 at 7:45 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets dropped sharply Friday, following Thursday’s steep losses in the United States and Europe that were blamed on investors’ fears of another world economic downturn. Tokyo’s Nikkei index closed down 3.72 percent at its lowest level in five months, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng plunged more than 4 percent. Some European markets showed […]
Hundreds Arrested,Several Injured, In Education Protests Across Chile
Posted August 5th, 2011 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
Chilean officials say more than 500 students have been arrested and 14 wounded during protests for education reform in Chile. Police on horseback used used water cannons and tear gas to break up the demonstrations in Santiago on Thursday. Students say the education system in Chile is not funded properly. The protests intensified after President […]
China’s Biggest Bank to Enter Argentina Market
Posted August 5th, 2011 at 5:05 am (UTC-5)
China’s largest bank said Friday that it will buy stakes in Standard Bank Argentina. State-owned Industrial and Commercial Bank of China said it will pay $600 million for the stake in South Africa-based Standard Bank Group’s Argentine unit. The purchase gives ICBC an 80 percent stake in the group, which has 103 branches throughout Argentina. […]
Stocks Plunge in US, Europe Amid New Worries of Global Downturn
Posted August 4th, 2011 at 4:25 pm (UTC-5)
Stock markets plunged in the United States and Europe on Thursday amid new concerns that the world may be headed for another sharp economic downturn. In the United States, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted more than 510 points, or 4.3 percent, its largest drop since 2008. The U.S. losses came as major European exchanges […]
Lockdown Lifted at US University; No Gunman Found
Posted August 4th, 2011 at 3:50 pm (UTC-5)
Officials at a U.S. university that was the site of a mass shooting in 2007 have lifted an hours-long lockdown after police found no trace of a reported gunman. Virginia Tech Thursday sent out an E-mail message instructing students and staff to resume their normal activities. It also said a large police presence would remain […]
Rains from Emily Drench Hispaniola
Posted August 4th, 2011 at 3:40 pm (UTC-5)
Tropical Storm Emily has brought drenching rain to the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, but has now weakened in the mountains dividing the two countries. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says in its most recent bulletin Thursday that Emily is “losing organization” as it interacts with the mountains of Hispaniola and […]
Virginia Tech on Lockdown After Possible Gunman Sighted
Posted August 4th, 2011 at 2:55 pm (UTC-5)
A U.S. university that was the site of a mass shooting in 2007 has been on lockdown for hours, after three youths reported seeing a man who was carrying what they said might have been a gun. Virginia Tech authorities said Thursday that they issued orders for people to stay inside with doors locked. Three […]
UN Criticizes Sudan for Jailing Journalists Who Wrote Rape Story
Posted August 4th, 2011 at 12:50 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations has criticized the Sudanese government for imprisoning journalists who reported on the alleged rape of a political activist in the country. Last week, a Sudanese court sentenced a journalist to one month in prison for writing about the alleged rape of a female political activist by Sudanese security forces. Another journalist who […]
Haitians Bracing for Tropical Storm Emily
Posted August 4th, 2011 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
Haitians living in makeshift tent camps are bracing for possible life-threatening flash floods and mudslides as a result of Tropical Storm Emily. Some rain is already falling on southern Haiti, but forecasters say the brunt of the storm is not expected to hit until later in the day. At last report , the storm was […]
