The Asian Network for Free Elections says it is sending a group of international observers to Thailand to monitor preparations for the country’s July 3 election. The regional civil society network said Monday it will send 60 observers from more than 20 countries to all of Thailand’s regions to help ensure orderly election campaigns. The […]
Regional Group to Send Election Observers to Thailand
Posted June 6th, 2011 at 7:20 pm (UTC-5)
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ILO: Increased Awareness Leads to More Complaints of Forced Labor
Posted June 6th, 2011 at 5:55 pm (UTC-5)
The International labor organization says improved public awareness about the law on forced labor in Burma has led to an increase in formal complaints to the group’s liaison office in Rangoon. The United Nations labor organization says the increasing number of complaints is seen as a sign that the Burmese people are more aware of […]
Shark Guardians Cite Momentum in Push to Save Species
Posted June 6th, 2011 at 1:50 pm (UTC-5)
A leading environmental group is calling for more marine sanctuaries to protect the global shark population, which is in sharp decline because over-fishing and a ravenous human appetite for shark fin soup. Global Shark Conservation, in a report released Monday, called for sanctuaries in the Bahamas, and heaped praise on the Pacific island nation of […]
Rains Ease Chinese Drought, Bring Flooding Fears
Posted June 6th, 2011 at 9:55 am (UTC-5)
Several days of torrential rains in drought-stricken southern and eastern China has triggered flood warnings and the evacuations of tens of thousands of people. State television on Monday showed water roaring through towns in southwestern Guizhou province and hundreds of damaged or destroyed houses. The Ministry of Civil Affairs said some 200,000 people in the […]
Malaysia Bans Smoking at World Heritage Site
Posted June 6th, 2011 at 7:35 am (UTC-5)
The world heritage site of Malacca will become the first smoke-free city in Malaysia when a new smoking ban comes into effect on June 15. Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said Monday that the move was being made to create fresh air and a clean environment for tourists and Malaysians to enjoy the historic city. […]
Thai Groups Secure Release of Ahmadiyah Refugees
Posted June 6th, 2011 at 7:10 am (UTC-5)
Authorities in Thailand have freed 96 members of a Muslim minority sect after almost six months in detention. The Ahmadiyah practitioners had fled from Pakistan, where the sect is persecuted, and all but two have been recognized as refugees by the United Nations. The group, which includes 34 children below the age of 12, were […]
Asian Markets Close Lower
Posted June 6th, 2011 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets closed lower Monday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index fell 1.2 percent to close at 9,380. Elsewhere, share prices were lower in Sydney, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Wellington and Manila. Mumbai markets edged up slightly. Markets in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei were closed for the Dragon Boat Festival, while Seoul markets were closed […]
Foreign Maid Dies in Malaysia, Abuse Suspected
Posted June 6th, 2011 at 6:20 am (UTC-5)
Malaysia’s state news agency is reporting the death of a foreign maid who is believed to have been abused by her employers. The Bernama news agency reported Monday that the maid, who was identified only as coming from a neighboring country, died in a Kuala Lumpur hospital Sunday. The death comes less than a week […]
Vietnam Faces Asia-High 15 Percent Inflation Rate
Posted June 6th, 2011 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
Vietnam says it is now hoping to contain inflation to 15 percent this year. The forecast, released late last week and reported Monday, is the second upward revision in the estimated inflation rate in a month, and compares to a target of 7 percent at the start of the year. The World Bank said last […]
Tokyo Markets, Dollar Down
Posted June 6th, 2011 at 5:10 am (UTC-5)
Japanese share prices ended lower Monday, while the dollar was flat against the yen. Tokyo’s Nikkei index fell 1.2 percent to close at 9,380. The dollar was selling at 80.18 yen in currency trading, down slightly from late Friday. Gold was trading at $1,544.16 an ounce.
