Hyon Yong-Chol has been appointed as North Korea’s new vice-marshal, the official KCNA news agency says. The move comes a day after the army chief, Ri Yong-Ho, was removed from his post “due to illness”. The decision was made by the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the National Defense Commission… Continue reading Hyon Yong-Chol appointed as North Korea’s new vice marshal
Category: Front Page
Front Page news
Olympics 2012: athletes and officials are to begin arriving in London
Thousands of Olympic athletes and officials are to begin arriving in London, as questions remain about recruitment of security staff. Preparations for London 2012 are intensifying with the opening ceremony just 11 days away. The first priority “Games Lane” has begun operation on the M4 and the Olympic drug testing lab starts work. Meanwhile, the… Continue reading Olympics 2012: athletes and officials are to begin arriving in London
Hillary Clinton arrives in Israel for talks focused on Iran
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in Israel for talks expected to focus on Iran, the peace process and Egypt. Hillary Clinton will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as President Shimon Peres and other officials. She was in Egypt over the weekend, where she met new President Mohammed Mursi. Hillary Clinton… Continue reading Hillary Clinton arrives in Israel for talks focused on Iran
Syria: Damascus in the heaviest fighting so far
According to reports from activists and residents, the Syrian capital Damascus has seen some of the heaviest fighting of the conflict so far. Mortar and small-arms fire was reported in several areas as government forces clashed with the Free Syrian Army. The fighting came as UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan prepared to meet… Continue reading Syria: Damascus in the heaviest fighting so far
Ri Yong-Ho, North Korean military chief, removed from all official posts
North Korean state media has announced that military chief Ri Yong-Ho has been removed from all official posts. As well as being head of the army, Ri Yong-Ho was vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission and held top posts in the ruling Workers’ Party. In a short statement, the party said Ri Yong-Ho had… Continue reading Ri Yong-Ho, North Korean military chief, removed from all official posts
Hillary Clinton’s motorcade pelted with tomatoes and shoes thrown by Egyptian protesters
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was targeted by protesters who threw tomatoes and their own shoes at her motorcade during a visit to Egypt on Sunday. Demonstrators also mockingly chanted “Monica, Monica” in reference to Bill Clinton’s extra-marital affair with Monica Lewinsky. Hillary Clinton was on her first trip to Egypt since the election… Continue reading Hillary Clinton’s motorcade pelted with tomatoes and shoes thrown by Egyptian protesters
Sarajevo Film Festival 2012: Romanian comedy Everybody In Our Family wins Best Film Award
Romanian black comedy Everybody In Our Family directed by Radu Jude won the Heart of Sarajevo prize Saturday at the end of the nine-day festival. Toata Lumea Din Familia Noastra (Everybody In Our Family), which tells the story of a divorced dad’s frustration and love for his five-year-old daughter ,won the best movie award at… Continue reading Sarajevo Film Festival 2012: Romanian comedy Everybody In Our Family wins Best Film Award
Research in Motion ordered to pay $147M in damages after losing patents case
Blackberry maker Research in Motion (RIM) has been ordered to pay $147 million in damages after losing a patents case. A jury in San Francisco upheld claims by Mformation Technologies Inc that RIM infringed patents it took out in 1999. The software involved allows companies to access employees’ mobile phones remotely for upgrades, password changes… Continue reading Research in Motion ordered to pay $147M in damages after losing patents case
Syria is in civil war, says Red Cross
Fighting in Syria has become so widespread that the conflict is now in effect a civil war, says The Red Cross (ICRC). The change in status means combatants will now be officially subject to the Geneva Conventions, leaving them more exposed to war crimes prosecutions. The Red Cross had previously regarded only the areas around… Continue reading Syria is in civil war, says Red Cross
Hillary Clinton meets head of Egypt’s military council Mohamad Hussein Tantawi
Hillary Clinton has met the head of Egypt’s top military council, Field Marshal Mohamad Hussein Tantawi, on the second day of her visit to the country. The US Secretary of State discussed the transition of power to newly elected President Mohammed Mursi and stressed the need to protect the rights of all Egyptians, US officials… Continue reading Hillary Clinton meets head of Egypt’s military council Mohamad Hussein Tantawi
Omar al-Bashir and Salva Kiir meet for the first time since Sudan and South Sudan border dispute
Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir and South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir have met for the first time since a border dispute brought their countries close to conflict in April. Omar al-Bashir sat down with Salva Kiir during an African Union summit in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa. South Sudan only became independent from the north at the… Continue reading Omar al-Bashir and Salva Kiir meet for the first time since Sudan and South Sudan border dispute
Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft blasts off for International Space Station
Russian spacecraft Soyuz TMA-05M carrying a three-man crew has blasted off for the International Space Station (ISS). The Soyuz rocket set off from Kazakhstan at 02:40 GMT on Sunday with Russian, Japanese and American astronauts on board. They are set to dock with the ISS, a $100 billion research complex orbiting around 385 km (240… Continue reading Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft blasts off for International Space Station
Hillary Clinton meets Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has held her first meeting with new Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi. After the talks, Hillary Clinton reaffirmed Washington’s support for a “full transition to civilian rule” in Egypt. President Mohammed Mursi has become embroiled in a constitutional crisis after trying to reinstate a parliament dissolved by the judiciary and… Continue reading Hillary Clinton meets Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi
Olympics 2012: Kazakh team seeks to bring horsemeat to London
The Kazakh Olympic team is hoping to boost its chances of sporting success at London 2012 with horsemeat sausages. Sports officials in Kazakhstan say that the traditional dish may help the athletes’ performance. But it is unclear whether the sausages will be allowed into the UK, because of strict import controls on meat. Kazakhstan is… Continue reading Olympics 2012: Kazakh team seeks to bring horsemeat to London
Japan floods: more than 250,000 people ordered to leave their homes
More than 250,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes to avoid floods caused by torrential rainfall in south-west Japan, officials say. Flooding and landslides on the southern island of Kyushu have left at least 20 people dead in the past three days. TV footage showed muddy waters sweeping through homes and streets as… Continue reading Japan floods: more than 250,000 people ordered to leave their homes
France’s National Day: Francois Hollande celebrates his first-ever National Day as president
Newly elected French President Francois Hollande celebrated his first-ever National Day (known outside of France as Bastille Day) as head of state on Saturday with usual pomp, military parade and flight show. At 10:00 a.m. local time, Francois Hollande presided the military parade down the Champs Elysees Avenue, which involved some 4,950 soldiers, 368 armored… Continue reading France’s National Day: Francois Hollande celebrates his first-ever National Day as president
Credit card companies and major US Banks agree to a $7.25 bn settlement over card fees
Credit card companies Visa and Mastercard and major US banks have agreed to a $7.25 billion settlement to retailers over card fees. The case, which has been going on for seven years, is over firms colluding to fix the fees that stores pay to process credit and debt card payments. The settlement is thought to… Continue reading Credit card companies and major US Banks agree to a $7.25 bn settlement over card fees
Angela Merkel backs circumcision practice in Germany
German chancellor Angela Merkel says Jewish and Muslim communities should be able to continue the practice of circumcision, after a regional court ruled it amounted to bodily harm. Angela Merkel’s spokesman said it was a case of protecting religious freedom. Steffen Seibert said: “Circumcision carried out in a responsible manner must be possible without punishment.”… Continue reading Angela Merkel backs circumcision practice in Germany
JPMorgan Chase doubles its trading loss to $4.4 billion
JPMorgan Chase has raised its estimate of the value of its recent losses from trading in complex financial derivatives to $4.4 billion. The US bank said the executives responsible had been dismissed without severance pay and the bank would be clawing back two years of their pay. When it first announced the loss in May,… Continue reading JPMorgan Chase doubles its trading loss to $4.4 billion
China’s growth rate slows to 7.6% in the second quarter
China’s economy has grown at its slowest pace in three years as investment slowed and demand fell in key markets such as the US and Europe. Gross domestic product rose by 7.6% in the second quarter, compared with the same period a year ago. That is down from 8.1% in the previous three months. In… Continue reading China’s growth rate slows to 7.6% in the second quarter
Is Condoleezza Rice top of shortlist for becoming Mitt Romney’s VP?
Rumors of Condoleezza Rice becoming Mitt Romney’s vice-presidential running mate has increased significantly after internet pioneer Matt Drudge reported that she is “near the top” of his shortlist. Mitt Romney could name his running mate as early as next week, significantly before the traditional time of just before the party convention in late August. He… Continue reading Is Condoleezza Rice top of shortlist for becoming Mitt Romney’s VP?
Olympics 2012: US Ralph Lauren uniforms made in China spark outrage
A new scandal has broken after the news the US athletes at the forthcoming London Olympics will wear stylish uniforms designed in the US – but made in China. The news prompted a rare outbreak of bipartisan agreement, with Republican and Democratic leaders highly critical of the US Olympic Committee. “I think the Olympic committee… Continue reading Olympics 2012: US Ralph Lauren uniforms made in China spark outrage
Mass killing in the Syrian village of Tremseh
About 200 people are reported to have been killed in the Syrian village of Tremseh, in Hama province. Opposition activists quoted residents as saying the village was attacked with helicopter gunships and tanks. Pro-government Shabiha militia later went in on foot and carried out execution-style killings, they said. State media said “terrorist groups” had carried… Continue reading Mass killing in the Syrian village of Tremseh
Olympics 2012: Saudi Arabia will send two female athletes to compete in the London Games
International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Saudi Arabia will send two female athletes to compete in the London 2012 Games. Sarah Attar will compete in the 800 m and Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani in the judo competition. The Saudi authorities lifted a ban on women from the Gulf kingdom competing in the Games… Continue reading Olympics 2012: Saudi Arabia will send two female athletes to compete in the London Games
United Airlines buys 150 Boeing 737 in $14.7 billion deal
Boeing has announced an “historic” order from United Airlines for 150 Boeing 737s, in a deal worth up to $14.7 billion. The order comprises 100 of the new Boeing 737 Max 9 planes and 50 Next Generation 737-900ER aircraft. Boeing said the deal meant it had now received more than 10,000 orders overall for aircraft… Continue reading United Airlines buys 150 Boeing 737 in $14.7 billion deal