Chinese political activist and artist Ai Weiwei says police have prevented him from leaving his Beijing studio to attend a court hearing on his tax evasion case. Ai Weiwei said that a number of police cars arrived at his studio and an employee filming the vehicles was roughed up. Tax authorities imposed a $2.4 million… Continue reading Ai Weiwei barred from attending court hearing on his tax evasion case
Category: Front Page
Front Page news
Four hostages held in CIC bank in Toulouse
French police say four people have been taken hostage in CIC bank in the city of Toulouse by a man claiming to be linked to al-Qaeda. The man fired a shot and demanded to speak to the elite police unit which shot Islamist gunman Mohamed Merah. Mohamed Merah, who claimed to have al-Qaeda training, killed seven… Continue reading Four hostages held in CIC bank in Toulouse
Greek coalition talks set to resume today
Talks between three Greek parties on forming a new coalition government are set to resume on Wednesday, amid intense international pressure. New Democracy, the conservative winner of Sunday’s election, is expected to lead the new government. Pasok leader Evangelos Venizelos said a government could be formed by midday on Wednesday. New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras’s… Continue reading Greek coalition talks set to resume today
Julian Assange seeks political asylum at Ecuador’s London embassy
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is seeking political asylum at Ecuador’s London embassy, the country’s foreign minister has said. “Ecuador is studying and analyzing the request,” Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino told reporters in Quito. On 14 June, Britain’s Supreme Court dismissed Julian Assange’s bid to reopen his appeal against extradition to Sweden over alleged sex crimes.… Continue reading Julian Assange seeks political asylum at Ecuador’s London embassy
Egypt: thousands of protesters at the Muslim Brotherhood rally in Tahrir Square
Thousands of people are gathering in Cairo’s Tahrir Square to protest against a decision by the ruling military council to assume new powers. The protests have been called by the Muslim Brotherhood, as it claims its candidate Mohammed Mursi won last weekend’s presidential election. His rival, former PM Ahmed Shafiq, also says he has won.… Continue reading Egypt: thousands of protesters at the Muslim Brotherhood rally in Tahrir Square
Robert Mugabe’s motorcade in deadly crash in Zimbabwe
One person has been killed and 15 others were injured in a crash involving Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe’s motorcade, police say. A car in the motorcade hit a commuter bus near the rural town of Zvimba – the third such accident in two weeks. Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said Sunday’s accident happened because the bus… Continue reading Robert Mugabe’s motorcade in deadly crash in Zimbabwe
Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani disqualified from holding office
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has been disqualified by Supreme Court from holding office, two months after convicting him of contempt of court. The Supreme Court ruled he had “ceased to be the prime minister of Pakistan”. In April, the Supreme Court convicted Yousuf Raza Gilani of failing to pursue corruption charges against President… Continue reading Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani disqualified from holding office
Mexico G20 Summit: world leaders urge Europe to overcome eurozone crisis
World leaders meeting at a G20 summit in Mexico have urged Europe to take all necessary measures to overcome the eurozone debt crisis. They voiced unease over what one top official described as “the single biggest risk for the world economy”. But European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said “the challenges are not only European,… Continue reading Mexico G20 Summit: world leaders urge Europe to overcome eurozone crisis
Ratko Mladic war crimes trial halted after evidence error
The trial of Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic has been suspended until further notice, the UN war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia announces. Ratko Mladic’s trial was due to resume on 25 June after it was halted in May. Monday’s suspension is a result of an error in the disclosure of documents to the… Continue reading Ratko Mladic war crimes trial halted after evidence error
Egypt’s army to hand over power to an elected president
Egypt’s ruling military council has vowed to hand over power to an elected president by the end of June. The promise comes as votes are counted after Sunday’s presidential run-off election, with both candidates claiming they are ahead in early results. However, the council had earlier issued a declaration granting itself sweeping powers over legislation… Continue reading Egypt’s army to hand over power to an elected president
The women of Watergate scandal that helped Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein to topple Richard Nixon
Since 1972, the public attention on Watergate scandal has been centered on all the president’s men, but the story is not without its fair share of female characters. Four women each played a significant role in unraveling the scandal that would ultimately cost Richard Nixon the presidency. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein would pen the series of… Continue reading The women of Watergate scandal that helped Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein to topple Richard Nixon
IBM Sequoia overtakes Fujitsu as world’s fastest supercomputer
IBM’s Sequoia supercomputer has taken the top spot on the list of the world’s fastest supercomputers for the US. The newly installed system trumped Japan’s K Computer made by Fujitsu which fell to second place. It is the first time the US can claim pole position since it was beaten by China two years ago.… Continue reading IBM Sequoia overtakes Fujitsu as world’s fastest supercomputer
Shenzhou-9 capsule docks with the Tiangong-1 space lab
Shenzhou-9 capsule, with its crew of three, including the first Chinese woman astronaut, has docked with the Tiangong-1 space lab. The coupling of the vehicles occurred just after 14:00 Beijing time (06:00 GMT) over China itself. The latest Shenzhou mission was launched on Saturday, taking the nation’s first female astronaut, Liu Yang, into orbit. Thirty-three-year… Continue reading Shenzhou-9 capsule docks with the Tiangong-1 space lab
Greece elections 2012: world leaders welcome New Democracy victory
World leaders have welcomed the narrow election victory of Greece’s broadly pro-bailout New Democracy party and urged Athens to form a cabinet quickly. The eurozone group said reforms were Greece’s “best guarantee” to overcome tough economic and social challenges. The US stressed that it was in everyone’s interests “for Greece to remain in the euro… Continue reading Greece elections 2012: world leaders welcome New Democracy victory
Greece elections 2012 latest exit polls results
Right-wing New Democracy and left-wing Syriza parties are almost neck-and-neck after Greek parliamentary elections, according to the first exit polls. New Democracy, which broadly supports a European bailout deal, was one to two percentage points ahead of Syriza, which opposes the measure. The outcome could decide Greece’s future inside the euro. If the exit poll… Continue reading Greece elections 2012 latest exit polls results
Greece elections 2012 exit poll 75%
Right-wing New Democracy and left-wing Syriza parties are almost neck-and-neck after Greek parliamentary elections, according to the first exit polls. Greece elections exit polls 75% at 19:00, local time: New Democracy: 27.5-30.5% Syriza: 27-30% Pasok: 10-12% Greek elections outcomes: If pro-austerity parties (Pasok and New Democracy) win: • Could have best chance of re-negotiating bailout… Continue reading Greece elections 2012 exit poll 75%
France votes in second round of parliamentary elections
France is voting in a second round of parliamentary elections seen as crucial for President Francois Hollande’s reform agenda. Socialist Francois Hollande, who was elected last month, is seeking a solid left-wing majority in the lower house. He has promised to hire more public workers and to refocus EU fiscal efforts from austerity to “growth”.… Continue reading France votes in second round of parliamentary elections
UFO-shaped object found sitting on the bottom of the Baltic Sea still a mystery
The Swedish expedition team that found an unidentified object sitting at the bottom of the Baltic Sea has surfaced with more questions than answers – and certainly no solution to its origins. The divers found that the object, which some have likened to the Millennium Falcon because of its unusual round outline, was raised about 10 to… Continue reading UFO-shaped object found sitting on the bottom of the Baltic Sea still a mystery
Olympics 2012: IOC inquiry into olympic tickets sales on the black market claims
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has begun an investigation into claims Olympics representatives were willing to sell thousands of tickets for the London Games on the black market. The IOC’s ruling executive board met after fresh claims by the Sunday Times involving more than 50 countries. This included allegations that tickets for top events were… Continue reading Olympics 2012: IOC inquiry into olympic tickets sales on the black market claims
Greeks vote in crucial elections for the country’s future in the eurozone
The polls have opened this morning in Greece for crucial elections which could determine the country’s future in the eurozone. The main contenders, the right-wing New Democracy and left-wing Syriza, are at odds over whether broadly to stick with the tough EU bailout deal, or reject it and boost social spending. Opinion polls are banned… Continue reading Greeks vote in crucial elections for the country’s future in the eurozone
Trooping the Colour ceremony for Queen Elizabeth’s official birthday
Prince Philip appeared to be in good spirits as he attended the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s official birthday. The Duke of Edinburgh, who has resumed official duties after recovering from a bladder infection, attended the parade in London with the Queen. Thousands of people watched the Prince of Wales… Continue reading Trooping the Colour ceremony for Queen Elizabeth’s official birthday
Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia dies outside the kingdom
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, who was in his late 70s, has died “outside the kingdom”, the royal court has said. Prince Nayef, who was also deputy prime minister and interior minister, had left the country for a holiday and medical tests late last month. On 3 June, the deputy… Continue reading Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia dies outside the kingdom
Euro 2012: UEFA Opens Disciplinary Proceedings Against Croatia for Racist Chanting During the Italy Game
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatian Football Federation following racist chanting during the Italy game. It was investigating reports a banana was thrown on to the pitch during the Group C match with Italy on Thursday. A photographer reportedly saw a steward retrieving a banana and heard monkey chants directed at Mario Balotelli.… Continue reading Euro 2012: UEFA Opens Disciplinary Proceedings Against Croatia for Racist Chanting During the Italy Game
Liu Yang, first Chinese woman astronaut, set for space launch with Shenzhou-9
China is about to launch its fourth manned space mission and is sending a crew of three, including the nation’s first female astronaut, to the orbiting Tiangong space lab. Chinese Shenzhou-9 capsule is set to lift off from the Jiuquan spaceport on the edge of the Gobi desert at 18:37 local time (10:37 GMT). A… Continue reading Liu Yang, first Chinese woman astronaut, set for space launch with Shenzhou-9
Nik Wallenda Completes Niagara Falls Tightrope Walk in a Televised Stunt
Nik Wallenda, member of a celebrated family of professional daredevils, has completed a tightrope walk across Niagara Falls in a televised stunt. Nik Wallenda braved wind and heavy spray to make the 1,800 ft (550 m) walk from the US to Canada on a 2-inch (61 mm) wire. Thousands watched from Goat Island, where he… Continue reading Nik Wallenda Completes Niagara Falls Tightrope Walk in a Televised Stunt