According to a US institute, steam has been seen rising from North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear facility, suggesting that the reactor has been restarted. The color and volume of the steam indicated that the reactor was in or nearing operation, the institute said. Pyongyang vowed to restart facilities at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex in April,… Continue reading Yongbyon nuclear reactor restarted in North Korea
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Apple shares drop more than 5% after iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C launches
Apple shares fell more than 5% as investors worried that its latest iPhone models may not help it increase its share in emerging markets. Apple launched two models on Tuesday, the iPhone 5S and a cheaper iPhone 5C. But the basic 5C model, with 16 gigabytes of storage, has been priced at $740, which analysts… Continue reading Apple shares drop more than 5% after iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C launches
US marks 9/11 attacks 12th anniversary in series of memorials
America is remembering the victims of the 9/11 attacks in a series of memorials marking the 12th anniversary. The 9/11 attacks killed 2,977 people in New York, the Washington DC area and Pennsylvania. In New York, families of the victims read the names of each person who died at the World Trade Center. President Barack… Continue reading US marks 9/11 attacks 12th anniversary in series of memorials
Russia hands Syria chemical weapon plans to US
Russia has handed over to the US its plans for making Syria’s chemical weapons safe, Russian media say. Russia announced its plans for placing Syria’s stockpile under international control on Monday and Syria said it welcomed the initiative. The proposal led US President Barack Obama to put military action against Syria on hold in favor… Continue reading Russia hands Syria chemical weapon plans to US
9/11 Remembering 2013: Names of 2,977 victims to be read out at Ground Zero
Relatives of the 9/11 victims will gather at Ground Zero today to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the attack that killed 2,977 people. The names of those who died when the hijacked jets crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon will be read out at the ceremony at the two-year-old memorial plaza. Those… Continue reading 9/11 Remembering 2013: Names of 2,977 victims to be read out at Ground Zero
Mammoths extinction caused by climate change, claims new research
A new research has found evidence to suggest that climate change, rather than hunting, was the main factor that drove the woolly mammoth to extinction. A DNA analysis shows that the number of creatures began to decrease much earlier than previously thought as the world’s climate changed. The study also shows that there was a… Continue reading Mammoths extinction caused by climate change, claims new research
Chun Doo-hwan’s family to settle $154 million in fines
The family of former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan, who was convicted of corruption, vows to pay back an estimated $154 million of corruptly-obtained assets. The former dictator’s son said the family would hand over various assets in restitution to the state. A former military general, Chun Doo-hwan was leader from 1979 to 1988 after… Continue reading Chun Doo-hwan’s family to settle $154 million in fines
Thomas Bach replaces Jacques Rogge as IOC president
Thomas Bach has been elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee. Thomas Bach, a 59-year-old lawyer and former fencing gold medallist, replaces 71-year-old Jacques Rogge, who is standing down after 12 years in charge. The German was the favorite of the six candidates considered for the post in Buenos Aires. He begins… Continue reading Thomas Bach replaces Jacques Rogge as IOC president
How Cantor Fitzgerald names are arranged at Ground Zero 9/11 Memorial
The names of 648 co-workers who died in the 9/11 attacks were arranged on the Cantor Fitzgerald section at the Ground Zero memorial according to who knew whom best, it was revealed. For the last 12 years, passersby may have assumed that the names on the Cantor Fitzgerald section of the bronze panels that wrap… Continue reading How Cantor Fitzgerald names are arranged at Ground Zero 9/11 Memorial
Toyota recalls 780,584 vehicles in US on suspension worries
Toyota has decided to recall 780,584 vehicles in the US for a second time to address a suspension defect that may not have been fixed after a recall last year. The rear suspension arm in affected vehicles may rust, leading to eventual failure, if nuts are not tightened properly during service. The US safety watchdog… Continue reading Toyota recalls 780,584 vehicles in US on suspension worries
US could pause Syria military strike
President Barack Obama has said he will put plans for a military strike against Syria on hold if the country agrees to place its chemical weapons stockpile under international control. However, the US president said he was skeptical the Syrian government would follow through. As the US Congress debates authorizing an attack, Russia on Monday… Continue reading US could pause Syria military strike
US Open 2013: Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic in four-set final
Rafael Nadal has won his second US Open title in New York after beating world number one Novak Djokovic in a pulsating four-set final. Rafael Nadal, 27, held on magnificently in the third set to go on and win a gripping contest 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1 in three hours and 21 minutes. One incredible 54-shot… Continue reading US Open 2013: Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic in four-set final
Muhammad Yunus: Bangladeshi Nobel laureate faces tax probe
Bangladeshi government has said it will take legal action against Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus over what it says are tax irregularities. The allegations date back to the period when Muhammad Yunus, 73, was the managing director of the micro-finance organization, the Grameen Bank. Bangladesh’s central bank removed the economist from his position two years ago,… Continue reading Muhammad Yunus: Bangladeshi Nobel laureate faces tax probe
North Korea marks 65th anniversary of its founding with huge military parade
North Korea has marked the 65th anniversary of its founding with a huge military parade. The country held its second mass parade in little more than a month, with leader Kim Jong-un presiding over a display of goose-stepping paramilitary troops, marching bands and flower-waving civilians. At the start of the ceremony, tens of thousands of… Continue reading North Korea marks 65th anniversary of its founding with huge military parade
Tamu Massif: World’s largest volcano discovered beneath Pacific
Scientists say have discovered Tamu Massif, the single largest volcano in the world, a dead colossus deep beneath the Pacific waves. A team writing in the journal Nature Geoscience says the 119,000 sq mi Tamu Massif is comparable in size to Mars’ vast Olympus Mons volcano – the largest in the Solar System. The structure… Continue reading Tamu Massif: World’s largest volcano discovered beneath Pacific
US Open 2013: Serena Williams wins final against Victoria Azarenka
Serena Williams won her fifth US Open title in a thrilling final against Victoria Azarenka at Flushing Meadows. World number one Serena Williams, 31, overcame a determined opponent and a testing wind to win 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 and repeat last year’s final victory against the Belarusian. Serena Williams has now won 17 Grand Slam… Continue reading US Open 2013: Serena Williams wins final against Victoria Azarenka
Sergei Sobyanin wins Moscow mayor election
Vladimir Putin’s ally Sergei Sobyanin has won the election for mayor of Moscow, Russian election officials have announced. Sergei Sobyanin secured 51.3% – just above the 50% threshold needed to avoid a second-round ballot. His main rival, opposition leader Alexei Navalny, polled 27.2%. Alexei Navalny called for a run-off and refused to recognize the results,… Continue reading Sergei Sobyanin wins Moscow mayor election
David Petraeus urges Congress to support military intervention in Syria
David Petraeus is urging members of Congress to support President Barack Obama’s plan for military intervention in Syria. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is suspected of launching chemical attacks on his own people, killing more than 1,400, including hundreds of children. Former CIA director and retired Army General David Petraeus says military action in Syria is… Continue reading David Petraeus urges Congress to support military intervention in Syria
Australia elections: Opposition coalition ahead of ruling Labor party in opinion polls
Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott have hit the Australian election campaign trail in a final push for votes ahead of Saturday’s poll. Opinion polls place the opposition coalition, led by Tony Abbott, ahead of the ruling Labor party. But PM Kevin Rudd appealed to undecided voters, saying they could close the gap. The economy, asylum… Continue reading Australia elections: Opposition coalition ahead of ruling Labor party in opinion polls
G20 leaders divided over Syrian conflict
G20 leaders at Saint Petersburg summit remain divided over the Syrian conflict as they enter the final day of their meeting. Italian PM Enrico Letta said the splits were confirmed during a working dinner in St Petersburg on Thursday. A spokesman for the Russian presidency said a US strike on Syria would “drive another nail… Continue reading G20 leaders divided over Syrian conflict
Kenyan parliament votes to leave International Criminal Court
Kenyan parliament has approved a motion to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC) following an emergency debate. A bill to this effect is expected to be introduced in the next 30 days, after opposition MPs boycotted the vote. The ICC has charged President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto with crimes against humanity, which… Continue reading Kenyan parliament votes to leave International Criminal Court
North Korea agrees to restore military hotline with South Korea
South Korean officials announce that North Korea has agreed to restore a military hotline with the South as tensions between the two ease. North Korea cut the connection in March following its third nuclear test in February and the international sanctions that followed. Two other hotlines cut off at the same time were restored in… Continue reading North Korea agrees to restore military hotline with South Korea
G20 Summit 2013: Barack Obama begins informal talks over Syria military action
G20 leaders are meeting in Sankt Petersburg, Russia, amid sharp differences over the crisis in Syria. US President Barack Obama has begun informal talks with other leaders as he pushes for military action over Syria’s alleged use of chemical weapons. But Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that military action without UN approval would be… Continue reading G20 Summit 2013: Barack Obama begins informal talks over Syria military action
Indian rupee and stocks jump as Raghuram Rajan boosts confidence
Indian rupee and stocks have jumped a day after the country’s new central bank chief Raghuram Rajan took charge and promised tough action to boost growth. The Indian currency, one of the world’s worst performers this year, rose 2.3% against the US dollar. India’s main stock index, the Sensex, rose 2.3% in early trade on… Continue reading Indian rupee and stocks jump as Raghuram Rajan boosts confidence
US car sales close to six-year high in August 2013
US car sales jump to near six-year high in August as consumers grew more confident about an economic recovery. Sales jumped 17% from a year ago to 1.5 million vehicles. That translates to sales of some 16 million a year. Japan’s carmakers Toyota, Honda and Nissan all increased sales by more than 20%. The US’s… Continue reading US car sales close to six-year high in August 2013