Category: World

TOKYO, Nov 23, 2007 (AFP) – An ambitious international project to dig deeper into the Earth’s surface than ever before has made a good start with scientists saying they have gained clues about how large earthquakes and tsunami occur. The deep-sea drilling project is a part of the 21-nation Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, which is […]

NEW YORK, Nov 21, 2007 (AFP) – The dollar slumped to a fresh record low against the euro Wednesday as weaker US growth projections and the prospect of another cut in interest rates hurt the greenback. The European single currency struck a record peak of 1.4870 dollars — the highest since the euro’s creation in […]

Nov 22, 2007 (AFP) – Maldivian authorities are searching for a second bomb believed to have been part of a plot by Islamic extremists to attack the country’s vital tourism industry, police said Thursday. Police are also investigating possible links with foreign militant groups after the Indian press reports highlighted that some of the suspects […]

Jakarta, Indonesia (AFP) – An Indonesian villager dubbed “Tree Man” for massive bark-like warts growing on much of his body may be barred from travelling to the United States to receive treatment, a report said Tuesday. Woody growths entirely cover 32-year-old Dede’s hands in long, root-like tendrils that leave him unable to work — except […]

SINGAPORE, Nov 21, 2007 (AFP) – Oil prices rose above 99 US dollars per barrel in Asian trade on Wednesday, within striking distance of the 100-dollar level as the greenback slumped further, dealers said. Concerns over tight global supplies was also helping push prices up, they said. In early morning trade New York’s main contract […]

DUBAI, Nov 21, 2007 (AFP) – Dubai port operator DP World said on Wednesday that the proceeds of its initial public offering (IPO) totalled 4.96 billion dollars, making it the largest ever in the Middle East. The world’s fourth largest container port operator said the IPO priced its shares at 1.30 dollars — the top […]

NEW YORK, Nov 19, 2007 (AFP) – World stocks took a pounding Monday as investor fears about the US economy mounted with consumers and the banking system both facing woes from the collapse of the high-risk mortgage market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.66 percent to 12,958.44, dropping below the psychological barrier of 13,000. […]

NEW YORK, Nov 19, 2007 (AFP) – Britain swept the international Emmy awards for excellence in television late Monday, picking up seven top awards at a gala ceremony in New York that also honored former US vice president Al Gore. The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is the largest organization of broadcasters in […]

BRUSSELS, Nov 19, 2007 (AFP) – World Bank president Robert Zoellick said Monday the development body was encouraging China to be a “responsible” lender in Africa amid European concerns about its growing role on the resource rich continent. “We are starting to work with both the Africans and the Chinese … about encouraging responsible lending […]

TOKYO, Nov 19, 2007 (AFP) – The dollar was weak in Asian trade Monday in the wake of soft US economic news as investors wonder about the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy action next month, dealers said. Trade moved in tight ranges as investors squared positions in shortened trade this week ahead of holidays […]

DHAKA, Nov 18, 2007 (AFP) – Bangladesh said Sunday the death toll from a massive cyclone hit 2,000, with that grim tally certain to rise as the impoverished country struggled to get aid to millions of people left homeless.The death toll has been jumping by hundreds at a time as rescue workers fight their way […]

BARGUNA, Bangladesh, Nov 18, 2007 (AFP) – The death toll from a massive cyclone that smashed through impoverished Bangladesh was 3,000 and continuing to rise Sunday with millions left homeless, hungry and without medical help.Three days after the disaster, rescue workers were still fighting their way to remote areas where entire villages on the coast […]