Beijing, Seoul agree to direct trade in national currencies
China's central bank has authorised the Bank of Communications, the country's fifth largest lender, to undertake yuan clearing business in the South Korean capital, the People's Bank of China (PBoC) said in a statement. The announcement came as Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up a state visit to South Korea on Friday.
Rising red tide: China’s Navy in frenzy to build new nuclear-powered attack subs
China's military is investing heavily in advanced submarines, including both ballistic and cruise missile firing vessels and attack subs. Recently, Beijing showed off what appears to be a mock-up of its next-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine, according to veteran military analyst Rick Fisher.
Taliban launch rocket attack on Kabul oil tankers
The Taliban in Afghanistan say that they have carried out a rocket attack on hundreds of oil tankers outside the capital, Kabul. It was unclear whether there had been any casualties in the incident which happened late on Friday. Firefighters spent all night tackling the blaze, but fires were still burning on Saturday morning.
Egypt life terms for Badie and 36 Brotherhood figures
An Egyptian court has sentenced Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie and 36 other Islamists to life in jail. They were accused of inciting violence and blocking a road near Cairo during protests over the military-led removal of President Mohammed Morsi last July. New President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has pledged to eliminate the Brotherhood.
Rocket fire into Israel continues as ceasefire remains elusive
A slew of rocket fire from Gaza continued on Saturday, with Palestinian terrorists launching six rockets toward Israel since midnight. A soldier was lightly wounded from shrapnel after a mort
Pro-Amnesty Crowd Burns American Flag At Murrieta On 4th Of July
An American flag has reportedly been burned by pro-amnesty protesters near the Murrieta Border Patrol station on America’s Independence Day.
Russian MPs back law on internet data storage
Russia's lower house of parliament has passed a law requiring internet companies to store Russian citizens' personal data inside the country. The Kremlin says the move is for data protection but critics fear it is aimed at muzzling social networks like Twitter and Facebook. The Russian government is thought to be seeking greater access to user data.
Germany spying: US envoy summoned after arrest
The German authorities have summoned the US ambassador in Berlin after a man was arrested on suspicion of spying. The US diplomat "was asked to help in the swift clarification" of the case, the foreign ministry said.
Iraqi forces reclaim Saddam’s birthplace
The Iraqi army retook Saddam Hussein’s home village overnight, a symbolic victory in its struggle to seize back swathes of the country from Sunni insurgents. Backed by helicopter gunships and helped by Shia volunteers, the army recaptured the village of Awja in an hour-long battle on Thursday night, according to state media, police and local inhabitants.
Fears of undetectable bombs implanted in terrorists’ FLESH prompt heightened security at European airports
Passengers on U.S.-bound flights from Europe endured lengthy security checks Friday amid new fears terrorists could sneak high-tech bombs aboard in cell phones, shoes or even implanted in their flesh. In Paris and London passengers encountered additional screenings that caused delays of 30 minutes to an hour.
Suicide bomber kills 15 in attack on Iraq forces
A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle at a security forces position north of Baghdad on Friday, killing 15 people, police and a doctor said.
Ukraine: Rebels attack from both sides of border
Russia is letting separatist rebels use its territory to attack Ukrainian border posts, a top security official charged Friday as clashes in southeastern Ukraine killed nine more government troops.
Putin tells Obama he wants better ties, equal treatment
President Vladimir Putin called for an improvement in ties between Russia and the United States on Friday in an Independence Day message to Barack Obama, urging Washington to treat Moscow as an equal partner.