WSJ891030-0149
 = 891030
 891030-0149.
 Trustcorp Inc. to Change Name
 10/30/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 TTCO SOCI
 TENDER OFFERS, MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS (TNM)
BANKS (BNK)
 TOLEDO, Ohio

   Trustcorp Inc. will become Society Bank amp Trust when its merger is completed with Society Corp. of Cleveland, the bank said.

   Society Corp., which is also a bank, agreed in June to buy Trustcorp for 12.4 million shares of stock with a market value of about $450 million.
The transaction is expected to close around year end.

June

around year end


XIN_ENG_20061127.0010

MADRID, Nov. 27 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Leading goal scorers of Spanish first division soccer league

Following are the leading goal scorers of the Spanish first division soccer league after Sunday's games:

10 Ronaldinho (Barcelona)

9 Diego Milito (Real Zaragoza)

Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla)

8 Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)

5 Fernando Morientes (Valencia)

David Villa (Valencia)

Fernando Baiano (Celta Vigo)

Eidur Gudjohnsen (Barcelona)

Nikola Zigic (Racing Santander)

4 Florent Sinama Pongolle (Recreativo Huelva)

Javi Guerrero (Recreativo Huelva)

Nene (Celta Vigo)

Francisco Yeste (Athletic Bilbao)

Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid)

Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona)

Diego Forlan (Villarreal)

Raul Tamudo (Espanyol)

Nov. 27 , 2006

Sunday


ea980120.1830.0071
 NEWS STORY

 Good evening from the central park in downtown Havana. We are here this week to witness the rendezvous that Fidel Castro and the Pope  are having with history.

 We are here because what happens on this island will also have an impact on the United States. Everything that happens in Cuba gets America's attention.

 Incidentally, we just show up  to do the broadcast, and Cubans want  to know what we 're going  to tell Americans, in many cases, what their relatives in the United States  are going  to hear.

 Well, this is the eve of the Pope's visit to one of the last bastions of Communism anywhere in the world, and it  is  already causing enormous expectations.

 In Revolution Square, they put up a giant cross today. And right across from the Cuban revolutionary icon Che Guevara, they now have a giant portrait of Jesus. Above it in Spanish, Jesus, in you we believe.

 Not all Cubans believe, but Castro  has invited everyone  to welcome the man who has been one of Communism's most effective adversaries, and that's why there is suspense.

 Everyone appears  to believe that somehow Cuba  is going  to change. Castro  has said officially that it's okay to be enthusiastic. And so, people are increasingly enthusiastic by the day-

 [[NS]]

 Today, Cuban television, which clings to the Communist Party line, actually began  to promote its papal coverage.

 Today, hundreds of people from the US began  to arrive, including some Cuban Americans who left here when Castro came  to power and  are returning to Havana for the first time. The Pope's visit is important, but they  are  also coming home.

 This is quite an extraordinary story unfolding here. We'll come back to Havana later in the broadcast.

 But now we 're going  to go back to New York, where Diane Sawyer has the rest of the news. Diane?

this week

today

now

Today

Today

now


XIN_ENG_20061121.0406

WARSAW, Nov. 21 , 2006 (Xinhua)

At least 8 Polish miners killed

At least eight Polish miners were killed in a methane gas explosion in a coal mine in southern Poland on Tuesday evening.

The explosion took place at 1,030 meters underground in the Halemba coal mine in Ruda Slaska, and eight miners managed to flee while 23 others were trapped.

Grzegorz Pawlaszek, chairman of the Weglowa company in charge of the mine, told the PAP news agency that eight Polish miners had been found dead.

Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has already visited the spot to oversee the rescue work.

The Weglowa company spokesman, Zbiegniew Madej, said the search and rescue was very difficult. Furthermore, as the ventilation facilities were destroyed, the miners still buried underground were in a very dangerous situation. However, the rescuers would never give up their efforts.

According to reports, it is the largest mine accident in Poland this year, adding the number of miners killed this year to 28.

Nov. 21 , 2006

Tuesday evening

this year

this year


XIN_ENG_20061122.0201

NEW YORK, Nov. 22 , 2006 (Xinhua)

U.S. stocks open mixed

U.S. stocks opened mixed on Wednesday ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, as U.S. initial weekly jobless claims rose 12,000 to 321,000.

In the opening trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 5.61, to 12,315.98. The Standard  Poor's 500 index gained 0.53 to 1,403.34, and the Nasdaq composite index rose 7.82 to 2,462.66.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose to their highest level since late October, climbing by 12,000 to 321,000, the Labor Department said on Wednesday.

Crude oil prices fell below 60 dollars on Wednesday as concern over supply eased.

Nov. 22 , 2006

Wednesday

Thanksgiving holiday

late October

Wednesday

Wednesday


AFP_ENG_19970414.0612

TOKYO, April 15 , 1997 (AFP)

Japan's Hitachi wins rolling mill order from China

Japan's Hitachi Ltd. has won a 16 billion yen (126.5 million dollar) order from a Chinese company to supply a rolling mill near Shanghai, a company spokesman said Tuesday.

Hitachi got the order from Baoshan Iron Corp. jointly with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Marubeni Corp. and Mitsubishi Corp.

The mill aims to meet rising demand for cold rolled sheet steel in China for use in consumer electronics, automobiles and other products, the spokesman said.

Financing for the mill will be managed by the Export-Import Bank of Japan.

April 15 , 1997

Tuesday


XIN_ENG_20061113.0315

NAIROBI, Nov. 13 , 2006 (Xinhua)

UN underlines potential of rainwater in boosting agriculture in Africa

The United Nations on Monday underscored the importance of rainwater in revitalizing agricultural production in developing countries.

In a report released at the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Agroforestry Center said rainwater harvesting as a buffer against climate-linked extreme weather has been almost invisible in water planning with countries relying almost exclusively on rivers and underground supplies.

The report said rainwater harvesting also held important potential to assist managers of protected areas with the technologies that had been tested to help wild animals in places like Nairobi and Tsavo National Parks in Kenya during drought.

The study said many communities and countries suffering or facing water shortages as a result of climate change could dramatically boost supplies by collecting and storing rain falling freely from clouds. Kenya, which has a population of over 30 million, has enough rainfall to supply the needs of its current population for six to seven times, said the report.

"Ethiopia, where just over a fifth of the population are covered by domestic water supply and an estimated 46 percent of the population suffer hunger, has a potential rainwater harvest equivalent to the population needs of over 520 million people," it said.

The UNEP and the World Agroforestry Center urged the governments and donors to invest more widely in low-cost technologies to deploy and maintain rainwater in Africa.

"Unlike big dams which collect and store water over large areas, small-scale rainwater harvesting projects lose less water to evaporation because rain is collected locally and can be stored in a variety of ways," the report said.

The report's overall conclusion is that Africa does not lack water. Rainfall contribution, it said, is more than adequate to meet the needs of current population for several times.

"In the popular mind, Africa is seen as a dry continent. But overall, it actually has more water resources per capita than Europe. However, much of Africa's rain comes in burst and is rapidly swept away or is never collected," Dennis Garrity, director general of the World Agroforestry Center, said.

Currently, 14 out of Africa's 53 countries are categorized as water-stressed or water-scarce.

A water-stressed country has water availability of less than 1, 700 cubic meters per capita every year and a water scarce one less than 1,000 cubic meters.

It is estimated that the number of countries in Africa in this situation could double by 2025 to be about half of all.

Nov. 13 , 2006

Monday

current

every year


XIN_ENG_20061115.0090

ANKARA, Nov. 15 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Turkey faces Italy test in Bergamo

Turkey will be seeking its first win in history against world champion Italy at a friendly in Bergamo Wednesday night, Turkish Daily News reported.

The game will be played in honor of Giacinto Facchetti, former skipper of the Italian national team, who died in September.

In the past 12 matches against the Azzurri, three of them with B teams, Turkey has lost nine and drawn three, scoring seven goals and conceding 22.

Their last clash was a friendly in Pescara four years ago, where midfielder Emre Belozoglu and striker Christian Vieri scored one each in a 1-1 draw.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim knows all about Italian soccer, having spent time in charge of Serie A clubs AC Milan and Fiorentina.

Terim has called up veteran striker Hakan Sukur to the squad, despite speculation after his last appearance that he would retire.

Newcastle United's Belozoglu, who still has one official match ban to serve, is also expected to play. Schalke 04 midfielder Hamit Altintop suffered a minor injury in his team's 4-0 win over Mainz on Sunday and whether he can play will be known today.

Ankaragucu goalkeeper Serkan Kirintili received his first call-up to the national squad.

Turkey has not conceded a single goal in its last four matches against opponents incomparable with Italy. Wednesday's match will be a tough test for Terim and his players ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Greece and Norway in March 2007.

Nov. 15 , 2006

Wednesday night

September

four years ago

Sunday

today

last

Wednesday

March 2007


WSJ891101-0039
 = 891101
 891101-0039.
 Business Brief -- Coast Savings Financial Inc.:
@  Thrift Company Posts Loss;
@  Restructuring Program Cited
 11/01/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 CSA
 EARNINGS (ERN)

   Coast Savings Financial Inc. reported a third-quarter loss, citing a previously announced capital restructuring program.

   The Los Angeles thrift holding company said it had a loss of $92.2 million, or $6.98 a share, for the quarter ended Sept. 30.
Coast earned $10.2 million, or 67 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter.
The year-ago results  have  been restated  to comply with government regulations.

   The restructuring program  is designed  to increase the company's tangible capital ratio.
It includes removing $242 million in good will from the books, issuing $150 million in preferred stock and commencing an exchange offer for $52 million in convertible bonds.

   During the third quarter, the company charged about $46 million against earnings in reducing goodwill, added $20 million to its general loan loss reserves and established a $30 million reserve for its high-yield bond portfolio.
The company said its junk-bond portfolio after these moves  had  been reduced to less than 1% of assets.

third-quarter

the quarter

Sept. 30

the year-ago quarter

year-ago

the third quarter


XIN_ENG_20061117.0239

BEIJING, Nov. 17 , 2006 (Xinhua)

China set up information security certification center

China launched an information security certification center in Beijing on Friday.

"A national standard on security products will take effect following the establishment of the center and some products will be subject to compulsory certification," said Qu Weizhi, deputy director of the Information Office under the State Council.

Information security has become a serious problem in China with the rapid growth of the information industry. Crimes through the Internet, computer viruses and junk mail has threatened security.

"Some departments have set up systems on evaluation, licensing or purchase of security products but a unified national system is required to avoid repetition," said Qu.

Apart from certification of security products, the center would also conduct talents training and technology research and development on information security.

China boasts the world second largest population of netizens behind the United States, exceeding 123 million last July.

Nov. 17 , 2006

Friday

last July


AFP_ENG_20061202.0384

DOHA, Dec 2 , 2006, 2006

Palestinian PM admits Hamas holding out for key cabinet posts

Palestinian premier Ismail Haniya warned Saturday against drawing a line under talks on forming a new government acceptable to Western donors but admitted his Hamas movement was holding out for key cabinet posts.

"We affirm that the door of dialogue remains open. But if some want to close it, they will have to take responsibility for the repercussions," Haniya told reporters in the Qatari capital.

His remarks came a day after Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said that talks on forming a national unity government embracing both his secular Fatah faction and Haniya's Islamist movement were officially dead.

Haniya, who came to Qatar from Egypt on his first trip abroad since Hamas took power in March, identified the allocation of key cabinet posts as the chief obstacle in the talks with Fatah.

"The largest parliamentary bloc is supposed to have a presence in important ministerial portfolios. That's the bone of contention," he said.

"There is talk of giving (major posts) to independents, which contradicts parliamentary norms," said Haniya, whose Islamist militant group formed the government after winning parliamentary elections in January.

The European Union, Israel and the United States have imposed a crippling aid freeze on the Palestinian Authority since Hamas took power, citing the movement's continued refusal to renounce the armed struggle or recognize past peace deals with Israel.

Haniya said he did not object to Hamas government members meeting Israeli counterparts to discuss day-to-day affairs.

"But recognizing the legitimacy of occupation? No," he said.

Abbas is now considering a range of options including holding a referendum or fresh parliamentary and presidential elections, aide Yasser Abed Rabbo said.

But Haniya said he was not party to the president's deliberations.

Dec 2 , 2006

Saturday

March

January

now


AFP_ENG_20051206.0364

ROME, Dec 6 , 2005

Italy rejects proposed EU budget

The Italian government on Tuesday rejected the budget for the enlarged European Union presented by the bloc's British presidency.

"The Italian government has a negative opinion on the entire proposal," Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini told the Italian Senate.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, informed late Monday by his British counterpart Tony Blair of the broad outlines of the proposal, had "reserved his judgement."

But Italian diplomats said the initial response had been negative.

Proposed spending reductions would "derail the process of integrating the 10 new member states and raise the Italian contribution."

In the run-up to a December 15-16 summit in Brussels, the British EU presidency is proposing seven to eight percent less in funding for the mainly ex-communist states that joined the bloc in May 2004.

Dec 6 , 2005

Tuesday

Monday

December 15-16

May 2004


XIN_ENG_20051116.0283

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 , 2005 (Xinhua)

US business inventories rise 0.5 percent in September

Inventories held by US businesses on shelves and backlots increased by 0.5 percent in September, marking the largest gain in eight months, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

Data released by the department showed that business sales in September totaled 1,021.6 billion dollars, up 0.6 percent from the previous month and up 7.8 percent from the same month last year.

Business inventories in September were estimated at an end-of- month level of 1,282.1 billion dollars, up 0.5 percent from the previous month and up 4.3 percent from the same month last year.

The 0.5 percent gain in September's inventories was down slightly from an advance of 0.7 percent in the previous month.

Data also showed that the total business inventories-to-sales ratio based on seasonally adjusted data at the end of September was 1.25.

Economists see rising inventories either as a sign of confidence in future demand or as a result of an unexpected decline in sales.

Nov. 16 , 2005

September

eight months

Wednesday

September

last year

September

last year

September

the previous month

September


AFP_ENG_20051204.0524

ASTANA, Dec 5 , 2005

by Sebastian Smith

Oil-rich Kazakhstan's veteran President Nursultan Nazarbayev has scored a landslide re-election to a new seven year term, officials said Monday, sparking claims of fraud from the opposition.

Nazarbayev, 65, won 91.01 percent of ballots cast in Sunday's poll in the giant Central Asian country, according to preliminary results, said Central Election Commission chairman Onalsyn Zhumabekov in the capital Astana.

"He won. Congratulations to the candidate."

Nazarbayev, whose 16-year rule has transformed this former Soviet backwater into an emerging world oil power, was due to hold a rally with supporters in Astana.

International observers were also due to deliver their verdict on the conduct of the election.

According to officials, leading challenger Zharmakhan Tuyakbai secured just 6.64 percent. Former labour minister Alikhan Baimenov got 1.65 percent, Yerasyl Abilkasymov of the People's Communist Party 0.38 percent, and Mels Yeleusizov of the environmentalist Tabigat movement 0.32 percent.

But the former Soviet apparatchik's crushing victory was marred by opposition claims of cheating.

"I can only regret that Nazarbayev wasn't given 120 or 150 percent," Aidos Sarimov, a spokesman for Tuyakbai, told AFP after the official announcement.

Earlier, Sarimov vowed legal challenges to what he said had been "multiple violations of the law," including falsification of voter lists. He also said that the official turnout of about 77 percent was inflated.

Tuyakbai has warned previously that Kazakhstan faces dictatorship under Nazarbayev. However, the opposition has so far indicated that it will abide by a law banning street demonstrations in the immediate aftermath of the election.

In his furious reaction, Communist candidate Abilkasymov said: "It's nonsense. ... This is what happens when people vote on command."

A Nazarbayev victory had long been predicted, though not always by such a wide margin. Independent analysts say the one-time steel worker, who rose through Communist Party ranks to head Soviet Kazakhstan in 1989, enjoys solid support.

Under his rule, Kazakhstan has become the most prosperous and stable part of Central Asia, largely thanks to billions of dollars of foreign investment in the country's Caspian Sea oil fields. Kazakhstan is set to become a top-10 world oil producer within a decade.

But the republic, which is roughly the size of western Europe or India and was once part of Genghis Khan's empire, has never held an election judged free and fair by Western observers.

Even before the election, the opposition complained that media bias and pressure from the authorities had made a fair campaign impossible.

Nazarbayev, who went in sub-zero temperatures to vote at a theatre in Astana, said: "These elections will be more democratic than ever before."

About 1,600 observers monitored the election, including some 465 from the influential Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which was due to issue its report on the conduct of voting later Monday.

Dec 5 , 2005

seven year

Monday

Sunday

a decade

Monday


XIN_ENG_20051130.0183

GAZA, Nov. 30 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Palestinians demonstrate in support of prisoners

Dozens of Palestinians demonstrated on Wednesday in front of headquarters of the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza to express solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention camp of Ofer.

"We demonstrated today to support all the prisoners jailed in Israeli detentions and stop practices against prisoners," Hisham Abdel Razeq, chief of prisoners affairs of the Palestinian National Authority, said.

Meanwhile, the Prisoners' Committee for National and Islamic Powers said in a statement that the committee condemned Israeli assaults and called on the international committee to press Israel to stop its practices against prisoners.

It was reported that Israeli guards in Ofer prison attacked Palestinian prisoners on Monday and Tuesday, firing tear gas and beating them by club and wounding some 20 prisoners.

Nov. 30 , 2005

Wednesday

today

Monday

Tuesday


XIN_ENG_20061108.0292

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 , 2006 (Xinhua)

2nd Ld-Writethru: Rumsfeld resigns, to be succeeded by ex-CIA director

U.S. President George W. Bush announced Wednesday that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was stepping down, and would be replaced by former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director Robert Gates.

Bush made the announcement one day after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives in the legislative elections and was just one seat short of capturing control of the Senate.

Rumsfeld, 74, has been under intense pressure from both Democrats and Republicans to resign over his handling of the increasingly Iraq war, which has been in its fourth year and already claimed nearly 3,000 U.S. soldiers.

Just one week ago, Bush said he wanted Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to stay in office during the rest of his presidency.

Rumsfeld, the oldest to serve as defense secretary as well as the youngest defense chief when he was appointed by former President Gerald Ford in 1975, has been a target of criticism over the conduct of the Iraq war and the treatment of detainees in U.S. military custody.

At the White House press conference, Bush acknowledged that the administration's handling of the Iraq war played a major role in giving the Democrats control over the House.

The elections to a large extent was a national referendum on President George W. Bush and the war in Iraq, The New York Times reported, citing exit polls.

Sixty percent of voters leaving the polls said they opposed the war in Iraq, and 40 percent said their vote was a vote against Bush, the report said.

Gates, who was born in September 1943, served in the CIA and the National Security Council for 26 years. He served as CIA director during 1991 and 1993, and later as president of Texas A University.

Gates first joined the CIA in 1966 and served in the intelligence community for more than a quarter century, under six presidents. His nomination must be approved by the Senate.

Bush said he met with Gates on Sunday to discuss the appointment, even before the election was held. "He is a steady, solid leader who can help make the necessary adjustments in our approach to meet our current challenges," he said.

Gates also served in the bipartisan panel Iraq Study Group, headed by former secretary of state James A. Baker III, a Republican, and former Indiana congressman Lee H. Hamilton, a Democrat, which would make recommendations on the government's Iraq policy, probably in early January next year.

Nov. 8 , 2006

Wednesday

one day

fourth year

one week ago

presidency

September 1943

26 years

more than a quarter century

Sunday

early January next year


WSJ891101-0048
 = 891101
 891101-0048.
 Business Brief -- First Security Corp.:
@  Tentative Accord Formed
@  To Buy Deseret Bancorp.
 11/01/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 FSCO
 TENDER OFFERS, MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS (TNM)

   First Security Corp. said it tentatively agreed  to acquire Deseret Bancorp. for stock valued at about $18 million.

   Terms call for First Security  to issue about 0.55 share of its stock for each Deseret share held, or a total of about 550,000 First Security shares.
It has about 12.3 million shares outstanding.

   Deseret, with about $100 million in assets, is the parent of the Deseret Bank, which has six offices and headquarters at Pleasant Grove, Utah.
The purchase price is equal to about 1.65 times Deseret's roughly $10.7 million book value, or assets less liabilities.

   Salt Lake City-based First Security, with $5.4 billion in assets, said the agreement is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, and that it hopes  to complete the transaction early next year.

early next year


XIN_ENG_20051123.0187

BEIJING, Nov. 23 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Trilateral Commission to launch first regional conference in China

The Trilateral Commission Pacific Asia Group Beijing Regional Conference is to run from Nov. 25 to 27, the first time the commission launched such a regional conference in China.

Around 50 guests including officials, scholars and entrepreneurs from North America, European Union countries and Asian-Pacific countries will attend the conference.

Topics to be discussed include "Common Regional Challenges and Joint Responses", "Road map for east Asia community building."

The topic "The Rise of China and Its Global Implications" tops the agenda.

"The commission members want to discuss China's growth directly with Chinese elites from every field," Qin said.

"The rise of China attracts global attention. That's why the commission decided to hold a regional conference in China for the first time, " said Dr. Qin Yaqing, vice president of the China National Association for International Studies.

"The Beijing regional conference is to serve as a platform for China to show its peaceful progress," Qin said, adding that it is also an opportunity to make the country's peaceful rise known to the international community.

The Trilateral Commission was formed in 1973 by private citizens of Japan, European Union countries, United States and Canada to foster closer cooperation among these core democratic industrialized areas of the world and to share leadership responsibilities in the wider international system.

Nov. 23 , 2005

Nov. 25


XIN_ENG_20051103.0079

BANGKOK, Nov. 3 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Bomb hoaxes greet Eid el-Fitr in south Thailand

Suspected insurgents has placed suspicious packages in eight different locations in three districts of southern Spongkhla province bordering the predominantly Muslim southernmost border provinces.

The incidents coincided with the beginning of Eid-al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting -- known locally as Hari Raya -- from Thursday through Saturday.

Police demolitions experts rushed to the sites only to discover that all the so-called "bombs" in Chana, Thepha and Saba Yoi districts of the province contained cattle manure and sand.

The investigators said they thought the bomb hoaxes were the work of militants who wished to create further disturbance on the Muslim holiday, according to local newspaper reports on Thursday.

The bomb hoaxes occurred less than 12 hours after a number of bomb incidents in Narathiwat province Wednesday night.

Police defused seven bombs in the provincial capital but another five bombs went off, downing 10 high-voltage power poles in Narathiwat city. The attacks caused power blackout in many areas.

Nov. 3 , 2005

Ramadan

Thursday

Saturday

Thursday

less than 12 hours

Wednesday night


AFP_ENG_20061204.0756

LEGASPI, Philippines, Dec 5 , 2006, 2006

=(GRAPHIC+PICTURE)=

The first foreign aid flights of food and medicines arrived Tuesday in the eastern Philippines, where officials said devastating mudslides have left more than 1,080 people dead or missing.

At first light two C-130 transport aircraft from Indonesia touched down in Legaspi City where disaster relief operations are being coordinated, carrying more than 12 tonnes of food and medicine.

The devastating torrents of mud and volcanic ash triggered by typhoon rains swallowed entire villages near Mount Mayon volcano last Thursday.

Survivors desperately picked through the thick deposit trying to find loved ones, but rescuers said the search was hopeless.

"The search for life is over," said Daniel Fernandez, of the Spanish search and rescue team BUSF, after a sweep of the area around the village of Maipon, near the volcano, using dogs.

"There are no more survivors here."

But typhoon Durian, now downgraded to a tropic storm, continued its deadly passage overnight, lashing the coast of southern Vietnam where officials said at least 12 people had died and more were missing.

In the Philippines, civil defence officials confirmed 450 dead around Mayon volcano in the Bicol region, southeast of Manila, and another 636 missing, for a total of 1,086.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo was expected later in the day to inspect relief efforts and meet with survivors.

National Disaster Coordinating Centre executive officer Glenn Rabonza said more than 1.14 million people had been affected by the disaster.

Rabonza said damage to property is estimated at more than 274 million pesos (5.48 million dollasr).

The coordinating centre's chief of operations Agnes Palacio told AFP: "What we need now are medicines, temporary shelters like tents and food.

"We also need water containers and purifiers because we do not have sources of clean water."

She said teams had been sent into the region to check for any outbreaks of diseases."But so far, we have had no reports of outbreaks."

Teams from the health department were making their way to villages to help deal with the dead.

Many unclaimed bodies have been buried in shallow graves but many more are still lying unrecovered.

Officials said that more than 1,500 villages in 100 municipalities and nine cities across the Bicol region were affected by the typhoon and mudslides.

They said 72 evacuation centres had been set up to care for the survivors.

For those who lived through the disaster, there was heartaches as they dug for the bodies of family members.

In Maipon, Aljabar Mammah wept as he clawed through the grey soil where his home once stood, vainly hoping to find the bodies of his wife and baby son.

"Nobody had time to react. My wife and son were snatched from my arms and were gone in an instant," he told AFP.

Rescuers say they have not detected any life, six days after the tragedy.

More foreign aid is due to arrive. Malaysia has promised a C-130 plane with 20 tonnes of supplies, aid has come in from Japan and more is expected during the day from Singapore.

Money donated by other nations has been sent either to the Red Cross or to relief organisations to buy tents which are being ferried to Legaspi.

Dec 5 , 2006

Tuesday

last Thursday

now

the day

six days


AFP_ENG_20061220.0511

LONDON, Dec 20 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - UPDATES with closing levels ///

Europe's main stock markets were mixed but generally stronger Wednesday, though London trades were weighed down by losses in mining issues and a cautious start to trading on Wall Street, dealers said.

London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares slipped by 0.09 percent to 6,198.60 points, while in Frankfurt the DAX 30 added 0.51 percent to 6,586.91 and the Paris CAC 40 rose 0.54 percent to 5,514.42 points.

The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone blue chip shares increased 0.44 percent to 4,118.54 points.

The euro stood at 1.3183 dollars.

In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had risen by 0.20 percent to 12,495.91 points as European markets closed, while the Nasdaq Composite was up by 0.42 percent at 2,439.72.

The broad Standard and Poor's 500 index showed a gain of 0.20 percent to 1,428.42.

Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei-225 gained 1.40 percent to close at 17,011.04 points earlier in the day -- the first time it has finished above the symbolic 17,000 points level since May 9.

Hong Kong's key Hang Seng index closed 1.45 percent higher at 19,240.12 points after Thai authorities scaled back capital controls, easing worries of financial instability in the region, dealers said.

Thai stocks had suffered their biggest losses in more than 30 years on Tuesday, shedding 15 percent as panicking investors fled the market after the central bank imposed draconian measures in an effort to halt the rise of Thailand's currency, the baht.

On Wednesday, the Stock Exchange of Thailand -- where foreign investors account for about 40 percent of the market -- regained 11.16 percent to 691.55 points.

In London, the mining sector was hit by falling prices for copper, silver and gold.

Antofagasta shares lost 2.21 percent to 508 pence, Lonmin was off by 1.61 percent at 2,988 and Rio Tinto shed 1.01 percent to 2,735.

Oil group Shell was also down on the day, losing 1.10 percent to 1,795 pence.

In Paris, the aerospace sector was in focus after Singapore Airlines said it would buy nine more double-decker A380 aircraft from European aircraft maker Airbus.

The share price of Airbus parent group EADS gained 4.08 percent to 25.24 euros.

In Amsterdam, the AEX index gained 0.44 percent to 495.59 points, the Swiss SMI edged 0.09 percent higher to 8,770.78, in Milan the SP/Mib added 0.22 percent to 41,315 points, in Madrid the Ibex-35 rose by 0.18 percent to 14,201.7 and in Brussels the Bel-20 closed 0.13 percent higher at 4,345.29.

Dec 20 , 2006

Wednesday

0.42 percent at 2,439.72

May 9

Tuesday

Wednesday


AFP_ENG_20061202.0171

PARIS, Dec 2 , 2006, 2006

Judges to interview French PM over dirty tricks scandal

French judges probing the so-called Clearstream dirty tricks scandal will quiz Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin -- accused of using the affair to damage his political rival, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy -- solely as a witness, aides to Villepin said Saturday.

The status of "simple witness" being accorded to the prime minister means that he is not being treated as a suspect in the case centring on bogus allegations of illegal accounts held at a Luxembourg clearing-bank.

Villepin's office said the go-ahead for the two judges heading the inquiry to interview him would be given at the next cabinet meeting.

The judges had said in November that "an interview does indeed appear useful for elucidating the truth and will take place at the moment we judge to be opportune."

Villepin's aides repeated that the prime minister welcomed the chance to speak to judges Jean-Marie d'Huy and Henri Pons to give his side of events.

It will only be the second time in history that a serving prime minister gives testimony in a judicial investigation. Socialist Lionel Jospin was quizzed some 15 years ago over illegal funding for his party.

The Clearstream affair erupted in April and for a time appeared to threaten Villepin's future as prime minister.

He has vehemently denied that as foreign minister in early 2004 he ordered a secret probe into claims that Sarkozy was on a list of names of alleged account-holders at Clearstream.

D'Huy and Pons have already questioned as witnesses Villepin's predecessor as prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, and current Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie.

Dec 2 , 2006

Saturday

November

some 15 years ago

April

early 2004


XIN_ENG_20061111.0054

HANOI, Nov. 11 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Chinese state councilor says steering committee to boost China-Vietnam ties

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said here on Saturday that the newly-established steering committee on cooperation will further promote the long-term good- neighborly relations between China and Vietnam.

"The development of Sino-Vietnamese ties have progressed in recent years with exchanges and cooperation being expanded and deepened in an all-round and comprehensive way," Tang told the first meeting of the China-Vietnam steering committee on cooperation.

China is willing to make joint efforts with the Vietnamese side to implement the consensus reached between leaders of the Communist Party of China and the Vietnamese Communist Party as well as leaders of the two countries, he added.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, who co-chaired the meeting with Tang, said his country hopes to boost the Vietnam-China friendly cooperation through the creation of the joint committee.

The committee, which is designed to coordinate China-Vietnam cooperation in various fields and address major issues in their cooperation, will meet once a year in the two countries alternatively.

At the meeting, the two side also discussed the preparations of the upcoming visit to Vietnam by Chinese President Hu Jintao and believed his visit will surely have far-reaching impact on the relations between the two parties and two countries.

Hu, who is scheduled to pay a state visit to Vietnam on Nov. 15- 17, will also attend an informal meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders to be held in Hanoi on Nov. 18-19.

Nov. 11 , 2006

Saturday

recent years

a year

Nov.

Nov. 18-19


XIN_ENG_20051128.0246

NEW YORK, Nov. 28 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Xinhua international news advisory -- Nov. 28

The following major international news stories from the North America region are scheduled to be covered or pursued by Xinhua News Agency on Monday.

-- US President George W. Bush is expected to deliver remarks on Border Security and Immigration Reform on Monday afternoon.

-- Canada's Parliament is to vote Monday evening on a motion of non-confidence against Liberal government.

-- The United Nations Security Council is to discuss the situation in Burundi on Monday and is expected to extend the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country.

Nov. 28 , 2005

Monday

Monday afternoon

Monday evening

Monday


AFP_ENG_20061213.0381

SANTIAGO, Dec 13 , 2006, 2006

remarks

Chile's President Michelle Bachelet directed the military Wednesday to punish a grandson of Augusto Pinochet for remarks the army captain made at the ex-dictator's funeral extolling the 1973 military coup.

Dec 13 , 2006


AFP_ENG_20061205.0422

PARIS, Dec 5 , 2006, 2006

IMF to lower growth forecast for 2007: chief economist

The International Monetary Fund is to lower its growth estimate for 2007 from its current prediction of 4.9 percent, IMF chief economist John Lipsky said here Tuesday.

"We will be reducing that somewhat," Lipsky told reporters, adding that the IMF nonetheless continued "to anticipate a favorable environment for growth."

He said he saw "no obvious reason to be concerned" by the recent plunge in the dollar against the euro, a trend that has prompted fears that the euro's appreciation could cut into eurozone exports and dampen growth.

Asked about the European Central Bank's interest rate policy, he replied: "We think a policy of moderate tightening remains appropriate."

Dec 5 , 2006

current

Tuesday


AFP_ENG_19970423.0569

WASHINGTON, April 23 , 1997 (AFP)

China diverted US equipment to military plant: White House

A state-owned Chinese company diverted US equipment intended for civilian purposes to a weapons plant but has returned the materiel on US orders, the White House said Wednesday.

Spokesman Michael McCurry said the United States discovered that the machines were moved to an "unapproved" location by the Chinese, after the New York Times reported the equipment was sent to a missile and fighter jet plant.

He declined to elaborate, citing an ongoing investigation, but said "the machines in question are now under the supervision of the original customer -- they're back at a McDonnell Douglas facility."

A year-long investigation using satellite photos suggested that in 1994 CATIC, a state-owned corporation, diverted McDonnell Douglas Corp. equipment designed to build civilian jetliners to a military complex of the Nanchang Aircraft Co, according to the Times.

Pentagon officials earlier feared that the equipment, which includes giant tools used to shape and bend large aircraft parts, could be used for military purposes.

US officials believe that the Chinese intended to use the equipment for military purposes all along. The matter is under criminal investigation.

April 23 , 1997

Wednesday

now


AFP_ENG_20061212.0696

NANTES, France, Dec 12 , 2006, 2006

Nantes make Barthez an offer

Fabien Barthez, last seen on a football pitch keeping goal for France in the World Cup final in Berlin in July, has reportedly been offered a contract with French side Nantes.

Barthez, out of contract with Marseille since the end of last season, is wanted by Nantes to replace Serb keeper Vladamir Stojkovic, who is keen to leave.

According to France Inter radio Barthez' lawyers will study the deal which is for an initial six months with an option of a two year extension, on Wednesday.

Nantes manager Georges Eo revealed at the start of the week that he had been in contact with the 1998 World Cup winner.

Dec 12 , 2006

July

the end of last season

an initial six months

two year

Wednesday

the week


XIN_ENG_20061102.0025

BEIJING, Nov. 2 , 2006 (Xinhua)

China to unveil a list of more aids to Africa during Beijing Summit

China will announce a package of major assistance, investment, trade and other key cooperation projects with Africa during the upcoming Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for Nov. 4-5, said Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wei Jianguo here on Thursday.

Considering the wishes of African friends, the Chinese government has decided to offer more cooperation projects to Africa to deepen mutual benefit and cooperation and realize common development, Wei said at the Senior Officials Meeting of FOCAC, which was closed here on Thursday.

China has put forward a series of measures including debt relief, exemption of tariff and personnel training to promote the cooperation between China and Africa, said Wei, also Chinese side secretary general of the summit's organizing committee.

Forty eight African countries that have diplomatic relations with China are to participate in the two-day summit focusing on " friendship, peace, cooperation and development".

FOCAC is a mechanism for collective dialogue and cooperation jointly established by China and Africa to cope with new challenges and facilitate common development.

Since the FOCAC was established in 2000, economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa has entered a new era, with comprehensive, rapid and stable development.

Trade volume rocketed to 39.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2005 after breaking the mark of 10 billion dollars in 2000.

In addition, China has forgiven debts of 10.9 billion yuan (1. 38 billion U.S. dollars) by 31 heavily indebted poor countries and least developed countries in Africa and extended zero-tariff treatment to some imports from Africa.

China has helped establish nearly 900 projects in Africa and train some 14,600 personnel in various fields.

Nov. 2 , 2006

Nov. 4-5

Thursday

Thursday


AFP_ENG_19970428.0299

NICOSIA, April 28 , 1997 (AFP)

US, Iraq, Iran, Libya attend sanctions conference by Elie Austa

Officials from the United States, Iraq, Iran and Libya attended a forum which opened here Monday on the effects of UN and US sanctions on the oil market and world economy.

"Even if there is no premeditated policy to harm these countries for their anti-Israeli stance, this is the way things are perceived in the region," World Energy Council president Hisham el-Khatib said in his opening speech.

Iraq, Iran and Libya are all oil-producing, Moslem, anti-Israeli countries with strong centralized governments, he said, while the United States is Israel's main ally.

However, the former US assistant secretary of state for the Near East Robert Pelletreau said Washington "bears no ill will toward the peoples of Iran, Iraq and Libya and would like in the long run to see normal relations develop with each of these states."

Pelletreau said Washington adopted, unilaterally or with the United Nations, sanctions to prevent countries from acting "in a way detrimental to US interests and disruptive of regional and even global security and stability."

The former official, who left his post in March, said the partial lifting of sanctions on Iraq under the UN oil-for-food deal beginning in December was not, as Baghdad claimed, the first step toward completely lifting the embargo.

Rather it eased international pressure on Washington, especially from Europe, over the suffering of the Iraqi people, which is the fault of the Iraqi government, he said.

US policy toward Iraq is based on the assumption that "Baghdad has given up none of its ambitions to be the dominant power in the Gulf," Pelletreau added.

"Without Security Council sanctions and US leadership in maintaining them, President Saddam Hussein would be rearming, rebuilding and modernizing his armed forces and developing their nuclear, biological and chemical capabilities as rapidly as possible."

International sanctions were imposed on Iraq after it invaded Kuwait in August 1990, and the United Nations has stipulated that Iraq must get rid of its weapons of mass destruction before the sanctions are lifted.

Pelletreau also said that if Iran is behind a bomb attack in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, that killed 19 US servicemen in June, Washington "will respond strongly including, possibly, demanding the imposition of United Nations sanctions."

Pelletreau said that in Iran and in the US Congress, Europe's approach to Tehran was seen as dictated by "commercial interest."

Washington's adoption of sanctions against countries such as Iran, Iraq or Libya in spite of economic losses to US companies "reflects the strong current of morality present in US political decisions," he said.

Edward Morse of the Energy Intelligence Group research institute said "the use of ... economic instruments of foreign policy by the United States has, not accidentally, mushroomed as the Cold War came to an end and as the United States became increasingly the singular fulcrum of international politics."

The United States "can 'get away with' using them for a long time" because of "the current structure of international society, which, for better or worse, is highly US-centric," Morse said.

The three-day forum, sponsored by IBC Gulf Conferences, is headed by Iraq's ambassador to UNESCO, Abdel Amir al-Anbari, and included an oil ministry official.

Iran's position will be presented by an official from its chamber of commerce and Libya's by an advisor to the Libyan central bank.

April 28 , 1997

Monday

March

December

August 1990

June


AFP_ENG_20051203.0071

TOKYO, Dec 3 , 2005

Japanese governor to try and stop US nuclear ship deployment

The governor of a prefecture hosting the largest US Navy base in Japan said Saturday he would continue to seek to stop the deployment of a nuclear-powered ship there in 2008 as announced by Washington.

"It doesn't mean that we have exhausted all possibilities" of stopping the deployment of a nuclear-powered ship at Yokosuka, Kanagawa governor Shigefumi Matsuzawa said in a statement.

The US Navy announced Friday in Washington that the USS George Washington would replace the USS Kitty Hawk in 2008 as its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier based in Japan.

Japan, a close US ally, announced in October it had agreed to host a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at the port from 2008 prompting protests in the only nation to have suffered nuclear attack.

More than 210,000 people died when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed by US forces in 1945.

"I'll continue urging the Japanese and US governments to solve the noise problem caused by carrier-based aircraft as soon as possible and to try my best to see that a conventional carrier is deployed here," Matsuzawa said.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, currently visiting Washington, is scheduled to meet US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on Saturday and to discuss the realignment of US forces in Japan.

Dec 3 , 2005

Saturday

Friday

October

Saturday


XIN_ENG_20061112.0142

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 12 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Chinese

By sportswriters Wang Jimin, Xiao Chunfei

SHANGHAI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese American Michael Chang, the youngest Grand Slam champion in ATP history, is sportscasting the yearend Masters Cup in Shanghai.

The tennis genius, who was acquainted with Chinese when he was called Zhang Depei, came as sportscaster at the Shanghai Sports Channel.

Chang, 34, claimed the French Open title in 1989 when he was just 17 years and three months old and became the first American male to win the Roland Garros since Tony Trabert in 1955.

He was remembered as his thrilling five-set win for the title over Stefan Edberg and his round of 16 win over former Number one Ivan Lendl, in which he served underhanded at one point after cramping but won 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in a 4-hour, 37-minute match.

"With the schedule the way that it is now on the ATP Tour, it plays a very, very important role as for as being healthy for the top players. That's one of the things that has really been very good for you, to be able to go out, play tennis, and be healthy. How is it you find to be able to balance time to work hard, taking time to rest and relax?" Chang asked world number one Roger Federer after the opening match as an average journalist.

The year of 2002 was his swan song when Chang retired partly due to the health problems after Compiling a disappointing 7-18 match record and it was first time he's ever had a losing record and not won 10 matches in a season since he turned pro in 1987.

"Federer is obviously among the great players. He demonstrated his prowess under pressure while Nalbandian lost his confidence as early as in the second set. And he ran out of his stream in the opening set, which led to the fast collapse in the remaining sets. And I think what was in Nalbandian's mind during the third set is to have a bath as soon as possible!" Chang commented in Chinese, which was not his strong point in the past.

On Sunday, top seed Federer rallied from one set down to destroy Argentine nemesis David Nalbandian 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 in a blockbuster opening match of the 2006 circuit finale.

As for the question Chang threw to Federer, the Swiss tycoon replied:"I always used to played 25 to 30 tournaments in the past few years. Now I only play around 20 tournaments."

"I always take a lot of good care, you know, with my coach, with my condition trainer. We always sit down together and think what is the best plan.

"I always try to enter a minimum of tournaments, and I hate pulling out."

Although playing in the different era, Chang has played Federer five times in career with the Swiss wrapping off four wins.

Nov. 12 , 2006

Nov. 12

17 years and three months

now

The year of 2002

Sunday

the past few years

Now


XIN_ENG_20061112.0206

KHARTOUM, Nov. 12 , 2006 (Xinhua)

in Darfur

Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir reiterated on Sunday his country's refusal of deploying an international peacekeeping force to be sent by the United Nations in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

The Sudanese president reiterated the position during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, who arrived in Khartoum on the same day on a two-day official visit in Sudan.

Sudanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs al-Wasila al- Samani told reporters following the meeting that al-Bashir urged the world society to help reinforce the 7800-strong African Union troops which are undertaking the peacekeeping mission in Darfur.

The Sudanese president also stressed his country's full respect for the security and sovereignty of Chad and the Central African, denying the accusation that Khartoum was baking rebels of the two countries to launch cross-border attacks from Sudan, al-Samani said.

Al-Samani disclosed that the French foreign minister expressed his "complete understanding" for Sudan's position of refusing the deployment of international peacekeeper in Darfur, and his keenness to mediate between Sudan and Chad and the Central Africa.

"Sudan and France agree that the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) must be completed by bringing in those refusing to accept the agreement until now, and President al-Bashir thanked France for its efforts to help look for a comprehensive settlement for the conflict in Darfur," al-Samani added.

The Sudanese government signed the DPA with a main rebel faction in the Nigerian capital Abuja on May 5. But some other rebel movements have refused to sign the agreement, claiming that it did not meet all their demands.

Nov. 12 , 2006

Sunday

the same day

now

May 5


AFP_ENG_20051212.0378

BAGHDAD, Dec 12 , 2005

ATTENTION - ADDS Jaafari, Baathists, Qaeda warning ///

Iraqi violence shadowed special early polling Monday ahead of a general election for a full-term parliament which many hope will stabilize the country and allow US troops to leave.

The vote is expected to restore full sovereignty to Iraq nearly three years after the invasion, with officials desperately hoping to draw Sunni Arabs back into the political process and undermine support for a crippling insurgency.

Before 15.5 million voters cast their ballots on Thursday, 300,000 Iraqi hospital patients, detainees and members of the security forces voted for the 275 deputies who are to serve four-year terms.

In an atmosphere of jubilation, Iraqi security forces punched the air and made V for victory signs as they queued outside polling stations in the capital.

Detainees in orange jumpsuits crossed their ballot papers in jails in the southern city of Samawa as electoral officials went from bed to bed with transparent ballot boxes in a Baghdad hospital, attending to patients too weak to walk.

Security measures, similar to those enforced at two earlier polls this year, will be imposed to limit bloodshed and bombings during Thursday's main event.

But violence flared in the capital before the clampdown took full effect, killing at least seven people and wounding at least 30.

Two US soldiers also died in separate attacks south of Baghdad and in the volatile western Sunni province of Al-Anbar.

Calling for a peaceful ballot, Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari vigorously defended his 10-month record in government at a Baghdad news conference.

"Praise be to God, Iraq is today stronger after overcoming so many obstacles," said the devout Shiite.

Rivals have accused him of presiding over a weak administration that has failed to quell violence and Jaafari could lose the top cabinet job in the political wrangling after the election.

But the dominant Shiite United Iraqi Alliance that includes Jaafari's Dawa Party put on a show of force by staging a rally that drew thousands in eastern Baghdad.

Red and green Shiite banners waved in Sadr City as militants chanted slogans in support of the UIA, which includes the Dawa Party, the powerful Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution and followers of radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Across the country, airports and borders will shut from Wednesday, a five-day holiday imposed, curfews extended and weapons carrying banned.

Such strict security measures are intended to prevent the kind of suicide bombings that have become so commonplace in Iraq.

Al-Qaeda's branch in Iraq and four other extremist groups warned people not to vote in a statement posted on the Internet.

"What is known as the political process is nothing but a devilish plot," said a statement signed by the Al-Taifa Mansura Army.

The election for a 275-member parliament follows a lightning Anglo-US drive to oust Saddam in April 2003, two transitional governments and the adoption of a constitution in October.

Electoral officials will allow some candidates with suspected links to Saddam's former party to stand, but warned they could still be disqualified.

The committee responsible, however, for purging the state of Saddam loyalists called on voters not to elect roughly 130 Baathist candidates standing in the election among a total 7,000.

The body urged electors to reject such candidates "in the name of the victims of the mass graves and out of loyalty for the blood of the martyrs."

When the dust settles, the Iraqi parliament will set out to define a new direction for a country wracked by intercommunal tensions.

Strengthening democracy through credible elections is a cornerstone of US policy in the Middle East, which Washington hopes will foster the ultimate exit strategy from Iraq, an increasingly unpopular military campaign.

But success of the poll hinges on turnout among the fallen Sunni Arab elite that boycotted the January 30 election for a transitional parliament, Iraq's first free vote in half a century.

On Monday, Sunni Sheikh Khalaf al-Alyani, a leader of the Iraqi National Dialogue, pressed Iraqi insurgents to observe a five-day truce so that the crucial vote could take place peacefully.

The 228 political entities which have presented candidates number double the 111 groups that contested the January poll.

Dec 12 , 2005

Monday

nearly three years

Thursday

this year

Thursday

Wednesday

April 2003

October

January 30

a century

Monday

January


AFP_ENG_19970409.0262

TAIPEI, April 9 , 1997 (AFP)

Taiwan not to alter pig export policy

Taiwan will not change its pig-rearing policy despite the outbreak last month of foot-and-mouth disease, estimated to have slowed the country's economic growth rate by 0.5 percent this year.

"Don't randomly change a policy whenever a problem occurs," Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui said at the end of a regular meeting of the decision-making Central Standing Committee.

"Changes to policy should be made only after they are carefully studied by scholars and experts ... Only so doing will government policies become more healthy," added Lee, who is also the ruling Kuomintang party's chairman.

There have been widespread calls for a thorough government review of pig raising following the island's worst pig disease in 80 years.

Economics Minister Wang Chih-kang said the plague, which was threatening the jobs of 700,000 workers, is estimated to have dragged economic growth by 0.5 percentage points from a previously forecast 6.3 percent for this year.

The government has banned exports of 105 categories of fresh and processed meat products, inflicting huge losses on the 1.6 billion US dollar a year industry.

Total losses to the pork industry and related businesses could reach an estimated 270 billion Taiwan dollars (almost 10 billion US).

Lee said it was not right for Taiwan to pull out of the overseas market only because of the pig epidemic, or it would be hard for the local pig-raisers to take back the market share they lost to competitors.

Lee, who received a doctorate degree in agroeconomy from Cornell University of the United States, took pride in Taiwan's rice-growing and pig-raising techniques which he said were "first class in the world."

Lee, Vice President Lien Chan and other ranking government officials ate pig knuckles and pork at a press promotion campaign on the heels of the KMT meeting.

They urged the public to consume pork, saying the pork available on the market was not tainted.

Meanwhile, 30 parliamentarians on Wednesday endorsed a bi-partisan resolution demanding two top agricultural officials step down to shoulder responsibility for the agricultural disaster.

April 9 , 1997

last month

this year

80 years

this year

a year

Wednesday


XIN_ENG_20061102.0390

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 3 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Cambodian PM's visit to China fruitful: FM

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen 's visit to China from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 was fruitful and would promote the friendly cooperative ties between China and ASEAN ( Association of Southeast Asia Nations), especially those between China and Cambodia, according to a local media's report on Friday.

Hor Namhong, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told local reporters at a press conference at the Phnom Penh International Airport on Thursday after the prime minister's return.

During the summit held in Naning, Guangxi, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the dialogue ties between China and ASEAN, Hun Sen proposed to build cooperative partnership between both sides, which would greatly promote the friendly cooperation between China and ASEAN, especially that between China and Cambodia.

Such cooperation would bring benefits to Cambodia's social and economic developments and help the kingdom narrow its difference with other member countries of ASEAN, he said.

In a joint declaration of the summit, Hor said, Hun Sen provided some complementary opinion for China to accomplish the Singapore-Kunming Railway as soon as possible, so as to supplement the current rail lines connecting Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia.

In addition, the prime minister asked China to offer loans for Cambodian to construct a railway leading to Vietnam, thus enabling the kingdom to transport more commodities to China via Vietnam, he added.

Hun Sen returned to Phnom Penh on Thursday afternoon. During his trip to China, he also visited Shandong Province in order to tap experience of economic development.

Nov. 3 , 2006

Oct. 29

Nov. 2

Friday

Thursday

Thursday afternoon


XIN_ENG_20051123.0114

BEIJING, Nov. 23 , 2005 (Xinhua)

China, Bulgaria to strengthen military ties

China is ready to join hands with Bulgaria to bring their military relationship to a new high, Liang Guanglie, chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said here Wednesday.

Liang made the remarks in his talks with his Bulgarian counterpart Nikola Kolev.

China has always taken a positive attitude to developing China-Bulgaria military relations, Liang said.

He said Bulgaria was among the first batch of countries to forge diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Since then bilateral relations have kept advancing and there have been frequent mutual high-level visits and friendly exchanges.

Kolev said that Bulgaria and China have enjoyed a tradition of friendly exchanges, and the armed forces of Bulgaria hope to further promote the friendly and cooperative relationship with the Chinese PLA.

Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of general staff of the PLA, also attended the talks.

Nov. 23 , 2005

Wednesday


XIN_ENG_20051120.0004

BEIJING, Nov. 20 , 2005 (Xinhua)

URGENT: Opposing "Taiwan Independence" in interest of China, US: Hu

Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Sunday that it is in the common interest of both China and the United State to oppose and contain "Taiwan Independence", and to safeguard stability across the Taiwan Straits.

"The Chinese government and people have been committed to safeguarding peace across the Taiwan Straits, and will make the utmost efforts with the utmost sincerity to achieve the country's peaceful reunification, but we will never tolerate 'Taiwan Independence'," Hu told the press after his talks with visiting US President George W. Bush.

Nov. 20 , 2005

Sunday


XIN_ENG_20051128.0244

PARIS, Nov. 28 , 2005 (Xinhua)

1st lead:  Fatah primaries in Gaza Strip suspended

Eds: Updates with details

GAZA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Fatah primaries in the Gaza Strip were suspended due to riots and violations, a poll official announced on Monday.

Ibrahim Abu Najja, chief of the highest committee of Fatah primary elections, announced the suspension following severe violations occurred at several polling stations across the Gaza Strip on Monday.

"These violations made the continuation of the whole process impossible," Abu al-Najja told reporters after a meeting of the committee.

Palestinian militants stormed several polling stations in the cities of Deer al-Balah, Khan Younis and Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip, and ordered voters to go away.

Dozens of Fatah members burned tires and voters lists after failing to find their names in the lists.

Earlier, Palestinian sources said that the committee decided to postponed Fatah primaries in the central Gaza Strip following riots at the ballot stations in this region.

The ongoing primaries are to choose candidates of the dominant Fatah movement to stand in the legislative elections set for Jan. 25, 2006.

Nov. 28 , 2005

Nov. 28

Monday

Monday

Jan. 25, 2006


XIN_ENG_20051115.0235

LONDON, Nov. 15 , 2005 (Xinhua)

53 birds die of avian flu in Britain

Fifty-three birds have died at a British quarantine center hit by an outbreak of avian flu, according to a report released on Tuesday by the British Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The report said that within the species documented as coming from Taiwan, only the Mesias were infected with H5N1, adding that 53 out of 101 birds had died. It went on to say that the H5N1 virus was only transmitted between the Mesias,

There is no evidence of transmission to other species in the facility including the sentinel birds.

Announcing the publication of the report, Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said, "This report contains significant epidemiological findings and helps to further our understanding of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

"In particular the apparent lack of transmission of H5N1 between species in the facility will be of interest to the international community."

In a written Parliamentary statement, Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said, "This report will be fed into the independent review of avian quarantine procedures I announced on October 31 led by Professor Nigel Dimmock and to Essex County Council, who are conducting an investigation into events at the quarantine facility."

Nov. 15 , 2005

Tuesday

October 31


nyt_20130321_sarcozy

2013-03-21

France: Sarkozy Faces Investigation

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy was informed Thursday that he would face a formal investigation into whether he abused the frailty of Liliane Bettencourt, 90, the heiress to the L'Oreal fortune and France's richest woman, to get funds for his 2007 presidential campaign. Mr. Sarkozy has denied accepting illegal campaign funds from Ms. Bettencourt, either personally or through his party treasurer at the time, Eric Woerth, as alleged by her former butler. Mr. Sarkozy's lawyer, Thierry Herzog, called the judge's decision, which indicates that the judge believes that Mr. Sarkozy probably committed a crime, "incoherent" and "unjust." The lawyer said he would appeal. The ruling does not necessarily mean that Mr. Sarkozy, who lost his re-election bid last May and with it his presidential immunity from prosecution, will stand trial.

Thursday

last May


XIN_ENG_20061121.0215

BEIJING, Nov. 21 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Ethnic minorities to grow bio-fuel in fragile southwest China hills

Communities living in the arid mountains bordering Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces may soon be benefiting from the seeds of a locally grown tree.

A four-year project aimed at alleviating poverty in southwest China has been jointly established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Chinese government.

The 8.58 million-U.S.-dollar project was launched on Tuesday in Beijing, aiming to use green technologies to reduce poverty and improve fragile ecosystems.

The "Green Poverty Reduction in China" project targets ethnic minority communities in ecologically fragile and remote regions.

The project aims to create a market for the oil-rich seeds of the Jatropha Curcas L tree, which grows wild in the mountainous regions of western China. Traditionally used as a hedge and to prevent desertification, its cultivation would hopefully lead to more fertile land in an area where soil erosion and aridity hinder agriculture and the ecosystem.

The project will also develop production of Jarrah Dayun, a raw material for traditional medicine, in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and provide small wind turbines to poor herdsmen in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Knowledge gained through the pilot projects will be disseminated for its proposed extension across the country.

This initiative is jointly established by the UNDP, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the China International Center For Economic and Technical Exchanges of the Ministry of Commerce.

"Fostering the potential of green industries and energy sources in remote mountain areas and deserts is an important vehicle which can generate income and employment opportunities, while protecting the environment," said Alessandra Tisot, UNDP Senior Deputy Resident Representative in China.

Nov. 21 , 2006

Tuesday


XIN_ENG_20051128.0019

HARBIN, Nov. 28 , 2005 (Xinhua)

URGENT: Death toll rises to 68 in NE China coal mine blast

As of 2:00 p.m. Monday, the death toll rose to 68 in Sunday's coal mine blast in northeastern Heilongjiang Province, said sources with the National Bureau of Production Safety Supervision and Administration.

Nov. 28 , 2005

Monday

Sunday


XIN_ENG_20051102.0138

LAO CAI PROVINCE, Vietnam, Nov. 2 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Vietnam-China e-trading floor launched

An electronic trading floor, which offers on-line transaction tools and trade- related data to enterprises, especially those in Vietnam and China, was launched here Wednesday.

The establishment of the e-trading floor will facilitate trade and investment in Vietnam and China, especially their border localities, helping the construction of e-commerce systems in northern Lao Cai province, said Nguyen Ngoc Kim, vice chairman of the provincial People's Committee at the launching ceremony.

Over 300 Vietnamese and Chinese have registered to participate in the floor which is written in Vietnamese, Chinese and English. The floor allows users to conduct on-line transactions, and access information about trade and investment in Vietnam, China and many other countries.

Vietnam's import and export turnovers with China via the Lao Cai international border gate are estimated at 400 million US dollars this year, up more than 33.3 percent against last year, Kim said.

Economic and trade relations between the two countries have gained encouraging results in recent years with China having become Vietnam's biggest trading partner, and Chinese statistics show the two-way trade reached 6.74 billion dollars in 2004, an all time high.

In early 2004, the leaders of Vietnam and China set the target of posting two-way trade at 5 billion dollars in 2005 and 10 billion dollars in 2010.

Nov. 2 , 2005

Wednesday

this year

last year

recent years

early 2004


AFP_ENG_20061212.0015

LONDON, Dec 12 , 2006, 2006

=(PICTURE)=

Prince William, second in line to the British throne, finishes his training as an officer at Sandhurst military academy this week, and Britain is abuzz with talk about when he will finally ask to marry his pretty girlfriend Kate Middleton.

Happy news from the royal household has been rare these last few years. The last birth dates back to November 2003 when Queen Elizabeth II's youngest son Prince Edward had a daughter, Lady Louise.

And there was a marriage in 2005, that of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, but it was more about normalizing a longterm relationship that had caused scandal in the past.

Since then the media and souvenir merchants have become restless: Will 2007 be the year of Prince William and the return to glamor?

On Saturday, the Daily Mail raised the possibility of an engagement party during the Christmas holidays, when the royal family will gather in Sandringham, eastern England.

The official announcement will then come in the spring, according to the daily which said Kate was invited to dinner on December 24 in Sandringham, an uprecedented event for a royal girlfriend, as well as join William and his family for Christmas Day services.

Buckingham Palace neither confirmed nor denied the report, citing a completely private event.

At 24, William, the elder son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, has for three years been dating Kate Middleton, a pretty brunette of the same age whom he met while he was studying geography and she art history at St Andrews University in Scotland.

They shared the same apartment with other students and quickly became inseparable. Signs increasingly point to marriage, even if the couple do nothing to confirm it.

Their first public appearance together happened on the ski slopes of the Swiss resort at Klosters in April 2004. There was then the first meeting with the queen in her Scottish castle at Balmoral.

The first public kiss was in the spring this year, also at Klosters. And for several months, Kate has been taking riding lessons, a virtual requirement for anyone who might want to enter a royal household passionate about horses.

In anticipation of a hypothetical engagement, the tabloid press has given Kate little breathing room, showing her in a bikini during a vacation with William in Ibiza, shopping in London, and during a night out at a club with the prince's double.

Nothing escapes them, including the first job she landed in late November.

Kate Middleton now buys accessories for Jigsaw, a British clothing chain whose owners are friends of her parents, themselves owners of an Internet company.

And with impatience growing about their plans, some firms are taking no risks.

The Woolworth department store chain recently negotiated contracts for 20 souvenir items showing the smiling faces of the prince and his beauty: cups, china ware, and even computer mouses.

All that must be added to them is a wedding date.

Other firms have take the precaution to register Internet sites, such as willandkate.co.uk, willandkate.com, williamandkate.net.

However, neither of the two has said anything until now.

When identical rumors were making the rounds last year, Prince William clearly discouraged them. "I don't want to get married until I am at least 28 or maybe 30," William said.

For Ingrid Seward, a specialist on the British monarchy, a wedding is not particularly pressing.

"I can't see them getting married soon because William isn't settled in his life yet," Seward said.

After Sandhurst, he must continuing serving in the armed forces for around another three years.

Dec 12 , 2006

this week

last few years

November 2003

the past

Saturday

Christmas holidays

the spring

December 24

Christmas Day

three years

April 2004

the spring this year

several months

late November

now

now

last year

around another three years


WSJ891030-0159
 = 891030
 891030-0159.
 Dow Jones Extends
@  Tender Offer for Rest
@  Of Telerate to Nov. 6
 10/30/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 DJ TLR
 TENDER OFFERS, MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS (TNM)
MEDIA, PUBLISHING, BROADCASTING, ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING (MED)
 NEW YORK

   Dow Jones amp Co. extended its tender offer of $18 a share, or about $576 million, for the 33% of Telerate Inc. that it does n't already own until 5 p.m. EST, Nov. 6.

   The offer, which Telerate's two independent directors have rejected as inadequate, previously had been scheduled to expire at midnight Friday.
Dow Jones said it extended the offer to allow shareholders time to review a supplement to the Dow Jones tender offer circular that it mailed last Friday.

   The supplement contains various information that has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission since Dow Jones launched the offer on Sept. 26, but it does n't change the terms and conditions of the offer except to extend its expiration date.

   In Delaware Chancery Court litigation, Telerate has criticized Dow Jones for not disclosing that Telerate's management expects the company's revenue to increase by 20% annually, while Dow Jones based its projections of Telerate's performance on a 12% revenue growth forecast.
In the tender offer supplement, Dow Jones discloses the different growth forecasts but says it views the 20% growth rate "as a hoped-for goal" of Telerate's management "and not as a realistic basis on which to project the company's likely future performance."

   Telerate shares fell 50 cents on Friday to close at $20 each in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.
Dow Jones shares also fell 50 cents to close at $36.125 in Big Board composite trading.

   Dow Jones has said it believes the $18-a-share price is fair to Telerate's minority shareholders.
Late last week, representatives of Dow Jones and Telerate began negotiations about the terms of the offer, but those talks did n't result in any changes in the offer.

   Telerate provides information about financial markets through an electronic network.
Dow Jones, which owns 67% of Telerate, publishes The Wall Street Journal, Barron's magazine, community newspapers and operates financial news services and computer data bases.

5 p.m. EST, Nov. 6

midnight Friday

last Friday

Sept. 26

Friday

Late last week


XIN_ENG_20051118.0106

BAGHDAD, Nov. 18 , 2005 (Xinhua)

US soldier killed in northern Iraq

A US soldier was killed and two others wounded in a vehicle accident, while patrolling an area in the northwestern Iraqi town of Tal Afar, the US military said on Friday.

"One Soldier was killed and two Soldiers were injured in a vehicular accident while performing a combat logistical patrol north of Tall Afar at about 8:25 am (0525 GMT) Nov. 17," the military said in a statement.

The name of the soldier is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, it added.

The death toll has brought to more than 2,080 the number of US military personnel who have died in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003, according to media tally.

Nov. 18 , 2005

Friday

Nov. 17

March 2003


AFP_ENG_20061228.0449

MOGADISHU, Dec 28 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - RESENDING to fix typo in 1st paragraph ///

Somali government forces backed by Ethiopian troops, tanks and aircraft rolled into the capital Mogadishu Thursday after Islamist leaders retreated but vowed to launch a guerrilla campaign.

"We are already inside Mogadishu in some areas," Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi told reporters in Afgoye township, about 20 kilometres (13 miles) west of the coastal city, where he had been sounding out local chiefs.

"We are starting to establish the security in Mogadishu. Everyone who has guns or armed militia will have to surrender them to the government," he said.

"I am neither a warlord nor an Islamist, I just want to do my duty."

There were no independent assessments of casualties but Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi claimed up to 3,000 dead on the side of the Islamic Courts Union, and that the number of wounded could number up to 5,000.

The Islamists claimed hundreds of government troops had died. AFP correspondents saw huge numbers of bodies at battlefields in central and southern Somalia.

The entry into the capital came nine days after Ethiopian forces had defied pressure from other African nations by openly putting their air power and heavy artillery behind Somalia's government, which had been left in control of just one town -- Baidoa -- after an Islamist onslaught earlier this year.

The Islamists, who had seized Mogadishu and most of Somalia from US-backed warlords, are perceived as a direct threat by Addis Ababa and are accused by Washington of having links with al-Qaeda.

Washington, for its part, steered clear Thursday of condemning Ethiopia for its involvement, saying Meles's government had legitimate security concerns.

"I saw government troops in north Mogadishu. They have fully entered the town. People were cheering and shouting 'Welcome our government'," said local resident Nur Dirie.

"I am telling you that I also saw Ethiopian forces enter, (they) are now in (Mogadishu district) Suuqaholaha," Dirie added. Another witness counted around 50 Ethiopian armoured vehicles.

As Islamist forces retreated from Mogadishu, pro-government fighters took control of its international airport, sea port and presidential palace, but Gedi and his government halted outside the city for consultations with religious, clan and civil society leaders before moving any further.

Deputy prime minister Mohamed Hussein Aidid, one of several powerful Mogadishu warlords uprooted when Islamic Courts Union took control of the capital in June, said the government would enter the city of about a million people on Friday.

"It is a day of reconciliation and victory (and) a day of the return of law and order," Aidid said.

His optimism was not unanimously shared in the city, however, where many fear renewed lawlessness after a relatively quiet six months under strict Islamist rule.

"We have been living peacefully for the last six months, but I think hell has broken loose and killing will be back," said resident Hashim Jeele Hassan.

The Islamists, meanwhile, acknowledged retreating but vowed to launch a guerrilla war against the Western-backed government.

Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, head of the executive committee of the Supreme Islamic Council of Somalia (SICS), told Al-Jazeera television that "we have withdrawn our forces (from Mogadishu) and there are no Islamic Court forces."

"It is the Somali people who are resisting," he added. "We did not leave the capital to chaos. We left it to avert heavy bombing because Ethiopian forces are practicing genocide against the Somali people."

As government and Ethiopian troops entered the city, many Islamist fighters swapped their uniforms for civilian clothing and removed their turbans.

"Islamic forces turning into local militias," said Shadiyo Gure Ali, a businesswoman forced to close her shop.

Somalia disintegrated into lawlessness after the 1991 ouster of a dictator, when it was carved up among warlords and has since lacked a central government and defied all international bids to restore functioning institutions of state.

Meles said his forces would pull out "hopefully in the next few days, maybe in the next few weeks, but definitely not months... While we are there, we will help them try to stabilize Mogadishu. We will not let Mogadishu burn."

In Washington, the United States called for a resumption of power-sharing negotiations between Somalia's rival factions, saying that a stable government could not be achieved through violence.

"We remain concerned about the situation there," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said. "You're going to have to have that government established on the basis of discussions and dialogue."

Dec 28 , 2006

Thursday

nine days

this year

Thursday

June

Friday

relatively quiet six months

the last six months

the next few weeks


XIN_ENG_20061128.0328

DOHA, Nov. 28 , 2006 (Xinhua)

China's judo star confident over Asian Games

Tong Wen, one of China's top judo players, Tuesday expressed her confidence over the upcoming Doha Asian Games.

Tong, who just arrived here with her teammates, looked relaxed with a big smile on her face. She said she did not know that her major rival, Japan's Olympic judo gold medalist Maki Tsukada has quit from the Games.

Tsukada withdrew from the 15th Asiad due to a calf injury, and was replaced by 20-year-old Mai Tateyama.

Tong said she doesn't know of Tateyama, saying that she will play her own way in the competition.

Japanese officials allegedly said Japan would sweep all women's judo gold medals in the Doha Games.

"The match results will not be decided by what they (Japanese officials) said," Tong said.

Nov. 28 , 2006

Tuesday


AFP_ENG_20061219.0018

TOKYO, Dec 19 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - RECASTS, UPDATES rates, Asian currencies  ///

The dollar slipped against the yen in Asian trade Tuesday as the market waited for the Bank of Japan chief's remarks later in the day on interest rates, dealers said.

They said participants also wanted to see a batch of US economic indicators this week to glean clues on whether the US Federal Reserve will keep interest rates on hold or cut them in early 2007.

The dollar slipped to 117.96 yen in Tokyo morning trade from 118.06 in New York late Monday.

The euro was quoted at 1.3086 dollars, down from 1.3097 and fell to 154.36 yen from 154.74.

Meanwhile, the Thai baht fell to 35.67 against the dollar Tuesday afternoon from 35.22 on Monday after the Bank of Thailand on Monday made a major intervention to curb the soaring currency.

The market largely ignored the Bank of Japan's announcement of keeping the benchmark rate of borrowing at a super-low 0.25 percent. The market had widely expected the decision after mixed economic data.

Dealers said the market's interest has now shifted to Governor Toshihiko Fukui's remarks later in the day for signals on when the bank will next hike ultra-low interest rates.

"Players were concerned about a swift advance in the dollar against the yen," said Saturo Ogasawara, strategist at Credit Suisse First Boston.

"Players also refrained from buying the dollar ahead of the Bank of Japan's policy board meeting and Fukui's presser afterward," Ogasawara said.

The market is waiting for US producer price or factory gate data see if inflationary pressures remain, which would ease concern of a US rate cut early next year, dealers said.

The dollar pared back gains slightly overnight after the Commerce Department reported that the US balance of payments deficit worsened in the third quarter amid rising costs for oil and a jump in Chinese imports, dealers said.

But overall, it had little impact on the currency market as it was in line with expectations, they added.

"Our bias is to see the US dollar drift higher into year-end as sentiment continues to improve, especially if housing indicators stabilize and the large speculative net short (sell) position is further unwound," wrote National Australia Bank senior researcher John Kyriakopoulos in a note to clients.

The dollar gained ground against Asian currencies.

The dollar rose to 49.70 Philippine pesos Tuesday afternoon from 49.36 on Monday, to 9,128 Indonesian rupiah from 9,070 and to 32.68 Taiwan dollars from 32.55.

The greenback rose to 930.85 South Korean won from 924.9 and to 1.546 Singapore dollars from 1.541.

Dec 19 , 2006

Tuesday

this week

early 2007

late Monday

Tuesday afternoon

Monday

Monday

now

early next year

the third quarter

Tuesday afternoon

Monday


AFP_ENG_20061230.0002

SYDNEY, Dec 30 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - ADDS quotes, details ///

Australia, which opposes capital punishment, said Saturday it respected Iraq's decision to execute former dictator Saddam Hussein, calling it a "significant moment" for the war-torn country.

"No matter what one might think about the death penalty, and the government of Iraq is aware of the Australian government's position on capital punishment, we must also respect the right of sovereign states to pass judgement relating to crimes committed against their people, within their jurisdictions," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a statement.

"He has been brought to justice, following a process of fair trial and appeal, something he denied to countless thousands of victims of his regime."

Australia contributed troops to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, which led to the ouster of Saddam. It still has about 1,300 troops involved in operations in the area.

Downer said it was a credit to the people of Iraq that Saddam has been granted a fair trial for crimes against humanity involving the execution in 1982 of 148 Shiite men and boys in the village of Dujail.

"The people of Iraq now know that their brutal dictator will never come back to lead them," the foreign minister said.

"While many will continue to grieve over their personal loss under his rule, his death marks an important step in consigning his tyrannical regime to the judgement of history and pursuing a process of reconciliation now and in the future."

The Australian government, along with its coalition allies, would continue to "support the struggle of the vast majority of Iraq's people to preserve and build upon the progress which has been achieved, where even the cruellest of dictators can be tried and brought to justice", said Downer.

Dec 30 , 2006

Saturday

now

now


AFP_ENG_20061204.0643

ORLANDO, Florida, Dec 4 , 2006, 2006

Baseball announces inaugural Civil Rights tribute game

Major League Baseball Monday announced it will hold its inaugural Civil Rights Game on March 31 as a tribute to one of the most significant eras of social change in US history.

The game will feature the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleveland Indians.

It will take place in Memphis - where civil rights leader Martin Luther King jnr was assassinated in 1968 - and will be played at AutoZone Park, home of the Class AAA Memphis Redbirds.

"This game is designed to commemorate the Civil Rights Movement, one of the most critical and important eras of our social history," commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.

"I am proud of the role that Major League Baseball played in the movement, beginning with Jackie Robinson's entry into the big leagues on April 15, 1947, and very pleased that we have this opportunity to honor the movement and those who made it happen."

Major League Baseball also announced that donations will be made to several charities, including the National Civil Rights Museum and the Jackie Robinson fund, and that filmmaker Spike Lee is creating a documentary showcasing the connection between the Civil Rights Movement and baseball.

Dec 4 , 2006

Monday

March 31

April 15, 1947


XIN_ENG_20051129.0062

TEHRAN, Nov. 29 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Earthquake hits northern Iran

Northern Iran was hit by a moderate earthquake on Tuesday, but there were no reports on possible casualties or damage so far.

Local TV said that the earthquake, measuring 5 on the Richter scale, took place in Agh Ghala, a small town in Golestan province of Northern Iran, which is near the Caspian Sea.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 shook southern Iran on Sunday, killing 10 people and injuring 70.

Earthquakes usually happen in Iran because the country is situated in some of the world's most active seismic fault lines. Statistics showed that on average, there is at least one slight earthquake every day in Iran.

On Dec. 26, 2003, a quake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit southeastern city Bam, killing nearly 262,000 people.

On Feb. 22, 2004, another quake measuring 6.4 left more than 600 dead and 1400 injured on the outskirt of Zarand, a town 250 km northwest of Bam.

Nov. 29 , 2005

Tuesday

Sunday

every day

Dec. 26, 2003

Feb. 22, 2004


XIN_ENG_20051124.0227

HELSINKI, Nov. 24 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Finnish government finalizes energy strategy

The Finnish government finalized Thursday the working-out of an energy and climate strategy in which it promises to invest in the fields of renewable energy sources, energy conservation, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This strategy, to be given as a report to Parliament, aims to meet international requirements for restricting greenhouse gas emissions in Finland during the Kyoto commitment period of 2008- 2012.

The target set in the strategy is that the total consumption of renewable energy would increase by at least one quarter by 2015, and by at least 40 per cent by the year 2025. Renewable energy could then account for nearly one third of primary energy consumption, as against 23 per cent in 2003.

In particular, the strategy emphasizes the increased utilization of wood chips made from logging waste, as well as field biomass, recycled fuels and biogas. The target is at least to triple their share of primary energy, from about two per cent in 2004 to over six per cent within the next 15-20 years.

The government emphasizes that indigenous energy sources, renewable energy sources and biofuels, play an important role in the security of energy supply. The goal is that the total consumption of indigenous energy sources will rise by at least one quarter during the next 10-15 years.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has launched an investigation on how the role of peat could be secured against imported fuels in the generation of electricity in condensing power plants.

In Finland, important results have already been achieved in increasing the efficiency of energy use.

The government will intensify these efforts by introducing new energy conservation measures. The goal is to reach an additional reduction of five per cent in energy consumption by the year 2015. The long-term goal in energy conservation is to halt the growth of total primary energy consumption and to bring about a falling trend.

In the strategy, the government promises to invest in renewable energy sources, save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, by utilizing the Kyoto mechanisms, Finland will acquire emission units allowed by the Kyoto Protocol.

Through the actions outlined in the strategy and through flexible mechanisms, such as emissions trading within the EU, Finland will meet the obligations set and approved for it.

Without these measures, Finland's greenhouse gas emissions would exceed the target set by the Kyoto Protocol by about 15 per cent.

Nov. 24 , 2005

Thursday

at least one quarter

the year 2025

the next 15-20 years

at least one quarter

the next 10-15 years

the year 2015


AFP_ENG_20061216.0379

HOUSTON, Texas, Dec 16 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - ADDS ISS to slug, UPDATES ///

Space shuttle Discovery astronauts began a space walk Saturday to finish rewiring the International Space Station, a delicate and complex task that has dominated the 12-day mission.

Astronauts Robert Curbeam and Sunita Williams started their maneuvers at 1925 GMT, 15 minutes ahead of schedule, outside the ISS, NASA said.

During this third and final scheduled excursion, expected to last roughly six hours, the two were to complete work begun in the prior space walk Thursday and take a close look at a stuck ISS solar array.

The power supply for part of the station was turned off to protect the astronauts as they carry out the delicate procedures.

"The primary goal ... is to finish the rewiring of the space station and getting the active thermo system up and running," said Kirk Shireman, deputy ISS program manager, told reporters late Friday.

But he said the space walkers would be asked to "go out and take a look at the solar array for us."

National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials decided to abandon, at least for the moment, attempts to unblock the stuck array and may require a fourth space walk to fold it away.

Space shuttle Discovery and ISS astronauts on Wednesday only managed to fold the stubborn array half-way by remote control, and NASA engineers on Friday tried to determine why it remained stuck after repeated attempts at activation.

At one point, NASA engineers in Houston asked German astronaut Thomas Reiter to exercise vigorously for 30 seconds on the ISS's training machine, hoping his vibrations would cause the panels of the stubborn array to fold all the way.

Reiter, who after a five-month stay on the ISS will be replaced by Discovery astronaut Williams, tried several times to shake the array into action.

"I'm very sorry to hear that," said Reiter when told by the Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas, that all his efforts came to naught.

"We'll give you a silver medal for that," a NASA controller replied.

The solar array was stuck in a half-folded position, and while it needs to be fully retracted before it can be moved to another location on the ISS, its current position has allowed a new solar array to unfold and rotate properly.

ISS commander Mike Lopez-Alegria told reporters from the station that "a fourth EVA is one of the options still on the table," referring to extravehicular activity, NASA language for space walk.

Discovery astronauts on Tuesday and Thursday went on two space walks to attach a two-tonne truss segment and to rewire the ISS for the new, power-supplying solar array delivered in September by the shuttle Atlantis.

Despite the stuck solar array -- it has supplied electricity to the ISS for six years -- astronauts late Wednesday were able to activate the newer array so it could turn its photovoltaic cells to follow the sun.

Once it is fully installed and operational, it will double the ISS's electrical output. The station, when completed, will have a total of four solar arrays providing it with electricity.

The Discovery mission is part of 14 shuttle flights NASA has planned over the next four years to finish the ISS by 2010, when the shuttle fleet, down to three vehicles, is to be retired.

Discovery and its seven-member crew blasted off last Saturday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the first nighttime liftoff in four years.

Reiter is to return with Discovery in a landing scheduled next Thursday.

Dec 16 , 2006

Saturday

Thursday

Friday

Wednesday

Friday

30 seconds

Tuesday

Thursday

September

six years

the next four years

last Saturday

four years

next Thursday


XIN_ENG_20061121.0338

ANKARA, Nov. 21 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Turkey condemns killing of Lebanese industry minister

Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday strongly condemned killing of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel.

"We strongly condemn this attack which aims to deteriorate peace and stability in Lebanon. We believe Lebanese government and people will not allow such attacks to deteriorate the efforts of national consensus in the country," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also offered condolences to the family of Gemayel as well as Lebanese people.

"We hope perpetrators of this attack will be found soon. Turkey is ready to provide every type of support for settlement of peace and stability in Lebanon," the ministry added.

Gemayel was killed by a gunshot on his head Tuesday afternoon when his convoy was attacked by unknown gunmen in Jedeide, about 15 km northeast from Lebanese capital of Beirut.

The 34-year-old Gemayel was also a Christian leader in Lebanon and son of former president Amin Gemayel.

Nov. 21 , 2006

Tuesday

Tuesday afternoon


AFP_ENG_20061230.0230

CRAWFORD, Texas, Dec 30 , 2006, 2006

Bush pays tribute to Ford

US President George W. Bush paid tribute Saturday to former president Gerald Ford, praising him for guiding the United States through a "crisis of confidence" spurred by political scandal and the end of the Vietnam War.

"He was there for the Nation when we needed him most," Bush said in his weekly radio address from his Texas ranch, where he was to ring in the New Year with First Lady Laura Bush.

"On behalf of all Americans, Laura and I send our prayers and condolences to Mrs Ford and the entire Ford family," said Bush, who was to return to Washington Monday to take part in formal memorial ceremonies.

Ford, a Republican president from August 1974 to January 1977, was best known for leading the United States out of the turbulent era after Richard Nixon stepped down in disgrace in 1974 under the Watergate scandal.

Ford, whose popularity sank when he pardoned Nixon, died late Tuesday aged 93.

"Providence gave us Gerald Ford's steady hand and calm leadership during a time of great division and turmoil. He guided America through a crisis of confidence, and helped our Nation mend its wounds by restoring faith in our system of government.

"As we say goodbye to the year 2006, we bid farewell to one of the finest public servants America has ever known. We give thanks for the gift of his remarkable life, for the caring man who touched so many lives, and the wise President who helped heal our Nation," the president said.

Dec 30 , 2006

Saturday

weekly

Monday

August 1974

January 1977

Tuesday

the year 2006