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AFP_ENG_19970421.0458.tml
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AFP_ENG_19970421.0458
NEW YORK, <t1>April 21 , 1997</t1> (AFP)
China Energy begins trading on American Stock Exchange
Shares of China Energy Resources Corporation, which has a majority stake in a Chinese joint venture company, began trading on the American Stock Exchange here Monday.
China Energy, a holding company based in the British Virgin Islands, owns 80 percent of Mishan Hua Xing Coke Limited, a foreign equity joint venture operating in China.
A local Chinese government entity controls the remaining 20 percent in the joint venture, which began operations in October 1995.
China Energy Resources opend at six dollars on 100 shares early <t2>Monday</t2>, followed by 4,900 shares at the same price.
The American Stock Exchange, the second largest US market after the New York Stock Exchange, specializes in small to medium-sized companies, notably in the oil and gas sector.
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AFP_ENG_20061211.0480
SANTIAGO, Dec 11 , 2006, 2006
Chile president defends decision to deny Pinochet state funeral
Chilen President Michelle Bachelet on Monday defended her decision to deny ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet a state funeral, saying the move was made for the good of the country.
"In any society, in any country, when there are not norms, or predetermined laws for a particular situation, it is up to the leaders, the government, to make decisions in the best interests of the people," she said.
"Over the past several hours we have seen divisive acts that we don't like, but as a society and as a country we have to have the ethical strength to overcome this challenge," she said.
Bachelet, together with her parents, suffered torture during the Pinochet regime. Pinochet, 91, died Sunday a week after suffering a heart attack, escaping years of charges against his 17-year regime of human rights violations, including torture and murder.
After Bachelet's decision that the ex-dictator would be buried with military honors, rather than a state funeral and without a period of national mourning, Pinochet's relatives said representatives from the government would not be welcome at the late dictator's burial service.
"I don't want acts of hypocrisy, out of respect to my mother and my family" Marco Antonio Hiart, the youngest of Pinochet's five children, told Chilean television, as he blasted the government for failing, in his view, to accord his father the honor befitting a former leader.
Pinochet's body <e1>lied</e1> in Santiago's Military School Monday. Defense Minister Viviane Blanlot had been <e2>expected</e2> represent the government at the ex-dictator's funeral Tuesday.
The death of the former general, whose US-backed coup in 1973 toppled the Socialist government of Salvador Allende, struck a chord in this country where many suffered under his regime while supporters hailed him as Chile's savior from communism.
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AFP_ENG_20061214.0764
RAFAH, Gaza Strip, Dec 15 , 2006, 2006
=(PICTURE)=
The ruling Palestinian party Hamas has accused the presidential guard of trying to assassinate prime minister Ismail Haniya after an attack on his convoy that left his son injured and a bodyguard dead.
The <e1>shoot-out</e1> occurred as the convoy crossed into the Gaza Strip from Egypt late Thursday after waiting for hours at a border checkpoint that Israel had closed to keep him from returning home after a fundraising <e2>tour</e2> of Arab states.
One of Haniya's bodyguards was killed and five people were wounded including his son, who serves as the prime minister's political advisor, a government source said.
"We know who opened fire," Haniya told journalists after arriving safely home in Gaza.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum said the shots were "a planned attempt by Force 17 (the presidential guard) to assassinate brother Ismail Haniya."
"We want (President) Mahmud Abbas to order that those responsible be found," he added.
The closure of the Rafah crossing earlier sparked the storming of the border terminal by dozens of Hamas gunmen, which caused panic among travelers and sent European Union observers running from the building.
At least 13 Palestinians were wounded by gunfire after the militants went on a rampage inside the terminal building, smashing windows and furniture and firing into the air and at the building itself.
Israel had wanted to prevent Haniya entering Gaza with "tens of millions of dollars" he was carrying after his fund-raising trip because, according to an Israeli source, it believed the money would be used to finance terrorism.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who deplored the deadly violence, said Haniya had deposited the money at an Egyptian bank.
"The money he was carrying is not across the border, it is now in a bank in Egypt," Solana told journalists in Brussels.
An Egyptian security source in Gaza said earlier that Israel and Cairo had reached a compromise under which Haniya would be allowed to pass, but that the 35 million dollars that he was reported to be carrying would be deposited into an Egyptian bank to be transferred later to a Palestinian Authority account.
Haniya had cut short his first foreign trip to deal with rising internecine tensions in Gaza ahead of a speech by President Mahmud Abbas on Saturday on resolving months of political deadlock and crisis.
Gaza has been gripped by rising friction between supporters of the ruling Islamists of Hamas and Abbas's Fatah party after a series of killings and threats of retaliation over the past several days.
But when Haniya's convoy reached Rafah -- Gaza's only border crossing that bypasses Israel -- the Jewish state closed the terminal.
"Defense Minister Amir Peretz ordered the closing of the Rafah crossing in order to prevent tens of millions of dollars from entering Gaza together with Haniya," an Israeli security source said on condition of anonymity.
During his tour, Haniya secured promises from Iran to provide 250 million dollars of aid to the cash-strapped Palestinian government and from Qatar to pay the salaries of health and education ministry staff. Sudan also pledged 10 million dollars in emergency aid.
In his Saturday speech, Abbas is expected to lay out his plans for resolving a months-long standoff with Hamas.
Abbas aides say the president is likely to call for early presidential and parliamentary elections, following the collapse of talks with Hamas over forming a unity government.
Hamas, which took power after a stunning election win over Fatah in January, has warned that such a move would amount to a coup. The current Palestinian parliament is due to remain in place until 2010.
The moderate Palestinian president and the ruling Islamists have tried for months to form a coalition, but their talks collapsed over Hamas's refusal to bend to Western conditions and disagreement over key ministerial posts.
The European Union and the United States, which consider Hamas a terrorist organization, froze direct aid to the Palestinian government after the Islamists formed a cabinet in March, demanding that they renounce violence and recognize Israel and past peace deals.
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ULAN BATOR, <t1>Nov. 21 , 2006</t1> (Xinhua)
Interview: Mongolia willing to further cooperation with China, PM
Mongolia is willing to further cooperation with China, said Mongolian Prime Minister Miegombyn Enkhbold here on Tuesday.
Enkhbold, who will pay an official visit to China from Nov. 22 to 27, said during an interview with Xinhua that Mongolia and China had enjoyed sound relations and cooperation in every field.
China and Mongolia established a good-neighborly partnership of mutual trust in 2003 when Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a state visit to the country.
High-level visits have become regular and leaders of the two countries also often meet during international occasions, Enkhbold <e1>said</e1>, adding that these meetings had enhanced relations in other fields.
The two countries had no disputes and pendent issues, in fact on the contrary, they held the same or similar views on bilateral and international affairs, he said.
The two countries had many treaties and agreements on dealing with bilateral relations and last year they jointly inspected borderlines and signed documents, he said.
Economic relations between the two countries had also developed well, the prime minister said.
Statistics from China's General Administration of Customs show that trade volume between China and Mongolia from January to September hit 1.13 billion U.S. dollars.
Enkhbold said trade volume in the same term of 2005 was only 551.7 million dollars, among which export volume was 333.1 million dollars.
China had become the largest investor and trade partner with Mongolia, and sound economic cooperation had enhanced Mongolia's economy, the prime minister said.
He suggested that the two countries should make good use of the natural resources in Mongolia and make cooperation in power a top priority.
During his visit, Enkhbold will meet Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wu Bangguo and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Jia Qinglin. He will also hold talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
In addition to Beijing, Enkhbold will visit Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
Enkhbold said Mongolia would make suggestions on economic cooperation and exchange views with the Chinese side on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern.
He believed his visit could enhance bilateral relations and cooperation.
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XIN_ENG_20051102.0008
HONG KONG, Nov. 2 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Hong Kong stocks finish lower at midday -- Nov. 2
Hong Kong stocks went down 16.3 points, or 0.11 percent, to <e1>finish</e1> the morning <e2>session</e2> at 14,555. 96 on Wednesday.
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XIN_ENG_20051128.0182.tml
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XIN_ENG_20051128.0182
HONG KONG, Nov. 28 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Chinese Taikonauts pay visit to HK Disneyland
Chinese taikonauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng on Monday <e1>made</e1> "shuttle tours" to Hong Kong Disneyland, Statue Square in the Central and some other places to <e2>meet</e2> with Hong Kong citizens.
The two men toured Disneyland's "Tomorrowland" which features space theme and took pictures with Disney movie space character Buzz Lightyear.
Instead of a routine parade of Disney characters in the afternoon, the two taikonauts, in their blue uniforms, toured the Hong Kong Disneyland streets in an open old-styled Rolls-Royce.
Thousands of visitors in the park excitedly called them by names and took pictures with cameras and mobile phones. Even Mickey wore a specially designed space uniform.
The two men also watched 3D computer digital fantasy film together with hundreds of audience there.
During their visit to the Statue Square in the Central, they presided over a lighting ceremony for the newly arranged winter Christmas trees and put their cards for wishes on the Christmas trees there.
Fei wished Hong Kong compatriots to live and work in peace and contentment while Nie wished Hong Kong a better tomorrow with great prospects.
During their visit, they often waved to the Hong Kong citizens and shook hands with some of them.
The two taikonauts and leading engineers of the Delegation of Shenzhou-6 Manned Space Mission met with university students at Chinese University of Hong Kong and visited Hong Kong Science Park earlier in the day.
The delegation arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday for a three-day visit.
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HONG KONG, April 18 , 1997 (AFP)
I made contributions to British Tories, says Tung
Hong Kong's future leader Tung Chee-hwa, who hopes to ban political donations from abroad, admitted Friday he had made "modest" contributions in the past to Britain's ruling Conservative Party.
Tung's comments came amid a growing row with the democratic lobby over his plans to tighten human rights law, including banning donations from foreign individuals and political organisations.
He has argued that such a move would prevent outside influence on local politicians.
"As a person I have in the past made modest donations to the Conservative Party, that's well known to everyone," Tung told reporters Friday.
"As a result of that I am particularly sensitive that this should not happen in Hong Kong."
Tung's comments were rounded on by local legislators.
"It looks like a question of 'do as I say, not as I do," said independent legislator Emily Lau.
"Everyone understands that this is a sensitive matter. I think the overriding concern is that we should not make drastic changes... there is no public outcry for such drastic changes."
"He <e1>does</e1> it and now he wants to <e2>ban</e2> people from doing it".
"What a laugh," said fellow legislator Christine Loh on hearing the news.
"Why did he give it? In order to influence the British Government?"
At the time of his donations Tung held a British National Overseas passport, which he has since rescinded.
His proposed law changes do not cover political donations from Hong Kong residents to parties overseas.
Tung was granted a Chinese passport by Beijing in January, shortly after he was confirmed as Chief Executive-designate. He will take over as Hong Kong's leader from Governor Chris Patten, a former Conservative MP, on July 1 when China assumes sovereignty of Hong Kong from Britain.
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PARIS, Nov. 14 , 2006 (Xinhua)
Suez-GDF merger gets EU conditional approval
French energy groups Gad de France and Suez won European Union conditional approval on Tuesday for their merger, which would create Europe's second-largest utility and maintain national control of the French power market.
The deal would result in a group with a combined market capitalization of nearly 80 billion euros (102.6 billion dollars), putting the new entity behind EDF of France but ahead of E.ON, the German energy giant.
Suez and GDF got the go-ahead after they agreed to give up control of Belgian natural gas companies and a heating network in France, the European Commission said in Strasbourg, France.
"Our intervention in this case is part of our action to ensure that there is effective competition in the newly-liberalized energy markets to the benefit of consumers and business," EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said.
France brokered the merger in February to prevent a bid for Suez by Enel of Italy, prompting criticism that it was breaking EU free-market rules by shutting the energy market to outsiders.
Inside France, the government has struggled to push the merger because it requires reducing the state's stake in GDF, - a move opposed by unions and socialist politicians who promised to make the deal an issue in next year's presidential election.
A law <e1>allowing</e1> the French government to cut its stake in the company from 70 percent to one-third, ahead of the <e2>merger</e2>, was formally passed by parliament last week.
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XIN_ENG_20061103.0238.tml
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XIN_ENG_20061103.0238
BEIJING, Nov. 3 , 2006 (Xinhua)
Madagascar invites Chinese businesses: president
Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana Friday said he hopes more Chinese companies enter Madagascar to expand cooperation with local businesses in infrastructure construction, agriculture, personnel training, health care and environment protection.
In a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao in Beijing, the president referred to China as an important partner and sincere friend.
Madagascar faces an arduous task in boosting national development and is implementing a new blueprint, he said.
Hu said China and Madagascar have maintained close high-level contacts and initiated cooperation in infrastructure construction and agriculture.
The Chinese president expressed hope that the two governments establish a more effective communication and coordination mechanism in order to hold timely discussions on ways to boost bilateral relations.
"We should implement trade and economic cooperation projects we have agreed upon and tap potentials for further cooperation," he said.
Meanwhile, it is also important to cement multilateral cooperation. "China supports the active role Madagascar has played in the Indian Ocean regional affairs," said Hu.
Ravalomanana arrived in Beijing Friday morning for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation slated for Nov. 4- 5.
So far, 47 delegations of the 48 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China, including 41 heads of state or government, have <e1>arrived</e1> for the summit featuring "friendship, peace, cooperation and development".
China and Madagascar forged diplomatic relations on Nov. 6, 1972. Bilateral trade amounted to 197 million U.S. dollars in <t1>2005</t1>.
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XIN_ENG_20061121.0292.tml
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XIN_ENG_20061121.0292
NAIROBI, Nov. 21 , 2006 (Xinhua)
UN envoy calls on donors to help flood-hit Somalis
The United Nations envoy for Somalia on Tuesday called on the international community to respond generously to the needs of Somali communities affected by rising flood waters.
In a statement issued in Nairobi, UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia Francois Lonseny Fall said during his visit to Baidoa on Monday, Somali leaders expressed concerns that too little relief was being offered to people in dire need.
"It was also clear to me that the extent of flooding is beyond anything seen in Somalia in many years," Fall <e1>said</e1> in the statement <e2>issued</e2> after his visit to the flood-hit Horn of African nation.
In the past six weeks, most parts of the country have already received more than 300 percent of their normal rainfall. UN agencies and non-governmental organizations are delivering food relief, shelter materials and other emergency support, but more will be needed.
The UN estimates that about 1.1 million in southern Somalia are already facing a humanitarian emergency and the rainy season will still last several weeks.
Fall flew to Baidoa on Monday to emphasize the need for Somalia 's Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) to remain united.
He sought assurances from President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi that they were committed to the unity of the TFIs and a resumption of dialogues with the Islamic Courts following the postponement of the third round of the Khartoum peace talks early this month.
The UN envoy was accompanied to Baidoa by several representatives from the International Advisory Contact Group for Somalia, which was set up earlier this year to assist the peace process.
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BAGHDAD, Dec 18 , 2006, 2006
ATTENTION - UPDATES kidnap details, ADDS prison escape ///
Iraqi Red Crescent aid workers suspended work in war-torn Baghdad on Monday after two dozen of their colleagues fell victim to the latest mass kidnap to shock a city plagued by sectarian violence.
At least 14 Iraqis were killed in a string of bombings and shootings as new US Defence Secretary Robert Gates prepared to take office in Washington amid deepening US divisions about how to handle the crisis in Iraq.
A former Iraqi cabinet minister, an Iraqi-US dual national who was jailed for corruption, staged an escape from jail in Baghdad's highly fortified Green Zone, in a further sign of the rampant chaos engulfing the country.
"We have frozen or stopped temporarily activities in Baghdad, but this is not affecting civilian needs. This was logical because our main staff is still kidnapped," the Iraqi Red Crescent's secretary general Mazen Abdallah said.
"We are the only organisation working in all of Iraq. We don't want to stop," he added, emphasising that the closure applied only to the capital.
In addition to the main branch targeted in the kidnapping, the Iraqi Red Crescent has closed another 40 subsidiary offices in Baghdad, affecting more than 600 staff, a large proportion of them security guards, Abdallah said.
Seventeen of more than 30 men snatched in Sunday's brazen raid by gunmen dressed in police uniforms have been released, including three guards from the nearby Dutch embassy and 10 Red Crescent guards and drivers, Abdallah added.
But 19 Red Crescent staff -- a mixed group of Shiite and Sunni disaster, relief and health workers -- are still <e1>missing</e1> following what was the second mass abduction to <e2>terrorise</e2> Baghdad in less than a week.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, part of the same movement, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages, and condemned the kidnapping as a breach of international humanitarian law.
Fully aware of the ugly sectarian tensions threatening to rip Iraq apart, Abdallah said he ordered his staff not to reveal their family names while at work, in order not to disclose their religious or ethnic background.
With US experts and politicians increasingly anxious over how to manage the chaos in Iraq, where around 129,000 US troops are fighting insurgents and training local forces, a new defence secretary was to take office.
Gates, a former Central Intelligence Agency director, was to be sworn in at the Pentagon just three days after his predecessor Donald Rumsfeld, blamed for the current mess in Iraq, was given a full honours send-off.
His arrival precedes the announcement of a new policy on Iraq set to be unveiled by US President George W. Bush early next year -- a new strategy that Gates is likely to be involved in shaping.
Options under consideration reportedly include boosting the number of US soldiers by between 20,000 and 50,000 to secure Baghdad, forging an alliance between moderate Iraqi Shiites and Sunnis at the expense of radicals on both sides, or even throwing the US lot in with the majority Shiites.
Bush has effectively dismissed a report by the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan panel of foreign policy luminaries, which recommended wrapping up US combat operations in the country by early 2008.
Meanwhile, the violence continues unchecked.
In Baghdad, five people were killed and 19 wounded Monday when a car bomb exploded in a bustling marketplace in the mixed Shiite-Sunni neighbourhood of Saidiyah, a security source said.
Three other people were killed in separate attacks and Iraq's disgraced former electricity minister Ayham al-Samarrai escaped from a jail under joint Iraqi-US guard in Baghdad, two months after he was jailed for corruption.
Five more civilians were killed in the Baquba area, north of Baghdad, with one attack targeting mourners accompanying bodies to the Shiite south of the capital for burial, police and medical sources said.
In the northern city of Mosul, unidentified gunmen ambushed and shot dead Khayreddin al-Dabbagh, a member of the municipal council, police said.
The US military also announced that two more troops were killed in action, bringing the number of US fatalities in Iraq since the 2003 invasion to 2,946, according to an AFP count based on Pentagon figures.
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JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 14 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Briton Mansell wins S. Africa's Grand Prix Masters
Britain's former Formula 1 racer Nigel Mansell edged out Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi by a fraction of a second to win the inaugural South African Grand Prix Masters at the Kyalami race track in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Mansell was pushed all the way by his fellow former Formula 1 World Champion and crossed the line in a time of 50 minutes 55.154 seconds, reported the SAPA news agency.
Fittipaldi, who won the F1 Championship in 1972 and 1974, followed just 0.408 seconds later. Italy's Ricardo Patrese completed the podium when he was next past the chequered flag in 51 minutes 15.816 seconds.
Mansell, the pre-race favourite, was clearly overjoyed at his success.
"It was unbelievable, I tried to pull away from Emerson but he kept coming at me," Mansell said.
"I didn't have the traction around the corners to pull away. What a race, what a race. He almost got me at the end but I hung on."
Fittipaldi, who also won the Indycar Series in 1989 and 1993, was full of admiration for Mansell's drive.
"Nigel made no mistakes. It was a fantastic display of driving, " he said.
Sunday's Grand Prix Masters race was the first race of its kind for former F1 drivers over the age of 45 and there were more than 70,000 fans in attendance.
While Mansell and Fittipaldi were the only world champions taking part -- Australia's 1980 winner Alan Jones <e1>withdrew</e1> on the eve of the event -- the 14 drivers in the race were some of the true legends of the sport and the performance they put on was appreciated by all, the SAPA <e2>said</e2>.
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AFP_ENG_20061212.0134
DOHA, Dec 12 , 2006, 2006
ATTENTION - REFILES to fix typo in headline ///
China's Olympic diving champion Guo Jingjing was revelling Tuesday in becoming the most successful female diver in Asian Games history.
Guo, who has already announced she will retire after the Beijing Olympics, took the women's 3-metre synchronized springboard title here with Li Ting to add to the three golds from previous Asian Games.
"I have never thought about beating any record," said the 25-year-old, who is the reigning Olympic champion in the 3m springboard and 3m synchronised springboard and a multiple world champion.
"The Asian Games means a lot to me."
But Guo, whose private life has caused as much of a splash as her performances in the pool, will not defend her 3m springboard title here.
"I don't feel sorry for giving up a third consecutive title. I have competed a lot this year and I need a rest. I'd like younger teammates to have more chances," she said.
Her next goal is the world swimming championships in Melbourne in March.
"We have less than three months to go for the worlds, I hope to defend my titles there," she said.
The photogenic Guo started training in competitive diving at the age of seven, winning a place on the national team when she was 11, and has competed in three Olympic Games.
She <e1>hit</e1> the headlines <t1>last year</t1> when she was romantically linked with former diving team-mate Tian Liang. Tian was later thrown off the national team for pursuing too many commercial endorsements.
China has dominated the diving competition in Doha, winning all four titles so far.
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TOKYO, Nov. 4 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Toyota reports record-high sales, lower profit
Toyota Motor Corp. logged new high sales in the first half of fiscal 2005, but its profit in the same period suffered the first drop in four years, according to its interim report released on Friday.
The world's second largest carmaker after General Motors Corp. of the United States sold 3.83 million vehicles for the six months through Sept. 30, rising 266,000 vehicles from the same period of last year.
On a consolidated basis, net revenues rose 10.3 percent to a record 9.95 trillion yen (85.04 billion US dollars).
However, Its operating profit dropped 6.6 percent to 809.49 billion yen (6.92 billion dollars). Pretax profit <e1>slipped</e1> 6.3 percent to 856.00 billion yen (7.32 billion dollars).
Toyota expected that the sales volume is expected to reach 8.03 million vehicles for the full year through next March 31, up from 7.41 million the previous year.
Its group net profit for the current fiscal year is likely to top 1 trillion yen (8.55 billion dollars) for the third year in a row, the company said.
Toyota's Executive Vice President Mitsuo Kinoshita said, "We attained a high level of profit while expanding production capacity and developing advanced technology and future products in response to strong demand worldwide."
In North America, its sales hiked by 119,000 vehicles to 1.245 million vehicles, mostly thanks to the popularity of vehicles like Prius and new Avalon.
In the European market, the newly introduced Aygo and the Corolla contributed to a sales increase of 22,000 vehicles to 1. 086 million vehicles.
Sales in Asia, which have been <e2>reported</e2> as an independent geographical segment since the first quarter, rose by 62,000 vehicles to 448,000 vehicles mainly thanks to the successful launch of the Innovative International Multi-Vehicle project, it said.
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DOHA, Dec 11 , 2006, 2006
=(PICTURE)=
South Korea swept the four golf gold medals at the Asian Games here Monday as Kim Kyung-Tae came from behind to powered the country to its first men's team title in 20 years.
Going out one stroke off Taiwan's 15-year-old Pan Cheng-Tsung, Kim rolled in three birdies against one bogey to finish the 72-stroke men's individual event on 12-under-par 276.
Pan double-bogeyed on the par-4 13th hole where Kim, a 20-year-old university student, birdied and passed him by one stroke. an birdied the 17th hole as desert winds began to blow but could not catch Kim.
"I started one shot over Pan. I focused on our team's win but this gold medal is a big bonus for me," Kim said.
He said his best play of the day was a tee shot on the crucial 13th hole.
"I watched the first and second players shoot and I adjusted accordingly. I changed my club to a five iron and that's how I made it," he said.
Another South Korean Kin Do-Hoon Sr., Singapore's Choo Tze-Huang and Michael Eric Bibat of the Philippines <e1>finished</e1> <e2>tied</e2> at 279.
Korea's Kang Sung-Hoo was sixth at 281.
Led by the two Kims, South Korea finished atop the team table, comprising the three best scores in each round, at 836. India finished second at 849 and Taiwan third at 850.
Ryu So-Yeon won the women's title and South Korea retained the women's team title which they wrested from Taiwan at the last 2002 Asian Games in Busan. They carded a total of 534 strokes with Japan second at 547 and Taiwan third at 550.
The 16-year-old Ryu shot six-under-par 67 to finish the 72-hole event with 29-under 263 on a short course for women, followed by Japan's Mika Miyazato at 272 and fellow Korea Cho He-Yong at 273.
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PARIS, <t1>Dec 17 , 2005</t1>
Don't be fooled by 'democratic marriage': Al-Qaeda in Iraq
The Iraqi branch of Al-Qaeda on Saturday urged the country's Sunni Arabs not to be fooled by the apparent success of this week's landmark elections.
"We say to our (Sunni) brothers: do not be fooled by what you have heard of the propaganda from the crusaders and their footmen.
"The coming days will show you the fate of this 'democratic marriage' and the marriage of prostitution that it celebrated," the group said in a statement on a frequently used Islamist website.
"Their armed forces (of the Iraqi government) will be useless. Know that the decision of the crusaders to pull out of Iraq has already been taken," reads the statement, whose authenticity could not be verified.
The group, led by Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, is threatening to continue its attacks in Iraq and says it did not halt them during last Thursday's elections for a full-term parliament.
"The Mujahedeen (holy warriors) succeeded in striking the positions of the crusader forces and the apostate government," it said.
On the eve of the election, during which the Sunnis flocked to the polls, the group <e1>declared</e1> it was launching a large-scale offensive against "the apostate's bastions" in order to disrupt the polls.
However this offensive did not materialise and the rare outbreaks of violence on polling day left four people dead.
Leading Sunni Arab politician Adnan al-Dulaimi on Saturday called for a coalition to protect national unity in a new parliament as he thanked insurgents for not attacking polling stations during the vote.
"The resistance announced it would protect polling stations and not allow a single group to attack them and it respected its promise," he said, referring to another militant group.
"In the name of National Concord Front, we thank them," said Dulaimi referring to the electoral coalition of which he is a leader.
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XIN_ENG_20051101.0367
PARIS, Nov. 2 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Tension mounts in troubled Paris suburbs
The violence which has plagued the Paris suburbs since Thursday spread to several other departments ringing the French capital overnight, with many cars set ablaze, French authorities said Wednesday.
According to Paris police officials, many cars have been set ablaze in cities of the five satellite departments ringing Paris overnight. Throughout the Seine-Saint-Denis area, some 60 vehicles have been torched.
In Sevran and Aulnay-sous-Bois, young people threw rocks at police besides setting cars on fire, while police fired flaring shots in return on Tuesday, officials said.
Police have also reported sporadic incidents involving "very mobile" groups of youths in Val-d'Oise to the north of the capital, Seine-et-Marne to the southeast, and Hauts-de-Seine and Yvelines to the northeast.
More than 150 fires have been reported overnight, most of which were caused by burning cars and garbage cans, according to the police.
Many Parisians believe the troubles were triggered by the deaths of two teenagers in Clichy-sous-Bois on Thursday. The boys were electrocuted in a power substation where they hid to escape police officers who they thought were chasing them. A third boy was injured but survived.
Unrest followed as hundreds of angry young people took to the streets, setting garbage cans and cars ablaze and clashing with police. They also organized large-scale demonstrations in the following days against the police and the authority.
Clichy-sous-Bois is in the suburbs that ring France's big cities and home to immigrants often from Muslim North Africa. Its soaring unemployment and alleged discrimination against these immigrants have aroused great dissatisfaction.
Local people are blaming the tension on the police's rough ways in pursuing suspects and dealing with the unrest, saying they smack of racial discrimination.
On Sunday night, a tear gas grenade believed by the locals to be thrown by police <e1>landed</e1> in the Clichy-sous-Bois mosque, arousing more anger and resulting in <e2>arrests</e2>.
In a bid to end the rioting, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin met Tuesday night with the parents of the three boys and ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, while calling on people to stay calm.
Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy went to Clichy-sous-Bois on Tuesday to discuss a solution to the current unrest.
Despite these efforts, violence continued in other cities in the province and other suburb provinces around Paris.
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BEIJING, Dec 1 , 2006, 2006
After 2008 Olympics, China looking to host 2014 World Cup
China plans to apply to host the 2014 World Cup as part of its efforts to continue attracting major international sporting events following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, state press said <t1>Friday</t1>.
"Following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, our plan is to apply to host the 2011 World Swimming Championships and the 2014 World Cup," the Beijing Times quoted Sun Kanglin, head of the Beijing Sports Bureau as saying.
No other details of the bid were made available.
Soccer's ruling body FIFA has already announced that World Cup 2014, although a formal vote to determine the tournament hosts will be made at the FIFA Congress in 2008.
Even if China has no chance for 2014, any potential bid could pave the way for the Asian nation to host a later World Cup event.
China participated in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea for the first-time-ever, but failed to qualify for the 2006 edition in Germany.
Under FIFA's policy of rotating the World Cup between continents, South America is guaranteed the right to host the 2014 finals, and Brazil has long been regarded as the front-runner.
Argentina and Chile could co-host the 2014 World Cup if Brazil was incapable of staging the greatest event in football, FIFA President Sepp Blatter was quoted as saying in <t2>April</t2>.
China is fast gaining a reputation as being able to hold major world sporting events ahead of Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympics.
The city has already won wide praise from International Olympic Committee chiefs for its preparations for 2008, while test events for the Games this year went smoothly.
China also already hosts major golf, tennis and motor racing events.
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LONDON, Dec 31 , 2006, 2006
festivities
New Year's Eve fireworks displays, concerts and other outdoor parties were scrapped on Sunday in several British cities amid security fears over heavy storms, disappointing tens of thousands of revelers.
Celebrations overnight Sunday in the Northern Irish capital of Belfast and the Scottish city of Glasgow as well as the northern English cities of Newcastle and Liverpool were all canceled because of the bad weather.
Up to 10,000 people had been due to watch soul singer Beverley Knight and rock band The Thrills in the streets outside Belfast's City Hall, but the city council called off the events for safety reasons.
Officials in Glasgow dropped plans for a massive outdoor street party in central George Square where around 25,000 people had been expected to dance and sing along with Fratellis and Sandi Thom as well as watch a fireworks show.
With high winds and rain forecast, a spokesman for Glasgow City Council urged partygoers to stay away from the Hogmanay or New Year's party, traditionally the biggest event in the Scottish calendar.
A pyrotechnics extravaganza in Newcastle, the culmination of the city's month-long Winter Festival, was also dropped.
"Obviously the safety of the public comes first," said Newcastle councillor Pauline Allen.
Fireworks planned for Liverpool's St George's Plateau were called off and the event will now take place on Friday, January 5.
New Year's fireworks displays in the British capital London were still planned, according to Mayor Ken Livingstone.
London's New Year's Day Parade of marching bands, clowns, vintage cars, traction engines and carnival queens -- expected to attract up to 400,000 spectators -- will definitely go ahead, organizers added.
Forecasters <e1>said</e1> gusts of up to 80 miles (130 kilometres) per hour were <e2>expected</e2> off the coast of Cumbria, northwest England.
Days of fierce storms have already caused a number of casualties. An 18-year-old woman died and her two 19-year-old friends were injured when a tree crashed onto a mobile home in Staffordshire on Saturday.
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GAZA CITY, Dec 17 , 2006, 2006
ATTENTION - UPDATES with new clash ///
Political tension gripped the Palestinian territories Sunday after president Mahmud Abbas called for early elections, dramatically raising the stakes in a long-running power struggle with the ruling Hamas party.
The move set off fears that the standoff between Hamas -- the Islamist movement that swept parliamentary elections at the start of this year -- and the president's own Fatah faction could ignite into full-blown civil war.
A member of the presidential guard was killed and several people injured in what a security official described as an attempt Sunday by Hamas members to storm a presidential guard training camp.
A Palestinian boy was shot dead and at least 18 others wounded late Saturday as thousands of armed loyalists of the two rivals, some of them masked, took to the streets of Gaza after Hamas denounced Abbas's move as tantamount to a coup.
"We are going to organize many demonstrations to prove to the president that we have the majority and that his call for elections is unacceptable," senior Hamas official Ahmed Yussef told AFP.
Abbas said elections were the way to resolve the seething tensions with Hamas, which have paralyzed the Palestinian administration and added to the woes of a people suffering from a Western aid freeze.
"We are living through difficult and miserable times," he said.
"To break the vicious circle and prevent our lives from deteriorating further and our cause from eroding, I have decided to call early presidential and legislative elections. Let the people have their say and decide."
No date was set, but a senior aide to Abbas said the polls would take place "between now and three months".
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who touched down Saturday in Cairo as part of a Middle East tour, welcomed Abbas's call and urged the international community to rally behind the president.
The United States <e1>said</e1> it hoped that elections would help quell violence, while Israel -- which views Hamas as a terrorist organisation that <e2>refuses</e2> to recognize the Jewish state -- said it supported the moderate president.
Abbas left the door open to forming a government of national unity, composed of technocrats, thus avoiding what would be the third election in the Palestinian territories since the Palestinian Authority was formed in 1994.
Hamas responded angrily, saying that Abbas's move represented "a coup d'etat against the will of the Palestinian people".
"Today what we have heard from Abu Mazen is a call, which if God willing we will try to avoid, for a civil war," Yussef said earlier Saturday.
Complicating the crisis is the fact that Palestinian basic law does not address the issue of early elections. The current parliament, elected in January, normally would remain in place until the end of 2010.
Abbas's declaration followed a week of rising tensions and violence between his Fatah party and Hamas, and followed the collapse of months of tortuous talks on forming a national unity government.
On Friday, Hamas accused Fatah loyalists of targeting Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniya after his convoy came under fire in southern Gaza, killing his bodyguard and injuring one of his sons.
A Palestinian security official told AFP that Hamas members tried to storm Sunday morning a training camp in southern Gaza for the presidential guard, triggering an intense exchange of automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire in which one camp guard was killed.
Hamas officials were not immediately available for comment.
The Fatah-Hamas talks failed over the Islamists' refusal to bend to Western demands that it renounce violence, recognize Israel and accept past peace deals, and over allocation of key ministerial posts.
Like Israel, the West considers Hamas a terrorist organization. It froze direct aid to the Palestinian government after the Islamists took office, plunging the territories into unprecedented financial crisis.
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BAGHDAD, Dec 3 , 2006, 2006
Downed US pilot officially listed as dead
<e1>Crashed</e1> US pilot Major Troy Gilbert whose F-16 fighter <e2>went</e2> down in Iraq last week was officially listed as killed in action by the US air force on Sunday.
The pilot had been described as "duty status and whereabouts unknown" but following DNA tests made on remains found at the crash site this was changed to "killed in action", the military said in a statement.
US military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Garver, said: "Based on the remains found, the air force is confident of its classification ... We have some remains now from the crash site but we are still looking for more."
Gilbert was supporting US ground troops some 32 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Baghdad on November 27 when his plane crashed for reasons that are currently under investigation.
It took ground forces several hours to reach the crash site at which an insurgent presence was detected by other US aircraft.
A US military official told AFP at the time that the major's body was missing and was presumed to have been taken by insurgents.
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TOKYO, Dec 4 , 2006, 2006
Buchwald to leave Urawa Reds, return to Germany: report
Guido Buchwald, who has just guided Urawa Reds to their first J-League championship title, said Monday he would leave the club at the end of the season and return to Germany, Kyodo News reported.
Urawa offered Buchwald a new contract, but the 45-year-old turned it down because he wants to spend more time with his family in Germany.
"Private commitments have played a part in this decision but also I feel that I have achieved all I can over three years at one club," Buchwald said.
"This has been a very difficult decision for me to make. I have been working with a team I enjoy working with and delivered results, so it hurts to be leaving."
When asked if he plans to work with Jurgen Klinsmann, Germany's World Cup coach and his close friend, Buchwald <e1>said</e1>: "We have been close friends since childhood and <e2>have</e2> a great understanding but we have not talked about working together."
Buchwald, a member of West Germany's World Cup-winning squad in 1990, played for Urawa from 1994-1997 and became their manager in 2004, when he led the team to the J-League second-stage title and the final of the league cup.
Urawa beat defending champions Gamba Osaka 3-2 on Saturday to secure the league crown.
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NAIROBI, Nov. 8 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Nairobi world conference to focus on sport, environment
The linkages between sport, peace and the environment will be the main focus at the Sixth World Conference on Sport and Environment to be held in Nairobi from November 9 to 11, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) said here Tuesday.
The conference, one of the key activities under UNEP's long term strategy on sport and environment, will be attended by 300 heads of National Olympic Committees, international sport organizations, UN agencies as well as sport stars, according to a UNEP statement.
The three-day meeting, organized by the International Olympic Committee and UNEP, will review the environmental activities of the Olympic Movement and other sport stakeholders. Within the course of the conference the participants will take part in panel discussion on key themes relating to sports, peace, environment and sustainable development.
This edition follows on from the one held in Turin, Italy, in December 2003, where delegates from all five continents <e1>shared</e1> experiences and ideas on sustainable development in and through sport, and how it could be better <e2>promoted</e2> and achieved.
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JAKARTA, Dec 29 , 2006, 2006
corrected repetition ///
Indonesia is aiming for zero human cases of bird flu next year as its strategy of poultry vaccination and increasing public awareness appears to be paying off, officials said Friday.
Indonesia has the highest number of fatalities from the H5N1 strain of bird flu, with 57 deaths from 74 confirmed cases. The most recent fatality was that of a 35-year-old woman on November 28.
Mass vaccination of poultry had proved successful in slowing down infection rates, said Bayu Krisnamurthi, head of the national committee for control of avian influenza.
"We are aiming for zero cases of human infection by next year," Krisnamurthi told reporters.
The vast majority of human cases have occurred after contact with infected poultry.
"International organisations such as the FAO (UN Food and Agriculture Organization) are now more convinced that vaccination, the method that we have chosen, has started to <e1>show</e1> good results," he <e2>said</e2>.
"Particularly after the latest cases in China and Vietnam, it is proven that mass culling does not guarantee that the environment is free from the virus."
Vietnam has reported no new human cases since November 2005, but animal outbreaks have been reported in three provinces over the past week.
Krisnamurthi said the ratio of confirmed to suspected cases had dropped significantly since the bird flu committee was established in March.
"This is important because it means people's awareness of the disease has increased. People are more willing to report and be examined by doctors," he said.
Indonesia has not reported any new cases of human infection since November 28. Since October, 14 provinces have not reported any new outbreaks among poultry.
"Unfortunately this does not guarantee that (the province) is bird flu free," he said.
Aceh province, not among the 14, had reported an outbreak after six months without a case.
Krisnamurthi also announced a substantial increase in spending on prevention of bird flu and pandemic preparedness.
International funding would nearly double, from 35 million dollars this year to 65.54 million dollars in 2007, while government spending would rise from 56 million to 61 million.
He acknowledged that some areas, in particular the vaccination program, remained under-funded.
"We have 60 to 70 million doses of vaccine for 2007. That is about 10 percent of what we need to effectively vaccinate chickens raised in backyard farms."
For 2007, Indonesia would maintain its priorities of continuing with public awareness campaigns and moving to restructure the poultry industry.
"We see the importance is not only to face bird flu, but also to prepare the industry for any other animal-sourced diseases in the future," said Krisnamurthi.
Scientists fear the H5N1 strain of the virus could mutate to become easily transmissible among people, which could in turn lead to a global flu pandemic with a potential death toll of millions.
H5N1 has killed more than 150 people worldwide since late 2003, and triggered the mass slaughter of tens of millions of poultry.
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DAMASCUS, <t1>Nov. 8 , 2006</t1> (Xinhua)
Syria criticizes UN envoy over allegation of weapons smuggle
Syria criticized on Wednesday the top UN diplomat on Lebanese ties with Syria Terje Roed-Larsen over his recent allegations that Damascus continues to smuggle weapons into Lebanon, the official SANA news agency reported.
The allegations were "an attempt to again escalate atmospheres in the region and further deteriorate Syria's relation with Lebanon more than ever," said Syria's foreign ministry in a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and President of the Security Council.
It <e1>added</e1> that Larsen's allegations also seek to divert the UN Security Council attention away into "marginal issues rather than following up its main duties through concentration on non- essential and insignificant issues and neglecting the sensitive issues which destabilize safety and stability of Lebanon."
"Mr. Larsen also ignored Israeli flagrant continued violations of Lebanon's sovereignty, airspace and waters and national soil," said the letter.
It stressed that "the statements issued by Lebanese official circles, including Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs and Army Commander, had denied as unfounded Mr. Larsen's allegations and were a strong blow to the credibility of the report and its writer."
"Such reports which are full of fallacies and selectivity could only lead to weakening the credibility of the peoples in the region in the honesty of some UN envoys," said the letter.
Syria has pledged to increase border security to stop flow of weapons into the Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas in accordance with UN resolution 1701 which brokered a truce between the militant group and Israel after a 34-day-long war.
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PARIS, Nov. 2 , 2006 (Xinhua)
Roundup: Tension looms in Somalia as peace talks collapse
Roundup: Tension looms in Somalia as peace talks collapse
NAIROBI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Tension looms in Somalia as talks aimed at averting an all-out war between the transitional government and increasingly powerful Islamists have collapsed in Khartoum, Sudan.
The Arab-League mediated peace talks collapsed on Wednesday night after the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts (SCIC) and transitional government refused to meet face-to-face, the mediators <e1>said</e1> in a statement <e2>received</e2> here Thursday.
Analysts say a war between the militarily superior Islamists and the government could draw in neighboring countries -- Ethiopia and its arch rival Eritrea -- igniting existing regional bitterness over boundary.
The analysts also fear a conflict which could engulf the entire region is imminent but in a move to avert the looming war, the mediators called for restraint and said further consultations were needed to move the dialogue forward.
Eye witnesses and local reports from Somalia said Islamist forces have taken control of another key Somali port. Residents of Hobyo on the central Somali coast, about 500 km from the capital Mogadishu, say there was no fighting as Islamists entered the town Tuesday.
The transitional government's Foreign Minister Ismail Hurreh had earlier denounced the Islamists as no longer partners for peace. The foreign minister said there was a danger of all-out conflict in the Horn of Africa.
He said his government hoped to avoid war but warned that conflict would become inevitable if the Islamists continued on their current path. The minister said countries in the region were deeply concerned about the SCIC's declaration of "jihad" on their neighbors.
And as talks stalled in Khartoum, Islamist forces remain positioned near the interim government's base of Baidoa, prompting officials there to prepare for a possible attack.
The militia groups loyal to Somalia's Islamic courts have seized control of much of the country's south since winning a battle for the capital Mogadishu in June.
Somalia's interim government has international support but virtually no power outside Baidoa.
The Islamists had indicated before the talks that they will not negotiate until Ethiopian soldiers leave Somali territory. The Islamists say Ethiopia has sent thousands of troops across the border to protect the weak but United Nations backed Somali interim government.
However, Addis Ababa denies this, saying it has sent only a few hundred military instructors.
With neither side willing to accept the other's preconditions for talks, international mediators have called on both parties to exercise restraint.
"The parties are urged to commit themselves to previous agreements reached in Khartoum," a mediators statement issued after the talks collapse, said.
"After long consultations with the two sides and the international community, it was decided that the meeting should be postponed and that (the talks) be held as soon as possible after more meticulous preparations," said Samir Hosny, who heads the African section of the Cairo-based Arab League.
Hosny said neither party was to blame for the failure of the peace talks, and expressed hope that both sides would return to the negotiating table in the future.
"We did not set a date or venue for any upcoming meetings, but the sooner the meetings take place the better -- in a week or two. But we did not set a date," he said.
He added that the decision to call off the talks indefinitely was reached after the Arab League's consultations with both sides, as well as with the United Nations, the African Union and a number of European countries.
"Let us hope that this step does not reflect negatively on the situation on the ground," Hosny said.
There has been no sign of reconciliation on the ground in Somalia, where the Islamic courts seek to impose an Islamic state and the internationally recognized government lacks the force to assert its authority beyond Baidoa, the only town it controls.
The head of the Islamist team, Ibrahim Hussein Adow, praised the postponement and denied his side was planning any attack.
"There was a gap between the parties and substantial issues, so it was necessary to adjourn," he told reporters. "We are not preparing nor planning for any confrontation. We want peace."
But whether the collapse of the talks will give the rival groups ' time to prepare for counter attacks in the Horn of African nation remains to be seen.
Somalia has been in the grip of warlords and militias for years and has not had a functioning national government since 1991.
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What's News --
@ Business and Finance
<t1>10/30/89</t1>
WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
PROGRAM TRADING is being curbed by more securities firms, but big institutional investors are expected to continue the practice, further roiling the stock market.
Bowing to criticism, Bear Stearns, Morgan Stanley and Oppenheimer joined PaineWebber in suspending stock-index arbitrage trading for their own accounts.
Still, stock-index funds are expected to continue launching big programs through the market.
Several Big Board firms are organizing to complain about program trading and the exchange's role in it.
The effort is being led by Contel.
---
Personal spending rose 0.2% in September, the smallest gain in a year.
The slowdown raises questions about the economy's strength because spending fueled much of the third-quarter GNP growth.
Meanwhile, personal income edged up 0.3%.
Factory owners are buying new machinery at a healthy rate this fall, machine-tool makers say.
But weak car sales raise questions about future demand from the auto sector.
---
Southern's Gulf Power unit may plead guilty this week to <e1>charges</e1> it illegally steered company money to politicians through third parties.
The tentative pact would resolve part of a broad investigation of the Atlanta-based company in the past year.
---
LIN Broadcasting and BellSouth sweetened their plan to merge cellular phone operations, offering LIN holders a special $42-a-share payout.
But the new pact will force huge debt on the new firm and could still fail to thwart rival suitor McCaw Cellular.
---
Unisys posted a $648.2 million loss for the third quarter as it moved quickly to take write-offs for various problems and prepare for a turnaround.
But some analysts wonder how strong the recovery will be.
---
RJR Nabisco agreed to sell three candy businesses to Nestle for $370 million.
The accord helps RJR pay off debt and boosts Nestle's 7% share of the U.S. candy market to 12%.
---GM and Ford are expected to go head to head in the markets to buy up rival 15% stakes in Jaguar.
GM confirmed it received U.S. antitrust clearance to boost its holding.
---
Sansui Electric agreed to sell a 51% stake to Polly Peck of Britain for $110 million.
Still, analysts said the accord does n't suggest Japan is opening up to more foreign takeovers.
---
Kellogg suspended work on a $1 billion cereal plant, indicating a pessimistic outlook by the cereal maker, which has been losing market share.
---
Insurers could see claims totaling nearly $1 billion from the San Francisco earthquake, far less than the $4 billion from Hurricane Hugo.
---
Nashua strengthened its poison-pill plan after announcing a Dutch firm is seeking to buy up to 25% of the New Hampshire copier company.
---
Mobil is cutting back its U.S. oil and gas exploration and production group by up to 15% as part of a restructuring of the business.
---
Markets ---
Stocks: Volume 170,330,000 shares.
Dow Jones industrials 2596.72, off 17.01; transportation 1190.43, off 14.76; utilities 215.86, up 0.19.
Bonds: Shearson Lehman Hutton Treasury index 3406.31, off 19.29.
Commodities: Dow Jones futures index 129.49, up 0.27; spot index 130.80, off 0.24.
Dollar: 141.65 yen, off 0.45; 1.8300 marks, off 0.0100.
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BEIJING, <t1>Nov. 11 , 2006</t1> (Xinhua)
Emergency broadcasts to help public during disasters
The public needs to be warned about extreme weather and dangerous conditions and be advised of how to reduce damage caused by disasters, according to the health ministry.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and China Meteorological Administration (CMA) plan to jointly make special broadcast reports providing information about extreme heat, carbon monoxide levels and epidemics, according to an agreement signed recently by the two agencies.
The expert advisory information will focus on helping people cope and protect themselves during bad weather and public health emergencies, <e1>according</e1> to the MOH.
The MOH and the CMA will jointly conduct research on how the weather influences people's health and will set up a mechanism for monitoring, forecasting and emergency warning.
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ROME, April 4 , 1997 (AFP)
Italy weclomes Albanian refugees with mixed feelings by Anne-Marie Chapelan
While Italy prepares to lead a multinational force to Albania, it has given a mixed welcome to the influx of refugees who have fled across the Adriatic from the stricken Balkan nation.
Since March 13, around 13,000 Albanians have arrived in Italy by boat to rejoin their 64,000 compatriots there, according to officials.
The Albanian immigrant community is second only in size in Italy to the Moroccan community, estimated to number some 119,000.
Albania has been gripped by instability since anti-government protests over the collapse of bogus investment schemes turned into armed rebellion as insurgents took control of a string of towns in the south.
Amid the anarchy, and given that Albania was already Europe's poorest country, many people are desperate to escape, anywhere and anyhow.
A bid by one group to sail across to Italy ended in tragedy last week, when their tug boat collided with an Italian naval ship. Four people were drowned and scores more reported missing, presumed dead.
The influx of refugees, who have been put up in 40 reception centres, has sparked protests.
The mayors of some cities, particularly the more affluent ones in the north, have <e1>refused</e1> to host refugees. The separatist Northern League has already <e2>warned</e2> that they will bring disease to the region.
"The delinquents should be thrown back into the sea," complained Irene Pivetti, the former speaker of the lower house of parliament.
The tug boat drama "proved me right," she insisted. "These women and children were taken hostage by unscrupulous criminals. The refugees must return home."
Roberto Rambaldi, a top official with the Catholic humanitarian agency Caritas, said: "There is a hidden racism in Italy, an underlined xenophobia."
Many of the immigrants were considered "liars or burglers," he said, even though they often did work that Italians did not want, such as labouring in fields or looking after the elderly.
"Albania is a violent country which has been a fulcrum of oil and arms trafficking (toward the former Yugoslavia)," he added, "where it was easy to make money."
But the main problem was the link between organised crime in Albania and Greece and the Italian Mafia, especially in prostitution and child exploitation.
"How can a country of 57 million people, the fifth economy in the world, be afraid of thousands of refugees?" asked Luigi Manconi, spokesman of the Green party.
Left-wing and anti-racist organisations plan to hold a rally Sunday in the souther port of Brindisi in a show of solidarity with the refugees.
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BANGKOK, Nov. 14 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Nation cuddles Olympic mascots
Nation cuddles Olympic mascots
By Zhou Yan
BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- A panda cub waited for <t1>10 weeks</t1> to get a name. Newborn babies are named after them. Anxious buyers thronged department stores for cuddly stuffed toys.
Bei Bei, Jing Jing, Huan Huan, Ying Ying and Ni Ni won the hearts of the entire Chinese nation at the very instant they were unveiled as mascots of the 2008 summer Olympiad to be held in Beijing.
The giant panda breeding research base in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, named a 10-week old female panda cub "Jing Jing" on Saturday -- exactly the same name as the mascot giant panda.
The cub was born on Aug. 30 but was never named, said zoologists with the Chengdu base. "We hope she'll grow up healthily and witness the Beijing Olympiad. The mascot will bring her good luck."
Panda researchers at the base said they have archived Jing Jing's pictures and all important data at www.panda.org.cn. "Everyone can send her greetings online," they said.
Jing Jing was born 152 grams and now weighs 4,266 grams. Her mother, 15, was named "Ya Ya (Asia)" because she was born in 1990, the year Beijing hosted the 11th Asian Games. Jing Jing's father, the handsomest "panda prince" at the Chengdu base, was named "Ke Bi" by former International Olympic Committee President Samaranch.
A baby boy born at 8:00 p.m. Friday in Beijing has been named Bei Bei, the name of the Carp, the first of the five mascots.
"My wife and I were watching the televised gala and guessing which candidate would stand out when the doctors said she should have a Caesarean section," said Mr. Hu, the new father. "She was sent back to the ward with the baby at the very moment the five mascots were announced."
Hu and his wife then agreed they would name the baby after one of the mascots.
The Olympic mascots Beijing announced on Friday were cartoon renditions of a panda, a carp, a Tibetan antelope, a swallow and the Olympic flame, each one the color of one of the Olympic rings.
Starting on Saturday, stuffed toys and commemorative coins of the five mascots have opened a marketing blitz.
Saturday morning <e1>found</e1> anxious crowds waiting outside major department stores in Beijing before the business hours.
"It's a great idea to have five mascots because the Chinese believe in 'wufu' (five happiness)," said a senior citizen surnamed Yu. Yu left his home in the northwestern suburbs of Beijing at 5:00 a.m. to buy a full set of the mascots at one of the city's oldest department stores in the downtown Wangfujing commercial street.
Nanjing, a boom city in east China's Jiangsu Province, has ordered air shipments of the stuffed toys from Beijing to meet the demands of anxious buyers.
"On Saturday and Sunday alone, we sold 400,000 yuan (nearly 50,000 US dollars) of the toy mascots," said Li Qiaosheng, general manager of Xinbai Department Store, one of the biggest in Nanjing.
Yet some citizens' love for the Olympic mascots went irrational. The Beijing Metro decorated all subway trains with dainty pictures of the Olympic mascots on the handrails but by Sunday afternoon, nearly a half of the pictures had gone.
Most of the pictures stolen represented Jing Jing the Panda and Huan Huan the Olympic Flame, said a Beijing Metro employee.
"Of course everyone loves the pretty mascots," said a subway rider who gave only his surname as Zhang. "But it's a shame to steal the pictures. The Olympic Games is an occasion to present China to the world -- we should present our good images."
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NAIROBI, <t1>Nov. 6 , 2006</t1> (Xinhua)
UN warns of climate change threat as conference opens in Kenya
A series of climate change meetings opened at the UN Office in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday with participants warning that climate change is fast proving to be one of the greatest challenges in the history of humankind.
Thousands of participants to the meetings, dubbed as "the United Nations Climate Change Conference -- Nairobi 2006", called for collective action to tackle the threat.
"Climate change is rapidly emerging as one of the most serious threats that humanity may ever face," said the newly-elected President of the conference, Kenyan Environment Minister Kivutha Kibwana at the opening ceremony.
The Nov. 6-17 conference, including the 12th Conference of the 189 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 2nd meeting of the 166 Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and other side events, is the first UN climate summit held in sub-Saharan Africa.
Kibwana <e1>warned</e1> that global warming threatened the development goals for billions of the world's poorest people.
"We face a genuine danger that recent gains in poverty reduction will be thrown into reverse in coming decades, particularly for the poorest communities on the continent of Africa," he said.
The conference president went on to say that for these communities, scarce resources that would otherwise be channeled into essential projects to further economic development would instead be used for other emergencies, such as health care crises, water shortages and food stock failures.
He called on parties meeting in Nairobi to work together to ensure that real action is achieved on the issue of adaptation to climate change.
"Past and current greenhouse gas emission levels have already committed us to at least some level of temperature increase, and therefore a certain level of adaptation measures will be needed as a result," Kibwana said.
The UNFCCC's Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer called for specific activities to be agreed within the five-year work plan on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation.
"We expect countries to take decisions in Nairobi that will enhance action on adaptation on the ground," he said.
Another key outcome expected of the conference is agreement on how to manage the UNFCCC's Adaptation Fund. The fund is financed by a share of proceeds generated by the Kyoto Protocol's clean development mechanism (CDM).
The CDM permits industrialized countries which are members of the protocol to invest in sustainable development projects in developing countries, and thereby generate tradable emission credits.
"Ministers meeting in Nairobi have an opportunity to reach agreement on critical elements of the governance and management of the Adaptation Fund," the UN top climate change official said.
Kibwana called on the meeting to address the key obstacles faced by the least developed countries, in particular those in Africa, in participating successfully in the CDM.
He added that after a successful start in May 2006 in Bonn, discussion on future action to mitigate climate change would continue in Nairobi.
One track is for negotiating commitments beyond 2012 for countries under the Kyoto Protocol, the other deals with talks under the UNFCCC on the future of the climate change process, with a focus on how to advance development in a sustainable way and on how to realize the full potential of market-based opportunities.
"We need an equitable and effective future climate change regime that enables us to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases while at the same time allowing economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner," Kibwana said.
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TOKYO, <t1>April 6 , 1997</t1> (AFP)
US defense chief flying into storm over US military in Okinawa by Shigemi Sato
US Defense Secretary William Cohen flies into Tokyo on Monday straight into a political storm over a government move to force landowners in Okinawa to continue leasing land to US forces.
Protests over the government bill, introduced Friday after the government won the support of the main opposition party, continued Sunday with some 2,500 people braving heavy rain to march in the capital.
Organisers of the rally, which included civic group members, anti-war landowners and other campaigners, said in a statement that they could not "forgive this outrageous act," by the government.
They marched through a nearby shopping district, carrying banners saying "We don't allow US occupation" and "Abolish US bases".
The demonstration followed a rally on Saturday by about 3,000 people in the Okinawan capital of Naha in the southern part of the Japanese archipelago.
The rallies are part of continuing moves to force the US forces off Okinawa where locals have grown increasingly resentful <e1>claiming</e1> that the use of their land by the military prevents the island from developing economically.
Feelings were raised to boiling point following the rape of a 12-year- old school girl by three US servicemen in 1995.
But Cohen and Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto are expected to commit themselves to strong military ties to cope with fears of instability in East Asia, particularly on the Korean peninsula.
During a three-day stop here, Cohen will be assured by Hashimoto that the bill will pass allowing US forces to continue running 12 facilities in Okinawa on land owned by 3,000 people who have refused to renew leases which expire on May 14.
"From the standpoint of ordinary people, it may seem cruel," Hashimoto commented on the decision to extend the leases which he said was necessary to uphold Japan-US defence links. "But it is a question concerning the faith of politicians."
The bill has been opposed by the Social Democratic Party which holds a swing vote in parliament and usually supports the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
The party has instead called for a reduction of US troops in Okinawa.
The demand has been flatly rejected by the US administration, which vows to maintain some 100,000 troops in the Asia-Pacific region due to uncertainty on the Korean peninsula.
Around 27,000 of the 47,000 US troops in Japan are based in Okinawa, which accounts for only 0.6 percent of Japan's land area, but accommodates three-quarters of US military facilities in the country.
Hashimoto had hoped to enact the bill before leaving for the United States on April 24 for talks with US President Bill Clinton. The premier said it was "not an appropriate time" to talk about a troops reduction.
When Clinton visited Tokyo a year ago, the two leaders agreed to study the expansion of defence cooperation into "areas surrounding Japan" while they endorsed plans to cut back by 20 percent land used by US forces in Okinawa.
Hashimoto's legislative gamble over Okinawa has shaken Japan's political landscape and could lead to a possible realignment among parties.
On Thursday, Ichiro Ozawa, who heads the main opposition New Frontier Party (NFP), promised to support the bill in parliament. Hashimoto's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the NFP have a combined 385 votes in the 500-seat lower house.
Ozawa, a former LDP strongman, bolted from the scandal-tainted conservative party, helping to end its 38-year grip on power in 1993.
LDP secretary general Koichi Kato said Saturday the LDP would stay aligned with the SDP and the centrist New Party Sakigake in parliament "while seeking to discuss each individual policy with different parties."
On Wednesday, Cohen will fly on to South Korea where he will meet with the commander of the 35,000 US troops there and top Korean leaders to discuss developments in the Stalinist North Korea, hit by worsening food shortages.
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NAIROBI, Nov. 8 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Nairobi world conference to focus on sport, environment
The linkages between sport, peace and the environment will be the main focus at the Sixth World Conference on Sport and Environment to be held in Nairobi from November 9 to 11, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) said here Tuesday.
The conference, one of the key activities under UNEP's long term strategy on sport and environment, will be attended by 300 heads of National Olympic Committees, international sport organizations, UN agencies as well as sport stars, according to a UNEP statement.
The three-day <e1>meeting</e1>, <e2>organized</e2> by the International Olympic Committee and UNEP, will review the environmental activities of the Olympic Movement and other sport stakeholders. Within the course of the conference the participants will take part in panel discussion on key themes relating to sports, peace, environment and sustainable development.
This edition follows on from the one held in Turin, Italy, in December 2003, where delegates from all five continents shared experiences and ideas on sustainable development in and through sport, and how it could be better promoted and achieved.
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BEIJING, <t1>Nov. 16 , 2006</t1> (Xinhua)
nation
The work safety committee under the State Council, China's cabinet, on Thursday urged relevant authorities to take urgent actions to curb the spate of accidents that have rocked China in recent weeks.
The committee said in a circular that thorough investigations must be carried out to find the causes of the accidents. It <e1>said</e1> that those people guilty of corruption and neglect of duty must be held to account.
Investigations must be finished into at least some of the major accidents and the results must be made public, the circular says.
China has seen a spate of major accidents in the last few weeks.
On October 28, 13 workers were killed in northwest China's Xinjiang region when the oil tank they were painting exploded.
On Nov. 5, a gas explosion in the Jiaojiazhai colliery in Datong city of north China's Shanxi Province killed 47 miners.
On Nov. 12, 34 miners were killed in Nanshan colliery of Lingshi County, also in Shanxi, when a fire broke out in the pit.
Figures from the State Administration of Work Safety show that China recorded 532,101 accidents between January and October, killing 92,437 people.
The committee called for solid measures to be taken to improve safety measures in vulnerable industries.
It said, with immediate effect, that authorities must stop approving new collieries with a capacity of less than 300,000 tons a year.
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BRUSSELS, Nov. 4 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Afghanistan is Netherlands' most disastrous overseas mission: newspaper
The mission in Afghanistan is becoming the most accident-prone and expensive deployment ever for the Dutch defense ministry, the De Volkskrant daily reported Friday.
Although Dutch troops in Afghanistan never <e1>exchanged</e1> fire with al-Qaeda or Taliban fighters, the Dutch air force lost some 80 million euro worth of equipment in the past year, a record for Dutch missions abroad, the paper <e2>said</e2>.
The Dutch air force confirmed that a second Chinook helicopter was written off after making an emergency landing in mountains north of Kabul on Monday, according to the paper, one of the biggest dailies in the Netherlands.
The 25-million-euro aircraft, en route to Dutch commandos in Kandahar, was forced to land for reasons not yet clear. Three of the 17 soldiers on board were wounded.
In July, a Chinook crashed near Kandahar. The Dutch defense ministry has ruled out the possibility that the aircraft was shot down by Taliban or al-Qaeda fighters.
The air force suffered its heaviest loss in August last year when a mis-communication resulted in the crash of a 30-million- euro Apache combat helicopter north of Kabul.
"It is never nice to lose so much equipment that is so crucial and scarce," an air force spokesperson was quoted as saying, adding that "luckily there have not been any wounded or dead so far."
As the Dutch mission in Afghanistan continues its dangerous operations, the air force risks losing more of its remaining 11 Chinooks, the paper said.
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NAIROBI, Nov. 17 , 2006 (Xinhua)
UN climate talks ends with decisions to support developing countries
The United Nations Climate Change Conference wrapped up in Nairobi late Friday with the adoption of a wide range of decisions which are seen as a boost to the adaptation of developing countries to the effects of global warming.
"The conference has delivered on its promise to support the needs of developing countries," said Conference President Kivutha Kibwana, who is also the Kenyan Minister for Natural Resources and Environment. "The positive spirit of the conference has prevailed, " he added.
A statement issued at the press conference after the meeting said the "spirit of Nairobi" prevails as the climate change conference held first time in sub-Sahara Africa successfully concluded.
The success is manifested in several agreements. At the meeting, activities for the next few years under the "Nairobi Work Program on Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation" were agreed. These activities will help enhance decision-making on adaptation action and improved assessment of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change.
Another important outcome, according to the statement, is the agreement on the management of the Adaptation Fund under the Kyoto Protocol, which will be helpful to support concrete adaptation activities in developing countries.
Delegates also welcome the "Nairobi Framework" announced by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which will provide additional support to developing countries to successfully develop projects for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
The CDM permits industrialized countries, which have emission targets under the Kyoto Protocol, to invest in sustainable development projects in developing countries that reduce greenhouse gas emission, and thereby generate tradable emission credits.
Officials <e1>said</e1> rules were finalized for the Special Climate Change Fund, which is another concrete progress at the conference. The fund is <e2>designed</e2> to finance projects in developing countries relating to adaptation, technology transfer, climate change mitigation and economic diversification for countries highly dependent on income from fossil fuels.
"The spirit of Nairobi has been truly remarkable," Kibwana said.
"Let us now use the momentum of this conference to carry this spirit forward and jointly undertake the kind of concerted action we need for humankind to have a future on this planet," he added.
The next round of negotiations under the Kyoto Protocol and talks under the United Nations Climate Change Convention will be held in Bonn, Germany in May 2007.
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JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 28 , 2005 (Xinhua)
S. African rand steady
The South African rand was steady in late trade on Monday despite a weaker euro, supported by two-way trade and a stronger gold price which was at a 18-year high.
At 15:40 (1340 GMT), the rand was bid at 6.5160 per dollar from <t1>Friday</t1>'s <e1>close</e1> of 6.4940 and Thursday's close of 6.5011.
It was bid at 7.6386 to the euro from Friday's close of 7.6163 and Thursday's close of 7.6875 and at 11.1090 against sterling from a previous 11.1052 and Thursday's 11.2023.
Traders said that gold, which seems once again to be eyeing the key 500 US dollars per ounce level, would lend support to the local currency.
At 15:40 (1340 GMT), gold was quoted at 495.60 dollars a troy ounce, having earlier traded at an 18-year high of 499.14 dollars per ounce.
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TOKYO, April 17 , 1997 (AFP)
Japan's trade surplus down 26.8 percent in March
Japan's trade surplus in March was down 26.8 percent from a year earlier at 818.3 billion yen (6.49 billion dollars) but up from 686.7 billion yen in February, the finance ministry <e1>said</e1> <t1>Thursday</t1>.
Exports were up 10.5 percent at 4.54 billion yen while imports were up 24.4 percent at 3.72 billion yen, it said.
For the fiscal year ending in March, the trade surplus narrowed 29.6 percent to 6,421 billion yen.
A ministry official said the decline in Japan's trade surplus was "slowing", apparently referring to the impact of the weaker yen.
Tokyo Research Institute economist Toshio Sumitani said the March surplus was below his forecast for a trade imbalance of one trillion yen.
"Imports were stronger than expected ... Crude oil prices have fallen recently, so I did not expect strong imports," he said, citing "extraordinary factors" for the increase.
Sumitani also noted that exports to the United States remained high and this was expected to continue boosting the surplus in the coming months.
"The pace of the movement in the trade surplus year on year is slowing, because of slowing exports to the Asian and European markets," he said.
In March alone, Japan's surplus with the United States, its biggest trading partner, surged 11.2 percent to 380 billion yen with exports up 14.3 percent at 1,260 billion yen and imports up 15.7 percent at 880 billion yen.
The surplus with Asia shrank 17.9 percent to 635 billion yen, with exports up 7.6 percent at 1,922 billion yen and imports increasing 27.0 percent to 1,287 billion yen.
With the European Union, the trade surplus narrowed 39.2 percent to 131 billion yen. Exports to the EU countries rose 2.5 percent to 676 billion yen with imports down 22.8 percent at 545 billion yen.
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PERTH, Australia, Dec 16 , 2005
= (PICTURES) =
Australia <e1>recovered</e1> from the early <e2>loss</e2> of Matthew Hayden to reach 173-3 at tea on day one of the first Test against South Africa on Friday.
Captain Ricky Ponting hit a half-century while Brad Hodge (37) and Michael Hussey (20) were the not-out batsmen at the break.
Makhaya Ntini had dismissed opener Hayden for a duck with his second ball to leave Australia on 0-1.
But Ponting and Justin Langer were looking in ominous form as Australia reached 96-1 at lunch.
The visitors then grabbed two quick wickets in the second session to stem the flow of runs.
Ntini dismissed Langer for 37 as the diminutive left-hander botched a pull shot, sending the ball skywards to captain Graeme Smith at mid-off.
Shaun Pollock then trapped Ponting lbw for 71 with a ball which nipped back from the off side, ending the Australian captain's 12-boundary knock.
South Africa then missed a great opportunity to gain the ascendancy when wicketkeeper Mark Boucher missed a thick top-edge Brad Hodge when he was on three.
Had Boucher taken the catch, the Proteas would have had the Australians at 117-4. But the ball went to the boundary instead.
The tourists went into the match without key all-rounder Jacques Kallis who failed a last-minute fitness test on his left elbow.
It was the first time in two years that Kallis has missed a Test match.
Jacques Rudolph was brought into the side while orthodox spinner Nicky Boje was left out in favour of a pace attack on a wicket known for it's speed and bounce.
For Australia, seamer Nathan Bracken was named in their bowling attack.
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DHAKA, Nov. 29 , 2006 (Xinhua)
Bangladesh to hold fair elections: president
Bangaldeshi President and Chief Advisor Professor Iajuddin Ahmed told a visiting UN special envoy here Wednesday that all steps are taken to hold free, fair, neutral and peaceful parliamentary elections, private news agency UNB reported.
Iajuddin urged the UN to send election observers to Bangladesh.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's special envoy, Craig Genness, arrived here Wednesday morning carrying his message for the caretaker government and the political leaders of Bangladesh that the world organization is concerned over the political situation stemming from electoral issues here.
He called on Ahmed in the afternoon in the first instance before talks with the political parties on both sides of the political division concerning the contentious electoral issues.
Listing to the measures taken to remove hurdles to the polls, Professor Ahmed told the envoy that the Chief Election Commissioner MA Aziz went on leave, two new Election Commissioners were appointed in view of some political parties' demand for creating congenial atmosphere for the elections while the EC announced the election schedule.
Besides, he said, contract jobs at different levels have been canceled and necessary reshuffles in the administration done for impartial elections.
The President pointed out that, as a constitutional body, the Election Commission has initiated all steps to hold free and fair elections. He <e1>assured</e1> the envoy of fair polls going to be <e2>held</e2> in the country, following such comprehensive groundwork.
"The party who will secure electoral mandate will form the next government," he told the UN emissary.
Reiterating country's commitment to the United Nations, the president said Bangladesh has been playing a lead role in various programs of the world body, including the UN peacekeeping mission.
He thanked the UN secretary general for extending cooperation in advancing democratic process in Bangladesh.
In response, the special envoy said the UN does not like to see any political violence in Bangladesh and noted that all problems can be resolved through the holding of peaceful elections.
"The United Nations is concerned at the violence on street," Genness was quoted by a President House spokesman as saying during the meeting with the President. He thanked the chief advisor for taking the initiatives for holding free and fair polls.
The envoy requested the chief advisor to take steps for establishment of peace in the country.
Genness informed the president that he would convey the UN Secretary General's concern about "political violence" during his meetings with the leaders of major political parties.
Both the President and the envoy observed with unanimity of views that all parties should come forward, realizing the reality, for maintaining peace and advancing democracy in the country.
Since the former ruling BNP-led 4-party alliance government led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia ended its tenure on Oct. 27, the former main opposition Awami League (AL)-led 14-party combine had staged three rounds of countrywide blockade demanding reconstitution of Election Commission paving way for fair elections due in January next.
Awami League announced Monday if their demands are not met, they will stage another round of blockade from Sunday.
During the blockades, there were dozens of people killed and thousands wounded in clashes between supporters of BNP and AL. The country's economy suffered a great loss.
According to the Constitution, a neutral caretaker government supervises the country's elections within 90 days since 1996.
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DENVER, Colorado, Dec 14 , 2005
by Judith Crosson
Do you know why dinosaurs became meat eaters? After Adam and Eve sinned and were banished from the Garden of Eden, even grass-eating dinosaurs started killing other animals.
Turning evolution on its ear, this is one of the theories being offered on the "Biblically Correct" tour at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
And never mind about the Earth being 4.5 billion years old or that dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago because the world is only 6,000 years old.
"Evolution is nothing more than a philosophy," Rusty Carter tells an audience of about 25 children from a private Christian school on his guided tour at the museum.
Carter, who has a degree in biblical studies from Colorado Christian University and earns his living doing floor maintenance, cheerily challenges evolution as he leads students from one exhibit to another.
The museum and the scientific community in general do not endorse the information espoused by Carter, although he conducts his tours just like any other school group going through.
"We welcome everybody to the museum and I'm happy to see the kids being exposed to the science world," Kirk Johnson, chief curator at the museum, said. "But I completely disagree with their message."
Creationists <e1>take</e1> a literal approach to the origin of the Earth, meaning they <e2>believe</e2> God created the world in six 24-hour days.
The 6,000-year figure, first calculated by a 17th century Irish Anglican bishop, James Ussher, adds up the life spans of patriarchs listed in the book of Genesis, starting with Adam and Eve.
It is a theory not supported by most mainstream Christian churches.
Canadian-born George McCready Price, who had links to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, promoted the short history of the Earth in the 1920s.
He wrote that the Earth is only 6,000 years old and the deluge described in the bible happened about 4,000 years ago.
"History and current beliefs change over time with education and enlightenment," John Banks, spokesman for the 14.2 million-member church, said.
Carter goes for the drama. Hitler believed in evolution, he tells the students, but is careful to emphasize he does not mean people who believe in evolution are racists.
For a little hometown shock he calls Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, two Colorado teenagers who killed 13 people at Columbine High School before killing themselves, evolutionists.
"Creationism values each person," Carter says before ending the tour with a prayer.
The bible-oriented tour has been a fixture at the museum for 15 years, but is getting more attention thanks to the renewed American debate over evolution.
In 1925, the Scopes Monkey trial challenged the theory of evolution put forth by Charles Darwin in "The Origin of Species" written in 1859.
Although John Scopes was ordered to pay a fine for teaching evolution, the case put creationism under the microscope and found it wanting. After the trial, anti-evolution thinking suffered a setback.
However, not forever. The attack on evolution has been growing in recent decades and the Kansas State Board of Education has ordered teachers to discuss intelligent design -- a belief the universe is so complicated a supreme being must have planned it -- along with evolution.
Even US President George Bush has advocated teaching "both sides" of the issue.
"I'm not against evolution in the museum, I just wish creationism were also here," Carter tells students at the museum as he stands in front of a depiction of an archaeopteryx, whose fossil is believed by scientists to be a link between birds and dinosaurs.
"There are a zillion viewpoints out there," said Johnson, who has advanced degrees in paleontology and geology.
Carter has no room for theistic evolution, a belief held by most Christian churches, including the Catholic Church -- that God created the universe and then allowed evolution to proceed through billions of years.
Throughout the tour, Carter challenges fossil records and carbon dating.
He urges the students from the Truth Christian Academy, a private religious school, to always ask how does one know if something is true.
"That's a great question," the museum's Johnson said. "But the problem is they're teaching them how not to think."
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JOHANNESBURG, <t1>Nov. 24 , 2005</t1> (Xinhua)
S. Africa's Mbeki congratulates Liberian new woman president
South African President Thabo Mbeki has personally <e1>telephoned</e1> Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to congratulate on her election as the first woman president of Liberia as well as of Africa.
Mbeki said the election process in Liberia, in spite of a hard- fought and even bitter contest, had shown the world that democracy and free elections were becoming the norm on the continent, according to a statement issued by South Africa's Foreign Ministry on Thursday.
He appealed to all concerned to accept the confirmed outcome of the election, to concentrate on national unity and development, and to pursue any remaining disputes through the available machinery set up for the purpose.
Mbeki also expressed the hope that Liberia would achieve stability after a bitter and debilitating civil war, the ministry said.
"The government and people of South Africa join Liberians and the international community in celebrating your election as the first democratically elected woman head of state in Africa," he told Johnson Sirleaf.
"Your election is indeed a victory not only for Liberian women in particular, but also represents a beacon of hope for women in Africa and the world in general. It most eloquently makes the unequivocal statement that, indeed, a new dawn has arrived for African women," he said.
Liberia, a country with a unique and compelling history, could be assured of the continued support of the government and people of South Africa in its government-led efforts to pursue a sustainable reconstruction and development program and to play a positive role in the New Partnership for Africa's Development, not only in its own region but in Africa generally, he said.
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RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Dec 21 , 2005
= (PICTURES) =
A reshuffled Pakistan team restricted a struggling England to 206-9 in the fifth and final day-night limited overs international at Pindi cricket stadium here on Wednesday.
Vikram Solanki top-scored with 49 while Andrew Flintoff (39) and Paul Collingwood (33) were other notable contributors after England won the toss and decided to bat on a slow pitch which assisted spin.
England have already lost the five-match series 3-1 and were playing for pride and for an opportunity to improve their international one-day rankings.
Marcus Trescothick, leading England in the absence of the injured Michael Vaughan, continued his run of poor form. He played on to debutant Mohammad Asif in the second over after scoring just one.
Asif, who turned 23 on Tuesday and was one of three changes Pakistan made to rest their players, then accounted for Matthew Prior (nine) in his third over as the batsman flicked straight into the hands of square-leg.
England had crawled to 52 by the 18th over as their batsmen found the going tough against some tight Pakistan bowling, especially by the spinners.
Off-spinner Arshad Khan deceived Andrew Strauss in the air and had him stumped by wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal for 26, leaving England struggling on 52-3.
Solanki steadied the faltering innings with a 65-run fourth wicket stand with Flintoff, before he miscued a drive off leg-spinner Shahid Afridi and was caught in the covers. He hit six boundaries during his 86-ball knock.
Naved-ul-Hasan then claimed Flintoff and Ian Blackwell off successive deliveries before Geraint Jones (three) and Collingwood further added to the tourists' misery with sloppy run outs.
Flintoff, who played only as a batsman due to a sore ankle, hit three boundaries and a six in his 73-ball knock.
In a late-order charge Liam Plunkett hit three boundaries and a six in his 12-ball 24 to take England past 200.
Asif finished with 2-14 off seven overs before being surprisingly replaced by super-sub Danish Kaneria.
Pakistan rested their captain Inzamam-ul-Haq after he strained his groin during Pakistan's 13-run win in the fourth match here on Monday.
Younis Khan, who led Pakistan to <e1>victory</e1> against the West Indies in his only one-day match as captain early this year, <e2>took</e2> over the captaincy. Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami (both rested) made way for Asif and Yasir Hameed.
England were forced to omit Kabir Ali, who hurt his back in practice, and batsman Ian Bell. But bowling spearhead Steve Harmison returned after missing Monday's match with sore throat and flu.
Off-spinner Shaun Udal was brought in for batsman Bell.
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891026-0120.
Cineplex Chairman Drabinsky Considers
@ Bid of $666 Million to Acquire Company
@ ----
@ By Suzanne McGee
@ Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal
10/26/89
WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
CPX MCA RANKY
TENDER OFFERS, MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS (TNM)
RECREATION, ENTERTAINMENT, TOYS, MOVIES, PHOTOGRAPHY, SPORTS (REC)
TORONTO
Cineplex Odeon Corp. directors said the company's chairman and chief executive, Garth Drabinsky, is considering bidding 780.6 million Canadian dollars (US$666 million) to acquire the company.
The board said Mr. Drabinsky and Vice Chairman Myron Gottlieb are negotiating financing before offering C$16.40 a share to acquire all of Cineplex's shares outstanding.
The directors added that the two executives have n't reached a final decision to proceed with a bid and that until an offer is made the board will continue seeking higher offers from other bidders.
The directors said if Messrs.
Drabinsky and Gottlieb mail an offer to shareholders by <t1>Nov. 22</t1>, it will reimburse them a maximum of C$8.5 million for expenses related to a bid.
"We consider that his bid is an acceptable bid," said Sandra Kolber, spokeswoman for the independent directors' committee appointed last May to solicit and review bids for the company in the wake of a dispute between Mr. Drabinsky and Cineplex's major shareholder, MCA Inc.
MCA and Cineplex's other major shareholder, Montreal-based financier Charles Bronfman and his associates, have agreed to tender their holdings to an offer by Mr. Drabinsky unless a higher offer is made by another bidder.
MCA holds half of Cineplex's equity and 33% of its voting rights through restricted voting shares, while Bronfman interests hold about 24% of the company's equity.
Ms. Kolber said the committee had received other bids.
She declined to identify other bidders but said Mr. Drabinsky's offer "is all cash, and it's for all of the company."
Several Cineplex analysts have speculated that outside bids received by the committee were either disappointingly low or for only part of the company.
"All this has really established is that MCA and the Bronfmans have agreed on a price at which they can be bought out," said Jeffery Logsdon, an analyst with Crowell, Weedon in Los Angeles.
"If a bid materializes at that price, shareholders will have every reason to be glad, but the question of financing still remains."
<t2>Last April</t2>, Mr. Drabinsky and a group of financial backers planned to acquire up to 30.2% of Cineplex for C$17.50 a share from Bronfman associates.
Mr. Drabinsky, who would have had the right to vote those shares for two years, said the purchase, subsequently rejected by regulators, was aimed at consolidating his control of the company.
MCA strongly opposed the Drabinsky group's move.
The directors did n't indicate the source of financing for Mr. Drabinsky's new proposal, but said MCA and the Bronfman associates agreed in principle to buy for $57 million and then lease back to Cineplex its 18-screen theater complex in Universal City, Calif., if Mr. Drabinsky succeeds in an offer.
"This is being done at the suggestion of {Mr.
Drabinsky} and to accommodate him, to facilitate his financing arrangements," Ms. Kolber said.
In addition, the directors said if a bid by Mr. Drabinsky is successful, Cineplex expects Rank Organisation PLC to acquire the 51% of Cineplex's Film House unit it doesn't own, and provide Mr. Drabinsky with additional loan financing.
Michael Gifford, Rank's chief executive, said the British theater chain's total involvement "would n't exceed $100 million" but declined to give a breakdown between the loan financing and the proposed Film House purchase.
Cineplex shareholders responded coolly to yesterday's announcement.
In trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Cineplex closed at $11, down 25 cents, with more than a million shares changing hands.
On the Toronto Stock Exchange, Cineplex closed at C$12.875, off 37.5 Canadian cents, well below the C$16.40 level.
"Where's the bid?" asked Pierre Panet-Raymond, an analyst and broker with Toronto securities dealer McDermid St. Lawrence Ltd. Mr. Panet-Raymond said he does n't think Messrs.
Drabinsky and Gottlieb are "anywhere close" to arranging financing and that investors will need a solid offer before the stock begins to rise again.
Mr. Drabinsky could n't be reached for comment.
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WASHINGTON, Dec 30 , 2006, 2006
ATTENTION - ADDS details ///
The body of former President Gerald Ford will be flown to the US capital Saturday as part of a nationwide programme of memorials, which got underway with a simple family ceremony in California.
Ford, a Republican president from August 1974 to January 1977 who led the United States out of the turbulent Watergate era after Richard Nixon stepped down in disgrace in 1974, died late Tuesday aged 93.
The body will lie in state at the US Capitol until early next Tuesday when a memorial service will take place at the National Cathedral here.
On Wednesday, Ford's remains are finally <e1>laid</e1> to <e2>rest</e2> at the Gerald Ford Museum in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Flags on federal buildings have been flying at half mast since Ford's death was announced, and President George W. Bush has declared January 2 as a national day of mourning.
Hundreds of Washington-based police officers have been mobilized for the New Year's weekend as part of a plan to bolster security at key locations throughout the city.
Friday's prayer service in Palm Desert, California, was held for family and friends of the 38th US president at St Margaret's Episcopal Church, which Ford and his wife Betty had attended for decades.
In accordance with Ford's wishes and in keeping with his down-to-earth, self-effacing image, there was little of the pomp and circumstance which have been the hallmark of other presidential funerals.
A motorcade carrying Ford's remains was greeted by an honour guard at around 12:30 pm (2030 GMT) Friday with members of the military carrying his casket -- draped with the Stars and Stripes -- into the church.
A military band played "Hail to the Chief" as the casket arrived at the church, awaited by former first lady Betty Ford, 88, and her children at the top of the church steps as it was carried into the building.
"We receive the body of our brother, Gerald, for burial," said the church's rector, Reverend Robert Certain.
Betty Ford, escorted by an army general, stood silently as the casket was laid before a wooden altar and three wreaths of white flowers before joining other family members at the President's Pew.
The funeral arrangements are taking place under blanket security, with an estimated 500 military and Secret Service officials descending on Palm Desert to oversee Friday's leg of the ceremonies.
Thousands of members of the public queued for the chance to pay their respects to Ford as his casket lay in repose in Palm Desert on Friday.
On Wall Street, the major stock exchanges said they would close next Tuesday as a mark of respect for Ford, who is best remembered for pardoning Nixon, a decision for which he was vilified.
Some historians have since said that the move was a brave political act by Ford, necessary to help Americans draw a line under the trauma of Watergate.
"My NYSE Group colleagues and I join all Americans in mourning the loss of president Ford, a man of great integrity and vision, and a dedicated public servant," NYSE Group chief executive John Thain said in a statement.
"He assumed a troubled presidency in a critical time, and thoughtfully and skillfully restored credibility and confidence in the presidency.
"President Ford also made significant contributions to the stability and vitality of the US economy and financial markets. It is appropriate that we honor president Ford and celebrate the life of a truly great American."
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WASHINGTON, Dec 30 , 2006, 2006
ATTENTION - ADDS details ///
The body of former President Gerald Ford will be flown to the US capital Saturday as part of a nationwide programme of memorials, which got underway with a simple family ceremony in California.
Ford, a Republican president from August 1974 to January 1977 who led the United States out of the turbulent Watergate era after Richard Nixon stepped down in disgrace in 1974, died late Tuesday aged 93.
The body will lie in state at the US Capitol until early next Tuesday when a memorial service will take place at the National Cathedral here.
On <t1>Wednesday</t1>, Ford's remains are finally <e1>laid</e1> to rest at the Gerald Ford Museum in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Flags on federal buildings have been flying at half mast since Ford's death was announced, and President George W. Bush has declared January 2 as a national day of mourning.
Hundreds of Washington-based police officers have been mobilized for the New Year's weekend as part of a plan to bolster security at key locations throughout the city.
Friday's prayer service in Palm Desert, California, was held for family and friends of the 38th US president at St Margaret's Episcopal Church, which Ford and his wife Betty had attended for decades.
In accordance with Ford's wishes and in keeping with his down-to-earth, self-effacing image, there was little of the pomp and circumstance which have been the hallmark of other presidential funerals.
A motorcade carrying Ford's remains was greeted by an honour guard at around 12:30 pm (2030 GMT) Friday with members of the military carrying his casket -- draped with the Stars and Stripes -- into the church.
A military band played "Hail to the Chief" as the casket arrived at the church, awaited by former first lady Betty Ford, 88, and her children at the top of the church steps as it was carried into the building.
"We receive the body of our brother, Gerald, for burial," said the church's rector, Reverend Robert Certain.
Betty Ford, escorted by an army general, stood silently as the casket was laid before a wooden altar and three wreaths of white flowers before joining other family members at the President's Pew.
The funeral arrangements are taking place under blanket security, with an estimated 500 military and Secret Service officials descending on Palm Desert to oversee Friday's leg of the ceremonies.
Thousands of members of the public queued for the chance to pay their respects to Ford as his casket lay in repose in Palm Desert on Friday.
On Wall Street, the major stock exchanges said they would close next Tuesday as a mark of respect for Ford, who is best remembered for pardoning Nixon, a decision for which he was vilified.
Some historians have since said that the move was a brave political act by Ford, necessary to help Americans draw a line under the trauma of Watergate.
"My NYSE Group colleagues and I join all Americans in mourning the loss of president Ford, a man of great integrity and vision, and a dedicated public servant," NYSE Group chief executive John Thain said in a statement.
"He assumed a troubled presidency in a critical time, and thoughtfully and skillfully restored credibility and confidence in the presidency.
"President Ford also made significant contributions to the stability and vitality of the US economy and financial markets. It is appropriate that we honor president Ford and celebrate the life of a truly great American."
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HANOI, Nov. 13 , 2006 (Xinhua)
Update: APEC senior official's meeting concludes in Hanoi
Senior officials from 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) wrapped up their two-day meeting here Monday afternoon, paving way for the coming ministerial meeting and economic leaders' meeting slated for later this week.
The meeting covered a wide range of issues including economics, trade, investment, human security, counter-terrorism, disaster and pandemic management, cultural cooperation, tourism, anti- corruption and APEC reform, Le Cong Phung, Vietnam's deputy foreign minister and chair of the Concluding Senior Officials Meeting (CSOM), told a press conference after the meeting.
He said the officials reached consensus on all important reports to be submitted to ministers and leaders of the economies when they meet on Nov. 15-16 and Nov. 18-19 respectively.
The senior officials endorsed the annual report by the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment that includes a second-phase trade facilitation action plan in which member economies agree to a 5 percent reduction in business transaction costs between 2006- 2010, said a press release issued after the meeting.
Negotiations are still going on among member economies on nine model measures for developing regional trade agreements and free trade areas (RTAs/FTAs), said the release. A number of these measures are expected to receive consensus soon and will then be submitted to ministers for endorsement.
The officials also endorsed a Technology Choice Principles Pathfinder for submission to the ministers. Annual reports by the Economic Committee and Budget and Management Committee were also approved.
According to the release, the meeting unanimously agreed to propose that ministers and leaders endorse the Outcomes Report of APEC Pandemic Response Simulation Exercise conducted on June 7-8 this year.
The senior officials also approved SOM Chair's Summary Report on improvements in the individual action plans in <t1>2006</t1> and another report on the results of economic and technical <e1>cooperation</e1> this year.
Prior to the current concluding meeting, the senior officials held three meetings on the implementation of the programs worked out at the APEC leaders' meeting in Busan, South Korea, in November 2005, and preparations for the current APEC meetings.
APEC currently has 21 members: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, China's Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam. The chairmanship rotates among its members, with Vietnam holding the chair this year.
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SHANGHAI, Nov. 15 , 2005 (Xinhua)
win over Ljubicic (updated 2)
World number one Roger Federer kept in low status Tuesday as the two-time defending champion of the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup was pulled into tiebreaker of decider before avoiding a defeat at just the second match in Shanghai.
It took two hours and 17 minutes of the 24-year-old Swiss to defeat the in-form Croatian Ivan Ljubicic 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (4), with a forehanded shot out of Ljubicic's reach for the tiebreaker win.
After Sunday's stumble win from Federer against Argentina's David Nalbandian, the last man having qualified for the elite eight-man field, nothing wrong from the tennis super star could be more shocking, even another rare fightback and a tiebreaker.
With all the embarrassments of backhand errors, weak returns and slow paces, Federer just repeated his sluggish form shown in Nalbandian's match, being broken twice in the second set after taking the first using an advantage of serving first.
Forced the decider, the superlative, who has compiled another outstanding season with an ATP-best 11 titles including two Grand Slam and a record four ATP Masters Series crown, should have shorten his work of Ljubicic in the ninth game before his two match points in hand were denied by the Croatian with some placement shots.
Ljubicic, who enjoyed his best season by winning two ATP titles in eight finals and broke into top ten for first time, then continually <e1>moved</e1> Federer to play close to the net and transferred errors from the Swiss to his own benefit before holding on to <e2>force</e2> tiebreaker.
With the victory, Federer saved his near-perfect record at the Tennis Masters Cup, increased his winning streak to 33, and extended his season-best match record to 79-3.
The Shanghai match was the first in six weeks for Federer, who has already clinched the world No. 1 year-end ranking for the second year in succession. He last competed in Bangkok, winning his 11th title of the season on October 2.
Ljubicic, the 26-year-old sensation of the late-season, had earned in place in Shanghai thanks to his autumn efforts, including the indoor title win over the past month in Metz and Vienna as well as the final encounters in both the Masters Series Madrid and Paris two week ago.
The Croatian struck 10 aces and managed 36 winner, but else committed 5 double faults and 41 unforced errors in his defeat to Federer.
"It was very close match. I reel really upset because I felt I deserved this one," said Ljubicic at a post-match news conference.
"Today I felt like for the first time I was the better player on the court (against Federer), and that's why it feels frustrating because some shots just went out that they were not supposed to."
Before taking over control of the match, Ljubicic seemed to have problems moving during the first set.
"I had problems with him because he was playing just unbelievable," he said. "I think he played really high-class tennis in the first set, but I was also expecting his pace is going to drop because he dropped against Nalbandian, and I know he's not in top form physically.
"So I was just waiting my chances, and they came, and I took them."
"But I mean, Federer is not struggling. I just think that he's not top fit. He's not sharp as he usually is...I just tried to play my best tennis. It was almost enough. Unfortunately, it wasn't," added the Croatian.
The usually flawless Federer declined to agree with the negative comments on his performance, said: "I felt like this is exactly the match I expected."
"I expected a close match. I thought maybe he was even slightly the favorite because of what I've been going through the last few weeks. Obviously, I'm very pleased with the result because a win is a win no matter if it's two or three sets."
Federer called physiotherapist coming on court to treat on his sore ankle at the beginning of the third set, which raised worries that he might retire. And the Swiss denied that he remained on court trying to imitate the other five players who left.
"I did it for my well-being because I felt like my leg was starting to tighten up. Already I had that feeling against Nalbandian a little bit because maybe I'm compensating because of my injury."
He said "No" whenever asked whether to quit because of the injury, and also he emphasized that "it means very much to me (that I can play). It's also should show a message how much and how important this tournament means to tennis. For me, this is equaling like a Grand Slam."
The Swiss is building upon an imposing 14-1 record at the Masters Cup, with his only loss came to Lleyton Hewitt in the Shanghai 2002 semifinals.
Federer overcame the effects of the ankle ligament injury scare which threatened to keep him off the court at the Qi Zhong tennis center, and after American veteran Andre Agassi and second seed Rafael Nadal pulled out due to injuries on Monday, the Swiss has been left the only top-five player in the elite field.
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BEIJING, Nov. 16 , 2006 (Xinhua)
India: FM
"China insists on seeking a just and rational solution to the China-India border issue," <e1>said</e1> Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu on Thursday.
"China maintains its stance that both sides should seek a rational solution through friendly consultation," Jiang said at a press briefing.
The two countries appointed special envoys in 2003 to draw up a resolution to the dispute. Since then, frequent diplomatic efforts on the border issue have been carried out, which led to an agreement on the "guiding principles" on how resolve the <e2>dispute</e2> signed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2005.
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BAGHDAD, Dec 20 , 2006, 2006
ATTENTION - UPDATES with second attack ///
A suicide attacker ploughed a car bomb into a police checkpoint protecting Baghdad University on Wednesday, killing at least 11 people and wounding 30 more, medical officials said.
Shortly afterwards another car bomb killed four people and wounded seven when it exploded outside a government passport office in the Kasr neighbourhood in the north of the city, according to a security official.
Medics at the war-torn Iraqi capital's Yarmuk and Ibn Nafis hospitals said most of the casualties in the campus attack were students, while a security official said three national police officers were killed and seven wounded.
"People were hopping over and <e1>treading</e1> on bodies as they scattered to get away," <e2>said</e2> a young man who fled the scene.
The explosion took place on a major road leading through the Karrada area, a once prosperous part of Baghdad which was known as one of the most mixed areas of the city but is now increasingly dominated by Shiites.
Baghdad's universities have come increasingly under attack from Sunni extremist groups, and last week an Internet statement purportedly from the Ansar al-Sunna militant organisation explicitly threatened students.
Both attacks came as Baghdad remained trapped in a vicious cycle of sectarian killings led by warring Sunni insurgent groups and Shiite militias.
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MACAO, Nov. 3 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Japan outshines China on Day Three of athletics in EAG
Japan bounced back to outshine its arch rival China Thursday on Day three of the athletics competition at the East Asian Games, pocketing 10 out of 13 gold medals at stake.
China, which bagged 18 gold medals over the last two days against Japan's four, picked up the three other, in the men's javelin, men's long jump and women's 1,500m.
In a demonstration of its depth in sprinters, Japan swept both 4x100m relay events.
China had to replace Jin Ke with triple jumper Gu Junjie in the men's relay team after Jin injured his leg in Tuesday's 100m final.
The makeshift Chinese team finished a disappointed third in 39. 90 seconds, just 0.01 second behind runners-up Chinese Taipei. Japan crossed the line in 39.61.
"The four of us never ran a relay together," said Hu Kai, who was crowned the EAG fastest man Tuesday.
"We tried our best, so we don't really regret for it," added the 23-year-old student in China's prestigious Tsinghua University.
In the women's relay, Japan <e1>came</e1> from behind to win in 44.88 seconds, while China surrendered its lead in the third leg before crossing the line in 45.37.
"I feel great pains in my right leg, so I couldn't run fast," said Ni Xiaoli, who ran China's third leg.
"But I tried my best," she added.
Early in <t1>the morning</t1>, Doi Hiroaki started the flurry of Japanese gold in the men's hammer throw, winning with a toss of 70. 35 meters. South Korea's Lee Yoon-chul was second with 66.40m. Hou Fei grabbed the bronze for Macao with a distant 37.14m throw.
Toshinari Fumimoto then narrowly beat South Korean Huh Jang-kyu in the men's half marathon, clocking 1 hour 08 minutes 14 seconds. Huh was just three seconds behind.
Another South Korean Eom Hyo-seok finished third in 1:08.38.
Yoshiko Ichikawa won the women's half marathon in a time of 1: 16:31, ahead of South Korean Lim Kyung-hee in 1:16:33 and DPR Korean Jong Yong-ok in 1:18:48.
Yoshitaka Iwamizu led a 1-2 Japanese finish in the three-man 3, 000m steeplechase, winning in 8:40.16. Teammate Yasunori Uchitomi came second in 8:45.47 and Wu Wen-chien of Chinese Taipei was third in 8:50.41.
Japanese Takuro Mori won the weirdest pole vault in the world as he cleared 5.00 meters with the other two competitors scoring no mark, which means no medal for them.
Mori, whose personal best is 5.30 meters, flew over the 5-meter bar in his first attempt and failed three times at 5.20.
Zhang Hongwei of China and Satoru Yasuda of Japan, who both have a better record than Mori, skipped the 5m mark and faced up to 5.20.
Both failed, and thus no medal.
Asami Tanno grabbed another gold for Japan by winning the women ' s 400m final in 52.69.
China's Tang Xiaoyin and Xie Qing finished second and third respectively.
Japan also won the men's 400m and 1,500m, which Chinese competitors didn't enter.
Three-time Asian champion Hi Rongxiang underscored his No. one status in men's javelin as the 33-year-old Chinese veteran threw 79.75 meters to win the title. His fellow countryman Chen Qi took silver in 76.96m, and South Korea's Chu Ki-young had bronze in 75. 59.
In the men's long jump, China's Song Jian won gold with a leap of 7.77m, a result that was not enough to earn a bronze medal at last month's Chinese National Games.
Japan's Kenji Fujikawa came second in 7.73, with South Korean Oh Sangwon third in 7.72.
China defended its dominance in women's long-distance running events when Xie Sainan clocked 4:20.54 to win the 1,500m final.
Japan's Kaori Kumasaka had silver in 4:21.77, and South Korean Bae Haejin bronze in 4:30.56.
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JERUSALEM, <t1>Nov. 12 , 2006</t1> (Xinhua)
IDF chief of staff rejects findings of inquiry on soldiers' capture
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Dan Halutz on Sunday rejected some of conclusions formulated by a commission of inquiry investigating the abduction of two IDF soldiers on the Lebanese border in July, which led to a recent war with Hezbollah.
During a meeting of the IDF General Staff, Halutz said that some of criticisms by the commission, headed by Major General Doron Almog, were baseless.
Almog lashed criticism at the policy of restraint employed by the IDF in recent years, saying that it failed to curb the growing forces of Hezbollah on Lebanon's border with Israel.
Earlier in the day, IDF Galilee Division Commander Brigadier General Gal Hirsch decided to resign from his position amid criticism of his performance prior to and during the month-long war with Hezbollah.
Hirsch hinted in his letter of resignation to Halutz that his superiors should take responsibility for failures made during the war, causing speculation that the comments may be aimed at Halutz himself.
Hirsch also said that he had acted appropriately before and during the war, and he has decided to leave the army because of the anguish caused to his family by recent events.
"I believe that placing divisional commanders at the focus of the investigation of the fighting was a grave error," Hirsch wrote in the letter.
"I believe that it would be right to conclude that concrete responsibility for the errors, the missteps, and the failures, falls not only on the forward units and their commanders -- there is responsibility that truly should be taken by senior echelons," he said.
Almog, who is expected to present his findings later in the day to Defense Minister Amir Peretz, has said recently that he insisted that Hirsch be dismissed from the IDF over his responsibility for the abduction.
In the aftermath of the <e1>war</e1>, there have been public calls for resignations of Israeli political and military leaders, including Halutz, Peretz and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
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BUCHAREST, Nov. 4 , 2006 (Xinhua)
Growing number of Israelis asking for Romanian citizenship: envoy
There is a growing number of Israeli citizens who are asking for Romanian citizenship, the national Rompres news agency reported on Saturday quoting Romania' s Ambassador to Israel Mariana Stoica as saying.
According to Stoica, the applicants are Jews originating from Romania who wish to re-acquire Romanian citizenship or second generation offspring of people born in Romania and who wish to get Romanian citizenship.
The main motivation for this growing number of applications consists in Romania becoming European Union member state starting on January 1, 2007, underlined the Romanian diplomat, adding that "This a sufficiently serious reason for them, to become citizens of an EU member country."
On the other hand, she pointed out that "there is an enhanced interest in investing in Romania and, in this case, it is a very good idea to hold Romanian citizenship".
"Third reason is that a great number of young people whose parents are of Romanian origin <e1>go</e1> to study in Romania, especially Medicine and Economics," <e2>said</e2> the ambassador.
According to the latest population figures, more than 110,000 of Israel's six million residents are from Romania, those Romanian jews arrived in Israel mostly in 1948-1951. Dual nationality is allowed now in Romania as well as in Isreal.
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TOKYO, <t1>April 3 , 1997</t1> (AFP)
Sex assault fuels new controversy over US bases in Japan by Miwa Suzuki
The Japanese cabinet on Thursday approved measures to force Okinawa landowners to renew US base leases as a new sex attack blamed on a US Navy officer threatened to cause a fresh controversy over the US military presence in Japan.
The cabinet approved a bill to revise a special law so US military forces can continue using land on the southern island of Okinawa despite the angry refusal of landowners to renew leases.
The bill was sent to parliament with debate expected to start Friday, parliament officials said. Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto hoped to enact the bill on April 18 before he leaves for the United States on April 24 for key talks, Jiji press said.
Hashimoto said he would not ask US President Bill Clinton to reduce the number of troops in Japan at their summit on April 25.
"It is not a time for discussing a reduction in US troops," he told a parliament committee.
Okinawa Governor Masahide Ota issued a statement saying the cabinet decision was "very regrettable," while a landlords' group denounced the government move as "an outrageous, fascist act."
A new controversy over the US military presence was expected after a US Navy petty officer was taken into custody by US military authorities Wednesday accused of sexually assaulting a Japanese woman.
Anti-US sentiment was heightened in Okinawa after the rape of a local schoolgirl by three US servicemen in September 1995.
The latest assault allegedly took place at a navy enlisted quarters in Yokosuka, near Tokyo. It also came just ahead of a visit to Japan by US Defense Secretary William Cohen.
Japanese police are leading the investigation. After the 1995 rape, an accord on US personnel in Japan was revised to enable Japanese authorities to question accused US military even before they are formally charged.
The law change would allow the US military to continue running 12 Okinawa facilities on land owned by some 3,000 people who have refused to renew leases which expire on May 14.
The bill stipulates the government can continue using land for the US military by providing compensation to landlords, even if it fails to gain approval for new leases.
Around 27,000 of the 47,000 US troops in Japan are in Okinawa, which accounts for only 0.6 percent of Japan's land area, but accommodates three-quarters of US military facilities in the country.
The move to revise the 1952 land expropriation law has been strongly opposed by Okinawans and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) which has generally allied itself to Hashimoto's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in parliament.
But calls to reduce the number of troops in the island have been rejected by the United States because of tensions on the Korean peninsula.
The base issue has also shaken the ruling alliance in which the LDP has teamed up with the SDP and centrist New party Sakigake against the main opposition New Frontier Party (NFP).
The SDP is under growing pressure over the bases. The Sankei Shimbun quoted a senior LDP official as saying the socialists were "too selfish" in seeking a continued alliance with the LDP while opposing the law revision.
SDP chairman Takako Doi voiced opposition to the revision bill.
"The bill is far from a minimum measure ... It would enpower the government to do whatever it wants, and I am opposed to it," Jiji quoted Doi as telling reporters.
NFP leader Ichiro Ozawa is reportedly ready to cooperate with Hashimoto.
The two failed to reach an accord on the law revision at meeting which went into the early hours of Thursday, but Hashimoto told reporters after that the two had "a common view in many points."
An NFP official said Ozawa was to meet Hashimoto again on Thursday or later.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun <e1>said</e1> Ozawa's contact with Hashimoto had made a future conservative alliance between his party and the LDP look "more realistic."
The LDP and NFP have a combined 385 votes in the 500-seat lower house.
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BEIJING, Nov. 27 , 2006 (Xinhua)
URGENT: RMB breaks 7.85 mark against U.S. dollar
The value of the Renminbi (RMB) against the U.S. dollar hit a new high on Monday, with the central parity rate at 7.8402 yuan to one dollar, breaking the 7.85 mark.
This <e1>signifies</e1> RMB value has <e2>risen</e2> by 5.31 percent after China's reform of the exchange rate system on July 21, 2005.
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BUENOS AIRES, <t1>Nov. 13 , 2005</t1> (Xinhua)
Colon ends Boca Juniors' winning run
Colon, the Santa Fe team, beat soccer giant Boca Juniors, bringing the team's seven-match winning streak to an end, Argentine media reported on <t2>Sunday</t2>.
This weekend's results changed the leader board of Argentina's Apertura 2005 tournament dramatically: Boca now finds itself sharing the lead with Gymnasio and Esgrime La Plata, following wins by those two teams. All three have 28 points.
Spanish mid-fielder Ivan Moreno y Fabianesi, a Badajoz native, scored Colon's winning goal in the 82nd minute, beating a Boca Juniors team that had been weakened by a busy schedule of league, and Copa SudAmerica commitments.
Independiete and Velez Sarsfield share second place with 26 points, with five playing days to go in the competition.
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KUWAIT CITY, Nov. 26 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Kuwait, ROK determined to improve economic relations
Visiting Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Hae-chan said on Saturday that the ROK and Kuwait are determined to improve their economic ties.
Highly praising the economic relations between the two countries, Lee was quoted by the official Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) as saying that to enhance the economic ties with the oil-rich Kuwait was high on his agenda.
Lee also said he had discussed development of economic relations with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Salem Al-Sabah and other top Kuwaiti officials during his visit.
"Ever since the Kuwait-ROK diplomatic relations were started in 1979, they have steadily improved specifically during the last two years, which witnessed a 30 percent improvement in business and trade," Lee said.
He <e1>added</e1> that two-way trade volume had <e2>reached</e2> 410 million US dollars per year, consisting mainly of the ROK's exports to Kuwait and oil exports from Kuwait to the ROK.
Talks between the two sides also focused on boosting bilateral relations as well as the latest regional and international developments, according to KUNA.
In addition, Kuwaiti Finance Minister Bader Al-Humaidhi called on the ROK investors to "discover the attractive investment opportunities in Kuwait."
He also recalled significant rise of Kuwaiti investments in the ROK, now standing at around 800 million dollars.
Earlier in the day, senior officials of Kuwait and the ROK signed an oil agreement and a final agreement on economic and technical cooperation.
Lee, who is currently on a three-day visit to Kuwait, was accompanied by a delegation representing some 40 key ROK companies.
The Korean premier is on a 12-day tour to five countries in the Gulf area, which has already brought him to the United Arab Emirates and will also bring him on to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
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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 <e1>played</e1> 25 to 30 tournaments in <t1>the past few years</t1>. 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.
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SEOUL, Nov. 14 , 2006 (Xinhua)
S.Korea, UAE to sign agreement on military cooperation
South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to sign a military agreement <t1>this week</t1> to strengthen their cooperation, the South Korean Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
South Korean Vice Defense Minister Hwang Kyu-sik, who left for the UAE on <t2>Tuesday</t2> on a four-day trip, will sign an agreement with UAE officials on Wednesday, the ministry said, adding that the agreement would help increase exchanges between the two countries' militaries as well as their defense-related industries.
Hwang was also expected to discuss ways to expand South Korea's exports of weapons to the UAE during his visit, the ministry said.
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LIMA, <t1>Dec 5 , 2006</t1>, 2006
URGENT 45 killed in Peruvian bus accident
A passenger bus drove off a cliff in a remote part of southeastern Peru on <t2>Tuesday</t2>, killing at least 45 people and injuring two others, local police said.
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= 891030
891030-0087.
New Securities Issues
10/30/89
WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
SUNW T.CM EUROP F
BOND MARKET NEWS (BON)
The following were among Friday's offerings and <e1>pricings</e1> in the U.S. and non-U.S. capital markets, with terms and syndicate manager, as compiled by Dow Jones Capital Markets Report:
@ CORPORATES
Sun Microsystems Inc. -- $125 million of 6 3/8% convertible subordinated debentures due Oct. 15, 1999, priced at 84.90 to yield 7.51%.
The debentures are convertible into common stock at $25 a share, representing a 24% conversion premium over Thursday's closing price.
Rated single-B-1 by Moody's Investors Service Inc. and single-B-plus by Standard amp Poor's Corp., the issue will be sold through underwriters led by Goldman, Sachs amp Co.
Hertz Corp. -- $100 million of senior notes due Nov. 1, 2009, priced at par to yield <e2>9%</e2>.
The issue, which is puttable back to the company in 1999, was priced at a spread of 110 basis points above the Treasury's 10-year note.
Rated single-A-3 by Moody's and triple-B by SampP, the issue will be sold through underwriters led by Merrill Lynch Capital Markets.
@ EUROBONDS
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (Canada) -- 10 billion yen of 5.7% bonds due Nov. 17, 1992, priced at 101 1/4 to yield 5.75% less full fees, via LTCB International Ltd. Fees 1 3/8.
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March 22, 2013
105 U.S. Kids Died From Flu, CDC Says
The flu season is winding down, and it has killed 105 children so far - about the average toll.
The season <e1>started</e1> about a month earlier than usual, sparking concerns it might <e2>turn</e2> into the worst in a decade. It ended up being very hard on the elderly, but was moderately severe overall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Six of the pediatric deaths were reported in the last week, and it's possible there will be more, said the CDC's Dr. Michael Jhung said Friday.
Roughly 100 children die in an average flu season. One exception was the swine flu pandemic of 2009-2010, when 348 children died.
The CDC recommends that all children ages 6 months and older be vaccinated against flu each season, though only about half get a flu shot or nasal spray.
All but four of the children who died were old enough to be vaccinated, but 90 percent of them did not get vaccinated, CDC officials said.
This year's vaccine was considered effective in children, though it didn't work very well in older people. And the dominant flu strain early in the season was one that tends to cause more severe illness.
The government only does a national flu death count for children. But it does track hospitalization rates for people 65 and older, and those statistics have been grim.
In that group, 177 out of every 100,000 were hospitalized with flu-related illness in the past several months. That's more than 2 1/2 times higher than any other recent season.
This flu season started in early December, a month earlier than usual, and peaked by the end of year. Since then, flu reports have been dropping off throughout the country.
"We appear to be getting close to the end of flu season," Jhung said.
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LISBON, April 10 , 1997 (AFP)
One dead, more missing in accident on Lisbon bridge
One worker was killed Thursday and eight others injured, seven seriously, when a 360-tonne part of a pillar fell off the Vasco da Gama bridge, Europe's largest bridge project, officials said.
Up to five people were feared lost in the waters of the Tagus river, a navy spokesman said. Rescue operations were halted Thursday afternoon but will resume at high tide.
A spokesman for the builders, Lusoponte, said a British engineer was among the injured but declined to name him. All other injured were Portuguese.
The spokesman would not confirm or deny the number of missing.
The first state television channel said two people died, three went missing and nine were hurt in the accident, the first fatal one on the construction site.
Construction on the 12-kilometer (seven-mile) bridge, Europe's longest, began three years ago. It is due to be opened in May 1998, in time for the World's Fair in Lisbon.
First television reports said a shuttle travelling on the bridge derailed after the rupture or collapse of a metal structure and plunged into the river, 30 meters (100 feet) below.
The LUSA news agency said between 14 and 16 people were at the site when the accident happened at lunch hour. Normally up to 24 people <e1>work</e1> there, the agency <e2>said</e2>.
Lusoponte suspended work on the bridge, named after the 15th-century Portuguese navigator, and sent all workers home.
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LONDON, Dec 21 , 2006, 2006
by Steve Griffiths
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba admitted he has a soft spot for the League Cup after dumping Newcastle out of the competition in the quarter-finals.
Drogba scored with a superb free-kick just 11 minutes from full-time at St James' Park on Wednesday to seal a 1-0 win that kept Chelsea's bid to win all four major trophies on course.
The Ivory Coast star, who had also hit the winner against Newcastle in the Premiership last week, knows all about League Cup glory after scoring in Chelsea's 2005 final win over Liverpool.
That victory was Drogba's first taste of success in English football and, with Chelsea through to the last four, he is determined to savour the winning feeling again.
"Everyone knows how important this competition is to me because it was my first trophy in England and I scored in the final," Drogba said.
"The team want to win every game because we want to be champions again and to win this trophy."
Drogba has been suffering from a thigh injury recently but he came on for the lacklustre Andriy Shevchenko with 17 minutes left and made an instant impact.
Nicky Butt fouled Arjen Robben and Drogba stepped up to curl the free-kick past Shay Given for his 17th goal this season.
He is in the form of his life after grabbing the decisive goal in each of Chelsea's last three matches, but he put that impressive run down to the hard work of his team-mates.
"Sometimes you have a good period like this," Drogba said. "But if I score it is because everyone is doing a good job and maybe their defence is tired. Sheva, Salomon Kalou and Arjen all did well.
"I am giving my best and I think everyone is happy with me not just because I am scoring goals but also because I am working for the team.
"It is difficult to come on as a substitute because the pace is very high in the English game.
"Frank Lampard came on and made a difference as well and so did Michael Ballack. It's very important to have a strong bench for different competitions."
Newcastle were unlucky not to take the lead in the first half when Obafemi Martins' long-range shot cannoned off the crossbar and onto the goal-line.
The assistant referee ruled the ball had not crossed the line and Drogba came on to make Glenn Roeder's side pay for failing to turn their possession into goals.
Roeder <e1>said</e1>: "We were doing more than holding them in the first half and <e2>had</e2> some good chances. I thought the boys were fantastic."
Chelsea were joined in the last four by Tottenham after Jermain Defoe's extra-time winner earned a 1-0 win against Southend at White Hart Lane.
Southend goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan produced a string of fine saves to take the tie into an additional 30 minutes.
But England striker Defoe pounced from close range as he just beat the offside trap to tap-in Mido's cross in the 115th minute.
League Two Wycombe had shocked struggling Premiership side Charlton on Tuesday as Jermaine Easter's goal clinched a 1-0 win at The Valley.
Liverpool will play Arsenal in the last quarter-final on January 9 after their match on Tuesday was postponed due to heavy fog.
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BEIJING, Dec 26 , 2006, 2006
China's economy expected to grow 9.5 percent in 2007: think tank
China's economy is expected to grow by 9.5 percent <t1>next year</t1>, realizing the government's goal of achieving "steady but fast" growth, state media reported <t2>Tuesday</t2>, citing a top government think tank.
The slowdown from this year's estimated 10.5 percent will be led by a cooling in investment and a less brisk world economy affecting China's exports, the Shanghai Securities News said, citing the State Information Center.
The report forecast the country's export to rise by 15 percent in 2007, about 10 percentage points lower than the figure this year.
The acceleration of fixed-asset investment, which has been fueled by high liquidity and companies' reinvestments of large profits, will ease slightly next year to 20 percent growth as the government keeps tightening, it said.
However, the negative impacts of the slowdown in investment and export growth could be compensated to some extent by rising domestic consumption bolstered by residents' anticipation of rising incomes, the report said.
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BANGKOK, Nov. 27 , 2006 (Xinhua)
Thai deputy PM recommends actions against Thaksin over lottery
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula Monday recommended legal actions against former prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his Cabinet members and senior officials over the two and three- digit lottery.
Pridiyathorn asked the National Counter Corruption Commission and the Assets Examination Committee to take the actions on ground that Thaksin and others had allegedly committed malfeasance and negligence.
The deputy premier said at the press conference here that the Finance Ministry's reports are based on the Council of State's ruling on November which ruled that the government's decision the two and three-digit lottery <e1>violates</e1> in <t1>2003</t1> the Government Lottery Act 1974.
Pridiyathorn said that the first group of those subject to the charges are senior officials at the Government Lottery Office.
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 , 2005
= (PICTURES) =
England lived up to their top billing and favourites tag by defeating Egypt 2-0 in the final to lift the World Team squash title here on Wednesday.
Led by world number two James Willstrop and former world number one Peter Nicol, they annihilated the Egyptians who despite having the services of reigning world champion Amr Shabana failed to pose any challenge.
England, who won the team titles in 1995 and 1997, were pre-tournament favourites and <e1>compensated</e1> for their semi-finals loss against France in the last championship held in Vienna, Austria in 2003.
"It is a fantastic win and something to <e2>cherish</e2> about. It will further help lift the sport back home," said Nicol.
England were given a flying start by Willstrop who overcame the first game loss to defeat Shabana 4-9, 9-6, 9-3, 9-1 in 57 minutes.
Nicol, a former world and British open champion brushed aside Mohammad Abbas 9-0, 9-2, 9-1 in under half-an-hour to give England an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Egypt, whose only title came in 1999, conceded without playing the third match of the tie.
Number three seeds France had the consolation of third place after seeing off a tough challenge from Canada and winning in the end 2-1.
World number one Thierry Lincou of France upstaged Jonathon Power of Canada 9-4, 9-2, 9-2 to give France a 1-0 lead, but Canadian Shahier Razik upset Renan Lavigne of France 9-7, 7-9, 9-7, 6-9, 9-3 to draw level.
World number eleven Gregory Gaultier sealed the tie for France by beating Graham Ryding of Canada 9-2, 9-4, 9-1.
Defending champions Australia, upset by Canada in the quarter-finals, finished fifth by defeating Malaysia 2-0. Malaysia finished sixth.
Hosts Pakistan, winners on six occasions, downed Wales 2-1 to finish seventh.
Wales finished eighth, South Africa ninth and Germany were 10th in the 22-nation event.
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BEIJING, Nov. 25 , 2005 (Xinhua)
Buyers of big cars to pay more tax
Buyers of big cars will fork out more taxes and those who opt for smaller models will pay less under a revised auto consumption tax likely to come into force next year.
China Daily quoted Zhang Jinhua, deputy director of the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre, as saying Thursday at the Fourth International Clean Vehicle Technology Conference and Exhibition.
The current tax structure, which has three slabs for different engine sizes, is likely to have five. Vehicles with 4 litre or higher engines would pay between 20-25 percent instead of the current 8 percent, while those with engine displacement of 1 litre or less will pay 1 percent instead of the current 3 percent.
Industry experts see it as a government <e1>move</e1> to increase fuel efficiency and <e2>reduce</e2> emissions.
"The consumption tax reform cannot have an immediate impact on the clean-vehicle market. But at least, it is an inspiration for car makers," the newspaper quoted Zhang as saying.
Zhang also pointed out that substantial support from the government is needed if emissions were to be cut significantly, because the price for hybrid vehicles will remain high without government support.
Prius, jointly manufactured by Japan-based Toyota and the China FAW Group Corporation, will be the first hybrid car available in the Chinese market.
Zhu Yanfeng, president of the joint venture, announced on Wednesday that Prius would be available from mid-December for 250,000 yuan (31,000 US dollars) a price tag substantially higher than the average.
Feng Fei, director of the industry department of the State Council Development Research Centre, also proposed early this month that tax be levied on buyers rather than on auto producers as is done now, so as to encourage sales with economy vehicles with lower emissions.
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ALATAW PASS, Xinjiang, Nov. 14 , 2005 (Xinhua)
together
As technicians of Sinopec finished their last welding work in Alataw Pass Monday, the oil pipeline linking China and Kazakhstan joined ends after 18 months unremitting efforts.
This marked a perfect accomplishment of the first period of the 1000-km oil pipeline project. The joining serves as a firm foundation for the eventual overall completion of this project soon.
The first transnational oil project between China and Kazakhstan is jointly built by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and its Kazakh counterpart.
In the first period of the project, 700 million US dollars was invested to build a 813-millimeter pipeline with an oil transfusion capacity of 20 million tons yearly.
More than 200 officials and delegates from the CNPC, the Kazakhstan National Petroleum and Natural Gas Company, the Sino-Kazakh Oil Pipeline Co. Ltd and the local government attended a joining ceremony.
Kairgeldy Kabyldin, vice president of Kazakhstan National Petroleum and Natural Gas Company, said the oil pipeline butt joint is a good example of close cooperation between the two nations.
The construction of the transnational oil pipeline signifies that the energy cooperation between China and Kazakhstan has stepped into a new phase, said Yin Juntai, deputy general-manager of China Petroleum Exploration and Development Company.
He said currently the CNPC has 53 projects in 21 countries, including three exploration projects, four oilfields and two pipeline projects in Kazakhstan. Apart from that, in August, the CNPC successfully purchased the PetroKazakhstan.
The oil pipeline project will also greatly <e1>promote</e1> the economic growth of Xinjiang, <e2>said</e2> Ma Ao, an official with the autonomous region's Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Bortala.
The Altaw Pass, where the oil pipeline joins, will become a hub of railway, road and pipeline transportation in the near future and this will also mean a great many commercial opportunities, said the official.
The Chinese and Kazakh governments signed an agreement in June, 2003, on studying the feasibility of the joint investment in a transnational oil pipeline. In May, 2004, a framework agreement was signed on overall cooperation in the fields of oil and gas.
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GUANGZHOU, <t1>Nov. 4 , 2006</t1> (Xinhua)
Slump continues for Guangdong's Christmas commodities exports
Exports of Christmas commodities made in south China's Guangdong Province are still in the slump that hit the industry in 2004, a local Customs spokesman said.
The officer of the Huangpu Customs of Guangdong said the province's Christmas commodities exports were only 550 million U.S. dollars in the first nine months, just 1.7 percent up on the same period last year.
July, August and September, the mid-season for Christmas commodities, had passed, and the province's exports were unlikely to rise in the final three months, he said.
Guangdong exported 640 million U.S. dollars of Christmas commodities in 2002, a rise of 22.3 percent year-on-year, and its exports in 2003 edged up by 25.2 percent to reach 790 million U.S. dollars.
However, in 2004, Guangdong just exported 630 million U.S. dollars of Christmas commodities, down by 20.1 percent from 2003. The figure last year was 620 million U.S. dollars, down 1.8 percent year-on-year.
Exports of Chinese-made Christmas commodities had been hindered by rising costs of raw materials and increased competition for the foreign markets, said the Customs spokesman.
As Christmas gained in popularity among Chinese, especially young people, many manufacturers have focused on the domestic market and reduced their exports.
Many Chinese Christmas commodities also failed to meet quality and safety standards in the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries, said the official.
Customs officers were <e1>advising</e1> domestic manufacturers to diversify their products and improve quality to sharpen their competitiveness on the international market.
China's total export value of Christmas commodities was about 1.07 billion U.S. dollars each year in 2004 and 2005.
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MADRID, <t1>Dec 10 , 2005</t1>
Spanish league result
Spanish league results on <t2>Saturday</t2>:
Valencia 1 (Vicente 74) Athletic Bilbao 1 (Etxeberria 57)
Real Sociedad v Villarreal - late kickoff
Sunday
Atletico Madrid v Alaves, Deportivo La Coruna v Cadiz, Getafe v Racing Santander, Osasuna v Mallorca, Real Betis v Espanyol, Real Zaragoza v Celta Vigo, Malaga v Real Madrid, Barcelona v Sevilla
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 , 2005 (Xinhua)
World's largest brain research center inaugurated
The world's largest neuroscience research center, the McGovern Institute for Brain Research (MIBR), formally opened Friday at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), reports reaching here said.
The center is founded with an aim of exploring human learning and communication through interdisciplinary research, it was reported.
"I am hopeful that the scientific research done at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research can make significant contributions to advancing human learning and communication within the next 20 years," said Patrick McGovern Jr., founder and chairman of the International Data Group.
In 2000, he and his wife, entrepreneur Lore Harp McGovern, pledged 350 million US dollars over 20 years for the creation of the new institute and its operation.
The research at the new institute will combine and extend the results of recent breakthroughs in three major, interrelated areas: systems and computational neuroscience, imaging and cognitive neuroscience, and genetic and cellular neuroscience.
The 140,000 square feet (13,006.42 square meter) institute houses the world's largest collection of magnetic systems to study the brain. One system is operational and the two others are planned.
The research center is led by Prof. Robert Desimone, former director of The National Institutes for Mental Health's Intramural Research Program, the largest mental health research center in the world. He is also a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts of Sciences.
The faculty of the institute includes two Nobel laureates and one National Medal of Science winner. As put by Desimone, it <e1>boasts</e1> "the talent and <e2>teamwork</e2> of 16 world-class scientists. This is scientific collaboration at the highest level."
Desimone said the institute has "a mandate to lead the world into a new era of systems neuroscience, the study of brain systems and behavior."
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ANKARA, Dec 1 , 2006, 2006
by Sinan Fisek
A spectacular gesture of peace to Muslims and an apparent change of heart about letting a Muslim country into the European Union turned Benedict XVI's visit to Turkey into a major event, many analysts agreed, but some took it all with a grain of salt.
Just 11 weeks after he outraged Muslims by appearing to equate Islam with violence, the pope made a stunning conciliatory gesture Thursday, assuming an attitude of Muslim prayer while facing Mecca in Istanbul's Blue Mosque.
The moment was "even more meaningful than an apology" for the remarks made in September in Ravensburg, Germany, said the mufti of Istanbul, Mustafa Cagrici, who was the pope's guide during the mosque visit.
"It is a great gesture of peace," commented Dalil Boubakeur, a moderate French Muslim leader and rector of the Paris Mosque. "One can only see in it a profound indication of the fraternal ties between Islam and christianity."
"It is an act of great symbolic and theological -- even historic -- significance," he said.
The pope's words and gestures about Muslims "turned the page on the sorry episode of Ravensburg," agreed Algerian academic and thinker Mustapha Cherif, who had a private audience with the pope on November 11.
"We have turned a fresh page in relations between Islam and Christianity," Cherif said.
But Turkish researcher and religion expert Aytunc Altindal, scoffed at reports that the pope had "prayed" at the Blue Mosque.
"Like everything in the pope's trip, it was very well orchestrated," he said. "He adopted the prayer stance that all early Christians did until the year 325, the same as the Jews, with hands crossed across the waist."
In any case, he pointed out, the pope did not cross his hands the way Muslims do, right hand clasping left wrist with fingers joined, but "with three fingers spread, in the sign of the Trinity."
Even before the controversy over his remarks on Islam, Benedict XVI had earned the sobriquet of the "anti-Turkish pope" for having said, while still Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, that allowing overwhelmingly Muslim Turkey into the EU would be "a grave error ... against the tide of history."
He <e1>made</e1> a what was widely perceived as a stunning U-turn moments after <e2>arriving</e2> in Ankara Tuesday, saying he backed the candidacy in remarks to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who reported the conversation to journalists.
Most analysts were pleased, but cautious.
"If Benedict XVI maintains his support for Turkey's EU membership after he leaves Turkey, it would be an historic turning point," commented Cengiz Aktar, an Istanbul academic and a specialist on the EU.
"Turkish diplomats have been trying for decades to get a (positive) word from the Vatican, but no avail," he said. "Considering the weight of the Pope's words on Christian-Democratic parties and public opinion in Europe, this is revolutionary."
"I noted with great satisfaction that he changed his stance on Turkey's EU membership," said Fouad Alaoui, a radical Muslim leader from France. "I hope this progress is not simply a requirement of his position, but a personal conviction as well."
"He said extremely friendly things about Turkey," Boubakeur said. "It is a country all Muslims hold dear because we remember that Turkey controlled the destiny of Islam and of Muslims during the Ottoman Empire."
The only sour note again came from Altindal.
"The Prime Minister (Erdogan) misled us" when he said the pope favors Turkey's EU membership, Altindal said.
"In fact, there was no change. He does not want to see Turkey in the first circle of the EU," the researcher said.
"There was only one reason for the pope's visit," he said, "and that was to proclaim the Ecumenic nature of the Orthodox church and take it under the wing of the Vatican. In that, he succeeded."
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ROME, Nov. 30 , 2006 (Xinhua)
Italian troops stay in Iraq for final hours
The Italian flag was scheduled to be <e1>lowered</e1> on Friday at the American military base near Nassiriya in Iraq, signaling the definitive withdrawal of the nation's peacekeeping contingent from Iraq.
The red, white and green flag was due to return to Italy on Saturday, along with Gen. Carmine De Pascale, commander of the last 60 Italian soldiers to serve in the Iraq mission, according to reports on Thursday.
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi was expected to be at Rome' s Ciampino airport, along with other top government officials, on Saturday for a ceremony marking the troops' return.
At its height, the Italian contingent numbered 3,200, most of whom were based in the southern Iraqi town of Nassiriya.
Italy, which did not take part in the United-States-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, sent a contingent afterwards to help reconstruction, perform peacekeeping duties and contribute to the training of Iraqi security forces.
During the run-up to spring elections, Prodi promised the withdrawal of Italian forces from Iraq, arguing that they should not have been sent in the first place.
The previous government of Silvio Berlusconi, which sent the troops, had also planned to withdraw soldiers by the end of the year.
Prodi said earlier this week he had informed U.S. President George W. Bush about the return of Italian troops. "He said he was sorry but that he knew we were leaving because I <e2>said</e2> so in the election campaign."
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DUBLIN, Dec 16 , 2005
by Andrew Bushe
A senior member of Sinn Fein, the Irish Republican Army's political wing and the biggest Catholic party in Northern Ireland, <e1>caused</e1> <e2>shock</e2> Friday by admitting he had been a British agent for two decades.
Denis Donaldson's admission drew an incredulous reaction from Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, and could complicate Irish and British efforts to broker the restoration of Catholic and Protestant power-sharing government in Belfast.
Donaldson, 55, a Sinn Fein member for more than 30 years, told Irish state RTE television that British intelligence had begun paying him in the 1980s after he had compromised himself during a "vulnerable time" in his life.
"I deeply regret my activities with British intelligence and RUC/PSNI (Royal Ulster Constabulary/Police Service of Northern Ireland) Special Branch," said a gaunt-looking Donaldson, reading a statement at a Dublin hotel accompanied by his solicitor.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said earlier that Donaldson, who has now been expelled from the party, had confessed to two Sinn Fein members after police told him his life was in danger.
"He was going to be outed," Adams said.
The admission by Donaldson -- a respected party member who was Sinn Fein's head of administration during the brief life of the now suspended Northern Ireland Assembly -- sent shock waves across the British province and beyond.
It came barely a week after Domaldson and two other men were acquitted of charges of spying for the IRA on the British government at Stormont, the seat of the power-sharing government in Belfast.
The charges were dropped when, due to lack of evidence, the trial was no longer seemed in the public interest.
That spying scandal, known as "Stormontgate", led to the suspension in 2002 of the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly, where power was shared between Protestants and Catholics, and the restoration of direct rule from London.
In his brief statement, Donaldson said: "I was not involved in any republican spy ring in Stormont. The so-called Stormontgate affair was a scam and a fiction, it never existed, it was created by Special Branch."
Ahern, speaking to RTE television from the European Union summit in Brussels, was nonplussed by the developments.
"Stortmongate never made much sense to me and the dropping of the charges made less," he told RTE.
"This is just a bizarre twist. If what we are being asked to believe is that the senior administrator in Stormont turns out to be an agent of the British security services that takes some twist of even my imagination," Ahern said.
In parliament earlier this week, British Prime Minister Tony Blair categorically denied that the decision not to prosecute Donaldson and the other two was politically motivated.
Adams said he would be shocked if Blair "was part of any plot to take down a power-sharing executive he had spent a considerable amount of time along with the rest of us putting in place."
However, Adams said he had been suspicious at the way Donaldson was acquitted at a special Belfast court hearing along with his son-in-law Ciaran Kearney and another Catholic public servant, William Mackessy.
"The collapse of the power-sharing government was blamed on allegations of a Sinn Fein spy ring at Stormont," said Adams in a statement.
"The fact is that this was a carefully constructed lie created by the (British police) Special Branch in order to cause maximum political impact."
Adams blamed the failure of the political institutions, where Catholics and Protestant deputies shared power from December 1999 to October 2002, on those in charge of British intelligence and policing.
"The fact is that the key person at the centre of those events was a Sinn Fein member who was a British agent," said Adams.
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VATICAN CITY, April 24 , 1997 (AFP)
Further studies may be done on Turin shroud
The findings of official studies by the Roman Catholic Church on the Turin shroud, a strip of cloth traditionally held to have wrapped the body of Christ after his crucifixion, are not definitive, the archbishop of Turin announced here Thursday.
An official commission appointed by the Vatican in 1988 carbon-dated "with a 95-percent reliability rate" the cloth to between 1260 and 1390.
During a press conference about two exhibitions on the shroud which will take place in 1998 and 2000, Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini, the Vatican's official guardian of the shroud, said fresh scientific studies could be carried out.
However, he added, such studies "are not planned for the moment."
The exhibitions will be for exclusively religious ends, the cardinal said, and do not imply the Church had taken a "position on the scientific discussions on the authenticity of this historic, unique and prestigious artifact evoking the death of Christ on the cross."
The 4.4-metre (14.5-foot) by 1.1-metre (3.3-foot) shroud was saved at the last minute on April 12 when a blaze ravaged the chapel in Turin cathedral where it is normally housed. It had been transferred to another part of the cathedral earlier while restoration work was underway in the chapel.
Three sections of one centimetre (0.4 inch) by seven centimetres (2.8 inches) each had been cut from the cloth for the carbon-testing by British, Swiss and US laboratories.
According to another Vatican study of the Shroud by specialist Giulio Ricci, the man who was held in the cloth measured 1.62 metres (five foot four inches).
It is currently being held in a secret location.
The last time the Shroud was shown, in 1978, more than three million pilgrims made the trip to Turin to view it.
A negative imprint on the cloth suggesting a face and body bearing wounds was worshipped to be that of Christ.
First reports of the Shroud go back to the seventh century in Jerusalem. It was transferred to Constantinople where it was put on show every Friday until the 12th century.
The relic <e1>disappeared</e1> during the fourth Crusades between 1202 and 1204, carried off, according to legend, by crusading knight Geoffroy de Charny, after the fall of Constantinople.
It is <e2>believed</e2> the current Shroud is not the one that disappeared from Constantinople.
Without taking a stand, the Church nevertheless holds the cloth is valuable for the feeling it produces among the faithful.
"This unique and unsettling image continues to call to all people as a gift made by God to the conscience of all those who want to reflect on the mysteries of God's love," Saldarini said.
He added that while it was "completely understandable to want to know if this shroud really held Jesus after his death, it is necessary to note that the Shroud is not in any way Jesus, but only a sign which speaks to us of what he did for us."
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NAIVASHA, Kenya, <t1>Dec 29 , 2006</t1>, 2006
Trial for renowned environmentalist's murder opens in Kenya
The murder trial of four suspects accused of <e1>killing</e1> a world-renowned British environmentalist and wildlife filmmaker in her bed in Kenya earlier this year opened in Naivasha on Friday.
David Chege, Joseph Ndung'u, Philip Mutuku and Allan Githenji face charges of murdering and attempting to rob Joan Wells Root, 69, the daughter of a colonial-era British settler, in the Kenyan Rift Valley where she was raised and lived for many years promoting environmental causes.
The guardsman on duty during the January 13 incident in Naivasha, 90 kilometers (55 miles) northwest of Nairobi, told magistrate Nicholas Njagi that none of the men on trial were among those he witnessed killing the filmmaker.
According to the guard, Abdi Aziz Diba, two men carrying a gun and a machete approached Root's home before midnight in an attempt to rob the daughter of coffee farmer and photo safari guide Edmund Thorpe of 57,500 US dollars (43,600 euros).
Root was well known for her conservation efforts and kept several species of animals, including waterbucks, dik diks and birds, on her compound where hippos were known to gather, residents said.
With her ex-husband, Alan, she made several acclaimed nature documentaries in the 1960s, 70s and 80s including "Balloon Safari", in which they used innovative aerial techniques to capture Kenya's stunning wildlife and landscape.
Naivasha has been rife with animosity between foreign investors, mainly flower farmers, and the local population over access to resources, and has been the scene of several violent attacks on European residents, although Root's murder is the first in several months.
At least three other Europeans have been slain in violent robberies in the Rift Valley since September 2004, prompting great unease and major security fears in the expatriate community.
The magistrate adjourned the trial until January 23 next year.
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BAGHDAD, Dec 5 , 2006, 2006
Iraq PM slams Annan, rejects conference idea
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has become the latest Iraqi leader to angrily reject UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's call for an international conference to resolve the crisis in Iraq.
Maliki also bitterly criticised Annan for likening the situation in Iraq to a civil war and accused him of polishing "the image of the former regime known for its crimes against humanity", in statement received by AFP on Tuesday.
On Sunday, Annan said in a BBC interview that he understood why some Iraqis might regret the fall of former dictator Saddam Hussein.
"If I were an average Iraqi obviously I would make the same comparison, that they had a dictator who was brutal but they had their streets, they could go out, their kids could go to school and come back home," Annan said.
Annan had earlier proposed that an internation conference might be a way to end the fighting in Iraq, where Maliki's government faces both an insurgency and mounting conflict between the Sunni and Shiite communities.
But Maliki rejected this idea out of hand.
"The Iraqi government, erected on a constitutional base, can not accept the idea of holding an international <e1>conference</e1> about Iraq which would reverse all the political developments that have taken place and impose international guardianship on the Iraqi people," <e2>said</e2> the statement.
Maliki's rejection of the conference came in the wake of similar rejections by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and top Shiite cleric Abdel Aziz Hakim, and left the idea dead on arrival.
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KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 , 2006, 2006
AirAsia tips record quarterly profits on strong ringgit, low oil
Budget carrier AirAsia tips record profits for the three months to December on the back of the strengthening ringgit and lower fuel prices.
"There are two major things going in favor of AirAsia: one is oil, the other is the ringgit, which has had a phenomenal appreciation," chief executive officer Tony Fernandes told Friday's The Edge daily.
"It is our best ever quarter and I <e1>want</e1> to <e2>stress</e2> that this is the first quarter that AirAsia has operated really on a level playing field."
AirAsia announced in November that its net profits fell by almost 35 percent in its first quarter to September to 5.65 million ringgit (1.5 million dollars) on lower average fares.
Fernandes said many industry analysts had failed to pick up on the fact that the ringgit had appreciated 6.0-7.0 percent and that this factor combined with lower oil costs had produced substantial savings.
Malaysia's currency is this month trading at its highest levels since the peg to the dollar was removed in 2005.
"About 70 percent of our cost is in US dollars and 6.0-7.0 percent makes a huge impact to our bottom line," Fernandes told the financial daily.
"We also never hedged our currencies because we felt the ringgit would strengthen and we are now benefiting from a stronger ringgit," he said.
Fernandes said AirAsia had hedged almost 100 percent of its fuel requirements for the rest of the financial year ending June 2007.
"We believe fuel will oscillate between 55 and 65 US dollars (a barrel) and, no matter what OPEC is doing, oil is going down," he added.
The AirAsia chief said the airline's strategy for next year would be to focus on consolidation rather than expansion, particularly on improving its services, driving down costs and increasing flight frequencies.
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TOKYO, April 10 , 1997 (AFP)
Japan's machinery orders up 9.9 percent in February
Japan's private sector machinery orders in February <e1>rose</e1> 9.9 percent from a year earlier, after <e2>growing</e2> 14.8 percent in the previous month, the Economic Planning Agency said Thursday.
Compared with the previous month, the February orders dropped 1.6 percent, the agency said.
The data, excluding shipbuilding and power generation orders which tend to fluctuate widely, are considered leading indicators of corporate capital spending.
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WELLINGTON, April 30 , 1997 (AFP)
Opening round of battle for toothfish in Antarctic by Michael Field
A strange metre (yard) long fish may have sparked a long-feared resources battle in the wild and rugged Antarctica which for decades has been dismissed as little more than a scientific playground with no global strategic significance.
Toothfish (Dissostichus) was only identified as a rich commercial catch two years ago but in the last couple of months at least 40 large fishing ships mainly from Spain and Norway have headed into the Southern Ocean to take it.
France has sent three warships to its Southern Ocean territory of Kerguelen Island to combat what diplomatic sources here say is "extreme" illegal fishing which is plundering the fish worth between 5,000 and 7,000 US dollars a tonne.
New Zealand Associate Foreign Minister Simon Upton warned Tuesday they would be taking action to protect the Ross Dependency in Antarctica from the armada and official sources said the message had gone out to fishing nations that New Zealand defence forces would be watching.
Australia has a profound problem as its polar waters are likely to be the next major target, but the area is at the maximum extreme of its fisheries protection services.
The struggle comes ahead of a 43 nation conference next month in Christchurch on setting up environmental controls in the continent and re-defining the 1961 Antarctic Treaty which covers the area south of 60 degrees South latitude.
The treaty, originally signed by 12 countries, demilitarised Antarctica, promoted scientific research and suspended the territorial claims over the region by Australia, Argentina, Chile, France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Forty three countries have now signed the treaty.
In the early 1980s Malaysia launched an assault on the treaty system and called for Antarctica to be transferred to United Nations jurisdiction.
A Victoria University's Centre for Strategic Studies paper published last month said the treaty would be always prone to challenge as it was based on a remarkable assumption -- that a small group of countries could unilaterally set in place a system of governance for such a vast continent.
The paper was written by Stuart Prior, head of the government's Antarctic Policy Unit.
"While the treaty is open to signature by any state, the treaty parties must acknowledge that the basis of the treaty regime is still not wholly accepted internationally," he wrote.
Any military protection of the region is handicapped by the vast distances involved and influenced by the role of the gateway countries, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina and South Africa.
The United States Navy has played a key role in the continent from a base in Christchurch. But Washington, for budget reasons, has said the US Navy will withdraw by 2000.
The oceans around the continent are protected by the 1980 Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) which is an annex of the treaty. But conflicting international rules, including the Law of the Sea, mean CCAMLR's role is difficult.
"The jurisdictional regime applying in Antarctic matters is complex," Prior wrote. "Enforcement relies solely upon member states."
Countries which have signed the treaty agree to higher standards than the Law of the Sea, but those who have not signed can regard polar waters as high seas and thus fish without controls.
The UN Straddling Stocks rules might apply but scientists do not know yet whether toothfish is a migratory species covered by the new convention.
Not much at all is known of the fish, first named five years ago as the "Patagonian toothfish".
It is a long fish with a large mouth and is believed to be bottom dwelling, living off cod. It lives for up to 25 years.
Upton said Tuesday that at least 40 ships re-flagged to countries including Vanuatu had in the last couple of months taken 30,000 tonnes of toothfish. Diplomatic sources here say the sudden emergence of so much fish on world markets had depressed prices in the short term and much of the catch has been stockpiled.
But the rewards are apparently so great that New Zealand will legally, under CCAMLR regulations, send a fishing expedition into the Ross Dependency next month -- the height of the polar winter.
Fishermen have occasionally pulled up toothfish and regarded them as an oddity. But recently declassified United States satellite photos have revealed Southern Ocean bathometry. To the trained eye the photos <e1>show</e1> where fish are likely to be and thus European boats, struggling in the face of the collapse of North Atlantic fishing, have <e2>gone</e2> south in a new gold rush.
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WASHINGTON, <t1>Nov. 17 , 2006</t1> (Xinhua)
U.S. House Republicans elect leadership
U.S. House Republicans elected Representative John Boehner of Ohio as the minority leader for the new Congress that convenes in early January 2007.
Boehner, who succeeded Tom DeLay of Texas as the House majority leader in February, defeated Representative Mike Pence of Indiana in a vote of 168-27. Texas Representative Joe Barton <e1>got</e1> only one vote.
Boehner, currently the majority leader, would become the top Republican in the House, after the Republican Party lost control of the House in last week's elections and would become the minority leader in the 110th Congress.
Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert currently holds the top party post in the House, but he indicated he would not seek the top post after the party's defeat in the elections.
Representative Roy Blunt of Missouri, currently the House majority whip, was competing with John Shadegg of Arizona for the No. 2 party post in House as minority whip.
Democrats elected their House leadership on Thursday. Nancy Pelosi of California was selected as the speaker-elect, the first woman to become U.S. House speaker, and Steny Hoyer of Maryland was chosen as the majority leader-elect.
Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate in the Nov. 7 legislative elections, the first time in a dozen years.
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AMMAN, <t1>April 30 , 1997</t1> (AFP)
King Hussein grants refuge to HAMAS official jailed in US by Randa Habib
Jordan's King Hussein has decided to grant refuge to Mussa Abu Marzuk, political leader of the Palestinian militant group HAMAS, after convincing Washington to free him, officials announced Wednesday.
The Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS), a fierce opponent of the Oslo accords with Israel for limited Palestinian autonomy, immediately welcomed the king's intervention.
"King Hussein <e1>wants</e1> this gesture to defuse a crisis sparked by the situation of Mr. Abu Marzuk whom Israel asked the United States to extradite," a senior Jordanian official told AFP.
The official, asking not to be named, said Jordan's decision to take in Abu Marzuk set a precedent since the Palestinian is the holder of a Yemeni passport and not Jordanian.
"The personal efforts of the king and his credibility within the US administration have been fruitful. The HAMAS official will soon be released by Washington and will be able to come to Jordan," he said.
Information Minister Samir Motaweh later told the official news agency Petra that Abu Marzuk would come to Jordan "without any commitment" on his part. The decision was part of the kingdom's efforts to help the peace process, he said.
Abu Marzuk, who has lived in the United States since 1982, was arrested on arrival in New York by immigration authorities in July 1995, and Israel demanded his extradition to face terrorism charges.
But in January he called off an appeal against extradition and asked to be handed over to the Jewish state, catching Israeli officials off guard as they feared damage to the peace process if he was returned.
Israel itself withdrew the extradition request on April 6, clearing the way for Abu Marzuk to be returned to either Jordan or Egypt, the only two Arab states to have peace treaties with Israel.
The Jordanian official said King Hussein raised the issue during a Washington visit in early April. "The king proposed this alternative to the United States and Israel ... and he was able to convince them."
Last week, a HAMAS delegation met here with Jordan's Prime Minister Abdel Salam Majali.
The HAMAS representative in Amman, Mohammad Nazzal, said Wednesday that his organisation "welcomes the Jordanian decision to take in Mr. Mussa Abu Marzuk." It was "highly appreciated by HAMAS and the entire Palestinian people."
The organisation is "in contact with all the parties to organize the arrival in Jordan" of Abu Marzuk, he told AFP, without giving a date.
Abu Marzuk has denied any link to anti-Israeli bomb attacks by HAMAS, saying he works only on the organisation's extensive fundraising and social activities.
HAMAS does not have an office here, but some of its officials have Jordanian nationality and live in the kingdom.
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