AFP_ENG_20051215.0020

KARACHI, Dec 15 , 2005

England win toss, put Pakistan into bat in third one-dayer

England captain Marcus Trescothick won his third consecutive toss and put Pakistan into bat in the third day-night limited overs international at the National stadium here on Thursday.

The series is levelled at 1-1 after England won the first match by 42 runs, while Pakistan won the second by seven wickets -- both played in Lahore.

England lost batsman Kevin Pietersen two days before the match when back and rib cage problems forced him to return home.

His place was taken by Vikram Solanki, who was super-sub in Monday's second match.

Pakistan included allrounder Shahid Afridi in place of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria from their line-up of the first two matches.

Afridi served a ban of one Test and two one-day matches over damaging the pitch during the second Test at Faisalabad.

England: Marcus Trescothick (capt), Andrew Strauss, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Vikram Solanki, Ian Blackwell, Geraint Jones, Matthew Prior, Steve Harmison, James Anderson, Liam Plunkett. Super-sub: Ian Bell

Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan. Super-sub: Yasir Arafat

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (RSA) and Tony Hill (NZL)

TV umpire: Zameer Haider (PAK)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)

Dec 15 , 2005

Thursday

two days

Monday

won

toss

put

levelled

won

won

played

lost

forced

return

taken

match

included

matches

served

matches

damaging

Test


XIN_ENG_20051117.0349

CARACAS, Nov. 17 , 2005 (Xinhua)

FIFA to hold S.America soccer seminar

FIFA, the world soccer ruling body, will hold a seminar next week to educate South America's officials of the sport about how to use funds and facilities properly, local press said on Thursday.

Harold Mayne Nichols, the official representative of FIFA's president, will run the seminar in Venezuelan tourist resort Margarita from Tuesday to Wednesday during which officials from across South America will be taught how to make the best use of the funds provided for financial aid, sports facilities and high yielding centers across the continent.

Last month, FIFA officials inspected Margarita Island's High Yield Center; a training facility for the Venezuelan team, which received a donation from FIFA's Goal Project funding.

FIFA is paying the all the expenses of the 35 attendees to Margarita Island, so it can show off the High Yield Center, because it is a good example of what can be achieved if officials use funds properly, Mayne said.

Nov. 17 , 2005

next week

Thursday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Last month

hold

educate

use

said

run

taught

make

use

inspected

received

paying

show

achieved

use

said


AFP_ENG_19970408.0377

HEBRON, West Bank, April 8 , 1997 (AFP)

Deadly violence flares after disappointing Israeli-US peace summit by Samih Chahin

Two Palestinians were killed Tuesday in clashes with Israeli settlers and soldiers in Hebron after an Israeli-US summit meeting failed to offer hope for a quick end to the Mideast peace crisis.

The violence began when two Israeli settlers killed a Palestinian with submachinegun fire in Hebron's central market after they said the man attacked them with tear gas spray, police said.

The settlers were detained by Israeli police.

Several hundred angry Palestinians responded to the killing by throwing stones and firebombs at Israeli soldiers, drawing volleys of rubber bullets that killed a second man and wounded more than 80, one critically, officials said.

Palestinian hospital officials said they had also received Palestinians with wounds from live ammunition fired by Israeli soldiers, apparently after they were targetted by dozens of firebombs during several hours of rioting.

Qassem Rashad Kamel Arafa, 24, was pronounced dead at a Hebron hospital with several of the settlers' bullets in his chest. A second man was killed by a rubber bullet which entered his brain while a third man was in critical condition on a life support system in a Jerusalem hospital, officials said.

The Israeli army reported four soldiers had been hurt by stones.

"We were just walking through the market when suddenly the settler began shooting," said one witness who asked not to be identified.

A third settler was arrested by Israeli forces after firing his gun at stonethrowers, a police spokesman said.

The army sent in reinforcements and imposed a curfew on the fifth of Hebron still under its control following the transfer of most of the flashpoint West Bank city to Palestinian rule in January, officials said.

Palestinian police tried ineffectively to prevent protestors from entering the Israeli area during the clashes, but Israeli security officials complained that not enough was done to curb the rioters.

Palestinian West Bank security chief Jibril Rajub lashed out in return at the 400 settlers who live in army-guarded enclaves amid Hebron's 120,000 Arab residents.

"This is an organized crime encouraged by the Israeli government," he told reporters following Arafa's funeral.

"What happened today shows there can be no coexistence between us and Israeli settlers, who are here against our will and against all laws. This is terrorism itself."

The violence followed talks in Washington Monday between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Bill Clinton organized as part of a US push to resolve the crisis caused by Israel's decision to begin work last month on a new Jewish settlement at Abu Ghneim in disputed east Jerusalem.

Netanyahu defiantly rebuffed demands he halt settlement activity to restore Palestinian confidence in the peace process and insisted the only way back to negotiations was through a Palestinian clampdown on the violence which erupted following construction at Abu Ghneim.

"The construction will carry on, whether it is the Har Homa suburb or in the territories" of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said.

A spokesman for Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said the Hebron killing was "an immediate result of the policies of Mr Netanyahu."

"I hope he is happy to have this blood on his hands," he said.

Arafat said Netanyahu's refusal to halt settlement expansion "means that he doesn't want peace."

The Palestinian frustrations were echosed by US officials, with State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns saying the peace process was in "a very difficult impasse, a critical point."

Palestinians spoke in despairing terms of the situation.

"We all thought the prime minister would find ways in Washington to give the people of the area the feeling that peace is prevailing, but on the contrary he kept to his ways of deception and distorting facts," Kanafani said.

"We are extemely upset by this," he said.

But Palestinian officials said they would still send a high-level delegation to Washington this week as requested by Clinton to pursue efforts to save the peace.

April 8 , 1997

Tuesday

January

last month

this week

killed

clashes

failed

offer

crisis

violence

began

killed

said

attacked

said

detained

responded

killing

throwing

killed

said

said

received

fired

targetted

pronounced

dead

killed

entered

said

reported

hurt

walking

began

shooting

said

asked

identified

arrested

firing

said

sent

imposed

transfer

said

tried

prevent

entering

clashes

complained

done

curb

lashed

return

live

encouraged

told

following

happened

shows

violence

followed

talks

organized

resolve

crisis

caused

decision

begin

work

settlement

rebuffed

halt

restore

insisted

negotiations

clampdown

violence

erupted

construction

carry

said

said

killing

result

hope

have

said

said

refusal

halt

expansion

means

want

echosed

saying

spoke

thought

find

give

prevailing

kept

said

upset

said

said

send

requested

pursue

save


XIN_ENG_20051108.0207

GAZA, Nov. 8 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Palestinians slam Israeli call to end UN mandate in Gaza

Senior Palestinian officials on Tuesday slammed an Israeli call to suspend activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip.

Hatem Abdel Qader, a Palestinian legislator, told reporters that Israel attempts to end the UNRWA's mandate to remove the issue of refugees and their right of return.

He said the international community should pay close attention to the issue of Palestinian refugees and work to alleviate their sufferings.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom called on the UNRWA to transfer its mandate to the Palestinian National Authority and end its activities in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Sami Mushasha, a spokesperson for the UNRWA in Jerusalem, said Shalom's request was a personal one and the UNRWA has rejected his request.

Nov. 8 , 2005

Tuesday

slammed

suspend

activities

told

attempts

end

remove

said

pay

work

alleviate

called

transfer

end

said

request

rejected

request


AFP_ENG_20061225.0221

CAIRO, Dec 25 , 2006, 2006

Egypt Brotherhood members accused of money laundering

Six members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt were charged on Monday with money laundering and remanded for two weeks days, a security source said.

It was the first time such a charge has been levelled against members of the Brotherhood, which is officially banned but tolerated. The six were arrested in various areas of Cairo on Sunday.

The same source also said that 107 students who were among 140 Brotherhood members arrested on December 14 after a demonstration at Al-Azhar university had their detention orders extended by 15 days.

Despite being officially banned, Muslim Brotherhood MPs form the largest opposition bloc in parliament after winning 88 of the 454 seats by running as independents in 2005 legislative elections.

Dec 25 , 2006

Monday

two weeks days

Sunday

December 14

charged

remanded

said

charge

levelled

banned

tolerated

arrested

said

arrested

demonstration

had

extended

banned

form

winning

running


XIN_ENG_20061119.0263

BEIJING, Nov. 20 , 2006 (Xinhua)

China launches long-term biodiversity protection plan

China has launched a long-term protection plan of biological diversity in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, reports Monday's China Youth Daily.

The project, jointly initiated by the State Environmental Protection Administration and Nature Conservation China, will gradually be implemented across the country.

According to the plan, experts will begin by evaluating the biological diversity of southwest China's Sichuan Province and submit their recommendations to the provincial government.

The long-term protection plan will provide comprehensive and systematic support for biological diversity protection in China and help governments at various levels to take biological diversity protection into consideration when making decisions, according to the plan.

The deterioration of the biological environment, caused by rapid economic development and population growth, has harmed China's biological diversity and threatened China's sustainable development.

The National Development and Reform Commission, State Forestry Administration, State Oceanic Administration, Wildlife Conservation Society and World Wildlife Fund are all cooperative partners in the plan.

Nov. 20 , 2006

Monday

launched

reports

initiated

implemented

According

begin

evaluating

submit

provide

help

take

decisions

according

caused

development

harmed

threatened

development


XIN_ENG_20051119.0096

MELBOURNE, Nov. 19 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Schedule of Artistic Gymnastics Worlds

Following is the competition schedule of the 2005 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships to kick off here on Tuesday:
November 22: Men's qualifications

November 23: Women's qualifications

November 24: Men's all-around final

November 25: Women's all-around final

November 26: Apparatus finals, Men's - Floor, Pommel horse, Rings

Women's - Vault, Uneven bars

November 27: Apparatus finals, Men's - Vault, Parallel bars, Horizontal bars; Women's - Balance beam, Floor

Nov. 19 , 2005

Tuesday:

November 22

November 23

November 24

November 25

November 26

November 27

kick


AFP_ENG_20051205.0111

SEOUL, Dec 5 , 2005

ATTENTION - INSERTS president's quote ///

A South Korean broadcaster has admitted using coercion to obtain information critical of cloning pioneer Hwang Woo-Suk and suspended airing a report alleging his breakthrough stem cell research was fabricated.

Seoul-based MBC issued a statement late Sunday admitting its investigative reporting team had violated journalistic ethics in reporting on Hwang for the weekly program PD Network.

The world-renowned researcher was forced to step down from his official posts and offer an apology on November 24, two days after the network broadcast allegations of ethical lapses in his research.

A second installment of the program, making more explosive claims concerning the validity of Hwang's research, was scheduled to air Tuesday.

"We have decided to suspend a plan to air a follow-up program about Hwang's research," a spokesman for MBC, South Korea's second largest TV network told AFP Monday. He said top executives were discussing when to air the program or whether to scrap it.

President Roh Moo-Hyun, who has closely followed the unfolding controversy, said the matter should now be laid to rest as he pledged continued government support for Hwang's research.

"I hope the issue of verifying the authenticity of professor Hwang's research results should be settled here," Roh told a meeting with senior advisors. "I expect it to be verified naturally by Hwang's follow-up research.

"The government will continue without fail to give support for Hwang's team to conduct its stem cell research," Roh added.

MBC became a target of national anger when it broadcast an initial report attacking Hwang, a national hero, two weeks ago.

The criticism of MBC continued after Hwang admitted the charges were true -- that some of the eggs used in his experiments had been paid for and that others had been obtained from members of his own research team.

International ethical standards frown on egg donations by researchers, especially junior staff who may be vulnerable to pressure.

MBC says it obtained information concerning the origin of the eggs from some of Hwang's own researchers.

It said that, based on interviews with them, it was going to broadcast a second report that would be far more damaging to Hwang's reputation, as it would claim he had faked landmark research findings earlier this year.

However on Sunday MBC was forced into an apology after two of Hwang's researchers told Seoul-based cable news television YTN the MBC team had misled them and used coercion to force them to give information unfavorable to Hwang.

"MBC sincerely apologize to the people," MBC said in the statement. "MBC will insist that those involved in the violations of the journalistic code of ethics take responsibility."

The two researchers deny MBC's contention that they said Hwang's research had been faked.

"I never made such a statement," one of the researchers, Kim Seon-Jeong, the source for the MBC report, said in the YTN interview.

He said he clearly told MBC that the allegations against Hwang concerning falsified research results were "not true."

Hwang's team said in its study published in May in the periodical Science that it had produced patient-specific stem cells from cloned human embryos.

To do this, a patient's somatic cell is planted into a human egg, the nucleus of which has been removed. The DNA of the stem cells produced by the experiment would genetically match the patient's cells.

However, MBC staff said they obtained samples of stem cells from Hwang's team and had them tested independently. Later MBC said the tests were not conclusive but showed there may be problems with Hwang's findings.

According to media reports, of 45 samples tested, only one was found to be readable, and it did not match the original donor cell.

MBC asked Hwang's team to conduct a new test to verify the results but the researchers dismissed MBC's findings and refused, according to media reports.

Dec 5 , 2005

late Sunday

November 24

two days

Tuesday

Monday

two weeks ago

earlier this year

Sunday

May

admitted

using

coercion

obtain

suspended

airing

alleging

fabricated

issued

admitting

violated

reporting

forced

step

offer

broadcast

lapses

research

making

research

scheduled

air

decided

suspend

plan

air

told

said

discussing

air

scrap

followed

said

laid

rest

pledged

research

hope

verifying

settled

told

meeting

expect

verified

continue

fail

give

conduct

added

became

broadcast

attacking

criticism

continued

admitted

used

paid

obtained

frown

vulnerable

says

obtained

said

interviews

broadcast

claim

faked

findings

forced

told

misled

used

force

give

apologize

said

insist

violations

take

deny

said

research

faked

made

said

interview

said

told

said

published

produced

do

planted

removed

produced

experiment

match

said

obtained

had

tested

said

showed

tested

found

readable

match

asked

conduct

verify

dismissed

refused

according


XIN_ENG_20061107.0113

JAKARTA, Nov. 7 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Indonesian shares extend gain

Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange ended higher Tuesday after the central bank announced further cut of the benchmark rate to continue making record.

The index rose by 13.3 points to close at 1,654.15 points.

Turnovers totaled 2.3 billion shares worth 2.5 trillion rupiah (274.6 million U.S. dollars).

Losers led gainers 69 to 55, with 91 other issues left unchanged.

Nov. 7 , 2006

Tuesday

ended

announced

cut

continue

rose

close

totaled

led


XIN_ENG_20051110.0134

BEIJING, Nov. 10 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Some 20,000 tons of copper to be auctioned to ease domestic supply

The State Reserves Bureau under the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is going to auction 20,000 tons of copper reserves in a bid to ease tight supply in domestic market, China Daily reported on Thursday.

The auction will be held on Nov. 16 and the sign-up date for the auction will close on Nov. 14, the paper said, quoting a notice posted on the website of the NDRC, a State Council department responsible for the macro-regulation of the national economy.

The bureau's move confirmed long-circulating speculation in the market that it would sell copper reserves to bring down the runaway copper price.

The high copper prices, spurred by the large demand, have jumped from 1,779 US dollars per ton in 2003 to 3,328 dollars per ton in the first half of this year.

Industry analysts estimate the bureau has about 200,000 tons of copper stockpiles, the exact figure is treated as a State secret in China.

The soaring copper prices, which has increased profit margin in the copper smelting industry, has led the government to fear the making of an investment bubble, prompting the NDRC to announce last month that the government will soon introduce a slew of measures to rein in the investment in the copper smelting industry.

Analysts, however, said the bureau's latest move will be effective in the short term, but not in the long-term if the demand remains robust in the domestic market.

Nov. 10 , 2005

Thursday

Nov. 16

Nov. 14

the first half of this year

last month

auction

ease

reported

held

close

said

quoting

posted

move

confirmed

sell

bring

spurred

jumped

estimate

has

treated

increased

led

fear

making

prompting

announce

introduce

rein

said

remains


XIN_ENG_20061129.0450

LUSAKA, Nov. 29 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Zambian gov't works out budget plan for next three years

The Zambian government released on Wednesday a budget plan, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework ( MTEF), for the year 2007 to 2009 to project revenues and outline expenditures for the period.

Speaking at the launch of the plan, Secretary to the Treasury Evans Chibiliti said the three-year plan would focus on consolidating the macro-economic stability achieved in the last few years.

"In this regard implementation of prudent fiscal and monetary policies will continue, particularly by limiting government borrowing," Chibiliti said.

He said government plans to strengthen tax administration and resource mobilization, adding that the three-year budget plan has also incorporated the implementation of the decentralization policy which aims at empowering local authorities to control their own resources.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister N'gandu Magande said the government projects to raise about 32 trillion kwacha (about 8 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue and grants between 2007 and 2009 while the expenditure is projected at 34.3 trillion kwacha (about 8.6 billion dollars) over the same period.

The minister said the government hopes to achieve economic growth of six percent a year and to bring down inflation to no more than five percent from the current level of eight percent.

Magande said the government will in the next three years focus on infrastructure development which includes construction of road, schools, houses and water and sanitation facilities.

The draft plan will be released for public consultation and contribution, said the minister.

Nov. 29 , 2006

Wednesday

the year 2007

the last few years

the same period

a year

the next three years

released

project

outline

Speaking

said

focus

consolidating

achieved

continue

said

said

plans

strengthen

adding

incorporated

aims

empowering

control

said

projects

raise

projected

said

hopes

achieve

growth

bring

said

focus

released

said


WSJ891031-0138
 = 891031
 891031-0138.
 International:
@  Courtaulds PLC
@  Plans to Spin Off
@  Textiles Business
@  ----
@  By Craig Forman
@  Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal
 10/31/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 COU
 DIVIDENDS (DIV)
STOCK MARKET, OFFERINGS (STK)
TEXTILES AND APPAREL (TEX)
 LONDON

   Courtaulds PLC announced plans to spin off its textiles operations to existing shareholders in a restructuring to boost shareholder value.

   The British chemical and textile company's plan, which requires shareholder approval, would create a new, listed U.K. stock with a probable market capitalization between #300 million ($473 million) and #400 million, analysts said.
The establishment of the separate company, to be called Courtaulds Textiles, could be effective as early as next year's first quarter.

   Investors welcomed the move.
Courtaulds' shares rose 15 pence to 362 pence, valuing the entire company at about #1.44 billion.

   Courtaulds' spinoff reflects pressure on British industry to boost share prices beyond the reach of corporate raiders.
Courtaulds' restructuring is among the largest thus far in Britain, though it is dwarfed by B.A.T Industries PLC's plans to spin roughly off #4 billion in assets to help fend off a takeover bid from Anglo-French financier Sir James Goldsmith.
The divested Courtaulds textile operations had operating profit of #50 million on #980 million in revenue in the year ended March 31.

   Some analysts have said Courtaulds' moves could boost the company's value by 5% to 10%, because the two entities separately will carry a higher price earnings multiple than they did combined.
In addition, Courtaulds said the moves are logical because they will allow both the chemicals and textile businesses to focus more closely on core activities.

   Courtaulds has been under pressure to enhance shareholder value since takeover speculators -- including Australian financier Kerry Packer -- surfaced holding small stakes last year.
Though Mr. Packer has since sold his stake, Courtaulds is moving to keep its institutional shareholders happy.
Even without a specific takeover threat, Courtaulds is giving shareholders "choice and value," said Julia Blake, an analyst at London stockbrokers Barclays de Zoete Wedd.

   In a statement, the company said: "Both parts can only realize their full potential and be appropriately valued by the market if they are separately quoted companies.
The sharper definition and the autonomy which each will thereby gain will benefit shareholders, customers and employees."

   Courtaulds Chairman and Chief Executive Sir Christopher Hogg will remain in both posts at the surviving chemical company after the spinoff.

next year's first quarter

the year

March 31

last year

announced

plans

spin

restructuring

boost

create

said

establishment

welcomed

move

rose

spinoff

restructuring

plans

spin

help

fend

had

profit

said

moves

boost

carry

did

combined

said

moves

allow

focus

under

enhance

surfaced

sold

moving

keep

happy

threat

giving

choice

said

remain

spinoff

as early as

in

ended

since

after


XIN_ENG_20061122.0143

LAGOS, Nov. 22 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Seven foreign oil workers confirmed hostages in southern Nigeria

Gunmen have kidnapped seven foreign workers including one Italian from an Agip oil vessel off the Nigerian coast, industry and security officials said on Wednesday.

According to a statement released by Italian oil company Eni, parent company of Agip, seven of its workers were taken hostage when 10 armed men attacked the vessel where there were 83 crew members aboard.

The nationalities of the other hostages were not immediately known, the statement added, adding that "the remaining 76 members of the crew are in good health and no damage to the ship was reported."

The vessel was about 50 km off the coast of Nigeria's southern Rivers State when attacked, Nigerian security officials said.

The kidnappings were the latest in a series of attack on oil installations in the volatile Niger Delta, where most of the country's oil is produced.

Since the beginning of the year, militant groups have constantly attacked oil facilities and taken oil workers as hostages.

Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer and the sixth largest oil exporter in the world, has a daily crude oil output of 2.6 million barrels.

Nov. 22 , 2006

Wednesday

the beginning of the year

kidnapped

said

According

released

taken

attacked

added

adding

damage

reported

attacked

said

kidnappings

attack

produced

attacked


XIN_ENG_20061127.0304

HARARE, Nov. 27 , 2006 (Xinhua)

UN agencies demand probe into situations of Victoria Falls

UN agencies have asked the World Heritage Committee (WHC) to investigate whether Victoria Falls should remain on the World Heritage list following revelations that Zambia has approved the construction of 500 chalets in the rainforest, local newspapers said on Monday.

According to regulations of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Conservation Union, the construction of the chalets would negatively impact on the natural state of the rainforest, The Herald said.

After a three-day consultative meeting with the Zambian and Zimbabwean officials, the deputy director of the World Heritage Center in Paris Kishore Rao said the joint consultative meetings were meant to improve conservation programs on both sides of the rainforest.

He said his delegation was looking at various aspects that included tourism regulations and infrastructural development within the rainforest.

He said some of the infrastructural developments were a threat to the site. "We are here to assess the state of the site in terms of the rules and regulations governing the world heritage sites. The regulations are meant to improve the state of conservation and there are specific regulations that we want to see being implemented," he added.

"Some infrastructural developments are a threat to the site and we are making assessments on the both sides of the site," he said.

Rao said the results on whether or not to de-list the site as a World Heritage Site would only be known after a WHC meeting in June next year.

Rao was, however, reluctant to comment on the variance between Livingstone and Victoria Falls in terms of meeting the requirements of WHC. "We are now leaving for Lusaka where we intend to meet government officials there as some of the decisions might be political. So it will be premature if I am to say anything concerning the delisting of the site," he said.

On Wednesday, the commission visited a refuse dumpsite at the Helipad, and on the Zambian side they visited the proposed site of the 500 chalets.

Nov. 27 , 2006

Monday

June next year

Wednesday

asked

investigate

remain

approved

construction

said

impact

said

meeting

said

meant

improve

said

looking

development

said

threat

assess

governing

meant

improve

want

see

implemented

added

making

said

said

known

meeting

comment

variance

meeting

leaving

intend

meet

decisions

political

premature

say

said

visited

visited


XIN_ENG_20051122.0333

BRASILIA, Nov. 22 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Brazil to warm up for World Cup in Switzerland

Brazil will be based at a luxury lakeside hotel in Switzerland in the run-up to next year's World Cup finals in Germany, the Brazilian Football Confederation said Tuesday.

The four-time world champions will prepare for the defence of their crown in Weggis, on the shores of Lake Lucerne, from May 22 to June 4 and will have exclusive use of the hotel, the CBF said on its official website.

The tournament starts on June 9.

The CBF did not say whether Brazil had fixed up any friendly internationals during the period.

Nov. 22 , 2005

Tuesday

May 22

June 4

June 9

the period

based

said

prepare

have

use

said

starts

say

fixed


XIN_ENG_20051117.0274

CAIRO, Nov. 17 , 2005 (Xinhua)

parliamentary polls

Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) and the Muslim Brotherhood, a powerful opposition group, have showed their political strength as the first phase of Egypt's parliamentary elections ended.

After the first round of voting held last Wednesday and Tuesday 's run-offs, the NDP won a total of 112 seats out of 164, up for grab in the first phase of the three-stage legislative polls, according to the latest results announced by elections officials Thursday.

The number included some 30 NDP renegades, who failed to appear on the party-sanctioned candidates list and ran as independents, but rejoined the party before the final results came out.

The Muslim Brotherhood took 34 seats, while other opposition parties and groups won just five seats. The remaining 13 seats went to independents.

"Results of the first phase of the parliamentary elections are quite interesting," Hassan Nafi'a, an Egyptian political analyst, said, adding "there are some surprising things but they are not too far beyond expectation."

"The NDP confirmed its grip to power and the Muslim Brotherhood showed its strength," he said, "meanwhile, the so-called secular opposition groups fared rather poorly."

Egypt's traditional opposition parties, including the newly- formed National United Front for Change and the Al Ghad party, are both losing their ground after failing to score major wins.

The NDP, the largest political party in Egypt, holds 404 seats in the outgoing 454-member People's Assembly. Its dominance in the legislative polls is widely expected given to its highly organized party machine and vast resources at its disposal.

The party has been implementing an internal restructuring plan in the past years, making itself appear to be more like a modern ruling political party.

Campaigning under the slogan "new thinking, across into the future," the NDP promises comprehensive political and economic reforms in the coming years.

The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's de facto largest opposition group, has also achieved some major gains in the first phase of the parliamentary elections.

With two other phases of elections yet to open, the group has already doubled its representation of 17 seats in the outgoing 454- member People's Assembly.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in 1928, was outlawed as Egypt' s constitution banned political parties based on religion, but the group renounced violence decades ago and has been largely tolerated by the government.

The first phase of Egypt's three-stage parliamentary election kicked off last Wednesday in 82 constituencies across eight governorates, including Cairo.

The second and third stages will be held on Nov. 20 and Dec. 1 respectively. Any run-offs, if necessary, will be held six days after each round of voting.

"The first phase of the parliamentary elections only confirms perceptions of many Egypt's politics will be increasingly polarized by the competition between the ruling party and its strong Islamist challenger," Nafi'a analyzed.

"Small fish have to fight hard for survival," he added, referring to traditional and small opposition parties.

Nov. 17 , 2005

last Wednesday

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Dec. 1 respectively

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fight

added

referring


AFP_ENG_20061202.0007

MANILA, Dec 2 , 2006, 2006

by Karl Wilson

The Philippines is naturally prone to disasters but rising poverty and climate change are making the problem steadily worse, analysts said.

Despite repeated disasters, many people are too poor to leave dangerous areas, they say.

Some 30,000 people fled the Mayon volcano when it started rumbling in August only to return when the activity subsided. But this week, typhoon-triggered mudslides swept hundreds of these people to their deaths.

Roger-Mark De Souza of the Washington-based Population Reference Bureau said the danger from natural disasters here has risen markedly in recent years.

"The risk to human life from natural disasters in the Philippines has increased dramatically over the past generation," he said in a recent report.

"From 1971 to 2000, natural disasters killed 34,000 people but from 1990 to 2000, natural disasters killed or disrupted the lives of 35 million people."

Each year an average of 20 tropical storms sweep in from the Pacific, hammering the central or northern islands of the country.

Sitting on the eadge of the "Pacific Ring of Fire," the Southeast Asian archipelago nation is also vulnerable to earthquakes, at least six a day, and volcanic erruptions from its 18 active volcanoes.

It all makes for a deadly mix making the Philippines one of the most disaster-prone countries on earth, according to the International Red Cross.

In a country where more than 50 percent of the population are living on less than two dollars a day, the human cost of such disasters is enormous.

Senator Richard Gordon, who also heads the Philippine Red Cross, said that unless the cycle of poverty is tackled "these disasters will just go on repeating themselves."

For all the stark images from the devastation wrought by typhoon Durian, the scenes were troublingly familiar.

In the eastern island of Leyte earlier this year, 1,800 were killed when a mudslide caused by heavy rains obliterated the farming community of Guinsaugon.

The International Red Cross has estimated that some 5.9 million Filipinos were killed or injured as a result of natural or man-made calamities in the 10 years to 2001.

In its 2005 Disaster report the IRC said the impact of natural disasters "aggravate pre-existing poverty, creating a downward spiral of vulnerability, arresting development."

Leoncio Amadore, one of the Philippines' foremost meteorologists, believes that climate change is also contributing to the severity of the typhoons now hitting the Philippines.

"The combination of strong typhoons, excessive rain and landslides has caused a great deal of death and destruction in the Philippines.

"If we do not act urgently, climate change will further intensify the severity of extreme weather events," he said.

Dec 2 , 2006

August

this week

recent years

to 2000,

less than two dollars a day

earlier this year

the 10 years to 2001

now

rising

change

making

said

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say

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impact

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believes

change

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typhoons

landslides

caused

deal

act

intensify

said


AFP_ENG_19970403.0524

LONDON, April 3 , 1997 (AFP)

Climber killed abseiling on Britain's highest peak

A climber who fell while abseiling on Britain's highest mountain has died from his injuries, police said Thursday.

The man was climbing with a friend on Observation Gully near the summit of 4,406-foot (1,300-meter) Ben Nevis in Scotland when he fell. The second man also suffered "serious injuries."

The pair were airlifted to hospital in Fort William where the first climber died from his injuries, a police spokesman said.

Neither climber was named by police.

April 3 , 1997

Thursday

fell

abseiling

died

said

climbing

summit

fell

suffered

airlifted

died

said

named


AFP_ENG_19970420.0013

HONG KONG, April 20 , 1997 (AFP)

Armed Chinese police take control of southern town: reports

More than 2,000 Chinese armed police and soldiers have taken over a town in southern China after a revolt there against plans to switch it to another municipality, reports here said Sunday.

The armed police surrounded the town of Wuyin, in southern Guangdong province, Saturday after townsfolk injured and threw out members of an official working group sent in to solve the long-running row over the boundary change.

The villagers, mainly ethnic Chiu Chow, are angered by the plan to switch jurisdiction of Wuying to Kaxi municipality, mainly peopled by another Chinese minority group, the Hakka, according to a report in the China-backed Wen wei Po published here.

Around 10,000 people in Wuyin turned out for a protest recently, calling on the authorities to allow them to remain within the boundaries of Luhe municipality.

The argument has been raging since 1960 when the authorities first mooted the idea of change the jurisdiction of Wuyin which has rich natural resources.

A similar confrontation happened in 1991, but no-one was injured.

The Kaxi area is poorer and the Hakka people are considered China's gypsies.

According to the Oriental Daily News on Sunday, 86 percent of people in Wuyin oppose the proposed boundary change.

April 20 , 1997

Sunday

Saturday

recently

Sunday

taken

revolt

switch

said

injured

threw

sent

solve

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switch

peopled

according

published

turned

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calling

allow

remain

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happened

injured

considered

According

oppose

change


AFP_ENG_19970430.0572

WASHINGTON, April 30 , 1997 (AFP)

White House hails Zaire talks as the road to democratic regime

The White House hailed the Zairean peace talks announced Wednesday as major progress toward ending the civil war and paving the way toward democratic rule.

"This is a very significant step forward in our goal of attempting to mediate a resolution of the conflict between the two factions," White House spokesman Michael McCurry said.

Zairean President Mobutu Sese Seko will meet with rebel leader Laurent Kabila Friday for their first face-to-face talks on board a South African ship in a deal brokered by the US mediator, UN Ambassador William Richardson.

"Our hope, of course, is that discussions can lead to some cease-fire, to a suspension of the violence that has led to the displacement of so many refugees and so many deaths of innocent civilians in Zaire," McCurry said.

Kabila's rebels have captured more than half the country since they launched their offensive over six months ago to topple Mobutu, who has ruled Zaire for 32 years.

McCurry added that the United States also hopes "these discussions will begin the transitional process that can lead to a government that will be elected in free and fair elections."

April 30 , 1997

Wednesday

Friday

six months ago

32 years

hailed

talks

announced

ending

paving

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mediate

resolution

conflict

said

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deaths

said

captured

launched

offensive

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ruled

added

hopes

discussions

begin

lead

elected


VOA19980501.1800.0355
 NEWS STORY

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says considerable gaps remain
 between Israeli and Palestinian positions before next week's talks in
 London. He and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat meet separately Monday with
 US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
 At a news conference with US Vice President Al Gore in Jerusalem, Mr.
 Netanyahu suggested Israel might be willing to move a little on issues
 holding up peace, but he said he expects an equal effort from the
 Palestinians.

 If Israel  is asked to uh stretch itself on matters that are vital to its
 security concerns, then we must see an equal effort on the other side.

 Mr. Gore called on Israel  to continue taking risks for peace.

next week

Monday

says

gaps

remain

talks

meet

conference

suggested

willing

move

holding

peace

said

expects

effort

asked

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called

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taking

risks

before

At

If


WSJ910225-0066

910225-0066.

   Breakthrough:
   U.S. Hails Invasion
   Of Kuwait and Iraq
   As `Dramatic Success'
   ---
   Troops Meet Little Resistance
   But Allied Forces Face
   Political, Military Risks
   ---
   Long Columns of Iraqi POWs
   ----
   By Gerald F. Seib
   Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

02/25/91

WALL STREET JOURNAL (J), PAGE A1

   MDEST EUROP FREST

EXECUTIVE (EXE)
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT (DEF)
STATE DEPARTMENT (STD)

   WASHINGTON -- With the ground battle to liberate Kuwait
proceeding with surprising speed and success, Bush
administration officials are optimistic the Persian Gulf war
can begin winding down in a matter of days.
   The enormous ground offensive by U.S. Marines and Army
troops, at least during its first 24 hours, met only sporadic
Iraqi resistance as it quickly penetrated deep into Kuwait
and parts of Iraq, military officials said. According to
press pool reports, U.S. Marines are already on the outskirts
of Kuwait City.

   "So far, the offensive is progressing with dramatic
success," said a buoyant Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander
of U.S. forces. Similarly, while cautioning about the
uncertainty of early battle reports, White House spokesman
Marlin Fitzwater said late yesterday that "the operation has been very successful." Amid reports that thousands of Iraqi
soldiers had surrendered, administration aides were also
upbeat in private, with one even talking of victory within a
week.
   But even continued military success carries political and
diplomatic risks for President Bush and the U.S. The allied
rejection of the last-minute Soviet-led diplomatic effort to avoid the ground war enabled Mr. Bush to seize the initiative
from an Iraq seemingly bent on dictating peace terms. But it
has offended some, especially in Arab countries, who now believe that Mr. Bush's real objectives are the demise of
Saddam Hussein and the destruction of the Iraqi military, not
just the liberation of Kuwait.
   "Why have a war?" asked Abdul Latif Shekar, a customs
officer in Egypt, a country participating in the attack on
Iraqi troops. "I think the Gorbachev plan was a good one.
Iraq was ready to withdraw." Now, he says, "it looks like the
West just wants to destroy Iraq."
   Despite the early indications of success, the allied
forces could still suffer greater casualties and become
bogged down militarily  , especially when they encounter the
tough Republican Guard, which is entrenched along the
Iraq-Kuwait border. If so, and if it appears that the
American goal actually is to destroy the Iraqi regime even at
the cost of badly hurting Iraqi society, "the lingering cost
of that could be high," worries former national security
adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski. But, he notes, "If everything
crumbles totally, that won't be such a problem."
   American officials staunchly disavow any interest in
driving through Iraq toward Baghdad, either in pursuit of
Saddam Hussein himself or to set up some American-controlled
government inside Iraq. The Americans say their battle plans
call for operating against forces inside Iraq as far north as
the city of Basra, about 30 miles north of Kuwait, but say
there is n't  any plan to drive beyond that.
   Indeed, French President Francois Mitterrand said
yesterday that some allied forces are crossing Iraqi
territory as part of a "pincer" movement to trap the soldiers
occupying Kuwait, but insisted, "The purpose isn't to invade
Iraqi territory, that's not the aim, that isn't the mandate."
   Nevertheless, American officials over the weekend became
more open in declaring that by destroying Saddam Hussein's
military machine they hope to destroy his regime -- a goal
likely to be supported by most Americans.
   In a pre-attack message, Lt. Gen. Walter Boomer, the top
Marine in the Persian Gulf, told U.S. Marines that their goal
is to " restore {Kuwait} to its citizens." He went on to add
that "in so doing you not only return a nation to its people,
but you will destroy the war machine of a ruthless dictator."
   Secretary of State James Baker said on ABC-TV's "This Week
With David Brinkley" that the series of United Nations
resolutions condemning Iraq's invasion of Kuwait "imply that
the restoration of peace and stability in the Gulf would be a
heck of a lot easier if he and that leadership were not  in
power in Iraq."
   Of course, it is still far too early to assume that the
military situation on the ground will stay as smooth for
allied forces as it appears to have been so far. Iraq still
has the potential to cause significant problems by using
forces and weapons that don't yet seem fully engaged.
   For one thing, Iraq still apparently has n't unleashed its
stockpile of chemical weapons. Gen. Schwarzkopf said that
some early reports that chemical weapons were used against
allied troops turned out to be "bogus." Iraq is believed to have the ability to deliver chemical weapons in artillery
shells or, perhaps, atop Soviet-made Frog7 missiles.
   Perhaps more important, it appears that allied troops
have n't yet fully engaged Iraq's vaunted Republican Guard,
which has been sitting just north of the Iraq-Kuwait border
and is considered the most potent element in the Iraqi
defense. It remains to be seen how much damage the allied air
campaign was able to inflict on the Guard, and whether
President Hussein will commit his most valued troops to a
fight-to-the-death finish.
   Certainly Saddam Hussein continues to implore his country
to fight on. "Fight them," he urged Iraqis in a radio
address. "All Iraqis, fight them with all the power you have,
and all struggle for everything."
   American war planners have long assumed that the early
stage of the ground attack, in which American forces would use their speed to sweep around Iraqi defenses and their
strength to punch through the relatively weak Iraqi front
line, would be the easiest part.
   Despite these early successes, the mere fact that a ground
campaign has begun almost guarantees that the Bush
administration will face fresh problems growing out of the
military situation. There are likely to be additional
American prisoners of war taken, and there are signs that
President Hussein is taking Kuwaiti hostages. U.S. and
Kuwaiti officials say there are reports that large numbers of
civilians from Kuwait City are being rounded up and held by
Iraqi troops, apparently either for use as human shields or
for use later in bargaining once the war is over.
   President Bush's political argument for going to a ground
war has been strengthened by the growing stream of reports of
wanton Iraqi destruction inside Kuwait. U.S. officials say
that hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells now may have been set afire. And Robert Gates, Mr. Bush's deputy national security
adviser, asserted in an interview on the Cable News Network
that Iraqi troops have set fire to "large sections" of Kuwait
City.
   Mr. Bush and his aides were leaning toward a military
conclusion of the crisis even before the latest reports of
Iraqi atrocities in Kuwait came to light. The president and
his top aides tentatively decided on Feb. 11 that a ground
war would be necessary. The decision was made after Defense
Secretary Dick Cheney and Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, returned from a visit with military
commanders in Saudi Arabia, administration officials say.
Then, a week or so ago, Gen. Schwarzkopf secretly picked
Saturday night as the optimal time to start the offensive.
   The date was unaffected by the last-ditch Soviet peace
initiative. The real problem with the Soviet proposals, U.S.
officials now say, was that they all would have required
lifting economic sanctions against Iraq. The Bush
administration considers the sanctions essential to keeping
Saddam Hussein under control should he survive the war.
   Mr. Bush forestalled further diplomatic maneuvering by
issuing an ultimatum on behalf of the allies demanding that
Iraq withdraw within a week, starting at noon Saturday.
Administration aides said that the idea of the ultimatum was
Gen. Powell's. He argued setting an explicit deadline for
Saddam Hussein to break would, when it was broken, give the
U.S. military a clear green light to proceed.
   In setting out his final challenge to Saddam Hussein, Mr.
Bush continued the intensive personal diplomacy he began
after the invasion llast August. After cabling world leaders
about his intention to give Saddam Hussein a final deadline
to exit Kuwait, he offered him a week to withdraw fully  , instead of the four days he originally considered, because of
objections from some European partners that four days seemed
punitive and unrealistic.
   And when he and President Gorbachev spoke about the
decision in a talk lasting nearly an hour, the President took
pains to listen to what his counterpart had to say, although
he already had decided that the Soviet alternative to the
allied deadline was unacceptable.
   Finally, when Iraq failed to respond to the U.S.
ultimatum, Mr. Bush let the ground offensive begin as
previously planned Saturday night.
   The attack was lightning quick, as allied forces punched
through tall sand berms on the border and pushed forward into
Iraq and Kuwait. U.S. Marines were said to have breached
troublesome mine fields along the Iraqi lines but Pentagon
officials said no amphibious assault on Kuwait's beaches had begun. Long columns of Iraqi prisoners of war could be seen
trudging through the desert toward the allied rear. U.S.
commanders said 5,500 Iraqi prisoners were taken in the first
hours of the ground war, though some military officials later said the total may have climbed above 8,000.
   The U.S. hopes its troops will drive Iraqi forces out of
Kuwait quickly , leaving much of Iraq's offensive military
equipment destroyed or abandoned in Kuwait. It expects that
tens of thousands of Iraqi soldiers will surrender to the
U.S. and its allies over the the next few days.
   If the allies succeed, Saddam Hussein will have plunged
his country first into a fruitless eight-year-long war
against Iran and then into a humiliating war against the U.S.
and the allies to defend his conquest of Kuwait, leaving much
of his country's military establishment and modern
infrastructure in ruins.
   Meanwhile, the U.S. hopes, economic sanctions and an
international arms embargo will remain in effect until Iraq
pays war reparations to Kuwait to cover war damages. That
would undermine any chances of rebuilding either Iraq or its
armed forces in short order as long as Saddam Hussein remains
in power. The American hope is that someone from within Iraq,
perhaps from the army's professional ranks, will step forward
and push Saddam Hussein aside so that the country can begin
recovering from the disaster.
   Outside analysts think Saddam Hussein's position is indeed
precarious. "I think frankly Saddam is finished, no matter
what happens," says Christine Helms, a Middle East scholar
who has written extensively about Iraq. "These guys simply do n't retire to condos over the Euphrates."
   Despite the lack of any obvious successors, the Iraqi
leader's internal power base appeared to be narrowing even
before the war began. Some analysts say he appeared to be relying on a smaller and smaller circle of close advisers and
relatives. If that's true, the narrowing of his support would make it easier for someone to push him aside from within.
   Yet, paradoxically, the perception that the U.S. wants to destroy Iraq may increase Saddam Hussein's support within the
Iraqi military. And the U.S. now will face sharper questions
in the Arab world since it did n't  back  the peace proposals
worked out in Moscow. "We looked to the United States, we
expected you to have the moral edge," says Nasser Tahboub, a
Jerusalem-born Jordanian who has an American wife and a
doctorate in political science from Duke University. "Now we
see that edge eroded. For me, it is a great tragedy. For the
first time in history, the U.S. has gone to war with an Arab
and Muslim nation, and we know a peaceful solution was in
reach."
   ---
   Geraldine Brooks in Amman, Jordan, and Craig Forman in
Cairo, Egypt, contributed to this article.

late yesterday

yesterday

the weekend

Feb. 11

a week or so ago

Saturday night

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within a week

noon Saturday.

last August

a week

the four days

nearly an hour

Saturday night

the next few days.

eight-year

battle

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solution

reach


XIN_ENG_20051105.0037

MACAO, Nov. 5 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Japan stuns China in men's basketball

Underdog Japan stunned Asian champion China 68-60 to reach the men's basketball final at the East Asian Games here on Saturday.

Japan, who suffered a 78-62 loss to South Korea Friday, played a completely different game, leading from the very beginning and enlarging the gap by every quarter on the way.

Japan's coach Zeljko Pavlicevic said they deserved the win as they played better than the Chinese in both defense and offense.

"We played a great game," said Zeljko. "We led from the beginning and never looked back. It wasn't a final-ball game and we won it by eight points."

"You see the scoreboard, we are good in almost every thing, points, assists, rebounds and steals, we did play a great game."

Leading the first quarter 17-14, Japan ran away 35-27 at the half break thanks to point guard Igarashi Kei, who scored eight points in a row in the second quarter.

Japan widened its advantage to close the third quarter 54-43 after China's inside dominance Yi Jianlian was benched with four fouls in hand.

China, who had the semifinals without a loss, fought hard to close the margin to five points in the fourth quarter but Japanese forward Amino Tomoo's two shots ended China's comeback dream.

Igarashi led the Japanese side with 19 points, seven assists, three steals and forward Amino added 16 points and seven rebounds.

Yi, who averaged more than 20 points in the preliminary round, scored a team high of 14 points yet only pulled down four rebounds. Guards Lu Xiaoming and Wang Shipeng each added 10 points.

In Saturday's another semifinal, Chinese Taipei nipped South Korea 61-48 thanks to a solid defense that limited its rival's shooting percentage to a poor 22 percent.

Chinese Taipei out-scored the South Korean side 14-6 in the fourth quarter to seal a final berth.

Guard Zeng Wending scored a team high of 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Chinese Taipei, while forward Tianlei added 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Guard Park Ji Hyon led South Korea with 20 points, forward Jung Hoon added 11 points.

"It's surprising that Japan upset China today, but we are glad to have Japan as the final rival," said Chinese Taipei coach Jin Hyo Joon.

Chinese Taipei, who beat Japan 89-78 in the preliminary round, will play the final on Sunday, while South Korea plays against China for the bronze.

Nov. 5 , 2005

China 68-60

Saturday

Friday

every quarter

the second quarter

the third quarter 54-43

the fourth quarter

Saturday

the fourth quarter

today

Sunday

stunned

reach

suffered

loss

played

leading

enlarging

said

deserved

win

played

offense

played

said

led

looked

won

see

good

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assists

rebounds

play

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ran

break

scored

widened

close

benched

had

loss

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close

ended

led

assists

steals

added

averaged

scored

pulled

added

nipped

limited

out-scored

seal

berth

scored

grabbed

added

led

added

upset

glad

said

beat

play

plays


XIN_ENG_20061103.0235

BEIJING, Nov. 3 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Sino-Japanese joint TV documentary to mark Sun Yat-sen anniversary

China Central Television is to broadcast a Sino-Japanese jointly produced documentary on the years of Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-sen in Japan to mark 140 years since his birth.

The fourth channel of CCTV (China Central Television) will broadcast the 50-minute documentary, entitled "Kyushu -- Following Sun Yat-sen's Path" on Saturday afternoon and night, a CCTV spokesperson said.

The documentary, shot by CCTV, the Soong Ching Ling Foundation, and tourism agency of Kyushu, Japan, over a year, will trace Sun's activities in Japan where he stayed for a total of nine years between 1895 and 1924.

Sun was active in the cities of Tokyo, Nagasaki, Kobe and Yokohama, where his experiences are thought to have shaped his ideas of revolution.

He led the historic revolution of 1911 that overthrew the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), ending China's autocratic monarchical system that had been in place for more than 2,000 years.

Sun died in Beijing on March 12, 1925. His body was temporarily kept in the then Central Park, which was renamed Zhongshan (Sun Yat-sen) Park in 1928.

Sun is a national hero in both Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. Roads and parks named "Zhongshan" are seen all over China. His trademark tunic suit, which bears his name, was once part of a national dress code for the country's leaders and people.

Nov. 3 , 2006

the years

Saturday afternoon and night

a year

nine years

more than 2,000 years

March 12, 1925

broadcast

mark

birth

channel

broadcast

Following

Path

said

shot

trace

stayed

thought

shaped

led

revolution

overthrew

ending

died

kept

renamed

seen


XIN_ENG_20051104.0292

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina, Nov. 4 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Riots continue in Argentina amid summit of Americas

Riots and violent clashes between police and demonstrators were continuing in the Argentine beach city of Mar del Plata and the capital Buenos Aires on Friday.

Dozens of people, including Mayor Daniel Katz of Mar del Plata and several policemen, were wounded in the clashes which began soon after the fourth Summit of the Americas began in the city, about 400 km south of Buenos Aires.

More than 65 people have been arrested in Mar del Plata, well-informed sources told Xinhua.

Heavily armed police fired tear gas to drive away demonstrators who gathered near the venue of the summit since Friday morning to protest against US foreign and trade policy, and the US-led war on Iraq.

Some 40,000 people joined the organized demonstrations. The angry demonstrators threw stones at police, set American national flags on fire, and attacked banks and stores nearby.

While the riots and violence in Mar del Plata were yet to be put under control, hundreds of protesters took to the street in downtown Buenos Aires.

Several stores and commercial institutions were set ablaze and seriously damaged.

Police detained a number of demonstrators to prevent the situation from swirling out of control.

No death was reported so far.

US President George W. Bush, who arrived here Thursday night, was attending the two-day summit which will be focusing on topics like free trade and fighting poverty.

The Argentine authorities have mobilized some 35,000 policeman and government troops to guard against any possible terror attack.

Nov. 4 , 2005

Friday

Friday morning

Mar

Thursday night

Riots

clashes

continuing

wounded

clashes

began

Summit

began

arrested

told

fired

tear

drive

gathered

summit

protest

war

joined

demonstrations

threw

set

attacked

violence

put

took

set

detained

prevent

swirling

death

reported

arrived

attending

summit

focusing

fighting

mobilized

guard

attack


XIN_ENG_20051123.0165

JERUSALEM, Nov. 23 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Urgent: Israeli president inks decree to dissolve parliament

Israeli President Moshe Katsav inked a decree on Wednesday to dissolve the Knesset (Parliament) and call a snap election.

Nov. 23 , 2005

Wednesday

inked

dissolve

call

election


AFP_ENG_19970421.0445

BEIJING, April 21 , 1997 (AFP)

WTO calls calls for 'urgency' in talks on Chinese accession

World Trade Organisation (WTO) chief Renato Ruggiero called here Monday for a new "sense of urgency" on the issue of China's entry to the global trade body, amid signs of real progress towards a final agreement.

During a meeting with Foreign Trade Minister Wu Yi, which was held in an "extremely positive atmosphere," Ruggiero stressed that both sides must take advantage of breakthroughs made during March talks on China's WTO accession in Geneva.

"March has been a success, but now we have to build on the momentum with a sense of urgency in order to accelerate negotiations," the WTO director general said.

The breakthroughs in the March talks were China's undertaking to grant individual overseas firms import-export rights three years after joining the WTO, and its pledge to abide by all WTO rules on intellectual property rights from the moment of its accession.

However, according to WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell, Ruggiero also stressed the need for greater flexibilty from China over issues such as market access, especially in the services and agricultural sectors.

"The director general said that movement on market access was something the other WTO members would really insist on," Rockwell said.

According to sources close to Monday's talks, Wu Yi accepted the need for greater flexibility, but insisted that the WTO members take into account China's current level of economic development.

The next round of Geneva talks will be held in May, when hot topics will include non-discrimination against foreign firms, transparency and price controls.

Despite the difficulties presented by these issues, Rockwell said the current atmosphere was overwhelmingly optimistic.

"There is now acknowledgement from all parties that an agreement can be made," he said.

It now appears clear that the WTO is willing to grant China a transition period -- but only in certain sectors -- to come into line with particular WTO requirements.

"The question now is how long a transition period and in which sectors," Rockwell said.

In a speech at Beijing University earlier Monday, Ruggiero admitted that even with the exisiting positive feeling, tough negotiations remained ahead.

"Much of the important work -- and the toughest issues -- have been left to the end," he said, while warning Beijing that WTO membership was crucial to the country's economic future.

"An outward-looking China cannot afford to stand on the sidelines while others write the rules of the game," he said.

"China's entry into the global trading system is about more than trade, it is about China's future role as a world economic leader."

China tried in vain to be a founding member of the WTO in 1995. Before that, it had been seeking admission to the WTO's predecessor, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) since 1986.

"We want China to be a WTO member, but only under the right terms and conditions," Rockwell said, adding that with 27 other nations waiting for admission, China could not be allowed to set any precedents.

"If the rules are altered to suit one entrant, other countries will obviously want the same."

Following his talks with Wu Yi, Ruggiero also met with Vice Premier Li Lanqing. He is scheduled to hold talks with Premier Li Peng on Tuesday, before leaving Beijing on Wednesday.

April 21 , 1997

Monday

March

March

now

March

three years

Monday

current

May

now

now

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

called

agreement

meeting

held

stressed

take

talks

accession

success

build

accelerate

negotiations

said

talks

undertaking

grant

joining

abide

accession

according

stressed

said

insist

said

talks

accepted

insisted

take

development

held

presented

said

agreement

made

said

appears

grant

come

said

speech

admitted

negotiations

remained

work

left

said

warning

afford

stand

write

game

said

entry

tried

seeking

want

said

adding

waiting

allowed

set

altered

suit

want

Following

talks

met

scheduled

hold

talks

leaving


AFP_ENG_20061225.0149

LISBON, Dec 25 , 2006, 2006

National squads play too many matches: Mourinho

National teams are required to play far too many matches, Chelsea's Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho said in a newspaper interview published on Monday.

"There are too many matches with minor teams and because of this when there are serious matches players are at risk of not being at the level that people expect," he told Portuguese sports daily O Jogo.

"It is too much to have groups of seven to eight teams that play 14, 15, 16 matches to qualify, which serve mostly to injure players," he added.

Mourinho, who has guided Chelsea to two successive Premiership titles after taking FC Porto to the Champions League triumph, suggested that qualifying groups should instead consist of just three or four national teams matched by their ability.

"The best would play against the best and the worst against the worst. Instead of Portugal playing against Kazakhstan and England against San Marino, let Kazakhstan and San Marino play against Andorra," he said.

Mourinho, who is under contract with Chelsea until 2010, has said he would like to coach Portugal before retiring from football.

Dec 25 , 2006

Monday

14, 15, 16

required

play

matches

said

interview

published

matches

expect

told

matches

qualify

injure

added

guided

taking

suggested

consist

matched

play

playing

let

play

said

said

like

coach

retiring


XIN_ENG_20051124.0266

BRUSSELS, Nov. 24 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Over 2 million problem drug users in EU: report

There are up to 2.1 million problem drug users in the European Union (EU) today, of whom over 1 million are likely to be drug injectors, said Europe's drugs monitoring center on Thursday.

Around 9 million Europeans, or three percent of all adults, have used cocaine at some stage in their lives. Some 2.6 million adults in the EU have used ecstasy recently, said the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drugs Addiction in its 2005 report.

Over 62 million Europeans, or over 20 percent of all adults, have ever tried cannabis and around 20 million -- six percent of all adults -- have used it in the last 12 months, said the report.

Nov. 24 , 2005

today

Thursday

the last 12 months

said

used

used

said

tried

used

said


AFP_ENG_20061219.0267

LONDON, Dec 19 , 2006, 2006

Everton seek action against Mourinho over Johnson diving 'smear'

Everton have decided to file a formal complaint to the Football Association over what they regard as a defamatory attack on striker Andy Johnson by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

The Merseyside club have already indicated that they are considering legal action over Mourinho's criticism of Johnson's alleged diving, which he made after Chelsea's 3-2 win at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Mourinho was enraged by an incident in which Johnson jumped over Chelsea goalkeeper Hilario as they both went for the ball and tumbled after landing.

"He's dangerous for the opponents because you cannot trust him," Mourinho said of Johnson.

That infuriated Everton manager David Moyes, who argued that his forward had been taking evasive action to ensure he did not clatter into the goalkeeper.

Everton had called on Mourinho to retract his remarks but the lack of a response from Stamford Bridge prompted them to make things official with spokesman Ian Ross confirming: "We will now make a formal complaint to the FA over Jose Mourinho's remarks regarding Andrew Johnson."

Everton's move means the FA will have to review Mourinho's post-match interviews and decide whether he has a disciplinary case to answer.

Dec 19 , 2006

Sunday

now

decided

file

regard

attack

indicated

considering

action

criticism

incident

jumped

went

tumbled

trust

said

infuriated

argued

taking

ensure

clatter

called

retract

prompted

make

confirming

make

remarks

move

means

review

interviews

decide

has

answer


XIN_ENG_20051119.0158

SINGAPORE, Nov. 19 , 2005 (Xinhua)

New guidelines on public toilet unveiled in Singapore

Singapore women will benefit from the new guidelines on public toilet unveiled by the National Environment Agency, Channel NewsAsia said on Saturday night.

Under the new guidelines, there will be five toilet cubicles for women in medium-sized establishments such as bars, equaling the total number of urinals and cubicles for men.

Women will have more toilet cubicles than men do in such places as convention halls and cinemas where a large number of people tend to use toilets concurrently in certain periods of time.

The new guidelines, as part of Singapore's celebration of the World Toilet Day on Saturday, are expected to change the situation of insufficient female toilets in some facilities in the city state.

In late August this year, Singapore announced the set up of the world's first Toilet College, which plans to offer courses like ecological sanitation, restroom maintenance, as well as toilet design and architecture.

Nov. 19 , 2005

Saturday night

Saturday

August this year

benefit

unveiled

said

equaling

have

do

use

expected

change

announced

set

plans

offer

courses


XIN_ENG_20051117.0202

CHANGCHUN, Nov. 17 , 2005 (Xinhua)

investigation

The chemical plant blasts which left five workers dead and one missing on Sunday in Jilin Province were caused by the incorrect operation by a worker, said investigators on Thursday.

After a five-day probe, experts agreed that the operator forgot to close the valve of the raw material providing system, leaving the temperature much higher than the normal standard.

The longtime overheating then led to a blowout and the cold air went into the T101 aniline processing tower, which was run under negative pressure and triggered the blast at about 1:45 p.m., and other blasts happened afterwards.

The blasts also left more than 60 injured, 23 of who are still in hospital but in safe condition.

Nov. 17 , 2005

Sunday

Thursday

1:45 p.m.

blasts

left

missing

caused

operation

said

agreed

forgot

close

leaving

overheating

led

blowout

went

run

triggered

blast

blasts

happened

blasts

left

injured


PRI19980213.2000.0313
 NEWS STORY

 Officials in California  are warning residents that oncoming rains  will cause dangerous and unpredictable landslides. From member station KQED, Auncil
 Martinez reports.

 Experts say the ground  is  so saturated it cannot absorb any more water. So
 that means soil will fall off in chunks and destroy anything in its path.
 In Los Angeles that lesson  was brought home today when tons of earth cascaded down a hillside, ripping two houses from their foundations. No one  was hurt, but firefighters ordered the evacuation of nearby homes and said they'll monitor the shifting ground. In the northern California town of Rio Nido,
 officials say a football field sized slab of hillside could  still break loose at
 any time and destroy an entire neighborhood. And in San Francisco, a mansion
 overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge  is slipping toward
 the sea. Forecasters say the picture  will get worse because more rains are
 on the way. For NPR news, I'm Auncil Martinez reporting.

today

any time

warning

rains

cause

landslides

reports

say

saturated

absorb

means

fall

destroy

cascaded

ripping

hurt

ordered

evacuation

said

monitor

say

break

destroy

slipping

say

get

rains

reporting

when


APW19980418.0210
 NEWS STORY
 04/18/1998 06:07:00

w1416 Cx1f wstm-
r i Cx13  Cx11  BC-Hungary-Astronaut     04-18 0248

 BC-Hungary-Astronaut

First and only Hungarian astronaut moving to the United States

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) _ Tired of  being sidelined, Hungarian
astronaut Bertalan Farkas  is leaving for the United States  to start
a new career, he said Saturday.
``Being 48 is too early  to  be retired,'' a fit-looking Farkas
said on state TV's morning talk show.
With American astronaut Jon McBride, Farkas set up an
American-Hungarian joint venture called Orion 1980, manufacturing
space-travel related technology.
Farkas  will move to the company's U.S. headquarters.
Farkas, an air force captain,  was sent into space on board the
Soyuz 36 on May 26, 1980. He spent six days aboard the Salyut 6
spacecraft with three Soviet astronauts, Valery Kubasov, Leonid
Popov and Valery Riumin.
McBride, 54, of Lewisburg, West Virginia, was part of a
seven-member crew aboard the Orbiter Challenger in October 1984 and
later served as assistant administrator for congressional relations
for NASA.
Farkas expressed the hope he  one day follow in the
footsteps of fellow astronaut John Glenn, who at 77 is about  to go
into space again.
On May 22, 1995, Farkas  was made a brigadier general, and the
following year he  was appointed military attache at the Hungarian
embassy in Washington.
However , cited by District of Columbia traffic police in
December for driving under the influence of alcohol, Farkas  was ordered home and retired.
(ab/dc)

(PROFILE
(WS SL:BC-Hungary-Astronaut; CT:i;
(REG:EURO;)
(REG:BRIT;)
(REG:SCAN;)
(REG:ENGL;)
(LANG:ENGLISH;))
)

AP-NY-04-18-98 0607EDT

04/18/1998 06:07:00

Saturday

May 26, 1980

six days

October 1984

one day

May 22, 1995

the
following year

December

leaving

start

said

said

set

called

move

sent

spent

part

served

expressed

hope

follow

go

made

appointed

cited

driving

ordered

retired

later


XIN_ENG_20051128.0170

MANILA, Nov. 28 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Philippines enjoys early lead in 23rd SEA Games (updated)

The host Philippines enjoyed early lead in the medal standings with 12 golds, eight silvers and 12 bronzes for a total of 32 medals as the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) went into its second day.

Mercedita Manipol gave the Philippine team its first gold medal of Monday, also the sixth gold since the start of the games, when she outlasted her rivals in the 10,000 meters athletics event. She finished in 35 minutes and 38 seconds, followed by her rivals from Myanmar and Vietnam. Thailand won the men's 10,000 meters event.

Local wushu bet Pedro Quina took another gold for the Philippine team by winning the Nanquan category in Wushu-Taolu event. He also beat rivals from Malaysia and Indonesia to get the coveted gold medal in the sword-wielding event.

Quina's victory came after Filipino karateka Gretchen Malalad defeated her Malaysian opponent to win a gold medal at the individual 60 kg women's kumite event.

The Philippines on Monday defeated defending champion Thailand in the snooker team event. They upped the country's gold medal tally to nine.

Vietnam's players got a sweeping victories at the track and field venue in the afternoon. Vu Thi Hung walked away with the gold medal in the women's 100 meter dash by clocking 11.61 seconds. They also won the gold and the silver in the men's high jump.

Bonban Pamang from Thailand won the gold in women's javelin throw by setting a new SEA Games record at 55.6 meters. Singapore secured the bronze medal for the event.

Suryo Agung Wibowo of Indonesia claimed the title in the men's 100 meter dash with a winning clocking of 10.57s.

Malaysia secured the victory in the men's 110 meters hurdles at a time of 14.08s.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo surprisingly arrived at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where the track-and-field competitions were held at about 5:00 p.m local time. Accompanied by mayor of Manila, she watched the final of the men's 3,000 meters steeplechase. She was photographed together with the Philippine medal winners.

According to the website of the 23rd SEA Games as of 5:00 p.m., Vietnam surpassed Malaysia with 10 golds, five silvers and 10 bronzes for a total of 25 medals. Malaysia is third in the medal tally.

Nov. 28 , 2005

second day

Monday

35 minutes and 38 seconds

Monday

the afternoon

a time of 14.08s

5:00 p.m.

enjoyed

went

gave

start

outlasted

finished

won

bet

took

winning

beat

get

victory

came

defeated

win

defeated

defending

upped

got

victories

walked

clocking

won

won

throw

setting

secured

claimed

secured

victory

arrived

held

Accompanied

watched

steeplechase

photographed

According

surpassed

tally


XIN_ENG_20061123.0036

WARSAW, Nov. 23 , 2006 (Xinhua)

All trapped miners killed in Poland's mine explosion

All 23 miners trapped in a mine explosion in southern Poland were confirmed dead, the official PAP news agency reported on Thursday.

The confirmation came after the last body of the trapped miners was recovered by rescue teams, the report said.

Nov. 23 , 2006

Thursday

trapped

explosion

confirmed

reported

came

recovered

said


XIN_ENG_20061127.0217

BEIJING, Nov. 27 , 2006 (Xinhua)

China to tighten supervision of advertising for medical products

Chinese authorities are to tighten the supervision and regulation of advertisements for medical products, and crack down on false and misleading advertising.

The campaign will be jointly managed by the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC) and the Ministry of Health (MOH).

An official with the SAIC said Monday that the SAIC would inspect media that release large numbers of medical treatment advertisements, and the results would be publicized.

Advertisements that have not been approved by the relevant monitoring department or that have been altered without authorization would incur prosecution for those responsible.

The supervisory departments would strengthen inspection of media that release medical advertisements, and heads of media that release the illegal advertisements would face penalties.

The regulatory departments should enhance their communication, the official said.

The MOH, along with the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, plans to organise all local healthy service departments to clean up false medical advertising, said the official.

China's medical advertising market had grown rapidly in recent years. The country's advertising business was worth 7.6 billion yuan (950 million U.S. dollars) in 2005, ranking sixth in the world.

However, some ads for fake medicines have misled consumers and harmed their interests. In the first three quarters last year, 11,000 irregular medical advertisements were reported.

Nov. 27 , 2006

Monday

recent years

the first three quarters last year

tighten

crack

managed

said

inspect

release

publicized

approved

altered

incur

prosecution

strengthen

inspection

release

release

face

enhance

said

plans

organise

clean

said

grown

ranking

misled

harmed

reported


XIN_ENG_20061108.0414

OTTAWA, Nov. 8 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Canadian Olympian attacked in Nigeria

Canadian Olympic wrestling champion Daniel Igali was attacked and robbed in his native Nigeria two weeks ago, Canadian press said in a report Wednesday.

Igali was confronted two weeks ago while watching television with his brother in his private residence in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, four days after arriving from Canada. Four armed men burst into the apartment, demanding valuables before striking Igali, the report cited Nigerian media as saying.

"I was stabbed at the back of my neck and beaten up with the butts of their guns," Igali told the "Daily Sunsport" of Lagos. "They collected everything from me -- phones, laptops and cash.''

"The Daily Champion", a Lagos-based newspaper, reported the stolen property was valued at 1.5 million naira (about 122,600 U.S.dollars).

Igali, who won gold in the 69-kilogram category at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, said he was traumatized by the robbery, and isn't sure he wants to remain in Nigeria.

"I thought I was doing a good thing, coming home and helping in community development," said Igali, who commissioned a modern sports academy in September his home town of Enewari. "I have spent so much time and resources trying to uplift the quality of life here.

"If this is how I want to be paid then I had better stay back in Canada," the Olympian was cited as saying.

Nov. 8 , 2006

two weeks ago

Wednesday

two weeks ago

September

attacked

robbed

said

confronted

watching

arriving

burst

demanding

cited

saying

stabbed

beaten

told

collected

reported

valued

won

said

traumatized

robbery

wants

remain

thought

doing

coming

helping

said

commissioned

spent

trying

uplift

want

paid

stay

cited

saying


XIN_ENG_20051107.0284

OTTAWA, Nov. 7 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Canada's NDP withdraws support for government

Canada's small New Democratic Party (NDP) said on Monday it will withdraw its support for the minority Liberal government in future no-confidence vote, raising the chances of a Christmas election.

NDP Leader Jack Layton said his party will not support the Liberal government in any new non-confidence vote as he rejected a Liberal proposal to protect public health.

"What the government is proposing is unacceptable. There's no basis for our party to express confidence in this government," said Layton in Toronto in a televised speech.

"We cannot express confidence in a government that is under the leadership of a party that cannot be trusted to clean up the politics that it tainted," he said.

The time to let Canadians judge the Liberals is approaching " sooner, not later," said Layton, who, however, did not give any further indication of a time frame.

According to local media reports, since the Parliament is in recess this week, a non-confidence vote is possible as early as the week of Nov. 14, although some speculate a vote might not happen until Dec. 8, when an estimates vote is to be held.

If the government is defeated at the earliest possible time, a vote could be scheduled for Dec. 27. If the government fell on Dec. 8, a vote would likely take place in mid-January, the reports said Sunday.

Layton had said his decision whether to support the Liberals in a future confidence vote rested on the Liberal response to an NDP call for increased protections for public health care.

Last week, Federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh provided Layton with a proposal on promoting public health care, which was criticized by Layton as "disappointing" Friday. Layton said on that day he would consider the proposal carefully over the weekend.

The Health Minister reacted to Layton's Monday speech by saying that "I'm actually disappointed that Jack Layton is playing politics with some very important issues in health care."

"Mr. Layton has made general comments, but not once has he said what specific change he'd like to see to this package that will strengthen public health care," the minister said.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, who spoke moments after Layton's speech, said he believes the NDP leader still has not made up his mind and is still negotiating with the Liberals.

"It's the same soap opera. We will continue to assume that Mr. Layton is still bargaining with the Liberal government," said Harper.

The Tory leader said his party will not introduce a confidence motion before Christmas because he does not believe Layton will follow through with a three-party opposition attack.

As for the Bloc Quebecois, leader Gilles Duceppe said Monday that the Liberals can not count on his party to keep them in power.

He said it was up to the NDP and the Conservatives to take action and that the Bloc would go along with whatever they decided.

The leftist New Democrats have been the only group keeping the minority Liberal government in power. Layton propped up the Liberals in a budget vote in May after reaching a deal worth 4.6 billion Canadian dollars (3.7 billion US dollars) in extra spending.

Last week, Justice John Gomery's report laid blame for the flawed running of the sponsorship program with the government of former prime minister Jean Chretien.

While the report cleared Martin of blame in the mismanagement of the 332-million-Canadian-dollar (256 million US dollars) program, all three opposition leaders blasted the Liberal party as riddled with corruption.

Martin has promised to call an election within 30 days after the final sponsorship report is delivered on Feb. 1.

Nov. 7 , 2005

Monday

Christmas

this week

the week of Nov. 14

Dec. 8

Dec. 27

Dec. 8

Sunday

Last week

Friday

that day

the weekend

Monday

Christmas

Monday

May

Last week

30 days

Feb. 1

said

withdraw

raising

election

said

support

vote

rejected

proposal

protect

proposing

unacceptable

express

said

speech

express

trusted

clean

tainted

said

let

judge

approaching

said

give

According

speculate

happen

held

defeated

scheduled

fell

take

said

said

decision

support

vote

rested

call

protections

provided

proposal

promoting

criticized

said

consider

proposal

reacted

speech

saying

disappointed

playing

made

comments

has

said

like

see

strengthen

said

spoke

speech

said

believes

made

negotiating

continue

assume

said

said

introduce

believe

follow

attack

said

count

keep

said

take

action

go

decided

propped

vote

reaching

deal

laid

cleared

mismanagement

blasted

promised

call

election

delivered


AFP_ENG_19970402.0016

RANGOON, April 2 , 1997 (AFP)

Authorities maintain security in run-up to Burmese new years

Burma's military authorities maintained extra security in the capital Wednesday ahead of Burmese new year festivities, when huge crowds will hit the streets just after widespread communal unrest.

Government offices are building makeshift platforms, known as "pandals," by streets to stage entertainment and to throw water at passers-by during the new year festival from April 13 to April 17.

But some key ministries have begun to dismantle platforms outside their offices that had already been assembled, indicating concern about crowd control during the normally rowdy public festival, witnesses said.

Tanks were stationed near the mayor's office, one of the three main pandals where senior officials and diplomats are welcomed to mingle, be blessed with water and view the performers and floats in various contests.

Unrest broke out in the central city of Mandalay last month, when Buddhist monks attacked Moslem properties that left a dozen mosques destroyed.

Some 150 monks have been disrobed, and 10 members of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) have been detained in connection with the attacks, a Mandalay resident told AFP.

Among those detained was Htin Gyaw, one of the NLD candidates elected in 1990 to a parliament never convened by the junta because the opposition party would have held over 80 percent of the seats.

Analysts say the military government has been targeting prominent NLD members recently in a wave of arrests under various charges.

Only sporadic incidents have been reported in Rangoon recently, but more than 100 monks were picked up for questioning last month after a flurry of stonings and vandalism aimed at mosques and Moslem houses.

First degree security alerts were said to have been imposed in Rangoon, Mandalay, Sittwe and two other cities.

Committees of senior monks, Islamic elders and government authorities have been formed to head off further troubles, officials said.

But tensions remained among the country's 400,000 monks, as grievances against the authorities, believed to have been behind the attacks have yet to be resolved, analysts said.

April 2 , 1997

Wednesday

April 13

April 17

last month

recently

last month

maintained

hit

building

stage

throw

begun

dismantle

assembled

indicating

said

stationed

welcomed

mingle

blessed

view

floats

broke

attacked

left

destroyed

disrobed

detained

attacks

told

elected

convened

held

say

targeting

arrests

incidents

reported

picked

questioning

flurry

aimed

said

imposed

formed

head

said

remained

believed

attacks

resolved

said


XIN_ENG_20051125.0186

MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 25 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Factbox of women's all-around world champion Chellsie Memmel

Following is the factbox of American Chellsie Memmel, who won women's all-around at the 38th gyamnastics world championships here on Friday:

Chellsie Memmel, the United States

Place of birth: West Allis, WI, the United States

Date of birth: Junuary 23, 1988

Height: 154 cm

Weight: 50 kg

Club: M Gymnastics in the United States

Coach: Andrew Memmel, her father, and Laurie Glazer

Idol: her parents

A steady performer, she helped the American team win its first world team title in 2003 and was a co-champion on uneven bars that year.

She missed the 2004 National Championships and Olympic trials due to a broken foot. She still made the Olympic travelling squad as an alternate but did not compete at the event.

She was named the 2003 TOPS Co-Athlete of the Year with Carly Patterson.

She is the oldest of three daughters to Andrew, a collegiate all-American gymnast at Wisconsin, and Jeanelle, an all-American at Centenary. Her parents own the M Gymnastics club, where her younger sister Mara is also a competitive gymnast. Another sister, Skyler is also a gymnast.

Her ambitions is to coach gymnastics in the future.

Nov. 25 , 2005

Friday

that year

the future

won

helped

win

missed

made

compete

named

own

coach

gymnastics


AFP_ENG_20051204.0479

AMSTERDAM, Dec 5 , 2005

=(PICTURE)=

Fourteen men accused of belonging to a radical Muslim terrorist group, including the convicted killer of filmmaker Theo van Gogh, go on trial Monday at Amsterdam's high security court.

The murder of outspoken Islam critic Van Gogh and the subsequent arrests of the alleged members of the terror ring dubbed the Hofstad group have heightened fears that the country is a target for Islamic terrorists.

However, prosecutors have already suffered setbacks, being forced to drop charges the group was specifically planning to kill several Dutch politicians, and losing a similar case against another accused terrorist.

Prosecutor Koos Plooy has admitted that they have insufficient evidence to proceed with charges the group was planning specific attacks, but said they were definitely heading that way.

The prosecution alleges that 27-year-old Mohammed Bouyeri, convicted to life in prison for murdering Van Gogh, was a leading member of the Hofstad group.

Despite the fact that he already has the maximum sentence given in the Netherlands, the prosecution also wants Bouyeri to appear in the Hofstad group trial because if his alleged key role.

Prosecutors say that the majority of the group's meetings were held in Bouyeri's Amsterdam home and that he spread radical Islamic texts among its members.

Some of the others charged have been linked to a radical Islamist jailed in Spain for the May 2003 bombings in Casablanca, Morocco that left 45 people dead.

The group was dubbed the Hofstad (court city) group as some of its members were active in The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government and the royal house.

Besides the accusations of membership in a terrorist organisation, the prosecution has filed additional charges against two of the group's members for throwing a grenade at the police team coming to arrest them in The Hague in November 2004.

A weapons charge has been pressed against one member who was arrested in Amsterdam last June with a loaded gun.

According to NOS Dutch public television there was some concrete evidence that this suspect, Nourredine El Fatmi, was planning an attack. Quoting from prosecution documents they obtained the NOS said Fatmi apparently told a fellow inmate that he was looking for two Dutch politicians known for their criticism of Islam in the days before his arrest.

The judges of the court in The Hague handling the trial will exceptionally sit in Amsterdam's high security court, nicknamed the bunker, during the trial set to last at least two months.

The first two days of the case will be taken up with the prosecution's opening statement and the questioning of (expert) witnesses relevant to all cases.

The trial is set to close February 10 after all the suspects have gotten a change to make a final declaration and the judges are expected to hand down a verdict on February 24.

Dec 5 , 2005

Monday

May 2003

November 2004

last June

days

two months

first two days

February 10

February 24

accused

belonging

go

murder

arrests

dubbed

heightened

suffered

forced

drop

charges

planning

kill

losing

admitted

have

proceed

planning

attacks

said

heading

alleges

convicted

murdering

has

given

wants

appear

say

meetings

held

spread

charged

linked

jailed

bombings

left

dubbed

filed

charges

throwing

arrest

charge

pressed

arrested

According

planning

attack

Quoting

obtained

said

told

looking

arrest

handling

trial

sit

nicknamed

trial

set

last

taken

questioning

trial

set

close

gotten

change

make

expected

hand

verdict


XIN_ENG_20051102.0256

CAIRO, Nov. 2 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Egypt moves against possible bird flu outbreak

Egyptian authorities have worked hard to spot any sign that the bird flu disease might strike in the Arab world's most populous country, state media reported Wednesday.

Officials from various government ministries met Wednesday to discuss a comprehensive plan for fighting against the bird flu, according to the official MENA news agency.

The ministers of agriculture, environment, civil aviation and transport have agreed to increase bird flu detection sites in Egypt to five, namely, in Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Ismailia and Gharbiya.

They also called for coordination between the various ministries and the World Health Organization and the American Naval Research Unit (NAMRU) to detect any bird flu cases in the country.

A national committee on fighting the bird flu issued a decree urging all fever hospitals across Egypt to heighten preventive measures against the disease.

"Different scenarios were prepared for with a view to handling any possible outbreak of the viral disease," Minister of Health and Population Mohammad Awad Afifi Tag Eddin was quoted by MENA as saying.

The environment ministry had banned the hunt of migratory birds and 1,500 samples of migratory birds had been examined at the NAMRU laboratories for the bird flu but results were negative, Minister of State for the Environment Magid George Ilyas was quoted as saying.

Egyptian authorities have said there was no sign of the bird flu in the country so far, but experts warn that pathways of migratory birds make an outbreak in the Middle East, including Egypt, almost "inevitable."

Nov. 2 , 2005

Wednesday

Wednesday

worked

spot

strike

reported

met

discuss

fighting

according

agreed

increase

called

detect

fighting

issued

urging

heighten

prepared

handling

outbreak

quoted

saying

banned

examined

quoted

saying

said

warn

make


ed980111.1130.0089
 NEWS STORY

 The lights are out and the heat is off and those vital signs are not likely  to change much over the next several days for p- people in parts of the northeastern US and eastern Canada.

 A powerful ice storm continues  to maintain its grip.

 Yesterday New York governor George Pataki toured five counties that  have  been declared under a state of emergency. He added one more today.

 Helicopters  are flying over northern New York today trying  to locate people stranded without food, heat or medicine.

 In Maine, about a half million people still don't have power and they 're going to have  to live without it for a while.

the next several days

Yesterday

today

today

a while

out

off

likely

change

continues

maintain

grip

toured

declared

state

added

flying

trying

locate

stranded

have

live

over

for