AFP_ENG_20051217.0110

BAGHDAD, Dec 17 , 2005

charges ///

Political leaders in Iraq and abroad focused Saturday on a government for the war-torn nation while a high-profile secular candidate charged that an electoral commission had failed in its mission.

The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq cautioned that ballots from Thursday's legislative poll were still being counted and official results would not be available before the end of the year.

Unofficial estimates, however, suggested polarized results similar to those from elections in January, and Adnan al-Dulaimi of the Iraqi National Concord Front, a list strongly supported by Sunni Arabs, said he was ready to join a coalition.

But former planning minister Mehdi al-Hafez told media in Baghdad: "The results that have been announced are incorrect and are meant to influence public opinion."

He spoke after reports of a sweeping victory for the main religious Shiite coalition, the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA), in nine southern provinces.

"There were many violations in several provinces and there is widespread concern among the electorate, who feel state bodies and the electoral commission failed in their task," Hafez said.

Hafez who ran for office alongside former prime minister Iyad Allawi, a secular Shiite, pressed for an official investigation to remove all doubts about the poll's credibility.

Dulaimi in contrast appeared to accept the commission's work, and said: "We will work towards finding a strong coalition in the national assembly that can protect the rights of Iraqis."

The current government, an alliance of Kurds and religious Shiites, took months to form and has been accused of sidelining the country's disaffected Sunni Arab minority.

Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari has said that if the UIA lost, which is unlikely, he would work with whoever won "even if they are not qualified."

Jaafari met Saturday with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the spiritual leader of Iraq's Shiites, in all likelihood to discuss the political future of the country.

The religious Shiite UIA, according to estimates from commission sources and party officials, appeared to have swept the largely Shiite south, while a Kurdish alliance had a purportedly commanding lead in the north.

An international mission said Friday that the Iraqi election has generally met international standards, and hailed the organisers for meeting a "difficult challenge."

Iraqi Shiites and Sunni Arabs staged rallies throughout Iraq on Saturday to champion their legislative candidates as the country emerged from a three-day security lockdown.

Facing anemic poll numbers at home over his Iraq policy, US President George W. Bush has trumpeted the election as a victory for the Iraqi people and US policy in Iraq and is hoping a strong government will quickly coalesce.

The new 275-member parliament is to appoint a president and two vice presidents. The presidential council will then have 15 days to name a prime minister, who has 30 days to form a cabinet with parliamentary approval.

A spokesman for Bush said he has contacted the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates and asked them to help Iraq establish a new government.

US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, and General George Casey, the commander of coalition forces in Iraq, said in a statement: "The newly elected leaders should come together quickly and build bridges for national unity."

The UN Security Council also called for "the rapid formation of a representative government" and stressed "the importance of inclusiveness, dialogue and national unity as Iraq's political development moves forward."

While few deaths occurred during the vote, ongoing instability in Iraq was underlined by a mortar attack Friday that killed four children playing football and an Iraqi soldier near the western town of Haditha.

Dulaimi told reporters Saturday that insurgents had agreed not to attack polling stations and thanked them for holding to their promise.

In an interview Friday, Bush admitted that the elections would not solve the problem of the insurgency in Iraq, and that violence would likely continue.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Central Investigating Court issued an arrest warrant for Mullah Halgurd al-Khabir, accused of masterminding the August 23 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad that killed 22 people, among other attacks.

Dec 17 , 2005

Saturday

Thursday

the end of the year

January

Saturday

Friday

Saturday

15 days

30 days

Friday

Saturday

Friday

August 23

focused

charged

failed

cautioned

counted

available

suggested

elections

supported

said

join

told

announced

meant

influence

spoke

victory

violations

failed

said

ran

pressed

remove

appeared

accept

said

work

finding

protect

took

form

accused

sidelining

said

lost

work

won

met

discuss

according

appeared

swept

said

met

hailed

meeting

staged

emerged

trumpeted

election

hoping

coalesce

appoint

have

name

has

form

approval

said

contacted

asked

help

establish

said

come

build

called

stressed

moves

occurred

vote

instability

underlined

attack

killed

playing

told

agreed

attack

thanked

holding

promise

interview

admitted

elections

solve

insurgency

continue

issued

accused

bombing

killed

attacks


XIN_ENG_20051123.0137

MANILA, Nov. 23 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Pilot killed when training plane crashes in northern Philippines

A light trainer plane crash off on Wednesday in the northern Philippines, killing the pilot and injuring his student, the military said.

Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Restituto Padilla told a press briefing that the Cessna trainer jet, with tail No. RPC-727, crashed at around 1:30 p.m. in Alabat island in Quezon for still unknown reasons.

The ill-fated aircraft is owned by Master Flying School, said Padilla.

According to Padilla, this was the third crashed Cessna planes this year in the country.

In May, an aircraft hit a coconut tree and burst into flames after taking off from a private airstrip in Tanauan town in Batangas province, killing four people.

In March, another Cessna plane crashed into the sea off Jomalig Island in Quezon while transporting fish products from Palawan to Manila.

Nov. 23 , 2005

Wednesday

around 1:30 p.m.

this year

May

March

crash

killing

injuring

said

told

briefing

crashed

owned

said

According

crashed

hit

burst

taking

killing

crashed

transporting


XIN_ENG_20061115.0327

LAGOS, Nov. 15 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Nigerian government promotes agriculture in north

The Nigerian government approved measures to promote agricultural production in the country's vast north, a senior official has said.

Nigerian Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Adamu Bello said on Tuesday that the government had approved run-off water harvesting projects for irrigation and cattle rearing in northern states of Sokoto, Jigawa and Yobe.

The projects were funded from the debt relief gains under the Millennium Development Goals, he said, adding that the run-off water harvesting structures would bring about 40 million cubic meters of flood water for irrigation and domestic use.

The minister explained that the projects would encourage the production of meat, milk and cheese as well as increase farmers' income and minimize poverty in the benefiting states.

The federal government was working toward addressing the threats of environmental degradation and other severe stress facing the country's land and water resources, he added.

Nov. 15 , 2006

Tuesday

approved

promote

said

said

approved

rearing

funded

said

adding

bring

use

explained

encourage

increase

minimize

working

addressing

facing

added


XIN_ENG_20051107.0110

BEIJING, Nov. 7 , 2005 (Xinhua)

astronauts

China's spacemen Yang Liwei, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, together with another 11 Chinese astronauts, have enrolled in China's prestigious Tsinghua University as graduate students, China Central Television reported on Monday.

Given permission by the Ministry of Education, the university's School of Aerospace has given the astronauts an offer of admission at a two-year program on astronautic engineering, according to the report.

Authorities said the university will not compromise their graduating qualifications for astronaut's standing, noting that the astronauts must pass exams and oral defense to acquire degrees.

The university will arrange an opening ceremony of the astronauts' graduate curriculum and release the specific courses of the program at the ceremony.

Nov. 7 , 2005

Monday

enrolled

reported

given

offer

according

said

compromise

noting

pass

defense

acquire

arrange

ceremony

release

ceremony


XIN_ENG_20051120.0110

GUANGZHOU, Nov. 20 , 2005 (Xinhua)

World's leading mobile network supplier to invest heavily in China

Ericsson, the world's leading mobile network supplier said Saturday it will invest 1 billion US dollars to expand its fast growing business in China in the coming five years.

Mats Holsson, president of Ericsson (China) Company Ltd. said the money will go to a variety of sectors including the supply, production, research and development departments.

"We will step up with the development of telecommunication service in China, meanwhile promote the 3G projects here to help our customers cope with the challenge." said Holsson.

Earlier this week, Carls Henric Svanberg, president and CEO of the Sweden-based Ericsson, announced at Guangdong's International Consultative Conference on the Future Economic Development of Guangdong (ICCFED) that the company will donate 10 million yuan (1.2 million US dollars) to promote the province's mobile network construction, joining hands with Guangdong Mobile.

"Guangdong is one of our key markets in Asia. We have set up here a new R company in May this year. It will contribute to the application of the 3G technology." said Svanberg.

Ericsson is a world-leading provider of telecommunications equipment and related services to mobile and fixed network operators globally. More than 40 percent of all mobile calls are made through its systems. It owns over 35 percent of the world's GSM/EDGE market share and 40 percent of the WCDMA market share.

Nov. 20 , 2005

Saturday

five years

Earlier this week

May this year

said

invest

expand

said

go

step

development

promote

help

cope

said

announced

donate

promote

joining

set

contribute

said

made

owns


AFP_ENG_20051206.0048

MUSAYYIB, Iraq, Dec 6 , 2005

Nine bodies found south of Baghdad

Police have discovered nine bodies of Iraqi civilians shot dead near Mussayab, south of the capital, police said Tuesday.

The victims had all been shot at close range and were men in their 30s, added police.

Iraq has seen a spike of violence in the run-up to legislative elections on December 15.

Dec 6 , 2005

Tuesday

December 15

discovered

shot

said

shot

added

seen

spike

elections


XIN_ENG_20051130.0204

LONDON, Nov. 30 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Newcastle's Nigerian defender Babayaro banned for three games

Newcastle United's Nigerian defender Celestine Babayaro was banned for three games on Wednesday for a brawl with Everton's Australian midfielder Tim Cahill.

Both players were charged with the same offence on Wednesday and given until 1800 GMT to respond by the Football Association. Babayaro admitted the charge shortly afterwards.

The cases were due to be heard by a disciplinary commission on Thursday.

The pair appeared to lash out after tangling in Everton's 1-0 Premier League victory at Goodison Park on Sunday. Referee Howard Webb, who had not initially seen the entire incident, did not book either player.

Nov. 30 , 2005

Wednesday

Wednesday

1800 GMT

Thursday

Sunday

banned

brawl

charged

offence

given

respond

admitted

charge

heard

appeared

lash

tangling

seen


XIN_ENG_20061115.0406

WELLINGTON, Nov. 16 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Wide-scale search for NZ missing glider

Seven more helicopters have joined the search Thursday for a powered glider with two people aboard that went missing during a competition in South New Zealand late Wednesday afternoon.

They joined four fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter which resumed searching at first light for the glider, four hours after taking off from Omarama, about 119 km northwest of Oamaru.

Rescue Co-ordination Center New Zealand (RCCNZ) said four fixed- wing aircraft are scouring the search area as widely and quickly as possible while the helicopters search at a lower and more detailed level.

Several glider pilots and trained observers are among the air search personnel.

Visibility remains good in the search area but worsening weather conditions are forecast for later in the day.

Police continue to search the numerous airstrips in the area and are asking locals to check their properties for any sign of the missing glider or the two people on board.

Ground-based search and rescue teams were ready to move if required.

Nov. 16 , 2006

Thursday

Wednesday afternoon

the day

joined

search

went

missing

joined

resumed

searching

taking

said

scouring

search

remains

forecast

continue

search

asking

check

move

required


XIN_ENG_20061123.0309

MONROVIA, Nov. 23 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Liberia hosts UN military missions' conference

The 11th inter-mission force commanders' conference of the United Nations Missions in West Africa continued here on Thursday evening with the objective of exchanging and updating information to enhance their military operations aimed at maintaining peace and stability within the region.

The conference brought together UN military force commanders from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire and the military consular of the UN West Africa's office in Dakar, Senegal.

UN Force Commander in Liberia Lt/Gen. Chikardibia Obiakor said the conference was progressing successfully and that by the end of November, various military missions would collaborate in joint border patrols code named "Operation Siskin."

Obiakor disclosed that local security forces including those in Guinea would also participate in the operation.

For Liberians, he said "this would serve as a means of establishing a framework for them to take over security responsibilities when the UN mission leaves the country."

Liberia and Sierra Leone are in their post-conflict period following more than ten years of war while Cote d'Ivoire is yet to restore peace.

The coordination of military exercises involving various UN missions and their local counterparts is seen as a confidence- building measure.

The UN force commander in Sierra Leone Col. Seven-Olof Broman also said condition in the country were calm and his mission was pre-occupied with post-conflict peace-building activities.

"There can not be security without development and there can not be development without security," Broman said.

Nov. 23 , 2006

Thursday evening

the end of November

ten years

conference

continued

exchanging

enhance

aimed

maintaining

conference

brought

said

conference

progressing

collaborate

disclosed

participate

operation

said

serve

establishing

take

leaves

war

restore

seen

said

development

said


AFP_ENG_19970415.0373

BEIJING, April 15 , 1997 (AFP)

WTO chief to get first-hand view of China's progress

The head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will see for himself the progress China has made to pave the way for its entry into the group, China's foreign ministry spokesman Shen Goufang said Tuesday.

The coming visit by WTO secretary general Renato Ruggiero would "allow the two sides to get to know each other better and the WTO can take the opportunity to see what China thinks and does," Shen said.

Ruggiero is due to visit China from Friday until April 23 for further negotiations on the country's entry into the WTO.

Shen repeated Beijing's position that "China has already fulfilled all the conditions of admission" into the multi-lateral body.

"We hope that the United States and western countries will put aside political reasons," which have so far blocked Beijing's bid for entry and treat the country "in a realistic fashion."

Ruggiero said last month in Tokyo negotiations for Beijing's entry into the WTO were about to enter their final phase without setting a timetable.

China's candidacy to the General Agreements on Trade and Tarrifs (GATT) which preceded the WTO, was blocked because of differences on the criteria for admission.

The United States maintains the Chinese economy is not comparable because of its size to those of developping countries and has demanded Beijing meet the conditions of entry applied to industralised countries and lift its customs duties.

April 15 , 1997

Tuesday

Friday

April 23

last month

see

made

pave

said

visit

allow

get

know

take

see

thinks

said

visit

negotiations

entry

repeated

fulfilled

hope

put

blocked

bid

treat

said

entry

enter

setting

candidacy

preceded

blocked

admission

maintains

demanded

meet

applied

lift


WSJ891102-0166
 = 891102
 891102-0166.
 Who's News:
@  Magna International's
@  Financial Chief Quits;
@  Chairman Stepping In
 11/02/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 MAGAF WNEWS
 TORONTO

   Magna International Inc.'s chief financial officer, James McAlpine, resigned and its chairman, Frank Stronach, is stepping in to help turn the automotive-parts manufacturer around, the company said.

   Mr. Stronach will direct an effort to reduce overhead and curb capital spending "until a more satisfactory level of profit is achieved and maintained," Magna said.

   Stephen Akerfeldt, currently vice president finance, will succeed Mr. McAlpine.

   An ambitious expansion has left Magna with excess capacity and a heavy debt load as the automotive industry enters a downturn.
The company has reported declines in operating profit in each of the past three years, despite steady sales growth.

   Magna recently cut its quarterly dividend in half and the company's Class A shares are wallowing far below their 52-week high of 16.125 Canadian dollars (US$13.73).
On the Toronto Stock Exchange yesterday, Magna shares closed up 37.5 Canadian cents to C$9.625.

   Mr. Stronach, founder and controlling shareholder of Magna, resigned as chief executive officer last year to seek , unsuccessfully, a seat in Canada's Parliament.

   Analysts said Mr. Stronach wants to resume a more influential role in running the company.
They expect him to cut costs throughout the organization.

   The company said Mr. Stronach will personally direct the restructuring, assisted by Manfred Gingl, president and chief executive.
Neither they nor Mr. McAlpine could be reached for comment.

   Magna said Mr. McAlpine resigned to pursue a consulting career, with Magna as one of his clients.

each of the past three years

recently

yesterday

last year

resigned

stepping

help

turn

said

direct

effort

reduce

curb

spending

achieved

maintained

said

succeed

expansion

left

enters

downturn

reported

declines

growth

cut

wallowing

high

closed

resigned

seek

seat

said

wants

resume

running

expect

cut

said

direct

restructuring

assisted

reached

said

resigned

pursue

until


AFP_ENG_20061218.0004

LONDON, Dec 18 , 2006, 2006

Blair aides investigated for obstructing probe: report

Aides of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and officials of his governing Labour Party are under investigation for obstructing the "cash-for-honours" probe, The Times reported in its Monday edition.

The report comes after Blair last Thursday became the first serving prime minister to have been questioned as part of a criminal inquiry in what critics said was an embarrassment to the British leader.

According to the newspaper, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has told police that they should look into the fact that some e-mails and documents have not yet been handed over, while others have apparently disappeared.

"There is more than a suspicion that evidence has not been handed over, people have colluded and the police are not being helped," an unidentified prosecution source told the newspaper.

"What these people should remember is that they are not dealing with a parliamentary inquiry; this is a criminal investigation and anyone failing to co-operate is participating in a criminal offence," the source said.

According to The Times, the possibility of charges of perverting the course of justice was discussed by CPS lawyers after they met with the police. The charge carries a maximum life sentence.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that Lord Michael Levy -- Blair's Middle East envoy and Labour's main fundraiser, dubbed "Lord Cashpoint" -- was understood to be the focus of the police investigation into the issue.

The business daily reported that detectives may soon interview Levy for a third time.

Police are investigating claims that seats in the House of Lords, the unelected upper house of parliament, were offered in return for financial help to political parties, including Labour since it became the party of government in 1997, in breach of the 1925 Honours (Prevention of Abuse) Act.

They are also considering whether there was any breach of the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000 which requires donations and non-commercial loans to parties to be publicly declared.

Critics of the government also pointed out, according to The Guardian, that it seemed to be contradicting previous statements in its response to the investigation -- Blair said earlier that he nominated four Labour Party donors for "expressly party peerages, given for party service".

Their citation documents, however, which were printed in the Independent on Sunday, make no mention of their links to the party, and instead speak of their business and other experience.

John Yates, the Metropolitan Police officer leading the investigation into allegations of "cash for honours", said last month that detectives had conducted 90 interviews.

Of these, 35 were linked to the governing Labour Party, 29 to the main opposition Conservatives and four to the Liberal Democrats, Britain's third biggest party.

A further 22 were non-party interviews.

Dec 18 , 2006

Monday

Thursday

Sunday

last month

governing

obstructing

reported

comes

became

questioned

said

According

told

look

handed

disappeared

handed

colluded

helped

told

remember

dealing

failing

co-operate

participating

said

According

perverting

discussed

met

carries

reported

understood

investigation

reported

interview

investigating

offered

return

help

became

considering

breach

requires

declared

pointed

according

seemed

contradicting

investigation

said

nominated

printed

make

mention

speak

leading

investigation

said

conducted

interviews

linked

interviews


AFP_ENG_19970401.0421

ROME, April 1 , 1997 (AFP)

Italian troops will not be sent to southern Albania

Italian troops will not be sent to southern Albania because of anti- Italian feeling in the port of Vlore, after an Albanian refugee boat sank in a collision with an Italian warship leaving 79 people missing, a military source said here Tuesday.

The Italian authorities were "dismayed" by reports from the Albanian authorities on the mood in the south of the country, notably in Vlore from where many of the victims of Friday's accident hailed from, added the source.

At least four people died in the collision and 34 others were rescued. Howver, 79 are still unaccounted for.

However, Italy had not yet taken a final decision on where it would deploy the 2,000 troops it has earmarked for the UN-sanction operation to protect relief supplies to Albania, the source added.

A 5,000-strong multinational force led by Italy , could be deployed within 10 days, Italy's Defence Minister Beniamino Andreatta announced Tuesday.

Vlore is one of the two ports of which the force will control.

April 1 , 1997

Tuesday

Friday

10 days

Tuesday

sent

sank

leaving

missing

said

dismayed

accident

hailed

added

died

rescued

taken

decision

deploy

earmarked

protect

added

led

deployed

announced

control


XIN_ENG_20061116.0111

GUANGZHOU, Nov. 16 , 2006 (Xinhua)

China home entertainment fair opens in Guangzhou

The 2006 China Home Entertainment Fair, the largest of its kind in the country, opened on Thursday in south China's Guangdong Province, attracting hundreds of audiovisual companies from both home and abroad.

The three-day event, held in the Guangdong Audiovisual Industry Base in Guangzhou, the provincial capital, is showcasing 100,000 products from 256 audiovisual firms, according to the organizers.

Spread over an exhibition area of 25,000 square meters, the fair focuses on copyright acquisition and distribution right for audiovisual products and on new audiovisual technologies and techniques.

The fair is also holding a series of seminars on digital movie development and China's audiovisual development strategy.

A number of awards for audiovisual products, graphic design, sales volume and so on, will be made at the fair.

The fair is being sponsored by China's Ministry of Culture and the Guangdong provincial government. It has been an annual event since 2004.

Nov. 16 , 2006

Thursday

opened

attracting

held

showcasing

according

fair

focuses

fair

holding

awards

made

fair

fair

sponsored

event


XIN_ENG_20061121.0102

LUSAKA, Nov. 21 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Zambia remains ban on importation of turkeys

Turkeys lovers in Zambia will miss out on their favorite meat this festive season because Zambia's ban stays, The Post reported on Tuesday.

The Department of Veterinary and Livestock Development decided in March this year to ban the importation and movement of live birds and poultry products following reports of avian influenza in Nigeria and the possibility of the disease spreading to other African countries.

Poultry Association of Zambia executive director Mathew Ngosa said the ban on the importation of poultry products still stands.

Ngosa was quoted as saying that Zambia is not able to contain the potential outbreak of bird flue and so it needs to be protective.

"We are not likely to have new stocks for the festive season until management resolves some important issues with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives," a supermarket attendant said.

The Shoprite attendant said usually it imports several tons of turkey and other birds from South Africa and Brazil for special occasions such as Christmas and the festive season.

Nov. 21 , 2006

this festive season

Tuesday

March this year

the festive season

Christmas

the festive season

miss

stays

reported

decided

ban

said

stands

quoted

saying

contain

needs

resolves

said

said

imports


AFP_ENG_19970426.0011

SINGAPORE, April 26 , 1997 (AFP)

Singapore fines man 6.6 million dollars for smuggling cigarettes

A Singapore court imposed a record fine of 9.25 million Singapore dollars (6.6 million US) on a man who pleaded guilty to smuggling two tonnes of cigarettes from Indonesia, a report said Saturday.

Fong Weng Liong, 42, who was also jailed for two years, will have to serve an additional five years in jail if he cannot pay the fine, the Straits Times reported.

Fong, who is unemployed, smuggled eight consignments, totalling 10,100 cartons, this year before he was nabbed by undercover Customs officers, the court was told.

He had evaded paying duty and tax amounting to 245,329 dollars on the smuggled cigarettes worth 434,300 dollars.

Four other men who assisted the 42-year-old Fong in the elaborate smuggling operation were fined between 3.74 million dollars and 4.9 million dollars each.

Cigarettes are smuggled into Singapore largely because of the disparity in prices of cigarettes sold here and in neighbouring countries, where tobacco taxes are much lower.

April 26 , 1997

Saturday

two years

five years

imposed

pleaded

smuggling

said

jailed

serve

pay

reported

smuggled

totalling

nabbed

told

evaded

paying

assisted

operation

fined

smuggled

sold


XIN_ENG_20061120.0073

TEHRAN, Nov. 20 , 2006 (Xinhua)

program: ISNA

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday that his country wants to have 100,000 centrifuges for enriching uranium, the Iranian Student's News Agency (ISNA) reported.

"We intend to have 100,000 centrifuges and, God willing, Iran will be able to meet its needs in nuclear fuel by next year," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.

The current Iranian year ends on March 20, 2006.

The Iranian president had said last week that Iran intended to launch 60,000 centrifuges in its nuclear program.

Nov. 20 , 2006

Monday

next year

current Iranian year

March 20, 2006

last week

said

wants

have

enriching

reported

intend

have

meet

quoted

saying

ends

said

intended

launch


AFP_ENG_20061220.0184

ROME, Dec 20 , 2006, 2006

Italian jobless rate plunges to lowest level since 1992

Italy's unemployment rate fell to 6.8 percent of the workforce in the third quarter, its lowest reading since 1992, from 6.9 percent in the second, the statistics agency Istat said Wednesday.

The number of people holding jobs increased 2.0 percent to 23 million from third quarter 2005.

The increase reflected employment gains by foreign residents and people over 50 as well as short-term contracts given to workers under the age of 40, according to the agency.

Dec 20 , 2006

the third quarter

Wednesday

third quarter 2005

fell

reading

said

increased

reflected

gains

according


AFP_ENG_19970411.0478

MIAMI, Florida, April 11 , 1997 (AFP)

Spanish executive denies "trading with the enemy"

A Spanish businessman charged with illegally exporting US food products to Cuba pleaded not guilty at a hearing here Friday.

The United States has accused Javier Ferreiro -- a resident of Cuba -- of selling US products in Havana via the Dominicna Republic and Panama between March 1994 and January 1996.

Ferreiro has said he bought the US goods directly in the Dominican Republic not the United States, which would free him from the charges.

The charges against Ferreiro, 49, include five counts of money laundering, one count of conspiracy and eight counts of "trading with the enemy" under the embargo Washington has had clamped on Cuba since 1963.

Among the goods Ferreiro allegedly exported were disposible diapers (nappies), mustard and ketchup.

He was detained April 1 on a visit here to friends and relatives.

April 11 , 1997

Friday

March 1994

January 1996

April 1

charged

exporting

pleaded

hearing

accused

said

bought

free

clamped

exported

detained

visit


XIN_ENG_20051103.0270

LONDON, Nov. 3 , 2005 (Xinhua)

British soldiers acquitted of killing Iraqi teenager

Seven British soldiers accused of beating an Iraqi teenager to death with rifle butts were acquitted on Thursday.

According to the Sky news, a court martial judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to convict the soldiers.

The men had faced murder and violent disorder charges following the death of 18-year-old Nadhem Abdullah, in May 2003. But all the soldiers, members of The 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, denied the allegations.

Abdullah died in an attack on a group of Iraqi civilians in al- Ferkah, 60 miles north of Basra. The attack was said to have taken place three weeks after formal hostilities in Iraq had ceased.

Judge Advocate General Jeff Blackett called some of the evidence "too inherently weak" and directed a military panel in Colchester, Essex, to clear the defendants.

"The judge made clear that, on the basis of the evidence presented, very serious allegations had been made and that it was perfectly proper to take the matter to trial," British Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

"Our soldiers are not above the law. It is right that allegations of this nature must be followed up and the evidence tested in full. This process is now complete and those soldiers still in the Army will now return to Regimental duty," said the statement.

The cleared soldiers are Corporal Scott Evans, 32, Private Billy Nerney, 24, Samuel May, 25, Morne Vosloo, 26, Daniel Harding, 25, Roberto Di-Gregorio and Scott Jackson, 26.

Nov. 3 , 2005

Thursday

May 2003

three weeks

now

accused

beating

death

acquitted

According

ruled

convict

faced

following

death

denied

died

attack

attack

said

taken

hostilities

ceased

called

directed

clear

made

presented

made

take

trial

said

followed

tested

return

said


WSJ891026-0077
 = 891026
 891026-0077.
 MGM Grand to Pay
@  $93 Million, Stock
@  For Resort Site
@  ----
@  By David J. Jefferson
@  Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal
 10/26/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 MGMG RAM
 TENDER OFFERS, MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS (TNM)
REAL ESTATE, REITS, LAND DEVELOPMENT (REL)
CASINOS AND GAMBLING (CNO)
STOCK MARKET, OFFERINGS (STK)
 BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

   MGM Grand Inc. has agreed to pay $93 million and nearly 1.8 million common shares to buy 117 acres of land along the Las Vegas, Nev., Strip as a site for its planned movie-studio and theme-park resort.

   Of the total purchase price, $50 million cash and $30 million in stock (nearly 1.8 million shares) would be paid to buy the existing 700-room Marina Hotel amp Casino from Southwest Securities, a Nevada limited partnership.
The remaining properties to be acquired are the Tropicana Country Club amp Golf Course, a facility jointly owned by Ramada Inc., of Phoenix, Ariz., and the Jaffe family, and a small parcel owned by MGM Grand director James D. Aljian.

   The purchase price was disclosed in a preliminary prospectus issued in connection with MGM Grand's planned offering of six million common shares.
The luxury airline and casino company, 98.6%-owned by investor Kirk Kerkorian and his Tracinda Corp., earlier this month announced its agreements to acquire the properties, but did n't disclose the purchase price.

   The proposed stock offering and issuance of nearly 1.8 million common shares in connection with the land purchase will bring MGM Grand's total shares outstanding to 28.7 million, of which 72% will be owned by Mr. Kerkorian and Tracinda, according to the prospectus.

   In over-the-counter trading, MGM Grand was bid at $17.50 a share.

   Proceeds from the offering are expected to be used for remodeling the company's Desert Inn resort in Las Vegas, refurbishing certain aircraft of the MGM Grand Air unit, and to acquire the property for the new resort.
The company said it estimates the Desert Inn remodeling will cost about $32 million, and the refurbishment of the three DC-8-62 aircraft, made by McDonnell Douglas Corp., will cost around $24.5 million.

   MGM Grand said the latest stock offering wo n't cover the $600 million or more cost of building the proposed resort and theme park, and added it will need to seek additional financing, either through bank borrowings or debt and equity offerings, at a later date.
Construction is set to begin in early 1991.

   The resort  will include the MGM Grand Hotel, a multi-spired, castle-like facility that  will include 5,000 rooms and 85,000 square feet of casino space.
The facility will be marketed toward families, and room rates will be between $35 and $55 a night, MGM Grand said.

   The prospectus did n't include many details about the studio and theme park, although conceptual drawings, released this month, show that it may feature several "themed" areas similar to those found at parks built by Walt Disney Co.

this month

a later date

early 1991

this month

agreed

pay

buy

paid

buy

acquired

disclosed

issued

announced

agreements

acquire

disclose

offering

issuance

bring

owned

according

trading

bid

expected

used

remodeling

refurbishing

acquire

said

estimates

remodeling

cost

refurbishment

made

cost

said

cover

cost

building

added

need

seek

Construction

set

begin

marketed

between $35 and $55 a night

said

include

released

show

feature

earlier

at

in


XIN_ENG_20051104.0253

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

Backgrounder: Summit of the Americas, FTAA

The fourth Summit of the Organization of American states (OAS) will take place on November 4-5 at Mar del Plata, Aregentina, to focus on FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas), fighting poverty and strengthening democratic governance.

The first Summit of the Americas was held in December, 1994 at Miami, the United States. The meeting endorsed the idea of FTAA and approved Plan of Action to strengthen democracy, eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development in the region.

The first summit was based on the initiative former US President George Bush, father of the current US President George W. Bush.

The 1994 summit, called by then US President William Clinton, occurred just after the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Mexico, Canada and the United States.

NAFTA was deemed as an experiment of Washington for future similar agreements with Latin American countries or a continental one.

Four years later, in April 1998, the second Summit took place at Santiago, Chile. The summit decided to promote transparency in matters related to defense policy and the peaceful settlement of disputes in the Hemisphere.

The third Summit was held at Quebec City, Canada, in April 2001.

The 2001 summit stated that commitment to democracy was a requirement for a country's participation in the summit process. The meeting also determined that the OAS was to be the technical secretarial for the process, assuming many of the responsibilities previously taken by the host country.

In January, 2004, Mexico hosted a special summit to address the issues of economic growth with equity, social development and democratic governance. No major results were obtained.

The FTAA, a pet project of the US, which is designed to unite 34 continental and Caribbean countries in a trade pact and originally expected to be created this year, has been delayed by serious disputes in the negotiations between the United States and Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela.

If the FTAA were to come into effect, it would group 34 countries of the continent, representing an economy of 13 trillion US dollars and a population of 800 million.

Nov. 4 , 2005

November 4-5

December, 1994

Four years

April 1998

April 2001

January, 2004

this year

take

focus

fighting

strengthening

held

meeting

endorsed

approved

strengthen

eradicate

promote

development

summit

occurred

signing

deemed

agreements

took

decided

promote

held

summit

stated

requirement

participation

meeting

determined

assuming

taken

hosted

address

growth

results

obtained

designed

unite

expected

created

delayed

disputes

negotiations

come

group

representing


XIN_ENG_20051122.0059

BEIJING, Nov. 22 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Hushen index down -- Nov. 22

The Hushen 300 Index reflecting the whole fluctuation of China's Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges closed at 869.62 points on Tuesday, down 14.25 points from the previous close.

About one fifth of the total shares listed in the two markets have been chosen as samples of the Hushen 300 Index, accounting for 60 percent of the market value in China's stock market.

Nov. 22 , 2005

Tuesday

fluctuation

closed

chosen

accounting


AFP_ENG_19970404.0607

WASHINGTON, April 4 , 1997 (AFP)

Albright meets with three leaders of Serbian opposition

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Friday met with three leaders of the Serbian opposition, in a further US effort to distance itself from Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

"The United States supports the efforts of the Zajedno coalition and the other democratic forces in Serbia to lead Serbia out of the dead end it currently finds itself in and to begin the process of developing a modern European country," State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said.

Burns said the meeting was intended "to underscore the very strong support that the United States gives to democratic change in Serbia."

Albright met with the three members of the opposition Zajedno coalition, Vuk Draskovic, Zoran Djindjic and Vesna Pesic.

It was the first time the leaders had met with State Department officials since recent political turmoil broke out in Serbia.

The high-profile US support also comes at a crucial time when Serbia prepares for key legislative and presidential elections at the end of the year.

April 4 , 1997

Friday

currently

the end of the year

met

effort

distance

supports

efforts

lead

finds

begin

developing

said

said

meeting

intended

underscore

support

change

met

met

broke

comes

elections


AFP_ENG_19970421.0005

JAKARTA, April 21 , 1997 (AFP)

Fresh political clashes break out in Java

Fresh violence between supporters of rival political parties erupted in four separate towns in Java province at the weekend injuring at least 20 people, party officials and reports said Monday.

In Solo, PPP supporters clashed with security members on Saturday, leaving at least 20 people injured while in nearby Klaten, a Golkar convoy was pelted by stones by pro-PPP villagers on Sunday, the Media Indonesia daily said.

In Temanggung district, southeast of Pekalongan, a convoy of PPP supporters clashed with members of two youth groups affiliated with the ruling Golkar party on Sunday, another PPP official there said.

In Pekalongan a town on the province's coast rocked by political violence since March, a mob damaged a government office in the early hours of Sunday but there were no casualties, an official of the Moslem-led United Development Party (PPP) said.

"It is the people, our supporters, not PPP members, who attacked the district assistant's office," the deputy chairman of the Pekalongan PPP chapter Nursianto (Eds: one name) said by telephone.

Hundreds of people, mostly riding motorcycles, attacked the office, 11 kilometres (7 miles) west of Pekalongan in the early hours, pelting it with stones, breaking window panes and doors, the Jayakarta daily said.

The daily said the mob had been part of a larger one which had toured the town in vehicles, yelling pro-PPP slogans, after attending a prayer session late on Saturday.

"There have been reports of arrests but I have not been able to confirm them," Nursianto.

The Pekalongan police declined comment saying the situation was "under control" and "calm."

In a separate incident, a rowdy convoy of PPP supporters returning from a party meeting in Ambarawa in the Semarang district was pelted with stones in the Kaloran sub-district of neighbouring Temanggung on Sunday.

Temanggung PPP chapter spokesman Parjiono (Eds: one name), said the attack was by members of two youth groups affiliated to Golkar.

PPP supporters on motorcycles toured the area around Solo on Saturday clashing with security members after they attempted to break through a security barricade in town.

Violence has swept several Java towns in the past month, much of it connected to rivalry between the PPP and President Suharto's Golkar party, ahead of the general elections on May 29 with campaigning due to start on April 27.

Indonesia's three official political parties -- Golkar, the PPP and the Indonesian Democracy Party (PDI) -- are contesting the May 29 parliamentary election.

Golkar has been widely criticised for using government facilities and officials to gain support in general elections.

The country's six million civil servants are ordered to vote for Golkar, with pressure also applied on their wives, husbands and children to vote for the ruling party.

April 21 , 1997

the weekend

Monday

Saturday

Sunday

Sunday

March

Sunday

the early hours

Saturday

Sunday

Saturday

the past month

May 29

April 27

May 29

violence

erupted

injuring

said

clashed

leaving

injured

convoy

pelted

said

clashed

ruling

said

rocked

violence

damaged

said

attacked

said

attacked

pelting

breaking

said

said

toured

yelling

attending

session

arrests

able

confirm

declined

saying

convoy

returning

meeting

pelted

neighbouring

said

attack

affiliated

toured

clashing

attempted

break

swept

connected

rivalry

elections

campaigning

start

contesting

criticised

using

gain

ordered

vote

applied

vote


XIN_ENG_20061109.0336

NAIROBI, Nov. 9 , 2006 (Xinhua)

UNEP chief appreciates China's efforts in handling climate change

The UN Environment Program (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner has expressed appreciation for what China has done in dealing with climate change and advised the largest developing country in the world to do more in this field.

"It is rapidly gaining pace. There is steward awareness among Chinese leadership, particularly those who are looking at future economic development power of China," he told Xinhua Wednesday during a major United Nations climate change meeting being held here.

Steiner suggested that China exert more efforts in power generation in the future and public transport.

"I know the leadership in China, with international collaboration, is looking at how the power, the electricity that is needed in the future can be generated," he said.

The UNEP chief also advised the Chinese government to work out a plan to manage the public transport as China has seen a rapid growth of private vehicles in the past years.

Steiner also pointed out that forestation and efficient management of lands could help China register sustainable development.

China, which has sent a delegation led by senior officials and diplomats to the climate change conference, is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, which is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emission through global efforts to curb the trend of adverse climate change.

The UN conference on climate change kicked off on Monday, with participating parties exploring an international framework to deal with the issue of global warming after 2012, the last year covered by the current gas emission rules under the Kyoto Protocol.

Nov. 9 , 2006

Wednesday

the future

the future

the past years

Monday

last year

expressed

dealing

change

advised

do

gaining

looking

told

meeting

held

suggested

exert

know

looking

needed

generated

said

advised

work

plan

manage

transport

seen

growth

pointed

help

register

development

sent

led

aimed

reducing

curb

change

conference

change

kicked

exploring

deal


XIN_ENG_20051105.0158

BRASILIA, Nov. 5 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Roundup: US faces daunting challenges in Latin America

by Li Xuejun

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The United States, having long regarded Latin America as its backyard, had huge difficulty in getting its message through concerning free trade, fight against corruption and democracy to the region at the 4th Summit of the Americas.

Moreover, the country is facing gloomy prospects as its policies are failing and its influence further declining in the region, once Washington's close political and economic partner.

In a big setback to US President George W. Bush, the summit concluded on Saturday after adopting a final declaration that failed to clearly support the resumption of stalled talks on establishing a hemisphere-wide Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which Washington had demanded.

This is regarded as an ominous signal to Washington that the US ambition to set up the FTAA might eventually end up in failure.

What is worse, Bush is suffering an image crisis as his presence here drew tens of thousands of protesters and violent clashes erupted between demonstrators and police here and across the country on Friday. Polls in many Latin American nations show Bush as the least popular US leader in decades.

President Bush's father, former President George Bush, first proposed the establishment of the FTAA in the 1990s and at the first Summit of the Americas in the United States in 1994, leaders from 34 countries who attended the summit agreed to set up such a free trade zone, setting January 2005 as the deadline.

However, talks on such a zone have bogged down because of sharp disagreement between the United States and countries like Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

President Bush has insisted that free trade is the best way to reduce poverty and create employment and he pushed for resuming such trade talks at the summit. However, Bush's call fell on deaf ears.

Argentina and Brazil, both major food exporters in Latin America, have made it clear that they do not want to join the FTAA as long as the United States does not remove agricultural subsidies. They complain that Washington's agricultural subsidies would eliminate the competitiveness of farm products from other American countries and increase poverty in Latin America.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an outspoken critic of the United States, has said the FTAA is "dead" as it only helps large US companies at the expense of Latin American workers.

Historically speaking, Latin America, especially South America, has been cool to the US proposal of free trade and economic privatization as those Latin American governments that endorsed the Washington-backed policies were toppled one after another. To the dismay of Washington, key Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Venezuela have been shifting toward the left since then.

Likewise, Bush's call for fighting corruption and strengthening democracy, a central theme in his second term, has drawn lukewarm response from his Latin American counterparts at the Summit of the Americas.

Argentine President Nestor Kirchner, in a joint press appearance with President Bush on Friday, warned that any US involvement in Latin America should be "positive and constructive, " a demand that Bush might find hard to accept.

Bush's call for strengthening democracy and fighting corruption has little market in Latin America where poverty reduction is more urgent than corruption and democracy.

Moreover, Latin America has been complaining that the United States neglected the region due to the Iraq war and the war on terrorism.

Observers point out that the United States, to restore its image and influence in its traditional backyard, must first make genuine efforts to help Latin America fight poverty as nearly 40 percent of the 500 million people in the region are living in poverty and some 100 million of them are living on only 1 US dollar a day.

Nov. 5 , 2005

Nov. 5

Saturday

Friday

the 1990s

January 2005

Friday

a day

had

getting

fight

facing

failing

declining

close

concluded

adopting

failed

support

talks

establishing

demanded

regarded

set

end

suffering

crisis

drew

clashes

erupted

show

proposed

establishment

attended

summit

agreed

set

setting

bogged

insisted

reduce

create

pushed

resuming

talks

summit

fell

made

want

join

remove

complain

eliminate

increase

said

helps

speaking

proposal

privatization

endorsed

toppled

shifting

call

fighting

drawn

response

warned

involvement

demand

find

accept

call

strengthening

fighting

complaining

neglected

war

war

point

restore

influence

make

efforts

help

fight


AFP_ENG_19970401.0541

TAIPEI, April 2 , 1997 (AFP)

US Speaker Gingrich meets Taiwan President Lee

US House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich met Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui Wednesday for talks on bilateral ties at the start of a whirlwind visit to the nationalist island.

Gingrich is the first speaker to visit Taiwan since Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.

"We are glad to have this good friend come for a visit," Foreign Minister John Chan said after Gingrich's arrival at 10:30 a.m. (0230 GMT), adding that Taiwan had built a strong friendship with the US Congress.

Gingrich and a 23-member delegation were greeted at the Sungshan Military Airport by Chang and Darryl Johnson, director of Washington's quasi-embassy, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).

They were then escorted to limousines and whisked away to the presidential office, where the US speaker met Lee accompanied by 11 delegation members.

Gingrich is due to have lunch with Premier Lien Chan, who is also vice president, as well as other high-ranking Taipei officials before leaving for home at 1:00 p.m. (0500 GMT).

Chang stressed that Taipei would continue to show the world that cross-strait ties were not soley an internal Chinese issue.

"Our existence must be recognized by the international community," he said.

Gingrich told President Jian Zemin during a visit to China last week that the United States would be prepared to intervene if China invaded Taiwan, which Beijing has regarded as a renegade province since the natinalists fled here in 1949.

Jiang responded with a warning, saying: "We hope the US administration and the Congress will handle the Taiwan issue with caution."

On Tuesday, Beijing again told Washington to stay clear.

"The controversy beween China and the United States on the Taiwan issue revolves around one point which is US interference," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Shen Guofang.

"The US government and the Congress have expressed their support for the 'one China' policy ... and we hope that the United States will keep its agreements," he added.

Gingrich toned down his remarks Tuesday in Tokyo, saying Washington would stick to its "one-China policy."

"Taiwan is a question of great concern ... We favor a one-China policy... with voluntary dicussions between China and Taiwan," he said.

April 2 , 1997

Wednesday

10:30 a.m.

last week

Tuesday

Tuesday

met

talks

start

visit

visit

switched

come

visit

said

arrival

adding

built

greeted

escorted

whisked

met

accompanied

leaving

stressed

continue

show

soley

recognized

said

told

visit

prepared

intervene

invaded

regarded

fled

responded

saying

hope

handle

told

stay

revolves

said

expressed

hope

keep

added

toned

saying

stick

favor

said


XIN_ENG_20051126.0150

LIBREVILLE, Nov. 26 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Opposition hold large-scale rally in Gabonese capital

The Gabonese opposition held here a large-scale rally Saturday, gathering support for Pierre Mambounbou, who was defeated in last elections and vowed to replace Africa's longest serving leader Bongo Ondimba in Sunday's polls.

Several thousands of people, dressed in red T-shirts, symbolic for Union of Gabonese People Party, accumulated in the capital's Rio district in the afternoon, dancing and singing to show their support for Mambounbou.

"We need change, Gabon needs change. Bongo has been president for nearly 40 years, it's too long and there's not much change in our country," said Demar, a crane driver in Libreville.

Despite of the challenges from other four candidates, Bongo is widely expected to win Sunday's elections that are seen as a one- sided contest which will prolong his 38 years rule in Gabon.

Gabon is one of the few countries in central Africa that has never -- since its independence from France -- been affected by an armed conflict.

It is a small country with only about 1.5 million people, yet Gabon's people has one of the highest per capita incomes in Africa, largely due to the country's substantial revenues from petroleum exports.

Nov. 26 , 2005

Saturday

Sunday

the afternoon

nearly 40 years

Sunday

held

rally

gathering

defeated

vowed

replace

accumulated

dancing

singing

show

change

needs

change

change

said

expected

win

seen

prolong

rule

affected

conflict


XIN_ENG_20061116.0387

QUITO, Nov. 16 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Ecuador begins WTO process against EU over banana tariff

The Ecuadorian government on Thursday sent a letter to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to appeal against the European Union's tariff on imported bananas.

The letter said the EU tariff of 176 euros per ton, which took effect on Jan. 1, had reduced Ecuador's market share in Europe by 6.4 percent, though the total tonnage of bananas has increased.

The letter is the first step of an arbitration process. WTO procedures usually give two conflicting sides two months to reach a compromise before a group of referees are authorized to arbitrate.

The EU has already reduced its tariffs from the initial 230 dollars per ton when faced with similar arbitrage processes.

According to statistics of Ecuador's central bank, the world's largest banana exporter sold bananas worth nearly 1.1 billion dollars to Europe in 2005, up 6 percent from the previous year.

Nov. 16 , 2006

Thursday

Jan. 1

two months

the previous year

sent

appeal

said

took

reduced

increased

process

give

reach

compromise

authorized

arbitrate

reduced

faced

sold


XIN_ENG_20051116.0126

GAZA, Nov. 16 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Hamas, Jihad reject Palestinian-Israeli deal on Gaza crossings

The Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas) and the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) rejected on Wednesday a US- brokered agreement reached between the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and Israel on Gaza border crossings.

The two groups said in two separate statements that the agreement reached under the sponsorship of the United States has harmed the Palestinian sovereignty and despised the Palestinian dignity.

Hamas condemned the PNA's approval of the agreement that was reached on Tuesday after intense mediation by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"The Israelis have the ability to observe the Palestinians or any visitors via the Rafah crossing through cameras and through the joint control room," the Hamas statement said.

Jihad echoed Hamas' criticism, saying the Israeli-Palestinian joint monitoring of the Rafah crossing indicated that the Gaza Strip was still under the Israeli control.

Jihad also rebuked the US for interfering into the Gaza border issue for the sake of Israel while neglecting other important issues such as the Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and the building of a separation barrier.

Under the deal, the key Rafah crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border will be re-opened as of Nov. 25 under the presence of European Union security monitors. All Palestinian identification card holders can travel through the crossing in both directions.

The Rafah crossing is the only exit for Palestinians living in Gaza to travel abroad. The terminal has remained closed since Israel withdrew from the entire strip in September.

Fearing that the Rafah crossing might be used by Palestinian militants to smuggle weapons, Israel had insisted on monitoring goods and people through the terminal, but Palestinians asserted that no Israelis should be at Rafah.

The two sides finally reached a compromise that Israeli and Palestinian security officers will co-monitor the traffic at Rafah by remote-control cameras in a control room a few kilometers away from the crossing.

Meanwhile, the agreement says a seaport can be constructed in Gaza, the Karni crossing on the eastern Gaza border will be expanded and that Palestinians can travel between Gaza and the West Bank in bus and truck convoys within months.

Nov. 16 , 2005

Wednesday

Tuesday

Nov. 25

September

Resistance

rejected

brokered

reached

said

reached

harmed

despised

condemned

approval

reached

mediation

observe

crossing

said

echoed

saying

monitoring

crossing

indicated

rebuked

interfering

neglecting

expansion

crossing

re-opened

travel

crossing

crossing

travel

remained

withdrew

Fearing

crossing

used

smuggle

insisted

asserted

reached

compromise

crossing

says

constructed

crossing

expanded

travel


XIN_ENG_20061111.0116

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 11 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Former Malaysian PM Mahathir wants complete rest for weeks

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is being treated at the National Heart Institute (NHI), said Saturday he plans to take a complete rest for several weeks.

Mahathir said that out of health considerations, he will stay away from the UMNO General Assembly slated for next week, though he accepted invitation and had originally planned to attend the meeting.

UMNO, formally known as the United Malays National Organization, is the largest political party in Malaysia. UMNO President takes over as prime minister in the government.

"I want to rest...not making any statement...hope the (UMNO) assembly runs smoothly," Mahathir said in an interview with the Bernama news agency and Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).

The former prime minister, who was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and long pants, appeared in high spirit during the 20-minute interview.

Mahathir said it was fortunate that he had sought immediate treatment as soon as he had the mild heart attack, and this had enabled doctors to dilute the blood clot in his coronary artery.

Mahathir, who will turn 81 next month, was rushed to the NHI early Thursday morning after complaining of chest pains. Friday night, he was transferred from the Coronary Care Unit to a normal ward.

Before this, the former leader had a very busy schedule abroad, which brought him to several countries.

Mahathir had a coronary artery bypass surgery in 1989, and in 1999 he underwent full treatment for a lung infection.

Nov. 11 , 2006

Saturday

several weeks

next week

Thursday morning

Friday night

treated

said

plans

take

said

stay

slated

accepted

planned

attend

meeting

takes

want

rest

making

hope

runs

said

interview

wearing

appeared

interview

said

fortunate

sought

attack

enabled

dilute

turn

rushed

complaining

transferred

brought

had

underwent


XIN_ENG_20061128.0198

BEIJING, Nov. 28 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Minister

China's urban centers need to create 13 million new jobs a year, according to the Minister of Labor and Social Security Tian Chengping.

At least 24 million urban residents will be looking for jobs each year in the coming several years but there are likely to be only 11 million openings, said Tian, in an interview with the the Study Times, a newspaper affiliated to the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Tian predicts that ten million new laborers will flock to urban areas every year.

The number of university and college graduates who cannot find jobs is also on steadily rising. Tian said 1.24 million university and college graduates who graduated this year did not have a job when they completed their studies.

Job security is being affected by the closure and bankruptcy of some state-owned enterprises (SOE). Tian said 3.5 million employees of the SOE could be laid off between 2006 and 2008.

He said the number of SOE employees dropped from 71 million to just over 40 million between 1998 to 2005.

More than 19 million laid-off SOE workers have been reemployed with many of them finding jobs in the private sector, he said.

Most of the urban unemployed are located in the underdeveloped western and central areas of the country. They are mostly in their 40's and 50's and lack technical skills. Meanwhile many factories are in dire need of skilled workers.

To tackle the problems, the government plans to develop labor-intensive industries and sectors, such as the service industry, private sector and medium and small enterprises, Tian said.

The government will also expand occupational education to train more skilled workers and open more training classes to help the unemployed to start their own business.

The residency registration system is also expected to be reformed, to ensure the free flow of labor and provide equal employment services to local and rural laborers, said Tian.

Nov. 28 , 2006

a year

every year

this year

need

create

according

looking

said

interview

predicts

flock

find

rising

said

graduated

completed

studies

affected

closure

said

laid

said

dropped

reemployed

finding

said

located

lack

tackle

plans

develop

said

expand

train

open

help

start

expected

reformed

ensure

flow

provide

said


AFP_ENG_20061218.0172

VIENNA, Dec 18 , 2006, 2006

Muslims face discrimination in Europe: report

Muslims in Europe face discrimination in education, employment and housing and are often victims of verbal abuse and physical attacks, a monitoring group reported Monday.

"The report makes it clear that Muslims... frequently suffer different forms of discrimination which reduce their employment opportunities, and affect their educational achievement," the director of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) said in a statement.

The "Muslims in the European Union: Discrimination and Islamophobia" report, published on Monday, said incidents against Muslims were "under-documented and under-reported" and called on European Union countries to improve their methods for reporting racist crimes.

Dec 18 , 2006

Monday

Monday

face

attacks

reported

makes

suffer

reduce

affect

said

published

said

called

improve

reporting


AFP_ENG_20051209.0140

TOKYO, Dec 10 , 2005

by Martin Parry

The World Cup draw threw up some enticing encounters for Asia-Pacific nations, with newcomers Australia and Asian champions Japan drawn in the same group as holders Brazil.

South Korea, semi-finalists four years ago, have an easier ride, in a group that pits them against Switzerland and Togo but also 1998 winners France.

Saudi Arabia will play perennial underachievers Spain, and also Ukraine and African champions Tunisia while Asia's other representative, Iran, has its work cut out against seeded side Mexico, Portugal and debutants Angola.

Japan and Australia, who also play Croatia, begin Group F action with a clash against each other in Kaiserslautern on June 12, but it is the prospect of meeting five-time champions Brazil that has mouths watering in Asia.

"Perhaps Japan and Croatia have other ideas, but realistically we are looking for the spot behind Brazil," said Australia's coach Guus Hiddink, who has helped spark huge interest in football in Australia.

"They are the favourites and the toughest draw we could have had," added the Dutchman, who steered South Korea to the last four in 2000.

Australia are competing at their first World Cup finals since 1974.

Japan, recently voted Asia's team of the year by the Asian Football Confederation, are more of an unknown entity for Hiddink, but he is not underestimating them.

"Japan have changed a lot since 2002 and, like us, they will want to pull something out of the hat," he said. "We are happy to have qualified, but we are not here to make up the numbers and want to spring a surprise."

For Japan's Brazilian coach Zico, who took over from Frenchman Philippe Troussier after the 2002 World Cup, being drawn against his home country is a dream come true, and he is ready for the challenge.

"A team that has qualified for the World Cup finals must be prepared for any situation whatsoever," Zico, who played for Brazil at three World Cups, told Japanese television in Leipzig after the draw there.

"For us, it is easier to encounter Brazil in the first round. It is better than fighting them after winning through to the second round."

While Brazil are the number one threat, Zico is aware that Australia under Hiddink are dangerous and shouldn't be underestimated.

"They are well guided. It will be very important for us to win the first match and boost the morale of my players," he said.

Australia play Brazil at Nuremburg on June 18 while Japan will lock horns with them in Dortmund on June 22.

South Korea, led by Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung, will fancy their chances in Group G, opening their World Cup against first-timers Togo in Frankfurt on June 13.

While playing down the prospect of another semi-final success, coach Dick Advocaat said his team would be difficult to beat, but acknowledged France were favourites to top the group.

"We have three tough games but the way we are playing we are very difficult to beat at the moment. We have a very young team but it is maturing," he said. "France are slight favourites on paper."

Three-time Asian champions Iran have a tough draw, with manager Branko Ivankovic admitting it will be hard to overcome Euro 2004 runners-up Portugal and Mexico in Group D.

"Our problem will be in adapting to the different styles -- European, African and Latin-American. I hope our players will learn how to respond to the different problems," said the Croatian.

In Group H, Saudi Arabia, in their fourth consecutive World Cup, will need to be at their best to beat Ukraine, the first European nation to qualify for Germany, and Africa's top country Tunisia.

Saudi Arabia suffered a humiliating 8-0 defeat to eventual runners-up Germany in their opener of the 2002 World Cup in Japan, and will be looking to avoid a similar disaster at all costs.

The World Cup finals get underway in Munich on June 9 when hosts Germany meet Costa Rica.

Dec 10 , 2005

four years ago

June 12

the year

June 18

June 22

June 13

June 9

threw

enticing

drawn

play

has

cut

play

begin

action

clash

meeting

watering

looking

said

helped

spark

draw

had

added

steered

competing

voted

underestimating

changed

want

pull

said

qualified

make

want

spring

took

drawn

come

qualified

prepared

played

told

draw

encounter

fighting

winning

aware

underestimated

guided

win

boost

said

play

lock

led

fancy

opening

playing

said

beat

acknowledged

top

playing

beat

maturing

said

admitting

hard

overcome

adapting

hope

learn

respond

said

need

beat

qualify

suffered

looking

avoid

get

meet


XIN_ENG_20061104.0176

BEIJING, Nov. 4 , 2006 (Xinhua)

performance

Against a backdrop of Beijing's landmark Temple of Heaven, two African singers in traditional costumes hold hands with Chinese artists in scarlet Chinese-style jackets, singing in chorus a decades-old song in commemoration of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

Around them, a group of dancers dance to the music, spreading out butterfly-shaped silk fans that line out a scene of festivity.

Nearly 400 Chinese and African artists staged the gala themed on "Ode to Friendship" Saturday night at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing, after a day of handshakes, whirlwind meetings and a welcoming banquet given by Chinese President Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing.

An audience of at least 2,000 people applauded when a team of young Chinese artists opened the gala at 8:15 p.m. with red lanterns that lit up, one after another, to spell out in English " Welcome to China".

Among the audience were Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Alpha Oumar Konare, and more than 40 African leaders who are in Beijing for the two-day Beijing Summit, the biggest between Chinese and African leaders in history.

"I know Africa and China have been helping each other like close friends since the time Mao founded New China," Augustine Dondo, a 33-year-old singer from the Democratic Republic of Congo, told Xinhua through an interpreter.

From the traditional Peking Opera, upbeat tropical dance and drum to acrobatics, African and Chinese artists take turns demonstrating their exquisite skills and profound culture.

"It's a dialogue between the two ancient civilizations, as well as an exhibition of China-Africa cultural exchanges," said Tang Wenjuan, director of the gala.

Nine-year-old Sudanese boy Ahmad, the youngest performer at the gala, came to China in 2004 to study acrobatics in Puyang, a cradle of the traditional Chinese art in central Henan Province. " My folks love acrobatics. I'll show them more about Chinese culture when I grow up," he said in fluent Chinese.

Yeneneh Tesfaye from Ethiopia said he plans to go home soon to perform in his country what he had learned in China.

"I'll probably become a superstar when I get back. Few people in Ethiopia can practice rolling bowls and foot juggling the way I do," said Helen Yohannes, 18. "But I'll miss my coaches, classmates and the delicious Chinese dishes."

The Wuqiao International Acrobatics School in north China's Hebei Province, where Tesfaye and Yohannes studied in the past two years, currently has 22 African students aged between 12 and 22.

Founded in 1985, the school has trained nearly 100 acrobats for African countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana since it was authorized by the Chinese government to recruit international students in 2002, said Qi Zhiye, president of the school. "Ninety percent of them have taken jobs as professional acrobats or coaches in their home countries."

Personnel training has been an important part of China-Africa cooperation in the past decades.

By the end of 2005, China had offered more than 18,000 governmental scholarships to African students.

"Let's build up a golden bridge of friendship, peace, cooperation and development," prayed Guillaume Moumouni, the proud moderator from Benin, at the end of the gala.

Moumouni, 38, first came to China in 1990 and is pursuing a PhD in international relations at the Beijing University.

Nov. 4 , 2006

Saturday night

the past two years

currently

the past decades

the end of 2005

singing

dance

spreading

staged

gala

meetings

applauded

opened

gala

lit

spell

know

helping

founded

told

drum

take

demonstrating

dialogue

exhibition

said

came

study

acrobatics

show

grow

said

said

plans

go

perform

learned

become

get

practice

rolling

juggling

do

said

miss

studied

has

aged

Founded

trained

authorized

recruit

said

taken

jobs

cooperation

offered

Let

build

prayed

end

gala

came

pursuing


AFP_ENG_20061231.0251

BUCHAREST, Dec 31 , 2006, 2006

New Year rings in EU membership for Bulgaria, Romania

Former communist states Bulgaria and Romania celebrated Monday joining the European Union, a historic moment that drew thousands to midnight concerts but leaders warned reforms were still needed.

The addition of the two former Soviet bloc states brought the number of EU nations to 27, with a total population of almost half a billion people.

Dec 31 , 2006

celebrated

joining

drew

warned

needed

addition

brought


AFP_ENG_20061218.0530

GENEVA, Dec 19 , 2006, 2006

"Heart of Borneo" reveals astonishing array of new species: WWF

In the second remarkable biodiversity find this year, researchers announced on Tuesday they had identified at least 52 new species of animals and plants on the island of Borneo.

The new discovery including 30 unique species of fish, two new species of tree frog, 16 species of ginger, three tree species and a large-leafed species of plant seen nowhere else in the world, the wildlife group WWF said in a press release.

Many of the species were found in the so-called Heart of Borneo, a thickly forested mountainous region covering around 220,000 square kilometers (85,000 square miles) in the centre of the island.

The finds include the world's second smallest vertebrate, a tiny species of fish that measures less than one centimetre (1.25 inches) in length and thrives in the island's highly acidic blackwater peat swamps.

There is also a catfish with a protruding teeth "and an adhesive belly which allows it to literally stick to rocks," as well as six species of Siamese fighting fish, including one species with a gorgeous iridescent blue-green colouring.

The 52 new species have been covered in the past year alone.

In February, scientists said they had had found a "Garden of Eden" in the Foja Mountains, on the island of New Guinea, where they recorded dozens of new species of butterflies, frogs, palms and rhododendrons.

They also found a unique local species of honeyeater bird -- the first new bird to be sighted on New Guinea for more than 60 years -- and determined that the mountains were the home of one of the most elusive bird species of all, a creature called the Berlepsch's bird of paradise.

WWF said many more species waited to be discovered in Borneo, which is divided between Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia, but expressed deep concern about the loss of equatorial rainforest, which is being cleared for rubber, oil palm and pulp production.

"The more we look, the more we find," said Stuart Chapman, international coordinator for WWF's Heart of Borneo programme. "These discoveries reaffirm Borneo's position as one of the most important centres of biodiversity in the world."

Dec 19 , 2006

this year

Tuesday

the past year alone

February

more than 60 years

find

announced

identified

discovery

seen

said

found

include

thrives

stick

covered

said

found

recorded

found

sighted

determined

called

said

waited

discovered

expressed

loss

cleared

look

find

said

reaffirm


PRI19980121.2000.2591
 NEWS STORY

 Now for today's geography quiz.

 We're off in search of an ancient and exotic city.

 An officially sanctioned one, too.
 UNESCO declared it a protected site for its beauty and its
 historical significance.

 The city could have used some special protection in nineteen seventy-nine
 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.
 Most of the city's monuments were destroyed, including a
 magnificent tiled mosque, which dominated the skyline for
 centuries.

 The people here are famous throughout central Asia for their
 skill in fashioning pottery and tile, glass too.
 Some families have kept their glass working secrets for more
 than two thousand years.

 Even though this city is in Afghanistan, most people here speak a
 dialect of the Persian language, and have long standing
 cultural ties with neighboring Iran.

 Think you got it?
 Well, frankly, I do n't  , but the answer is coming up
 in just a few minutes.

today

nineteen seventy-nine

centuries

more
 than two thousand years

a few minutes

quiz

off

search

sanctioned

declared

protected

used

protection

invaded

destroyed

dominated

kept

speak

have

ties

Think

got

answer

coming

for


XIN_ENG_20061122.0046

LAGOS, Nov. 22 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Scores of Italian oil workers kidnapped on vessel  in Nigeria

Gunmen have kidnapped several people from an Italian oil vessel off the Nigerian coast, according to industry and security officials on Wednesday.

The exact number and the nationalities of the hostages were not immediately known. One security source asked for anonymity said the incident occurred overnight on a vessel belonging to a subsidiary of Italian oil giant Eni.

Other sources said about 25 foreign workers and 60 Nigerian employees were taken overnight on the vessel, which has not been confirmed officially.

The vessel was about 50 kms off the coast of Nigeria's Rivers State at the time, 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

incident

occurred

said

taken

confirmed

said

kidnappings

attack

produced

attacked


XIN_ENG_20051114.0343

ATHENS, Nov. 14 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Greek stocks close higher

Greek stocks ended higher on Monday, pushing the composite index to its highest closing since December 2000 on the Athens Stock Exchange, traders here said.

The index rose 0.58 percent to end at 3,442.20 points, with turnover an improved 244 million euros (287.7 million US dollars).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks rose 0.54 percent, while the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index and the FTSE/ ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.90 percent and 0.27 percent respectively.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 143 to 133 with another 58 issues unchanged.

Nov. 14 , 2005

Monday

December 2000

ended

pushing

said

rose

end

rose

rose

led


XIN_ENG_20051108.0293

BAGHDAD, Nov. 8 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Xinhua Mideast news summary at 2200 GMT, Nov. 8

A lawyer for ousted Iraqi president Saddam Hussein's codefendants was killed and another injured when gunmen opened fire at their car in Baghdad on Tuesday, police said.

"Unknown gunmen opened fire at a car carrying the two defense lawyers in al-Adil district in western Baghdad, killing Adel Muhammed Abbas and wounding Thamir Hmoud Hadi," police officer Col. Ali Muhmoud told Xinhua. (Iraq-Saddam-Lawyers-2nd Lead)

KHARTOUM, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- A British aid worker working for the International Aid Services (IAS) was ambushed and shot dead by armed men in southern Sudan, a spokesman of IAS said on Tuesday.

Andreas Zetterlund said three members of its staff aboard a vehicle were ambushed Saturday by a group of armed men while they were traveling from Kaya in Uganda to Yei, a town in southern Sudan. (Sudan-Attack)

TEHRAN, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Tuesday rejected a recent statement issued by the European Union (EU) which urges Tehran to fully suspend activities related to uranium enrichment before the two sides resume the stalled bilateral nuclear talks.

Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani Tuesday rejected the EU call to stop the uranium conversion facilities and condemned the EU for having gone extremes and adopting journalistic hype toward the Iranian nuclear issue, the official IRNA news agency reported. (Iran-Nuclear)

GAZA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Mahmoud al-Zahar, a prominent leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip, on Tuesday called on ruling Fatah movement to step down from the authority if its unable to solve its internal problems.

Al-Zahar told reporters that Fatah movement is not responsible for all Palestinians, adding that the pursuit of a Palestinian state is not strictly in the hands of that movement. (Palestinians- Hamas)

CAIRO, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Visiting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Tuesday that the international organization is interested in pushing forward the Middle East peace process at all tracks.

Annan, who arrived here late Monday, made the remarks at a press conference after talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit. (Egypt-Annan-Mideast)

DAMASCUS, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- A senior Syrian official said here Tuesday that the country would keep its firm stances and deal with mounting international pressure against Damascus in an objective and flexible way.

Information Minister Mahdi Dakhlullah made the remarks to reporters in a statement following a weekly cabinet session.

"The pressure against Syria is due to its rejection of occupation, aggression and hegemony policies in this region and in any part of the world," Dakhlullah told the reporters. (Syria- Pressure)

JERUSALEM, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Tuesday that the targeted killings of wanted Palestinian militants will continue.

Sharon made the position clear at a meeting of the Knesset ( parliament) Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. (Israel- Palestinians-Target)

Nov. 8 , 2005

Tuesday

Nov. 8

Tuesday

Saturday

Nov. 8

Tuesday

Tuesday

Nov. 8

Tuesday

Nov. 8

Tuesday

late Monday

Nov. 8

Tuesday

Nov. 8

Tuesday

killed

injured

opened

said

opened

carrying

killing

wounding

told

working

ambushed

shot

said

said

ambushed

traveling

rejected

issued

urges

suspend

activities

enrichment

resume

talks

rejected

stop

condemned

gone

adopting

reported

called

ruling

step

solve

told

adding

pursuit

said

pushing

arrived

made

conference

talks

said

keep

deal

pressure

made

session

rejection

told

said

killings

continue

made

meeting


XIN_ENG_20061122.0050

KUNMING, Nov. 22 , 2006 (Xinhua)

flowers

Southwest China's Yunnan Province, praised as a flora paradise, sold abroad 9.16 million U.S. dollars worth of fresh cut flowers in the first 10 months of this year, a year-on-year increment of 2.66 million U.S. dollars, or 88.1 percent.

According to local customs sources, the exports quantity went up 8.7 percent to 3,858 tons, with average price per kilogram up 73 percent to reach 2.37 U.S. dollars.

Most of the exports were carnations, roses and lilies, the sources said.

Between January and October, Hong Kong surpassed Japan to become the top target market of Yunnan flowers with an import volume of 2.51 million U.S. dollars, up 400 percent. Japan ranked second with the import value at 2.5 million U.S. dollars, up 23.8 percent.

The two were followed by Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea, the local customs sources said.

Over the 10 months, foreign-funded businesses accounted for 54.6 percent of Yunnan's total fresh cut flower exports, up from 26.1 percent a year earlier. They exported five million U.S. dollars worth of fresh cut flowers, up 290 percent, the sources added.

Nov. 22 , 2006

the first 10 months

this year

January

October

the 10 months

a year earlier

praised

sold

According

went

reach

said

surpassed

become

ranked

followed

said

accounted

exported

added


AFP_ENG_20051214.0426

BERLIN, Dec 14 , 2005

untenable'

The new British proposal on the EU budget is "still untenable", a German government source said on Wednesday on the eve of a crucial EU summit in Brussels.

For agreement to be reached, there would have to be a "lasting solution to the British rebate issue", the source said.

However the German government noted that the atmosphere "had clearly improved" compared with the fractious summit in June when no agreement could be found on the issue.

While the 25 EU member states are still not on the same page on the budget, Germany is hoping the better mood will translate into an agreement, the source said.

"There is an urgent need for success," the source added.

Dec 14 , 2005

Wednesday

June

proposal

said

summit

reached

said

noted

improved

summit

found

hoping

translate

said

added


XIN_ENG_20051117.0031

SHANGHAI, Nov. 17 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Farmers in Shanghai enjoy two-digit rise in income

The per-capita disposable income of farmers in Shanghai increased by 10 percent in the first three quarters of this year, thanks largely to accruement in housing rents, proceedings from land transfers and various forms of social welfare.

Farmers' income in Shanghai, the economic hub of the country, went up 10.3 percent year-on-year to 6,998 yuan (863 US dollars) in the January-September period, according to the municipal rural work commission.

The growth rate was 0.7 percentage points higher than the year-earlier level, the source said, adding that Shanghai continued to rank first among China's provincial regions in terms of farmers' income over the past 10 years or so, the source added.

Officials with the commission owed the fast growth in farmers' income to the fact that more farmers began to work in enterprises which offer the farmers higher pay, in addition to the rise in housing rents and proceedings from land transfers.

The income growth was also attributed to increasing social welfare, including pension and funds for education and poverty relief as well as that for the handicapped and the low-income earners.

Suburbs, covering more than 90 percent of Shanghai's total land area, have become a major propeller of the local economy, the commission said.

The rural areas realized 200 billion yuan (24.6 billion US dollars) in value-added output in the first three quarters, up 19.4 percent from the same period of last year.

Nov. 17 , 2005

the first three quarters of this year

the January-September period

the past 10 years or so

the first three quarters

last year

increased

went

according

said

adding

continued

rank

added

owed

growth

began

work

offer

rise

proceedings

growth

attributed

increasing

covering

become

said

realized


XIN_ENG_20061128.0062

BAGHDAD, Nov. 28 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Iraqi governor survives suicide attack

Abdul-Rahman Mustafa Fattah, governor of Iraq's northern province of Kirkuk, escaped unscathed a suicide bombing attack on Tuesday that killed one person and wounded 20 others, local police said.

"A suicide bomber wearing an explosive-belt threw himself at the convoy of Abdul-Rahman Mustafa Fattah, the governor of Kirkuk, who escaped unhurt in the center of the city," Brigadier Burhan, police chief of Kirkuk City told Xinhua by telephone.

However, one civilian was killed and 20 others, including one of the governor's bodyguards, were wounded in the attack, Burhan said.

Nov. 28 , 2006

Tuesday

escaped

bombing

attack

killed

wounded

said

wearing

threw

convoy

escaped

told

killed

wounded

attack

said


XIN_ENG_20061126.0159

LAGOS, Nov. 26 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Nigeria's communities, oil companies sign agreement on restarting oil production

Ijaw communities in Nigeria's southern state of Delta on Saturday reached an agreement with oil companies operating in the area to restart operations.

The oil companies involved are Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Pipeline Products and Marketing Company (PPMC) and the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC).

Secretary to the Delta State Government Emmanuel Uduaghan advising all parties to keep their promise.

Uduaghan commended SPDC for keeping its promises under which the SPDC provided 21 power generating sets for the indigenous communities.

He explained that the generators which had been shipped to 15 Ijaw and six Itsekiri communities were awaiting installation. However, the government still needed to involve the PPMC and the NGC to provide potable water for the communities, he added.

He explained that the government would provide hospitals to Ijaw communities and health centers for Itsekiri communities at a cost of 5 million U.S. dollars and 1.6 million dollars respectively.

He noted that the government projects for the communities, including water and three extra generators, would cost 14 million dollars and had been approved by the federal government.

Oboko Bello, president of the Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities (FNDIC), assured peaceful re-entry of the companies as the communities would meet their side of the bargain.

Bello told the companies to keep to their own side of the accord since any breach in the agreement might cause problems, adding that FNDIC had already set up a committee that would work with the SPDC to ensure peaceful operations.

Mutiu Sunmonu, director of SPDC Production Office, emphasized the importance of dialogue in conflict resolution and thanked the communities for their understanding.

Nov. 26 , 2006

Saturday

reached

agreement

restart

advising

keep

promise

commended

keeping

provided

explained

shipped

awaiting

installation

needed

involve

provide

added

explained

provide

noted

cost

approved

assured

meet

told

keep

breach

agreement

cause

adding

set

work

ensure

emphasized

thanked


AFP_ENG_20061222.0209

TOKYO, Dec 22 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - ADDS quotes by Abe ///

Japan urged Russia on Friday to be "responsible" but said it was confident it would receive gas supplies as planned after Moscow took control of the massive Sakhalin-2 project from British and Japanese companies.

Japan, which has few natural resources of its own, is the primary market for the gas from the 22 billion-dollar project off Russia's east coast, which would have been the world's biggest privately financed energy project.

"We want the Russian side to take responsible policies," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki told a news conference in Tokyo.

"Our country relies on energy resources from abroad. It is important to see the project go ahead smoothly to secure energy resources and provide stable supply," said Shiozaki, the government spokesman.

On Thursday, Russia's state-run Gazprom secured control of the project and agreed to pay 7.45 billion dollars to the consortium led by Anglo-Dutch giant Royal Dutch Shell.

Shell and its two Japanese partners, trading houses Mitsui and Co. and Mitsubishi Corp. will become minority owners.

The project had been halted when Russia accused the companies of environmental violations, a move widely seen by foreign investors as a way for the government to muscle in and take control.

But Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomed the latest deal.

"It means a lot that Japan secured the energy supply from Russia," he told reporters.

"I would like to use diplomacy to diversify the sources of energy and ensure stable supply," Abe said.

Japan's oil supply comes almost exclusively from the Middle East, whose turbulence is a constant worry for businesses and policymakers here.

"The signed contract ensures a stable supply for Japan's domestic demands, which I highly value," Akira Amari, Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, said of the Gazprom deal.

"The Japanese government has been sending Russia its requests through diplomatic routes," he added.

Japan had previously warned Russia that a failure to receive gas from the project would set back overall bilateral relations.

Asked whether Russia made the environmental allegations to gain control of the project, Amari said: "I feel that way but I cannot assert it in my position (as trade minister)."

Russia was infuriated when the Sakhalin-2 announced a doubling of costs for the project. Under the original production sharing agreement, the state was only to receive a share of the profits after the group recouped its investment.

The two Japanese companies said in a joint statement that they will "make utmost efforts to ensure liquified energy gas supply as scheduled to existing customers in Japan, South Korea and the west coast of the United States."

"In addition, Gazprom and the three existing shareholders reaffirmed to do our best to solve the issue of the approval and license," they said in a joint statement, in an indirect reference to the environmental allegations.

Risk assessment agency Standard and Poor's said the share transfer would not affect the ratings of Mitsubishi Corp. and Mitsui -- and that if anything they would benefit.

"Difficulties in negotiations with the Russian government had increased uncertainty over Mitsubishi and Mitsui and Co's investment in the Sakhalin-2 project," it said.

The risks "may recede due to Gazprom's participation in the project."

Dec 22 , 2006

Friday

Thursday

urged

responsible

said

confident

receive

planned

took

project

want

take

told

conference

relies

see

go

secure

provide

said

secured

agreed

pay

led

trading

become

halted

accused

violations

move

seen

take

welcomed

deal

means

secured

told

like

use

diversify

ensure

said

comes

ensures

said

deal

sending

added

warned

failure

receive

set

Asked

made

gain

said

assert

infuriated

announced

receive

recouped

investment

said

make

efforts

ensure

scheduled

reaffirmed

do

solve

approval

said

said

affect

benefit

negotiations

increased

said

recede

participation


XIN_ENG_20051119.0113

BANGKOK, Nov. 19 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Three more bird flu suspected cases reported in eastern Thailand

Three more suspected bird flu patients have been reported in Thailand's eastern Chacherngsao Province, all are children aged between three to 11 years old, reported the Thai News Agency Saturday.

The three patients, two girls aged 11 and three and one four- year-old boy, whose families raise chickens, were admitted to a hospital in the province's municipal area earlier this week.

They all showed bird flu-like symptoms after chickens in their families died suspiciously.

Provincial public health officials have reported the three new avian flu suspected cases to the Ministry of Public Health.

Nov. 19 , 2005

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WSJ891026-0130
 = 891026
 891026-0130.
 Sun Microsystems Inc.
@  Posts 1st-Quarter Net
@  Totaling $5.2 Million
 10/26/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 SUNW
 EARNINGS (ERN)
COMPUTERS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (CPR)
 MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.

   Sun Microsystems Inc., snapping back to profitability after its first quarterly loss as a public firm, said it earned $5.2 million, or seven cents a share, in the fiscal first quarter.

   Sun, a maker of computer workstations, reported sales of $538.5 million for the quarter ended Sept. 29, up 39% from $388.5 million a year earlier.
In the 1988 period, the company earned $20.6 million, or 26 cents a share.

   Sun's results were slightly better than expectations.
Earlier this month, the company said it expected to break even for the quarter on sales of $530 million.

   In a statement, Scott McNealy, Sun's chief executive officer, said the company's performance was hampered by problems tied to the introduction of a major new family of computers in April.
One of those new computers, called Sparcstation 1, accounted for nearly half of the 28,000 systems Sun shipped in the quarter, he said.
More than two-thirds of the systems shipped, meanwhile , were products introduced in April.

   But problems in manufacturing, forecasting demand and getting the bugs out of a new management information system made it extremely difficult for Sun to meet demand for its newest computers well into the summer.
These problems also resulted in Sun reporting a $20.3 million loss for its fourth quarter ended June 30.

   Mr. McNealy said the issues that hurt Sun's performance earlier this year are now " largely" behind the firm, and he indicated that Sun's profitability should increase throughout the fiscal year.

   Sun also reported a record backlog of orders.
While this indicates continued strong demand for the company's desk-top computers, Sun faces increasing competition from Digital Equipment Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. Recently, analysts have said Sun also is vulnerable to competition from International Business Machines Corp., which plans to introduce a group of workstations early next year, and Next Inc.

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AFP_ENG_20061231.0102

LISBON, Dec 31 , 2006, 2006

Portuguese paper names Ronaldo sportsman of the year

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo was named by leading Portuguese sports daily A Bola on Sunday as the country's sportsman of the year.

A Bola chose the player for his "important contribution to the expansion of Portuguese football across the world".

The 21-year-old international finished ahead of Benfica striker Nuno Gomes, the winner of the award last year, and Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, who won in 2004.

"I'm very happy with what I've managed to succeed up until now," Ronaldo told A Bola after scoring two goals in Manchester United's 3-2 win over Reading in the English Premiership on Saturday.

"I've scored foals and helped my team win. I want to continue at this level in 2007."

Dec 31 , 2006

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