AFP_ENG_19970415.0433

JERUSALEM, April 15 , 1997 (AFP)

Israeli millionaire involved in weapon deals mysteriously disappears

An Israeli millionaire accused of selling chemical arms material to Iran has been missing for several weeks, press reports said Tuesday.

Nahum Manbar, 51, an owner of a Jerusalem basketball team, had been accused by US President Bill Clinton of selling material used in making chemical arms to Iran.

Israel's leading newspapers, the Yediot, Haaretz and Maariv, all reported the story over his "mystery disappearance" and have made independent attempts to contact him.

Manbar, who lived mostly in France owes Israeli banks 150,000 dollars in loans he took for his business deals that totalled 8 million dollars.

Former business colleagues in Israel said Manbar did not always stick to his commitments in deals.

Manbar lived in Nice, France with his wife and two children, who also could not be found. Calls to his home in southern France were not answered.

But a secretary at his French office told Israeli Channel Two television that Manbar had not disappeared.

"When they decide to contact anyone, they will," the unnamed secretary told the television. "I can't say, I don't know where they are."

Manbar was born on the kibbutz Givat Hayim in northern Israel and left the country in 1985.

In 1991 the Israeli defense ministry forbade Israeli contacts with him based on reports he was selling chemical weapons parts to Iran, from China.

Clinton two years ago wrote in a letter to the US Congress that Manbar was involved in selling Iran materials used in the manufacture of chemical weapons.

The US government consequently imposed harsh sanctions on Manbar, preventing US businesses from working with him.

The New York Times reported in 1995 that Manbar had set up fake companies in Britain and Poland, through which he sold the weapons materials to Iran.

The materials, some of which had been produced in China, included those used to produce mustard and nerve gas, according to the New York Times.

Manbar told the Israeli Haaretz newspaper in 1995 that he had not sold such materials to Iran but clothes to protect against chemical attacks and that the appropriate Israeli officials knew of the deal.

Israeli officials told Yediot that Manbar had been the go-between for deals between military companies owned by the Israeli government and countries of the former Soviet Union.

April 15 , 1997

several weeks

Tuesday

two years ago

accused

missing

said

accused

reported

story

disappearance

made

attempts

contact

lived

owes

took

deals

totalled

said

stick

lived

found

answered

told

disappeared

decide

contact

told

say

know

born

left

forbade

selling

wrote

involved

selling

used

manufacture

imposed

sanctions

preventing

working

reported

set

sold

produced

included

produce

according

told

sold

protect

attacks

knew

deal

told

deals


AFP_ENG_20061219.0245

PARIS, France, Dec 19 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - ADDS vets blame asphyxia ///

The French agriculture ministry said Tuesday that bird flu is not responsible for the deaths of several thousand chickens on a farm in the east of the country.

"Preliminary results show no sign of an influenza virus in the samples taken from the farm in the Haute-Marne (department)," a statement said.

Vets who examined the 4,000 chickens who died Saturday at a farm in Sarrey said they had been killed by asphyxia.

"It was a problem of atmosphere control. They suffocated to death," said Bernard Brocvielle, Haute-Marne's chief vet.

An emergency plan was set in action on Sunday because of fears the chickens might have been infected with the H5N1 flu virus which can be fatal to humans.

Dec 19 , 2006

Tuesday

Saturday

Sunday

said

deaths

show

taken

said

examined

died

said

killed

suffocated

said

set

infected


XIN_ENG_20051107.0109

COLOMBO, Nov. 7 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Sri Lankan gov't budget not election related: official

Sri Lanka's government budget for the year 2006 would be a "pro poor, pro-growth" budget and not election related, the Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama said here Monday.

The budget is to be presented in parliament on Tuesday amidst protests by the main opposition United National Party (UNP).

Amunugama said the Sri Lankan economy was now ready to take off from 6 percent growth and with the country's per capita income of 1,034 US dollars, Sri Lanka now had a place in the list of countries with "lower end of middle range income."

Referring to the pledges by both main candidates in the Nov. 17 presidential poll to achieve 8 to 10 percent growth, Amunugama said the foundation has been laid for such growth in the past year.

"Our emphasis will be on developing education, health, social benefits and better infrastructure," Amunugama said, adding that the preparation of the budget commenced long before the announcement of the presidential poll.

"The elections were not talked about when preparations began and it went through the normal routine process," Amunugama said.

The UNP charges that the budget would provide undue advantage to the ruling party candidate, the incumbent Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.

The main opposition challenger and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe met President Chandrika Kumaratunga asking to delay the presentation of the budget until after the election.

The UNP spokesman Tissa Attanayake told reporters here Monday that the government move was undemocratic and illegal but his party would not stage a boycott of the parliamentary session.

Nov. 7 , 2005

the year 2006

Monday

Tuesday

now

Nov. 17

the past year

Monday

said

presented

protests

said

take

growth

had

Referring

achieve

growth

said

laid

growth

said

adding

preparation

commenced

announcement

talked

began

went

said

charges

provide

met

asking

delay

presentation

election

told

move

stage

boycott

session


AFP_ENG_19970430.0031

TOKYO, April 30 , 1997 (AFP)

Dollar moves narrowly in mid-afternnon Tokyo trade

The dollar moved in a narrow range against the yen in mid-afternoon trading here Wednesday, as activity slowed ahead of a long weekend in Japan.

At 2 p.m. (0500 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 126.97 yen, slightly up from 126.84 yen earlier in the day and 126.88 yen in New York Tuesday afternoon.

The dollar also traded at 1.7238, down from 1.7245 earlier and 1.7259 in New York Tuesday.

The US unit was lower against the mark on stop-loss dollar selling activated at the 1.7220-25 mark level, but with the declines likely to be recouped in European trading, dealers said.

The dollar's falls against the mark was also due to buying of the German unit against the yen as investors covered positions following the mark's recent falls against the yen, dealers said.

Activity was focused on the mark-yen cross with investors reluctant to take fresh positions in dollar-yen trading ahead of the long weekend through Monday in Japan, they said.

"Investors were encouraged to accelerate buying of the mark against the yen after the mark broke through technical upside resistance at the 73.60 yen level," said Tokai Bank dealer Masahiro Yamaguchi.

The mark traded at 73.66 yen mid-afternnon here.

"I think the mark will continue rising close to the 74 yen level and the dollar, in turn, is expected to continue falling against the mark," Yamaguchi said.

April 30 , 1997

mid-afternoon trading here Wednesday

Tuesday afternoon

Monday

moved

slowed

quoted

traded

lower

selling

activated

declines

recouped

said

falls

buying

following

falls

said

focused

take

trading

said

encouraged

accelerate

mark

broke

resistance

said

traded

think

continue

rising

expected

continue

falling

said


AFP_ENG_19970423.0686

JAKARTA, April 24 , 1997 (AFP)

Indonesian military promises reward to locate rebel leader

The Indonesian military has promised a reward to anyone who providing information about a notorious rebel leader in the easternmost Irian Jaya province, a report said Thursday.

Major General Johny Lumintang, responsible for security in the province, said in the province's capital of Jayapura Wednesday that the military will provide "an attractive reward" for information on the whereabouts of Kelly Kwalik, one of the leaders of the Free Papua Organisation (OPM).

"If anyone knows anything, please let me know so that he could be captured immediately," Lumintang said without elaborating as quoted by the state Antara news agency.

The OPM has been seeking an independent state in Irian Jaya, which shares a border with Papua New Guinea, since the late 1960s.

Kwalik's group in January last year kidnapped 26 people, including seven European scientists, in the mountainous jungle area in central Irian Jaya.

They gradually released most of the hostages until the remaining nine, including seven foreigners, were freed four months later following a military operation in May. Two Indonesian hostages were killed in the operation.

Central Irian Jaya is mostly covered by mountainous jungles and experiences heavy rainfall and temperatures as low as ten degrees Celcius (minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit).

April 24 , 1997

Thursday

Wednesday

the late 1960s

January last year

four months

May

promised

providing

said

said

provide

knows

let

know

captured

said

elaborating

quoted

seeking

shares

kidnapped

released

freed

following

operation

killed

operation

covered

experiences


AFP_ENG_19970423.0361

JOHANNESBURG, April 23 , 1997 (AFP)

Police trumpeter asks human rights committee to save his dreadlocks

A rasta-loving policeman who faces disciplinary action for wearing his hair in dreadlocks, has taken his case to the South African Human Rights Commission, officials said Wednesday.

D.P. Sass, a trumpet player in a police band, faces suspension or dismissal for sporting long, twisted tresses, but has protested the ruling on the grounds that it infringes on his religious freedoms, the SAPA news agency said Wednesday.

Sass became a follower of Rastafarianism (also known as 'rasta'), a philosophical movement originating in Jamaica and the Antilles, a year after joining the police in 1992, the commission said in a statement.

Police admit their regulations contradict Sass' religious rights, but say the measures are necessary in order to maintain standards of neatness and integrity, the commission added.

In a similar case, a Cape Town high school student appealed to the commission after his school refused to allow him to write exams because he would not hide his dreadlocks, the statement said.

April 23 , 1997

Wednesday

Wednesday

faces

wearing

taken

said

faces

sporting

protested

ruling

infringes

said

became

originating

joining

said

admit

contradict

say

maintain

added

appealed

refused

allow

write

exams

hide

said


XIN_ENG_20061129.0389

KAMPALA, Nov. 29 , 2006 (Xinhua)

UNICEF warns of escalating violence in northeastern Uganda

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned of increasing violence in northeastern Uganda, noting the violence could have a lasting impact on the civilians, especially children.

The UNICEF said in a statement issued here on Wednesday that the violence in areas of northern Kotido district linked to the ongoing disarmament exercise of armed warriors by the Ugandan military could pose both short and long term effects on the children due to sustained exposure to violence.

"Violence can keep children out of school and rob them of the chance to fulfill their potential. Multiplied many times over, violence robs the community of its potential for development," said Martin Mogwanja, the UNICEF representative in Uganda.

The UN's agency again called for restraint of all arms carriers in the region to avoid further escalation of insecurity and to minimize the impact of innocent civilians, especially on the lives of children and families.

Of late the Ugandan military has been carrying out lethal offensives against armed warriors following several attacks by the warriors on the military and civilians.

The latest reports from UN staff in the area confirm that 13 women and nine children have died in connection with the ongoing disarmament operations in the past month.

Following the increasing mayhem in the region, UNICEF, through CARITAS and the Church of Uganda and in coordination with district authorities, has provided emergency humanitarian support in the form of non-food items and first-aid kits to displaced persons in Kotido District.

The UNICEF also supported OXFAM to provide emergency water and sanitation services to provide relief to approximately 1,500 people.

"There must be a redoubling of efforts to enable all children and women in Uganda to have unhindered access to protection, as well as health, education, safe water, shelter and other essential services," said Mogwanja.

The Ugandan military embarked on the disarmament exercise in the region in 2001, following the continued cattle rustling by the warriors.

Since the exercise was launched the military has so far collected over 10,000 guns out of the estimated amount of 40,000 illegal weapons scattered in northeastern Uganda.

Nov. 29 , 2006

Wednesday

the past month

warned

increasing

violence

noting

violence

have

impact

said

issued

violence

linked

pose

sustained

violence

keep

fulfill

Multiplied

robs

development

said

called

avoid

escalation

minimize

impact

carrying

offensives

attacks

confirm

died

provided

supported

provide

provide

redoubling

efforts

enable

have

said

embarked

following

rustling

exercise

launched

scattered


AFP_ENG_20061230.0254

WATFORD, England, Dec 30 , 2006, 2006

Heavy rain stops Watford-Wigan match

The English Premiership match between Watford and Wigan at Vicarage Road on Saturday was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.

Referee Steve Tanner called a halt to proceedings about 15 minutes into the second half with the scores level at 1-1 as rain lashed down.

Emile Heskey had given the visitors the lead before Tamas Priskin headed an equaliser for Watford.

Dec 30 , 2006

Saturday

abandoned

called

proceedings

lashed

given

headed


AFP_ENG_20061217.0099

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 17 , 2006, 2006

Controversy hits South African cricket

South African cricket, already reeling after the national team collapsed to 84 all out in the first Test against India, found itself enmeshed in front page controversy Sunday.

The Sunday Times reported that vice-captain and star all-rounder Jacques Kallis refused to sing the national anthem, while the Afrikaans newspaper Rapport published strong criticism of the sport's officials by spin bowler Nicky Boje, who retired suddenly when he was due to join the team for the Test.

Cricket South Africa (SA)will discuss with Kallis what the player describes as "good and valid personal reasons" why he does not sing the national anthem when it is played before international matches.

The Sunday Times published an e-mail from Kallis to a member of the public who had queried why he did not sing the anthem. Kallis wrote: "It is my choice whether I sing or do not sing the anthem. I certainly do not have to explain my reasons to anyone, especially you. I do have good and valid personal reasons and I intend to keep it that way."

Kallis refused to elaborate on his comments but Cricket SA chief executive Gerald Majola said the issue would be discussed with the player after the Test.

National symbols are a particularly sensitive issue in South Africa with a new anthem and new flag introduced when the country achieved majority rule in 1994.

Majola said Cricket SA "insists on having the SA anthem sung." He listed several reasons, including the enhancement and encouragement of nation-building and because it was "a bridge between the players and the spectators, unifying their support of their nation and of each other."

Majola said these reasons had been explained to the players and there had been no request from any player not to sing the anthem.

Meanwhile, Boje told Rapport he felt he had been harshly treated by the selectors. "At some stage you have to ask yourself where you are going and where your loyalties lie. Mine are no longer with the Proteas."

Boje, who will continue to play domestic cricket for the Eagles franchise, said an unhealthy situation had developed in South African cricket.

He said he believed several players would opt to play their cricket in other countries if they were not selected for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

"With the uncertainty over places and the scramble to be part of the group it seems as though certain players are playing for themselves and their own places - and that is unhealthy for SA cricket," said Boje.

Former Test off-spinner Pat Symcox joined the criticism when he said South African captain Graeme Smith was so busy dealing with non-cricket issues that he did not have time to concentrate on his game.

Smith, who has been in woeful form, was out for five Saturday at the start of his team's slide to 84 all out, their lowest total since the country returned to international cricket in 1991.

Although cricket officials have denied there is conflict in the national team set-up, there was a public rift between Smith and selection convenor Haroon Lorgat shortly before the third one-day international in Cape Town where Lorgat insisted on a late change to the team when Smith was walking out for the toss.

Dec 17 , 2006

Sunday

Sunday Times

Sunday Times

five Saturday

reeling

collapsed

found

enmeshed

controversy

reported

refused

sing

published

criticism

retired

due

join

discuss

sing

played

matches

published

queried

sing

wrote

choice

sing

sing

explain

intend

keep

refused

elaborate

said

discussed

Test

introduced

achieved

said

insists

sung

listed

enhancement

was

support

said

explained

request

sing

told

felt

treated

ask

lie

continue

play

said

developed

said

believed

opt

play

selected

seems

playing

said

joined

criticism

said

dealing

concentrate

start

returned

denied

insisted

change

walking

toss


AFP_ENG_20051221.0178

JENIN, West Bank, Dec 21 , 2005

URGENT  Local Hamas chief shot dead in West Bank

A local leader of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas was shot dead Wednesday by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank city of Jenin, medical sources said.

Dec 21 , 2005

Wednesday

movement

shot

said


AFP_ENG_20061219.0284

AMMAN, Dec 19 , 2006, 2006

URGENT  Olmert on surprise visit to Jordan

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert paid a surprise visit to Jordan Tuesday for talks with King Abdullah II on ways of reactivating peace talks with the Palestinians, the royal court said.

Dec 19 , 2006

Tuesday

paid

visit

talks

talks

said


XIN_ENG_20061122.0058

TOKYO, Nov. 22 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Dollar falls to lower 117 yen level in Tokyo

The U.S. dollar fell to the lower 117 yen level Wednesday in Tokyo as investors reduced their dollar holdings ahead of holidays in Japan and the United States.

At 5 p.m., the dollar was quoted at 117.46-49 yen against Tuesday's 5 p.m. quotes of 117.87-97 yen in New York and 118.12-14 yen in Tokyo.

It moved between 117.38 yen and 117.94 yen during the day, trading most frequently at 117.85 yen.

The euro was quoted at 1.2866-2869 dollars and 151.15-19 yen compared with Tuesday's 5 p.m. quotes of 1.2839-2849 dollars and 151.39-49 yen in New York and 1.2825-2827 dollars and 151.49-53 yen in Tokyo.

Nov. 22 , 2006

Wednesday

Tuesday

the day

Tuesday

fell

reduced

quoted

moved

trading

quoted


AFP_ENG_20051215.0093

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 , 2005

ATTENTION - ADDS activist quotes ///

Southeast Asia's new campaign for the Myanmar junta to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is unlikely to be successful any time soon, United Nations envoy Razali Ismail said Thursday.

Razali welcomed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) decision to send their own envoy to the military-run state to check on the progress of promised democratic reforms and push for the release of political prisoners.

"It's a wonderful decision and it's good that the ASEAN countries have been able to persuade Myanmar to make this visit and I hope it will be a very meaningful visit which will clarify all aspects," he told AFP.

But Razali, the representative of UN chief Kofi Annan, warned that Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar was unlikely to achieve any coups when he carries out his mission to Yangon, expected next month.

"There is a lot of expectation that commitments given by Myanmar to ASEAN will be lived up to and...the release of Aung San Suu Kyi is one of the commitments given," he said on the sidelines of a peace forum here.

"But I don't think it's something that can happen just like that," he said. "We'll have to allow the leaders of the military regime there to work something out, but it's not going to happen instantaneously."

Razali said the fact that Myanmar's ruling generals had agreed to the visit was positive.

"I'm hopeful that the foreign minister of Malaysia will be able to express the collective sense of impatience and concern about the Myanmar issue discrediting ASEAN, and hopefully this will have an impact on the Myanmar leaders to want to do something."

Razali said that although he has not been able to visit the country since March 2004, the United Nations was "happy" to continue its efforts to engage with Myanmar.

But he stressed that the world body would increasingly depend on regional nations to exert whatever influence they could on their neighbour, which has earned pariah status for refusing to end four decades of military rule.

ASEAN aired its new stand on Myanmar at this week's summit in the Malaysian capital, demanding progress on political reforms and the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi who has spent 10 of the last 16 years in detention.

Myanmar's regime earlier this month confirmed that the current house arrest restrictions against her had been extended by six months.

Debbie Stothard, from the pressure group Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma, welcomed the regional bloc's "long overdue" change of tack, which was a major departure from its policy of non-interference in other members' affairs.

"It's not going to be an easy job but we are hoping that if Syed Hamid Albar is backed by the rest of ASEAN then the regime will respect what he's representing and what needs to be done," she said.

Stothard said that rather than just securing the release of political prisoners, ASEAN should demand a genuine reconciliation dialogue between the pro-democracy opposition, ethnic leaders and the regime.

Otherwise, when the mood turned sour in Myanmar the generals would simply retrace their steps and haul all their opponents back to jail.

"Burma (Myanmar) has a habit of recycling political prisoners. They have this revolving door where they release people after a lot of pressure and re-imprison them later on when they think no one else is looking," she said.

Dec 15 , 2005

Thursday

next month

March 2004

this week

last 16 years

earlier this month

six months

release

successful

said

welcomed

decision

send

check

push

persuade

make

visit

hope

visit

clarify

told

warned

achieve

carries

mission

expected

lived

given

said

think

said

allow

work

happen

said

ruling

agreed

visit

express

impact

want

do

said

able

visit

continue

efforts

engage

stressed

exert

earned

refusing

end

aired

summit

demanding

spent

confirmed

extended

welcomed

change

departure

hoping

backed

respect

representing

done

said

said

securing

demand

dialogue

turned

retrace

haul

have

think

looking

said


AFP_ENG_20051215.0400

WASHINGTON, Dec 15 , 2005

US industrial output up 0.7 percent

US industrial output expanded by 0.7 percent in November over the month before as the energy industry rebounded from damaging hurricanes, the Federal Reserve said Thursday.

The increase was just ahead of analysts' forecast for a rise in production of 0.5 percent, and compared with an upwardly revised gain of 1.3 percent in October.

"Further recoveries in petrochemical and energy-related industries affected by the hurricanes again contributed significantly to the increase in output in November," the Fed said in a statement.

Powerful hurricanes in late August and September played havoc with US oil drilling and refining activities in the Gulf of Mexico and on the southern coast.

Manufacturing output rose 0.3 percent in November, the Fed said. Output at mines surged 4.8 percent in November after falling in the previous four months, while production at utilities was up 0.3 percent.

Output of consumer goods fell 0.8 percent but construction was up 0.5 percent.

Dec 15 , 2005

November

the month

Thursday

October

November

late August

November

November

the previous four months

expanded

rebounded

said

increase

forecast

rise

compared

gain

contributed

increase

said

played

havoc

rose

said

surged

falling

fell

construction


XIN_ENG_20051112.0216

BUSAN, South Korea, Nov. 13 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Bush to arrive in South Korea Nov. 16: US official

US President George W. Bush will arrive in South Korea Wednesday, one day before his planned bilateral summit with his South Korean counterpart Roh Moo- hyun, a US Embassy official said Sunday.

Roh and Bush have agreed to meet in the country's southeastern city of Gyeongju on Nov. 17, ahead of the Nov. 18-19 leaders' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said. The forum opened in Busan on Saturday.

The US president is to arrive at Gimhae International Airport, the gateway to this host city of the 13th APEC forum, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Bush is among the 21 Asia-Pacific Rim leaders expected to attend the APEC leaders' meeting.

Nov. 13 , 2005

Wednesday, one day

Sunday

Nov. 17

Nov. 18-19

Saturday

arrive

summit

said

agreed

meet

meeting

said

opened

arrive

according

spoke

expected

attend

meeting


XIN_ENG_20061102.0344

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 2 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Portugal beats Uruguay 5-4 in beach soccer World Cup

Portugal beat Uruguay 5-4 on Thursday in the Group C opener of the second World Cup for beach soccer, which runs until Nov. 12 on Copacabana Beach, in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro.

"The Uruguay team played a typically South American game and knows how to neutralize our moves efficiently. But my men showed their patience and waited for the best moments to launch decisive attacks," Ze Miguel, Portugal's manager told media after the game.

Portugal had to fight hard for the three championship points: opening scoring with an Alan goal in the second minute, only to see their advantage evaporate as Uruguay's Ortiz struck back.

Alan scored again, but Matais and Oli scored one each to put Uruguay ahead. Madjer equalized for Portugal just before the first half whistle, but Uruguay opened the second half with Saranasi Sobral's scorpion kick to goal.

Hernani and Madjer fought back with a goal each to secure a 5-4 victory for the Portuguese.

The next Group C games are Portugal versus Cameroon and Uruguay versus the Solomon Islands, both on Saturday.

Portugal finished second at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and the last European Cup.

Nov. 2 , 2006

Thursday

Nov. 12

the second minute

Saturday

beat

runs

played

neutralize

moves

showed

waited

launch

attacks

told

game

fight

scoring

see

evaporate

struck

scored

scored

put

equalized

whistle

opened

fought

secure

finished


XIN_ENG_20061119.0021

HANOI, Nov. 19 , 2006 (Xinhua)

URGENT: Russia, US sign agreement on WTO deal in Vietnam

Russia and the United States Sunday signed a bilateral agreement on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the sidelines of the ongoing Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperaiton Economic Leaders' Meeting in Hanoi.

Nov. 19 , 2006

Sunday

signed

agreement

accession


PRI19980205.2000.1998
 NEWS STORY

 Thousands of people in Germany have been demonstrating
today against the high level of unemployment in the country.
 Latest figures show a sharp rise, with nearly five million
 Germans out of work.
 Caroline Wyatt reports.

 Chanting Helmut Kohl must go the unemployed took to the
 streets of the German capital, Berlin, mirroring protests
 around the country.
 Joblessness is now at its highest level in Germany since the
 second world war.
 With the general election due this September, record figures
 could n't have come at a worst time for Chancellor Kohl.
 His promise to half unemployment by the year two thousand has now been abandoned.
 And the German electorate appears increasingly eager to dispense with the services of Europe's longest serving leader.
 Caroline Wyatt, BBC news, Bonn.

today

now

this September

the year two thousand

now

demonstrating

level

rise

Chanting

go

took

mirroring

protests

at

war

election

come

promise

half

abandoned

eager

dispense

by


AFP_ENG_20061212.0328

WASHINGTON, Dec 12 , 2006, 2006

US trade gap falls to 58.9 billion dollars

Cheaper oil prices drove the US trade deficit down sharply to 58.9 billion dollars in October, from 64.3 billion dollars in September, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

The figure was a big surprise to analysts, who had expected the US shortfall in goods and services to come to 63 billion dollars in October.

The deficit fell to its lowest point since August 2005, and its monthly decline of 8.4 percent was the largest since December 2001.

Dec 12 , 2006

October

September

Tuesday

October

August 2005

December 2001

drove

said

expected

come

fell

decline

was


XIN_ENG_20061110.0160

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 10 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Former Malaysian PM Mahathir recuperating well

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who was admitted to hospital for mild heart attack, has been recuperating well Friday.

Mahathir is currently in stable condition at the Coronary Care Unit and is expected to be transferred to a normal ward in one or two days' time, the National Heart Institute (NHI) said Friday.

He went through a routine blood, x-ray and echocardiography tests Friday morning, the NHI said in a statement.

The former prime minister and his family members also expressed their gratitude to all Malaysians and foreign friends who had sent their best wishes and prayers for Mahathir's speedy recovery, said the statement.

Though Mahathir was advised to rest, he has already started receiving visitors Friday.

Mahathir, who will turn 81 next month, was rushed to the NHI early Thursday morning after complaining of chest pains. The institute later said he suffered from a mild myocardial infarction.

The former leader had a coronary artery bypass surgery in 1989, and in 1999 he undergo full treatment for a lung infection.

Mahathir had been Malaysian prime minister for 22 years before he retired on Oct. 31, 2003.

Nov. 10 , 2006

Friday

one or two days

Friday

Friday morning

Friday

Thursday morning

22 years

Oct. 31, 2003

admitted

attack

recuperating

expected

transferred

said

went

said

expressed

sent

said

advised

started

receiving

turn

rushed

complaining

said

suffered

undergo

retired


XIN_ENG_20051127.0195

LONDON, Nov. 27 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Middlesbrough draw with West Brom 2-2

Yakubu scored a second-half penalty to earn Middlesbrough a 2-2 draw with visiting West Brom in the English Premier League on Sunday.

The Nigerian converted his spot-kick after Paul Robinson was adjudged to have fouled substitute Szilard Nemeth.

Middlesbrough took the lead when Mark Viduka's effort with the outside of his boot left keeper Tomasz Kuszczak stranded.

West Brom equalized through Nathan Ellington's rifled shot and then led 2-1 when Nwankwo Kanu fired home from Robinson's pass.

The final result was a fair one after both sides created ample chances and provided great entertainment on a rain-drenched day in Middlesbrough.

The first half-chance fell to the home side and resulted in a goal.

Viduka, who has often been criticized for not putting in enough effort during matches, proved what a valuable asset he is to Steve McClaren's squad, with a goal that would have scored 10s for artistic merit.

"Kanu is my vote for man of the match - he was fantastic."

Former Boro boss Bryan Robson knows the importance of having a player with Viduka's guile and ingenuity in the squad.

In Kanu, he has that, although the Nigerian's strike rate is far lower than that of his Middlesbrough counterpart.

But Robson has kept faith with the former Arsenal striker throughout the season for that little bit extra he gives the team.

His selection of Kanu for Sunday's match paid dividends six minutes after Viduka's strike.

First, the Nigerian directed Quedrue's failed clearance into the path of Ellington, who punished the Frenchman's mistake.

And shortly after the break, he gave the visitors the lead, picking up Robinson's square ball, selling Middlesbrough's defenders a dummy before passing the ball past keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Robinson, who had come back into the first team following a three-match suspension, also had a hand in the next goal - although it went to Middlesbrough.

As the cross from Boro midfielder Fabio Rochemback came in, Robinson climbed over Nemeth, which resulted in referee Peter Walton pointing to the spot.

Yakubu converted to silence the vocal Baggies travelers.

The Nigeria striker should have given Boro the win, but failed to round keeper Kuszczak, while Jonathan Greening went close with a low effort that shaved Schwarzer's left-hand post late in the game.

Nov. 27 , 2005

Sunday

Sunday

scored

earn

visiting

converted

adjudged

fouled

substitute

took

left

stranded

equalized

led

fired

pass

created

provided

entertainment

fell

resulted

criticized

putting

effort

matches

proved

scored

vote

knows

lower

kept

gives

selection

paid

strike

directed

failed

punished

mistake

break

gave

picking

selling

passing

come

went

came

climbed

resulted

pointing

converted

given

failed

round

went

effort

shaved

game


AFP_ENG_20061229.0367

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, Dec 29 , 2006, 2006

Brewers, Suppan ink four-year deal

The Milwaukee Brewers signed veteran righthander Jeff Suppan to a four-year contract on Friday, a deal worth a reported 42 million dollars.

Suppan, who will turn 32 next Tuesday, became the latest pitcher to cash in during what has been a lucrative offseason for free agents.

He raised his stock over the last two months after going 1-1 with a 2.49 ERA in four postseason starts with the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.

The signing of Suppan came one day after the San Francisco Giants signed Barry Zito to a multi-year deal worth a reported 126 million dollars - the largest contract for a pitcher in major-league history.

The Most Valuable Player of the NL championship series, Suppan went 12-7 with a 4.12 ERA in 32 starts last season for the Cardinals.

The righthander is 44-26 with a 3.95 ERA over the past three years, posting consecutive 16-win campaigns in 2004 and 2005.

"With 44 wins in the last three seasons, Jeff is not only a proven winner, he is also one of the most durable pitchers in baseball," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "This agreement makes us feel very good about the depth of our rotation. Jeff's experience and durability should have a positive influence on our entire pitching staff."

Suppan will join a Brewers' rotation which includes lefthander Chris Capuano and righthanders Ben Sheets, Dave Bush and Claudio Vargas, who was acquired for starter Doug Davis in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks on November 25.

In 12 seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Arizona, Pittsburgh and St. Louis, Suppan is 106-101 with a 4.60 ERA in 317 career games. He has made at least 31 starts in each of the last eight years.

Dec 29 , 2006

Friday

Tuesday

the last two months

2.49 ERA

the past three years

the last three seasons

November 25

12 seasons

last eight years

signed

reported

turn

became

cash

raised

going

starts

came

signed

reported

went

posting

campaigns

said

makes

feel

join

acquired

made


WSJ891026-0153
 = 891026
 891026-0153.
 Diversified Investment Group
 10/26/89
 WALL STREET JOURNAL (J)
 DING STSS
 TENDER OFFERS, MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS (TNM)
 PHILADELPHIA

   Diversified Investment Group Inc. said it agreed to be acquired by Star States Corp. for stock valued at $13.75 a share, or about $24.4 million.

   Diversified, the holding company for Fidelity Federal Savings amp Loan Association, said the agreement also gives Star States the option to acquire 588,300 of Diversified's 1,774,326 shares outstanding "under certain circumstances."

   The acquisition would give Wilmington, Del.-based Star States access to the Pennsylvania market.

   The agreement is subject to regulatory approval and resolution of lawsuits brought by certain Diversified holders in connection with the proposed merger.

said

agreed

acquired

valued

said

agreement

gives

option

acquire

acquisition

give

access

agreement

subject

approval

resolution

brought

merger


AFP_ENG_20051210.0456

NEW YORK, Dec 10 , 2005

NBA banishes Sonics' Fortson for one game

Seattle SuperSonics forward Danny Fortson was suspended one game by the National Basketball Association here Saturday for a series of violations during a victory Friday at Utah.

Fortson was banished for verbally abusing a referee, failing to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected and knocking over a water cooler while leaving.

The incident came with nine minutes and 13 seconds to play in the fourth quarter of Seattle's 106-90 victory.

Fortson was whistled for a loose ball foul after having been whistled for three fouls and a technical foul in seven minutes. He argued the call and was ejected.

Teammates restrained Forston as he pressed his case to referee Matt Boland. Fortson, who tossed a chair that nearly hit a fan following an ejection last season, dumped a water cooler on his way into the locker room.

Fortson forfeited 71,277 dollars in salary by missing Seattle's game Saturday against Sacramento. He averages 3.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.6 fouls a game.

Dec 10 , 2005

Saturday

Friday

the fourth quarter

last season

Saturday

suspended

game

violations

victory

banished

abusing

failing

leave

ejected

knocking

leaving

incident

came

play

whistled

whistled

argued

ejected

restrained

pressed

referee

tossed

hit

dumped

forfeited

missing

game


AFP_ENG_20061213.0679

SYDNEY, Dec 14 , 2006, 2006

URGENT  Australia's Qantas agrees takeover offer

Australian flag carrier Qantas on Thursday agreed to an 11-billion-dollar (8.6 billion US) takeover bid from a private equity consortium.

Dec 14 , 2006

Thursday

agreed


XIN_ENG_20051126.0126

KABUL, Nov. 26 , 2005 (Xinhua)

7 arrested in Kabul for possessing explosives

Seven persons were arrested on Saturday along with their two cars full of explosives in Afghan capital Kabul, the spokesperson of Ministry of Defense said.

"This afternoon at about 3:30, Afghan National Army (ANA) seized two cars full of explosives in the city of Kabul, and arrested four persons in the car. The third car was also seized by ANA after finding the direct relation with the first two cars although there is no explosive inside, and the three persons in the car were arrested afterwards," spokesperson Zahir Azimi told Xinhua.

The spokesperson refused to comment about if there is any suicide attack attempts behind it.

Taliban militants in Afghanistan have intensified attacks against Afghan and foreign troops this year, especially by use of suicide attacks.

A people was arrested in eastern Nangarhar province on Friday for taking many explosives in his body and the suicide explosion attempt. On the same day, another suicide attacker in the province exploded the bomb in his body and injured one passerby.

The Afghan government has sent more troops for further investigation.

Nov. 26 , 2005

Saturday

this year

Friday

the same day

arrested

said

seized

arrested

seized

finding

arrested

told

refused

comment

attack

attempts

intensified

attacks

use

attacks

arrested

taking

attempt

exploded

injured

sent

investigation


AFP_ENG_20061214.0516

MOSCOW, Dec 14 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - ADDS background, explanation of contract ///

Russia has given the go-ahead to increased spending for the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project led by US oil giant ExxonMobil to a total of to 19.3 billion dollars (14.7 billion euros), the Russian energy ministry said on Thursday.

The original budget was for 12.8 billion dollars but extra costs amounted to 6.5 billion dollars because of work on the Chayvo reserves in the northeastern part of the island of Sakhalin in far eastern Russia, the ministry said.

The private consortium operating the project in far eastern Russia must consult with the Russian government about project budgets under terms of a production sharing agreement (PSA) that governs the project.

The Russian state only receives a share of profits from the project once the participating companies, which include Russian, Chinese and Indian energy firms, have recouped their investment.

"The work programme and the estimate of the expenses for extraction and management of December 2006 has been approved," the ministry said in a statement.

Sakhalin-2, another project on the island that is operated by Anglo-Dutch energy giant Shell, ran into trouble with the Russian government when it increased budget costs from 10 to 20 billion dollars in 2005.

Sakhalin-2 also operates under a PSA with the Russian state.

Dec 14 , 2006

Thursday

December 2006

given

increased

spending

led

said

amounted

work

said

consult

governs

receives

recouped

investment

estimate

approved

said

operated

ran

increased

operates


XIN_ENG_20051126.0004

KATHMANDU, Nov. 26 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Cases of violence against women increasing in Nepal: report

The number of cases related to violence against women is increasing by the year in Nepal, a report submitted to the on-going campaign of "Ensure zero tolerance for violence against women" disclosed here on Saturday.

According to the report released by the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD), a non-governmental organization, crime against women in Nepal, especially domestic violence, increased to 922 in 2003-2004 from a total of 569 reported cases of domestic violence in the year of 2002-2003.

Similarly, trafficking and child marriage has increased from the previous year, the report stated.

The toll on women and children is invariable heavy due to the conflict situation as also the fact that higher percentages of the displaced are also women, the report said.

Thousands of women are unable to report to police or are deprived of litigation either due to absence of courts in the countryside due to conflict or because they fear further atrocities from the perpetrators, the report added.

Meanwhile, several United Nations institutions here pointed out that Nepal should strive to ensure that every woman has equal citizenship right, the right to equal property, and equal access to migration and labor.

Jointly organized by United Nations Population Fund and FWLD, the campaign from Friday will last 16 days in marking the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women.

Nov. 26 , 2005

the year

Saturday

the year of 2002-2003

the previous year

Friday

violence

increasing

submitted

violence

disclosed

According

released

violence

increased

cases

violence

increased

stated

said

report

deprived

conflict

fear

added

pointed

strive

ensure

has

organized

campaign

last

marking


AFP_ENG_19970414.0302

KIPUSHI, Zaire-Zambia border, April 14 , 1997 (AFP)

Zambian backing helped Zaire rebels to take Lubumbashi by Jean-Pierre Campagne

Zairean rebels' success in taking their country's second city Lubumbashi last week, was due in part to the goodwill of neighbouring Zambia, according to residents living along the border.

In the sleepy border town of Kipushi about 30 kilometres (19 miles) southwest of Lubumbashi, the people claimed that troops of rebel leader Laurent Kabila infiltrated via Zambia on Monday and seized control of their town virtually without a fight.

"We heard three shots at around 06:00 a.m., then nothing else. The soldiers surrendered right away. The rebels were in control almost immediately," said one man who asked not to be identified.

"The first of the rebels, arrived on food and looked tired as theough they had been marching for a long time. The others seemed in better shape. There are serious grounds for believing that some arrived during the night by lorry from Zambia," he said.

According to some reports reaching Lubumbashi and which it was not possible to verify, Kabila's men have a base camp about 30 kilometres (19 miles) inside Zambian territory where "wasungu" - white men in Swahili - have been spotted recently.

Kipushi is the most straightforward access route to Lubumbashi from Zambia over a narrow but good road through the bush and which is well maintained because of the large amount of commercial traffic which uses it.

Another route to Lubumbashi which is wider but lies 100 kilometres (60 miles) away passes through Kasumbalesa.

When the rebels captured Kasenga, 200 kilometres (125 miles) northeast of Lubumbashi at the end of March, they also went through Zambia to catch the Zairean soldiers from the rear, according to informed sources.

The fall of Lubumbashi came as Zambia refused permission to Belgian troops to base soldiers at Ndola on the Zambian side of the border in readiness for an evacuation of foreign nationals from Lubumbashi.

The rebel victory also came the day after Rwandan strongman General Paul Kagame spelled out clearly that the Kabila had the support of countries of the Great Lakes region.

The rebel troops also benefitted from the active support of the local population, in Kipushi and in Lubumbashi.

In Lubumbashi, local people showed the rebels where to find the soldiers of the elite Zairean Presidential Security Division (DSP) whose men had chosen to resist the rebel advance rather than grabbing what they could and fleeing as the Zairean army had been wont to do elsewhere.

Outside the DSP headquarters south of the city, local people deliberately misled the driver of a DSP tank about where the rebels were coming in. He was caught off guard and killed by the rebels.

It was the people of Lubumbashi who recognised and handed over to the rebels, Colonel Kinene, the DSP chief as he was fleeing disguised in civilian clothes and in possession of 20,000 dollars. In this way the DSP was made to pay for the numerous abuses committed by the soldiers in the city.

Even without such help, Kabila's men would probably have captured Lubumbashi but it would have taken them much longer and exacted a much heavier toll on rebel forces.

April 14 , 1997

last week

Monday

the end of March

day

taking

due

according

claimed

infiltrated

seized

fight

heard

surrendered

said

identified

arrived

looked

marching

seemed

believing

arrived

said

According

reaching

verify

spotted

maintained

uses

passes

captured

went

catch

according

came

refused

base

victory

came

spelled

had

benefitted

showed

find

chosen

resist

advance

grabbing

fleeing

do

misled

coming

caught

killed

recognised

handed

fleeing

disguised

made

pay

committed

help

captured

taken

exacted


AFP_ENG_20061223.0297

ASHGABAT, Dec 24 , 2006, 2006

=(PICTURE)=

Turkmenistan was due Sunday to bury its president-for-life, Saparmurat Niyazov, who died suddenly after two decades of ruling this gas-rich Central Asian nation, leaving no obvious heir.

Niyazov, who died Thursday at 66 from a heart attack, according to officials, was to be buried at the family mausoleum in his home village of Kipchak.

Police barred the road between the capital Ashgabat and Kipchak on Saturday and workers could be seen tidying the route where the funeral cortege for the self-declared Turkmenbashi, or Leader of all Turkmen, will pass from 0700 GMT.

Among the foreign presence will be Ukraine's Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will attend the funeral, Turkmen state television said Saturday, and President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan will also be present.

The United States will be represented by Richard Boucher, assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs.

Although few major foreign leaders will attend the ceremonies, Washington, Moscow and other major world capitals are watching closely as the succession process unfolds in the desert state, which contains huge natural gas supplies and occupies a strategic corner of energy-rich Central Asia.

The caretaker president, deputy prime minister Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, appeared on television late Friday promising the ex-Soviet republic would remain "stable." He also reassured foreign customers of Turkmen gas that deliveries would not be interrupted.

However, analysts predict a power struggle.

In one early sign, Berdymukhammedov on Friday sacked the parliamentary speaker, Ovezgeldy Atayev, who under the constitution was eligible to become interim leader. He has been charged with driving his son's fiancee to attempt suicide by forbidding their marriage because they were of different clans.

In a 21-year reign, Niyazov ruthlessly crushed dissent, declared himself president-for-life, and instituted an intense personality cult, naming months after himself and his mother, erecting gold statues of himself, and having his image adorn everything from banknotes to vodka bottles.

However, many ordinary Turkmens appeared to be in genuine shock at his death, saying they were lost without his guidance and fearful for the generous social policies he instituted.

The state funeral was to begin with the lying in state of Niyazov's body at Ashgabat's presidential palace at 0400 GMT.

The corpse would then be taken to the Kipchak mausoleum, a building constructed by French contractors and already containing the remains of Niyazov's father, who was killed in World War II, and his mother, who died in a huge earthquake in 1948, orphaning the future Turkmen leader in his childhood.

Alongside the mausoleum is Central Asia's biggest mosque, also French-built at a cost estimated at 100 million dollars (76 million euros).

The national mourning period will last until December 30.

Dec 24 , 2006

two decades

Thursday

Saturday

Saturday

late Friday

Friday

December 30

due

bury

died

ruling

leaving

died

buried

barred

seen

tidying

cortege

pass

attend

funeral

said

present

represented

attend

ceremonies

watching

unfolds

occupies

appeared

promising

remain

reassured

interrupted

predict

struggle

sacked

eligible

become

charged

driving

attempt

forbidding

declared

instituted

erecting

having

adorn

appeared

saying

lost

instituted

funeral

begin

lying

taken

constructed

containing

killed

died

earthquake

orphaning

estimated

last


XIN_ENG_20051125.0145

BEIJING, Nov 25 , 2005 (Xinhua)

examinees

Some 365,000 people around China have applied to attend the national civil servant qualification exam for 10,282 posts available next year in central government departments, the Ministry of Personnel said Friday.

This means roughly 35 candidates will compete for one post in 97 departments of the central government, said a ministry official.

According to the official, the exam this year, scheduled for Saturday in 347 exam spots across the country, for the first time calls off limitations, such as household registration, gender, appearance and marriage status, so as to offer equal opportunities for examinees.

The exam fee is exempted for examinees from impoverished families.

Inspection teams sent by the central authorities will be touring the exam spot for supervision, the official said.

The result of the exam will be released at the website of the Ministry of Personnel in late December.

With severe employment pressure, civil service has become one of most popular professions in the country over recent years for its stable incomes, lofty social status and perfect welfare insurance.

Nov 25 , 2005

next year

Friday

this year

Saturday

late December

recent years

applied

attend

exam

said

means

compete

said

According

scheduled

calls

offer

exempted

sent

touring

said

released

become


AFP_ENG_20051214.0321

GAZA CITY, Dec 14 , 2005

URGENT  Several wounded as car explodes in Gaza

Several people were wounded Wednesday when a car exploded in the Gaza Strip during an apparent Israeli air strike, Palestinian witnesses said.

Dec 14 , 2005

Wednesday

wounded

exploded

strike

said


AFP_ENG_20051203.0420

BAMAKO, Dec 4 , 2005

= (PICTURES) =

Africa's woes from wars to fairer trade, illegal immigration to a brain drain, come under the spotlight at a second and final day of a summit of African and French leaders here on Sunday.

French President Jacques Chirac and, for the first time at an Africa-France Summit, representatives of all 53 African states, including more than 20 heads of state, have gathered in the Malian capital, Bamako.

With crunch global trade talks looming in Hong Kong, the need to ensure a better deal for poor African nations in world trade was one of the themes to focus leaders' minds here on the opening day.

"African farmers must receive a fair reward for their work. We cannot accept a situation in which hasty and generalised liberalisation of agricultural trade ruins the efforts of the least developed nations," Chirac said.

Ministers of the 148 World Trade Organisation members head to Hong Kong from December 13 to take stock of the 'Doha Development' round of negotiations, launched in the Qatari capital in 2001.

The talks have largely stalled over the degree to which rich countries offer financial support to their agriculture sectors.

Mali President Amadou Toumani Toure said cotton was "symbolic of inequitable trade". "Are we going to continue in Africa sowing cotton to harvest deficits, while others, more affluent, sow the same cotton to harvest subsidies?" Toure said.

West African governments want the WTO meeting to fix a date to eliminate all cotton subsidies, which they say price their top export earner out of world markets.

The crisis in France's former colony of Ivory Coast, divided since fighting broke out in 2002 pitting President Laurent Gbagbo against rebels who control the north, is another source of concern.

Chirac said, during talks with the leaders of South Africa and Niger here, that France, which has 4,000 troops deployed in Ivory Coast, wanted a new prime minister appointed in Ivory Coast soon, a French delegation source said.

Ivorian political and rebel parties have been unable to agree on who should head an interim government.

Summiteers have also addressed how to tackle immigration and the alleviation of poverty to keep Africans, tempted to seek better living conditions elsewhere, at home.

"Together, we must encourage co-development and enable Africans to enjoy decent conditions for living and working in their own countries," Chirac, 73, said.

The Bamako summit is the first time he has travelled outside of Europe since his week-long hospitalisation in September for a vision problem that doctors said was caused by a minor vascular "incident".

Dec 4 , 2005

Sunday

December 13

September

immigration

come

summit

gathered

talks

looming

ensure

deal

focus

receive

accept

liberalisation

said

head

take

launched

talks

stalled

offer

said

going

continue

sow

said

want

meeting

fix

eliminate

price

crisis

divided

broke

control

said

talks

has

deployed

wanted

appointed

said

agree

head

addressed

tackle

keep

tempted

seek

encourage

enable

enjoy

working

said

travelled

hospitalisation

said

caused


PRI19980205.2000.1890
 NEWS STORY

 The US is bolstering its military presence in the gulf,
 as President Clinton discussed the Iraq crisis with the one
 ally who has backed his threat of force, British prime
 minister Tony Blair.
 The World's Nancy Marshall reports on Mr. Blair's current
 visit to Washington and the special relationship between the
 two leaders.

 President Clinton rolled out the red carpet for prime
 minister Blair, welcoming him not only as a close ally, but a
 close friend.
 Posing for photographers with Clinton, Blair pledged to stand
 united with the president against Iraq, warning Saddam Hussein
 that the threat of force is real.
 The British aircraft carrier invincible is now patrolling the
 Persian Gulf alongside three US vessels.
 Washington and London are virtually alone in warning Iraq of
 military strikes if it does n't back down on the weapons
 inspection issue.
 President Clinton says he and Blair will stand together not just on Iraq but also on arresting the terrorists suspected of
 blowing up Pan Am flight one oh three over Scotland.
 For The World I'm Nancy Marshall in Washington.

now

bolstering

discussed

crisis

backed

threat

rolled

welcoming

Posing

pledged

stand

warning

threat

real

patrolling

alone

warning

strikes

back

says

stand

arresting

suspected

blowing

as

if


AFP_ENG_20051215.0066

LONDON, Dec 15 , 2005

Macquarie makes formal offer for LSE

Australian investment group Macquarie Bank made a formal cash offer of 580 pence per share for the London Stock Exchange on Thursday, valuing the LSE at about 1.5 billion pounds (2.2 billion euros, 2.7 billion dollars).

Last week, the LSE had rejected an informal offer from Macquarie Bank which valued the stock market operator at 1.48 billion pounds, describing it as "derisory".

Thursday's offer was made before a December 15 deadline set by the British Takeover Panel for Macquarie Bank to make a formal bid or walk away.

Macquarie said that if its bid succeeded, the LSE would continue to be regulated solely by the Financial Services Authority. The exchange would continue to be managed in London.

The Australian group said one week ago that it had approached the LSE, the biggest equity market in Europe, over bid talks and indicated that it would be prepared to offer 580 pence per share in cash.

Dec 15 , 2005

Thursday

Last week

Thursday

December 15

one week ago

made

offer

valuing

rejected

offer

valued

describing

offer

made

set

make

bid

walk

said

succeeded

continue

regulated

continue

managed

said

approached

talks

indicated

offer


AFP_ENG_19970412.0154

HONG KONG, April 12 , 1997 (AFP)

Pro-democracy group sets Thatcher demo to protest "lip service" to HK

A Hong Kong pro-democracy group on Saturday turned its wrath on Britain, saying it would stage protests at an upcoming visit by ex- premier Margaret Thatcher in anger at British "lip service" on the territory's future.

The announcement was made by the United Front Against the Provisional Legislature, a loose alliance of politicians and grass-roots activists opposing the assembly set up by China to legislate in Hong Kong after the July 1 handover.

Thatcher is an architect of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, the treaty that set down the terms for Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule and Beijing's promises to grant it wide-ranging autonomy for the following 50 years.

She is due to make a visit to the territory in two weeks, when she will officiate at the opening of the Tsing Ma Bridge -- part of the project to build Hong Kong's new airport -- on April 27.

"It is obvious that the British Hong Kong government has made too many compromises with communist China to betray democracy and the human rights of Hong Kong people," the United Front said in a statement.

"Recently, the Hong Kong government has taken steps to suppress peaceful demonstration by prosecuting a number of protestors during the selection of the (future) chief executive and the establishment of the Provisional Legislature."

It said the bridge ceremony, and a scheduled fireworks display that will commemorate the opening, "is nothing worthwhile, but an indication of the so-called glory withdrawal of the British government."

The statement called on Governor Chris Patten to withdraw the invitation to Thatcher and added it would organise "various protests" to show "the 'lip service' of British commitment to Hong Kong."

The United Front gathers individuals from Hong Kong's beleaguered pro- democracy faction, including the Frontier group and Democratic Party. Its demonstrations are small but vocal.

Critics of Britain's 156-year rule over Hong Kong say the colonial power moved too late to set down democratic institutions here.

The Legislative Council (LegCo), which will be replaced by the Provisional Legislature, is a fully-elected body.

But only a third of its 60 seats are chosen by universal suffrage. The others are chosen by local councils and by organisations representing Hong Kong's various professions.

In the last LegCo elections, in September 1995, democrats triumphed in the seats chosen by universal but mainly lost in the functional constituencies, which are dominated by pro-China figures.

April 12 , 1997

Saturday

July 1

the following 50 years

two weeks

April 27

September 1995

turned

saying

stage

protests

visit

announcement

made

opposing

set

legislate

handover

set

return

grant

make

visit

officiate

opening

project

build

made

compromises

betray

said

taken

suppress

prosecuting

selection

establishment

said

ceremony

commemorate

withdrawal

called

withdraw

added

organise

show

gathers

demonstrations

say

moved

set

replaced

chosen

chosen

elections

triumphed

chosen

lost

dominated


AFP_ENG_19970421.0132

MANILA, April 21 , 1997 (AFP)

Asian megacities to increase from nine to 20 by 2025

The number of Asian cities with populations of more than 10 million, or "megacities," is projected to increase from nine to 20 by 2025 as the region continues to face the spectre of urban migration, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Monday.

The continent's urban population is forecast to double from the current 1.1 billion to 2.5 billion by 2025, by which time Asia will be home to half of the world's people, the Manila-based bank said in its annual report released here.

Such growth is expected to lead to more pollution, traffic jams, water shortages, increased crime and the proliferation of slum areas, ADB said, and urged proper management of megacities to avert an urban catastrophe.

Megacities would need up to 40 billion dollars annually over the next decade "to provide services at levels sufficient to sustain productivity, and achieve improvements in the quality of life."

A large proportion of these funds would go to improvements in transport and communication, energy, and water supply and sanitation, the bank said.

To raise this amount, "traditional ways of financing capital costs and recovering current costs will have to be supplemented" by funding from the private sector, increased property tax collection and access by local government to the capital markets.

"Although funding may not be sufficient at present, it is crucial for megacities to anticipate the needs of infrastructure and service provision now," it said.

Beijing, Bombay, Calcutta, Jakarta, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Tianjin and Tokyo have been classified by the bank as megacities.

Eleven more are candidates for megacity status in the next 28 years -- Bangalore, Bangkok, Dhaka, Hyderabad, Karachi, Lahore, Madras, Manila, New Delhi, Shenyang and Rangoon, the bank said.

"Of the total projected 20 megacities, half will have populations of 20 million or more and 10 will be in South Asia," the bank said.

"While megacities can be expected to dominate the economic transformation of Asia, the quality of life for their residents will be very much related to the quality of their management," ADB added, endorsing moves to privatize services such as water and sewerage systems.

April 21 , 1997

Monday

the next decade

now

the next 28 years

projected

increase

continues

face

said

forecast

double

said

released

growth

expected

lead

increased

said

urged

avert

catastrophe

need

provide

sustain

achieve

improvements

go

improvements

said

raise

supplemented

increased

sufficient

anticipate

said

classified

said

said

expected

dominate

transformation

added

endorsing

moves


XIN_ENG_20061123.0145

MOSCOW, Nov. 23 , 2006 (Xinhua)

ISS crew play golf during space walk

The 14th crew of the International Space Station (ISS) played golf during a nearly six-hour space walk in a Russian program on Thursday, a Mission Control spokesman said.

Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin and U.S. astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria opened the hatches and begun their walk at 0020 GMT on Thursday after a 60-minute delay for technical reasons, said Valery Lyndin, spokesman for the Mission Control Center near Moscow.

According to the Itar-Tass news agency,the pair spent in outer space five hours 38 minutes instead of the planned five hours 47 minutes, Lyndin said.

"Most of the program has been fulfilled," Lyndin said. They played golf, installed a neutron telescope on the exterior of the Zvezda service module, took a picture of an antenna of the Kurs docking system and replaced a WAL 2 antenna.

German astronaut Thomas Reiter assisted the space walk from the ISS.

Tyurin hit a ball with a golf club manufactured by the Canadian firm Element 21 Golf.

The company's chiefs said that they wanted to mark by the space "game of golf" the 35 anniversary of the first "golf strike" made by American astronaut Alan Shepard on the moon surface.

Tyurin's strike, which has entered the Guinness Book of Records, was only a two-minute event, but preparations for it were long. Lopez-Allegria helped him in fixing a device with a spring that sent the ball in a needed direction.

The technical director of the Golf project, Alexander Alexandrov, told reporters that the golf ball would travel "miles and miles" in space, while Shepard's ball flew only 22 feet.

Unlike usual golf balls weighing 35 grams, the space ball weighs only three grams.

Under the contract, the golf club and remaining balls will be returned to the Earth in a Soyuz spacecraft in the spring and turned over to the customers.

Besides the golf, Tyurin and Lopez-Allegria examined the antenna of the Kurs system for problems that arose during the docking of Russia's supply ship Progress with the ISS in late October. They tried to retract the antenna, but failed to do so.

The pair moved a WAL 2 antenna to a more convenient place that will be used during the docking of the European craft ATV, the launch of which is scheduled for the beginning of 2008.

Nov. 23 , 2006

Thursday

Thursday

35 anniversary

late October

the beginning of 2008

played

golf

said

opened

begun

walk

delay

said

According

spent

said

fulfilled

said

played

installed

took

replaced

assisted

walk

hit

manufactured

said

wanted

mark

strike

made

strike

entered

helped

fixing

sent

told

travel

flew

weighing

weighs

returned

turned

golf

examined

arose

docking

tried

retract

failed

do

moved

used

docking

scheduled


XIN_ENG_20061113.0180

URUMQI, Nov. 13 , 2006 (Xinhua)

27 foreign drug traffickers arrested in Xinjiang this year

Twenty-seven foreign drug traffickers have been arrested this year in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region amid China's efforts to prevent the influx of heroin from the "Golden Crescent" area of central Asia.

The 27 people came from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Africa, said Jin Peng, an anti-drug smuggling official with the region's public security department.

The regional police have cracked 13 drug trafficking cases involving 53.1 kilograms of heroin since last January, nearly three times the total of last year, according to Jin.

As Xinjiang is promoting trade with its eight neighboring countries, drugs from the Golden Crescent which includes parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are "pouring" into China across the 5,400 kilometer-long border, Jin said.

"Drug trafficking gangs have created channels and set up a drug purchase, transport, storage and trade network in China," he said.

Low prices and the high purity of the heroin has also encouraged drug traffickers to take the risk, Jin said.

A two-week class began in the cities and prefectures of Urumqi, Kashi and Ili on Nov. 6 to educate policemen, custom officers, train staff and postmen about drug smuggling.

In April 2005, China launched a People's War on Drugs, calling on the public to help rehabilitate drug addicts and offering rewards for information that led to the arrest of traffickers.

The Chinese government also announced plans to support opium replacement planting abroad in the country's first bill on drug control which was introduced to the legislature in August.

The draft law also stipulates that Chinese police should share information with other countries and international organizations and enhance collaboration in drug smuggling investigations.

Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle, an area along the Mekong River delta, including Myanmar, Laos and northern Thailand, has been blamed for most of the country's drug-related problems.

Nov. 13 , 2006

this year

last January

last year

Nov. 6

April 2005

August

arrested

efforts

prevent

came

said

cracked

involving

according

promoting

pouring

said

created

channels

set

purchase

said

encouraged

take

said

began

educate

launched

War

calling

help

rehabilitate

offering

led

arrest

announced

plans

support

replacement

planting

introduced

share

enhance

blamed


XIN_ENG_20061106.0148

MANAGUA, Nov. 6 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Preliminary results show leftist leader leads Nicaragua vote

Leftist Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega, a U.S. Cold War foe, is heading for victory in Nicaragua's presidential elections, with a partial count on Monday giving him a lead strong enough to return to power.

With around 15 percent of polling stations counted, Ortega had 40 percent of Sunday's votes, which would secure him a first-round win.

Trailing behind was Eduardo Montealegre, of the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance, who got about 33 percent of votes counted.

Ortega needs at least 35 percent of the vote and an advantage of 5 percentage points over his closest rival to avoid a runoff in December.

The race, 16 years after a U.S.-backed rebellion helped force him from office, was Ortega's fifth consecutive presidential campaign.

Ortega's victory, if confirmed by final results, would give Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez a strong ally in the region.

Montealegre, who was Washington's favored candidate, refused to concede defeat and insisted he would force a runoff vote next month.

"In a democracy, that is unacceptable ... We are going to a second round," he told supporters.

Nov. 6 , 2006

Monday

Sunday

December

16 years

next month

heading

giving

return

counted

had

secure

win

got

avoid

runoff

U.S.-backed

helped

force

confirmed

give

refused

concede

insisted

force

vote

going

told


AFP_ENG_20061220.0085

BANGKOK, Dec 20 , 2006, 2006

governor ///

Thai share prices rebounded Wednesday after the military-installed government was forced to dump draconian capital controls that sparked a 15-percent collapse on Tuesday, dealers said.

The rebound helped the region as a whole recover from Tuesday's shock when Thailand, trying to protect export earnings from a rising baht, required 30 percent of most incoming foreign funds to be effectively impounded for a year.

The move spooked investors fearful that other regional countries with similar concerns over their export-led economies, might adopt similar measures to Thailand, the epicentre of the devastating 1997-98 Asian financial crisis.

"Foreign investors cheered the government's decision to backtrack on the currency rules," said Sukit Udomsirikul, a senior market analyst at Siam City Securities.

"With the change, foreign investors can continue to invest in the Thai stockmarket. Sentiment is really positive," Sukit said, suggesting stocks could recover the 690 points level.

Amid calls for heads to roll over the debacle, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index was up 66.03 points or 10.61 percent in the morning session at 688.17. The market lost 15 percent Tuesday, at 23 billion dollars the biggest one day drop by value in the 31-year history of the bourse.

Despite the losses, central bank governor Tarisa Watanagase defended the capital controls Wednesday and rejected calls for her resignation.

"I don't want to answer this question," Tarisa said when asked by reporters about growing calls for her replacement.

She took the helm of the central bank in October after Pridiyathorn Devakula left the job to join the government as finance minister.

Tarisa, the first woman to head the central bank, also reassured investors that the Bank of Thailand had no plans to introduce new currency rules for now.

"The Bank of Thailand will not issue any new measure for some peroid of time," she said.

Pridiyathorn, who was forced to backtrack on the capital controls late Tuesday after the stock plunge, said he was pleased with the rebound Wednesday.

"We may not recover all of the 108 points but I am happy to see a 65-point rebound with some 500 billion baht of market capitalisation being recovered," he told reporters.

While the local press lambasted the disaster, with some blaming Pridiyathorn for the worst economic woes since the 1997 financial crisis, the finance minister insisted the measures were necessary to prevent the baht's further rise.

"If the central bank did nothing (on Monday), we could have seen the baht rising to 34 to the dollar and hurt our exporters' competitiveness," Pridiyathorn said.

The Thai baht, which hit a new nine-year high of 35.12 to the dollar on Monday, was at 35.67-70 in late early Wednesday trade.

Krungthep Thurakit, a leading business daily, said someone in the government, which came to power after a coup in September that ousted the business savvy premier Thaksin Shinawatra, should take responsibility.

"It was the most expensive economic lesson for Thailand since the financial crisis in 1997 and someone must take responsibility for this lesson," the financial daily said in an editorial.

Effective Tuesday, the central bank, under the supervision of the finance ministry, had ordered financial institutions to hold 30 percent of foreign inflows, except those related to exports.

If incoming funds were kept in Thailand for a year, the depositor would get all their money back but if they withdrew earlier, then they would not.

Tuesday's record losses in Bangkok were an unwelcome echo of the Asian financial crisis which was sparked when the government was forced to float the baht in July 1997 in a bid to bolster the country's then flagging exports.

The baht promptly crashed, took the Thai economy with it and sent a tidal wave of debt and default sweeping across the region which cost billions of dollars to put right.

The impact was so great that it has taken years for many regional stockmarkets to revisit pre-crisis levels. Despite recent gains, Thailand's own bourse still remains far below its all-time high of 1,753.73 in January 1994.

Dec 20 , 2006

Wednesday

Tuesday

Tuesday

a year

Tuesday

Wednesday

October

now

Tuesday

Wednesday

Monday

Monday

Wednesday

September

Effective Tuesday

a year

Tuesday

July 1997

January 1994

rebounded

forced

dump

sparked

said

helped

recover

trying

protect

required

impounded

move

spooked

adopt

crisis

cheered

decision

backtrack

said

change

continue

invest

said

suggesting

recover

roll

session

lost

drop

losses

defended

rejected

want

answer

said

asked

replacement

took

left

join

head

reassured

introduce

issue

said

forced

backtrack

plunge

said

pleased

rebound

recover

see

rebound

recovered

told

lambasted

insisted

prevent

rise

seen

rising

hurt

said

hit

said

came

coup

ousted

take

lesson

crisis

take

said

ordered

kept

get

withdrew

losses

crisis

sparked

forced

float

bolster

crashed

took

sent

wave

sweeping

taken

revisit

remains


APW19980227.0489
 NEWS STORY
 02/27/1998 08:13:00

w2394 Cx1f wstm-
u i Cx13  Cx11  BC-OAU-Rwanda     02-27 0216

 BC-OAU-Rwanda

OAU to investigate Rwandan genocide

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) _ The Organization of African Unity
said Friday it would investigate the Hutu-organized genocide of
more than 500,000 minority Tutsis in Rwanda nearly four years ago.
Foreign ministers of member-states meeting in the Ethiopian
capital agreed to set up a seven-member panel to investigate who
shot down Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana's plane on April 6,
1994.
The assassination touched off a murderous rampage by Hutu
security forces and civilians, who slaughtered mainly Tutsis but
also Hutus who favored reconciliation with the minority. It also
reignited the civil war.
The panel also will look at the exodus of about 2 million Rwanda
Hutus to neighboring countries where they lived in U.N.-run refugee
camps for 2 1/2 years.
The investigation will consider the role of ``internal and
external forces prior to the genocide and subsequently, and the
role of the United Nations and its agencies and the OAU before,
during and after the genocide,'' the OAU said.
The panel will be based in Addis Ababa, and will finish its
investigation within a year, it said. It is to be funded by
voluntary contributions from within and outside the continent.
(aa-kjd)

(PROFILE
(WS SL:BC-OAU-Rwanda; CT:i;
(REG:EURO;)
(REG:BRIT;)
(REG:SCAN;)
(REG:ENGL;)
(REG:AFRI;)
(LANG:ENGLISH;))
)

AP-NY-02-27-98 0813EST

02/27/1998 08:13:00

Friday

nearly four years ago

April 6,
1994

2 1/2 years

a year

said

investigate

genocide

meeting

agreed

set

investigate

shot

assassination

touched

rampage

slaughtered

favored

reconciliation

reignited

war

look

exodus

lived

investigation

consider

role

genocide

role

genocide

said

based

finish

investigation

said

funded

contributions

on

for

prior to

subsequently

before,
during and after

within


ABC19980304.1830.1636
 NEWS STORY

 Finally today, we learned that the space agency  has  finally taken a giant
 leap forward. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Eileen Collins  will  be named
commander of the Space Shuttle Columbia for a mission in December. Colonel
 Collins has been the co-pilot before, but this time she's the boss. Here's
 ABC's Ned Potter.

 Even two hundred miles up in space, there has been a glass ceiling. It wasn't
 until
 twenty years after the first astronauts  were chosen that NASA finally included
 six women, and they were all scientists, not pilots. No woman has actually
 been in charge of a mission until now.

 Just the fact that we 're doing the job that we 're doing makes us role
 models.

 That was Eileen Collins, after she flew as the first ever co-pilot. Being
 commander is different. It means supervising the rest of the crew in
 training and leading them in flight. It is, in short, the kind of
 management job many American women say they've had to fight for. In space,
 some say female pilots  were held up until now by the lack of piloting
 opportunities for them in the military.

 Once Colonel Collins  was picked as a NASA astronaut, she followed a
 normal progression within NASA. Nobody hurried her up. No one held her
 back.

 Many NASA watchers say female astronauts  have become part of the agency's
 routine. But they still have catching up to do two hundred and thirty four Americans  have flown in space, only twenty six of them women. Ned Potter, ABC News.

today

December

this time

twenty years

now

now

learned

taken

named

commander

mission

co-pilot

boss

chosen

included

in

doing

makes

models

That

flew

held

lack

picked

astronaut

followed

progression

hurried

held

say

become

part

catching

flown

in

before

after

until

Once


AFP_ENG_19970405.0096

ANKARA, April 5 , 1997 (AFP)

Death of rightwinger to affect Turkish politics by Umit Enginsoy

The death of veteran ultranationalist opposition leader Alpaslan Turkes will shake up right-wing politics in Turkey, as his party is likely to disintegrate with his demise, political analysts said Saturday.

Turkes, leader of the Nationalist Action Party, a small but influential political group, died here on early Saturday after a heart attack. He was 80.

His party failed to win a single seat in parliament in Turkey's December 1995 general election, as it received only 8.5 percent of the vote, which was short of the required 10 percent national threshold.

Turkes was expected to be replaced by his son, Tugrul, as party chief, according to political analysts.

However, The Istanbul-based liberal daily Hurriyet said Nationalist Action was unlikely to survive without the veteran politician, who was seen by his followers as the "great leader of the Turkish world."

In the likely event of the party's disintegration, its potential votes could be shared by the pro-Islamic Welfare Party of Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, the conservative True Path Party of Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, the conservative Motherland Party and the ultra-rightwing Grand Unity Party, it said.

"Turkes had a very important role in Turkey's political life, I deeply regret his demise," President Suleyman Demirel said in a statement.

"Turkes was one the great political leaders in Turkey's recent history, we had been involved in close cooperation," Ciller told reporters.

Turkes was born in Nicosia, Cyprus, in 1917 and graduated from the Military Academy in 1938, joining the army.

Involved in ultranationalist movements since the early 1940s, Turkes was one of the senior organisers of a military coup in 1960, which eventually led to the hanging of toppled conservative prime minister Adnan Menderes.

Turkes was twice deputy prime minister in right-wing coalition governments between 1975 and 1978.

He was imprisoned and barred from active politics after another military coup in 1980, but regained his political rights in a 1987 referendum.

His Nationalist Action supported a centrist coalition between True Path and the left-wing Republican People's Party between 1991 and 1995.

Following the collapse of the former Soviet Union in 1991, Turkes supported the creation of a union of Turkic countries with the participation of Turkey and the mainly Moslem former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Turkes was also the virtual leader of the ultranationalist Grey Wolves organisation, whose members were involved in bloody fighting with extreme leftist groups in the late 1970s, prompting the 1980 military coup.

Married with seven children, Turkes was the author of several books promoting Turkish nationalism.

Supporting modern Turkey's pro-secular tradition, Turkes in recent months had criticised efforts by Erbakan's ruling Welfare to introduce Islamic practices in social life.

April 5 , 1997

Saturday

early Saturday

December 1995

the early 1940s

the late 1970s

recent months

death

shake

disintegrate

said

died

attack

failed

win

election

received

vote

expected

replaced

said

survive

seen

shared

Path

said

regret

said

involved

told

born

graduated

joining

Involved

coup

led

was

imprisoned

barred

coup

regained

referendum

supported

collapse

supported

creation

participation

involved

fighting

prompting

coup

promoting

Supporting

criticised

efforts

ruling

introduce


XIN_ENG_20051104.0276

ATHENS, Nov. 4 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Greece's lawyers call for removal of Olympic surveillance cameras

The board of the Athens Bar Association on Friday called for complete removal of all the surveillance cameras installed for Olympic security last year citing the reason of violating civil rights of Athenians.

The association outlined a series of objections to the operation of surveillance cameras on the streets of Athens, ostensibly to monitor traffic flow.

The cameras had been installed as a security measure during the Athens Olympics in 2004, but their use has only be sanctioned for monitoring traffic by Greece's independent Authority for the Protection of Personal Data.

It said that the technical capacity of the cameras already installed far exceeds the needs for monitoring traffic and their use can very easily be extended to the visual and audio surveillance and recording to incidents according to the instructions of the system's user.

It added that the government has failed to comply with the conditions set by the Data Protection Authority for the operation of the system, nor its demand for the removal of cameras that don't serve the sanctioned use.

It stressed that the use of surveillance system is in direct violation of the Constitutional rights to social and political freedom, identity, public gatherings, protection from the use of one's personal data and private life.

The association also expressed its opposition to the public order ministry's plans to extend the permitted usage of the cameras and demands that they immediate cease operating and be removed.

Nov. 4 , 2005

Friday

last year

called

removal

installed

citing

violating

outlined

objections

operation

monitor

flow

installed

sanctioned

monitoring

Protection

said

installed

exceeds

monitoring

use

extended

incidents

according

added

failed

comply

set

operation

demand

removal

serve

use

stressed

use

violation

use

expressed

plans

extend

usage

cease

removed


ABC19980114.1830.0611
 NEWS STORY

 In Washington today, the Federal Aviation Administration released air
 traffic control tapes from the night the TWA Flight eight hundred went down. There's
 nothing new on why the plane exploded, but you cannot miss the moment.
 ABC's Lisa Stark has more.

 There was no hint of trouble in the last conversation between controllers
 and TWA pilot Steven Snyder

 TWA
 eight hundred climb maintain one five thousand.

 TWA's eight hundred heavy climb and maintain one five thousand leavin- three thousand.

 But a minute and a half later, a pilot from a nearby flight calls in.

 Ah, we just saw an explosion up ahead of us here
 about sixteen thousand feet or
 something like that. It just went down.

 The controller at Boston center tries to raise TWA eight hundred.

 TWA eight hundred, if you hear center, ident.

 There is no response. Later, the controller asks the Eastwind pilot for
 more details.

 Ah yes, sir. It- It just blew up in the air, and then we saw two fireballs go
 down to the, to the water, and there was a big small, ah, smoke, from ah , coming up from that.

 At one point, when it became clear controllers could not contact   the plane,
 someone said a prayer.

 TWA eight hundred, center

 I think that was him.

 I think so.

 God bless him.

 Lisa Stark ABC news Washington

today

the night

a minute and a half

released

went

exploded

hint

conversation

maintain

maintain

calls

saw

explosion

went

tries

raise

hear

ident

response

asks

blew

saw

go

coming

became

contact

said

later

if

Later

then

when


XIN_ENG_20061110.0092

JAKARTA, Nov. 10 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Indonesian shares end firmer

Share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange ended higher Friday with the composite index up by 4.6 points to close at 1,664.8 points.

Turnovers totaled 1.3 billion shares worth 1.8 trillion rupiah (193.6 million U.S. dollars).

Decliners narrowly led advancers 54 to 51, with 86 other issues left unchanged.

Nov. 10 , 2006

Friday

ended

close

totaled

led


XIN_ENG_20061120.0302

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 20 , 2006 (Xinhua)

2010 World Cup attracts S. African players back home

The 2010 Soccer World Cup to be hosted by South Africa is set to attract South African players who are plying their trade abroad to come home.

Current players at South Africa's national team, Bafana Bafana, are to form basis of the 2010 team and most of the overseas-based players seem to think that they will be forgotten if they are far from home.

Michael Nkambule, just signing with the country's Premier League club SuperSport United, has said his return from French team RC Strasbourg was due to his ambition to play for the senior national team, the SAPA news agency reported on Monday.

While most of the South African-based players still believe that going abroad enhances the chances of a national team call-up, they might re-think that if those abroad are making a comeback, then it is wise to stay put, the SAPA said.

Nkambule is on a one-year loan deal and will join the players such as Mamelodi Sundowns trio of Bennet Mnguni, Mbulelo Mabizela and Josta Dladla as well as Golden Arrows' Japhet Zwane who came home with the hope of reviving their international careers.

Outgoing Bafana Bafana coach, Pitso Mosiamne, said South African players, especially those who do not see regular action, are desperately looking for local teams.

Bafana's German-based Sibusiso Zuma has also expressed his desire to return home, the SAPA said.

Nov. 20 , 2006

Monday

hosted

set

attract

plying

come

form

seem

think

forgotten

signing

said

return

play

reported

believe

going

enhances

re-think

making

stay

put

said

join

came

reviving

said

see

looking

expressed

return

said


AFP_ENG_20061214.0742

HOUSTON, Texas, Dec 14 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - ADDS details ///

Two astronauts on Thursday completed the second spacewalk in the space shuttle Discovery's 12-day mission to refurbish the International Space Station, NASA said.

Mission specialist Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang, Sweden's first astronaut, remained outside the ISS exactly five hours rewiring the space station for a new solar array that will double its power output.

The astronauts completed all their tasks ahead of schedule, NASA said. The potentially risky work involved shutting off the electricity to half the space station to prevent the astronauts from getting electrocuted.

Dec 14 , 2006

Thursday

completed

refurbish

said

remained

rewiring

double

completed

said

involved

shutting

prevent

electrocuted


XIN_ENG_20051126.0207

LHASA,  Nov. 27 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Tibet gains 200-mln-yuan non-governmental relief fund

The Tibet Development Foundation in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous region has raised nearly 200 million yuan (24.7 million US dollars) and launched 640 supporting projects with no strings attached, according to sources of the foundation.

The supporting projects launched by the foundation cover many fields, like culture, education, medical care and ecological protection.

The Brightness Project, for instance, has helped 20,000 cataract sufferers regain eyesight since it was launched in 1993. The relief money provided by the project for medical care has amounted to 80 million yuan (9.9 million US dollars) so far.

Sunshine Program, another aid project launched by the foundation this June, has installed solar-energy stoves for 191 rural households. It has also offered other equipment powered by solar energy for free.

The foundation was initiated in 1987 by the tenth Panchen Lama and Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Its principle is to assist the local government to further improve Tibetan residents' living standards.

Nov. 27 , 2005

this June

raised

launched

attached

according

launched

cover

Project

helped

regain

launched

provided

amounted

launched

installed

offered

powered

initiated

assist

improve


AFP_ENG_20061217.0330

GAZA CITY, Dec 17 , 2006, 2006

Fatah colonel 'kidnapped and killed in Gaza Strip'

A colonel in the Palestinian national security service belonging to president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party was kidnapped and killed Sunday in the Gaza Strip by Hamas militants, a Fatah spokesman said.

Dec 17 , 2006

Sunday

kidnapped

killed

said


XIN_ENG_20061122.0292

JERUSALEM, Nov. 22 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Israel facing physical, moral threats from Iran: Olmert

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Wednesday evening that his country is facing dual threats of physical and moral from Iran, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

"Israel's main problem is threat that comes from those who openly talk about wiping us off the map," Olmert was quoted as saying in Orthodox Union convention in Jerusalem.

Not only the physical one, the moral threat from Iran also plagued Israel, the prime minister added.

He vowed to react to those threats imposed on Israel, saying that "We have heard these voices in the past. We can't afford to listen and not to react."

He also urged the world to take seriously the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program.

There are considerable speculations about the possibility that Israel might attack Iranian nuclear facilities if Iran insists on developing its nuclear program.

On Monday, Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel would not attack the Islamic Republic as "its regime is weak and it has many problems."

Ahmadinejad reiterated that Iran's nuclear plan is solely peaceful, saying "Iran is peace loving country and has never attacked another country."

Nov. 22 , 2006

Wednesday evening

the past

Monday

said

facing

reported

comes

talk

wiping

quoted

saying

plagued

added

vowed

react

imposed

saying

heard

afford

listen

react

urged

take

posed

attack

insists

developing

reported

said

attack

reiterated

saying

attacked


XIN_ENG_20061102.0303

NICOSIA, Nov. 2 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Ankara ties

Cyprus promised Thursday its continued efforts for the Finnish initiative on Nicosia-Ankara ties after the rotating EU presidency decided to call off consultations with all parties concerned with a view to avert any crisis in EU-Turkish relations.

In a statement, Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis noted that Nicosia has been officially informed by Finland that no proximity consultations will take place on the Finnish initiative though it will continue its efforts.

"We understand that this development (the cancellation of consultations) is due to the positions and the terms presented by the Turkish side, which with its whole stance has rendered the holding of proximity consultations unachievable," Pashiardis said.

"The Cypriot government will continue to hold consultations with the Finnish Presidency, observing the same constructive stance and attitude that it has maintained so far," he added.

Finland, as the rotating EU presidency, has been working on a draft proposal, providing for opening of Turkish occupied port of Famagusta under the EU administration for 24 months in combination with the opening of Turkish ports to ships carrying the Cypriot flag and the transfer of Famagusta to the UN.

For the purpose, it has been focusing on preparing the ground for a possible meeting over the weekend in Helsinki between Cyprus and Turkey.

However, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja announced earlier on Thursday that the consultations in Finland were cancelled, but "efforts to find a solution that will enable the uninterrupted continuation of Turkey's accession negotiations and improve the situation of both communities in Cyprus will continue. "

The Finnish presidency is trying to avert any possible derailment of Turkey's EU accession course, following Ankara's refusal to meet its EU obligations and Cyprus' position that Turkey must do exactly that before accession negotiations are allowed to move further on, said Tuomioja.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of Cyprus following a coup by a group of Greek officers.

Turkey, a country aspiring to become an EU member state, does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus and has failed so far to implement the EU-Turkey Customs Union Protocol, which provides for opening of its ports and airports to Cyprus.

The EU formally launched talks with Turkey over the country's accession last October. The negotiations are expected to last at least a decade and Ankara is required to meet a number of criteria spelled out by the EU before entry.

The Republic of Cyprus, which entered the EU on behalf of the whole island in May 2004, is able to block Turkey's entry talks with its veto.

Nov. 2 , 2006

Thursday

24 months

the weekend

Thursday

last October

May 2004

promised

continued

efforts

initiative

rotating

decided

call

concerned

avert

crisis

noted

informed

take

initiative

continue

efforts

understand

cancellation

presented

rendered

said

continue

hold

consultations

observing

maintained

added

working

providing

opening

carrying

transfer

focusing

preparing

meeting

announced

consultations

cancelled

efforts

find

enable

continuation

negotiations

improve

continue

trying

avert

derailment

following

refusal

meet

do

negotiations

allowed

move

said

divided

intervened

occupied

coup

aspiring

become

recognize

failed

implement

opening

launched

talks

negotiations

expected

last

required

meet

spelled

entered

able

block

talks

veto


XIN_ENG_20061124.0063

TOKYO, Nov. 24 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Dollar hits 2-month low in lower 116 yen level in Tokyo

The U.S. dollar hit a two-month low in the lower 116 yen level Friday in Tokyo as concern among market participants on the outlook of the U.S. economy weighed on the U.S. currency.

At 5 p.m., the dollar was quoted at 116.32-35 yen, compared with Thursday's 4 p.m. quote of 116.10-20 yen in London.

It moved between 116.18 yen, its lowest level in Tokyo since Sept. 25, and 116.49 yen during the day, most frequently at 116.40 yen.

Both U.S. and Japanese financial markets were closed Thursday for holidays.

The euro was quoted at 1.2969-2972 dollars and 150.88-92 yen against Thursday's 4 p.m. quotes of 1.2945-2955 dollars and 150.35- 40 yen in London.

Nov. 24 , 2006

Friday

Thursday

Sept. 25

Thursday

Thursday

hit

weighed

quoted

moved

closed

quoted