bbc_20130322_1600

2013-03-22

Landslip body found as weather bites

Heavy snow is causing disruption to transport across the UK, with heavy rainfall bringing flooding to the south-west of England.

Rescuers searching for a woman trapped in a landslide at her home in Looe, Cornwall, said they had found a body.

Over 200,000 Belfast customers were affected by a blackout but power is starting to be restored.

Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier with Russia has been postponed until 15:00 GMT Saturday due to heavy snow.

There are 12 flood warnings in the South West, with Met Office warnings for snow covering much of the UK.

This comes just over a week before the start of British Summer Time.

BBC forecasters said the snow would cause travel disruption across northern parts of the UK on Friday, with some 20cm-40cm (8in-16in) falling in places. Atrocious conditions could be expected on high ground, they said.

Roads in northern parts of Wales, the Midlands into the Pennines, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland would be the worst affected, while gale force winds would blow snow and drifts across trans-Pennine routes, they added.

15:00 GMT Saturday

a week

Friday

snow

causing

disruption

rainfall

bringing

flooding

searching

trapped

said

found

affected

blackout

starting

restored

qualifier

postponed

covering

comes

start

Time

said

cause

disruption

falling

expected

said

be

affected

blow

added


AFP_ENG_20051205.0017

TOKYO, Dec 5 , 2005

ATTENTION - UPDATE rates, ADDS quotes and Asian currencies ///

The yen hit a 32-month low against the dollar and sank to an all-time trough against the euro Monday as G7 powers including Japan appeared unfazed by the currency's decline at a weekend meeting, dealers said.

Contrary to reports ahead of the Group of Seven gathering in London, there was no specific discussion of the yen's recent slide, Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the two-day meeting of finance ministers and central bankers from the world's seven richest nations, Tanigaki said the yen's depreciation against the US currency merely reflected "current fundamentals".

With US Treasury Secretary John Snow also denying earlier reports he would raise the issue of the yen's weakness at the meeting, dealers took the comments as the green light to drive the Japanese unit down to new lows.

The dollar rose to 121.34 yen in Tokyo afternoon trade from 120.56 yen in New York late Friday, the highest since late March 2003.

The euro fell to 1.1693 dollars from 1.1716 dollars as a backdrop of rising US interest rates continued to support the US unit.

The euro also hit the highest level since its launch in 1999 against the Japanese unit, climbing to 141.91 yen. It later stood at 141.87 in late Tokyo trade, up from 141.30 in New York on Friday.

"The dollar remains strong,"said Kikuko Takeda, currency analyst at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi.

"Amid on-going interest rate differentials, the weaker yen was re-confirmed at the G7 meeting and the market is prone to sell the yen given lower interest rates in Japan," she said.

Saturday's G7 statement said that "exchange rates should reflect economic fundamentals (whilst) ... excess volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates are undesirable for economic growth".

Analysts said the yen was likely to extend its losses against the dollar but just how far was still unclear.

The currency market showed little reaction to a firm performance by Tokyo share prices and the release of a quarterly survey by Japan's finance ministry showing strong growth in capital expenditure, dealers said.

"Judging from fundamentals ... including strong share prices and relatively positive economic data, the recent fall of the yen is apparently overdone," said Commerzbank currency watcher Ryohei Muramatsu.

"However, the falling momentum of the yen is so strong that market participants disregard news that is positive for the yen," he added.

"The next target of the yen looks to be around 122.50 yen against the dollar and 142.50 yen against the euro," he added.

In early afternoon trading, the dollar rose to 41.4350 Thai baht from 41.2300 on Friday and to 1,038.6 South Korean won from 1,033.5.

The dollar fell to 54.130 Philippine pesos from 54.180, to 9,998 Indonesian rupiah from 10,030, to 1.6898 Singapore dollars from 1.6914 and to 33.491 Taiwan dollars from 33.546.

Dec 5 , 2005

Friday

late March 2003

Friday

Saturday

recent fall

Friday

hit

sank

appeared

decline

meeting

said

gathering

discussion

said

meeting

said

depreciation

reflected

denying

raise

meeting

took

drive

rose

fell

rising

continued

support

hit

climbing

stood

said

re-confirmed

meeting

sell

said

said

reflect

growth

said

extend

losses

was

showed

growth

said

Judging

overdone

said

disregard

added

looks

added

trading

rose

won

fell


XIN_ENG_20051101.0027

SEOUL, Nov. 1 , 2005 (Xinhua)

URGENT: Military truck carrying missile parts blasts in S. Korea

A military truck carrying missile parts exploded Tuesday inside a highway tunnel linking the South Korean city of Taegu and Masan, news reports said.

It is not clear whether the explosion caused any casualties.

Nov. 1 , 2005

Tuesday

carrying

exploded

linking

said

explosion

caused


AFP_ENG_20061204.0004

BEIJING, Dec 4 , 2006, 2006

use: report

China's own technology for "third generation" cellphones is ready for large-scale commercial use, the Financial Times said Monday, citing ZTE, the country's second largest telecom equipment maker.

Equipment based on the Beijing-backed TD-SCDMA standard for 3G telecoms services could now operate comparably with that of the rival European-led WCDMA standard and the US-favored CDMA2000, ZTE President Yin Yimin told the newspaper.

"Can TD-SCDMA now operate as an independent network? ... We reckon that is no problem. Are there suitable handsets? ... We reckon we can provide the handsets," Yin told the FT. "Now it is up to the state and the operators."

Commercial readiness for China's TD-SCDMA technology could clear the way for Beijing to issue long-awaited 3G licences to home telecom operators, the newspaper said.

ZTE declined to comment on the report when approached by AFP Monday.

Even as China seeks to push its own technologies, it says it remains committed to opening its information and communication technology (ICT) industries to foreign investors.

Wu Bangguo, China's top lawmaker, said in Hong Kong that multinationals who want to enter the mainland market are welcome to establish research and development centers, the Hong Kong-based Standard newspaper reported.

"China will persist with its basic state policy of opening up and continue to enhance ICT cooperation with all other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit," the newspaper quoted him as saying.

Dec 4 , 2006

Monday

now

now

AFP Monday

use

said

citing

operate

told

reckon

reckon

provide

told

clear

issue

said

declined

comment

approached

seeks

push

says

committed

opening

said

want

enter

establish

reported

persist

opening

continue

enhance

cooperation

quoted

saying


AFP_ENG_20051216.0490

LONDON, Dec 16 , 2005

ATTENTION - UPDATES with market closings ///

European stock markets closed higher Friday, boosted by a strong signal of business confidence in Germany, the eurozone's biggest economy, and a positive opening on Wall Street.

The London FTSE 100 index added 0.66 percent at 5,531.6 points, the Frankfurt DAX jumped 1.09 percent to 5,353.66 and in Paris the CAC 40 rose 0.67 percent to 4,704.41.

The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone shares climbed 0.98 percent to 3,556.76.

The euro, meanwhile, rose to 1.2004 dollars.

Germany's Ifo business climate index rose to 99.6 in December, its highest reading in five years and ahead of market expectations, which fuelled hopes that the European economic recovery was indeed under way.

"This increase is all the more favourable because it shows a perfect balance between the positive analysis of the current situation, and the optimistic anticipations for the future," said Alexandre Bourgeois, an economist at Natexis Banques Populaires in Paris.

On Wall Street, US stocks were lifted with bullish comments from General Motors and weaker oil prices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 32.70 points at 10,914.10, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq was 1.38 points lower at 2,259.25.

Back in London, financials provided the main boost for blue chips, with the sector in demand after recent trading updates -- with Northern Rock up 3.35 percent at 925.5, Alliance and Leicester ahead 1.75 percent at 959 and HBOS 1.48 percent higher at 962.

Fund management group Amvescap topped the leaders board, however, up 3.69 percent at 436 pence, after it was upgraded to "overweight" from "equal-weight" by Morgan Stanley.

Elsewhere, shares in Centrica added 2.10 percent at 243.50 pence after an inline trading update from the gas distributor.

In Frankfurt, index heavyweight E.ON was among the main gainers on the DAX, rising 3.11 percent to 85.30 euros, amid a report RAG is determined to take over the rest of MDAX-listed speciality chemicals company Degussa by acquiring E.ON's 43 percent stake.

Suez was the largest gainer among Paris blue chips, closing up 3.38 percent at 26.03 euros, after Morgan Stanley resumed coverage with an "overweight" rating and a 30-euro share price target.

French companies with stakes in pay-TV services gained amid unconfirmed reports that Vivendi will take a minority stake in TPS. Lagardere, with an interest in the CanalSatellite unit of Vivendi's Canal Plus, rose 2.71 percent to 64.45 euros, while Vivendi added 1.18 percent at 26.63.

TPS part-owner TF1 rose 0.51 percent to 23.48, while its partner, second liner M6, was 0.81 percent higher at 23.65.

Elsewhere in Europe, the Swiss Market Index climbed 0.44 percent to 7,491.03.

The Amsterdam AEX added 0.95 percent at 436.17, the Brussels Bel-20 advanced 1.49 percent to 3,495.28, the Madrid Ibex-35 took on 0.68 percent at 10,555.3 and the Milan SP/Mib gained 0.76 percent at 35,286.0.

Earlier in Asia, Tokyo's Nikkei-225 index lost 0.53 percent at 15,173.07 points in the third successive fall, as a firmer yen led to a further dumping of exporter shares, dealers said.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 0.19 percent at 15,029.81.

Dec 16 , 2005

Friday

December

five years

the third successive fall

closed

boosted

opening

added

jumped

rose

climbed

rose

rose

fuelled

recovery

increase

shows

analysis

said

lifted

provided

boost

topped

upgraded

added

rising

determined

take

acquiring

was

closing

resumed

gained

take

rose

added

rose

liner

climbed

added

advanced

took

gained

lost

led

dumping

said

lost


XIN_ENG_20051129.0230

BEIJING, Nov. 29 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Domestic news item from Xinhua -- Nov. 29

The following are domestic news items released by Xinhua on Tuesday:

Market exchange rates -- Nov. 29

Highlights of major Beijing-based newspapers -- Nov. 29

Xinhua domestic news advisory -- Nov. 29

Victims' families compensated following north China colliery flood

Hong Kong stocks open lower -- Nov. 29

Death toll rises to 138 in northeast China coal mine blast

Schools in Harbin to resume classes

Bus overturn leaves three dead, 15 injured in SW China

Stocks in Hong Kong end lower at midday

China confirms two more bird flu outbreaks in Xinjiang, Hunan

Senior legislator meets ROK guests

Air quality of major Chinese cities -- Nov. 29

Harry Potter's "Goblet" conjures up 66.56 million yuan in China

China, US to hold second strategic dialogue in Washington

UN chief to visit China in December

Shanghai stock index down -- Nov. 29

Shenzhen stock index down -- Nov. 29

Hushen index down -- Nov. 29

Most rescued miners in NE. coal mine blast suffer from mixed gas poisoning

HK stocks finish lower -- Nov. 29

Boat collision leaves three dead, one missing in E. China

Ten Chinese cities lose title after failing environmental check

HK foreign exchange rates -- Nov. 29

Share prices end down in Taiwan -- Nov. 29

Death toll rises to 146 in NE China coal mine blast

Trading on HK stock exchange -- Nov. 29

China becomes Sri Lanka's second largest tourists-source-market in NE Asia

UN torture rapporteur's China tour "smooth": Chinese FM spokesman

Weather forecast for major Chinese cities -- Nov. 29

Weather forecast for world cities -- Nov. 29

Shanghai to install 1,200 more condom machines to prevent AIDS

Zero-tariff Thai fruits entering China through new channel

China to merge three major communication networks in five years

China gives Russia equipment for monitoring possible river pollution

China asks Malaysia to probe assault cases against Chinese citizens

Death toll of NE China coal mine blast rises to 148

China sends inspection panels to study effects in handling bird flu epidemics

Two Chinese taikonauts meet HK youths

Share prices end lower in Hong Kong -- Nov. 29

China vows to protect migrant workers against HIV/AIDS

Chinese top legislator meets Mongolian president

More needy college students benefit from KFC foundation

USAID official: China becomes major contributor to int'l aid for education

Chinese top political advisor meets Mongolian president

Ancient limestone cave suffers damage in Inner Mongolia

China Gas may announce new potential strategic investor

Indian official: India to learn from China for educational development

Weather information for major Asia-Pacific cities -- Nov. 29

Hong Kong gold price ends higher -- Nov. 29

China, Mongolia issue joint statement, pledging closer ties

China to reduce slick impact on downstream Russia: FM spokesman

NW China's Xinjiang boasts thousands of scenic spots

WTO MC6 appoints BMW official limousine provider

Shenzhen to host HK constitutional development forum

Hang Seng China Enterprises Index closes lower -- Nov. 29

Pollution slick on NE China river to arrive at downstream city Saturday

China's increasing energy demand poses no threat to world market: official

USAID official: China becomes surging power in international aid

China Focus: Neighboring China, Mongolia keen on enhancing relations

Simplified customs formalities better for Sino-Greek cooperation: Greek offcial

China focus: China to moderate its high-speed economic growth

Residents advised against eating fish from China's polluted Songhua river in two months

China, Britain seek closer science, technology cooperation in rural areas

Grass-roots CPC members to go through self-improvement education

China Exclusive: Chinese army guard of honor first wins over infringement case

Poultry culling ends in Inner Mongolia bird flu-hit city

Judge brought to trial over misconduct involving millions in E.China

WHO experts investigate second human death case of bird flu in E. China province

China spreads AIDS knowledge to train passengers

China calls for int'l aid to post-quake Pakistan against freezing winter

Roundup: death toll of NE China coal mine blast rises to 146, rescue efforts continue for the last five missing

Survey: Chinese mainland sees increasing workers from Hong Kong

Mainland welcomes HK scientists to participate in its space undertakings: official

Feature: HK youngsters' space dream lightened by Shenzhou-6

WHO experts investigate China's first human bird flu case

Roundup: Songhua River pollution belt moves downstream toward Tonghe County

Mongolian President visits Tianjin

Nov. 29 , 2005

Tuesday

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

December

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

five years

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

Nov. 29

two months

winter

released

advisory

compensated

lower

rises

resume

overturn

end

confirms

meets

conjures

hold

dialogue

visit

rescued

blast

suffer

finish

leaves

missing

lose

failing

end

rises

becomes

torture

forecast

forecast

install

prevent

entering

merge

gives

monitoring

asks

probe

blast

rises

sends

study

meet

end

vows

protect

meets

benefit

becomes

meets

suffers

announce

learn

issue

pledging

reduce

impact

boasts

appoints

host

closes

arrive

poses

becomes

moderate

advised

eating

seek

go

ends

brought

trial

investigate

spreads

train

calls

blast

rises

continue

sees

increasing

welcomes

participate

lightened

investigate

Roundup

moves

visits


AFP_ENG_19970404.0147

TOKYO, April 4 , 1997 (AFP)

South Korean foreign minister to visit Japan

South Korean Foreign Minister Yoo Chong-Ha will visit Japan for talks with Japanese leaders, a foreign ministry official said Friday.

"Japan is arranging his visit, but the schedule is yet to be fixed," the ministry spokeswoman said.

Japan's Foreign Minister Yukuhiko Ikeda offered the invitation in February when the two met in Singapore, she said. Ikeda visited South Korea in January.

Jiji Press said the South Korean minister would visit Japan for three days from April 14 to meet with Ikeda and Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.

Yoo will exchange views with Japanese politicians on food aid to North Korea, a new fishery pact between Tokyo and Seoul and other topics, the news agency quoted a foreign ministry source as saying.

Kyodo News, meanwhile, quoted a South Korean foreign ministry source as saying the two countries had "almost reached an agreement for April 17-19."

Kyodo said topics would include a Japanese fund's compensation payment to Asian women who had been forced into sexual slavery for Japanese soldiers during World War II.

April 4 , 1997

Friday

February

January

three days

April 14

April 17-19

visit

talks

said

arranging

visit

fixed

said

offered

invitation

met

said

visited

said

visit

meet

exchange

quoted

saying

quoted

saying

reached

agreement

said

payment

forced

War


XIN_ENG_20061127.0179

GUIYANG, Nov. 27 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Three days of colliery disasters leave 85 Chinese workers dead

Seven people were killed in a colliery accident in Southwest China on Monday, bringing the death toll in coal mine tragedies to 85 over the past three days.

Eleven workers who were sorting impurities from a coal heap were buried when the heap collapsed at 9:47 a.m. at the Shuicheng Coal Mine Group colliery, in mountainous Guizhou province.

Seven workers died and four were rescued, said the work safety administration in Liupanshui city, where the group is located.

The cause of the accident is being investigated.

The past weekend has been tragic with three mine disasters leaving at least 78 people dead.

Twenty-two miners were confirmed dead and five missing in Saturday's gas blast in Yuanhua Coal Mine in Jixi, a city in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Three managers responsible for the blast have been arrested, said local police. An investigation has shown at the end of August, the mine was forced by the local government to halt production due to outdated certificates of work safety, but the owners continued operations.

In another tragedy, 32 miners were killed and 28 injured in a colliery gas explosion at Changyuan Coal Mine in Fuyuan, a county in southwestern Yunnan Province.

A third gas blast on Sunday hit Luweitan Colliery in Linfen city, North China's Shanxi Province, killing all 24 miners underground, the local government said on Monday.

Nov. 27 , 2006

Monday

the past three

9:47 a.m.

The past weekend

Saturday

the end of August

Sunday

Monday

killed

accident

bringing

sorting

buried

collapsed

died

rescued

said

located

cause

accident

investigated

leaving

confirmed

missing

blast

blast

arrested

said

investigation

shown

forced

halt

continued

tragedy

killed

injured

explosion

blast

hit

killing

said


XIN_ENG_20051102.0275

TEHRAN, Nov. 2 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Iran to cede state companies' shares to poor

The Iranian government on Wednesday approved a plan to cede shares of state-owned companies to the poor people, the official IRNA news agency reported.

The newly approved bylaw stated that the government would cede state-owned companies' stocks to the poor strata of the society and pay off the cost of the shares under a 20-year installment, the report said.

It added that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance was assigned to draw up practical procedure for the ceding, while the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security would be responsible for identifying the beneficiaries in two months.

According to official statistics, nearly 15 percent of the Iranians live under the poverty line, but some unofficial estimates were fixed around 40 percent.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad promised during his election campaign to improve social welfare to provide a better life for the poor, which greatly contributed to his win.

Nov. 2 , 2005

Wednesday

two months

approved

plan

cede

reported

stated

cede

pay

said

added

assigned

draw

procedure

ceding

identifying

According

fixed

promised

campaign

improve

provide

contributed

win


AFP_ENG_19970413.0466

TOKYO, April 14 , 1997 (AFP)

Japan's central bank chief says recovery accelerating

Bank of Japan governor Yasuo Matsushita said Monday that the country's economic recovery was gathering pace and described the dollar's recent surge against the yen as "steep."

Speaking at a lecture in Tokyo, the central bank governor said the recovery was "becoming firmer" with the increase in consumption taxes from three percent to five percent on April 1 unlikely to thwart the upturn.

Matsushita also said that drastic restructuring measures announced by the troubled Nippon Credit Bank Ltd. earlier this month showed that Japanese banks were being "aggressive" in resolving their debt problems.

April 14 , 1997

Monday

April 1

earlier this month

said

recovery

gathering

described

surge

Speaking

lecture

said

recovery

becoming

increase

thwart

upturn

said

announced

showed

aggressive

resolving


AFP_ENG_19970423.0499

MOSTAR, Bosnia-Hercegovina, April 23 , 1997 (AFP)

Italian SFOR colonel found dead in suspected suicide

An Italian colonel serving with the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia was found dead Wednesday morning at an SFOR base in this southern city, a spokesman said.

Colonel Roberto Petrucci, 57, was shot with a bullet fired from his own gun, SFOR spokesman Mike Fabbro told AFP, adding that suicide was suspected.

Petrucci had served with the Italian army's artillery school at Bracciano near Rome and arrived in Bosnia in late January, Fabbro said.

April 23 , 1997

Wednesday morning

late January

found

said

shot

fired

told

adding

suspected

served

arrived

said


XIN_ENG_20061123.0389

KATHMANDU, Nov. 24 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Nepali gov't constitutes a peace fund

The Nepali government has constituted a peace fund to generate resources from internal and external assistance to move ahead the ongoing peace process in the country, local Kantipur daily reported on Friday.

"The meeting of Council of Ministers on Tuesday decided in this regard," the daily reported referring to an official at the Ministry of Finance.

"The government needs 85,714 million U.S. dollars immediately, the source said."We aim to generate that much amount through the peace fund," the official added.

As per plan, the works including physical infrastructure development, election to constituent assembly, rehabilitation, employment and security of displaced people will be carried out through this fund.

"We are planning to request internal and external donors soon to assist for the fund," the official said.

The government has put 1.4 million dollars as seed money in the fund.

Nov. 24 , 2006

Friday

Tuesday

constituted

generate

assistance

move

reported

meeting

decided

reported

referring

needs

aim

generate

added

development

carried

planning

request

assist

said

put


AFP_ENG_19970410.0659

TOKYO, April 11 , 1997 (AFP)

Moderate quake shakes central Japan

A moderate earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale shook Tokyo and surrounding areas Friday but no casualties or damage had been reported, the meteorological agency said.

The epicentre of the quake, which ocurred at 8:30 a.m. (2330 GMT Thursday), was in the northern part of Ibaraki prefecture, some 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Tokyo.

April 11 , 1997

Friday

8:30 a.m.

Thursday

shook

damage

reported

said

ocurred


AFP_ENG_19970415.0535

ANKARA, April 15 , 1997 (AFP)

Turkish contingent in Albania to control Tirana airport

The Turkish contingent of the multinational force in Albania will provide security for Tirana airport, the foreign ministry said here Tuesday.

"It has been decided at the Albania force meetings in Rome that the Turkish contingent will be deployed in Tirana and be responsible for the security of the airport and the city's northwestern sector," the ministry said in a statement.

The Turkish contingent of nearly 800 troops, is due to reach Albania by April 24 and become operational the following day, ministry officials said.

The United Nations last month approved the creation of an Italian-led multinational force of 6,000 troops to be deployed in rebellion-hit Albania, to provide security for humanitarian aid efforts.

April 15 , 1997

Tuesday

April 24

last month

provide

said

decided

meetings

deployed

responsible

said

due

reach

become

said

approved

creation

deployed

provide


XIN_ENG_20061102.0289

CAIRO, Nov. 2 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Arab League pledges continued efforts to resume Somali negotiations

The Cairo-based Arab League (AL) said on Thursday that it would continue its efforts to help resume Somali parties' negotiations on the crisis they are facing.

AL Secretary General Amr Moussa promised in press statements to exert further AL efforts to resume negotiations till the Somali crisis was resolved.

Although Somali negotiations are facing difficulties due to conflicting stances, the AL has kept contacts to stop the Somali crisis from any possible escalation and have Somali factions return to negotiations, Moussa said.

He added that talks could resume in the coming few weeks as the AL keeps in touch with the Somali government and the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) to resume negotiations.

Moussa further noted that the AL delegation to the Somali crisis negotiations will meet and discuss a demand for a fact- finding commission proposed by some Somali parties, before discussions on all aspects of the Somali question.

Somalia was plunged into lawlessness in 1991 after the ousting of strongman Mohamed Siad Barre and the nation of some 10 million population was then divided into a patchwork of fiefdoms governed by unruly warlords.

Nov. 2 , 2006

Thursday

the coming few weeks

said

continue

efforts

help

resume

negotiations

crisis

facing

promised

exert

efforts

resume

negotiations

resolved

negotiations

facing

conflicting

kept

contacts

stop

crisis

have

return

said

added

talks

resume

keeps

resume

negotiations

noted

meet

discuss

proposed

discussions

plunged

ousting

divided


XIN_ENG_20051128.0244

PARIS, Nov. 28 , 2005 (Xinhua)

1st lead:  Fatah primaries in Gaza Strip suspended

Eds: Updates with details

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nov. 28 , 2005

Nov. 28

Monday

Monday

Jan. 25, 2006

suspended

riots

violations

announced

elections

announced

violations

violations

made

continuation

told

meeting

stormed

ordered

go

burned

failing

find

said

decided

riots

primaries

choose

stand

set


AFP_ENG_19970413.0291

SARAJEVO, April 13 , 1997 (AFP)

Bitter-cold Sarajevo offers a glimpse at its old tolerance by Edina Neretljak

The mainly Moslem city of Sarajevo surprised pilgrims visiting for the mass celebrated Sunday by Pope John Paul II with its sharp climate but it also showed its beautified face and offered a glimpse at what it used to be, welcoming the guests with tolerance.

The city that spent four million German marks (2.4 million dollars) working in a frenzy for the past two weeks to welcome the most important guest it has ever hosted, greeted the pilgrims coming from all over the country and abroad with snow-flakes and wind chilling the bones.

Hundreds of buses carrying thousands of pilgrims began arriving in Sarajevo at dawn to specially-allocated parking lots in the city centre from which they walked to the Kosevo stadium where the mass took place.

Quietly and at the temperature of only zero Centigrade (32 degrees Fahrenheit) in the morning the faithful walked towards the newly- refurbished stadium while the city, except for hundreds of policemen and soldiers of the NATO-led peace force at every corner, still slept.

Tired, yawning after spending the whole night travelling aboard buses, their faces and hands red with cold, the pilgrims trod along the closed-to-traffic streets and boulevards decorated by Bosnian state flags, huge Papal posters and recently planted seedlings.

The white-and-yellow Vatican flags the pilgrims carried in their hands, scarves in the same fashion, and the flags of Bosnian Croat statelet Herceg-Bosna and the neighbouring Republic of Croatia, provoked no reaction from passers-by in the city in which only 30,000 Catholic Croats live.

"We do not feel at all that we are in a Moslem city, we had no problems here", Zeljka Bajan, a 27-year-old housewife from the Croatian coastal city of Sibenik, said.

Like so many other pilgrims Bajan saw for the first time the war-scars that the face-lift could not remove such as the shattered Zetra sports hall just by the stadium.

But the most shocking to all was the nearby football-pitch-turned- graveyard where hundreds of people were buried and its neighbour accross the road, the Lion's cemetery.

"It is sad to see all the ruins. We were shocked with what we saw and could understand better now what the people here went through", Bajan said.

Pilgrims coming from both the Moslem-Croat federation and the Republika Srpska, Bosnia's two post-war entities, said they encountered no problems travelling to Sarajevo.

Although not all the 60,000 faithful that the Church expected did come, the 40,000 that filled the stadium showed they had no fear.

"If the pope was ready to come here then why should I not come as well", Antija Zlatun, from the central Bosnian town of Novi Travnik, said when asked about the recent series of attacks against Catholic churches and monasteries in Sarajevo.

Munib Usanovic, 50-year-old servant of the federal government and a Moslem from Sarajevo who went to the mass "because it is an event that happens once in a lifetime," expressed the shame many citizens feel about the attacks and the finding on Saturday of explosives set along the papal route.

"That was probably done by somebody who wanted to tarnish the image of Sarajevo as the town opened to all people of good will", Usanovic said.

"I cannot imagine anybody who would want to miss this mass, I cannot imagine why anybody would be upset by this visit", he said hoping that people unpoisoned by intolerance still prevail in the city.

April 13 , 1997

Sunday

the past two weeks

Saturday

surprised

visiting

celebrated

showed

offered

glimpse

used

welcoming

spent

working

welcome

hosted

greeted

coming

carrying

began

arriving

walked

took

walked

slept

yawning

spending

travelling

trod

decorated

carried

provoked

feel

said

saw

face-lift

remove

buried

see

shocked

saw

understand

went

said

coming

said

encountered

travelling

expected

come

filled

showed

had

come

come

said

asked

attacks

went

happens

expressed

attacks

finding

wanted

tarnish

opened

said

imagine

want

miss

imagine

visit

said

hoping

prevail


XIN_ENG_20051108.0120

JERUSALEM, Nov. 8 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Sharon aide says Likud split into two factions

Aides to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the Likud Party has split into two factions, one headed by Sharon and the other led by dissidents, local paper Ha' aretz reported on Tuesday.

"Today, it has been proven that the Likud is, de facto, two factions," the aide said, speaking after a Knesset (parliament) vote on a package nomination of three cabinet ministers late on Monday, when Sharon was defeated by the opposition "rebels" of his own party.

He hinted the possibility that Sharon will move for early elections, which was currently scheduled in November 2006.

In a stinging but not unexpected parliamentary defeat, the anti- disengagement Likud lawmakers, dubbed the "rebel" faction, first voted with 60-54 to reject Sharon's proposed appointment of Ehud Olmert as finance minister, Roni Bar-On as industry, trade and employment minister and Ze'ev Boim as immigrant absorption minister.

Sharon was then forced to go to a second vote to win the approval of Olmert and Matan Vilnai (Labor) as science and technology minister, which was passed by a comfortable 71-41 margin.

Analysts said the Knesset vote on Monday showed that the rebels, who can count on eight votes in the 40-strong Likud faction and have at times commanded as many as 16, now hold an effective veto power over Sharon's parliamentary moves.

There are speculations that Sharon would either move soon to dissolve the Knesset and lead the Likud into early elections, or work to found a new party with himself at the helm.

Nov. 8 , 2005

Tuesday

Today

Monday

November 2006

Monday

now

said

split

headed

reported

proven

said

speaking

vote

nomination

defeated

hinted

move

elections

scheduled

dubbed

voted

reject

forced

go

vote

win

passed

said

vote

showed

count

commanded

hold

moves

move

dissolve

lead

elections

work

found


AFP_ENG_20061221.0221

THE HAGUE, Dec 21 , 2006, 2006

Dutch annual growth comes to 2.7 percent in third quarter

The Dutch economy grew at an annual rate of 2.7 percent in the third quarter compared with output in the same period last year and gained 0.7 percent from the second quarter, the central statistics office said Thursday.

The office said growth in exports and household spending was slightly below that of the previous six months while investment was stronger.

The pace of Dutch growth has practically doubled in the course of a year, the agency added.

Dec 21 , 2006

the third quarter

last year

the second quarter

Thursday

the previous six months

a year

grew

gained

said

said

growth

doubled

course

added


XIN_ENG_20051112.0141

BINH DUONG, Vietnam, Nov. 12 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Dong Tam Long An Tile, Binh Duong from Vietnam enter soccer final

Vietnam's Dong Tam Long An Tile downed Singapore's Tamin Rovers 2-0 here Saturday, while hosts Binh Duong beat Da Nang 8-7 at the semifinals of the International Binh Duong Television Cup.

Local half-backer Ly Lam Huy and Brazilian striker Antonio of Dong Tam Long An Tile, defending champion of Vietnam's professional league, scored one apiece in the 74th and 84th minute, respectively, offering their team a final triumph of 2-0 over Tamin Rovers, defending champion of the Singapore league.

Binh Duong from Vietnam's southern Binh Duong province had a hard-earnt victory over Da Nang from the country's central Da Nang city with the final score being determined by penalty shots. They tied a draw of 2-2 after full time with the first goal scored by a Da Nang striker in the 25th minute, the equalized goal in the 32nd minute, the third by Binh Duong in the 41st minute, and the fourth by Da Nang in the 75th minute.

With penalty kicks, Binh Duong took the lead of 6-5, grabbing the rights to clash with Dong Tam Long An Tile in the final game on Monday.

The International Binh Duong Television Cup, taking place from Nov. 5 to 14, features eight teams from China, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore and Vietnam. The champions will get a cash prize of 20,000 US dollars.

Nov. 12 , 2005

Saturday

the 74th and 84th minute

the 75th minute

Monday

Nov. 5

downed

beat

semifinals

defending

scored

offering

triumph

defending

victory

determined

tied

scored

kicks

took

grabbing

clash

game

taking

features

get


AFP_ENG_20061211.0546

SANTIAGO, Dec 11 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - RECASTS, UPDATES, ADDS quotes, detail ///

President Michelle Bachelet defended her decision Monday to deny ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet a state funeral as a step for the good of Chile, while the international community lamented that he escaped justice for his regime's brutality.

A long line formed to see Pinochet's body as he lied in a coffin wearing his grey general's uniform inside Santiago's Military School, a day after his death sparked wild celebrations in the streets of the capital.

Even after his death, Pinochet remained a divisive figure, with detractors calling his 1973-1990 regime an era of violent repression while supporters hailed his fierce anti-communism and free-market policies.

But human rights groups and media commentators worldwide lamented that in his death Pinochet had escaped justice for thousands of dead and missing during his rule.

Former army leader Pinochet, who died in Santiago's Military Hospital Sunday at age 91 a week after suffering a heart attack, has been given a military farewell with his funeral taking place in the Military School's courtyard Tuesday.

His face and chest could be seen through a glass window as his coffin was flanked by eight honor guards and two huge candles. Several masses and prayers were scheduled in a chapel at the Military School's hall.

Bachelet, who along with her parents was detained and tortured by Pinochet's regime, refused to give Pinochet full state honors with a national mourning period.

"In any society, in any country, when there are not norms, or predetermined laws for a particular situation, it is up to the leaders, the government, to make decisions in the best interests of the people," Bachelet said.

"Over the past several hours we have seen divisive acts that we don't like, but as a society and as a country we have to have the ethical strength to overcome this challenge," the Socialist said.

Pinochet's youngest son, Marco Antonio, decried the absence of a national funeral for his father, who, he said, "was totally committed to his country and took it out of indescribable chaos."

The contrast between the sorrow of Pinochet's supporters and jubilation of his detractors showed the deep divisions still felt in Chile 16 years after the return to democracy.

Thousands of people celebrated in the streets of Santiago Sunday after Pinochet's death, while about 2,000 of his supporters gathered at the Military Hospital Sunday to mourn his passing.

The celebrations were marred, however, by clashes between hooded radicals and police officers. Authorities said 99 people were arrested and 43 police injured in the violence.

While leftist politicians condemned his 17-year rule that left 3,000 people dead or missing, by official count, the right recalled his economic policies that it said led to the "Chilean miracle."

Human rights groups and newspapers across the world expressed disappointment that Pinochet died without ever facing trial for the killings and torture committed under his rule.

Amnesty International said Pinochet's death underscored the importance of swiftly prosecuting human rights abusers.

"General Pinochet's death should be a wake-up call for the authorities in Chile and governments everywhere, reminding them of the importance of speedy justice for human rights crimes, something Pinochet himself has now escaped," the human rights group said.

The American newspaper USA Today said "Bringing a dictator to justice is about more than revenge."

"It is needed for a society to face up to past crimes and to deter brutal dictators elsewhere," the national daily said.

After the funeral, Pinochet's body will be taken by helicopter to a crematorium and his ashes will be handed to his family.

Pinochet came to power in a 1973 military coup that ousted Socialist president Salvador Allende, who committed suicide at the time. After Pinochet lost a 1988 referendum on his continued rule, he handed over power in 1990 to a transitional government.

In the succeeding years numerous prosecutors and judges sought to have him tried on charges of murder, human rights abuses and corruption, but he fended off trial by claiming immunity and then ill health.

During Pinochet's 91st birthday celebrations on November 25, his wife read a message saying that the former dictator held "no grudge against anyone," despite all the "persecutions and injustices" against him.

Dec 11 , 2006

Monday

week

Tuesday

16 years

Sunday

November 25

defended

decision

deny

lamented

escaped

formed

see

lied

wearing

death

sparked

death

remained

calling

hailed

lamented

death

escaped

died

suffering

attack

given

funeral

seen

flanked

scheduled

detained

refused

give

predetermined

make

decisions

said

seen

acts

like

have

overcome

said

decried

funeral

said

took

showed

felt

return

celebrated

gathered

mourn

marred

clashes

said

arrested

injured

violence

condemned

missing

recalled

said

led

expressed

died

facing

trial

killings

torture

said

underscored

reminding

escaped

said

said

Bringing

face

deter

said

funeral

taken

handed

came

coup

ousted

committed

suicide

lost

referendum

handed

sought

tried

fended

claiming

read

saying

held

persecutions


XIN_ENG_20051116.0330

LONDON, Nov. 16 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Major European stock markets end lower

The major European stock markets closed down on Wednesday as a drop in the price of crude hit oil companies and the FTSE 100 closed down 0.18 percent and other markets took similar trend.

In London, leading shares closed lower, led by weak mining stocks and drug distributor Alliance Unichem on concerns over its merger with Boots and the FTSE 100 index was quoted 9.6 points lower, or 0.2 percent, at 5,430.

Early losses in the oil sector were tempered after crude prices jumped back above 57 dollars a barrel.

Some investors took UK's central bank, the Bank of England's latest Inflation Report as a sign interest rates could dip early next year.

In Paris, French shares fell, tracking declines in most of Europe's main markets as a drop in the price of crude hit oil companies and the CAC 40 index was quoted 31.02 points lower, or 0. 68 percent, at 4,512.13.

Vivendi Universal, which lost 2.3 percent to 25.10 euros was the leading slider. Insurer Axa and car group Peugeot also declined.

On the plus side, Vinci, Pernod-Ricard, Thales and EADS attracted the most support.

In Frankfurt, German shares fell on the day, led lower by RWE after the utility reported earnings that disappointed the market, with Frankfurt's benchmark DAX index lost 29.15 points, or 0.57 percent, to 5,081.46.

RWE lost 2.2 percent to 56.53 euros, reversing Tuesday's gains that had been driven by optimism about it earnings report.

Sporting goods producer Adidas-Salomon, and chip firm Infineon also declined.

Commerzbank gained for a fourth day after announcing it planned a takeover.

In the currency market, the US dollar inched up over the euro, ending the day at 1.1692 dollars to a euro from 1.1698, and the dollar also closed slightly higher over Japanese yen at one dollar to 118.96 yen from 118.90 yen.

The greenback went higher over the British sterling, ending at 1.7180 dollars to a pound from 1.7354.

Nov. 16 , 2005

Wednesday

early next year

Tuesday

a fourth day

closed

drop

hit

closed

took

closed

led

merger

quoted

losses

tempered

jumped

took

dip

fell

tracking

declines

drop

hit

quoted

lost

declined

attracted

fell

led

reported

disappointed

lost

lost

reversing

driven

declined

gained

announcing

planned

takeover

inched

ending

closed

went

ending


XIN_ENG_20051111.0316

BEIJING, Nov. 12 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Bush, Howard discuss Iraq, APEC meeting

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (Xinhua)-- US President George W. Bush on Friday had a telephone discussion with Australian Prime Minister John Howard over Iraq's upcoming elections and the agenda for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) informal economic leaders' meeting scheduled for November 18-19, the White House said.

"The two leaders compared notes on Iraq's upcoming elections and progress in the training of Iraqi security forces. They exchanged views on the upcoming US-Australia defense and foreign policy ministerial (meeting)," US national security council spokesman Fred Jones said.

"They reviewed the agenda for the APEC meeting in Busan, Korea on November 18-19, including initiatives on avian flu, trade liberalization and energy cooperation," said Jones.

"The president looks forward to continuing his conversation with prime minister Howard when they see each other at the APEC leaders' meeting this time next week," said the spokesman.

The United States has been in good relations with Australia which supports the US-led war on Iraq and has 1,400 troops deployed in Iraq. Howard visited the White House in July.

Nov. 12 , 2005

Nov. 11

Friday

November 18-19

November 18-19

next week

July

had

discussion

meeting

scheduled

said

compared

exchanged

meeting

said

reviewed

meeting

said

continuing

conversation

see

meeting

said

supports

war

has

deployed

visited


AFP_ENG_19970409.0289

TIRANA, April 9 , 1997 (AFP)

Force vanguard arrives in Albania

A 24-strong advance party of the multinational force for Albania has arrived in the capital Tirana to scout installations where the force could be billetted, officials said Wednesday.

The mission includes 13 Italians, despite political uncertainty in Rome over whether Italy's leadership of the force will get the required backing of parliament in a vote which was to be held later Wednesday.

The advance team arrived in Tirana late Tuesday.

The experts Wednesday began assessing the suitability of barracks and other centres which are to be used to house the 6,000-strong multinational force.

The Albanian authorities are proposing that the force headquarters be in a military school in Tirana, one of the military experts said.

Intensive renovation work has been carried out in recent weeks in government-controlled towns to restore military installations ransacked during riots sparked by the collapse of phoney investment schemes.

The force will have to cope with widespread lawlessness, with large areas of the country, particularly in the south, controlled by armed gangs.

Apart from the Italians, the advance contingent is made up of three French, three Greeks, two Danes, two Spaniards and a Romanian.

Eight European countries have pledged troops for the force, the first contingents of which are due to land in the port of Durres within days.

One hundred and twenty men of the French contingent left Toulon on the Mediterranean coast overnight on the troop transport vessel Champlain, the French military press service SIRPA said Wednesday.

Another 350 men will embark Thursday and 600 others on Tuesday.

The troops are expected to arrive in Durres two or three days later.

The French contingent has been tasked with making Durres port and the Durres-Tirana road safe.

In a related development, Albanian Defense Minister Shaqir Vukaj said the multinational force would not face a civil-war situation in Albania.

"The only existing threat comes from criminal armed gangs which under the prevailing conditions unfortunately organize rapidly, while the Albanian people, from north to south, will welcome the multinational force," said Vukaj after talks with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos in Athens.

Vukaj said that Greek would help in rebuilding the Albanian armed forces.

April 9 , 1997

Wednesday

later Wednesday

late Tuesday

Wednesday

recent weeks

Wednesday

Thursday

Tuesday

two or three days

arrived

scout

billetted

said

get

vote

held

arrived

began

assessing

used

house

proposing

said

work

carried

restore

ransacked

riots

sparked

collapse

cope

made

pledged

land

left

said

embark

expected

arrive

tasked

making

said

face

comes

organize

welcome

said

talks

said

help

rebuilding


AFP_ENG_20051210.0443

BEIJING, Dec 11 , 2005

protest

The official who gave the order for security forces to open fire on a group of demonstrators in southern China last week, killing at least three people, has been arrested, state media said Sunday.

The official Guangzhou Daily newspaper did not give the name or title of the official or specify when he had been detained but said he had been arrested for his decision to open fire on the villagers' demonstration.

China on Saturday broke its silence on the protest, acknowledging demonstrators were killed when police opened fire and put the death toll at three -- far fewer than the dozens described by residents.

The official Xinhua news agency said police fired into a mob of explosives-lobbing protesters on Tuesday after being blockaded near Shanwei city, Guangdong province.

Hundreds of armed villagers had earlier attacked them in a "serious violation of the law", Xinhua said, quoting a Shanwei government report.

One villager said on condition of anonymity that 30 people were killed while the New York Times quoted residents as saying that "as many as 20" died.

Dec 11 , 2005

last week

Sunday

Saturday

Tuesday

gave

killing

arrested

said

give

specify

detained

said

arrested

decision

open

demonstration

broke

protest

acknowledging

killed

opened

put

described

said

fired

blockaded

attacked

said

quoting

said

killed

quoted

saying

died


XIN_ENG_20061101.0391

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 2 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Roundup: Phnom Penh well-prepared for influx of 1.5 million visitors on Water Festival

Dragon boat races, fireworks and other celebrations are expected to attract around 1.5 million visitors into the Cambodian capital around the Water Festival from Nov. 4 to 6, and the municipal government has been fully mobilized to embrace the annual heat, local media said on Thursday.

Pa Socheatvong, Phnom Penh's Deputy Governor, estimated that the population of the city will double during the festival, but said the government has got well-prepared for the rush.

"I think we have arranged enough toilets for the crowds of people and boat races this year," he was quoted by the Cambodian Daily as saying.

Some 50 provisional toilets, along with the already-installed 30 permanent public toilets, will be more than enough to handle private problems of the incoming visitors.

Meanwhile, some 2,300 policemen, 660 armed forces and 800 official security guards will be deployed to ensure the order during the celebrations, according to reports of Jian Hua Daily.

The police have made a detailed plan to keep the city bustling but safe, it added.

In addition, the municipal government has established seven technical groups respectively in charge of security, health, information, fireworks supervision, boat management, decoration and secretariat, so as to improve its overall control of the activities, according to reports of the Commercial Daily.

Major roads will be blocked against motor vehicles during the festival in order to avoid traffic jam, it said.

Dragon boat races are the most hilarious celebration of the festival, for which more than 20,000 participants have arrived to play over 400 boats on the Mekong River.

The Water Festival is one of the most important festivals in Cambodia, for which people celebrate ebb tide and ensuing re- surface of land. Additionally, water is also a symbol of life and birth in the eyes of the Cambodians.

Nov. 2 , 2006

Nov. 4

Thursday

the festival

this year

the festival

expected

attract

mobilized

embrace

said

estimated

double

said

got

think

arranged

quoted

saying

handle

deployed

ensure

order

celebrations

made

plan

keep

added

established

improve

according

blocked

avoid

said

arrived

play


XIN_ENG_20061108.0275

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Urgent: U.S. defense secretary steps down, Bush says

U.S. President George W. Bush said Wednesday that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was stepping down, one day after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections.

Bush made the announcement during a press conference at the White House.

Former CIA Director Robert Gates would succeed Rumsfeld, he said.

Nov. 8 , 2006

Wednesday

one day

said

stepping

won

elections

made

announcement

conference

succeed

said


XIN_ENG_20051107.0216

KABUL, Nov. 7 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Big fire in Kabul destroys building of Revenue Department

A big fire happened Monday night in Afghan capital Kabul destroyed the building of the Revenue Department, but left no casualty till now, a local official said.

The fire happened at about 6 p.m. has destroyed almost the whole two-floor building of the Revenue Department. The keepers of the nearby clothes shops were hurried to take all the goods out of the shops in order to prevent from the further destruction of the fire.

"Afghan firefighters and police have come here soon after the breaking of the fire, and firefighters from ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) also came just now. There is a good cooperation between the two sides, and we will try to control the fire as soon as possible," the provincial police chief of Kabul Gen. Jamil Junbish told Xinhua.

"The reason of the fire is still unclear, but probably because of the electric shortage. Since it's already after the working time, so there is no casualty, but the property loss will be big especially some official documents will be lost," the police chief added.

When asked about the possible reason of someone set the fire intentionally to destroy documents of the corruption record, Junbish said "our forces arrived the place on time and took most of the important documents from the archives already".

Until the time of report, the fire is still going on, but the sudden small rain will probably help the work of killing the fire.

Nov. 7 , 2005

Monday night

now

now

happened

destroyed

left

said

happened

destroyed

hurried

take

prevent

destruction

come

breaking

came

cooperation

try

control

told

big

lost

added

asked

set

destroy

said

arrived

took

going

help

killing


AFP_ENG_19970407.0657

TOKYO, April 8 , 1997 (AFP)

Japan to respond 'appropriately' to dollar's rise: Mitsuzuka

Japan's Finance Minister Hiroshi Mitsuzuka said his ministry would respond "appropriately" to the dollar's gains against the yen, hinting at measures to check the US unit's rapid rise to a 51-month high.

The impact of an excessively low yen is the same as the impact of an excessively strong yen, Mitsuzuka told a regular press conference.

"Our stance in the February G7 meeting was to respond appropriately to the dollar's gains, and that an excessively low yen means (the same as) an excessively high yen" in terms of the adverse impact, Mitsuzuka said.

"We will take the same stance in line with this policy," he said.

The dollar was quoted at 125.74-76 yen in Tokyo at 10 a.m. (0100 GMT), up from 124.68-71 yen late Monday and in line with 125.73 yen in New York late Monday.

The dollar climbed to as high as 125.85 yen here Tuesday, the highest level since January 18, 1993, when the US unit hit 125.86 yen.

"The dollar is likely to test the upper limit today, with the psychological ceiling seen at around 126.20 yen," a dealer at a European bank said.

"The dollar's advance since last Friday is too fast, but the US unit is supported by a wide gap between US and Japanese interest rates," he said.

"Japanese investments in foreign bonds will be unstoppable for the time being, resulting in a higher dollar.

More political leaders in Japan are likely to voice concern over the higher dollar, as the financial authorities are uncomfortable with the US unit at above 125 yen," he said.

April 8 , 1997

10 a.m.

Monday

Monday

Tuesday

January 18, 1993

today

last Friday

said

respond

hinting

check

rise

impact

impact

told

conference

meeting

respond

said

take

said

quoted

climbed

hit

test

seen

said

advance

supported

said

resulting

voice

said


XIN_ENG_20051127.0057

RAMALLAH, Nov. 27 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Israel considers releasing jailed Fatah leader: lawyer

Khader Shqirat, lawyer of the jailed Fatah leader Marwan al-Barghouti, said on Sunday that Israel is considering releasing Barghouti after he won the Fatah primaries.

Shqirat told reporters that Barghouti's victory in Fatah's internal elections in the West Bank city of Ramallah last week would make Israel seriously consider his release.

Israeli Army Radio quoted senior Israeli security sources as saying that Israel's military and security establishments are mulling on the issue of releasing Barghouti.

Meanwhile, Yosi Belin, an Israeli party head, called on the Israeli government to release Barghouti, saying that his victory among the young generation in Fatah could help both Israel and the Palestinians to achieve a permanent peace.

Barghouti's wife Fadwa told reporters that Shqirat will visit her husband in his Israeli jail and inform him of the good news that he had won the primaries.

Barghouti, a top Fatah leader in the West Bank and member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), was arrested in April 2002 in Ramallah by Israeli army in its Defensive Shield operation.

An Israeli court convicted Barghouti of leading the armed Intifada (Uprising) against Israel in which several Israelis were killed, and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Nov. 27 , 2005

Sunday

last week

April 2002

said

considering

releasing

won

primaries

told

victory

make

consider

quoted

saying

mulling

releasing

called

release

saying

victory

help

achieve

told

visit

inform

won

primaries

arrested

convicted

leading

killed

sentenced


XIN_ENG_20061127.0268

BANGKOK, Nov. 27 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Tax cuts, investment promotion proposed for Thai southern provinces

The Thai government plans to reduce taxes on both personal income and corporate tax, as well as insurance fee for entrepreneurs in five southern provinces, the state-run news agency Monday announced.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula announced the future preferential policies for southern provinces after a Monday meeting entitled "A Special Economic Zone in Southern Thailand."

The main purpose of the meeting was to find out measures to materialize the government's plan to set up a special development zone in the country's five southern border provinces: Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Satun, the Thai News Agency said.

Pridiyathorn said that the government is considering reducing corporate tax from 30 percent to 25 percent. Tax incentives will also be extended to cover personal income. He will hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras about the possibility for the Board of Investment under the supervision of the Industry Minister to come with other forms of incentive to promote more investment in the violence-plagued region.

Other incentives may include insurance fee reductions and permission for foreign laborers to work in some areas in the restive provinces.

Details of the plan will be submitted for Cabinet approval on Dec. 6.

The interim government expressed hope that the project will serve as a measure to help solve the problem of violence in this border region, the report said.

More than 1,700 people have been killed since the violence reemerged in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand in January 2004. Since being appointed as Prime Minister after the Sept. 19 coup, Gen. Surayud Chulanont has listed the violence in the south as one of his top priorities. He has been promoting reconciliation and apologized for the previous government's mistreatment to the people in the South.

Nov. 27 , 2006

Monday

Monday

Dec. 6

January 2004

Sept. 19

plans

reduce

announced

announced

meeting

meeting

find

materialize

plan

set

said

said

considering

reducing

extended

cover

hold

talks

come

promote

work

submitted

expressed

serve

help

solve

said

killed

violence

appointed

coup

listed

violence

promoting

reconciliation

apologized

mistreatment


XIN_ENG_20051127.0116

BANGKOK, Nov. 27 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Thai, Laotian PMs break ground at Nam Thuen II site

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Lao counterpart Bounnhang Vorachit Sunday jointly laid a founding stone to start construction of a controversial Nam Thuen II hydropower project, according to local media The Nation.

The ceremony took place at the construction site of the powerhouse at Gnoumalat district of Laos's central Khammouane Province. Some 300 officials from both countries and international financiers and investors attended the event.

During his weekly radio address on Saturday, Thaksin said that Thailand would buy electricity totaling 924 megawatts generated from this dam project annually upon its completion.

He said that Thailand needs to depend more on hydropower and coal and less on natural gas in generating electricity, he said.

Natural gas will be used in domestic transportation system, and, if possible, the country will stop using oil in power generation in the future.

The Nam Theun II hydropower project site is located in Khammouane and Bolikhamxay provinces in central Laos, about 250 kilometers southeast of the country's capital -- Vientiane.

Nov. 27 , 2005

weekly

Saturday

the future

laid

start

construction

according

ceremony

took

attended

event

said

buy

generated

completion

said

needs

depend

said

used

stop

using

located


XIN_ENG_20061107.0135

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 7 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Malaysia stock market ends higher

The key indices of the Malaysia stock market closed higher on Tuesday over stronger regional markets and foreign buying interests in selected heavyweights.

The benchmark Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) rose 9.98 points to close at 1,003.28 points after opening at 993.68.

The Second Board Index increased by 1.10 points to 87.77, the Industrial Index edged up 12.77 points to 2,096.23, and Mesdaq rose 2.06 points to 115.79.

The Emas gained 54.62 points to 6,525.33.

Losers led gainers by 675 to 172, with other 259 counters unchanged, 275 untraded and 26 counters suspended.

Volume stood at 875.15 million shares worth 1.22 billion ringgit (330 million U.S. dollars on Tuesday.

Nov. 7 , 2006

Tuesday

Tuesday

closed

rose

close

opening

increased

edged

rose

gained

led

untraded

suspended

stood


AFP_ENG_20061203.0268

DOHA, Dec 3 , 2006, 2006

Japan win Asiad soft tennis gold

Japan won the Asian Games men's team soft tennis gold medal here on Sunday beating Taiwan 2-1.

South Korea beat Mongolia 2-0 to win bronze.

Dec 3 , 2006

Sunday

won

beating

beat

win


AFP_ENG_20051213.0408

ISTANBUL, Dec 13 , 2005

= (PICTURE) =

More than 700 Iraqis living in Turkey cast votes for their homeland's new parliament on Tuesday, according to a representative for the Iraqi electoral commission there.

Turkey is one of 15 countries where Iraqi expatriates can vote in Iraq's parliamentary elections. Three polling stations have been set up in Istanbul and one in Ankara.

Expatriates have until Thursday to cast their ballot when their homeland will grind to a halt under security measures intended to minimise bloodshed as the electorate chooses a 275-member parliament.

Mufit Neftci, a representative of the electoral commission in charge of Iraqi exiles in Turkey, said by late afternoon Tuesday between 700 and 800 Iraqis had cast ballots.

"We think that the number of voters will be more than in the last elections," Neftci said, referring to the January 28 poll for an interim parliament in Iraq.

"Any Iraqi who comes to the polling station with a valid identity card including a photograph is allowed to vote," he said.

Neftci could not give an estimate of the number of Iraqis in Turkey who are eligible to vote.

The International Migrants Organization, which organized the January poll, had estimated the number at around 30,000, most of them belonging to the Turkish minority that settled mainly in northern Iraq.

The ethnic Turks in Iraq make up the country's third largest ethnic group after the Arabs and the Kurds.

Besides Turkey, the other countries where Iraqi expatriates may vote include Australia, Austria, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Sweden, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Dec 13 , 2005

Tuesday

Thursday

late afternoon Tuesday

January 28

January

cast

according

vote

set

cast

grind

intended

minimise

said

cast

think

elections

said

referring

parliament

comes

allowed

vote

said

give

eligible

vote

organized

estimated

belonging

settled

make

vote


XIN_ENG_20051114.0321

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 14 , 2005 (Xinhua)

S. Africa's ruling party denies inside rift

South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has denied reported differences between President Thabo Mbeki and his party deputy Jacob Zuma over ways to heal a rift within the party.

The party's powerful National Working Committee (NWC) said on Monday evening this emerged from its weekly meeting held in Johannesburg earlier in the day.

"The NWC received and discussed the joint report of the ANC president and deputy president as mandated by the ANC national executive committee (NEC) on September 9," the committee said in a statement, which was carried by the SAPA news agency.

"Media reports to the effect that there were differences between the president and deputy president on the substance of the report are false and without basis," it said.

South African media has suggested that Mbeki and Zuma had been unable to come to an agreement on proposals to deal with tension in party after Mbeki sacked Zuma as the country's deputy president in June and Zuma was prosecuted on two corruption charges.

Zuma has repeatedly protested his innocence. His supporters hold that the corruption and the newly-emerged rape allegations were part of a political conspiracy by the ANC elite to block his path to the presidency in 2009, after Mbeki completes his second term.

Zuma currently is still the No. 2 figure of the ANC. Some political analysts in South Africa have said he could easily win the 2009 elections if he can be acquitted of corruption charges and succeed Mbeki as the party's president in 2007.

The reported tensions inside the ruling party were described as the most serious one since ANC took power in post-apartheid South Africa 11 years ago.

ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe was reportedly tasked to facilitate a final report for the next weekend's NEC meeting, described by local media as a "make-or-break" one.

The NWC said the report it discussed at Monday's meeting captured the substance of "interactions" between Mbeki and Zuma over the last two months.

"The report was accepted by the NWC," the committee said. "The working committee was satisfied that the report would form the basis for a substantive discussion at the NEC meeting scheduled to take place this weekend."

Nov. 14 , 2005

Monday evening

earlier in the day

September 9

June

currently

11 years ago

Monday

the last two months

this weekend

ruling

denied

reported

heal

said

emerged

meeting

held

received

discussed

mandated

said

carried

said

suggested

come

agreement

deal

sacked

prosecuted

protested

innocence

hold

block

path

presidency

completes

said

win

elections

acquitted

succeed

tensions

described

took

tasked

facilitate

meeting

said

discussed

meeting

captured

accepted

said

satisfied

form

discussion

meeting

scheduled

take


XIN_ENG_20051126.0011

BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 25 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Caribbean, L. American states to unite Chinese friendship societies

Some 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean will unite their Chinese friendship societies into a new regional federation for friendship with China on Saturday, Guillermo Penfold, head of the Foundation to Develop Relations with the Chinese People, told Xinhua on Friday.

Penfold made the announcement here at the opening ceremony of the third conference of the Caribbean- and Latin America-China Friendship Societies.

The two-day meeting is taking place at the headquarters of Banco de la Nacion in Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital.

About 30 friendship societies from these countries were to formally launch the new federation at Saturday's session, he said.

Some 70 delegates will approve the new organization's charter. They will also reaffirm the one-China policy and their support for China's Anti-Secession Law.

Present at the ceremony were former Argentine President Raul Alfonsin and Cheng Siwei, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress and head of the China-Latin America Friendship Association.

Cheng said that China and the countries of the Caribbean and Latin America are enjoying good relations both in government-to-government and people-to-people aspects.

Thanking the friendly associations for enhancing bilateral friendship, Cheng said good ties between China and those nations had promoted the fast development of bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, business, culture, education and science.

The associations met last time in Bogota, capital of Colombia, in 2002.

Nov. 25 , 2005

Saturday

Friday

Saturday

unite

Develop

told

made

announcement

ceremony

conference

meeting

taking

launch

session

said

approve

reaffirm

ceremony

said

enjoying

Thanking

enhancing

said

promoted

development

cooperation

met


XIN_ENG_20061101.0007

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 1 , 2006 (Xinhua)

House roof collapse kills 1, injures 5 in Pakistan

A house roof collapsed in Pakistan's largest port city Karachi, killing a baby and injuring five persons of the family that included her parents and two sisters, local private Geo TV reported on Wednesday.

Police said that the roof and walls of the dilapidated house of a junk dealer at Gharibabad of Liaquatabad area in Karachi came crashing with a bang to bury the whole family sleeping therein under the debris.

The neighbors hearing the thud of the collapsing roof came out rescuing six persons and shifted them to local hospital, where the doctors pronounced the five-month-old baby dead, according to the report.

Two girls were in serious conditions, the report said.

Nov. 1 , 2006

Wednesday

collapsed

killing

injuring

included

reported

said

came

crashing

bang

bury

sleeping

hearing

thud

came

rescuing

shifted

pronounced

according

said


XIN_ENG_20051113.0197

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 13 , 2005 (Xinhua)

African heritage sites to go digital

Scientists in South Africa are digitizing Africa's rich cultural heritage sites to provide a virtual tour to those who cannot visit in person, while benefiting preservation of the sites.

Using the latest laser-scan and computer technology, they are creating 3D models and virtual landscapes of the sites in Sub- Saharan Africa, including a coral-stone fortress in Tanzania, an ancient mosque in Timbuktu, Mali, and Great Zimbabwe, Sunday Times reported.

These digital models and historical resources will be stored in an African cultural heritage and landscapes database that African scholars, libraries and universities will be able to use free of charge, said the national newspaper.

Prof. Heinz Ruther, a project leader based at the University of Cape Town's (UCT's) Geomatics department, said they hoped to eventually create walk-through capabilities, like a computer game, to familiarize African school children with these sites.

The newspaper said the project has been approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which oversees the naming and preservation work of heritage sites around the world.

The UCT also co-operates with a project known as Aluka, which is tasked with building an "online, digital library of scholarly resources from and about the developing world, beginning in Africa. "

The project aims not only at "virtual preservation" but also at assisting with the physical conservation of these sites, which are being eroded by the weather, time and human settlement, Ruther said.

The Kilwa fortress in Tanzania, made of coral stone, dates back to the year 1503. It is being eroded by storms and the wind.

Ruther explained that the accuracy of the 3D models, between one and five centimeters of the original, would assist with reconstruction should it become necessary.

The team has already finished models for four World Heritage sites, including Kilwa Great Mosque, dated about 1200 AD, and Kilwa Kisiwani Fortress (1503) in Tanzania; St Giyorgis, a rock- hewn church at Lalibela (dating back to the 11th to 13th century) in Ethiopia; and the Grand Mosques of Djenne and Djingereiber in Timbuktu in Mali (14th and 20th centuries).

UNESCO convened the 29 session of the World Heritage Committee July in Durban, South Africa, finding that 16 of 33 endangered World Heritage sites are in Africa due to conflicts, lack of fund and protection.

Nov. 13 , 2005

the year 1503

11th to 13th century

digitizing

provide

visit

benefiting

Using

creating

reported

stored

use

said

said

hoped

create

familiarize

said

approved

oversees

co-operates

tasked

building

beginning

aims

assisting

conservation

eroded

said

dates

eroded

explained

assist

become

finished

dated

dating

convened

session

finding

conflicts

protection


XIN_ENG_20051125.0277

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 , 2005 (Xinhua)

Mavericks waives Christie

Doug Christie was waived by the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, reports from Miami said.

Christie, 35, left the team last week to have his surgically repaired left ankle examined by a personal physician. The team signed Christie to a three-year contract this past offseason, but only $3.15 million in salary was guaranteed.

"We appreciate the effort Doug gave us," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was quoted said Friday by e-mail. "He went through a lot to get back. Unfortunately, it didn't work out."

Christie's agent, Bradley Marshall, did not immediately comment after the team announced its move.

Christie averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 assists in seven games, all starts, this season for Dallas, who was in Miami to play the Heat Friday night. He joined the team after Orlando waived him in August.

Christie missed the final 24 games of last season after having bone spurs removed from the ankle. He averaged only 6.6 points in 52 games with Sacramento and Orlando -- his lowest scoring average since being a reserve for the New York Knicks in 1995-96.

He's averaged 11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in parts of 14 NBA seasons.

Nov. 25 , 2005

Friday

last week

Friday

Friday night

August

last season

waived

said

left

have

repaired

examined

signed

guaranteed

appreciate

gave

quoted

said

went

get

work

comment

announced

move

averaged

assists

play

joined

waived

missed

removed

averaged

averaged

assists


AFP_ENG_20061201.0595

PARIS, Dec 1 , 2006, 2006

ATTENTION - ADDS more quotes from statement, background ///

European plane maker Airbus is to develop its A350 passenger jet, parent company EADS announced on Friday, ending months of speculation and handing a boost to the European aerospace industry.

The board of EADS met in Amsterdam to discuss the A350 programme and decided to "give the go ahead" for the commercial development of the aircraft, a statement from EADS said.

"The A350 XWB, together with the A330/A340 aircraft family, will meet a market that requires some 5,700 new aircraft being delivered in the next two decades, with more than 1,000 billion dollars in value," the statement said.

The twin-engine Airbus A350 XWB has been designed to compete with two Boeing airliners, the existing 777 and the future 787 Dreamliner, which has proved highly popular with airlines.

Initially drawn up in 2005, the Airbus A350 design was sent back to the drawing board after prospective clients complained of insufficient passenger capacity and excessive fuel consumption. It re-emerged in July this year as the A350 XWB. XWB stands for extra wide body.

Financing of the project is considered by analysts to be a critical issue and, tellingly, Airbus was vague about the details of how the 10-billion-euro (13-billion-dollar) project will be paid for.

EADS and Airbus, which is a 100-percent-owned unit of EADS, are financially stretched because of cost over-runs with the Airbus A380 superjumbo project, which is running two years behind schedule.

As a result, EADS stressed on Friday that the decision on the A350 was linked to the "full implementation" of a vast restructuring plan called Power 8, which aims to cut costs throughout the business.

It said the A350 would be financed "predominantly from the company cash flows".

Nevertheless, EADS and Airbus are still expected to need other sources of capital to finance the project, the costs of which are forecast to be about double the initial estimate.

Other sources could be the capital markets, in the form of a share issue or a bond issue, but might also be from European governments, namely Britain, France, Germany or Spain.

The involvement of governments, which are able to grant low-interest loans or guarantees, is a prickly issue given the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and the European Union.

The United States has filed a complaint at the World Trade Organisation alleging the government loans to Airbus amount to illegal state aid.

The European Union has countered with its own case, alleging that Boeing also benefits from illegal state aid, particularly in the form of uncontested military contracts.

"The funding requirements going forward will be proactively managed in line with company policy to preserve a strong balance sheet," EADS said.

"EADS expects to spread the development costs of the full XWB family over the years 2007 to 2014, with the bulk of the spending occurring in 2010-2013."

Dec 1 , 2006

Friday

the next two decades

the future 787 Dreamliner

July this year

two years

Friday

the years 2007 to 2014

develop

announced

ending

handing

boost

met

discuss

decided

give

development

said

meet

requires

delivered

said

designed

compete

proved

drawn

sent

complained

re-emerged

stands

considered

vague

paid

stretched

running

stressed

decision

linked

aims

cut

said

financed

expected

need

finance

forecast

involvement

grant

dispute

filed

alleging

countered

alleging

benefits

going

managed

preserve

said

expects

spread

spending


AFP_ENG_20061216.0296

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 16 , 2006, 2006

South African cricket championship scores

Scores after third day of South African four-day cricket championship matches on Saturday:

At Newlands, Cape Town

Cape Cobras v Highveld Lions

Lions 508 in 155.5 overs (J.Ontong 155, N.McKenzie 135, V. van Jaarsveld 54; M.Zondeki 4-82). Cobras 215 in 57.4 overs (R.Kleinveldt 63; C.Henderson 6-87, F. de Wet 3-57) and 128 in 33.1 overs (B.Hector 36; T.Henderson 5-37, C.Henderson 4-40)

Lions win by innings and 165 runs

At Goodyear Park, Bloemfontein

Free State Eagles v KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins

Eagles 500-5 dec in 147 overs (H.Dippenaar 132, M. van Wyk 88, N.Boje 80 no). Dolphins 170 in 53 overs (A.Amla 45; R.McLaren 5-57, D. du Preez 3-41) and 211 in 69.4 overs (J.Kent 52, D.Brown 51 no; McLaren 4-59, W.Deacon 3-35)

Eagles win by innings and 119 runs

At SuperSport Park, Centurion

Northern Titans v Eastern Cape Warriors

Warriors 348 in 113 overs (M.Goodwin 77, L.Meyer 72 no, A.Jacobs 70; J.Morkel 4-59) and 105 in 31 overs (A.Thomas 5-50, M.Morkel 3-23). Titans 195 in 40.4 overs (J.Kemp 100 no; L.Tsotsobe 5-45) and 261-6 in 69.5 overs (F. du Plessis 103, M. van Jaarsveld 52; J.Botha 3-60)

Titans win by four wickets

Dec 16 , 2006

third day

Saturday

matches

win

win

v

win


XIN_ENG_20061111.0187

ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 11 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Aid agency airlifts supplies to Ethiopian flood victims

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) said here Saturday it airlifted essential supplies to flood-affected communities in Gode Zone of Somali State in response to the recent deadly flash flood in southeastern Ethiopia.

According to a news release from IRC Ethiopia, 18 tons of cooking pots and plates, soap, and blankets were transported to Gode, some 650 km southeast of the capital Addis Ababa, via U.S. military air carrier early on Saturday.

The items will be distributed by the United Nations and other national and international NGOs working on the ground. IRC hopes to send an additional airlift of supplies in the following days.

"Gode Zone is completely cut off by road to the outside world because of the flooding," said IRC Country Director David Murphy.

"We hear reports that there are trucks loaded with emergency relief stranded in the surrounding areas but unable to get through. We're just lucky that we can airlift our emergency relief via the U.S. military."

Sixty-seven people have died and up to 217,000 people have been affected after the Wabe Shebelle river burst its banks after five days of heavy rain. It is not known how many people have been displaced by the latest flash flooding, which occurred ten days ago. It's feared the situation will be further exacerbated with continuing heavy rains.

"This region has already been hit hard. In mid-August, flooding in the same area killed four people and displaced approximately 56, 000," said Murphy. "IRC will do everything it can to support this community."

IRC's emergency intervention is supported by the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.

The IRC serves refugees and communities victimized by oppression and violent conflict worldwide through the provision of emergency relief, post-conflict development, resettlement assistance and advocacy.

Nov. 11 , 2006

Saturday

Saturday

five days

ten days ago

mid-August

said

airlifted

According

transported

distributed

working

hopes

send

airlift

cut

flooding

said

hear

loaded

stranded

get

airlift

died

affected

burst

known

displaced

flooding

occurred

feared

exacerbated

rains

hit

killed

displaced

said

do

support

intervention

supported

serves

victimized

conflict

development


AFP_ENG_19970408.0552

DHAKA, April 8 , 1997 (AFP)

Bangladesh Supreme Court stays order to compensate opposition leaders

The Bangladesh Supreme Court Tuesday temporarily stayed a High Court order requiring the government to compensate four opposition leaders who had been detained illegally, court officials said.

Judge Latifur Rahman Chowdhury issued the stay following a petition filed by the government a day after the High Court ordered the release of the four Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders.

The court, in an unprecedented move, also ordered the government to pay 100,000 taka (2,325 dollars) to each BNP leader as compensation.

The Supreme Court will hear the government petition against the compensation order in six weeks.

Three of the leaders - Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Mannan and Mirza Abbas - were freed hours after the court order on Monday but the fourth, Goeswar Roy, was still being detained as he is also wanted on other matters.

All four were arrested on March 20 under the Special Powers Act of 1974 for "subversive activities" following a series of disruptions in the power distribution system blamed on "sabotage" by the government.

The Act allows detention without specific charges for 120 days, but those arrested can file writ petitions to the High Court against the detention.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed was criticised for using the hated act to detain the four, but on Monday she reiterated the charges at a rally of her ruling Awami League party.

She also referred to a report of the London-based Amnesty International, saying the BNP under former premier Khaleda Zia arrested more than 8,500 people, including journalists, in 1995 alone.

April 8 , 1997

Tuesday

six weeks

Monday

March 20

120 days

Monday

stayed

compensate

detained

said

issued

filed

ordered

move

ordered

pay

hear

petition

freed

order

detained

wanted

arrested

disruptions

sabotage

allows

charges

arrested

file

criticised

using

detain

reiterated

rally

ruling

referred

saying

arrested


XIN_ENG_20061117.0109

BEIJING, Nov. 17 , 2006 (Xinhua)

Tibetan antelopes in Hoh Xil found to have special habitat

Scientists from Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) found that Tibetan antelopes largely inhabit chilly grassland and marshlands areas in Hoh Xil (kekexili) nature reserve, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Dr. Lu Xuefeng from CAS, a member of an expedition team in Hoh Xil, said that years of research and observation and a recent expedition found Tibetan antelopes have special habitat.

Tibetan antelopes can take advantage of fluctuant landscape to dodge its natural enemies, he said.

Hoh Xil Nature Reserve is home to dozens of endangered animals. China has taken a series of substantial measures to protect Tibetan antelopes, an extremely rare species listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Thanks to years of government efforts to control illegal hunting, ban commercial activities and protect grassland, the environment of Hoh Xil is becoming more and more suitable for antelopes, Lu said.

But Tibetan antelopes are targeted by poachers for use of their cashmere, causing their population to decline from several million to less than 100,000 in the past two decades, sources say.

Nov. 17 , 2006

the past two decades

found

said

expedition

found

take

dodge

said

taken

protect

efforts

control

ban

protect

becoming

said

targeted

use

causing

decline

say


XIN_ENG_20051120.0037

DHAKA, Nov. 20 , 2005 (Xinhua)

by Pan Xiaozhu

Entire capital city Dhaka and its surrounding areas have been brought under "terror alert" following an intelligence report about possible militant bomb attacks ahead of opposition's planned grand rally in the city on Tuesday.

According to the intelligence report, the banned Islamist outfit the Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) blamed for country- wide bomb blasts on Aug. 17 which left three people killed and over 150 others injured, has again planned for a series of bomb attacks in the capital city.

Different groups of the said militant outfit are trying to dispatch a huge quantity of high explosive to Dhaka through land or riverine routes.

The JMB is also trying to gather its some highly trained cadres along with the members of "suicide squad" to accomplish their mission.

The JMB might go for blasting high-powered explosives in Dhaka to eliminate opposition and ruling party leaders, high officials including judges and also general people.

In this regard, being directed by the high-ups of the government, a security blanket has been rolled down the capital city since Saturday evening where surveillance was also increased at all the entrance and exit points by setting up additional check posts.

At the same time, the security forces including the para- military the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Rapid Action Battalion ( RAB) have been put on high alert across the country to prevent any possible terrorist activity by the suicide bombers of JMB.

Meanwhile, 14 opposition political parties headed by Awami League has planned a huge anti-government showdown at a grand rally on Nov. 22 in the capital where opposition leader Sheikh Hasina will announce a comprehensive road map to realize their demands for bringing reforms to caretaker administration and the Election Commission to hold influence-free and neutral polls under a non-partism caretaker government.

Political sources said the Awami League-led 14 parties are likely to issue a one-month ultimatum for the government from the grand rally to concede to their demands.

The opposition planed to gather 2.5 million people on the day in the capital. Leaders of the opposition threatened that agitation would spread out across the country from Nov. 22 if the government obstructed people from joining the grand gathering.

The government has decided to take all the necessary security arrangements with the deployment of 15,000 security personnel including RAB, BDR, police and armed police to ensure smooth holding of the planned grand rally of the opposition.

Against the backdrop of last year's August-21 grenade attack on Awami League's rally in the capital in which 22 leaders and activists of the party were killed and hundreds others injured, the law enforcers will make a fool-proof security over the city to avoid any untoward incident.

In face of the escalating of terrorist bomb attacks, the government is going to start a joint operation to be called "Clean Militant Operation" across the country with the members of the army, BDR, RAB, police and Ansar (militia) to wage a campaign against the members of different banned Islamist militant organizations, especially JMB, with a view to wiping them out, according to The Independent Sunday.

The Special Branch of police and Criminal Investigation Department of police will take special measures to ensure security for VIPs like the ministers, state ministers, deputy ministers and secretaries of different ministries and departments.

The operation will start from this week as part of a short-term plan of the government and will continue for one month.

The government will decide on how to implement the mid-term and long-term plans to net the members of the militant groups, who are scattered across the country.

Around 400 JMB cadres have been arrested from different parts of the country since August-17 country-wide bomb blasts. The law enforcers, however, have failed to arrest the masterminds of the bombing.

Praful C Patel, vice president of World Bank, the main development partner of Bangladesh, recently advised the government of Bangladesh to nab the bomb attackers at any cost. If the government fails to arrest them, the WB reportedly will not come up with necessary assistance for the development projects.

Nov. 20 , 2005

Tuesday

Aug. 17

Saturday evening

Nov. 22

Nov. 22

last year

this week

one month

brought

following

report

attacks

rally

According

blamed

blasts

left

killed

injured

planned

attacks

said

trying

dispatch

trying

gather

accomplish

go

blasting

eliminate

directed

rolled

increased

setting

put

prevent

activity

headed

planned

rally

announce

realize

bringing

hold

said

issue

rally

concede

planed

gather

threatened

spread

joining

decided

take

deployment

ensure

holding

rally

opposition

attack

rally

killed

injured

make

avoid

incident

attacks

start

wage

campaign

banned

wiping

according

take

ensure

operation

start

continue

decide

implement

net

scattered

arrested

blasts

failed

arrest

bombing

advised

nab

fails

arrest

come

assistance


XIN_ENG_20051101.0345

BEIRUT, Nov. 1 , 2005 (Xinhua)

probe

Lebanese leaders voiced more support on Tuesday for a UN-backed probe into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.

President Emile Lahoud said in a statement that Resolution 1636 adopted by the UN Security Council on Monday should aim to put to light all behind the Feb. 14 assassination of Hariri and 20 other victims.

The perpetrators must be brought to justice after they were identified with full evidence within the framework of the UN resolution, according to the statement.

The resolution, co-sponsored by the United States, Britain and France, demands that Syria cooperate fully with UN investigators, warning that "further measures" are possible if Damascus does not give full assistance to the UN probe headed by German prosecutor Detlev Mehlis.

Mehlis has hinted that Hariri could not have been killed without the complicity of top security officials of Syria and Lebanon.

In response, Syria has pledged to cooperate with the UN inquiry while maintaining its innocence over the assassination.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora, who had asked UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to prolong Mehlis' mission till Dec. 15, met European Union (EU) diplomats here Tuesday on the implementation of the UN resolution.

British Ambassador to Lebanon James Watt, whose country is holding the rotating presidency of the EU, told reporters after the meeting that the EU firmly supports the UN resolution and encourages the Lebanese government to take action in that aspect.

Watt saw UN-Lebanese cooperation strengthened under Resolution 1636, saying that would create favorable conditions for the investigation.

Vowing that the EU will help fully carry out the UN resolution, the ambassador renewed the demand for full cooperation from Syria in the international probe of the assassination.

Nov. 1 , 2005

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AFP_ENG_20061208.0027

NEW YORK, Dec 8 , 2006, 2006

US stocks higher as job growth improves; Dow up 0.24 percent

US stocks ended higher Friday after a government report showed an improving job market last month as employers added a better-than-expected 132,000 nonfarm positions.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended up 29.08 points (0.24 percent) at 12,307.49 just after the closing bell.

The tech-dominated Nasdaq composite gained 9.67 points (0.40 percent) to 2,437.36 while the broad-market Standard and Poor's 500 index added 2.55 points (0.18 percent) to a preliminary close of 1,409.84.

The Labor Department said that US employers added 132,000 jobs in November in a report that suggested overall economic growth remains on track days before the Federal Reserve meets to deliberate interest rates.

Merger speculation rose as Merrill Lynch banking analysts meanwhile said in a research report that they believe Bank of America is "very interested" in acquiring Barclays bank of Britain.

The banking analysts said such a potential deal would be profitable even if Bank of America had to pay a 25-to-30 percent premium to acquire Barclays.

"We don't comment on market rumors or speculation," said Scott Silvestri, a Bank of America spokesman.

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AFP_ENG_20051207.0294

LEIPZIG, Germany, Dec 7 , 2005

Pekerman only coach absent for World Cup draw

The coaches of the 32 nations that have qualified for the 2006 World Cup will all be at Friday's draw with the sole exception of Argentina manager Jose Pekerman.

England's Sven-Goran Eriksson, Australia's Guus Hiddink, Japan manager Zico and other leading coaches will all witness the draw live, Wolfgang Niersbach, vice-president of the organising committee, revealed at a press conference.

"All the managers will be in Leipzig expect for Pekerman," said Niersbach.

"The Argentina Football Federation did not give a reason for his absence."   Argentina are one of the eight seeds for Friday's draw.

Dec 7 , 2005

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