Philippine Muslim rebels hope gov't will rethink position to attack in Basilan
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) expressed hope on Monday that the Philippine government will not push with its attack in southern province of Basilan.
Abu Majid, a MILF provincial officer based in Basilan, said that as they saw it, the military is preparing to mount an attack against the MILF forces led by Dan "Laksaw" Asnawi, the second highest rebel commander in the island province who figured in a bloody encounter on Oct. 18 that left 19 Army's Special Forces dead.
"I hope the government will rethink its decision to attack our forces in the island," he said, adding, however, that the MILF forces were ready to defend themselves.
Majid claimed that Asnawi was not a criminal, contrary to the government's claim.
He explained that Asnawi was a victim of injustice where innocent was charged of a crime that was never committed.
Majid was referring to the beheading of 10 Marines in 2007 wherein the result of the investigation conducted by the MILF and government of the Philippines' ceasefire committees and with the participation of Bantay Ceasefire in 2007 cleared the MILF of any participation.
The investigators pointed to the extremist Abu Sayyaf as responsible for the beheading, he said.
President Benigno S. Aquino III earlier declared an all-out justice for the death of the 19 soldiers in Basilan.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 14:31:20 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANILA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Monday, October 31, 2011
S Korea's rival parties reach compromise on controversial clause in trade deal with U.S.
S Korea's rival parties reach compromise on controversial clause in trade deal with U.S.
South Korea's rival parties have reached a tentative compromise over a controversial clause in the free trade agreement with the United States, possibly clearing a hurdle for the agreement on the way to legislative approval, local media reported Monday.
Opposition parties have demanded the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISD) clause, which allows U.S. investors to settle disputes with the South Korean government at international courts, be removed before the South Korean parliament votes on the long-pending trade deal.
Following discussions Sunday, the floor leaders of the ruling Grand National Party and the main opposition Democratic Party agreed that Seoul and Washington start negotiations over the clause within three months after the pact takes effect, according to local broadcaster MBC.
It remains to be seen whether the Democrats would agree to the tentative compromise between the floor leaders, according to MBC, while the ruling camp seeks to pass the bill through the parliamentary trade committee as soon as possible.
Seoul's two-way free trade agreement with Washington has been one of the most polarizing political issues here since it was signed in 2007, with opposition parties vowing to block what they see as a lopsided agreement in favor of Washington.
Policy think tanks here say the bilateral trade deal will create 350,000 new jobs and increase South Korea's gross domestic product by 5.66 percent, but critics dispute the estimate.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 14:11:22 FeedbackPrintRSS
SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
South Korea's rival parties have reached a tentative compromise over a controversial clause in the free trade agreement with the United States, possibly clearing a hurdle for the agreement on the way to legislative approval, local media reported Monday.
Opposition parties have demanded the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISD) clause, which allows U.S. investors to settle disputes with the South Korean government at international courts, be removed before the South Korean parliament votes on the long-pending trade deal.
Following discussions Sunday, the floor leaders of the ruling Grand National Party and the main opposition Democratic Party agreed that Seoul and Washington start negotiations over the clause within three months after the pact takes effect, according to local broadcaster MBC.
It remains to be seen whether the Democrats would agree to the tentative compromise between the floor leaders, according to MBC, while the ruling camp seeks to pass the bill through the parliamentary trade committee as soon as possible.
Seoul's two-way free trade agreement with Washington has been one of the most polarizing political issues here since it was signed in 2007, with opposition parties vowing to block what they see as a lopsided agreement in favor of Washington.
Policy think tanks here say the bilateral trade deal will create 350,000 new jobs and increase South Korea's gross domestic product by 5.66 percent, but critics dispute the estimate.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 14:11:22 FeedbackPrintRSS
SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
New Zealand committed to Five Powers Defense Arrangements: minister
New Zealand committed to Five Powers Defense Arrangements: minister
New Zealand Defense Minister Wayne Mapp said Monday the country still valued its inclusion in one of the world's oldest defense alliances as he left for Singapore to mark its 40th anniversary.
Mapp would represent New Zealand at the anniversary of the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a defense agreement between Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, said a statement from Mapp's office.
"This multilateral security framework is a tribute to the commitment of these countries, and a comment on the value of long- standing and stable security agreements in these ever-changing times," said Mapp in the statement.
A meeting of the FPDA defense ministers would also coincide with the major FPDA military drill, being conducted around Singapore and Malaysia.
Exercise Bersama Lima 11, running from Oct. 17 to Nov. 4, is a combined air, ground and naval exercise designed to improve coordination and interoperability between the five nations.
"Our participation in these exercises is part of our contribution to regional peace and security," said Mapp.
Mapp is scheduled to return to New Zealand on Friday.
A report commissioned by the Asia New Zealand Foundation and released earlier this month said New Zealand needed to improve its defense capabilities in order to strengthen its ties to Southeast Asia.
Better defense capabilities would enable New Zealand "to be more than a bit player" in the FPDA, wrote the report's author, Southeast Asian security expert Daljit Singh, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 13:52:44 FeedbackPrintRSS
WELLINGTON, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
New Zealand Defense Minister Wayne Mapp said Monday the country still valued its inclusion in one of the world's oldest defense alliances as he left for Singapore to mark its 40th anniversary.
Mapp would represent New Zealand at the anniversary of the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a defense agreement between Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, said a statement from Mapp's office.
"This multilateral security framework is a tribute to the commitment of these countries, and a comment on the value of long- standing and stable security agreements in these ever-changing times," said Mapp in the statement.
A meeting of the FPDA defense ministers would also coincide with the major FPDA military drill, being conducted around Singapore and Malaysia.
Exercise Bersama Lima 11, running from Oct. 17 to Nov. 4, is a combined air, ground and naval exercise designed to improve coordination and interoperability between the five nations.
"Our participation in these exercises is part of our contribution to regional peace and security," said Mapp.
Mapp is scheduled to return to New Zealand on Friday.
A report commissioned by the Asia New Zealand Foundation and released earlier this month said New Zealand needed to improve its defense capabilities in order to strengthen its ties to Southeast Asia.
Better defense capabilities would enable New Zealand "to be more than a bit player" in the FPDA, wrote the report's author, Southeast Asian security expert Daljit Singh, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 13:52:44 FeedbackPrintRSS
WELLINGTON, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
ASEAN connectivity to benefit dialogue partners: Surin Pitsuwan
ASEAN connectivity to benefit dialogue partners: Surin Pitsuwan
Dialogue partners will take benefit from the ASEAN Connectivity as it has a political dimension that will contribute to security and stability in the region, ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said here Monday.
He told a press conference that all dialogue partners want to see ASEAN more consolidated and integrated.
"It has a political dimension and will contribute to security and stability in the region. If the region is prosperous, then the dialog partners can benefit from the prosperity with the rising of middle class. More multinational companies will move to ASEAN, setting up headquarters in Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta and others, " said Pitsuwan.
He has been asking member states not to expect donation and contribution from dialogue partners which includes the United States, Russia and some other western countries. Instead, he suggests ASEAN countries need to connect to the international standards for attracting investment.
He said that the region must comply with issues of international property rights, immigration and customs and standard of products.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 13:39:10 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Dialogue partners will take benefit from the ASEAN Connectivity as it has a political dimension that will contribute to security and stability in the region, ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said here Monday.
He told a press conference that all dialogue partners want to see ASEAN more consolidated and integrated.
"It has a political dimension and will contribute to security and stability in the region. If the region is prosperous, then the dialog partners can benefit from the prosperity with the rising of middle class. More multinational companies will move to ASEAN, setting up headquarters in Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta and others, " said Pitsuwan.
He has been asking member states not to expect donation and contribution from dialogue partners which includes the United States, Russia and some other western countries. Instead, he suggests ASEAN countries need to connect to the international standards for attracting investment.
He said that the region must comply with issues of international property rights, immigration and customs and standard of products.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 13:39:10 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Salvage crew ready for possible breakup of ship grounded off New Zealand
Salvage crew ready for possible breakup of ship grounded off New Zealand
Salvage teams have stopped pumping oil and sealed up possible leakage points on a cargo ship grounded on a New Zealand reef as bad weather threatens to break it up.
The teams are being taken off the Rena, which is grounded off the east of the North Island, as swells of at least 5 meters are forecast over the next two days, said Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) officials Monday.
MNZ salvage unit head Kenny Crawford said Monday the salvors had focused on sealing oil tanks and air vents on the Liberian- flagged vessel before the weather made conditions too dangerous for further work.
"This should help limit further release of oil in the worst- case scenario of the ship breaking up," said Crawford in a statement.
The teams had also stopped work a coffer dam to enable access to the submerged number 5 starboard tank, which held about 358 tonnes of heavy fuel oil.
The salvage teams had pumped more than 1,000 tonnes of heavy fuel, emptying four of Rena's five main heavy fuel tanks, he said.
"The salvors have made great progress during the good weather window in recent days, but the swell yesterday forced them to stop work. Operations remain suspended, with the forecast for a significantly rougher sea state in the next few days."
Crawford said the Rena was still in a precarious position, at the mercy of the weather and tides, and could lose more of its cargo containers overboard, but salvors hoped to attach tracking devices to the accessible dangerous goods containers and other containers most at risk of being lost.
MNZ national on-scene commander Mick Courtnell said in the statement that oil leakage from the vessel's damaged duct keel and other pockets was likely to continue or even worsen as conditions deteriorated.
"This may result in more oil coming ashore, but exactly where will depend on wind and tide conditions. We are however remaining vigilant and will be ready to respond if and when this happens," said Courtnell.
The Rena ran on to the Astrolabe Reef, about 12 nautical miles from the port of Tauranga, on Oct. 5 and cracks have since appeared in the ship's hull as it lists precariously to the starboard.
Oil from its tanks has been washing up on North Island beach and has killed an estimated 1,300 seabirds.
Two of the crew's Filipino officers have been charged in connection with the grounding.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 13:37:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
WELLINGTON, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Salvage teams have stopped pumping oil and sealed up possible leakage points on a cargo ship grounded on a New Zealand reef as bad weather threatens to break it up.
The teams are being taken off the Rena, which is grounded off the east of the North Island, as swells of at least 5 meters are forecast over the next two days, said Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) officials Monday.
MNZ salvage unit head Kenny Crawford said Monday the salvors had focused on sealing oil tanks and air vents on the Liberian- flagged vessel before the weather made conditions too dangerous for further work.
"This should help limit further release of oil in the worst- case scenario of the ship breaking up," said Crawford in a statement.
The teams had also stopped work a coffer dam to enable access to the submerged number 5 starboard tank, which held about 358 tonnes of heavy fuel oil.
The salvage teams had pumped more than 1,000 tonnes of heavy fuel, emptying four of Rena's five main heavy fuel tanks, he said.
"The salvors have made great progress during the good weather window in recent days, but the swell yesterday forced them to stop work. Operations remain suspended, with the forecast for a significantly rougher sea state in the next few days."
Crawford said the Rena was still in a precarious position, at the mercy of the weather and tides, and could lose more of its cargo containers overboard, but salvors hoped to attach tracking devices to the accessible dangerous goods containers and other containers most at risk of being lost.
MNZ national on-scene commander Mick Courtnell said in the statement that oil leakage from the vessel's damaged duct keel and other pockets was likely to continue or even worsen as conditions deteriorated.
"This may result in more oil coming ashore, but exactly where will depend on wind and tide conditions. We are however remaining vigilant and will be ready to respond if and when this happens," said Courtnell.
The Rena ran on to the Astrolabe Reef, about 12 nautical miles from the port of Tauranga, on Oct. 5 and cracks have since appeared in the ship's hull as it lists precariously to the starboard.
Oil from its tanks has been washing up on North Island beach and has killed an estimated 1,300 seabirds.
Two of the crew's Filipino officers have been charged in connection with the grounding.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 13:37:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
WELLINGTON, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Fijian schools to implement bans on junk food
Fijian schools to implement bans on junk food
Fiji's Ministry of Health said Monday that they want all school canteens in the island nation to enforce rules which promote healthy eating habits in children in a move to reduce Non Communicable Diseases.
Health Ministry spokesperson Peni Namotu said health inspectors from the food unit will be monitoring schools to ensure guidelines are followed.
The sale of oily food, sweets and fizzy drinks at the canteens are a major concern and Namotu said instead, school canteens should be selling fruit as well as vegetables and fruit juice.
He said those schools which failed to comply with the guidelines should face legal action.
Canteen guidelines were implemented in partnership with the Education Ministry.
Fiji spends 39 percent of its health budget to tackle obesity and related problems, only because citizens choose to eat unhealthy products and become less active as they got hooked to certain junk food advertisements.
Health Minister Doctor Neil Sharma urges parents not to remain idle in instilling proper eating habits in their children.
Sharma says mothers in the island nation were breastfeeding their infants less, and spending more money and time on formula and bottle feed.
In Fiji, a ban will soon be placed on junk food advertising in order to protect the younger generation from consuming such products.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 10:58:37 FeedbackPrintRSS
SUVA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Fiji's Ministry of Health said Monday that they want all school canteens in the island nation to enforce rules which promote healthy eating habits in children in a move to reduce Non Communicable Diseases.
Health Ministry spokesperson Peni Namotu said health inspectors from the food unit will be monitoring schools to ensure guidelines are followed.
The sale of oily food, sweets and fizzy drinks at the canteens are a major concern and Namotu said instead, school canteens should be selling fruit as well as vegetables and fruit juice.
He said those schools which failed to comply with the guidelines should face legal action.
Canteen guidelines were implemented in partnership with the Education Ministry.
Fiji spends 39 percent of its health budget to tackle obesity and related problems, only because citizens choose to eat unhealthy products and become less active as they got hooked to certain junk food advertisements.
Health Minister Doctor Neil Sharma urges parents not to remain idle in instilling proper eating habits in their children.
Sharma says mothers in the island nation were breastfeeding their infants less, and spending more money and time on formula and bottle feed.
In Fiji, a ban will soon be placed on junk food advertising in order to protect the younger generation from consuming such products.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 10:58:37 FeedbackPrintRSS
SUVA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
EU, Australia open cooperation talks in Canberra
EU, Australia open cooperation talks in Canberra
European Commission Vice- president Baroness Catherine Ashton and Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd on Monday opened talks in Canberra to discuss new agreement to forge closer cooperation in security, development aid and climate change.
Baroness Ashton is making her fourth visit to Australia.
The discussion began on Monday at the Australia-European Union (EU) Ministerial Consultations summit in Canberra, and will continue in the coming months, targeting to reach a conclusion in 2012.
Kevin Rudd said the talks mark a significant milestone in the Australia-EU relationship, and opens a new phase of closer cooperation between Australia and the EU.
Baroness Ashton, representing the EU, also said the agreement would recognize the relationship's importance and provide a platform to increase collaboration in foreign affairs and security, development assistance, climate change, research, science and education.
"The agreement would give political expression to our commitment to build a stronger, forward-looking partnership," Ashton told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
Rudd and Baroness Ashton will also hold separate talks on a crisis management agreement to deal with international events, such as the recent turmoil in Libya and Egypt.
During last week's Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth, Rudd and Baroness Ashton agreed on two Australia-EU delegated aid projects in South Sudan and Fiji.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 10:33:03 FeedbackPrintRSS
CANBERRA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
European Commission Vice- president Baroness Catherine Ashton and Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd on Monday opened talks in Canberra to discuss new agreement to forge closer cooperation in security, development aid and climate change.
Baroness Ashton is making her fourth visit to Australia.
The discussion began on Monday at the Australia-European Union (EU) Ministerial Consultations summit in Canberra, and will continue in the coming months, targeting to reach a conclusion in 2012.
Kevin Rudd said the talks mark a significant milestone in the Australia-EU relationship, and opens a new phase of closer cooperation between Australia and the EU.
Baroness Ashton, representing the EU, also said the agreement would recognize the relationship's importance and provide a platform to increase collaboration in foreign affairs and security, development assistance, climate change, research, science and education.
"The agreement would give political expression to our commitment to build a stronger, forward-looking partnership," Ashton told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
Rudd and Baroness Ashton will also hold separate talks on a crisis management agreement to deal with international events, such as the recent turmoil in Libya and Egypt.
During last week's Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth, Rudd and Baroness Ashton agreed on two Australia-EU delegated aid projects in South Sudan and Fiji.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 10:33:03 FeedbackPrintRSS
CANBERRA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Australian gov't under fire over Qantas dispute
Australian gov't under fire over Qantas dispute
Anger towards Qantas has on Monday shifted onto the federal government, with Opposition and councils attacked Prime Minister Julia Gillard on her handling of the Qantas dispute.
Australian national flag carrier Qantas on Saturday made a sudden announcement to ground its entire flights including domestic and international flights, and locking out its staff due to pay and job security quarrel.
Federal government on Saturday asked Fair Work Australia (FWA) to solve the dispute, resulting FWA early Monday announced to terminate all industrial action between Qantas and three unions, paving the way for the airline to return to the skies on Monday afternoon.
The decision caused a political brawl as Opposition Leader Tony Abbott accused Gillard of falling asleep at the wheel and taking too long to act on the dispute.
He accused Gillard of a failure of leadership, insisting she should have used her legislative powers to order unions back to work rather than leaving the issue at the discretion of FWA.
"The government has the powers in the existing act to resolve this dispute," he told reporters in Canberra. "The Prime Minister should use them, and she should get the planes back in the skies safely as soon as possible."
Qantas Chief Alan Joyce joined the war, saying that the airline had warned the government 10 days ago the dispute was approaching a critical point, while the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) also said the industrial umpire and the federal government should have stepped in sooner.
"Tourism has no doubt been damaged by this dispute, both domestically and internationally," VTIC chairman Jeremy Johnson said in a statement. "Our reputation as a tourist destination has also suffered."
Johnson said the dispute, if allowed to continue, would have severely damaged Victoria's 16.3 billion U.S. dollars-a-year tourism industry, which is already plagued by uncertainty as a result of stoppages by Customs staff and the high Australian dollar.
However, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten, who was involved in the FWA hearing, rejected Abbott's criticism, describing the carrier's actions as over the top.
"The government doesn't want to play the blame game, but wants to see the dispute between Qantas and the unions resolved," Shorten told reporters in Melbourne.
Gillard also took a swipe at Qantas airline management, saying the grounding of its entire fleet was "an extreme approach".
"They could have gone to the industrial umpire and sought assistance with arbitrating the dispute, working together with the industrial umpire to get it resolved," she told reporters in Canberra. "Instead they took the action, with very little notice to anyone, of grounding the planes and stranding passengers around Australia and the world."
The dispute has led to Qantas grounding 108 planes, which has affected almost 70,000 passengers in 22 airports around the world, as well as costing the national economy of more than 267 million U. S. dollars a day.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 09:51:50 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Vienna Ma
CANBERRA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Anger towards Qantas has on Monday shifted onto the federal government, with Opposition and councils attacked Prime Minister Julia Gillard on her handling of the Qantas dispute.
Australian national flag carrier Qantas on Saturday made a sudden announcement to ground its entire flights including domestic and international flights, and locking out its staff due to pay and job security quarrel.
Federal government on Saturday asked Fair Work Australia (FWA) to solve the dispute, resulting FWA early Monday announced to terminate all industrial action between Qantas and three unions, paving the way for the airline to return to the skies on Monday afternoon.
The decision caused a political brawl as Opposition Leader Tony Abbott accused Gillard of falling asleep at the wheel and taking too long to act on the dispute.
He accused Gillard of a failure of leadership, insisting she should have used her legislative powers to order unions back to work rather than leaving the issue at the discretion of FWA.
"The government has the powers in the existing act to resolve this dispute," he told reporters in Canberra. "The Prime Minister should use them, and she should get the planes back in the skies safely as soon as possible."
Qantas Chief Alan Joyce joined the war, saying that the airline had warned the government 10 days ago the dispute was approaching a critical point, while the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) also said the industrial umpire and the federal government should have stepped in sooner.
"Tourism has no doubt been damaged by this dispute, both domestically and internationally," VTIC chairman Jeremy Johnson said in a statement. "Our reputation as a tourist destination has also suffered."
Johnson said the dispute, if allowed to continue, would have severely damaged Victoria's 16.3 billion U.S. dollars-a-year tourism industry, which is already plagued by uncertainty as a result of stoppages by Customs staff and the high Australian dollar.
However, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten, who was involved in the FWA hearing, rejected Abbott's criticism, describing the carrier's actions as over the top.
"The government doesn't want to play the blame game, but wants to see the dispute between Qantas and the unions resolved," Shorten told reporters in Melbourne.
Gillard also took a swipe at Qantas airline management, saying the grounding of its entire fleet was "an extreme approach".
"They could have gone to the industrial umpire and sought assistance with arbitrating the dispute, working together with the industrial umpire to get it resolved," she told reporters in Canberra. "Instead they took the action, with very little notice to anyone, of grounding the planes and stranding passengers around Australia and the world."
The dispute has led to Qantas grounding 108 planes, which has affected almost 70,000 passengers in 22 airports around the world, as well as costing the national economy of more than 267 million U. S. dollars a day.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 09:51:50 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Vienna Ma
CANBERRA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Australia's Qantas back in the air
Australia's Qantas back in the air
Australia's airline Qantas planes will be back in the air some time on Monday afternoon after Fair Work Australia (FWA) ruled to terminate Qantas industrial action, local media reported on Monday.
Tens of thousands of passengers have been stranded in Australia and round the world over the weekend since the airline grounded its entire fleet on Saturday.
After a 15-hour hearing in Melbourne, FWA handed down its decision to end all industrial action by the airline and unions, saying it was acting to prevent significant damage to the tourism and airline industries, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation ( ABC) reported.
The ruling means the airline and unions have 21 days to reach a settlement.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 08:59:53 FeedbackPrintRSS
SYDNEY, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Australia's airline Qantas planes will be back in the air some time on Monday afternoon after Fair Work Australia (FWA) ruled to terminate Qantas industrial action, local media reported on Monday.
Tens of thousands of passengers have been stranded in Australia and round the world over the weekend since the airline grounded its entire fleet on Saturday.
After a 15-hour hearing in Melbourne, FWA handed down its decision to end all industrial action by the airline and unions, saying it was acting to prevent significant damage to the tourism and airline industries, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation ( ABC) reported.
The ruling means the airline and unions have 21 days to reach a settlement.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 08:59:53 FeedbackPrintRSS
SYDNEY, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Atambayev wins Kyrgyz presidential election: election committee
Atambayev wins Kyrgyz presidential election: election committee
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev won the presidential election with over 60 percent of the vote, the Central Election Committee said Monday.
Atambayev gained 62.88 percent of the counted votes, which accounted for 95.47 percent of the total vote in Sunday's election, CEC chairman Tuigunaly Abdraimov said at a press conference.
The United Kyrgyzstan party leader Adakhan Madumarov, and Kamchibek Tashiyev, the Ata-Zhurt party leader, followed with 14.91 percent and 14.43 percent.
Vote counting has been undergoing after the polling finished late Sunday.
"Electing a president in the first round would be the best prospect," Atambayev said after casting his vote on Sunday.
He said he had never used administrative resources for his election campaigns. "The Central Election Commission will count the votes and no one will engage in vote rigging," he added.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 05:26:29 FeedbackPrintRSS
BISHKEK, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev won the presidential election with over 60 percent of the vote, the Central Election Committee said Monday.
Atambayev gained 62.88 percent of the counted votes, which accounted for 95.47 percent of the total vote in Sunday's election, CEC chairman Tuigunaly Abdraimov said at a press conference.
The United Kyrgyzstan party leader Adakhan Madumarov, and Kamchibek Tashiyev, the Ata-Zhurt party leader, followed with 14.91 percent and 14.43 percent.
Vote counting has been undergoing after the polling finished late Sunday.
"Electing a president in the first round would be the best prospect," Atambayev said after casting his vote on Sunday.
He said he had never used administrative resources for his election campaigns. "The Central Election Commission will count the votes and no one will engage in vote rigging," he added.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 05:26:29 FeedbackPrintRSS
BISHKEK, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
Qantas back in air soon after FWA terminates industrial dispute
Qantas back in air soon after FWA terminates industrial dispute
Fair Work Australia ( FWA) on Sunday night announced the termination of Qantas industrial dispute with three unions, paving the way for the airline's return to the sky as soon as Monday afternoon.
Following Qantas announcement to ground its entire flights due to on-going industrial action, FWA intervened in the dispute by setting up an emergency hearing in Melbourne on Saturday night.
FWA said it made the decision to terminate industrial actions, because the dispute is hurting Australia's economy and its fragile tourism industry.
In a press conference shortly after the decision was handed down, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten said the federal government is pleased with the decision.
"We are pleased after 24 hours of turmoil, common sense was restored," he said. "We believe now that Qantas and the unions will focus on getting flying as soon as they can."
Qantas earlier said it could be flying again within six hours depending on the outcome of Sunday's hearing.
The ruling also means there will be 21 days for the airline and unions to negotiate on a fair and balanced basis. If the party cannot reach an agreement at the end of the 21 days, the FWA will intervene and comes up with a decision that may not satisfy both the airline and the unions.
Australia's largest airline company, Qantas, on Saturday made a sudden announcement to ground its entire flights including domestic and international flights, and locking out its staff due to pay and job security quarrel with Australian Licensed Engineers Union (ALAEA), the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the Australian and International Pilots Union (AIPA).
The grounding led to Qantas' grounding of 108 planes, which has affected almost 70,000 passengers in 22 airports around the world, as well as costing the national economy of more than 267 million U. S. dollars a day.
While pilots union boss Barry Jackson said Qantas was now " holding the country to ransom," Qantas chief Alan Joyce defended the decision saying that the airline had been "dying a slow death" due to rising competition and high local currency, and the airport cannot afford to see another year of continuous strike actions that will "kill the airline, kill its brand, kill its customer loyalty and destroy the jobs of thousands of Australians."
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 00:22:58 FeedbackPrintRSS
MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 30 (Xinhua)
Fair Work Australia ( FWA) on Sunday night announced the termination of Qantas industrial dispute with three unions, paving the way for the airline's return to the sky as soon as Monday afternoon.
Following Qantas announcement to ground its entire flights due to on-going industrial action, FWA intervened in the dispute by setting up an emergency hearing in Melbourne on Saturday night.
FWA said it made the decision to terminate industrial actions, because the dispute is hurting Australia's economy and its fragile tourism industry.
In a press conference shortly after the decision was handed down, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten said the federal government is pleased with the decision.
"We are pleased after 24 hours of turmoil, common sense was restored," he said. "We believe now that Qantas and the unions will focus on getting flying as soon as they can."
Qantas earlier said it could be flying again within six hours depending on the outcome of Sunday's hearing.
The ruling also means there will be 21 days for the airline and unions to negotiate on a fair and balanced basis. If the party cannot reach an agreement at the end of the 21 days, the FWA will intervene and comes up with a decision that may not satisfy both the airline and the unions.
Australia's largest airline company, Qantas, on Saturday made a sudden announcement to ground its entire flights including domestic and international flights, and locking out its staff due to pay and job security quarrel with Australian Licensed Engineers Union (ALAEA), the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the Australian and International Pilots Union (AIPA).
The grounding led to Qantas' grounding of 108 planes, which has affected almost 70,000 passengers in 22 airports around the world, as well as costing the national economy of more than 267 million U. S. dollars a day.
While pilots union boss Barry Jackson said Qantas was now " holding the country to ransom," Qantas chief Alan Joyce defended the decision saying that the airline had been "dying a slow death" due to rising competition and high local currency, and the airport cannot afford to see another year of continuous strike actions that will "kill the airline, kill its brand, kill its customer loyalty and destroy the jobs of thousands of Australians."
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-31 00:22:58 FeedbackPrintRSS
MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 30 (Xinhua)
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Pakistan dismisses BBC Taliban support claim
Pakistan dismisses BBC Taliban support claim
Pakistan on Sunday strongly rejected assertions made in a BBC documentary that the Pakistani security services are supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan
The BBC series Secret Pakistan' program accuses Pakistan of playing a double game, acting as America's ally in public while secretly training and arming its enemy in Afghanistan, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding "the series makes baseless and fabricated allegations."
"Fiction such as those depicted in the series cannot belittle Pakistan's sacrifices and contribution in countering terrorism," the statement said. It added that Pakistan has borne the brunt of terrorist violence including suicide attacks.
The Pakistani army had also strongly denied claims made in the BBC documentary and the army spokesman Major Gen Athar Abbas described the allegations made by the U.S. and Afghan officials as "baseless and malicious."
He said that the U.S. and Afghanistan were trying to blame Pakistan for their own failures, adding that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had itself suffered at the hands of al-Qaeda and its affiliates. He said that about 300 ISI officials had died in attacks.
BBC spokeswoman Helen Deller said that the documentary was made in line with BBC editorial guidelines and did "not attempt to take sides."
"Secret Pakistan was made in accordance with the BBC's editorial guidelines, information we gained was checked with multiple sources and the program strove to be fair and accurate," she said.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-30 16:33:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 30 (Xinhua)
Pakistan on Sunday strongly rejected assertions made in a BBC documentary that the Pakistani security services are supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan
The BBC series Secret Pakistan' program accuses Pakistan of playing a double game, acting as America's ally in public while secretly training and arming its enemy in Afghanistan, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding "the series makes baseless and fabricated allegations."
"Fiction such as those depicted in the series cannot belittle Pakistan's sacrifices and contribution in countering terrorism," the statement said. It added that Pakistan has borne the brunt of terrorist violence including suicide attacks.
The Pakistani army had also strongly denied claims made in the BBC documentary and the army spokesman Major Gen Athar Abbas described the allegations made by the U.S. and Afghan officials as "baseless and malicious."
He said that the U.S. and Afghanistan were trying to blame Pakistan for their own failures, adding that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had itself suffered at the hands of al-Qaeda and its affiliates. He said that about 300 ISI officials had died in attacks.
BBC spokeswoman Helen Deller said that the documentary was made in line with BBC editorial guidelines and did "not attempt to take sides."
"Secret Pakistan was made in accordance with the BBC's editorial guidelines, information we gained was checked with multiple sources and the program strove to be fair and accurate," she said.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-30 16:33:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 30 (Xinhua)
Fiji's airline not affected by Qantas strike in Australia
Fiji's airline not affected by Qantas strike in Australia
Fiji's international carrier Air Pacific said here on Sunday that it has not been affected by Qantas strike in Australia, shocking decision to ground all its fleet worldwide.
An Air Pacific spokesperson told media that all their flights are on schedule and operating as normal, while advising all customers holding a QF ticketed flight number, which is operated by Air Pacific, are not impacted by the Qantas grounding.
Meanwhile, Qantas has also announced that its low cost international arm, Jetstar which services the Sydney to Nadi (Fiji 's western tourist city) route is not included in the shutdown leaving passengers unaffected.
Qantas is Air Pacific's second biggest shareholder at 46 percent. In addition, it also code-shares with Air Pacific on some of Air Pacific's major routes and provides ground and airport counter services in some countries.
Qantas announced the grounding of all domestic and international flights on Saturday in response to a protracted industrial dispute with employees. In total 108 aircraft will be grounded in 22 airports around the world, with some 13,000 passengers booked to travel on Qantas planes from overseas ports to Australia between Saturday and Monday.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-30 15:09:23 FeedbackPrintRSS
SUVA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua)
Fiji's international carrier Air Pacific said here on Sunday that it has not been affected by Qantas strike in Australia, shocking decision to ground all its fleet worldwide.
An Air Pacific spokesperson told media that all their flights are on schedule and operating as normal, while advising all customers holding a QF ticketed flight number, which is operated by Air Pacific, are not impacted by the Qantas grounding.
Meanwhile, Qantas has also announced that its low cost international arm, Jetstar which services the Sydney to Nadi (Fiji 's western tourist city) route is not included in the shutdown leaving passengers unaffected.
Qantas is Air Pacific's second biggest shareholder at 46 percent. In addition, it also code-shares with Air Pacific on some of Air Pacific's major routes and provides ground and airport counter services in some countries.
Qantas announced the grounding of all domestic and international flights on Saturday in response to a protracted industrial dispute with employees. In total 108 aircraft will be grounded in 22 airports around the world, with some 13,000 passengers booked to travel on Qantas planes from overseas ports to Australia between Saturday and Monday.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-30 15:09:23 FeedbackPrintRSS
SUVA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua)
Fair Work Australia (FWA) holds emergency hearing to resolve Qantas dispute
FWA holds emergency hearing to resolve Qantas dispute
Fair Work Australia (FWA) is holding an emergency hearing in Melbourne on Sunday to resolve a dispute that has grounded Qantas' entire fleet.
Australia's largest airline company, Qantas on Saturday made a sudden announcement to ground its entire flights including domestic and international flights, and locking out its staff due to pay and job security quarrel.
While the grounding has lead to 447 flights canceled, leaving at least 68,000 passengers stranded worldwide, and will wreak havoc on the Australian economy, the federal government has asked FWA, which has the potential to suspend or terminate the industrial action, to intervene in the dispute.
The three-person FWA panel hearing started on Saturday night and ended before resuming on Sunday.
The hearing attempts to resolve the industrial dispute between Qantas and the Australian Licensed Engineers Union (ALAEA), the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the Australian and International Pilots Union (AIPA), and to decide whether Qantas acted legally in grounding its entire fleet in response to the ongoing industrial dispute with three unions.
Workplace Relations Minister Chris Evans said on Sunday morning that FWA must make a determination on Sunday afternoon, because this is what would best serve the public interest.
Qantas said it could be flying again within six hours depending on the outcome of Sunday's hearing.
Qantas has said its actions will cost the company up to 21.4 million U.S. dollars a day, and furious passengers in major cities around the world have vowed never to fly with Qantas again after being left stranded.
Editor: Tang Danlu
English.news.cn 2011-10-30 14:47:20
Fair Work Australia (FWA) is holding an emergency hearing in Melbourne on Sunday to resolve a dispute that has grounded Qantas' entire fleet.
Australia's largest airline company, Qantas on Saturday made a sudden announcement to ground its entire flights including domestic and international flights, and locking out its staff due to pay and job security quarrel.
While the grounding has lead to 447 flights canceled, leaving at least 68,000 passengers stranded worldwide, and will wreak havoc on the Australian economy, the federal government has asked FWA, which has the potential to suspend or terminate the industrial action, to intervene in the dispute.
The three-person FWA panel hearing started on Saturday night and ended before resuming on Sunday.
The hearing attempts to resolve the industrial dispute between Qantas and the Australian Licensed Engineers Union (ALAEA), the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the Australian and International Pilots Union (AIPA), and to decide whether Qantas acted legally in grounding its entire fleet in response to the ongoing industrial dispute with three unions.
Workplace Relations Minister Chris Evans said on Sunday morning that FWA must make a determination on Sunday afternoon, because this is what would best serve the public interest.
Qantas said it could be flying again within six hours depending on the outcome of Sunday's hearing.
Qantas has said its actions will cost the company up to 21.4 million U.S. dollars a day, and furious passengers in major cities around the world have vowed never to fly with Qantas again after being left stranded.
Editor: Tang Danlu
English.news.cn 2011-10-30 14:47:20
World leaders trapped in Qantas chaos
World leaders trapped in Qantas chaos
The timing could hardly have been worse for the Australian Government after a snap Qantas decision on Saturday to ground its entire fleet in response to months of industrial agitation has left world leaders stranded in the West Australian city of Perth.
According to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) host and Prime Minister Julia Gillard, 17 heads of commonwealth government delegations due to leave Perth over the past 24 hours have been forced to linger in Perth with no concrete plan for returning home.
"They took it in good spirits when I briefed them about it," Gillard told reporters at a press conference on the sidelines of CHOGM.
The exact number of stranded travelers is not known but some estimates place Qantas customers in the many tens of thousands around the globe, initiating widespread chaos and anger at international and domestic airports.
Australia's Government is sweating on the outcome of an application to Fair Work Australia that has been running to attempt to settle the ill-tempered deadlock.
Gillard last night warned the Qantas' big guns and the three trade unions involved representing pilots, engineers and some baggage and ground staff - that the spiraling dispute must be " urgently resolved" before it also grounds the two-speed Australian economy.
Gillard has called in the nation's industrial swat team, Fair Work Australia to deal with the conflict.
"As a result of the dramatic escalation of that dispute, the Government has taken a rare decision to make application to Fair Work Australia to have the industrial action terminated and have Fair Work Australia deal with this dispute," Gillard told reporters in Perth.
There was fury on the ground in Perth Saturday night with Qantas customers turning back after checking through customs and returning to already packed hotels around the city.
Ongoing industrial action has been spiraling out of control for several months, but no one expected Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce to pull the trigger on angry unions in such dramatic circumstances.
"Gobsmacked. Utterly gobsmacked." was the reaction from Phil Costigan, a Sydney-sider stranded in Perth for CHOGM 2011. An estimated 6000 delegates and media are attending the event.
Workplace Minister Senator Chris Evans said in Sydney that if the parties failed to find an agreement then Fair Work Australia would independently settle the dispute through its special powers when the national economy is threatened by an industrial conflict.
Last night, while in Perth hosting an event at CHOGM, Gillard called on Qantas and the unions to find common ground and find it quickly.
"My message to Qantas, the employees and trade unions is Australians do want to see this could be sorted out," She said.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce defended the decision which came just a few days after he himself received a multimillion dollar pay rise.
"We are locking out until the unions withdraw their extreme claim and reach agreement with us," Joyce said at a snap press conference to announce the action.
The Australian Transport Minister Tony Albanese called Joyce's move a "breach of faith". Pilots union boss Barry Jackson in turn said Qantas was now "holding the country to ransom."
Editor: Tang Danlu
English.news.cn 2011-10-30 14:09:11
The timing could hardly have been worse for the Australian Government after a snap Qantas decision on Saturday to ground its entire fleet in response to months of industrial agitation has left world leaders stranded in the West Australian city of Perth.
According to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) host and Prime Minister Julia Gillard, 17 heads of commonwealth government delegations due to leave Perth over the past 24 hours have been forced to linger in Perth with no concrete plan for returning home.
"They took it in good spirits when I briefed them about it," Gillard told reporters at a press conference on the sidelines of CHOGM.
The exact number of stranded travelers is not known but some estimates place Qantas customers in the many tens of thousands around the globe, initiating widespread chaos and anger at international and domestic airports.
Australia's Government is sweating on the outcome of an application to Fair Work Australia that has been running to attempt to settle the ill-tempered deadlock.
Gillard last night warned the Qantas' big guns and the three trade unions involved representing pilots, engineers and some baggage and ground staff - that the spiraling dispute must be " urgently resolved" before it also grounds the two-speed Australian economy.
Gillard has called in the nation's industrial swat team, Fair Work Australia to deal with the conflict.
"As a result of the dramatic escalation of that dispute, the Government has taken a rare decision to make application to Fair Work Australia to have the industrial action terminated and have Fair Work Australia deal with this dispute," Gillard told reporters in Perth.
There was fury on the ground in Perth Saturday night with Qantas customers turning back after checking through customs and returning to already packed hotels around the city.
Ongoing industrial action has been spiraling out of control for several months, but no one expected Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce to pull the trigger on angry unions in such dramatic circumstances.
"Gobsmacked. Utterly gobsmacked." was the reaction from Phil Costigan, a Sydney-sider stranded in Perth for CHOGM 2011. An estimated 6000 delegates and media are attending the event.
Workplace Minister Senator Chris Evans said in Sydney that if the parties failed to find an agreement then Fair Work Australia would independently settle the dispute through its special powers when the national economy is threatened by an industrial conflict.
Last night, while in Perth hosting an event at CHOGM, Gillard called on Qantas and the unions to find common ground and find it quickly.
"My message to Qantas, the employees and trade unions is Australians do want to see this could be sorted out," She said.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce defended the decision which came just a few days after he himself received a multimillion dollar pay rise.
"We are locking out until the unions withdraw their extreme claim and reach agreement with us," Joyce said at a snap press conference to announce the action.
The Australian Transport Minister Tony Albanese called Joyce's move a "breach of faith". Pilots union boss Barry Jackson in turn said Qantas was now "holding the country to ransom."
Editor: Tang Danlu
English.news.cn 2011-10-30 14:09:11
Australia's Qantas grounding out of proportion: trade unions
Australia's Qantas grounding out of proportion: trade unions
Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Greens on Sunday condemned Qantas' decision to ground all flights, saying that it is totally out of proportion to the bargaining the unions were involved in.
Australia's largest airline company Qantas on Saturday made a sudden announcement to ground its entire flights and locking out its staff due to pay and job security quarrel with the trade unions.
"When Qantas took that action, there was actually very, very, limited, in fact there was no industrial action actually taking place yesterday and none that had been specifically contemplated," ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence told reporters outside Fair Work Australia in Melbourne on Sunday.
"So the point is the action of Qantas is out of all proportion to the legitimate bargaining process that was going on.... The central point here is the action of Qantas, the action of Qantas management, is absolutely out of proportion to any action that has been engaged in by the union movement.
He said if Qantas had not taken this action on Saturday afternoon, the bargaining process would have continued.
While 447 flights have been canceled, leaving at least 68,000 passengers stranded worldwide, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown described Qantas chief Alan Joyce a "selfish, arrogant" person for grounding the airline's planes.
"This is an arrogant, selfish person who is not loyal to the thousands of Qantas staff, not loyal to the tens of thousands of current Qantas passengers...and not loyal to the millions of Australians who want to see this airline with its unique Australian profile continuing into the future," Senator Brown said on Sunday.
"He may have got his 2.14 million U.S. dollars pay rise on Friday, but he also should have been telling that same (shareholders) meeting he was planning to ground the airline and lock out its good and true workers."
Senator Brown called on the federal government to ensure there was a negotiated settlement between Qantas and the unions representing pilots, licensed engineers, and baggage, ground and catering staff.
The Transport Workers Union federal secretary, Tony Sheldon, also condemned Joyce's actions, saying that it will wreak havoc on the Australian economy.
In respond to the incident, the federal government has called on Fair Work Australia (FWA) to intervene in the dispute.
The emergency hearing is underway from Sunday 2pm (AEST) in FWA in an attempt to resolve the industrial dispute, and to decide whether Qantas acted legally in grounding its entire fleet in response to the ongoing industrial dispute with three unions.
Federal Workplace Relations Minister Chris Evans said FWA must make a determination on the hearing on Sunday.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-30 14:01:03 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Vienna Ma
MELBOURNE, Oct. 30 (Xinhua)
Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Greens on Sunday condemned Qantas' decision to ground all flights, saying that it is totally out of proportion to the bargaining the unions were involved in.
Australia's largest airline company Qantas on Saturday made a sudden announcement to ground its entire flights and locking out its staff due to pay and job security quarrel with the trade unions.
"When Qantas took that action, there was actually very, very, limited, in fact there was no industrial action actually taking place yesterday and none that had been specifically contemplated," ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence told reporters outside Fair Work Australia in Melbourne on Sunday.
"So the point is the action of Qantas is out of all proportion to the legitimate bargaining process that was going on.... The central point here is the action of Qantas, the action of Qantas management, is absolutely out of proportion to any action that has been engaged in by the union movement.
He said if Qantas had not taken this action on Saturday afternoon, the bargaining process would have continued.
While 447 flights have been canceled, leaving at least 68,000 passengers stranded worldwide, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown described Qantas chief Alan Joyce a "selfish, arrogant" person for grounding the airline's planes.
"This is an arrogant, selfish person who is not loyal to the thousands of Qantas staff, not loyal to the tens of thousands of current Qantas passengers...and not loyal to the millions of Australians who want to see this airline with its unique Australian profile continuing into the future," Senator Brown said on Sunday.
"He may have got his 2.14 million U.S. dollars pay rise on Friday, but he also should have been telling that same (shareholders) meeting he was planning to ground the airline and lock out its good and true workers."
Senator Brown called on the federal government to ensure there was a negotiated settlement between Qantas and the unions representing pilots, licensed engineers, and baggage, ground and catering staff.
The Transport Workers Union federal secretary, Tony Sheldon, also condemned Joyce's actions, saying that it will wreak havoc on the Australian economy.
In respond to the incident, the federal government has called on Fair Work Australia (FWA) to intervene in the dispute.
The emergency hearing is underway from Sunday 2pm (AEST) in FWA in an attempt to resolve the industrial dispute, and to decide whether Qantas acted legally in grounding its entire fleet in response to the ongoing industrial dispute with three unions.
Federal Workplace Relations Minister Chris Evans said FWA must make a determination on the hearing on Sunday.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-30 14:01:03 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Vienna Ma
MELBOURNE, Oct. 30 (Xinhua)
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Australian Qantas's decision to grand entire fleets receives criticism
Australian Qantas's decision to grand entire fleets receives criticism
The decision by Australia's largest airline company Qantas to ground its entire flights on Saturday has encountered criticism from both government and the trade unions.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce announced at a press conference in Canberra that all domestic employees involved with the dispute would be locked out as of 8 p.m. local time on Monday, but the flights would be grounded immediately.
"We are locking out until the unions withdraw their extreme claim and reach an agreement with us," Joyce said.
But the reaction to Joyce's decision was negative.
Australian federal government Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said he was very disappointed by the decision and the government was extremely concerned about the future of Qantas, its workforce, and also the traveling public.
Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the suspension of all Qantas flights could have been avoided with earlier government action.
Abbott told reporters at Melbourne that the airline is an essential service and an important part of the economy.
"The government has been procrastinating for weeks about this and now it's urgent that it should be solved immediately," Abbott said.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) said late Saturday in a statement that Qantas management never wanted to resolve its dispute with employees and no amount of chaos will deter them from sending jobs offshore.
TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said the airline's indefinite grounding of its entire domestic and international flights and lockout of employees was designed to destroy it.
"Today's unwarranted and disgraceful snap announcement by Qantas CEO Alan Joyce is designed to destroy Qantas as we have always known it," he added.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) called an urgent hook-up of Qantas unions on Saturday night to discuss the lock out of the airline staff and the grounding of its flights.
ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said the airline's management should reconsider their decision and get back to the negotiation table to get an agreement with their workforce.
"Alan Joyce needs to urgently reconsider this lock-out and grounding," Lawrence said in a statement on Saturday.
"This is a most unusual decision which is completely unwarranted, and will only hurt Qantas brand and customers."
The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) said Qantas' decision to ground the entire Qantas fleet is "holding a knife to the nation's throat" and CEO Alan Joyce has "gone mad".
AIPA vice president Richard Woodward said the move was " premeditated, unnecessary and grossly irresponsible", adding "it was a stunning overreaction. It is straight-up blackmail."
Meanwhile, the Australian Workers Union criticized Qantas' action to suspend all domestic and international flights as an " ambush on the Australian people".
AWU President Paul Howes said unions routinely gave companies 72 hours notice before industrial action. "But Qantas management has given no notice before this wildcat grounding of their fleet," Howes said in a statement.
Editor: Wang Guanqun
English.news.cn 2011-10-29 19:01:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
By Jiang Yaping
SYDNE, Oct. 29 (Xinhua)
The decision by Australia's largest airline company Qantas to ground its entire flights on Saturday has encountered criticism from both government and the trade unions.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce announced at a press conference in Canberra that all domestic employees involved with the dispute would be locked out as of 8 p.m. local time on Monday, but the flights would be grounded immediately.
"We are locking out until the unions withdraw their extreme claim and reach an agreement with us," Joyce said.
But the reaction to Joyce's decision was negative.
Australian federal government Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said he was very disappointed by the decision and the government was extremely concerned about the future of Qantas, its workforce, and also the traveling public.
Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the suspension of all Qantas flights could have been avoided with earlier government action.
Abbott told reporters at Melbourne that the airline is an essential service and an important part of the economy.
"The government has been procrastinating for weeks about this and now it's urgent that it should be solved immediately," Abbott said.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) said late Saturday in a statement that Qantas management never wanted to resolve its dispute with employees and no amount of chaos will deter them from sending jobs offshore.
TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said the airline's indefinite grounding of its entire domestic and international flights and lockout of employees was designed to destroy it.
"Today's unwarranted and disgraceful snap announcement by Qantas CEO Alan Joyce is designed to destroy Qantas as we have always known it," he added.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) called an urgent hook-up of Qantas unions on Saturday night to discuss the lock out of the airline staff and the grounding of its flights.
ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said the airline's management should reconsider their decision and get back to the negotiation table to get an agreement with their workforce.
"Alan Joyce needs to urgently reconsider this lock-out and grounding," Lawrence said in a statement on Saturday.
"This is a most unusual decision which is completely unwarranted, and will only hurt Qantas brand and customers."
The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) said Qantas' decision to ground the entire Qantas fleet is "holding a knife to the nation's throat" and CEO Alan Joyce has "gone mad".
AIPA vice president Richard Woodward said the move was " premeditated, unnecessary and grossly irresponsible", adding "it was a stunning overreaction. It is straight-up blackmail."
Meanwhile, the Australian Workers Union criticized Qantas' action to suspend all domestic and international flights as an " ambush on the Australian people".
AWU President Paul Howes said unions routinely gave companies 72 hours notice before industrial action. "But Qantas management has given no notice before this wildcat grounding of their fleet," Howes said in a statement.
Editor: Wang Guanqun
English.news.cn 2011-10-29 19:01:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
By Jiang Yaping
SYDNE, Oct. 29 (Xinhua)
More survivors found as quake rescue continues in Turkey
More survivors found as quake rescue continues in Turkey
Day and night, survivors and rescuers battled to pull people out of the debris in the quake-struck eastern province of Turkey, especially the worst-hit town of Ercis.
"Please keep silent, we need to listen to the signaling sound of possible survivors," rescuers' words silenced a site where hundreds of people clustered. Electric generators were also turned off temporarily.
So far a total of 366 people died from Sunday's earthquake that hit Turkey's eastern province of Van. About 3,000 to 4,000 buildings were destroyed and hundreds of people remain trapped under rubble.
After detecting instrument captured the weak sound under debris, a young girl was soon rescued and sent to hospital.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit one-million-population Van on Sunday afternoon. The quake severely damaged Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people, close to the Iranian border where about 80 multi-story buildings collapsed. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake- prone zones.
Survivors spend their second night in the makeshift tents while rescue teams are still working on in the quake-hit areas, especial the town of Ercis which was at the epicenter of Sunday's earthquake.
Rescuers pulled a two-week-old baby girl alive Tuesday out of the rubbles in Ercis, where her mother also survived but was still trapped. Meanwhile, a 7-story building with 46 apartments collapsed in the quake-stricken province of Van.
Saleh, a young boy, pointed to a damaged building and told Xinhua, "My home is over there. We are living in a tent due to aftershocks."
Over 200 aftershocks were recorded in the wake of the 7.2- magnitude earthquake, the biggest ones measured 5.7 and 5.5 on the Richter scale, according to data from the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute.
At another site, a 13-year-old Turkish boy whose legs were buried by the debris and a female teacher Honeyfi, a survivor of the Turkish earthquake in 1999, were successfully rescued.
A total of 26 planes carrying relief material, hundreds of engineering vehicles and large quantities of aid material have been sent to the disaster-stricken area, a statement from the Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said.
Over 3,000 search and rescue personnel, 355 engineering vehicles and more than 100 ambulances were dispatched to the region.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the province of Elazig in eastern Turkey.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 20:29:03
Day and night, survivors and rescuers battled to pull people out of the debris in the quake-struck eastern province of Turkey, especially the worst-hit town of Ercis.
"Please keep silent, we need to listen to the signaling sound of possible survivors," rescuers' words silenced a site where hundreds of people clustered. Electric generators were also turned off temporarily.
So far a total of 366 people died from Sunday's earthquake that hit Turkey's eastern province of Van. About 3,000 to 4,000 buildings were destroyed and hundreds of people remain trapped under rubble.
After detecting instrument captured the weak sound under debris, a young girl was soon rescued and sent to hospital.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit one-million-population Van on Sunday afternoon. The quake severely damaged Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people, close to the Iranian border where about 80 multi-story buildings collapsed. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake- prone zones.
Survivors spend their second night in the makeshift tents while rescue teams are still working on in the quake-hit areas, especial the town of Ercis which was at the epicenter of Sunday's earthquake.
Rescuers pulled a two-week-old baby girl alive Tuesday out of the rubbles in Ercis, where her mother also survived but was still trapped. Meanwhile, a 7-story building with 46 apartments collapsed in the quake-stricken province of Van.
Saleh, a young boy, pointed to a damaged building and told Xinhua, "My home is over there. We are living in a tent due to aftershocks."
Over 200 aftershocks were recorded in the wake of the 7.2- magnitude earthquake, the biggest ones measured 5.7 and 5.5 on the Richter scale, according to data from the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute.
At another site, a 13-year-old Turkish boy whose legs were buried by the debris and a female teacher Honeyfi, a survivor of the Turkish earthquake in 1999, were successfully rescued.
A total of 26 planes carrying relief material, hundreds of engineering vehicles and large quantities of aid material have been sent to the disaster-stricken area, a statement from the Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said.
Over 3,000 search and rescue personnel, 355 engineering vehicles and more than 100 ambulances were dispatched to the region.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the province of Elazig in eastern Turkey.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 20:29:03
More tremors felt in parts of Spain
More tremors felt in parts of Spain
The Spanish municipalities of Cuervas del Almonzora and Zurgena in the southeast of Spain were shaken by two separate earthquakes in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The quakes of 3.7 and 3.8 on the Richter scale took place 11 km below ground. Although they didn't cause any injuries or serious damage to property, they caused scenes of alarm in both towns.
The two towns are in the province of Almeria, less than 120 km away from the city of Lorca, which was devastated by an earthquake of 5.1 on the Richter scale on May 11 this year.
The Lorca quake saw 9 people lose their lives, while dozens more were injured as the quake caused extensive damage to the city of just over 90,000 inhabitants.
The area is close to the boundary between the African and Eurasian plates. As a result, tremors are a common occurance in the region.
Meanwhile, new seismic activity was registered close to the island of El Hierro on Monday, just two days after residents were allowed to return to their homes in La Restinga, Canary Islands.
Residents had been evacuated 12 days ago following the eruption of an underwater volcano close to the coast of the island. Although seismic activity had appeared to die down, Monday saw 62 minor tremors with the strongest measuring 2.6 on the Richter scale.
Although residents of El Hierro have been allowed to return home, the regional government is maintaining a red alert of La Restinga and a yellow alert for the rest of the island.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 19:32:59 FeedbackPrintRSS
MADRID, Oct. 25 (Xinhua)
The Spanish municipalities of Cuervas del Almonzora and Zurgena in the southeast of Spain were shaken by two separate earthquakes in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The quakes of 3.7 and 3.8 on the Richter scale took place 11 km below ground. Although they didn't cause any injuries or serious damage to property, they caused scenes of alarm in both towns.
The two towns are in the province of Almeria, less than 120 km away from the city of Lorca, which was devastated by an earthquake of 5.1 on the Richter scale on May 11 this year.
The Lorca quake saw 9 people lose their lives, while dozens more were injured as the quake caused extensive damage to the city of just over 90,000 inhabitants.
The area is close to the boundary between the African and Eurasian plates. As a result, tremors are a common occurance in the region.
Meanwhile, new seismic activity was registered close to the island of El Hierro on Monday, just two days after residents were allowed to return to their homes in La Restinga, Canary Islands.
Residents had been evacuated 12 days ago following the eruption of an underwater volcano close to the coast of the island. Although seismic activity had appeared to die down, Monday saw 62 minor tremors with the strongest measuring 2.6 on the Richter scale.
Although residents of El Hierro have been allowed to return home, the regional government is maintaining a red alert of La Restinga and a yellow alert for the rest of the island.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 19:32:59 FeedbackPrintRSS
MADRID, Oct. 25 (Xinhua)
NATO official rejects Russia's joint missile defense proposal
NATO official rejects Russia's joint missile defense proposal
A NATO official said Tuesday a joint anti-missile system proposed by Russia was impossible but Moscow should connect its missile defense system to that of the Western alliance.
NATO rejected the Russian proposal because it could not entrust its security to third countries, said James Appathurai, the NATO secretary general's special representative to the Caucasus and Central Asia, in an interview with Interfax news agency.
Moscow has long opposed the deployment of NATO missile defense facilities near its borders, saying they would be a security threat to the country and upset the strategic balance of force in Europe.
Russia has also long sought a legal guarantee from Washington and NATO that the NATO missile defense system was not targeting Russia.
But Appathurai said, if Russia connected its missile defense system to NATO's, it would get an "ultimate 100 percent guarantee."
He said the U.S.-led NATO system could not pose any threat to Russian strategic missiles for obvious technical reasons.
"We make it clear that it (the anti-missile defense system) has no technical capabilities to interrupt Russia's capability to counter a nuclear strike," Appathurai said.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 19:14:58 FeedbackPrintRSS
MOSCOW, Oct. 26 (Xinhua)
A NATO official said Tuesday a joint anti-missile system proposed by Russia was impossible but Moscow should connect its missile defense system to that of the Western alliance.
NATO rejected the Russian proposal because it could not entrust its security to third countries, said James Appathurai, the NATO secretary general's special representative to the Caucasus and Central Asia, in an interview with Interfax news agency.
Moscow has long opposed the deployment of NATO missile defense facilities near its borders, saying they would be a security threat to the country and upset the strategic balance of force in Europe.
Russia has also long sought a legal guarantee from Washington and NATO that the NATO missile defense system was not targeting Russia.
But Appathurai said, if Russia connected its missile defense system to NATO's, it would get an "ultimate 100 percent guarantee."
He said the U.S.-led NATO system could not pose any threat to Russian strategic missiles for obvious technical reasons.
"We make it clear that it (the anti-missile defense system) has no technical capabilities to interrupt Russia's capability to counter a nuclear strike," Appathurai said.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 19:14:58 FeedbackPrintRSS
MOSCOW, Oct. 26 (Xinhua)
2-week-old baby rescued 2 days after Turkey's quake: report
2-week-old baby rescued 2 days after Turkey's quake: report
Turkish search-and-rescue teams rescued a two-week-old baby from the rubbles in the Ercis district of the eastern province of Van almost two days after a 7.2- magnitude earthquake, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.
Meanwhile, a seven-story building with 46 apartments collapsed Tuesday in the quake-hit province of Van, said the report.
The death toll in the disaster-striken area has increased to 366 and the number of the injured to around 1,301, the country's Disaster and Emergency Administration said Tuesday.
Hundreds of others are believed to be buried under rubbles after one of Turkey's most powerful quakes in a decade and rescue work is ongoing, Turkish NTV reported.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the eastern province of Van on Sunday afternoon. The quake severely damaged Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people, close to the Iranian border where about 80 multi-storey buildings collapsed. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Turkey refused assistance from other countries, saying foreign aid is currently not needed.
So far 26 planes carrying relief material, hundreds of engineering vehicles and large quantities of aid material were sent to the disaster-stricken area, a statement from the Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said.
Over 3,000 search and rescue personnel, 355 engineering vehicles and more than 100 ambulances were dispatched to the region.
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 19:13:35 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua)
Turkish search-and-rescue teams rescued a two-week-old baby from the rubbles in the Ercis district of the eastern province of Van almost two days after a 7.2- magnitude earthquake, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.
Meanwhile, a seven-story building with 46 apartments collapsed Tuesday in the quake-hit province of Van, said the report.
The death toll in the disaster-striken area has increased to 366 and the number of the injured to around 1,301, the country's Disaster and Emergency Administration said Tuesday.
Hundreds of others are believed to be buried under rubbles after one of Turkey's most powerful quakes in a decade and rescue work is ongoing, Turkish NTV reported.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the eastern province of Van on Sunday afternoon. The quake severely damaged Ercis, a town of 75, 000 people, close to the Iranian border where about 80 multi-storey buildings collapsed. The region is among Turkey's most earthquake-prone zones.
Turkey refused assistance from other countries, saying foreign aid is currently not needed.
So far 26 planes carrying relief material, hundreds of engineering vehicles and large quantities of aid material were sent to the disaster-stricken area, a statement from the Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said.
Over 3,000 search and rescue personnel, 355 engineering vehicles and more than 100 ambulances were dispatched to the region.
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 19:13:35 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua)
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), U.S. talks continue Tuesday
DPRK, U.S. talks continue Tuesday
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States entered into their second day of discussions on Tuesday at the DPRK mission in Geneva.
Delegations attending direct talks would hold a working lunch and an afternoon session in response to DPRK delegation's initiative, sources from the U.S. said Tuesday.
Talks between the two sides were moving "in a positive direction," the U.S. special representative for DPRK policy Stephen Bosworth said on Monday night.
Bosworth made the statement after having "a very positive dinner" with the head of the DPRK delegation, First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan.
"I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic," Bosworth said, noting that the two sides managed to narrow some differences, but still have differences to resolve.
Bosworth said the goal of the talks is "to find a solid foundation on which to launch a resumption of discussions both bilateral and multilateral."
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 19:09:44
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States entered into their second day of discussions on Tuesday at the DPRK mission in Geneva.
Delegations attending direct talks would hold a working lunch and an afternoon session in response to DPRK delegation's initiative, sources from the U.S. said Tuesday.
Talks between the two sides were moving "in a positive direction," the U.S. special representative for DPRK policy Stephen Bosworth said on Monday night.
Bosworth made the statement after having "a very positive dinner" with the head of the DPRK delegation, First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan.
"I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic," Bosworth said, noting that the two sides managed to narrow some differences, but still have differences to resolve.
Bosworth said the goal of the talks is "to find a solid foundation on which to launch a resumption of discussions both bilateral and multilateral."
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 19:09:44
DPRK talks moving in right direction: U.S.
DPRK talks moving in right direction: U.S.
Talks between the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States in Geneva are moving in a positive direction, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea (DPRK) Policy Stephen Bosworth said Monday night.
Bosworth made the statement after having "a very positive dinner" with the head of the DPRK delegation, First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan.
Commenting on the discussions carried out so far, Bosworth said: "I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic," noting that the two sides managed to narrow some differences, but still have differences to resolve.
Bosworth said the goal of the talks is "to find a solid foundation on which to launch a resumption of discussions both bilateral and multilateral".
The two sides will enter into their second day of discussions on Tuesday at the DPRK mission in Geneva.
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 17:53:46 FeedbackPrintRSS
GENEVA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua)
Talks between the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States in Geneva are moving in a positive direction, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea (DPRK) Policy Stephen Bosworth said Monday night.
Bosworth made the statement after having "a very positive dinner" with the head of the DPRK delegation, First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan.
Commenting on the discussions carried out so far, Bosworth said: "I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic," noting that the two sides managed to narrow some differences, but still have differences to resolve.
Bosworth said the goal of the talks is "to find a solid foundation on which to launch a resumption of discussions both bilateral and multilateral".
The two sides will enter into their second day of discussions on Tuesday at the DPRK mission in Geneva.
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 17:53:46 FeedbackPrintRSS
GENEVA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua)
Six security members injured in attack on police station in southern Yemen
Six security members injured in attack on police station in southern Yemen
At least six security members were seriously injured Saturday morning in a bomb attack targeted a police headquarters in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, a police officer told Xinhua.
The local police officer said on condition of anonymity that three bombs detonated at the main gate of a police station headquarters in Khor Maksar district, seriously injuring at least six security members.
"Unidentified people threw grenade bombs on the soldiers guarding the police station, causing serious injuries among them," he said, adding that "heavy clashes took place after the explosion. "
Saturday's attack came just one day after the head of counter- terrorism force in Aden was killed when a car bomb exploded beneath his vehicle near the Aden's International Airport.
A number of intelligence offices and police stations in Aden have repeatedly been the targets in the last several months.
The government authorities usually accuse militants of the al- Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) of being behind these attacks.
In nearby Abyan province, hundreds of AQAP militants captured the provincial city and at least three towns late in May.
Editor: Zhang Xiang
English.news.cn 2011-10-29 17:32:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 29 (Xinhua)
At least six security members were seriously injured Saturday morning in a bomb attack targeted a police headquarters in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, a police officer told Xinhua.
The local police officer said on condition of anonymity that three bombs detonated at the main gate of a police station headquarters in Khor Maksar district, seriously injuring at least six security members.
"Unidentified people threw grenade bombs on the soldiers guarding the police station, causing serious injuries among them," he said, adding that "heavy clashes took place after the explosion. "
Saturday's attack came just one day after the head of counter- terrorism force in Aden was killed when a car bomb exploded beneath his vehicle near the Aden's International Airport.
A number of intelligence offices and police stations in Aden have repeatedly been the targets in the last several months.
The government authorities usually accuse militants of the al- Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) of being behind these attacks.
In nearby Abyan province, hundreds of AQAP militants captured the provincial city and at least three towns late in May.
Editor: Zhang Xiang
English.news.cn 2011-10-29 17:32:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 29 (Xinhua)
Friday, October 28, 2011
CHOGM focuse on Fiji, sustainable development, food security
CHOGM focuse on Fiji, sustainable development, food security
The fate of Fiji as a Commonwealth member as well as healthy, sustainable development, climate change and food security topped the agenda of the three- day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the Western Australian capital city of Perth.
Queen Elizabeth II officially opened CHOGM on Friday, during a spectacular 2 million U.S. dollars opening ceremony criticized for its floral representation of indigenous culture and overly " Olympic-style".
On Saturday, leaders and their representatives will turn to the Perth gardens of Kings Park where Gillard is expected to continue to tout the report by an Eminent Person's Group on the reform of the Commonwealth's structure, enabling the organization to preempt action against member states considered to be straying from the "values of the Commonwealth."
According to the Australian prime minister the reforms now mean that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) and its secretary-general can act earlier against countries "veering from the path of democracy, rule of law and human rights."
Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth after a military coup led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
The fate of Fiji remains a divisive issue in the Commonwealth as pacific neighbours sympathize with the island state's plight and a recent survey by Australian think tank The Lowy Institute found that 53 percent of Fijians want the military to have a permanent role in politics and a further 61 percent believe Commodore Frank Bainimarama is listening to his people.
Other Commonwealth states led by powerbrokers Australia, Britain and Canada want CHOGM to install a Commonwealth human rights commissioner as well as a Commonwealth charter which puts in writing the values upheld by all 54 members.
But there is resistance to both moves with many smaller states unhappy with the one-way discussion process of the Commonwealth
According to The Gambia's Yahya Jammeh, the Commonwealth is in fact not negotiating at all, but insisting on behalf of the larger states.
The president said, "Instead of negotiating with you the Commonwealth has a tendency to come and say how you should do things, and say that we have our own standards and you should do it our way. To put it bluntly because I'm not a diplomat, I think the Commonwealth is often guilty of hypocrisy and double standards. "
When asked what smaller countries can do to set the agenda at future CHOGM events, President Jammeh said there must be more appreciation for the needs of the organization's more vulnerable nations.
"I feel that within the Commonwealth family the smaller countries suffer from this. However I believe that it is not a question of smaller countries setting the agenda, rather it is a question of us as the Commonwealth, as a family, setting an agenda that focuses on the most vulnerable amongst us. However the reality is that he who pays the piper calls the tune," he said.
Editor: Wang Guanqun
English.news.cn 2011-10-29 13:21:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Christian Edwards and Fu Yunwei
PERTH, Australia, Oct. 29 (Xinhua)
The fate of Fiji as a Commonwealth member as well as healthy, sustainable development, climate change and food security topped the agenda of the three- day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the Western Australian capital city of Perth.
Queen Elizabeth II officially opened CHOGM on Friday, during a spectacular 2 million U.S. dollars opening ceremony criticized for its floral representation of indigenous culture and overly " Olympic-style".
On Saturday, leaders and their representatives will turn to the Perth gardens of Kings Park where Gillard is expected to continue to tout the report by an Eminent Person's Group on the reform of the Commonwealth's structure, enabling the organization to preempt action against member states considered to be straying from the "values of the Commonwealth."
According to the Australian prime minister the reforms now mean that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) and its secretary-general can act earlier against countries "veering from the path of democracy, rule of law and human rights."
Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth after a military coup led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
The fate of Fiji remains a divisive issue in the Commonwealth as pacific neighbours sympathize with the island state's plight and a recent survey by Australian think tank The Lowy Institute found that 53 percent of Fijians want the military to have a permanent role in politics and a further 61 percent believe Commodore Frank Bainimarama is listening to his people.
Other Commonwealth states led by powerbrokers Australia, Britain and Canada want CHOGM to install a Commonwealth human rights commissioner as well as a Commonwealth charter which puts in writing the values upheld by all 54 members.
But there is resistance to both moves with many smaller states unhappy with the one-way discussion process of the Commonwealth
According to The Gambia's Yahya Jammeh, the Commonwealth is in fact not negotiating at all, but insisting on behalf of the larger states.
The president said, "Instead of negotiating with you the Commonwealth has a tendency to come and say how you should do things, and say that we have our own standards and you should do it our way. To put it bluntly because I'm not a diplomat, I think the Commonwealth is often guilty of hypocrisy and double standards. "
When asked what smaller countries can do to set the agenda at future CHOGM events, President Jammeh said there must be more appreciation for the needs of the organization's more vulnerable nations.
"I feel that within the Commonwealth family the smaller countries suffer from this. However I believe that it is not a question of smaller countries setting the agenda, rather it is a question of us as the Commonwealth, as a family, setting an agenda that focuses on the most vulnerable amongst us. However the reality is that he who pays the piper calls the tune," he said.
Editor: Wang Guanqun
English.news.cn 2011-10-29 13:21:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Christian Edwards and Fu Yunwei
PERTH, Australia, Oct. 29 (Xinhua)
Risk of volcanic eruption off Spain's island subsides
Risk of volcanic eruption off Spain's island subsides
Residents of the village of La Restinga on the island of El Hierro were allowed on Saturday to return to their homes,as the risk of a volcanic eruption subsides.
Although the stain in the sea caused by sulphur emitted by the underwater volcano off the coast of the most westerly of the Spanish controlled Canary Islands now surrounds much area of the island, indicators point to the eruption losing strength.
As a result the residents of La Restinga, the village closest to the site of the eruption began to return to their homes on Friday night. They had previously been allowed to make only a brief return to their houses in order to collect essential possessions.
The permission to allow the residents to return to their village, which has an economy based on tourism and fishing, comes in the wake of explanations by Spanish scientists on Thursday.
Carmen Lopez, of the Spanish National Geographic Institute and Joan Marti of the Board of Scientific Investigation said that the eruption was less powerful than first predicted.
Early predictions had spoken of a four stage eruption resulting in magma expelled to the surface creating a new island.
That now looks a remote possibility after Lopez said indicators such as the strength and depth of earth tremors have been falling and there has been an overall decrease in seismic activity.
Marti was more cautious and said that although it could be that an eruption with various phases could still happen, there was no evidence to show that it was the case in El Hierro. He said event will eventually turn out to be an underwater eruption like many others in the region, which is situated close to a fault line in the Atlantic Ocean.
Scientists will now continue to monitor the situation until readings return to the normal levels seen until July when seismic activity was first detected.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-22 23:55:57 FeedbackPrintRSS
MADRID, Oct. 22 (Xinhua)
Residents of the village of La Restinga on the island of El Hierro were allowed on Saturday to return to their homes,as the risk of a volcanic eruption subsides.
Although the stain in the sea caused by sulphur emitted by the underwater volcano off the coast of the most westerly of the Spanish controlled Canary Islands now surrounds much area of the island, indicators point to the eruption losing strength.
As a result the residents of La Restinga, the village closest to the site of the eruption began to return to their homes on Friday night. They had previously been allowed to make only a brief return to their houses in order to collect essential possessions.
The permission to allow the residents to return to their village, which has an economy based on tourism and fishing, comes in the wake of explanations by Spanish scientists on Thursday.
Carmen Lopez, of the Spanish National Geographic Institute and Joan Marti of the Board of Scientific Investigation said that the eruption was less powerful than first predicted.
Early predictions had spoken of a four stage eruption resulting in magma expelled to the surface creating a new island.
That now looks a remote possibility after Lopez said indicators such as the strength and depth of earth tremors have been falling and there has been an overall decrease in seismic activity.
Marti was more cautious and said that although it could be that an eruption with various phases could still happen, there was no evidence to show that it was the case in El Hierro. He said event will eventually turn out to be an underwater eruption like many others in the region, which is situated close to a fault line in the Atlantic Ocean.
Scientists will now continue to monitor the situation until readings return to the normal levels seen until July when seismic activity was first detected.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-22 23:55:57 FeedbackPrintRSS
MADRID, Oct. 22 (Xinhua)
Russia bans U.S. officials' entry to respond to Washington's "Magnitsky List"
Russia bans U.S. officials' entry to respond to Washington's "Magnitsky List"
Moscow has completed a blacklist of "undesirable" American individuals who will be denied entry into Russia, Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich said on Saturday.
According to Lukashevich, Moscow's move is a response to the United States' so-called "Magnitsky List" linked with Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky's death.
"We, of course, have not left the political provocation against our country unanswered. On the principle of reciprocity, we have confirmed a list of U.S. citizens whose entry into the Russian Federation is undesirable," Lukashevich said in a statement.
He added that the list contains "highly-ranking Washington officials tied to crimes in the humanitarian range."
However, the spokesman didn't specify the names of the Americans on the list, and stressed that if the U.S. side follows "a path of visa confrontation," Moscow would have to expand the list.
Magnitsky, a lawyer charged with conspiracy in a tax evasion investigation, died in November 2009 after staying almost one year in Moscow's pretrial detention center.
In July 2011, the U.S. State Department banned visas for about 60 Russian officials, who were, in Washington's opinion, involved in Magnitsky's case.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-22 23:18:07 FeedbackPrintRSS
MOSCOW, Oct. 22 (Xinhua)
Moscow has completed a blacklist of "undesirable" American individuals who will be denied entry into Russia, Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich said on Saturday.
According to Lukashevich, Moscow's move is a response to the United States' so-called "Magnitsky List" linked with Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky's death.
"We, of course, have not left the political provocation against our country unanswered. On the principle of reciprocity, we have confirmed a list of U.S. citizens whose entry into the Russian Federation is undesirable," Lukashevich said in a statement.
He added that the list contains "highly-ranking Washington officials tied to crimes in the humanitarian range."
However, the spokesman didn't specify the names of the Americans on the list, and stressed that if the U.S. side follows "a path of visa confrontation," Moscow would have to expand the list.
Magnitsky, a lawyer charged with conspiracy in a tax evasion investigation, died in November 2009 after staying almost one year in Moscow's pretrial detention center.
In July 2011, the U.S. State Department banned visas for about 60 Russian officials, who were, in Washington's opinion, involved in Magnitsky's case.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-22 23:18:07 FeedbackPrintRSS
MOSCOW, Oct. 22 (Xinhua)
Denmark welcomes end of NATO mission in Libya
Denmark welcomes end of NATO mission in Libya
Denmark looks forward to a final end of NATO's military operation in Libya, the country's foreign minister Villy Soevnda said Saturday.
"I have noticed with a great pleasure NATO has set up the completion of the mission in Libya on October 31. The gradual dismantling of the operation will start immediately. It means that the peace in Libya has come a step closer," said Soevndal in an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"NATO will run the monitoring progress during this period. It is important that we ensure that the situation will not go to an unexpected twist," Soevndal said.
"I look forward to a final end of the military operation in Libya," he added.
The military operation will be ended when NATO is 100 percent sure that it no longer has a task to complete, the minister said.
Denmark as a NATO member has sent several fighter jets to participate in the alliance's military campaign in Libya.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Friday said the Libya mission is very close to completion, and that it has taken a preliminary decision to end it on October 31.
English.news.cn 2011-10-22 18:57:25 FeedbackPrintRSS
COPENHAGEN, Oct. 22 (Xinhua)
Denmark looks forward to a final end of NATO's military operation in Libya, the country's foreign minister Villy Soevnda said Saturday.
"I have noticed with a great pleasure NATO has set up the completion of the mission in Libya on October 31. The gradual dismantling of the operation will start immediately. It means that the peace in Libya has come a step closer," said Soevndal in an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"NATO will run the monitoring progress during this period. It is important that we ensure that the situation will not go to an unexpected twist," Soevndal said.
"I look forward to a final end of the military operation in Libya," he added.
The military operation will be ended when NATO is 100 percent sure that it no longer has a task to complete, the minister said.
Denmark as a NATO member has sent several fighter jets to participate in the alliance's military campaign in Libya.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Friday said the Libya mission is very close to completion, and that it has taken a preliminary decision to end it on October 31.
English.news.cn 2011-10-22 18:57:25 FeedbackPrintRSS
COPENHAGEN, Oct. 22 (Xinhua)
Slovakia amends constitution, government rules till election
Slovakia amends constitution, government rules till election
The Slovak House on Friday passed an amendment to the Constitution that will enable the government to rule without confidence from parliament until a new government is elected.
The legislation, discussed in a fast-tracked procedure, received support from 139 lawmakers.
Under the new constitutional provisions, the temporary government will enjoy only limited powers to pass legislative proposals and proposals on the state budget, declaration of war, mobilisation of the armed forces, etc.
The government will be authorised to make decisions on other issues stemming from laws, but only with the consent of the president.
The temporary cabinet will have no powers over economic and social policies and substantial issues pertaining to internal and foreign policies.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-22 05:53:02 FeedbackPrintRSS
BRATISLAVA, Oct. 21 (Xinhua)
The Slovak House on Friday passed an amendment to the Constitution that will enable the government to rule without confidence from parliament until a new government is elected.
The legislation, discussed in a fast-tracked procedure, received support from 139 lawmakers.
Under the new constitutional provisions, the temporary government will enjoy only limited powers to pass legislative proposals and proposals on the state budget, declaration of war, mobilisation of the armed forces, etc.
The government will be authorised to make decisions on other issues stemming from laws, but only with the consent of the president.
The temporary cabinet will have no powers over economic and social policies and substantial issues pertaining to internal and foreign policies.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-22 05:53:02 FeedbackPrintRSS
BRATISLAVA, Oct. 21 (Xinhua)
Progress made in Cyprus reunification talks but not enough to lock deal: UN
Progress made in Cyprus reunification talks but not enough to lock deal: UN
Greek and Turkish community leaders in Cyprus have achieved some progress in their three-year reunification talks, though not enough to lock an agreement, a UN official in Cyprus said on Friday.
"There has been progress in several of the core issues ... but there are still difficulties to be resolved," UN Secretary General's special advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer told reporters after the community leaders wrapped up a series of intensified negotiating sessions.
Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu are scheduled to meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Oct. 30, to try to seal a deal to end the division of the eastern Mediterranean island within the next six months.
Cyprus was divided into a Turkish Cypriot north and a Greek Cypriot south, when Turkey invaded the island in 1974 following a short-lived coup by Greek army officers.
Downer said that there is still some way to go before a solution can be found and that the UN Secretary General would try to explore with the two community leaders how they can resolve their remaining differences.
"It is going to be an important meeting and the Secretary General wants to be hopeful," Downer said.
However, President Christofias has repeatedly complained that nationalist Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has back-stepped on several issues agreed upon with his moderate predecessor.
Eroglu's hard-line tactics is being supported by the Turkish government led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey is the only country to recognize the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in northern Cyprus.
The Cyprus issue has compounded difficulties in Anakra's drive to become a European Union member. Several of its negotiating chapters have been blocked either by Cyprus, an EU member since 2004, or other members states.
A recent European Commission report said there has not been any progress in Turkey's accession talks over the last year, and the EU called on Ankara to revise its stand towards Cyprus.
According to earlier reports, Erdogan had warned that Turkey's relations with the EU will be frozen if Cyprus assumes the bloc's rotating presidency next July without a solution to the Cyprus issue.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-22 05:52:50 FeedbackPrintRSS
NICOSIA, Oct. 21 (Xinhua)
Greek and Turkish community leaders in Cyprus have achieved some progress in their three-year reunification talks, though not enough to lock an agreement, a UN official in Cyprus said on Friday.
"There has been progress in several of the core issues ... but there are still difficulties to be resolved," UN Secretary General's special advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer told reporters after the community leaders wrapped up a series of intensified negotiating sessions.
Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu are scheduled to meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Oct. 30, to try to seal a deal to end the division of the eastern Mediterranean island within the next six months.
Cyprus was divided into a Turkish Cypriot north and a Greek Cypriot south, when Turkey invaded the island in 1974 following a short-lived coup by Greek army officers.
Downer said that there is still some way to go before a solution can be found and that the UN Secretary General would try to explore with the two community leaders how they can resolve their remaining differences.
"It is going to be an important meeting and the Secretary General wants to be hopeful," Downer said.
However, President Christofias has repeatedly complained that nationalist Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has back-stepped on several issues agreed upon with his moderate predecessor.
Eroglu's hard-line tactics is being supported by the Turkish government led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey is the only country to recognize the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in northern Cyprus.
The Cyprus issue has compounded difficulties in Anakra's drive to become a European Union member. Several of its negotiating chapters have been blocked either by Cyprus, an EU member since 2004, or other members states.
A recent European Commission report said there has not been any progress in Turkey's accession talks over the last year, and the EU called on Ankara to revise its stand towards Cyprus.
According to earlier reports, Erdogan had warned that Turkey's relations with the EU will be frozen if Cyprus assumes the bloc's rotating presidency next July without a solution to the Cyprus issue.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-22 05:52:50 FeedbackPrintRSS
NICOSIA, Oct. 21 (Xinhua)
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Four more candidates allowed to run for Kyrgyz presidency
Four more candidates allowed to run for Kyrgyz presidency
The Kyrgyz Central Election Commission (CEC) on Thursday gave four more candidates the green light to run in the country's upcoming presidential election.
The permission came days after a Kyrgyz court overturned the CEC's decision not to recognize the signatures collected by Toroboi Kolubayev, Tursunbai Bakir Uulu, Nariman Tyuleyev and Akbaraly Aitikeyev in their favor.
Meanwhile, the CEC turned down the applications of another four people, arguing that they had failed to collect enough signatures in their favor.
CEC member Zharkyn Bapanova said that the newly-added candidates will not be given more time for their campaigns.
The Central Asian country allows presidential candidates to start their campaigns as soon as they are registered. The campaigns must end one day before the election day.
As of now, 24 candidates have been allowed to run in the Oct. 30 presidential election, including incumbent Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 21:30:10 FeedbackPrintRSS
BISHKEK, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
The Kyrgyz Central Election Commission (CEC) on Thursday gave four more candidates the green light to run in the country's upcoming presidential election.
The permission came days after a Kyrgyz court overturned the CEC's decision not to recognize the signatures collected by Toroboi Kolubayev, Tursunbai Bakir Uulu, Nariman Tyuleyev and Akbaraly Aitikeyev in their favor.
Meanwhile, the CEC turned down the applications of another four people, arguing that they had failed to collect enough signatures in their favor.
CEC member Zharkyn Bapanova said that the newly-added candidates will not be given more time for their campaigns.
The Central Asian country allows presidential candidates to start their campaigns as soon as they are registered. The campaigns must end one day before the election day.
As of now, 24 candidates have been allowed to run in the Oct. 30 presidential election, including incumbent Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 21:30:10 FeedbackPrintRSS
BISHKEK, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Pakistani Prime Minister seeks UN help for early warning system
Pakistani PM seeks UN help for early warning system
Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday sought the UN help for provision of the early warning system to his country to pre-empt damage of any future natural disaster.
Talking to Ms. Margareta Wahistrom, Special Representative of UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction in Islamabad, the Prime Minister said that the early warning system would help the government to reduce loss of human lives, property and infrastructure to a great deal, the PM office said.
Ms. Margareta Wahistrom assured that the UN was ready to impart training to the officials of various institutions in Pakistan which can play an effective role in the control of disaster risk in case of natural calamity.
She said that the UN would provide assistance in raising awareness, capacity building including human and financial assistance, provision of sustainability of livelihoods in the post disaster phase and rebuilding and rehabilitation.
She said that the UN has already launched a flash appeal for 357 million U.S. dollars for the flood affected people of the southern province of Sindh. The rains and floods have affected nearly 7 million people, according to Pakistani officials.
The Special Representative on disaster risk reduction apprised the Prime Minister that the UN had identified 900 cities in the world of which 35 are from Pakistan for launching the projects to make them better prepared to disaster risk reduction.
She said in this regard practical steps would soon be taken and Islamabad has been identified as the first model city.
The Prime Minister welcomed the UN assistance for better preparedness to face disasters that would definitely contribute to decrease risks to the lives and properties of the people, a PM office statement said.
The Prime Minister welcomed the offer of the UN for the training of school teachers, medics, metrological department officials and flood commission officials in the disaster risk reduction techniques to make them prepared for any future natural calamity.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 21:15:56 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Tahir Khan
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday sought the UN help for provision of the early warning system to his country to pre-empt damage of any future natural disaster.
Talking to Ms. Margareta Wahistrom, Special Representative of UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction in Islamabad, the Prime Minister said that the early warning system would help the government to reduce loss of human lives, property and infrastructure to a great deal, the PM office said.
Ms. Margareta Wahistrom assured that the UN was ready to impart training to the officials of various institutions in Pakistan which can play an effective role in the control of disaster risk in case of natural calamity.
She said that the UN would provide assistance in raising awareness, capacity building including human and financial assistance, provision of sustainability of livelihoods in the post disaster phase and rebuilding and rehabilitation.
She said that the UN has already launched a flash appeal for 357 million U.S. dollars for the flood affected people of the southern province of Sindh. The rains and floods have affected nearly 7 million people, according to Pakistani officials.
The Special Representative on disaster risk reduction apprised the Prime Minister that the UN had identified 900 cities in the world of which 35 are from Pakistan for launching the projects to make them better prepared to disaster risk reduction.
She said in this regard practical steps would soon be taken and Islamabad has been identified as the first model city.
The Prime Minister welcomed the UN assistance for better preparedness to face disasters that would definitely contribute to decrease risks to the lives and properties of the people, a PM office statement said.
The Prime Minister welcomed the offer of the UN for the training of school teachers, medics, metrological department officials and flood commission officials in the disaster risk reduction techniques to make them prepared for any future natural calamity.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 21:15:56 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Tahir Khan
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Cambodia forms first constructors association as construction recovers
Cambodia forms first constructors association as construction recovers
Cambodia officially established the first-ever Constructors Association on Thursday in a bid to develop the construction and real estate sector, which is one of the four pillars supporting the country's economy, said officials.
"The association will be a venue for both domestic and foreign constructors companies to exchange experience, information and expertise on construction," Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Im Chhun Lim said at the launch of the association.
It would also enable constructors in Cambodia to communicate and share experience with constructors associations of the ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Constructors Federation, he said.
The minister added that the association establishment was also to respond to the fast development in the country's construction and real estate sector.
The newly-elected president of Cambodia's Constructors Association Pung Kheav Se said the association would help set an international standard for sustainable development of the construction sector.
"As we all know, the sector is one of the pillars supporting the growth," he said. "So, it's necessary to ensure that the sector will see steady growth and the construction standard is internationally recognized."
Pung Kheav Se is currently the president of a local well-known Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC), which is the developer of Phnom Penh's Diamond Island satellite city. He is also the board chairman of the country's third largest Canadia Bank.
According to the figures of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, the construction sector contributed 5.5 percent or about 620 million U.S. dollars to the GDP in 2010 and the sector generates some 150,000 jobs.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 21:15:21 FeedbackPrintRSS
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Cambodia officially established the first-ever Constructors Association on Thursday in a bid to develop the construction and real estate sector, which is one of the four pillars supporting the country's economy, said officials.
"The association will be a venue for both domestic and foreign constructors companies to exchange experience, information and expertise on construction," Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Im Chhun Lim said at the launch of the association.
It would also enable constructors in Cambodia to communicate and share experience with constructors associations of the ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Constructors Federation, he said.
The minister added that the association establishment was also to respond to the fast development in the country's construction and real estate sector.
The newly-elected president of Cambodia's Constructors Association Pung Kheav Se said the association would help set an international standard for sustainable development of the construction sector.
"As we all know, the sector is one of the pillars supporting the growth," he said. "So, it's necessary to ensure that the sector will see steady growth and the construction standard is internationally recognized."
Pung Kheav Se is currently the president of a local well-known Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC), which is the developer of Phnom Penh's Diamond Island satellite city. He is also the board chairman of the country's third largest Canadia Bank.
According to the figures of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, the construction sector contributed 5.5 percent or about 620 million U.S. dollars to the GDP in 2010 and the sector generates some 150,000 jobs.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 21:15:21 FeedbackPrintRSS
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Child rights deep concern of government: Indian minister
Child rights deep concern of government: Indian minister
An Indian government minister said on Thursday that India is still faced with the issues of child rights and abuse, which is a deep concern of the government, reported Indo-Asian News Service.
Indian Law Minister Salman Khurshid said the government has "a deep concern over how the issue of children is being dealt with despite our country achieving significant economic growth" and that India still has a lot of work to do on this issue.
Speaking at a session of Asia Pacific Conference of Child Abuse and Neglect here, Khurshid said poor economic condition of parents forces them to send their kids into child labor.
He gave as example of the traditional business of carpet weaving in Bhadoi, Uttar Pradesh in northern India, where children are working in their families.
"Supple fingers of children are engaged in carpet weaving which is a traditional business of many families in Bhadoi and Jammu and Kashmir. It is imperative to help them retain their traditional skills without having them subjected to labor and abuse," he said.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 20:09:36 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
An Indian government minister said on Thursday that India is still faced with the issues of child rights and abuse, which is a deep concern of the government, reported Indo-Asian News Service.
Indian Law Minister Salman Khurshid said the government has "a deep concern over how the issue of children is being dealt with despite our country achieving significant economic growth" and that India still has a lot of work to do on this issue.
Speaking at a session of Asia Pacific Conference of Child Abuse and Neglect here, Khurshid said poor economic condition of parents forces them to send their kids into child labor.
He gave as example of the traditional business of carpet weaving in Bhadoi, Uttar Pradesh in northern India, where children are working in their families.
"Supple fingers of children are engaged in carpet weaving which is a traditional business of many families in Bhadoi and Jammu and Kashmir. It is imperative to help them retain their traditional skills without having them subjected to labor and abuse," he said.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 20:09:36 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Indonesia strives to boost safety of air, sea transports after rampant accidents
Indonesia strives to boost safety of air, sea transports after rampant accidents
Indonesian Transport Ministry has taken a stern action against an airliner violating rules by boosting supervision on the implementation of safety standard and requiring operators to raise the skill of pilots following rampant sea and air accidents that killed dozens of people and injured more than one hundreds others.
The Indonesian Transport Ministry on Tuesday suspended the license of airliner PT Nusantara Buana Airline after the investigation following the crash of its Casa 212-200 plane that killed all 18 people on board last week. The ministry has found many violations of rules and obligations by the airline, Bambang Ervan, spokesman of the ministry, told Xinhua earlier.
"We suspend the AOC (Air Operator Certificate) of PT NBA today (Tuesday) in a bid to prevent a similar accident to happen in the future," Bambang said.
The plane crash in a forest of Bahorok in North Sumatra last Thursday has brought the total air accident to four in September.
The suspension was made days after the transport Minister Freddy Numberi had warned to lift licenses of sea operator ignoring safety standard during operation.
"We will give them a warning, telling them that they must boost safety. Should they keep ignoring it by three times, we will lift their business license," said Freddy.
The warning was made after a fire in a ship docking in the sea port in East Java on September 27 that killed eight people and wounded more than one hundred others, the accident has put the total sea accidents to six in the month.
Minister Numberi said that inspection would be intensified and stepped up to find out how serious of the air and sea operators in implementing the safety standard.
For airliners serving transport passing over mountainous area, the number of skillful pilots should be increased, he said.
Indonesia is a vast archipelago country with about 17,500 islands and over 240 million people.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 20:08:02 FeedbackPrintRSS
By Mulyanda Djohan
JAKARTA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Indonesian Transport Ministry has taken a stern action against an airliner violating rules by boosting supervision on the implementation of safety standard and requiring operators to raise the skill of pilots following rampant sea and air accidents that killed dozens of people and injured more than one hundreds others.
The Indonesian Transport Ministry on Tuesday suspended the license of airliner PT Nusantara Buana Airline after the investigation following the crash of its Casa 212-200 plane that killed all 18 people on board last week. The ministry has found many violations of rules and obligations by the airline, Bambang Ervan, spokesman of the ministry, told Xinhua earlier.
"We suspend the AOC (Air Operator Certificate) of PT NBA today (Tuesday) in a bid to prevent a similar accident to happen in the future," Bambang said.
The plane crash in a forest of Bahorok in North Sumatra last Thursday has brought the total air accident to four in September.
The suspension was made days after the transport Minister Freddy Numberi had warned to lift licenses of sea operator ignoring safety standard during operation.
"We will give them a warning, telling them that they must boost safety. Should they keep ignoring it by three times, we will lift their business license," said Freddy.
The warning was made after a fire in a ship docking in the sea port in East Java on September 27 that killed eight people and wounded more than one hundred others, the accident has put the total sea accidents to six in the month.
Minister Numberi said that inspection would be intensified and stepped up to find out how serious of the air and sea operators in implementing the safety standard.
For airliners serving transport passing over mountainous area, the number of skillful pilots should be increased, he said.
Indonesia is a vast archipelago country with about 17,500 islands and over 240 million people.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 20:08:02 FeedbackPrintRSS
By Mulyanda Djohan
JAKARTA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Sri Lanka urges international community to do more in fighting against terrorism
Sri Lanka urges international community to do more in fighting against terrorism
Sri Lanka said on Thursday that while it has been successful in its fighting against terrorism, the world has not done enough in its war on terror.
The Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry quoted Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United Nations Dr. Palitha Kohona as saying that Sri Lanka remains vigilant about agents of the Tamil Tiger rebels.
"This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the horrible terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, an event that shook the world and was a wakeup call to all countries on the globalization of terrorism. A decade later it is but appropriate to ask ourselves if the world has done all what it could to prevent such acts of terror. Tragically, our experience has been that senseless acts of terror have continued as we witnessed in the recent incidents in Oslo, Mumbai and Abuja,"Kohona said.
He said that while sympathizers of the defeated Tamil Tiger rebels are conducting a well financed propaganda campaign designed to even scores and win through international sympathy what they lost through terror.
Sri Lanka defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009 following 30 years of war which also saw thousands of civilians and soldiers being killed.
"Not a single terrorist bomb has exploded in the country since the defeat of the terrorist LTTE in May 2009 and not a single terrorist bullet has been fired. Although we look to the future, we will never forget what terrorism did to our country and its people. We remain vigilant about the threat from the terrorist group's agents and front organizations abroad who still subscribe to the destructive and racist ideology,"he said.
He added that almost all acts of terror continue to have direct or indirect international linkages and therefore the issue can only be addressed through the combined efforts of the international community.
"Terror groups are resorting to increasingly sophisticated means to sustain their activities, through the cultivation of linkages to international organized crime. These linkages mean that terrorists and their front organizations profit from human trafficking and arms trafficking, money laundering, credit card fraud, and cyber-crimes. Surprisingly, some otherwise respected members of society may be part of these networks," Kohona said.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 20:07:14 FeedbackPrintRSS
COLOMBO, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Sri Lanka said on Thursday that while it has been successful in its fighting against terrorism, the world has not done enough in its war on terror.
The Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry quoted Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United Nations Dr. Palitha Kohona as saying that Sri Lanka remains vigilant about agents of the Tamil Tiger rebels.
"This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the horrible terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, an event that shook the world and was a wakeup call to all countries on the globalization of terrorism. A decade later it is but appropriate to ask ourselves if the world has done all what it could to prevent such acts of terror. Tragically, our experience has been that senseless acts of terror have continued as we witnessed in the recent incidents in Oslo, Mumbai and Abuja,"Kohona said.
He said that while sympathizers of the defeated Tamil Tiger rebels are conducting a well financed propaganda campaign designed to even scores and win through international sympathy what they lost through terror.
Sri Lanka defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009 following 30 years of war which also saw thousands of civilians and soldiers being killed.
"Not a single terrorist bomb has exploded in the country since the defeat of the terrorist LTTE in May 2009 and not a single terrorist bullet has been fired. Although we look to the future, we will never forget what terrorism did to our country and its people. We remain vigilant about the threat from the terrorist group's agents and front organizations abroad who still subscribe to the destructive and racist ideology,"he said.
He added that almost all acts of terror continue to have direct or indirect international linkages and therefore the issue can only be addressed through the combined efforts of the international community.
"Terror groups are resorting to increasingly sophisticated means to sustain their activities, through the cultivation of linkages to international organized crime. These linkages mean that terrorists and their front organizations profit from human trafficking and arms trafficking, money laundering, credit card fraud, and cyber-crimes. Surprisingly, some otherwise respected members of society may be part of these networks," Kohona said.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 20:07:14 FeedbackPrintRSS
COLOMBO, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
4 killed as oil tanker hits tractor trolley in northern India
4 killed as oil tanker hits tractor trolley in northern India
At least four people were killed and 13 injured Thursday when an oil tanker hit a tractor-trolley in the northern Indian state of Punjab Thursday, said police.
The incident took place in Punjab's border district of Fazilka, when the trolley was hit by a speeding oil tanker and overturned on some farmers and farm laborers, killing three on the spot. The fourth victim died in hospital.
The injured were rushed to the civil hospital in Fazilka, 340 km from the state capital Chandigarh.
Fortunately, the oil tanker did not catch fire and explode, said police.
Road accident rate in India is among the highest in the world, with at least 110,000 people killed on the road each year, according to official estimates.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 19:30:52 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
At least four people were killed and 13 injured Thursday when an oil tanker hit a tractor-trolley in the northern Indian state of Punjab Thursday, said police.
The incident took place in Punjab's border district of Fazilka, when the trolley was hit by a speeding oil tanker and overturned on some farmers and farm laborers, killing three on the spot. The fourth victim died in hospital.
The injured were rushed to the civil hospital in Fazilka, 340 km from the state capital Chandigarh.
Fortunately, the oil tanker did not catch fire and explode, said police.
Road accident rate in India is among the highest in the world, with at least 110,000 people killed on the road each year, according to official estimates.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 19:30:52 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
S. Korean, Japanese leaders to hold summit this month
S. Korean, Japanese leaders to hold summit this month
Japan's new prime minister Yoshihiko Noda will visit South Korea later this month for summit talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, the Japanese foreign minister said Thursday in Seoul.
Noda will travel to Seoul on Oct. 18 for a two-day trip, his first Seoul visit since taking office last month, Japanese foreign minister Koichiro Gemba told reporters after talks with his South Korean counterpart Kim Sung-hwan.
In their first meeting last month in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the two leaders agreed to further their joint efforts on the issues of mutual concern.
Lee and Noda are expected to discuss signing a two-way free trade agreement and the return of Korean loyal documents looted under Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, according to local media reports.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 19:23:29 FeedbackPrintRSS
SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Japan's new prime minister Yoshihiko Noda will visit South Korea later this month for summit talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, the Japanese foreign minister said Thursday in Seoul.
Noda will travel to Seoul on Oct. 18 for a two-day trip, his first Seoul visit since taking office last month, Japanese foreign minister Koichiro Gemba told reporters after talks with his South Korean counterpart Kim Sung-hwan.
In their first meeting last month in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the two leaders agreed to further their joint efforts on the issues of mutual concern.
Lee and Noda are expected to discuss signing a two-way free trade agreement and the return of Korean loyal documents looted under Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, according to local media reports.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 19:23:29 FeedbackPrintRSS
SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Indonesia, Australia agree to boost bilateral ties
Indonesia, Australia agree to boost bilateral ties
Indonesia and Australia on Thursday agreed to boost their bilateral ties not only in terms of government-to-government but also the people-to-people.
In a dialog titled "the Citizen Diplomats", scholars, former officials, observers and youngsters of both countries said that through the dialog, they pledged to move forward to higher level.
"It is not about the government's role but also how to cooperate and address challenges, bilaterally, regionally and internationally," said Dr. Rizal Sukma, executive director of Indonesia's Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a public policy research institution dedicated to analysis and policy impact.
He also said that there was a consensus on strong endorsement from almost all participants to continue such dialog in the future and to encourage youngsters to participate through all kind of technology development.
"There are a lot of venues to encourage young participations. We stress public participation to enhance opportunity for closer bilateral ties," said Sukma.
John McCarthy, one of Australia's most distinguished diplomats and former Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, said that the dialog did not only discuss common issues such as business, security and others but more related to people connection.
"Indonesia is different country compared to several years ago and Australia feels that we have to increase our relationship. Actually, we manage the relationship well," he said.
Prof. Tim Lindsey, chairman of Australia Indonesia Institute and director of Asian Law Center at the University of Melbourne said that Indonesia holds a crucial role for Australia in its effort to gain prosperity. "Our former Primer Minister Paul Keating once has said that Indonesia is the key of our future as it is the biggest country in Southeast Asia and one of the closest neighbors of Australia. Since then, the sentence has been our guidance in managing relationship with Indonesia," said Lindsey.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 19:10:11 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Indonesia and Australia on Thursday agreed to boost their bilateral ties not only in terms of government-to-government but also the people-to-people.
In a dialog titled "the Citizen Diplomats", scholars, former officials, observers and youngsters of both countries said that through the dialog, they pledged to move forward to higher level.
"It is not about the government's role but also how to cooperate and address challenges, bilaterally, regionally and internationally," said Dr. Rizal Sukma, executive director of Indonesia's Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a public policy research institution dedicated to analysis and policy impact.
He also said that there was a consensus on strong endorsement from almost all participants to continue such dialog in the future and to encourage youngsters to participate through all kind of technology development.
"There are a lot of venues to encourage young participations. We stress public participation to enhance opportunity for closer bilateral ties," said Sukma.
John McCarthy, one of Australia's most distinguished diplomats and former Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, said that the dialog did not only discuss common issues such as business, security and others but more related to people connection.
"Indonesia is different country compared to several years ago and Australia feels that we have to increase our relationship. Actually, we manage the relationship well," he said.
Prof. Tim Lindsey, chairman of Australia Indonesia Institute and director of Asian Law Center at the University of Melbourne said that Indonesia holds a crucial role for Australia in its effort to gain prosperity. "Our former Primer Minister Paul Keating once has said that Indonesia is the key of our future as it is the biggest country in Southeast Asia and one of the closest neighbors of Australia. Since then, the sentence has been our guidance in managing relationship with Indonesia," said Lindsey.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 19:10:11 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
New Zealand authorities battle oil slick from ship aground on reef
New Zealand authorities battle oil slick from ship aground on reef
New Zealand shipping and environment agencies are trying to contain a spreading oil slick from a Liberian-flagged container ship that has grounded on a reef off the east of the North Island.
Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) said a team was preparing to help affected wildlife after dead birds were found in the water near 236-meter cargo ship Rena, which was stuck on the Astrolabe Reef, about 12 nautical miles off the coast near Tauranga Harbor.
Four dead birds had been found by patrol vessels near a 5- kilometer oil slick that was coming from the vessel.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said Thursday there was a " significant amount of oil" and a risk the vessel could break up on the reef.
"I think there's quite a significant risk we'll get quite some quantities of oil in the surrounding ocean," Joyce said.
"Then it's a matter of that is able to be dispersed before it reaches the coast."
Oiled wildlife response coordinator Kerri Morgan, of Massey University, said the oiled wildlife response team had mobilized equipment and an oiled wildlife response center would be set up at the Tauranga Wastewater treatment plant and another on Motiti Island.
Morgan said around 20 responders, including veterinarians, were expected to be on the island late Thursday.
A team of expert responders and ornithologists with experience in the capture and treatment of oiled birds would begin a search of nearby coastlines Friday.
"We have specialist equipment and trained responders here ready to mount whatever response is required," said Morgan.
"We are working closely with representatives from the Department of Conservation here in Tauranga who are providing invaluable local knowledge and expertise."
MNZ national on-scene commander Rob Service said the Rena was still leaking oil intermittently and it appeared to be coming from damaged pipework on the vessel.
"We are not aware of any actual breaches in the fuel tanks. However, because of the extensive damage to the vessel, it is difficult to determine accurately what the scale and scope of the damage is. The crew are working to prevent further leakage," said Service.
The quantity of spilled oil was unknown, he said.
The slick was running from the ship in a northerly direction for about 5 kilometres.
Service said field testing of Corexit 9500 oil dispersant was going well.
"We have had one vessel doing on-water dispersant testing today and one helicopter doing aerial testing, with an observation plane guiding the helicopter and monitoring the effectiveness of the dispersant," he said.
"Reports are that it is going well. We will review the results from the trials later today, with a view to launching a full dispersant operation (Friday) morning."
MNZ director Catherine Taylor Thursday issued the vessel owner - - reported to be the Israel-based Ofer Brothers Group, one of the world's largest private shipping firms -- with two notices declaring the ship to be hazardous and instructing those responsible for the ship to ensure that a reputable salvor be appointed promptly and to keep MNZ informed of all salvage operations.
The move gives MNZ the ability to take control if it deems it necessary.
The vessel owner subsequently appointed salvage firm Svitzer to manage the salvage operation.
Service said Svitzer, which already had representatives aboard the vessel, was an internationally recognised and respected company with extensive experience of such operations.
The 47,000-tonne vessel, which ran aground at about 2.20 a.m. Wednesday, was reportedly carrying a cargo of timber, milk powder, meat and fish on a route between Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Enditem
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 18:43:06 FeedbackPrintRSS
New Zealand authorities battle oil slick from ship aground on reef
WELLINGTON, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
New Zealand shipping and environment agencies are trying to contain a spreading oil slick from a Liberian-flagged container ship that has grounded on a reef off the east of the North Island.
Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) said a team was preparing to help affected wildlife after dead birds were found in the water near 236-meter cargo ship Rena, which was stuck on the Astrolabe Reef, about 12 nautical miles off the coast near Tauranga Harbor.
Four dead birds had been found by patrol vessels near a 5- kilometer oil slick that was coming from the vessel.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said Thursday there was a " significant amount of oil" and a risk the vessel could break up on the reef.
"I think there's quite a significant risk we'll get quite some quantities of oil in the surrounding ocean," Joyce said.
"Then it's a matter of that is able to be dispersed before it reaches the coast."
Oiled wildlife response coordinator Kerri Morgan, of Massey University, said the oiled wildlife response team had mobilized equipment and an oiled wildlife response center would be set up at the Tauranga Wastewater treatment plant and another on Motiti Island.
Morgan said around 20 responders, including veterinarians, were expected to be on the island late Thursday.
A team of expert responders and ornithologists with experience in the capture and treatment of oiled birds would begin a search of nearby coastlines Friday.
"We have specialist equipment and trained responders here ready to mount whatever response is required," said Morgan.
"We are working closely with representatives from the Department of Conservation here in Tauranga who are providing invaluable local knowledge and expertise."
MNZ national on-scene commander Rob Service said the Rena was still leaking oil intermittently and it appeared to be coming from damaged pipework on the vessel.
"We are not aware of any actual breaches in the fuel tanks. However, because of the extensive damage to the vessel, it is difficult to determine accurately what the scale and scope of the damage is. The crew are working to prevent further leakage," said Service.
The quantity of spilled oil was unknown, he said.
The slick was running from the ship in a northerly direction for about 5 kilometres.
Service said field testing of Corexit 9500 oil dispersant was going well.
"We have had one vessel doing on-water dispersant testing today and one helicopter doing aerial testing, with an observation plane guiding the helicopter and monitoring the effectiveness of the dispersant," he said.
"Reports are that it is going well. We will review the results from the trials later today, with a view to launching a full dispersant operation (Friday) morning."
MNZ director Catherine Taylor Thursday issued the vessel owner - - reported to be the Israel-based Ofer Brothers Group, one of the world's largest private shipping firms -- with two notices declaring the ship to be hazardous and instructing those responsible for the ship to ensure that a reputable salvor be appointed promptly and to keep MNZ informed of all salvage operations.
The move gives MNZ the ability to take control if it deems it necessary.
The vessel owner subsequently appointed salvage firm Svitzer to manage the salvage operation.
Service said Svitzer, which already had representatives aboard the vessel, was an internationally recognised and respected company with extensive experience of such operations.
The 47,000-tonne vessel, which ran aground at about 2.20 a.m. Wednesday, was reportedly carrying a cargo of timber, milk powder, meat and fish on a route between Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Enditem
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 18:43:06 FeedbackPrintRSS
New Zealand authorities battle oil slick from ship aground on reef
WELLINGTON, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
7 insurgents killed, 31 detained in Afghanistan: gov't
7 insurgents killed, 31 detained in Afghanistan: gov't
Security forces have eliminated seven insurgents and captured 31 other suspected insurgents in different parts of the country over the past 24 hours, the Afghan Interior Ministry said on Thursday.
"Afghan National Police (ANP), backed by Afghan army and NATO- led Coalition forces, carried out 15 joint and independent operations in Kabul, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Wardak and Khost province in the last 24 hours killing seven armed insurgents and detaining 31 others," the ministry said in a statement providing daily operational updates.
Two more insurgents were injured, the statement said, adding ANP also found and seized a handful of weapons besides defusing seven Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and killing two IED planters around the country over the same period of time.
The Taliban, who launched in May this year spring offensive against Afghan and NATO forces, has yet to make comments.
Separately, Kabul police arrested seven criminals who have been involved in making fake passports and selling drugs in capital city of Kabul besides finding and defusing four anti-vehicle mines in Paghman district west of Kabul city, according to the statement.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:45:00 FeedbackPrintRSS
KABUL, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Security forces have eliminated seven insurgents and captured 31 other suspected insurgents in different parts of the country over the past 24 hours, the Afghan Interior Ministry said on Thursday.
"Afghan National Police (ANP), backed by Afghan army and NATO- led Coalition forces, carried out 15 joint and independent operations in Kabul, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Wardak and Khost province in the last 24 hours killing seven armed insurgents and detaining 31 others," the ministry said in a statement providing daily operational updates.
Two more insurgents were injured, the statement said, adding ANP also found and seized a handful of weapons besides defusing seven Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and killing two IED planters around the country over the same period of time.
The Taliban, who launched in May this year spring offensive against Afghan and NATO forces, has yet to make comments.
Separately, Kabul police arrested seven criminals who have been involved in making fake passports and selling drugs in capital city of Kabul besides finding and defusing four anti-vehicle mines in Paghman district west of Kabul city, according to the statement.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:45:00 FeedbackPrintRSS
KABUL, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
7 killed in factory blast in central India
7 killed in factory blast in central India
Seven people were killed in a blast in a factory in Indore, Madhya Pradesh in central India Thursday, reported Indo-Asian News Service.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:44:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Seven people were killed in a blast in a factory in Indore, Madhya Pradesh in central India Thursday, reported Indo-Asian News Service.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:44:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Malaysian Prime Minister and wife to skip opposition leader Anwar's trial
Malaysian PM and wife to skip opposition leader Anwar's trial
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim failed to force Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to testify at his trial after a court on Thursday quashed a subpoena issued by him.
The judge said Anwar failed to prove that the subpoena was relevant.
Anwar is accused of sodomising his former male aide at a condominium unit in Kuala Lumpur three years ago a crime that could see him whipped and jailed for 20 years.
The accuser, Mohammad Saiful Bukhari Azlan had during the trial revealed that he met Najib at his house, where Rosmah was present, before the alleged sodomy.
The couple have denied plotting against Anwar and said they couldn't offer any material evidence to the court.
This was the second time 63-year-old Anwar was charged with sodomy.
In 1998, he was dismissed as a deputy prime minister and convicted of sodomy and corruption.
He was released in September 2004 and resumed his political career as an opposition leader, leading the opposition parties to win five states in Malaysia's 2008 election.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:38:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim failed to force Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to testify at his trial after a court on Thursday quashed a subpoena issued by him.
The judge said Anwar failed to prove that the subpoena was relevant.
Anwar is accused of sodomising his former male aide at a condominium unit in Kuala Lumpur three years ago a crime that could see him whipped and jailed for 20 years.
The accuser, Mohammad Saiful Bukhari Azlan had during the trial revealed that he met Najib at his house, where Rosmah was present, before the alleged sodomy.
The couple have denied plotting against Anwar and said they couldn't offer any material evidence to the court.
This was the second time 63-year-old Anwar was charged with sodomy.
In 1998, he was dismissed as a deputy prime minister and convicted of sodomy and corruption.
He was released in September 2004 and resumed his political career as an opposition leader, leading the opposition parties to win five states in Malaysia's 2008 election.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:38:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Cambodia begins to relocate cable network from aerial to underground
Cambodia begins to relocate cable network from aerial to underground
Cambodia's Minister of Posts and Telecommunications So Khun on Thursday appealed to telecommunication operators and service providers to relocate their aerial cables to underground ones in order to improve the quality of services and the beauty of cities and towns.
"At present, the cabling quality of the outside plants network in our cities and towns has not yet met the acceptable condition-- it is fragile, improper cabling and messy as if it is a spider's web," he said on Thursday during a seminar on reforming of all kinds of telecommunication cable network.
"It affects to public order and safety and lowers the beauty of the cities and towns," he added.
The relocation from the aerial cables to the underground ones would be enhanced the quality of services, sustainable, secured and safe infrastructure for telecommunication operators.
"I hope that all telecommunication operators and service providers will be ready to relocate the aerial cables to underground cables," said the minister.
Cambodia Fiber Optic Communication Network (CFOCN), a company that received the full license from the government of Cambodia in 2006 to construct and operate FOC networks in Cambodia, said that so far, the firm has built 59 percent of the underground cables nationwide.
"To date, we have accomplished underground FOC networks for more than 5,000 kilometers out of the total constructed plan of 8, 500 kilometers throughout Cambodia," said Steven Cao, chief executive officer of CFOCN.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:37:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Cambodia's Minister of Posts and Telecommunications So Khun on Thursday appealed to telecommunication operators and service providers to relocate their aerial cables to underground ones in order to improve the quality of services and the beauty of cities and towns.
"At present, the cabling quality of the outside plants network in our cities and towns has not yet met the acceptable condition-- it is fragile, improper cabling and messy as if it is a spider's web," he said on Thursday during a seminar on reforming of all kinds of telecommunication cable network.
"It affects to public order and safety and lowers the beauty of the cities and towns," he added.
The relocation from the aerial cables to the underground ones would be enhanced the quality of services, sustainable, secured and safe infrastructure for telecommunication operators.
"I hope that all telecommunication operators and service providers will be ready to relocate the aerial cables to underground cables," said the minister.
Cambodia Fiber Optic Communication Network (CFOCN), a company that received the full license from the government of Cambodia in 2006 to construct and operate FOC networks in Cambodia, said that so far, the firm has built 59 percent of the underground cables nationwide.
"To date, we have accomplished underground FOC networks for more than 5,000 kilometers out of the total constructed plan of 8, 500 kilometers throughout Cambodia," said Steven Cao, chief executive officer of CFOCN.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:37:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
S Korean official says DPRK food shortage not "serious"
S Korean official says DPRK food shortage not "serious"
South Korea's new unification minister said Thursday that food situation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is not unusually serious.
"I don't think the situation is very serious, though the rice harvest fell a little short of the usual level," Yu Woo-ik of the unification ministry, which oversees inter-Korean affairs, told parliament.
The remark made by Yu, who recently replaced a hard-liner, contrasts with estimates by aid agencies that show the DPRK suffers from critical food shortages affecting a quarter of its 24 million population.
UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amosa is set to visit the DPRK later this month to assess food needs in the country, as the organization appeals for 218 U.S. million dollars in aid.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:36:50 FeedbackPrintRSS
SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
South Korea's new unification minister said Thursday that food situation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is not unusually serious.
"I don't think the situation is very serious, though the rice harvest fell a little short of the usual level," Yu Woo-ik of the unification ministry, which oversees inter-Korean affairs, told parliament.
The remark made by Yu, who recently replaced a hard-liner, contrasts with estimates by aid agencies that show the DPRK suffers from critical food shortages affecting a quarter of its 24 million population.
UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amosa is set to visit the DPRK later this month to assess food needs in the country, as the organization appeals for 218 U.S. million dollars in aid.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:36:50 FeedbackPrintRSS
SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Obama congratulates Fiji ahead of independence anniversary
Obama congratulates Fiji ahead of independence anniversary
U.S. President Barack Obama has sent a message of congratulation to the people of Fiji on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the island nation's independence next Monday, according to local website Fijivillage on Thursday.
Obama was quoted as saying in the message that the people of Fiji and the United States share a commitment to peace, freedom, the rule of law and democratic ideals.
It is through the commitment to these ideals that the two societies have built a relationship based on trust and mutual respect, Obama said, adding that the United States continues to stand with the people of Fiji as they strive to achieve these ideals.
He said the bond between the two countries will strengthen as the people of Fiji continue to pursue a brighter future.
Fiji gained independence from Britain on Oct. 10, 1970.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:36:01 FeedbackPrintRSS
SUVA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
U.S. President Barack Obama has sent a message of congratulation to the people of Fiji on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the island nation's independence next Monday, according to local website Fijivillage on Thursday.
Obama was quoted as saying in the message that the people of Fiji and the United States share a commitment to peace, freedom, the rule of law and democratic ideals.
It is through the commitment to these ideals that the two societies have built a relationship based on trust and mutual respect, Obama said, adding that the United States continues to stand with the people of Fiji as they strive to achieve these ideals.
He said the bond between the two countries will strengthen as the people of Fiji continue to pursue a brighter future.
Fiji gained independence from Britain on Oct. 10, 1970.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:36:01 FeedbackPrintRSS
SUVA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Afghans demand end to foreign troops in Kabul protest
Afghans demand end to foreign troops in Kabul protest
On the eve of Oct. 7 the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-led war against Taliban and al-Qaida network in Afghanistan, hundreds of Afghans took to the street against the United States in downtown Kabul on Thursday, demanding an end to the U.S. military presence in the country.
Carrying banners demanding the U.S. and NATO forces to leave the country, the protesters called for an early end to the war in their war-ravaged country.
"On October 7, 2001, the U.S. and allies invaded Afghanistan under the fake banners of 'democracy', 'war on terror' and 'women' s rights'. The decade-long occupation of Afghanistan has turned our country into a hell on the earth," said a resolution read out at the end of the peaceful demonstration organized by a political party, the Solidarity Party of Afghanistan.
In the wake of Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the U.S.-led alliance launched an offensive against Taliban regime and toppled it within weeks for harboring the al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of strikes on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:34:46 FeedbackPrintRSS
KABUL, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
On the eve of Oct. 7 the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-led war against Taliban and al-Qaida network in Afghanistan, hundreds of Afghans took to the street against the United States in downtown Kabul on Thursday, demanding an end to the U.S. military presence in the country.
Carrying banners demanding the U.S. and NATO forces to leave the country, the protesters called for an early end to the war in their war-ravaged country.
"On October 7, 2001, the U.S. and allies invaded Afghanistan under the fake banners of 'democracy', 'war on terror' and 'women' s rights'. The decade-long occupation of Afghanistan has turned our country into a hell on the earth," said a resolution read out at the end of the peaceful demonstration organized by a political party, the Solidarity Party of Afghanistan.
In the wake of Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the U.S.-led alliance launched an offensive against Taliban regime and toppled it within weeks for harboring the al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of strikes on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 17:34:46 FeedbackPrintRSS
KABUL, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
S Korea's new chief nuclear envoy leaves for Washington for talks
S Korea's new chief nuclear envoy leaves for Washington for talks
South Korea's new chief nuclear negotiator left here for the United States Thursday to meet with U. S. counterparts over ending the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear program.
Lim Sung-nam, who replaced Wi Sung-lac as the top envoy to six- party nuclear talks, is scheduled to meet with officials at the U. S. State Department and the National Security Council to discuss the recent inter-Korean talks over denuclearization, according to the foreign ministry in Seoul.
Officials will also discuss coordinating policy on future inter- Korean talks and preconditions Pyongyang should meet before returning to the stalled nuclear disarmament talks, the foreign ministry said.
Lim's three-day visit comes after Seoul and Pyongyang held two rounds of rare talks over disarming the DPRK. Pyongyang and Washington are also expected to hold another round of denuclearization talks soon, raising hopes the momentum is building to restart the stalled talks.
Pyongyang declared the six-party aid-for-denuclearization talks, last held in December 2008, "dead" in 2009 but has since expressed its wish to return to the negotiating table.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 15:22:46 FeedbackPrintRSS
SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
South Korea's new chief nuclear negotiator left here for the United States Thursday to meet with U. S. counterparts over ending the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear program.
Lim Sung-nam, who replaced Wi Sung-lac as the top envoy to six- party nuclear talks, is scheduled to meet with officials at the U. S. State Department and the National Security Council to discuss the recent inter-Korean talks over denuclearization, according to the foreign ministry in Seoul.
Officials will also discuss coordinating policy on future inter- Korean talks and preconditions Pyongyang should meet before returning to the stalled nuclear disarmament talks, the foreign ministry said.
Lim's three-day visit comes after Seoul and Pyongyang held two rounds of rare talks over disarming the DPRK. Pyongyang and Washington are also expected to hold another round of denuclearization talks soon, raising hopes the momentum is building to restart the stalled talks.
Pyongyang declared the six-party aid-for-denuclearization talks, last held in December 2008, "dead" in 2009 but has since expressed its wish to return to the negotiating table.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 15:22:46 FeedbackPrintRSS
SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
DPJ heavyweight Ozawa pleads not guilty over funds scandal
DPJ heavyweight Ozawa pleads not guilty over funds scandal
Japan's ruling Democratic Party heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa on Thursday pleaded not guilty in trial to a charge of violating the country's political funds control law, local media reported.
The former ruling party leader Ozawa was indicted on Jan. 31 over false political fund reporting which was handled by his political fund management body concerning a land deal in Tokyo.
The trial of Ozawa begins at the Tokyo District Court Thursday morning.
In late September, a court in Tokyo found three former aides to Ozawa guilty over the false political fund reporting.
The Tokyo District Court sentenced Tomohiro Ishikawa, Takanori Okubo and Mitsutomo Ikeda to two years, three years and one year in prison respectively.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 10:06:25 FeedbackPrintRSS
TOKYO, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Japan's ruling Democratic Party heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa on Thursday pleaded not guilty in trial to a charge of violating the country's political funds control law, local media reported.
The former ruling party leader Ozawa was indicted on Jan. 31 over false political fund reporting which was handled by his political fund management body concerning a land deal in Tokyo.
The trial of Ozawa begins at the Tokyo District Court Thursday morning.
In late September, a court in Tokyo found three former aides to Ozawa guilty over the false political fund reporting.
The Tokyo District Court sentenced Tomohiro Ishikawa, Takanori Okubo and Mitsutomo Ikeda to two years, three years and one year in prison respectively.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 10:06:25 FeedbackPrintRSS
TOKYO, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Monday, October 3, 2011
Leftist rebel commander arrested in S. Philippines: military
Leftist rebel commander arrested in S. Philippines: military
The military said Sunday it has arrested a top-ranking leftist rebel blamed for several cases of atrocities in the southern Philippines.
Samson Langguban, alias Commander Jag-jag, was apprehended by soldiers from the government army's 39th Infantry Battalion in Astorga village, Sta. Cruz town, in the southern province of Davao del Sur past 2 p.m. Saturday, according to Lieutenant Raul Villegas, civil-military officer of the battalion.
Langguban was nabbed after informant tipped off the military of his presence at a residential area in the village. A revolver was found in his possession and confiscated. Langguban did not resist arrest, Villegas said.
The arrested rebel commander is facing several cases of murder and robbery before a local court, and his unit which is active in the hinterlands of Sta. Cruz and Bansalan towns and Digos City, also in Davao del Sur, has been blamed for attacks against government troops in these areas, according to Villegas.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for more than four decades. The Philippine military estimates that there are over 4,000 NPA guerrilla fighters scattered in more than 60 provinces throughout the country.
Peace talks between the Philippine government and the leftists bogged down after the United States included the NPA and its parent body as foreign terrorist organizations in 2002.
The Philippine government has revived the peace process with the leftist rebels. However, talks have been stalled recently again following demands of the leftist rebels to release most of their detained leaders and consultants.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-02 15:14:47 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAVAO CITY, Philippines, Oct. 2 (Xinhua)
The military said Sunday it has arrested a top-ranking leftist rebel blamed for several cases of atrocities in the southern Philippines.
Samson Langguban, alias Commander Jag-jag, was apprehended by soldiers from the government army's 39th Infantry Battalion in Astorga village, Sta. Cruz town, in the southern province of Davao del Sur past 2 p.m. Saturday, according to Lieutenant Raul Villegas, civil-military officer of the battalion.
Langguban was nabbed after informant tipped off the military of his presence at a residential area in the village. A revolver was found in his possession and confiscated. Langguban did not resist arrest, Villegas said.
The arrested rebel commander is facing several cases of murder and robbery before a local court, and his unit which is active in the hinterlands of Sta. Cruz and Bansalan towns and Digos City, also in Davao del Sur, has been blamed for attacks against government troops in these areas, according to Villegas.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for more than four decades. The Philippine military estimates that there are over 4,000 NPA guerrilla fighters scattered in more than 60 provinces throughout the country.
Peace talks between the Philippine government and the leftists bogged down after the United States included the NPA and its parent body as foreign terrorist organizations in 2002.
The Philippine government has revived the peace process with the leftist rebels. However, talks have been stalled recently again following demands of the leftist rebels to release most of their detained leaders and consultants.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-02 15:14:47 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAVAO CITY, Philippines, Oct. 2 (Xinhua)
Philippine Dragon Boat Team joins rescue mission in flooded areas
Philippine Dragon Boat Team joins rescue mission in flooded areas
The Philippine Dragon Boat Team, winner of the five gold and silver medals in a recent competition in the United States, joined the ongoing search and rescue mission on Sunday in the flooded areas of Central Luzon.
Led by its team manager Maj. Harold Cabunoc, the team began the mission, aiming to convince over a thousand people in Masantol town in Pampanga who refused to leave their residence that are submerged under water.
"We will use the actual dragon boat used in the competition," said Cabunoc of the 18-man team, including 12 soldiers. (It's) kawangawa mode," added Cabunoc, who is also the current Army deputy spokesman.
Cabunoc was referring to the boat they used in August during the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships held in Tampa Bay, Florida where they won the medals that earned them local and international recognition.
Cabunoc said Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz "has specifically directed the Army athletes to help in the Army's rescue efforts."
Cabunoc said they plan to employ eight paddlers at a given time so they can load about 10 flooding victims.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban said: "The Dragon Warriors have already paddled to bring honor and glory for the country. Now they will paddle to save lives of many Filipinos in flood-stricken areas in Bulacan and Pampanga."
"They will take risk to save and bring relief to their fellow countrymen who have been their source of inspiration and who have supported them to paddle their way to victory in the last world competition," added Oban.
Editor: Liu
English.news.cn 2011-10-02 15:03:03 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANILA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua)
The Philippine Dragon Boat Team, winner of the five gold and silver medals in a recent competition in the United States, joined the ongoing search and rescue mission on Sunday in the flooded areas of Central Luzon.
Led by its team manager Maj. Harold Cabunoc, the team began the mission, aiming to convince over a thousand people in Masantol town in Pampanga who refused to leave their residence that are submerged under water.
"We will use the actual dragon boat used in the competition," said Cabunoc of the 18-man team, including 12 soldiers. (It's) kawangawa mode," added Cabunoc, who is also the current Army deputy spokesman.
Cabunoc was referring to the boat they used in August during the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships held in Tampa Bay, Florida where they won the medals that earned them local and international recognition.
Cabunoc said Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz "has specifically directed the Army athletes to help in the Army's rescue efforts."
Cabunoc said they plan to employ eight paddlers at a given time so they can load about 10 flooding victims.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban said: "The Dragon Warriors have already paddled to bring honor and glory for the country. Now they will paddle to save lives of many Filipinos in flood-stricken areas in Bulacan and Pampanga."
"They will take risk to save and bring relief to their fellow countrymen who have been their source of inspiration and who have supported them to paddle their way to victory in the last world competition," added Oban.
Editor: Liu
English.news.cn 2011-10-02 15:03:03 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANILA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua)
Sonia Gandhi makes first public appearance after surgery
Sonia Gandhi makes first public appearance after surgery
India's ruling Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Sunday made her first public appearance since she came back from the United States where she underwent a surgery some two months ago, according to local TV reports.
Gandhi, 64, made her first public appearance for about 20 minutes when she attended a prayer meeting at Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, on the occasion of the latter's 142nd birth anniversary.
Gandhi also participated in a prayer meeting at the memorial along with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and senior BJP leader LK Advani.
Gandhi had undergone a surgery for undisclosed "medical condition" in August and returned to India last month.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-02 14:45:59 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua)
India's ruling Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Sunday made her first public appearance since she came back from the United States where she underwent a surgery some two months ago, according to local TV reports.
Gandhi, 64, made her first public appearance for about 20 minutes when she attended a prayer meeting at Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, on the occasion of the latter's 142nd birth anniversary.
Gandhi also participated in a prayer meeting at the memorial along with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and senior BJP leader LK Advani.
Gandhi had undergone a surgery for undisclosed "medical condition" in August and returned to India last month.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-02 14:45:59 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua)
Boat capsizes, killing 4 in Northwest Cambodia
Boat capsizes, killing 4 in Northwest Cambodia
A man and three children were killed in a boat sinking on Saturday evening in Battambang province's Ek Phnom district, some 291 kilometers Northwestern Cambodia, police said Sunday.
Yeam Bunlerb, police chief of Ek Phnom district, said that the boat carried more than 10 people to make sightseeing tour in a flood over-flown large lake in the district and when the boat was on the way home, it met torrential rain and wind, causing the boat to capsize.
He said that at the time, other boat operators had tried to help the victims, but four of them were missing.
The dead victims included a father Roeum Virak, 38, and his two daughters Roeum Raksa, 6, and Roeum Charya, 4, as well as his nephew Thy Bunthim, 8.
Cambodia has been hard-hit by the Mekong River and flash floods since Aug. 13.
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Saturday at least 148 people were reported dead in the Mekong River and flash floods hitting Cambodia from August 13 to Sept. 30. Of the dead, 52 were children.
Editor: Liu
English.news.cn 2011-10-02 14:24:37 FeedbackPrintRSS
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 2 (Xinhua)
A man and three children were killed in a boat sinking on Saturday evening in Battambang province's Ek Phnom district, some 291 kilometers Northwestern Cambodia, police said Sunday.
Yeam Bunlerb, police chief of Ek Phnom district, said that the boat carried more than 10 people to make sightseeing tour in a flood over-flown large lake in the district and when the boat was on the way home, it met torrential rain and wind, causing the boat to capsize.
He said that at the time, other boat operators had tried to help the victims, but four of them were missing.
The dead victims included a father Roeum Virak, 38, and his two daughters Roeum Raksa, 6, and Roeum Charya, 4, as well as his nephew Thy Bunthim, 8.
Cambodia has been hard-hit by the Mekong River and flash floods since Aug. 13.
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Saturday at least 148 people were reported dead in the Mekong River and flash floods hitting Cambodia from August 13 to Sept. 30. Of the dead, 52 were children.
Editor: Liu
English.news.cn 2011-10-02 14:24:37 FeedbackPrintRSS
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 2 (Xinhua)
India, Afghanistan to ink strategic partnership document
India, Afghanistan to ink strategic partnership document
India and Afghanistan will sign a strategic partnership document during Afghan President Hamid Karzai's visit to India next week, including Indian help to train Afghan security forces, reported local daily Indian Express on Sunday.
The agreement will build on the understanding reached between the two countries when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Kabul in May. It will also be Afghanistan's first strategic agreement with any country, said the report.
The agreement will include an Indian commitment to assist and train Afghan national security forces, but the nature of such assistance will be determined by Kabul, the report quoted unnamed sources said.
India is already running several training courses for Afghan security officials in Indian academies to develop Afghan police force.
The strategic partnership document will also institutionalize regular dialogue at the level of the National Security Adviser, which will focus on cooperation in sensitive security aspects of the relationship.
New Delhi will not look to dictate the pace and scope of security cooperation, and would rather want Kabul to take the lead, said the report.
The agreement will have political, economic and people-to- people components, and will be piloted by a partnership council headed by the foreign ministers of the two countries, while several joint working groups will be set up in due course, said the report.
Besides peace and security issues, the agreement will also institutionalize regular consultations on forging common positions at the UN and other international bodies.
The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security is expected to give its approval to the agreement early next week.
English.news.cn 2011-10-02 13:22:01 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua)
India and Afghanistan will sign a strategic partnership document during Afghan President Hamid Karzai's visit to India next week, including Indian help to train Afghan security forces, reported local daily Indian Express on Sunday.
The agreement will build on the understanding reached between the two countries when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Kabul in May. It will also be Afghanistan's first strategic agreement with any country, said the report.
The agreement will include an Indian commitment to assist and train Afghan national security forces, but the nature of such assistance will be determined by Kabul, the report quoted unnamed sources said.
India is already running several training courses for Afghan security officials in Indian academies to develop Afghan police force.
The strategic partnership document will also institutionalize regular dialogue at the level of the National Security Adviser, which will focus on cooperation in sensitive security aspects of the relationship.
New Delhi will not look to dictate the pace and scope of security cooperation, and would rather want Kabul to take the lead, said the report.
The agreement will have political, economic and people-to- people components, and will be piloted by a partnership council headed by the foreign ministers of the two countries, while several joint working groups will be set up in due course, said the report.
Besides peace and security issues, the agreement will also institutionalize regular consultations on forging common positions at the UN and other international bodies.
The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security is expected to give its approval to the agreement early next week.
English.news.cn 2011-10-02 13:22:01 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua)
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