Chinese company develops therapeutic apparatus to treat depression

A therapeutic apparatus to treat depression has been developed in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, government sources said Saturday.

The apparatus, which claims to be the world's first instrument to treat clinical depression, combines transcranial magnetic stimulation and music therapy. An evaluation report by the provincial committee of industry and information technology called it a worldwide breakthrough.

The report, released on Thursday, confirmed that the apparatus is applicable to patients suffering from mild and moderate clinical depression.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive method that causes depolarization in the brains' neurons so as to restore the functions of brain nerves.

The apparatus consists of three parts, a transcranial magnetic stimulator, an audio frequency generator, and a brain wave stimulator. The magnetic wave and audio signal stimulate the brain and the audio system of the human body so as to adjust the activity of central nervous system.

This is a new method to treat depression, in addition to the current medical therapy and psychological counselling, said Sun Zuodong, chairman of Aobo Medicine Apparatus, the developer based in Harbin.

Resembling a headphone, it will generate "prescriptive music" through an electromagnetic field to a patient during the therapy, Sun said.

Clinical depression is a mental disorder of the neural system, in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for long periods of time. Experts predict that 13 to 20 percent of the world's population will experience depression once in their life by 2020.

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Poverty alleviation in Philippines still main goal of Millennium Development Challenge

The poverty-alleviation program of the government of President Benigno Aquino III will get its needed boost now that the 434-million-U.S.-dollar grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the United States is being implemented.

Three major projects under the MCC grant would demonstrate the joint commitment of the United States and Philippines in fighting poverty in the country, Philippine Finance Secretary and Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines (MCA-P) Vice Chairman Cesar V. Purisima and MCA-P Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ma. Victoria E. Anonuevo said in a press statement released on Thursday.

Purisima and MCC CEO Daniel Yohannes signed the Compact, which contains the U.S. grant, on Sept. 23, 2010 in New York. President Aquino III who was on a state visit to the United States at that time and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have witnessed the signing of the Compact.

During the signing, President Aquino III assured the donor country that his administration would handle the funds with utmost care. "I am here to assure you that the Philippines is committed to good housekeeping practices in its domestic and international dealings with investors," Aquino said.

Aquino also said that his administration is committed "not just to a fair, but a square, deal for all. We will not abandon the poor to the markets just as we will not distort markets by means of red tape or crony impositions." The implementation of the Compact, which will run for five years, followed the completion by the Philippine government, through MCA-P, of project preparation and documentation involving the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Compact implementing entities, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the DOF's Revenue Integrity Protection Service

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PBOC issues e-payment licenses

China's central bank has finally issued long-awaited electronic payment licenses to 27 qualified third-party payment platforms.

The first batch of 27 non-financial institutions include Alipay and Tencent's Tenpay. The companies are now authorized to continue receiving Internet and mobile payments and issuing prepaid credit cards. For companies who fail to obtain a license before September 1st this year, the deadline announced by the central bank, they'll have to discontinue their e-commerce transactions.

Mr. Liu is the manager of an Internet company. Since his company is planning to expand to the group purchase business, he has been focussing on which e-payment company to choose for his company.

Liu Zhenqi, Manager of Internet Company said "A third-party payment institution has to be involved into a group business company. It will then become our partner."

When the People's Bank of China announced the 27 licensed third-party e-payment companies, Mr. Liu finally made his choice. Insiders say the selection of qualified institutions will make the third-party e-payment market better organized, transparent and more reliable.

Guan Guoguang, CEO of 99bill.com said "To China's e-payment industry, the issuing of licenses is a major event. It will encourage a healthy and regulated market and will bring about explosive growth."

China's online payment market has been growing at an astounding speed, at an annual rate of over 100 percent over the past five years. The sector was worth around 365 billion yuan in the first quarter this year.

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Alipay tops e-payment market

Despite frictions between online retailers and third party payment firms, it's still a popular and convenient way for consumers to do their online shopping.

According to data released by Analysys International, e-payment sales in the first quarter of this year totaled nearly 400 billion yuan, or about 62 billion US dollars. Alipay tops the market, with a share of 45 percent. It's followed by Tenpay, which holds 20 percent of the market, and then Unionpay, which has about 10 percent.

Industry insiders say the central bank's issuance of e-payment licenses allows firms to handle foreign exchange transactions, Internet payments, mobile payments and debit card services.

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Chinese airliners raise fuel surcharge

 Major Chinese airliners have increased their fuel surcharges for domestic routes for the third time this year. The latest hike aims to help offset cost pressures amid surging oil prices. Fuel surcharges for routes fewer than 800 kilometers increased a third from 60 to 80 yuan. Rates for longer routes climbed just over a quarter from 110 to 140 yuan.

At a ticket office in Beijing, Ms. Guan bought her brother a return flight from Shanghai to Beijing. The ticket cost 520 yuan, but she had to pay an additional 140 yuan for the fuel surcharge.

Ms. Guan, Ticket Buyer, said, "I came to buy a plane ticket several days ago when the fuel surcharge was 110 yuan. The higher surcharge has obviously raised the cost of our trip, but I will still choose to fly over long distances because it is faster and more comfortable."

The surcharge by domestic carriers comes despite recent easing of global fuel prices. It follows the National Development and Reform Commission's decision to raise jet fuel prices from 6,840 yuan to 7,640 yuan per ton.

Fuel typically accounts for 40 percent of Chinese airlines' operating costs. For other means of transport, fuel costs are much higher.

Experts predict that similar fuel surcharge hikes will affect other forms of transport.

China's aviation industry relies on the international energy supply. As oil prices rise, raising the fuel surcharge is a quick fix. But the ultimate solution may lie in how to increase fuel efficiency.

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China NHA Group buys 20% of Spain's NH Hotels with $610 mln

China's booming hospitality sector is expanding at a rapid pace. It received 60 million international arrivals in 2010, a 10% increase over the previous year. To cater to the increased number of tourists, China's HNA Group, the parent of Hainan Airlines, is teaming up with the Spanish hotel chain NH to build top-notch hotels across China.

The Spanish tourism industry is receiving a boost this summer as the unrest in the Arab world means visitors are choosing Spain rather than other Mediterranean destinations, which might be problematic.

However China replaced Spain last year as the world's third most visited country behind France and the United States. To cater to this booming market China’s HNA Group is buying 20 per cent of Spain’s NH Hotels for 610 million dollars. A strategic move for the parent company of Hainan Airlines because it gets them management and marketing skills of a well established group.

Francisco Zinser, Chief Operating Officer, NH Hotels, said, “NH hotels is the third largest company (in this sector) from Europe. We basically focus in urban hotels. We have about 400 hotels with about 60.000 rooms located in 25 countries. NH Hotels has a strong focus on urban four stars product. We value the relationship with our customers in a very high standard. We believe we do not sell rooms, we do not sell banquets, we sell experiences and that’s why we focus on the overall experience of our guest NH.”

By selling this stake to HNA, the Spanish company is set to expand throughout China, especially in major cities beyond Shanghai and Beijing. NH will become the preferred hotel for customers of Hainan Airlines and HNA's other business subsidiaries.

“First of all we are extremely excited to be able to go to China, especially with our partners from HNA. We believe they are very strong partners, we know they are the 7thn largest private group in China and we believe that we can bring a lot of knowledge and know-how of the consumer because of what I just mentioned: our strength in the four star urban sector, which is one of the things that HNA has valued very much within NH.” Francisco Zinser said.

HNA's expansion into Spain is the latest example of a trend for Chinese companies to establish joint-ventures with Spanish firms giving them greater access to the global market. Chinese banks have a foothold in Spain and could buy into the ailing and therefore cheap saving bank sector. Last but not least, Beijing has also become a key ally of Madrid as a buyer of 10 bn dollars worth of Spanish debt.

From the Spanish side, China is the market to conquer with exports increasing in value in recent months, as the president of the Spanish Exporters Club points out.

Balbino Prieto, President of Spainish Exporters & Investors Club, said, “Spanish exports have been growing substantially in recent months due to the fact that our market has stagnated. This situation encourages our businessmen to explore other markets. There is no doubt that a market like China with 1.3 billion consumers and growth of around 20% in their trade with the rest of the world becomes an opportunity for our companies. So I would say that the trade deficit that exists between our countries is shrinking considerably.”

"It is not only a financial operation for the Chinese company. The experience and skills of a successful hotel chain like NH could contribute to the current boom in the hospitality sector in China. Alberto Goytre, CCTV, Madrid, Spain"

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Toyota to push social networking, the owner becomes friends with the car

Toyota Motor Corporation (7203.T) and cloud computing company Salesforce.com (CRM.N) will jointly build social networking services, so a car owner, "friends" and user-friendly access to car maintenance, like a reminder microblogging .

Toyota is again within two months with a software company. Toyota last month with Microsoft (MSFT.O) announced its intention on a global scale to provide network connectivity for Toyota service.

Toyoda, Toyota Motor president and Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff in in Tokyo, said at a joint press conference: "Social networking services are interaction and communication between people change the mode."

"This car needs to keep up with the pace of change," Toyoda said.

In the new private social network, "Toyota Friend" service, with the Toyota car owner can "chat", as in Twitter or Facebook, like chatting with friends.

Car has its own "file information" can send the information to the driver, such as to remind drivers when charging. Car owners with a simple two-way chat.

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Opera: released new iPhone and iPad browser

Opera Software (OPERA.OL) on Tuesday introduced for Apple (AAPL.O) iPhone and iPad's new mobile browser.


StatCounter data, according to Web analytics company, Opera is the world's most widely used mobile browser, ahead of Google (GOOG.O) in Android, Apple, and Nokia (NOK1V.HE) browser market share so far this month, to 21.6% .


Android, Apple and Nokia browser market share are between 16-17%.


Opera said the new version of the browsers share the key, the user can take this on Facebook, vKontakte with the My Opera publish and share information.

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Libyan gov't doubts Russia's turnaround stance over conflict

The Libyan government doubts Russia will change its stance on Libya's situation and side with NATO, Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said Friday.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said at a Group of Eight (G8) summit in Deauville, France, that Russia could act as a mediator to solve Libya's domestic crisis, but Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has no right to lead the country any longer.

The two-day summit ended with a unanimously-adopted declaration which said "Gaddafi and the Libyan government have failed to fulfill their responsibility to protect the Libyan population and have lost all legitimacy."

"He (Gaddafi) must go," it stressed.

Disturbed by Russia's change of position, Kaim told a press conference in Tripoli that the Libyan government is in contact with the Russian side to make its position clear.

Russia has been critical of NATO-led airraids which started over two months ago, saying airstrikes go beyond the UN Security Council resolution which mandated a no-fly zone over the North African country.

"Russia is one of the traditional friends of Libya," Kaim said. "We don't think that Russia will sway its position to side with NATO."

But in Deauville, Medvedev said Russia would not offer shelter to the Libyan leader, and he had sent an envoy to the rebel bastion of Benghazi to seek solutions to the conflict.

Kaim said Libya's government is not concerned about the events at the G8 meeting. It only supports the proposals of the African Union (AU), and will never join discussions of plans that attempt to marginalize the AU's proposals, he said.

"Any decision taken about the political future of Libya belongs to the Libyans, no one else," Kaim said.

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2 killed, 7 injured in market blast in NW Pakistan

 At least two people were killed and seven others injured in a blast that took place Saturday morning at a market place in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Bajaur Agency, reported local Urdu TV channel Geo.

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China to crack down on safety threats to Beijing-Shanghai high speed train

China will launch a two-month crackdown on illegal activities that may pose a threat to operational safety of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail that will commence service soon, the State Administration of Work Safety said.

The campaign, which will be conducted in June and July, aims to eliminate safety risks to prevent traffic accidents for the high-speed line due to begin commercial service soon, the administration said in a circular on its website.

The crackdown targets the production, processing, storage and sale of hazardous products in areas within 200 meters from the tracks and rail stations.

Mining and quarry businesses and blasting operations will also be eliminated in areas within 1,000 meters of the rail.

China has decided to slow the speed of high-speed trains to 300 kilometers per hour instead of the previously planned 350 km per hour for cost and safety concerns, Railways Minister Sheng Guangzu said in April.

Trains on the 1,318-kilometer-long Beijing-Shanghai high-speed line will run at a maximum of 300 km per hour, which will cut travel time between the two metropolises to about five hours, according to the ministry.

The Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail line began a one-month trial operation on May 11.

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Nokia will launch the end of the first Window Mobile

According to Taiwan's Commercial Times reported, Nokia (NOK1V.HE) is expected to launch by the end of the first wave equipped with Microsoft (MSFT.O) Windows Phone 7 smartphone. report did not indicate the source.

Reports saying that Taiwan OEM manufacturers Compal (8078.TW) Window of Nokia mobile phones exclusive orders will begin shipping the fourth quarter.

Window Nokia plans to launch two new mobile phone, a touch for the whole, another for the touch screen with slide-out keyboard.

Nokia announced in February to switch all of its Microsoft Windows Mobile smart phone system, and that volume production shipments in 2012.

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Mango Mobile HTC is developing

Taiwan smartphone maker HTC (HTC) (2498.TW) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said on Wednesday that Peter Chou, HTC plans to launch based on Microsoft (MSFT.O) Windows Mango new smart phone operating system. Microsoft on Tuesday released Mango systems. 


Microsoft hopes new features will be a series of Mango to help them narrow the leader in smart phone system, Google (GOOG.O) and Apple (AAPL.O:) gap. 


Chou an Internet conference in Paris, said on the sidelines: "We are developing Windows Mango phone. HTC is very committed to the production of mobile phones based on Windows systems." The Internet conference hosted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy held. 


However, Chou declined to give the first batch of Mango HTC phone may be the time to market. The CEO often unsatisfactory because of a new product in its final stages of R & D cut the entire project. 


HTC Google-based smart phone operating system, Andrew was a great success, but the company is also Microsoft's long-term partner. Said Peter Chou, HTC and Microsoft relationship will not change.

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New vulnerabilities found in IE: "cookie hijacking "

A computer security researchers found a Microsoft (MSFT.O) is very popular IE browser, a vulnerability that hackers could exploit the vulnerability information is used for identity theft registry sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Who live in Italy, independent researchers Waluo Ta (Rosario Valotta) to such hacking technique called "cookie hijacking." He spoke of the use of the technology, said: "Any website, any Cookie files. Fully than you can imagine."

Wa Luota explained via e-mail, hackers can use IE on this vulnerability, visit the store in the browser's cookie data file, the file on the website are kept by the account user name and password.

Hackers Once you've mastered this cookie file, you can use it to access the same site, so Wa Luota called "cookie hijacking" technology.

The vulnerability affects all Windows operating systems for all versions of IE browser, including IE9 included.

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ZTE hope to double sales next year, cloud computing products

China's second largest telecom equipment maker - ZTE (0763.HK) (000063.SZ), a senior, said the company goal of cloud computing products for next year's sales doubled to more than 40 billion U.S. dollars.

The high level of anonymity, said Wednesday the company's corporate customers of cloud computing products is currently focused on rail transportation, energy and other large enterprises, while those from China and overseas market revenue of about half and half.

"Our goal is to develop within the cloud computing business growth in the next few years more than 100%." ​​He said.

ZTE said in a press release issued yesterday, is expected this year, sales of enterprise cloud computing products will exceed 20 billion U.S. dollars. These products include data communications equipment, enterprise networks and government networks for servers and storage products. The company said I hope that the future of cloud computing-related income accounts for one-third of company revenue.

ZTE full year 2010 operating income of about 70.264 billion yuan, or about 10.6 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 21%. The company expects to more than 20% can maintain growth.

Wang Wei, vice president of ZTE Corporation in Shenzhen yesterday's analyst meeting, said ZTE will build into the IT strategic areas of the cloud, I hope 2015 carrier-grade cloud computing market in the world's leading companies.

He also said that in the field, ZTE set up a Ministry of cloud computing and IT operations, more than 3,000 investment in cloud computing research and development, ZTE has also established a global cloud of Nanjing Center.

Cloud computing refers to the use of Internet technology, and information from the desktop computing tasks move to remote data centers. In this environment, the computer and broadband as long as connected to the large amount of information stored in the "cloud" (Internet), the corporate and personal computers eliminates the need for expensive central processor, a complex operating system and a larger hard drive.

Cloud computing industry as a commercial operation will revolutionize the business world have many technology companies are in the field layout, so as not to miss the wave of the next wave of IT development. According to market research firm IDC, the total global cloud computing market 2014 will increase to 55.5 billion, compared with $ 16,000,000,000 in 2009 expanded rapidly.

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Lenovo Group, said demand Tablet PC Ipad

The world's fourth largest personal computer (PC) maker - Lenovo Group Ltd. (0992.HK) said Thursday its Tablet PC Lepad currently in short supply in the market, and hope that the tablet PC products to market in China accounts for 20% or more share.
Lenovo CEO Yang at a press conference after the results release, said that since Lepad released a month or two has been in short supply in the market. But declined to disclose specific sales figures.
Lenovo Chairman Liu called "very confident in the Tablet PC market share in China for more than 20% for as long as the supply was on."
Lenovo and said, I hope the smart phone Lephone double sales this year, but did not specify that the volume or sales doubled.
Yang said that Lenovo in the emerging markets are more concerned about the short term to enhance product sales and market share in a market when more than 10% market share, will be more concerned about the gross margin improvement.
"Lenovo is now the one hand, to defend the Chinese market, one is attacking the emerging markets. Short period of time, we are more concerned about the sales and market share gains." He said.
Fourth-quarter, emerging markets, Lenovo Group's total sales accounted for 17.4%, in Russia, India, ASEAN countries and Latin America, particularly the growth areas.
With the PC becoming sluggish market demand, global PC makers are testing the waters of new mobile devices have to open up new growth. Lenovo last year, introduced the "Music Phone" smart phone, Tablet PC "Music Pad" is released earlier this year.
** In the mobile Internet to seek acquisition opportunities in areas such as **
Lenovo Group COO (Chief Operating Officer) Rory Read, said the company will continue to develop strategies in line to seek acquisition opportunities in areas such as mobile Internet field.
"We hope to put the advantages of Lenovo in the PC and mobile Internet integration." He said.
Liu also said that the rise of mobile Internet, Lenovo and face new challenges, the company management, "both buckled and eager."
"We will be a breakthrough in the Chinese market, the introduction of tablet PCs, smart phones, digital home and a series of new products." He said.
Lenovo announced early this year, will form a new mobile Internet and digital home business group (Mobile Internet and Digital Home Business Group), in tablet PCs, smart phones, cloud computing, smart TV, digital home and other fields expansion.
Lenovo Group announced earlier in January-March net profit recorded in the fourth quarter of 4,213 million U.S. dollars, compared to 1,280 million U.S. dollars, better than the Thomson Reuters I / B / E / S analysts forecast consolidated 3,670 million.
Lenovo Group rose 0.7% on Thursday, at 4.33 HK dollars. With the broader market? Seng Index 0.67% increase in synchronization.

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Microsoft: Nokia mobile phone system with Microsoft will play an exemplary role

Microsoft (MSFT.O) that Nokia (NOK1V.HE) using Microsoft's mobile operating system, will encourage greater use of Microsoft's other mobile phone manufacturers system.
Watson, head of Microsoft's mobile business (Brandon Watson) said: "Nokia Windows Phone system for recognition is wonderful, which is conducive to Samsung, LG and Fujitsu, as well as all our other hardware partners."
Windows Phone Mobile operating system to promote significant progress in February, the highest worldwide mobile phone sales Nokia said it would gradually replace its Windows Phone System Symbian (Symbian) system.
Watson said that Nokia's first mobile phone powered by Microsoft System available later this year.
Microsoft and Nokia's strategic cooperation platform for the Windows Phone attracted a large number of software developers, and has attracted public attention. At present the system in the mobile phone market share of only 2%.

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Google will launch mobile payment services in the United States

Google has introduced new services such as software, U.S. consumers will soon be able to use the phone in the checkout payment.

Google said Thursday, Google, MasterCard, Citigroup, Sprint, and transaction processing companies - the United States, First Data (First Data) will join forces this summer in New York and San Francisco launch of the service.

The service will work with Visa and other large U.S. banks and mobile phone company plans to compete in the Asian part of consumers have used payment system similar to the smart phone.

Every time consumers use credit or debit card payment, the merchant must pay a fee to the bank, but Google said the new mobile payment system will not be charged such fees.

Google's payment system will be installed in the Andrew (Android) an operating system, application software on the phone, with MasterCard's PayPass payment system to complete payment.

Google has with Macy's (Macy's) (MN: Quote), American Eagle Clothing Company (AEO.N: Quote) and Subway (Subway) signed a cooperation agreement to launch customer loyalty programs and discount offers.

Google also intends to separate from Thursday called Google Offers a discount to extract a small amount of income activities.

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Myanmar to take part in 26 sports at SEA Games

 Myanmar athletes will take part in 26 sports at the 26th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia this year, local media reported Saturday.

Myanmar plans to enter the following sports: swimming, archery, track and field, billiards, snooker, boxing, canoe, chess, cycling, men's soccer, golf, judo, karate, taekwondo, western boat racing, yachting, shooting, table tennis, tennis, traditional boat racing, men's volleyball, weightlifting, wushu, badminton and basketball, the New Light of Myanmar said.

Athletes are now busy in training to strive for good results, said the paper.

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Unasur defense ministers call for resources protection, new defense policy

Defense ministers of the South American Union of Nations (Unasur) agreed on Friday to enforce "strategic policies to defend and preserve natural resources" in the region and to work on its own agenda.

They did that at a two-day meeting of the Unasur Center for Strategic Defense Studies.

Brazil's Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said the region has to protect its assets whose strategic importance is growing, referring to 25 percent of the world's water resources and 123 billion barrels of proved oil reserves.

Many ministers criticized the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Pact or TIAR), signed in 1947 by many countries of the Americas. The treaty, whose central principle holds that an attack on one is to be considered an attack on all, has not been invoked since 1960.

"It is time that in the Unasur we dismantle the TIAR," Ecuadorian Defense Minister Javier Ponce said, adding that it's the first time the union tried to have a defense agenda at the margin of the United States' tutelage.

Bolivian Defense Minister Maria Chacon Rendon also called on the Unasur to have "its own defense policies."

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G8 extends plan to prevent WMDs spread despite bin Laden's death: U.S. official

Despite the death of terrorist kingpin Osama bin Laden, the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction remains a threat, a U.S. State Department official told Xinhua on Friday.

"Al-Qaida remains a threat, but it is not our only threat," Bonnie D. Jenkins, coordinator for threat reduction programs at the U.S. State Department, told Xinhua in a phone interview.

"We still need to secure our borders. Weak borders are weak borders. The threat of bad actors exists and therefore bio-pathogens, nuclear material and radiological sources still need to be secured," she said.

That is why the Group of 8 (G8), in the summit that ended Friday, agreed to extend the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, an agreement comprising 23 partner nations. The initiative has been in place since 2002, for which a sum of 20 billion U.S. dollars was allocated for a 10-year period, most of which has been spent, according to Jenkins.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, the United States and global authorities feared that extremists would acquire nuclear or other materials of mass destruction and explode a device that would result in large numbers of casualties and public panic, and authorities said terrorists are actively pursuing such capabilities.

The global partners hope to prevent such a nightmare scenario from unfolding by extending this agreement, the security expert said.

The original plan focused on the former Soviet Union and on such activities as destroying nuclear submarines and chemical weapons, as well as redirecting nuclear scientists and engineers in the former Soviet Union towards more peaceful enterprises, Jenkins said.

Now the plan is expected to go global and encompass a broader variety of projects, although the specifics have not yet been worked out, she said.

"Because the threat is increasingly global, we will be focusing more on global activities," she said, adding that the program now seeks to bring in additional partners from such regions as Asia, Africa and Latin America.

"At this point we need to just figure out how we turn this into a mechanism where we can coordinate, figure out what we want to do as a group and individually, and start to figure out how we are going to fund that work," she said.

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Chinese military delegation leaves for visits to UK, Germany

 A Chinese military delegation left Beijing Saturday morning for visits to the United Kingdom and Germany.

The delegation, headed by Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Deputy Chief of the General Staff Zhang Qinsheng, are making the official visits at the invitation of British and German armed forces.

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Chile requests Bolivia not to bring maritime demand to OAS

 A Chilean official on Friday urged Bolivia not to present its maritime demand to the Organization of America States (OAS).

Eugenio Tuma, president of the Foreign Affairs Commission of Chile's Senate, said Bolivian President Evo Morales "was wrong to say that the OAS must intervene" in the century-long maritime dispute between the two countries.

Landlocked Bolivia has been demanding neighboring Chile restore an exit to the sea taken from Bolivia in the 1879-1883 War of the Pacific, after which Bolivia was cut off from the ocean.

On Thursday, Morales demanded Chile present a formal negotiation proposal for Bolivia to recover its exit to the sea during the upcoming 41th OAS General Assembly slated for June 5-7 in El Salvador.

"The solution to Bolivia's enclosure is an exit to the sea by the north of Arica (in northwestern Chile), because Chile cannot accept enclaves from other states in its territory," Tuma said. < Tuma said that was "the only logical way to assure Bolivia an access to the Pacific," but added it needs the consent of Peru.

The solution refers to a proposal of making a corridor without sovereignty in the north of Arica, some 2,000 km from Santiago. The idea, negotiated in 1975, was not accepted due to Peru's refusal.

In 1979, the OAS approved a resolution urging Chile and Bolivia to have dialogues to solve their differences.

The two countries restarted talks in 2006. But bilateral relations were cooling again after Morales threatened in March to take the issue to international organizations following Chile's missing of a deadline to offer concrete plans to satisfy Bolivia's demands.

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Rolling Stones released the Year Award, won first prize Singles Harvest

在最佳专辑的评选中，滚石杂志毫不犹豫的将维斯特这张被他们评为五星的专辑列在了第一位。除了滚石杂志之外，美国各大媒体在这张《My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy》面世之后都给予了非常高的评价。而就在一年之前，坎耶-维斯特还是美国各大媒体口诛笔伐的对象。因为在2009年MTV音乐录影带奖颁奖礼上一时冲动上台抢了乡村红人泰勒-斯威夫特(Taylor Swift)的话筒，坎耶-维斯特在过去的一年当中遭到了各方的指责。然而，对于一位音乐人来说，处在负面消息的漩涡当中，最有力量的回击莫过于自己能够做出好的音乐，坎耶-维斯特在这张《My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy》中就做到了这一点。

在坎耶-维斯特之后，位居最佳专辑榜单三甲的另外两张唱片分别是The Black Keys的《Brothers》以及埃尔顿-约翰与里昂-拉塞尔(Leon Russell)合作的《The Union》。

而在年度最佳单曲的评选当中：坎耶-维斯特这首九分钟的《Runaway》也是滚石杂志评委们眼中今年的最佳单曲，排在第二位的歌曲奇-洛-格林(Cee Lo Green)的《Fxxk You》，紧随其后，近十年来发行首张专辑的莎黛(Sade)的同名单曲《Soldier of Love》名列季军位置。凯蒂-佩里(Katy Perry)的《Teenage Dream》和加拿大独立摇滚名团拱廊之火(Arcade Fire)的《We Used To Wait》分列第四和第五位。

最佳专辑前十：

1.  Kanye West 《My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy》  

弦乐片段，埃尔顿-约翰钢琴，声码器做出的迷幻效果，Bon Iver的客串，克里姆森国王(King Crimson)和里克-詹姆斯(Rick James)采样的运用，坎耶-维斯特这张专辑的元素极其丰富。从《Power》中令人振奋的前卫摇滚片段，到史诗般的《Runaway》，再到电音迷幻效果十足的《Hell of a Life》，坎耶-维斯特把这些与Hip-Hop并没有紧密联系的音乐都运用到了自己的这张专辑当中，并让这些元素发光发热，散发出巨大的能量。这张专辑黑暗吗？是的。扭曲吗？当然。但首先，它是非常美的。

2.  The Black Keys 《Brothers》

在出道将满十年之后，The Black Keys终于交出了他们最出色的一张专辑，整张专辑有着极具想象力的旋律，音乐既不流俗又保持了原始的粗糙感。《Howlin' for You》中的布鲁斯片段会令人想到加里-格利特(Gary Glitter)的《Rock and Roll Part 2》，而在翻唱杰瑞-巴特勒(Jerry Butler)的伤心情歌《Never Give You Up》中，丹-奥尔巴赫(Dan Auerbach)的唱腔个人印象深刻。滚石杂志编辑认为，《Brothers》就是当代摇滚极简主义的极致。

3.  Elton John and Leon Russell 《The Union》

两位摇滚巨人在步入晚年之后携手，做出了代表两人最高水准的一张专辑，制作人T Bone Burnett延续了近几年一贯的高水准，将夏威夷吉他、铜管乐队和福音合唱团都引入到了本张专辑当中。自始至终，里昂-拉塞尔的嗓音都散发出迷人的光彩。

4.  Arcade Fire 《The Suburbs》

2004年，刚刚出道的拱廊之火乐队(Arcade Fire)风格独特的处子专辑《Funeral》一面世便得到乐评人们的一致褒奖，从那时候开始，他们便甩开了同时代的其他独立乐队一大段距离。此后，这支来自加拿大蒙特利尔的多人乐团稳定的保持了三年发一张专辑的速率。《The Suburbs》是他们出道以来最冒险的一张专辑，听听他们《Empty Room》中癫狂的弦乐，如同疯马奔跑一般的《Month of May》和合成器迪斯科《Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)》就知道了。文-巴特勒(Win Butler)和他的妻子Regine Chassagne在歌中唱，他们已经厌烦了郊区，他们开始想要孩子。

5.  Jamey Johnson 《The Guitar Song》

作为纳什维尔最粗犷的男歌手之一，Jamey Johnson是新一代乡村歌手当中最值得信赖的传统主义者。继2008年的《That Lonesome Song》之后，Jamey Johnson交出了一张更为优秀的专辑。

6.  Vampire Weekend 《Contra》

在这张《Contra》当中，Vampire Weekend发现，他们似乎可以胜任所有的风格： dub、朋克、非洲吉他Riff。在晦涩的歌词中，Ezra Koenig写到了年轻人的爱和第三世界国家的冲突。除了这些之外，他对歌曲旋律的把握依然非常到位。

7.  Drake 《Thank Me Later》

在近三年的时间里，德雷克(Drake)只是发了一些混音带和以客串的身份出现在其他音乐人的作品当中。这张《Thank Me Later》是从演员转型成为歌手的德雷克的第一张正式专辑，奢华的节奏、天衣无缝的韵律感和歌词中敏感的内省都让这张处子大碟显得含金量颇高。在坎耶-维斯特之后，他是Hip-Hop圈内涌现出来的最具潜力的新人之一。

8.  Robert Plant 《Band of Joy》

继续等待吧，吉米-佩奇(Jimmy Page)，罗伯特-普兰特(Robert Plant)目前是不会回到齐柏林飞艇乐队(Led Zeppelin)当中了。与2007年赢得格莱美大奖的那张专辑《Raising Sand》相比，《Band Of Joy》更为边缘和根源化。普兰特与吉他手巴蒂-米勒(Buddy Miller)联手，用布鲁斯集合乡村音乐的曲风将一些老歌重新演绎，翻唱了Los Lobos和Townes Van Zandt等音乐人的作品。

9.  Eminem 《Recovery》

伴随着这张《Recovery》的推出，曾经的饶舌天王艾米纳姆(Eminem)不仅重新回到了乐迷视线当中，而且一举回到了流行音乐舞台的中央。正是依靠这张专辑的出色表现，艾米纳姆在今年格莱美奖的提名当中得到10项提名，是本届格莱美得到提名最多的音乐人。在短暂的告别之后，痞子阿姆用行动证明他依然是美国Hip-Hop音乐届不可或缺的人物。

10.  LCD Soundsystem 《This Is Happening》

在这张新碟中，LCD Soundsystem主创詹姆斯-墨菲(James Murphy)召集了几位纽约的同行为他助阵，无论是Nancy Whang键盘还是帕特-马赫尼(Pat Mahoney)的鼓都在本张专辑中发挥着至关重要的作用。在《This Is Happening》中，LCD声音系统依然在完美的运行着。

Rolling Stone 2010最佳专辑排行：

1. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

2. The Black Keys, Brothers

3. Elton John and Leon Russell, The Union

4. Arcade Fire, The Suburbs

5. Jamey Johnson, The Guitar Song

6. Vampire Weekend, Contra

7. Drake, Thank Me Later

8. Robert Plant, Band of Joy

9. Eminem, Recovery

10. LCD Soundsystem, This Is Happening

11. The Dead Weather, Sea of Cowards

12. John Mellencamp, No Better Than This

13. Taylor Swift, Speak Now

14. Robyn, Body Talk

15. The National, High Violet

16. Kid Rock, Born Free

17. Beach House, Teen Dream

18. Kings of Leon, Come Around Sundown

19. M.I.A., Maya

20. Neil Young, Le Noise

21. Big Boi, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty ///

22. Spoon, Transference

23. Elizabeth Cook, Welder

24. Maximum Balloon, Maximum Balloon

25. Superchunk, Majesty Shredding

26. Yeasayer, Odd Blood

27. Peter Wolf, Midnight Souvenirs

28. My Chemical Romance, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

29. The Roots, How I Got Over

30. Rick Ross, Teflon Don

最佳单曲排行：

1. Kanye West feat. Pusha T, "Runaway"

2. Cee Lo Green, "Fuck You"

3. Sade, "Soldier of Love"

4. Katy Perry, "Teenage Dream"

5. Arcade Fire, "We Used to Wait"

6. Mavis Staples, "You Are Not Alone"

7. Vampire Weekend, "White Sky"

8. Janelle Monáe feat. Big Boi, "Tightrope"

9. Broken Bells, "The Ghost Inside"

10. Kanye West feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Bon Iver, "Monster"

11. The Black Keys, "Everlasting Light"

12. Mark Ronson and the Business International feat. Q-Tip and MNDR, "Bang Bang Bang"

13. The Dead Weather, "Hustle and Cuss"

14. Big Boi feat. Cutty, "Shutterbugg"

15. Drake, "Over"

16. Cold War Kids, "Coffee Spoon"

17. LCD Soundsystem, "I Can Change"

18. Jenny and Johnny, "Scissor Runner"

19. The New Pornographers, "Your Hands (Together)"

20. Best Coast, "Boyfriend"

21. Sleigh Bells, "Infinity Guitars"

22. Rick Ross feat. Styles P, "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)"

23. Jamey Johnson, "Macon"

24. Eminem, "Not Afraid"

25. Nicki Minaj, "Did It On'em"

26. Robyn, "Dancing on My Own"

27. The National, "Bloodbuzz Ohio"

28. Band of Horses, "Laredo"

29. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "The Trip to Pirate's Cove"

30. Jakob Dylan, "Nothing but the Whole Wide World"

31. Gil Scott-Heron, "I'm New Here"

32. Die Antwoord, "Enter the Ninja"

33. Wavves, "Post Acid"

34. Gorillaz feat. Mos Def and Bobby Womack, "Stylo"

35. Massive Attack feat. Hope Sandoval, "Paradise Circus"

36. Drake feat. Nicki Minaj, "Up All Night"

37. Lloyd Banks feat. Juelz Santana, "Beamer, Benz, or Bentley"

38. Spoon, "The Mystery Zone"

39. The Gaslight Anthem, "The Diamond Church Street Choir"

40. Kanye West, "Power"

41. Junip, "In Every Direction"

42. Surfer Blood, "Floating Vibes"

43. B.o.B. feat. Bruno Mars, "Nothing on You"

44. Neil Young, "Love and War"

45. The Rolling Stones, "Plundered My Soul"

46. MGMT, "Congratulations"

47. Kid Rock, "Born Free"

48. Das Racist, "hahahaha jk?"

49. Elizabeth Cook, "El Camino"

50. Ke$ha, "We R Who We R"

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Posted in: Rolling Stones released the Year Award,won first prize Singles Harvest

Yemen denies military base ` seizure by militants

A spokesman of the Yemeni Defense Ministry on Friday denied reports that anti-government armed tribesmen took control over military bases and shot down military planes outside the capital, official Saba news agency reported.

"What have been reported by media about that tribe militants seized military bases and shot down fighter jets were baseless," Saba quoted the spokesman as saying.

"What happened was that an armed group belonging to the opposition Muslim Brotherhoods Islah party and their allies of the Joint Meeting Parties (JMPs) raided a military check point stationed in Farada area in Nehm, some 40 km northeast of Sanaa," the spokesman said.

The government troops fired back at those outlaw militants, inflicted big casualties among the attackers as the clashes also led the commander of the military checkpoint and six soldiers killed, said the official.

He also denied that military planes were shot down.

Earlier the day, a security official told Xinhua that at least 13 people, including seven soldiers, were killed in clashes between Yemeni soldiers and tribe fighters as the latter tried to seize a camp belonging to the Republican Guards after they took over a military checkpoint.

Meantime, a tribe leader said six armed tribesmen were killed and more than 10 others were wounded in the clashes and air raids by the government.

The clashes between the anti-government tribesmen and the government forces have erupted since Monday as at least 127 people were killed during the five-day gun battles.

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Posted in: Yemen denies military base ` seizure by militants

Heinze confirms he will leave Marseille

Argentinian veteran Gabriel Heinze confirmed Friday that he would be leaving Marseille at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old defender, who moved to the French Ligue 1 club in the summer of 2010 from Real Madrid, emphasized that he's not leaving for financial concerns but for ambition.

"I think in a completely different way than the club owners," he said. "It's not a question of money, which is not everything in life. It's a question of the project.

Heinze earns 400,000 euro a month from Marseille, and the salary makes him one of the club's highest paid players. "I feel I'm doing the club a favor by leaving," he said.

Marseille have set about renovating their Velodrome stadium, which will see a 20-million euro shortfall for them in the next three seasons.

Heinze, who previously played for Manchester United, was a member both of Argentina's 2004 Olympic gold medal-winning side and also the 2006 and 2010 World Cup squads which reached twice the quarterfinals.

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Posted in: Heinze confirms he will leave Marseille

air france 447 black box of information released, the aircraft stall crash

Investigation of the French Civil Aviation Safety Authority released a 27 brief flight data shows that Air France flight AF447 A330-203 aircraft on the evening of 31 May 2009 from Brazil to the French capital Paris, 3 and a half in the take-off hours after the turbulence encounter, then climb the stall and for a time a few minutes later the plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.
Investigation of the French Civil Aviation Safety Authority aircraft in the interpretation of accident "black box" data records, said the plane hit turbulence, the aircraft instrument displays the speed and the speed of backup equipment records are inconsistent, then close the aircraft autopilot. Rest in the cabin when the captain (pilot flying can be a long rest rotation), aircraft controlled by two co-pilot.
Since then, the stall alarm sounded twice, the aircraft speed instability. Once the pilot pulled the plane to 38,000 feet (about 11,600 meters) in height. The captain turned off the autopilot 1 minute 30 seconds to return the cab, but it was all recorded instrument failure rate, the stall alarm is stopped. Finally, the flight data recorder fixed in at 2:14:28 on on June 1st. Finally, the data show that head elevation was 16.2 degrees, 5.3 degrees left-leaning body to 10,912 feet per minute (about 3326 m) the rate of fall.
Investigation of the French Civil Aviation Safety Authority said the plane crashed lasted 3 minutes and 30 seconds, in the process, the aircraft is always in stall, but the engine has been run by pilots operating instructions. In layman's terms, the stall is generated when the aircraft lift is less than the aircraft weight, its altitude will be lowered, severe spiral to fall, resulting in the crash.
Investigation of the French Civil Aviation Safety Authority said the publication of this newsletter is designed to "black box" data recorded before and after the crash recovery to the initial situation. Preliminary investigation report will be published this year by the end of July, when the cause of the accident will include a preliminary analysis. According to French media reports, which result from the 216 passengers and 12 crew members killed in aviation accidents and aircraft may operate the speedometer and the pilot.
Earlier this month, investigators recovered one after another in the waters near Brazil crashed out of the two aviation aircraft flight recorder (the "black box"), and sent to the French analysis, but the guns on the plane has not yet been found.

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Posted in: air france 447 black box of information released,the aircraft stall crash

U.S. rig count rises to 1,847

 The number of operating oil and natural gas rigs in the United States rose by 17 to 1,847 this week, according to a weekly report released here on Friday.

A total of 958 rigs were exploring for oil and 881 for natural gas, with another eight rigs listed as miscellaneous, according to the report released by Houston-based oil service company Baker Hughes Inc.

The rig count stood at 1,535 a year ago.

Of the major U.S. oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained 16 rigs, New Mexico and Arkansas added two each and Oklahoma added one. Louisiana lost the most rigs, decreasing by four, while California, Wyoming and North Dakota each lost one rig.

The Baker Hughes rig counts, first issued in 1944, act as an important business barometer for drilling firms and their suppliers to gauge the overall business environment of the oil and gas industry.

The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 as a result of the oil boom. It plummeted to a record low of 488 in 1999.

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Posted in: 847,U.S. rig count rises to 1

Latin America Needs To Double GDP By 2025 To Address Poverty - IDB

It is possible for Latin America and the Caribbean to reduce poverty to less than 10 percent by 2025, President of the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) Luis Alberto Moreno said here Friday.

During the launch of his book "The decade of Latin America and the Caribbean: a real opportunity" in Argentina, Moreno said if the region keeps its current growth rate, its gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita income would be doubled in 14 years.

In such a scenario, poverty in the region could be reduced from 32 percent to just under 10 percent of the population, Moreno said.

The number of upper middle class would then reach 500 million, almost 75 percent of the population, Moreno said.

"This would allow us to close, finally, the terrible gap of income that still exists in our society," he said.

Moreno said this could happen thanks to two big trends: the progress of Latin America and the Caribbean in the past 20 years and the accelerated South-South trade among the emerging economies.

Despite the many political and economic crises from 1990 to 2010, the region has doubled its average per capita GDP and dramatically reduced inflation and the external debt. Progress on social programs is also remarkable, Moreno said.

Meanwhile, the IDB chief said the region needs to redouble efforts to increase productivity, improve education quality, increase investments in research, innovations and infrastructure, as well as to prevent violence and crimes.

"The governments also must strengthen the macroeconomic policies to properly manage the risks related to the flow of capitals and the terms of the exchange, as well as to protect from the adverse external shocks."

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Posted in: Latin America Needs To Double GDP By 2025 To Address Poverty - IDB

Cuba to drill five oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico

Cuba expects to soon start drilling exploratory wells in the Gulf of Mexico and produce four million tons of oil and gas in 2011, a Cuban oil industry official said Friday.

"This year the oil production is surpassing the plan," said engineer Rafael Tenreyro Perez, exploration manager at the state-run company Cubapetroleo (CUPET).

He said the island nation is extending its cooperation programs with foreign partners in the Gulf of Mexico and also on land.

Right now, domestic oil production can only meet half of the country's energy demands, with the rest coming from its political ally Venezuela.

According to official data, Cuba produced about four million tons of oil and drilled 25 wells last year.

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Posted in: Cuba to drill five oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico

Wall Street rallies ahead of Memorial Day weekend

U.S. stocks expanded gains on Friday ahead of the long Memorial Day weekend as surging commodity prices overcame disappointing economic data.

European Central Bank Governing Council member George Provopoulos said that Greece might deal with its debt problem if it sticks to the aid program. That comment, which was considered as bullish by investors, drove the U.S. dollar weaker and led commodity prices surge on Friday.

The stock market was driven by higher commodities prices, with thin trading volume ahead of the Memorial Day holiday, despite somewhat disappointing economic data on Friday.

The Commerce Department said that both personal income and spending rose 0.4 percent in April, in line with market estimates. However, the rise in spending was the smallest in three months, suggesting the consumption situation was still weak.

Meanwhile, pending home sales dropped 11.6 percent in April. The reading was a seven-month low. The market expectation was a drop of 1 percent.

Moreover, the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment index came in above analysts' estimates. Concerns about higher gas prices and inflation had knocked the gauge down in March and April.

Despite those disappointing data, analysts still held a bullish view toward the stock market. "Despite our near-term caution, we continue to see the S&P 500 reaching 1400 over the coming year," Alec Young, equity strategist of S&P Equity Research told Xinhua.

According to Alex, while recent macro headwinds were raising questions about the sustainability of recent earnings momentum, he still believed that a downside trend of market was fairly limited and that the current weakness is more likely to be a correction, rather than the beginning of a new bear market."In our view, 2011 estimated EPS would have to be excessively optimistic to justify a bear market,"he added.

The Dow Jones industrial average added 38.82 points, or 0.31 percent, to 12,441.58. The Standard & Poor's 500 was up 5.41 points, or 0.41 percent, to 1,331.10. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 13.94 points, or 0.50 percent, to 2,796.86.

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Posted in: Wall Street rallies ahead of Memorial Day weekend

Five huge explosions heard in ceasefire area in Yemen's capital

Five huge explosions were heard late on Friday in the ceasefire area in downtown Sanaa, which were followed by heavy gunshots, a Xinhua correspondent at the scene said.

The five huge blasts and shootings came just few hours after the opposition tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar, who led the five-day pitched street battles against government forces in Sanaa, said that a tribe-mediated ceasefire was reached on Friday.

Casualties of the explosions are still unknown as tension soared between the government forces and the fighters of al-Ahmar, who stood by with anti-government protesters to seek to overthrow President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

At least 127 people were killed during the five-day gun battles.

Blackout hit almost all the capital just minutes after the explosions, as more huge bombings along with heavy shooting were heard clearly in Hassaba near al-Ahmar's house.

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Posted in: Five huge explosions heard in ceasefire area in Yemen's capital

Death toll rises to 132 after Joplin , Mo., tornado

The authorities of Joplin city in the U.S. state of Missouri on Friday updated the death toll to 132 from the deadliest single tornado that battered the city in the evening of May 22.

Meanwhile, the number of missing people totaled 156, down from 232 a day earlier.

An official of Missouri Public Safety said that at least 90 people on the original missing list have been found alive, but some new names have been added to the list.

Meanwhile, medical records and fingerprints are being used to identify victims.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said that as of Friday morning, more than 2,500 Missourians affected by Sunday's tornadoes had applied for federal assistance to help with home repairs and cover other personal losses.

The agency reported that more than 2.8 million U.S. dollars worth of assistance has already been approved. The FEMA has conducted preliminary assessments of storm damage elsewhere, including Minnesota, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Joplin on Sunday, to meet with state and local officials as well as families affected by the disaster.

The tornado, which was gauged as five on the enhanced Fujita scale, touched down into the heart of the Midwest city near 6 p.m. on Sunday, killing many people and destroying thousands of buildings. In the last month, tornadoes killed more than 300 people and caused damage worth more than two billion dollars in the U.S. South.

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Posted in: Death toll rises to 132 after Joplin,Mo.,tornado

Denmark return to Sudirman Cup semis

Denmark returned to the top four of Sudirman Cup after six years' absence by beating Chinese Taipei 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the world mixed team badminton championship here on Friday.

Denmark stayed among the top four for nine editions since the Sudirman Cup was launched in 1989, but was knocked out in the last two editions.

World No. 3 Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Christinna Pedersen put Denmark ahead by sailing past Wen Hsing Cheng/Hung Ling Chen 21-17, 21-13 in the opening mixed doubles. It seemed that Denmark would easily get a semifinal berth when Peter Gade made it 2-0 by overcoming Hsuan Yi Hsueh 20-22, 21-15, 21-10.

However, the tenacious Chinese Taipei didn't give up and began their fightback in men's doubles under thunderous cheer from the crowds.

Facing world No. 1 Carsten Mogensen/Mathias Boe, Sheng Mu Lee/Chieh Min Fang rallied to stun their rivals 22-20, 21-23, 21-18.

The loss in men's doubles definitely affected Tine Baun's performance in the following women's singles as the world No. 8 lost the first game 21-13, but the experienced Baun surely didn't allow another upset, taking the next two games 21-16, 21-14 to secure the semifinal spot.

"We were actually expected, we knew that Chinese Taipei would give a good fight ,would come from behind with all they have, but I was ready to bring the winning point for Denmark," said Baun after the tough competition.

Meanwhile, Indonesia smashed Japan's hopes to reach the semifinals for the first time, emerging a 3-2 victor in a marathon battle which lasted more than five hours.

With China playing South Korea for a final slot in the upper half, Denmark will meet Indonesia in the other semifinals on Saturday.

Indonesia advanced to the top four thanks to their mixed doubles win in the decider. Fran Kurniawan Teng/Pia Zebadiah Bernadet overcame Shintaro Ikeda/Reiko Shiota 21-19, 23-25, 21-14.

Earlier, Alvent Yulianto Chandra/Mohammad Ahsan gave Indonesia the lead by defeating Noriyasu Hirata/Hirokatsu Hashimoto 21-17, 21-16, but Japanese singles Eriko Hirose and Kenichi Tago pulled two points back before Greysia Polii/Meiliana Jauhari made it to the decider by pushing aside Mami Naito/Shizuka Matsuo 21-17, 21-16.

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Posted in: Denmark return to Sudirman Cup semis

USADA suspends Nguyen for doping violation

American taekwondo athlete Jonathan Nguyen has been handed a six-month doping suspension, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced Friday.

Nguyen tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine after a urine sample was taken at the U.S. Open International competition on February 20.

The ban began on March 29 when he accepted a provisional ban. The 25-year-old from Arizona was disqualified from all results from the date of the positive test.

A reduced sanction can result since the substance is a specified substance under World Anti-Doping Agency rules.

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Posted in: USADA suspends Nguyen for doping violation

Ban cellphone use while driving - NZ

Almost 12,000 New Zealand motorists have been fined since the country banned the use of hand- held cell phones while driving 18 months ago.

On average 650 tickets per month had been issued since the ban came into force in 2009, Radio New Zealand reported Saturday.

But the average was higher, at more than 700 per month, over the last 12 months, said the report.

The Automobile Association of New Zealand told Radio New Zealand the number of infringement notices issued was disappointing.

AA motoring affairs general manager Mike Noon said it showed awareness of the law was dropping and motorists were becoming complacent.

He said people had to realize that using hand-held cell phones while driving was dangerous.

Police agreed that motorists might be getting complacent about the ban, said the report.

Drivers were banned from texting, e-mailing and talking on hand- held mobile phones from November 2009 after a series of phone- related crashes.

The government introduced a fine of up to 80 NZ dollars (65.54 U.S. dollars) for motorists caught using their phones illegally while driving.

Drivers can use hands-free devices and two-way radios, and there is an exemption for calls to the emergency services.

From 2003 to 2008, New Zealand recorded 482 injury crashes and 25 fatal crashes where the use of a mobile phone or other telecommunications device was identified as a contributing factor.

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Oil edges up on weak dollar in volatile trade

Crude prices edged up on Friday as the U.S. dollar weakened against a basket of currencies, but gains were limited by soft U.S. house data.

The euro rose after Greek central bank chief George Provopoulus said Greece will repay its debts in full without restructuring if it sticks to an austerity plan. French President Nicolas Sarkozy also said France opposed a Greek debt restructuring and would defend the euro. A stronger euro meant often a weakening dollar. The dollar index dipped about 0.80 percent.

Besides, the U.S. markets will be closed on Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. Crude prices tend to rise before a long weekend as investors hold long positions.

But the gains were pared as U.S. pending home sales came in missing estimates. The National Association of Realtors said the Pending Home Sales Index fell 11.6 percent to 81.9 in April, the lowest level since September, missing economists' expectation of a 1.0 percent decrease.

Soft data hurt investors' hopes for a recovery of the vital housing markets and caused concerns about U.S. future crude demand.

Light, sweet crude for July delivery gained 36 cents, or 0.36 percent to settle at 100.59 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, above 100 dollars for the third straight trading day. For the week, the U.S. benchmark rose 1.11 percent.

But in London, Brent crude for July delivery dipped slightly and last traded around 115 dollars a barrel.

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Google Starts Adding Flight Schedules And Airline Routes In Search

Google on Friday started integrating flight schedules and airline routes into its search results.

According to Google's official blog, when users search for a destination on Google, they will see airlines serving that specific route and flight schedules.

For example, if users search for "flights from San Francisco to New York," they will see a selection of non-stop flights and the airlines that offer them. A full timetable will be seen after clicking on "schedule of non-stop flights."

Users can also see all the destinations with non-stop flights from a particular airport. If "flights from San Francisco" is searched, Google will show a number of routes from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and airlines flying from the airport. Similar to the schedule feature, users can also click to get more flight details.

The new search feature is currently available in 10 languages.

"With the close of our ITA acquisition last month, we're eager to begin developing new flight search tools to make it easier for you to plan a trip," Google said in the blog post.

On April 8, Google got approved by the U.S. Department of Justice for the 700-million-U.S. dollar acquisition of flight-data company ITA Software with commitments to preserve competition in on-line airfare search.

ITA's airfare search and pricing system powered many popular airline ticket search and booking sites, as well as airlines. Microsoft and several major on-line travel companies had argued that the acquisition would lessen competition in the industry.

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Analysts attributed:Gold bounces off as dollar retreats

Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange ended sharply higher on Friday, as the U.S. dollar extended losses and Europe's debt crisis increased investor demand for the precious metal as a safe-haven.

The most active gold contract for August delivery jumped 13.6 dollars, or 0.9 percent, to 1,537.3 dollars per ounce.

Analysts attributed most of gold's strength to the sagging greenback, which continued to lose ground on Friday. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six currencies, dropped from 75.598 late Thursday to 74.904 during the session.

Precious metals, like other dollar-denominated commodities, benefited from the weakening U.S. dollar, as it made the futures cheaper for market participants holding other currencies.

Meanwhile, the Eurozone financial uncertainty also lent support to the precious metal, as Greek leaders held meeting on Friday in an attempt to agree on a plan to manage the beleaguered nation's debt crisis.

Gold also regained some ground as a report showed that consumer purchases in the U.S. rose less than forecast in April as food and fuel prices climbed, and pending sales of existing houses plunged, indicating the U.S. economy was struggling to strengthen at the start of the second quarter.

Silver for July delivery jumped 53.3 cents, or 1.4 percent, to 37.863 dollars per ounce.

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Posted in: Analysts attributed:Gold bounces off as dollar retreats

UN Chief Condemns Attack On Peacekeepers In Southern Lebanon

UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon on Friday condemned the attack on a UN convoy in Lebanon, in which reportedly two Italian peacekeepers and two Lebanese civilians were killed, and extended his sincere sympathies to the peacekeepers, their families, and the people and government of Italy.

With Friday's observance of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, the attack is "all the more deplorable," Ban said in a statement issued here by his spokesman.

The explosion targeted a UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) vehicle in the south Lebanon port city of Sidon.

The UN is currently working closely with the Lebanese authorities to "fully and swiftly" investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice, Ban said.

"Peacekeeping is dangerous and difficult," the UN chief noted and paid tribute to the 120,000 peacekeepers currently working under the blue flag in the world's trouble spots.

Between January and April of this year 26 UN peacekeepers lost their lives.

Two Italian peacekeepers with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and two Lebanese civilians were killed in an explosion targeting a UNIFIL vehicle in the south Lebanon port city of Sidon on Friday, security source told Xinhua in Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

At least five other Italian peacekeepers were wounded in the blast, the source added

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Posted in: UN chief condemns bomb attack on UN convoy in Lebanon