Cambodia to launch stock industry on July 11

Cambodia is scheduled to inaugurate the long-awaited Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) on July 11, according to the statement from the finance ministry released to the media on Monday.

And the initial securities trading will start towards the end of 2011, added the statement dated on Could 26.

The ministry explained that the above two various dates getting planned are determined by the knowledge of some nations, which scheduled the start from the securities industry operator 1st, in order for this operator to have adequate time in preparing the process with the very first securities coaching.

The CSX is actually a securities market place operator, a securities clearing and settlement facility operator, and a depository operator.

The head-office with the CSX is located in the kingdom's tallest building, Canadia Tower in Phnom Penh.

3 state-owned enterprises--Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Telecom Cambodia and Phnom Penh Water Provide Authority--have been preparing IPO (Initial Public Offering) to list within the upcoming CSX.

The program to open CSX was initiated by Korean Exchange in 2007.

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12 others injured in Pakistan hotel blast

At the very least 12 folks had been injured in a blast that took location Monday morning within a hotel in Miranshah, a principal town in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region of North Waziristan which borders Afghanistan, reported regional Urdu Tv channel Duniya, adding that some of the injured had been in crucial condition.

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Indonesia to commemorate speech of founding father

 Indonesia will commemorate the speech of founding father Bung Karno on June 1 as a method created by the People's Consultative Assembly in socializing four pillars from the nation, an official mentioned here on Monday.

Lukman Hakim Syaifuddin, vice speaker from the People's Consultative Assembly stated that it could be the second year from the commemoration.

"This year's commemoration will probably be unique as not simply the latest President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will deliver a speech but two former presidents, namely the third President BJ Habibie along with the fifth President Megawati Sukarnoputri will deliver their speech to commemorate Bung Karno's speech in June 1, 1945," stated Syaifuddin.

He stated that the occasion could be also attended by present Vice President Boediono, former Vice President Hamzah Haz, former Vice President Attempt Sutrisno, all cabinet members, leaders of high institutions, police and military high officers together with governors, leaders of society organizations and leaders of political parties. "There will probably be 950 officials and former officials who will attend the occasion," he stated.

He mentioned that the commemoration would refresh memory from the significance with the four pillars, namely five national principles of Pancasila, State Constitution of UUD1945, the United states of Republic of Indonesia and Unity in Diversity principles.

"Besides, not least critical is how to implement values from the four pillars," mentioned Syaifuddin.

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NZ company fined for selling Chinese royal jelly under misleading label

A company that imported Chinese powdered royal jelly into New Zealand, and sold it in capsules claiming it was "Made in New Zealand" has been fined 11,400 NZ dollars (9,137 U.S. dollars) for violating the country's Fair Trading Act.

Honey New Zealand (International) Limited admitted two charges of breaching the act in relation to the marketing and distribution of Honey New Zealand Royal Jelly Capsules through stores in Auckland and Christchurch, said a statement from the Commerce Commission.

Honey New Zealand arranged for Chinese powdered royal jelly to be mixed with white beeswax and inserted it into capsules, said the statement.

The product was labelled "Made in New Zealand", carried an image of the New Zealand fern, and a statement that "Honey NZ has over a 90 year history working with premium honey bee products gathered from the heart of untouched native forest and wild field areas of New Zealand".

In fact, the only part of the product that was genuinely from New Zealand was the white beeswax mixed with the royal jelly and the water in the capsule shell, said the statement.

Honey New Zealand admitted in the Auckland District Court that six of the eight raw materials in its royal jelly were sourced from overseas.

In the court judgment, Judge Sinclair said, "In my view the statements made on the label departed significantly from the truth. "

She said, "The label led consumers to believe they were buying a superior New Zealand made product when in fact they were not."

It was the fourth company since May 28 last year to be fined for selling royal jelly in New Zealand and misrepresenting the country of origin.

Commerce Commission enforcement branch manager Greg Allan said royal jelly products claiming to be "Made in New Zealand" could demand a premium.

"Genuine fresh New Zealand royal jelly is considered to be of superior quality. By marketing a cheaper imported Chinese product as New Zealand made, Honey NZ undercut the genuine New Zealand product, harming others in the market and misleading consumers who bought the product," said Allan.

Honey New Zealand stopped distributing the royal jelly product after a Commerce Commission investigation and relabelled its products, said the statement.

Allan said the fine sent "a strong message" that the commission would take action to ensure companies did not disadvantage competitors and mislead consumers with false country of origin claims.

The Commerce Commission withdrew a third charge that the royal jelly was not of the potency claimed. Honey New Zealand unsuccessfully sought costs against the commission in relation to the withdrawn charge.

Royal Jelly, a key active ingredient in dietary supplements, comes from the honey bee secretion that is used in the nutrition of larvae and is the only known substance to contain 10-Hydroxy-2- Decenoic Acid (10HDA), a fatty acid involved in growth and immunity.

New Zealand royal jelly is believed to be of a high quality, with readings of 10HDA higher than found in royal jelly from other countries.

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China's growth very good possibility for Australian financial services: minister

China's rapid economic development is not just driving demand for Australia's resources, but is also providing opportunities for financial services, Australian Trade Minister Craig Emerson mentioned on Monday.

Dr Emerson stated trade between the two countries would increasingly concentrate on services.

"Rapid urbanization in China, along with the growth in consumption, is driving up demand for monetary, health, power along with a range of other services," Dr Emerson stated in a statement released on Monday.

"While Australian exports to China have already been dominated until now by minerals, we're starting to see a lot more and a lot more opportunities for engagement in non-merchandise sectors."

Inside a move to expand Australia-China commercial relationship, Dr Emerson on Monday launched the Australian Chambers of Commerce's ( AustCham) initial Problems Paper on Australian Monetary Services Organization in China.

Joint chairmen of the AustCham financial services functioning group, David Olsson and Andrew Whitford, stated the recommendations within the paper concentrate on concerns that would enhance the potential of Australian economic institutions to be a lot more competitive inside the Chinese industry.

"We have developed this paper to determine numerous potential rewards to China in improving the competitiveness of its latest financial services sector," Olsson stated in the statement.

Whitford said the paper is directed largely to policy makers in China.

AustCham also intends to undertake a series of a lot more comprehensive presentations and discussions on the Problem Paper with Chinese regulators and officials over coming months.

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Indonesian central bank preparing rules to quit single-owner manage of banks

The Indonesian central bank has prepared regulations that may stop a single investor from controlling a majority stake in a commercial bank, a move it hopes will stop misuses of energy that could result in a collapsed bank, media quoting deputy governor as saying on Monday.

The central bank deputy governor Muliaman Hadad quotd by the Jakartaglobe as saying that the guidelines would make the banks have greater corporate governance.

"We are also pushing banks to go public, a single step at a time. The spirit is the fact that we desire to enhance the governance of commercial banks by means of more balanced control by their shareholders," Muliaman mentioned.

Muliaman said a 1999 government regulation allowed Indonesians and foreign folks or entities to very own as much as 99 percent of a bank.

That regulation, he said, could see a bank become dominated by one particular shareholder who controls the bank's operations without being supervised by other owners.

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Three Gorges reservoir water release for drought

Water has been released from the 3 Gorges reservoir to assist with China's worst drought in 50 years.

35 million men and women have been affected by the massive thirst, in accordance with China's Ministry of Civil Affairs. four million of that can't access secure drinking water.

Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui and Jiangsu provinces have suffered essentially the most as a result of the lack of rain.

So far, nearly 19 billion cubic meters of water has been drained from the reservoir in a bid to quench demand, substantially lowering water levels.

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Australian Greens moves motion to condemn gov't's asylum

Australian Greens on Monday moved a motion condemning the federal government's mandatory detention method for asylum seekers as abominable, cruel, costly and ineffective.

The Greens' motion called on the government to scrap its in- principle agreement with Malaysia, which would see 800 those who attempted to obtain to Australia by boat taken instantly to Malaysia. In return Australia has agreed to take 4,000 genuine refugees who've had their claims assessed in Malaysia.

Moving the motion, Greens lawmaker Adam Bandt stated Malaysia has not signed the United Nations Convention on Human Rights and "has a background of caning asylum seekers".

"Enough is enough. The Malaysia deal is incorrect. It violates human rights and Australia's international obligations," he told Parliament in Canberra on Monday.

The Greens motion could succeed inside the lower home if the opposition and all independent lawmakers Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott, Bob Katter and Andrew Wilkie vote for it.

Australia Linked Press reported that the federal government is facing embarrassing parliamentary defeats more than crucial components of its asylum-seeker policy, since the Greens' motion has currently been supported by opposition members and independent Andrew Wilkie, who mentioned it has "cast a shadow" over Australia's human rights record.

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New Zealand launches probe into dubious infant formula bound for China

New Zealand's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is investigating an Auckland company that is apparently sending New Zealand-branded infant formula to China, the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) reported Monday.

Heitiki was promoted by Kiaora New Zealand International, which had a registered office in Auckland, stated the report.

On its internet site it said that it specialized in good quality infant and dairy items, mentioned the NZPA report.

Heitiki tins are clearly branded as being from New Zealand, featuring a Maori lady on the label and stating the formula was " for super gene", despite the fact that it was not clear exactly where the items were created, stated the report.

Kiaora's sole director was Tianxi Shao, but the firm was not answering calls, stated the report.

MAF director of compliance Geoff Allen told NZPA the ministry was going to Kiaora's premises Monday.

If it was exporting infant formula, it would need to be a registered exporter and if it was manufacturing formula in New Zealand it would have to meet more specifications, he said.

Kiaora was not on MAF's list of registered dairy exporters and its site went offline Monday afternoon.

Maori Party co-leader and Member of Parliament Tariana Turia final week mentioned she was initially alarmed in the association of food having a Maori cultural icon -- "heitiki" is Maori carved jewellery -- but that further investigation had created her question the product itself.

"Upon additional investigation it seems there might be other good reasons to question areas for example food safety, or compliance with customer quality standards," Turia said.

The New Zealand Food and Grocery Council Monday backed her queries, and known as for a complete investigation by regulators.

Chief executive Katherine Rich told NZPA infant formula was an extremely essential export and also the council was skeptical from the organization 's internet site claims when it was not sold on New Zealand shelves.

"Authorities definitely have to preserve a close eye on start-up infant formula firms, particularly those advertising into China, which might attempt to trade on New Zealand's positive image," mentioned Rich.

"Just recently there have been instances of Chinese firms attempting to create brands and copy products to align themselves with New Zealand's good reputation. Some organizations have even deliberately copied New Zealand branded infant formula goods, hijacked trade names and replicated web sites," she told NZPA.

Wealthy mentioned the council would highlight some of Kiaora's claims, such as the organization saying it was "dedicated to sourcing and providing Kiwi mums together with the very best and healthiest infant formula accessible," that "many NZ parents are utilizing Kiaora infant formula" and that its goods "have become the new standard in New Zealand."

"This is a complete surprise to our members. It really is difficult to fathom how Heitiki is the 'new standard' when scan data shows New Zealand and Australian supermarkets usually do not sell the product whatsoever. "

Heitiki prices -- with some tins as much as 169 NZ dollars (138 U.S. dollars) -- had been exorbitant when compared to comparable merchandise obtainable in New Zealand supermarkets ranging in price from 18 to 25 NZ dollars a tin, she said.

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Shuttle Endeavour back to earth

Astronauts on the space shuttle Endeavour bid their final farewell on Sunday, floating out of the International Space Station before producing their journey property.

Shuttle commander Mark Kelly thanked the ISS crew for their help after they effectively installed the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, which Kelly named "a outstanding issue for physics and for science." Endeavour delivered the two billion US dollar cosmic ray detector which will stay on the space station for the following decade. The shuttle will undock from the ISS later on Sunday evening and start its two-day journey property.

It is expected to return to Florida inside the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday, in no way to fly in space once more. The shuttle is going to be retired to a museum in California following the 16-day mission, its 25th.

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BP pledges to enhance investment by ten bln USD in Indonesia

British power giant British Petroleum (BP) has committed to raise investment in Indonesia by a lot more than 10 billion U.S. dollar more than the following 10 years, especially within the enormous Tangguh gas project in Papua and coal- bed methane in Kalimantan, a regional media reported here on Monday.

"BP in Indonesia has invested 7 billion U.S. dollars and we are taking a look at an further ten billion U.S. dollars more than the following ten years," BP chief executive Robert Dudley was quoted by the Jakartaglobe as saying.

BP features a 37.16 percent interest the Tangguh liquefied all-natural gas project in West Papua, with proven reserves of about 14.four trillion cubic feet of gas. The company is trying to expand its LNG plant there, which now consists of two production trains with output of at the very least 7.six million metric tons of LNG a year.

"We talked in regards to the commitment to create a third train and possibly fourth train for LNG at Tangguh Papua," Dudley said right here in Jakarta.

"That investment would be billions of dollars and we will be bringing forward the proposal for approval within the subsequent couple of months, " Dudley added, saying that BP was also tapping CBM projects in Indonesia, with its subsidiary awarded three such blocks in Central Kalimantan this year.

BP, one from the best foreign investors inside the nation, has been operating here for 35 years.

Indonesia is searching for a lot more investment within the oil and gas sector to meet domestic demand for energy and improve revenues.

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China News:Salvage work continues on Nan'ao One

An ancient Chinese ship, Nan'ao One particular, has captured the nation's imagination as underwater salvage perform on the vessel continues.

The highlights of today's operation incorporate a closer look in the primary structure from the ancient vessel, including the bow, stern, masts, sails, and possibly the anchors and cargo cabins.

The merchant ship sank within the "San Dian Jin" waters off the coast of Nan'ao Island practically six centuries ago throughout the Ming Dynasty, a time of prosperous commerce and foreign trade. It was accidentally discovered by a group of regional fishermen in 2007.

Virtually 3000 relics have been recovered from the ship, which includes a great number of blue and white porcelain pieces. The salvage perform is still continuing.

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Snuff bottles become works of art

"Snuff bottles" were used by the Chinese people for the duration of the Qing Dynasty to contain powdered tobacco. The stimulant was employed as a remedy for typical illnesses including colds and headaches.

Despite the fact that these days individuals no longer carry the powder in a tiny bottle, replica snuff bottles can still be bought in souvenir shops. Their beauty and value tends to make them great collectibles, specially for the exquisite paintings within.

Without having a doubt, the bottles that arouse essentially the most interest amongst collectors are those with paintings on the inside. There could be a picture too as calligraphy painted on the inner surface from the glass. Recently one particular of China's top craftsman from the strategy, Mr Zhang Zenglou, held a tiny presentation for the public.

Zhang Zenglou stated, "The usual size of a snuff bottle would match in the palm of one's hand, so it needs expertise and expertise to manipulate the brush by means of the neck of the bottle, and also to paint in reverse."

These delightful scenes are only 3 to 6 centimeters high, and the neck with the bottle could be less than a centimeter across. Traditionally a skilled artist could complete a basic bottle in a week although some thing particular may possibly take a month or much more. In accordance with one particular scholar in conventional culture, The range of topic matter utilised in the within painted bottles is without limit.

Chang Xianglin, scholar, stated, "There are scenes, fish, birds, poems, even portraits."

The subjects and abilities are the reflection to the inventiveness of Chinese craftsmen. What's more, these days they have even adapted many abilities from the western painting designs. As the delicate bottles have always been desirable for collectors, the beauty of a snuff bottle is almost certainly more critical than any utilitarian consideration.

Though the within painting is enrolled as an item of China's intangible cultural heritage, the craft is nevertheless affected by a lack of investment and interested young painters.

Inside the public meeting, Mr Zhang expressed his sincere hopes that the presentation will attract a couple of of the younger generation, and that the artistic value and commercial possible would inspire more painters to completely devote themselves for the craft.

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Rome Film Festival, held in Prague to address racial gap

 An annual international festival was held through the weekend in Prague in a bid to enhance relations in between native Czechs and the country's Roma (Gypsy) minority.

The International Roma Festival Khamoro, which was organized by two Czech nongovernmental organizations with government assistance, featured concerts, an education campaign, two international conferences on Roma education and art, as well as an exhibition of Roma lifestyle.

Foreign participants invited to the occasion included Roma folk art groups from seven other European nations and India, along with specialists from 19 nations worldwide.

Roma communities have lengthy been complaining that the minority group was discriminated against in education, politics as well as other elements of public life in the nation, along with the government has pledged to address their grievance.

The Khamoro festival was held annually within the Czech capital given that May possibly 1999, featuring Roma culture and traditions.

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Remain in Greece to protest austerity measures

A large number of Greeks have filled the principle square within the capital, Athens, protesting against the government's economic austerity plans. It really is the fifth consecutive day of protests there. The rallies have largely been organized through the internet with about 10 thousand demonstrators turning up each time.

The Greek government introduced further austerity measures final week, which are expected to have an effect on jobs. A wave of reforms introduced last year cut wages and pensions. Protesters, numerous of them young, are angry that they're the one who must pay the cost for the debt crisis via the reforms. They may be calling for politicians to be held accountable for their country's debt.

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The arrival of the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival

 Several old traditions have preserved or revived in China. Among them is sachet making, aspect of the celebrations for the May 5 festival, far more broadly known as Dragon Boat Festival.

Because the day approaches, old ladies inside a neighborhood of the Xidu Community in Shanghai are when once again choosing up the tradition of creating sachets. These will be provided out to neighbors throughout the Dragon Boat festival.

The sachet is produced of colorful fabrics and stuffed with perfume and fumigant to expel insects.

The ladies with the Xidu community have bought Chinese herbal medicines like Angelica, realgar, kaempferol and chrysanthemum. These is going to be employed to stuff the sachets.

Fan Dexia, Xidu community in Shanghai, said, "We sit collectively and make all sorts of sachets after which give them out to families in our neighborhood."

A lot to the pleasure of neighborhood young children, the sachets may be produced into all types of shapes, for example cows, fish and dolls.

The sachets created by the Shanghai ladies have turn out to be quite common amongst the local residents.

Nowadays, sachets usually are not just for warding off mosquitoes as well as other insects. They add color towards the festivities from the Dragon Boat festival. The old men and women hope that their traditions will be passed on and kept alive by the younger generation.

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New Zealand PM defends state asset sales amid public disapproval

 New Zealand Prime Minister John Crucial defended his plans for partial privatization of state assets right after a minimum of 3 polls showing public disapproval from the proposals.

Key told TVNZ's Breakfast system Monday that his ruling National Party, at present in power with three minor parties, would campaign on the "mixed-ownership model" asset sale strategy in the course of the November election.

His comments came following TVNZ 1 News Colmar Brunton Poll Sunday showed support for National down to 52 % from 54 % last month, although the principle opposition Labour Party remained unchanged at 34 percent.

The state assets sales policy proposes the sale of up to 49 % of state-owned power companies Mighty River Power, Meridian Power, Genesis Power and Solid Power and reducing the government's 75-percent stake within the national carrier Air New Zealand.

Finance Minister Bill English announced within the Price range on Might 19 that the sales would go ahead subsequent year if the National Party wins the common election.

English said the sales would raise five billion to 7 billion NZ dollars (four.09 billion to 5.72 billion U.S. dollars), helping to turn about the country's record deficit of 16.7 billion NZ dollars and to return the nation to a surplus by 2014-1015.

Even so, a new Zealand Herald-DigiPoll survey Friday showed a " significant majority" of New Zealand voters voiced disapproval of the program.

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New Zealand's North Island East Coast 5.5 earthquake occurred

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck New Zealand North Island's east coast on Monday, causing no casualties or harm.

The quake, occurred at 12:42 p.m. (0042 GMT), was centered 30 km south west of Ruatoria and was 70 km deep, the New Zealand state geological monitoring agency GNS Science said. The tremor was felt inside the Gisborne and Bay of A lot regions.

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6.3 earthquake occurred in Sumatra, Indonesia

A shallow undersea quake measuring at six.3 Richter scale struck off Sumatra island earlier Monday, however it was not prospective for tsunami and caused no harm, officials said here on Monday.

The quake struck at 01:23 a.m. Jakarta time Monday (1824 GMT Sunday) with epicenter 409 km southwest Bintuhan of Benglulu province and using the depth 10 km below sea bed, an official from the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency Andri Sembiring told Xinhua by phone.

The intensity from the quake was felt at 2 MMI (Modified Mercally Intensity), he mentioned.

A local official of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency Yudi Lesmana told Xinhua by mobile phone that there was no immediate reports of harm or fatality. The USGS reported that the quake was at five.9 magnitude. Indonesia sits on a quake-prone zone so named the Papcific Ring of Fire.

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New Zealand-based Fonterra Group dairy company into the international trade

New Zealand-based Fonterra, the world's greatest dairy business, has been given a seat on an exclusive international physique that advises governments on trade and customs practices.

Fonterra was the very first New Zealand organization invited to join the Planet Customs Organization's Private Sector Consultative Group ( PSCG), mentioned a statement from the company Monday.

The PSCG advised the World Customs Organization (WCO), the intergovernmental body that develops global customs requirements, and procedures relating to trade facilitation and supply chain security, said the statement.

Fonterra Group customs manager Robb Stevens mentioned inside the statement that membership from the 30-strong PSCG was by invitation only and included key global firms including Basic Motors, IBM, FedEx and also the Globe Shipping Council.

Stevens stated the invitation acknowledged the cooperative's international presence as a manufacturer, international seller and encounter with customs authorities in different markets. As a PSCG member, Fonterra would have input in simplifying customs processes to smooth the flow of goods for all New Zealand importers and exporters.

"As a country that relies on exports, it is in our interests to see consistency in market rules, access and regulation. As the world's largest dairy exporter and with our goods now in over 140 countries, we have an essential contribution to make both for New Zealand and for Fonterra," stated Stevens.

New Zealand Customs Service group manager of policy Denise Hing mentioned having a company involved inside the group was a major opportunity for New Zealand.

"The PSCG has important influence on the WCO's role in supporting the development of globe trade. This a genuine possibility for a main New Zealand organization to possess a say in the development of far more effective global supply chains," stated Hing.

Established in 2006, the PSCG has focused on the implementation of the WCO's Secure Framework of Requirements to Secure and Facilitate International Trade.

The group also advises the Secretary Basic and WCO Policy Commission on issues including the influence of the international economic crisis and organization recovery.

Stevens would represent Fonterra in the 19th meeting of the PSCG from June 20 to 22 in Brussels, Belgium.

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Cambodian activists asked to increase taxes on tobacco World No Tobacco Day

Some 300 Cambodian tobacco-free activists on Monday gathered here to mark the Planet No Tobacco Day and called for the government to raise taxes on tobacco goods as a way to discourage smokers.

"Tax increases for cigarettes is going to be the most effective means to reduce the amount of death caused by tobacco use," Mom Kong, the executive director of the NGO-Cambodia Movement for Wellness, mentioned at the occasion. "Moreover, the improve will produce a lot more tax revenues for the state coffer."

Ho Naun, the National Assembly's chairwoman of the Commission on Public Wellness and Social Welfares, expressed her complete support for the demand.

"I believe that it is a main measure to discourage smokers," she said.

According to the statistics of the planning ministry, presently, nearly 2 million out from the country's 7.5 million Cambodian adults have been consuming smoke or smokeless tobacco (betel quid).

It can be estimated that about 99 million U.S. dollars have already been spent on cigarettes and tobacco annually in Cambodia.

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Beijing-Shanghai high-speed train is very safe

Trains built for the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail line, which is scheduled to start out commercial operations in about month, are really safe, the Beijing News stated Monday.

CRH380A series trains to become employed on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail are beneath 0.13 derailment coefficient, far lower than the international common of 0.eight, the Chinese-language every day cited Liang Jianying, a designer for the trains, as saying.

The lower the derailment coefficient figure, the much less possibility the train has of derailment.

Train designers had been inspired by China's Extended March rockets series to increase CRH380A trains' safety and improve their form and layout, it mentioned.

Also, various technologies were applied to lessen noise within carriages to 61 decibels when the train runs at 300 kmph, based on the report.

The typical noise within a cabin of a plane even though inside the air is 81 decibels, compared with 76 decibels for cars traveling at 120 kmph, it said.

Starting Could 11, the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail began a one-month trial operation to finalize the preparation for the commercial service as a result of start off in the finish of June.

The 1,318-km-long high-speed rail line is expected to cut travel time between the metropolises to about five hours, with 90 pairs of bullet trains to run along it.

The trains will run at two speeds, 300 kmph and 250 kmph, with different ticket prices based on the speed. The exact cost of tickets is not however identified.

China plans to invest two.eight trillion yuan (431.7 billion U.S. dollars) to develop about 30,000 kilometers of new rail lines more than the following 5 years, based on the Ministry of Railway.

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WHO calls for stricter smoking laws

The Globe Wellness Organization (WHO) called for "tougher laws and enforcement" that may prevent premature deaths from tobacco-related diseases, as outlined by a statement released on Monday.

The WHO statement says the tobacco epidemic kills almost 6 million individuals worldwide each year, mainly from heart disease, stroke, cancer and emphysema.

"Tobacco-related deaths account for 63 % of deaths from noncommunicable ailments in the planet nowadays," it says, adding that "passive or second-hand exposure to tobacco causes an estimated 600,000 deaths a year globally."

Dr. Michael O'Leary, WHO China Representative, said, "Tobacco use may be the top preventable cause of death, inside the planet and in China. Annually in China, about 1 million folks die from a tobacco-related heart attack, stroke, cancer, lung ailment or other condition. That does not include the people -- more than a quarter of them youngsters -- who die from exposure to second-hand smoke."

The statement says the socio-economic expense of tobacco use can be a reason for alarm, and that the annual death toll from the global epidemic of tobacco use could rise to 8 million by 2030.

It says getting killed 100 million men and women in the course of the 20th century, tobacco use could kill 1 billion in the course of the 21st century.

In observance of World No Tobacco Day on Tuesday, WHO calls on governments and stakeholders worldwide to use the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) because the basis for laws for "a 100 % ban on indoor smoking, comprehensive bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship, bans on sale to minors, graphic wellbeing warnings and greater rates and taxes for tobacco products," it says.

"These are policy measures that may save lives and will also result in billions of dollars saved by stopping diseases, productivity losses and deaths from tobacco use," the statement says.

It quotes Dr O'Leary as saying, "Today we wish to highlight the treaty's overall significance, to strain China's obligations as a Party towards the treaty and to promote the essential role of the Conference of the Parties and WHO in supporting China's efforts to meet these obligations."

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Rebels demand Gaddafi exit for peace

 Libyan opposition leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil says the departure of Muammar Gaddafi is the only way out of Libya's crisis. He also stated that the opposition would not hold any talks with him.

Jalil's remarks came 1 day just before the expected go to by South African President Jacob Zuma to Libyan capital Tripoli on Monday. It is however to be created clear if Gaddafi's departure is going to be discussed.

Moreover, he stated the opposition hopes elections could be held inside a year, and that members of the Libyan rebel administration won't seek office if Muammar Gaddafi is removed from power. NATO says it's ready to deploy attack helicopters for the first time inside the country with the aim of growing pressure on Gaddafi's ground forces.

Britain's Defense Minister, Liam Fox, says that employing British attack helicopters under NATO command is risky but required.

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Rebels: No oil production till fields secure

The Libyan rebels' finance minister mentioned on Sunday the oil fields found in the eastern 50 percent from the country, which can be under opposition control, will not resume production till it really is protected to send in workers.

Ali Tarhouni, Nationwide Transitional Coucil Finance Minister, mentioned, "The primary problem with all the oil now is the protection in the oil fields and also the safety of the staff within the oil fields, which is the key aim for me is to ensure of that and we are functioning day and evening to make certain that we've that defense."

Prior to the unrest in opposition to Moammar Gaddafi's regime, Libya produced about one.6 million barrels each day, just under 2 percent of world creation. Manufacturing has ground to a halt for the duration of the revolt that began February 15th.

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Protection forces clash with protesters in Yemen

Four are killed and as much as 90 others wounded inside a raid by Yemeni safety forces against thousands of protesters.

Witnesses say the attack commenced once the protesters marched toward a police station from the provincial funds city of Taiz.

They say the assault, by which safety forces utilized reside bullets and tear gas, is still ongoing as police snipers happen to be taking positions around the rooftops of buildings.

Because February, Yemen's major cities have confronted practically everyday clashes in between police forces and anti-government protesters demanding an finish to your 33-year rule of defiant President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

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Opposition leaders requires unity in fight aganist Saleh

A breakaway military group has referred to as for other army units to join them within the battle to carry down Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, piling strain on him to stop his three-decade rule over the destitute country.

Opposition leaders individually accused Saleh of allowing the city of Zinjibar, around the Gulf of Aden, to fall to al Qaeda and Islamists militants as a way to raise alarm inside the area that will consequently translate to support for that president.

Abdullah Ali Aleiwa, Previous Defense Minister, mentioned, "We contact upon our brothers, the leaders of the regions and brigades and military units to declare their brave assistance for that revolution, and also to stand by the people and homeland, and also, we get in touch with around the leadership and employees in the state, to preserve the establishments and ministries, in the futility from the President and his associates"

Regardless of international and regional powers demanding he action down, Saleh has refused to signal a deal, mediated by Gulf states, to start out a transition of energy in exchange of immunity.

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Posted in: Opposition leaders requires unity in fight aganist Saleh

Obama Visits Joplin

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday that a tornado that killed a minimum of 139 people in Joplin, a city of 50,000 in southwest Missouri, was a national tragedy.

Obama, who returned on Saturday night from a six-day trip to Europe, toured the disaster scene in Joplin. He promised federal assistance for rebuilding efforts till the town is back on its feet, predicting it'll take time.

The May 22nd tornado was the deadliest single twister in the nation in over 60 years. 900 had been injured and at least 40 remain unaccounted for.

Barack Obama, U.S. President, stated, "We're going to complete everything we are able to to continue what ever search and rescue remains. We are doing every thing we are able to to make sure that folks get the shelter that they require, the assistance that they need. We're working with the governor to ensure that we cut via any red tape that's essential with respect to rebuilding here.

And then we're just going to have a tough, lengthy slog. But what I've been telling every family members that I've met here is that we're going to become here lengthy following the cameras leave. We're not going to stop until Joplin is fully back on its feet."

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Poisoned Spanish cucumbers kill 9, sicken nearly 3 hundred

Nine people have so far been killed and almost 3 hundred others sickened following consuming imported cucumbers from Spain. Government officials say in Germany a bacterial outbreak is behind the deaths.

Shoppers at a local marketplace expressed their worries on Sunday as government officials say that two more people have died of a bacterial outbreak allegedly caused by contaminated Spanish cucumbers.

A customer said, " I will not eat raw vegetables any more, but I still consume create which has been steamed or boiled. Also, I take a second appear now when shopping for vegetables."

Germany news agency DAPD reported that the dead and the sick contracted hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.

HUS is a uncommon complication arising from an infection most generally associated with E. coli, a bacterium discovered in undercooked beef or contaminated food.

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Posted in: Poisoned Spanish cucumbers kill 9,sicken nearly 3 hundred

Fukushima nuclear reactors not to be affected by Typhoon Songda

Typhoon Songda continued to move along the east coast of Japan on Sunday, causing travel disruption and hazardous conditions for commuters.Songda is Japan's second typhoon this year.

Strong winds and heavy rain thrashed Tokyo, causing flight disruptions at Haneda Airport. Warnings of landslides and flooding had been issued in Kagoshima Prefecture early on Sunday, with some road closures. The typhoon is expected to move along the east coast through to Monday where it will weaken to a tropical storm. The troubled Fukushima nuclear reactors were not expected to become affected by the storm.

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Posted in: Fukushima nuclear reactors not to be affected by Typhoon Songda

U.S. intelligence chief in Seoul for talks on Pyongyang: media

The U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper is in Seoul and has met with top South Korean officials more than challenges associated to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a nearby report mentioned Friday.

Clapper, who arrived right here last weekend, has met with foreign minister Kim Sung-hwan, defense minister Kim Kwan-jin and head of the National Intelligence Service, Won Sei-hoon, based on Yonhap News Agency.

Officials are expected to go over best DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's recent stop by to China along with other issues regarding the nation, based on Yonhap.

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Posted in: U.S. intelligence chief in Seoul for talks on Pyongyang: media

S Korea's Lee comments Navy commandos for successful anti-piracy efforts

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday commended Navy officers for a productive operation earlier this year that fought off Somali pirates and rescued crew members on a hijacked ship, his office said.

The commandos has recently wrapped up a six-month mission that included anti-piracy operations in waters off Somali and evacuation of South Korean nationals from strife-torn Libya.

Lee held a luncheon for the commandos, who had been decorated for the January raid in the Arabian Sea. "The occasion is meant to declare the government's will that no acts threatening lives and property of South Koreans will probably be tolerated," Lee's workplace Cheong Wa Dae said in a release.

Five Somali pirates captured alive in the Navy raid, which also killed eight other pirates, have gone through trials right here, with one particular of them sentenced to life in prison.

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Posted in: S Korea's Lee comments Navy commandos for successful anti-piracy efforts

Philippine GDP growth of 4.9% in the first quarter

The Philippine economy posted a modest 4.9 percent growth in the first quarter on back of the slowdown in global trade and weaker government spending, government officials announced Monday.

The first quarter's growth is slower compared to the same period in 2010 when the country's gross domestic product rose 8.4 percent thanks to election-related spending.

"The industry-driven growth benefited from the sustained growth of manufacturing and the recovery of agriculture but tempered by the lackluster trading activities," said Romulo Virola, secretary general of the National Statistical Coordination Board.

He added that lower government spending also eased first quarter growth.

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Posted in: Philippine GDP growth of 4.9% in the first quarter

FIFA provisionally suspends two officials for alleged bribes

FIFA suspended Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner on Sunday amid allegations the two executive committee members bribed voters within the presidential election campaign. The FIFA ethics committee, meanwhile, cleared president Sepp Blatter of turning a blind eye for the alleged bribes.

An ethics committee decided on Sunday Sepp Blatter had no case to answer in a bribes-for-votes situation.

The ruling implies Blatter, the 75-year-old Swiss who has run planet soccer's governing body since 1998, will stand unopposed at Wednesday's election.

The allegations regarded as by the ethics committee concerned a meeting from the Caribbean Football Union on May well 10th-11th in Port of Spain, attended by Warner, Bin Hammam and Caribbean soccer officials.

The committee says it really is alleged that funds was paid as an inducement to assistance Mr Bin Hammam's candidacy, facilitated by Jack Warner.

Blatter was interrogated at Bin Hammam's request because he may possibly have acknowledged about payments. But the committee says nothing at all incorrect had been observed.

Petrus Damaseb, Deputy Chairman of FIFA Ethics Committee, mentioned, "Therefore the committee is satisfied that in respect of Mr Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, the report 129 threshold, which suggests, does there appear to become an infringement with the code of conducts have not been met and hence no investigation is warranted or will probably be continued by the committee against him."

Blatter has stated it'll be his final term prior to retiring from the organization.

FIFA says bin Hammam and Warner will now face a complete FIFA inquiry.

If discovered guilty, they may be expelled from FIFA and banned from all football activity.

FIFA's reputation has been severely tarnished by repeated allegations of vote-buying and monetary wrongdoing.

In all, allegations about corruption have now been publicly produced against ten of the 24 members from the highly effective executive committee, top to widespread calls for reform at FIFA.

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Australian new property sales flat in April: survey

Australian new household sales were flat in April, failing to fire at the start with the second quarter, a survey by the Housing Industry Association (HIA), Australia's biggest residential developing organization, revealed on Monday.

The newest HIA-JELD-WEN New Home Sales Report, a survey of Australia's big residential builders, showed that the amount of new homes sold limped 0.2 % greater in April 2011.

Detached property sales inched up by a 0.four % with increases inside the states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, whilst detached residence sales fell in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

The sale of multi-units posted a third consecutive decline, falling by two percent.

HIA Chief Economist Harley Dale mentioned the new dwelling building market was struggling in 2011and compact and medium sized enterprises had been feeling the pain.

"The new home developing market is struggling beneath the weight of excessive taxation and regulation, a stalled housing supply reform approach, and uncertainty more than interest rates," Dale mentioned.

"An industry kick-start is essential with each other with a re-invigoration with the reform course of action."

The survey found that detached new residence sales had increased by 7.8 % in NSW and by two.2 percent in Victoria. Sales fell by 1. 5 percent in Queensland and were down by 0.five percent in South Australia and 10.3 per cent in Western Australia.

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Television buying moves upmarket to sell high-end goods

 A lot of tv shopping programs have mushroomed in recent years and they're moving upmarket to sell gold, autos as well as houses, rather than selling affordable goods.

"It's not like Fifth Avenue. It is extra like those (out-of-town) outlets exactly where you get both high quality and also a affordable price tag," Zhang Dazhong, chairman of Oriental CJ, one particular from the biggest property purchasing corporations in China, told Monday's China Everyday.

Although television shoppers are sensitive to costs, Zhang said they've been paying far more consideration to excellent. The provider started in high-end product sales with gold, initial five grams, then ten grams and now even 1,000 grams. It then went into diamond and car sales.

Total transaction volumes of China's television purchasing hit 23.four billion yuan in 2009, according to industry figures. Professionals expect the figure will rise to 500 billion yuan by 2020.

China's tv buying faces competitors from the country's robust on-line industry and also regulatory controls imposed after fraudulent activity, mentioned Cai Ling, an analyst with analysis business China Investment Consulting.

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Posted in: Television buying moves upmarket to sell high-end goods

China's yuan up 42 basis points to new high at 6.4856 per USD Monday

The Chinese currency Renminbi, or the yuan,strengthened 42 basis points to an all-time high at .4856 per U.S. dollar on Monday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trading technique.

The yuan's fresh central parity rate scrapped the prior record of 6.4898 per U.S. dollar set on last Friday.

On China's foreign exchange spot industry, the yuan can rise or fall 0.five % from the central parity rate every trading day.

The central parity rate of the RMB against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted common of rates before the opening of the marketplace each and every business day.

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Posted in: China's yuan up 42 basis points to new high at 6.4856 per USD Monday

S Korea's Lee urges stable labor-management relations

 South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday voiced opposition to what he views as "unlawful" strikes, calling for a lot more harmonious labor-management relations.

Criticizing a recent strike at Yoosung Enterprise, a regional auto elements maker, for having threatened to paralyze the complete automobile market, the president, an ex-CEO, said inside a biweekly radio speech that such "illegal" strikes will "never be tolerated."

The government will "sternly" cope with unjustifiable strikes" also as unjust company practices that infringe on the rights and interests of employees," the president said.

The International Institute for Management Advancement of Switzerland ranked South Korea 53rd among 59 countries in labor- management competitiveness, Lee mentioned, pointing out confrontational labor-management relations have driven away foreign investors.

"If labor-management relations pursuing mutual rewards take firm root, it would develop productivity and aid revitalize investments by domestic corporations, even if labor fees remain somewhat high," Lee said in the address.

On its part, the government will strive to enhance life of workers along with corporate growth, the president mentioned.

"We have to establish a win-win economic structure exactly where collaboration between labor and management leads to an improve in productivity, which, in turn, encourages increased investments that produce far more jobs," Lee said. "The government will be certain that laws and principles will likely be impartially applied to labor and management although respecting their autonomy as a lot as possible."

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Posted in: S Korea's Lee urges stable labor-management relations

Storm causes flight cancellations, delays at Chicago airport

Practically 400 flights were cancelled along with the average delay time had been as much as three hours on Sunday at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport because of a heavy storm, authorities stated.

Heavy rain, high winds and lightning have been pounding Chicago area given that Sunday morning. Although the worst from the storms have passed, heavy raining prompted flood warning across northern Illinois, exactly where Chicago is positioned.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm alert for many with the Chicago area as well as flash flood warnings for counties like Lee, DeKalb and LaSalle.

There are also delays at Midway International, the other main airport in Chicago area.

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Posted in: delays at Chicago airport,Storm causes flight cancellations

S Korea's investments in foreign securities fall 0.3% in Q1

Foreign securities invested by South Korea's monetary institutions fell 0.three % inside the very first quarter from three months earlier as regional asset managers retrieved stock fund investments amid declining share prices in emerging markets, the central bank mentioned Monday.

Foreign-currency-denominated securities held by domestic economic institutions reached an outstanding 69.7 billion dollars as of the end of March, down from 69.9 billion dollars the prior quarter, the Bank of Korea (BOK) stated in a statement.

Investments in overseas stocks contracted 1 billion dollars on- quarter to 38.9 billion dollars in the 1st quarter, but foreign bonds and so-called Korean Paper invested by nearby institutions increased by 400 million dollars every single more than the cited period, as outlined by the BOK.

Korean Paper refers to foreign-currency-denominated securities sold overseas by the South Korean government, monetary institutions or businesses.

The decline in overseas stock investments was mainly attributable to asset managers retrieving their income invested in foreign stock-typed funds amid falling share costs in emerging nations like China and Brazil, the BOK stated.

Increased purchases and investment profits contributed to increasing investments in foreign bonds and Korean Paper, the BOK added.

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Posted in: S Korea's investments in foreign securities fall 0.3% in Q1

Queensland policeman shot in head just after responding to armed robbery on Australia's Gold Coast

Three armed robbery suspects are in custody whilst a policeman is fighting for his life in hospital soon after being shot within the head on Australia's Gold Coast overnight, Queensland Police mentioned on Monday.

The incident occurred shortly before 11 p.m. (nearby time) on Sunday soon after police were named to an armed robbery in progress in the Pacific Pines Tavern on the Gold Coast.

Senior Constable Damian Leeding, among the to begin with two officers on the scene, was injured by a shotgun wound to his head, police said.

The 34-year-old officer is inside a essential condition inside the Southport Hospital in Queensland.

Assistant commissioner Paul Wilson told reporters the 3 suspects were being questioned by police but have not been charged yet.

"I'm confident we have each person involved in this incident in our custody assisting us with our inquiries," he said.

Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson stated the robbery occurred about closing time and there had been hostages taken.

He said this incident would raise further inquiries about the will need for a specific armed robbery squad on the Gold Coast.

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Posted in: Queensland policeman shot in head just after responding to armed robbery on Australia's Gold Coast

Cuba decries U.S. sanctions on Venezuela

Cuba on Sunday strongly condemned the United states after Washington slapped sanctions on Venezuela's state-run oil business Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) for its transactions with Iran.

These sanctions are "attempts to divide" Latin America along with the Caribbean and could spark "new conflicts," the Cuban Foreign Ministry stated inside a statement.

"We need to denounce this aggression and we must ask no matter if the U.S. is starting a brand new escalation against the Bolivarian Revolution," it said.

"When Venezuela is attacked the same happens to Cuba," it said, adding that Cuba will take steps and perform with other countries to restore the international law and cease the United states from violating it.

On Tuesday, the U.S. government imposed sanctions against seven foreign firms, including Venezuela's state oil organization PDVSA and Israel's Ofer Brothers Group, which it stated are involved in offering Iran with gasoline and other refined gasoline goods.

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Thousands of Venezuelans protest against U.S. sanctions

Thousands of Venezuelans, which includes cabinet members as well as other senior government officials, rallied right here Sunday to protest against U.S. sanctions on the South American nation's state-owned oil provider Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).

The march started inside the downtown Catia Square at 11:00 a.m. local time (1530 GMT) and lasted for 3 hrs. Wearing red clothes, the color from the country's ruling party, the protesters chanted the slogan "Venezuela will need to be respected."

The demonstration was called by the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and government officials were amongst the protesters, which includes cabinet members, governors, mayors and leaders from the PSUV.

Power and Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez, who is also president with the PDVSA, stated the protest was meant to reject the pressures with the U.S. imperialism against Venezuela.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez hailed the protest by way of his Twitter account.

On Tuesday, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on seven foreign companies, such as PDVSA and Israeli Ofer Brothers Group, which it stated are involved in supplying Iran with gasoline as well as other refined petroleum solutions.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg mentioned that the sanctions had been aimed to avoid Iran from receiving resources to support its allegedly "illegal nuclear activities".

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Standard rice food festival kicks off in Taipei

Citizens queue as much as taste traditional snacks produced of rice in the conventional rice food festival held in Taipei, south China's Taiwan, May perhaps 29, 2011. A traditional rice food festival kicked off in Taipei on Sunday, attracting lots of citizens to taste delicious snacks.

Citizens wrap zongzi, a pyramid-shaped dumpling produced of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, at the traditional rice food festival held in Taipei, south China's Taiwan, May perhaps 29, 2011. A traditional rice food festival kicked off in Taipei on Sunday, attracting a lot of citizens to taste delicious snacks.

Citizens queue as much as taste the conventional snack made of rice at the standard rice food festival held in Taipei, south China's Taiwan, May 29, 2011. A standard rice food festival kicked off in Taipei on Sunday, attracting numerous citizens to taste delicious snacks.

 A girl learns to make handicraft at the standard rice food festival held in Taipei, south China's Taiwan, May well 29, 2011. A standard rice food festival kicked off in Taipei on Sunday, attracting lots of citizens to taste scrumptious snacks.

A girl views fragrant bags at the standard rice food festival held in Taipei, south China's Taiwan, May well 29, 2011. A conventional rice food festival kicked off in Taipei on Sunday, attracting many citizens to taste scrumptious snacks.

Turtle-shaped rice snacks are distributed to citizens in the conventional rice food festival held in Taipei, south China's Taiwan, May possibly 29, 2011. A standard rice food festival kicked off in Taipei on Sunday, attracting numerous citizens to taste delicious snacks.

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Posted in: Standard rice food festival kicks off in Taipei

New Zealand reports record month-to-month trade surplus in April: information

There was a record monthly trade surplus of 1.1 billion NZ dollars (880 million U.S. dollars), or 24 percent from the worth of exports in April, Statistics New Zealand said on Monday.

"This may be the highest monthly surplus ever recorded and also the highest in almost 20 years as a percentage of exports," Statistics New Zealand overseas trade manager Neil Kelly stated. "Contributing towards the surplus, exports in April reached 4.7 billion NZ dollars, also a brand new high."

April was the second consecutive month that exports hit a record high, right after an 11 percent increase in March to four.five billion NZ dollars.

Imports also rose in April, up 7 percent from a year ago, to three.five billion NZ dollars, led by higher petrol imports.

The record monthly trade surplus pushed the annual surplus of exports over imports to 1.two billion NZ dollars, the highest seeing that 1994.

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Posted in: New Zealand reports record month-to-month trade surplus in April: information

Mexico declares progress in FTA talks with C. America

Mexico mentioned Sunday the fifth round of negotiations for forming a single free trade agreement (FTA) with Central America ended with critical progress on several issues

The most prominent achievements had been made on concerns including market place access, the ease from the trade as well as the technical obstacles to trade, the Economic Ministry said in a statement.

There had been also significant progress on trade mark, trade defense, government purchases and solution of trade variations.

The sixth round of the talks might be held in August in El Salvador, the ministry said.

Mexico currently has FTAs with Costa Rica, Nicaragua plus the so-called Triangle from the North which consists of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.The present talks was aimed at eastabishing a single FTA area with Mexico plus the whole Central America.

Of the 50 billion dollars of Central America's annual exports, only 8 percent go to Mexico, suggesting that there exists good possible for expanding trade relations among the two sides.

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Posted in: Mexico declares progress in FTA talks with C. America

Veterans' Rolling Thunder marks Memorial Day in U.S.

 U.S. veterans participate in the annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride to commemorate the Memorial Day in Washington D.C., capital from the United states, May possibly 29, 2011. Tens of thousands of U.S. veterans with their motorcycles joined the event on Sunday.

 U.S. veterans ride across the Memorial Bridge through the annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride to commemorate the Memorial Day in Washington D.C., capital of the United states, Might 29, 2011. Tens of thousands of U.S. veterans with their motorcycles joined the event on Sunday.

U.S. veterans participate inside the annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride to commemorate the Memorial Day in Washington D.C., capital from the Usa, Could 29, 2011. Tens of a large number of U.S. veterans with their motorcycles joined the event on Sunday.

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Posted in: Veterans' Rolling Thunder marks Memorial Day in U.S.

Two protesters killed, 60 injured in clashes in south Yemen: witnesses

At the least two anti-government protester had been killed and up to 60 other folks were wounded inside a raid by Yemeni security forces against a large number of protesters demanding ousting from the country's president in southern province of Taiz on Sunday, witnesses stated.

"The attack started when the protesters marched toward a police station in downtown the provincial capital city of Taiz to demand the release of their jailed colleagues," the witnesses said.

Doctor Hamoud Aqlan, the supervisor from the makeshift hospital told Xinhua that "two protesters had been killed and extra than 60 other people had been injured inside the security forces' attack on the protesters, eight of whom had been wounded with gunshots."

"The attack, in which security forces utilised reside bullets and tear gas, was nonetheless ongoing as police snipers were taking positions on the rooftops of buildings close to the epicenter with the sit-in, dubbed as Freedom Square," he stated.

Seeing that February, Yemen's significant cities have faced practically daily clashes between police forces and anti-government protesters demanding an finish towards the 33-year rule of defiant President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in which hundreds of men and women had been killed.

The impoverished Arab nation has already been functioning on a ceasefire to end a five-day tribe rebellion inside the capital Sanaa that killed at the least 127 individuals, as government forces have already been shelling militants from the Yemen-based al-Qaida wing just after they took over southern troubled province of Abyan on Saturday.

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Posted in: 60 injured in clashes in south Yemen: witnesses,Two protesters killed

Yemeni defected army accuses president of handing more than Abyan to terrorists

 Yemeni defected army forces, which joined the opposition-backed anti-government protesters, issued a statement on Sunday, accusing President Ali Abdullah Saleh of " disrupting the military institution and handing over a southern province to terrorist groups."

The televised statement, which was read by former defence minister Abdullah Ali Aliwah on behalf of "the leadership of the peaceful youth-led anti-government protests", bore names of nine army senior officials, like dissident Major General Ali Muhsen al-Ahmar, who's the half brother of Saleh and serves as the commander of the military northwest area.

"President Saleh on Saturday issued directives to the military and security forces within the southern province of Abyan, ordering them to surrender and hand more than government buildings to armed terrorist groups," the statement mentioned, cited by opposition media outlet Almasdaronline.

The statement also accused Saleh of disrupting military and security institutions inside the capital Sanaa via withdrawing government forces from those institutions to enable armed thugs to occupy them.

"We called upon the rest of our brothers, the military commanders of other brigades to declare their defection from Saleh 's cabinet and join the youths-led peaceful anti-government protests," said the statement, adding "We must acknowledge that we're responsible for maintaining the unity, security and stability of Yemen for the Yemeni men and women and the homeland."

The statement came per day right after al-Qaida within the Arabian Peninsula took more than Abyan province following days of fierce battles with government forces.

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Posted in: Yemeni defected army accuses president of handing more than Abyan to terrorists

Sudanese government says UNMIS term ends on July 9

The Sudanese government on Sunday reiterated that it has the final say on whether or not should the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) stay within the country, official SUNA news agency reported.

A United Nations spokesperson on Sunday stated that the decision on whether or not must UNMIS remain in Sudan was a decision for the U.N. Security Council.

"The selection on no matter if to end or preserve the term of UNMIS could be the decision of the Sudanese government and not any other trend. The UN mission need to get ready to pack up just before the end of the transitional period on July 9," SUNA quoted Khalid Musa, spokesman for the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as saying.

"The deployment with the UN troops was on consent of the Sudanese government inside the initially place and in accordance together with the principles of its national sovereignty and leading national interests. Consequently, the choice to enable these troops to keep till July 9 comes as component from the government's fulfillment of its commitments toward the peace course of action and the agreement signed with the UN in this respect," he added.

Khartoum on Saturday formally notified the United Nations that presence of UNMIS within the nation would finish on July 9, 2011. The UNMIS was established in Sudan in accordance together with the UN Security Council Resolution 1590 issued on March 24, 2005.

In accordance with the resolution, UNMIS was tasked to monitor and verify the implementation from the Ceasefire Agreement and to investigate violations; to liaise with bilateral donors on the formation of Joint Integrated Units and to observe and monitor movement of armed groups and redeployment of forces within the places of UNMIS deployment in accordance using the Ceasefire Agreement besides other tasks.

The UNMIS mandated was set to finish by the finish of the CPA, i.e. July 9, 2011, when south Sudan would officially declare independent.

Khartoum insisted that UNMIS mandate should finish as scheduled, though south Sudan demanded the mission peacekeepers to stay within its territories. UNMIS deployed around ten,592 peacekeepers which includes 9,451 soldiers, 486 military observers and 655 police officers.

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Posted in: Sudanese government says UNMIS term ends on July 9

More than 100 taking part in marathon on Qomolangma

 Far more than 100 runners from worldwide took element in a marathon held Sunday morning on the south slope of Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest peak, occasion manager Ram Thapa confirmed to Xinhua more than telephone.

The 42,195-meter race started from close to the renowned Khumbu Ice Fall at Qomolangma Base Camp (5,364 meters above sea level) along with the finish is set at Namche Bazar (3,440 meters above sea level).

The adventure was organized by Himalayan Expedition of Nepal to commemorate the historical ascent by late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on May possibly 29, 1953. May 29 is observed as "International Qomolangma Day".

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"The Hangover Portion II", "Kung Fu Panda 2" support in shattering Memorial Day weekend box office record

With all the screening of two potentially hit blockbusters of the summer, "The Hangover Part II" and "Kung Fu Panda 2," the box office record over the Memorial Day weekend was shattered, because the pair score a one-two finish in the box office derby.

"The Hangover Component II," a comedy from Legendary/Warner Bros., opened to widest release on Friday, hitting 3,615 theaters across Canada plus the United states because the widest opening ever for an R- rated. Warner Bros. estimated that the film would gross 87 million U.S. dollars throughout the four-day vacation, landing in the range a single location from the weekend domestic box workplace. Overall, the sequel to the "Hangover" franchise is on track to rake in 118 million dollars more than four days.

The film also boasted the highest R-rated opening more than the years, replacing Sex and the City (2008) with 26.7 million dollars, second only to "The Matrix Reloaded" (91.8 million dollars) eight years ago, according to North America box workplace authority.

In accordance with estimated receipts, the 2011 Memorial Day weekend has ushered inside a new box office record as a total of 270 million dollars in ticket sales were expected to harvest, shuttering a prior record of 254 million dollars set 4 years ago, when a trio of blockbusters which includes "Pirates From the Caribbean 3," " Shrek 3" and "Spider-Man 3" ran as leading winners with the box office derby.

The sequel towards the 2009 original film tells how a trio of buddies, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) and Doug (Justin Bartha) experienced in exotic Thailand for Stu's wedding. Exit polls showed that 51 percent of viewers had been female and 41 percent were aged among 18 and 24. The film has received commonly negative critiques. "Rotten Tomatoes," a assessment aggregator, offers it a score of 35 percent according to 176 evaluations from critics having a rating average of four.9 out of 10. Critics agree that the flick is " a crueler, darker, raunchier carbon copy from the very first installment" and "lacks the element of surprise -- and most of the joy -- that helped make the original a hit."

"Kung Fu Panda two," an animated comedy and sequel to 2008 "Kung Fu Panda," is estimated to take in 48 million dollars from three,925 locations in range two location. While being overshadowed by its raunchy competitor "The Hangover Portion II," the film managed to win over a sizable number of school youngsters because the Memorial Day break started. It has won basically optimistic critiques, with quite a few critics praising its animation, 3D effects, and character advancement. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a "Certified Fresh" score of 80 percent, according to evaluations from 99 critics and also a rating common of 7 out of 10. In accordance with the site, critics agree that the film "offers adequate action, comedy, and visual sparkle to compensate," even though the storyline arc could appear a tad familiar to fans with the original.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," the fourth sequel to the hit "pirates" franchise from the Walt Disney Studios, raked in 39 million dollars more than the Friday-Sunday period, ending in quantity three location. It can be on track to gross 153 million dollars in ten days. In fourth location is "Bridesmaids," an R-rated Universal comedy targeting female audiences, with 16 million dollars in movie ticket receipts for a total of 85 million dollars in three weeks. "Thor," a Paramount superhero drama, was fifth with 9.four million dollars in film stubs. It has taken in 159.7 million dollars in four weeks.

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Posted in: "Kung Fu Panda 2" support in shattering Memorial Day weekend box office record,"The Hangover Portion II"

three dead, three injured in auto crash in west Michigan

Three men and women had been killed and three more remained in critical situation just after a vehicle crash happened just soon after four a.m. nearby time Sunday on westbound I-196 in West Michigan from the Usa, in accordance with a report of WOOD-TV.

A wrong-way driver from Nebraska traveling eastbound within the westbound lanes of I-196 crashed into a vehicle head-on on the highway, killing three people today which includes him, mentioned Ottawa County Sheriff's deputies.

The deputies usually do not know when the driver got on the highway as he was pronounced dead on the scene with the crash.

The female driver and one passenger of the vehicle hit by the incorrect way driver also were killed, based on the WOOD-TV, and 3 other passengers are listed in essential circumstances at a nearby hospital.

The highway was shut down for about five hrs as crews investigated and cleaned up the scene. The highway was re-opened just just before 9 a.m. as well as the crash is beneath investigation.

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Selected chemicals widespread in sport fish along California's urban coastline: survey

 Nineteen % of coastline inside the U.S. State of California sampled by the state water board harbored fish with mercury in such high concentrations that they should not be eaten by young girls and youngsters, a newly released survey has found.

Fourteen % of places had similarly elevated levels of PCBs, in accordance with the survey published by The Los Angeles Occasions on Sunday.

Probably the most elevated concentrations of mercury and PCBs were observed in San Francisco Bay and San Diego Bay, mentioned the survey funded by the state water board.

The findings, part of a two-year inquiry that may be the biggest statewide survey of contaminants in sport fish along the California coast, examined far more than 2,000 fish from 3 dozen species gathered in 2009 from waters near Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, the paper stated.

The survey highlights the health dilemma of lingering mercury, a poisonous metal that is observed in fish globally, and of PCBs, toxic chemical substances the Usa banned in the 1970s, the report stated.

Each substances continue to pose a threat to individuals who eat fish caught along the California coast since they are able to bring about nervous process damage and developmental difficulties in kids and can lead to cancer, liver damage and reproductive harm, the report quoted researchers as saying.

"Unfortunately, we're not seeing numerous places that are entirely clean," mentioned Jay Davis, a senior scientist for the San Francisco Estuary Institute and lead author from the study. But a catalog of exactly where and in what fish the substances abound should help anglers make far better choices, Davis said. "With superior data, men and women can cut down their exposure considerably."

Sharks had a number of the highest levels of mercury because of their unusual tendency to accumulate contaminants in their flesh, even though chub mackerel had the lowest levels of contamination, as outlined by the survey.

The survey final results had been utilised in element to help craft new fish consumption suggestions issued earlier this week for anglers in San Francisco Bay, the very first update there by state wellness officials in 17 years. The advisory identifies shiner perch along with other surf perches as unsafe to consume in any quantity and warns young females and kids not to eat white sturgeon, striped bass and sharks caught inside the bay, The Occasions mentioned.

The buildup of metals and also other chemical compounds in fish is such a problem along the Southern California coast that well being officials two years ago expanded the number of fish species on the "do not eat" list from a single to five due to high levels of PCBs, mercury and the banned pesticide DDT, the report noted.

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Kuwait says medical checkup results for Amir constructive

 Kuwait said Sunday that the results of medical checkup for the Gulf emirate's Amir in Britain were constructive.

Cabinet ministers wished Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah swift recovery and return dwelling at an early date just after the tests, the official KUNA news agency reported.

The agency did not provide details connected for the remedy for the 82-year-old leader, who left for Britain on Tuesday.

Sheikh Sabah, who has the final say in politics, was sworn in in 2006 as the 15th Amir with the oil-rich Kuwait. He served because the country's foreign minister from 1963 to 2003.

Kuwait sits atop about ten % from the world's confirmed oil reserves.

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Variety of confirmed E.Coli instances rises to 11 in Denmark

The amount of confirmed E.coli situations has risen to 11 with no less than an additional eight persons suspected of obtaining the intestinal infection in Denmark, as outlined by Denmark's National Serum Institute on Sunday.

Five with the confirmed instances show signs and symptoms of kidney failure which marks an advanced stage of the sickness, the institute mentioned.

Danish cucumbers are suspected of assisting spread the E. coli bacteria believed to be causing a deadly outbreak of intestinal infection in Denmark and Germany, neighborhood media reported Sunday.

The Danish cucumbers were mixed in Germany with cucumbers originating inside the Netherlands, generating it hard to figure out if Danish cucumbers are in reality contaminated.

Denmark's Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) had earlier mentioned the suspicion against Danish cucumber was "vague", but advised Danish customers not to eat raw tomatoes, lettuces and cucumbers from Germany, and cucumber from Spain.

It's now checking Danish cucumbers for traces of E. coli with final results expected on Tuesday.

Some Danish retailers have now removed these merchandise from their supermarket shelves. Along with the Danish branch of fast-food chain McDonald's announced Saturday that it was dropping fresh cucumbers from its menu until additional notice.

The infection, which is food-borne, can be caused by consuming raw or uncooked foods for instance vegetables contaminated together with the E. coli bacteria.

Signs and symptoms of infection involve mild fever, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, and can final five to seven days. It could prove fatal within the incredibly young, sick, or elderly.

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Unexploded NATO projectile found in the course of reconstruction operate in Serbia

 Workers reconstructing a section of the Fiat automobile complicated inside the central Serbian city of Kragujevac found an unexploded projectile, dating from the NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999, reported Radio Television Serbia ( RTS) on Sunday.

The projectile was uncovered by a bulldozer operator, digging up a section of a parking lot near the entrance of one of many buildings within the original Zastava automobile complicated. Fiat purchased the damaged and largely defunct business in 2010. Police cordoned off the area.

Based on Bojan Tomic, head with the Emergency Services in Kragujevac, an expert team is scheduled to arrive on Monday to identify the projectile and to decide how greatest to deactivate or dispose of the unexploded ordnance.

Through the NATO bombing campaign of Yugoslavia, the Zastava facilities had been targeted on two separate occasions, unleashing much more than 30 missiles. On the evening between April eight and 9, 1999, the truck plant and also the auto assembly facility sustained considerable damage. On Easter, a couple of days later, the forge, paint shop, an administrative constructing and tool crib storage facility were completely destroyed.

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Railway linking Jordan, Iraq to become installed

Jordan and Iraq on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding to execute a project to install a railway linking the two nations, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

The memo, signed by Jordan's Transport Minister Muhannad Qudah and his Iraqi counterpart Hadi Al Ameri, aims to enhance the flow of passengers and commodities among the two countries.

The railway, Qudah mentioned, will link the southern city of Aqaba with Baghdad, adding that styles and studies for the project are ready.

The two sides also agreed to kind a committee to identify the stops for the railway, stated Qudah, stressing the significance with the project.

The Iraqi minister mentioned the project is very important for the two nations along with the trade in between them.

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Libyan opposition's treasury nearly empty

 The Libyan opposition's economic and oil representative said Sunday the rebel is operating out of money to fund its war economic climate and some friend nations have not realized the urgency from the predicament.

Ali Tarhouni, who is in charge of the finance for the opposition's National Transitional Council, said locating sources of revenue is actually a hard challenge while he believes the opposition would lastly win.

"I do not have any resources. Not a single dinar came in for the treasury on Sunday," the former economics lecturer in the University of Washington told a press conference, adding "we only exported one particular shipment (of oil) and got 150 million U.S. dollars for that. So far we've spent 408 million dollars on fuel. It really is not a great range."

He told Xinhua that the leading priority of his job now is usually to support the besieged areas plus the refugees in Tunisia. Nevertheless, the oil export, which was expected to become a significant supply of revenue, wouldn't be resumed till the safety of the oil fields is ensured.

In a complaint that lots of countries that pledged aids essentially don't realize the urgency with the predicament, Tarhouni mentioned, "we are besieged. Folks are dying each day. I'm not positive that this very simple straight message is even reaching our pals."

But he singled out Qatar and Kuwait, saying he appreciated the aid from the Gulf pals and is expecting additional help from them.

Asked regardless of whether the donated dollars will be employed to spent on armament, Tarhouni stated the mechanism has safety measures and transparency to make positive the assets will be used to buy fuel, food and medicine, not arms, "although I wish we have the dollars to purchase arms."

Tarhouni has not long ago returned towards the opposition bastion Benghazi from a trip to Europe plus the Usa looking for economic aids.

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Iran's supreme leader calls on parliament, government to end political row

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Sunday known as on Iranian parliament and the government for an end towards the political row.

Khamenei said that creating a rift among the country's managing organs was 1 with the objective of hegemonic powers, implying the Western states, nearby satellite Press Tv reported.

Not long ago, conservative lawmakers of Iranian parliament have taken controversial and opposing stances against a number of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's political and economic positions.

Earlier this month, a senior member with the Iranian Majlis, Fazel Moussavi, stated quite a few lawmakers had filed a lawsuit against Ahmadinejad's administration for violating the constitution.

Blaming the West for stirring problems inside the country, Khamenei mentioned Sunday that the enemies have targeted Iranian economy and are producing every endeavor to weaken the economic climate, stir up disputes among the country's officials and also have targeted the Islamic faith and religious sentiments, but to no avail, based on the official IRNA news agency.

The leader assigned the parliament along with the government to uphold rule of law in coping with various social and economic difficulties, said IRNA.

The supreme leader stated the parliament is expected to pass legislation inside a approach to facilitate its implementation by the government and, at the very same time, as soon as a bill is passed by the parliament, the government must do its very best to implement it devoid of bringing any excuses, mentioned the report.

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Obama visits tornado-ravaged Joplin, offering condolences, encouragement to tornado victims

 U.S. President Obama visited Joplin, Missouri Sunday to attend the memorial service, a single week immediately after the city was battered by the deadliest single tornado, as outlined by neighborhood media.

Obama flew over the worst-hit region from the city, viewing it from above, ahead of landing in Joplin. Obama stated that it is going to take years to develop back and he urged Americans to donate for the Red Cross, that is assisting storm victims who have lost their houses. Tornadoes, he mentioned, can take place to everyone, as outlined by CNN.

Obama offered condolences and encouragement for the tornado victims, whilst delivering his speech through the memorial service after touring the 6-mile-long storm-ravaged location and meeting with storm survivors. "This isn't just your tragedy, this really is a national tragedy, and that suggests there is going to be a national response, " Obama told the folks of Joplin.

Obama praised the solidarity the people today of Joplin had shown when tornado hit at the same time as individuals who have engaged in heroic efforts for the persons of Joplin. He promised that "the nation will likely be there with you just about every step with the way."

The tornado touched down into the heart with the Midwest city near 6 p.m. neighborhood time on Might 22, destroying neighborhoods and killing additional individuals than any other U.S. tornado because contemporary recordkeeping started in 1950. In the last month, tornadoes killed far more than 300 people today and brought on far more than two billion U.S. dollars of damages towards the U.S. South.

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Killing of 40 Algerian soldiers has direct connection with chaos in Libya: PM

Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia stated Sunday that the killing of 40 soldiers in clashes with armed groups in the nation is resulting from the spread of Libyan arms in the African Sahel region.

Ouyahia told a news conference right here that the unrest in Libya has led to the spread of weapons amongst "terrorist groups," adding that the killing of 40 Algerian soldiers in the past handful of weeks features a direct connection together with the spread of arms within the region.

Ouyahia also known as for the "immediate cease-fire in Libya."

Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci has earlier expressed issues that violence in Libya may have negative effect on Algeria's counterterrorism activities.

"We have to take into consideration that in situation the crisis in Libya aggravated, the scenario would almost certainly go beyond the Libyan borders and then would grow to be a problem of the region," Medelci stated.

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Political reforms in Algeria sovereign choice: PM

Algeria Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia said Sunday that political reforms in the country are a sovereign selection instead of becoming dictated by foreign forces.

Ouyahia told a press conference here that the reforms have nothing to do with protests erupted in January, referring to demonstrations provoked by the soaring food prices which coincided having a wave of unrest in the Arab region.

"The predicament in Algeria is not the same as countries which have witnessed turbulence in current months," Ouyahia stated, adding that Algeria "has traversed an important path with regards to democracy, and nowadays you will discover 40 independent parties, 80 newspapers and 60 non-affiliated trade unions."

Ouyahia more named on the opposition to "participate massively and efficiently to produce those reforms a good results."

Algeria President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has pledged to implement political reforms together with the consent with the majority of political actors in the nation.

The reforms incorporate producing amendments for the constitution along with other laws and codes, such as the election code, party code, information and facts law plus the representation of females in elected councils.

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Nigerian president seeks new thrust to develop economy

 Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan promised in Abuja on Sunday that new thrusts will be introduced to develop the Nigerian economic climate to enviable heights.

"We will continue to encourage neighborhood enterprises to make the most of the economy to make jobs," President Jonathan mentioned just after he was sworn in for a new term of workplace.

"We should kind ethical and financial partnerships using the rest with the world as no country can do it alone. We must be prepared to welcome sustainable investments into our nation," he added.

Based on him, the banking and monetary sectors should be ready to assistance the genuine sector from the economic climate to make jobs and prosperity for its citizens.

President Jonathan stressed that there is the urgent need to develop the real sector from the economic system in an effort to mitigate the country's exposure towards the volatility of unstable oil rates.

The president appealed to all stakeholders to join his administration in ensuring that the economic climate is brought to a level that would earn the country respect within the comity of nations.

He assured that policies will be put in location to ensure that small-scale and medium scale enterprises thrived.

The Nigerian leader stated it's noteworthy that return on investment in Nigeria is amongst the highest in the planet.

President Jonathan said interest would be paid to electric energy provide as it is a vital element in rejuvenating the industrial sector.

He assured that corruption will be fought to a standstill and known as on Nigerians to join him within the crusade.

"It is our collective responsibility to wage the war against corruption for the overall excellent of all," he added.

"Nigeria is really a nation exactly where constructive adjust should be sustained. This can be the time for transformation. This is the time for action. Nigeria can only be transformed if we all contribute our quota," he said.

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5.9-magnitude shallow-depth quake hits off Sumatra, Indonesia: USGS

An earthquake measuring five.9 on the Richter scale jolted southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia at 1824 GMT on Sunday (02:24 Beijing Time Monday), the U.S. Geological Survey mentioned.

The epicenter, having a depth of 9.50 km, was initially determined to be at 7.7506 degrees south latitude and 101.7467 degrees east longitude.

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Australian Football star Tim Cahill backs Qatar to host 2022 Planet Cup

 Australian Football Team star Tim Cahill on Sunday night threw assistance to rival Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA Globe Cup, in spite of playing a part in failed Australian bid.

Final December, Cahill was in Zurich of Switzerland to witness Australia's first-round elimination in voting, just before fellow bidders the United states, Japan and South Korea also bowed out.

Qatar has won hosting proper, but allegations of corruption during the bidding method have since induced controversy.

Nonetheless, Cahill said the Qatar was deserving of a chance to host the occasion.

"I was there for the bid and saw their presentation getting produced," he told the Nine Network on Sunday.

"To be completely honest with you, it was the top presentation I saw as well as the most impressive.

"I've never ever observed anything like it."

When asked if he wanted to visit the World Cup in Qatar he answered with an emphatic: "Yeah for sure".

The 31-year-old Cahill also brushed off widespread criticism of Qatar's ability to host the event, saying people are too swift to point out the negatives.

"They looked for countless faults in South Africa (hosts with the 2010 World Cup), everywhere they search for faults. But it really is all about probabilities," he stated.

"Qatar is probably the richest nations inside the planet as well as the point is they may give each opportunity of creating it come about.

"And if it signifies sticking air conditioning in each stadium and things like that, that's what they are going to have to do."

Australia has invested 49.four million U.S. dollars on the failed bid to host the World Cup 2022 finals.

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UN chief calls for early, prosperous conclusion of peace procedure in Nepal

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Sunday hailed an agreement reached by Nepal's three main political parties to extend the term of the Constituent Assembly ( CA) for three much more months, and called for "an early and prosperous conclusion" of the peace course of action in the Asian country.

A statement issued here by Ban's spokesman mentioned, "The secretary- basic welcomes the agreement reached amongst the parties in Nepal to extend the Constituent Assembly, plus the reaffirmation of their commitment to complete the simple tasks from the peace method, specifically the integration and rehabilitation from the Maoist Army personnel."

After a prolonged rounds of internal, bilateral and multilateral meetings, the three key political parties of Nepal reached a consensus earlier Sunday morning to extend the CA term for 3 a lot more months.

Based on the deal, the top three parties -- the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), the Nepali Congress, as well as the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) -- agreed to extend the CA term by 3 months initially and full the very first draft with the constitution within three months, making Nepal Army's structure inclusive and resignation of incumbent Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, reports stated.

Parties forging consensus to extend the CA term for three months has not simply bestowed CA's life but additionally worked as medicine to continued life of Nepal's ongoing peace process. The extension has dismissed probable "constitutional crisis" and arouse new hopes in frustrated Nepali people today for the continuation of peace method and drafting new constitution, the reports mentioned.

A meeting of Legislative Parliament on Sunday morning endorsed a bill to amend Interim Constitution of Nepal 2007 that enables to extend the CA term for 3 months.

"The secretary-general urges the parties to bring the peace method to an early and successful conclusion on the basis of a clear timetable and program of action and looks forward to additional progress inside the drafting with the new constitution," the UN statement said.

"The parties need to take this opportunity afforded to them to live as much as their commitments and responsibilities within the interests of peace and stability in Nepal," the statement mentioned.

"The United Nations will continue to assistance progress in the peace course of action in Nepal," the statement added.

The 601-member CA was elected in 2008 having a two-year mandate to write the new constitution following the finish of decade-long civil war among the then rebel Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and the state that abolished the 240-year-old monarchy in Nepal.

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