Xinhua News Agency back issues from Friday, May 23:
Morocco-Turkey trade up 27 pct due to FTA
May 23, 2008 ... Morocco-Turkey trade up 27 pct due to FTA RABAT, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Trade volumes between Morocco andTurkey totalled 920 million U.S. dollars in 2007, up 27 percent fromthe previous year thanks to a Free Trade Agreement which enteredinto force one and a half years ago, a local ...
Bomb attack hits patrol west of Baghdad, killing interpreter
May 23, 2008 ... Bomb attack hits patrol west of Baghdad, killing interpreter FALLUJAH, Iraq, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A roadside bomb on Fridaystruck a dismounted joint patrol of U.S. troops and Iraqi police inthe city of Fallujah in Anbar province, killing one interpreter andwounding two Iraqi ...
Olmert questioned again in bribery probe
May 23, 2008 ... Olmert questioned again in bribery probeJERUSALEM, May 23(Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was grilled again bypolice in the latest investigation against him on Friday, while acourt granted a short delay of a pre-trial deposition of a pivotalwitness in the case ....
Heart disease leading cause of death in Jordan: officials
May 23, 2008 ... Heart disease leading cause of death in Jordan: officials AMMAN, May 23 (Xinhua)-- Heart disease has become a leadingthreat to the health of the Jordanian population, with 40.5 percentof deaths last year found to be related with heart ailments, healthofficials with was quoted by ...
Israeli army kills five militants in Gaza
May 23, 2008 ... Israeli army kills five militants in Gaza GAZA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Five Palestinian militants were killedon Friday by Israeli troops which raided into the Hamas-rule GazaStrip, according to medical workers and militant groups. An Israeli air striking east of the southern city ...
Israeli lawmakers prepare bill on Golan referendum
May 23, 2008 ... Israeli lawmakers prepare bill on Golan referendum JERUSALEM, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A special committee of Israeliparliament (the Knesset) is preparing a bill requiring a referendumto be held before Israel relinquishes any territory currently underits sovereignty, including the ...
Major news items in leading Turkish newspapers
May 23, 2008 ... Major news items in leading Turkish newspapers ANKARA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The following are major news items inleading Turkish newspapers on Friday. TURKIYE (Turkey): -- Turkish Security Forces arrested a total of 99 illegalmigrants during separate operations staged ...
Policeman killed in car bombing west of Baghdad
May 23, 2008 ... Policeman killed in car bombing west of Baghdad FALLUJAH, Iraq, May 23 (Xinhua) -- An Iraqi policeman was killedand four others were injured in a car bomb explosion in the city ofFallujah in Anbar province on Friday, a provincial police sourcesaid. "An explosive-laden car ...
Major news items in leading Israeli newspapers
May 23, 2008 ... Major news items in leading Israeli newspapers JERUSALEM, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The following are major news itemsin leading Israeli newspapers on Friday. Ha'aretz: -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told visiting FrenchForeign Minister Bernard Kouchner Thursday that ...
Xinhua Middle East news advisory -- May 23
May 23, 2008 ... Xinhua Middle East news advisory -- May 23 CAIRO, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The following are some of major MiddleEast news stories due to be covered or pursued by Xinhua News Agencyon Friday. -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is set to be questioned bypolice on Friday for a ...
Turkey becoming global auto industry hub: paper
May 23, 2008 ... Turkey becoming global auto industry hub: paper ANKARA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkey is becoming an export base forautomotive manufacturers and auto-related subindustries, localnewspaper Today's Zaman reported on Friday. Seen as a gateway to European and Asian markets, Turkey ...
UAE parliament posts draft laws online
May 23, 2008 ... UAE parliament posts draft laws online ABU DHABI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The Federal National Council (FNC),the parliament of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is now postingall draft laws referred to it by the cabinet on its website forreview and discussion, local newspaper Khaleej ...
Iraqi security forces detain al-Qaida leader north of Baghdad
May 23, 2008 ... Iraqi security forces detain al-Qaida leader north of Baghdad TIKRIT, Iraq, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces havedetained a senior al-Qaida leader during an overnight raid inSalahudin province, a provincial security source said on Friday. The detention operation began ...
Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2100 GMT, May 23
May 23, 2008 ... Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2100 GMT, May 23 GAZA -- Five Palestinian militants were killed on Friday byIsraeli troops which raided into the Hamas-rule Gaza Strip,according to medical workers and militant groups. An Israeli air striking east of the southern city of ...
UAE gives Morocco 300 mln USD to ward off oil price fallouts
May 23, 2008 ... UAE gives Morocco 300 mln USD to ward off oil price fallouts RABAT, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates have grantedMorocco 300 million U.S. dollars to face the harsh impact of thesurge of global oil prices, Morocco's state MAP agency reported onFriday. The sum, ...
Turkey not yet decided to join the Unity for the Mediterranean -- FM
May 23, 2008 ... Turkey not yet decided to join the Unity for the Mediterranean --FM ANKARA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacansaid Friday that his country has not yet decided to join the " Unityfor the Mediterranean," the semi-official Anatolia news agencyreported ....
Eight Moroccans die in bus crash in France
May 23, 2008 ... Eight Moroccans die in bus crash in France RABAT, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Eight people died in a violent buscrash that occurred in the early hours of Friday near the town ofBlois, central France, official MAP news agency reported Friday. Earlier, seven people died when the bus ...
One PKK rebel killed in eastern Turkey
May 23, 2008 ... One PKK rebel killed in eastern Turkey ANKARA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Security Forces killed Fridaya rebel of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in a clashbetween them in the eastern part of the country, the semi- officialAnatolia news agency reported. One PKK ...
Iran, Ghana keen to bolster economic cooperation
May 23, 2008 ... Iran, Ghana keen to bolster economic cooperation TEHRAN, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Ghana signed sevenmemorandums of understanding (MOUs) on Friday to bolster theircooperation in oil and non-oil fields, the official IRNA news agencyreported. Visiting Ghanaian Foreign ...
Israel, Syria to carry on peace talks soon: report
May 23, 2008 ... Israel, Syria to carry on peace talks soon: report JERUSALEM, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Israel and Syria will carry out thenext round of Turkey-mediated peace negotiations in the comingweeks, local daily Ha'aretz quoted Turkish and Israeli officials assaying on Friday. "The two ...
Turkey to boost trade with Iraq to five bln USD
May 23, 2008 ... Turkey to boost trade with Iraq to five bln USD ANKARA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkey plans to increase trade volumewith Iraq to five billion U.S. dollars, up from the current threebillion dollars, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported onFriday. Turkish State Minister ...
UAE, Luxembourg sign open sky accord
May 23, 2008 ... UAE, Luxembourg sign open sky accord ABU DHABI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) andthe Grand Duchy of Luxembourg have signed an "open sky" air servicesagreement, the official Emirates News Agency reported on Friday. The agreement was cosigned by Saif ...
1st Ld: Myanmar constitutional referendum continues in cyclone-hit area
May 23, 2008 ... 1st Ld: Myanmar constitutional referendum continues in cyclone-hit area YANGON, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's referendum on a draftconstitution continued Saturday morning in 47 townships of twodivisions which are still declared as cyclone-hit-area status, withpeople across the ...
URGENT: Myanmar constitutional referendum continues in cyclone-hit area
May 23, 2008 ... URGENT: Myanmar constitutional referendum continues in cyclone-hit area YANGON, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's referendum on a draftconstitution continued Saturday morning in 47 townships of twodivisions which are still declared as cyclone-hit-area status withpeople across the ...
Major news items in leading Australian newspapers
May 23, 2008 ... Major news items in leading Australian newspapers CANBERRA, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The following are major news itemsin leading Australian newspapers on Saturday. The Weekend Australian: -- The Rudd Government will consider establishing a commonwealthcommission to tackle ...
Indonesian capital city to have more "car-free" days
May 23, 2008 ... Indonesian capital city to have more "car-free" days JAKARTA, May 24 (Xinhua) -- After noting the effectiveness of "car-free" days in Thamrin road and Jenderal Sudirman road - two ofthe Indonesian capital city of Jakarta's main thoroughfares - inimproving air quality in the city, ...
Nepal issues arrest warrant against U.S. smuggler
May 23, 2008 ... Nepal issues arrest warrant against U.S. smuggler KATHMANDU, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The Nepali police have issued anarrest warrant against American citizen Ian Baker for his beinginvolved in smuggling of antiques and animal hides, local newspaperThe Rising Nepal reported Saturday ....
Major news items in leading Japanese newspapers
May 23, 2008 ... Major news items in leading Japanese newspapers TOKYO, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The following are major news items inleading Japanese newspapers on Saturday: Japan Times: -- Japan held the largest amount of net foreign assets in theworld in 2007 for the 17th consecutive ...
2nd Ld-Writethru: Myanmar constitutional referendum continues in cyclone-hit areas
May 23, 2008 ... 2nd Ld-Writethru: Myanmar constitutional referendum continues incyclone-hit areas YANGON, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's referendum on a draftconstitution continued Saturday morning in cyclone-hit areas in twodivisions as a follow-up of an earlier referendum that was held onMay 10 ...
1st Ld: Myanmar top leader meets UN Chief
May 23, 2008 ... 1st Ld: Myanmar top leader meets UN Chief YANGON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar top leader Senior-General ThanShwe met on Friday morning with visiting Secretary-General of theUnited Nations Ban Ki-moon in Nay Pyi Taw, official sources said. The meeting took place a day after ...
Indian stock market opens up 51.69 points
May 23, 2008 ... Indian stock market opens up 51.69 points MUMBAI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Indian shares opened higher on Friday,with the key Sensex index up 0.30 percent shortly after opening. Sensex rose 51.69 points, or 0.30 percent, to 16958.80 ....
Thai RSS3 rubber price
May 23, 2008 ... Thai RSS3 rubber price BANGKOK, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The following are the official noonFOB prices of Ribbed Smoked Sheets Grade 3 (RSS3) rubber atThailand's southern central market in Songkhla ...
Suspect insurgent killed in Thai south
May 23, 2008 ... Suspect insurgent killed in Thai south BANGKOK, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A suspect insurgent was killed Fridaymorning in Thailand's far southern province Yala when a group ofinsurgents were engaged in a gunfight with police and soldiers,media here reported. The clash took place ...
Vietnam allows foreigners to buy apartments from 2009
May 23, 2008 ... Vietnam allows foreigners to buy apartments from 2009 HANOI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam has permitted foreignorganizations and individuals, from 2009, to buy apartments in thecountry and own them for up to 50 years, local newspaper YoungPeople reported Friday. Under a ...
Vietnam reports additional pig disease-hit provinces
May 23, 2008 ... Vietnam reports additional pig disease-hit provinces HANOI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Porcine Reproductive and RespiratorySyndrome (PRRS), known as "blue ear" disease, has recently strickensouthern Vinh Long province, raising the total number of affectedlocalities in Vietnam to 10 ....
2nd Ld Writethru: Myanmar top leader meets UN Chief
May 23, 2008 ... 2nd Ld Writethru: Myanmar top leader meets UN Chief YANGON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar top leader Senior-General ThanShwe met on Friday morning with visiting Secretary-General of theUnited Nations Ban Ki-moon in Nay Pyi Taw, official sources said. The meeting took place a day ...
Major news items in leading Indian newspapers
May 23, 2008 ... Major news items in leading Indian newspapers NEW DELHI, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Following are major news headlinesin leading Indian newspapers on Saturday. The Indian Express: -- India's inflation remained little changed at 7.82 percent forthe week that ended on May 10 ...
Thai southern bombing injures army officer
May 23, 2008 ... Thai southern bombing injures army officer BANGKOK, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A remote-controlled bomb exploded onFriday morning in Thailand's southernmost Pattani Province, injuringan army officer. The bomb was just triggered when a unit of eight soldiers rushedto a scene in ...
Australian astronaut urges bigger role of Australia in space science
May 23, 2008 ... Australian astronaut urges bigger role of Australia in spacescience CANBERRA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Astronaut Andy Thomas urgedAustralia on Friday to get greater involvement in space science andexploration, as a return to the moon is under preparation and amission to Mars ...
Urgent: Myanmar top leader meets UN Chief
May 23, 2008 ... Urgent: Myanmar top leader meets UN Chief YANGON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar top leader Senior-General ThanShwe met on Friday morning with visiting Secretary-General of theUnited Nations Ban Ki-moon in Nay Pyi Taw, official sources said. The meeting took place a day after ...
1st Ld: Suicide blast kills child, injuries 6 in E. Afghanistan
May 23, 2008 ... 1st Ld: Suicide blast kills child, injuries 6 in E. Afghanistan KABUL, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A suicide bomb blast targeting anAfghan army convoy in eastern province Khost Friday killed one childand injured three Afghan ...
2nd Ld Writethru: Suicide blast kills child, injuries 6 in E. Afghanistan
May 23, 2008 ... 2nd Ld Writethru: Suicide blast kills child, injuries 6 in E.Afghanistan KABUL, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A suicide bomb blast targeting anAfghan army convoy in eastern province Khost Friday killed one childand injured three Afghan soldiers and three civilians, an officialsaid ....
Indonesian VP hints immediate fuel price rise announcement
May 23, 2008 ... Indonesian VP hints immediate fuel price rise announcement JAKARTA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kallahinted Friday the government might announce the fuel price riseslater in the day, well ahead of the end of this month as many havesuggested. "Speaking ...
Indonesia sends first aids to Chinese earthquake-hit region
May 23, 2008 ... Indonesia sends first aids to Chinese earthquake-hit region JAKARTA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A military C-130 transporter andBoeing 727-200 cargo plane of Megantara Airlines carrying about 36tons of logistic, medical and other materials donated by Indonesiangovernment took off from ...
1st Ld: Philippine economy expected to grow slower in Q1
May 23, 2008 ... 1st Ld: Philippine economy expected to grow slower in Q1 MANILA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The economic growth of the Philippinesis expected to drop to as low as 5.2 percent for the first quarterof 2008 after the country achieved the biggest annual economicexpansion in the past three ...
Tokyo stocks end mixed
May 23, 2008 ... Tokyo stocks end mixed TOKYO, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended mixed Friday. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 33.74 points, or 0.24percent, from Thursday to 14,012.20. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the TokyoStock Exchange shed ...
WB approves 502-mln USD loan to improve Vietnam's infrastructure
May 23, 2008 ... WB approves 502-mln USD loan to improve Vietnam's infrastructure HANOI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank (WB) has approved a loanof over 502 million U.S. dollars to help Vietnam improve its urbaninfrastructure, expand rural electricity network and facilitate theaccession to ...
Vietnam to install more ATMs
May 23, 2008 ... Vietnam to install more ATMs HANOI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Banks in Vietnam are expected to have atotal of 6,900 automated teller machines (ATMs) and approximately30,000 point-of-sale (POS) terminals by the end of this year, localnewspaper Saigon Liberation on Friday quoted a banking ...
Pakistan releases 96 Indian fishermen
May 23, 2008 ... Pakistan releases 96 Indian fishermenISLAMABAD, May 23(Xinhua) -- Pakistan has released 96 Indian fishermen two days afterboth countries inked agreement on counselor access to prisoners,jail officials said Friday. The Indian fishermen were freed from a prison in the ...
Six Nepali districts bordering India face bird-flu risk
May 23, 2008 ... Six Nepali districts bordering India face bird-flu risk KATHMANDU, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Avian Influenza Control Projecthas said at least six Neppali districts bordering India are at riskof bird flu, local media reported on Friday. According to Manas Kumar Banerjee, coordinator ...
Three suspected militants detained in E. Afghanistan
May 23, 2008 ... Three suspected militants detained in E. Afghanistan KABUL, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Three suspected militants were detainedduring a joint Afghan National Security forces and Coalition forcesoperation in eastern Afghanistan, the U.S.-led Coalition saidFriday. The arrests were ...
Australian police to lay charges over naked child exhibition
May 23, 2008 ... Australian police to lay charges over naked child exhibition CANBERRA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Australian police said on Fridaythey expect to lay charges after seizing more than 20 photographsfrom a controversial exhibition in Sydney that features images ofnaked 12- and 13-year-old ...
Nepali parties continue parleys to resolve political deadlock
May 23, 2008 ... Nepali parties continue parleys to resolve political deadlock KATHMANDU, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Major Nepali political partiescontinue their meetings on Friday to resolve the political deadlock. According to a leading website nepalnews.com, Nepali Congress (NC), the Communist ...
Philippine president urges common ASEAN visa
May 23, 2008 ... Philippine president urges common ASEAN visa MANILA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine President GloriaMacapagal-Arroyo has urged southeast Asia nations to adopt a commonvisa to boost tourism in the region, local TV network GMA Newsreported Friday. Arroyo bared the ...
Urgent: Bombing kills one children in eastern Afghanistan
May 23, 2008 ... Urgent: Bombing kills one children in eastern Afghanistan KABUL, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A suicide bomb blast in eastern Afghanprovince ...
Guatemala's vice president to visit S.Korea
May 23, 2008 ... Guatemala's vice president to visit S.Korea SEOUL, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Guatemala's Vice President RafaelEspada will arrive in Seoul on Sunday to seek closer bilateralcooperation with South Korea, the South Korean Foreign Ministry saidFriday. According to the ministry, during ...
Myanmar agrees to accept all foreign aid workers: UN chief
May 23, 2008 ... Myanmar agrees to accept all foreign aid workers: UN chief YANGON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar government has agreed toaccept all countries' aid workers regardless of nationalities tocome to Myanmar and help carrying out relief and resettlement work,diplomatic sources quoted ...
Fiji interim PM links election to charter
May 23, 2008 ... Fiji interim PM links election to charter WELLINGTON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's interim Prime MinisterCommodore Frank Bainmarama has been reported as saying there will beno election next year if politicians do not support the proposedPeople's Charter. The Fiji Times ...
Malaysia tin market closes lower
May 23, 2008 ... Malaysia tin market closes lower KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The local tin market ended lowerhere on Friday, and the trading volume declined compared withThursday ....
Eritrean president says China doesn't use Africa as dumping ground,
May 23, 2008 ... Eritrean president says China doesn't use Africa as dumpingground, ASMARA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Eritrean President Isayas Afewerki onThursday slammed those allegations that China is using Africa as adumping ground. "Is China using Africa as a dumping ground? That is not ...
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to visit Pakistan next week
May 23, 2008 ... U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to visit Pakistan next week ISLAMABAD, May 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State JohnNegroponte will visit Pakistan next week, local TV channel reportedFriday. Negroponte, leading a high-level U.S. delegation, is scheduled tomeet with ...
Singapore welcomes world court's ruling on islet dispute with Malaysia
May 23, 2008 ... Singapore welcomes world court's ruling on islet dispute withMalaysia SINGAPORE, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Singapore is "pleased" with thejudgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which Fridayawarded Singapore sovereignty over a tiny but strategic uninhabitedisland Pedra ...
Bangladeshi leaders urge more efforts to plant more trees
May 23, 2008 ... Bangladeshi leaders urge more efforts to plant more trees DHAKA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmedand caretaker government Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed Fridaycalled for active participation in a tree-planting campaign to makethe country green and ensure ...
Indonesia raises oil prices by 28.7 pct
May 23, 2008 ... Indonesia raises oil prices by 28.7 pct JAKARTA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia increased oil price onFriday by 28.7 percent to cut expensive oil subsidies following theskyrocketing global oil prices, Energy Ministry Purnomo Yusgiantoroannounced Friday. The price of the ...
Indonesia reaffirms seeking strategic partnership on steel company
May 23, 2008 ... Indonesia reaffirms seeking strategic partnership on steelcompany JAKARTA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia on Friday reaffirmed thatit is seeking a strategic partnership scheme on its steel companyKrakatau Steel Inc. to boost production, the country's VicePresident Jusuf Kalla said ...