Xinhua News Agency back issues from Sunday, February 8:
Official: nurse detained by Egypt on suspicion of money smuggling
Feb 08, 2009 ... Official: nurse detained by Egypt on suspicion of money smuggling AMMAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Jordanian nurse was detained byEgyptian securities at the Rafah border crossing on suspicion of money smuggling, local daily The Jordan Times on Sunday quoted aforeign ministry official as ...
Xinhua Middle East news advisory -- Feb. 8
Feb 08, 2009 ... Xinhua Middle East news advisory -- Feb. 8 CAIRO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The following are some of major MiddleEast news stories due to be covered or pursued by Xinhua News Agencyon Sunday. -- A Hamas delegation is in Cairo for an Egypt-brokered longer-tern truce negotiation ...
Two killed in bomb attacks targeting Shiite pilgrims
Feb 08, 2009 ... Two killed in bomb attacks targeting Shiite pilgrims BAGHDAD, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and 13 othersinjured on Sunday morning when two bomb explosions hit Shiitepilgrims during their days-long march to a shrine for a majorreligious gathering, an Interior Ministry ...
Major news items in leading Iranian newspapers
Feb 08, 2009 ... Major news items in leading Iranian newspapers TEHRAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The following are major news items inleading Iranian newspapers on Sunday. Tehran Times: -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturdaythat Iran has achieved breakthroughs in ...
Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange likely on Tuesday: report
Feb 08, 2009 ... Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange likely on Tuesday: report GAZA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A pan-Arab newspaper on Sunday reportedthat Israel has agreed to release Palestinian prisoners in exchangefor Gilad Shalit, a soldier that the Hamas militant group has beenholding since 2006 ....
Major news items in leading Turkish newspapers
Feb 08, 2009 ... Major news items in leading Turkish newspapers ANKARA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The following are major news items inleading Turkish newspapers on Sunday. MILLIYET (National): -- During his meeting with visiting Palestinian President MahmoudAbbas, Turkish President ...
Major news items in leading Egyptian newspapers
Feb 08, 2009 ... Major news items in leading Egyptian newspapers CAIRO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The following are major news items inleading Egyptian newspapers on Sunday. Al Ahram: -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is due in Paris Sundayafternoon on a visit to France for talks with ...
Israeli leaders discuss Egyptian draft of ceasefire
Feb 08, 2009 ... Israeli leaders discuss Egyptian draft of ceasefire JERUSALEM, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert,Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livnidiscussed on Sunday morning the Egypt-brokered draft of long- termceasefire between Israel and Hamas, ...
Islamic Jihad: Israel's threats to strike on Gaza again just election campaign
Feb 08, 2009 ... Islamic Jihad: Israel's threats to strike on Gaza again justelection campaign Islamic Jihad: Israel's threats to strike on Gazaagain just election campaign GAZA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movementsaid on Sunday the Israeli threats to hit Gaza Strip with ...
Gaza militants fire rocket at southern Israel
Feb 08, 2009 ... Gaza militants fire rocket at southern Israel GAZA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A homemade rocket was fired on Sundayfrom Gaza Strip at southern Israel, no one claimed responsibility. The rocket had caused no injuries, but several vehicles weredamages, Israel Radio Arabic service ...
Israel opens crossings into Gaza
Feb 08, 2009 ... Israel opens crossings into Gaza GAZA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Sunday opened commercialcrossings into Gaza Strip shortly after Palestinian militants fireda rocket into its southern territory. Up to 121 trucks are scheduled to enter Gaza Strip through theKerem Shalom ...
Iran ready to export parts of petrochemical plant
Feb 08, 2009 ... Iran ready to export parts of petrochemical plant TEHRAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejadsaid Iran was ready to export parts needed in petrochemical plants,the official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday. "Iran is capable of manufacturing, installing ...
Jordan's stock market index closes higher
Feb 08, 2009 ... Jordan's stock market index closes higher AMMAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The shares price index of Jordan'sAmman stock market closed at 2,672 points on Sunday, up 16 ...
Hamas to get Israeli responses to ceasefire questions
Feb 08, 2009 ... Hamas to get Israeli responses to ceasefire questions GAZA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Sunday will get Israeliresponses to questions that the Islamic movement raised concerningefforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza Strip. Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, said officials ...
Iraqi court sets date for Bush shoe thrower
Feb 08, 2009 ... Iraqi court sets date for Bush shoe thrower BAGHDAD, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi journalist who threw hisshoes at former U.S. President George W. Bush will appear at anIraqi court on Feb. 19, a judicial official said on Sunday. Muntadhar al-Zaidi, a reporter of Cairo-based ...
Iran constructing four more satellites: report
Feb 08, 2009 ... Iran constructing four more satellites: report TEHRAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Minister of Communications andInformation Technology Mohammad Soleymani has said that Iran wasconstructing four more satellites, the local Mehr news agencyreported on Sunday. "Right now four ...
Iran says U.S. strategy change to facilitate direct talks
Feb 08, 2009 ... Iran says U.S. strategy change to facilitate direct talks TEHRAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran's parliament (Majlis) Speaker AliLarijani said Sunday that the strategy change of the United Stateswould facilitate the direct talks with Iran, the official IRNA newsagency reported ....
Iraqi parliament fails to elect new speaker
Feb 08, 2009 ... Iraqi parliament fails to elect new speaker BAGHDAD, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's parliament failed Sunday toelect a new speaker due to persisting disputes over the candidatesamong parliamentary political blocs, an official said. "The parliament failed to elect a new speaker for ...
Roundup: Iran urges U.S. for change of strategy
Feb 08, 2009 ... Roundup: Iran urges U.S. for change of strategy by Mehdi Bagheri TEHRAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Sunday urged the United Statesto change the strategy before the talks between the two countriesare initiated. Iran's parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani who ...
Iran's reformist Khatami to run for presidency
Feb 08, 2009 ... Iran's reformist Khatami to run for presidency TEHRAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran's former reformist presidentSeyed Mohammad Khatami announced his decision on Sunday to run inthe upcoming presidential elections, Iran's semi-official Mehr newsagency reported. "Here, I earnestly ...
Tel Aviv stock exchange index closes higher
Feb 08, 2009 ... Tel Aviv stock exchange index closes higher JERUSALEM, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange generalshare index closed at ...
Nepal, UK agree to continue with rural access program
Feb 08, 2009 ... Nepal, UK agree to continue with rural access program KATHMANDU, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Governments of Nepal and of theUnited Kingdom have agreed to start the Phase Two of their RuralAccess Program (RAP) for the construction and maintenance of roadsin seven hill districts in Nepal ....
1st LD: 3 policemen killed in NW Pakistan suicide attack
Feb 08, 2009 ... 1st LD: 3 policemen killed in NW Pakistan suicide attack ISLAMABAD, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least three policemen werekilled Monday morning as a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-ridden vehicle ...
3rd LD Writethru: Death toll of Australia's wildfires rises to 65
Feb 08, 2009 ... 3rd LD Writethru: Death toll of Australia's wildfires rises to 65 CANBERRA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from bushfires inAustralia's Victoria state has risen to 65 on Sunday afternoon,police said. This figure has surpassed the worst death toll of 47 people inthe 1983 ...
128 dead as wildfire continues to ravage Victoria
Feb 08, 2009 ... 128 dead as wildfire continues to ravage Victoria CANBERRA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the Victorianbushfires in south Australia reached 128 on Monday and authoritiessaid the number of fire victims was likely to rise even further. At least 750 homes have been ...
Thousands seek help at bushfire relief centers in Australia
Feb 08, 2009 ... Thousands seek help at bushfire relief centers in Australia CANBERRA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people fleeingVictoria's bushfires have sought help at various relief centers inthe state in Australia since Saturday morning. With more than 60 people confirmed dead so far ...
History of fatal bushfires in Australia
Feb 08, 2009 ... History of fatal bushfires in Australia CANBERRA, Feb. 8. (Xinhua) -- Following is a history of fatalbushfires in Australia since 1967. Feb. 8, 2009 -- Fifty people were killed and fears of morefatalities in bushfires across rural Victoria. Dec. 30, 2007 -- Blaze ...
Major news items in leading Pakistani newspapers
Feb 08, 2009 ... Major news items in leading Pakistani newspapers ISLAMABAD, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Following are major news items inleading Pakistani newspapers on Monday: Daily Times: -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Sunday thatIslamabad enjoys world support and its ...
Vietnamese woman hospitalized for suspected bird flu
Feb 08, 2009 ... Vietnamese woman hospitalized for suspected bird flu HANOI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A 23-year-old Vietnamese woman Ly TaiMui from northern Quang Ninh province of Vietnam was hospitalizedfor suspected bird flu, the local newspaper Liberty Saigon reportedMonday. The patient, who ...
Roundup: Pakistan to respond to India's dossier on Mumbai attack
Feb 08, 2009 ... Roundup: Pakistan to respond to India's dossier on Mumbai attack By Rao Bo ISLAMABAD, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A high-level meeting will besummoned on Monday to discuss the response to the India's dossier onMumbai attack, a local newspaper The Nation reported on Sunday ....
Nepal Army completes recruitment despite opposition
Feb 08, 2009 ... Nepal Army completes recruitment despite opposition KATHMANDU, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Nepal Army (NA) has completedthe process of selecting recruits despite vehement opposition fromthe Defense Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa. According to myrepublica.com report, on Sunday alone, ...
Indian government to encourage jobs, export with interim budget
Feb 08, 2009 ... Indian government to encourage jobs, export with interim budget NEW DELHI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government will presentan interim budget to encourage the creation of jobs and export dueto deep impact from the global economic recession, said the semi-official Press Trust ...
Australian banks pledge nearly 2 mln USD in bushfire assistance
Feb 08, 2009 ... Australian banks pledge nearly 2 mln USD in bushfire assistance CANBERRA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Four Australian banks on Sundaypledged to supply more than 3 million Australian dollars (1.9million U.S. dollars) to help victims of the worst bushfires inAustralia's Victoria state ....
Australian deadliest bushfire death toll at 128
Feb 08, 2009 ... Australian deadliest bushfire death toll at 128 CANBERRA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Australian police said on Monday thedeath toll from Victoria's bushfires is now 128 and could top 200 asauthorities sift through the piles of ash that were once entirecommunities. More than 70 of ...
Indonesia invited for security talks with Japan
Feb 08, 2009 ... Indonesia invited for security talks with Japan JAKARTA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has been invited by Japan's Defense Ministry to attend an informal regional security talks inthe middle of next month, Antara news agency reported on Monday. "This is going to be an informal ...
Abducted mid-wife in Philippines escapes to safety
Feb 08, 2009 ... Abducted mid-wife in Philippines escapes to safety MANILA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Filipino midwife seized by suspectedAl-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants in south Philippines hasescaped to safety, military and police said Sunday. The victim, Elizar Gomera, 45, of southern city ...
Dollar down to mid-91 yen in Tokyo
Feb 08, 2009 ... Dollar down to mid-91 yen in Tokyo TOKYO, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar went down to the mid-91 yen level Monday morning in Tokyo. The dollar bought 91.55-60 yen, against 91.84-94 yen in New Yorkand ...
Urgent: Bomb explosion kills 4 including 2 U.S. advisors in S. Afghanistan: official
Feb 08, 2009 ... Urgent: Bomb explosion kills 4 including 2 U.S. advisors in S.Afghanistan: official KABUL, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Four persons including two U.S.advisors were killed as ...
Vietnam vows to intensify fight against corruption in 2009
Feb 08, 2009 ... Vietnam vows to intensify fight against corruption in 2009 HANOI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen TanDung on Sunday underscored the importance of anti-corruption work,saying it has helped boost the country's economic growth, rein ininflation and bring social ...
Indian shares open higher
Feb 08, 2009 ... Indian shares open higher MUMBAI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Indian shares opened higher on Monday,with the key Sensex index up 0.63 percent shortly after opening. Sensex rose 58.14 points, or 0.63 percent to 9,359.00 points. Sensex is ...
1st LD Writethru: Bomb explosion kills 4 including 2 U.S. advisors in S. Afghanistan: official
Feb 08, 2009 ... 1st LD Writethru: Bomb explosion kills 4 including 2 U.S.advisors in S. Afghanistan: official KABUL, Feb. 8 (XinhuA) -- Four persons including two U.S.advisors were killed as a remote-controlled bomb exploded in Nadaliddistrict of Helmand province in south Afghanistan on ...
Moderate aftershock hits West Papua, Indonesia
Feb 08, 2009 ... Moderate aftershock hits West Papua, Indonesia JAKARTA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 5.0 degree onthe Richter scale jolted Manokwari district in Indonesia's WestPapua Province in the early morning of Sunday, Meteorology andGeophysics Agency was quoted by the national ...
1st LD: Iran's reformist Khatami to run for presidency
Feb 08, 2009 ... 1st LD: Iran's reformist Khatami to run for presidency TEHRAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran's former reformist presidentSeyed Mohammad Khatami announced his decision on Sunday to run inthe upcoming presidential elections, Iran's semi-official Mehr newsagency reported. "Here, I ...
Kuwait unveils economic rescue plan
Feb 08, 2009 ... Kuwait unveils economic rescue plan KUWAIT CITY, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait announced Sunday aneconomic rescue plan aimed to provide wide-ranging state guaranteesto bank loans and bail out floundering investment firms. Kuwait's central bank governor Sheikh Salem Abdul Aziz Al ...
Jordan's king calls for stronger Arab solidarity
Feb 08, 2009 ... Jordan's king calls for stronger Arab solidarity AMMAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's King Abdullah II called Sundayfor stronger Arab unity in face of regional challenges after Israeliintensive offensive on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, according to theRoyal Hashemite Court ....
Egyptian boy contracts bird flu virus
Feb 08, 2009 ... Egyptian boy contracts bird flu virus CAIRO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A baby from southern Egypt hascontracted the bird flu virus, which brings the number of humancases to 55 in the country, the Health Ministry announced Sunday. Suleiman Abul-Wafa, one-year-and-a-half, showed the ...
Syria, France keen to promote economic, industrial cooperation
Feb 08, 2009 ... Syria, France keen to promote economic, industrial cooperation DAMASCUS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Syria and France announced hereSunday that the two countries are keen to promote their economic andindustrial cooperation, the official SANA news agency reported. Syrian Minister of ...
Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, Feb. 8
Feb 08, 2009 ... Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, Feb. 8 BAGHDAD -- Two people were killed and 13 others injured on Sundaymorning when two bomb explosions hit Shiite pilgrims during theirdays-long march to a shrine for a major religious gathering, anInterior Ministry source said ....
S. Korean president: Seoul ready for dialogue with DPRK
Feb 08, 2009 ... S. Korean president: Seoul ready for dialogue with DPRK SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- South Korea President Lee Myung-baksaid Monday that his government is ready to hold dialogue with theDemocratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) while stressing tostick to his hardline policy ...
Dollar at lower 92 yen level in Tokyo
Feb 08, 2009 ... Dollar at lower 92 yen level in Tokyo TOKYO, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar stood at the lower 92yen level early Monday in Tokyo. The dollar bought 92.05-10 yen at 9 a.m., against 91.84-94 yen inNew York and ...
108 dead as fires continue to ravage Victoria
Feb 08, 2009 ... 108 dead as fires continue to ravage Victoria CANBERRA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the Victorianbushfires in south Australia has reached 108 by Monday morning andauthorities said the number of fire victims was likely to rise evenfurther. At least 750 homes have ...
Japan's current account surplus shrinks 34.3 pct in 2008
Feb 08, 2009 ... Japan's current account surplus shrinks 34.3 pct in 2008 TOKYO, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's current account surplus shrank34.3 percent year-on-year to 16,280.3 billion yen (176.96 billionU.S. dollars) in 2008, said a government report Monday. A slump in exports due to ...
Nikkei opens nearly 2 pct higher
Feb 08, 2009 ... Nikkei opens nearly 2 pct higher TOKYO, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened sharply higherMonday with the key Nikkei index jumpming 1.99 percent. At 9:15 a.m., the ...
NGO website barred by local ISP of Cambodia for releasing scathing report
Feb 08, 2009 ... NGO website barred by local ISP of Cambodia for releasingscathing report PHNOM PENH, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The website of UK-based corruptionwatchdog the Global Witness has been blocked for some local webusers following its release of a scathing report on Cambodia'snascent oil and ...
Australian PM pledges to rebuild fire-devastated communities
Feb 08, 2009 ... Australian PM pledges to rebuild fire-devastated communities CANBERRA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Ruddpledged on Monday to rebuild communities devastated by the Victorianbushfires but warned the reconstruction may take one or two years tocomplete ....
WHO confirms effectiveness of anti-malaria drug artemisinin
Feb 08, 2009 ... WHO confirms effectiveness of anti-malaria drug artemisinin PHNOM PENH, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- An official of the World HealthOrganization (WHO) in Cambodia has expressed its trust inartemisinin for its effectiveness to prevent malaria, the Phnom PenhPost reported on Monday ....
Arsonists in Australia bushfires could face murder charge
Feb 08, 2009 ... Arsonists in Australia bushfires could face murder charge CANBERRA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Arsonists charged over Victoria'sbushfires in south Australia could face murder charges, police saidon Sunday. So far, 35 people have been killed and hundreds of homes havebeen destroyed ...
Japan's bank lending up 4 pct in January
Feb 08, 2009 ... Japan's bank lending up 4 pct in January TOKYO, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's bank lending expanded 4.0percent year-on-year to 408.41 trillion yen (4.44 trillion U.S.dollars), the Bank of Japan (BOJ) said Monday. The average daily balance of bank lending, excluding that of ...
Bangladesh to build road, railway links with Myanmar
Feb 08, 2009 ... Bangladesh to build road, railway links with Myanmar DHAKA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's communications ministersaid the government will build connecting road and railway from thecountry's southeastern bordering part to Myanmar, leading Englishnewspaper The Daily Star reported ...
Nikkei up 1 pct in morning trading
Feb 08, 2009 ... Nikkei up 1 pct in morning trading TOKYO, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks gained ground Mondaymorning with the key Nikkei index rising 1.02 ...
5 killed in clash over control of village in India
Feb 08, 2009 ... 5 killed in clash over control of village in India NEW DELHI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed ina clash between political rival groups over the control of a villagein eastern India on Saturday, reported local daily The SundayExpress on Sunday. Seven ...
Japan's machinery orders down 1.7 pct in December
Feb 08, 2009 ... Japan's machinery orders down 1.7 pct in December TOKYO, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's core private-sector machineryorders, excluding those for ships and from electric power companies,declined by a seasonally adjusted 1.7 percent month-on- month to741.6 billion yen (8.05 billion U.S ....
Bird flu hits another province of Vietnamese
Feb 08, 2009 ... Bird flu hits another province of Vietnamese HANOI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Bird flu hit Vietnam's Hau Giangprovince, another province in southern Mekong Delta last week,raising the total number of provinces with disease to four, said theDepartment of Animal Health of Vietnamese ...
Roundup: UN mission in DR Congo says situation calm in North Kivu province
Feb 08, 2009 ... Roundup: UN mission in DR Congo says situation calm in North Kivuprovince Roundup: UN mission in DR Congo says situation calm inNorth Kivu province KINSHASA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The UN peacekeeping mission in theDemocratic Republic of Congo says the situation in the troubledNorth ...
Tanzania gets more investment in manufacturing, infrastructure
Feb 08, 2009 ... Tanzania gets more investment in manufacturing, infrastructure DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The manufacturing andinfrastructure sectors in Tanzania have benefited a lot frominvestment in 2008 whereas energy and natural resources havebenefited none from the 5.7 billion U.S ....