Former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk Dies

Former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk Dies

Ron Corben
October 14, 2012

BANGKOK — Chinese state media reports that Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk, one of Southeast Asia's defining leaders, has died in Beijing. He was 89. King Sihanouk led Cambodia to independence, but war and his role in the murderous reign of the Khmer Rouge marred his life and times.

Venezuela’s Chavez re-elected to extend socialist rule

Venezuela’s Chavez re-elected to extend socialist rule

DIEGO ORE AND EYANIR CHINEA
CARACAS — Reuters
Monday, Oct. 08 2012

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez scored a comfortable election victory that could extend his rule to 20 years and vowed to deepen his self-styled socialist revolution that has polarized the South American OPEC nation.

Tens of thousands of ecstatic supporters thronged the streets around the presidential palace in downtown Caracas, pumping fists in the air and shouting Mr. Chavez’s name after the former soldier beat opposition candidate Henrique Capriles by more than 9 percentage points.

Iran to enrich uranium to 60 percent if nuclear talks fail

Iran to enrich uranium to 60 percent if nuclear talks fail

DUBAI | Tue Oct 2, 2012
(Reuters) - Iran would enrich uranium up to 60 percent purity if negotiations with major powers over its nuclear program fail, an Iranian lawmaker said on Tuesday, in comments that may add to Western alarm about Iranian intentions.

Mansour Haqiqatpour, deputy head of parliament's Foreign Policy and National Security Committee, said 60 percent enrichment would be to yield fuel for nuclear submarines, which often require uranium refined to high levels.

But it would also take Iran another significant step closer to the 90 percent enrichment level needed to make atomic bombs, which the West suspects is the Islamic state's ultimate aim. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful energy only.

China leaders stage show of unity after expelling Bo

China leaders stage show of unity after expelling Bo

By Chris Buckley
BEIJING | Sat Sep 29, 2012
(Reuters) - China's leaders put on a show of unity on Saturday after their damning accusations against disgraced politician Bo Xilai, whose expulsion from the Communist Party drew an outcry from leftist supporters in a sign of the rifts his prosecution could inflame.

Once a charismatic yet divisive star who stood out on China's stolid political stage, Bo is almost sure to face trial and jail after the ruling Communist Party announced his expulsion on Friday and issued a list of allegations: bending the law to hush up a murder, taking huge bribes and engaging in "improper sexual relations with multiple women".

The party buried Bo under the accusations at the same time that it announced a November 8 date for a congress that will anoint a new generation of top leaders - a lineup that Bo held barely disguised ambitions to join.

Japan, China top diplomats discuss island dispute

Japan, China top diplomats discuss island dispute

By Matthew Pennington on September 26, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — The top diplomats of China and Japan went a little way to patching up ties frayed by an island dispute that has sparked violent anti-Japan demonstrations but appeared no closer to resolving their conflicting claims.

China's Yang Jiechi and his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba met Tuesday for about one hour on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly to discuss tensions over the uninhabited islands that are administered by Japan but also claimed by China.

Embassies close in fear of more protests

Embassies close in fear of more protests

By the CNN Wire Staff

 Fri September 21, 2012

(CNN) -- Several diplomatic facilities were shuttered Friday as many brace for intensified protests over the anti-Islam movie "Innocence of Muslims," as well as recently published cartoons in a French publication of a figure resembling the Prophet Mohammed.
Demonstrations have raged for days as many in the Muslim world are angry about the U.S.-made Prophet Mohammed mocking film and the French cartoon. And some believe Friday prayers, a time of protest recently in the Middle East and North Africa, could add fuel to the fire.

Military: Afghan inside attack kills 4 US troops

Military: Afghan inside attack kills 4 US troops

By HEIDI VOGT, Associated Press – 2012/9/16

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — An Afghan police officer turned his gun on NATO troops at a remote checkpoint in southern Afghanistan before dawn Sunday, killing four American service members, according to Afghan and international officials.
It was the third attack by Afghan forces or insurgents disguised in military uniforms against international forces in as many days, killing eight troops in all.
Recent months have seen a string of such insider attacks by Afghan forces against their international counterparts. The killings have imperiled the military partnership between Kabul and NATO, a working relationship that is key to the handover of security responsibilities to Afghan forces as international troops draw down.

China ships enter waters near disputed islands

Chinese Patrol Boats Sail Near Disputed Islands

VOA News
September 14, 2012

China sent six patrol boats to the East China Sea near disputed islands, in the latest stage of a confrontation with Japan after Tokyo nationalized the contended territory.

China’s Foreign Ministry explained in a statement early on Friday that the surveillance ships were carrying out “law enforcement over China’s maritime rights.”

“The Chinese side has taken completely justifiable actions to uphold its rights and interests,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, adding that the move was a “normal performance duty.”

Indian designer's fashion tips for Britney Spears

Indian designer's fashion tips for Britney Spears

Thursday, September 13th 2012
Britney Spears

New Delhi, Sep 13 — International singer Britney Spears, who was reportedly criticised for her dressing sense by "The X Factor" co-judge Simon Cowell, should wear clothes that accentuate her curves, suggests Indian celebrity designer Rocky S.
Spears, 30, is said to have mellowed her wardrobe for the show.
Rocky S, who has dressed celebrities like Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu, Priyanka Chopra and more recently even Beyonce Knowles, says Spears should take advantage of her "amazing personality" and "strong attitude" to carry off "different kinds of outfits".

US 'has no moral right to prevent Israel acting against Iran'

US 'has no moral right to prevent Israel acting against Iran'

Benjamin Netanyahu denounced American efforts to restrain Israel from striking Iran, saying that no-one had a "moral right" to prevent his country from acting against a mortal threat.
By Adrian Blomfield, Jerusalem and David Blair8:42PM BST 11 Sep 2012

The Israeli prime minister's words followed a secret visit by an unnamed British official last month, who is understood to have delivered a warning from David Cameron against attacking Iran's nuclear facilities.
Mr Netanyahu wants America to lay down clear "red lines" beyond which Iran would risk war by pressing on with its nuclear ambitions. He fears that Iran is successfully playing for time while the nuclear programme advances. In response, Mr Netanyahu is pressing Washington to impose a deadline on diplomatic efforts to

Japan buys disputed islands, China sends patrol ships

Japan buys disputed islands, China sends patrol ships

Sep 11, 2012
* Japan finalises $26 mln buy of disputed islands

* China sends two patrol ships, military issues warning

* Tokyo says has only peaceful intentions

By Kiyoshi Takenaka

TOKYO, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Japan brushed off stern warnings by China and bought a group of islands on Tuesday that both claim, in a growing dispute that threatens to deepen strains between Asia's two biggest economies.

Chinese official media said Beijing had sent two patrol ships to waters surrounding the islands to reassert its claim and accused Japan of "playing with fire" over the long-simmering row. The army warned that further, unspecified steps could follow.

Top Iraqi Leader Call His Death Sentence ‘Unjust’

Top Iraqi Leader Call His Death Sentence ‘Unjust’

By OMAR AL-JAWOSHY and MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ
Published: September 10, 2012

BAGHDAD — The vice president of Iraq, a prominent Sunni Muslim who was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in a trial conducted in absentia, denounced the verdict on Monday as “false and unjust,” depicting the court’s finding as “an acquittal, confirming my innocence.”
The verdict on Sunday coincided with a wave of bombings and insurgent attacks that claimed at least 100 lives, making the day one of the bloodiest in Iraq since American troops withdrew last year.

China approves $157 bln infrastructure spending

China approves $157 bln infrastructure spending

By Pete Sweeney and Langi Chiang
SHANGHAI/BEIJING | Fri Sep 7, 2012

(Reuters) - China has given the green light for 60 infrastructure projects worth more than $150 billion as it looks to energise an economy mired in its worst slowdown in three years, fuelling hopes the world's growth engine may get a lift from the fourth quarter.

Shares and steel futures jumped on the plans to build highways, ports and airport runways, among the most ambitious unveiled in China this year, which analysts say signalled growing intent to bolster economic growth as the country's once-a-decade leadership change looms.

Quakes in southwest China

Quakes in southwest China kill dozens, damage 20,000 homes

BEIJING | Fri Sep 7, 2012
(Reuters) - Two shallow 5.6 magnitude earthquakes hit southwestern China on Friday, killing at least 50 people and forcing tens of thousands of people from damaged buildings, state media said.

The quakes struck near the border of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, the first one at 11:19 a.m. (0319 GMT) and the second one about 45 minutes later, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.

About 150 people were injured and 20,000 homes damaged, the official Xinhua news agency said.

US faces deadline on Haqqani network decision

US faces deadline on Haqqani network decision

By BRADLEY KLAPPER - Associated Press
2012/9/7
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration faces a weekend deadline to decide whether the Pakistan-based Haqqani network should be declared a terrorist organization, a complicated political decision as the U.S. withdraws from Afghanistan and pushes for a reconciliation pact to end more than a decade of warfare.
Enraged by a string of high-profile attacks on U.S. and NATO troops, Congress has ordered Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to give her verdict by Sunday. U.S. officials say there are disagreements within the administration over what to decide.
The U.S. already has placed sanctions on many Haqqani leaders and is targeting its members militarily but has held back from formally designating the al-Qaida-linked network a terrorist group amid concerns about hampering peace efforts in Afghanistan and U.S. relations with Pakistan.

One shot dead during Parti Quebecois victory speech Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/shot+dead+victory+party+with+video/7190079/story.html#ixzz25cJGgPqw

One shot dead during Parti Quebecois victory speech

By Jan Ravensbergen, Christopher Curtis, Monique Muise and Charlie Fidelman, The Gazette September 5, 2012 6
MONTREAL - A 62-year-old suspect is in police custody Wednesday after a shooting late Tuesday night as premier-elect Pauline Marois was giving a victory speech.

Marois was whisked from the stage by bodyguards at the Metropolis theatre and returned a few moments later unharmed.

Montreal police said the man was “quickly apprehended” after approaching the back of Metropolis, penetrating a vestibule and opening fire.

“For us this is a homicide investigation,” Montreal police spokesman Ian Lafrenière said. (Listen to audio clip describing suspect.)

India, China to Resume Military Exercises

India, China to Resume Military Exercises

Anjana Pasricha
September 04, 2012

NEW DEHLI — India and China will resume military exercises after a gap of four years. The announcement was made during a visit to New Delhi by the Chinese defense minister - the first such visit to India in eight years. New Delhi increases its efforts to reduce mistrust and boost their ties.

The decision to hold bilateral military exercises next year came during a meeting on Tuesday in the Indian capital.

U.S. Vehicle Rammed by Suicide Bomber in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a sport-utility vehicle belonging to the United States Consulate in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Monday morning, Pakistani and American officials said, in one of the most brazen attacks against Americans in the country in recent years.

U.S. Vehicle Rammed by Suicide Bomber in Pakistan

By ISMAIL KHAN and SALMAN MASOOD
Published: September 3, 2012

There were conflicting reports about the number and nationality of the casualties. Pakistani officials said that at least two people were killed and at least 13 were injured, including two police officers. The United States Embassy in Islamabad confirmed the attack and said in a statement that two Americans and two Pakistani employees of the consulate were injured. It denied early reports that an American had been killed.

A look at Pacific island disputes

http://sirifarm.com/index.html

A look at Pacific island disputes

August 20, 2012

The Pacific Ocean is peppered with hundreds of islands — most small and uninhabited — that are claimed by more than one country. Here's a look at some of the main territorial disputes that are causing tensions among Asian nations.

— Senkaku, or Diaoyu, Islands. Located in the East China Sea near Taiwan and the southern Japanese island of Okinawa, these remote uninhabited isles have been under Japanese control since 1895. They are seen as important because of their strategic location, and are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and may be near underwater resources such as natural gas. China claims it discovered them in the 14th century.

2 US troops killed in Afghan police attack, NATO says

http://sirifarm.com/index.html

2 US troops killed in Afghan police attack, NATO says

Published August 17, 2012

Associated Press

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A newly recruited Afghan village policeman opened fire on his American allies on Friday, killing two U.S. service members minutes after they gave him a new weapon as a present. It was the latest in a disturbing string of attacks by Afghan security forces on the international troops training them.