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  1. Japan’s fiscal-year current account surplus marks sharpest fall on record

    May 11, 2012 by admin

    TOKYO, May 10 (Xinhua) — Japan’s current account surplus in fiscal 2011 ending in March plunged 52.6 percent on year to mark the sharpest fall since comparable data was collected in fiscal 1985, the government said Thursday.ping drivers

    The surplus in the current account stood at 7.893 trillion yen (about 99 billion U.S. dollars) for the recording year, according to a report released by the Finance Ministry.ping irons

    For March alone, Japan logged a surplus of 1.589 trillion yen, down 8.6 percent from a year earlier. The surplus reading is widely considered the broadest measure of trade with other countries.callaway irons

    Japan has recorded the worst ever trade deficit in the past fiscal year, partly due to the slowing exports after the earthquake and tsunami disasters in March last year.

    The disasters that devastated wide parts of the northeastern Japan last year not only caused disruptions in the supply chain of auto parts but also triggered a nuclear crisis that led to suspension of reactors. Currently, all 54 reactors in the nation are off-line.

    Nuclear power accounted for about 30 percent of Japan’s total power supply before the accident.

    The nation’s imports rocketed because of higher oils costs, and expanded appetite for fossil fuel to make up for the power difference in the wake of the disaster-triggered nuclear accident, the world’s worst since Chernobyl.r11 driver

    The accident had made the resource-poor nation rethink its energy policy. And, restarting nuclear reactors in the country has been difficult amid widespread concerns sparked by the accident over nuclear power safety.rocketballz driver

    With a sharp cut in power supply by nuclear power plant, the demand for fuels soared last year.r11s driver

    In addition, the massive flooding in Thailand and an appreciating yen in the past year weighed on the exports industry of the nation.

    Exports contracted 2.8 percent to 62.627 trillion yen, marking the first fall in two years, while imports surged 14.0 percent to 66.077 trillion yen, rising for the second straight year, according to the Finance Ministry’s report.

    Category world news | Tags: | 8 Comments

  2. Indonesia’s infrastructure competitiveness on the decline: Gov’t

    April 28, 2012 by admin

    JAKARTA, April 27 (Xinhua) — An Indonesian minister said that the country’s present infrastructure competitiveness level had dropped significantly compared to what it was when Indonesia was still under the autocratic rule of the New Order regime, a local media reported on Friday.Wilson Tennis Racket

    “In the late 1990s, Indonesia’s infrastructure competitiveness was rated above China and Thailand. Now, Indonesia’s infrastructure competitiveness level is only above the Philippines and Vietnam,” Minister of National Development (Bappenas) and head of the National Development Planning Board Armida Alisjahbana said.

    She said that in her remarks to open the 2012 National Development Planning Conference held here on Thursday.

    Armida’s presentation also revealed that Indonesia’s logistics capability was also threatened, due to the fact that more than 50 percent of the national irrigation system was in a state of disrepair.Babolat Tennis Racket

    According to Bappenas data, 37 percent of the irrigation systems in rural areas are non-functional with similar situations facing more developed areas, in which 15 percent of the irrigation systems are broken.Head Tennis Racket

    Armida said that to resolve those issues, the government had set four priorities for its development planning agenda for the year 2013.

    “The theme for the 2013 development plan is to strengthen the domestic economy and to increase public welfare. These goals will be achieved using these factors: increasing competitiveness, improving resiliency, improving public welfare and maintaining social and political stability,” Armida said as quoted by the Jakarta Post.Prince Tennis Racket

    Meanwhile, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his opening speech asked regional government leaders to stop thinking about their own political agendas and instead start developing their local economies.Wilson Blx

    “This is the time for you [regional leaders] to work hard,” President Yudhoyono said.Wilson Tennis Racquets

    Category world news | Tags: | 178 Comments

  3. Team arrives to investigate as bureau chief held over graft

    April 16, 2012 by admin

    Police have detained the head of Henan’s tobacco authority as part of an ongoing corruption probe.

    Zheng Jianmin, director of the provincial tobacco monopoly bureau, has been at the center of an investigation since mid-March due to “economic problems”, a source inside the bureau told China Daily.

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    A special supervision team from the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration has arrived to lead the investigation, and all officials above county level are required to keep their cell phones switched on for 24 hours a day, the source said on condition of anonymity.

    Zheng, who was scheduled to retire around the time of his detention, has held his post since 2003.

    Insiders say he has a reputation as a shrewd businessman, and is credited with turning around the struggling tobacco industry in Xinzheng, a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Zhengzhou, where he was appointed tobacco bureau chief in the late 1980s.

    By 1992, the city was making a profit of more than 1.5 million yuan ($238,000) from the sector, according to official statistics.

    Zheng’s detention follows the mysterious death of Zhang Mingxian, director of the tobacco monopoly bureau of Shangqiu city in Henan.ping irons

    The official, who received a promotion in September that made him responsible for the supervision of Henan’s tobacco industry, was found lying on a staircase in front of his office building on the morning of March 30.

    Police issued a statement that same day on their verified Sina Weibo micro blog that said Zhang had committed suicide by jumping from the ninth floor.

    The reason remains unclear, and a publicity official with Shangqiu tobacco bureau told China Daily that the case is under investigation.callaway irons

    Sun Yongjun, a tobacco official in Xiangcheng county and one of Zhang’s college classmates, said his friend’s body was cremated immediately without an autopsy.

    “He was buried the next day in his native village in Jiaxian county. None of his colleagues went to his funeral for fear of being involved,” Sun said, adding that he and some classmates went.r11 driver

    Li Zhongkai, director of the Henan tobacco monopoly bureau’s planning office, was also detained on Feb 14 on suspicion of taking bribes, China Times reported.

    Li’s wife was also detained but was bailed soon after, the report added.

    Shi Pu, a professor of business management research at Henan University of Economics and Law, said the monopoly status has left the tobacco industry lacking in supervision.r11 driver

    Many growers and retailers agreed, including Wang Weiqin, a retailer in his 40s in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan.

    One of his complaints is that he is made to buy unpopular brands of cigarettes whenever he orders best-selling ones from the local bureau.r11s driver

    “If I buy a pack of Zhonghua (high-end cigarettes sold for 60 yuan a pack), at the same time I have to buy at least four packs of Jinqu (a local brand costing 9 yuan a pack),” he said. “I have no choice but to accept it because there is nowhere else where I can purchase cigarettes other than the tobacco monopoly bureau.”
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    Category business news | Tags: | 225 Comments

  4. Algeria considers closing border with Mali

    April 9, 2012 by admin

    ALGIERS, April 8 (Xinhua) — The Algerian government is considering closing its border with Mali and intensifying security measures after the Tuareg rebels proclaimed independence in north Mali, Algerian newspaper El Khabar reported Sunday.Wilson Tennis Racket

    El Khabar quoted a “well-informed source” as saying that the Algerian security services have advised the top authorities to close the southern border in order to provide humanitarian aids to refugees from Mali.Babolat Tennis Racket

    Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is expected to make a decision on closing the border soon, the source added.

    The Tuareg rebels declared a region in north Mali they call Azawad as independent on Friday, after the country was divided into the rebel-controlled north and junta-controlled south following an unexpected coup by some soldiers last month.Head Tennis Racket

    Top Algerian military officials have visited areas bordering Azawad and checked local security measures, adding that the army chief of staff, the national gendarmerie and the military forces in Bechar and Tamenrasset have been ordered to review the management of military patrols along the southern boundary.Prince Tennis Racket

    Algerian border police also tightened control over the region to facilitate the transportation of fuel and other strategic goods to the region.Wilson Blx

    Local eyewitnesses said the security measures are the toughest for years.

    Algeria has already snubbed recognizing the independence of Azawad, saying that it supports the territorial integrity of Mali and a peaceful resolution through dialogue between the disputing parties.Wilson Tennis Racquets

    Category world news | Tags: | 228 Comments

  5. Iraq approves plan to expand oil exports

    March 19, 2012 by admin

    Iraq has approved a plan to expand its oil export routes in order deal with any potential crisis should Iran close the Strait of Hormuz.

    Iraq will add capacity from its northern fields and build a pipeline to ship oil from southern fields to Ceyhan in Turkey. The plans approved by the government are a short-term measure based on recommendations from the oil ministry.TaylorMade R11s fairway woods

    Baghdad also hopes the plan will help convince Iran and the US of the need to avoid closing the Strait of Hormuz. He adds that the plan has also led to talks with top OPEC oil exporter Saudi Arabia on shipping Iraqi crude to Yanbu via the Red Sea.

    Category business news | Tags: | 199 Comments

  6. Turkish border provinces brace for Syrian refugee influx

    March 15, 2012 by admin

    ANKARA, March 14 (Xinhua) — Turkish border provinces have been building more tents to brace for an influx of Syrian refugees, local media reported Wednesday.Wilson BLX Tennis Racquets

    A total of 50,000 refugees are expected to enter Turkey, local newspaper Today’s Zaman quoted authorities of Turkey’s southern province of Hatay as saying, adding that the number of Syrians taking shelter in Hatay’s tent cities has reached 13,500.Babolat Aero Racquets

    In the last month, about 3,400 Syrians were reported to flee the violence in Syria’s Idlib province after the Syrian army shelled an area near the Turkish border and seek shelter in Turkey.Babolat Pure Drive Racquets

    On Tuesday night alone, 740 Syrian people entered Turkey.

    Currently, there are seven tent cities in Hatay’s Yayladagi, Reyhanli and Altinozu districts, the local authorities said, adding that more accommodations are being built in southern provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep and Sanliurfa.Wilson Tennis Racquets

    The Turkish Red Crescent will deliver blankets and tents to the refugees, according to the report.

    Turkey, once a close ally of Syria, has repeatedly called on Damascus to stop violence against civilians and has imposed on Syria a series of sanctions, including an arms embargo, in protest of the Syrian government’s alleged crackdown on opposing forces.Babolat Tennis Racquets

    Category world news | Tags: | 213 Comments

  7. UN-Arab League envoy prepares to visit Syria

    March 10, 2012 by admin

    The UN- Arab league envoy, Kofi Annan is in Egypt, preparing for his mission to Syria, representing both organizations to begin negotiations with the Syrian government and opposition. Adel El Mahrouky reports.Wilson BLX Tennis Racquets

    Before travelling to Damascus the UN – Arab League envoy, Koffi Annan arrived to Cairo. He had several meetings with Arab Leaders preparing for his trip to Syria. In his meeting with the Arab League’s secretary general; Nabil al Araby has expressed his confidence in choosing Annan for this mission.Babolat Aero Racquets

    Nabil Al Araby, secretary general of AL, said, “He hasn’t started his mission yet. We hope when he goes to Syria it will be very ground breaking and he would make a breakthrough, he would stop the violence and enter humanitarian aid and start the political process that all Syria should have.”Babolat Pure Drive Racquets

    Annan’s visit to Syria will start on Saturday with defined goals to approach and discuss with the Syrian government.

    Kofi Annan said, “I have been asked to lead the effort that will help to end the violence and the killings and the human rights violations, and to insure access to humanitarian assistance and to launch a political process that seek to insure all inclusive solutions that leads to aspiration of the Syrian people and all in coherence with the general assembly resolution.”Wilson Tennis Racquets

    Annan’s mission comes after the Arab League failed to produce an Arabian solution to the crisis. Some analysts consider it one of the final steps for peaceful solutions to the Syrian Crisis.Babolat Tennis Racquets

     

    United Nations and Arab League special envoy to Syria Kofi Annan (L) and Arab League
    Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi (R) speak during a press conference at the Arab League
    headquarters in Cairo. Annan, warned Thursday that further militarisation in Syria will
    worsen a conflict there that has left thousands dead in a year.

     

    Mostafa Al Labbad, chairman of Al Sharq Inst. for Regional and Strategic Studies, said, “There is a danger of fragmentation of Syria over kurds in the nort and you have ethnic minorities in Syria you have religious minorities in Syria, its so complicated I think that military intervention wouldn’t be the best case for Syria. The best case would be a negotiations between government and the people of Syria.”

    While many have been discussing the possibility of military intervention in Syria, it seems that both experts and politician agreed that it will not be best.

    Kofi Annan said, “I hope no one is thinking very seriously of using force in the situation I believe that any military usage will make the situation worse, we have to be careful if we want to introduce a medicine then this is the worst.”

    CCTV’s Adel El Mahrouky said, “The UN-Arab League mission to Syrian does not only represent a new approach to the Syrian Crisis, but a new hope to having a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis.”

    Category world news | Tags: | 175 Comments

  8. Federer celebrates his 72nd career title

    March 8, 2012 by admin

    In men’s tennis, British star Andy Murray came up with one of the biggest wins of the year by defeating world number one Novak Djokovic in the Dubai semifinals. His reward was a tough final matchup against Roger Federer. The Swiss superstar has won the Dubai title four times, and looked for his 72nd career title.Wilson BLX Tennis Racquets

    This hardcourt battle saw both players going the extra mile. Watch this rally in the sixth game of the opening set, Federer uses a drop shot, Murray recovers it, then the Swiss puts him away with a backhand volley winner.Babolat Aero Racquets

     

    Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts as he celebrates winning the ATP World Tour
    singles final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in the O2 arena in London, Sunday,
    Nov. 27, 2011. (Xinhua/Tang Shi)

     

    Federer tied the set 3-all.

    He broke Murray’s serve at 5-all in the first. The Brit suffered a decisive letdown and Federer closed out the opening set 7-5.

    Then, Federer broke serve again to go ahead 3-1 in the second set. Murray struck back with two creative lobs to square the set at 3-3.Babolat Pure Drive Racquets

    But Federer was unstoppable late in the set. He hit a series of stinging forehands to reach match point, and sealed victory in straight sets. Federer claimed his 72nd ATP tour title. The 16-time grand slam winner talked about becoming the world number one again after claiming his fifth Dubai crown.Wilson Tennis Racquets

    Federer said: “We will see how things are, maybe at Wimbledon or at the U.S. Open, I don’t know, I mean, I obviously need to win a big one to get all the way to world number one but right now I am cementing my place in the top three, top four which is a great thing. I had a great run since the US Open which I am very pleased about it.”Babolat Tennis Racquets

     

    Roger Federer of Switzerland (right) holds his winners trophy as he poses for the
    photographers with runner up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France following their singles
    final tennis match at the ATP World Tour Finals, in the O2 arena in London, Sunday,
    Nov. 27, 2011. (Xinhua/Zeng Yi)

     

     

    Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a return to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during
    their singles final tennis match at the ATP World Tour Finals, in the O2 arena in
    London, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (Xinhua/Zeng Yi)

     

     

    Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a return to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during
    their singles final tennis match at the ATP World Tour Finals, in the O2 arena in
    London, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (Xinhua/Tang Shi)

     

     

    Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France plays a return to Roger Federer of Switzerland during
    their singles final tennis match at the ATP World Tour Finals, in the O2 arena in
    London, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (Xinhua/Zeng Yi)

     

     

    Roger Federer of Switzerland kisses the trophy after winning his final match
    against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France, in 2011′s ATP World Tour Finals, in
    London, Britain, Nov. 27, 2011. Federer won 2-1 to claim the tital for the
    sixth time. (Xinhua/Tang Shi)

     

     

    Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with the trophy after winning his final match
    against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France, in 2011′s ATP World Tour Finals, in London,
    Britain, Nov. 27, 2011. Federer won 2-1 to claim the tital for the sixth time.
    (Xinhua/Zeng Yi)

     

     

     

    Category sport news | Tags: | 39 Comments

  9. China policy will remain Putin’s priority — expert

    March 6, 2012 by admin

    MOSCOW, March 5 (Xinhua) — Russia’s policy toward China will be developed and enriched during President-elect Vladimir Putin’s third term in Kremlin, said a senior China expert.

    Putin, who has just won Sunday’s presidential election, will keep the strategic relations with China the priority for the country’s foreign policy, Mikhail Titarenko, head of the Far East Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Xinhua.Wilson Tennis Racquets

    “Putin’s most decisive actions have been aimed at stimulating the Russia-China relations, and adding particular content to the strategic partnership announced in 1996,” Titarenko said.

    In his article, “Russia and Changing World,” Putin for the first time in recent years clearly stated that Russia’s foreign policy priority rests with the Asia-Pacific, including China.Wilson Blx

    “Russia-China partnership has never been at such high level like today. On the top political level, our relations have seen unprecedented progress,” said the senior expert who has devoted himself to China study.

    Meanwhile, he added, on many regional and world issues, including the issue of Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Korean peninsula and the euro crisis, Moscow and Beijing have similar approaches and have coordinated well.Prince Tennis Racket

    “There is no reason to stop or change this close coordination,” said Titarenko.

    In response to concerns that China’s development may pose a threat to Russia, Putin said in his article that China’s rise is a challenge, not a threat.Head Tennis Racket

    “Putin expects the challenge can stimulate Russia for its own faster development, hoping Russia should fill its sails with the Chinese wind,” Titarenko said.Babolat Tennis Racket

    The development of China can benefit Russia and that is why Putin has seen it not as a threat, he said.

    Titarenko recalled that after Putin came to power in 2000, Moscow’s foreign policy has looked both ways.

    “Putin was right that Europe and Asia are the two wings Russia flies on. A bird cannot fly with one wing. If Russia fails to develop the Asia policy, it is unable to go forward,” he said.Wilson Tennis Racket

    Category world news | Tags: | 189 Comments

  10. GOP moderate forgoes fourth Senate term

    March 1, 2012 by admin

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) — U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, a Republican moderate of Maine, announced Tuesday that she will not seek re-election, a move that boosted Democrats’ chances of maintaining control of the upper chamber.
    “After an extraordinary amount of reflection and consideration, I am announcing today that I will not be a candidate for re-election to the United States Senate,” the three-term senator said in a statement.
    “What I have had to consider is how productive an additional term would be,” she said. “Unfortunately, I do not realistically expect the partisanship of recent years in the Senate to change over the short term.”
    Snowe was one of the few Republican moderates in the Senate and sometimes crossed the party line to vote with Democrats.Babolat Tennis Racquets
    She had not faced serious opposition in any of her runs for the Senate and was expected to win handily another term in November.
    Snowe’s decision to retire boosted Democratic chances of grabbing the Republican seat in the Democratic-leaning state, at a time when their majority in the Senate was in jeopardy.Wilson Tennis Racquets
    Democrats currently have a 53-47 advantage over Republicans in the Senate, including two independents who caucus with them. Among a total of 33 Senate seats up for grabs in November, 23 are held by Democrats and independents, compared with 10 held by Republicans.Babolat Pure Drive Racquets
    The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) cheered Snowe’s retirement.Babolat Aero Racquets
    “As we said from day one, unexpected opportunities will emerge and the DSCC will be in a position to seize on these opportunities,” executive director Guy Cecil said in a statement.Wilson BLX Tennis Racquets

    Category SCI_TECH News | Tags: | 106 Comments

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