Wednesday, August 22, 2012

China stamps down on Gu 'body-double' rumours

China stamps down on Gu 'body-double' rumours

China stamps down on Gu 'body-double' rumours

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 10:50 AM PDT

Police stand guard outside the Intermediate People's Court in HefeiChina has blocked Internet searches for the term "body double" after web users expressed suspicions that convicted murderer Gu Kailai used a stand-in at her court hearings.

Boat in China-Japan island dispute returns to Hong Kong

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 10:43 AM PDT

Hong Kong activist Bull Tsang Kin-shing (C) is greeted by a crowdA boat which carried a group of pro-China activists to disputed islands in the East China Sea last week, leading to their detention by Japan and anti-Tokyo protests, returned to Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Amnesty urges Pakistan to protect blasphemy charge girl

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 10:13 AM PDT

A Pakistani motorcyclist rides past Rimsha's home in a slum area of IslamabadAmnesty International has urged Pakistan to reform its blasphemy laws and protect a young Christian girl arrested for allegedly burning pages inscribed with verses from the Koran.

India's opposition to block parliament until PM resigns

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 10:15 AM PDT

Greenpeace activists unfurl a giant banner about the coal scam near Parliament in New DelhiIndia's opposition vowed on Wednesday to block parliamentary proceedings until the prime minister resigned over a coal scandal, raising the prospect of more legislative deadlock and stalled reforms.

Kabul blames 'foreign spy agencies' for insider attacks

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 10:11 AM PDT

President of Afghanistan Hamid KarzaiAfghan officials on Wednesday blamed "infiltration by foreign spy agencies" into the ranks of its security forces for a rise in attacks by Afghan soldiers on US-led NATO forces.

Concerns over growth and Europe push markets lower

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 09:30 AM PDT

FILE- In this Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, file photo, traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, in New York. Stocks slipped Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, in one of the quietest trading sessions of the year. Worries about European debt crept up again, and Apple became the most valuable company of all time. (AP Photo/Jin Lee)Concerns over economic growth pushed global markets down on Wednesday, with investors watching meetings between Greek and European leaders for signs the country will get more time to meet its debt reduction targets.

2 survive to tell of Sri Lankan abduction squads

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 09:14 AM PDT

In this photo taken May 7, 2012, Ravindra Udayashantha, a 38-year-old town council chairman, looks through iron bars guarding the entrance to his home in Kolonnawa, suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Udayashantha dramatically pre-empted an abduction attempt when he and his entourage surrounded the men from a suspicious white van that pulled alongside him at a Colombo park and captured them. In Sri Lanka, anyone who has crossed someone of importance is wary of white vans, said to be the vehicles of choice for shadowy squads who ''disappear'' opponents of powerful people. Udayashanta said he had been on alert since his brother had been grabbed, an act he took that as a warning from his political rivals. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)The politician knew something was amiss when a suspicious white van pulled alongside him at a Colombo park and four men got out, pretending to exercise. Ravindra Udayashanta alerted his supporters, and police. Soon, the gunbattle began.

Taiwan braces for Typhoon Tembin

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Local officials, military soldiers and policemen patrol the village of HepingTaiwan on Wednesday placed 48,000 soldiers on standby and evacuated 300 villagers areas as Typhoon Tembin bears down on the island.

Japan's Aoh to defend WBC super feather title

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 09:06 AM PDT

World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight Champion Takahiro Aoh of Japan (R) celebrates his victoryJapan's Takahiro Aoh will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight title against Gamaliel Diaz of Mexico in October, his gym announced on Wednesday.

Australian cricketers will handle UAE weather: coach

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 08:50 AM PDT

Australia will play Afghanistan and Pakistan in the United Arab EmiratesAustralia's acting coach Steve Rixon on Wednesday hoped his players will adjust to the hot conditions in United Arab Emirates during their matches against Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Japan's PM meets protesters, won't stop reactors

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 08:04 AM PDT

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, right, talks with the leaders of the anti-nuclear protest at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012. Prime Minister Noda has invited leaders of weekly anti-nuclear protests outside his office for a rare meeting, allowing them inside the complex for the first time. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT, NO LICENSING IN CHINA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND FRANCEJapan's prime minister met for the first time with leaders of weekly anti-nuclear protests Wednesday but rejected their demand that two recently restarted nuclear plants should be shut again.

Afghans: Foreign spies at root of insider attacks

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 07:25 AM PDT

The Afghan government is blaming the onslaught of attacks by Afghan police and soldiers against international forces on "infiltration by foreign spy agencies."

India want youth to deliver in Kiwi Tests

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 06:55 AM PDT

Cheteshwar Pujara is one of India's promising young playersIndia hope their youngsters will rise to the big occasion in the two-Test series against New Zealand starting on Thursday to soften the blow of losing Rahul Dravid and Venkatsai Laxman.

Indian public sector bank staff on two-day strike

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 06:27 AM PDT

Up to a million public sector bank workers are on strike in IndiaUp to one million Indian public sector bank employees started a two-day nationwide strike on Wednesday, protesting against reforms they fear could lead to mergers and job losses.

Sleepy woman's epic 18-hr flight after she misses stop

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 06:26 AM PDT

The woman did not mention her mistake to cabin crewA Frenchwoman endured an 18-hour journey from the Pakistani city of Lahore to Paris and back again after sleeping through her plane's stop in the French capital, officials said on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka condemns Buddha-kissing French tourists

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 06:19 AM PDT

A Sri Lankan Buddhist prays at a Buddhist Temple in ColomboThree French tourists convicted in Sri Lanka for desecrating a temple by photographing themselves kissing and posing with a Buddha statue drew condemnation Wednesday for their "uncivilised behaviour".

Witnesses: Tajik troops open fire on protesters

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 05:51 AM PDT

Tajikistan government troops opened fire Wednesday on a crowd protesting the unexplained killing of an influential local leader in an eastern town, local residents say.

Chinese solar industry faces weak sales, price war

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 05:34 AM PDT

In this photo taken on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, workers inspect a solar panel in production line at a manufacturer of photovoltaic products in Huaibei in central China's Anhui province. Chinese solar panel makers that grew fast over the past decade are suffering big losses due to slumping global sales and a price war that threaten an industry seen by communist leaders as a role model for hopes to transform China into a technology leader. (AP Photo) CHINA OUTChinese solar panel makers that grew fast over the past decade are suffering big losses due to slumping global sales and a price war that threaten an industry seen by communist leaders as a role model for hopes to transform China into a technology leader.

Oil prices dip as traders eye Europe crisis talks

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 05:22 AM PDT

The price of oil fell Wednesday as investors kept one eye on Europe's efforts to solve its debt crisis and the other on the potential for Middle East tensions to disrupt supply.

NKorea's economic zone remains under construction

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 05:11 AM PDT

In this Monday, Aug 20, 2012 photo, construction is under way along railway lines linking tracks in Rason in far northeastern North Korea with Russian rail lines. The port of Rajin and the neighboring city of Sonbong together comprise the Rason special economic zone being developed with help from foreign investment, particularly from China. Rason was host this week to the zone's second international trade fair. (AP Photo/Kim Kwang Hyon)More than a year after construction began, the road from China to North Korea's special economic zone in Rason is paved. Power substations are being built, railway lines are being linked to routes to Siberia, and piers at the harbor expanded.

Pietersen's head turned by IPL: Flower

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 04:15 AM PDT

Kevin Pietersen's England future looks bleak after he sent texts allegedly criticising England captain Andrew StraussEngland coach Andy Flower insists Kevin Pietersen's infatuation with the Indian Premier League played a significant role in the collapse of his international career.

BHP delays Olympic Dam project as profits dive

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 03:24 AM PDT

BHP Billiton's annual net profits have dived 34.8%, a reversal from last year's record US$23.6 billion profitMining giant BHP Billiton Wednesday delayed expansion of its huge Olympic Dam project as it posted a near 35 percent slump in annual net profit in a sign the global slowdown is hurting commodities.

Bans cut for S. Korean Olympic badminton players

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 03:20 AM PDT

The bans were cut from two years to six months on appealSouth Korean badminton authorities on Wednesday reduced bans for four players accused of trying to lose matches at the London Olympics from two years to six months after an appeal.

German customs 'demand $500k for musician's violin'

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 02:56 AM PDT

Violinist Yuzuko Horigome was passing through Frankfurt Airport when she was stopped and finedGerman customs seized a $1.2 million violin from a Japanese professional musician and are demanding she pay almost $500,000 to get it back, reports said on Wednesday.

Oil prices up as traders foresee tighter supplies

Posted: 22 Aug 2012 02:45 AM PDT

Oil prices rose Wednesday as analysts predicted a strain on supplies and Middle East tensions would support crude prices.
Posted by Harshad at 11:43 AM

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