Abbas confirms not to run in elections

Chinese mainland reports 4 new deaths from A/H1N1 flu

The Chinese mainland has reported four more deaths from A/H1N1 flu.

They are from north and northwest provinces and autonomous regions of Hebei, Gansu, Ningxia and Xinjiang.

Eight deaths from A/H1N1 had earlier been reported.

To effectively combat the influenza, the Chinese government has announced to provide students, medical staff, public servants and elderly people with A/H1N1 flu vaccine free of charge.

 

 

A/H1N1 virus now dominant flu virus in all countries, says WHO

World Health Organization says the A/H1N virus has become the world's dominant influenza virus but so far there are no signs that the new virus has mutated into new forms.

Dr. Keiji Fukuda, special adviser to the organization says the pandemic virus are picking up in a number of different countries from North America to Europe and Asia.

Fukuda highlighted the importance of vaccination against the virus. He said more than 20 countries have started a vaccination compaign and experience shows that the vaccines are "highly safe."

The A/H1N1 virus has thus far infected more than 440,000 people worldwide, causing more than 5,700 deaths.


 

China to host int'l conference on anti-piracy in Gulf of Aden

 China will host an international conference on Nov. 6 and 7 to coordinate anti-piracy escorts in the Gulf of Aden.

The conference will discuss how escort missions could cover different areas in the gulf in order to coordinate effective international cooperation against piracy.

Representatives from Russia, Japan, India, the European Union and NATO are expected to attend the conference.


 

U.S. House expected to pass health care bill on Saturday: Democratic leader

The U.S. House of Representatives is likely to pass the overhaul health care reform bill on Saturday.

House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer told reporters that House leaders are still working through some details at the last minute and would take the final version to the whole floor on Saturday.

 

7 killed, 12 wounded in shooting at U.S. army base

Seven people have been killed and another 12 wounded in a shooting at Fort Hood Army Base Texas, U.S.

Officials said one gunman is in custody and a second was still at large.

The base and nearby schools have been locked down.

 

European central bank keeps key rate at one percent

The European Central Bank has decided to keep its key rate at one percent.

Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the bank said the current rates remain appropriate.

 

 

Abbas confirms not to run in elections

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he will not run in the presidential election in January 2010.

In a live speech, Abbas said he has informed the Central Committee of his Fatah movement and the Palestinian Liberation Organization about his intention.

Abbas announced his decision after he reviewed a grim situation due to the suspension of peace talks with Israel and the failure to end internal Palestinian crisis as the Gaza-ruling Hamas movement rejected an Egyptian offer to reconcile with Fatah.

Abbas, 70, was elected as president in January 2005 after the death of late leader Yasser Arafat.

In other development Hamas authorities banned Fatah members from holding ceremonies to mark the fifth anniversary of late leader Yasser Arafat in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas allowed Fatah members to hold a ceremony marking Arafat's death in November 2007, but the event ended with clashes between the participants and Hamas security forces, which killed 12 Palestinians.

 

Cambodia recalls ambassador to Thailand over Thaksin issue

The Cambodian government has announced to temporarily call back its Ambassador to Thailand, a move came shortly after Thai government's recall of its ambassador to Cambodia.

Earlier Thursday, the Thai government decided to recall its Ambassador to Cambodia to protest against the appointment of the ousted former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatre as adviser of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Royal Government.

Ties between Cambodia and Thailand have been difficult since July 2008 amid an ongoing border conflict which has claimed several lives. The ongoing tensions are believed to further worsen the bilateral relations.

 

Car battery tycoon Wang Chuanfu tops China's rich list: Forbes

 Wang Chuanfu, chairman of electric car and battery maker BYD, is China's richest person, according to Forbes' list of the wealthiest people in the country.

Liu Yongxing, president of the East Hope Group who topped the list last year, came in second on the list.

According to Forbes' report, the total assets of China's 40 richest people doubled to a record 106 billion U.S. dollars over the past year.