Blast hits Pakistan's garrison city, 34 killed

Chinese premier, EU's Barroso discuss climate change over phone

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso have exchanged views on climate change and China-EU cooperation during a telephone conversation.

Wen Jiabao said the upcoming UN climate change conference in Copenhagen should aim to achieve positive results in the full, effective and sustained implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol.

He added emphasis should be put on making clear and detailed arrangements for mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and financing.

The premier said China is ready to work with the EU to push for a success of the Copenhagen conference and promote the comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU.

Chinese vice premier meets New Zealand PM

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key agreed during a meeting in Wellington on Monday to actively explore new ways to advance cooperation between the two countries.

Li Keqiang said during the meeting that China is willing to work with New Zealand to actively explore mutually beneficial cooperation in sustainable development and cultural exchanges and to enhance coordination in multilateral organizations and on major international and regional issues in a bid to bring bilateral ties to a new level.

The two countries have signed a labor market agreement on Monday, under which the New Zealand government would ease restrictions on Chinese workers seeking temporary jobs in the island nation.

Afghan run-off election canceled, Karzai wins election

The Afghan Independent Election Commission says it has canceled November's presidential run-off, announcing President Hamid Karzai winner of the election.

The decision came after Karzai's top challenger Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the run-off set for November 7th.

Abdullah put forth conditions last week to ensure the credibility of the run-off, including replacing some top election officials and suspending three ministers.

However, they were all refused by Karzai.

Blast hits Pakistan's garrison city, 34 killed

At least 34 people have been killed and 32 others wounded in an alleged suicide explosion in city of Rawalpindi near the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Monday.

The blast occurred in parking lot of a hotel, located near the Pakistan's army headquarters.

The bomb detonated at a busy time of day while many people were out shopping in the area.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilnai have condemned the blast, saying such attacks will not deter the government from its campaign against militants.

Last round of UN climate talks before Copenhagen kicks off in Barcelona

The latest round of UN talks on climate change has kicked off in Barcelona, with delegates from nearly 180 countries in attendance.

The 5th meeting will be the last UN session before December's climate change conference in Copenhagen that aims to seal a new deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

During the five-day meeting in Spain, some 4,000 delegates will draft a proposal that will hopefully lead to a final agreement in Copenhagen.

Ministry disproves rumor on vaccination-caused A/H1N1 outbreak in Beijing

China's Ministry of Health has disproved an online rumor that the recent A/H1N1 influenza outbreak in Beijing was caused by vaccination among students for the country's National Day celebration.

The ministry's spokesman Mao Qunan said the rumor violates scientific theories and does not consist with the truth, adding it is totally fabrication.

The spokesman said no epidemic outbreak would occur among people who have already been given vaccination, since the vaccine was proved to be effective.

More than 48,000 confirmed A/H1N1 flu cases have been reported on the Chinese mainland, including 7 deaths.

China urges efforts for lake protection, rehabilitation

Chinese senior officials called for enhanced measures to curb lake pollution and facilitate lake rehabilitation at the 13th World Lake Conference in Wuhan on Monday.

Chen Zhili, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, has called for the establishment of special lake protection laws and the management and supervision of industrial, agricultural and household waste in lakes.

Engine model of China's home-made jetliner on show

The engine model of China's home-grown jetliner C919 was put on show in Shanghai on Monday, signaling a step forward in the research of the airplane.

The model SF-A was exhibited at China International Industry Fair 2009 in Shanghai, where the Aviation Industry Corporation of China Commercial Aircraft Engine Co. Ltd (AEAC) announced a plan to establish a turbofan designing system by 2010.

The SF-A, designed by AEAC, is expected to match the C919, China's largest domestically manufactured jetliner that is expected to take off in 2016.