Authorities in Thailand have confirmed that 13 Chinese sailors were killed after a local drug ring attacked and hijacked two Chinese cargo ships on the Mekong River last week.

Local police in northern Thailand have launched an investigation and are hunting for the perpetrators.

The two cargo ships were attacked in the so-called golden triangle area of the Mekong River on Wednesday.

A report in the Bangkok Post says drug traffickers wanted the ships to smuggle their product into Thailand from Myanmar.

 

 

Church clashes kill 24 in Cairo

At least 24 people have been killed and scores injured in the worst violence since Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February.

Clashes broke out after a protest in Cairo against an attack on a church in Aswan province last week which Coptic Christians blame on Muslim radicals. 

The Copts - who make up about 10% of the population - accuse Egypt's governing military council of being too lenient on the perpetrators of a string of anti-Christian attacks.

 

 

Yemen protesters voice skepticism over Saleh's pledge to step down

Protesters in Yemen have taken to the streets, voicing skepticism about President Ali Abdullah Saleh's latest vow to step down.

In his first major speech since returning to Yemen, Saleh has proclaimed that he is willing to leave power in the coming days.

There is a high level of distrust among the opposition and protesters, given that Saleh has made similar promises three times in the course of this year, only to back away from the deal at the last minute.

"We say yes to this latest pledge but we are now used to his speeches. I think that he said he will step down in days in his speech so he can re-organize himself."

A Gulf Cooperation Council-sponsored agreement would see Saleh step down in return for immunity from prosecution.

 

 

NTC fighters say Gaddafi town close to fall

Libya's interim government forces say they have made significant gains in the battle for Muammar Gaddafi' hometown of Sirte.

They have reportedly captured the city's main hospital, the university and a main conference centre.

NTC fighters are struggling to deal with the Gaddafi loyalists, who are hiding in buildings and on rooftops as snipers.

The interim government is on record as saying it will declare national liberation once Sirte falls, even if Gaddafi remains at large.

 

 

Syrian leaders warn countries not to recognize the opposition

Syria's government is warning of retaliation against any country that recognizes the opposition National Council.

The country's foreign minister made the comments following meetings with Latin American ministers, who have been visiting Syria to show support for President Bashar al-Assad.

The National Council was formed last week by seven Syrian opposition factions in exile.

The US and France have welcomed the move, but do not recognize it diplomatically.

 

 

Sarkozy meets with Merkel over EU's debt crisis

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has held a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, discussing new measures to deal with the European Union's debt crisis.

The two have talked about ways of strengthening Europe's shaky banking sector.

Sarkozy says that France and Germany will present proposals on a new comprehensive package for stabilising the euro zone by the end of the month.

The leaders have suggested that their proposals may include a plan for recapitalising European banks, accelerating economic coordination in the euro zone and dealing with Greece's debt problems.

 

 

Thousands face major delays as Australia's Qantas engineers go on strike

Australia's Qantas Airways passengers will face major delays as aircraft engineers walk off the job at three major airports.

Reports say the strike will be staged in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane for four hours, as part of a labor dispute between aircraft maintenance engineers and Qantas.

Qantas says 80 domestic and international flights will be cancelled, delayed or brought forward.

 

 

China vows tougher road safety checks, accident prevention

China's Ministry of Public Security has ordered tougher road safety checks, especially for long-distance passenger buses, in a bid to prevent major accidents.

In an emergency meeting, the ministry urged scrutiny on overloading and drowsy driving. 

The meeting was held following several deadly traffic accidents over the past ten days, including a bus crash in Tianjin which killed 35 people on Friday.

 

 

Mass migration, major problems

China's migrant population now numbers 221 million, or 16.5 percent of all citizens.

A government report says as the numbers grow so do the problems these people face.

According to the 2011 Report on China's Migrant Population Development, most migrants do not enjoy the same rights as local people and therefore face difficulties integrating into urban life.

It says another 300 million rural people are expected to move to urban areas in the next 30 years.