Chinese President Hu Jintao will leave China on Sunday as he prepares to pay a state visit to Austria before attending the upcoming G20 summit in France.

Earlier this week, President Hu spoke with his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, by phone to discuss the European Union's new debt crisis relief plan and the G20 summit.

The Chinese president hopes the G20 will be able to convey an unmistakable signal of growth and stability to the international community.

 

 

UN ends no-fly zone authorization in Libya; Nato chief promises to end operations by 31st

The U.N. Security Council has voted unanimously to end its 7 month long no-fly zone over Libya, as well the mandate authorizing NATO operations.

It comes despite a request from Libya's interim government for the Security Council to hold off on a final decision.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has confirmed that NATO will conclude its operations in Libya by the end of this month.

 

 

Queen opens commonwealth summit in Perth

Queen Elizabeth II has opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia. 

"And I wish heads of government well in agreeing further reforms that respond boldly to the aspirations of today and that keep the Commonwealth fresh and fit for tomorrow."

The queen joined Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Commonwealth leaders at the opening ceremony, and vowed to bring needed relevancy to the Commonwealth in a time of global uncertainty and insecurity.

The leadup to the summit has been dominated by pressure to get tougher on human rights abuses by members or risk losing its purpose as a group.

 

 

World rushes to send aid to Turkey

More than 30 countries are now in the process of sending tents, prefabricated housing and containers to quake-stricken Turkey.

Israel has sent its first plane carrying pre-built housing to Ankara, with another three expected in the coming days.

So far over 530 people have been confirmed dead from the disaster, with over 23-hundred others listed as injured.

Thousands more have been left homeless.

 

 

China's special envoy calls for halting violence in Syria

China's special envoy to the Middle East is throwing his support behind the Arab League's attempt to bring the months-long crisis in Syria to a close. 

Wu Sike, who is in Damascus for a three-day visit, says the Syrian people's legitimate demands should be respected.

Wu has been meeting with Syria's Vice President and Foreign Minister.

The envoy's meetings come amid the latest push by the Arab League to bring the fighting in Syria to an end, which is expected to include another ministerial meeting this coming weekend.

 

 

27 rebels killed, 60 wounded in battle in S. Philippines

At least 27 Islamic militants have been killed in the southern Philippines and more than 60 others wounded as they engage in days of gun battle against government security forces.

Officials in the southern province of Zamboanga Sibugay say government troops saw 27 bodies after they captured a rebel camp on Thursday.

Soldiers have resumed operations against renegade leader Waning Abdulsalam of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, who was wanted for a series of kidnapping and extortion.

 

 

Residents flee Bangkok

In Thailand's capital of Bangkok, people are still desperately trying to escape the fatal flooding.

Floodwaters are now moving toward the inner parts of the city.

With a 5-day national holiday now taking place in Thailand, officials are urging people in Bangkok to travel to other places in the country to avoid the flooding.

However, despite the rising floodwaters, some are choosing to stay to protect their homes and businesses.

So far, Thailand's worst flooding in over half a century has killed more than 370 people and forced the evacuation of over 100-thousand from their homes.

 

 

Saudi interior minister named new crown prince: royal court

Saudi Arabia's Interior Minister has been appointed as the new Crown Prince.

Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has been tapped as new the heir-apparent by King Abdullah.

This follows the death of the previous crown prince last week in New York.

Nayef has served as Saudi Arabia's second deputy premier and interior minister since 1975.

 

 

Japan's industrial production falls 4 pct. in Sept.

Japan's factory production fell for the first time in six months in September as the export-reliant country grappled with a strong yen and global economic turmoil.

The government says factory output fell 4 percent from August as manufacturers produced fewer cars, chip-related machines and cellphones. 

The result was worse than market expectations for a mild decline.

The government projects industrial production to rebound in the fourth quarter.

 

 

Inaugural flight of bio-fuelled plane in China

China's first airplane to use biofuel has made its inaugural flight, jetting off from Beijing International Airport.

According to Air China, the Boeing 747 used a biofuel developed from algae and jatropha, a tree grown in south China that produces an oily nut.

Its launch comes as airlines struggle to find ways to keep costs down and reduce carbon emissions.