The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council have reached an agreement on a resolution to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons arsenal.

Britain is set to introduce the text to the 10 other members of the Security Council at a meeting Thursday night.

The U.S and Russia have been at odds on how to enforce the resolution, but Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power confirmed the last hurdles to the agreement had been overcome.

The agreement comes a day after Russia's deputy foreign minister agreed that the resolution would include a reference to Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter.

Chapter 7 allows for military and non-military sanctions if a Security Council resolution is violated.

In Moscow, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov offered to provide troops to guard facilities where Syria's chemical weapons would be destroyed.

 

Iran and P5+1 talks start

 

Meanwhile Iran has started talks with six world powers on its disputed nuclear programme on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

The meeting marks the highest-level direct contact between the US and Iran in six years.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who hosted the meeting said talks between Iran, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany were "substantial."

Ashton added that a new round of talks between Iran and the six world powers are expected in October in Geneva.

 

China vows to cement bilateral partnership with Laos

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to cement an all-around strategic partnership with Laos.

The president made the remarks during talks with his Lao counterpart Choummaly Sayg/nasone here in Beijing.

Xi Jingping says China and Laos are friendly neighbors and constitute a community that share the same destiny as well as extensive common interests.

For his part, Chou/mmaly also spoke highly of the bilateral relationship and agreed to elevate the partnership.

Following talks, the two leaders also witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation deals.

Choummaly's visit in China will last till next Monday.

 

China urges Japan to face up to history: FM spokesman

 

The Chinese government has issued a new call for Japan's leaders to face up to history and win the trust of the international community with concrete action.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

"Japan has been trying to deny or glorify its history of aggression, and has been condemned by its Asian neighbors and the international society. Japanese leaders should treat the concern seriously."

The comments came in as a response to a speech by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday in the United States.

Abe says Japan's increase in defense spending has not been as big as that of "an immediate neighbor."

This is being viewed as an apparent reference to China.

 

bjh-hourly China offers earthquake assistance to Pakistan

 

The Chinese government says it's going to provide aid to Pakistan following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake which rattled the country this week.

The aid will include money and supplies worth about 2-million US dollars.

Meanwhile, Chinese Defence Ministry says the Chinese armed forces will spare no efforts to carry out the assistance work as ordered by the Chinese government. 

The earthquake on Tuesday has officially left 348-dead.

 

29 people killed in Sudan's protests as rioters call for the ouster of president Bashir

 

As many as 29 people have been killed during anti-government protests over fuel subsidies in Sudan.

The victims, including both civilians and policemen come after three days of violent protests in the capital city Khartoum and Wad Medani, a city just south of Khartoum.

The rioting began in Wad Medani after the government decided to lift subsidies, immediately doubling prices of petrol and fuel.

Sudan lost most of its main oil-producing territory when South Sudan broke off as an independent state in 2011.

Protesters are calling for the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir, who has ruled the country for more than two decades.

 

Over 610 million to travel on roads, waterways during national holiday

 

Toll highways are set to become free for vehicles with no more than 7-seats during this year's national holiday. 

This is the fifth time the toll-free policy will be put into effect since it was first introduced during the last National Day holiday. 

Traffic authorities are anticipating a noticeable rise in traffic in and around major tourist destinations in Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou. 

The Ministry of Transport is going to have additional staff ready throughout the holiday to deal with any traffic-related issues.

 

Cross-border e-commerce hits $375b in 2012

 

A robust growth in cross-border e-commerce transactions has had China's e-commerce business a banner year, with the entire volume hitting 8-trillion yuan, some 1.3 trillion US dollars for the past year.

Online trade volume was just 9.5 percent of China's total import and export volume in 2012.

It is expected the market share will be up to 18.5 percent in 2016, reaching 6.4 trillion yuan, some 1 trillion US dollars.