China, AU to comprehensively deepen cooperation
China and the African Union have issued a joint statement, agreeing to deepen cooperation in development and international affairs.
This follows premier Li Keqiang's visit to the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
The premier made a speech to the assembled African leaders, pledging to share technology with AU members and even transfer select labour-intensive industries to Africa.
He proposed that China and Africa upgrade collaboration in industry, finance, poverty reduction, ecological protection, people-to-people exchanges, and peace and security.
Ethiopia is the first leg of Li Keqiang's four-nation tour.
He will also visit Nigeria, Angola and Kenya.
Boko Haram claims responsibility for abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria: local media
Nigeria's Islamic extremist leader is threatening to sell nearly 300 abducted schoolgirls.
The teenagers were taken away from a school in the remote northeast three weeks ago.
The group also claimed responsibility for the mass abduction, warning of attacks on more schools and the abduction of more girls.
Since the abduction of the school girls, Nigerians have been demanding the government rescue the abductees.
The admission by Boko Haram comes on the heels of a deadly blast in the capital, Abuja, which left 20-people dead.
Four Ukrainian soliders killed in Slavyansk
At least four Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and some 30 wounded during a military operation against pro-Russian protesters in the eastern city of Slavyansk.
The casualties come after government troops launched a fresh wave of anti-terror operations in the city against 800 pro-Russian forces.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities also sent an elite national guard unit to re-establish control over the southern port of Odessa.
Earlier, over 40 people, mostly pro-Russian activists, were killed while occupying a local trade union building which was set on fire.
Kiev has repeatedly blamed Moscow for inciting unrest and trying to split Ukraine apart.
Russia has denied any involvement.
Last month, Ukraine, Russia, the U.S. and the EU reached a deal calling for all sides in the conflict to refrain from violence.
Germany has proposed the sides hold a second round of talks in Geneva, a call that has received support from leaders in Kiev.
Top Chinese legislator meets Japanese lawmakers amid strained ties
Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang has met with a delegation of Japanese lawmakers despite strained bilateral ties.
Zhang says the visit by the Japanese lawmakers reflects determination to move the strained bilateral ties forward.
Masahiko Komura, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said he would like to make efforts to bring ties back to a strategical relationship that is mutually beneficial.
China and Japan have seen few high-level political contacts since the Japanese government's so-called "purchase" of the Diaoyu Islands in September 2012.
The islands are Chinese territory.
Zhang's meeting with Komura, who is leading the 9-member delegation for the three-day Beijing visit, is the highest contact between leaders of the two countries in recent months.
China urges Japan to make a real effort sincerely
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has issued a new statement saying it welcomes delegations from Japan, from all walks of life.
The comments come as several Japanese delegations visit China.
At the same time, the Chinese govermment is calling on Japan's leadership to make efforts to try to restore bilateral ties.
Poll shows U.S. Republicans gain ground in support for mid-term elections
A new poll from Pew Research Center suggests that US Republicans are gaining ground, as support for Democrats slips.
The results come just six months ahead of mid-term elections in the US, and seem to show a reversal of fortunes for the two major American political parties.
As recently as last October, the Democrats had 49 percent support to the Republican's 43.
The new poll puts Republican support at 47 percent. The Dems are at 43 and were leading in the polls as recently as two months ago.
The president's overall job approval rating has shown virtually no change dating back to last December, with 44 percent of Americans currently approving the job Barack Obama is doing and 50 percent disapproving.
WHO warns poliovirus spread an international emergency
The World Health Organization has declared the international spread of wild poliovirus in 2014 an international emergency.
The agency says the international spread of the virus to date in 2014 is an extraordinary event and calls for coordinated international response.
The WTO has recorded 68 cases by the end of last month this year, up from 24 in the same period last year.
Cameroon, Pakistan and Syria reportedly pose the greatest risk of exporting the virus to other countries.
The agency recommends that affected countries ensure that all residents and long-term visitors be vaccinated before traveling and be provided with proof of vaccination.
Climate change threatens to worsen U.S. ozone pollution: study
Americans may be facing a 70 percent rise in unhealthy summertime ozone levels by the year 2050 because of climate change.
A study published in the US Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres states that warmer temperatures, higher atmospheric levels of methane, and other changes related to climate change will spur reactions that increase ozone levels.
Ozone pollution is not formed directly. It is the result of chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight.
Researchers say pollution levels related to those oxides and compounds need to be reduced in order to mitigate America's future summertime smog problem.
LVMH enters China's restaurant business
French luxury giant LVMH Moet Hennessy has acquired 90 percent of the shares in Chinese restaurant chain Crystal Jade for 100 million dollars.
LVMH Moet Hennessy said it plans to help Crystal Jade exploit new markets and regions, and expand its operations on the Chinese mainland.
It also aims to help Crystal Jade increase its brand awareness.
Crystal Jade group, which was established in 1991, is a Cantonese cuisine restaurant chain with more than 100 branches around Asia.
Its headquarters are in Singapore. |