China :: Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng wants the prime minister to apologise for another flip-flop, this time over the scrapping of Bumiputera quotas. Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday he had not promised to abolish the 30 per cent quota eventually despite media reports to the contrary. But Lim (picture) pointed out today it was hard to believe state news agency Bernama, which also carried the alleged misquote, would dare to misrepresent the prime minister. As it is hard to imagine a government news department like Bernama daring to misquote or misrepresent what the prime minister said, will the prime minister be compelled to apologise for saying the wrong thing? Lim said in a statement. Bernama, several online news portals and the Chinese media reported earlier this week that Najib had called for the eventual removal of Bumiputera quotas. We want to do away from (with) quotas but we must support them (Bumiputera entrepreneurs) in a way that would allow them to gr...

SEPT 30 One day soon, I hope a Malaysian leader will emerge who will say what he means and means what he says. This leader will not tailor his message to his audience, be in love with symbolic acts and depend on image makeovers. This leader will not be afraid of making unpopular but necessary decisions and policies for the country and will not allow family members or associates to plunder the country at will. Prime Minister Najib Razak last night spoke at a gathering of Malay business and economic NGOs. He told them not to be too infatuated with protectionism. That was good but in the same speech he also reminded them that the government had reserved more than 40 per cent of the massive MRT project for Bumiputera companies. That certainly sounds like protectionism to me, and molly-coddling a group of businessmen and creating unnatural business conditions for them. Najibs mixed-signal speech last night would be the equivalent of a parent warning a spendthrift son that the days of loans...

smiling Indonesia Dr Mirza Shans dental clinic in downtown Jakarta has never been fuller. The number of new patients asking for braces is so great he hired two orthodontists and three nurses to ease the workload. Its the latest sign of rapidly rising prosperity in Indonesia, an emerging democracy of 240m, where the number of registered orthodontists quadrupled to 160 this year, according to the Indonesian Medical Council. Im putting on 10-15 sets of braces per month. When I started in 2006, we might have done one in a good month, says Mirza, whose clients include Jakartas rich and famous. Most of them are young professionals who come to have their teeth straightened for aesthetic reasons. Indonesia is enjoying an economic boom, with growth of more than 6.5 per cent, inflation near a record low and rising consumer spending and incomes. This year, Indonesia became a middle income country, with per capita GDP passing $3,000. That is creating jobs for university graduates, bein...

her title was earned through dedication, hard work, a demonstration of self confidence, intelligence, beauty, and elegance, and Meeghan showed those qualities over the past year. LOS ANGELES Virgelia Productions of the Miss Asia USA organization honored Meeghan Henry, 2011s Miss Asia USA Indonesian Delegate, the title of Miss Teen Asia USA last week after several meetings with all the members. She has proven to be an outstanding role model for young Asian women. The 16-year-old Indonesian, who is also a singer/songwriter, is now attending the University of La Verne as a freshman and proudly accepts the coveted title. She will be the teen ambassador for many events and the teen role model for many young women. With the title, Meeghan wants to portray the message of living about the influence. Not only is she promoting anti drugs and anti drinking, but she is also pushing anti peer pressure and anti bullying. She believes that teens and people everywhere can still have a fun and excitin...

Anda meragukan selera hiburan tayangan televisi negara tetangga, Malaysia? Nampaknya Anda harus berpikir lebih panjang lagi jika Anda masih meragukannya. Apabila sedang bepergian ke negeri jiran, coba setel saluran Astro Bintang, atau Astro Pelangi, disitu Anda akan merasa seperti di negeri sendiri. Filem-filem bermutu dan terbaru serta telemovie dan filem retro dari Indonesia kini di saluran Pelangi. Saksikan satu saluran khas 24 jam yang menyiarkan karya-karya terbaik dari seberang. Lengkap dengan sarikata Bahasa Malaysia Itulah deskripsi salah satu saluran televisi Astro, yang khusus menayangkan berbagai movie-movie dari Indonesia. Ingin menonton tayangan seperti Heart, Brownies, dan Saus Kacang, dan lain-lainnya dari negeri jiran? Silakan setel saluran Astro Pelangi. Apabila Anda sedang bepergian ke Malaysia dan kangen akan tayangan komedi seperti Opera van Java, reality show seperti Bukan Empat Mata, sinetron Ketika Cinta Bertasbih, dan lain-lainnya, Anda tinggal setel ke saluran...

Washington, new study has revealed that people taking oral steroids are twice as likely as the general population to have severe vitamin D deficiency. According to a study of more than 31,000 children and adults by scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, physicians should diligently monitor Vitamin D levels in patients being treated with oral steroids. When doctors write that prescription for steroids and theyre sending the patients for lab tests, they should also get the vitamin D level measured, Amy Skversky, the lead author said. The researchers examined data collected from participants who had participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2006. About one percent of the participants answered yes when asked if they had used oral steroids during the previous 30 days, whereas eleven percent of the self-reported steroid users h...

U.S. President Barack Obama says the killing of radical American-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki is a significant milestone in the effort to defeat the al-Qaida terror network. Awlaki was linked to the group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. President Obama said that as a result of his killing, the group remains dangerous, but has been weakened. "The death of Awlaki is a major blow to al-Qaidas most active operational affiliate," he said. A U.S. airstrike killed Awlaki early Friday as he drove through a remote part of Yemen. U.S. officials have been quoted as saying the raid was coordinated by the CIA. Awlaki was wanted by both the United States and Yemen for his suspected role in terrorist attacks. Those include the attempted bombing of a U.S. airliner flying to the city of Detroit in 2009, and the deadly attack on the U.S. Army base at Fort Hood, Texas. Obama said the U.S. re...

Atlanta: The head of NATO called on Western governments to continue to work with Pakistan against extremists. The advice came in wake of United States and Pakistan trading thinly-veiled critiques of each other's operations. Amid growing US pressure for Pakistan to take action against militants, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called for a positive engagement from Islamabad to ensure stability in Afghanistan. Rasmussen said despite questions raised by the killing of al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil, he saw no alternative to co-operating with Pakistan in the war against terrorism In a speech to the World Affairs Council in Atlanta, head of 28-nation Western military alliance expressed appreciation for the efforts so far by Pakistan's military to fight Islamic militants in its border region with Afghanistan. "But I think more could be done," ...

Lahore: In view of increasing electricity demand in the country,Water & Power Development Authority WAPDA geared up efforts for optimum utilisation of hydropower potential by initiating number of projects which will not only help bridge gap between electricity generation and its consumption but also improve ratio of low-cost hydel electricity in the system to stabilise tariff. This was stated by WAPDA Chairman Shakil Durrani during visit to under construction 106MW Golen Gol Hydropower Project, which is part of least-cost energy generation plan being executed by WAPDA on priority. He said South Korea contractors M/s SAMBU have been mobilised to site and project scheduled to be completed in four years significantly contribute to socio-economic uplift of the country in general and Chitral in particular. Hydropower projects of about 1400MW are under construction. 72-MW Khan Khwar Proje...

New Delhi: Taking a serious note of International Hockey Federation FIH's threat to stop India's participation in London Olympics if issues relating to game's governance in the country were not resolved, Indian Olympic Association IOA has convened an urgent meeting of Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation on October 4. It will discuss issues raised by the FIH in its letter to sports secretary, Sindhusree Khullar and try to find an amicable solution to the satisfaction of all, IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said in a statement on Friday. "I am quiet hopeful that in interest of the country and the game, the matter will be resolved," he said. In its letter to Indian Sports Ministry, dated September 27, FIH warned that India's participation in next year's London Olympics and other international tournaments may be jeopardized if IOC charter and FIH...

Pakistani officials say a U.S. drone has fired several missiles on a vehicle in a northwestern tribal region, killing three suspected militants. The officials say the drone strike happened Friday in Pakistan's restive South Waziristan region, bordering Afghanistan. U.S. officials do not publicly acknowledge the use of drone strikes inside Pakistan, but privately have confirmed their existence to various news outlets. Pakistani leaders condemn the strikes as a violation of the country's sovereignty. Friday's strike comes as tensions rise between Pakistan and the U.S. after claims by top U.S. military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, that Pakistan's main spy agency backed Haqqani militants who carried out attacks against American targets in Afghanistan. Top Pakistani officials have denied the U.S. allegations and rejected outside pressure to do more in the war on terrorism. Pa...

Photo courtesy of AP (AP) A Filipino maid in Hong Kong won the opening legal battle in her fight for permanent residency after a court ruled Friday that an immigration provision excluding the citys hundreds of thousands of foreign maids was unconstitutional. It was a major legal victory in a case that has divided the city with accusations of ethnic discrimination against the foreign maids, most of whom are from the Philippines or Indonesia. Justice Johnson Lam, ruling in the Court of First Instance, said the immigration provision denying the maids the right to gain permanent residency after seven years as other foreign residents can was inconsistent with the Basic Law, Hong Kongs mini-constitution. The government is likely to appeal the ruling. The case was launched by Evangeline Banao Vallejos, a longtime foreign domestic helper, who sought a judicial review after her bid for permanent residency was rejected. To be clear, Ms. Vallejos won on the unconstitutionality of the provision...

Karachi: The inaugural U16 national hockey championship, which was supposed to be played in Lahore, will now be held at Lala Ayub hockey stadium in Peshawar from October 11-22. The prevailing dengue outbreak in Lahore has forced Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to change the venue. A total of 12 teams will be seen in action during the tournament. Three teams from Punjab, two teams each from Sindh and hosts Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa will participate in the event. Meanwhile, one team each from Balochistan, Islamabad, FATA, Gilgit & Baltistan and AJK would also be seen in action during the tournament. Participating players are directed to bring with them their NADRA B forms.

Karachi: Fumigation teams and workers of City District Government Karachi carrying out channelization of drains in various towns have lambasted the management for exploiting them without assigning proper working hours, lack of adequate security and non-payment of overtime allowance and have decided to reduce their working hours. During a general body meeting of workers held at KMC workshop on Friday, it was decided that around 600 workers carrying out fumigation and channelization of drains (nullahs) would not perform duties after 4 pm as CDGK had not been paying them overtime allowance and compelling them to work till midnight hours. Chairman CDGK CBA union Syed Zulfikar Shah told PPI that other fumigation teams working in the city would soon halt their duties if security not provided and overtime allowance not paid. He said some of the workers had been looted and deprived of their valu...

A Pakistani girl who says she was kidnapped and gang-raped faces a new threat: honor killings, a tradition here, but one that her family refuses to carry out Rape survivor Kainat Soomro, left / Hilke Schellmann KARACHI, PAKISTAN -- Kainat Soomro is a 17-year-old Pakistani girl who has become a local celebrity of sorts in her battle for justice in the Pakistani courts, a daring move for a woman of any age in this country, let alone a teenager.She is fighting to get justice for a gang rape that she insists happened four years ago in Mehar, a small town in Pakistan. MORE FROM THE PULITZER CENTER: Outlawed in Pakistan Life in a Karachi Shelter Colombia's Mining Boom Nepal: Adoption Limbo We first met her in the office of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. A colorful traditional Pakistani shawl covered her head. Her father sat next to her as she recounted the 2007 incident. "I was walking home from my school and I went to the store to buy a toy for my niece," she said,...

Mat Zain Ibrahim IF YDP AGONG CAN BE DECIEVED,WORST THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO US The Attorney General has been challenged to account for the three expert reports, he was alleged to have fabricated in an investigation into a particular case. Notwithstanding mounting public outrage for the AG to come clean on this issue,he chose to maintain a deafening silence, instead of making known his position. Should he finds it tough though, to account for all the three,which is understandable, he should at least show his sincerity by giving an account for just one of them. Any one of the three that he is comfortable with, will do. For the benefit of all, the first expert report was dated 26 October 1998.The said report together with the second expert report was properly tendered during the Black-Eye RCI proceedings in 1999, which was duly recorded by the Commissioners. However, before the RCIs final report was presented to YDP Agong ,the said first report went missing. No other persons other than the m...

Pemerintah Indonesia dan Uni Eropa menandatangani perjanjian Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT-VPA) pertengahan September 2011 di Brussel, Belgia. Pemerintah Indonesia telah menyalip Malaysia untuk 48 klasifikasi produk kayu dan turunannya yang boleh masuk ke perdagangan Eropa. Direktur Industri Kehutanan Direktorat Jenderal Bina Usaha Kehutanan Muhammad Firman mengatakan dengan pengakuan UE, itu berarti seluruh negara yang tergabung dalam UE memastikan bahwa hutan Indonesia dikelola secara legal. Indonesia juga mendapat pengakuan dari dunia, karena standar UE adalah yang tertinggi di dunia, sambungnya. Selain itu, pasar ekspor kayu Indonesia ke Eropa berkisar 10 25 persen pertahun. Ada 125 perusahaan industri kayu dan produk turunannya yang berpeluang untuk bisa mengekspor. News Source: Kompas Re-written and Posted in Good News From Indonesia by M. Q Rusydan

ISLAMABAD - A gas cylinder exploded on the top floor of a Pakistani hotel in Islamabad late Thursday, injuring three women and a child in a city always on guard against feared terror attacks, police said. The blast struck the Citi Hotel in the Blue Area, the Pakistani capital's ordinarily bustling district of shops and restaurants around 11 pm (1800 GMT) at a time when people still linger over dinner in the cool breeze of evening. "It appears to be a gas cylinder blast," city police chief Bani Amin told reporters. "It does not appear to be explosives," he added. He said four passengers whose Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight was delayed and who were staying in the hotel, were injured. "They were staying in a room," Amin added. Another police official said three women and a child were taken to hospital with minor injuries. An AFP correspondent ...

ISLAMABAD, At least six people including a woman were injured in a powerful explosion at a commercial hotel located in Blue area of Islamabad on late Thursday night. The blast reportedly took place on the third or fourth floor of Envoy Continental Hotel. Rescue sources said it was a cylinder blast. Rescue and emergency services rushed to the site of the blast which is located only a few minutes' drive from the Prime Minister House where All Parties Conference is held. The window panes of the surrounding buildings were shattered as a result of the blast. The cause of the explosion has not been verified, but initial reports suggest that it may be due to a gas cylinder. The police have cordoned of the area and are conducting investigations. Three cars in the surrounding area have also been damaged. The law enforcement agencies and rescue teams rushed to the blast site and started their ...

Washington,A new study from the University of Granada has for the first time confirmed that low blood levels of copper and zinc in pregnant women may be a factor associated with spontaneous abortion. The hypothesis had not been confirmed to date, and had never been proven in humans before. Jesus Joaqun Hijona Elsegui, a researcher at the Department of Pharmacology of the University of Granada, and his colleagues looked at 265 pregnant women, of which 132 suffered a spontaneous miscarriage during that year. All study participants underwent an ultrasound examination, and were taken a blood sample for laboratory tests. The results proved the existence of differences in maternal plasma concentrations of copper and zinc. The finding suggests that maternal deficiency of one or both trace elements may be associated with the occurrence of spontaneous abortion, which opens new and interesting lin...

ISTANBUL - Habertrk The cartoon that caused the lawsuit. The hidden message is circled in red. Radikal photo. Drawn by Bahadr Baruter, published by Penguen. A Turkish cartoonist will be put on trial for a caricature he drew in which he renounced god, daily Habertrk reported on its website Wednesday. The Istanbul chief public prosecutor's office charged cartoonist Bahadr Baruter with "insulting the religious values adopted by a part of the population" and requested his imprisonment for up to one year. Baruter's caricature depicted an imam and believers praying in a mosque. One of the characters is talking to God on his cellphone and asking to be pardoned from the last part of the prayer because he has errands to run. Within the wall decorations of the mosque, Baruter hid the words, "There is no Allah, religion is a lie." The cartoon was published in the weekly "Penguen" humor magazine. Turkish Religous Affairs and Foundation Members' Union and ...

Jakarta (ANTARA News) Indonesia and India have started a coordinated patrol in the Malacca Strait. Fleet Command Unit for the Western Region (Dansatran Koarmabar) Leut Col Heribertus Yudho Warsono as the 18th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol Task Force (Patkor Indindo) 2011, has received representatives of the Indian Navy in Belawan, North Sumatera, Monday. The visit of the Indian Navy Ship (INS) Mahish L 15 and INS Bangaram T 65, under the command of Yasho Vijay Joshi marked the coordinated patrol. Head of Dansatran Koarmabar Lt Col H Yudho Warsono said Indonesia and India have a long history of good neighborly relationship. The navies of the two countries have a joint sea security responsibility especially in the international waters of the Malacca Strait, he said. Yudho said the coordinated patrol of the Indonesian and Indian navies is expected to free the Malacca Strait from sea security threats such as piracy, smuggling, illegal logging, and pollution. The 18th coordinated patr...

Karachi, Thirty more dengue patient reported in province on Thursday and the number of confirmed dengue patients in the province jumped to 407 in the ongoing year. In-charge of Sindh Health Departments Dengue Surveillance Cell Dr. M. Shakeel Mullick informed that currently 98 dengue patients were admitted in different hospitals of the province. He said so far five dengue patients had died in the Karachi.

Karachi, A technical team of World Food Program (WFP) would begin survey of rain and flood areas of Sindh province from Friday to assess the immediate food needs of millions of displaced families. In this regard a six-member delegation led by Deputy Executive Director WFP Ramiro Lopes da Silva called on Sindh Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas at his office here Thursday and discussed the ways and means for swift relief and assistance to the survivors in flood and rain hit districts of the province. Chief secretary assured all out assistance to the WFP team regarding their visit to affected districts. He said about 8million people have been affected by devastating rains in Sindh and the government has already taken steps for the rescue and relief. He said immediate cash assistance of Rs20000 would be given to each affected family through Pakistan Cards being issued by National Database ...

Khairpur: Mehran University College of Engineering and Technology (MECT), Khairpur signed MoU(Memorandum of Understanding) on Thursday with three universities of Malaysia - University of Malaya, University of Putra and University of Petronas, which are among the top five Universities of the country. According to PRO of (MECT) the MoU was signed during the visit of Malaysia by the Pro vice Chancellor of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro Prof. Dr Aslam Uqelli and Principal of Mehran University College of Engineering and Technology Prof. Dr Mujeeb Sahrai. According to the agreement Mehran and the said Malaysian universities will work on the development of collaborative research projects, joint academic and scientific activities like, undergraduate courses, conferences, seminars, lectures, exchanging of research and technical personnel, placement of students and exchange of publications and other materials of common interest.

Khairpur: A speeding vehicle ran over a young man at Shah Hussain road on Thursday; killing him on the spot. As per details, a pedestrian Mohammed Ismail, resident of Ghotki, was hit by Shehzore truck while he was crossing the road. The driver deserted the vehicle and fled. Police has impounded the vehicle and are searching for the driver. The body was shifted to Civil Hospital, Khairpur.

Karachi: Lives of thousands of passengers are in danger due to the poor security arrangements at the busiest railway station of Karachi, Karachi Cantonment Station, handling arrival and departure of 18 passengers trains daily, besides dozens of cargo rails. The security arrangements at Karachi Cantonment Station, whose historical building also enjoys heritage status, are quite unsatisfactory and several places of this big railway station are unguarded, whereas many police officials, even those deputed at the walkthrough gates, seem lacking professional attitude and alertness to properly screen passengers and visitors, endangering the lives of thousands of passengers and their attendants. When this scribe visited the railway station, it was found that some cops were deputed at the main entrances, who seemed uninterested to keep strict security vigil on their surroundings. Some were even ...

Washington: Dubbing the United States-Pakistan relationship an important one for both countries, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Marc Grossman has said that the Obama administration wants the relationship to work. Grossman, however, also highlighted that the both the governments and the people must recognize that terrorism is a threat to both the countries. The US Special Representatives statement comes as part of a series of statements from the US State Department and the Pentagon in the last three days to move away from the air of hostility that was created following Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullens statements on the Haqqani network and its links with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. The question is not whether we will work together, but how well work together to try and deal with these issues, Grossman told the Express ...

Southeast Asia: Strong Growth, Humming Factories, No Debt Crisis Gloom has enveloped most of the investment landscape these days, but there is still one region that offers strong growth and serious returns. Im talking about Southeast Asia. There was a time when investors scoffed at the likes of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. But no ones laughing now. The naysayers currently are all too busy pulling their money out of the regions they always assumed were safe the United States, Europe, and even the trendy BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, and China). Indeed, there are precious few flourishing economies in the world today, and none look as promising as the ones youll find in Southeast Asia. Were talking about countries that have pro-market governments, thriving manufacturing sectors, ample natural resources, and with the exception of Singapore wage levels that can still grow a great deal before pricing themselves beyond their Western competitors. Thats quite a lot by todays ...

Southeast Asia: Strong Growth, Humming Factories, No Debt Crisis Gloom has enveloped most of the investment landscape these days, but there is still one region that offers strong growth and serious returns. Im talking about Southeast Asia. There was a time when investors scoffed at the likes of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. But no ones laughing now. The naysayers currently are all too busy pulling their money out of the regions they always assumed were safe the United States, Europe, and even the trendy BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, and China). Indeed, there are precious few flourishing economies in the world today, and none look as promising as the ones youll find in Southeast Asia. Were talking about countries that have pro-market governments, thriving manufacturing sectors, ample natural resources, and with the exception of Singapore wage levels that can still grow a great deal before pricing themselves beyond their Western competitors. Thats quite a lot by todays ...

The recent attack on its embassy in Kabul, says US, crossed all limits. Washington: The US confronted Pakistan with "concrete evidences" of links between the ISI and extremist organisations like the Haqqani network and LeT, before it launched a frontal attack on the spy agency for its terror ties, Pentagon officials have said. "They (ISI) provide financial support (to extremist organisations). It provides technical support. It provides physical support. They (Pak officials) are allowing the safe heavens to operate," a defence official told PTI on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media. Another defence department official said that Pentagon has been providing such evidences to Pakistan "since ages" but it is only after the recent attack on a hotel in Kabul and the US Embassy in Kabul that this crossed all limits...

The Star by M. MAGESWARI KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has allowed the Bersih 2.0 Steering Committee to challenge the Home Ministers order declaring the movement as an unlawful society. High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) judge Justice Rohana Yusuf granted the committee leave to initiate a judicial review application. Justice Rohana, however, dismissed the committees application for leave to get an order prohibiting the Home Minister, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and their officers from entering and searching any of their premises as well as seizing any property belonging to them. The judge also rejected the committees application for leave to get an order directing the minister and/or IGP to release to the applicants all T-shirts, placards, newspapers, books, circulars, pictorial representations, periodicals, pamphlets, posters, proclamations, accounts, banners, list of members, seals, and related documents bearing the logo and words of Bersih 2.0 seized from them. Justice ...

BOSTON, Massachusetts - A US follower of al-Qaeda was arrested Wednesday on charges of planning to fly explosive-packed, remote controlled airplanes into the Pentagon and the US Capitol, authorities said. Rezwan Ferdaus, 26, was arrested and charged with the aerial bombing plot to attack Washington and attempts to deliver bomb-making materials for use against US troops in Iraq, US Attorney Carmen Ortiz said in Boston. "The conduct alleged today shows that Mr. Ferdaus had long planned to commit violent acts against our country, including attacks on the Pentagon and our nation's Capitol," Ortiz said. During the alleged plot, undercover FBI agents posed as al-Qaeda-linked accomplices who supplied Ferdaus with one remote-controlled plane, C4 explosives, and small arms that he allegedly envisioned using in a simultaneous ground assault in Washington. The plan, according to the ...

The Philippines bucked overwhelming odds and stunned China in the semifinals to capture the silver medal in the 2011 Asian Mens Rugby 7s Championships in Borneo recently. The Volcanoes humbled the Chinese, 19-14, in extra time in the semis but fell short of their title bid against the Japanese, settling for the silver medal that sparkled like gold for the overachieving Filipinos. The feat thus guaranteed the Philippines of a spot in the 2012 Hong Kong Rugby 7s in March. The Philippines, ranked No. 7 in Asia, bested Southeast Asian rival Malaysia, 28-14, in their turf with Justin Coveney and Matt Saunders anchoring the victory that set up the Volcanoes against the Chinese. Before the match, the Chinese have dominated the Volcanoes four times in Rugby 7s, winning in the Asian Championships in 2010 and 2011. But the Filipinos came armed to the teeth and matched their rivals speed with Luke Matthews gaining a spot in the starting roster to add some pace to the outside backs. The ploy click...

White House officials are facing questions about the top U.S. military officers recent controversial remarks on the relationship between Pakistans government and an al-Qaida-linked militant group. The Obama administration wants Pakistan to break links with the Haqqani Network, but says it values Islamabads cooperation on security issues. Admiral Mike Mullen, the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Senate committee last week the Haqqani Network is a veritable arm of Pakistans military intelligence agency, the ISI. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters Mullens comment is consistent with the administrations position, but that he would put it differently. It is not language that I would use. I think that the fact that there are links between the Pakistani government and the Haqqani network, the nature of those can be assessed and is complicated. But there i...

A group of Filipino photojournalists, who covered and survived the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, will hold in San Francisco in the United States a Mount Pinatubo@20 Photo Exhibit or 20 years after what was called the volcanic eruption of the century. Organized by the Philippine American Press Club-USA and Philippine News, Americas oldest Filipino-American newspaper, the exhibit will be staged for two days October 11 and 12 at the Social Hall of the Philippine Consulate at 447 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94108. Organized by former Manila Bulletin photographer Nick Sagmit and former Times Journal photojournalist Ed Galvez, the exhibit will feature photographs during and after the eruption on June 15, 1991. The featured photos include the award-winning shot of Albert Garcia, whose escape from blazing hot pyroclastic explosion picture won first prize in the nature category of the World Press Photographers photo contest. It was also chosen as one of Time Magazines Greatest Image...

Moammar Gadhafi often turned to the nomadic Tuareg to bolster his forces Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Ousted Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is believed to be hiding out near the western town of Ghadamis under the protection of Tuareg fighters, an interim government military spokesman told CNN Tuesday. "We have reliable information that Gadhafi is protected by the Tuareg tribe located between Niger, Algeria, and Ghadamis town in Libya," said Col. Abdul Basit. He said Gadhafi's son Saif al-Islam is in Bani Walid and another son, Mutassim, is in Sirte. Both cities are among areas in Libya that remain contested, with loyalist Gadhafi forces fighting to the bitter end to retain control. Basit did not provide insight as to how the interim government discovered Gadhafi's whereabouts and the claims could not be verified. The National Transitional Council has in the past made claims that turned out to be false. Ghadamis lies in western Libya, on the border with Algeria. Tuareg tribe...

The deputy prime minister had promised RM6 million for the building but they will have to wait two years. BATU KAWAN: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had promised a RM6.3 allocation for a new building for the Batu Kawan Tamil school but the school will have to wait for two years. Two weeks ago, Muhyiddin promised that the government would build the school within two years time. Hindraf Makal Sakthi advisor N Ganeson hopes that it is not an election promise and he says that the building should be built right now. Why wait for two years why not now? asked Ganesan ( photo, below ), saying Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on Sunday had assured the federal government would be fair to all communities in education. He noted that Tamil education has contributed immensely to the countrys talent pool in the past. Its the governments duty to develop and re-develop Tamil schools, he told FMT here today. Currently SRJK (T) Ladang Batu Kawan is housed in a few containers along with the estat...

KUCHING, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The state cabinet reshuffle that will take effect on Friday will see a new ministry being created, five ministries renamed and seven new faces including a woman to be appointed as assistant ministers. Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the new ministry would be named the Welfare, Women and Family Development Ministry, to be headed by Datuk Fatimah Abdullah and assisted by two new assistant ministers who are also new faces, Rosey Yunus and Robert Lawson Chuat Vincent. "The other new faces as assistant ministers are Julaihi Narawi, Abdul Karim Hamzah, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Dr Jerip Susil and Liwan Lagang," he said, adding that the seven would be sworn in on Friday. Julaihi will be appointed as Industrial Development Assistant Minister (Investment and Promotion) and Rural Development Assistant Minister, and Abdul Karim as Housing Assistant Minister and Social Development Assistant Minister (Youth Development). Len Talif will be appoin...

this article is originally posted on Yahoo Singapore, written By Esther Cheng Jakarta, the Indonesian capital and largest city, may be famous for its crazy traffic jams (it makes the ones in Bangkok look like childs play), but its developing quickly, drawing tourists to the citys attractions as well as to its malls and (in)famous nightlife scene. Travel tip: to get the most out of the city, have your hotel call a cab for you (usually a Blue Bird or Silver Bird service, the two best) and see if you can keep your driver for a day. Its not the cheapest option, but not having to brave the traffic to look for your next ride will make your trip far more enjoyable and he just might introduce some great places to go to. Where to eat Before even stepping foot inside of Cafe Batavia, youll notice that it doesnt have the usual restaurant setting. Thats because its housed in a 19th-century Dutch colonial building, located just opposite the former Dutch city hall. The whole of Old Town Jakarta (...