China: Honda Strike Ends
July 22, 2010 0918 GMT
Workers at a parts supplier for Honda's China operations returned to work, according to the Japanese carmaker and a worker, Reuters reported July 22. After meeting with the company’s Japanese managers late on July 21, the strike at Atsumitec ended as workers agreed to a 45 percent pay raise to 1,420 yuan ($209) per month from a previous rate of 980 yuan, a worker who took part in the strike said.
Latvia: IMF Approves Bailout Payment
July 22, 2010 0910 GMT
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it would pay the latest installment of Latvia's 7.5 billion euro ($9.5 billion) international loan after austerity measures were judged to be working, DPA reported July 22. The IMF approved payment of a 105 million euro tranche. Strong policy actions helped stabilize the economy, restore confidence and limit spillovers from financial market turbulence elsewhere in Europe, an IMF statement said.
Kosovo: IMF Approves Standby Arrangement
July 22, 2010 0902 GMT
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a standby arrangement with Kosovo worth 108.9 million euros, Beta reported July 22. The duration of the standby agreement would be 18 months, according to an IMF statement. Kosovo would be able to immediately withdraw 22.1 million euros from the IMF, and the rest may be withdrawn gradually in installments, depending on the implementation of measures for the stabilization of Kosovo's public finances.
U.S.: India Reassured Over Pakistan Ties
July 22, 2010 0852 GMT
Improved American relations with Pakistan are not bad for India, according to U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke, AFP reported July 22. Washington firmly believes that improved U.S. relations with Pakistan and improved U.S. relations with India are in the interests of both countries, he added. Holbrooke rejected the perception that India was being sidelined by an increasingly prominent Pakistani role in the Afghan government's plans for reconciliation and reintegration of the Taliban and other groups. Afghanistan cannot be stabilized without the participation of Pakistan as a legitimate concerned party, he said, adding that India has a major role to play.
Japan: Envoy To Boost China Ties - PM
July 22, 2010 0842 GMT
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan instructed Uichiro Niwa, Japan's new ambassador to China, to further develop Japan-China relations, according to public broadcaster NHK, Xinhua reported July 22. Niwa told reporters that Japan will be left behind if it does not seek to cement ties with China in the economic area. Japan will also strengthen political relations with China, he added.
China: EU Business Concern Rising
July 22, 2010 0835 GMT
European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said European companies were increasingly worried about doing business in China, citing intellectual property protection as a major concern, AFP reported July 22. Procurement policies must become more open and transparent, De Gucht stated, adding that Beijing's "indigenous innovation" policy must not freeze European firms out of the information technology and clean energy sectors. The European Union was also looking at China's "Great Firewall" system of Internet censorship and its impact on European services in China, he said, adding it would be on the agenda at an economic summit expected in November.
Yemen: 19 Killed In Clashes
July 22, 2010 0819 GMT
Nine soldiers and pro-government tribesmen as well as 10 Houthis rebels were killed in violent confrontations in Yemen, including a mortar and machine gun battle, according to a local official in the Harf Sufyan region, Reuters reported July 22.
Myanmar: U.S. Concerned About Nuke Program
July 22, 2010 0812 GMT
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington was concerned about reports that Myanmar is seeking to develop a nuclear weapons program, AP reported July 22. Clinton said she would be discussing those concerns and ways to "alter" such intentions during her talks in Hanoi. Clinton also said she shared concerns about upcoming elections in Myanmar.
Pakistan: 100 NATO Tankers Stopped
July 22, 2010 0744 GMT
Pakistani security forces stopped at least 100 NATO oil tankers in the Khyber tribal agency, The Nation reported July 22. The tankers were stopped from moving into Afghanistan at Takhtabai in the Jamrud area for safety reasons, as the sluggish customs clearance on the Afghan side of the border at Torkham created a long line of trucks, officials said.
U.S.: Indonesian Special Forces Ban Ends
July 22, 2010 0735 GMT
The United States announced it was dropping a ban on ties with Indonesia's special forces, Reuters reported July 22. The decision, made public by U.S. officials during a visit by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Jakarta, was made after Indonesia took steps requested by Washington including the removal of convicted human rights violators from the organization's ranks.
Kyrgyzstan: Youth Groups Protest OSCE Deployment
July 22, 2010 0722 GMT
The Akshumkar-kut youth movement, the group of young architects and the Kyraandar people's youth movement are protesting against deployment of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) police forces, AKIpress reported July 22. According to a correspondent, about 200 people gathered near the OSCE building in Bishkek and are holding posters saying "We are against the Kosovo scenario," "OSCE police -- danger from outside," and "Young people against OSCE police officers."
Yemen: Policemen Killed In Attack
July 22, 2010 0659 GMT
Five policemen were killed after al Qaeda gunmen attacked a patrol vehicle in southeastern Yemen, according to a security source, DPA reported July 22. The source stated that the assailants opened fire on the vehicle in Ataq, the provincial capital of Saba province.
U.S., Russia: China Is Tepid Over EAS Expansion
July 22, 2010 0647 GMT
East Asian Summit (EAS) foreign ministers expressed a general support of the planned inclusion of the United States and Russia but asked for further consultations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a conference source, The Nation reported July 22. While all other EAS foreign ministers welcome the expansion of the leaders' forum, Chinese Foreign Minister Jiechi Yang gave lukewarm support. He was quoted as saying that China "took notes with an open attitude" of the ASEAN proposal and "looks forward to" ASEAN consultations.
North Korea: U.N. Colonel-Level Meeting Scheduled
July 22, 2010 0633 GMT
The American-led United Nations Command (UNC) and North Korea will hold their second round of colonel-level talks on July 23 over the sinking of a South Korean warship, Yonhap reported July 22. Representatives of North Korea's military and the UNC Military Armistice Commission agreed to conduct the meetings at the border village of Panmunjom, the UNC stated.
Russia: NATO Officials Discuss Cooperation
July 22, 2010 0547 GMT
A NATO delegation will visit Russia on July 22-24 to discuss cooperation on the fight against sea piracy and Russia's assistance to NATO's contingent in Afghanistan, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, RIA Novosti reported July 22. NATO officials, led by the chairman of the NATO Military Committee Adm. Giampaolo di Paola, will meet with Russian Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Gen. Nikolai Makarov and other senior military officials to review the preliminary results of Russia-NATO cooperation in 2010 and discuss future interaction, the ministry stated.
China, Laos: Stronger Military Ties Pledged
July 22, 2010 0537 GMT
China and Laos pledged to further strengthen military ties as China's Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Douangchay Phichit signed a cooperation agreement, Xinhua reported July 22. The bilateral relationship with Laos and its armed forces is important, Liang stated, adding that it is conducive to regional security and development. The Laotian government and armed forces would continue to pursue friendly policies toward China and promote common development with it, Douangchay stated, noting adherence to the one-China policy.
North Korea: U.S. Should Halt Military Exercises
July 22, 2010 0519 GMT
A North Korean spokesman said the United States should halt sanctions and military exercises with South Korea if it is really interested and wants a nuclear-free peninsula, AP reported July 22. Ri Tong Il said the military exercises and sanctions destroy the mood for dialogue.
Brazil: Interest Rate Raised
July 22, 2010 0505 GMT
Brazil's Central Bank raised the Selic basic interest rate from 10.25 percent to 10.75 percent, Xinhua reported July 22. Members of the Monetary Policy Committee (Copom) unanimously approved the decision, the Central Bank said in a statement. Considering the process of reducing risk to the inflationary scenario, which is due to recent developments in domestic and external factors, the committee understands that this decision will contribute to enhancing that process, the committee stated.
Kyrgyzstan: Ousted President's Brother Arrested
July 21, 2010 2247 GMT
Ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's brother, Ahmad Bakiyev, has been detained by police in Jalal-Abad on July 21, RIA Novosti reported. There was a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of instigating the recent violence in southern Kyrgyzstan. He had gone missing in April 2010 during violent anti-government protests.
U.S.: Biden Meets Kosovar PM
July 21, 2010 2222 GMT
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci in Washington and reaffirmed U.S. support for Kosovo’s independence, AFP reported July 21. A senior U.S. official said the United States is confident a verdict by the International Court of Justice will affirm Kosovo’s independence and wants Serbia to agree that the verdict concludes the legal question of Kosovo’s future.