BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from January 2012

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from January 2012

Russian state TV screens interview with new US ambassador.
January 31, 2012... The new US ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, has dismissed suggestions that the White House has sent him to Moscow to foment revolution. Speaking in a lengthy recorded interview for the 30 January edition of Vladimir Pozner's interview...

Pakistan's former envoy to US leaves for Abu Dhabi.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by Pakistan's private television channel Geo News website on 31 January Islamabad: Erstwhile envoy to US, Husain Haqqani has finally taken off for Abu Dhabi, Geo News reported. Earlier, he arrived at the airport after...

Pakistan: Gunmen kill politician in Balochistan.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by Pakistan's private television channel Geo News website on 31 January Karachi: In what seems to be an apparent target killing, wife, daughter, and driver of Balochistan [Member of Provincial Assembly], Sahibzada Bakhtiar,...

At least 34 Chinese workers of attacked firm return to Sudanese capital.
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Khartoum, 30 January: At least 34 Chinese workers on Monday [30 January] arrived in Khartoum after the camp of their company, which operates in field of...

Programme summary of Afghan Aina TV news in Dari 1430 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... A. News headlines B. Home news 1. 0040 Report says that efforts are under way to hold peace talks with the Taleban. According to news articles, the Afghan and Pakistani governments are making considerable efforts to hold talks with the...

Iranian airline rejects BBC Persian's report on number flights to UK.
January 31, 2012... Representative office of the Airline of the Islamic Republic of Iran (HOMA) in the UK has rejected "claims" made by the BBC Persian TV on the reduction in the number of Tehran-London weekly flights, IRNA reported. According to the report, an...

South Korea, US, Japan defence officials say North leadership "stable".
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Seoul, 31 January: Defence officials of South Korea, the United States and Japan said they believe the new leadership in the Democratic People's Republic...

Programme summary of Radio Afghanistan news in Dari 1530 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... A. News headlines B. Home news 1. First Vice-President Mohammad Qasim Fahim chairs a regular cabinet meeting. The minister of foreign affairs briefs the meeting on President Karzai's recent tour of Europe in which he signed several...

South Korea nuclear envoy to visit Moscow for talks on North's nuclear programme.
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap Seoul, 31 January: South Korea's top nuclear envoy will travel to Russia next week to discuss ways to resume the six-party talks on ending North Korea's nuclear weapons programme,...

Programme summary of Afghan Herat TV news in Dari 1630 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... A. Home news 1. 0034. A member of insurgent group known as commander Abdollah, with his 30 followers, joins the peace process. Commander Abdollah and his followers surrendered their weapons to border police in Pashtun Zarghun District of...

Programme summary of Radio Afghanistan news in Dari 1530 gmt 29 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... A. News headlines B. Home news 1. First Vice-President Mohammad Qasim Fahim chairs a session of the National Security Council. Fahim expresses concerns over civilian causalities inflicted as a result of roadside bombs. He also says Afghan...

North Korea-China trade rises by 62 percent in 2011.
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap Seoul, 31 January: Two-way trade between North Korea and China jumped 62 percent in 2011 from the previous year, with the North doubling its exports of minerals to its major ally,...

AU Summit Urges Sudan, South Sudan to Resolve "Outstanding Issues"
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by Sudanese government newspaper Sudan Vision website on 30 January [Report by Mona Al-Bashir: "AU Summit Discusses Ways To Consolidate Democracy and Promote Security and Stability on the Continent"] The...

Programme summary of Kazakh TV "Informbyuro" news 1330 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Presenter: Anna Danchenko and Vlad Dlinnov. 1. 0001 Headlines over video. 2. 0050 On 28 January, Kazakh opposition leaders held an unsanctioned rally in the city of Almaty. It was attended by about 1,000 people. The opposition demanded...

Sudanese leader, Chinese official discuss oil dispute with South Sudan.
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by Sudanese government newspaper Sudan Vision website on 30 January [Unattributed report: "Al Bashir Briefs China on Sudan's Stance on Oil Dispute"] President of the Republic, Field Marshal Umar Hasan al-Bashir,...

China sends rice to North Korea to help new regime "maintain stability".
January 31, 2012... Text of report by South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo website at 0035 gmt on 31 Jan China has reportedly sent hundreds of thousands of tons of rice to North Korea to help the Stalinist country maintain stability after leader Kim Jong-il's...

India to begin five-day naval exercise with 14 countries 1-5 February.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 30 January: Aiming to strengthen cooperation among the navies in the region, Indian Navy will host 14 of its counterparts from Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for...

India to ask US, Pakistan to extradite nine accused in Mumbai attacks - PTI.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 30 January: India is all set to ask the United States and Pakistan to extradite nine persons involved in the 26/11 western Indian city Mumbai terror attack that include Pakistani-American...

West's anti-Iran sanctions "illegal, unjust" - first vice president.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi said here Monday evening Western imposed sanctions against Islamic Republic of Iran are both illegal and unjust. According to...

Programme summary of North Korean TV 1100 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 00:00:15 Announcer-read report over screened captions: Kim Jong Un [Kim Cho'ng-u'n] is registered as an honorary member of the Forum of Chief Editors of Bangladeshi Newspapers. A ceremony conveying a certificate of honorary membership is held at...

Programme summary of China's CCTV 1100 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... The announcers are Li Xiuping and Lang Yongchun. 1. 00:02:24 Highlights Hu Jintao exchanges congratulatory message with Moldovan President Marian Lupu to mark the 20th anniversary of bilateral ties. Jia Qinglin addresses the opening...

Iran's representative attending nuclear summit in Malaysia.
January 31, 2012... Iran's Deputy Head of Atomic Energy Organization Naser Rastkhah has taken part in the Asian International Nuclear Energy summit which started today 31 January, IRNA reported. The report said that Rastkhah will deliver a speech on the second...

Programme summary of North Korean radio 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 2012 Program: "Devotion of the People Around the World Who Look Up To the Great Sun" (40) 2100 News and weather 2135 Repercussions among people around the world: "Korea's Socialism Will Be Eternal as Long as It Has Comrade Kim Jong Un [Kim...

Somali Islamists ban Red Cross relief operations over "contaminated food".
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by US-registered Somali news website Somalia Report on 30 January The Al-Shabab militant group battling for control of Somalia permanently banned the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from operating in...

BBC Monitoring quotes from Russian press Tuesday 31 January 2012.
January 31, 2012... The following is a selection of quotes from articles published in the 31 January editions of Russian newspapers, as available to the BBC at 0100 gmt on 31 January: Comment on Vladimir Putin's latest article Vedomosti (business daily)...

Syrian opposition network says security forces kill 60 people 30 January.
January 31, 2012... Doha Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel Television in Arabic at 1819 gmt on 30 January carried the following "breaking news" screen caption: "Local Coordination Committees [LCC] of Syria: Sixty people were killed by the gunfire of security men, and...

Programme summary of Cuban Radio Rebelde news 1100 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 1. The audio of Raul Castro's 29 January speech during the closing ceremony of the First PCC Conference is aired in its entirety. 2. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is scheduled to arrive in Cuba this afternoon on an official visit. She is...

Indonesia seeks support for Palestinian membership to UN during PUIC meet.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by Nur Hasan Murtiaji headlined "Support for Palestine gets stronger" published by Indonesian newspaper Republika website on 28 January Palembang - The appeal of Palestine to be a full member of the United Nations (UN) has...

Summary of Russian press for Tuesday 31 January 2012.
January 31, 2012... Kommersant 1. Kirill Melnikov et al. report headlined "Kremlin's list made for state companies" comments on disagreements between the government and the Kremlin over a list of directors of state-controlled companies appointed by the...

Programme summary of Bosnian Serb radio news 1500 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 1. Headlines. 2. International prosecutor Romano, who suspended Dobrovoljacka case, says only damaged parties, not Serb Interior Ministry, can appeal his decision. 3. Serb veterans' association leader says three families sought help in...

Iraqi security forces arrest Al-Qa'idah "leader" in Dhi Qar; roundup.
January 31, 2012... Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah Television in Arabic, in its evening newscasts on 29 January, reports on the meeting of the Al-Iraqiyah List; Change Movement head Nawshiran Mustapha on his rejection of compromising over the Kurdistan Region's territories;...

Programme summary of Serbian TV news 1830 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 1. 0000 Headlines. 2. 0121 Belgrade prepares hero's welcome for triumphant handball and water polo national teams. Report over video. 3. 0242 Extreme cold, snow, create difficulties in parts of Serbia. Report over video. 4. 0937...

Programme summary of Albanian TV news 1900 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 1. 0000 Headlines. 2. 0040 Prime Minister Berisha addresses PD Assembly group meeting on government's successful economic policy. 3. 1215 Assembly foreign policy committee holds meeting with visiting Turkish parliamentary delegation on...

Programme summary of North Korean radio news 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 2100 gmt 1. 21:00 Kim Jong Un [Kim Cho'ng-u'n] inspects the Korean People's Army [KPA] Air Force Unit 1017 honored with the O Chung-hu'p-led Seventh Regiment title and guides its flight training. No date given. He is greeted on the spot by...

Pakistan Islamist party chief urges government to focus on Balochistan.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Multan, 30 January: Ameer [chief] Jamaat-i-Islami Syed Munawwar Hassan said on Monday [30 January] that the government should focus on the issue of Balochistan. ...

Iran, Afghanistan sign economic deal.
January 31, 2012... Excerpt from report by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Iran and Afghanistan ended their second joint economic committee meeting in Kabul here Monday, signing a memorandum of understanding to develop trade and economic...

Egypt keen to set up industrial zone in Ethiopia.
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by state-owned Ethiopian news agency ENA website Addis Ababa, 30 January: The foreign ministers of Ethiopia and Egypt have said bilateral relations between the two countries have been further consolidated in the last...

Ethiopians troops reportedly move deeper into Somalia.
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by US-registered Somali news website Somalia Report on 30 January, subheading as published Thousands of Ethiopian troops accompanied by more than 60 military vehicles and 20 tanks crossed over from the border town of...

Iraqi premier, Arab League team discuss summit preparations; roundup.
January 31, 2012... Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah Satellite Television in Arabic, in its evening newscasts on 30 January, reports on Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's meeting with the Arab League delegation to discuss the necessary preparations for hosting the Arab summit in...

Programme summary of Syrian TV news 1830 gmt 28 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 00:11:44: Headlines ( 0 min. 42 sec. ) 00:12:26: Announcer-read report: A Syrian official source says that Syria "is surprised and regrets the decision to suspend the Arab League observers mission." The source says that this decision is a...

Pakistan top court hearing on drugs-related deaths 31 Jan.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 January: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Monday [30 January] directed its registrar office to fix hearing of case of heart related...

Pakistani PM apprises parliamentarians on Davos visit.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 January: Leader of the house in senate [upper house in parliament] Senator Nayyar Bokhari, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Mian Manzoor...

Programme summary of Iranian Voice of Palestine news 1930 gmt 29 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... News 1. Ramadan Shallah, secretary general of Islamic Jihad, called on the Arab and Islamic nations to stand behind Iran, which is the primary advocate of resistance. Speaking at a conference in Tehran, Shallah said Sunday that the masses had...

Banned groups' clash led to suicide attack in Pakistan's Peshawar - official.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Peshawar, 30 January: Three persons including ameer [chief] of banned Tanzim Ansar-ul-Islam and his son-in-law was killed and seven injured in a suicide attack at Paka...

Iran to support Cambodia's candidacy as UNSC non-permanent member.
January 31, 2012... Text of report published by Cambodian official news agency AKP website 30 January, 2012 - Outgoing Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Cambodia H.E. Sayed Javad Ghavam Shahidi said his country will support Cambodia's candidacy as a...

Programme summary of CCTV-7 channel military news 1130 gmt 29 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 1. 0208 Highlights 2. 0254 Announcer-read report over video: Special section entitled Modern Servicemen. Zhao Kexin, political commissar of the People's Armament Department of Jinzhai County in Anhui Province, has been helping...

Pakistani ex-cricketer-turned-politician to launch party membership drive 1 Feb.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 January: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) on Monday [30 January] announced the launch of a countrywide membership campaign from 1 February to 23 March. ...

Programme summary of Ivorian ONUCI FM radio news 1800 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 1. Headlines. 2. Report on the wait for the outcome of the disputes filed concerning the recent legislative elections. The civil society coalition for peace and democratic development as well as the candidates is waiting impatiently for the...

Pakistan ruling party leader says no serious talk on early election with allies.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 January: Central Secretary Information of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Qamar Zaman Kaira on Monday [30 January] said that no serious talk has been held...

Iraqi premier warns security leaders against involvement in disputes; roundup.
January 31, 2012... Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah Television in Arabic, in its morning newscasts on 28 January, reports on the statements of Al-Iraqiyah List MP Kamil al-Dulaymi on the "suspicious" meetings of Deputy Prime Minister Salih al-Mutlaq and Judge Midhat al-Mahmud,...

Programme summary: Kaduna State Media Corporation Radio news 1730 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 1. Headlines. 2. President Goodluck Jonathan has lost his bid to lead the AU. In a meeting at Addis Ababa, the African leaders voted for President of Benin Republic. 3. Kaduna State government has commenced the implementation of the new...

Programme summary: Cubavision Cuban domestic TV channel news 0100 gmt 31 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 1. 0100 gmt Headlines. 2. 0101 gmt Video report on arrival of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff who is to meet with Army General Raul Castro Ruz, president of the Councils of State and Ministers, and will carry out other activities. Rousseff...

Mild quake hit Iran's central province of Qom.
January 31, 2012... An earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale has hit Qanavat in the central province of Qom this morning on 31 January, IRNA reported. The quake took place at 0550 local time (0220 gmt). There have been no reports on possible damages. ...

Burmese president denies reports of nuclear weapon deal with North Korea.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by Singaporean newspaper The Straits Times website in on 31 January Myanmar [Burma] has not made any secret nuclear deals with North Korea, said President Thein Sein, dismissing fears held by some in the West that it is trying...

Cambodia to continue Khmer Rouge tribunal if UN withdraws from court.
January 31, 2012... Text of report headlined "Information minister: If the UN withdraws from ECCC, Cambodia will continue by its own" published by Cambodian official news agency AKP website January 30, 2012 - Cambodian Minister of Information H.E. Khieu...

Programme summary of Kazakh Khabar TV "Zhanalyqtar" news 1400 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Presenters: Berik Uali and Asel Akbarova. 1. 0000 Headlines over video. 2. 0030 The Kazakh government discusses the country's budget for 2012. Video shows Finance Minister Bolat Zhamishev addressing a meeting; interviews. 3. 0210 Kayrat...

Programme summary of Russian Channel Five "Seychas" news 1430 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Presenter: Olga Kokorekina and Gleb Protasenko. 1. 0015 Headlines: tourists storm tour operator's office; investigators seeking interview with wife of former Moscow mayor; family appears in court in adoption case; US Actors Guild hands out...

"Free Syrian Army" says security near Damascus airport beefed up.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by Saudi-owned leading pan-Arab daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat website on 30 January [Report by Yusuf Diyab in Beirut: "Free Syrian Army: Security Deployment Near Airport Lest Officials Flee and the Regime Is Watching Their Movements....

Highlights from Albanian press 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... 55Pesedhjetepese in Albanian 1. Democratic Party (PD) deputies accuse Prosecutor General Rama of being under opposition's political influence, undermining investigations into 21 January 2011 violence. (p 2; 800 words) Gazeta Shqiptare in...

Eritrea raps regional body for approving Ethiopia's "transparent ploy".
January 31, 2012... Text of statement issued by Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 30 January, published in English by Eritrean Ministry of Information's Shabait website on 30 January In its 20th extraordinary summit held in Addis Ababa on Friday, 27...

Highlights from Kosovo press 28-30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Bota Sot in Albanian 29 Jan 1. Self-Determination Movement rejects media reports of movement behind 29 January protest in Prizren, admits movement supports protest. (p 4; 150 words) Epoka e Re in Albanian 28 Jan 1. Interview with...

Highlights from Slovak press 28-30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Sme Online in Slovak 28 Jan 1. Veronika Prusova report on document posted on Internet containing exchange of text messages between SaS Chairman Richard Sulik and controversial businessman Marian Kocner on election of prosecutor general....

Thailand to compensate victims of human rights violations.
January 31, 2012... Text of report headlined "State-abused human rights, house told" published by Thai newspaper Bangkok Post website on 31 January The government decided to award compensation to victims of political violence because the state violated their...

Highlights from Macedonian Albanian press 28-30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Lajm in Albanian 28-29 Jan 1. Poll shows 60 percent of ethnic Albanians do not trust Assembly Chairman Veljanovski. (p 3; 200 words) 30 Jan 1. PDSh, RDK say president's, prime minister's attendance to ceremony of awarding Macedonian...

Highlights from southeastern Nigeria daily press 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Telegraph in English 1. Report by Esther Chivu says that the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra [MASSOB] has warned Boko Haram sect not to push it to the wall, and make it resort to violence. The Director of...

Highlights from Lebanese press 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Lebanese newspapers monitored on 30 January December were observed to post the following headlines: Al-Nahar "Urban warfare in Damascus' eastern suburbs; 80 killed and increasing army disobedience" "Overlapping data and security issues...

Highlights from Czech press 28-30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Hospodarske Noviny Online in Czech 30 Jan 1. Interview with Robert Schuster, analyst at Prague-based International Relations Institute, views EU summit as chance for Chancellor Merkel to convince eurozone to approve German model of...

Buying, selling flats in Turkmen capital gets complicated.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by Turkmen opposition website chrono-tm.org on 25 January From 1 January all operations on sale and purchase of apartments and registration of complimentary houses in Asgabat are suspended. Notary public offices which used to...

Syrian activists say brigadier general, 300 soldiers defect, join rebels.
January 31, 2012... Excerpt from report by Saudi-owned leading pan-Arab daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat website on 30 January [Report by Yusuf Diyab in Beirut: "Damascus Neighbourhoods on Fire and Regime Seeks Republican Guards' Help. Intensive Security Deployment at...

Programme summary of Uzbek TV "Axborot" news 1600 gmt 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Presenter. Farhod Mahmudov. 1. 0035 A report features global economic crisis and Uzbekistan's anti-crisis measures. Video shows production facilities; interviews; quotations by world economic experts. 2. 0315 World experts praise...

Programme summary of Khabarovsk's Guberniya TV weekly news 0800 gmt 28 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Presenter: Vladimir Lozovoy. 1. 0038 Headlines over video: Number of stray dogs on rise in Khabarovsk; presidential envoy to Far Eastern Federal District visits Sakhalin; head of United Shipbuilding Corporation visits Amur shipyard; new...

Tajik, Kyrgyz economic zones sign pact to boost cooperation.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by state-owned Tajik news agency Khovar website Dushanbe, 31 January: A memorandum on economic cooperation was signed in Sughd Region [in the north of Tajikistan] on 30 January between the Sughd free economic zone and...

Highlights from Pakistan's Nawa-e Waqt newspaper 30 Jan 12.
January 31, 2012... Page 1: National, International Reports Half of page 1 is covered by advertisements. Lead Story: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani says that elections are possible any time after the budget; the Punjab government is a hurdle in the way of...

Islamist party chief terms NATO issue a "guise" to target Pakistan.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by Muhammad Azam Butt headlined "Fazl, Hafiz Hussain demand fair, free and early polls" published by Pakistani newspaper The News website on 30 January Gujranwala: Hafiz Hussain Ahmad and Maulana Fazl-ur Rahman on Sunday [28...

Philippines presidential palace vows to resolve sea dispute with China.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by Aurea Calica headlined "Palace vows to engage China positively" published by Philippines newspaper Philippines Star website on 31 January MANILA, Philippines - Malacanang [presidential palace] vowed yesterday to engage China...

Japan, US officials to discuss Iran sanctions on 2 Feb.
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 January: Senior officials of Japan and the United States will this week discuss new Washington-led sanctions against Iran over its suspected nuclear program, Foreign...

Georgian leader hails "new level" of defence, free trade cooperation with USA.
January 31, 2012... Text of report by private Georgian TV station Rustavi-2 [Presenter] Following the meeting between the presidents at the White House, Mikheil Saakashvili briefed journalists about the main issues which had been discussed in the Oval Office -...

Afghan rights chief says UK child abuse probe hampered - paper.
January 31, 2012... Text of a report in Pashto: "Chairman of Human Rights Organization Lal Gul Lal: Obstacles are being created to the investigation into immoral acts by British troops against Afghan children", published by pro-government Afghan newspaper Weesa on...

Japan: Panel proposes more explicit tsunami warnings.
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 January: An expert panel under the Japan Meteorological Agency on Tuesday proposed using words such as "gigantic" or "high" in issuing the first tsunami warning in the...

China lodges protest over Japan's naming of disputed islands.
January 31, 2012... Text of unattributed report headlined "China lodges protest over Japan's Naming Islands" published by Japan website NHK Online on 30 January China has lodged a protest against Japan over naming the islands close to the disputed Senkaku...

North Korean leader attends military band concert.
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by state-run North Korean news agency KCNA website Comrade Kim Jong-un [Kim Cho'ng-u'n], supreme commander of the Korean People's Army [KPA], watched a concert given by the Military Band of the KPA. Respected and...

Iranian president congratulates Chinese leader on New Year.
January 31, 2012... Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad has congratulated Chinese President Hu Jintao on the Chinese New Year, Fars reported on 31 January. President Ahmadinezhad sent a congratulatory message to Jintao and expressed his hope to boost bilateral...

US envoy to Pakistan says NATO attack "not deliberate", will "not re-occur".
January 31, 2012... Text of report by private Pakistani television channel Geo News website on 31 January Larkana: US Ambassador Cameron Munter said the NATO attack on Salala check post that killed 24 Pakistan soldiers [26 November 2011] was not deliberate and...

Canadian PM to visit China next month.
January 31, 2012... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 13 January: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will make an official visit to China from 7 to 7 to 11 February at the invitation of Chinese...