Ukraine gas negotiator halts Russia talks-agencies (Reuters via Yahoo! Philippines News) MOSCOW, Dec 31 (Reuters) – Ukraine’s President Viktor Yushchenko instructed the head of Ukrainian energy firm Naftogaz to suspend gas talks in Moscow with Russia and return to Kiev, Russian news agencies reported on Wednesday. Ukraine crudely blackmails Russia, Europe – Gazprom’s spokesman (Itar-Tass)…
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Dec
31
Russian News Monitor – Ukraine gas negotiator halts Russia talks-agencies (Reuters via Yahoo! Philippines News)
Dec
31
China – BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) — Chinese internet users have selected the – Xinhua News Agency
BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) — Chinese internet users have selected the – Xinhua News AgencyMore than 1 million netizens voted in a competition organized by 39 news websites including www.people.com.cn and www. xinhuanet.com. Domestic stories, in chronological order, are: — Winter storms in southern China. From late January until early Hamas defiant as Israel rejects…
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Dec
31
Southeast Asia – Vietnam, Singapore talk defence policy (Vietnam Net)
Vietnam, Singapore talk defence policy (Vietnam Net) VietNamNet Bridge – The first dialogue on defence policy between Vietnam and Singapore took place in the latter country from Dec 27-30. Indonesian spy chief cleared in activist’s murder (Contra Costa Times) Critics say ruling shows nation’s courts unable to hold high officials accountable. Cambodia, Thailand to continue…
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Dec
31
Southeast Asia – Indonesian spy chief cleared in activist’s murder (AP via Yahoo! News)
Indonesian spy chief cleared in activist’s murder (AP via Yahoo! News) An Indonesian court Wednesday acquitted the former deputy chief of state intelligence of murder charges for the mid-flight poisoning death of a prominent human rights campaigner. Ballantyne Expands Digital Cinema Distribution Footprint into Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance) OMAHA, Neb.—-Ballantyne…
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Dec
31
India – Pakistan In “Denial” Over Mumbai Carnage – India (Nasdaq)
Pakistan In “Denial” Over Mumbai Carnage – India (Nasdaq) NEW DELHI (AFP)–India on Wednesday said Pakistan was in “denial” over the Mumbai attacks and refusing to acknowledge evidence linking the gunmen who carried out the assault with elements in Pakistan. Thousands hail Indian Kashmir’s new leader (AFP via Yahoo! News) A young, pro-India Muslim politician,…
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Dec
31
Philippines – Farmers recall gentler Mike Arroyo (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Farmers recall gentler Mike Arroyo (Philippine Daily Inquirer) MANILA, Philippines Farmers of Hacienda Bacan in Negros Occidental, owned by the family of Juan Miguel Mike Arroyo, remember the good old days of relative calm in the hacienda. Those were in the 1980s. Arroyo greets 2009 in ‘private’ dinner, mass with kin (GMA News) MANILA, Philippines…
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Dec
31
North Africa – Tunisia: President Decides Measures in Solidarity With the Palestinian People
Tunisia: President Decides Measures in Solidarity With the Palestinian People As a token of solidarity with the Palestinian people, in the face of the Israeli aggression in the Gaza strip which has caused hundred of casualties, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has decided on Tuesday the following measures: Tunisia: Carthaginian General Hannibal Barca Immortalized…
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Dec
31
Somalia – Nine Somali Civilians Killed In Mogadishu – Witnesses (Nasdaq)
Nine Somali Civilians Killed In Mogadishu – Witnesses (Nasdaq) MOGADISHU, Somalia (AFP)–Nine civilians were killed when Somali government forces fired mortar shells at a busy market area during fighting with Islamist insurgents in Mogadishu, witnesses told AFP Wednesday. Somalia: 17 People Killed in Attacks (AllAfrica.com) At least 17 people were killed Tuesday in Somalia in…
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Dec
31
Afghanistan – U.S. to harness Afghan militias against Taliban (The Hindu)
U.S. to harness Afghan militias against Taliban (The Hindu) The U.S. on Tuesday outlined a controversial plan to organise local militias in Afghanistan to contain the growing strength of the Taliban, echoing tactics used by American commanders in Iraq. The programme is formally an Afghan … Canada opens inquiry into insurgent’s death in Afghanistan (AFP…
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Dec
31
Iraq – Violence kills eight in northern Iraq (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Violence kills eight in northern Iraq (AFP via Yahoo! News) Eight people were killed and more than 50 wounded on Wednesday in violence in northern Iraq, where US and Iraqi forces have been struggling to root out insurgents, police said. Bombs kills six in northern Iraq (AFP via Yahoo! News) Six people were killed and…
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