Monday October 22
China, Taiwan
Religion mentioned in CPC Constitution
(Xinhua)
2007-10-22 06:48BEIJING — For the first time in its history, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has mentioned the word “religion” in an amendment to its Constitution adopted on Sunday at the closing session of the 17th CPC National Congress.
To incorporate into its Constitution the principles and policies the Party has formulated for guiding efforts to strengthen the work related to ethnic and religious affairs, among others, is conducive to their full implementation and getting better results in the Party’s work in this area, said a resolution on the amendment to the Constitution.
It said the insertion has been made in light of the new circumstances and tasks.
The CPC is atheistic but allows freedom of religious beliefs. China is home to 100 million religious faithful, largely Buddhists, Taoists, Christians, Catholics and Islamites
Chen touts positives of UN referendum
OPTIMISTIC: The president said that although the referendum bid had angered both China and the US, it would ultimately improve relations between the three countriesSTAFF WRITER, WITH CNA
Monday, Oct 22, 2007, Page 1President Chen Shui-bian (???) continued to push for the referendum on Taiwan’s bid to join the UN under the name “Taiwan” yesterday, saying that a vote on the bid would generate at least four major influences, including a re-evaluation of the “one China” policy by the US.
Under the influence of the Taiwan UN-bid referendum, Chen calculated that Washington would review the “one China” policy it has followed for decades in favor of the People’s Republic of China and consider whether the US should politically recognize both China and Taiwan.
Tuesday October 23
Japan, Korea
Ex-defense official sought engine deal for trader
Moriya denies any impropriety
Kyodo NewsFormer Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya indirectly asked a Defense Ministry official earlier this year to forge a contract with a defense equipment trader for supply of a U.S.-made engine for the Air Self-Defense Force’s next-generation transport aircraft, sources said Monday.
The allegation involves Nihon Mirise Corp., a spinoff launched in September 2006 by a former senior managing director of defense trading house Yamada Corp., with which Moriya has close ties.
It is unusual for a top government official to intervene in a specific contract with a company.
Presidential Candidates Take Stand on Troops in Iraq
The United New Democratic Party on Monday formally decided to oppose the extension of Korean troops’ mandate in Iraq, transforming the matter into a hot topic for the presidential election campaign. The Chosun Ilbo looks at what the presidential candidates had to say on the issue.The Zaytun Unit’s mission in Irbil, northern Iraq, began at the request of the U.S. in June 2004 with a contingent of 3,600 troops. The current troop level is 1,090. Last year, the National Assembly approved a government plan to extend the unit’s mission for another year on condition that it added a pullout plan for the end of this year.
Wednesday October 24
India, Pakistan
ACP Rathi and nine other policemen get life term
All ten people convicted for killing two innocent businessmen in a fake encounter at Connaught Place in New Delhi in 1997, including suspended Assistant Commissioner of Police SS Rathi, get life term.A Delhi court had, on October 16, held all the ten policemen including ACP Rathi guilty for gunning down two Haryana-based businessmen Pradeep Goyal and Jagjit Singh on March 31, 1997.
Earlier, the CBI on Wednesday sought death penalty for suspended Assistant Commissioner of Police SS Rathi and two other policemen, who, along with seven others were convicted of killing two innocent businessmen in a fake encounter at Connaught Place in New Delhi, ten years ago.
Benazir backs NATO’s stay in Afghanistan
Bureau ReportKARACHI-Chairperson, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Benazir Bhutto Tuesday said that NATO forces should stay in Afghanistan further for elimination of terrorism. The former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, stated this while talking to media at Bilawal House here.
She said that the future of Pakistan was linked with Afghanistan and NATO forces should further stay in Afghanistan till terrorism was curbed in the neighbour state of Pakistan. She also called upon international community for striving to find out the conspiracy behind the blasts in PPP procession.
Benazir Bhutto also called for an independent and impartial Election Commission in Pakistan for next general elections and also to complete its members. She claimed that a comprehensive plan was available with PPP, which was capable to eliminate almost 50 percent terrorism from the country. Education development was also part of the plan of PPP, she added. She said that the election should not be cancelled due to Karachi blasts in PPP rally. Benazir also called for provision of full security to leaders of all political parties.
Pakistan Peoples Party has welcomed the statement by the United Nations Security Council strongly condemning Thursday’s bomb attacks on PPP rally in Karachi. In a statement Tuesday spokesperson of the Party former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the unanimously adopted statement by the UNSC vindicated the Party’s position for an impartial inquiry that can only be insured only if forensic and technical experts from the international community wee also involved in it.
Thursday October 25
Australia, New Zealand
Hospitals in poor health,say medics
Natasha Wallace
October 25, 2007 – 12:05PM
Australia’s hospital system has been given an ‘F’ for failure by the Australian Medical Association, which is blaming state and federal governments.The AMA identified systems breakdowns and personal tragedies in public hospitals that it said were endangering patient care right across the country in its Public Hospital Report Card 2007.
“Our hard-working doctors and nurses are being let down by a lack of proper funding and resources and poor management,” said AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, who released the findings today outside Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital, which has been the target of allegations of poor care.
Hundreds march before Tame Iti court hearing
2:03PM Thursday October 25, 2007
By Juliet Rowan
Hundreds of protesters have staged a march outside the Rotorua Court House today ahead of Maori activist Tame Iti’s court appearance.They carried signs with slogans such as: “Free Tame” and “NZ Police are terrorists” during the march.
Police closed streets around the courthouse to allow the march, which lasted around 45 minutes this lunchtime, to go ahead.
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I never had heard of Tamori before, so hit the YouTube to find out more.
I spent some time watching the Tamori Club on and they seem to be having a good time. Although, I’m missing most of what they’re laughing at. The show seems to be an odd mash-up of American pop metal rock and video game cultures. Tamori and his gang really find the misheard lyrics bit amusing – lots of dark humor, I’m guessing from what’s being acted out in the scenes. Do viewers send them in or does the show make them?
I don’t know what to make of it. Does it give the impression that Communist party is feeling some pressure or competition by religious groups, or are there other political parties in China (I’m am really ignorant on this) that more openly embrace religion, that perhaps CPC is trying to undermine? Very interesting, as I recently saw an article about the Chinese government setting rules about decisions regarding the reincarnation of Lamas, which is kind of funny and seems odd.