Turkish PM thanks countries for quake assistance
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Tuesday thanked those countries that sent rescue teams and assistance to the quake-stricken eastern Turkish province of Van, during a visit to the western province of Izmir.
"I thank each and every country that sent assistance to the earthquake region swiftly, particularly our neighboring countries and others as well," Erdogan said during a visit to Izmir along with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported.
Rescue teams are fighting against time and cold weather to search for survivors from the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck the province of Van on Sunday.
Azerbaijan, Bulgaria and Iran sent assistance and rescue teams to the region immediately after the quake struck.
Many other countries offered assistance as well but Turkish authorities said there is no immediate need for foreign assistance and thanked them for their good wishes.
The latest death toll stands at 364 with more than 1,000 injured and many people still unaccounted for.
Turkey, lying atop the North Anatolian fault, has been plagued by earthquakes frequently. On March 8, 2010, at least 38 people died and dozens of others were injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Elazig province in eastern Turkey.
On Aug. 17, 1999, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.7 and 7. 4 on the Richter scale respectively, hit northwestern and western Turkey, killing about 18,000 people and affecting hundreds of thousands of others.
A major earthquake hit Van province in November 1976, with 5, 291 confirmed dead. The province has a population of just over 1 million.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-25 20:00:20 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISTANBUL, Oct. 25 (Xinhua)
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
French President Nicolas Sarkozy urges forgiveness, unity after Gaddafi's death
Sarkozy urges forgiveness, unity after Gaddafi's death
French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday urged Libyans to start new era based on forgiveness, unity and reconciliation after the death of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
"They (Libyans) have a duty of forgiveness, reconciliation and unity. Now, they should turn the page and go towards the future but once again with a worry of reconciliation," Sarkozy was quoted by local television channel BFM TV as saying.
"We should never enjoy the death of a man whatever he did. Gaddafi and his doings presented a real threat for Libya future and now the military operation comes to an end," the president added.
NATO countries are to discuss terms to end the alliance's operation in Libya after Libyan transitional authority announced Gaddafi's death on Thursday.
France pressed for a military operation in Libya to protect civilians from Gaddafi's troops. But the move has been widely seen as an attempt to brighten the image of French diplomacy ahead of the presidential elections next year and to win deals worth billion of euros in the reconstruction of Africa's largest oil exporter.
English.news.cn 2011-10-21 20:08:11 FeedbackPrintRSS
PARIS, Oct. 21 (Xinhua)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday urged Libyans to start new era based on forgiveness, unity and reconciliation after the death of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
"They (Libyans) have a duty of forgiveness, reconciliation and unity. Now, they should turn the page and go towards the future but once again with a worry of reconciliation," Sarkozy was quoted by local television channel BFM TV as saying.
"We should never enjoy the death of a man whatever he did. Gaddafi and his doings presented a real threat for Libya future and now the military operation comes to an end," the president added.
NATO countries are to discuss terms to end the alliance's operation in Libya after Libyan transitional authority announced Gaddafi's death on Thursday.
France pressed for a military operation in Libya to protect civilians from Gaddafi's troops. But the move has been widely seen as an attempt to brighten the image of French diplomacy ahead of the presidential elections next year and to win deals worth billion of euros in the reconstruction of Africa's largest oil exporter.
English.news.cn 2011-10-21 20:08:11 FeedbackPrintRSS
PARIS, Oct. 21 (Xinhua)
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Australia announces project to pressure businesses to buy Australian products
Australia announces project to pressure businesses to buy Australian products
As a result of the Future Jobs Forum, the Australian federal government on Thursday announced that it will expand plans that require big construction projects to use Australian-made goods.
Last year, the federal government required Commonwealth projects worth more than 19 million U.S. dollars will need to demonstrate Australian industry participation.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard ended Thursday's day-long closed forum announcing the rules will now be extended to cover states and private businesses, which received federal grants of 19 million U.S. dollars or more.
"This is all about giving Australian business a fair go that it deserves," she told delegates in the Parliament House of Canberra on Thursday. "If you want Australian taxpayers dollars, then you' re going to have to give Australian businesses a fair chance to compete for work."
Gillard also revealed companies that claim back tariff concessions for importing goods for multi-billion-dollar projects will now have to spell out what efforts they are making to involve Australian companies in their projects.
The Australian Workers Union's national secretary, Paul Howes, welcomed the announcement, saying that it is a good day for manufacturing and million plus workers in the sector.
Gillard also announced she would head a manufacturing task- force, which will include business leaders, unions and ministers, to ensure the private sector, especially big overseas-owned mining firms, is also pressured to buy Australian products.
The government will release a tourism strategy by the end of the year to help a sector also hit hard by the high dollar.
About 100 representatives from business unions, government and academia gathered for the Future Jobs Forum in Canberra of Australia. The major agenda for the forum include the changing structure of the Australian economy drivers of jobs creation and investment manufacturing and the impact of the high Australian dollar.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 23:17:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
CANBERRA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
As a result of the Future Jobs Forum, the Australian federal government on Thursday announced that it will expand plans that require big construction projects to use Australian-made goods.
Last year, the federal government required Commonwealth projects worth more than 19 million U.S. dollars will need to demonstrate Australian industry participation.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard ended Thursday's day-long closed forum announcing the rules will now be extended to cover states and private businesses, which received federal grants of 19 million U.S. dollars or more.
"This is all about giving Australian business a fair go that it deserves," she told delegates in the Parliament House of Canberra on Thursday. "If you want Australian taxpayers dollars, then you' re going to have to give Australian businesses a fair chance to compete for work."
Gillard also revealed companies that claim back tariff concessions for importing goods for multi-billion-dollar projects will now have to spell out what efforts they are making to involve Australian companies in their projects.
The Australian Workers Union's national secretary, Paul Howes, welcomed the announcement, saying that it is a good day for manufacturing and million plus workers in the sector.
Gillard also announced she would head a manufacturing task- force, which will include business leaders, unions and ministers, to ensure the private sector, especially big overseas-owned mining firms, is also pressured to buy Australian products.
The government will release a tourism strategy by the end of the year to help a sector also hit hard by the high dollar.
About 100 representatives from business unions, government and academia gathered for the Future Jobs Forum in Canberra of Australia. The major agenda for the forum include the changing structure of the Australian economy drivers of jobs creation and investment manufacturing and the impact of the high Australian dollar.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 23:17:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
CANBERRA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Search efforts for missing Singaporean continue in Singapore, Greece
Search efforts for missing Singaporean continue in Singapore, Greece
Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is working with the Greek authorities in continuing efforts to track down Singaporean medical student Kouk Leong Jin, who is believed to have been missing in Greece since Tuesday.
The Greek police reportedly believe Mr Kouk is alive, after investigations yielded results.
In a statement on Wednesday, an MFA spokesman added the Honorary Consul-General in Athens has been monitoring the efforts of the Greek authorities to locate the 28-year-old Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School student, as well as "making his own efforts to locate Mr Kouk, including publicising Mr Kouk's profile in the local media."
The spokesman added, "We have sought, through the Greek Ambassador to Singapore, the full assistance of the Greek authorities to locate Mr Kouk Leong Jin and emphasised the importance we place on expeditious resolution of this case."
The MFA has also contacted Interpol for assistance, while the Singapore Police Force is working with its Greek counterparts.
"Our HCG has also been extending all necessary assistance to the members of Mr Kouk's family currently in Athens. Some members of the small Singaporean community in Athens have also stepped forward to offer their support for Mr Kouk's family," the spokesman said.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 19:30:02 FeedbackPrintRSS
SINGAPORE, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is working with the Greek authorities in continuing efforts to track down Singaporean medical student Kouk Leong Jin, who is believed to have been missing in Greece since Tuesday.
The Greek police reportedly believe Mr Kouk is alive, after investigations yielded results.
In a statement on Wednesday, an MFA spokesman added the Honorary Consul-General in Athens has been monitoring the efforts of the Greek authorities to locate the 28-year-old Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School student, as well as "making his own efforts to locate Mr Kouk, including publicising Mr Kouk's profile in the local media."
The spokesman added, "We have sought, through the Greek Ambassador to Singapore, the full assistance of the Greek authorities to locate Mr Kouk Leong Jin and emphasised the importance we place on expeditious resolution of this case."
The MFA has also contacted Interpol for assistance, while the Singapore Police Force is working with its Greek counterparts.
"Our HCG has also been extending all necessary assistance to the members of Mr Kouk's family currently in Athens. Some members of the small Singaporean community in Athens have also stepped forward to offer their support for Mr Kouk's family," the spokesman said.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 19:30:02 FeedbackPrintRSS
SINGAPORE, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
5 youths in Singapore charged with possession of cannabis
5 youths in Singapore charged with possession of cannabis
Five youths in Singapore were charged in court on Thursday with possession of cannabis, local media reported on Thursday.
The five, aged between 16 and 17, were among the 15 arrested in a Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) raid on September 7, local TV Channel NewsAsia said.
Briton national Morgan Brant Fletcher, French national Mathieu Maxime Gautron, Indian national Karan Vijay Chetan, South African Abraham Carel Greyling and Singaporean Kimberley Han Li Greenaway all face at least one charge each of drug possession.
The offences allegedly took place at various locations between September 6 and 7.
The five youths were said to have in their possession cannabis weighing between 0.02 grams and 0.66 grams.
The suspected drug trafficker, a male Singapore permanent resident, was believed to have peddled the drug mainly to youths and expatriates studying in international schools and working here.
Eleven of the drug abusers are foreign nationals from countries like the United States, United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The five youths will be back in court for further hearings on October 20. If convicted, each could be jailed 10 years and fined 20,000 dollars.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 19:24:38 FeedbackPrintRSS
SINGAPORE, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Five youths in Singapore were charged in court on Thursday with possession of cannabis, local media reported on Thursday.
The five, aged between 16 and 17, were among the 15 arrested in a Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) raid on September 7, local TV Channel NewsAsia said.
Briton national Morgan Brant Fletcher, French national Mathieu Maxime Gautron, Indian national Karan Vijay Chetan, South African Abraham Carel Greyling and Singaporean Kimberley Han Li Greenaway all face at least one charge each of drug possession.
The offences allegedly took place at various locations between September 6 and 7.
The five youths were said to have in their possession cannabis weighing between 0.02 grams and 0.66 grams.
The suspected drug trafficker, a male Singapore permanent resident, was believed to have peddled the drug mainly to youths and expatriates studying in international schools and working here.
Eleven of the drug abusers are foreign nationals from countries like the United States, United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The five youths will be back in court for further hearings on October 20. If convicted, each could be jailed 10 years and fined 20,000 dollars.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 19:24:38 FeedbackPrintRSS
SINGAPORE, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Australian DM urges Pakistan to redouble anti-terror effort
Australian DM urges Pakistan to redouble anti-terror effort
Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith on Thursday (AEST) told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from Belgium that Pakistan need to redouble its efforts to combat extremism.
His comments came following the Afghan interior ministry had arrested six people allegedly involved in a plot to assassinate Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Also on Sept. 20, peace envoy Burhanuddin Rabbani was killed by a suicide bomber at his Kabul home. Afghan officials claim the assassination was carried out by a Pakistani.
Smith, who is currently in Belgium for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) talks, told ABC TV on Thursday (Australian Time) that the alleged plot to assassinate Karzai is indicative of a new tactic being used by terrorists, and the Taliban have been utilizing high-profile suicide bomb propaganda-style attacks.
"Regrettably in the case of former President Rabbani, they have been successful and that's a significant blow," Smith said. " Our analysis is the reason they have moved to these high-profile propaganda attacks is because they can't respond on the ground."
He said Pakistan needed to boost its efforts to combat terrorist networks within its own territories, which had started to take over from al-Qaida and the Taliban, because that is a threat to Pakistan itself no just a threat to NATO or International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces in Afghanistan.
"We can't allow the good work we've done against al-Qaida, the good we've done against the Afghanistan Taliban to now be overtaken ... so that needs to be confronted," he said.
The NATO meeting in Brussels of Belgium will allows defense ministers from NATO and the International Security Assistance Force to consider progress in the Afghanistan conflict, and Smith specified that the 2014 date for handover of security to Afghan- led forces would be a focus of the discussions as would post-2014 commitments.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 09:40:01 FeedbackPrintRSS
CANBERRA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith on Thursday (AEST) told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from Belgium that Pakistan need to redouble its efforts to combat extremism.
His comments came following the Afghan interior ministry had arrested six people allegedly involved in a plot to assassinate Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Also on Sept. 20, peace envoy Burhanuddin Rabbani was killed by a suicide bomber at his Kabul home. Afghan officials claim the assassination was carried out by a Pakistani.
Smith, who is currently in Belgium for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) talks, told ABC TV on Thursday (Australian Time) that the alleged plot to assassinate Karzai is indicative of a new tactic being used by terrorists, and the Taliban have been utilizing high-profile suicide bomb propaganda-style attacks.
"Regrettably in the case of former President Rabbani, they have been successful and that's a significant blow," Smith said. " Our analysis is the reason they have moved to these high-profile propaganda attacks is because they can't respond on the ground."
He said Pakistan needed to boost its efforts to combat terrorist networks within its own territories, which had started to take over from al-Qaida and the Taliban, because that is a threat to Pakistan itself no just a threat to NATO or International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces in Afghanistan.
"We can't allow the good work we've done against al-Qaida, the good we've done against the Afghanistan Taliban to now be overtaken ... so that needs to be confronted," he said.
The NATO meeting in Brussels of Belgium will allows defense ministers from NATO and the International Security Assistance Force to consider progress in the Afghanistan conflict, and Smith specified that the 2014 date for handover of security to Afghan- led forces would be a focus of the discussions as would post-2014 commitments.
Editor: Chen Zhi
English.news.cn 2011-10-06 09:40:01 FeedbackPrintRSS
CANBERRA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Martelly confirms plan to rebuild Haiti's armed forces
Martelly confirms plan to rebuild Haiti's armed forces
Haitian President Michel Martelly Thursday confirmed the existence of a plan to rebuild the country's armed forces.
Martelly also said he would present a bill to the parliament in response to criticism arising from the legislature for not having been taken into account in implementing the initiative.
"Many young people hope to join the new forces," the president said at the inauguration of a radio station facility destroyed by a quake in January, 2010.
Under the bill, Martelly said the Haitian government intends to reconstitute the army to take over the management of safety from the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH), exercise defense of territory and border control, and create an environment conducive to domestic and foreign investment.
In the next three and a half years, the new Haitian armed forces will have at least 3,500 troops, according to the bill.
Earlier this week, a plan of Defense Policy and National Security was released, saying the president would issue a decree next month to rebuild the army.
The Haitian president also reiterated his rejection of an immediate withdrawal of the whole MINUSTAH, because the country currently can't by itself guarantee national security.
MINUSTAH, established in June 2004, is now in the center of a scandal over the alleged rape of an 18-year-old Haitian young man by its five Uruguayan soldiers.
According to the UN plan, MINUSTAH will be reduced gradually, and its number will be cut from some 2,000 troops to 450 as the first step of withdrawal from the country.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 12:45:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANTO DOMINGO, Sept. 30 (Xinhua)
Haitian President Michel Martelly Thursday confirmed the existence of a plan to rebuild the country's armed forces.
Martelly also said he would present a bill to the parliament in response to criticism arising from the legislature for not having been taken into account in implementing the initiative.
"Many young people hope to join the new forces," the president said at the inauguration of a radio station facility destroyed by a quake in January, 2010.
Under the bill, Martelly said the Haitian government intends to reconstitute the army to take over the management of safety from the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH), exercise defense of territory and border control, and create an environment conducive to domestic and foreign investment.
In the next three and a half years, the new Haitian armed forces will have at least 3,500 troops, according to the bill.
Earlier this week, a plan of Defense Policy and National Security was released, saying the president would issue a decree next month to rebuild the army.
The Haitian president also reiterated his rejection of an immediate withdrawal of the whole MINUSTAH, because the country currently can't by itself guarantee national security.
MINUSTAH, established in June 2004, is now in the center of a scandal over the alleged rape of an 18-year-old Haitian young man by its five Uruguayan soldiers.
According to the UN plan, MINUSTAH will be reduced gradually, and its number will be cut from some 2,000 troops to 450 as the first step of withdrawal from the country.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 12:45:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANTO DOMINGO, Sept. 30 (Xinhua)
Colombian president condemns child's kidnapping
Colombian president condemns child's kidnapping
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Friday denounced the kidnapping of a mayor's daughter in the violence-plagued eastern city of Fortul, calling it "a crime against humanity."
Nohora Munoz, 10, whose father was the mayor of Fortul municipality in the eastern Arauca department, was snatched by armed men on her way to school.
"I would like to take this opportunity to categorically condemn the kidnapping of a girl yesterday in Arauca. Kidnapping is the most abominable crime. It is a crime against humanity," Santos said.
The perpetrators of the crime and their motives remained unclear, but "we are going to pursue them wherever they are and we are going to rescue that girl whatever it takes," the president said.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the National Liberation Army and other illegal groups involved in drug-trafficking have a strong presence in the Arauca department, which borders Venezuela.
Military units have begun searching operations around Fortul, and a reward of 100 million Colombian pesos (about 50,000 U.S. dollars) has been put aside for whoever could give information about the girl's whereabouts.
The girl's kidnapping was widely condemned in Colombia, where this kind of crime has been a common practice used by illegal armed groups.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 12:34:57 FeedbackPrintRSS
BOGOTA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua)
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Friday denounced the kidnapping of a mayor's daughter in the violence-plagued eastern city of Fortul, calling it "a crime against humanity."
Nohora Munoz, 10, whose father was the mayor of Fortul municipality in the eastern Arauca department, was snatched by armed men on her way to school.
"I would like to take this opportunity to categorically condemn the kidnapping of a girl yesterday in Arauca. Kidnapping is the most abominable crime. It is a crime against humanity," Santos said.
The perpetrators of the crime and their motives remained unclear, but "we are going to pursue them wherever they are and we are going to rescue that girl whatever it takes," the president said.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the National Liberation Army and other illegal groups involved in drug-trafficking have a strong presence in the Arauca department, which borders Venezuela.
Military units have begun searching operations around Fortul, and a reward of 100 million Colombian pesos (about 50,000 U.S. dollars) has been put aside for whoever could give information about the girl's whereabouts.
The girl's kidnapping was widely condemned in Colombia, where this kind of crime has been a common practice used by illegal armed groups.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 12:34:57 FeedbackPrintRSS
BOGOTA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua)
Australia must do more to stop whaling: Greens
Australia must do more to stop whaling: Greens
Following reports that Japan will soon start this season's whale hunt in the Antarctic, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown on Saturday said Australia must do more to stop whaling.
Japanese newspaper Yomiuri earlier reported Japan's research whaling hunt will go ahead later this year, and it suggested the Japanese government will boost the whaling budget by about 26 million U.S. dollars.
Senator Brown claimed that Australia has not done enough to stop the practice and he will raise the matter with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.
"Australia should have a naval presence down there, it should be having footage of what's happening with the whales to give to the rest of the world, it should be raising the diplomatic objections both in Japan and elsewhere round the world," he said in a statement released on Saturday. "As ever the Greens will be pursuing this in the Senate where both the big parties always back off."
He said the reported decision of Japan to boost the whaling budget on killing whales must rate as one of the most stupid public relations decisions of any equivalent nation in recent times.
"It is 26 million U.S. dollars wasted on defending the indefensible," Senator Brown said.
"The question the world will ask is why not put this money into cleaning up the other great environmental disaster -- the Fukushima nuclear complex."
"As the world celebrates a hundred years since Amundsen got to the South Pole, it will also condemn Japan sending grenade tipped harpoons down south to turn the Antarctica sea red," he said.
In a move to put an end to Japan's whaling program in the Southern Ocean, Australia in May lodged a written submission with the International Court of Justice to argue Japan's whaling activities have breached international obligations. Japan must file its counter-memorial to the International Court of Justice by March 9 next year.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 16:09:09 FeedbackPrintRSS
CANBERRA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)
Following reports that Japan will soon start this season's whale hunt in the Antarctic, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown on Saturday said Australia must do more to stop whaling.
Japanese newspaper Yomiuri earlier reported Japan's research whaling hunt will go ahead later this year, and it suggested the Japanese government will boost the whaling budget by about 26 million U.S. dollars.
Senator Brown claimed that Australia has not done enough to stop the practice and he will raise the matter with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.
"Australia should have a naval presence down there, it should be having footage of what's happening with the whales to give to the rest of the world, it should be raising the diplomatic objections both in Japan and elsewhere round the world," he said in a statement released on Saturday. "As ever the Greens will be pursuing this in the Senate where both the big parties always back off."
He said the reported decision of Japan to boost the whaling budget on killing whales must rate as one of the most stupid public relations decisions of any equivalent nation in recent times.
"It is 26 million U.S. dollars wasted on defending the indefensible," Senator Brown said.
"The question the world will ask is why not put this money into cleaning up the other great environmental disaster -- the Fukushima nuclear complex."
"As the world celebrates a hundred years since Amundsen got to the South Pole, it will also condemn Japan sending grenade tipped harpoons down south to turn the Antarctica sea red," he said.
In a move to put an end to Japan's whaling program in the Southern Ocean, Australia in May lodged a written submission with the International Court of Justice to argue Japan's whaling activities have breached international obligations. Japan must file its counter-memorial to the International Court of Justice by March 9 next year.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 16:09:09 FeedbackPrintRSS
CANBERRA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)
Typhoon Nalgae batters N. Philippines after making landfall
Typhoon Nalgae batters N. Philippines after making landfall
Typhoon Nalgae (local name Quiel) landed on northern Philippines before noon on Saturday, packing winds up to 195 km per hour, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The typhoon, the second in a week, is expected to go through five provinces on Luzon island in north Philippines Saturday afternoon. Nalgae is expected to enhance the sothwest mansoon and will bring about scattered to widespread rains over the southern Luzon region.
The PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. report that signal number 3 was raised in 10 provinces in north Philippines including Isabela, Northern Aurora, Mt. Province and Ifugao, while signal number 2 was lifted in another 12 provinces. Metro Manila and some surrounding areas are under signal number 1.
The storm was tracking roughly the same path as Typhoon Nesat, which ravaged Luzon with huge floods on Tuesday.
Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under Public storm Warning Signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
The PAGASA said the estimated rainfall within Nalgae's 500-km diameter will be from 15 to 25 km per hour.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 16:00:45 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANILA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)
Typhoon Nalgae (local name Quiel) landed on northern Philippines before noon on Saturday, packing winds up to 195 km per hour, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The typhoon, the second in a week, is expected to go through five provinces on Luzon island in north Philippines Saturday afternoon. Nalgae is expected to enhance the sothwest mansoon and will bring about scattered to widespread rains over the southern Luzon region.
The PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. report that signal number 3 was raised in 10 provinces in north Philippines including Isabela, Northern Aurora, Mt. Province and Ifugao, while signal number 2 was lifted in another 12 provinces. Metro Manila and some surrounding areas are under signal number 1.
The storm was tracking roughly the same path as Typhoon Nesat, which ravaged Luzon with huge floods on Tuesday.
Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under Public storm Warning Signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
The PAGASA said the estimated rainfall within Nalgae's 500-km diameter will be from 15 to 25 km per hour.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 16:00:45 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANILA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)
Philippine Dragon Boat Team on standby for flood rescue operations
Philippine Dragon Boat Team on standby for flood rescue operations
The Philippine Dragon Boat Team, which recently won several gold medals in a competition in the United States, is on standby for the conduct of search and rescue operations in Central Luzon which remain flooded after being ravaged by typhoon Nesat.
"We are on standby... We are volunteering," said the team's manager Maj. Harold Cabunoc who is also the deputy spokesman of the Army.
The 18-member team, including 12 soldiers, earned recognition and accolades after winning five gold medals and two silver medals during the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships held in Tampa Bay, Florida in August.
Cabunoc said they are trying to find a long bed truck that will transport their boat from Metro Manila to Central Luzon where hundreds, if not thousands, are still waiting to be rescue from their submerged houses.
The region was flooded by Nesat that hit several regions early this week. The flooding was aggravated when authorities released water from the dams due to threat posed by typhoon Nalgae which made a landfall in Isabela Saturday morning.
Cabunoc said the team is planning to conduct the search and rescue operations either in Calumpit or Hagonoy, both towns in Bulacan.
"We are using our skills (to save people)," said Cabunoc.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 15:44:53 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANILA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)
The Philippine Dragon Boat Team, which recently won several gold medals in a competition in the United States, is on standby for the conduct of search and rescue operations in Central Luzon which remain flooded after being ravaged by typhoon Nesat.
"We are on standby... We are volunteering," said the team's manager Maj. Harold Cabunoc who is also the deputy spokesman of the Army.
The 18-member team, including 12 soldiers, earned recognition and accolades after winning five gold medals and two silver medals during the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships held in Tampa Bay, Florida in August.
Cabunoc said they are trying to find a long bed truck that will transport their boat from Metro Manila to Central Luzon where hundreds, if not thousands, are still waiting to be rescue from their submerged houses.
The region was flooded by Nesat that hit several regions early this week. The flooding was aggravated when authorities released water from the dams due to threat posed by typhoon Nalgae which made a landfall in Isabela Saturday morning.
Cabunoc said the team is planning to conduct the search and rescue operations either in Calumpit or Hagonoy, both towns in Bulacan.
"We are using our skills (to save people)," said Cabunoc.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 15:44:53 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANILA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)
Three dead, 1 missing after boat capsizes off Australia's New South Wales
Three dead, 1 missing after boat capsizes off Australia's New South Wales
Three people died and one is missing after a boat overturned in waters off the New South Wales (NSW) south coast in Australia, NSW Police said on Saturday.
Shortly before 2 p.m. local time on Saturday, police and emergency services responded to reports that a vessel with five people onboard had capsized in waters off Batemans Bay.
Police said they found one person safe and well, while three bodies were retrieved from the water.
A search is under way for the missing person, police said.
Police will conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 15:26:58 FeedbackPrintRSS
SYDNEY, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)
Three people died and one is missing after a boat overturned in waters off the New South Wales (NSW) south coast in Australia, NSW Police said on Saturday.
Shortly before 2 p.m. local time on Saturday, police and emergency services responded to reports that a vessel with five people onboard had capsized in waters off Batemans Bay.
Police said they found one person safe and well, while three bodies were retrieved from the water.
A search is under way for the missing person, police said.
Police will conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 15:26:58 FeedbackPrintRSS
SYDNEY, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)
3 police personnel killed in bomb blast in NW Pakistan
3 police personnel killed in bomb blast in NW Pakistan
At least three police personnel were killed and 11 others injured on Saturday morning in a bomb blast in Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local Urdu TV channel Dunya reported.
According to report, the blast took place when a police van was targeted with a bomb in Tor Ghar district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The remote controlled explosive that was fixed on the roadside destroyed the vehicle partially in which at least three police officials, including an officer, got killed on spot while 11 other injured.
A police official told local media that the police van was taking 32 police personnel from Tor Ghar district to the police training center in Abbottabad city when it came under attack in Joghar area of the aforementioned district.
Rescue teams and security forces reached the site and shifted the injured to the nearby hospital.
No group or militant wing has claimed responsibility yet.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 12:30:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)
At least three police personnel were killed and 11 others injured on Saturday morning in a bomb blast in Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local Urdu TV channel Dunya reported.
According to report, the blast took place when a police van was targeted with a bomb in Tor Ghar district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The remote controlled explosive that was fixed on the roadside destroyed the vehicle partially in which at least three police officials, including an officer, got killed on spot while 11 other injured.
A police official told local media that the police van was taking 32 police personnel from Tor Ghar district to the police training center in Abbottabad city when it came under attack in Joghar area of the aforementioned district.
Rescue teams and security forces reached the site and shifted the injured to the nearby hospital.
No group or militant wing has claimed responsibility yet.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-10-01 12:30:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)