Part of the money will be used to close or upgrade more than 2,000 polluting factories, replace the use of coal with clean energy on the outskirts of the city and phase out 300,000 high-polluting older vehicles, the official Xinhua News Agency said, citing Beijing’s acting mayor, Cai Qi. Authorities are eager to bring about a visible improvement in China’s bad air, especially in the high-profile capital and its surrounding areas.
Category: Asia
North Korea prepares missile launch for inauguration day
North Korea is preparing to test new rockets, a report said Thursday, after its leader Kim Jong-Un said the country was in the final stages of developing inter-continental ballistic missiles. Pyongyang’s missile programme and its pursuit of nuclear arms have seen it repeatedly sanctioned by the UN Security Council.
This Republic Day, append following fundamental rights in your list
New Delhi , Jan. 19 : This Republic day, go creative with your fundamental rights and append some stress relieving rights, to rejoice your life. Apart from seven fundamental rights, which have been given to the Indian citizens in the constitution, append these rights to make your life happier and fun to live.
Fonterra looks to cheese to grow Korean market
Fonterra is hoping to grow sales of cheese in South Korea following growth in exports since a free trade agreement signed in December 2015. pic: A iStock/colematt As New Zealand marks the one-year anniversary of its Free Trade Agreement with South Korea, Fonterra Co-operative Group says it is looking to grow sales of its dairy products there, particularly cheese.
Freight train completes marathon journey from Chinese city to London
Some 34 containers packed with c lothes, bags and millions of pairs of socks completed the 7,456-mile journey to east London. The 18-day trip saw the boxes transported from the city of Yiwu in eastern China to a rail freight terminal in Barking.
Seoul court considers arrest of Samsung de facto head
A South Korean court is considering whether to approve the arrest of Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong, one of the country’s wealthiest business leaders, on charges of bribery and other offences. Lee, the only son of Samsung’s chairman, did not speak to a crowd of reporters when he arrived and left the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday.
Russian President Putin Defends Trump Against Sex Video Claims
At a news conference in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to unsubstantiated memos prepared by a British intelligence operative that say Russia has compromising information on Trump, including a sex tape of Trump from 2013 involving prostitutes in Moscow. This is Putin.
NK leader seen walking with limp again
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was seen walking with a limp during his inspections last month in footage aired by the state broadcaster Wednesday, in what could be a possible relapse of a past ankle problem. The North’s leader was seen limping on his left leg during his so-called field guidance to several locations including a shoe factory conducted in December, according to a documentary released by the Korean Central TV Broadcasting Station.
Finance minister vows to put more focus on job creation
South Korea’s finance minister said Wednesday that he will put more policy priority on creating more jobs in the new year to reinvigorate the economy. “The government will accelerate its drive to focus on job creation,” Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho said in a minister-level meeting held in Seoul.
Swedish central bank chief says cashless…
The head of the Swedish central bank has said changing to a cashless society is a major trend as a growing number of people are rapidly reducing the use of notes and coins in favor of electronic payments. Riksbank Governor Stefan Ingves said notes and coins are not going to disappear, though they will be used less and less.
House lawmaker introduces bill calling for relisting N. Korea as terror sponsor
A US House lawmaker has introduced a bill calling for relisting North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. Rep. Ted Poe brought in the legislation that requires “a report on the designation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.”
Presidential Adviser: Poland Should Increase Military Ties with US
Polish Army and U.S. Army soldiers attend the opening ceremony of the Anaconda-16 military exercise, in Warsaw, Poland, June 6, 2016. Krzysztof Szczerski, President Andrzej Duda’s top foreign policy adviser, was speaking days before the new U.S. administration that has signaled a friendlier approach to Russia takes power in Washington.
Lithuania to build fence along Kaliningrad border, fearful of Russian ‘little green men’
Lithuania plans to build a 2-meter-high wire fence along its border with the Russian region of Kaliningrad, its interior minister said on Tuesday, amid continued tensions between Moscow and the Baltic states, which are members of NATO. Eimutis Misiunas acknowledged that such a fence would provide little defense against a full-blown military assault but said it underscored Lithuanians’ concerns about a more assertive Russia and could also help prevent lesser cross-border incursions.
Poland wants to increase its military ties with the US
Krzysztof Szczerski, President Andrzej Duda’s top foreign policy adviser, was speaking days before the new U.S. administration that has signaled a friendlier approach to Russia takes power in Washington. Szczerski also suggested that Poland would welcome the re-election of Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany, Poland’s largest trade partner with whom relations have soured since Polish conservatives came to power a year ago.
Drone’s operator detained for flying near Chinese airplane
The footage, shows the airliner descending for landing, apparently taken from the perspective of the unmanned drone, flying by at close range. Chinese state media reports that the drone’s pilot has been detained by police.
Presidential hopeful Moon publishes book on policy pledges
Moon Jae-in, a leading presidential candidate from the opposition bloc, on Tuesday published a book on his campaign pledges, taking further steps to generate support ahead of this year’s election. The publisher said the book, titled “The Republic of Korea asks,” is about the blueprint of Moon’s vision for South Korea, providing ways to tackle various challenges facing the country.
Russia Sanctions Explained: A Look at What Trump Could Roll Back
Executive Director Steph Black says they are… — The wife of the gunman who carried out a mass shooting an Orlando, Florida, nightclub was arrested by the FBI Monday in San Francisco, the FBI and her lawye… — President-elect Donald Trump floated the idea over the weekend of a new negotiation with Russia that would involve rolling back President Obama’s crippling economi… The new requirements for the Veterinary Feed Directive were officially in effect as of January first, but not without misconceptions.
Chinese premier stresses renovation of rundown areas in 2017
Premier Li Keqiang has called for more efforts to expedite the renovation of rundown urban areas and dilapidated houses in 2017, a State Council statement said Monday. This year, China will start renovating 6 million substandard homes, the same as the target set for 2016, according to Li, who stressed that the work should be initiated as soon as possible.
An inquest is taking place into the death of Lance Corporal James Brynin
A British soldier will not face prosecution over the death of a comrade on an Afghan battlefield four years ago, an inquest has heard. The inquest into Lance Corporal James Brynin’s death was halted after six days of evidence last year amid fears the fatality, which was initially suspected to have been caused by “friendly fire”, may have been a homicide.
Sunken, 600-year-old Buddha emerges in China
A 600-year-old Buddha statue has been discovered in a reservoir in east China’s Jiangxi Province after water levels fell during renovation work. A local villager first spotted the head of the Buddha last month when the water level fell by more than 10 meters during work on a hydropower gate, official state news agency Xinhua reported.
Bhutan comes to West Moors
A few years ago Rosemary Legrand fulfilled a long held dream of visiting the tiny Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan on the eastern edge of the Himalayas and trekked to a height of 14,000 feet in search of rare plants. She will be telling her story ‘Bhutan, Kingdom of Rare Plants’, in which you meet the people and the animals and wonder at the scenery, flora and fauna in her illustrated presentation at St Martin’s Discovery Group.
A look at how Trump might shake things up in Asia
In this Jan. 13, 2017 file photo, President-elect Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. Trump has offered views on U.S. relations with Asia that could indicate radical shifts in long-standing policy toward the region.
Afghan Senators call on President Ashraf Ghani to dissolve High Peace Council4 min ago
Kabul , Jan. 16 : Senators from Upper House of Parliament in Afghanistan have asked President Ashraf Ghani to dissolve the High Peace Council following the insensitive remarks made by former HPC advisor Abdul Hakim Mujahid. According to the senators, those who call the Taliban peace angels and say they are a sacred group are disrespecting all civilians killed by the Taliban, reports the Tolo News.
Protection of minorities is top most priority of government: Pak Minister
Karachi [Pakistan], Jan. 16 : Pakistan’s Human Rights Minister Kamran Michael has said that the promotion and protection of minorities is the top most priority of the government, adding that the bright future for the country can only be ensured by providing justice to the oppressed sector of society. [NK World] He was addressing the gathering of minority community and employees of the PIA here in Karachi on Sunday.
Six-Hour Meeting of Chinese Tycoons Eases LeEco Cash Crunch
It took Jia Yueting just over six hours in December to snag $2.2 billion from a Chinese real estate mogul to keep LeEco afloat.
France wants JeM chief Masood Azhar to be declared as international terrorist by UN
Days after China blocked India’s proposal in the UN, the world body’s key member France has pitched for designating Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist, saying there are “very strong arguments in favour” of such a move. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who was on a four-day India visit, also sent out a veiled message to China without naming it, saying “the international community’s determination to combat terrorism must be the same everywhere, regardless of the threat.”
PHOTOS: ‘Forgotten victims of war’ to be highlighted in Hampshire photography exhibition
Internally displaced Afghans are living in “stone age conditions,” uprooted from their homes and villages after years of civil war and escape from Taliban fighting. The ex-Stroud School pupil who grew up on Northlands Road, Southampton, will be showing a selection of his work from the last eight years at city centre coffee shop Mettricks Guildhall.
OYO to expand Asia footprint; introduces concierge service29 min ago
Mumbai, Jan 15 : Online budget network of hotels OYO is planning to expand its footprints in South Asia and South East Asia, besides strengthening its service by introducing a concierge service called OYO Captains. “Our focus is expanding in the domestic market as we still feel there is a huge opportunity here in the country.
China again rejects Trump’s suggestion to negotiate Taiwan
China’s foreign ministry on Sunday again rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion that he might use American policy on Taiwan as a bargaining chip between the two sides. Spokesman Lu Kang said Sunday that the “one China” policy is “non-negotiable.”
An undated file picture of Beijing’s acting mayor, Cai Qi. Photo: Handout
Cai Qi gives first work report as Beijing’s acting mayor and is seen by analysts as a front runner to join Politburo in major government reshuffle One of China’s rising political stars and an ally of President Xi Jinping made a rare appearance in the public spotlight yesterday, giving his first work report as Beijing’s mayor. Cai Qi was made the capital’s acting mayor last October and political analysts have made him a front runner to take a post in the Politburo in a government reshuffle in the autumn.
Roast-duck vendor dies from H7N9 bird flu in central China
A 36-year-old man has died after contracting H7N9 bird flu, according to health authorities in central China’s Henan province on Saturday. The man, identified only by the family name Zhang, died on Jan. 11, Henan provincial health and family planning commission said in a statement.
Beijing to spend billions to tackle air pollution
Beijing will spend more than 18.22 billion yuan to fight air pollution in 2017, officials said Saturday. Beijing aims to control the annual average density of PM 2.5 to around 60 micrograms this year, said Lu Yan, head of the Beijing Municipal Reform and Development Commission.
Trump may lift restrictions Obama placed against Russia if Putin helps battle terrorism
‘My mother raised me with everything I needed… she is no felon’: Teen girl snatched from hospital 18 years ago by woman dressed as a nurse defends her abductor after they’re found living together REVEALED: Trump says he’ll do away with Obama’s Russia sanctions if Kremlin helps US battle terrorism – and say’s he’s ready to meet Putin after inauguration Comedian Steve Harvey to assist Trump to bring ‘positive change’ to inner cities – and quips about organizing ‘Family Feud’ episode of Trumps v. Clintons Robin Thicke takes cops to ex’s house after son refuses to leave mother’s side: Singer leaves empty handed as cops say they won’t take child against his will in bitter custody dispute ‘I’m really sorry.
Beijing’s 2017 air pollution goal is more than double WHO’s acceptable standard
Smog billows from chimneys and cooling towers of a steel plant during hazy weather in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, China, Dec 28, 2016. Source: Reuters/Stringer BEIJING’s air quality target for 2017 is more than double the acceptable standard set by the World Health Organisation , the mayor announced on Saturday in the wake of weeks of hazardous air pollution in the Chinese capital.
Beijing sets 2017 air pollution goal at more than double WHO’s acceptable standard
Beijing’s air quality target for 2017 is more than double the acceptable standard set by the World Health Organisation , the mayor announced on Saturday in the wake of weeks of hazardous air pollution in the Chinese capital. “We will work hard to keep PM2.5 at an annual average of around 60 micrograms per cubic meter,” Beijing mayor Cai Qi said during his delivery of the city’s annual work report at the opening of the Beijing People’s Congress on Saturday.
Indian art finds new colour
Forget secret gardens, enchanted forests or mandalas. There’s a new set of colouring books in town, and they identify as Indian.
Hilarious backlash as Chelsea Handler tries to pin nuclear aggression on Trump
Lord save us from celebrities who are dumber than a box of rocks. Chelsea Handler made a fool of herself calling President-elect Donald Trump out for not handling North Korea.
China and Russia promise ‘countermeasures’ against a US-Korean missile defense system
China and Russia have expressed concern about a US plan to deploy an antimissile system in South Korea and vowed to take unspecified “countermeasures,” state media reported. The countermeasures “will be aimed at safeguarding interests of China and Russia and the strategic balance in the region,” China’s state news service Xinhua said on January 13. “China and Russia urged the United States and South Korea to address their security concerns and stop the deployment of [the antimissile system] on the Korean Peninsula,” Xinhua said.
Jodhpur: American woman levels domestic violence allegations against Indian husband
A woman of American-origin has registered a case of domestic violence against her husband, who hails from Rajasthan’s Jodhpur. According to ANI, the victim named Carmen Rojash, had married Yogesh Jain in Hong Kong around three years ago.
Report: ‘Very Credible’ Trump Dossier Author Has Gone Into Hiding
As of Thursday, the debate over the credibility of the purported opposition research dossier on Donald Trump alleging that Russia has blackmail material on him continues to be the top news story in America. The Guardian stoked the fire with a report citing their intelligence community sources as saying that Christopher Steele , the former MI-6 officer who authored the dossier, is considered “very credible” and a “highly regarded professional.”