World Briefs

CHINA has established a USD10 billion fund to support the country’s industrial cooperation with Latin America, the central bank announced yesterday. Initiated by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the central bank, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and the China Development Bank (CDB), the fund will provide medium- and long-term financing to major projects, the PBOC said in a statement.

TIBET The exiled Tibetan government says there is no cause for celebrating 50 years since China formed the Tibetan Autonomous Region, and insisted yesterday instead marks a half-century of occupation and control over the once-independent Himalayan nation. The Tibetan government-in-exile issued the statement as China was reveling in lavish celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Japan’s World War II defeat. Earlier this year, China released a military strategy statement again declaring Tibet has been an integral part of China since antiquity.

INDIA Rioters rampage in the northeast Indian state of Manipur, setting fire to the homes of seven lawmakers to protest new legislation defining who can claim to be from the state. One person died while trapped in a burning house and two died when police fired to disperse the arsonists.

INDIA Monsoon floods inundate hundreds of villages across the northeast Indian state of Assam, killing at least 21 people in the last four days and forcing some 800,000 people to leave their homes.

PAKISTAN A Pakistani Taliban suicide bomber blows himself up near a vehicle carrying an area commander of the tribal police in northwest Pakistan, killing four people and wounding at least 52.

AFGHANISTAN‘s president calls for a “holy war” against corruption, one of the major problems facing his war-torn country as he tries to improve its economy and create jobs.

NEPAL Officials say police in southern Nepal opened fire on members of an ethnic group demanding a new state in a draft constitution, killing five people in two separate towns.

SRI LANKA‘s president asks the country’s newly elected lawmakers to draft political reforms to promote ethnic reconciliation and economic development in the post-war era.

PHILIPPINES The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Philippine President Benigno Aquino III to act to stop attacks against the press in the country after three journalists were killed recently.

JAPAN Former “Flipper” trainer Ric O’Barry is arrested for not carrying his passport while in Japan to protest a dolphin hunt due to begin this week.

SYRIA A satellite image shows that the main building of the ancient Temple of Bel in the Syrian city of Palmyra has been destroyed, a United Nations agency says.

LEBANESE protesters broke into the Environment Ministry in downtown Beirut yesterday, demanding the resignation of the minister over the country’s snowballing trash crisis. The group from the movement known as “You Stink” posted a video of about 30 demonstrators sitting cross-legged on the floor, clapping and shouting slogans against the minister, Mohammed Machnouk.