News for Friday, February 16, 2007
• China Increasingly Suffering from Student Brain Drain Chinese students who go abroad to attend university increasingly choose to stay overseas. Chinese state media say the country faces a brain drain as it has the highest ratio of students not returning to their home country.
• Kagame: Rwanda Wants to Join Commonwealth Rwandan President Paul Kagame says his country hopes to join the Commonwealth later this year, underlining a bitter rift with France.
• Verdict Expected in Turkey 2003 Bombings Trial News reports from Turkey say a ruling is expected soon in the trial of 73 al-Qaida-linked militants accused of involvement in a wave deadly bombings in Istanbul more than three years ago.
• Proposed Minimum Wage Law in Hong Kong Sparks Debate A proposed minimum wage law in Hong Kong has sparked opposition from the territory's influential business sector. Business executives say such a law would contradict Hong Kong's long-held trust in the market's ability to set salaries. But as VOA's Heda Bayron tells us in a report prepared by Lindsay Cui in Hong Kong, labor activists say low-skilled workers need to be protected.
• Noted Colombian Lawmaker Arrested for Possible Ties with Paramilitaries The brother of a Colombian Cabinet minister has been arrested in connection with a criminal probe involving politicians suspected of having ties with far-right paramilitary squads.
• Moroccan Defendant Denies Involvement in Madrid Train Bombings A Moroccan man on trial for the 2004 Madrid train bombings has denied involvement in the deadly attacks.
• Thirteenth Egyptian Dies From Bird Flu A 37-year-old woman has become the 13th person in Egypt to die of the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
• American Business Leader in China Differs With US Senators on Solving American Trade Deficit The head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing says the attempt by three U.S. senators to rescind China's permanent trade status is a "simplistic" response to America's massive trade deficit with China, and inconsistent with World Trade Organization rules. Daniel Schearf reports for VOA from Beijing.
• Liberian President Promises Results From US Aid Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says Liberians will soon see more tangible results of international efforts to help the country recover from its long civil war.
• Italian Judge Sets June Trial Date for Alleged CIA Kidnapping Case An Italian judge has ordered 26 Americans - most thought to be CIA agents - and the former head of Italy's military intelligence service to stand trial for the alleged CIA kidnapping of a Muslim cleric in 2003.
• Venezuelan President Vows to Fight Inflation With Currency, Tax Changes Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he will slash the nation's value added tax.
• France-Africa Summit Participants Call for Immediate Solution in Guinea French and African leaders ended a two-day summit in Cannes, Friday with a call for Sudan to facilitate deployment of U.N. peacekeepers. The participants also demanded a solution to the violence that has erupted in Guinea. Anita Elash reports for VOA from Paris.
• American Skier Lindsey Kildow Injures Knee American skier Lindsey Kildow is missing the final two events of the world alpine championships in Are, Sweden because of an injured right knee.
• Fear of AIDS Makes Some Men Reconsider Polygamy in Zimbabwe In Zimbabwe, some men from the Tonga ethnic group say economic hardship and the growing HIV/AIDS pandemic have prompted them to re-think the benefits of polygamy. The practice is widespread in their community and supported by their culture. However, several younger men say they intend to continue with the practice. Local women, who're most effected, have little (if any) input in ongoing discussions.
• US House Set to Vote on Resolution Disapproving of Bush's Iraq Strategy The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on a resolution Friday opposing President Bush's troop buildup for Iraq.
• Bomb Explodes in Southeastern Iran Reports from Iran say a bomb has exploded in the southeast of the country, the second bombing in the area in the past week.
• US Homeland Security Chief in Mexico for Talks on Border, Security U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says Mexico and the United States need to secure their border before the U.S. Congress will approve any measure to grant more immigrants legal passage into the United States. James Blears has more for VOA from Mexico City, where Chertoff was on an official visit.
• Afghan President Promises Forces To Counter Next Taleban Offensive Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Friday in Rome that any upcoming attacks from the Taleban would be dependent on outside support. Speaking after a meeting with the Italian prime minister, Mr. Karzai vowed such attacks would be countered with "vigor and force." Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.
• US Calls on Guinea to Lift Martial Law The United States says it is deeply concerned over the crisis in Guinea following weeks of deadly protests and the imposition of martial law.