World Travel News

Indonesia says U.S. opened SE Asia door to China

Indonesia chided the United States on Wednesday for paying too little attention to Southeast Asia, warning Washington that its focus on Iraq and combating terrorism globally had opened a door to China.

Beijings diplomats had effectively eased fears that Chinas rapid economic rise and growing military might posed a threat to its Southeast Asian neighbors, a senior aide to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in Canberra on Wednesday.

There have been some contrasts drawn between the U.S. approach and the Chinese approach, presidential spokesman and adviser Dino Patti Djalal told a security conference.

More : washingtonpost.com

Europe Roundup: Equities advance

European stock markets advanced yesterday, with the London FTSE 100 index rising 0.96 per cent to close at 5,930.10 points.

In Paris the CAC 40 rose 0.45 per cent to finish at 5,243.10 while in Frankfurt the DAX added 0.49 per cent to reach 5,989.71 points. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index closed unofficially up 0.5 per cent at 1,395.8 points.

European shares nudged closer to five-year highs yesterday, buoyed by Spanish utilities and retailers as flurry of takeover activity centred on the sector, while mining stocks provided support.

More : btimes.com.my

India, Pakistan differ on joint terror mechanism

The anti-terrorism joint mechanism agreed between India and Pakistan has already run into rough weather even before its maiden meeting.

Indications available here are that Islamabad sees Jammu and Kashmir as outside the scope and purview of this joint mechanism.

Even more outrageous, from the Indian point of view, is the line being taken by Islamabad that it may be prepared to include terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in the joint mechanism on terror, but definitely not the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM).

More : tribuneindia.com

Brash, Bawdy Scissor Sisters Slice Into America

For the last several years, the Scissor Sisters, Americas most sparklingly delicious band, has ruled the British charts while largely remaining secret to mainstream audiences in its home country.

But with this weeks release of its second album Ta-Dah — and an appearance on the top-rated show Dancing With the Stars — the New York-based glam rock band wants to bring the party back home.

We make music that speaks to people no matter what age or sex. Thats our purpose, said the bands multi-instrumentalist and co-songwriter, Scott Babydaddy Hoffman.

More : abcnews.go.com

Korea beats Canada

A lack of offence was a concern throughout the 22nd World Junior championships.

And it was a major difficulty in the semi-final as Korea held Canada to four hits in the semi-final, a 6-1 Korea win. Rather than playing Team USA for gold, Canada will now play Mexico for bronze.

A win would have given Canada a chance for only its second gold-medal and first since 1991 at Kindersley, Sask. Canada has won the bronze medal four times before: in 2002, 1997, 1987 and 1983.

More : slam.canoe.ca