Design flaws, mismanagement blamed for train crash

54 officials have now been punished in connection with design flaws and mismanagement that led to the disastrous high-speed train crash in Wenzhou in July.
After a half-year probe, the State Council has now officially determined the crash in Zhejiang was caused by a series of flaws in the train's operational control system, on top of an inadequate emergency response from the railway authorities.
Former Railways Minister Liu Zhijun and the former Deputy Chief Engineer for the Ministry are among the 54 who have been punished.
On July 23rd, a high-speed train rammed into another train which was stalled on the tracks, leaving 40 people dead and 172 others hurt.
North Koreans bid final farewell to late leader Kim Jong Il

North Koreans have bid a teary farewell to late leader Kim Jong Il.
A farewell ceremony has been held in the plaza of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, where Kim Jong Il has been lying in state since his death.
North Korea's KCNA news agency has carried the three-hour procession, showing columns of troops standing in the snow, as a limousine carrying a huge portrait of Kim Jong-il moved slowly along the route.
Kim Jong Un, the late leader's third son, walked alongside the hearse.
Commemorations are expected to continue today, with a three-minute silence at noon, which will be followed by trains and ships sounding their horns.
The national memorial service will then begin in the afternoon.
Japan and India see greater economic and infrastructural relations

Japanese and Indian officials are calling for stronger economic and infrastructure ties.
The two countries have agreed to a 15 billion dollar currency swap.
At the same time, Japan is set to offer India billions of dollars in loans to help build a transportation corridor from New Delhi to the financial hub of Mumbai.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda made the announcement before wrapping up his visit to India.
"First of all with regard to the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, Japan shall implement in the tune of 4.5 billion U.S. dollars over the coming five years."
At the same time, the two countries are also hoping to speed up talks for nuclear cooperation.
Egypt's ex-president Hosni Mubarak's trial resumes after three-month halt

Ex-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's trial has resumed.
The latest session lasted for more than 3-hours.
Mubarak and his two sons are being represented by 5 Kuwaiti lawyers, which has aroused anger among the Egyptian population, who suggest the case shouldn't involve any foreigners.
Mubarak is facing a raft of charges, including the ordering of assaults on the demonstrations which eventually led to his ouster.
The trial has been adjourned to next Monday.
Pentagon warns Iran against blocking oil passageway

The Pentagon has issued a strong warning to Iran, saying any attempt by Iran to block the Strait of Hormuz will "not be tolerated."
A spokesperson for the US military establishment also notes the Strait of Hormuz is a critical lifeline for Iran as well.
The Iranian government has been threatening to block the Strait, which links the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, if any sanctions are levied on Iran's oil exports.
The Iranian navy is currently conducting a 10-day training mission in the region.
Agriculture still vital to China

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu is warning that any disruption in this country's agricultural supply chain could hamper this country's overall development.
Hui Liangyu's comments come amid new stats which show that grain output here in China has risen 4.5 percent this year to a record high of more than 570 million tonnes.
The vice premier is also joining the chorus of other Chinese leaders in calling for more protection of farmers' land rights, following the demonstrations earlier this month in Guangdong over illegal land-grabs.
Chinese defense department, army continue to conduct foreign exchanges in 2012

China's Defence Ministry is putting out a promise to continue its high-level foreign military exchanges in the coming year.
A spokesperson for the military contends the foreign contact the Chinese military has had this year has done a lot to help modernize this country's armed forces.
More than 50 foreign military delegations have come to China this year.
The Chinese military has also conducted 8 separate joint training drills with other armed forces.
China pledges crackdown on ticket scalping for Spring Festival travel rush

The Ministry of Public Security is promising a crackdown on train ticket scalpers during the upcoming Spring Festival.
Scalpers normally take advantage of the lack of ticket supplies during the peak travel period, hoarding the tickets and reselling them at inflated prices.
To try to curb the practice, many stations are implementing a real-name ticket selling system that requires passengers to provide their identification.
Police are also being urged to be extra vigilant when it comes to identifying fake documentation.
It is estimated that a record 235 million trips will be made by railway during this year's Spring Festival period.