Chinese premier specifies five tasks for political reform

Premier Wen Jiabao has now outlined five areas that have to be addressed by the government in order to reform the country's political system.
The premier says running the country according to the law, promoting social fairness and justice, safeguarding judicial justice, ensuring people's democratic rights and combating corruption are the five areas to concentrate on.
Wen made the statement in response to a question raised by World Economic Forum Chairman Klaus Schwab at the Summer Davos session which is now underway in Dalian.
Wen Jiabao also expressed his confidence about the state of the global economy, even as Europe struggles with a debt crisis and Washington tries to revive America's sluggish growth.
"China will adhere to a strategy of expanding domestic consumption, focusing on adjusting and optimizing the demand structure and increasing the momentum triggered by consumption."
He also added that he vows to keep a tight lid on the country's inflation, following a drop in the consumer price index from a three-year high of 6.5 percent in July to 6.2 percent in August.
Chinato study lifting UN sanctions on Libya: spokesperson

After that China has formally recognized the National Transitional Council as the legitimate government of Libya, the Chinese side is now looking into how to lift UN sanctions.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu says the decision to lift the sanctions on Libya should also be made by the UN Security Council through consultation.
She adds the Chinese side will earnestly study the relevant draft resolution, and is ready to maintain communication with all relevant parties on this issue.
U.S.envoy: encouraged by Libyan new ruler command

On the front lines of Libya, opposition fighters are still battling for control of at least three towns held by supporters of Muammar Gaddafi.
The fighters surrounding the town of Bani Walid have had to pull back after suffering heavy casualties.
Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron are reportedly set to visit Libya later this Thursday.
Iranian and US envoys on nuclear dispute

The Iranian envoy to the IAEA is dismissing suggestions that his country is still trying to build secret nuclear weapons.
The Iranian ambassador to the IAEA, Ali Soltanieh, says no one has any evidence that his country's nuclear materials are being used for military purposes.
The IAEA, for the first time earlier this month, released a statement saying that it is "increasingly concerned" about credible intelligence suggesting that Iran is engaged in secret nuclear weapons development.
Meanwhile the U.S. has now formally dismissed an offer by Iran to discuss its nuclear programme with world powers.
Irans controversial Bushehr nuclear power plant officially became operational over the weekend.
Blasts, gunfire between gov't forces, opposition rebels rock Yemen's capital

Fierce streetbattles have flared up in Yemen's capital Sana'a between government forces and opposition armed rebels, leaving at least two rebels killed and three others injured.
At the same time, three explosions have hit the intelligence headquarters and a police station in the port city of Aden, leaving one soldier and one passerby killed, and 13 others injured.
The blasts came just hours after the authorities approved tightened security across Aden to prevent any infiltration by al-Qaida militants from the neighboring province of Abyan.
Italy gives final approval to austerity plan

The Italian parliament has given final approval to the government's controversial austerity measures.
The Lower House has approved the package by a narrow vote of 314 to 300.
The measure aims to reduce Italy's deficit by more than 54 billion euros over three years through budget cuts, tax hikes and pension system reform.
During the final vote, violent protests took place outside the parliament.
World Bank chief stresses "responsible stakeholder" role in new landscapes

World Bank President Robert Zoellick is calling on all countries to become "responsible stakeholders" in the shifting global economic and political landscapes.
In a speech the World Bank IMF's annual meetings slated for late this month in Washington, Zoellick notes the world has changed dramatically since 1944, when the Bretton Woods system was created for the global economy.
The World Bank head notes that developing countries are no longer colonial dependencies.
Zoellick points out those economies now take a growing share of the world economy.
At the same time, though, Zoellick is also taking issue with developing economies that are critical of developed economies debt burdens.
He points out that many developing countries are also running huge fiscal defecits, suggesting many of their debt levels are also at historic highs.
10 killed, 14 injured after bus overturns in Shanghai

10 people are dead and 14 others hurt after a bus overturned in Shanghai last night
24 people were on board when the bus overturned in Pudong district.
7 died at the scene, while 3 others later died in hospital.
Police are now investigating the cause of the accident.