AsiaNews - External News

General
	China seizes on Mattel apology to emphasize safety China highlighted Mattel's apology over its recall of huge numbers of toys on Monday to press Beijing's claim that its exports are generally safe and foreign politicians and media have unfairly hyped quality scares.
	Bush hopes to buy time for Iraq strategy By promising that the extra combat troops sent to Iraq will come home next year if conditions allow, President Bush hopes to buy enough patience from politicians and the public for success to bloom in that fractured, violent country.
	Bank board considers Wolfowitz's future Paul Wolfowitz's future as World Bank president rests with the 24 board members who are trying to resolve conflict-of-interest charges that have roiled the poverty-fighting institution.
	Talks to resume on bill to fund Iraq war Congressional Democrats and President Bush's top aides will enter another round of high-stakes negotiations on funding for the Iraq war in what has become an exhaustive test of wills.
	Taiwanese MPs in parliament brawl Legislators in Taiwan threw punches, sprayed water and wrestled violently, in a row over an electoral reform bill.
	UN rights warning on Central Asia The United Nations' human rights chief has ended a two-week visit to Central Asia by saying serious obstacles remain to democracy in the region.
	China warns of population growth China's top family planning body has warned of a "population rebound" as couples flout one child policy rules.
	Asian currency unit on the agenda NEW DELHI: The Asian Currency Unit (ACU) — a concept backed by the Asian Development Bank, president Haruhiko Kuroda, will feature in the discussions at the upcoming annual meeting of the bank next week. The bank is working towards creating a weighted index of Asian currencies.
	Hyundai Motor chairman quizzed Hyundai Automotive Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo was questioned by the prosecution yesterday over alleged slush funds and illicit business deals believed to have aided transferring management control of the group to his son.
	Abu Ghraib reopens old wounds for US Abu Ghraib has returned to haunt the US military -- a scandal for which no senior US military officer or official has ever been sanctioned.
	China's hardware, India's software "You are No 1 in software. We are No 1 in hardware," Zhu Rongji told an Indian audience in 2002, adding, "If we put these together, we are the world's No 1." The uncanny complementarity he spoke of extends far beyond the IT industry, and if the two nations can redress each other's deficiencies, the consequences will be momentous.
	Cambodian opposition member freed A top Cambodian opposition politician has been freed from jail after serving just one year of a seven-year term.
	As demand rises, East Asia learning to cooperate over oil Flying westward about an hour off Palawan Island in the Philippines, you come to a large, rusting ship lying grounded on a sandbank in the South China Sea.
	French Government Pledges to Tackle Debt The French government on Wednesday ruled out giving away more tax cuts if it is re-elected next year, as ministers presented plans to reduce the country's massive debt.
	Internet poses political challenge to Asian governments Asian governments attempting to control the free flow of information face a struggle as their citizens increasingly turn to the Internet for alternative views, a report said Wednesday
	Internet firms evolve into venture financiers Internet companies, perhaps taking a tip from their own successes, are becoming major drivers in venture business investment funds.
	China reforms its currency market China has approved 13 domestic and foreign banks to act as market-makers for yuan trading, in another move towards a more flexible currency.
	China's economy grew an estimated 9.8% in 2005 China's economy grew an estimated 9.8% in 2005, much faster than expected, according to a senior Chinese official.