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Philippines on way to Asia sports power: President Arroyo

Philippines on way to Asia sports power: President Arroyo MANILA, Dec. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Monday hailed that the outstanding performance of Filipino athletes in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) made the country"on its way to becoming a sports power in Asia." President Arroyo said in a statement "we are on the road to becoming a sports power in Asia on the back of Filipino fighting spirit and solidarity." The 23rd SEAG starting Nov. 27 is set to draw down the curtain Monday night as the Philippines leads the

Asia news in brief

Asia news in brief Police special forces pulled people from cars and beat them Saturday, two days after a mob bludgeoned to death four of their security colleagues during a protest to demand the shutdown of a U.S.-owned gold mine in eastern Indonesia. The mob killed three police officers and an air force officer during the protest Thursday in Jayapura. Police have arrested 12 people. Protesters complain that the mine owned by Freeport-McMoRan has earned the New Orleans-based company billions of dollars but that the local community has received little benefit. More: mercurynews.com

Second Zim Asia officer to face charges

Second Zim Asia officer to face charges The police's National Fraud Squad wrapped up its investigation Tuesday into a September collision between the Israeli Zim Asia cargo ship and a Japanese fishing boat in which seven Japanese fishermen were killed. Police recommended indicting the ship's second officer - Pilastro Zdrako - a Serbian national with negligent homicide and the violation of Port Authority regulations. In the case of the ship's captain, Moshe Ben David, police said they found deficiencies in his performance but refrained from issuing a recommendation on whether he should be indicted. Police passed his file to the prosecution,

Asia news in brief

Asia news in brief South Korean government prosecutors called for the arrest of Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong Koo on Thursday and said they would continue to investigate possible wrongdoing by his son, Kia Motors President Chung Eui Sun, sparking fears that the companies could be derailed just as they are emerging as global competitors. But a top Kia Motors executive said the investigation, which could lead to prison sentences for one or both Chungs, will not affect the companys plan to build a $1.2 billion factory in West Point, Ga., its first in the United States. Indonesias rumbling Mount Merapi is spewing

South East Asia Briefs

South East Asia Briefs MANILA: Asean has sought permanent observer status in the UN, the Philippine Ambassador to the UN, Lauro Baja, said. Mr Baja said that with observer status, Asean would have a seat in all UN meetings that the grouping was interested in and would gain added visibility and importance. Asean is the worlds only regional grouping that does not have observer status in the UN. Drug ring busted KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police broke up the largest marijuana smuggling syndicate in the northern region with the arrests of eight suspects and seizure of drugs valued at more than 370,000 ringgit