EU, Asia Want 'Flexible' China Currency

EU and Asian officials says they would like to see China's currency become more flexible but stepped back from demanding Beijing revalue the yuan.

In a statement at the end of two days of talks, EU and Asian finance ministers did not mention exchange rates although they stressed the need to cut global imbalances to ensure "stable and sustainable conditions" for world economic growth. 

UN Chief Urges Israel, Palestinians to Restrain

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has voiced concern over the recent upsurge in Middle East violence and called on Israel and Palestinians to refrain from any measures that could escalate the violence.

Annan called on the Palestinian Authority "to take a clear public stand against violence and to take firm measures against the perpetrators of rocket attacks and suicide bombings." 

World Bank Funds China's Ecologically-Friendly Cities

The World Bank has loaned the Chinese government one million U.S. dollars to aid efforts to build ecologically-friendly cities.

The Ministry of Finance is held responsible for implementing the program, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year. 

Charles and Camilla Mark 1st Anniversary

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, marked their first wedding anniversary privately on Sunday at the Scottish estate where they spent their honeymoon.

The couple, who recently returned from a trip to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and India, were relaxing at the royal Balmoral estate in Scotland. They planned no public celebration. 

Top 50 Chinese Destinations for Foreigners Announced

Fifty tourist sites, including the Forbidden City, Mount Everest and the Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan, have been chosen as the "Top 50 Chinese Destinations for Foreigners," according to the results of a public poll.