Broadcasting Time: 08:00 AM, GMT:+8:00, 2008-06-17

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Vice Premier Calls for More Effective Measures to Fight Flooding in South China

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has stressed that south China is at a critical moment in the fight against flood.

The vice premier told an urgently-called meeting that all related departments and local authorities in southern China should continue to take effective measures in order to minimize the loss of life and wealth.

Since June 7, 12 provinces and regions in southern China was swept by continuously heavy rain, with some areas weathering the heaviest rainfall in 100 years. Some cities and regions were faced with threats of serious flooding.

Rebuilding Homes is Top Priority for Quake Relief Cash

China's State Council says rebuilding homes is the first priority for quake-relief as donations hit 54 billion yuan, or 7.8 billion U.S. dollars.

As it steps up efforts to safeguard the handling of the billions donated, the State Council's guide on the use of quake relief funds aims to ensure a transparent and efficient management of the increasing relief fund.

Use of donations will be administered by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The funds will be allocated for rebuilding houses first, then in restoring public facilities, helping the disadvantaged, and rebuilding infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

China's Aviation Makers Start Consolidation for Large Jet Building

China begins the restructuring of its aviation industry by consolidating the two leading state-owned aircraft designers and producers.

Two leading State-owned aircraft enterprises will merge to form the China Aviation Industry Group Corporation.

The new company is expected to be officially inaugurated in July.

China, Japan Make Progress on East China Sea Consultation

China`s Foreign Ministry says remarkable progress has been made during consultations with Japan on the East China Sea dispute.

The Ministry says the two sides are working out the final details and the governments of the two countries will make an announcement once an agreement is reached.

Since 2004 China and Japan have carried out several rounds of talks on resolving disputes over the East China Sea.

Asia, Europe to Make Concerted Efforts to Counter Factors Destabilizing Global Economy

Asian and European finance ministers have agreed to increase measures to counter factors destabilizing the global economy.

In a statement released after a meeting in South Korea, the ministers said they remain positive about the long-term outlook of the global economy, while at the same time they recognize that short-term economic prospects have weakened.

They said tackling surging oil, food and other commodities prices are issues needing a concerted effort.

Africa Progress Panel Demands Int'l Action on Global Food Crisis

In its first annual report, the Africa Progress Panel chaired by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan demands international action to deal with the urgent threat of spiraling world food prices.

An 11-member panel of world leaders say the world food crisis "threatens to destroy years, if not decades, of economic progress" as "100 million people are being pushed back into absolute poverty."

The report emphasizes that a significant proportion of this group is in Africa, in countries struggling with chronic malnutrition, hunger and infant mortality.

Annan urges G8 leaders to take immediate steps to get their commitments to Africa back on target.

U.S.-South Korea Beef Talks to Continue

U.S and South Korean officials have agreed to continue talks over the resumption of American beef imports in spite of no progress in the current round of negotiations.

Last-minute schedule changes mean U.S. Trade Representative spokeswoman Gretchen Hamel and South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon will have the more time need to find a mutually acceptable solution.

South Korea lifted its intermittent ban on American beef imports early this month as it struggles to ratify a sweeping free trade agreement with Washington.

However, following recent large-scale protests against the import of U.S. beef, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak suggests his country postpone the restart of U.S. beef import.

Second Round of Syrian-Israeli Indirect Peace Talks Concluded in Turkey

Israel and Syria have concluded the second round of indirect peace talks mediated by Turkey.

The general issues on the negotiating table are said to be the future of the Golan Heights, security arrangements, and civil agreements.

The two sides, which have a common goal of reaching a comprehensive lasting peace, have agreed to continue meeting and are expect to soon move on to the next stage where direct talks will be held.

Peace negotiations between Israel and Syria broke off in 2000.

150 Illegal Immigrants Died When Boat Sank off Libya

About 150 illegal immigrants have drowned after their boat sank off the Libyan shore while en route to Italy.

Most of the illegal immigrants died after the boat capsized in the Mediterranean on June 7.

The Libyan authorities have recovered 40 bodies but it's difficult to identify them.

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 20 Militants as Patrol Attacked

The Afghan National Security Forces and the U.S.-led Coalition forces have killed 20 militants after their combined reconnaissance patrol was attacked by the rebels in Afghanistan's Zabul province.

The past three weeks saw intensified militants' attacks and military operations by Afghan and foreign troops across the war- battered nation where last year insurgency-related violence and conflicts left some 8,000 people, mostly rebels, dead.