Death Toll from Northeast China Colliery Explosion Rises to 92

Local authorities has increased the death toll in the coal mine blast in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province to 92.
21 others are still missing.
Rescue workers are continuing their efforts to reach the trapped workers.
Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang, who is at the scene, has urged all-out efforts to save the trapped miners and to protect rescuers from secondary disasters.
He ordered to set up a State Council investigation team and also urged officials in other regions to learn lessons from the accident and step up work safety measures.

Senior leader urges to publicize experiences in tackling global financial crisis

A senior Chinese leader has called on the publicity and ideological sectors to vigorously publicize the success and fresh experiences in tackling global financial crisis and promoting industrial upgrading.
Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, made the remarks during an inspection tour to southern Guangdong Province which ended on Sunday.
He urged the sectors to work hard to further boost confidence of the cadres and people, and step up support for achieving the goals of economic and social development this year.

Top Chinese Political Advisor Hails Bilateral Ties with Peru

China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin arrived in Lima for his two-day visit to Peru. Upon his arrival at the Peruvian capital, Jia Qinglin delivered a speech in which he praised the development of bilateral cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1971.
Jia Qinglin is scheduled to hold meetings with the Peruvian leadership and attend the opening ceremony of a China-Peru business forum. He visited the Philippines and French Polynesia last week and will visit Ecuador and Brazil.

Death Toll Rises in Indonesian Ferry Incident

According to the latest report, 29 people have been found dead so far after a ferry sank by the waters off Riau province of Indonesia. Rescuers say they were able to evacuate 245 survivors.
Rescue work was temporarily halted during Sunday evening due to weather conditions. Authorities say the death toll may increase if survivors still in the waters cannot last through the night.

Presidential elections begin in Romania

The presidential elections began on Sunday in Romania, over 18 million eligible voters are expected to turn to polls to elect a new president for the next five-year term.
President Traian Basescu failed to win Parliament support for a new prime minister and the country will likely not to have a legitimate government in place before the election runoff scheduled for December 6.

U.S. Senate votes to move health care reform bill forward

The U.S. Senate has voted to move an overhaul health care reform bill forward, removing the first procedural hurdle for the bill to be passed in the chamber.
Supported by all of the 60 Democratic and independent senators, the bill was voted to be in a full-scale debate in the Senate starting Nov. 30 after this year's Thanksgiving holiday.
However, all Republican senators said no to the Democrats-backed bill except one who missed the voting.
So far, the Democratic party has yet gained commitment of all the 60 Democratic and independent senators to the passage of the bill without further changes.

Japanese gov't finds documents proving existence of secret nuke pact: reports

The Japanese foreign ministry has found documents proving the existence of a secret Japan-U.S. pact that allows U.S. military vessels or aircraft carrying nuclear weapons to enter Japanese territory.
Local media have reported that a team of about 15 people, led by Mitsuru Kitano, a secretariat councilor in the ministry, found the documents during an investigation of ministry files.
As the secret nuclear pact serves as a breach of Japan's three non-nuclear principles of possessing, producing or permitting the bringing-in of nuclear weapons on its soil, Former LDP-led government had always denied its existence.

Iran starts aerial defense maneuver: TV

Iran has started a large-scale joint aerial defense maneuver to prepare itself for any potential attacks against the country.
State television reported the five-day war game will cover about 600,000 square kilometers of central, western and southern parts of Iran.
An Iranian military official says the maneuver is aimed at developing the country's aerial defense against any potential attacks -- especially on the country's nuclear plants.

10 Palestinians wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza

At least 10 Palestinians were wounded in Israeli airstrikes on various targets in the Gaza Strip early Sunday,
Israel says that attacks have targeted weapon factories and workshops that produced home-made rockets.
The airstrikes are reported to be in response to a Palestinian rocket attack on southern Israel late Saturday.
No Palestinian group had claimed responsibility for firing the rocket .

Iconic Michael Jackson Glove Sells for $350,000 US Dollars

The iconic rhinestone-studded white glove that Michael Jackson wore when he permierd his moonwalk dance in 1983 was auctioned off for $350,000 US dollars, without tax.
Hong Kong resident Hoffman Ma who bought the glove on behalf of a Macau casino and hotel, will pay a total of $420,000 US dollars, including taxes and fees. The final sales price far exceeded pre-auction estimate.