China reaffirms its hope for restraint over ROK warship sinking
China is again calling on both North and South Korea to avoid confrontation in their escalating dispute over the sinking of a South Korean naval ship in March.
North Korea's says it will scrap an inter Korean agreement on preventing accidental naval clashes. South Korea has already halted trade with the North.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu says China remains committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
"It is better to have dialogue rather than engaging in confrontation and an eased situation is better than tension. We hope all parties remain calm and properly handle related problems to avoid an escalation of tension. This is in the common interest of all parties."
Investigators accuse Pyongyang of torpedoing a South Korean warship in March, killing 46 sailors. North Korea denies any involvement.

Foxconn employee attempts suicide, survives after treatment
There has been another suicide attempt at the Foxconn Technology Group in Shenzhen. This time the employee survived after being rushed to hospital.
The 25 year old man, surnamed Chen, tried to slit his wrists in the Foxconn dormitories. Chen joined the company back in March.
Two Foxconn employees have already died this week after throwing them selves off building on the company's campus.
A total of ten people have died this year by committing suicide.

Gulf spill surpasses Valdez; plug try going well
The massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is now the worst spill in US history, surpassing even the Exxon Valdez leak in 1989, where thousands of barrels of oil spilled along Alaska's coast line.
In the Gulf, the 'Top Kill' procedure to block the leak is still underway. Heavy drilling mud is being pumped into the ruptured well in an effort to hold down the oil.
BP Chief operating officer Doug Suttles says the procedure appears to be working so far.
" The job has been proceeding according to plan, we started pumping operations at one o'clock this afternoon, we've pumped over 7 thousand barrels of drilling mud so far, at varying rates, but up to 65 barrels per minute."
US President Barack Obama is expected to announce a six month ban on deepwater oil drilling, while a presidential commission investigates the BP spill.

Jamaica: 73 killed in hunt for alleged drug lord
73 civilians have now been killed in the Jamaican capital, Kingston, as the hunt for the alleged drug kingpin Christopher Coke—who is wanted in the US-- continues.
Officials say 3 police officers and a soldier have also been killed.
In the Tivoli Gardens slum where most of the fighting has taken place, police are going door-to-door to search for Coke. One slum resident says he is saddened by what has happened to his neighborhood.
"Its a disaster. I have never seen anything like this in my life. In　42 years I have been living here and I have never ever seen anything like this."
Security forces are now in control of Tivoli Gardens. Coke has widespread support in the slum and is referred to as 'president' by many residents.

Israeli commandos to block Gaza activists
Israel has unveiled a massive makeshift detention center in its main southern port, as it vows to stop a flotilla of more than 700 pro-Palestinian activists on their way to the Gaza Strip by sea.
The activists want to break the 3 year blockade of the strip by bringing humanitarian supplies with them.
Israeli military authorities say naval commandos will meet the eight ships out at sea and escort them to port.
"The IDF (Israeli Defense Force) is following the government's order to prevent the entrance of this provocative flotilla into the shores of Israel. We have no problem whatsoever if those goods were sent the usual way to the Ashdod port and we will pass it over to the Gazans after taking care of all the security checks."
Israel says the activists, which include a noble peace laureate and former US congresswoman, will be arrested if they do not agree to leave the country.

Obama security doctrine stresses diplomacy
The Obama administration has unveiled a new national security policy which emphasizes multilateral diplomacy over military might – a big shift from the Bush-ear policy of 'going it alone'.
The National Security Strategy lays out how the US will engage other countries in conflict. A significant omission in Obama's strategy is the allowance of pre-emptive war, which was put in place by George Bush.

China's government promises crackdown on farm produce profiteers
China's State Council has pledged to crack down on speculators who have sent the price of garlic, mung bean and other non staple grains soaring this year.
Officials say speculators have been hoarding certain products, which has pushed prices up. Food hoarders can now be fined up to 1 million RMB
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, mung bean was prices at 9 yuan a kilogram in October last year. This month, the price has soared to 20 yuan a kilogram.

China, India sign 3 pacts
China and India have signed three bilateral cooperation pacts, following a meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Indian President Pratibha Patil in Beijing.
The deal includes agreements on simplifying visa applications for airline staff of the two countries, as well as increasing cooperation in civil services and sports.