20120915voa
More anti-U.S. protests over an anti-Muslim film. And the U.N. envoy is to meet with Assad. I am Frances Alonzo reporting from Washington.
Demonstrations continued for a fourth day across the Muslim world over an American-made anti-Islamic video. U.S. and other foreign missions have stepped up security after violent attacks that began Tuesday. (Protesters) in several cities across the Middle East, South and East Asia and Africa spread out after midday prayers Friday, denouncing the video and those they feel have not done enough to stop it. Demonstrations continued near U.S. embassy in Cairo, with protesters throwing rocks at riot police, who responded with (tear gas).
Police in Sudan’s capital have clashed with thousands of protesters heading toward the U.S. embassy. Witnesses said police fired tear gas at the demonstrators, who are also protesting that film that was deemed offensive to Muslims and the Prophet Muhammad. An embassy employee told VOA that the embassy is being protected by more than 200 Sudanese SWAT team police officers.
Pope Benedict arrived in Beirut Friday on three-day visit to Lebanon. The Pope was welcomed by the Lebanese President and cheering supporters. Pope Benedict is expected to meet with Lebanese officials and leaders of Christian communities.
The new U.N.-Arab League (envoy) to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, is set to talk with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad later Friday in Damascus. He continues his first official visit to the country. He also plans to hold talks with members of the Syrian opposition.
Six Chinese patrol boats sailed into waters near disputed islands in the East China Sea on Friday. It's the latest stage of a confrontation with Japan over Tokyo nationalized the contended territory. VOA has this report from Beijing.
China's Foreign Ministry explained in a statement early on Friday that the surveillance ships were carrying out law (enforcement) over China's maritime rights. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, said that the Chinese side has taken completely justifiable actions to uphold its rights and interests. The ships, which had reached disputed waters early Friday, all left the area several hours later. When an ordered to leave, Japan's coast guard said the Chinese ships replied “these islands have been Chinese territory since ancient times.” The Japanese government, which recently had sealed a (deal) to purchase the islands from a private Japanese land owner called Beijing's move unprecedented and summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest. Jeff Caster ,VOA News.
India's government is opening its huge retail market to foreign retailers such as Wal-Mart, Tesco, and Carrefour. Friday's action allows foreign firms to own a majority stake in stores that sale more than one brand. Opponents of that action said it would hurt India's many very small (retailers) and cost many jobs. Meanwhile, the government there is facing strong political opposition to its decision to hike diesel prices, which are heavily subsidized. The increase is being seen as a signal that the government is willing to push through unpopular reforms to jumpstart the country's lagging economy. Anjana Pasricha reports from New Deli.
Protesters led by regional parties hit the streets in several cities, including Mumbai and Kolkata on Friday, demanding a rollback of the 14% hike in diesel prices, which has long been (subsidized) to benefit the India's transport sector. The increase, the steepest in several years, is meant to cut the country’s growing budget deficit and reduce the massive losses being incurred by state-run oil companies. Both allies of the Congress Party-led coalition government and opposition parties say the higher prices will hurt ordinary people, who are already getting with high inflation. Analysts say the move could ward off the risk of a downgrade in India’s investment rating by credit ratings agencies. Anjana Pasricha for VOA News, New Deli.
The White House is expected to spell out its plans on Friday, for implementing (automatic) spending cuts that would take effect at the end of the year if there is no agreement on the budget. The $109 billion automatic budget cut, called “sequestration”, is required under a deficit reduction agreement reached in 2011.
Meanwhile, stock markets in Asia and Europe surged Friday as investors cheered the U.S. central bank’s of aggressive actions to boost the sluggish American economy. The Hong Kong index advanced nearly 3% and the Tokyo market almost 2%. Stock indexes in London, Frankfurt and Paris are higher, while key exchanges in the U.S. continued their gains in early trading Friday after a big surge late Thursday.
More details on this and more at voanews.com. I am Frances Alonzo, VOA News.