International and national briefs
Issue date: 9/12/06 Section: News
Japan celebrates royal birth
Japan’s succession crisis may be resolved as Princess Kiko, wife of the Japanese emperor’s second son, gave birth to a boy. The child will be become the first male heir to be born to the fmily in more than forty years, making him third in line to the throne. The princess also has two other children, both females, who will not be able to ascend the throne.
Blair could step down next May
Amidst calls for British Prime Minister Tony Blair to step down, seventeen labor MPs have formally signed a letter to request Blair to give up his position. According to a British newspaper, a timetable has also been set up that states 31 May 2007 as the day that the prime minister will announce his step down as Labor leader, and 26 July 2007 as prime minister. Downing Street has not commented on the statement.
Lead poisoning in China
Chinese media reports that hundreds of residents in north-west China are sick from lead poisoning. The two villages affected are in the province of Gansu, and residents are currently seeking treatment in a hospital after high levels of lead was found in their blood. The cause of the poisoning is suspected to have been from a nearby local plant.
Death sentence for Bali Nine
Four men, also part of the group called the Bali Nine, have been sentenced to death by Indonesia’s Supreme Court. They were arrested in April 2005 when they attempted to smuggle 18 pounds of heroin from Indonesia to Australia. Australian foreign minister told the media that “at the appropriate time,” an appeal would be made for clemency.
Japan’s succession crisis may be resolved as Princess Kiko, wife of the Japanese emperor’s second son, gave birth to a boy. The child will be become the first male heir to be born to the fmily in more than forty years, making him third in line to the throne. The princess also has two other children, both females, who will not be able to ascend the throne.
Blair could step down next May
Amidst calls for British Prime Minister Tony Blair to step down, seventeen labor MPs have formally signed a letter to request Blair to give up his position. According to a British newspaper, a timetable has also been set up that states 31 May 2007 as the day that the prime minister will announce his step down as Labor leader, and 26 July 2007 as prime minister. Downing Street has not commented on the statement.
Lead poisoning in China
Chinese media reports that hundreds of residents in north-west China are sick from lead poisoning. The two villages affected are in the province of Gansu, and residents are currently seeking treatment in a hospital after high levels of lead was found in their blood. The cause of the poisoning is suspected to have been from a nearby local plant.
Death sentence for Bali Nine
Four men, also part of the group called the Bali Nine, have been sentenced to death by Indonesia’s Supreme Court. They were arrested in April 2005 when they attempted to smuggle 18 pounds of heroin from Indonesia to Australia. Australian foreign minister told the media that “at the appropriate time,” an appeal would be made for clemency.
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