Hourly News 每日新闻 2014-01-03（在线收听）

China urges U.S. to ensure safety following consulate arson attack

The Chinese government has lodged representations to the US government following an attack on a Chinese consulate.

The Chinese foreign ministry is calling on the US side to take "effective measures" to protect both its diplomatic missions and its staff.

The US State Department says the US government is "deeply concerned" by the incident.

This comes after someone poured gasoline on the front steps of the Chinese consulate in San Francisco and lit it on fire.

The blaze torched the outer door of the consulate before it was put out.

No one was hurt.

Chinese Consular officials say they're working with the FBI to try to help investigators track down those responsible.

Investigators have not provided any possible motive for the attack.

The Consulate itself remains open for business.

China slams US for sending Chinese terrorists to Slovakia

The Chinese government is criticizing the United States for sending three Chinese terrorists from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp to Slovakia.

The three, members of the outlawed East Turkestan Islamic Movement, had been held by the US at Guantanamo after being picked up in Afghanistan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang is cautioning the three pose a threat to not-only the security of China, but also to Slovakia.

Chinese helicopter rescued stranded passengers in Antarctic

A Chinese helicopter has rescued all 52 passengers from a Russian research ship that has been trapped in the Antarctic ice since Christmas Eve.

The successful rescue comes after days of failed attempts to reach the ship because of strong winds and thick sea ice.

The helicopter on-board the Chinese icebreaker Xuelong has carried the scientists and tourists from the Russian ship in groups of 12 to an Australian icebreaker.

China, Cambodia hold first meeting of intergovernmental coordination committee

The Chinese and Cambodian governments have held an Intergovernmental Coordination Committee meeting here in Beijing.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong have co-chaired the meeting, the first of its kind between the two sides.

Following the session, the Chinese government says the two sides have achieved a "broad consensus" on enhancing their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Over 10 governmental departments from the two countries have been included in the talks, which were first proposed early last year.

Chinese frigate to escort Syrian chemical weapons

Chinese naval frigate Yan Cheng has set out for the Mediterranean to escort the transportation of Syria's chemical weapons.

The frigate is now sailing through the Suez Canal.

The Yan Cheng will cooperate with frigates from other countries, including Russia, when it reaches Cyprus.

The main bulk of Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles are being shipped to a separate location outside the country for destruction.

All of Syria's chemical weapons are expected to be destroyed by the middle of this year.

Death toll rises to 6 in Beirut bombing

The death toll from a massive car bombing in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, has risen to 6.

Over 70 others were hurt in the huge blast, which ripped through a southern suburb known to be an area with strong support for Hezbollah, which governs Lebanon.

The explosion, which is believed to have been from a bomb weighing some 20-kilograms, hit only a few hundred meters from the location of Hezbollah's Politburo.

It's believed the bombing may be retribution for a blast last week which targeted a Sunni neighborhood in Beirut.

Israeli PM doubts Palestinians' commitment to peace talks

Israel's Prime Minister has released a new statement, saying he doubts the sincerity of the Palestinian's commitment to the peace process.

Netanyahu's statement also points the finger directly at Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for not condemning a string of recent attacks against Israeli citizens.

Benjamin Netanyahu's statement comes just hours before he sat down with John Kerry for talks.

The US Secretary of State has arrived in the region to try to salvage the failing peace talks between the Israeli's and Palestinians.

Hamas rejects Egypt's accusation of aiding attackers

Hamas is rejecting an accusation by Egyptian authorities the Palestinian group was involved in an attack that killed 16 people in Egypt last month. 

A spokesperson for Hamas says Egypt's national security is highly appreciated and respected by the Palestinian movement, suggesting there is no way Hamas would take steps to harm it.

Egyptian Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim says confessions from the son of a senior Muslim Brotherhood member suggests Hamas provided logistic support to attackers who detonated a car bomb targeting a security headquarters in the city of Mansoura.

That blast prompted Egyptian authorities to deem the Muslim Brotherhood an outlawed organization.

Afghan president meets visiting U.S. senators

A trio of US Republican Senators have meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.

John McCain, Lindsey Graham and John Barrasso discussed with Karzai issues including a planned Bilateral Security Agreement between the US and Afghanistan.

Karzai has told the 3 Senators the Afghan government wants to sign the BSA.

However, he says a number of conditions need to be met before the agreement can be signed.

Those include the release of some two-dozen Afghan detainees from Guantanamo, on top of a pledge by US forces to stop raids on Afghan homes.