China, Vietnam pledge to handle problems properly
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is wrapping up his visit to Vietnam.
The two sides have issued a statement, reaffirming their commitment to further enhancing their "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership".
The statement also says the two sides will handle their problems "properly".
The two countries call each other "good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners" in the document.
Vietnam is the last stop of Li Keqiang's first Southeast Asia tour since taking office.
The trip has also taken him to Brunei and Thailand.
He attended a series of East Asian leaders' meetings in Brunei, elaborating the Chinese government's policy when it comes to promoting regional cooperation.
China and UK pledge close financial ties
The Chinese and British government have pledged to expand their financial ties and signed almost 60 trade and economic agreements in Beijing.
That pledge has been made during UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne's visit to China.
China and Britain have announced plans aimed at making London the main centre for Chinese financial business overseas.
China will give London-based investors the right to buy up to 80 billion yuan, or 13 billion US dollars worth of mainland stocks, bonds and money market instruments.
India PM to visit China
It's been confirmed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is set to visit China later this month.
It comes following Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to India in May.
Chinese foreign ministry says the relations between the two sides have "strategic significance and global impact".
World powers have "very detailed technical discussions" with Iran: Ashton's spokesman
The latest negotiations among Iran and the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, are heading into their 2nd day later on today in Geneva.
The P5+1 group is represented by EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton.
Her spokesperson says the first day of talks focused on very detailed technical aspects.
The discussions between the two sides will continue later in the morning in Geneva.
This is the first time Iran and the P5+1 have sat down to negotiate Iran's nuclear issues since the election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
There has been a lot of anticipation about possible results stemming from this round of talks, as Rouhani has signalled a willingness to bring the dispute over his country's nuclear programs to a conclusion.
Previous rounds of talks among Iran and the P5+1 have generated little in the way of tangible headway.
U.S. AAA rating on watch over debt debate
Ratings agency Fitch has put the United States AAA credit rating on negative watch due amid the political wrangling over raising the debt ceiling.
Fitch is also warning the prolonged debate will -quote – "risk undermining confidence in the role of the US dollar as the preeminent global reserve currency."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is also warning a ratings downgrade is likely.
A downgrade of the US credit rating could have a significant impact on US Treasuries.
Many large-scale institutional investors, such as pension funds, are not allowed to invest in products which don't carry a AAA rating.
This would put upward pressure on US T-bond yields, making it more expensive for the US government to borrow money.
93 people died in Central Philippines earthquake
The death toll from Tuesday's powerful earthquake in the Philippines has hit 93.
That figure is expected to rise, as communications throughout the region are still mostly cut off.
A 7.2-magnitude quake hit shortly before 8:30 Tuesday morning just off the central Philippine island of Bohol.
The quake was strong enough to topple a number of buildings in the region, which is a popular tourist spot.
A number of historic Catholic churches in Bohol and Cebu have suffered significant damage.
The quake also cut power and transport links.
President Benigno Aquino III is scheduled to visit the earthquake-damaged areas later on this Wednesday.
1 dead, 18 missing as Panamanian-registered cargo ship sinks off S. Korea
One Chinese sailor is dead and 17 others are missing after their boat sank in Pohang harbor in South Korea on Tuesday.
Only the body of the capitan of the cargo ship has been recovered.
The ship belongs to the Lishen International Shipping Group out of Zhejiang.
The cargo vessel encountered problems with its anchor during a storm yesterday afternoon while in Pohang harbor.
It later sank amid high winds and waves.
South Korean authorities have dispatched helicopters and submarines to search for possible survivors.
However, the strong storms have hampered the search efforts.
Woman dies from dengue fever in Taiwan
The first fatality of the year from Dengue fever has been reported on Taiwan.
A 76-year old woman has succumbed to the virus after contracting it earlier this month.
The elderly woman lived in the city of Pingtung, which lies on the outskirts of Kaohsiung.
She reportedly suffered from high blood pressure.
There have been 164 cases of Dengue fever reported on Taiwan so far this year.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne virus which is common in tropical and sub-tropical climates.
Around 100-million people contract the disease every year globally.
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