BANGKOK: Thai and Cambodian military officials met at the base of Preah Vihear temple on Sunday to reaffirm their commitment to keeping the peace both before and after a pending UN court verdict that could decide the fate of a nearby stretch of disputed borderland. The International Court of Justice is scheduled to pass judgment on the question of who owns a contested 4.6 square km of land next to the temple, over which Thailand and Cambodia have repeatedly clashed, on November 11.
Nuke pointman enters N Korea
SEOUL: China’s top negotiator on the North Korean nuclear issue arrived in Pyongyang yesterday the North’s official news agency reported. The one-sentence report gave no details of the visit by Wu Dawei, China’s chief negotiator at long-stalled six-nation talks aimed at ending North Korea’s nuclear programme. China is North Korea’s sole major ally and key economic benefactor.
Imelda Marcos’ condition stable
MANILA: Flamboyant former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos is in “stable condition” and will be discharged soon after being hospitalised for severe fatigue, an aide said yesterday. The 84-year-old, who gained worldwide fame for her massive shoe collection, was taken to hospital Sunday after feeling ill following a long road trip from her northern home town. “There is nothing to worry about. She is in stable condition and was just asked by doctors to rest,” Marcos’s chief of staff, Filadelfo Diaz said. “Doctors are monitoring her blood sugar levels, but other than that she is fine and will be out very soon.”
Plea to defer Napoles trial
MANILA: Senator Sergio Osmeña III urged the Senate Blue Ribbon committee yesterday to defer until November 18 the scheduled appearance of businesswoman Janet Napoles at the hearing. Osmeña said a majority of senators are out of town and will not be able to attend the hearing on November 7. “I am requesting Senator (Teofisto) TG Guingona to move the November 7 hearing to November 18, the day that Congress resumes. I am concerned that more than half the members of the Senate will be out of town since Congress is still on break,” Osmeña said. AGENCIES
