BEIJING: China denied changing its stance on exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama yesterday, after reports said Beijing had relaxed its policies of publicly denouncing him and banning worship of his image. “Our policy towards the Dalai Lama is clear and consistent, and has not changed,” China’s state bureau of religious affairs said. “If the Dalai Lama is to improve his relations with China’s government, he must drop his separatist position.”
No radio broadcast ban, says Cambodia
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia yesterday denied it had banned foreign radio broadcasts in the run-up to next month’s election. This week, local FM radio stations were ordered to provide “neutral” coverage of election campaigning and to temporarily suspend broadcasting Khmer-language programmes made by foreign stations. But Chhum Socheat, an official at the information ministry, said yesterday “we do not ban broadcast by foreign radios”.
Malaysia ends operation to flush out Filipino gunmen
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian authorities yesterday announced that an operation to flush out armed Filipino militants from an eastern state was over, four months after the intruders landed on Borneo island, sparking a security crisis. A security zone has been set up with troops permanently stationed along the coastline where the gunmen landed — previously known for its lawlessness and lax border control.
Police investigate Philippine MP who shot himself
MANILA: Police are investigating an outgoing Philippine politician after he shot himself in parliament. Benjo Benaldo is being probed after shooting himself in Congress, where firearms are banned, with a pistol whose permit had expired. Benaldo was alone in his office late on Thursday when he shot himself in the chest, narrowly missing his heart. The legislator was rushed to hospital where he is out of danger.
AFP
