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New poll shows shift in Californian public attitudes toward illegal immigrants

In a departure from voter attitudes in the past, Californian voters are much more conflicted about whether to deny taxpayer-supported social services to illegal immigrants, according to a new poll published on Sunday. The poll results reveal important shifts in public attitudes toward illegal immigrants in California, a bellwether U.S. state for the debate over immigration policy. Among registered voters, more than 47 percent oppose proposals to deny social services such as public schooling...

Derailed railway in Russia\’s Dagestan resumes services

The derailed railway in Russia\'s North Caucasus republic of Dagestan has fully resumed operation by Monday morning. Repair work on the railway to the Azerbaijani capital of Baku was completed at 05:17 a.m. Moscow time (0117 GMT) on Monday, the Itar-Tass news agency reported citing local emergencies officials. An explosion caused by a device equivalent to 5 kg of TNT derailed eight cars of a cargo train in Russia\'s North Caucasian republic of Dagestan early Sunday. No casualties were...

Germany condemns Taliban ambush on German soldiers in Afghanistan

German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned on Friday the Taliban ambush on German soldiers in northern Afghanistan earlier in the day, which killed three soldiers and injured at least five others. "With great sadness, I have heard of the monstrous and coward attack on our troops in Afghanistan," Merkel said. "My sympathy is with all the families of the fallen and wounded soldiers in this very difficult time." German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle expressed his sympathy...

Red-shirted protesters start rally in Bangkok

Thailand\'s anti-government red- shirts on Saturday started a new mass rally on Bangkok streets in a latest move to pressure the Prime Minister to dissolve the Lower House of parliament. The mass protest started at about 10:20 a.m. as they gradually moved from their main rally site Phan Fah Bridge in the center of capital Bangkok. They have organized their rally in two separate groups as the foot march is heading to Rathchprasong Intersection, and the car caravan is moving to Vibhavadhi...

Deadly bombings show Iraq\’s fragile political process, security situation

by Xinhua Writer Li Laifang Sunday\'s deadly car bombings in Iraqi capital have raised grave concerns about the country\'s political process and the fragility of its security situation after years of war and violence. The three coordinated car bombs struck near the Iranian embassy, Egyptian consulate and house of German ambassador in downtown Baghdad at around 11 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Sunday, leaving at least 30 dead and more than 200 wounded. It is another nightmarish day for innocent...

Chinese, Bosnian leaders exchange greetings on 15th anniversary of ties

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday exchanged congratulatory messages with his Bosnian counterpart Nikola Spiric to mark the 15th anniversary of their countries\' diplomatic ties. Wen and Spiric, who is chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, spoke highly of the achievements that have been made since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1995. The two leaders also pledged efforts to boost their friendly cooperative relationship based on the...

Two police officers attacked near Moscow

Two patrol policemen responding to a rape call in Moscow region were shot on Saturday, news agencies reported. A senior lieutenant aged 25 died instantly while his colleague aged 40 suffered from severe wounds, when they were shot at the stairwell of an apartment building at around 07:00 p.m. Moscow time (1500 GMT) in the town of Dmitrov some 65 km north of Moscow. "There is information that the police received a phone call from a rape victim. When the police entered the building, an...

Sri Lanka military court named to try former Army chief

The second military court to try the former Army chief and the defeated presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka has been named, officials said Saturday. Three Major Generals, Milinda Peiris, Lalith Daulugala and Mahinda Hathurusinghe, would now hear the alleged irregularities committed by Fonseka when he chaired the Sri Lanka Army Tender Board on procurements when he headed the Army. The hearing would take place on April 6. The members of the original second court martial which sat on...

Californians take generally positive view of healthcare reform: poll

A new Times/USC poll shows California voters have a generally positive view of the massive federal healthcare reform package signed into law by President Barack Obama last month, providing a potential boost statewide to the Democrats who pushed it through Congress, the Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday. California voters surveyed by a margin of 46 percent to 29 percent said they would be more likely to vote for a politician who had supported the health bill. Over half the voters polled said...

S. Korea, India to hold security meeting in Seoul

South Korea and India will hold bilateral security talks between deputy ministers in Seoul on Friday, the foreign ministry said here Monday. South Korean vice foreign minister Shin Shin Kak-soo and his Indian counterpart Latha Leddy will discuss expanding bilateral cooperation on diplomatic and defense issues and security matters of mutual interest in the region, the ministry said in a press briefing. The meeting comes after the two countries bolstered bilateral ties earlier this year to the...