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<title>RTHK On Internet - Instant News</title>
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<description>RTHK On Internet - Instant News</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:07:02 +0800</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Lions hammer Springboks ]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20090705/news_20090705_56_594273.htm]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[
The British and Irish Lions finished their South Africa tour on a spectacular high with a stunning victory in the final Test in Johannesburg. Faced with the prospect of a first series whitewash by the Springboks in 118 years, Ian McGeechan's men cast aside the agony of their last-gasp second Test defeat with a performance bursting with pride and passion. A first-half brace from Wales wing Shane Williams, his first tries of the tour, saw the Lions take a commanding 15-6 half-time lead. Ugo Monye's 70m interception effort after 54 minutes extended the tourists' advantage before Morne Steyn landed his third penalty for the hosts. But two late penalties from Stephen Jones put the seal on the Lions' first Test win since Brisbane in 2001, and South Africa's first defeat at Ellis Park for eight years. It was deserved reward for the Lions' contribution to a thrilling series, and a fitting way for McGeechan to bow out, if indeed this is his final Test after seven tours as a player and head coach. 
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Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:16:10 +0800
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<title><![CDATA[Pope calls for financial reform ]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20090705/news_20090705_56_594267.htm]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[
The Pope has appealed to leaders of the G-8 group of nations to reform the international financial system in favour of the world's poor. His comments come ahead of this week's G-8 summit in Italy which will focus on the global recession. 
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<pubDate>
Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:05:51 +0800
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<title><![CDATA[Powell says Obama taking on too much ]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20090705/news_20090705_56_594264.htm]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[
Former US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has said President Barack Obama is trying to tackle too many big issues at a time and that he should keep government small to keep costs down. Mr Powell, a Republican, endorsed Mr Obama last year over the Republican presidential nominee, John McCain. President Obama wants to overhaul the health care system and take on climate change while also helping the country emerge from the recession.
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<pubDate>
Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:05:43 +0800
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<title><![CDATA[Iran hangs 20 drug traffickers ]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20090705/news_20090705_56_594262.htm]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[
Iran has hanged 20 drug traffickers, just days after putting to death 12 other convicted criminals. The IRNA news agency said the traffickers were executed in a prison in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran, after being convicted for buying, selling and possessing various drugs. A total of 700 kilogrammes of heroin, cocaine and opium had been seized from the condemned, who were between 35 and 48 years old.
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<pubDate>
Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:25:16 +0800
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<title><![CDATA[Missile launches: Beijing calls for calm ]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20090705/news_20090705_56_594256.htm]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[
Russia and China have issued a joint call for calm, hours after North Korea test-fired a series of missiles. Seven Scud-type ballistic missiles with a range of about 500km were fired, in an apparent act of defiance on 4 July, US Independence Day. Russia and China urged Pyongyang to return to talks, while a US official called the launches "not helpful". North Korea is banned from all ballistic missile-related activities under UN sanctions. The sanctions were strengthened after the communist nation carried out a second underground nuclear test in May. North Korea has launched a number of missiles in recent days. The latest launches came from a base on its east coast. The missiles fell into the Sea of Japan, known in South Korea as the East Sea. Both South Korea and Japan called the launches an "act of provocation". But Russia and China called on all parties to show restraint and avoid actions which could further destabilise the situation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 
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<pubDate>
Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:16:40 +0800
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<title><![CDATA[Serena Williams wins Wimbledon ]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20090705/news_20090705_56_594254.htm]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[
Serena Williams has beaten her sister and the 2008 champion, Venus, in straight sets to take the Wimbledon women's singles competition for the third time. After a nail-biting first set, which went to a tie-break, Serena easily overcame her elder sister in the second winning it 6-2. In a post-match interview, she thanked her God, Jehovah, and said she couldn't believe she was holding the trophy and not her sister. The two have dominated Wimbledon in recent years. In addition to last year, Venus won in 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2007. Serena has previously taken the title in 2002 and 2003. All eyes are now on the men's competition where world number two, Roger Federer, will try to set a new landmark for men's tennis when he takes on American Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon final later today. The 27-year-old Swiss hopes to win a sixth Wimbledon title and so break Pete Sampras's all-time Grand Slam mark with a record 15th major victory. 
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<pubDate>
Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:08:26 +0800
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<title><![CDATA[Chechen policemen killed by militants ]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20090705/news_20090705_56_594253.htm]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[
Nine Chechen policemen have been killed when militants attacked their vehicle in Russia's neighbouring republic of Ingushetia, officials say. Another nine police were injured near the village of Arshty, in one of the deadliest recent attacks. The Chechen police were conducting joint operations against militants in the volatile region. Last month, Ingushetia's leader was seriously wounded in an apparent assassination attempt. Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has vowed a "cruel" revenge on those who tried to kill Inghushetia's President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. 
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<pubDate>
Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:08:40 +0800
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<title><![CDATA[British embassy staff member 'charged' ]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20090705/news_20090705_56_594252.htm]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[
The chief political analyst at the British Embassy in Iran has been charged with "acting against national security", reports suggest. The UK Foreign Office is investigating claims by his lawyer that he has been charged and will stand trial shortly. A senior cleric has said some of the nine embassy staff arrested last month will be tried for inciting protests over Iran's disputed election. Britain denies fomenting discontent to undermine Iran's Islamic regime. Iranian news agencies have said all but one of the embassy staff have been released, although the UK government claims two remain in custody. UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband says he is "deeply concerned" about the situation and has asked for talks with his Iranian counterpart. A Foreign Office spokeswoman could not confirm reports that the adviser had been charged. "We are still investigating. The situation remains extremely unclear and fluid," she added. News agencies have reported the lawyer as saying he has not yet been able to meet with his client or see the text of the indictment. Protests gripped Tehran and other Iranian cities after June's presidential election, amid claims the vote had been rigged in favour of the incumbent, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. On Friday, Ahmad Jannati, leader of the Iran's supreme legislative body the Guardian Council, said: "The British Embassy had a presence and some people were arrested. "Well inevitably they will be put on trial. They have made confessions too." However, he did not say how many employees would be tried or on what charges. Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported this week that one of the detainees had played a "remarkable role during the recent unrest in managing it behind the scenes". Nine embassy staff were held last weekend. Britain says all but two have now been freed. Mr Miliband said Britain was urgently seeking clarification from Iran about any possible trial or charges, which have reportedly been brought against one employee at Evin prison in Tehran. "We are confident that our staff have not engaged in any improper or illegal behaviour," he added. The Foreign Office later confirmed that Iranian envoy Rasoul Movahedian had been summoned and the same message reiterated. European Union governments have summoned Iranian ambassadors to protest against the detentions. An EU official told the BBC that, in addition, visas for Iranians holding Iranian diplomatic passports would be suspended. The official said other measures, including the withdrawal of EU ambassadors from Iran, would be considered if the two staff members were not released. BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Ayatollah Jannati's speech marks a significant deterioration in the already bad relationship between London and Tehran. Tehran has repeatedly accused foreign powers - especially Britain and the US - of stoking unrest after the election. In the fallout from the crisis, Tehran expelled two British diplomats and the UK responded with a similar measure. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, last month described Britain, as the "most evil" of its enemies. The issue of how to deal with Iran is set to dominate the summit of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialised nations in Italy next week. Some EU countries have urged caution, arguing that Europe should engage with Iran, not isolate it. But if the embassy staff are put on trial, the EU may have few other options than to tighten the diplomatic screw, correspondents say. 
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<pubDate>
Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:08:52 +0800
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<title><![CDATA[Banco de Venezuela nationalised ]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20090705/news_20090705_56_594251.htm]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[
Venezuela has taken formal control of its third largest bank, the previously Spanish-owned Banco de Venezuela. The first instalment of a US$630m price tag was made amid much ceremony in the capital Caracas, with nearly all the shares passing to the government. The rest of the agreed price of US$1.05bn for the institution will be paid in October and December. Both sides have declared themselves to be satisfied with outcome, but for very different reasons. For Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the acquisition of the bank, the country's largest in terms of deposits, is an important addition to the government's financial portfolio. For Spain's Grupo Santander, it has sold Banco de Venezuela to Mr Chavez for significantly more than it bought it for. The move will be seen as an significant return on their investment amid the global economic crisis. 
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<pubDate>
Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:09:03 +0800
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<title><![CDATA[Self-help 'makes you feel worse' ]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20090705/news_20090705_56_594250.htm]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[
Bridget Jones is not alone in turning to self-help mantras to boost her spirits, but a study warns they may have the opposite effect. Canadian researchers found those with low self-esteem actually felt worse after repeating positive statements about themselves. They said phrases such as "I am a lovable person" only helped people with high self-esteem. The study appears in the journal Psychological Science. A UK psychologist said people based their feelings about themselves on real evidence from their lives. The suggestion people should "help themselves" to feel better was first mooted by Victorian Samuel Smiles 150 years ago. His book, called simply "Self Help", sold a quarter of a million copies and included guidance such as: "Heaven helps those who help themselves". Self-help is now a multi-billion pound global industry. The researchers, from the University of Waterloo and the University of New Brunswick, asked people with high and low self-esteem to say "I am a lovable person." They then measured the participants' moods and their feelings about themselves. In the low self-esteem group, those who repeated the mantra felt worse afterwards compared with others who did not. However people with high self-esteem felt better after repeating the positive self-statement - but only slightly. The psychologists then asked the study participants to list negative and positive thoughts about themselves. They found that, paradoxically, those with low self-esteem were in a better mood when they were allowed to have negative thoughts than when they were asked to focus exclusively on affirmative thoughts. Writing in the journal, the researchers suggest that, like overly positive praise, unreasonably positive self-statements, such as "I accept myself completely," can provoke contradictory thoughts in individuals with low self-esteem. Such negative thoughts can overwhelm the positive thoughts. If people are instructed to focus exclusively on positive thoughts, negative thoughts might be especially discouraging. The researchers, led by psychologist Joanne Wood, said: "Repeating positive self-statements may benefit certain people, such as individuals with high self-esteem, but backfire for the very people who need them the most." However, they say positive thinking can help when it is part of a broader programme of therapy. Simon Delsthorpe, a psychologist with Bradford District Care Trust and spokesman for the British Psychological Society, said self-esteem was based on a range of real life factors, and that counselling to build confidence - rather than telling yourself things are better than they are - was the solution. 
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<pubDate>
Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:09:21 +0800
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