Editorial Roundup: Excerpts From Recent Editorials

Excerpts from recent editorials in newspapers in the United States and abroad:

Dec. 12

China Today, Beijing, on China and the World Trade Organization:

Ten years ago, when China officially became the 143rd member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), wolf crying was pervasive.

The one conspicuous fact, acknowledged by leaders of the world's major trade establishments and reiterated by President Hu Jintao yesterday at the forum commemorating the 10th anniversary of the country's WTO membership, is that China committed far more for its admittance than other emerging economies. This was hardly mentioned at home then.

And it was not clear at the time whether …

NBA guard Deron Williams wins on Turkish debut

ISTANBUL (AP) — Deron Williams scored 11 points and had five assists to help Besiktas to a 107-69 victory over Bandirma Kirmizi on Sunday in the NBA player's Turkish league debut.

New Jersey Nets guard Williams — a two-time NBA all-star — is among a number of players from the North American league signed to overseas clubs until the end of the …

Russian made cold weather forwarder

Chetra Industrial Machinery JSC has introduced what they say is the first Russian-made forwarder. The KS 421 is fitted with a Cummins engine and the chassis is equipped with an …

Malaysian leader unveils market reforms, pledges to boost economy

Malaysia's leader on Tuesday unveiled measures to liberalize the capital markets and pledged to step up economic reforms to restore confidence in his government after recent electoral losses.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also said fuel prices would not be raised, an apparent attempt to ensure he doesn't antagonize Malaysians further.

The government had earlier warned it may cut fuel subsidies after global oil prices shot past US$100 a barrel earlier this year. Retail prices have been unchanged since February 2006.

"The result of the elections was a strong message that I have not moved fast enough in pushing through with the reforms …

German job market misses out on spring recovery

Germany's labor market missed out on a traditional spring recovery in April as government figures showed Thursday that unadjusted employment levels got little help from the usual seasonal pickup.

Meanwhile, the seasonally adjusted unemployment figures were up for the sixth straight month.

The unadjusted jobless rate was unchanged at 8.6 percent in April, with 3.585 million people out of work _ only 1,000 fewer than in March _ the Federal Labor Agency said. Compared with last April, 171,000 more people were jobless.

"The recession in German industry is increasingly having effects on the labor market," labor agency chief Frank-Juergen …

Point Guards Provide Excitement in 1992-93

Summer basketball wrapup:

Nobody is surprised that King, Westinghouse, Marshall andtwo-time defending Class AA champion Proviso East emerged as theteams to beat for 1992-93. But what separates the haves from thehave-nots is what coaches, talent scouts and other observers say isthe best crop of point guards in memory.

Virtually every highly rated team is led by a blue-chip pointguard or boasts an outstanding backcourt tandem. However, collegerecruiters are complaining about a lack of quality big men in theChicago area. The top 10 teams:

1. King; 2. Westinghouse; 3. Marshall; 4. Proviso East; 5. MountCarmel; 6. Thornton; 7. Leo; 8. Young; 9. St. Francis …

Dubai's Abraaj snags Amundi's N. Africa business

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Mideast investment firm Abraaj Capital says it has bought French asset manager Amundi's private equity business in North Africa.

The Dubai-based private equity house said Sunday the deal includes assuming control of …