Before the diet to affect morpheus

What you eat or drink in the hours and minutes before bed may make the difference between a restful slumber and a fitful night of tossing and turning.
1. Eating too much or too little can disrupt sleep. A light snack at bedtime can promote sleep, but too much food can cause digestive discomfort that leads to wakefulness.
2. Alcohol is a double edged sword. Small amounts of alcohol can help you to fall asleep. But as the body metabolises the alcohol, sleep may become fragmented. Alcohol can dehydrate you, leaving you tired the next day.

Study: the dream that can enhance memory?

People who enjoy a dream-filled sleep are significantly better at recalling information and making links between facts when they wake, scientists found.

　　But recharging with a shallow nap offers no such mental boost, the research suggests.

　　The results of the study add to the growing body of evidence that Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is crucial to the brain’s ability to lay down and consolidate memories.

　An average night’s repose includes four or five spells of REM sleep, but these bursts tend to be lengthier towards the end of the night.

Life is the greatest teacher

By Abubakar Jamil

As I look across the horizon at the faces of the young people around me, I weep. A once proud part of the human race, the younger generation has been described as lazy, overemotional, and disrespectful.

I myself used to have all three of these characteristics. Not when I was an adventure-seeking, rambunctious toddler, but as an older high school teenager.

It was at this stage that my foolish rascal tendencies were at their highest. I would constantly complain, care for my friends more than my family, and in general would just talk all the time.

Then came a moment when I wondered where I would end up. Would I remain on track to becoming a doctor like my parents wanted? Am I just going to keep acting like a child for the rest of my life?

This moment would serve as the spark that set in motion a process of learning life lesson, 

molding me into the person you're reading through your computer screen.

Since then, I've learned a great many things, but these are the lessons that I wished I'd stumbled upon earlier:

1. Everyone's opinion matters only as much as you want them to.

There was a time when everyone's opinion was mine as well. Whatever preferences I formerly held were dashed in the face of another's. This most likely came from a need to please others.

Remember that your opinion matters just as much as the next guy's, whether they make more money than you or are less popular than you. Everyone's opinion holds the same weight.

2. Your emotions are under your control.

Drama, chaos, and emotional unrest — these were what took up most of my time as a teenager. When everyone's obsessed with what's in and what's not, tempers flare; mine mostly.

If I had heard someone said rotten things behind my back, I'd erupt. Go crazy. Looking back on those tantrums now, I'm not too surprised. After all, when you have little self control, anything is possible.

The lessons here is, remain aware of how you react.

3. Arguments are pointless.

Will one small quarrel among friends decide the fate of the entire universe? In my world it felt like it. I just wanted so much to be right and for them so much to be wrong. But in the end, it only resulted in me wasting my time and in the other person storming off in frustration.

Is there really a point to arguing? Unless it's absolutely necessary, I've learned that it's better to hold your breath on things you can't control at all.

Arguing to change someone's mind is one of them.

South African million girls in public accept virgin testing Photos circulating

　Any event featuring Jacob Zuma, virginity tests and more than 25,000 bare-breasted maidens dancing for a polygamous king is unlikely to pass entirely without incident. And so it proved with this year's Zulu reed dance in South Africa。

　　Girls participating in the annual uMkhosi WoMhlanga are required to have their genitalia inspected to certify they are virgins. The centuries-old practice has been condemned by gender rights groups but defended by Zulus as means of combating teenage pregnancy and HIV。

　　Zuma and King Goodwill Zwelithini, who has five wives, were among guests at the ceremony in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal Province, last weekend。

Zwelithini, 62, condemned "rogue" virginity testers and expressed dismay at seeing pictures of the tests turn up on the internet, South Africa's Mercury newspaper reported. "I was shocked when I received these pictures on my website," the Zulu monarch was quoted as saying. “I have no doubt these pictures are going to be used to attack this solemn culture of ours. This is a very important tradition and culture and needs to be conducted with dignity and respect without abusing and violating the dignity and privacy of the maidens."
The Mercury said there were fears that the event, in which thousands of mostly adolescent girls parade bare-breasted wearing traditional beaded skirts, had become a target for pornography syndicates。

Kai-fu lee gave her daughter's letter: how do you spent your career

Dear Daughter:

As we drove off from Columbia, I wanted to write a letter to you to tell you all that is on my mind.

First, I want to tell you how proud we are. Getting into Columbia is a real testament of what a great well-rounded student you are. Your academic, artistic, and social skills have truly blossomed in the last few years. Whether it is getting the highest grade in Calculus, completing your elegant fashion design, successfully selling your painted running shoes, or becoming one of the top orators in Model United Nations, you have become a talented and accomplished young woman. You should be as proud of yourself as we are.

I will always remember the first moment I held you in my arms. I felt a tingling sensation that directly touched my heart. It was an intoxicating feeling I will always have. It must be that "father-daughter connection" which will bind us for life. I will always remember singing you lullaby while I rocked you to sleep. When I put you down, it was always with both relief (she finally fell asleep!) and regret (wishing I could hold you longer). And I will always remember taking you to the playground, and watching you having so much fun. You were so cute and adorable, and that is why everybody loved you so.

You have been a great kid ever since you were born, always quiet, empathetic, attentive, and well-mannered. You were three when we built our house. I remember you quietly followed us every weekend for more than ten hours a day to get building supplies. You put up with that boring period without a fuss, happily ate hamburgers every meal in the car, sang with Barney until you fell asleep. When you went to Sunday Chinese school, you studied hard even though it was no fun for you. I cannot believe how lucky we are as parents to have a daughter like you.

You have been an excellent elder sister. Even though you two had your share of fights, the last few years you have become best friends. Your sister loves you so much, and she loves to make you laugh. She looks up to you, and sees you as her role model. As you saw when we departed, she misses you so much. And I know that you miss her just as much. There is nothing like family, and other than your parents, your sister is the one person who you can trust and confide in. She will be the one to take care of you, and the one you must take care of. There is nothing we wish more than that your sisterhood will continue to bond as you grow older, and that you will take care of each other throughout your lives. For the next four years, do have a short video chat with her every few days, and do email her when you have a chance.

Interview: "Peace Mission 2010" -- Strategic action fighting terrorism

MATYBULAK RANGE, Kazakhstan, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ma Xiaotian, chief commander of the 1,000 Chinese troops taking part in the "Peace Mission 2010" in south Kazakhstan said Thursday that the ongoing military exercise of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is purely a strategic action against terrorism.

MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGIONAL, WORLD PEACE

"Peace Mission 2010" involves 5,000 troops from five of the six SCO member states -- China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan -- from Sept. 9 to 25. Uzbekistan is not taking part.

The ongoing exericse never targets or constitutes a threat to any country, Ma emphasized.

Ma, who is also deputy chief of the People's Liberation Army General Staff, said China's purpose in taking part in the military drills was the same as the previous six military exercises launched under the SCO framework.

"We aim to put in place a common understanding among SCO member states to further strengthen cooperation in various aspects, including national defense cooperation, maintaining regional security, peace and stability, and to show the resolution, willingness and capability of the SCO member states to fight the three evil forces of extremism, separatism and terrorism," Ma said.

CHINA'S NEW EQUIPMENT

Ma said the Chinese weaponry used in the exercises were all new and by and large represented the latest development of Chinese troops' equipment.

Ma said China had three goals in using the new equipment.

Firstly, it showed China attached high importance to this joint exercise and defense cooperation among SCO member states, he said.

Secondly, it indicated Chinese troops' determination, will and capability to strike terrorism.

And thirdly, it promoted military transparency, Ma said.

According to the Chinese general, the Chinese air troops were assembled home in Chinese territory and took part in the exercises by long-distance projection, which was the first time in the history of Chinese air forces.

By contacting the troops of the other countries in the exercises, Chinese troops had also learned a lot of good practices and experiences, Ma said.

JOINT DRILL ADVANCES SMOOTHLY

Ma said the massive joint drill had unfolded successfully at present.

He said the troops had staged two joint training sessions with cooperation of command personnel and troops of all sides.

"The process of cooperation is also a process of mutual learning and understanding. It has become more smooth and much better," Ma said, "The next step is to switch to live firing and nighttime exercises once the conditions allow."

KAZAKHSTAN'S EFFORTS FOR DRILLS' SUCCESS LAUDED

Ma highly appreciated the efforts made by the Kazakh side to ensure the success of the anti-terror exercises.

He said that Kazakhstan, as the host country, had made full preparations and arrangements for the drills in various aspects, including overall planning, force delivery, preparations for the drilling grounds, the designs of military field camps, and logistics support.

EQUALITY, CONSULTATION, MUTUAL BENEFIT

When asked whether the drills were "dominated" by China and Russia, Ma said, before the drills started, all the five participating countries had jointly held four rounds of consultation and participated in the overall planning and designs of the drills.

The principles of equality, consultation and mutual benefit were demonstrated and followed both during pre-drill training and the drills, Ma said.

The common desire and consensus of the SCO member countries were reflected in the drills and requirements from each participating country had been taken into account, he said.

He also noted that the succes of the SCO drills relied on the concerted efforts made by each participating member country.

Joint anti-terror drills of the SCO entered the second phase on Monday at the Matybulak range near the largest Kazakh city of Almaty.

China seriously concerned over EU's investigation of China-made modems: Ministry of Commerce

BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China is expressing its concern about the European Union's investigations into Chinese-made wireless wide area networking (WWAN) modems, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Thursday.

Yao Jian, the spokesman, made the remarks after the EU said it was conducting an anti-subsidy investigation into the devices.

The EU launched investigations of anti-dumping and supporting measures on the WWAN modems from China on June 30, 2010. It is the first time the EU has made simultaneous triple investigations on a China-made product, Yao said.

The move is unheard of for World Trade Organization members when dealing with trade remedy cases in practice, Yao said. The Chinese public and people working in the industry showed strong dissatisfaction towards the EU's practice.

The WWAN modems are high-tech products that are constantly updated. These Chinese-made modems promote the advances of the technology and created new market fields which benefited the EU consumers, Yao said.

The EU's investigations will disrupt normal trade and hurt the interests of EU consumers, he said.

Yao further stated that the EU's move is also running counter to the deepening China-EU friendship.

He said he hoped the EU could take actions based upon relevant laws and the facts and keep their promise on being opposed to trade protectionism, lest it damages China-EU economic and trade relations and also the EU economy.

China will take corresponding measures within the rules of the World Trade organization in due time, he added.

The investigation is the largest trade remedy investigation case against China, involving a total value of 4.1 billion U.S. dollars in exports.

Wireless modems send or receive data as a radio signal.

The 27-member EU is China's biggest trade partner. China is the EU's second-biggest trade partner and is its biggest source of imports.

China's main exports to Europe are machinery and domestic goods, including clothes and shoes. While the EU's main exports to China include industrial machinery, transport equipment, chemicals and high-end consumer goods.

Concerning the request for consultations from the United States about China's alleged anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on U.S.steel exports and China's policies on the electronic payment market, China has received the request and will resolve the issue based upon WTO rules, said MOC officials.

U.S. trade representative Ron Kirk filed a statement with the WTO Wednesday, claiming China imposes duties on U.S. steel exports and discriminates against suppliers of electronic payment services from the U.S.

China's policies on electronic payment services are consistent with the country's commitment to the WTO and the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on U.S.-made steel are also in line with WTO rules, according to the MOC.

U.S. is China's second largest trade partner.

Chinese courts seeking uniform standards for prosecution after controversial penalties

BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- After several similar criminal cases led to greatly varying punishments triggering public concerns, Chinese courts are adopting a series of measures to ensure uniform standards for sentencing criminals.

On Oct. 1, two documents that instruct judges on uniform procedures for sentence measurements will be put into use in all Chinese courts, which is said to be a "major reform" for the country's legal system regarding criminal prosecution.

According to the new procedures, courts should first set up a penalty baseline for a criminal case based upon basic criminal facts. Then additional punishments will be added according to the amount of money involved, the frequency of the defendants' violations, the consequences and other factors. At last, courts will adjust the results considering the case's overall nature and issue a final sentence.

The move came after a series of similar drunk driving cases that led to greatly varying punishments.

In July 2009, the Intermediate People's Court of Chengdu in southwestern Sichuan Province sentenced a drunk driver named Sun Weiming to death following an auto accident in which he was driving without a license and killed four people. In the second trial, the verdict was changed to life imprisonment.

Sun's case was deemed as a crime against public security.

However, one month later another drunk driver in central China's Henan Province only received a jail term of six years and six months for killing six and injuring seven people.

That case was ruled to be a traffic accident crime.

"(The reform) is of significant importance for regulating judicial actions, providing uniform standards for law applications, promoting righteous and uncorrupted justice and boosting the authority and credibility of the country's courts," said Wang Shengjun, president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), at a Thursday meeting.

"The Criminal Law only lays down a very wide range of sentences for certain types of crimes, and thus it is very difficult for prosecutors to give a specific sentence based on that," said SPC vice president Xiong Xuanguo in an exclusive interview with Xinhua Thursday.

Xiong noted that different judges, given their different knowledge, manners and experience, will also have varied views on the same case.

According to the documents, another major change is to introduce advice on sentence measurements from procuratorate organs, including the types and scopes of punishments and how to implement them.

Also, courts are allowed to organize public prosecutors, parties involved, their defenders and legal representatives to offer their own advice on sentencing measurements.

With the introduction of sentencing measurement advice from defenders, legal representatives and other parties involved, the new rules were expected to balance judges' considerable powers of discretion, said Professor Chen Weidong with the Renmin University of China.

According to the SPC, since June last year more than 120 pilot Chinese courts have already been following the new procedures when prosecuting 45,000 criminal cases in 15 regular categories, including traffic accidents, robbery, theft, and drugs, among others.

The trial practice has seen positive results as sentences among cases of similar natures and those in different regions were not as varied as before.

The rate of appeals and change of sentences in second trials also dropped in these courts, according to Xiong.

Meanwhile, Xiong sought to assure those concerned that the new rules would not excessively limit judges' powers as "the standards for sentence measurements, themselves, were made based on all prosecutors' discretion." < "If the measurement results are not appropriate, judges will still have the right to make certain adjustments," Xiong said, adding that local courts will also set down detailed sentence measures according to the characteristics of their regions.

"The reform is an inevitable process for China's criminal prosecution to transform from rough estimation to precise, scientific and canonical," Professor Chen said.

China to upgrade exports by boosting low-carbon sector: ministry official

TAIYUAN, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China will flex its muscles to boost the low-carbon economy and green industry, in a bid to help upgrade the development mode of exports, said a senior government official Thursday.

Gao Hucheng, Vice Minister of Commerce, said at an energy forum in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi Province, that China has risen to become one of the world's largest exporters, though it is not a strong exporter yet, remaining at the low end of the global value chain.

China's exports leaped in recent decades, mainly dependent upon low labor costs and sales of energy and resources.

Further, China needs to put more efforts into producing high-end products and improving their quality through low-carbon and green technologies to expand the share of green products in exports, he said.

The global financial crisis hurt the world economy and promoted nations to look to green industry for new growth, he said, and adding strategic new industries could be "a new growth point" for China's foreign trade.

China would encourage major products, technologies and services in new energy and energy-saving sectors to tap the global market and support enterprises to invest abroad, Gao said, without giving details.

Further, he said there was "no land boundary" in terms of low-carbon and green technology and expected international cooperation in this field.

China was opposed to protectionist measures in any form, he added.

Chinese vice premier eyes closer trade links with Washington State

BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan has vowed to enhance trade cooperation with the U.S. state of Washington.

He told visiting Washington Governor Christine Gregoire in Beijing Thursday that China was ready to boost friendly ties with Washington State, and deepen cooperation in trade and investment to increase mutual understanding and trust.

Wang said a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship was in the fundamental interests of both peoples. Gregoire said Washington State wanted to strengthen substantial cooperation with China in areas such as aviation, information technology, agriculture and forestry.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (R) shakes hands with U.S. Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 16, 2010.

EU commissioner apologizes for "insulting remark" on France's expulsion of Roma

BRUSSELS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU)'s justice commissioner had apologized for her remark concerning France's decision to expel Roma, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said here on Thursday.

Viviane Reding, commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, gave her apology for "insulting remark," Sarkozy said on the occasion of the European Council meeting.

All heads of state and government were "shocked" by her words that linked Roma expulsion and World War II, Sarkozy explained.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also expressed his disagreement with the commissioner's remark, Sarkozy added.

France refuses further argument over Roma after EC criticism

PARIS, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- France was "astonished" at hearing criticism from an European Commission (EC) official over its policy on the Roma people (also called the Gypsies), the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, but refused further argument concerning the issue.

The ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said France was "astonished" to know the announcement of Viviane Reding, the European Commissioner for Justice and Citizen Rights, that she planned to open "infringement proceedings" against Paris.

Earlier Tuesday, the top EU justice official, unhappy with France's dismantling of Roma camps and deporting Roma people in August, called French attitude "a disgrace" at a press conference.

"I personally have been appalled" by the apparent singling out of Gypsies," she said. "This is a situation I would have thought Europe would not have to witness again after the Second World War." 

However, Valero insisted the Roma people's welfare was always "at the heart of our concern," saying he didn't think "this kind of declaration can help to ameliorate the situation of the Roma."

French government wouldn't like to see further argument on the issue, he added. "It's not time for argument, neither for declarations of this kind. It's time to work for the benefit of Roma people."

On Monday French media reported that more than a hundred of Gypsies would be sent back to Romania Tuesday on a charter flight leaving southern cities of Marseille and Provence. They include adults and children.

So far close to a thousand Romas have been expelled since July, bringing the total number to 8,000 in this year. Many deportees told media they were likely to return afterwards.

France already expelled about 10,000 Romas to Romania and Bulgaria last year.

Controversies arose both inside and outside the country. Opposition left-wing socialist politicians accused the government of "official racism." In eastern Europe, Romania and Bulgaria have protested against the French policy.

Gunman kills mother, self at U.S. hospital

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- A gunman on Thursday killed his mother and himself at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the U.S. city of Baltimore, Maryland, and also shot and injured a doctor but the police earlier had said the gunman was killed by officers.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld identified the gunman as 50-year-old Warren Davis in a televised news conference. He said Davis was being briefed by a doctor about the condition of his mother, who was identified as Gene Davis, outside her hospital room before he became "emotionally distraught."

Bealefeld said Davis then pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and fired a single gunshot at the doctor, injuring him with a wound in the "lower-chest, upper abdomen" area.

The doctor is a faculty physician, according to a hospital statement, and privacy and confidentiality policies prohibit the hospital from giving further details at this time. He was undergoing surgery for an injury that was not life-threatening. Police said the doctor is expected to recover.

After the shooting, the police responded to the scene, and the gunman was last seen brandishing the gun toward the direction of his mother, who was confined to the sickbed by illness, according to Bealefeld.

The incident began at about 11:15 a.m. EDT in an eighth-floor room of the hospital's Nelson Building. At around 1:30 p.m. EDT the police tactical team was able to determine Davis was down on the floor in the room with what appeared to be a gunshot wound, and his mother was non-responsive.

The police later determined Davis and his mother were both dead, and they are treating the incident as a murder-suicide.

Baltimore city police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi earlier was quoted by local NBC affiliate WBAL-TV as saying the suspect was shot to death by police tactical team, but later retrieved the statement.

As the shooting unfolded, Baltimore city police, the Fire Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Maryland State Police all responded to the scene. Tactical units were seen responding to the scene. TV images showed them moving in locations surrounding the building. There are about 40 buildings on the Johns Hopkins Hospital campus. It has about 1,000 rooms.

The shooting happened at a very busy time at the hospital. Hopkins has as many as 25,000 to 30,000 people passing through every day.

U.S. urges Mideast states to exert efforts to attain peace

AMMAN, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday said realizing Middle East peace is possible and necessary, calling on the regional nations to exert all efforts to attain peace.

In a joint press conference held here with Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh on Thursday, Clinton said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are serious and committed to peace and they are trying to seek common ground in the peace negotiations.

"I am convinced that the Palestinian and Israeli leaders (Abbas and Netanyahu) can agree on creating two states for two peoples that live in peace and security," said Clinton.

Meanwhile, Clinton underlined the significance of the Arab Peace Initiative in attaining lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and her Jordanian counterpart Naser Joudeh hold a press conference at the Markah airport in Amman, Jordan, on Sept. 16, 2010, after her meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II. Clinton visited Jordan after two days of inconclusive Mideast peace negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

Adopted by Arab leaders in 2002 in Beirut, the initiative offers Arab countries normalize ties with Israel in return for withdrawal from territories occupied by Israel in 1967.

Clinton also said Jordan is a major supporter of the peace process and the support is crucial to the process.

In the joint press conference, Judeh said his talks with Clinton focused on the latest developments in the direct Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

Judeh stressed Jordan's full commitment to the direct negotiations that would lead to the realization of the two-state solution, which envisages the creation of an independent Palestinian state that lives side by side in peace and security along with Israel.

Jordan is the last stop of Clinton's Middle East trip, during which she attended the second round of the U.S.-brokered Palestinian-Israeli direct talks.

EU strives to tackle external challenges, stressing economic governance

BRUSSELS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) leaders strived at an informal meeting on Thursday for resolution for various challenges from outside world while stressing economic governance inside of the bloc.

Heads of member states and governments met in Brussels on Thursday on the occasion of the European Council to discuss relations with strategic partners and economic governance.

According to the meeting's conclusions, the Europe is facing many challenges in a rapidly changing world, such as climate change, energy security, proliferation, terrorism and piracy, which all require a concerted international response.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy (R) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso attend a press conference after the EU leaders summit in Brussels, capital of Belgium, on Sept. 16, 2010.

The council well discussed how to give new momentum to the bloc 's external relations, taking full advantage of the opportunities provided by the Lisbon Treaty. It agreed on the need for Europe to promote its interests and values more assertively and in a spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso both stressed the need for EU member states to work closely together.

"We can only be strong if we are united,"Van Rompuy reminded at a news conference held here on Thursday.

He underlined the importance of Thursday's meeting as it is the first of a series dedicated to foreign affairs.

Barroso reiterated the need to identify the European interest that is not in contradiction with national interests, but that reinforces precisely the sum of those interests.

Economic governance was also an important point addressed by the meeting. Concerning the Task Force, "a large consensus" has been reached on some of the most important issues, including the economic surveillance framework, the strengthening of national fiscal framework and progress on sanctions.

Barroso declared that the EU should "keep the momentum in terms of reforms of the system and economic governance."

The meeting also touched aids for Pakistan, Middle East peace process, EU-Africa relations after an expectation for the Asia- Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels, G20 summit in Seoul and Cancun conference on climate change in October.

In the aftermath of the terrible floods that struck Pakistan, the council reiterated on Thursday its intention to strengthen cooperation on political issues and to deliver additional assistance to help the victims recover from the floods.

The council also adopted on Thursday a declaration concerning the Middle East peace process, giving a welcome to the launch of negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

On occasion of the one-day meeting, European Council " unanimously "approved the Free Trade Agreement with Republic of Korean on Thursday.

U.S. poverty rate rises to 14.3 percent last year

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. poverty rate climbed to 14.3 percent in 2009, the highest level since 1994, as households' incomes were squeezed by the deepest recession since the 1930s and high unemployment, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday.
The report, formally known as "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States," showed that about 43.6 million people, or 1 in 7, were in poverty last year. That's up from 39.8 million, or 13.2 percent, in 2008.
The rise in poverty rate was not unexpected, as the world's largest economy is still struggling to recover from the recession which began in December 2007.
With hundreds of billions of dollars of fiscal stimulus injected to the economy and a host of unconventional monetary facilities mobilized by the Federal Reserve, the U.S. economy returned to growth in the second half of last year, even though the pace of the recovery has slowed down in recent months.
The unemployment rate jumped from 7.7 percent at the beginning of 2009 to 10.1 percent by October, and remained around 10 percent for the rest of the year.
"The Census Bureau released data that illustrates just how tough 2009 was: along with rising unemployment, incomes failed to rise for the typical household," U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement.
"Our economy plunged into recession almost three years ago on the heels of a financial meltdown and a rapid decline in housing prices. Last year we saw the depths of the recession, including historic losses in employment not witnessed since the Great Depression," he said.