Cambodia

PM welcomes fraud probe

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Wednesday he would welcome any investigation into claims of fraud in hotly disputed polls and was open to dialogue with the opposition. His ruling Cambodian People's Party claimed on Sunday it had secured an estimated 68 of the 123 lower house seats, edging out the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which won 55.

Spain

Driver can't 'explain' crash

The driver of a Spanish train that derailed, killing 79 people, told a judge he "didn't understand" how he failed to brake in time to stop the crash, a recording of his court hearing revealed on Wednesday. "I can't explain. I still don't understand," the driver, Francisco Jose Garzon Amo, told the judge when asked why he hadn't slowed down in time to take a sharp bend near the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela.

Thailand

King to leave hospital

Thailand's 85-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, is to leave the Bangkok hospital where he has been for almost four years, a government official said on Wednesday. "We have been told by the Royal Household Bureau that His Majesty King Bhumibol will leave Siriraj hospital on Thursday and return to Hua Hin to reside," said Weera Sriwathanatrakool, governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

Tourist killed for singing too long

An American tourist was allegedly stabbed to death by three Thai musicians after he refused to stop singing at a bar, police said on Wednesday. Bobby Ray Carter, 51, died after he was stabbed twice in the chest during a fight with members of the house band from the Longhorn Saloon at Ao Nang beach in Krabi.

The Philippines

Province loses electricity

About 1 million people in the Philippines endured an extraordinary blackout on Wednesday after a power provider cut electricity to an entire province over unpaid debts dating back 15 years. Hospitals, hotels and an airport in Albay province were forced to run on emergency generators.

Iraq

Violence claims nine lives

Attacks in Iraq killed nine people and wounded 19 on Wednesday, officials said, as the country witnesses its deadliest violence since 2008. Gunmen killed five people and wounded eight in two attacks in Baghdad province, while two bombings in Kirkuk province wounded five soldiers and a policeman.

Reuters - AFP

(China Daily 08/01/2013 page12)