General

YR 17.5 billion in loans and donations to improve education in 2007

SANA'A, Nov. 23 (Saba) - Foreign loans and donations Yemen received
during the last year to support and improve education reached YR
17.5 billion, a governmental report said.

Seoul court says KEB sale to Lone Star was 'unavoidable'

SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Yonhap) -- A district court ruled Monday the 2003 sale of Korea
Exchange Bank to U.S. equity firm Lone Star Funds was an "unavoidable" decision
amid the country's slumping economy, clearing a long-delayed case that has held
the deal in a limbo.

Foreign ministry to seek 7.7 percent budget hike next year

SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Monday that it
would ask for a 7.7-percent increase year-on-year in its 2009 budget.
The ministry said it needs a total of 1.25 trillion won (US$800 million) next
year, up from last year's 1.16 trillion won.

Half of Seoul's native English-speaking teachers not qualified: gov't report

SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Yonhap) -- Half of the native English-speaking teachers placed at
elementary, middle and high schools in Seoul do not have teaching degrees or
certificates, a government report said Monday.

SECURITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS M'SIA'S PROPOSAL TO COMBAT PIRACY SOON

From Mikhail Raj Abdullah

LIMA (Peru), Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The United Nations Security Council
will soon discuss Malaysia's proposal for a Naval Peacekeeping Force to combat
piracy in the high seas especially in the Gulf of Aden.

HUGE RESPONSE FOR BC SEKHAR MEMORIAL LECTURE BY BILL CLINTON

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- More than 8,000 people have requested to
attend the BC Sekhar Memorial Lecture to be delivered by former United States
President Bill Clinton here on Dec 6 but the present venue can only accommodate
500.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MARINE ISSUES

KUANTAN (Malaysia), Nov 24 (Bernama) -- An international conference to
address marine issues in the South China Sea will be held here from Tuesday to
Saturday.

Gov't plans large-scale greenhouse complex to boost farm exports

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Yonhap) -- The government aims to support construction of a
large-scale, high-tech glass greenhouse complex next year to help increase South
Korea's agricultural exports, a senior policymaker said Monday.

INDONESIANS IN PNG WILLING TO GO HOME

Jakarta, Nov 24 (ANTARA) - Many Indonesian citizens living in Papua New Guinea are willing to go home in Papua province following improving prosperity in the Indonesian easternmost province, a district head said.

TWELVE ALLEGED MALAYSIAN POACHERS ARRESTED

Pekanbaru, Nov 24 (ANTARA) - Twelve alleged Malaysian poachers have been arrested by the Indonesian Directorate General of Marine Resources of The Ministry of Marine and Fisheries (DKP) for allegedly entering the Indonesian waters, captain of the patrol boat arresting them said.

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