White House expresses ‘deep concern’ about reports of death, injury in western China

October 12th, 2009 China says 6 people get death in Xinjiang riotsBEIJING — China says six people have been sentenced to death for murder and other crimes committed during riots in the western Xinjiang region in July that killed nearly 200 people. The official Xinhua News Agency said a court in the Xinjiang capital of Urumqi also sentenced a seventh person to life in prison.

October 6th, 2009 White House: Delay of Dalai Lama meeting mutualWASHINGTON — The White House says the decision to delay a meeting between President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama was mutual. The Tibetan spiritual leader is in Washington to receive an award, but won't meet with the president.

September 19th, 2009 Strong earthquake hits western ChinaBEIJING — Officials say a strong earthquake has shaken western China but there are no reports of injuries or serious damage. The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-5.4 quake struck at 4:54 p.m.

September 14th, 2009 Former Carter press secretary Jody Powell diesWASHINGTON — A close associate says Jody Powell, who was White House press secretary during Jimmy Carter's presidency, has died. Powell, a Georgia native known for his deep Southern drawl, worked on Carter's presidential campaign in 1976 and served as the Carter's spokesman between 1977 and 1981.

August 19th, 2009 White House hopeful about North KoreaWASHINGTON — The White House is hopeful about improved relations with North Korea after a delegation from the communist country met in the U.S. with New Mexico Gov.

July 27th, 2009 China unhappy with Uighur activist's Japan tripBEIJING — China's Foreign Ministry criticized Japan on Monday for allowing a visit this week by an exiled Uighur activist whom Beijing blames for deadly ethnic riots in western China. The Chinese government "expresses strong dissatisfaction" with the Japanese government for allowing Rebiya Kadeer to visit Wednesday and Thursday despite Beijing's "repeated and serious representations," ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement.

July 11th, 2009 Australian expresses concern over Rio detentionBEIJING — Australia's trade minister met Saturday with Chinese officials and said he expressed "strong concern" about the detention of a Rio Tinto Ltd. employee on spying charges, a news report said.

July 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US Monday called for restraint after clashes in China's Xinjiang region left more than 150 people dead. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement that the circumstances behind the violence remained unclear but urged both sides to exercise calm.

June 22nd, 2009 US presses China over Internet filteringBEIJING — Washington has expressed concern to Beijing over its new effort to censor Internet use and its possible impact on trade and access to information, the U.S. Embassy said Monday.

June 13th, 2009 White House keeps close watch on Iran campaignWASHINGTON — The White House says it is monitoring Iran's presidential election results, including reports of voter fraud. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Saturday the Obama administration is keeping close watch on the election process, "including reports of irregularities." He said the White House was impressed "by the vigorous debate and enthusiasm that this election generated, particularly among young Iranians." Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (ah-muh-DEE'-neh-zhahd) has claimed victory.

May 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Expressing 'deep concern' over reports of Taliban targeting Sikhs in Pakistan, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday demanded that the Indian government take proactive steps to save the lives of people of Indian origin. The BJP demanded that the government should take proactive steps to save people of Indian origin living in Pakistan, a party statement said.

April 7th, 2009 COLOMBO - The United Nations Tuesday expressed 'deep concern' for the lives of over 100,000 Tamil civilians trapped in a small strip of land in the northern Mullaitivu district, saying 'a series of humanitarian pauses must be initiated immediately' to allow them 'to leave' the war zone. Walter Kalin, the representative of the UN secretary general on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, issued a statement at the end of a four-day fact finding visit saying over 100,000 civilians were trapped in the 14-square kilometre area of Sri Lanka declared a no-fire zone and appealed to save their lives.

March 17th, 2009 LONDON - British actress Natasha Richardson is reportedly in a critical condition after suffering a serious head injury while skiing in Quebec, Canada. The 45-year-old was involved in an accident on the slopes on Monday and was taken to Montreal's Centre Hospitalier Laurentien.

March 10th, 2009 BEIJING - China is working on an ambitious ocean exploration programme that may send men 7,000 metres deep into the ocean. Sun Zhihui, director of the State Oceanic Administration, Monday said that a deep-sea manned submersible vessel for the mission has been assembled last year and the test would begin this year.

February 21st, 2009 SYDNEY - With just six days left for the first Test against South Africa, the back injury has come back to haunt Australian captain Michael Clarke. The 27-year-old has been suffering from a lower-back injury for a long time in his career and now a new injury in the same area has become a cause of concern in the Australian camp.