Reporters on the Job
• No Sign of Union Radicals: There are signs that some members of the All China Federation of Trade Unions might be getting ready to represent workers' interests, rather than keeping their members quiet, reports staff writer Peter Ford. "But you don't get that impression from a visit to the ACFTU's headquarters," he says.
"As a pillar of Communist Party rule, the federation occupies a suitably grand and massive building on Beijing's main avenue, but there is hardly anyone about. The main entrance is closed, so everybody has to go round the back. Before my interview, I was led along a corridor lined by what appeared to be empty offices. This was about as far from a nest of militants as it is possible to imagine," says Peter.
– David Clark Scott
World editor
• Monday, Sept. 29:
Moscow – South Korean President Lee Myung Bak holds talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Rosh Hashanah – The Jewish New Year begins at sunset.
Eid al-Fitr – The Muslim celebration marking the end of Ramadan is likely to begin at sunset, but depends on moon sighting.
• Wednesday, Oct. 1:
Oslo, Norway – First Annual Scandinavian Renewable Energy Forum.
• Thursday, Oct. 2:
Vilseck, Germany – Court-martial of US Army Spc. Steven Ribordy, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of four bound Iraqis in April 2007.
• Friday, Oct. 3:
Astrakhan, Russia – The leaders of five states bordering the Caspian Sea – Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan – hold a summit.
