And turning now to China... where a deadly
attack in the northeastern region of Xinjiang...
has killed at least 31 people and injured
over 90 others.
Paul, what do we know about this brutal attack?
Officials say a series of explosions ripped
through Xinjiang's capital city of Urumqi
earlier Thursday, in what is being described
as the deadliest act of violence in the region
in years.
According to state media, two vehicles without
license plates broke through roadside fences...
and plowed into people at an open market before
exploding.
In a statement released by state media,...
Xi Jinping demanded that this case be solved
quickly... and that the terrorists be punished
severely,
He also called for a rapid mobilization of
aid to assist the injured people, and to console
the victims' families.
"This violent terrorist incident once again
shows that terrorists are fundamentally against
humanity, society and civilisation.
They should be condemned jointly by the Chinese
people and the international community."
China's Ministry of Public Security called
the attack in Urumqi a "serious violent terrorist
incident.
In rent months, China has blamed a series
of knife and bomb attacks on separatist militants
from Xinjiang, home of the ethnic Muslim Uighur
minority.
