Four detained for killing of three Spaniards in Afghanistan

   Madrid - Four people have been detained in connection with the killing of two Spanish police trainers and their interpreter in Afghanistan on August 25, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said Wednesday.

Investigations would continue until all those responsible for the killings would face justice, Zapatero told parliament, without giving further details.

 Two Spanish police instructors and their Iranian-born Spanish interpreter were shot dead by a police driver while teaching Afghan police officers at a Spanish military base in Qala-I-Naw. Other Spanish police officers then shot the killer dead.

 The Spanish government described the killing as a premeditated terrorist attack.

 Spain has about 1,500 troops in Afghanistan as part of the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Gems worth 1 million US dollars stolen at Hong Kong jewellery fair

Hong Kong - Gems worth 1 million US dollars were stolen on the first day of an international jewellery trade fair in Hong Kong, police said Wednesday.

 Two men were arrested for allegedly stealing a seven-carat diamond worth 450,000 US dollars and replacing it with a fake on Tuesday at the five-day Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair.

 Later, an emerald necklace worth more than 500,000 US dollars was stolen from another booth, and in two separate incidents thieves snatched pearls worth a total of 25,000 US dollars, a police spokesman said.

 The exhibition at Hong Kong's AsiaWorld Expo and Convention and Exhibition Centre showcases 3,200 exhibitors from 45 countries and is expected to draw a total of 40,000 visitors before it ends on Saturday.

Singapore's jobless rate reaches lowest level in two years

Singapore - Singapore's jobless rate stayed unchanged at 2.2 per cent in June compared to three months earlier, reflecting the lowest level in two years, government data released Wednesday showed.

 Spurred by a strong economic expansion, total employment rose for the fourth consecutive quarter, with gains of 24,900 jobs in the three months through June, the Ministry of Manpower said.

 In the first half 2010, total gains came up to 61,400, providing a sharp contrast to a loss of 13,800 jobs in the same period a year ago, it added.

 Redundancies remained at around pre-recession quarterly levels, with 2,280 workers being laid-off in the second quarter, the ministry said.

 For the first time in the economic recovery, job vacancies slightly outnumbered job seekers.