News
Asian evangelicals express 'anguish and shock' at Burma violence
The Evangelical Fellowship of Asia has issued a statement condemning the violence against peaceful protestors in Burma over the last week.
Ethiopia can't legally scrap border ruling, says Eritrea
Ethiopia's threat to terminate a pact ending a border war with Eritrea would have no impact on a five-year-old frontier ruling, Asmara's legal advisor said on Wednesday.
EU to step up sanctions against Myanmar
EU ambassadors agreed on Wednesday to toughen existing sanctions against Myanmar and explore other measures against its military junta after a bloody crackdown on protesters last week, an EU official said.
EU extends restriction zones to fight bluetongue
EU veterinary experts agreed on Wednesday to extend animal restriction zones set up in four countries to halt the spread of bluetongue disease and also to create extra controls in Britain, the European Commission said.
North Korea to get power, fuel infrastructure
North Korea would receive infrastructure improvements to its electricity plants and fuel storage facilities under a tentative six-party agreement, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill said on Wednesday.
South Korea rejects North's offer to extend summit
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun rejected a proposal by the North Korean leader on Wednesday to extend their summit meeting for another day, South Korea's YTN television reported.
Japan may halt aid for Myanmar over fatal shooting
Japan is considering suspending some 500 million yen ($4.3 million) in humanitarian aid for Myanmar following Yangon's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests during which one Japanese video journalist was killed, a senior Japanese government official said on Wednesday.
Somalia chides nations at UN over slow pace of aid
Somalia urged the world on Tuesday to support "a nation in dire need of help" and complained of international reticence to help solve what other African countries dubbed a "forgotten crisis."
U.S. approves latest North Korea nuclear agreement
The United States said on Tuesday it had approved a tentative deal for North Korea to disclose all its nuclear programs and disable its Yongbyon atomic plant.
U.S. to lead group to North Korea within 2 weeks
The United States will lead an expert group to North Korea within the next two weeks to prepare for disablement of the country's nuclear facilities, according to a statement agreed at six-party disarmament talks.
EU allows Britain to resume partial meat exports
European Union vets on Wednesday allowed Britain to resume exports of fresh beef and sheep meat from outside a restricted area in southern England subject to strict conditions, the European Commission said.
Ethiopia angry at proposed U.S. aid sanction
Ethiopia on Wednesday strongly criticised a U.S. law moving through Congress that links continued aid to democratic reforms, calling it a threat to regional stability and its close military ties with Washington.
China, Vietnam evacuate thousands as storm strikes
China and Vietnam evacuated hundreds of thousands of people from low-lying coastal areas on Wednesday as Typhoon Lekima, packing winds of up to 120 kph (75 mph) blew in from the east.
World Food Program urges U.S. to boost aid funds
The United States must dig deeper into its pockets to feed the world's hungry, the head of the World Food Program said on Tuesday, urging the world's top provider of food assistance to increase aid budgets.
Jimmy Carter blocked from meeting Darfur tribal chief
Former President Jimmy Carter had a heated exchange with Sudanese security who prevented him from visiting a Darfur tribal leader in Kebkabiya town, North Darfur on Wednesday.
New crackdown on trafficking for sex trade
A new campaign against human trafficking for the sex trade will be launched across the country on Wednesday, police said.