In a major policy shift, the United States said Wednesday it is prepared to join other nations in holding direct talks with Iran on its nuclear program if Iran first agrees to stop disputed nuclear activities that the West fears could lead to a bomb. "To underscore our commitment to a diplomatic solution and to enhance prospects for success, as soon as Iran fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities, the United States will come to the table," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at the State Department. Asked at a news conference whether the United States would be willing to re-establish diplomatic relations with Iran, Rice ruled out a "grand bargain" and cited major disagreements between the two countries on many issues. However, Rice said a negotiated solution to the nuclear dispute could "begin to change the relationship." "We urge Iran to make this choice for peace, to abandon its ambition for nuclear weapons," she said. At the same time, ... http://www.usatoday.com censor News |
Editor - 09:12:00 05-31-06 |
Java earthquake toll passes 5,800 |
Indonesia has upped the death toll from the earthquake which hit the island of Java on Saturday to more than 5,800. Large quantities of aid started flowing into affected areas, and the UN spoke of "enormous progress" being made. But many survivors spent a fourth night without shelter or supplies, as congested roads hampered access to more remote areas. The 6.3 magnitude quake near the city of Yogyakarta left thousands injured and as many as 200,000 without homes. Donations from around the world have continued to arrive as the relief operation, involving at least 22 countries, gathered pace. The aid supplies, brought in by a succession of planes landing at Yogyakarta's airport, were unloaded into warehouses before being trucked south. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5032458.stm
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Editor - 09:08:00 05-31-06 |
Iraq imposes emergency in Basra |
Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki has declared a month-long state of emergency in Basra, which has been plagued by sectarian clashes, anarchy and factional rivalry. Visiting the city, Mr Maliki said he would use an "iron fist" to crush those who threaten security. The prime minister has accused criminal gangs of holding the city's oil exports and other trade to ransom. More than 100 people have died in the last month in Basra - until recently seen as one of Iraq's safer cities. Relations between Basra's garrison of 8,000-odd British troops and the city's dominant Shias used to be cordial but have deteriorated rapidly in the past few months. Nine British soldiers were killed in May alone.... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5032294.stm
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Editor - 09:06:00 05-31-06 |
Mystery over ghost ship migrants |
Authorities in Barbados are still trying to discover how a boat carrying the bodies of 11 men was found adrift off the Barbadian coast a month ago. Police believe the men were mostly from Senegal after finding an Air Senegal ticket on board and a note left by one of the dying men. In the note, the man speaks of his family in Bassada, Senegal. "Please excuse me and goodbye", he says. It is thought the men were attempting to reach Spain's Canary Islands. Coastguards brought the 20ft (6m) unmarked boat into port at Bridgetown after the gruesome discovery was made by a local fisherman in April. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5029230.stm
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Editor - 11:00:00 05-30-06 |
Bodies of 2 Marines Recovered in Iraq |
The bodies of two U.S. Marines missing after a helicopter crashed in western Iraq over the weekend have been recovered, the military said Tuesday. The U.S. Marine Corps AH-1 Cobra helicopter from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing was on a maintenance test flight when it went down Saturday in the volatile western region of Anbar. The military said hostile fire was not suspected as the cause, but the crash was under investigation. ... http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5854740,00.html
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Editor - 10:44:00 05-30-06 |
HIV infections 'may have peaked' |
The rate at which people are infected with HIV may have peaked in the late 1990s, according to a UNAIDS report. It found the incidence of new HIV infections appears to have stabilised for the first time in 25 years. UNAIDS said improved funding and access to drugs appears to be producing results - but said HIV remains "an exceptional threat". It warned the infection rate is still rising in some countries, and record numbers now live with the virus. Click here to see map of worldwide HIV infection rates The agency, which surveyed 126 countries, estimated 38.6 million people are living with HIV worldwide. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5021074.stm
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Editor - 10:41:00 05-30-06 |
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