Taleban reject Karzai peace plan
November 18, 2008
The president wants to reach out to moderate Taleban elements
Taleban militants in Afghanistan have rejected an offer of peace talks from Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
They have said that there can be no negotiations until foreign troops leave Afghanistan.
Israel allows aid into Gaza Strip
November 18, 2008
Gazans will welcome the aid following acute shortages
Israel has briefly reopened a border crossing with the Gaza Strip to allow in a convoy of humanitarian aid.
The Israeli army said 33 trucks had entered Gaza. The UN refugee agency confirmed an aid delivery, but said fewer trucks had been let in.
Ethnic riot erupts in Czech town
November 18, 2008
Police and far-right protesters fight running battles in Litvinov
Riot police in the northern Czech town of Litvinov have waged a bloody battle with far-right protesters trying to reach a Roma (Gypsy) suburb.
Police, some mounted on horses, tried to force back rioters from a 500-strong crowd with batons and tear gas as youths hurled petrol bombs and stones.
UN draft seeks to boost DRC force
November 18, 2008
The UN mission in DR Congo is struggling to contain the fighting
France has presented a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council aimed at strengthening the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
UK minister in Damascus meeting
November 18, 2008
Mr Miliband wants Syria to play a role in Middle East peace-building
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband is holding talks with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The visit, the first to Damascus by a top-level British official since 2001, is part of a tour that includes Israel, the West Bank and Lebanon.
Unusual rush of voters in Kashmir
November 17, 2008
Many voters began queuing early
In Indian-administered Kashmir, there has been unusually strong turnout in the first phase of elections for a new state government.
Queues of hundreds of voters formed from early morning in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir valley, defying a boycott called by separatist groups.
Iraq cabinet backs US troops deal
November 17, 2008
US troops - like this one dancing with Iraqi police - are to leave by 2011
The Iraqi cabinet has approved a security pact with the US governing the future presence of 150,000 US troops in the country, officials have said.
Under the deal, US troops will withdraw from the streets of Iraqi towns next year, leaving Iraq by the end of 2011.
Guinea-Bissau vote goes smoothly
November 17, 2008
power-sharing agreement broke down in July, prompting the election
The people of Guinea-Bissau have voted in parliamentary elections that were seen as a major test of its stability.
International observers said there had been a high turnout and that voting had been calm and orderly. Official results are not expected until next Friday.
France holds ‘Eta military head’
November 17, 2008
Txeroki is suspected by police of killing two police officers in December 2007
The suspected military chief of the Basque separatist group, Eta, has been arrested in southern France, the French interior minister has announced.
Obama says aiding economy trumps budget deficit
November 17, 2008
Obama says aiding economy trumps budget deficit
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The United States government should not worry about deficits over the next two years while spending money to jumpstart the ailing economy, President-elect Barack Obama said in a television interview that aired on Sunday.