News for Wednesday, February 7, 2007
• US Military Wants More Civilian Help in Iraq A U.S. newspaper says top U.S. military commanders have told President Bush that his new Iraq strategy is likely to fail without more civilian help in rebuilding the country.
• Rival Palestinian Leaders Hold Reconciliation Talks in Mecca Leaders of rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have opened talks in Saudi Arabia in efforts to end a deadly power struggle and form a unity government.
• Diplomats Gather for North Korea Nuclear Talks Amid Optimism Senior international diplomats are arriving in the Chinese capital for another attempt to negotiate an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons capabilities. Unlike many past sessions, there has been considerable positive speculation about this round, with many experts predicting at least a partial deal may be struck. VOA's Kurt Achin has more from Beijing.
• Expert Says N.Korean Nuclear Crisis Could Lead to Conflict Between US, China A prominent Chinese arms control expert says China's strategic interests could force Beijing into a military confrontation with the United States if the U.S. and North Korea were to go to war. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.
• EU Diplomat Murdered in Ivory Coast Diplomatic sources in the Ivory Coast say unidentified attackers have shot and killed a French diplomat working for the European Union.
• NBA: Celtics Losing Streak Continues The Boston Celtics' losing streak continued Tuesday as they fell to the Detroit Pistons 109-102 in National Basketball Association action.
• US-Led Forces Capture 2 Suspected al-Qaida Militants in Eastern Afghanistan U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan say they have captured two suspected al-Qaida militants in the east of the country.
• US Seeks Biofuel Partnership With Brazil A senior U.S. diplomat says the United States is seeking an agreement with Brazil to produce and find new markets for biofuels such as ethanol, to reduce the U.S. dependency on oil.
• NHL: Devils Edge Rangers in Shootout The New Jersey Devils beat the New York Rangers 3-2 in a shootout in Tuesday's National Hockey League action.
• US Helicopter Down in Iraq Another U.S. helicopter has gone down in Iraq.
• Malaysia's Anwar Calls on Kuala Lumpur to Support Peace Efforts in Thai South Malaysia's former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, has called on the Malaysian government for stronger efforts to help end militant violence in neighboring Thailand. Ron Corben reports for VOA from Bangkok that Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is preparing to visit the Thai capital to discuss cooperation in the issue.
• All-Female Unit Prepares to Begin Duties in Liberia The first all-female United Nations peacekeeping unit sent on a foreign mission will soon begin duties in Liberia. The unit of more than 100 Indian police officers, which arrived last month, is receiving training and say they are eager to begin work. U.N. officials say they hope an all-female unit can inspire and help Liberian women. Kari Barber has more from our West Africa Bureau in Dakar.
• Israel Detains Jerusalem's Islamic Leader During Protest of Repairs Near Mosque Complex Israeli police have detained an Arab Israeli Islamic leader and several of his followers who were protesting Israeli excavation and repair work on a ramp leading to two Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.
• Israel: New Palestinian Government Must Recognize Israel, Renounce Violence Israeli officials say any new Palestinian unity government must recognize Israel and renounce violence if it is to gain international acceptance. VOA's Jim Teeple reports from Jerusalem the leaders of the Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah met in Saudi Arabia to try to end a deadly power struggle.
• Paris Magazine in Court Over Muhammad Cartoons A Paris court has heard opening arguments in a defamation suit against a French satirical magazine that reprinted two controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.
• China Promises to Reduce Trade Imbalance with Africa Chinese President Hu Jintao has promised to reduce China's trade imbalance with Africa by increasing imports and promoting Chinese investment in African industry. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from Johannesburg that Mr. Hu made the remarks in South Africa, toward the end of an eight-nation visit to Africa.
• Iran Tests New Defense System in Two-Day War Games Iran has tested new Russian-built air defenses, as part of two-day war games off the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman.
• Four Iraqi Military Officers Detained in Kidnapping of Iranian Diplomat Iraq's foreign minister says four Iraqi military officers have been detained in the kidnapping this week of an Iranian diplomat.
• Two Bomb Attacks Kill Five in Southern Afghanistan Two separate bomb attacks in southern Afghanistan Wednesday killed five people and injured several others.
• Venezuela Says It Does Not Need Money From US to Fight Drugs A top Venezuelan official says his country will fight drug trafficking without the help of the United States.
• Jailed Russian Tycoon Slams New Charges The imprisoned former chief of the Russian oil firm Yukos has rejected new charges brought against him, saying he has no doubt that politicized Russian courts will find him guilty.
• Italy Indicts American Soldier for Shooting of Italian in Iraq An Italian judge has indicted an American soldier for the shooting of an Italian intelligence agent in Baghdad in 2005. The soldier will be tried for voluntary murder. He is expected to be tried in absentia. Sabina Castelfranco reports for VOA from Rome.
• Thousands of Miners Protest Proposed Tax Hike in Bolivia Tens of thousands of miners in Bolivia have marched in the capital to protest a planned tax increase.
• Nigerian President Reschedules Meeting with Oil Worker Unions Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has asked to reschedule a much-anticipated meeting with state governors, oil company executives and oil workers' unions to discuss insecurity in the Niger Delta.
• British Hostage Released in Nigeria's Troubled Delta A British oil worker abducted by kidnappers last month has been released in Nigeria's volatile Niger Delta region. Sarah Simpson reports for VOA from Lagos.
• Muslim Officials Call on Israel to Stop Repairs Near Mosque Complex Muslim leaders have called on Israel to halt repairs near two holy sites in Jerusalem.
• Rice Accuses Chavez of Ruining Venezuela U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says she believes Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is wrecking his country.
• Apple Chief Calls for Removal of Digital Music Piracy Protections The head of computer giant Apple has called for major record companies to start selling songs online without copy protections.
• Bollywood Actress, 'Celebrity Big Brother' Winner, Thanks British PM Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Wednesday personally thanked Prime Minister Tony Blair for his support during the bullying she took during her recent appearance on a British reality television show.
• UN Urges Other Nations to Assist Jordan, Syria With Iraqi Refugees The head of the United Nations refugee agency has urged other nations to help Jordan and Syria with the four million Iraqis who have fled their homes.
• EU Officials Urge Serbia to Act Constructively on Kosovo A high-level delegation from the European Union has urged Serbian leaders to take a positive approach to the United Nations talks on the future of Serbia's breakaway province of Kosovo.
• Italy Approves Tough Football Security Measures The Italian government has approved a tough new set of security measures that will force many football matches to be played "behind closed doors" without fans.
• Pakistan to Close Four Refugee Camps for Afghans Pakistan officials say they will close four camps holding 240,000 refugees from Afghanistan within about six months.
• NASA to Review Psychological Screening Process The U.S. Space Agency (NASA) says it will review its psychological screening process one day after a U.S. astronaut was charged with attempting to kill an alleged romantic rival.
• Analysts: Alliance Between China, North Korea Strained Over Nuclear Issue Over the past few years, China has been a major player in the six-party talks aimed at persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program. The next round is scheduled to begin February 8 in Beijing. The first round took place in August 2003. In this background report from Washington, VOA Senior Correspondent André de Nesnera looks at the relationship between China and North Korea.
• US Plans Sanctions if Sudan Refuses Darfur Force Bush administration officials say the United States is prepared to impose sanctions against Sudan if it does not follow through on a stated commitment to allow an expanded peacekeeping force in the troubled Darfur region. However, they say U.N. member states have not yet pledged enough troops to put the Sudanese promise to the test. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.
• Mogadishu Residents Say Mortar Attacks Kill Two Witnesses in Somalia say gunmen have fired a barrage of mortar shells in the capital, Mogadishu, killing at least two people.
• Israeli, Lebanese Troops Exchange Fire Across Border Lebanese and Israeli soldiers exchanged cross-border fire Wednesday, but no casualties were reported.
• Austria Uncovers Global Child Pornography Ring Austria says it has uncovered a child pornography network involving more than 2,300 people in 77 countries. People allegedly paid to view videos via the Internet of young children being sexually abused. Stefan Bos reports from Budapest that many of the children are believed to be eastern European.
• Historic Survey of American Art Goes to China The first historic survey of American art ever presented in China goes on view in Beijing February 10, the latest example of growing cultural diplomacy and exchange between the United States and China. From VOA's New York Bureau, correspondent Barbara Schoetzau has the details.