No ‘arbitrary date’ for troops withdrawal from Iraq

The White House said that the US and Iraq have agreed to seek “a general time horizon”, for the withdrawal of American troops.

On Friday, Dana Perino, the White House spokeswoman, said that the US president, George W. Bush, and Nuri al-Maliki (photo, from lefigaro.fr), the Iraqi prime minister, had agreed not to set an “arbitrary date for withdrawal”.

Sudan agrees to resume ties with Chad

One month after severing diplomatic ties with Chad, Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s president, has agreed to resume them, following an unprecedented rebel attack near Khartoum, the Sudanese capital.

Pope apologises for clergy abuses

On Saturday, during a mass in Sydney for World Youth Day, the pope (photo) has apologised for the sexual abuses that have been committed by Roman Catholic clergy in Australia. The acts have been described by Benedict XVI as “evil”, a grave betrayal of trust and as bringing great shame on the Catholic church.

Iran talks : ‘no clear answer’

“No clear answer” has been given by Iran, to a Western-backed proposal aiming at suspending its controversial nuclear activities, says Javier Solana (photo), EU foreign policy chief.

The two sides would resume talks in two weeks’ time, he added, when he hoped for a decision from Tehran.

Naval escorts needed in Somalia

Foreign governments have been urged by the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide navale escorts, in order to protect its food ships from pirates off the Somali coast.

On Friday, the United Nations’ food agency warned that the lives of millions of starving people are threatened by disruptions to food shipments and attacks on aid workers inside the country.

Tight security in Myanmar commemoration

On Saturday, as officials gathered to commemorate the shooting death, 61 years ago, of the father of the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (photo, from bbc.co.uk), hundreds of riot police and soldiers ringed a monument in downtown Yangon, Myanmar (also known as Burma).

Obama starts his foreign tour in Afghanistan

Barack Obama’s campaign aide said that the Democratic presidential candidate (photo, from rue89.com) has arrived in Afghanistan. The Illinois senator flew to Kabul as part of a US congressional team.

Four people cleared in Madrid attacks

The conviction of four people, found guilty of involvement in the Madrid train bombings in 2004(photo), has been overturned by Spain’s Supreme Court. They were among 21 people, convicted last year over the attacks, whick killed 191 people.

Olmert lawyers start questioning

A US millionaire has started to be questioned by lawyers acting for Ehud Olmert (photo, from imemc.org), Israel’s prime minister, in an Israeli court. It is part of an investigation into corruption allegations against the Israeli leader.

Irish don’t want ’second vote’

French president (photo) remarks that the Republic of Ireland should hold a new referendum on the Lisbon Treaty made Irish ministers react robustly. Michael Martin, Ireland foreign minister said that his country would not be bullied.