Iraqi police say at least 18 people have been killed and nearly 40 others wounded in a series of bombings in northern Iraq. Police say most of the attacks were carried out (today/Tuesday) by suicide car bombers who detonated their explosives-filled vehicles near security checkpoints around the town of Hawija, close to the oil city of Kirkuk.
President Bush meets with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the White House today (Tuesday) for talks expected to focus on a British plan to reduce poverty in Africa. So far, Mr. Bush has been cool to the proposal to double current international aid to Africa, saying it does not fit the U.S. budgetary process. But, White House officials say the two leaders are expected to announce a joint initiative to help 14 million people vulnerable to famine in Eritrea and Ethiopia, and provide humanitarian aid to other African nations.
Bolivian President Carlos Mesa has submitted his resignation to Congress amid angry protests demanding nationalization of the country's oil and gas industry. Mr. Mesa made the announcement in a nationally televised address late Monday. Congress must still vote to accept the resignation. President Mesa had also submitted his resignation earlier this year, but it was rejected by lawmakers.
Authorities in Laos have released at least three of four U.S. nationals who were detained after witnessing the surrender Saturday of about 170 relatives of ethnic Hmong rebels.
A spokesman for Laos' Foreign Ministry said two Americans (Ed and Georgie Szendrey) and at least one Hmong-American (Nhia Vang Yang) were released Monday and escorted across the border to Thailand. The fate of a second Hmong-American (Sia Cher Vang) is not clear.
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