Violence has flared again in several French cities, despite the imposition of night-time curfews aimed at curbing the looting, burning and other destruction that has taken place for nearly two weeks. Rampaging youths burned more than 600 vehicles across the country overnight, fewer than the night before. Police say 204 people were arrested in the latest violence, which has been carried out mainly by Muslim youths of North African descent.
China says a bird flu outbreak in its northeastern Liaoning Province is not yet under control and could escalate into a disaster. The official China Daily newspaper today (Wednesday) quotes Agriculture Minister Du Qingling as saying the outbreak is still serious, and that efforts to wipe out the disease there have been very difficult.
A global media watchdog is urging Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to increase press freedom in the country, which it says has declined considerably in the last year. In a letter to Mr. Thaksin, France-based Reporters Without Borders today (Wednesday) urged the Thai leader to withdraw all criminal and civil defamation actions brought against journalists and press freedom activists.
The U.S. military in Iraq says coalition forces have finished clearing operations in the border town of Husaybah, which is believed to be a major entry point for foreign fighters and weapons. A statement issued today (Wednesday) said the main clearing operation in the town on the Syrian border ended late Tuesday, but that patrols and raids against remaining insurgents are still continuing.
Listen to our World News for details and more...