KOREA NUCLEAR TEST: North Korea says it will consider continued pressure from the United States to be a declaration of war. A statement carried by North Korea's official news agency (K.C.N.A.) today (Wednesday) said Pyongyang will take "physical countermeasures" if Washington keeps pressing the government of Kim Jong Il over its nuclear program. The U.S. has called for tough U.N. sanctions against North Korea, following Pyongyang's declaration Monday that it had tested a nuclear weapon.
NOKOR-AID: A prominent human rights group is urging the international community to continue aid to North Korea, despite the country's claim of a nuclear weapons test. New York-based Human Rights Watch called on donors today (Wednesday) to distinguish between the North Korea government and ordinary people. The group says suspending food aid will only hurt the country's citizens.
THAILAND-POLITICS: Thailand's defense minister says martial law will remain in place for another month because of continued instability following the country's recent coup. Speaking in Bangkok today (Wednesday), Boonrawd Somtas said some uncertainty remains a month after military leaders deposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He said martial law will be lifted once the situation is resolved.
CONGO-AMNESTY REPORT: Human rights group Amnesty International says the Democratic Republic of Congo is doing little to end the practice of armed groups recruiting child soldiers. In a report issued today (Wednesday), Amnesty estimates that about 11-thousand children remain attached to rebel groups in Congo, or have gone missing after being recruited.
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