NORTH KOREA: North Korea says sanctions ordered by the United Nations after its nuclear weapons test are the same as a declaration of war. The North Korean Foreign Ministry says the North will take what it calls "merciless" action against any country that infringes on its sovereignty. It says North Korea "wants peace, but is not afraid of war." It also lashed out at the United States, saying the sanctions are based on what it calls a U.S. attempt to "destroy the socialist system." North Korea said it would continue to monitor U.S. actions and take appropriate measures -- but did not specify what those measures would be.
SRI LANKA: Sri Lankan officials say military jets pounded a suspected Tamil Tiger camp in the northeast Monday evening, after a Tamil suicide bombing killed at least 95 sailors. But a pro-rebel Web site (Tamilnet) said the jets struck the village of Kaiveli (in Puthukudiyiruppu), killing two children and wounding 15 other people. Sri Lankan authorities said Tiger rebels rammed an explosives-laden truck into a convoy of buses packed with sailors Monday, killing at least 95 and wounding more than 150 others.
IRAQ: Iraqi authorities say a spate of bombings, mortar attacks and shootings across the country killed dozens of people today. The attacks took place in Baghdad, the northern city of Mosul and several other towns. Meanwhile, the U.S. military says more than 60 people were killed in sectarian violence between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims in the town of Balad since Friday.
BUSH-RAMADAN: President Bush has welcomed American Muslim leaders to the White House for the tradional meal that marks the end of the daily Ramadan fast. During Monday's Iftaar dinner, the president welcomed Muslim-Americans who serve as firefighters, police officers and members of the military.
THAILAND POLITICS: Thailand's military-installed government says it plans to lift a ban on political gatherings but will maintain martial law. Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said today in Bangkok that the political restrictions will be lifted after consultations with the military panel of coup leaders.
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