US Says 30 Terrorists Killed in Offensive in Iraq

IRAQ: The U.S. military says troops have killed 30 suspected terrorists in a massive operation against al-Qaida in Iraq northeast of Baghdad. The military also says soldiers found numerous weapons and bombs during the offensive in Diyala province. The military launched the operation, which involves 10-thousand soldiers, early Tuesday. Meanwhile, the death toll from Tuesday's truck bombing outside a Shi'ite mosque in Baghdad has risen to 87. More than 200 others were wounded in the attack, which Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki blamed on Sunni extremists.

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS

: Israeli officials say Defense Minister Ehud Barak has ordered the army to let some Palestinians in the Gaza Strip enter Israel. They say Palestinians needing urgent medical treatment will be permitted to cross into Israel. As many as several hundred Palestinians have been stuck on the Palestinian side of the Erez border crossing. Israel sealed border crossings with Gaza last week when the militant group Hamas took control of the territory following days of deadly clashes with the Fatah faction.

NOKOR NUCLEAR: The top U.S. envoy to talks on North Korea's nuclear program says he expects the six-nation negotiations to resume in early July. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said today (Wednesday) in Tokyo that he would prefer the talks start soon after America's July fourth Independence Day holiday. Separately, South Korean authorities are working with two of the country's largest oil companies to arrange a massive shipment of fuel oil to North Korea. The shipment is part of a deal to end North Korea's nuclear program.

THAILAND POL: Thailand's Election Commission says it may move up a general election promised for December if a post-coup constitution is approved quickly. Commission Chair Apichart Sukhagganond said today (Wednesday) that a referendum on the constitution is expected to be held August 19 -- and if the document is approved, elections could take place November 25.

CAMBODIA-AID CONFERENCE: Foreign aid donors have pledged 689 million dollars in development aid for Cambodia this year. The money pledged today (Wednesday) at a donors conference in Phnom Penh was promised despite strong concerns of rampant corruption and demands by rights groups to get tough on what they call the government's refusal to enact reforms.

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