Iraq: The United States and Britain are urging Iraqi political leaders to settle their political differences and form a national unity government as quickly as possible.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, appearing together in Baghdad, said Iraqis urgently need to agree on a new government now, three-and-a-half months after national elections.
Standing side by side at an unusual news conference today (Monday), Rice and Straw said Iraqis must conclude their lengthy political discussions and form a government that can end the current political stalemate and move Iraq toward stability.
Thailand-Election: Thailand's prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, says he is ready to consider proposals for national reconciliation after general elections Sunday showed a strong protest vote against his party.
Mr. Thaksin said he would appear on television later today (Monday) to discuss the election results. He had called the vote three years early to try to stop anti-government protests.
Early results showed votes for "no candidate" outnumbering votes for Mr. Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party in the capital, Bangkok.
But the prime minister says he is confident he will win the election nationwide.
China-Australia: Australia and China have signed a deal to allow Beijing to import Australian uranium for power generation.
At a ceremony in Canberra today (Monday), witnessed by Australian Prime Minister John Howard and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, the two countries' foreign ministers signed pacts intended to ensure Beijing does not divert Australian nuclear fuel into its atomic weapons program.
Mr. Howard said on television Sunday the safeguards are strict, and he expects China to uphold them.
US, Britain Press Iraq to Form Unity Government
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