Bush’s nominee warns on China war
WASHINGTON China hopes to take over Taiwan by peaceful means but is increasing its military might to prepare for a war anyway, Robert Gates, President Bush’s nominee for US Defence Secretary, has claimed. Mr Gates, a former CIA director, told Congress in a written statement that the US will have to monitor the military growth of China and stand ready to assist Taiwan in maintaining its self-defence. (AP)
Top earner Kidman
LOS ANGELES Nicole Kidman was the highest-paid Hollywood actress this year, beating Julia Roberts to the top spot for the first time in five years, The Hollywood Reporter said. Kidman, 39, commands about $17 million (£9 million) per film. (Reuters)
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Gaza role for Tutu
GENEVA Desmond Tutu, the former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, will head a United Nations fact-finding mission to the Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, where 19 civilians were killed by an Israeli artillery barrage this month. (AP)
Genocide charges
MEXICO CITY A Mexican court has reissued an arrest warrant for Luis Echeverría, the former president, over the massacre of student protesters in 1968. A federal judge had dismissed genocide charges against the 84-year-old four months ago. (AP)
Gorbachev better
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MOSCOW Mikhail Gorbachev was discharged from a hospital in Munich after undergoing surgery for a blocked artery in the neck. The former Soviet leader had been feeling tired and unwell when doctors in Russia sent him to the clinic. (AP)
Frist stands down
WASHINGTON Bill Frist, the Senate Majority Leader, will not run for President in 2008. His decision leaves Senator John McCain, Governor Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York, as the most high-profile runners for the Republican ticket. (AP)
Peace talks blow
JUBA The Lord’s Resistance Army, the rebel paramilitary force, has suspended peace talks with the Ugandan Government, accusing it of killing three rebel fighters. The group has demanded that Government troops withdraw eats of the River Nile. (AFP)
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Net speeder fined
OSLO A Norwegian man in his early 20s was caught by police after posting a video of his wild driving on the website YouTube. The recording showed the speedometer measuring speeds of 240kph (150mph). The driver was fined. (AP)