PARIS/LONDON – The world faces a surge in energy costs, as well as an increase in planet-warming carbon emissions, unless it agrees a climate change deal soon, the International Energy Agency said yesterday.
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SEOUL – North Korea increased regional tension just ahead of a trip to Asia this week by U.S. President Barack Obama by sparking a small-scale naval skirmish with the South yesterday.
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ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded an unusually low-key U.S. visit yesterday voicing confidence that his White House talks had helped secure Israel and promote peace efforts.
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JERUSALEM – Israel is readying all options to try to force Iran to halt its atomic programme, Israel’s top general told a parliamentary panel yesterday, an official said.
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ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is capable of ensuring the security of its nuclear arsenal and a report it is negotiating “understandings” for U.S. units to augment the weapons’ safety was “absurd”, a top Pakistani commander said.
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WASHINGTON – Barack Obama this week makes his first trip to Asia as president, leaving behind a host of domestic problems with a visit that recognizes the region’s economic and diplomatic importance to the United States.