Bashir could escape ICC indictment

UNITED NATIONS – Sudan’s president might be able to avoid formal genocide charges if he helps bring to justice two men long wanted in connection with mass killings in Darfur, Western diplomats said yesterday.

US envoy to meet Iran’s negotiator * WASHINGTON – The United States announced yesterday a senior US diplomat would attend international nuclear talks with Iran in the highest-ranking meeting between the two foes in three decades. Groundbreaking interfaith meeting * MADRID – Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah opened an unprecedented meeting of Muslims, Christians, Jews and other believers yesterday with a call to shun the extremist violence that has tarnished the reputation of religious faith.Senegal says M Union will split Africa * DAKAR – The newly launched Union for the Mediterranean will divide Africa north and south of the Sahara and create a two-speed cooperation with Europe in which black Africa will be relegated, Senegal’s president,President Abdoulaye Wade, said yesterday.Moz to build centres for refugees * MAPUTO – Mozambique may have to create centres for Zimbabweans fleeing the current turbulence in their country, says an official.Details of the asylum seekers would be taken at such centres to see if they met international criteria for refugees, said Gansalves Sengo, the head of the centre for the assistance of refugees in Mozambique.US must delay death sentences * THE HAGUE – The World Court yesterday ordered the United States to do everything necessary to ensure five Mexicans on death row are not executed before the court makes a judgment in a dispute between the two countries.Malaysia’s Anwar taken to hospital * KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been taken to hospital after his arrest on sodomy allegations, and is believed to be undergoing a medical examination, his party said Wednesday.Japanese teen hijacks bus * TOKYO – A 14-year-old Japanese boy who wanted to cause trouble for his parents was arrested on yesterday for hijacking a bus at knifepoint on a major highway, police and news reports said.Chinese women caught with ivory * NAIROBI – Kenya’s wildlife service says two Chinese women are being questioned at Nairobi’s international airport after being found with 36 pieces of ivory.Groundbreaking interfaith meeting * MADRID – Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah opened an unprecedented meeting of Muslims, Christians, Jews and other believers yesterday with a call to shun the extremist violence that has tarnished the reputation of religious faith.Senegal says M Union will split Africa * DAKAR – The newly launched Union for the Mediterranean will divide Africa north and south of the Sahara and create a two-speed cooperation with Europe in which black Africa will be relegated, Senegal’s president,President Abdoulaye Wade, said yesterday.Moz to build centres for refugees * MAPUTO – Mozambique may have to create centres for Zimbabweans fleeing the current turbulence in their country, says an official.Details of the asylum seekers would be taken at such centres to see if they met international criteria for refugees, said Gansalves Sengo, the head of the centre for the assistance of refugees in Mozambique. US must delay death sentences * THE HAGUE – The World Court yesterday ordered the United States to do everything necessary to ensure five Mexicans on death row are not executed before the court makes a judgment in a dispute between the two countries.Malaysia’s Anwar taken to hospital * KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been taken to hospital after his arrest on sodomy allegations, and is believed to be undergoing a medical examination, his party said Wednesday.Japanese teen hijacks bus * TOKYO – A 14-year-old Japanese boy who wanted to cause trouble for his parents was arrested on yesterday for hijacking a bus at knifepoint on a major highway, police and news reports said.Chinese women caught with ivory * NAIROBI – Kenya’s wildlife service says two Chinese women are being questioned at Nairobi’s international airport after being found with 36 pieces of ivory.