Iran may end nuclear cooperation

Amid U.S.-led criticism of its plan to enrich uranium, Iran's president, Mohammad Khatami, stated that Iran may end cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Khatami's remarks come after the IAEA passed a resolution demanding Iran stop its enrichment plans and answer questions about its nuclear program.

Iran has argued that its intentions are peaceful and that it is complying fully with the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

Hurricane Jeanne leaves 800 dead in Haiti

Flooding caused by hurricane Jeanne left over 800 people dead and 1,000 missing in Haiti. Damage from the hurricane has also left another 175,000 without food, water, or electricity. International Red Cross workers have been working to distribute emergency supplies to affected people. U.N. peacekeepers, still in Haiti from the February overthrow of Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, are also taking part in the relief effort.

Thousands flee unrest in Democratic Republic of Congo

Fighting between government troops and dissident soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo is causing thousands of people to flee the country, according to U.N. officials. Some reports put the number of displaced civilians at 20,000, while estimates from within the country put the number at nearly 150,000. United Nations peacekeeping forces have been unable to stop the violence, leading U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to call for a doubling of the 11,000 troops already in the country.

The clashes come in spite of a peace deal signed last year, which gave the rebel group positions in a new power-sharing government.

EU to lift sanctions against Libya

Following the United States' lead, the European Union announced that it will be lifting a ban on the sale of weapons to Libya. The sanctions were originally imposed in 1986, in response to support of terrorist groups by the Libyan government. Relations with Libya have improved with the government's promise to compensate families of victims of two airline bombings.

Two US hostages killed in Iraq

Iraqi militants killed two U.S. hostages, and are threatening to kill a third unless the U.S. releases all female Iraqi prisoners. The United States government admits to holding two women in custody, but said it has no plans to release them. Despite a televised plea for help by the wife of one of the hostages, there is no indication that the government was asked to accede to the demands.