China rejects call for peace talks

The Chinese government rejected a request from Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian for peace talks. Shui-ban urged China to agree to talks in the hope of easing tensions between the two nations. China refused, with Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Zhang Mingqing calling Shui-ban's plans "separatist" and warned they "will only bring great catastrophe." China has over 600 missiles aimed at Taiwan and has repeatedly stated it will invade if Taiwan declares independence.

Iraqi leader threatens Fallujah militants

The interim leader of Iraq, Iyad Allawi, has issued an ultimatum to militants in the Iraqi city of Fallujah. Allawi is demanding that residents of the city turn over Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who is believed to be behind a series of kidnappings and violence. If al-Zarqawi is not turned in, Allawi has threatened an assault on the city. Fallujah has been a center of resistance against the U.S.-led forces in Iraq.

Millions of children in poverty, says U.N.

A new UNICEF report says that millions of children are living in poverty in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In the nine countries studied, nearly 44 million children are in poverty—one-third of the children living in those countries. The high poverty figures come in spite of economic progress and reforms being undertaken.

Food aid scaled back in Darfur

The United Nations is scaling back food aid projects in the Darfur region of Sudan due to its escalating violence. The decision came in the wake of the killing of two Save the Children aid workers. The Darfur region is gripped in what the U.N. calls a "genocide," with nearly 50,000 people killed in the last 20 months.