China says North Korea to resume nuclear talks

Beijing announced Moncay that North Korea will resume talks on its nuclear weapons program starting next week.

The negotiations will be the first after a 13-month boycott by North Korea protesting U.S. financial sanctions. It will also be the first talks since Pyongyang conducted its first nuclear weapon's test on Oct. 9.

North Korea's official newspaper though carried columns recommending that Tokyo not return to the talks because of Japan's sanctions in reaction to the nuclear test. "Even if they do come to the six-party talks, there will be nothing useful, with them making it difficult to solve the issue and wasting time by bringing to the table irrelevant issues,' the Rodong Sinmun newspaper said.


North Korean chief negotiator Kim Gye Gwan and a member of his delegation listen to opening remarks at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing in this November 9, 2005, file photo. AP Photo/Peter PARKS, POOL, FILE via Yahoo News.

USDA deregulates disputed GMO rice

The USDA deregulated a controversial genetically-modifed rice which was found in batches of U.S. rice certifed as GMO-free sparking trade disputes with Japan and the European Union.

The EU has implemented extensive testing of imported rice to include the LL Rice 62, detected recently in France, at the exporter's expense.

On another front, Vietnam and Thailand agreed to work together to help meet the world demand for rice. Both countries, the world's largest rice exporters, pledged not to produce GMO rice.


Rie grains seen in an undated file photo. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday formally approved a strain of genetically engineered rice whose discovery in commercial stocks earlier this year fueled a trade dispute with the European Union and Japan. USDA/Handout/Reuters via Yahoo News.

Australia and New Zealand send troops to Tonga

A joint contingent of more than 60 troops and police from New Zealand and Australia landed in Tonga Friday to support the government of the Tongan king.

Rioters destroyed about 80 percent of businesses in business district of Nuku'alofa, the capital, and eight people were killed in the unrest.


The destroyed headquarters of the Shoreline Group of Companies on Taufa'ahau Road in Nuku'alofa, Tonga is seen November 17, 2006. REUTERS/Stringer viat Yahoo News.

Violence broke out during a protest against the government calling for democratic change. Businesses of the King and his partners were targeted.

King Siaosi Tupou and his sister Princess Pilolevu have taken control of most of the state's assets following the death of their father King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.