Israel Apologizes to Biden, But Says it Will Not Reverse Plans
US Vice President Joe Biden is seeking to reassure Palestinians of US support for them, after Israel announced plans to build 1600 new homes in East Jerusalem.
Israel has apologized to Biden for the timing of the announcement, but it has made clear there are no plans to reverse the decision. At a news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Biden said the Palestinians deserve a "viable and contiguous" independent state.

Christian Aid Group Attacked in Pakistan, 6 Killed
Six employees of the US-based Christian aid group, World Vision, have been killed in Pakistan.
Suspected militants armed with grenades attacked the group’s offices in the country's northwestern region. World Vision has been working in the area to help survivors of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. A spokesperson for the group says it has now suspended those operations. Extremists have attacked foreign aid groups in Pakistan before, claiming such organizations are working against Islam.
All of the victims in the attack on World Vision were Pakistani employees.

China's Special Envoy in Chile Ahead of Inauguration
Chile’s President Elect, Sebastian Pinera has met with China’s Special Envoy, Yin Weimin.
The Human Resources and Social Security Minister is in Chile ahead of Pinera’s inauguration—Yin will represent China at the ceremony. The two met on Wednesday, at a meeting Yin described as 'friendly. They discussed how to further promote bilateral links. Yin also expressed his condolences for those who were killed in Chile's recent earthquake.

Iranian President Accuses US of Playing 'Double Game'
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has accused the United States of playing a "double game" in Afghanistan--by fighting those it had once supported.
Ahmadinejad is in Kabul to meet with his Afghan counterpart, Hamid Karzai. He made the remarks during a news conference, when he was asked to respond to comments by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates. Gates had earlier accused Tehran of "playing a double game" by trying to have a good relationship with the Afghan government while providing some support to the Taliban.

British Airways Facing Stike, Union Talks Break Down
British Airways employees may be on the verge of a strike again—the latest round of negotiations between Unite, the union representing cabin crew, and management have broken down.
Union officials say no further talks are planned over the long running dispute over pay and working conditions. They will now decide whether to call strikes. Unite has previously said that they would not walk out during the busy Easter period. A BA spokesperson says the company remains available for negotiations.

Egypt's top Muslim Imam dies of heart attack
The top Muslim Imam in Egypt is dead.
Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, 81-year old Sheikh Mohamed Sayyid Tantawi died of a sudden heart attack Wednesday in Saudi Arabia while on a trip to attend an awards ceremony.

Two landslides kill at least 12 in NW China
At least 12 people are dead and 19 missing after two landslides buried 16 homes in two northwest regions in China.
A landslide in Shaanxi early Wednesday buried 44 villagers in 15 homes in the city of Yulin. 25 villagers were rescued, but nine were confirmed dead.
Another landslide in Xinjiang buried one home and killed three in Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili Tuesday night.

Severe drought in SW China regions likely to linger till May
A severe drought in southwest China, which local people say is the worst in a century, is forecast to linger till the start of the rainy season in May.
The meteorological stations in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces made the forecast Wednesday saying widespread and substantial rainfall was not expected before May, although periods of light rainfall were likely in the second half of this month.
The Ministry of Agriculture says the drought, which began in the fall, had affected over 4 million hectares of farmland, and has left close to 3.5 million people short of water.

China to Carry Out Its Frist-Ever Space Docking by 2011
China will carry out the nations first ever space docking by 2011, according to the deputy commander-in-chief of China's space program.
Niu Hongguang said China will launch an unmanned space module, Tiangong-1, in the first half of 2011, and the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft in the second half of 2011. The launches will help China establish breakthroughs and further master space docking technologies.

China's foreign trade up 45.2 pct in February
China's foreign trade posted a 45 percent year-on-year growth in February, according to the General Administration of Customs.
Exports jumped nearly 46 percent in a new indication of a rebound in global demand. Imports rose more than 44 percent, reflecting growing demand in China as it emerges from the global crisis.