International News for Jan. 8 - 25

This is not original reporting. All information has been compiled from The New York Times International News section. Silver Chips Online posts this news summary to provide readers with a forum for discussion.

China

Jan. 23 - The Chinese government proposed a detailed plan that would limit the pollution in Chinese lakes by 2010 and have them returned to their original state by 2030. Last year, algae in lakes created a crisis that threatened the livelihood of fishermen.

Iraq

Jan. 21 - A teenager detonated an explosive belt in Falluja, killing four people and wounding nine during a Sunni Arab tribal gathering.

Jan. 22 - A suicide bomber killed 17 people in northern Baghdad. The bomber entered a communal hall during a feast, wounding 11 people.

Jan. 25 - A suicide bombing in Mosul killed a provincial police chief, who was touring the site of a bomb factory. The explosion killed 34 people.

Turkey

Jan. 24 - Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis of Greece arrived in Turkey in an effort to overcome "decades of mutual distrust" between the nations. This visit was the first official visit by a Greek leader in nearly half a century.

Sudan

Jan. 9 - Sudanese soldiers shot at United Nations peacekeepers in Darfur. A local driver was wounded and a fuel tanker was destroyed by the attack. The attack was a challenge against the United Nations force, which is attempting to reduce violence in Darfur.

Venezuela

Jan. 11 - Two political hostages were freed by Colombian guerrillas and were handed over to President Hugo Chavez's emissaries. The captives were being held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC).