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It’s 15:00 Universal Time and here is the news from the Voice of America.

I’m David Deforest from the VOA News Center in Washington.

Iraqi deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih says about half of his country’s provinces will be under direct Iraqi government control by the end of the year. Salih spoke today in London after meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Neither official disclosed details of the meeting but Salih said afterward the fade of Iraq is vital to the future of Middle East. He said he did not see what he called an option for the international community to leave Iraq at this time.

Iraqi authorities have imposed a curfew in the city of Amarah following fighting between Shiite militias and security forces last week. The curfew comes after 25 people were killed in fighting Thursday and Friday involving the multi-militia loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr . Meanwhile Iraqi Sunnis are marking the end of Muslim observance in Ramadan today. On Sunday bomb blasts killed at least 9 people preparing for an Eid Al Fitr holiday.

Palestinian officials say Israeli troops have killed at least 7 Palestinians and wounded 28 people in the Gaza Strip. Security officials say the violence erupted early today of in the town Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza. Witnesses say the Israelis apparently er,rather appeared to be looking for a member of militant popular resistance committees.The Israeli army said troops opened fire on Palestinian militants in the area attempting to launch rackets at southern Israel.

The Somali government says it has control over two towns that experience battles with Islamic courts during the past few days. KN reports from Nairobi.
The court leader of Somali affairs in Kenya Mohammad tells VOA that at Monday morning local time government troops are controlling the town of H“ The militias of defense are ** H, they are controlling that *.”
H Sunday was the scene of a fears battle between fighters ally to the Islamic court union and government troops.
Islamic commander S told the French news agency that Islamic court union is controlling B. Meanwhile hundreds of residents of the town of B, located about 60 kilometers southeast of B where the government based, are reportedly fleeing the area following fighting there Saturday also between government troops and Islamic court union fighters. Court leader of Somalia affairs in Kenya * tells VOA Islamist fighters have gathered in the small town called L.
“** morning ** attack from Islamic ** fighting.”
[屏蔽] troops took control of B from the Islamists on October 9th.
KM for VOA News, Nairobi.

The UN chief envoy to Sudan Jan Pronk accuse leaving the country today after getting an expulsion order from the government.
The UN spokesman says Secretary General Kofi Annan has called Pronk to New York for consultations. The Sudanese foreign ministry spokesman says the UN envoy has been expelled because of his ill will toward the Sudanese government and its arm forces.

Pronk wrote last week on his personal website that the Sudanese army have lost two major battles to rebels in Darfur and morale was low as a result. He also said Sudan has not implemented the peace agreement signed for Darfur.

Philippine president Gloria Arroyo has praised Thailand’s military installed leader for what she calls strong commitment to restoring democracy in the country. She spoke after the meeting with them in Manila. B has more from Philippine capital.
Prime minister Surayud Chulanont held a closed door meeting with president Gloria Arroyo Monday. A second meeting included cabinet officials of both governments. Thailand has been under martial laws in mid September when the arm forces ousted the elected prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the bloodless coup. Mr. Surayud, a former general, was named the new prime minister by the military on October 1st. The new Thai leader has promised its administration only govern for one year before holding an election and brining back to democracy. At a dinner at the presidential palace in Malina, Mrs. Arroyo, who is a survival to coup attempts, said two leaders held excellent discussion on what she called the road map to constitutional democracy and she praise Mr. Surayud’s strong commitment to that goal. Mr. Surayud, for his part, described the talks as cordial and said he and Philippine leader think alike on key issues.
D for VOA News, Manila.

Take a brief look at market activity at this hour on wall street. US stock indexes are strongly higher. Asia-Pacific markets ended mixed today.
I’m David Deforest VOA News. More news on the internet at voanews.com.