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.

The genocide trial of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has been adjourned until October 9 after a stormy session in court. The judge said he postponed the proceedings to give the defendants time to contact absent lawyers or to appoint new ones. During today's proceedings all seven defendants were ejected from the courtroom for refusing to remain silence. Saddam was the first to be expelled and his departure sparked shouting match between the judge and the remaining defendants. This is the third time in the last three sessions that Saddam has been ejected. Saddam and six co-defendants are charged with carrying out a campaign of genocide against Iraqi Kurds in the late 1990s.

Iraqi lawmakers have begun a rocks debate on a Shiite proposal to split the country into autonomous regions. Sunni lawmakers strongly opposed the measure during proceedings today fearing the move would divide Iraq and concentrate oil wealth in Shiite and Kurdish areas.

The European Union gives the green light today for Romania and Bulgaria to join the 25-member bloc in January. Lisa Briant reports from Paris.
The European Commission's recommendations for Romania and Bulgaria to join the European Union come to some /. Both countries must continue reforms in the number of areas including cracking down on corruption and organized crime, and must improve their justice systems and other branches of government. If they fall the / the two countries risk losing for membership benefits including EU assistance. European Union leaders are expected to formally approved their membership in October. With Romania and Bulgaria joining the EU ranks, the bloc will swell to 27 members next year. The EU is unlikely to admit more members in the near future. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso believes the bloc should reform its institutions before inviting other country's to join. That news may disappoint for / EU candidates such as Turkey, Croatia, Serbia. Lisa Briant for VOA news, Paris.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair addresses his ruling Labor Party probably for the last time as party leader today. Aides to Mr. Blair say his speech to the party conference in Manchester will provide a root map for Labor to win a four straight majority in the next parliamentary elections. Mr. Blair said last month he will step down within a year. And Finance Minister Gordon Brown is expected to succeed him.

Afghan authorities say a suicide bomb attack in southern Helmand province has killed 18 people and wounded several others. Police say a bomber blew himself up near the office of the provincial governor, also a bomb blast hit a NATO troop patrol south of Kabul killing an Italian soldier. President Bush is meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai today to show support for the government that is facing the worst violence since US-led forces ousted the Taliban five years ago. The two leaders are expected to discuss that situation as well as Mr. Karzai's claim that Pakistan is not doing enought to stop cross-board terrorism.

Japan's parliament has officially chosen Shinzo Abe as the country's new prime minister. VOA's Steve Herman has more from Tokyo.
With the Liberal Democratic Party firmly in control of Japan's parliament there was no doubt Tuesday who would be selected as the prime minister. Lawmakers cheered the announcement of the Lower House vote showing LBP President Shinzo Abe defeating his rivals by a large margin. With hours after the election, Mr. Abe spoke to the nation, assuring that he will not back away from a reform program implemented by his predecessor Junichiro Koizumi. Mr. Abe instead vowed to accelerate administrative reform. He also told reporters that it is time to improve the relationships with China and South Korea that deteriotated during the Koizumi administration. The new prime minister also reiterated his campaign pledged to make a Tokyo more equal partner in its security alliance with Washington. He says the Liberal Democratic Party which he heads will study what constitutional changes might be needed to accomplish this. Steve Herman VOA news, Tokyo.

Taking a brief look at markets, On Wall Street US stock indexes are higher this hour. Asia-pacific stock markets finished mix today with Hong Kong seeing the greatest decline.

I'm David Deforest VOA news. More news on the Internet at voanews.com.

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