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[1] High-level officials from North and South Korea have met for the first time in seven months. The meeting in Pyongyang Wednesday came just weeks after North Korea agreed to begin disarming its nuclear program. At the meeting, South Korea urged North Korea to quickly carry out its part of the nuclear agreement. South Korean media say Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung urged the North to restart humanitarian projects. One such project would be reuniting families that were separated since the early 1950s. North Korean official Kwan Ho Woong also suggested the two countries restart humanitarian projects. The officials are also expected to discuss the reopening of train service between North and South Korea.

[2] The prime ministers of Russia and Japan signed several agreements in Tokyo Wednesday. The agreements are meant to increase Japanese investment in Russia. They are also meant to strengthen ties in business, energy, trade and investment. The prime ministers also agreed to begin talks on cooperation in nuclear energy. The two men discussed a territorial dispute involving several islands and the kidnapping of Japanese citizens by North Korean agents. They also discussed North Korean involvement in the spread of nuclear technology.

[3] Investors sold more Asian stock shares and bonds in developing markets Wednesday. The selling comes one day after a sharp drop in the value of Chinese stock shares led to reduced stock values in many other countries. The Japanese Nikkei Index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index both closed nearly 3% lower on Wednesday. The Philippine market dropped almost 8% in value. Investment experts are blaming the selling on fears of a possible slowing of the economies of China and the United States.

[4] NATO officials in Afghanistan say they had intelligence reports that militants were operating near a base visited by American Vice President Dick Cheney. A spokesman for the alliance said recent intelligence suggested there was the threat of a bomb attack near the American base at Bagram. On Tuesday, at least 22 people were killed when a bomb exploded near the base. Military officials say 27 people were wounded in the attack. Mr. Cheney was not hurt. He arrived at an airport near Washington early Wednesday morning. Taliban fighters have claimed responsibility for the bomb attack.

[5] British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett is in Kabul to discuss Britain's offer to help Afghanistan. Security was increased after a bomber attacked a nearby American base where Vice President Cheney was staying. This is Ms. Beckett's first trip to Afghanistan. She is expected to meet Afghan government officials and the commanders of a United States-led coalition forces.

[6] In Nepal, ethnic minority groups have taken part in a strike to demand more rights and political power. The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities called the strike to demand greater representation in parliament for 50 ethnic communities. Officials say the strike closed stores and roads in Kathmandu. There were no reports of violence. Ethnic unrest has increased since the government signed a peace agreement with Maoist rebels last year. At that time, the government agreed to let the rebels join the government.

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