World briefs 11/9/05

Death toll rises from South Asia earthquake

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan -- The estimated death toll from the earthquake that hit South Asia last month shot up to 87,350, following a new count of Pakistan's casualties. The toll in Pakistan alone jumped to 86,000 -- or 13,000 higher than the government's official toll -- under a broad assessment by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, working with local governments and aid agencies, Pakistani Finance Ministry official Iqbal Ahmed Khan said Tuesday. Khan said the new tally for Pakistan came after more bodies were pulled from debris and recovery teams reached areas previously blocked by landslides unleashed by the magnitude-7.6 quake and its hundreds of aftershocks.

U.S., China sign deal on limiting textile imports

LONDON -- The United States and China signed a deal Tuesday limiting imports of Chinese clothing and textile products into the United States, ending three months of negotiations over the thorny issue. U.S. trade representative Rob Portman and Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai both described the deal as a "win-win" following a final round of talks here, but Bo later added that it was a "far cry" from China's original expectations. In the United States, groups representing clothing and textile manufacturers hailed the agreement while some retailers expressed disappointment that the annual increases were not larger. The U.S. industry has been pushing for a deal to stem a flood of Chinese imports that began when global quotas were lifted in January, and Tuesday's announcement smooths over the trade relationship between the two nations just over a week before President Bush visits China on a state visit.

Japan to double whale kill in new Antarctic hunt

TOKYO -- A fleet of Japanese whaling ships left for the seas of Antarctica amid protests Tuesday, aiming to kill 850 minke whales -- almost double last year's catch -- and expand the hunt to fin whales for the first time. The expedition is the first under a six-year research whaling program launched earlier this year by the Tokyo-based Institute of Cetacean Research, fisheries ministry official Kenji Masuda said. Japan wrapped up an 18-year study of feeding and migratory habits in March, when the fleet returned from an Antarctic hunt with a haul of 440 minke. Their meat was sold to restaurants and food wholesalers. Greenpeace International called on Japan to cancel the latest hunt, calling it commercial whaling in disguise. The hunt, which is permitted as research under the rules of the International Whaling Commission, is expected to kill 850 minke whales and 10 fin whales.

Security Council extends mandate for force in Iraq

UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the mandate of the nearly 180,000-strong multinational force in Iraq for a year, a decision the United States called a strong sign of the international commitment to Iraq's political transition. The resolution was adopted in response to a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari for the U.S.-led force to remain in the country. The current mandate authorizing the presence of the force expires on Dec. 31, about two weeks after parliamentary elections -- the end point of the political process as defined by the Security Council. The resolution extends the mandate until Dec. 31, 2006, with a review after eight months.

-- From wire reports