World digest 08/25/05

Annan: U.N. determined to ensure aid for Niger

NIAMEY, Niger -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed for more aid Wednesday for hunger-stricken Niger, and said the crisis in this desert nation could deepen if more help doesn't come soon. Annan's comments came as he wrapped up a two-day trip aimed at highlighting the plight of 5 million people across northwest Africa, most of them in Niger, facing food shortages after their crops were ravaged by drought and locusts. Niger's government and the United Nations started in November to issue aid appeals that were largely ignored. Money began trickling in after media attention focused on the crisis.

Iran promises proposals for nuclear negotiations

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's ultraconservative president promised Wednesday to offer new proposals soon for negotiations with Europe over Tehran's controversial nuclear program. The comments by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suggest he wants to launch a new dialogue in hopes of persuading Europe to recognize Iran's right to enrich uranium. Europe has been trying to persuade Iran to give up its uranium enrichment program in return for economic incentives. Iran, which denies seeking atomic arms, rejected the proposal.

Egyptian police storm militant strongholds

EL-ARISH, Egypt -- Egyptian security forces stormed four militant strongholds in the northern Sinai Peninsula early Wednesday, fighting intense gunbattles and arresting 26 people in a search for suspects linked to recent bombings in the rugged desert region. A total of 650 people have been arrested in Sinai since a force of 4,000 security personnel backed by armored vehicles launched the sweep Sunday through Sinai's desert plains and soaring mountains, a police official said. Authorities were looking for suspects in a triple bombing that killed at least 64 people last month at Egypt's popular Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik on the southern tip of the Sinai.

-- From wire reports