World News: Hague urges Israel to put West Bank building on hold

BRITISH Foreign Secretary William Hague will today urge Israel to renew a moratorium on settlement building in the West Bank amid fears the expiry of the ten-month ban could scupper Middle East peace efforts.

Mr Hague said there was "widespread international concern" that the issue could derail the latest direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

US-led efforts to rescue the dialogue were continuing and Mr Hague was set to press the case today in meetings at the United Nations with his American and Israeli counterparts.

Shortly after the ban expired at midnight, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Palestinians not to walk away from the negotiations, saying in a statement that his "intention to achieve peace is genuine".

There was no Palestinian announcement about the future of the talks although they asked for a meeting of an Arab League body on October 4 to discuss the situation.

Earlier, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN Israel "must choose between peace and the continuation of settlements".

Japan hit by export slowdown

JAPAN'S export growth slowed for the sixth consecutive month in August, due to as a strong yen and cooling global demand.

The deceleration is a major risk for Japan, which depends on the rest of the world to make up for lacklustre demand at home.

US apologises for flag error

THE US government said it made an "honest mistake" when it displayed an inverted Philippine flag - which wrongfully signified that the nation was in a state of war - in a meeting hosted by President Obama.

The flag was displayed behind President Benigno Aquino III.

Minister fired for army attack

PAKISTAN'S federal minister for defence production resigned after criticising the army and accusing it of killing prominent politicians.

Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi accused the army of killing several high-profile Pakistani figures, including former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Baluch tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti.

Information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told local TV that Mr Jatoi's comments were "against our policies".

Moore settles row over photos

A LEGAL battle between actress Demi Moore and an Australian magazine over photos of a private party was settled out of court.

Moore sued Pacific Magazines, the publisher of New Idea, for printing pictures taken at a 2008 post-Oscar party thrown by her.

A SINGAPURA cat plays with a toy during an international feline beauty contest in Bucharest, Romania. Around 300 cats from around Europe took part.

Iranian troops kill bomb plot suspects in Iraq

Iraq: Iranian forces crossed into neighbouring Iraq and killed 30 fighters from a group Tehran said was involved in last week's bombing of a military parade. The military said it was still pursuing two men who escaped the ambush.China: Chinese state media said the government would continue to limit most families to just one child in the coming decades despite concerns about the policy's problematic side effects.