A roundup of today's other news stories in brief.
US concerned N Korea will miss deadline
TOKYO -The top US negotiator with North Korea said yesterday it was becoming difficult for Pyongyang to meet a mid-April deadline to close a nuclear reactor, but Washington would not accept a partial shutdown.
Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, assistant secretary of state Christopher Hill urged Pyongyang to implement a nuclear disarmament agreement regardless of a dispute over the transfer of frozen funds to North Korea. - (Reuters)
French tribute to Canada's war dead
LILLE -France paid tribute yesterday to thousands of Canadian soldiers who were killed or wounded fighting Germany during the Battle of Vimy Ridge in the first World War.
French prime minister Dominique de Villepin praised Canada for helping France during the war at a ceremony attended by Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper and Britain's Queen Elizabeth at the site of the important battle in northern France.
Of the 35,000 Canadian troops who stormed the heavily fortified German trenches at Vimy on Easter Monday, 1917, 3,600 died and thousands more were wounded. - (Reuters)
Teachers strike over police killing
BUENOS AIRES -Argentine school teachers went on a one-day nationwide strike yesterday after a high-school chemistry teacher was killed by police last week during a protest over pay in the southern province of Neuquen.
In the capital Buenos Aires, workers at banks, hospitals, government offices, and public transportation joined the strike for one hour yesterday afternoon.
Police in the northern city of Salta fired tear gas at groups of protesters, local media said. - (Reuters)
Thai PM admitted to hospital
BANGKOK -Army- appointed Thai prime minister Surayud Chulanont was admitted to a Bangkok hospital yesterday for a four-day medical check-up, his doctor said, amid rumours he would resign.
"Overall his health is fine, but we have to check his intestine system thoroughly in the next couple of days," Prinya Taweechaikarn said. Mr Surayud was expected to remain in the private Bangkok hospital until Thursday. - (Reuters)