Frances Alonzo. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has opened a high-level strategic dialogue with Pakistan, saying the two-day meeting begins a new day in the US-Pakistan partnership. Security, energy and economic issues will (dominate) the ministerial level forum. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department. At a ceremonial opening event with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Clinton said Pakistan stands at the front line of a (struggle) against violent extremism that has inflicted terrible costs on the Pakistani people. In remarks broadcast live to Pakistan, Clinton expressed US appreciation for the Islamabad government's offensive against the Taliban and other radical elements, who she said have responded with a perverse strategy of (suicide) bombings and other attacks aimed at destabilizing the country. She said the United States stands with Pakistanis as they rebuild their communities and rid their country of those who seek to (destroy) it. "To the people and government of Pakistan, the United States pledges our full support. " For his part, Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi said his country put itself on the target list of regional extremists when it "joined hands" with the United States against terrorism after the 9/11 attacks on Americans in 2001. David Gollust, VOA News, the State Department. Afghanistan and China signed trade and economic agreements Wednesday after their leaders held talks on the security of central Asia. Chinese President Hu Jintao and Afghan President Hamid Karzai oversaw the signing after a meeting at the Great Hall of People in Beijing. The agreements cover economic cooperation, technical training and (preferential) tariffs for some Afghan exports to China. Israel has given final approval for 20 new settler homes in East Jerusalem in a move that further complicates efforts to ease tensions with the United States. The announcement was made late Tuesday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US President Barack Obama at the White House to resolve the dispute over Israel's construction plans in East Jerusalem. Advisors of both leaders were to continue discussions Wednesday. Iraqi officials say gunmen have attacked a military (checkpoint) on the southern outskirts of Baghdad, killing five soldiers. Authorities say the attack on the army outpost happened Wednesday. Iraqi security forces detained 17 suspects in the area. Gunmen had attacked an Iraqi police watchtower in the same village on Monday, killing two officers. The World Health Organization has taken the occasion of World TB Day to document the progress and (challenges) in its fight against tuberculosis in its Southeast Asia region. VOA correspondent Steve Herman has details from New Delhi. The United Nations health body warns it faces several challenges in its TB program in the region. The World Health Organization says its main tasks are to sustain and expand services to countries struggling with (poverty), rapid urbanization and large population displacements. WHO officials are particularly concerned by data showing more than a third of patients getting repeat treatments in Thailand have multi-drug resistant TB. WHO's regional director of communicable diseases, Dr. Jai Narain, says that countries with such trends need to ensure the use of rational TB drug regimens. "The emergence of drug-resistant TB is also a reflection of the quality of TB control programs. MDR levels are indeed reversible once we have good (qualit)y TB control programs. This has been demonstrated in many major cities like New York city, London and elsewhere." Steve Herman, VOA News, New Delhi. Nigeria's acting President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated 33 people to serve in his new (cabinet), including a nephew of ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua. The Senate President David Mark read out the names Wednesday without mentioning possible portfolios. One third of babies born in the United States in 2007 were delivered by caesarean section, a record US high and a number larger than those in most other industrialized nations. The World Health Organization says the optimal caesarean birth rate is 15 percent. The major US stock market indexes fell in Wednesday's early trading. More details at voanews.com. I'm Frances Alonzo, VOA News.