BBC News with David Austin
President Obama has said he's taking China to the World Trade Organisation over its export quotas on (rare earth minerals) so the US gets a fair deal in the global economy. The European Union and Japan have also filed complaints over the quotas. Here's Jonny Dymond.
China has a near (stranglehold) on the production and export of rare earths - minerals that are vital to the manufacture of high technology goods from mobile phones to wind turbines. For the past couple of years, those exports have been restricted and have become more expensive as China has (tightened) export quotas - something it says it does for environmental reasons. Now in what is the first joint filing of its kind, the US, the EU and Japan have complained to the World Trade Organisation - the first step before bringing (formal litigation).
The Supreme Court in Argentina has ruled that women who have an abortion after being raped will no longer be (prosecuted). Under Argentine law, abortion is permitted only in cases where the mother's life or health is at risk, or if the woman is deemed, as the law puts it, "of (feeble mind)". Vanessa Buschschluter reports.
The ruling is based on a case brought in 2010 by a 15-year-old girl. The girl, who'd become pregnant after years of (sexual abuse) by her stepfather, has sought permission from a court to have an abortion. The operation was carried out, but only after weeks and weeks of legal wrangling. The Supreme Court's decision, which was unanimous and can't be appealed against, means women who end the pregnancy stemming from a rape cannot be prosecuted, nor can the doctors who carried out the abortion.
The British Prime Minister David Cameron has arrived in the United States at the start of a three-day visit. His talks with President Obama are expected to focus on Nato's role in Afghanistan, the situation in Syria and Iran's (nuclear programme). Their meeting takes place amid heightened tension in Afghanistan following last weekend's killing of 16 civilians by an American soldier.
African Union mediators say a (breakthrough) has been made in talks between Sudan and South Sudan. The two countries have agreed in principle on demarcating their common border. Each country will also accord freedom of movement to citizens of the other state. However, major disagreements on issues, such as oil, remain. James Copnall reports from Khartoum.
The framework agreement (initialed) by negotiators from both countries provides for what it's called the four freedoms. Citizens of the other state should now have freedom of residence, freedom of movement, freedom to (undertake) economic activity and freedom to own property. This could be a huge relief to the more than half a million South Sudanese who still live in Sudan. There has been growing concern about them with less than a month to go until the end of a grace period to (regularize) their status in Sudan. The negotiators have also come to an agreement to demarcate both countries' common border, which will be the longest in Africa.
World News from the BBC
