IN BRIEF

US starts lifting Myanmar sanctions

WASHINGTON: The US on Monday lifted one of its many sanctions against Myanmar in recognition of recent positive moves toward political reform in the country after decades of direct military rule. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed a partial waiver of restrictions imposed on Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the State Department said in a statement.

Pakistan PM in talks with Qatar's emir

DOHA: Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani held talks yesterday with Qatar's emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, on the second-day of an official visit expected to focus on Afghan peace efforts. Gilani arrived in Doha Monday on a three-day trip that will also address bilateral relations between the two nations, according to official statements.

China and US have 'trust deficit': official

BEIJING: A top Chinese official has warned of a "trust deficit" between Beijing and Washington and expressed hopes that a key visit to the United States next week by China's leader-in-waiting will strengthen ties. Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai made the remarks in a speech published on the ministry's website yesterday, as Beijing and Washington lock horns over China's decision to veto a UN resolution on the bloody violence in Syria.

Indonesia joins global nuclear test ban treaty

UNITED NATIONS: Indonesia on Monday formalized ratification of the nuclear test ban treaty at the United Nations and its foreign minister called on eight key holdout nations to take a "calculated risk" and sign on. Indonesia is the 157th country to adopt the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) but eight more nations in a core group of 44 nuclear countries — China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Russia and United States — must still ratify to bring the global ban into force.

Chinese workers freed in Sudan at last

KHARTOUM: A group of Chinese workers "kidnapped" by rebels in southern Sudan 11 days ago have been freed and flown to Kenya, the foreign ministry said yesterday. "The Sudanese authorities allowed a Red Cross plane to take them from Kauda to Nairobi ... this Tuesday morning where they were given to the Chinese embassy there," the statement said. The Kauda area in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan state has been the scene of fighting since June between government troops and rebels. Agencies