WORLD / Center
Saudi King Abdullah (R) meets with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates at the Royal Palace in Riyadh January 17, 2007. [Reuters]
· White House tries to avoid Iraq showdown
· US and N. Korea pursue nuke talks
· Israeli officials under pressure to quit
· Second Republican opposes Bush Iraq plan
· Thousands shiver as US ice storm kills 54
· Green GDP to be expanded nationally - vice minister
· China, EU start talks on new pact
· A key year for Taiwan situation
· Beijing women lead sexiness survey
· Hong Kong curbs entry of pregnant mainlanders