New York  - The government in Myanmar has made "quite a lot of progress" in post-Cyclone Nargis reconstruction efforts since the disaster struck in May, the top UN humanitarian affairs official said Monday.

John Holmes returned to New York following a three-day visit to Myanmar, saying he saw a return to normalcy in areas affected by the devastating cyclone, which left more than 140,000 dead and missing people. Some 2.5 million people still need assistance to cope with the disaster's aftermath.

New York  - Chewing gum maker Wrigley said profits rose 14 per cent in the second quarter ahead of its scheduled take-over by candy giant Mars.

Profits were 194 million dollars, or 70 cents per share, the Chicago-based company said. Revenue rose 14 per cent to 1.6 billion dollars.

The company was boosted by the weaker dollar that aided international sales, which accounted for most of the firm's revenues.

New York  - Kraft Foods, the world's second-largest producer of grocery products, said Monday earnings rose in the second quarter after it increased price to accommodate higher costs for ingredients and energy.

Net profit rose 4 per cent to 732 million dollars, or 48 cents per share, from from 707 million dollars, or 44 cents, in the year- earlier period, the Northfield, Illinois-based firm said. Revenues rose 21 per cent to 11.2 billion dollars.

New York  - The United Nations called Monday for a cessation of hostilities worldwide during the Summer Olympics Games in Beijing next month.

"Though limited in duration, this truce has unlimited potential," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a message to UN members asking them to observe the Olympic Truce in order to allow athletes from all countries to travel and compete in the games without the threats of war.

The call for the observance of the Olympic Truce was endorsed by the International Olympic Committee and the UN General Assembly.

New York  - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday strongly condemned the weekend bombings in Turkey and India and presented his condolences to families of the victims.

Istanbul was hit by a pair of bomb attacks on Sunday, killing at least 16 civilians and injuring more than 100.

Ban said in a statement he "deeply regrets the loss of life and conveys his sympathies to the families of the victims and the wounded."

New York  - Verizon, the second-largest US telecom firm, reported strong second-quarter profits on Monday thanks to its growing mobile phone division.

Net profits rose nearly 12 per cent to 1.9 billion dollars, or 66 cents per share, despite a decline in traditional land-line phone service, the company said in New York.

Revenue rose 4 per cent to 24.1 billion dollars in the April-to- June period.