New York  - UN Secreta

Washington  - The United States is sending its top negotiator with North Korea to Pyongyang this week to break an impasse in implementing the nuclear disarmament agreement, the State Department said Monday.

US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill is due to arrive in Seoul on Tuesday and later in Beijing for discussions with his South Korea and Chinese counterparts before heading to North Korea.

New York  - Myanmar put on a good face on Monday before the UN General Assembly, promising far-reaching democratic reforms and use of its rich natural resources to help other countries hit by high food and energy costs.

Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Nyan Win, whose government has been lambasted for shutting down political opposition and rejecting relief aid in May when hit by the devastating Cyclone Nargis, said peace and stability now prevail in the country.

Washington  - The US House of Representatives could vote later Monday on a massive deal to rescue the US economy from the brink of financial meltdown.

Legislators forged an agreement Sunday on the measure, which is intended to thaw out frozen credit lines with the government purchase of soured mortgage securities. A vote in the Senate could be held later this week.

Details of the deal emerged throughout the day Sunday.

During week-long negotiations on the 700-billion-dollar proposal, legislators reduced the initial cost to 350 billion dollars with the remainder to be authorized later.

Marseilles (France), Sept 29: The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has said that he is looking forward to his meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris on Tuesday.

Briefing reporters ahead of his arrival in Marseilles, where he will address the Ninth India-EU Summit, Dr. Singh said: "We have already initialed the framework agreement in civil nuclear matters. It will certainly come up for review and possible signature during my visit."

Marseilles (France), Sept 29: Visiting Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the Ninth India-European Union Summit here today, a day before India and France ink a landmark agreement to conduct bilateral nuclear trade with each other.

The two-day Ninth India- EU Summit, hosted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, opens in Marseilles today.

According to Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations and the Neighbourhood Policy, the European Union views India as a vital partner.