Washington, Sept 19: US’ unilateral strikes on Pakistani soil was not a viable long term solution to the prevailing situation along the Pak-Afghan border, instead co-operative efforts between the anti-terrorism partners - Pakistan and the US – would provide the best way forward, said US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.

Taipei - President Alvaro Colom

Washington  - The United States and Colombia on Thursday signed an agreement to cooperate and share technology on the development of alternative and renewable energy.

The two governments agreed to promote exchanges and work together on research and development, including on using sustainable biofuels, generating more private sector investment in the technology and increasing the role of business.

Washington  - US President George W Bush will meet Pakistani Prime Minister Asif Ali Zardari in New York on Tuesday as the two countries try to defuse tension over US military strikes in Pakistan.

The United States has reportedly launched airstrikes in Pakistani territory against Taliban and al-Qaeda militants who seek refuge in the country to launch attacks against US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Havana/Washington  - While hurricanes Ike and Gustav wreaked death and devastation across both countries, neither Cuba nor the United States showed any sign this week of putting aside differences to help in reconstruction.

Between Ike and Gustav, Cuba's agriculture will need to be rebuilt in at least two provinces, and 100,000 homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed, Cuban officials have said.

Combined damage is estimated at around 5 billion dollars.

New York  - The next Israeli government should end the expansion of Jewish settlement in occupied Palestinian territories, a UN official said Thursday.

The statement came a day after Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni won leadership of the Kadima Party and before she begins negotiations to form a new coalition government.

Robert Serry, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said in a meeting of the UN Security Council that decisive progress should be made in settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as negotiations are at a crossroad.