World briefly

China: Inaction on European recalls

China has not followed through on promises to provide information about what actions it has taken against companies that made products – including toothpaste, pet food and toys – recalled in Europe, the EU’s consumer protection chief said Tuesday. The commitment to giving detailed quarterly reports was made in January 2006, but Beijing has only delivered twice since, said European Union Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva.

Afghanistan: 75 militants killed

Airstrikes and clashes in southern Afghanistan provinces killed more than 75 militants, officials said Tuesday. NATO, meanwhile, announced a new offensive in the world’s largest drug-producing region, Helmand province, to clear insurgents from Gereshk district to help foster economic projects.

Brazil: 90 flights diverted, canceled

Citing safety concerns over heavy rain and a short runway, TAM airlines canceled or diverted about 90 flights Tuesday at Sao Paulo’s main airport, where one of the carrier’s planes crashed in the rain last week, killing 199 people. Other airlines continued to fly in and out of Congonhas but it was periodically closed by authorities to all traffic during the rain. Brazil’s Aviation Authority announced the temporary suspension of all air ticket sales for flights to Congonhas in an effort to reduce the number of delays and cancellations.

Britain: Has 2,000 terror suspects

Britain has about 2,000 terror suspects, hundreds more than was previously thought, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said Tuesday as she urged lawmakers to extend detention of terror suspects. Prime Minister Gordon Brown plans today to propose tougher anti-terrorism laws to parliament, including extending the length of time terrorist suspects can be held for questioning or possibly scrapping the time limit altogether.

From Herald news services