The Indonesian government and separatist rebels will meet this week to discuss a formal ceasefire in tsunami-ravaged Aceh province, officials said today.

The UN agency helping feed tsunami victims said today it was sending its first ship to deliver food to ravaged west coast areas in Indonesia’s Aceh province - a sign that civilian groups are preparing to fill the gap as foreign troops begin pulling out.

Starving North Koreans are foraging for wild grasses to augment scant spring food supplies, a World Food Programme official said today.

The World Food Programme has been forced to cut off food aid to 2.7 million North Korean women and children during the country’s harsh winter because of a lack of foreign donations, an agency spokesman said today.