Burma’s military government faced worldwide criticism today for bringing new charges against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with rights groups urging the junta’s neighbours to intervene urgently.

Asia’s key annual security meeting opens this week amid the backdrop of North Korea’s nuclear threat and increasing regional frustration over Myanmar’s failure to restore democracy.

President McAleese has agreed with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad that international conflicts should be resolved through diplomacy, officials in Kuala Lumpur said.

The Philippines Government and Muslim separatist rebels have signed a ceasefire which could lead to an end of decades of fighting.