Israel rejects strong response

Israel decided Tuesday to take only limited steps against the Hamas-led Palestinian government, whose members defended the suicide bombing Monday that killed nine people in Tel Aviv.

During a two-hour Cabinet meeting, interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert revoked the Israeli residency of a handful of Hamas leaders who live in East Jerusalem, but stopped short of ordering any immediate military retaliation for the bombing, the deadliest in Israel in two years.

The muted response seemed intended to further isolate the new Palestinian government, by not doing anything that might win it sympathy.

Hanoi

Communist Party congress convenes

Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party opened its congress Tuesday with a focus on tackling the deep-seated corruption that threatens economic growth as the country reaffirms its commitment to market reforms.

The congress, which runs through April 25, also is likely to see a shake-up in the top leadership, with Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, 72, and President Tran Duc Luong, 68, expected to make way for younger leaders. It also will decide whether General Secretary Nong Duc Manh remains in his top post.

Held once every five years, the meeting allows the ruling party to chart the country’s economic strategy.

This week, the delegates gathered at Ba Dinh Hall will elect a new Central Committee of 160 members, which in turn will choose the Politburo, the party’s innermost circle of leaders. For the first time ever, delegates will be allowed to nominate candidates for general secretary.

Beijing

Rainmaking aims to clear air of dust

Beijing will use artificial rainmaking to clear the air after a choking dust storm coated China’s capital and beyond with yellow grit, prompting a health warning to keep children indoors, state media said Tuesday.

The huge storm blew dust far beyond China’s borders, blanketing South Korea and reaching Tokyo.

The storm, reportedly the worst in at least five years, hit Beijing overnight Sunday, turning the sky yellow and forcing residents to dust off and hose down cars and buildings.

Hospitals reported a jump in cases of breathing problems, state television said.

The government was preparing to seed clouds to make rain to clear the air, state TV said, citing the Central Meteorological Bureau.