N. Korea warned sanctions possible

Japan warned today that it would consider “all options” against North Korea, including sanctions on oil and food sales, if the reclusive communist country goes ahead with a test launch of a long-range missile.

The U.S., Japan and other countries have been weighing options to try to head off any launch of a missile believed capable of hitting Japan and parts of the United States. Both the U.S. and Japan have made clear that sanctions are an option if North Korea refuses to cooperate.

The government in Pyongyang has given no hint whether it will fire a missile, said Jane Coombs, New Zealand’s ambassador to the Koreas, who met with top North Korean officials.

“They did not confirm that such a test was imminent … nor did they deny that such a test was” imminent, Coombs said Saturday in Beijing after a four-day trip to Pyongyang.

Brasilia, Brazil

Brazilian president seeks re-election

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced his bid for a second term, pledging Saturday to continue a drive to end poverty in Latin America’s largest country if re-elected.

The country’s first elected leftist president, Silva was swept to power four years ago on a platform of improving life for Brazil’s tens of millions of poor, many of whom get by on less than $1 a day.

Silva, 60, is clearly favored to win October elections, despite criticism that he has failed to deliver on promises that include redistributing land. He vowed to continue his efforts.

Moscow

Rocket takes cargo to space station

A Russian cargo spacecraft carrying food and supplies blasted off Saturday for the international space station, mission control said.

The unmanned Progress M-57 ship lifted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at about 11:08 a.m. EDT.

The spacecraft, scheduled to dock at the orbiting space station on Monday, is transporting almost 3 tons of fuel, food and water, along with equipment.

Russian cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov and U.S. astronaut Jeffrey Williams began a six-month mission on the station April 1.

Washington

U.S. releases 14 Saudi detainees

Fourteen Saudi Arabians were released on Saturday from the detention center at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and transferred to their home country, the Pentagon said.

One was released because U.S. officials determined the detainee was no longer an enemy combatant. The other Saudis were released after an administrative review process determined they could be transferred.

The releases bring to 310 the number of detainees who have departed Guantanamo to other governments.

About 450 detainees remain at Guantanamo, including 120 who are considered eligible for transfer or release. Decisions in those cases depend on discussions between the United States and other nations.

London

British regiment’s pet goat demoted

A British army regiment’s ceremonial pet goat was demoted in disgrace after it marched out of line before a host of dignitaries during a parade to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday, a military spokesman said Saturday.

The military mascot, a 6-year-old male goat called Billy, was downgraded from the rank of lance corporal to fusilier – the same status as a private – after army chiefs ruled his poor display had ruined the ceremony earlier this month at a British army base in Episkopi, western Cyprus.

Since the goat’s demotion, soldiers of a lower rank are no longer expected to salute Billy as a sign of respect.