Iraq's Prime Minister-designate submitted his proposed cabinet list to the country's presidential council today. Ibrahim al-Jaafari did not reveal any of the more than 30 names in the list. But he said it included representatives of all of the country's major groups and at least 7 women. The three-member presidential council is expected to approve the list. It will then go to the National Assembly for a vote on Thursday.

    President Bush has laid out new proposals for reining in high energy prices at a speech here in Washington. Mr. Bush encouraged the construction of new nuclear power plants and suggested that new oil refineries be built on the closed military bases. He said current US refineries do not have the capacity to meet the country’s needs, a factor analyst has cited as the reason for high gasoline prices.

    “Unfortunately, America has not ordered a new nuclear power plant since the 1970s. France, by contrast, has built 58 plants in the same period. And today France gets more than78% of its electricity from safe clean nuclear power.” Mr. Bush also called for extending tax breaks to owners of automobiles that burn clean diesel fuel. It was the President’s second speech on energy issues in one week.

    Talks between the leaders of Russia and Egypt had ended in Cairo, after the discussions of a wide range of issues including the Middle East Peace process. VOA's Greg LaMotte has more details now in the historic visit to Egypt by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    While the Israeli-Palestinian conflict topped their discussions Wednesday. Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak also talked about developments in Syria and Lebanon as well as efforts to boost the trade between Russia and Egypt. A senior Egyptian official said the two leaders also briefly discussed the possible sale of Russian-made missiles to Syria, which is of deep concern to Israel. The visit to Egypt by Mr. Putin who says he wants to develop a better understanding of the Arab world is the first by a Russian or Soviet leader in 40 years. Following discussions late Tuesday, a spokesman for President Mubarak said the two men shared a similar approach to the Middle-East Peace process. Greg LaMotte, VOA news, Cairo.

    Italian Prime Minster Silvio Berlusconi and his new center-right cabinet have won the parliamentary vote of confidence. The government won the vote in the lower house of the country's parliament by a vote of 334 to 240. A vote in the Upper house is expected Thursday.

    Pope Benedict XVI held his first general audience today, pledging to work for reconciliation and peace in an crowd that welcomed him enthusiastically. For VOA’s Sabina Castelfranco has more from Rome.

    Under a bright sun and blue skies, thousands of pilgrims filled St Peter's Square for the new Pope's first general audience. He delighted the crowds again when he appeared in his open-topped white jeep and was driven in the square. It was Pope Benedict's second appearance in the Jeep and the crowds reacted enthusiastically. They seem to be really enjoying seeing him up so close and not behind bullet-proof glass. But security guards were close at hand. Then the Pope sat on his throne in front of St. Peter's Basilica facing the crowd. First he addressed them in Italian.

    He said he still has mixed feelings about his election, feelings of awe and thanksgiving, Pope Benedict's first audience was a taste of what is to come during his papacy. From the start he's been showing that he intends to be a Pope of the people, just like his predecessor. Sabina Castelfranco VOA news Rome.

    US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has hailed progress made in Latin America in the area of democracy. Speaking in Brasilia, Secretary Rice said the region has made great strides in democracy. She said there was a message for those who have yet to benefit from the transformation . That is don't lose courage or hope and don't turn back now. During her speech, Ms. Rice hailed Brazil as a regional leader and global partner, saying that country and the United States can achieve much together.

    NATO says it will considering offering a logistical help to the African Union’s peacekeeping force in Sudan's Darfur region. The NATO spokesman says the alliance has agreed to look into that possibility after a written request from the African Union.