The US rival and close ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro used his speech before the assembly to accuse the United States of myriad evils such as helping render the UN Security Council worthless by robbing small nations of power.

"The devil himself is right in the house. And the devil came here yesterday. Right here," said Chavez, who also called Bush a "world dictator" in need of a psychiatrist. Chavez's remarks were greeted with applause by the UN delegates.

John Bolton, the US envoy to the United Nations, said: "We're not going to address that kind of comic strip approach to international affairs." - Reuters

Amnesty slams China over rights in Olympics run-up

LONDON: China's human rights record in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics has deteriorated, with thousands of people being executed after unfair trials, Amnesty International said today (Sept 21, 2006).

The human rights watchdog sent its latest findings to the International Olympic Committee and said Chinese authorities would have to act quickly if they were to fulfil their pledges to improve human rights.

"The serious human rights abuses that continue to be reported every day across the country fly in the face of the promises the Chinese government made when it was bidding for the Olympics," said Amnesty's Catherine Baber. - Reuters

Hungarian protesters vow to keep up pressue on PM

BUDAPEST: Hungarian protesters today (Sept 21, 2006) vowed to keep up pressure for leftist Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany to resign after his admission he lied to voters to win elections in April sparked mass protests.

Budapest has been on edge after protests on Monday and Tuesday (Sept 19 and 20) turned violent in the most serious disturbances since a 1956 uprising against Soviet occupiers.

More than 200 people have been injured and 137 arrested in the two nights of clashes that police said involved soccer hooligans who had hijacked peaceful anti-government protests.

Gyurcsany, who was also caught on tape telling his Socialist party they did nothing for the past four years, rejected calls to step down and said he would press on with budget reforms. - Reuters