Lebanon Syria was sending off the last of its troops in Lebanon at a military ceremony, heralding the end of its 29-year military presence and ushering in a new era for its tiny neighbour. Italy A US military investigation declaring "not culpable" the US soldiers who killed an Italian intelligence agent is "a slap in the face," the journalist injured in the shooting said as she urged Italy's new government to react. Iraq Iraq's largest political bloc said it was intensifying coalition talks in a bid to agree a new government within 24 hours amid mounting international pressure more than 12 weeks after historic elections. EU China warned the European Union bilateral trade relations could be affected if the bloc goes ahead with plans to impose limits on Chinese textile exports, as it reaffirmed its opposition to the move. Taiwan Taiwan opposition leader Lien Chan arrived in China for a controversial and historic visit following protests by pro-independence Taiwanese who accused him of selling out to the mainland. Britain Prime Minister Tony Blair was forced onto the defensive yet again over Iraq as a senior member of his Labour Party quit in protest at the war and urged voters to give the premier "a bloody nose" at next week's election. Togo Togo awaited the results of violence-scarred presidential elections, after rival sides pledged to form a national unity government whatever the result. France French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder met for talks on industrial policy and the EU constitution, just over a month before the French vote on the text. NKorea US envoy Christopher Hill held consultations with China amid concerns North Korea is planning a nuclear test, as Washington works to entice the Stalinist regime back to six-party talks. Japan Rescuers pulled three survivors and more bodies from the wreckage of a Japanese train as the death toll rose to 73, with a new derailment raising fresh safety concerns following recent rail privatisation.