Ukraine Public employees in Ukraine went back to work for the first time in weeks as the opposition lifted its blockade of government office buildings and the country's tense political crisis eased following a compromise with the ruling regime. NATO NATO ministers opened talks here aimed at boosting the alliance's role in Afghanistan and Iraq as the United States appealed for an end to lingering resentment in Europe over the US-led war that toppled Saddam Hussein. Northern Ireland The Irish Republican Army said it remained committed to the peace process in Northern Ireland, but not if that meant "humiliation" in the face of its unionist rivals. Philippines Philippine rescuers were frantically digging for more survivors after four people, including a toddler, were pulled alive from a building crushed by a landslide 11 days ago. Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announced the extension of Japan's historic troop deployment to Iraq for another year, saying Tokyo must help the nation rebuild. India US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld met Indian leaders but sidestepped controversy after New Delhi urged Washington not to sell F-16 fighter planes to rival Pakistan. Indonesia Attempts by Indonesian prosecutors to link a radical Muslim cleric to terrorist bombings suffered a blow when five people convicted over the blasts failed to implicate him. Mideast Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made a last-minute appeal for overwhelming backing from his own party for his plan to bring the main opposition Labour faction into a new coalition. UN Countries seeking permanent seats on the UN Security Council must have the same veto power as the current Big Five, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said during a visit to fellow candidate Japan.