71.   Last month it backed away from a proposal for talks, to be mediated by the United States and China, unless large-scale aid shipments begin first.

72.   Meanwhile, Red Cross officials awaited the arrival of an aid shipment from baseball agent Joe Cubas and representatives of other Cuban exile groups in Miami.

73.   More Italian soldiers arrive to guard aid shipments.

74.   No timetable has been set for the start of aid shipments, the Americans said.

75.   North Korea has said it will open a third port for aid shipments, he added.

76.   Officials in southern Russia have detained a humanitarian aid shipment en route to Afghanistan, saying it contained tranquilizers that lacked proper documents, a customs spokeswoman said Tuesday.

77.   President Sali Berisha asked the delegation for help with police work as well, both to protect aid shipments and to reform the inexperienced security forces.

78.   Red Cross delivers aid shipment.

79.   Putin instructed Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu to oversee aid shipments personally.

80.   Refugees spilled out of the country and a force of multinational peacekeepers moved in to protect aid shipments for those who remained.