EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels have voted to lift largely symbolic sanctions against Cuba to encourage democracy on the island. Though the five-year-old EU sanctions have been suspended since 2005, the decision is seen as a slight to the United States and its policy of isolating the country.

The U.S. has maintained a trade blockade of the island for almost fifty years.

AFP quoted sources as saying the policy remains subject to an annual review.

"There was an agreement to lift the sanctions against Cuba," a European diplomatic source said.

"They have agreed to have an annual review and in one year's time to assess the political dialogue with Cuba," she added. [source]

Republican presumptive nominee John McCain has declared he will back Brazil's inclusion on an expanded U.N. Security Council, according to an interview conducted by the Brazilian press.

The International Herald Tribune reports that, in an interview published with the presidential contender by the newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo, McCain said he, "supports a permanent seat on the UN Security Council for Brazil and an increased participation for the country in the G-8," while also reiterating his view that India should also be granted a place.

Despite the Arizona senator's welcome support, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meanwhile has refused to endorse either candidate for president though said a Barack Obama win would be a "watershed moment" for the United States.

He told Reuters that the time was ripe for better relations between the U.S. and Brazil and called for a new "positive approach".

"The United States needs to stop viewing Latin America with a conspiratorial eye. There is no one left pushing for revolution in Latin America anymore," he said.

Image: Sen. John McCain addresses the audience at the 129th National Guard Association of the United States General Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aug. 25, 2007. Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill/flickr.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has used a visit to Hiroshima's Peace Park to begin a bold dialogue on world nuclear disarmament.

Mr Rudd laid a wreath at the park above which the Hiroshima nuclear bomb was detonated on August 6, 1945, then toured the museum for 90 minutes, rang a memorial bell for the children, and called for the world to shed its nuclear arms.

The PM was seemingly moved by the experience reported the Sydney Morning Herald.

Image right: Australian PM Kevin Rudd. Credit: djackmanson/flickr