Around the world

HANOI, Vietnam — President Bush has signed a stopgap spending bill that keeps open federal agencies awaiting approval of their budgets. The temporary spending measure sped through the House and Senate this week on voice votes. Without passage, 13 Cabinet agencies would have had to close down Friday at midnight. Bush’s signature Friday means the government will remain open through Dec. 8. Bush signed the bill during a visit here for an economic summit.

Dutch government proposes a

ban on wearing burqas in public

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Dutch government announced plans Friday for legislation banning full-length veils in public places and other clothing that covers the face — putting the Netherlands at the forefront of a general European hardening toward Muslim minorities. The Netherlands, once considered one of Europe’s most welcoming nations for immigrants and asylum seekers, is deeply divided over moves by the government to stem the tide of new arrivals and compel immigrants to assimilate into Dutch society.

"From a security standpoint, people should always be recognizable and from the standpoint of integration, we think people should be able to communicate with one another,” Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk told national broadcaster NOS. She said the ban also would apply to headgear like ski masks and full-faced helmets.

Palestinian leaders

inch closer to unity deal

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestinian negotiators said Friday a hoped-for deal this week on a unity government could be delayed by difficulties in working out a parallel prisoner swap with Israel. The Palestinian president and premier, heading the rival Fatah and Hamas factions, have been trying to wrap up the deal in an effort to end the economic sanctions and pave the way for a resumption of long-frozen talks with Israel.

The negotiations have been dragging on for months.

Israel and Western donor nations imposed the sanctions on the Palestinian government after Hamas won legislative elections earlier this year. Despite widespread hardship caused by the sanctions, Hamas has rejected international calls to renounce violence, recognize Israel or accept past peace agreements.

President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, a moderate, has been pushing Hamas to enter a coalition with Fatah in hopes of ending the sanctions. He hopes the government to endorse a softer position to Israel that will enable him to resume peace talks.