04 January 2004 Sunday 11 Ziqa'ad 1424 Language row holds up accord at Jirga KABUL, Jan 3: Afghanistan's constitutional debate, which has exposed deep ethnic divisions and challenged the US vision of a strong presidency, is just "one word" away from being wrapped up, officials said on Saturday. ... Three US soldiers killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Jan 3: Three US soldiers were killed and five wounded in separate attacks in Iraq on Friday, the US military said on Saturday. In the first incident, two soldiers were killed and three sustained injuries in a home-made bomb attack south of Baghdad. ... Saddam's ouster was a side effect LONDON: Happy new year, Saddam Hussein. Don't interrupt me. I know he's a monster. I know he's killed millions of people. I know he deserves a happy new year less than practically anybody else on earth. ... US plans to build largest embassy in Baghdad WASHINGTON: In preparation for ending its occupation of Iraq, the United States is making plans to create the largest US diplomatic mission in the world in Baghdad, complete with a staff of over 3,000 personnel ... 4 Palestinians shot dead in Nablus NABLUS, Jan 3: Israeli soldiers shot dead four Palestinians, including a 15-year-old boy, who were throwing stones in protests around the West Bank city of Nablus on Saturday, Palestinian medics and witnesses said. ... Golan move to abort peace: Syria DAMASCUS, Jan 3: Syria accused Israel on Saturday of seeking to abort any chance for peace through an apparent drive to double the number of Jewish settlers in the occupied Golan Heights. ... Iran calls for pressure on Israel: WMDs DAMASCUS, Jan 3: Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi called on Saturday for "international pressure" on Israel to give up its suspected weapons of mass destruction. ... Muslim leader criticizes LTTE COLOMBO, Jan 3: The leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Mr Rauff Hakeem, in an interview with Dawn on Saturday, condemned the statement made by LTTE leader S.P. Thamilselvan that the proposed LTTE-SLMC memorandum of understanding had been cancelled. ... Threats of Sept 11-style attack disrupt air travel WASHINGTON, Jan 3: Facing another week of uncertainty over the terrorist threat from the air, international airlines and foreign governments are greeting increased security with a combination of scepticism and support as flight cancellations and delays spread. ... Global warming: Bush plans bring little change WASHINGTON: Two years after President Bush declared he could combat global warming without mandatory controls, the administration has launched a broad array of initiatives and research ... Cold wave toll rises to 109 in BD; 215 die in India DHAKA, Jan 3: At least 56 more people shivered to death in Bangladesh on Saturday, putting the toll from the mild cold wave sweeping across the country to 109 during the last three days. ... 50 AL activists hurt in clashes DHAKA, Jan 3: Some 50 workers of the Awami League, including a presidium member, were injured on Saturday as the party clashed with law enforcement agencies in Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh during a strike. ... Security tightened in Kashmir JAMMU, Jan 3: Security was tightened all over held Kashmir following a militant attack on the main railway station, the death toll from which increased overnight Saturday by one to seven, police said. ... Entire families lost in crash PARIS, Jan 3: Entire families, including many children, were among the 133 French tourists killed in Saturday's plane crash off the Egyptian coast while heading home from New Year holidays in the sun. ... Saudi scholars oppose change in textbooks RIYADH, Jan 3: Some 150 Saudis, including judges, university professors and a religious leader, have signed a document warning the kingdom against changing its school curricula. ... Are Washington and Tehran just flirting? TEHRAN: Are the United States and Iran just flirting, or are they serious about patching up a relationship that ended in separation 24 years ago? ...

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