10 January 2004 Saturday 17 Ziqa'ad 1424 Federal setup, Kurd autonomy okayed: Iraqi council's decision BAGHDAD, Jan 9: Iraq's interim Governing Council has agreed to a federal structure for the country and to enshrining Kurdish self-rule in three northern provinces in the fundamental law that will precede national elections next year ... Two RPGs hit Baghdad hotel BAGHDAD, Jan 9: Guerillas fired two rocket-propelled grenades on Friday at a Baghdad hotel used by foreign companies, contracted by the US-led administration, but there were no casualties. ... Hamas links 'peace' with Israel to statehood GAZA, Jan 9: The spiritual leader of the Hamas group said on Friday his organization would weigh a "temporary peace" with Israel if a Palestinian state was created in all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. ... Nuclear spotlight shifts from Libya to Israel Al quds: The decision last month by Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi to relinquish his weapons of mass destruction and long- range missiles will have enhanced the sense among Israeli leaders ... Illicit trade on Korean border LONDON: The smugglers' signal comes shortly after midnight. From the darkness of the North Korean houses on the "opposite" bank of the icy Yalu river, a torchlight flashes twice. ... Bush considering manned missions to Moon, Mars WASHINGTON, Jan 9: President George Bush is ready to announce new goals next week for the US space programme, which could include manned missions to the Moon and beyond, government officials said on Thursday. ... More missions planned for Mars LONDON: The silence of the UK's Beagle 2 is a blow, but not a death blow. The exploration of the red planet will go on at least for the next decade- and climax in a European mission to land on the surface of Mars ... Bush plan termed exploitative: Legalizing illegal immigrants IN a gesture steeped in political cynicism, President Bush has advanced a vague proposal for granting a limited and temporary legal status to as many as 12 million undocumented immigrants in the US. ... Ex-secretary paints Bush as 'blind man' WASHINGTON, Jan 9: Former US Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neilll likened President George Bush at cabinet meetings to "a blind man in a room full of deaf people", according to excerpts on Friday from a CBS interview. ... Poland objects to US visa requirements WARSAW, Jan 9: Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski hit out on Friday at US visa requirements for Polish citizens, raising the tone on an issue blotting a blossoming relationship between the two allies in Iraq. ... US lowers terror threat level WASHINGTON, Jan 9: The US government on Friday lowered the national terror threat level to "elevated" from "high", though security will remain tight in some sectors, including aviation. ... Experts warn of muscle-flexing behind Afghan constitution WASHINGTON: Political power plays at the just-concluded assembly to write a new constitution for Afghanistan raise serious question about whether the country can hold free and fair elections ... Indian govt comes up with more poll sops NEW DELHI, Jan 9: India unveiled a raft of measures from cheap farm loans to investment plans for the elderly as election commission officials met to discuss how quickly they can get ready for an expected early election. ... Bangladesh bans Ahmadiya publications DHAKA, Jan 9: The government of Bangladesh on Thursday banned the sale, distribution and retention of all kinds of publications of the Ahmadiya community. ... Chirac pinpoints differences with US PARIS, Jan 9: French President Jacques Chirac on Thursday underlined the continued split between Paris and Washington in foreign policy, reaffirming France's vision of a multipolar world and pointing to the risks of the occupation of Iraq. ... Fresh challenge for Chandrika COLOMBO, Jan 9: The Sri Lankan government upped the stakes on Friday in a battle with the island's president that risks efforts to end 20 years of civil war, telling her to redo a ceasefire with Tamil guerillas or give up control of security. ...

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