07 February 2004 Saturday 15 Zilhaj 1424 Nato must take larger role in Afghanistan: US MUNICH, Feb 6: The United States pressed its Nato allies on Friday to take a larger role in both Afghanistan and Iraq, setting aside their bitter divisions over the invasion of Iraq. ... Taliban reject US offer ISLAMABAD, Feb 6: The Taliban have rejected a reported offer of negotiations by the United States, considering the offer an attempt to create a rift among the ranks of the militia, the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) said on Friday. ... Mystery shrouds attack on Sistani NAJAF, Feb 6: An attack on Iraq's most revered Shia leader was shrouded in mystery on Friday, as some in his entourage swore it was an attempt to kill him while others denied it had any murderous intent. ... Iraqi fighters: nihilist or nationalist? LONDON: The city of Irbil in the spring of 1991 had little electricity or drinking water, not much petrol, and a scrappy supply of food. ... Saudi Shias won't exploit Iraq gains: leader AL-QATIF: Saudi Arabia's marginalized Shia minority wants fairer treatment but will not exploit the rising power of fellow Shias in Iraq for political gain, a leading religious leader said. ... Israel considering moving Gaza settlers to W. Bank TEL AVIV, Feb 6: The Israeli government is considering a proposal to move to the West Bank Jewish settlers who would leave the Gaza Strip under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new plan to evacuate Gaza settlements, an official said on Friday. ... 23 killed as quake hits Indonesia JAKARTA, Feb 6: A powerful earthquake killed at least 23 people in an isolated town in Indonesia's Papua province on Friday, prompting panicky residents to flee their homes and camp out in the streets. ... Rumsfeld has no regrets over 'Old Europe' MUNICH, Feb 6: US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Friday he had no regrets about his explosive "Old Europe and New Europe" comment before the Iraq invasion that drew a storm of criticism from the continent. ... EU states pressuring Syria over WMDs BEIRUT, Feb 6: EU member states have stepped up their pressure on Syria to show it is fighting the spread of weapons of mass destruction since Libya said it would scrap its banned weapons programmes, diplomats say. ... Concessions made on French veil ban PARIS, Feb 6: France's ruling conservatives have made two tactical concessions on their ban on religious emblems in state schools in a bid to ensure wide backing for the controversial law in a parliament vote next Tuesday. ... 18 die as tide traps Chinese off UK coast LONDON, Feb 6: Eighteen people thought to be Chinese illegal workers digging for shellfish on treacherous mud flats off the northwest coast of England died when they were caught by racing tides, police said on Friday. ... Europe's comet mission on the cards LONDON: A three ton spacecraft is about to begin a 10-year journey to answer one of the simplest questions ever put by science: what does a comet feel like? The answer is one of the most complicated space explorations ever. ... Moscow carnage poses no threat to Putin MOSCOW: First came the attack on a Moscow rock festival, then the suicide bombing by the Duma parliament. Now still greater carnage is unleashed on commuters riding the capital's metro subway system to work. ... Kalashnikov blames politicians for misuse NEW DELHI: The rifle bearing his name has proliferated through conflicts the world over, but Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov feels no remorse. The blame, the 84-year-old Russian says, lies with politicians. ... Bio-pirates active in Antarctic: study BROOKLYN: Antarctic bio-prospectors are acting like bio-pirates, plundering the continent's biological treasures before global measures to control its biodiversity can be put in place ... CIA chief resists scapegoating WASHINGTON: The vigorous defence of the CIA by its director, George Tenet, showed he will not stand by and allow critics to use the embattled agency as a scapegoat for President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq. ...

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