03 April 2004 Saturday 12 Safar 1425 US officials knew Al Qaeda planned attacks: ex-FBI worker LONDON, April 2: US officials knew months before Sept 11, 2001, that the Al Qaeda network was planning to use aircraft to carry out an attack, a former FBI translator has alleged. ... France, Germany reject US call: Nato role in Iraq BRUSSELS, April 2: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization's divisions over Iraq resurfaced on Friday when the United States urged the alliance to consider a wider role in stabilizing the Middle Eastern state but France and Germany refused. ... 2 US troops killed in Iraq; toll reaches 600 BAGHDAD, April 2: The US death toll in Iraq hit the 600 mark on Friday with the killings of two more soldiers. In a statement, the military said one soldier from the First Armored Division was killed and another wounded in a roadside bomb attack ... Fallujah punctures US optimism WASHINGTON: April Fools' Day is traditionally one of good-natured mischief, but not this year. Indeed, US President George W. Bush's trademark smirk, which normally fits the day's spirit almost to a T, was nowhere to be seen on Thursday. ... More uranium found in Iran: diplomats VIENNA, April 2: The UN atomic watchdog has found traces of bomb-grade uranium in Iran at sites other than the two already named, but diplomats said on Friday it was unclear if this boosted US claims that Tehran wants an atom bomb. ... 13 firms face sanctions over Iran links NEW YORK, April 2: The United States will impose sanctions on 13 foreign companies and individuals in seven countries that it says have sold equipment or expertise that Iran could use in nuclear ... Democrats slam Bush over petrol prices WASHINGTON, April 2: US President George Bush, who campaigned in 2000 on a promise that he would persuade Opec to keep oil supplies plentiful, faced growing criticism from Democrats on Thursday ... Lanka holds third election in four years COLOMBO, April 2: Sri Lankans voted in large numbers on Friday, but there was no indication so far they had broken a political logjam that has blocked efforts to revive a peace bid with the island's separatist Tamil Tigers. ... Russia not happy over expansion BRUSSELS, April 2: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov lashed out on Friday as Nato welcomed seven ex-communist countries into its ranks in a historic enlargement that takes the alliance up to Russia's borders. ... Accord on anti-terror steps BRUSSELS, April 2: Nato agreed on Friday on a raft of measures to strengthen its fight against terrorism in the wake of last month's Madrid atrocity, including deeper sharing of intelligence on extremists. ... 15 released from Guantanamo WASHINGTON, April 2: Fifteen more people have been transferred from a detention centre for suspected Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and freed in their home countries, the Pentagon said on Friday. ... Muslim girl allowed to wear scarf in school WASHINGTON, April 2: The US Department of Justice has intervened to allow a Muslim girl to wear headscarf inside the school, says a press release issued on Thursday. ... Tribal feuds pose threat to Karzai's re-election HERAT: President Hamid Karzai is putting the squeeze on a provincial governor accused of running Afghanistan's wealthiest province like a personal fiefdom. ... 'Humanitarians' must avoid becoming tools of power LONDON: If there is one word which sums up the modern western mentality, it is "humanitarian". When political, religious or even moral motives for action are seen as less than wholly legitimate, the humanitarian claim is a kind of trump card. ... War, crisis slide Nepal downhill POKHARA: The silence of the deserted streets of Nepal's normally bustling second city, nestled beneath the towering Himalayas, speaks volumes about the growing sense of fear and despair across this country. ... Separate schools for boys, girls suggested WASHINGTON: A long-held tradition in public education in the United States is being challenged by organizations and people who believe the education of boys and girls is best done separately. ...

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