02 May 2004 Sunday 11 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 Abuses were ordered by military: US soldier's charge BAGHDAD, May 1: As US and British leaders sought to control the damage over the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by their troops, one of the six US policemen accused of humiliating the prisoners was quoted in his personal letters ... New force to fight guerillas: US CAMP FALLUJAH, May 1: Former Iraqi troops charged with stabilizing Fallujah may have fought against US occupation troops but they are ready to combat guerillas in the city, the top US Marine in Iraq said on Saturday. ... Iraqis faced 'sadistic, criminal abuses': magazine WASHINGTON, May 1: Iraqi prisoners faced numerous "sadistic, blatant and wanton criminal abuses" by US soldiers, including beatings, according to a US Army report quoted by the New Yorker magazine. ... Deadliest month for US troops BAGHDAD, May 1: Over 1,360 Iraqis have been killed during the period between April 1 and April 30, 10 times higher than the figure of at least 138 US troops who died during the same period, show figures compiled by The Associated Press of America. ... Iraqis see dignity crushed BAGHDAD: In Washington, shocking images of foreign troops abusing Iraqi prisoners are an exception to the rule of American good intentions. In Baghdad, they look like signs of what Iraq's dignity means to its occupiers. ... The American Newspeak on Iraq occupation LONDON: One of the chief problems with the current exciting adventure in Iraq is that no one can agree on what to call anyone else. In the second world war we (Britain) were fighting the Germans, and the Germans were fighting us. ... Sharon threatens govt collapse over poll defeat TEL AVIV, May 1: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Saturday took a risk that could cost him his job by making a Likud party referendum on his proposed unilateral Gaza pullout a vote of confidence, ... Sharon's plan could end up in smoke MALEH ADUMIM: From inside his apartment in the West Bank's largest Jewish settlement, Likud party activist Gidon Ariel is waging a rearguard action against his leader ... Zawahiri is Al Qaeda's real leader, says official WASHINGTON, May 1: Egyptian Ayman al Zawahri has emerged as the hands-on operational leader of the Al Qaeda network, reducing Osama bin Laden to a figurehead role, a top US counterterrorism official said on Friday. ... 24 killed in accident in India New Delhi, May 1: At least 24 people were killed when a minibus carrying 31 passengers fell into a ravine at Bachelikhal area of Tehri district of northern Indian state of Uttaranchal late on Friday, an official spokesman said Saturday. ... 3 die in Rome fire; tennis stars evacuated ROME, May 1: A fire swept through a luxury Rome hotel on Saturday, killing a Canadian couple and an American, and forcing US Open champion Andy Roddick and other tennis stars to flee, police and tennis tour officials said. ... Thousands at May Day rally in W. Bengal KOLKATA, May 1: Thousands of Indians in the Communist-ruled eastern state of West Bengal marked May Day with a rally Saturday in the centre of Calcutta, chanting slogans and waving red flags. ... US hints at sanctions against Syria WASHINGTON, May 1: The United States may slap sanctions on Syria "very soon" under a law meant to punish Damascus for allegedly supporting terrorism and seeking unconventional weapons, the White House warned on Friday. ... Hillary to lead India caucus WASHINGTON, May 1: A power-packed Indian caucus was officially launched at the US Senate on Thursday, making it even more difficult for Pakistan to push its case on the Capitol Hill. ... The new Europe - from Atlantic to Mediterranean BRUSSELS, May 1: Ten new member countries stepped up Saturday to join the European Union and swell its ranks to 25 states, making it the third largest population bloc in the world after China and India, with more than 450 million inhabitants. ... Americans on the brink of strategic defeat? WASHINGTON: One year after President Bush declared the end of major combat in Iraq, the United States appears to be teetering on the brink of strategic defeat in its Mesopotamian adventure. ...

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