14 June 2004 Monday 25 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 Moqtada Sadr plans political party NAJAF, June 13: Shia firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose militia has battled the US-led coalition since April, plans on forming a political party to contest Iraq's January national elections ... Coalition to keep prisoners after Iraq handover BAGHDAD, June 13: The US-led coalition plans to keep between 4,000 and 5,000 prisoners in its custody after the return of sovereignty to Iraq later this month, a US officer said on Sunday. ... Afghanistan struggles with democracy JALALABAD: Dozens of Afghan police recruits in battledress are marching in drill outside their head-quarters in Jalalabad in Nangarhar province near the border with Pakistan, some in step, others laughing and joking, very obviously not. ... US warily watches Iran's role in Iraq WASHINGTON: With the occupation of Iraq due to end in three weeks, the Bush administration fears that Iran will move in as a major player after months of quietly building networks among Iraqi politicians and religious circles, according to US officials in Washington and Baghdad. ... Insecurity forces donors out of war zones UNITED NATIONS: As violence against civilians and humanitarian workers escalates in the world's politically-troubled regions, the United Nations and major relief groups continue to shy away from countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan ... Powell sees 'danger' in S. Arabia WASHINGTON, June 13: US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday cited a worsening security situation in Saudi Arabia and said the United States was determined to do all it could to defeat terrorism in the region. ... US air strikes on Iraq failed, says paper NEW YORK, June 13: The US launched many more unsuccessful air strikes to kill Iraqi leaders in early days of war last year which caused significant Iraqi civilian casualties, said the New York Times quoting senior military and intelligence officials. ... Vajpayee hints at sacking Modi NEW DELHI, June 13: India's former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said on Sunday his Hindu nationalist party could sack the hardline leader of Gujarat state who is accused of turning a blind eye to anti-Muslim riots which killed 2,000 people in 2002. ... Apathy, scepticism mark first EU vote PRAGUE, June 13: Apathy edged with euroscepticism marked the first European parliamentary elections among the 10 new EU members, most of them once behind the Iron Curtain, as final voting was under way on Sunday. ... Over 5,000 foreigners in BD prisons DHAKA, June 13: A total of 5,417 foreigners are detained in Bangladesh, while 5585 Bangladeshis are languishing in prisons of 38 countries. This was announced at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Prison Reform on Saturday. ... 24 fishermen feared dead DHAKA, June 13: At least 24 fishermen are reported to be missing when seven motorized boats capsized in the Bay of Bengal off the shore of Kuakata under Bhola district on Saturday. ... Austria in the dock over Nazi art theft VIENNA: They are some of the most famous paintings in the world - and they have just made legal history. The US Supreme Court has taken the surprise step of allowing a woman to sue the Austrian government for the return of six paintings by Gustav Klimt that were stolen by the Nazis. ...

© The DAWN Group of Newspapers, 2004