01 July 2004 Thursday 12 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425 Taliban kidnap 12 drivers KANDAHAR, June 30: Taliban have claimed responsibility for kidnapping 12 Afghan truck drivers taking supplies to US-led coalition bases in southern Afghanistan, a man claiming to be a spokesman for the ousted militia said on Wednesday. ... Bremer regrets failure to get grip on Iraq security WASHINGTON, June 30: The former US administrator in Iraq said on Wednesday his biggest regret was not getting a grip on the country's dangerous security situation before the formal transfer of authority to Iraqis. ... Kurds poised for war, peace alike QANDIL MOUNTAINS: High in the mountains of northern Iraq, Kurdish rebels play volleyball in the afternoon sun after a day of political education classes. ... Archbishops attack Blair over Iraq LONDON, June 30: Britain's most senior Anglican churchmen delivered a harsh rebuke to Prime Minister Tony Blair on Wednesday over the behaviour of coalition troops in Iraq. ... Small arms fuelled Iraqi insurgency: study UNITED NATIONS, June 30: More than 8 million small arms fell into private hands in Iraq when the US-led invasion ousted Saddam Hussein, laying the groundwork for the later insurgency and creating a threat to regional stability for years to come, a new study said on Wednesday. ... The West's Arab enigma LONDON: George W. Bush may not have read much history but he likes making it. The recent run of insider accounts of the Bush White House show the president is a man with a constant eye on the historians of the future ... Millionaires fill US Congress halls WASHINGTON: The US Congress, the domed bastion of democracy in the capital of capitalism, abounds with deep-pocketed politicians whose fortunes have made the legislative branch of government a millionaire's club. ... Israeli court orders changes to West Bank barrier route AL QUDS, June 30: Israel is to alter part of the route of its West Bank barrier after the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that its current path violates the rights of tens of thousands of Palestinians living near Jerusalem. ... Missiles threaten airlines: report GENEVA, June 30: Airlines could face growing danger from attackers armed with new shoulder-launched missiles unless states make a major effort to control their spread, according to a report issued on Wednesday. ... Lankans slam anti-conversion bill COLOMBO, June 30: Non-Buddhist sections of the population have protested the proposed bill prohibiting conversion from Buddhism to other religions. ... US calls for UN sanctions against Darfur militia UNITED NATIONS, June 30: A US-drafted Security Council resolution on Wednesday proposed an arms and travel embargo on Sudan's Janjaweed militia, blamed for killings, pillaging ... Iranian FM to visit Cuba HAVANA, June 30: Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on Thursday will make an official visit to Cuba, where he will meet with his Cuban counterpart Felipe Perez Roque, the foreign ministry here said. ... EU's new presidency backs Turkey THE HAGUE, June 30: The European Union's incoming Dutch presidency warned its partners on Wednesday against imposing conditions out of the blue on Turkey before the country can finally win a date to open EU entry talks. ... ASEAN goes soft on Myanmar JAKARTA, June 30: Southeast Asian foreign ministers vowed on Wednesday to strengthen their fight against terrorism but took a soft line on controversial military-ruled member Myanmar. ... LTTE 'Karuna faction' to be registered BATTICALOA, June 30: Dissident LTTE eastern Batticaloa leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna will register a new Tamil political taking on the name of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to be known as LTTE Karuna faction. ... Another film star eyes political stage in India CHENNAI: Cinema, theatre and politics have long gone hand in hand in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, where four chief ministers since 1967 have stepped from the screen and stage into the political limelight. ...

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