05 September 2004 Sunday 19 Rajab 1425 Two oil pipelines attacked in Iraq BAGHDAD, Sept 4: Saboteurs kept up relentless attacks on Iraq's oil production system on Saturday, hitting pipelines in the north and south that disrupted internal supply, oil officials said. ... Kidnappers killed guard: Chalabi BAGHDAD, Sept 4: Iraq's hostage crisis took a new twist on Saturday as the militant group holding the two French reporters claimed responsibility for an attack on a leading politician ... French FM returns home without hostages AMMAN, Sept 4: Hopes for two French journalists held captive in Iraq slipped on Saturday when Foreign Minister Michel Barnier, who had been on a mission to the Middle East to secure their release, left for Paris with no news of their imminent liberation. ... The dangers of making UN subservient to US THE standing of the United Nations, which began to erode after the collapse of the Soviet Union made the United States the only superpower, has plummeted in the post-9/11 period ... President's brief visit angers Beslan: Moscow on the rack over hostage crisis BESLAN, Sept 4: The people of Beslan, which Russian President Vladimir Putin visited briefly before dawn on Saturday to condole the school bloodbath ... EU call for explanation irks Russia MOSCOW, Sept 4: Russia lashed out on Saturday at the European Union (EU)'s Dutch presidency over its call for an explanation about the handling of the school hostage crisis. ... Russia showed weakness: Putin MOSCOW, Sept 4: President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that the school hostage crisis in southern Russia showed the country was failing to respond adequately to the threat of international terrorism. ... Bush surges ahead of Kerry: poll NEW YORK, Sept 4: President George Bush emerged from the Republican National Convention with an 11-point lead over Democrat John Kerry, according to a Newsweek poll released on Saturday, the second straight survey showing him ahead by double digits. ... Heavy winds, rain lash Florida MIAMI, Sept 4: Fierce winds and driving rain lashed south Florida Saturday when the outer bands of Hurricane Francis hit the area as the Bahamas were still being pounded by the storm that crawled toward the US coast. ... LA airport shut down LOS ANGELES, Sept 4: Los Angeles International Airport was shut down on Saturday after an apparent security breach, an airport spokesman said. ... Afghans' 'march to democracy' KABUL: As US President George W. Bush trumpets Afghanistan's march to democracy in his bid for re-election, few analysts believe the war-torn country is ready for October polls and many fear it is being pushed into a premature vote. ... A speech devoid of substance WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush's acceptance speech was big on domestic policy ideas and offered a stirring vision of spreading democracy, but failed to address the mistakes he has made and attract the sought-after moderate voter, according to leading US dailies. ... US, India expand military ties WASHINGTON: The United States and India have held four joint military exercises since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when Washington decided to engage New Delhi as a strategic partner. ... Beslan: effect on Putin's image NOVGOROD: President Vladimir Putin's image was almost bound to take a blow from the bloody end to Russia's latest hostage seizure, according to senior Russian politicians and commentators. ...

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