26 October 2004 Tuesday 11 Ramazan 1425 Safety from terror 'up in the air': Bush ALAMOGORDO, Oct 25: President George Bush said in an interview on Sunday that it is "up in the air" whether the United States can ever be fully safe from terrorism, prompting an attack from Democrat John Kerry's campaign that Mr Bush was sending a mixed message. ... Claim on Al Qaeda purge questioned WASHINGTON, Oct 25: US President George Bush has touted the capture or killing of 75 per cent of Al Qaeda's leaders to show US voters the war on terror's progress, but intelligence experts say the group's senior ranks have been filled by new people. ... Bush holds three-point lead: poll WASHINGTON, Oct 25: President George Bush holds a slender three-point lead over Democratic rival John Kerry in a tight race for the White House, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Monday. ... Clinton enters election battle PHILADELPHIA, Oct 25: Former president Bill Clinton entered the Democratic election campaign for John Kerry on Monday saying he had cut short his recuperation from heart surgery because of the close race. ... President's cousins oppose re-election WASHINGTON, Oct 25: A renegade wing of the extended George Bush clan is lobbying actively for his defeat in the election, and formed a group, "Bush Relatives for Kerry", to ensure that happens. ... Bush exploiting 9/11, says Carter LONDON, Oct 25: US President George Bush "has been adroit" at exploiting the suffering caused by the Sept 11 attacks, his predecessor Jimmy Carter said in an interview with the Guardian published on Monday. ... 49 recruits' killing: Iraqi officials suspect insider job BAGHDAD, Oct 25: Iraqi officials said on Monday the perpetrators of the weekend slaughter of 49 newly-trained army recruits on a remote road in eastern Iraq could have been tipped off from within the ranks. ... Arafat allowed to leave compound JERUSALEM, Oct 25: Palestinian President Yasser Arafat received Israeli permission on Monday to leave his Ramallah headquarters and receive medical treatment in a hospital in the West Bank city, an Israeli security source said. ... Iran trying to get N-arms: Sharon JERUSALEM, Oct 25: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon accused Iran on Monday of doing everything it could to obtain nuclear weapons, further ratcheting up the pressure on Tehran. ... Tehran to consider enrichment freeze TEHRAN, Oct 25: Iran on Monday said it was ready to consider a European request to maintain a suspension on enriching uranium, in what could be a major breakthrough towards ending a stand off over its nuclear programme. ... BD opposition leaders attacked DHAKA, Oct 25: Former Bangladesh president Prof Badruddoza Chowdhury and Gano Forum leader Dr Kamal Hossain came under attack on Monday in by students in Mymensingh ... 'War on terror' benefited Manila: Arroyo MANILA, Oct 25: US President George W. Bush's war on terrorism has been "beneficial" for the Philippines despite questions over how it is being waged, President Gloria Arroyo said Monday. ... China agrees to pressure N. Korea: Response to Powell's plea SEOUL, Oct 25: China agreed on Monday to put pressure on North Korea to return to six-party talks on its nuclear programmes but told US Secretary of State Colin Powell that Washington needed to be more flexible to resolve the crisis. ... US, Japan hold drill to block WMD shipment TOKYO, Oct 25: Asia's first naval exercise aimed at blocking the shipment of weapons of mass destruction began on Monday in Japan despite opposition from alleged proliferator North Korea to the US-led drill. ... BBC to sack 6,000 workers LONDON, Oct 25: The BBC, the world's biggest public broadcaster, is to cut almost a quarter of its 28,000-strong workforce, in the biggest shake-up in its 82-year history, The Times newspaper in London said Monday. ... 18 N. Koreans enter Seoul's consulate BEIJING, Oct 25: A group of North Korean refugees attempted to enter a South Korean consulate building in Beijing on Monday but only three managed to take shelter inside, South Korean officials and media said. ... Indian saint cleared of forgery charges NEW DELHI, Oct 25: A court on Monday cleared Hindu holy man Chandraswami, once one of India's biggest political powerbrokers, of forging papers which alleged that former premier V.P. Singh stashed illegal funds abroad. ... India's welcome for Myanmar leader incenses dissidents NEW DELHI/BANGKOK: As Myanmar's military strongman Senior General Than Shwe started his six-day visit to India this week - the first such trip in over 25 years - U Than ...

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