04 November 2004 Thursday 20 Ramazan 1425 Bush tells Kerry he was 'worthy opponent' WASHINGTON, Nov 3: President George Bush told Senator John Kerry in a phone call on Wednesday that he was an "admirable, worthy opponent" who should be proud of the presidential campaign he ran, the White House said. ... World reactions Russian President Vladimir Putin: "I can only feel joy that the American people did not allow itself to be intimidated, and made the most sensible decision." ... Disappointment in Kerry family's village HORNI BENESOV, Nov 3: In the sleepy Czech village of Horni Benesov where John Kerry's grandfather was born disappointment hung in the air on Wednesday as the Democrat failed in his bid to become the next US president. ... Bush confounds traditional Republican strategy WASHINGTON, Nov 3: Richard Nixon once said the key for Republicans to win the White House was to run as a conservative in the party's nominating primaries and move to the centre in the presidential election. ... John Kerry was too liberal for presidency: analyst WASHINGTON, Nov 3: Scarred from their second defeat at the hands of George Bush, the Democratic party will be searching for names who can take on the Republicans in four years. And an obvious one is Bill Clinton. ... Indian wins seat WASHINGTON, Nov 3: Indian-American Piyush "Bobby" Jindal coasted to victory on Wednesday in his bid for a seat in the US House of Representatives, rebounding from his failed attempt last year to become governor of Louisiana. ... Powell likely to be dropped WASHINGTON, Nov 3: President George Bush's re-election could herald a new look for his administration, with expectations that he will reshuffle his cabinet while maintaining enough continuity to tackle his priorities: Iraq and the war on terror. ... Dismay in Middle East CAIRO, Nov 3: People in the Middle East, with the exception of Israelis and some Iranians, reacted with resigned disappointment on Wednesday to President Bush's re-election. ... Arafat to rest in Tunisia: official TUNIS, Nov 3: Ailing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will convalesce in Tunisia after undergoing medical treatment in France, Palestinian foreign minister Farouk Kaddoumi said on Wednesday. ... Key witness complains of intimidation: Gujarat trial BARODA, Nov 3: A key prosecution witness in the trial of Hindus accused of massacring Muslims during riots in Gujarat state claimed on Wednesday that a rights activist had demanded she give false evidence. ... Iran says it can make N-bomb, but won't MOSCOW, Nov 3: Iran has the capacity to produce nuclear weapons but does not intend doing so, a senior Iranian official said here on Wednesday. ... India, Lanka plan defence agreement New Delhi, Nov 3: Sri Lanka President Chandrika Badaranaike Kumaratunga will be on a working visit to India this week amid reports that the two countries are planning to sign a bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement, official sources said. ... Women now swelling the ranks of Maoists KATHMANDU: Striking images of young women in fatigues, rifles hoisted on their shoulders and purposefully marching forward, stare back at you when one clicks on the official website of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). ... India, Nepal call for Saarc's Interpol NEW DELHI: India and Nepal have mooted an idea of a regional police co-ordination body, Saarc Pol (Saarc Police), for the seven member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. ...

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