15 December 2004 Wednesday 02 Ziqa'ad 1425 US Army acknowledges eight deaths in custody in Afghanistan WASHINGTON, Dec 14: The US Army acknowledged on Monday that eight prisoners have died in US military custody in Afghanistan since US-led forces toppled the Taliban regime, two more than previously disclosed. ... Saddam's cousin captured BAGHDAD, Dec 14: A cousin of ousted Iraqi president Saddam Hussein has been captured in the flash point city of Fallujah, where he was fighting with guerillas, interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said Tuesday. ... Suicide blast near Green Zone BAGHDAD, Dec 14: A suicide car bomber struck an entrance to Baghdad's Green Zone government compound on Tuesday, 24 hours after an almost identical attack at the same checkpoint on the first anniversary of Saddam Hussein's arrest. ... US reveals place of Saddam's detention GENEVA, Dec 14: The once-secret location where ousted president Saddam Hussein is being detained is Camp Cropper, a US base near Baghdad's international airport, Iraq's Human Rights Minister Bakhtiar Amin said Tuesday. ... UK court for probe into Iraqi's death LONDON, Dec 14: A court on Tuesday backed an independent inquiry into charges that British troops beat to death an Iraqi civilian prisoner, in a test case overruling Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon's rejection of such a probe. ... Violence a threat to Iraq poll: Annan UNITED NATIONS, Dec 14: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said in a report that the violence in Iraq remained a major challenge for holding elections in the country ... Abbas calls for end to attacks on Israelis RAMALLAH, Dec 14: New PLO chairman Mahmud Abbas on Tuesday called for an end to the armed uprising against Israel. Mr Abbas, the overwhelming favourite to be elected Palestinian Authority president on Jan 9 ... US in contact with Hamas: Meshaal LONDON, Dec 14: The United States and the European Union are in contact with Hamas despite having listed it as a terrorist organization, a Hamas leader said in an interview broadcast on Monday. ... Mossad looking for leaner, meaner future HERZLIYA: They're whispering about "terminations" again behind the high walls of Mossad headquarters. But nowadays the term is as likely to refer to staff lay-offs at the Israeli foreign intelligence agency ... US role in oil-for-food scam to be probed: Congressman informs Annan UNITED NATIONS, Dec 14: The US State Department will come under scrutiny in Congress next year for its role in the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal ... Exhibition closed after Bush 'monkey' portrait NEW YORK, Dec 14: A portrait of President George W. Bush using monkeys to form his image led to the closure of a New York art exhibition over the weekend and anguished protests on Monday over freedom of expression. ... 10,000 guards to be deployed: US move to stem illegal immigration SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 14: The new intelligence law mandates 10,000 additional border patrol agents to chase thousands of illegal immigrants every day and secure US land boundaries. ... Homeland Security nominee led dual life WASHINGTON, Dec 14: New revelations show that Bernard Kerik, a former New York street cop President Bush wanted to head the Department of Homeland Security, led a dual life. ... India activates lobby in Washington: Drive against sale of F-16s WASHINGTON, Dec 14: India, which last week urged US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld not to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, has now activated its lobby on Capitol Hill to prevent the possible sale. ... Chirac opens world's tallest bridge MILLAU, Dec 14: As air force jets screamed overhead, French President Jacques Chirac inaugurated the world's tallest bridge Tuesday, a stunning masterpiece of engineering that will carry drivers 270 metres (885 feet) above ground. ... Google to put library books online WASHINGTON, Dec 14: Internet search giant Google announced plans Tuesday to digitize the contents of millions of library books and make them searchable online. ... Riyadh sets up dept to check abuse of expatriates RIYADH, Dec 14: The Saudi labour ministry has set up a new department to protect expatriate workers from abusive employers, Labour Minister Dr Ghazi Al Gosaibi disclosed. ... US ponders over its response to Iran's nuclear programme WASHINGTON: Top diplomats from the United States and its closest allies gathered this fall in Washington to hammer out a common approach to Iran's nuclear ambitions. But the mood quickly soured. ... Officials not averse to use of torture: Debate rages in Britain LONDON: It may seem hard to believe, but torture is very much on the minds of British officials these days. Not whether the practice should be condemned. ... Turkey set to score on EU count LONDON: As a young man, Recep Tayyip Erdogan was a gifted footballer; but not quite good enough to turn professional. So he concentrated on politics instead. Now Mr Erdogan is prime minister of Turkey. ...

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