04 March 2005 Friday 22 Muharram 1426 Saddam's son was poised to topple dad: Arnett LOS ANGELES, March 3: The eldest son of Saddam Hussein was plotting to overthrow his father just as US troops advanced on Baghdad in March 2003, journalist Peter Arnett claimed in Playboy Magazine. ... Likud body votes for referendum on pullout TEL AVIV, March 3: The rebellious executive of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud party voted on Thursday to urge Likud deputies in parliament to seek a referendum on his plan to withdraw from Gaza. ... US blacks advised to do some introspection WASHINGTON: New studies suggesting that black males in the United States are falling ever further behind other groups in health, education and employment have ignited a debate within the black community ... N. Korea ends missile test moratorium SEOUL, March 3: North Korea on Thursday ended a self-imposed moratorium on testing long-range missiles and said "hostile" US policy was forcing it to develop its nuclear arsenal, prompting immediate condemnation from Japan. ... China tells US to 'reflect on erroneous behaviour' BEIJING, March 3: China on Thursday accused the United States of serious human rights violations and told Washington to clean up its own act before "wantonly trampling on the sovereignty of other countries". ... Bashir gets 2-year jail term for Bali blast JAKARTA, March 3: Indonesian militant Abu Bakar Bashir, accused of leading an Al Qaeda-linked group blamed for attacks across Asia, was jailed for two-and-a-half years on Thursday for involvement in the Bali bombings. ... Syria unlikely to cede influence in Lebanon BEIRUT: "People power" may have forced Lebanon's government to stand down but popular opposition is unlikely to sweep away the entire Syrian-backed system, analysts said. ... Iran's arguments for nuclear power make some sense TEHRAN: Iran's argument that despite vast oil and gas reserves it needs nuclear power to meet booming energy demand holds more water than US officials give credit. ... Shias vote in large numbers in Saudi local bodies poll RIYADH, March 3: The minority Shia community in Saudi Arabia came out in large numbers on Thursday to cast votes in the second phase of local bodies elections covering the eastern and south-western regions of the kingdom. ... Delhi puts its forces on alert: Nepal rebels a 'threat' to India NEW DELHI, March 3: India on Thursday said the Maoist insurgency in Nepal was a threat to its security and that forces along the porous border had been put on alert. ... 8,000 Pakistanis get Indian nationality NEW DELHI, March 3: A special drive launched in Rajasthan and Gujarat to grant citizenship to Pakistan's Hindu nationals has ended with India granting citizenship to over 8,000 Pakistani nationals, the Asian Age reported on Thursday. ... Thousands march against India in BD DHAKA, March 3: Several thousand people began a two-day march towards the northern district of Kurigram in protest against an Indian plan to inter-link trans-boundary rivers ... Donors haven't kept aid pledges: Lanka COLOMBO, March 3: International donors who outbid each other to pledge tsunami relief to Sri Lanka have failed to deliver and the island has received only a fraction of the promised cash, a top official said on Thursday. ... Rich states fail to check child poverty BRUSSELS: Child poverty is increasing in many of the richest countries, according to a new report. ...

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