GIs Scour Afghan Caves After Fighting Rebels who attacked are apparently loyal to hard-line warlord, U.S. says. Soldiers find small arms cache. Battle was largest since March. 4 Mexican Officials, Civilian Slain in Shootout in Chiapas Gun battle breaks out as officials hunt suspects in a pair of killings that some papers link to a Catholic feud with evangelical Protestants. Ivorian Army Rejects Accord The peace deal would allow rebels into the government and force factions to demobilize. Protests and street battles continue. Suspected Leaders of Greek Terrorist Group Go on Trial The alleged masterminds and hit men of Greece's deadly November 17 terrorist group went on trial Monday in a bunker-like courtroom for a campaign of violence that shifted from 1970s Marxist revolt to rage against globalization. Colombian Rebels Free TV Crew Journalists are released in the province where a photographer and writer on assignment for The Times are being held by other rebels. Hong Kong to Soften Subversion Bill Officials in Hong Kong said Tuesday that they would scrap or tone down parts of a controversial anti-subversion bill after public protests, but critics said the legislation still could be used to muzzle dissent. N. Korea's Kim Snubs Southern Delegates A South Korean delegation on a mission to North Korea to defuse nuclear tensions returned home today without having met leader Kim Jong Il, South Korean officials said. Moscow Says It Could Get Tough on Iraq Russia has pushed a diplomatic solution but apparently doesn't want to anger the U.S. Britain says Baghdad is in material breach.' Ex-Ad Executive Quits Federal Post Pitching America to the World Charlotte Beers, an advertising executive hired after the Sept. 11 attacks to improve the United States' image in other countries, resigned Monday as the State Department's undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, citing health reasons. Powell: Iraq Proof at Hand Secretary of State says U.S. will make its case against Hussein to the U.N. by month's end. New evidence of hidden weapons to be offered. N. African Arraigned in British Slaying British prosecutors filed murder charges Friday in the stabbing death of a detective by a suspect whom European investigators describe as a member of an Al Qaeda-linked Algerian terrorist network that has been active in Britain, France and Chechnya. Crackdown in Mexico Points to New Policy With anti-drug agents having been raided in 11 states, a stricter tack on corruption seems underway. Agency is likely to be closed. Gunman, Israeli Settler Die in Raid Two Palestinian gunmen infiltrated the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba on Friday, killing an Israeli man as he opened his door and wounding three people inside. Australian Forest Fires Engulf Homes in Capital Fifty to 100 homes were burning in the Australian capital today as forest fires pushed into Canberra's suburbs, pouring ash and smoke over Parliament and the embassy district and forcing thousands of people to evacuate. 7 More U.S. Ships Head for the Gulf Well-wishers flock to port in San Diego as 10,000 Marines and sailors embark. Chirac Backs U.N. Inspectors' Request for More Time Sending a signal to both Baghdad and Washington at a tense moment, French President Jacques Chirac joined the United Nations' two top arms officials Friday in urging the Security Council to give weapons inspectors more time to do their work in Iraq. Parent of Russian Media Firm Sacks American American financier Boris Jordan was dismissed Friday as general director of a media firm that owns one of Russia's major television stations. NATO Swears In Its First Marine Commander U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James L. Jones took over Friday as NATO's top commander, a job that looks set to start with preparing the alliance to provide Washington with military backup in case of a war with Iraq. Russia to Cut Back Troops in Chechnya Claiming that the strife-torn republic of Chechnya is growing more stable in the weeks before a key referendum, Russian authorities announced Monday that modest troop withdrawals will start this week. But violent clashes with separatist rebels showed no letup. Iraq and Russia Sign Three Oil Deals Iraq and Russia signed three oil agreements Friday for exploration and development of oil fields in southern and western Iraq. Some Crews Alerted for N. Korea Pentagon tells bombers to be ready to deploy to Guam. The move is seen as a show of muscle. Bush Touts Capture of Mohammed The president suggests the breakthrough demonstrates the U.S.' ability to go after Al Qaeda while also confronting Iraq. Arab Journalists' Blasphemy Trial Points to Jordan's Predicament With war in the region possible, Amman cracks down on writings seen as anti-Islam, apparently to offset the country's pro-Western policies. |  Inflation Adds Another Woe for N. Korea With annual price rises put at 600% or more, millions face starvation. That could help explain the regime's recklessness amid a nuclear standoff. Suspected Terrorist Leader Held in Indonesia Mas Selamat Kastari is allegedly Singapore chief of group blamed in the Bali bombings. Palestinian Sentenced to 27 Years An Israeli military court convicts man of training with Al Qaeda. He denies the charge. Poppy Farmers Have Barren Fields and Empty Purses Anti-drug effort in Afghanistan has had more success in eradicating crops than in compensating their growers. Powell Will Present Strong Case' Against Iraq U.S. official says secretary of State has evidence that will convince a lot of folks.' Near Iraq, Marines Prepare for War During Sandstorms In the remote desert only a few miles from the Iraqi border, Marine Corps tank crews are training to defeat a ferocious enemy: blinding sandstorms that can last for days. Opposition Leader Pleads Not Guilty in Zimbabwe Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and two other men appeared in court Monday to face charges of plotting to assassinate Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and seize power in the troubled southern African country. Probe of Alleged Summit Payoff Deal Is Halted South Korean prosecutors shelved an investigation into an alleged payoff scandal surrounding the 2000 North-South Korean summit, a decision that drew angry protests from opposition politicians. Two Pollsters Jailed Over Survey on U.S. Two Iranian pollsters who outraged hard-liners with a survey that found 74% of Tehran residents support contacts with the U.S. have been sentenced to prison on charges of selling secrets to groups linked to the CIA, lawyers said. Foreign Workers in Kuwait Brace for a Possible War The last time war came to the Persian Gulf, Mushtaq Amhad, a Pakistani barber, was lucky to escape with his life. Divisions Weaken Arab Voice League's compromise communique is seen as falling short of a strong stand against U.S. policy. U.S. Can Hold Off Weeks, Not Months Despite passionate resistance from abroad, the Bush administration signaled Sunday that it intends to press ahead with its effort to quickly disarm Iraq and wants to wind down deliberations at the United Nations in the next few weeks. North Korea's Birthday Bash Steeped in Defiance Toward U.S. America is said to be no match for he almighty and powerful Kim Jong Il, who turns 61. 6 Killed in Gaza Strip Blast Islamic militants die in an explosion the day after four Israeli soldiers perished in a bombed tank. The army stages a deadly overnight raid. Opposition in Cyprus Wins Presidency The incoming leader backs a harder line in reunification talks with island's Turks. At Least 200,000 Protest in Australia Hundreds of thousands of chanting, placard-waving people marched through downtown Sydney on Sunday to protest Australia's possible involvement in a U.S.-led war on Iraq. NATO Agrees to Assist Turkey The alliance reaches consensus on supplying sophisticated military equipment in case the nation needs to defend itself against Baghdad. Purported Spy Memo May Add to U.S. Troubles at U.N. Top secret' document discusses bugging of council members. Forgery or no, some say it's nothing to get worked up about. Antiwar Rallies Draw Millions Around World The biggest protests are in nations whose leaders back U.S. policy toward Iraq. Large crowds also gather in countries heading the opposition. U.S., Britain Still Plan a Resolution But stiff opposition on the Security Council may force a compromise proposal that allows inspectors time to work with Iraq on disarming. Ready and Raring to Go to War The soldiers at Camp New York in Kuwait are saying, It looks like we're going to have to go through Baghdad before we go home. So let's go.' N. Korean Jets Stalk U.S. Plane Incident over Sea of Japan is the latest of recent provocations by Pyongyang. Bush warns that he could resort to force in the standoff. Baghdad Makes New Overtures As allied planes strike in the south, Iraq vows to answer biological and chemical weapons questions. U.S. seeks reversal from Turkey.  |
 |  |