US House OKs $311 million for Sudan

WASHINGTON (AP) - A House committee approved $311 million yesterday to help victims of war and famine in Sudan as Congress took its latest step to deal with what the United Nations says is the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

In a mark of the bipartisan support behind the initiative, the money was barely mentioned as the House Appropriations Committee approved a $19.4 billion foreign aid bill for next year. The panel approved the measure, including the Sudan money, by voice vote.

Tear down the wall, says UN says to Israel

THE HAGUE: The world court delivered a sweeping indictment of Israel's controversial barrier in the occupied West Bank, declaring it illegal and calling for parts to be torn down.

.Israel says no

JERUSALEM: Israel said it has no intention of halting work on its West Bank barrier as the world court was set to rule that it contravenes international law and parts built on Palestinian land should be dismantled.

Palestinans hail UN court

ABU DIS, West Bank: The Palestinians hailed as historic a judgement by the world court that Israel's West Bank barrier is illegal, saying it should be followed up by international sanctions.

Boy dies in Iraqi mortar attack

BAGHDAD: A six-year-old Iraqi boy died and three other people were wounded in a mortar attack near a Baghdad hotel complex late as a hostage drama gripped Iraq and top clerics heavily criticised the government.
Afghanistan sets poll date for October

KABUL: Afghanistan set October 9 as the date for long-delayed presidential polls, but delayed trickier parliamentary elections until the spring, buying time to speed up disarmament and stem rising violence.

Egypt's Mubarak under pressure

CAIRO: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has formally asked outgoing communications minister Ahmed Nazif to form a new government, state television announced.

US AWOL soldier reuinted with kidnapped wife

JAKARTA: An alleged US army defector to North Korea had an emotional reunion in Jakarta with the Japanese woman whom he married after she was abducted to the reclusive Stalinist state.

Cigarette company pays $1.25 billlion

BRUSSELS: The European Commission said that it had abandoned a smuggling case against cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris in return for payment by the US company of a US$1.25-billion fine over 12 years.

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