Former Cabinet minister denies killing Kenyan foreign minister

NAIROBI: Nicholas Biwott, who had been a powerful minister in former President Daniel arap Moi’s government, yesterday denied allegations that he was involved in the 1990 murder of then Foreign Minister Robert Ouko.

Japan urges US to refrain from sanctions over beef import ban

TOKYO: Japan hopes the United States will not impose economic sanctions over Tokyo’s 15-month ban on American beef and will continue negotiations, the government’s top spokesman said yesterday.

Bomber kills 10 in Iraq

BAGHDAD: Suicide car bombers killed 10 people in attacks on an Iraqi army base and a checkpoint in Baghdad, while gunmen assassinated a judge and his son serving on the tribunal set up to try Saddam Hussein.

UN atomic agency demands Iran transparency

VIENNA: Iran must come clean on nuclear questions, UN atomic agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei said, calling on Tehran to carry out “transparency” measures that allow widespread visits by IAEA inspectors beyond what is required under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

French probe video of abducted reporter

PARIS: French intelligence services were studying two videos of a reporter taken hostage in Iraq – one of which was broadcast the day before – amid suspicions that Syria had links to those holding her, media said.

Abbas riding high on world support

BRUSSELS: Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas, fresh from winning ringing support for his reform plans at this week’s London conference, pledged to form an independent state “as soon as possible”.

Swede predicts his

end in Iraq

STOCKHOLM: An Iraqi-Swede held hostage for more than a month in Iraq – where he returned to get involved in national politics – launched a desperate plea for his life in a macabre new video, saying he was certain he was facing execution by his kidnappers.

Madrid rail bombers had NY subway plans

MADRID: The people who bombed suburban trains in Madrid last year had also planned to attack New York’s Grand Central railway station, having in their possession a detailed plan of the building on a computer disk, the El Mundo daily said, quoting sources close to the investigation.

Hong Kong leader

set to resign

HONG KONG: Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa looked set to resign, cutting short a turbulent eight-year tenure overshadowed by economic recession, policy gaffes and unease over China’s interference.

China seeks to resume North/South Korea talks

SEOUL: China’s top envoy began a three-day visit to South Korea in the latest round of diplomacy aimed at bringing North Korea back to nuclear disarmament talks.

Muslim girl wins London court battle

LONDON: A British Muslim girl won a long legal battle to force her school to let her wear traditional full-length Islamic dress in class, a case reflecting similar debates elsewhere in Europe.

US aviator at half-way point on world trip

SALINA, Kansas: American adventurer Steve Fossett was flying over southern China, having passed the half-way point in his attempt to make the first solo, non-stop flight around the world without refuelling and almost no sleep.