Death toll rises ‘suddenly’ in Uzbekistan

ANDIJAN, Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan’s hardline government dramatically increased its estimated death toll from a bloody crackdown in the eastern city of Andijan, as international pressure grew on President Islam Karimov.

Verdict of Yukos boss still unknown

MOSCOW: Yukos oil baron Mikhail Khodorkovsky was convicted on one count of fraud, but was left waiting for a verdict on 10 other counts, as the court dragged out the controversial trial of Russia’s onetime richest man.

Accused on trial for Beslan massacre

VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia: The sole trial of an alleged hostage-taker captured in the Beslan school siege opened in southern Russia with an emotion-charged reading of the names of the attack’s 330 victims, more than half of them children.

Iraq, Iran to make peace?

BAGHDAD: Baghdad and Tehran pledged to turn the page on nearly a quarter of a century of war and bitter rivalry during a visit here by Iran’s foreign minister, who expressed support for Iraq’s new Shiite-led government.

Blair marches on

LONDON: British Prime Minister Tony Blair embarked on his third term and final in office with controversial plans for identity cards, a scheme likely to test out his Labour Party’s sharply reduced majority in parliament.

Musharraf to rule until 2007

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will seek another five-year term as head of state after his current tenure ends in 2007, the country’s Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said.

Galloway denies receiving kickbacks

WASHINGTON: Fiery British politician George Galloway vehemently denied ever receiving Iraqi oil kickbacks from Saddam Hussein’s regime, as he faced down his accusers in the US Congress.