Today's other stories in brief
Police kill 3 Shia pilgrims at Kerbala
KERBALA - Police killed three people last night in clashes with pilgrims in Iraq's holy city of Kerbala, where tens of thousands of Shias have gathered for one of the holiest days on the Shia calendar.
Police said they opened fire on a large crowd of pilgrims infuriated by the strict security measures in force in the city, killing three and wounding 13.
Meanwhile in Falluja, west of Baghdad a suicide bomber killed 10 people and wounded 11 when he blew himself up after evening prayers in a mosque.
CBS said yesterday a translator for CBS News in Iraq has been found dead after being abducted from his home by armed men a week ago. - (Reuters)
Prescott to step down as MP
LONDON - Former deputy prime minister John Prescott will step down as a member of parliament at the next general election.
Mr Prescott (69), an MP for Hull East, a position he has held since 1970, said:
"It has been a huge privilege to represent the people of Hull East over the last 37 years. I will continue to do that until the next general election." - (Reuters)
Iran protest at Swedish drawing
TEHRAN - Iran summoned Sweden's charge d'affaires yesterday to protest against the publication of "a disrespectful" drawing of Prophet Muhammad in a Swedish newspaper, Iran's state broadcaster said.
The Swedish embassy in Tehran confirmed it had received a protest related to a drawing by a Swedish artist published last week in a regional newspaper, Nerikes Allehanda.
- (Reuters)
Thai election set for December
BANGKOK - Thailand's army-appointed government has called a general election for December 23rd which many hope will end months of political turmoil but may also steer the country into another era of weak coalitions. - (Reuters)
Musharraf aides to consult Bhutto
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's embattled president, Pervez Musharraf, has sent representatives to London to negotiate with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on a powersharing pact, an official said yesterday. - (Reuters)