Briefly World

Forty-one people,a majority of them militants,were killed in fresh clashes across Pakistans restive tribal belt even as the Army...

41 die in Pakistan anti-Taliban campaign

PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD: Forty-one people,a majority of them militants,were killed in fresh clashes across Pakistans restive tribal belt even as the Army on Tuesday continued its push into the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan. Security forces backed by gunship helicopters killed 23 militants and captured 39 more during an operation.

Britain begins inquiry into Iraq war

LONDON: A British inquiry began hearings on Tuesday into the Iraq war a conflict that stirred deep opposition here as former Prime Minister Tony Blair broke ranks with major European allies to join the United States as its leading ally in the 2003 invasion. We want to establish a clear understanding of the various core elements of the UKs involvement in Iraq, the head of the inquiry,Sir John Chilcot,a former civil servant in the Northern Ireland Office,said.

Philippines toll 46,emergency declared

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AMPATUAN: The Philippine President Gloria Arroyo placed two southern provinces under emergency rule on Tuesday as security forces unearthed more bodies,pushing the death toll to 46 in some of the deadliest election violence in the nations history. Police and soldiers found 22 bodies in a hillside mass grave on Tuesday.

China executes 2 in milk scandal

BEIJING: China executed a dairy farmer and a milk salesman on Tuesday,the only two people sentenced to death in a scheme to water down infant formula with an industrial chemical that left at least six children dead and sickened more than 300,000. The contamination of the milk power with melamine was one of Chinas worst-ever food safety scandals. It surfaced in 2008.

Iran places condition for nuclear deal

TEHRAN: Iran said on Tuesday it was ready to exchange its low-enriched uranium with a higher enriched material,but only on its own soil,to guarantee the West follows through with promises to give the fuel. The Iranian terms mean an effective rejection of a UN-brokered plan designed to delay its ability to build a nuclear weapon. Foreign Ministry spokesman said Iran had made its stand clear with the UNSC.