Friday, April 08, 2005

Pope John II considered resigning

VATICAN CITY: As world leaders converged for the funeral of John Paul II and officials struggled with the biggest security operation in Rome's history, the Vatican disclosed that the ailing pope considered resigning five years ago.

Hope arises for peace on Kashmiri border

MUZAFFARABAD,
Pakistan-controlled Kashmir: Hopes rose for lasting peace between India and Pakistan as bus passengers defied Islamic militants and crossed Kashmir's military dividing line for the first time in nearly 60 years.

UN voted to probe Hariri's killing

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council voted to set up an international inquiry into the assassination of Lebanese former premier Rafiq Hariri, a killing blamed by the Lebanese opposition on Syria.

.Syria in final pullout phase

BEIRUT: Syria began the final phase of a troop pullout ending a 29-year military presence in Lebanon, as consultations for a new cabinet to oversee long-awaited parliamentary elections gathered momentum.

Indonesia reduces tsunami death figure

JAKARTA: Indonesia drastically reduced the possible death toll from the December 26 tsunami, removing more than 50,000 from its total number of people listed as missing.