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No word on kidnapped US journalist

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi and US officials said Saturday they were working to free a female American journalist kidnapped off a Baghdad street one week ago but had not yet made contact with her captors. Jill Caroll, a 28-year-old freelance reporter, has not been heard from since she was kidnapped …

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Saddam judge threatens to quit

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — The judge trying Saddam Hussein has tendered his resignation, a source said on Saturday, making a protest at political interference and casting new doubt on the US-backed Iraqi government’s ability to ensure a fair trial. High tribunal officials were trying to talk Kurdish judge Rizgar Amin out …

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Tehran to resume nuclear fuel research

TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran said it would resume nuclear fuel research on Monday, triggering fresh Western warnings that Tehran could face sanctions and wreck dialogue to end a dispute over its controversial nuclear programme. “The possibility of… sanctions continues to exist. But… this should be a last resort,” said Austrian …

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Khartoum vows commitment to year-old peace

KHARTOUM (AFP) — Sudan pledged to implement a historic north-south peace deal on its first anniversary, but aid agencies said there was little to celebrate as peace dividends were slow to come for many Sudanese. “Sudan and its national government renews its steadfast determination to implement all the articles of …

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Muslim pilgrims pray for salvation

MOUNT ARAFAT (AP) — More than 2 million Muslim pilgrims made the climactic ascent to Mount Arafat, Islam’s most sacred site, to pray Monday for salvation, and Saudi Arabia’s top cleric called for Islamic unity in the face of what he called the West’s war on Islam. After offering prayers …

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Sharon breathes on his own

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — Ariel Sharon started breathing on his own and moved his right arm and leg in response to pain stimulation Monday, but his chief surgeon said that despite that “very important” sign, it’ll be days before doctors can assess whether the prime minister is lucid enough to …

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Israel agrees in principle to Jerusalem vote

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israel on Monday agreed to allow Arabs in East Jerusalem to vote in this month’s parliamentary election, as Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said the polls would take place on January 25 as scheduled. Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz announced that Israel had agreed in principle to allow …

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Police search for kidnapped American journalist

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi police were searching Monday for an American journalist who was kidnapped over the weekend when gunmen ambushed her car and killed her translator in one of Baghdad’s most dangerous neighbourhoods. Jill Carroll, a freelancer for The Christian Science Monitor, was kidnapped Saturday in Baghdad’s predominantly Sunni …

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