Volume 5 Number 38 Sat. July 03, 2004       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Literature Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives International Pakistan joins ARF Indo-Pak FMs meet in Jakarta to build trust Pakistan was formally accepted yesterday as the 24th member of Asia's only security forum, in a move that could lessen tensions in the region and with fellow nuclear power India.   Pakistan dismantling terror network in its own interest: Musharraf Pakistan is trying to dismantle the country's terrorist network for the sake of its own "national interest", President Pervez Musharraf told two visiting US senators yesterday, officials said.   ARF backs bid to solve nuke crisis US, N Korean officials hold talks A major Asia-Pacific security forum gave strong support yesterday to new efforts to end the North Korean nuclear crisis, as the US and North Korean foreign ministers held rare high-level talks on thesidelines   Militants ambush MP's motorcade in Kashmir 17 killed in violence Seventeen people were killed yesterday in bloody separatist violence in Indian Kashmir, including a rebel ambush on an Indian MP's motorcade, police said. Israeli troops to stay in Gaza until end of 2005 Four Palestinians killed Soldiers will remain in the northern Gaza Strip, a launchpad for Palestinian rockets, until Israel completes its planned Gaza withdrawal next year, the defense minister said yesterday, as violence flared   US bars 6 ships as anti-terror law takes hold The United States denied entry to six foreign-flagged ships on Thursday as tough new global laws to protect shipping from terrorist attacks took effect with little overall disruption to global trade.   al-Qaeda vows to carry out attacks in Europe FBI urges increased patrols for July 4th A purported statement from an al-Qaeda-linked group vowed to carry out attacks in Europe after the expiry of a three-month truce offered by Osama bin Laden in April, London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper   World press focuses on Saddam trial Pictures of a defiant Saddam Hussein appearing in a Baghdad courtroom dominated the world's press yesterday, amid warnings that the tribunal must prove it is independent from the United States.   Typhoon toll rises to 23 in Philippines The death toll from the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year rose to 23 yesterday, as rescue workers rushed to clear landslides and send food and medicine to isolated areas, disaster officials   Maoist rebels kill Mayor of Nepal's top tourist town Suspected Maoist rebels Friday assassinated the mayor of Nepal's leading tourist town, Pokhara, in a hit-and-run shooting in a busy marketplace, an official said.     Advertisement