Vol. 5 Num 203 Sat. December 18, 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 UN shrugs off US demands to boost Iraq presence The United States failed to win a promise from the United Nations to increase its staff in Iraq ahead of elections as Washington stepped up its charges that Damascus was sheltering insurgent leaders.   'Militants planning big attacks in Bangkok' 'Thai officials responsible for Muslims' deaths' Islamic militants were planning large-scale attacks in Bangkok and southern Thai provinces in January to mark the first anniversary of a violent separatist insurgency, a security source said yesterday.   17 Maoists killed in western Nepal At least 17 Maoist rebels died in clashes in the far west of Nepal Friday while two bombs exploded in the capital region as new violence flared in the kingdom, security officials said.   War fears rise in Lanka as peace effort fails A top Norwegian envoy who failed in his latest effort to revive Sri Lanka's peace talks has warned both parties to honour a truce or risk a return to full-scale war, diplomats said yesterday.   EU to work for lifting China's arms ban EU leaders were set to declare their "political will" to lift an arms embargo on China but stressed Beijing must respect human rights and regional stability, a draft summit text said yesterday.   Impact of Iraq war failing US National Guard in its recruitment drive The US National Guard has fallen some 10,000 people below its authorized strength of 350,000 in part because fewer soldiers are joining the guard on leaving active duty, a military spokesman said Thursday.   China, Pakistan to step up anti-terror cooperation China and Pakistan have vowed to step up anti-terrorism cooperation, saying both sides had been "deeply harmed" by extremism and separatism, state media reported yesterday.   Pak court orders security for Zardari The husband of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto said yesterday a court had ordered the government to give him police protection following his release from eight years in jail.   Bush to sign new intelligence reform bill President Bush is signing into law the largest overhaul of US intelligence gathering in 50 years, hoping to improve the spy network that failed to prevent the Sept. 11 attacks.   EU finally opens door for Turkey After 40 years of trying, Turkey got its foot in the door of the European Union after EU leaders grudgingly agreed to open membership talks with the overwhelmingly Muslim nation next year.   'CIA has run secret prison at Guantanamo' The Central Intelligence Agency has run a secret prison for valuable al-Qaeda captives within the Pentagon's detention complex at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, The Washington Post reported     Advertisement