Hopes on full RI-US military ties dashed: The United States has
Hopes on full RI-US military ties dashed: The United States has dismissed any hopes that security talks with the Indonesian government next week will lead to the resumption of full military ties between the two countries. "These talks are not, and should not be seen as, a resumption of full military relations between the United States and Indonesia. The goal of the U.S. Government is to establish a regular policy dialog between our civilian-led ministries on security issues that face both our nations in this region," said a statement released by the US Embassy here on Friday. -- JP
UN rights mission canceled:UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson on Friday called off a planned fact-finding mission to the Middle East after Israel failed to cooperate, her office announced. Robinson's office said the she would now prepare a report to the UN Human Rights Commission on the "deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territory" based on reports from "all concerned organizations" there. --AFP
Montenegro PM resigns under separatist pressure:Montenegro's Prime Minister Filip Vujanovic resigned on Friday under pressure from separatist parties opposed to the new union accord with Serbia to replace Yugoslavia. His resignation, which lead to the collapse of the government, followed a string of departures of key ministers who quit in protest at the accord signed last month. --AFP
Atlantis returns to Earth:Space shuttle Atlantis and its crew of seven returned to Earth on Friday after spending a week at the international space station installing a 44-foot (13.2-meter) girder. --AP
Israel roadblocks cost baby's life:A Palestinian photographer said on Friday his new-born daughter had died because delays at Israeli army checkpoints had prevented him from getting her to a Nablus hospital in time to save her. --Reuters
U.S. warplanes strike Iraqi air defenses:U.S. warplanes attacked Iraqi air defenses in northern Iraq Friday after Iraqi radars targeted coalition aircraft patrolling a no-fly zone over the northern part of the country, the U.S. military said. --AFP
Colombian government plane crashes:A Colombian Antonov jet, hired by the national Marshall's service, crashed during take-off on Friday, killing two of the seven crew members on board, and injuring three others, police said. One of the engines on the Russian-made jet apparently failed, police said, and the plane skidded off the runway and was leaking fuel. --Reuters
Maoists bomb airport tower:Maoist rebels on Friday bombed a civil aviation tower disrupting domestic flights amid a series of bomb attacks across the country, police said. But there was no immediate report of any casualties. --AFP