US ready to attack Iraq again
The United States and Britain were yesterday virtually on the brink of a military strike against Iraq having rushed more troops and weaponry in the Gulf while pulling out diplomatic staff across the countries in the region even as defiant Baghdad urged United Nations to prevent an aggression.

Low-level deterrence may find an ear in US
In a major foreign policy speech that addressed the progress of talks between Washington and India and Pakistan on the nuclear issue, United States Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott revealed the possibility, in the "near and medium term" of acceptance of a "low-level deterrence" which recognises the two countries' conceptions of their own national interests.

Israeli cabinet gives conditional nod to Wye River deal
After several postponements, the Israeli government narrowly ratified the Wye River peace accord on Wednesday after attaching several riders to the decision, which the Palestinian authority promptly rejected.

  US may strike Iraq without warning
  Taliban religious police go on rampage
  British Lords end Pinochet appeal hearing
  China to add new ICBM to US worries
  Playing the role-model role
  The Sun goes in
  At a Glance
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  Wage cuts to boost Singapore's economy
  Hardie pins hope on better second half
  Air Lanka sets sights on 10% sales growth
  GM chief to push auto free trade at Apec
  Toyota Motor floats China bus venture
  Commodity woes may slow Thai economic recovery
  China seals over-the-counter bourse's fate
  Easy credit to aid China's corn exports
  Australian bullion producers buy back gold
  La Nina threatens Indonesian rice output further
  Australian sugar output losses touch A$250m
  Commodity Briefing
  Sanyo H1 profit dips 29% to $12m
  Nestle SA to pick 60% stake in Excelsia Food
  Honda compact wagon sputters at home
  Nissan seeks loan to tide over credit crunch