CAIRO: King Hussein of Jordan died today after a seven-month battle against cancer, Jordanian state television announced today. He was 63.

His son, Crown Prince Abdallah, named heir-apparent by the ailing king in a surprise move only eleven days ago replacing his brother, Prince Hassan, was today proclaimed king in his place. ``The throne of the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan has been passed, in line with the constitution and the law, to His Royal Highness Abdallah ibn Hussein,'' the television said.

The 37-year-old Abdallah was to be sworn in king at a special session of parliament at 3 pm local time (4.30 pm IST) today.

Church burnt down

GUWAHATI: Miscreants burnt down a church in the troubled lower Assam's Kokrajhar district during their ongoing ethnic clash with Bodos. Trouble arose after some Bodos assaulted a group of Santhals on the charge of cattle theft following which the Santhals reported the matter to the army, he said.As the armywas carrying out search operation in a nearby Bodo village, some miscreants burnt down the church.

Rushdie protest

SRINAGAR: Imam Khomeini memorial trust, a Shia religious body based at Kargil in Ladakh region, has said the Centre must reconsider its decision to grant visa to Salman Rushdie to visit India.

The trust last evening said the visa granted by the BJP-led Government has hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims in the country.

New outfit

SRINAGAR: A new outfit has been recently formed by militants, mostly foreigners, to revive terrorism across the Kashmir valley, a senior army has said. Named ``Al Badar', the outfit has been formed on the directions of Pakistan's Inter-services Intelligence (ISI) to foment trouble in the Valley.