Kohl reminded of World War II

Stockholm: Sweden, which looked likely to be one of the western countries hardest-hit by the giant tidal waves, will hold a national day of mourning for the victims on Saturday. Between 1,000 and 4,500 Swedes are still unaccounted for in the region, including some 1,400 in Thailand. About a 1,00 germans are also missing.

Spy satellites help out

WASHINGTON: A US defence agency is using its spy satellites to measure the scope of the devastating tsunami in Asia and help workers manage their relief efforts. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, said it is using its satellite imagery to funnel information to US agencies handling disaster relief.

Italy rallies G8

PARIS/ROME: Italy called on Group of Eight rich nations on Thursday to discuss a joint response to the tsunami catastrophe as moves to grant debt relief to some of the stricken countries gathered pace. France and Germany led European appeals for debt relief and the Paris Club of creditor nations prepared to discuss a moratorium on debt owed by the worst affected countries.

Clarke’s regret

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s best known foreign-born resident, science fiction writer Arthur C Clarke, said he and his family were safe. But in an e-mail to friends, he regretted the lack of a warning system in Sri Lanka. Clarke said that in his first book on Sri Lanka he wrote about ‘‘another tidal wave reaching the Galle harbour.’’ Clarke said the tsunami damaged a diving school he runs and his two bungalows, but he reported no personal human loss.

Two-day ordeal

BANDA ACEH: A five-year-old Indonesian boy spent two days floating at sea on a mattress and was reunited with his family on Thursday. Nursing only a gash to his left leg, Wira said he was playing with his brother and two-year-old sister near his home when the waters came .He spent two days at sea until he was found by fishermen . —Reuters