Briefly World

French President Nicolas Sarkozy says France stands by its law banning burqa-like Muslim veils despite a threatening new message from al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

France firm on burqa ban despite Osama threat

Brussels: French President Nicolas Sarkozy says France stands by its law banning burqa-like Muslim veils despite a threatening new message from al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The audio tape of Osamas voice threatens to kill French citizens in revenge for Frances law to ban the veil,and because France has troops in Afghanistan. Sarkozy says France doesnt let anyone dictate its policies,and certainly not terrorists. He says his country has made its choice and that it doesnt want women in France trapped behind pieces of fabric. He also says the tape of Osamas voice is authentic.

WH misspells Michelle Obamas name: Report

Washington: In an embarrassment to the US presidency,the White House press office has reportedly spelt First Lady Michelle Obamas name wrong. In a media release sent out on Tuesday evening,Michelles name was spelled with just the one L the error was committed by an aide in the White House press office,the Daily Mail online reported.

11 militants killed in northwest Pak: Officials

Peshawar: Helicopter gunships pounded terrorist hideouts in the lawless Orakzai tribal region,killing nine Taliban fighters while two pro-Taliban militants died in an exchange of fire with security forces in northwest Pakistans Swat district on Friday,security officials said. The helicopters targeted militant positions in Khadezai,Daparpahar,Ismailzai,Kasha and Saifuldar areas in Orakzai Agency,killing nine Taliban fighters. Twelve militants were injured and four hideouts destroyed.

Morocco suspends Al-Jazeera channel

Rabat: Morocco has suspended the operations of the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television news channel in Rabat and withdrawn the accreditations of its staff,the Communications Ministry said on Friday. It said the sanctions followed numerous failures in following the rules of serious and responsible journalism,while a rights group said it was a backward step for the kingdom.

Indonesia tsunami toll more than 400

North Pagai: Indonesia battled on Friday to deliver aid to remote islands where a tsunami has killed over 400 people,as bodies lay strewn on beaches and buried in debris,days after the wave hit. Disaster response officials believe,the final death toll from the huge wave that hit the Mentawai island chain,off the west coast of Sumatra on Monday,could pass 500,with many of the victims sucked out to sea as the tsunami receded.