Briefly World

North Korea fired artillery rounds toward its disputed sea border with South Korea on Wednesday,prompting a barrage of warning shots from...

Koreas exchange fire near border

SEOUL: North Korea fired artillery rounds toward its disputed sea border with South Korea on Wednesday,prompting a barrage of warning shots from the Souths military and raising tensions on the divided peninsula. No casualties or damage were reported,and analysts said the volley which the North announced was part of a military drillwas likely a move by Pyongyang to highlight the need for a peace treaty.

Abdullah questions Afghan meet purpose

DAVOS: The chief rival to Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the Afghan leader will be attending the international conference on Afghanistan with half legitimacy and no programme. Abdullah Abdullah says he doesnt think Thursdays gathering in London of Karzai and 60 foreign ministers will bring much change to the situation in Afghanistan. Internationally he said there is no coherent approach to the international communitys mission.

Qaeda group claims Iraq hotel attacks

Dubai: An al-Qaeda group,the Islamic State of Iraq,claimed responsibility for three bomb attacks on Baghdad hotels this week that killed at least 36 people,the SITE monitoring group said on Wednesday. The Islamic State of Iraq,the al-Qaeda front in Iraq,claimed the coordinated suicide bombing attack that struck at three Baghdad hotels, the group said.

New Honduras leader takes charge

TEGUCIGALPA: Honduras ended months of political turmoil as it swore in a new President on Wednesday. Conservative rancher-turned-President Porfirio Lobo said the first thing he would do was escort ousted leader Manuel Zelaya from his refuge at the Brazilian Embassy to the airport,where the deposed leader planned to board a flight to the Dominican Republic and start a new life in exile.

Boats look for Beirut crash black boxes

BEIRUT: Emergency workers will expand their search radius for the wreckage of an Ethiopian Airlines jet if they do not find the black boxes on Wednesday,an Army official said. Searchers have fanned out 30 kms along Beiruts coast,and 8 kms out to sea,said the official. The black box and recorder are critical to determining the cause of the crash.