Briefly World

Australia ordered the expulsion of an Israeli diplomat after investigators concluded Israel was responsible for forging four Australian passports...

Hamas killing: Australia expels Israeli diplomat

CANBERRA: Australia ordered the expulsion of an Israeli diplomat Monday after investigators concluded Israel was responsible for forging four Australian passports that were used in the slaying of a Hamas operative in Dubai. Australia had not expelled a foreign diplomat since 2004. Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told Parliament that the operation to kill Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in a Dubai hotel room was not the first time Israel had forged Australian travel documents. He did not elaborate on previous incidents but said the diplomat was to be withdrawn within a week.

Opposition seeks to impeach Thai PM

BANGKOK: Opposition leaders moved to impeach Thailands Prime Minister on Monday for his handling of rioting and violence in Bangkok that left at least 88 people dead in clashes between demonstrators and troops over the past two months. The measure was expected to be easily defeated in Parliament. Schools and many offices re-opened Monday. Opposition whip Wittaya Buranasiri said the motion to impeach Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was introduced by the opposition Pheu Thai Party whom the Red Shirt protesters generally support.

Iraq war was not needed: Dalai Lama

NEW YORK: The Dalai Lama has said that the US-led war in Iraq could perhaps have been avoided through negotiations with Saddam Hussein. Responding to a question about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,the exiled leader of Tibetan Buddhists said that Hussein was not such a foolish person. War with America. He cant win. The Nobel Prize winner appeared at the Cathedral of St John the Divine after wrapping up four days of teaching at Radio City Music Hall.

Yemeni tribesmen kidnap US couple

SANAA: Armed Yemeni tribesmen kidnapped two US tourists,a husband and wife,near the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Monday and were demanding the release of a jailed relative,Yemeni security officials said. The couples Yemeni driver and a translator were also taken hostage,the officials said. The kidnappers were seeking government intervention to free a family member in jail,a tribal source said.