Briefly World: Hackers target Israeli websites

Zawahri warns France over Mali intervention

CAIRO: Al-Qaedas leader has urged Muslims in Arab Spring countries to unite to institute an Islamic state,while warning France that its intervention in Mali will be bogged down. I warn France that it will meet in Mali,with Gods permission,the same fate America met in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ayman Al-Zawahri said in a 103-minute audio message posted on militant websites late Saturday. AP

3 more bird flu cases reported in China

BEIJING: China reported three more cases of human infection of H7N9 bird flu virus on Sunday,raising the total number of cases to 21. Chinas official Xinhua News Agency reported two new cases in Shanghai and one in Anhui Province on Sunday,citing local authorities. AP

Iraq set to amend Saddam law

Baghdad: Iraqs Cabinet unveiled sweeping reforms to a law barring members of Saddam Husseins Baath party from public life on Sunday. Ministers approved a draft amendment that would allow Baath branch chiefs to rejoin the civil service,and would provide for pension payments for many members of the Fedayeen Saddam,a paramilitary organisation loyal to the now-ousted dictator. PTI

BNP calls for strike after 8 leaders jailed

Dhaka: Eight leaders of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party were sent to jail on Sunday after being refused bail in connection with cases filed against them for last months violence in Dhaka,prompting the party to call a 36-hour nationwide strike from April 9. PTI