Lastnight World

Afghanistan: 35 die in bus accident

KABUL: A bus careened off of a mountain road in south Afghanistan,killing 35 people,including several women and children,on Saturday. Kandahar provincial spokesman Zalmai Ayubi said the overloaded bus was going from Dand in Kandahar province when it swerved and rolled down 40 metres. At least 26 people were injured,he added.

N Korean leader in Russia,to seek aid

MOSCOW: North Korean leader Kim Jong Il arrived in Russia Saturday and will meet President Dmitry Medvedev during a visit expected to last a week,the Kremlin said. It is Kim8217;s first trip to Russia in nine years. The key reason for Kim8217;s visit are to discuss receiving food aid, said Yang Moo-jin,a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

Al-Qaeda threatens 100 attacks in Iraq

Baghdad: Al-Qaeda8217;s front group in Iraq has said it has launched a campaign of 100 attacks across the country since the middle of August,reported AFP. The Islamic State of Iraq said the campaign began on August 15,Iraq8217;s deadliest day in more than a year. 8220;We have started this stage with an invasion called 8216;Revenge for Sheikh Osama bin Laden and senior leaders8217;,8221; said the statement,posted on Honein website.

2 Americans get 8 years in jail in Iran

TEHRAN: Two American men Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal arrested more than two years ago while hiking along the Iraq-Iran border have been sentenced to eight years in prison on charges that include espionage,state TV reported on Saturday,in a blow to hopes their release was imminent. In Washington,State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland restated US appeals for their release. 8220;It is time to reunite them with their families.8221;