Missiles in "Position" as India Mulls Further Action Against Pakistan
India said Wednesday it had positioned its guided missile batteries and dismissed a Pakistani crackdown on armed Kashmiri resistance groups as "cosmetic," as the two South Asian rivals showed little sign of easing back on their war of rhetoric.

Contradictory Reports Speculate Bin Laden's Fate
From fleeing to Kashmir to death, are the various reports maing the rounds speculating on the whereabouts of Saudi Arabian dissident Osama bin Laden, news agencies reported Tuesday.

Israel Abducts Palestinian Suspects, Raids Palestinian Town
Israeli tanks chased two Palestinian gunmen into the West Bank town of Jenin on Wednesday, after occupation troops abducted 17 Palestinians, including five Palestinian Authority security service members, in an overnight raid on another West Bank village, residents said Wednesday.

Afghan Government Presses On, U.S. Under Fire Over Saddam Plans
New Afghan leader Hamid Karzai worked Tuesday to unite his battered nation, as the United States came under criticism over reports it could extend its war on terrorism to take on Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, news agencies reported.

• World Concern Over Proposed U.S. Invasion of Iraq
• Israel Faces International Backlash for Barring Arafat
• India Bolsters Border Forces, Musharraf Says Pakistan Ready for Any Challenge
• Opposition Party Denies Plot to Kill Mahathir
• Famous U.S. Playwright Concerned About American Civil Liberties
• French Author Who Derided Islam to Appear in Court
• U.S. Muslim Leader Forgives Evangelist
• Russia Jails Chechen Warlord Raduyev for Life
• Jordan Denies Shooting Incident Across its Border
• Indian Minister Defends Defense Spending