Thrust of Sharif's US visit: Lifting military curbs
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will leave for an important visit to the United States on Monday, on the invitation of US president Bill Clinton. Sharif told newsmen in Islamabad that the thrust of his visit would be the lifting of military sanctions against Pakistan.

Taliban foiled plot to kill bin Laden, claims daily
A plot to kill Saudi-born-billionaire terrorist Osama bin Laden allegedly by the Hizb-e-Islami in central Kabul was foiled recently by Taliban. Four attackers were gunned down after they were trapped in a cordon that the Taliban threw about two km from bin Laden's hideout.

Miss World says she was raped
The new Miss World, Israel's Linor Abargil, says she endured a two-hour sexual assault last month while in Italy for a fashion show. Abargil was attacked on October 6 after going to a travel agency to buy a plane ticket to Rome.

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