Iraq claims to have shot down US jet fighter
Iraq has claimed that its missiles downed a United States jet fighter patrolling the country's northern `no-fly zone', enforcing the Baghdad stand that warplanes breaching its air space will be brought down. However, the US said its aircraft had returned safely to bases in Turkey after returning fire.

Khmer Rouge leaders apologise, ask Cambodia to forget butchery
Khmer Rouge leaders Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea issued the first-ever public apology today for the genocide in Cambodia that killed upto two million people.

Russia can build new heavy nuclear missile: Minister
Despite severe economic problems, Russia is still strong enough to develop a new nuclear missile if necessary, Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev said in an interview published today.

  Zero tolerance level
  Mark of a good surgeon
  Baghdad condemns lack of Arab support
  New currency on the block unnerves US
  No Murdoch-Kirch-Berlusoni agreement before next year
  Childhood goes abegging
  Schwab pulls ahead of Merrill
  Kazakhstan aims to stem flood of imports from Russian territory
  Taiwan oil giant Chinese Petroleum gets ready for New Year Day strike
  China frames securities law to rein in market
  Kuwait details oil deal with global majors
  Euro could hit gold prices, says Australia
  Euro pioneers can take the plunge in 1999
  Tunisian state to pay towards firms' debts
  Pan-European equity trading draws closer
  China gets set for euro transactions from Jan 1
  Euro
  Americans quiver at thought of euro birth
  Japan's LTCB offered illegal dividends
  Hong Kong export, manufacturing figures show weakness signs
  World Briefing