UN okays voter registration in E Timor
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has given a go ahead for registration of voters in East Timor to begin on Friday in preparation for referendum despite the uncertain security situation. He, however, left the question of actual balloting open.

Pak Oppn walks out during Kargil briefing
The entire Opposition walked out from Pakistan's national Assembly on Thursday even as an in-camera briefing over the Kargil issue was on, alleging that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was not giving due time to the special hearing.

China vows to `smash' Taiwan's freedom bid
China on Thursday warned Taiwan not to seek independence and said that its army was ready to smash any attempts to separate the country.

  Former Afghan king's ally slain in Pakistan
  US wants Pak to withdraw totally -- Envoy
  World At A Glance
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  Volvo first-half sales up 13% to $7.1 bn
  Large US, UK investors hold key stakes in battle for French banks
  China's ad market rocks to the surging beat of consumer spending
  London gold prices fall to new 20-year low
  Tokyo gold slips, benchmark ends at record low
  Gulf crude trade thin, little interest for Sept cargoes
  Market waits in suspense for ECB president's euro views