World in brief

14 die in separatist violence as official visits Indian Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India - As the home minister visited the Indian portion of Kashmir, suspected Islamic militants exploded a bomb and fought gunbattles with government forces Saturday, killing at least 14 militants and soldiers.

India's Home Minister Shivraj Patil arrived in the Kashmir Valley on Saturday on his first visit since the Congress Party won power in May, to prepare for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit this month.

Separatist groups have refused to meet Patil until India allows them to visit Pakistan and meet leaders of the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

About a dozen militant groups have been fighting Indian security forces since December 1989 seeking independence for Kashmir or its merger with neighboring Pakistan, an Islamic republic.

At least 66,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the insurgency.

KIEV, Ukraine - Tens of thousands of supporters of presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko filled Kiev's main square Saturday, joining planned nationwide protests over alleged election fraud.

Vote results from Ukraine's Central Election Commission showed Yushchenko trailing Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych in last Sunday's race, but final results have not been announced and Yushchenko's supporters want a re-count.

Yushchenko backers claim he won 300,000 more votes than Yanukovych. Some exit polls also put Yushchenko in the lead.

The election was seen as pivotal for the democratic future of Ukraine, over which Russia still wields great influence in economic, political and military affairs.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Pakistan's president promised newly elected Afghan leader Hamid Karzai on Saturday to wage a common struggle against terrorism and to provide more help in restoring Afghanistan's wrecked economy.

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf was the first foreign leader to visit Kabul and offer his congratulations since Karzai was declared the winner of Afghanistan's Oct. 9 presidential ballot on Thursday.

The daylong visit is the latest sign of an upturn in relations between the Asian neighbors which have repeatedly soured over suspicions that Taliban militants find refuge on Pakistani soil.

PRICEY LUCK: A Beijing man has paid $215,000 for the ultimate in lucky cell phone numbers - 133-3333-3333. Chinese tradition considers 3 a lucky number and groups of 3s even luckier.

World and national headlines

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright