A roundup of today's other world news in brief:
US to pull out 5,700 troops from Iraq
WASHINGTON- President George W Bush plans to withdraw 5,700 troops from Iraq by December and has accepted recommendations on force numbers by the top US commander and diplomat in Iraq, a senior administration official said yesterday.
In a televised address last night, Mr Bush also endorsed their proposal to reduce US forces to 15 brigades from 20, although no time frame was given.
- (Reuters)
Robbers shot dead in foiled raid
HAMPSHIRE- Two robbers were shot dead yesterday as armed police foiled a raid on a security van outside a bank.
Eyewitnesses claimed they saw a third man fleeing the scene in Bournemouth Road, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, which was described as a "bloodbath".
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an investigation into the shooting, which happened during a planned operation between the Metropolitan Police flying squad and Hampshire Constabulary.
- (PA)
Extradition of Shinawatra sought
BANGKOK- Thai public prosecutors said yesterday they were planning to visit Britain to talk to officials there about the possibility of extraditing ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to face graft charges at home.
The prosecutors believed there were grounds for Mr Shinawatra, who has been based in London since last September's coup and who has bought Manchester City football club, to be extradited.
- (Reuters)
Militants urged to stop firing rockets
GAZA- Hamas's government in the Gaza Strip yesterday called on Palestinian militants to stop firing rockets and mortar bombs at border crossings with Israel that are used to bring food and other supplies into the territory.
A government spokesman said the rocket and mortar attacks should be stopped to "preserve the interest of the Palestinian people", especially during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
- (Reuters)
Greek government accused on pledges
ATHENS- Greek socialist opposition leader George Papandreou yesterday accused the conservative government of fostering corruption instead of battling it, three days before Sunday's parliamentary election.
Speaking at his main Athens rally in front of about 30,000 flag-waving supporters, Mr Papandreou said the ruling conservatives had failed to deliver on their 2004 election pledges.
- (Reuters)
Sarkozy plan to expel immigrants
PARIS- Eight mayors in the Paris region said yesterday they would resist a plan by French president Nicolas Sarkozy to expel more illegal immigrants.
Immigration minister Brice Hortefeux is struggling to meet Mr Sarkozy's target to expel 25,000 illegal immigrants by the end of the year, after officials said they expelled some 11,000 in the first seven months of 2007.
- (Reuters)
'Pig Day' protest over mosque plan
ROME -A far-right Italian senator vowed yesterday to stage a "Pig Day" protest against the planned construction of a mosque in the northern city of Bologna.
Roberto Calderoli of the anti-immigrant Northern League party said he was ready to bring his own pig to "defile" the site where the mosque will be built.
"I am making myself and my pig available for a walk at the site where they want to build the mosque," Mr Calderoli, who is the vice chairman of Italy's senate, said in a statement.
- (Reuters)