Four parcel bombs go off in Karachi
KARACHI, Pakistan, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Four small parcel bombs exploded within minutes of each other in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi Wednesday, three of them in police stations, police said. At least 10 people were injured. "The first bomb exploded in the crime investigation department of a police station. Another at a provincial government official and the third at a second police office," Karachi police chief Syed Kamal Shah said. The fourth bomb exploded near the crimes investigation branch's main office in Karachi, he said. Shah said at least 10 people were injured in the blasts but none seriously. Hundreds of police and paramilitary rangers have surrounded the area.
Bali blasts from C-4 inside a minivan
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Investigators said Wednesday the explosions that demolished a nightspot on the Indonesian island of Bali started with a C-4-laden device placed in a minivan. Police say two locals may be named as suspects although no arrests have been in the Saturday explosion in which more than 180 people died.
Bin Laden ally candidate for PM
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- A close associate of al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was nominated as prime ministerial candidate Wednesday by a religious alliance. Maulana Fazlur Rahman, who leads the Jamiat Ulemai Islam party issued a decree in 1998, instructing Muslims to kill any American they see if the United States kills bin Laden. JIU joined five other religious parties before the Oct. 10 parliamentary elections. The alliance emerged as the third-largest party in the elections and is negotiating with other two parties -- Pakistan Muslim League and Pakistan People's Party -- to form the next government.
Pentagon agrees to help DC sniper hunt
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has signed an order agreeing to provide reconnaissance aircraft, pilots and crew, and other equipment to help law enforcement authorities track the sniper who has been terrorizing the Washington metropolitan area for nearly two weeks, Pentagon officials said. The Pentagon Tuesday asked reporters not to reveal details of the aircraft that will be used, because if the sniper has a military background, he may be able to evade detection by the plane. A senior Defense Department official told UPI the Pentagon considered using a Predator unmanned surveillance aircraft but rejected this as too dangerous in an area with such heavily traveled skies.
Chile to replace notorious military head
SANTIAGO, Chile, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Chilean authorities Tuesday began the selection process for an eventual successor for the country's air force commander after the controversial resignation of Gen. Patricio Rios over human rights accusations. Rios had resigned Sunday after nearly a month of pressure from human rights organizations and from President Ricardo Lagos's administration. He was accused of obstructing an investigation into human rights violations committed by the military during the 17-year regime of Gen. Augusto Pinochet.
CAW, DaimlerChrysler avert strike
TORONTO, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- DaimlerChrysler AG averted a strike by 13,000 union members late Tuesday as the Canadian Auto Workers accepted a tentative deal on a new 3-year contract. The framework for the contract was announced about 30 minutes before the union's midnight strike deadline by CAW President Buzz Hargrove. The tentative agreement will be put to a ratification vote on Sunday. Some contract language was still to be worked out Wednesday, Hargrove said. Among the products DaimlerChrysler produces in Canada are the Concorde, Intrepid and 300M sedans, the Town & Country minivan, and engine parts and other components.
Asian stocks advance
TOKYO, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Tuesday's stunning blue-chip rally on the New York Stock Exchange carried over to Asian and Pacific markets Wednesday with Japan's Nikkei closing up 1.5 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average surged 378.28 points to 8255.68, for a 13.3 percent gain in the last four sessions. Shares in Hong Kong rose 1.5 percent, Taiwanese stocks climbed 2.6 percent and Australian markets gained 0.5 percent.
Grande advances, Serna upset in Slovakia
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Italian Rita Grande got her title defense off to a good start Tuesday in the first round of the indoor VUB Open. The third-seeded Grande cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 win over countrywoman Tathiana Garbin and will face American qualifier Ashley Harkleroad in the second round. Grande, whose only career titles came at Hobart and here last year, qualified at Filderstadt last week but lost in the first round. Harkleroad had three straight-sets victories to qualify and routed German Marlene Weingartner, 6-0, 6-0 on Tuesday.
