Deadly explosions rock Riyadh
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Terrorists stormed past security guards and set off three explosions in a Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, residential compound Saturday night.
A Saudi official said two people died and 87 were wounded, but a diplomatic source put the numbers at 28 dead and 100 injured, CNN reported. Most of the victims were believed to be children.
One U.S. citizen was wounded and another was unaccounted for after the attack, an embassy official told CNN.
The blasts occurred shortly before midnight local time in the affluent al-Muhaya compound, which is home to several hundred Arabs.
A senior official in the Saudi Interior Ministry told CNN his government is certain the attack was carried out by the al-Qaida terrorist network.
According to reports, the attackers fired on security guards, then drove their explosives-laden cars through the gates, CNN said.
The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia announced Friday they would close through the weekend because of attack threats.
Dean to forego public financing
BURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean Saturday announced he will not use any public financing in the Democratic presidential primary.
Dean is the first Democrat to ever reject public financing for the primary, The Washington Post said. At least two of his fellow candidates are reportedly considering following suit.
Candidates who use public funding for the primaries can get as much as $18.7 million in taxpayer money but are limited to spending about $45 million, the Washington Post reported.
President Bush also turned down taxpayer money, which could mean one of the most costly election campaigns in history if Dean gets the nomination.
Dean set a goal of raising $200 million from 2 million contributors, the Post said. Bush is expected to raise $170 million to $200 million to spend promoting his campaign until he is nominated in early September.
After the official nominations, the candidates will get about $74 million each in taxpayer funds for the general election campaign.
Arafat retains control of security
GAZA, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat is expected to be supported in a vote Sunday on a deal to retain control of security within a new government.
Arafat retains exclusive control over all Palestinian Authority security forces, the Jerusalem Post reported. Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei backtracked from his demand to appoint an interior minister with authority over the security forces.
Qurei had threatened to quit several times over the issue in the past few weeks.
Senior Israeli government sources said the development has not lessened Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's willingness to meet with Qurei.
The Palestinian National Security Council, dominated by Arafat loyalists, has the final decision on security matters.
Now the Palestinian interior minister will likely be Hakam Balawi, Qurei said, and security matters will remain in the hands of the Security Council.
Security will be tight for Bush's UK trek
LONDON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- President Bush will visit London this month under the highest level of security ever reserved for a foreign head of state, it was reported Sunday.
The Sunday Guardian warned the city would be virtually paralyzed by the combination of road closures and anti-war protests when Bush arrives for a three-day visit Nov. 19.
It will be the first ever state visit by an American president, who will be the guest of the Queen for the duration of his stay, the Guardian said.
An anti-war rally at Trafalgar Square is expected to draw 100,000 protesters, but it is unlikely Bush will be anywhere nearby.
Bush's arrival is likely to follow the pattern of his visit to Australia last month, when he was spirited away from protesters along empty streets cleared of "ordinary people," the Guardian said.
All police leave has been cancelled and armed units and U.S. special agents will be assigned to London streets.
