UPI NewsTrack TopNews

Missile attack in Pakistan kills 20

WANA, Pakistan, March 16 (UPI) -- A missile attack near the Pakistani city of Wana has left 20 people dead and seven others injured, including two critically, independent sources say.

The Pakistan Television Corp. said Sunday a missile struck a home in Pakistan's tribal Waziristan region, killing several inside and destroying the dwelling, while other missiles landed elsewhere in the area.

Meanwhile, al-Alam Satellite TV reported that according to local news reports at least 18 people were killed.

The TV network said unconfirmed reports had multiple missiles striking a house in the village of Shahnawaz in the Warzistan region, killing a group of people inside.

Reports differed regarding the identities of those inside the home with locals saying foreigners were staying there, while several TV reports had suspected al-Qaida operatives residing there.

South Waziristan is viewed as a safe haven for both al-Qaida and Taliban militants who reportedly launch attacks against nearby Afghanistan, al-Alam said.

Local residents have routinely complained that their mountainous region is targeted by U.S.-led occupation forces due to such militant activity.

Pope Benedict calls for peace in Iraq

ROME, March 16 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI took time during Palm Sunday mass in Rome to denounce the war in Iraq, calling for an immediate end of the conflict.

The pope completed Sunday's ceremony by blaming the disruption of regular Iraqi life on the international conflict and his plea for an end to the war was met with thunderous applause at St. Peter's Square, the Voice of America reported.

"Enough with the slaughters, enough with the violence, enough with the hatred in Iraq," the spiritual leader of the world's Roman Catholics told the thousands of people in attendance.

The pope's comments not only came during the official start of the church's Holy Week celebrations, but came days after the body of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho was found in Mosul, Iraq.

The pope called his killing an inhuman act of violence.

The pope has plans to honor the slain religious leader with a memorial service at the Vatican Monday, the Voice of America said.

Albanian death toll rises to nine

TIRANA, Albania, March 16 (UPI) -- The death toll from a series of explosions at an Albanian army depot rose to nine Sunday as crews searched for survivors, officials said.

Albanian Deputy Interior Minister Gent Strazimiri told CNN that five bodies were initially found after Saturday's explosion and four additional bodies were located during Sunday's search.

The most recent fatality was found at a local home that was destroyed by the blast, Strazimiri added.

A total of 243 people were reportedly injured in the series of blasts that began Saturday and continued overnight at the depot near Tirana.

A cause for the explosion has yet to be determined, but Albanian officials suspect it was not intentional.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha said on his Web site that the explosions started while workers were dismantling a stockpile of obsolete arms, some of which were acquired during the country's communist years.

"The problem of ammunition in Albania is one of the gravest, and a continuous threat. There is a colossal, crazy amount of it dating back to 1945," Berisha said.

A large area around the blast reportedly was damaged, including Tirana's international airport and several homes. About 4,000 residents were evacuated from nearby villages.

The United States, Italy, Greece, Macedonia, Turkey and Kosovo have offered medical aid, the BBC reported.

McCain starts six-day tour in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, March 16 (UPI) -- U.S. presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain arrived in Baghdad Sunday on the first leg of his six-day visit to the Mideast and Europe, the U.S. Embassy said.

The visit is McCain's first to Iraq since he was named the presumptive presidential nominee for the Republican Party in February, CNN reported.

McCain was part of a U.S. congressional delegation including Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Democrat-turned-Independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut.

All three members of the Senate Armed Services Committee members are advocates of the "surge" that called for more U.S. soldiers in Iraq, CNN said.

McCain, meanwhile, responded to Democrat charges that he is spending taxpayers' money to advance his presidential aspirations by saying the trip to Iraq is justified by his seat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

McCain's itinerary for the complete six-day journey includes meeting with leaders in Iraq, Israel, Jordan, France and England.