11 killed in Pakistan border fighting

KHAR -Troops fought Taliban militants in separate battles in northwestern Pakistan yesterday, killing 11 in an insurgent stronghold overlooking the Afghan border, an official said Iranian president has fallen ill * TEHRAN – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has fallen ill due to exhaustion brought on by his heavy workload, the state-run news agency reported quoting a close associate.

Rain and wind strand British racers * LONDON – Hundreds of mountain runners spent the night in tents and hastily organised shelters after a long-distance race in England’s Lake District race was called off due to heavy rain and flooding, British authorities said yesterday. Pope decries Christians’ killings in Iraq, India * VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI decried the killing of Christians in Iraq and India and appealed oyesterday for political and religious leaders to defend them.Chinese hostages expected to be freed * KHARTOUM – The Sudanese government yesterday expressed optimism that nine Chinese oil workers kidnapped more than a week ago seemingly by Darfur rebels would soon be released, safe and well.World Bank, France lend China $900 m * BEIJING – The World Bank and France have agreed to lend China more than $900 million to rebuild areas devastated by a massive earthquake earlier this year, state media reported yesterday.Pope decries Christians’ killings in Iraq, India * VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI decried the killing of Christians in Iraq and India and appealed oyesterday for political and religious leaders to defend them.Chinese hostages expected to be freed * KHARTOUM – The Sudanese government yesterday expressed optimism that nine Chinese oil workers kidnapped more than a week ago seemingly by Darfur rebels would soon be released, safe and well.World Bank, France lend China $900 m * BEIJING – The World Bank and France have agreed to lend China more than $900 million to rebuild areas devastated by a massive earthquake earlier this year, state media reported yesterday.