24 killed in Afghan suicide blast

KANDAHAR – A suicide bomber on a motorcycle blew himself up next to a police patrol in southern Afghanistan yesterday killing 24 people, while a two-day battle sparked by an insurgent attack killed at least 40 militants, officials said.

* Sri Lanka: 33 killed in latest fighting COLOMBO – New fighting in Sri Lanka’s civil war killed 31 Tamil Tiger rebels and two government soldiers, the military said yesterday * Olmert says peace deal closer than ever PARIS – Embattled Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared yesterday that Israel and the Palestinians have never been closer to making peace — even as a widening corruption probe brings him closer than ever to being ousted from office. * Tutu calls for unity as gay bishop shut out LONDON – Archbishop Desmond Tutu yesterday pleaded for unity in the worldwide Anglican Communion as its first openly gay bishop said it was a “mistake” to bar him from their 10-yearly conference.* Ethiopia says Sudan ties healthy ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia said yesterday it maintained healthy ties with Sudan after accusations that its troops had crossed their common frontier, killing 19 people.* Egypt police hold 21 Islamists ALEXANDRIA – Police detained 21 members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood yesterday in northern Egypt where the Islamist group was fielding candidates for * Tropical storm Bertha nears Bermuda HAMILTON – Bertha weakened into a tropical storm as it hovered near Bermuda yesterday, but forecasters say it might still deal a glancing blow to the Atlantic island.* Tutu calls for unity as gay bishop shut out LONDON – Archbishop Desmond Tutu yesterday pleaded for unity in the worldwide Anglican Communion as its first openly gay bishop said it was a “mistake” to bar him from their 10-yearly conference.* Ethiopia says Sudan ties healthy ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia said yesterday it maintained healthy ties with Sudan after accusations that its troops had crossed their common frontier, killing 19 people.* Egypt police hold 21 Islamists ALEXANDRIA – Police detained 21 members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood yesterday in northern Egypt where the Islamist group was fielding candidates for * Tropical storm Bertha nears Bermuda HAMILTON – Bertha weakened into a tropical storm as it hovered near Bermuda yesterday, but forecasters say it might still deal a glancing blow to the Atlantic island.