Palestinian leaders call for reconciliation

DAMASCUS – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said yesterday the rift between his mainstream Palestinian faction and archrival Hamas must end.

The Hamas leader, meanwhile, said the time is right for reconciliation. Police say car bomb kills 7 in Baghdad * BAGHDAD – A car bomb exploded yesterday in a commercial street of southwestern Baghdad, killing seven people and wounding nine others, police said.Somali forces raid one of hijacked ships * MOGADISHU – Somali forces raided one of the many ships hijacked off the country’s coast yesterday as a deadline loomed in a stand-off aboard another arms-laden vessel, officials said.Militia attack Darfur villages: rebels * KHARTOUM – Rebel commanders in Darfur yesterday accused Arab militias, which are backed by the Sudan government, of attacking villages in the southern swathe of the region, killing civilians and torching homes.India’s Catholics celebrate first woman saint * VATICAN CITY/BHARANANGANAM – Pope Benedict created India’s first woman saint yesterday and appealed for an end to anti-Christian violence there that has claimed dozens of lives since August.Police say car bomb kills 7 in Baghdad * BAGHDAD – A car bomb exploded yesterday in a commercial street of southwestern Baghdad, killing seven people and wounding nine others, police said.Somali forces raid one of hijacked ships * MOGADISHU – Somali forces raided one of the many ships hijacked off the country’s coast yesterday as a deadline loomed in a stand-off aboard another arms-laden vessel, officials said.Militia attack Darfur villages: rebels * KHARTOUM – Rebel commanders in Darfur yesterday accused Arab militias, which are backed by the Sudan government, of attacking villages in the southern swathe of the region, killing civilians and torching homes.India’s Catholics celebrate first woman saint * VATICAN CITY/BHARANANGANAM – Pope Benedict created India’s first woman saint yesterday and appealed for an end to anti-Christian violence there that has claimed dozens of lives since August.