Iraq blast kills 23

Karbala, Nov. 2 (Reuters): At least 23 people were killed and 46 were wounded when a car bomb exploded outside a Shia mosque in the Iraqi town of Musayyib today, the interior ministry said.

The attack came as the people were preparing for the three-day Id holiday.

Bangla threat

Dhaka (Reuters): Bangladesh police found a parcel on Wednesday containing explosives and a leaflet ordering foreigners to leave the country, signed by an Islamic militant group.

Sharif plea

Islamabad (Reuters) - President Pervez Musharraf has asked Saudi Arabia to let former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif travel to London where his son is seriously ill, the government said on Wednesday.

China mobile

Beijing (Reuters): China has declared war on scams using mobile phone short messages that promise everything from fake cash prizes to sexual services to contract killings.