Shi'ite Muslims swarm to shrine
KERBALA, Iraq, (Reuters): DRUMMING THEIR chests and whipping their backs, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Shi'ite Muslims swarmed through the holy city of Kerbala yesterday on a pilgrimage suppressed for decades by Saddam Hussein.

St James oil spill cleared
WESTERN BUREAU: AN ENVIRONMENTAL disaster has been averted in Reading, St. James, after an emergency team comprising of environmental officers, the police and representatives of the St. James Parish Disaster Committeee...

JCTU awaiting debt reduction proposals
THE JAMAICA Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) says that it is awaiting the details of the proposals for debt reduction put forward by Finance Minister, Dr. Omar Davies...

More houses for Portland by Jan 2004
NATIONAL HOUSING Trust (NHT) contributors who live or work in Portland, will, by January 2004, be offered the opportunity to buy fully serviced housing lots at Fair Prospect in the parish.

Kurds welcome Garner with cheers, flowers
SULAIMANIYA, Iraq, (Reuters): KURDS IN northern Iraq welcomed the retired US general overseeing the country's rebuilding yesterday with cheers, hugs and a shower of petals 12 years after he helped them break free from Saddam Hussein.

Patterson outraged at destruction of stadium
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson has expressed disgust and outrage at the level of wanton destruction that recently took place at the National Stadium in Kingston.

YWCA to host int'l breakfast
UNDER THE theme 'Celebrating Women's Leader-ship', Young Women's Christian Associations (YWCA) worldwide will tomorrow, host an international breakfast aimed at highlighting the role of the movement in strengthening leadership skills among women.