World briefs 5/21/07

Suicide bomb kills 14 in eastern Afghanistan

GARDEZ, Afghanistan -- A suicide bomber apparently targeting a U.S. convoy killed 14 people and wounded 31 in a crowded eastern Afghan market Sunday, witnesses and officials said. The powerful explosion in the city of Gardez damaged around 30 shops, shattering windows and destroying the closest stores. Witnesses said a U.S. convoy appeared to be the target. Maj. William Mitchell, a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force, said there were initial reports of injuries to ISAF soldiers, though he didn't have further details.

Iranian official: Progress made on nuke program

TEHRAN, Iran -- The head of Iran's nuclear effort said Sunday that the Islamic republic's nuclear program was moving ahead as scheduled and reiterated that Tehran would not suspend uranium enrichment, the country's official news agency IRNA reported. The comments by Reza Aqazadeh, vice president and head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, came just days before the Vienna, Austria-based International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to submit its latest report on Iran's nuclear program to the U.N. Security Council early this week.

Airstrike hits Hamas commander's home

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Israel's air force fired a missile at a house in Gaza City late Sunday, killing at least eight people, residents and hospital officials said. The strike followed a decision to step up attacks against Islamic militants in response to rocket fire from Gaza. The attack on the house was the deadliest airstrike since Israel started reprisals Tuesday for the rocket barrages. Israeli air attacks on militant targets earlier in the day killed another three Palestinians. Residents said the house belonged to a Hamas lawmaker Khalil al-Haya, and six of the dead were members of his family. Al-Haya was not at home and was not harmed, they said.

Calm returns to India after mosque bombing

HYDERABAD, India -- Calm returned to the southern Indian city of Hyderabad on Sunday, with shops reopening and people flooding into the streets as fears of religious violence following the bombing of a 17th century mosque abated. The bomb, hidden under a bench in the courtyard of the historic Mecca mosque, exploded during prayers Friday, killing 11 people. Another five were killed when clashes erupted between security officials and Muslim protesters after the blast and police opened fire on stone-throwing crowds. Investigations continued Sunday, with a bomb disposal unit from the federal National Security Guard searching through the debris of the attack. They provided no details about the investigation.

-- From wire reports