World briefs 8/31/05

U.S. launches airstrikes near Syrian border

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. warplanes launched airstrikes Tuesday near the Syrian border, destroying what the military described as three terrorist safe houses. Iraqi officials said fighting was underway there between tribes that support and oppose foreign fighters. A U.S. statement did not mention tribal fighting but said four bombs were used to destroy a house occupied by "terrorists" outside Husaybah. Two more bombs destroyed a second house in Husaybah, occupied by Abu Islam, described as "a known terrorist," the statement added.

Britain proposes ban on violent Internet porn

LONDON -- Ever since Jane Longhurst was killed two years ago by a man obsessed with violent Internet pornography, her family has campaigned for the British government to outlaw the viewing of extreme sexual material on the Web. On Tuesday the government agreed, announcing plans -- the first, it said, by any Western country -- to ban the downloading and possession of violent sexual images. Police and anti-porn campaigners welcomed the proposal but free-speech groups called it censorship, saying there was no proven link between violent imagery and violent behavior. Such legislation would be a first for any Western nation, the Home Office said. Those convicted would face up to three years in prison.

Zimbabwe approves constitutional overhaul

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- Ruling party representatives erupted into celebration after Parliament voted 103-29 to endorse the constitutional overhaul that sharply restricts private property rights and allows the government to deny passports to its critics. The 22-clause Constitutional Amendment Bill now goes to President Robert Mugabe to sign into law. The slate of amendments, the 17th since independence from Britain in 1980, strips landowners of their right to appeal expropriation and declares that all real estate is now on a 99-year lease from the government. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said this would stop 5,000 evicted white farmers from frustrating land redistribution to black Zimbabweans.

Netanyahu announces he will challenge Sharon

JERUSALEM -- Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday that he would challenge Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for leadership of the ruling Likud Party and replace him as premier, setting off a bitter fight that could shake up Israeli politics and paralyze Mideast peacemaking. Appealing to his hawkish supporters, Netanyahu lashed out at Sharon for his unilateral pullout from the Gaza Strip -- accusing him of creating a de facto Palestinian state -- and said he would take a far tougher stance. The announcement by Netanyahu had been expected since he resigned as finance minister three weeks ago to protest the Gaza withdrawal. The political turmoil sparked by the leadership battle will likely delay efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace moves following the pullout, which is to be completed in the coming weeks.

India, Pakistan to release hundreds of prisoners

NEW DELHI -- India and Pakistan agreed Tuesday to release hundreds of fishermen and other civilians in each other's jails -- a goodwill measure that comes as part of a peace process between the two countries. Both sides also agreed to provide better consular access to prisoners, notify each other of arrests and join forces to stamp out terrorism, according to a joint statement. The announcements came after two-day talks between home secretaries from both sides.

TV reporter beomes 67th journalist killed in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- An Iraqi television journalist was killed covering a demonstration east of Baghdad, a media advocacy group said Tuesday. Rafed Mahmoud al-Rubai was shot by unidentified gunmen while covering a pro-Saddam Hussein rally on Saturday. Rubai, a freelance contributor to the Iraqi TV station Al Irakiya, died instantly, Reporters Without Borders said. Rubai was the 67th journalist or media assistant to be killed in Iraq since the start of the war in March 2003. In addition, two are still missing, it said.

-- From wire reports