In Brief

* SCANDAL – An independent panel accused the ex-head of the UN oil-for-food programme for Iraq of corruption and said questions remained about UN chief Kofi Annan’s knowledge of the scandal, which has tarnished the world body.

* NUCLEAR – The UN’s nuclear watchdog was due to hold an emergency session after Iran controversially resumed sensitive nuclear fuel work, but it was not expected to refer the case to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions, diplomats said. * PULLOUT – Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas called for the withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlers from Gaza to take place in a peaceful atmosphere to show that the Palestinians deserve their independence.* DEAD – The number of miners feared dead after an illegal coal mine was flooded in southern China could be higher than the 102 previously reported, officials warned, saying managers fled and left no records.* TREASON – Radical Muslim cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed, who faces the prospect of treason charges in Britain, said he intends to return to London from a holiday in Lebanon, if the British government lets him.* MISSING – More than 140 soldiers are unaccounted for after Maoist rebels attacked an army camp in northwestern Nepal, a military official said, as the rebels claimed to have killed 159 troops.* JAILED – A Cambodian military court jailed an opposition lawmaker for seven years for plotting to topple the government, drawing criticism from the United States and activists who said the case was politically motivated.* HOSTILITY – India and Pakistan, striving to end decades of hostility, agreed on seven steps to reduce military tension, including a ban on the building of new army posts along their frontier in divided Kashmir.- Nampa-AFP* PULLOUT – Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas called for the withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlers from Gaza to take place in a peaceful atmosphere to show that the Palestinians deserve their independence.* DEAD – The number of miners feared dead after an illegal coal mine was flooded in southern China could be higher than the 102 previously reported, officials warned, saying managers fled and left no records.* TREASON – Radical Muslim cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed, who faces the prospect of treason charges in Britain, said he intends to return to London from a holiday in Lebanon, if the British government lets him.* MISSING – More than 140 soldiers are unaccounted for after Maoist rebels attacked an army camp in northwestern Nepal, a military official said, as the rebels claimed to have killed 159 troops.* JAILED – A Cambodian military court jailed an opposition lawmaker for seven years for plotting to topple the government, drawing criticism from the United States and activists who said the case was politically motivated.* HOSTILITY – India and Pakistan, striving to end decades of hostility, agreed on seven steps to reduce military tension, including a ban on the building of new army posts along their frontier in divided Kashmir.- Nampa-AFP