M A I N   N E W S

Suicide bomb attack kills 10 in Haifa

Bodies lie in front of a bus near Haifa in Northern Israel on Wednesday morning, after a suicide bomber blew up the vehicle. — AP/PTI photo

Jerusalem, April 10
At least 10 persons were killed and 20 injured in a suicide bomb attack on a bus near Haifa in northern Israel early today, Israeli medical sources said.

An official with Magan David Adom, the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross, spoke of “at least 10 dead,” army radio here reported.

The explosion left a hole in the roof of the bus, according to a witness. On March 31, a suicide bombing in Haifa had left 16 persons dead.

GAZA: The Islamic militant group Hamas has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing.

A statement issued by the group’s armed wing Izz el-Deen al-Qassam said: “The operation, launched from the heart of our besieged cities, is a slap in the faces of the criminals of the Zionist war.’’ AFP, Reuters

India, Cambodia JWG to promote tourism

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee pays homage after laying a wreath at the independence monument at Phnom Penh in Cambodia on Wednesday. — PTI photo

Phnom Penh, April 10
India and Cambodia today decided to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) to promote tourism mainly to the world famous Angkor Vat temples in northern city of Siem Reap and agreed in principle to start direct flights between the two countries.

The JWG which would include six senior officials from India and Cambodia besides private sector representatives would be constituted by May 31 and its first meeting would be held by July 31, Tourism Director-General Vinod Duggal, who is accompanying Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on his three-day visit to Cambodia, told reporters.

Mr Duggal, who held talks with Cambodia’s Tourism Minister Veng Sereyvuth said “hard commercial decisions” with regard to direct flight would be taken soon after talking to the carriers.

Meanwhile, Mr Vajpayee, who held extensive parleys with King Sihanouk, National Assembly President Norodom Ranariddh and Senate President Chea Sim, flew to Siem Reap to visit the world heritage Site of Angkor Vat, the largest temple in the entire globe, and neighbouring Temples of Bayon and Ta Prohm.

He would leave for home tomorrow winding up his five-day tour of Singapore and Cambodia.

Mr Vajpayee assured the Cambodia leadership that India would continue its endeavour to strengthen further the existing ties between the two countries. PTI

Special chefs for PM

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee with Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk at Royal Palace at Phnom Penh in Cambodia on Wednesday. — PTI photo