“While we were asleep a gushing flood hit my house and it was forced to float like a boat,” he said. “I lost all my property, but saved my life by clinging to a nearby tree.”

Some residents blamed local officials for the disaster and said the death toll of 190 could double.

Blair has said he will not stand at the next election expected in 2009. His popularity has plunged recently and his stance on the Lebanon crisis has further weakened his authority, potentially hastening his departure from office.

Blair delayed his summer holiday in search of a diplomatic solution in Lebanon. He has defended his refusal to call for an immediate ceasefire by saying that hostilities must be halted on both sides and a ceasefire must be part of an overall plan.

This is not simply an Israeli assault — this a joint partnership between the Israeli government and the Bush Administration. We, in the United States, must do everything in our power to build the largest possible mass opposition to this war against the people of Lebanon and Palestine. The August 12 National Emergency March on Washington, San Francisco and Los Angeles will bring together people from all over the United States. The White House will be surrounded

Akbar Mohammadi
Age: 35 years old
Event: Death while in custody
Cause of Death: Heart attack while on hunger strike
Reason for his arrest: Participation in student demonstration of 1999

We are writing to inform you that yet another innocent human being has died in Iran under the Islamic Republic’s watchts.

Haaretz newspaper said Israel was ready to swap two Lebanese prisoners in exchange for the two captured soldiers as part of a ceasefire agreement. Israel had said it would not negotiate a prisoner exchange and demanded the release of the two.

In Iran, a staunch ally of Hizbollah, influential hardline clerical politician Ahmad Jannati called on Muslim countries to send arms for the fight against Israel.

Clashes erupted between people and government forces in the north-western city of Tabriz, residents told Iran Focus by telephone on Monday.

State Security Forces attacked a peaceful anti-government protest in the city centre on Friday, sparking violent clashes, according to a source who requested anonymity.

A sound-bomb was set off at the governor’s office in the Azeri-dominated city, smashing several windows.

“The [Azeri] nation better understands its rights now. For the first time in the history of Tabriz, the city market was closed during the protest actions. For the first time in the history of this city, vendors left their business for a political protest,” he said. “This, I think is a good indicator of the readiness of Azeris to take serious steps to change their lives for the better.”

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the Security Council on Sunday to condemn a deadly Israeli attack on the Lebanese village of Qana and to call for an immediate end to the violence.

“I am deeply dismayed that my earlier calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities were not heeded,” Annan said. “I repeat this call once again from this chamber and I appeal to the council to do likewise.”

Annan