World

A 12-year-old girl was caught with an assault rifle she apparently used to fire at US troops on patrol in Iraq, and another oil pipeline was sabotaged - the second such incident in three days. The child wasn't arrested, but three men from her household were being questioned and sizable amounts of cash were seized. Meanwhile, US administrators outlined plans to recruit a new and far smaller Iraqi Army, beginning next week, although "most people" from the Army under Saddam Hussein "will not be able to continue military careers."

The OK from Hamas to a truce with Israel was expected as soon as Monday night, senior Palestinian officials said, although the organization has consistently ruled out a halt to attacks against Jewish targets. But against that backdrop, a Jerusalem newspaper cited Israeli intelligence indicating as many as 60 new attacks in various stages of planning by Hamas. And the Israeli general leading security discussions with the Palestinian Authority said Hamas only would use a truce to reorganize "so it can carry out even harsher acts."

In an effort to head off the anticipated protests early next month, the hard-line Islamic regime in Iran said it would ban any demonstrations outside the nation's universities. July 9 is the anniversary of vicious attacks by pro-regime militias on protesters in 1999. But the government said universities could decide "independently" whether to allow any observances of the July 9 anniversary "inside" their campuses.

A cargo ship carrying 750 tons of explosives was seized by Greek Coast Guard agents who were trying to determine whether it is linked to a terrorist group. The vessel left Tunisia last month, bound for Sudan. But its destination turned out to be only a post office box, reports said. Sudan borders Kenya, where the US Embassy is closed until further notice because of an escalated terrorism threat level.

After only two weeks on the job, the acting chief of Haiti's 4,000-member police force quit and went into exile. Jean-Robert Faveur alleged in a letter that his authority to sign official checks was withheld by the government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, which also pressured him to endorse promotions and transfers with which he did not necessarily agree. His predecessor also resigned after less than three months. Aristide has been under international pressure to reform the force, which is accused of human rights abuses and repressing political dissent.