AL-QAIDA'S deputy leader called for attacks against Gulf oil facilities and urged insurgent groups in Iraq to unite to drive out American forces, according to a videotape posted on the Internet Wednesday.

A BOMBING and a series of rocket attacks on Pakistani forces have raised fears that their bloody offensive against al-Qaida militants could be provoking a broad backlash.

A roadside bomb killed three police officers and a civilian in the latest of a series of attacks raising fears that a bloody offensive by Pakistani forces against al-Qaida militants could be provoking a broad backlash.