At least 137 people have been killed and 345 wounded in suicide attacks on Yemen mosques, according to a Shiite TV channel.

Attacks have plunged by 90% in southern Iraq since Britain withdrew its troops from the main city of Basra, their commander has said.

US officials are investigating allegations that an Iraqi politician took part in the 1983 bombing of the US and French embassies in Kuwait and is a conduit for Iranian weapons and supplies smuggled to Shiite militias, a spokesman said today.

IN Iraq’s south, where people favour US jeans, Italian- style shoes and pledge allegiance to football teams as readily as religious figures, many fear their lifestyle is under attack.