Medical colleagues of a Jordanian doctor arrested in Britain in connection with a string of thwarted car bomb attacks today said the man was absorbed in his studies and career and had no ties to terrorism.

AN INDONESIAN jetliner crashed into a crowded neighbourhood moments after a shaky take-off yesterday and burst into flames, killing 147 people, including dozens on the ground.

An Indonesian jetliner crashed into a residential district in the city of Medan shortly after takeoff today and burst into flames, killing at least 60 people, the transport minister and a doctor said.

Two Kuwaitis who attacked US marines were not acting alone and one headed a group that was planning more assaults on Americans, an Kuwaiti Interior Ministry official said today.