The US Navy today began its largest demonstration of force in the Gulf since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, deploying two aircraft carriers and conducting simulated aerial attacks.

A ferry carrying up to 150 people capsized and sank last night off the coast of Bahrain and at least 48 bodies have so far been recovered, officials said.

A ferry carrying up to 150 people sank tonight off the coast of Bahrain.

A former drummer for the Jackson Five was stabbed to death, police said.

Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels rammed an explosives-laden fishing boat into a Sri Lankan navy vessel off the north-western coast early today, killing at least 15 sailors and leaving three missing, officials said.

Envoys from Asia and Europe met Tamil Tiger rebels’ top political leader today, expressing concern that growing violence was threatening to shatter the country’s cease-fire, officials and the rebels said.

Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels ambushed a naval convoy in north-western Sri Lanka today, killing 13 sailors and injuring at least two others, the navy said.

Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels triggered two powerful land mines targeting a naval convoy in north-western Sri Lanka today, killing 12 sailors and injuring at least four others.

More than 2,000 patients have been treated by US Marines and nearly 9 million kilos of humanitarian aid has been unloaded by the Air Force in relief operations in earthquake-ravaged Pakistani Kashmir, the US military announced.