Police have arrested 11 people with suspected links to a bus bombing that killed 13 people and wounded 20 in south-western Pakistan.

There is no evidence that any of the London suicide bombers visited religious schools in Pakistan, a top official said today amid an investigation into whether the attackers received aid or inspiration from local militants.

The UN is hopeful that elections in Iraq can be held on schedule in January 2005 despite escalating violence – but the level of UN electoral assistance will depend on security, the top UN envoy to Iraq says.

The United Nations will have to rely on the US-led multi-national force in Iraq for security for its new envoy in Baghdad because no countries have offered troops for a separate UN protection force, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said.

The Philippine government made a direct appeal early today to insurgents holding a Filipino hostage, pleading with them to show mercy for the man they pledged to kill if the country did not agree to pull its troops from Iraq early.