THE WORLD TODAY
Blows to head killed volunteer, police say
PHILIPPINES
MANILA -- A Peace Corps volunteer found dead in a Philippine mountain village was killed by blows to the head, and there were signs she had tried to ward off an attack, police said yesterday. Julia Campbell, 40, of Fairfax, Va., a freelance journalist, had been teaching English in the Philippines since October. An autopsy found blunt trauma to the head. Police found a bloodstained pole near the home of a man being sought for questioning. (AP)
AUSTRALIA
Search for yacht's crew is scaled back
SYDNEY -- Yesterday rescuers scaled back the search for three men missing off a yacht found floating with its engine running, food on the table, and a computer turned on. Authorities feared the men may have fallen off in rough weather. The catamaran, sailing from Queensland to Australia's west coast, was found off Townsville on Wednesday. A helicopter rescue was called off, but boats continued to search. (Reuters)
CUBA
Paper: Castro meets with Chinese envoy
HAVANA -- Photographs published in Cuba's party newspaper yesterday showed Fidel Castro meeting and shaking hands with a visiting Chinese Communist Party official from China , the latest sign the Cuban leader is becoming increasingly active more than eight months after intestinal surgery. The party daily Granma reported that Wu Guanzheng of the Chinese Polit buro also met with Raul Castro. (AP)
EGYPT
Man gets 15 years in Israeli spy case
CAIRO -- A n Egyptian-Canadian man was convicted yesterday of spying for Israel and sentenced to 15 years in prison, with the judge accusing him of selling "his country and himself to the devil." Mohammed el-Attar, 30, who pleaded not guilty, was fined $1,765. Three Israelis tried in absentia on espionage charges were given 15-year terms. Some Egyptian commentators said economic conditions were leading people to espionage. (AP)
IRAN
Dam protesters say ancient sites at risk
TEHRAN -- About 100 Iranians protested in Tehran against a new dam yesterday, saying it threatened to damage archeological sites in the south of the country dating to the first Persian empire almost 2,600 years ago. The protesters demanded the resignation of Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, head of the state culture and heritage organization. He has rejected such criticism before. (Reuters)
POLAND
Bush is expected to visit Warsaw
WARSAW -- President Bush is expected to visit Warsaw in June for talks on installing part of a US missile defense system in Poland, Polish daily Rzeczpospolita said yesterday, quoting a government source. Officials at the US Embassy could not be reached immediately for comment. (Reuters) 