Cyclone batters city; casualties feared

RANGOON - A tropical cyclone packing winds of 120 miles per hour slammed into Rangoon yesterday, ripping off roofs, felling trees and power lines, and raising fears of major casualties in Burma's main city. The Internet and telephone connections were down and the authorities closed the one airport serving the city of 5 million people. The ruling military junta declared a state of emergency in five provinces. (AP)

JERUSALEM - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday that she will ask Israel to remove more physical barriers erected in the West Bank as a bulwark against Palestinian militants. The Bush administration also would like to see speedier progress toward a political settlement between Israel and the Palestinians, a goal of President Bush in his final year in office, Rice said en route to Israel and the West Bank for weekend meetings. (AP)

RIYADH - A German-based quartet staged Saudi Arabia's first-ever performance of European classical music in a public venue before a mixed gender audience. The concert, held at a government-run cultural center Friday, broke many taboos in a country where public music is banned and the sexes are segregated even in lines at fast food restaurants. (AP)