Widespread flood damage in N. Korea

SEOUL • Floods have damaged tens of thousands of buildings in north-eastern North Korea after the worst downpour in decades, state media has said, urging all soldiers and civilians to join a drive to help victims.

The report by the official KCNA news agency yesterday gave no death toll or damage figures, but said "tens of thousands" of homes and public buildings had collapsed and railways, roads, power supplies, factories and farmland had been destroyed or submerged.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

No bail for Pakistan 'honour killing' dad

ISLAMABAD • A Pakistani court has denied bail to the father of a British woman believed to have been the victim of an "honour killing".

Ms Samia Shahid, a dual national, was murdered in July during a visit to her family village in Punjab province. "There was a hearing into the bail application by Samia Shahid's father, but the court rejected it," defence lawyer Mian Arif said.

The victim's second husband claims that she was murdered for bringing "dishonour" to her family by converting to Shi'ite Islam, his branch, before their wedding. Police have accused her former husband and father of being involved in her killing.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

3 missing after China bridge collapses

BEIJING • The collapse of a decommissioned bridge in central China yesterday has left three workers missing, state media reported.

The collapse occurred as the bridge was being dismantled in Jiangxi province, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Five workers who fell into the river during the accident were rescued, Xinhua said. Rescuers were still looking for the three missing workers.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE