KABUL - At least 21 people were killed and scores wounded Saturday in a series of attacks in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar, officials said.

BAGHDAD - At least 28 people were killed and 22 injured Saturday in a suicide bombing attack on a bus carrying Shiite pilgrims in Iraq, security sources said.

RAIPUR - A day after ensuring the safe release of five Chhattisgarh policemen who spent 18 days in Maoist captivity, social activist Swami Agnivesh Saturday asked the chief minister of India's worst insurgency-hit state to begin peace talk with guerrillas at "this better time".

PUNE - Thousands of Punekars Saturday prepared to pay homage to the victims of the German Bakery blast on the first anniversary Sunday of the terror attack here.

BHUBANESWAR - Three Maoist activists from Assam were arrested in Orissas Sundergarh district Saturday, police said.