AP, HOUSTON -- Royal Dutch Shell, BP and other oil companies wrapped up evacuations and shut down production Saturday as an intensifying Hurricane Gustav churned toward the petroleum-rich waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

As of midday Saturday, slightly more than three-fourths of the Gulf's oil production and nearly 40 percent of its natural gas output had been shut down, according to the U.S. Minerals Management Service, which oversees offshore activity.

Wastage of gas

The Guardian Online

THE TWO women seemed like captured war trophies. Debra Bartoshevich and Cynthia Ruccia were both former supporters of Hillary Clinton's campaign. Now they were backing John McCain.

Both women were vociferous in their support of McCain and slammed Barack Obama for - in their opinion - abusing America's female vote. 'The [Democratic] party is allowing 51 per cent of the country to be bashed,' said Ruccia, a Clinton supporter and Democratic official from Ohio.

Government fears repeat of devastation caused by Katrina

Agencies

Residents have been ordered to flee New Orleans as the city braces for its worst hurricane since Katrina struck with devastating force three years ago.

Hurricane Gustav, which has been upgraded to category four, has already killed more than 80 people in the Caribbean and fears of a repeat of the devastation caused by Katrina, when the US government was shamed by images of people stranded without relief, prompted the mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, to issue a stark warning last night.

The Guardian Online

Thousands of terrified Indian Christians are hiding in the forests of the volatile Indian state of Orissa after a wave of religious 'cleansing' forced them from their burnt-out homes with no immediate prospect of return.

A mob of Hindu fundamentalists rampaged through villages last week, killing those too slow to get out of their way, burning churches and an orphanage, and targeting the homes of Christians.

REUTERS, KUALA - Malaysia marked its 51st birthday on Sunday with a mammoth parade that did little to mask the uncertainties a reborn opposition poses to the government's uninterrupted hold on power since independence from Britain in 1957.

REUTERS, BANGKOK- More than 1,000 government supporters marched on Thailand's parliament on Sunday as lawmakers began a special debate on street protests threatening to topple Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

REUTERS, JERUSALEM- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will try to draw up a document of understandings with the Palestinians to present to Washington before his party names his successor next month, Israeli officials said on Sunday.

REUTERS, TUNCELI- Four Turkish security personnel and two Kurdish separatists were killed early on Sunday after rebels launched a rocket attack on a military station in eastern Turkey, a security source told Reuters.

REUTERS, NEW YORK- Japanese outsider Kei Nishikori stole the spotlight on another day of shocks at the US Open on Saturday, while Venus and Serena Williams rolled towards a quarter-final showdown at Flushing Meadows.

REUTERS, NEW YORK- President George W Bush's decision to mount a troop "surge" in Iraq last year was taken against the initial recommendations of his top advisers, including his field commander, The New York Times reported in Sunday editions.

REUTERS, KATHMANDU - A British woman plans to make a parachute jump over Mount Everest hoping to become the first woman ever to skydive over the world's highest peak, organisers said on Sunday.

Staff Correspondent

Detained former prime minister Khaleda Zia may be released any day, said communications adviser Ghulam Quader on Sunday.

Aug 17 2005 bombs

Staff Reporter

A speedy trial court sentenced two members of the militant Islamist outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and acquitted a third on Sunday, for the Aug 17 2005 serial bomb attacks in Chittagong.

Staff Correspondent

The Election Commission regrets its past dealings with BNP, including invitation to M Hafizuddin Ahmed, the acting secretary general nominated by the pro-reform faction, the chief election commissioner has said .

REUTERS, Dubai- Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, will start the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on Monday along with most other Gulf states, regional state media reported on Saturday.

Bdnews24.com

Foreign adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury on Sunday said he would meet the European Commission commissioner for External Relations in New York on Sept 22 over election monitoring mission.

Says Zillur Rahman

Desk Report

Awami League acting president Zillur Rahman added his voice Sunday to recent allegations by fellow party leaders, saying that BNP is directly collaborating with the caretaker government.

Dhaka, Aug 30 (bdnews24.com) - Police rearrested Khandker Akhter Hamid Paban, the younger son of BNP secretary general Khandker Delwar Hossain, after his release from Dhaka Central Jail Saturday.

Delwar says on AL criticism over Tarique release

Staff Correspondent

BNP secretary general Khandker Delwar Hossain has slammed Awami League's criticism over Tarique Rahman securing bail as an "aspersion on the judiciary".