Colombia
BOGOTA — President Alvaro Uribe, trying to combat rebel attacks that have killed dozens since his inauguration, issued an emergency declaration Monday that lets his government boost its security forces and increase taxes to pay for it.
Czech Republic
PRAGUE — Jiri Kolar, a Czech poet and artist known mainly for his pioneering work in the art of collage, died Sunday at 87.
England
LONDON — Britain would not commit forces to a conflict with Iraq unless Prime Minister Tony Blair was convinced it was the best available option, one of his closest political allies was quoted as saying in press reports Monday. With public opposition becoming increasingly vocal, former Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson also said Blair would not act without the support of political and public opinion, The Times reported.
India
NEW DELHI — The number of new polio cases in India nearly tripled in the first six months of this year, compared with the same period in 2001, in a setback to the world's goal of eradicating the crippling disease by 2005. According to the National Polio Surveillance Project, run by the government and the World Health Organization, 86 new cases were reported from January through June this year — compared with 31 cases over the same period last year.
Indonesia
JAKARTA — Indonesians lauded lawmakers Monday for dropping a proposal that would have given special economic treatment to indigenous Indonesians at the expense of ethnic Chinese. The proposal — rejected on Sunday — was part of Parliamentary recommendations to the government that could form the basis of a new economic recovery program.
Japan
TOKYO — A moderate earthquake shook northeastern Japan on Monday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The magnitude 5.2 quake struck at 6:55 a.m. and was centered about 25 miles below the seabed off the east coast of Aomori state, the Meteorological Agency said.
Macedonia
SKOPJE — Macedonian authorities briefly detained three U.S. citizens after catching them taking pictures inside a military compound, an army spokesman said Monday. A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Macedonians suspected the three of spying.
Pakistan
ISLAMABAD — The nation's main opposition alliance accused President Gen. Pervez Musharraf on Monday of pre-election "rigging" by ordering provincial government officials to help parties that favor him. Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, head of the 15-party Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, said government officials are lending support and resources to four or five parties, effectively creating a pro-Musharraf "King's Party" to compete against former Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, who are trying to stage comebacks.
Russia
MOSCOW — Giant cranes hoisted ruined cars and other debris out of the Black Sea on Monday, as the death toll from torrential flooding that hit the Russian resort region rose to 58. Russia suffered most from the floodwaters that swept across Europe this past week, killing a total of 68 people, destroying homes and washing away roads and bridges.
MOSCOW — The U.S. Peace Corps program has canceled plans to send a new batch of volunteers to Russia this year because the government is refusing, without explanation, to issue visas, the program's acting director for the country said Monday. He has received no explanation from Russian authorities for the refusal. A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry's operative affairs division said the ministry would have no comment.
Vatican City
The Vatican confirmed Monday that Pope John Paul II's travel plans include a return to Rome from Poland next week, contrary to a published report that the 82-year-old pontiff might retire to his native land after the pilgrimage.
Yugoslavia
PRISTINA — NATO-led peacekeepers detained three people Monday, accusing them of belonging to extremist groups that threaten Kosovo's stability. Officials would not identify those detained or elaborate on the threat they posed.