Rescuers in Bangladesh were trying today to reach up to 150 people trapped in rubble after a nine-story garment factory collapsed, killing at least 26, officials said.

Nearly 100 people were rescued alive after the collapse, apparently caused by a boiler explosion, officials and witnesses said.

Rescuers used welding machines to cut holes in the rubble to reach people and pump air to survivors at the sweater-making factory in Palashbari, about 20 miles from the capital, Dhaka. Police said at least 250 people were in the factory when it collapsed.

The army brought in sniffer dogs and heavy equipment to speed up an effort that went on through the night to reach those trapped under debris, rescue officials said.

Oslo, Norway

U.S. to pledge aid to Sudan

Hoping to invigorate Sudan's peace process, the United States will promise more than $1.7 billion in humanitarian and reconstruction aid for the war-ravaged African country, a State Department official said yesterday.

Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick is attending an international conference for donors to Sudan this week, where he will formally announce the pledge, press for progress in the western region of Darfur and rally other countries to do the same.

But Zoellick warned that if Sudan won't halt the bloodshed, it would be extremely difficult to justify contributing additional money to implement the peace agreement.

Beijing

"Assault" on Muslims alleged

Two U.S.-based human-rights groups have accused China of using the law heavy-handedly to clamp down on Muslim Uighurs in its restive western region of Xinjiang in the name of anti-separatism and counter-terrorism.

Beijing's "wholesale assault" on the Uighurs' faith involved vetting imams and closing mosques, detaining thousands every year and executions, Human Rights Watch and Human Rights in China said in a report today.

Bhopal, India

Bathing pilgrims swept away

Hundreds of wailing pilgrims lined the banks of a holy river in central India today praying for loved ones after more than 150 people either drowned or were missing when the gates of a nearby dam were opened.

Up to 300,000 Hindus had assembled Saturday night for an annual bathing festival, known as the "Bhootdi Aamavasya" — or "Moonless Night," along the banks of the Narmada River in the town of Dharaji. Hindu religious rituals often include bathing in rivers seen as holy.

As the pilgrims were bathing, water was released through a dam about 15 miles away, police said. Officials at the Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corp., which operates the dam, said they were not aware of the Hindu fair downstream.

The bodies of 65 people have been recovered, but more than 90 people remain missing, rescuers said.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Akayev's resignation accepted

Parliament accepted the resignation yesterday of ousted President Askar Akayev, formally ending his 15-year rule in Kyrgyzstan and paving the way for the election of a new leader for a nation shaken by last month's sudden and forceful change of power.

After opposition supporters stormed and ransacked his office March 24, Akayev fled to Russia, where he signed his resignation a week ago.

Legislators initially hesitated in accepting his offer to step down, reluctant to allow him a dignified exit. After days of debate, they deepened his disgrace by stripping him of privileges he had gained as the Central Asian nation's first president under a 2003 law.

Parliament set July 10 as the date for presidential elections.