Bird-flu cases reported in Asia

Hanoi, Vietnam

Bird flu has resurfaced in parts of Asia, with human deaths reported in Indonesia and China and fresh outbreaks plaguing other countries during the winter months when the virus typically flares. Indonesia, the nation hardest hit by the H5N1 virus, announced its 93rd death on Friday.

In China, the military in Nanjing province banned the sale of poultry this week after a father and son came down with the disease earlier this month. Health officials confirmed the 24-year-old man died from the virus a day before his father, 52, became sick. It was the country's 17th bird-flu death.

The virus has killed 208 people worldwide since it began ravaging Asian poultry stocks in late 2003, according to the WHO.

United Nations

Algeria bombing death toll at 17

The United Nations raised the death toll of staffers killed in the car bombing of its Algiers headquarters to 17 on Friday, after rescue workers found more bodies buried under rubble.

The newly discovered victims bring the total killed in Tuesday's terrorist attacks to 37, according to Algeria's Interior Ministry.

Seoul, South Korea

Koreans pull out of Afghanistan

South Korea brought home 195 personnel Friday from Afghanistan, ending five years of helping rebuild the war-ravaged country at U.S. request.

South Korea had planned to withdraw the troops but reconfirmed that pledge after the Taliban demanded they leave in exchange for the freedom of 21 kidnapped civilians in July.

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Pilgrims begin gathering for hajj

About 1 million Muslim pilgrims packed the mosque and streets around the Kaaba shrine in the holy city of Mecca for final Friday prayers before the annual hajj pilgrimage.

More than 1.4 million have flocked to Saudi Arabia to prepare for the five-day rites which start next week

Seattle Times news services