Around The World

India troops told: Prepare to fight with Pakistan\nKUPWARA, India -- India's prime minister sent a warning to its nuclear-armed rival Pakistan today by telling soldiers on the tense Kashmir frontier to prepare for a "decisive battle" against Pakistan-supported Islamic insurgents. Cross-border shelling in the last week has killed dozens and reignited fears of another war between the South Asian neighbors. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee addressed more than 600 soldiers at an army base near the cease-fire line that divides the disputed Himalayan region between India and Pakistan.\nCivil War in Colombia yields violent street battle\nBOGOTA, Colombia -- Colombia's civil war spilled into the country's second-largest city, Medellin, as security forces battled guerrillas hiding in hillside slums. Nine people were killed, including two children. Residents screamed in fear and ran for cover as security forces crouched in the streets and fired toward the tops of apartment buildings in Tuesday's battle, some of the worst urban street fighting in 38 years of war. At least 37 people were wounded, and 31 suspected rebels were arrested.\nIn first day of independence, East Timor begins building a nation\nDILI, East Timor -- In its first day as an independent nation Monday, East Timor swore in a new Cabinet and signed a key oil treaty with Australia. The people danced in the streets and staged a jubilant parade in a euphoric celebration of their nation's birth. The United States swiftly established full diplomatic relations with the new nation on Monday and said an ambassador would be named to head the U.S. Embassy.\nSenate moves toward final vote on trade package\nWASHINGTON -- The Senate is within sight of passing major trade legislation and giving President Bush the trade negotiating authority he has sought since his first days in office. Senators were voting Wednesday to shut off debate and move to a conclusion on the trade bill, a package that both restores "fast track" trade-negotiating authority to the president after an eight-year lapse and extends new benefits to workers who lose their jobs because of imports.