As leader of the radical Hizb-e- Islami and a former Afghan premier, Gulbudin Hekmatyar warned that this post-Taliban central Asian state would become the third Vietnam for the United States, a Kabul-based newspaper reported Wednesday.

Palestinian death toll from a fresh round of Israeli military operation in the town of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza Strip at predawn Wednesday rose to six, Palestinian medics and security sources reported.

Afghan and the U.S.-led coalition forces killed three suspected terrorists and arrested another in Afghanistan's eastern Khost province, a coalition press release said Wednesday.

A spokesman of Israel Defense Force confirmed on Wednesday morning that the IDF is conducting a large operation in Beit Hanoun, in northern part of the Gaza Stripe.

Four Palestinians were killed and over 20 others were injured at predawn on Wednesday in a new Israeli army ground raid on the town of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza Strip, medics and security sources reported.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun nominated new ministers in charge of foreign affairs, defense, unification and intelligence on Wednesday to reshuffle his cabinet, the South Korea's Presidential Office said.

Australia Wednesday upgraded its travel advisory for Fiji, urging Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in the country in case of possible military action against the government.

Japan will continue its own sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) even after the six-party talks resume, Foreign Minister Taro Aso said on Wednesday.

Indonesian police have arrested 15 suspects of terrorist acts in Central Sulawesi province, said a police spokesman on Wednesday.

The United States will launch strategic dialogue with Afghanistan in January, U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said on Tuesday.