Oman Observer

BARCELONA — Microsoft unveiled yesterday an upgrade to its mobile operating system as the US software giant seeks to regain lost ground in the competitive handset market. Windows Mobile 7 was made public on the first day of the Mobile World Congress here, ending months of speculation about what Microsoft had in store for the industry’s biggest trade show.

Belgian train accident toll 18

HALLE, Belgium — Two commuter trains crashed head-on near Brussels during the morning rush hour yesterday, killing at least 18 people. The trains collided in snowy conditions at the village of Buizingen, near Halle, 15 km southwest of the Belgian capital, leading to cancellation of services to France and Britain. Some passengers were still trapped inside one wrecked carriage

RIYADH — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held long talks with Saudi leaders yesterday aiming to rally support for tough new UN sanctions against Iran. Clinton and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz met for talks at Rawdat Khurayim, 35 km northeast of Riyadh. No details immediately emerged as subsequent private talks ran over two-and-a-half hours. She flew in

ABIDJAN — Police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters in eastern Ivory Coast yesterday, paralysing the city of Abengourou and forcing several cocoa warehouses to close in the top world supplier. The demonstrations follow President Laurent Gbagbo’s dissolution of the government and electoral commission on Friday in a move

GAZA — A British journalist arrested by Hamas police in Gaza over suspected security offences could be held initially for up to 15 days, a spokesman for the group said yesterday. Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, announced freelance journalist Paul Martin’s arrest on Sunday, saying it had received “confessions” about security crimes. It gave no details about the allegations.

Dick Francis, UK novelist, dies aged 89

LONDON — Best-selling crime writer Dick Francis, who drew on his experience as a successful steeplechase jockey for his racing thrillers, has died aged 89 at his home in the Caribbean, his publicist said. Francis rode more than 350 winners and was champion jockey before injury forced him to take up the pen, first writing for a national newspaper as a racing correspondent