World Scene

JORDAN

Saddam assaulted, defense team claims

AMMAN — Members of Saddam Hussein’s Jordan-based defense team claimed yesterday the former Iraqi dictator was attacked during a recent court appearance, a claim immediately disputed by the chief investigating judge of the tribunal.

A man burst out from those gathered in the courtroom Thursday and tried to hit Saddam as the ousted leader was leaving the courtroom after a 45-minute hearing, Saddam’s legal team said in a statement.

U.S. and Iraqi officials said the incident never happened.

INDIA

Death toll climbs in monsoon flood

BOMBAY — The discovery of more bodies pushed the death toll from last week’s monsoon floods in Bombay to more than 850 yesterday, with officials warning it will likely rise to around 1,000.

Workers also began clearing away thousands of animal carcasses to prevent the outbreak of diseases in the rain-battered city and its outlying areas. Rain showers began intermittently hitting the area again yesterday, though with far less force than earlier in the week.

CANADA

Marijuana Party headquarters raided

VANCOUVER — Police have raided the headquarters of the British Columbia Marijuana Party at the request of U.S. investigators targeting one of Canada’s best-known advocates of legalizing marijuana.

U.S. officials have charged Marc Emery, founder of the Marijuana Party, and two other persons with conspiracy to manufacture marijuana, distribute marijuana seeds and money laundering.

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