World news: Insurgents fire rockets at Afghanistan polling stations

Insurgents fired rockets as polling stations formally opened for voting in Afghanistan's parliamentary election today.

The Taliban managed to block at least a couple of stations from opening.

A rocket slammed into the capital Kabul before dawn and three others struck the eastern city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, officials said. There were no reports of casualties.

The rockets were an apparent warning from insurgents, who have threatened in leaflets and through rumours spread through villages that those who voted would be attacked.

About 2,500 candidates are vying for 249 seats in the parliament, and how many Afghans ignore the intimidation and turn out will be one measure of whether the vote is considered a success.

In Nangarhar's Surkh Rud district, the Taliban blocked two voting centres from opening, said a resident. Taliban were patrolling to stop residents from going elsewhere to vote, he said.

In a southern neighbourhood of Kabul, a roadside bomb exploded near a polling station 40 minutes before opening. Voting did not start because of the blast.

Brand arrested after clash

Actor-comedian Russell Brand was arrested following a clash with a photographer in Los Angeles.

The 35-year-old was taken into custody at Los Angeles International Airport. He was later released, said airport police spokeswoman Belinda Nettles.

Lennon photo up for auction

A PHOTO of John Lennon shortly before he was killed is going up for auction in New York City.

The photo was taken by Annie Leibovitz in December 1980 for Rolling Stone magazine.

It shows Yoko Ono and Lennon embracing.

It is expected to fetch $10,000 (6,500).Pair held over nuclear plot

A SCIENTIST and his wife who both once worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory were arrested today after an FBI sting and charged with offering to help develop a nuclear weapon for Venezuela.

Pedro and Marjorie Mascheroni were accused of dealing with an FBI undercover agent posing as a Venezuelan agent.

The government did not allege that Venezuela or anyone working for it sought US secrets.

UN makes largest appeal ever

The UN is making the largest disaster appeal ever, asking the world's governments and humanitarian groups to raise a total $2 billion (1.3 billion) for Pakistan's flood victims.

Previously, the largest appeal was for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Drilling raises hopes for Chile miners

Chile: Rescuers drilling into a cavern where 33 miners are trapped completed a bore hole ahead of schedule raising hopes the men could be out earlier than expected.

The 12-inch-wide drill reached 2,070 feet beneath the surface, puncturing the top of a passage near the chamber in the San Jose mine where the men have taken refuge.

Mexico: At least two people died when Hurricane Karl smashed into the Gulf coast.