Iraq At least 500 people were killed after a stampede was sparked by a deadly mortar strike near a Shiite shrine in Baghdad, many of them drowning after falling off a bridge, health officials said. US Rescue crews pushed bodies aside to get to stranded victims of Hurricane Katrina as hundreds were feared dead in a humanitarian crisis that officials warned would intensify as flood waters rise further. Indonesia Tears of joy and hope flowed in Indonesia as authorities freed more than 1,400 rebel Acehnese prisoners, meeting a key condition of an historic peace pact. Lebanon Four former pro-Syrian security chiefs arrested as suspects in the murder of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri six months ago were brought before a Lebanese judge after being grilled by UN investigators. Philippines The Philippines Congress threw out two impeachment complaints against Gloria Arroyo, all but assuring the president will survive an opposition attempt to oust her over vote rigging allegations. Poland The Polish city of Gdansk marked the day 25 years ago when a strike at the sprawling Lenin shipyard on the Baltic Sea ended and Solidarity, the first free trade union in the communist bloc, was born. China Chinese and US delegates locked horns for a second day of complicated textile talks that so far appeared to have made no significant headway. Australia Anti-globalisation campaigners and demonstrators protesting the war in Iraq clashed with police in central Sydney for a second day as international business leaders met amid tight security. India Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold his first-ever talks with Kashmiri separatists on September 5 in New Delhi, his office said.