Iraq At least 965 Iraqis were crushed to death or drowned in a stampede on a Baghdad bridge as vast crowds of Shiite pilgrims were sent into panic by rumours of suicide bombers in their midst. US US National Guard troops girded for a mission to stem rising anarchy in looting-hit New Orleans, as authorities tried to stop the situation spiralling out of control. US US President George W. Bush said it would take years to recover from the deadly ravages of Hurricane Katrina, which he branded one of the worst national disasters in US history. Mideast Israel's parliament approved an historic plan for Egyptian border guards to patrol along the Gaza border after the last Israeli troops leave the Palestinian territory next month. Indonesia Tears of joy and hope flowed in Indonesia as authorities freed more than 1,400 rebel Acehnese prisoners detained around the country, meeting a key condition of a historic peace pact. Philippines A Philippine congressional committee threw out the last remaining impeachment complaint against President Gloria Arroyo, leaving her in power despite a months-long campaign to unseat her for alleged vote fraud. China Talks between the United States and China to resolve a simmering textile row moved into an unscheduled third day despite claims by industry groups they had been abandoned with no progress made. Thailand Three people including two policemen were killed and 21 people were injured in a series of bomb blasts and shootings across Thailand's troubled south, officials said. India Indian troops have shot dead nine suspected Islamic militants who snuck across the heavily militarised border separating the Indian and Pakistani sectors of disputed Kashmir, the army said. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe has paid back 120 million dollars of its 300-million-dollar (245-million-euro) debt to the International Monetary Fund, which had threatened to expel Harare for arrears, state television reported. Taiwan One person was killed and 24 were injured as Typhoon Talim pounded Taiwan with strong winds and heavy rains, forcing offices, schools and financial markets to close.