US A US space projectile crashed head-on into a comet hurtling through the solar system in an unprecedented feat of technology that scientists hope will help reveal the secrets of the Universe. Afghanistan A US air strike in eastern Afghanistan last week killed 17 civilians including women and children, a governor said as the search continued for the missing comrades of a rescued US soldier. G8 US President George W. Bush threw cold water on prospects of a Kyoto-style deal on fighting global warming by the world's most powerful leaders, despite reports they were near an accord. Syria Syrian forces captured two "terrorists" and a security officer was killed in a dawn clash with extremists who included former bodyguards of Saddam Hussein, official media said. Iraq Iraqi and US troops combed suspected insurgent hideouts in west Baghdad after Egypt's ambassador designate became the first foreign head of mission kidnapped in the 15-month-old hostage crisis. Mideast Settler leaders drew up a code of conduct in a bid to avoid further violence by opponents of the Gaza Strip pullout which has already led to a sharp drop in support for their cause. Japan Police said they have arrested a US serviceman in Okinawa for allegedly fondling a 10-year-old girl, triggering fresh outrage on the island which hosts more than half of all US forces in Japan. Burundi People were voting in Burundi's second of a series of elections, with the country's main Hutu ex-rebel group tipped to win the first parliamentary poll since 1993, after doing well in local elections last month, officials said. Singapore London and Paris traded barbs over their rival bids for the 2012 Olympic Games amid frantic last-minute lobbying by all all five candidate cities ahead of the mid-week vote in Singapore. Malaysia The bird flu virus remains as dangerous as ever and nations must do more to prepare for a pandemic among humans, United Nations agencies said at a conference on the deadly disease. afp