Iraq At least four people were killed in rebel attacks in Baghdad, adding to fears of spiralling violence in the run-up to the October 15 referendum on the new constitution for post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. Britain Prime Minister Tony Blair told visiting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani that British troops would stay in Iraq for as long as requested. US-attacks-Guantanamo-Iraq-detainees WASHINGTON: The US Senate explicitly barred US soldiers from torturing or mistreating prisoners in a measure outlining strict military interrogation guidelines that passed by 90 votes to nine, despite White House opposition. Germany German conservative leader Angela Merkel said that there would be no decision until Sunday on whether she or Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will lead the next government. Italy The trial of five people charged with involvement in the death of Roberto Calvi, the Vatican banker found hanging under a London bridge, finally got underway more than two decades after the event but was quickly adjourned over a technicality. Afghanistan A woman activist famous for standing up to powerful warlords has won a seat in Afghanistan's first parliament in more than 30 years, according to early results. Afghanistan NATO will send thousands more troops to Afghanistan, the 26-nation group's Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said, boosting the total in the war-torn country to as high as 15,000. Great Britain World oil prices extended losses, reaching the lowest point for more than two months, on evidence that energy demand is cooling in the United States, analysts said. Africa Africa launched its first food safety plan, outlining a series of steps over the next five years to provide healthier meals on the world's poorest continent. Iran Iran's president and top nuclear negotiator asserted that Tehran's controversial nuclear facilities were not up for negotiation and said they would not talk with countries demanding they be dismantled. Spain Spanish and Moroccan security forces prevented hundreds of would-be immigrants storming the border into Spain's north African enclave of Melilla, following five successful assaults on the border in recent days. France Workers at the state-owned ferry operator the National Corsica Mediterranean Company (SNCM) rejected the government's latest sell-off proposals and voted to continue a 17 day strike.