ISLAMABAD A Pakistani High Court delayed a lower court ruling that dropped terrorism charges against Rashid Rauf, a British man suspected in a plot to bomb transatlantic passenger jets leaving Britain. Mr Rauf, a Muslim of Pakistani origin, was arrested in August as a key person in the alleged plot. His case will be heard in a criminal court on January 15. Pakistan has not yet made a decision on a request to hand Mr Rauf over to Britain. (AP)

Climber found dead

BEIJING The body of an unidentified American climber was found on a remote mountain in southwestern China. A second climber was still missing and presumed to be dead. Christine Boskoff and Charlie Fowler were reported missing after they failed to return to the United States on December 4. (AP)

Songwriter dies

PARIS Pierre Delanoë, who wrote the lyrics for more than 5,000 songs by French artists from Edith Piaf to Charles Aznavour and Johnny Hallyday, has died aged 88 after a heart attack. Delanoë was known for writing some of France’s best-loved tunes, many with the singer- songwriter Gilbert Becaud. (AP)

Remains uncovered

MANILA Remains believed to be that of Khaddafy Janjalani, head of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, have been found in the southern Philippines. The suspected terrorist, who was the target of a US-backed manhunt, had a $35 million (£18 million) bounty on his head for a series of terrorist atrocities. (AP)

Bird flu death

CAIRO A brick factory worker aged 26 has died of bird flu, the third member of his family to die of the virus, and the tenth in Egypt, since the start of an outbreak in February, the World Health Organisation said. The man’s family had raised ducks at their home in the Nile Delta province of Gharbia. (AP)

Confettit new year

NEW YORK The one million revellers expected in Times Square on New Year’s Eve will be showered with confetti for hours, with 7,000lb (3,150kg) — three times the usual amount — being dropped from 7pm. The tiny, flameproof leaves will bear messages such as “peace,” “celebrate” and “dance”. (AP)

Drain rescue

BERLIN Police rescued a motorist who got trapped upside-down in a drain while trying to retrieve his car keys. The man, 48, was seen falling into the drain late on Tuesday after removing a manhole cover. It took several police to pull him out, unhurt, from the underground pipe. The keys were not found. (Reuters)

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