New York - The world is well prepared to beat back any major influenza pandemic with 148 countries having made contingency plans to deal with the disease, the United Nations and the World Bank said Tuesday.

"Considering that pandemic preparedness was largely unaddressed by the world's nations three years ago, the widespread awareness and action seen today is a major achievement," said David Nabarro, the UN system influenza coordinator.

New York - The world's largest construction equipment manufacturer, Caterpillar Inc, saw profits fall in the third quarter on higher raw material and energy costs and the effects of a weaker globa

Ramallah - The world financial crisis is not expected to leave much of an impact on the emerging Palestinian economy, officials, business executives and economists agree.

They said during a luncheon to discuss the world economic crisis that due to the small size of the emerging Palestinian economy, the world financial crisis is not expected to leave any permanent or even short term scar on it.

La Paz - Following a months-long political struggle, leftist Bolivian President Evo Morales on Tuesday obtained the necessary majority in Congress to call a referendum on a controversial proposal for a new constitution.

New Delhi - At least 17 people were killed and 30 injured in a bomb blast suspected to be carried out by separatist militants in India's north-eastern state of Manipur on Tuesday, news reports said.

The bomb was planted on a motorcycle and exploded near the police commando barracks in Imphal, the state's main city.

Imphal police sources told the PTI news agency that 13 people were killed on the scene, and four succumbed to injuries at the hospital.

Most of the victims were civilians, but some could be policemen.

Los Angeles - With the oldest ever candidate and the first black nominee the upcoming US election already has a lot of firsts. Now add another: drive-through voting.

For a few hours Tuesday night voters in car-crazy Orange County can perform their civic duty without leaving the comfort of their automobiles at eight electronic booths set up in a southern Californian parking lot. The booths are also available for voters to register on the last permitted day before the November 4 election.