Brussels  - Rules designed to stop airlines from advertising deceptively cheap tickets were due to come into force on Friday across the European Union.

Jointly approved by the EU's 27 member states and by the European Parliament, the rules require airlines to include all taxes and charges in their published ticket prices.

Berlin - A festival of aviation was under way Thursday on the last day of operations of Berlin's fabled Tempelhof Airport, which was once the entry point for 2.3 million tons of airborne relief during the Berlin Airlift.

The airport opened in 1923, became an icon of 20th century design, secured West Berlin's survival and eked out its last years as a business-flier airport. It is to be replaced by a big airport in Berlin's green belt.

New Delhi  - At least 61 people were killed and 275 injured Thursday in nine bomb blasts triggered by suspected separatist and Muslim militants in India's north-eastern state of Assam, officials said.

There were nine blasts within 20 minutes, the first at 11:20 am (0550 GMT).

Three blasts took place in the state capital, Guwahati; three in Kokrajhar district; two in Barpeta district and one in Bongaigaon district, all in western Assam, a top state spokesman said.

Athens - Hundreds of Olympic Airline staff blocked one of the main runways at Athens' International Airport on Thursday during a 24-hour strike against government plans to privatise the ailing airline, forcing the cancellation of nearly 100 domestic and international flights.

Carrying black banners and shouting "never, never, never," hundreds of Olympic workers blocked one of Athens airport's two runways.

Delays were kept to a minimum as many of the flights were diverted to the second runway.

Coimbatore, Oct 30 : A practitioner of traditional medicines in Coimbatore on Thursday conducted special prayers to seek the blessings of gods to ensure a smooth victory for Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate in the US Presidential polls.

Krishana Kumar, Managing Director of Dhanwantari Temple said that he was fascinated by Democrat Barack Obama''s campaigning style when he was in America recently.

He got his horoscope, read it carefully and thought of performing some prayers for his victory.

Islamabad - Rescue workers on Thursday fanned out in south-western Pakistan, distributing relief supplies among thousands of earthquake survivors as the authorities said the death toll might climb to as much as 300.

Many isolated hamlets remained inaccessible as hungry, distraught women, children and elders waited for aid while spending a second freezing night in the open.