U.S. ties rejected

   TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected any resumption of ties with the United States as a “humiliating” step that would jeopardize achievements made by the Islamic revolution.Indian soldiers killedNEW DELHI: At least 19 soldiers were killed and five more injured yesterday in an ambush by unidentified rebels in northeastern India.Terrorist leader deadRAMALLAH, West Bank: Abu Nidal, a Palestinian schoolteacher-turned-terrorist mastermind, was reported Monday to have died in Baghdad of multiple gunshot wounds after directing two decades of killings across half the world.It was unclear whether he had been killed by a rival, slain by his Iraqi patrons or had taken his own life.Casino holdupMELBOURNE, Australia: A disgruntled gambler was being blamed for an armed holdup yesterday in the high-rollers’ room of Australia’s biggest casino. Gary O’Neill, a spokesman for Melbourne’s Crown Casino, said the robber snatched “a six figure sum” from cashiers in the exclusive Mahogany room after brandishing a handgun.Planes groundedSYDNEY, Australia: Civil aviation authorities yesterday grounded about 40 small planes and ordered owners to have them checked following a recall of engines made by a U.S.-based company.The Australian action is part of a recall by Textron Lycoming, which is based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, of engines it makes for small aircraft including popular Cessna and Piper models.Batasuna to be bannedMADRID: The Spanish Parliament began proceedings on Monday to ban the Batasuna party, seen as the political arm of Basque separatist group, ETA.Fencing titleLISBON, Portugal: China’s Tan Xue beat Azerbaijan’s Elena Jemaneva 15-14 to win the Women’s Sabre final match of the Fencing World Championships Monday.The Ronaldo sagaRIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil striker Ronaldo confirmed that he wanted to leave Inter Milan but refused to say why and said he had no idea how negotiations were progressing.MILAN, Italy: “Ronaldo will play one more year for us, against his will, and then he will leave whether we win something or not. Just watch,” said Inter president Massimo Moratti.MADRID: An offer by Real Madrid to swap two of its players for Ronaldo has been rejected by Inter. The leading sports daily Marca said that Madrid aimed to include Spanish international striker Fernando Morientes and Brazilian international Flavio Conceicao in a no-cash deal.