ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan protested to the U.S. ambassador yesterday over a deep cross-border missile strike, and a militant group threatened to target foreigners unless the attacks stop.

Pakistani intelligence officials say the U.S. has staged some 20 missile strikes on Pakistani territory since August, almost all of them aimed at the lawless tribal region along the Afghan border. But for the first time Wednesday, the missiles targeted militants beyond the tribal areas, deeper inside Pakistan. Six suspected insurgents were killed.

The strikes have strained relations between the allies, who are fighting al-Qaida and Taliban militants blamed for attacks on U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan as well as within Pakistan. Pakistan, which called the attack a "great provocation," said the U.S. strikes undermine public support for fighting insurgents.

BANGKOK, Thailand -- A pre-dawn grenade attack on protesters occupying the offices of Thailand's prime minister killed one person and wounded 29 yesterday, dimming hopes that the country's fractious political crisis might ease.

No one took responsibility for the blast, but the protest group, which calls itself the People's Alliance for Democracy, blamed the government, a charge the prime minister denied.

The alliance, which is seeking the government's resignation, said it would stage a mass rally before marching to Parliament on Sunday to protest the attack.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and others are pressing ahead with a humanitarian mission to Zimbabwe, though the state newspaper in the troubled southern African country signaled yesterday they are unwelcome.

The Elders, a group formed by former South African President Nelson Mandela, last week had announced plans to visit Zimbabwe.

Also taking part in the two-day visit starting tomorrow are former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Graca Machel, an international advocate for women's and children's rights who is married to Mr. Mandela.

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican emigration has dropped substantially, a government study released yesterday showed, confirming that America has become less appealing amid an economic downturn and stepped up raids against illegal migrants.

In all of 2007, an estimated 814,000 Mexicans emigrated, compared to 1.2 million in 2006. The figure -- which was reached through household surveys -- includes all Mexicans who left the country, and did not break down legal and illegal migration.

DRESDEN, Germany -- The Russian team -- touted as the strongest ever assembled for a Chess Olympiad -- was derailed in yesterday's open division play in round seven of the tournament by the defending gold medal Armenian team 2.5-1.5, which took sole possession of first place.

In the only decisive game of the match, Gabriel Sargissian defeated Alexander Grischuk on board three.

The win gave Armenia 6.5 match points out of seven. France, Germany and Israel are tied for second with 6 points. Russia remains at 5.5 points.

The 38th Chess Olympiad, a biennial event that started Nov. 13, includes 146 teams in the open division -- often referred to as the men's division although it includes a few women.