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Bush to refrain from WASHINGTON, Feb 1: President George W Bush, pressed by democrats for an exit strategy from Iraq, will not give a timetable for a US withdrawal but ....more Timeline of events in Nepal since King Gyanendra’s enthronement KATHMANDU, NEPAL, Feb 1: 2001: June 1: King Birendra and his family members are assassinated by his son, Crown...more US
expresses concern WASHINGTON, Feb 1: The United States has expressed concern over the arrest of Egyptian opposition party leader Ayman Nour, for allegedly fabricating ...more UN
Commission UNITED NATIONS, Feb 1: Accusing the Sudanese Government and Janjaweed militias ....more |
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UNSC members laud Iraqi people for voting in election UNITED NATIONS, Feb 1: Lauding the Iraqi people for an impressive turnout in elections in nearly half a century, members of the UN Security....more Bankruptcy judge approves new United Airlines’ contracts CHICAGO, Feb 1: United Airlines’ flight attendants and pilots ratified new contracts, agreeing to additional givebacks as the struggling carrier tries to emerge from more than two years of bankruptcy....more Social forum ends with protests against US PORTO ALEGRE (BRAZIL), Feb 1: Leftist activists ended the world social forum by protesting against the spread ......more Nepal
King sacks KATHMANDU, Feb 1: Nepali King Gyanendra sacked the Government today, announcing the decision in an address broadcast ......more |
Bush to refrain from Iraq exit timetable WASHINGTON, Feb 1: President George W Bush, pressed by democrats for an exit strategy from Iraq, will not give a timetable for a US withdrawal but stress in his state of the union speech the need to train Iraqi forces to take over security, the White House said. "The timetable is based on completing the mission, and part of completing the mission is training and equipping Iraqi security forces and making sure that they have the command structure so that they’re fully ready to defend their country," White House spokesman Scott Mcclellan yesterday said in response to calls from some democrats for a withdrawal plan. Nevada democratic Sen Harry Reid, leader of the minority party in the US senate, called Iraq’s election on Sunday a milestone but said Bush in his state of the union speech tomorrow "needs to spell out a real and understandable plan for the unfinished work ahead." "Most of all, we need an exit strategy so that we know what victory is and how we can get there, so that we know what we need to do and so that we know when the job is done," Reid said. He also said Bush needed to increase international involvement. A senior Bush administration official said the United States would like greater international participation in Iraq now the elections had been held. "We would hope the members of the international community would seize on this opportunity to find ways to show tangible and public support for the political process in Iraq," the official said. "There are major challenges and you need someone politically adept in that role," Beach said. "He knows what to say and when to say it." Adams was highly regarded inside and outside treasury during his tenure as Chief of Staff for former Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill — a challenging assignment since O’Neill was often at Loggerheads with the White House and eventually was pushed out in December 2002. The quiet-mannered and low-key Taylor is a world renowned economist, author of the "Taylor rule" used by Central bankers as a guide for setting short-term interest rates in order to maximize economic growth while controlling inflation. Early in Bush’s first term, Taylor was widely seen as a rising star and a top contender to replace greenspan when he retires. A relentless traveler who has visited dozens of countries on treasury’s behalf, Taylor was known throughout the world for his economic expertise. But he was passed over for Treasury Secretary after O’Neill’s ouster, and sources said his chances of getting greenspan’s job had diminished. Taylor is on leave from Stanford University in California and potentially could return to teaching there. He is also a possible candidate for World Bank President. Adams was a trouble-shooting Chief of Staff for O’Neill, whose shoot-from-the-lip style sometimes caused hurt feelings abroad and with capitol hill lawmakers that the Genial Adams had to smooth over. He first became involved in Bush’s Presidential effort in January 1999 when he joined a small group of economists advising the then Texas Governor on economic and technology policy matters. (AGENCIES) |
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Timeline of events in Nepal since King Gyanendra’senthronement KATHMANDU, NEPAL, Feb 1: 2001: June 1: King Birendra and his family members are assassinated by his son, Crown Prince Dipendra, in a shooting spree at the royal palace. The Prince goes int a coma from apparently self-inflicted gunshot wounds. June 2: Crown Prince Dipendra declared King while still in coma. King Birendra’s brother, Prince Gyanendra, declared regent. June 4: Dipendra dies, Gyanendra declared King. Anti-Gyanendra protests are held in the capital, Kathmandu, where a curfew is imposed. July: Maoist rebels step up violence, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala resigns. July: Sher Bahadur Deuba named new Prime Minister, announces truce with rebels. Aug 30: Government, rebels begin peace talks. Rebels demand new constitution. November: Maoists kill 24 policemen in attacks at 15 sites, ending four-month cease-fire. Nov 26: King Gyanendra declares state of emergency. Royal Nepalese Army deployed against rebels. 2002: February: Authorities say hundreds of Maoist rebels killed since Army operation began. Violence intensifies further. May: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba meets with US President George W Bush to seek support for his campaign against the rebels. Bush pledges USD20 million . Maoists offer truce, which is rejected by the Government. May 22: King Gyanendra dissolves Parliament, orders fresh elections. Deuba expelled by his party the Nepali Congress, but remains interim Prime Minister. August 28: Government lifts state of emergency. Oct 4: King Gyanendra fires Deuba calling him "incompetent" and ``incapable’’ of holding Parliamentary elections on schedule. Deuba had asked for the postponement of elections a day earlier due to fears of Maoist violence. Oct. 11: King Gyanendra names Lokendra Bahadur Chand, head of the pro-monarchy Rastroya Prajatantra Party, the new Prime Minister. 2003: January 29: Rebels declare cease-fire, begin peace talks with Government. May 30: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand resigns. June 4: King Gyanendra appoints monarchist Surya Bahadur Thapa, 75, as new Prime Minister. July 31: Maoist rebels agree to Government requests for a resumption of peace talks. Aug 17: Peace talks resume for the first time since May. Aug 27: Maoist rebels call off seven-month cease-fire and withdraw from peace talks. Fighting resumes. Clashes between soldiers and rebels escalate through late 2003, leaving heavy casualties on both sides. 2004: May 7: Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa announces his resignation Friday after 11 months in office and months of protests by political parties demanding a restoration of democracy and new elections. June 2: King Gyanendra reappoints Deuba as Prime Minister with the task of holding General Elections. August: Nepalese rebels enforce blockade on Kathmandu, cutting it off from rest of Nepal for a week, demanding the Government free jailed guerrillas and publicly declare the whereabouts of missing rebel suspects. Nov 27: Maoist rebels reject another Government offer for peace talks, saying they would only agree to negotiations with international mediators present. 2005: Feb 1: King Gyanendra dismisses Government and declares a state of emergency, taking control of the kingdom. (AP) |
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US expresses concern over Egyptian oppn leader’s arrest WASHINGTON, Feb 1: The United States has expressed concern over the arrest of Egyptian opposition party leader Ayman Nour, for allegedly fabricating documents. "We are following the situation. We are concerned by the signal that the arrest sends. Mr Nour, we understand, was stripped of his Parliamentary immunity and arrested on January 29th. He is one of Egypt’s most prominent opposition leaders and the arrest in Amman raises questions about the outlook for democratic process in Egypt", US State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said. "This is the beginning of an election year in Egypt. We’re on the eve of a dialogue between opposition parties, including Nour’s and the ruling National Democratic Party. "That is a dialogue that we feel is very valuable and we would — we find this arrest at this moment incongruous with proceeding with that dialogue", Boucher added. Boucher said the us was "making clear" its concerns to Egypt in the matter and urged the Government to provide nour with "immediate and transparent access to counsel and appropriate legal recourse." "We’re also concerned about reports that he’s been roughly treated. We note he’s a diabetic who needs regular medical attention", he said. Boucher hoped that nour "would first make sure that the Egyptian Government would make sure that he’s properly treated and that they would re-examine the issue". Nour was arrested by police on the suspicion of forging documents to form a new political party. He denies the accusations. (PTI) |
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UN Commission accuses Sudan Govt of systemic killings UNITED NATIONS, Feb 1: Accusing the Sudanese Government and Janjaweed militias with systemic killing, rape and torture of civilians in Darfur region, a United Nations appointed Commission has suggested that the perpetrators of these crimes be prosecuted in the Hague based International Criminal Court (ICC). It concluded that these acts constituted crimes against humanity but did not amount to genocide as has been contended by the United States. However, the conclusion that no genocidal policy has been pursued and implemented by the Sudanese Government should not be taken in any way as detracting from the gravity of the crimes perpetrated in the region, the UN Commission added. "International offences such as crimes against humanity and war crimes that have been committed in darfur may be no less serious and heinous than genocide," it asserted in a report released last night. It "strongly" recommended that the Security Council immediately refer the situation in Darfur to ICC. The situation constitutes a threat to international peace and security and serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law is continuing by all parties, including rebels, according to the report compiled by a five-member commission set up by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in October. The Commission also recommended that the Council establish a compensation Commission to grant reparation to the victims whether perpetrators have been identified for not. The Commission has compiled a list of "likely suspects" but says it is not passing "final judgment" and therefore, withholding their names from public. The list includes Sudanese Government officials, members of militias and rebel groups and some foreign military officers acting in their personal capacity. Some 70,000 people have died and more than 1.8 million driven from their homes in the conflict which began when two rebels groups in Darfur revolted against alleged discrimination and Government forces with the help of Arab Janaweed militias tried to put it down. The Janjaweed (men on horses) militias are accused of killing, raping, burning villages and crops of Africans in Darfur which is equal in area to France. Though the Commission has recommended referring the cases to ICC, the United States strongly opposes that as Washington does not recognize the court. Instead, it wants a new tribunal be set up to try these cases which the Europeans oppose. Since the Europeans pay for ICC, they do not see rationale behind paying for another tribunal. (PTI) |
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UNSC members laud Iraqi people for voting in election UNITED NATIONS, Feb 1: Lauding the Iraqi people for an impressive turnout in elections in nearly half a century, members of the UN Security Council have offered their continued support in the political transition of the war-ravaged country. "The members commend the bravery of millions of Iraqis, who facing adverse conditions, exercised their right to vote," Ambassador Cesar Mayoral of Argentina, the President of the 15-member body for January, said. The members welcomed the voter turnout, calling it a "positive step in the political development of Iraq," he said in a statement. "As the Secretary-General [Kofi Annan] has said, the success of the elections augurs well for the transitional process," Mayoral said noting that the next phase would see the just-elected transitional national Assembly draft a permanent Constitution, which is expected to be put to a referendum in October. He added that UNSC members welcomed recent statements from Iraqi leaders stressing the importance of reconciliation and national unity. The statement also expressed the Council members’ appreciation for the efforts of the Independent Electoral Commission for Iraq (IECI), thousands of Iraqi poll workers and election observers, as well as the advice and support given to Iraqis by UN officials and international observers. (PTI) |
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Bankruptcy judge approves new United Airlines’ contracts CHICAGO, Feb 1: United Airlines’ flight attendants and pilots ratified new contracts, agreeing to additional givebacks as the struggling carrier tries to emerge from more than two years of bankruptcy. A bankruptcy Judge approved the deals yesterday and imposed short-term wage and benefit cuts on the company’s mechanics’ union, which rejected the airline’s latest contract offer last week. The cuts go into effect today and last through May. United argued during the hearing that allowing members of the aircraft mechanics fraternal association to avoid temporary concessions threatened to unravel the progress it has made with its other unions. "We’re so close. We just need this court’s help to bridge us through on the game plan we have in place," said United Attorney Alexander Dimitrief. Besides a 10 per cent salary shave, united also requested a 25 per cent reduction in sick pay and a freeze on pay raises. Attorneys for AMFA opposed the concessions, which would save the company USD 21 million, claiming that united negotiators had refused to consider alternative cost-cutting proposals. But Judge Eugene Wedoff sided with united. In ruling, Wedoff said if AMFA did not assume its share of short-term concessions, it "could cause great unrest" among the other unions that have already granted concessions. (AP) |
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Social forum ends with protests against US PORTO ALEGRE (BRAZIL), Feb 1: Leftist activists ended the world social forum by protesting against the spread of globalisation and the war in Iraq. Activists from 135 countries packed up yesterday, dismantling tents and furling bright red flags after the six-day gathering held to counter the simultaneous world economic forum in Switzerland. Thousands of people joined a final protest in this southern Brazilian city, chanting slogans against US-backed liberalised trade and the occupation of Iraq. "Let’s globalise the struggle," some shouted. Others waved placards saying "our world is not for sale" and the forum’s slogan, "another world is possible." While the economic forum in Europe attracted more than 2,000 world leaders, celebrities and Chief Executives, social forum organisers claimed 150,000 activists participated in their gathering. The Government estimated the figure was at least 100,000. The economic forum ended on Sunday, but activists at the social forum stayed until yesterday to mark the day the United States was supposed to close a deal to create a 34-nation free trade area of the Americas stretching from Alaska to Argentina. Though the deadline will be missed, officials plan to restart negotiations this year amid bitter opposition from leftist activists who say such free trade zones benefit multi-national corporations while enslaving workers from developing countries. (AP) |
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Nepal King sacks Govt-state radio KATHMANDU, Feb 1: Nepali King Gyanendra sacked the Government today, announcing the decision in an address broadcast on state radio. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had been reappointed last June, about two years after Gyanendra fired him for failing to tackle a long-standing Maoist revolt against the monarchy. Deuba had vowed to hold long-delayed elections later this year after the rebels, fighting to replace the monarchy with a Communist republic, failed to respond to his offer for talks when a January 13 deadline expired. (AGENCIES) |
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Winter storm causes commuter chaos across Japan TOKYO, Feb 1: Strong storms today caused commuter chaos across Japan, with a dozen domestic flights cancelled, some train services suspended and a series of car accidents leaving at least 18 people injured, officials said. Heavy snow and strong winds have this week affected areas from south-western Kyushu region to the northern-most island of Hokkaido. In the western port city of Kobe early today, nearly 30 cars crashed in 10 separate accidents on a frozen highway, leaving at least one person with minor injuries, prefectural (state) police spokesman Masahiko Furuta said. A college student lost control of her car on a frozen road in a nearby town, crashing into a group of children on their way to elementary schol, injuring eight of them, Furuta said. In Hiroshima, 18 cars were involved in 11 separate accidents on a frozen road, injuring nine people, including two seriously, local police said. The snowstorm also disrupted public transportation. Services on the Shinkansen bullet train in the western and northern regions were delayed or suspended, and more than a dozen domestic flights connecting Kyushu and northern Japanese cities were cancelled, NHK said. The meteorological agency predicted more snowfall of upto 90 cm in the northern Hokuriku region through tomorrow morning, warning local residents of possible snowslides on mountains and accidents due to poor visibility and frozen roads. (AP) Keanu Reeves gets place on Hollywood walk of fame LOS ANGELES, Feb 1: "Matrix" movie star Keanu Reeves, who rose to fame in "bill and ted’s excellent adventure," has won a most excellent honour: His own star on Hollywood’s prestigious walk of fame. The 40-year-old screen heart-throb thanked his mother after the unveiling of his bronze-edged star yesterday, which was the 2,277th to be embedded in the pavement where legends from Errol Flynn to tom hanks are also immortalised. "When I was 15 years old and a kid in Canada, I was doing a play called `Romeo and Juliet’," Reeves said, turning towards his mother who attended the ceremony. "I asked my mom if it was ok to be an actor. She said: `Whatever You Want.’ So Thanks Mom." Reeves, who was born in the Lebanese capital Beirut, in September 1964, and was raised in New York city and Toronto, was a Star High School Hockey Goaltender who earned the nickname "The Wall" before dropping out of school to pursue an acting career. "Hollywood was calling," Reeves told the crowd. "So I got in my car, a 1969 British racing Green Volvo — holes in the floor, bricks holding up the seats. I was a young man full of hopes and dreams." He launched his acting career in Toronto and began his career on the Toronto stage before winning his first minor television roles. His bug break came in 1986 when he landed a supporting role in the film "Youngblood." He earned a reputation as a big budget movie action star with his role as policeman Jack Traven opposite Sandra Bullock in 1994’s "speed," before becoming a mega-star after starring in 1999’s "the matrix" and its two sequels. (AFP) Sri Lankan PM grateful for Cuban aid HAVANA, Feb 1: (Prensa Latina) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse thanked Cuba for the medicine and doctors offered to his country after the Asian tragedy that killed over 40,000 people there. In an interview published by Granma daily on Monday, Rajapakse affirmed "Commander Fidel Castro is a hero for me, since the time I was a student. I send sincere wishes to fidel, of good health, happiness, long life and wellbeing. I praise his dignified gesture and aid." The visitor gave a detailed explanation of the disastrous effects of the December 26 earthquake in his country, noting Sri Lanka is committed to the prompt restoration of infrastructure in the affected areas, mainly schools, hospitals, and projects. When evaluating current bilateral relations, the Prime Minister said both nations are very close. (AGENCIES) Lanka’s celebrated Tsunami baby set for reunion and DNA test KALMUNAI (SRI LANKA), Feb 1: A baby rescued from under a garbage pile after Sri Lanka’s devastating Tsunami is likely to be reunited with his parents tomorrow but could still face a DNA test, officials said. The district court in the eastern coastal town of Kalmunai ordered two weeks ago that the four-month-old baby, whose case attracted world headlines, be handed over to the only woman who claimed him as her son. But doctors had said the boy was too ill to be discharged from hospital. Kalmunai hospital Medical Superintendent K Muruganathan said they will ask the court tomorrow for a DNA test to confirm that the woman, J Jeyarajah, was indeed the mother of the child, even though no one else has claimed him. "Tomorrow we will ask for DNA testing," Muruganathan told AFP. "How do we know that the one who has claimed the child is the real parent? We are very sure the judge will agree." Sri Lanka has no easy access to DNA testing which could take months, according to forensic experts in Colombo. A judicial-medical officer in Colombo said since there were no competing claims, the child could be given to Jeyarajah and her husband pending DNA verification. Muruganathan had told the court last month the child was too sick to be given to the woman pending testing. However, an AFP reporter said the baby today appeared in good health and doctors and nurses said there was nothing wrong with him. "The baby has gained weight. He is free from any disease and can leave hospital," a doctor said of the playful child. (AFP) |
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