International News

International
Nine killed in missile strike in Pak Khyber Agency
Taliban suspend all peace deals
Pti, afp, Islamabad/ Khar
Up to nine persons were killed and as many injured in a missile strike carried out yesterday by pilotless drones on the headquarters of a religious group in Pakistan's troubled Khyber Agency.
Pak SC adjourns govt appeal on Sharif's disqualification
Pti, Islamabad
Pakistan's Supreme Court yesterday adjourned for two weeks the hearing of an appeal filed by the government against a High Court's order disqualifying former premier Nawaz Sharif from contesting by-polls.
Govt did not disclose whole truth on nuke deal
Says CPI-M
Pti, Kolkata
The CPI-M yesterday made a fresh attack against the UPA government over the Indo-US nuclear deal, saying it had not disclosed that it was mandatory to go to the IAEA for the India-specific safeguard agreement.
Nepali constituent assembly meet stalled
The Kathmandu Post/ Ann, Kathmandu
Concluding that 'one Madhes one Pradesh'--the notion of one Madhes, one province--will disintegrate the country, Maoists and Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) have decided to strongly oppose it. A meeting of the two parties on Sunday, however, decided to discuss proper definition of the autonomous Madhes (plains in southern Nepal) province--the demand already agreed to by the government before Constituent Assembly polls.
Afghan civilian deaths up 60 percent
Says UN official
Ap, Kabul
The number of civilians killed in fighting between insurgents and security forces in Afghanistan has soared by two-thirds in the first half of this year, to almost 700 people, a senior UN official said Sunday.
Iraq occupation was understaffed
Reveals army study
Ap, Denver
A nearly 700-page study released Sunday by the Army found that "in the euphoria of early 2003," US-based commanders prematurely believed their goals in Iraq had been reached and did not send enough troops to handle the occupation.
Just a yr needed to finish Tigers: Lanka army chief
Fresh fighting kills 32
Afp, Ap, Colombo
Sri Lanka's army chief said yesterday his forces had wiped out the military capability of the Tamil Tigers, and that they needed just one more year to totally defeat the rebels.
China resists bid for Zimbabwe sanction
Ap, Beijing
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged China on Monday to back UN Security Council action to punish Zimbabwe, saying the time for mere statements was over.
US seeking Russian sanctions on Iran
Afp, Moscow
US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said here yesterday he would discuss with Russia's leaders the possibility of imposing new sanctions on Iran.
Hamas emboldened by Hezbollah prisoner swap
Ap, Gaza City
Gaza's Hamas rulers hinted yesterday they would raise the stakes for a captured Israeli soldier, emboldened by Israel's decision to trade a Lebanese prisoner convicted in a brutal attack for the bodies of two other Israeli servicemen.
US transfer of Shia province to Iraq cancelled
Afp, Diwaniyah
The handover of security control of the Shia province of Diwaniyah from the US military to Iraqi forces has been cancelled, a local government official told AFP on Monday.
News Analysis
Hollywood shows way for first black US president
Afp, Los Angeles
A slew of African-American presidents portrayed in film and television has helped US voters get used to the idea of electing the country's first black commander-in-chief, analysts say.
CPI-M, Trinamool activists clash in Nandigram
Indo-Asian News Service, Kolkata
Trouble has broken out in West Bengal's Nandigram area with clashes between the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the main opposition Trinamool Congress.
Suu Kyi's party urges release of Myanmar activists
Afp, Yangon
Myanmar's opposition party led by detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday called for the release of activists who were beaten and arrested by a militia group earlier this month.
Protests continue in Kashmir
Ap, Srinagar
Police used batons in an attempt to clear protesters from the streets of Indian Kashmir on Monday, the eighth day of rioting against what critics call a government plan to build Hindu settlements in the Muslim-majority region.
Glaucoma could turn 8.4 million Asians blind by 2010: Survey
Afp, Hong Kong
More than 8.4 million people in Asia will turn blind from glaucoma by 2010 if they do not undergo timely treatment, a region-wide survey released on Monday showed.
6 die as medical helicopters collide over Arizona
Ap, Flagstaff
Two medical helicopters collided Sunday about a half-mile from a northern Arizona hospital, killing six people and critically injuring a nurse, a federal official said. Two emergency workers on the ground were injured after the crash.
Anwar leaves Turkish refuge
Afp, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim yesterday left the Turkish ambassador's residence, where he fled after being accused of sodomy, after the government guaranteed his safety.