In a growing barrage of Israeli pressure against Hamas, a senior military commander said Israel is actively preparing to reoccupy the Gaza Strip and a powerful lawmaker said the entire Palestinian Cabinet could be targeted for assassination after the appointment of a wanted militant to head a new security force. Officials said there were no immediate plans to strike at the Hamas-led government. But the comments reflected rising Israeli impatience with the Islamic militant group, which has refused to renounce violence, defended a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv this week and failed to halt militant rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. "If the price we have to pay becomes unreasonable as a result of increased attacks, then we shall have to take all steps, including occupying the Gaza Strip," Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant, head of Israel's southern command, told the Maariv daily. ... http://abcnews.go.com censor News |
Editor - 09:43:00 04-21-06 |
Polling Stations Nearly Empty in Haiti, Despite Importance of Legislative Runoff |
Polling stations were nearly empty Friday in a crucial legislative runoff intended to give this impoverished Caribbean nation its first popularly elected government since a revolt ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide two years ago. The absence of lines and apparent public enthusiasm for the election was in sharp contrast to February's presidential vote, which returned former President Rene Preval to power. "It's a slow start," said David Wimhurst, a spokesman for the U.N. mission that was called to Haiti to help restore order following Aristide's ouster. "We think some people are waiting to see if they can vote later in the day. We expect it to pick up." ... http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1871225
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Editor - 09:41:00 04-21-06 |
5 Kan. students arrested in alleged plot |
Five teenage boys fully intended to go on a shooting spree at their high school but were stopped after one of them discussed the plot on a website, law enforcement and school officials said.The boys, ranging in age from 16 to 18, were arrested Thursday, the anniversary of the Columbine massacre, just hours before they planned to shoot fellow students and school employees, authorities said."What the resounding theme is: They were actually going to do this," Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Norman said. The teens planned to wear black trench coats and disable the school's camera system before starting the attack between noon and 1 p.m. Thursday, Norman said. Sheriff's deputies found guns, ammunition, knives and coded messages in the bedroom of one suspect and documents about firearms and references to Armageddon in two suspects' school lockers.... http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-04-20-kansas_x.htm
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Editor - 09:39:00 04-21-06 |
Nepal's King bows to protests and restores democracy |
caved in to growing pressure for a return to democratic government in a last-gasp attempt to end two weeks of strikes and bloody civil unrest.The King finally bowed to demands from protesters on the streets and the international community to hand control of the Himalayan kingdom back to the people.This evening, in a televised address, he called on the seven opposition parties who have co-ordinated 16 days of strikes and demonstrations to nominate candidates for a new prime minister. The King sacked the previous prime minister and dismissed parliament 14 months ago, ostensibly because politicians had failed to suppress a Maoist insurgency. ... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2145126,00.html
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Editor - 09:36:00 04-21-06 |
Shiites deadlocked on new PM candidate |
Shiite politicians were divided Friday over their choice of a new nominee to head the next government after Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari agreed to let them try to find someone else acceptable to Sunnis and Kurds.Shiite officials hope to resolve the issue before a planned meeting of the Iraqi parliament Saturday. But some officials were pessimistic, and one said the divisions could develop into a new crisis within the alliance. Al-Jaafari's party, Dawa, was backing Jawad al-Maliki as the new nominee, according to three officials from different Shiite factions. All spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. However, the biggest Shiite party, the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, opposes al-Maliki because it fears he will be unacceptable to Sunni Arabs. Instead, the supreme council, or SCIRI, backs Ali al-Adeeb, who is also a Dawa member. ... http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-04-21-iraq-violence_x.htm
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Editor - 09:33:00 04-21-06 |
Abbas blocks Hamas security force |
Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas has blocked a decision by the Hamas-led government to form a new volunteer security force. On Thursday, new Palestinian Interior Minister Said Siyam announced the formation of a force comprised of members of militant groups. Mr Siyam also nominated the militant leader Jamal Abu Samhadana to senior security post. The move was criticised by the Israel and the United States governments. Israeli Housing Minister, Zeev Boim, on Friday threatened to target Mr Samhadana, and said his appointment did not give him any immunity. Mr Samhadana is wanted in Israel for ordering attacks on Israeli targets. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4929704.stm
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Editor - 09:28:00 04-21-06 |
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