America’s European allies remained noncommittal about sending additional troops to Afghanistan today, even as the Bush administration sought to inject new energy into the NATO mission against the Taliban by offering more American soldiers and money. Officially, the language at a NATO meeting here today reflected resolve and commitment on Afghanistan. NATO “is stepping up its game in Afghanistan on all fronts,” the alliance’s secretary general, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer of the Netherlands, said. “The fact that you saw so many people from the international community sitting around the table is a strong message itself.” But beyond the sound bytes, the realities that have troubled the NATO mission in Afghanistan since the 26-member trans-Atlantic alliance took command last year remained on display. France and Germany continued to limit their combat role; both countries have refused to deploy troops in the south of the country, where Taliban forces are strongest. ... http://fairuse.100webcustomers.com censor News |
Editor - 22:30:00 01-26-07 |
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Wife Report Assets of at Least $1.2 Million |
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and his wife have assets of at least $1.2 million, he revealed Friday in a financial statement disclosed in an effort to promote "ethical behavior" at the United Nations. The form, outlining Ban's finances for 2006, was posted on the U.N. Web site after it was reviewed by the U.N. Ethics Office, said Farhan Haq, a spokesman for Ban. The document showed Ban and his wife own property in South Korea worth between $1.1 million and $2.25 million. The couple also has three bank accounts with between $110,000 and $250,000. Ban, the former South Korean foreign minister, earned an annual salary of between $50,000 and $100,000 last year. Looks like they don’t have to worry about their rice bowl. So when someone comes calling for a donation to save the children they should get one hell of a large donation from him??? Give until it hurts they say. Or is that another do as they say, not as they do.... http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2828146
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Editor - 21:44:00 01-26-07 |
Deadly battles shatter Gaza calm |
At least 13 people have died in some of the deadliest fighting between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah in Gaza for months. Two civilians - one a two-year-old boy - were among those killed, Palestinian medics said. The clashes erupted after weeks of relative calm and renewed efforts to form a national unity government. Both Hamas and Fatah said they were suspending talks after the violence, which continued into the night. Both factions also kidnapped members of the opposing side during the day. More than 40 people have died as a result of a power struggle between supporters of the Hamas-led government and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction since mid-December. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6301763.stm
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Editor - 19:28:00 01-26-07 |
Canada compensates deported man |
Canada has apologised to a man deported by US authorities to Syria, where he was imprisoned and allegedly tortured. Maher Arar was detained in the US while returning to Canada from Tunisia. He has dual Syrian-Canadian citizenship. A Canadian government inquiry cleared him of any involvement in terrorism. Syria denies that he was tortured. PM Stephen Harper said Mr Arar would receive $10.5m (US$8.9m, £4.54m) compensation, and urged the US to drop him from its list of terror suspects. "On behalf of the government of Canada I would like to apologise to you... and your family for any role the government may have played in the terrible ordeal that all of you experienced in 2002 and 2003," Mr Harper said. Mr Arar had sought $37m (US$31.3m, £16m) in a civil suit. The Canadian inquiry that exonerated Mr Arar said it was probable that US authorities were acting on information provided by Canadian authorities.... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6304227.stm
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Editor - 19:22:00 01-26-07 |
Navy Helicopter Crashes, Killing One |
A Navy helicopter with four crew members aboard crashed Friday into the Pacific Ocean about 50 miles off the California coast, killing at least one person, a Navy spokesman said. A sailor died after being pulled alive from the water, the Navy said. It was unclear whether the other three crew members survived. ``We remain optimistic that we'll find the remaining three and that they'll be in good shape,'' said Cmdr. Jack Hanzlik. The helicopter, based at Naval Air Station North Island, was on a training mission when it crashed at 2:45 p.m., Hanzlik said. ... http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6374228,00.html
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Editor - 19:18:00 01-26-07 |
Reporter sentenced for hacking voicemail |
A British tabloid journalist who hacked into royal officials' voicemail was sentenced Friday to four months in jail, and his editor resigned.The judge said he had no option but to hand a prison sentence to Clive Goodman, the royal editor of the News of the World, describing his crime as "reprehensible in the extreme."Goodman's accomplice, the 36-year-old private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, was sentenced to six months in prison for hacking into the messages, including some from Princes William and Harry.Shortly after the sentencing, The News of the World's editor Andy Coulson announced his resignation."I have decided that the time has come for me to take ultimate responsibility for the events around the Clive Goodman case," Coulson said.... http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-01-26-hacking-sentence_x.htm?csp=34
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Editor - 19:15:00 01-26-07 |
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