"They have been the stuff of nightmares for Russian troops and now US forces face the prospect of trying to combat fanatical Chechen fighters in Afghanistan who have thrown their lot in with Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network," reported the AFP news service.
"US Vice President Dick Cheney left the Middle East lacking a mandate for action against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein but playing a card aimed at winning an Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire," reported the Reuters news agency.
"Afghans here welcomed in their new year yesterday with a traditional ceremony, which was officially banned by the ousted hardline Taliban regime during its five-year rule," reported the AFP news service.
"Britain said on Wednesday that the 1,700 troops it was rushing to Afghanistan to defeat remaining al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters would stay there until the job is done," reported the Reuters news agency.
"Nigeria’s constitution prohibits the application of strict Islamic law because it discriminates on the basis of religion, Justice Minister Kanu Agabi said yesterday. The minister said his decision to send the letter had been discussed in advance with President Olusegun Obasanjo, a Christian who has been reluctant so far to speak out forcefully in public on the issue, a hugely sensitive affair in a country of 120 million people split roughly evenly between Islam and Christianity," reported the AFP news service.
"A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in a main shopping area in downtown Jerusalem yesterday, killing himself and two bystanders and wounding at least 60, police said. Israel said no final decision had been made, but a US Embassy spokesman confirmed there would be no ceasefire talks later yesterday," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"The US president is due to make a brief visit to Peru tomorrow. About 150 leftist demonstrators marched on the US embassy on Tuesday to protest the visit. Two powerful car bombs exploded late Wednesday near the US embassy here killing nine people, three days ahead of a visit by US President George W. Bush," reported the AFP news service.
"A court here yesterday sentenced Chinese-American engineer Fong Fuming to five years in jail for stealing state secrets and paying bribes, court officials and the US embassy said," reported the AFP news service.
"The skull of an unfortunate early human chewed up by a lion or a hyena a million years ago may help show that our ancestors evolved in Africa and then spread through the world, scientists said on Wednesday. Tim White, an anthropologist at the University of California Berkeley who helped direct the study, said the skull settles for him the question of whether humans evolved from a single ancestor - Homo erectus. He said that it was like a diffusion or dispersion out of Africa," reported the Reuters news agency.
"US Muslim groups have expressed their outrage over law enforcement raids on a number of Muslim offices and homes including those of respected leaders and some of their families. Protesting against the raids that took place that took place on Wednesday in the Greater Washington, DC area, said that the event is a great tragedy, not only for the Muslim community but for the American community at large," reported the AFP news service.
"While Iraq considers whether to permit the return of UN arms inspectors, a top Pentagon official warned on Thursday the United States does not need proof that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is using weapons of mass destruction before taking action to stop him. In a separate interview on PBS, Wolfowitz denied suggestions that Israeli-Palestinian violence had become a hurdle preventing the United States from taking action against Iraq. Many Arab leaders have said publicly that they would not support a US move against Iraq as long as violence rages in the Middle East," reported the Reuters news agency.
"Leaders of poor nations warned their rich counterparts that if they want a world free of terrorism, they will need to pay for it. Drawing a direct link between poverty and violence, leaders at a UN summit said increased aid to the world’s neediest is more urgent than ever in the post-Sept 11 world," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"Israel will “pay the consequences if it refuses to allow Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to return home from an Arab summit next week in Lebanon, the head of the Arab League warned," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"A court here yesterday began hearing a libel suit filed by a Muslim leader who claims the Singapore Government slandered him with accusations that he is an international terrorist. Yesterday’s session at the South Jakarta District Court was immediately adjourned because Singapore’s ambassador to Indonesia, who has been summoned to represent his country in the case, was not present. “Indonesia rejects any unsubstantiated speculation or allegation regarding the supposed presence of the al-Qaeda network in the country," the government said in a statement. Intensive investigation has thus far found no evidence to support such speculation," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"British-born militant Sheikh Omar and 10 accomplices were charged yesterday with the murder and kidnap of US reporter Daniel Pearl and ordered to stand trial in a Pakistani court," reported the AFP news service.
"US and South Korean troops went ahead with major war games yesterday as students staged a protest on a beach in a bid to stop the drills. The South Korean military could not stop the protesters, as they have no judicial authority over civilians, officials said. South Korea and the US military have said the exercises are defensive, but North Korea has condemned them as preparations for a strike against it," reported the AFP news service.
"A British woman paralysed from the neck down won the right to die yesterday in a landmark legal case.
"The 43-year-old social worker, who was not named for legal reasons, was given the court decision by video link to her hospital bed. She can now effectively sign her own death sentence. British courts had refused to promise her husband immunity from prosecution if he carried out her wishes," reported the Reuters news agency.
"Thai health authorities said yesterday they are ready to begin selling the world’s cheapest anti-AIDS drug early next month for less than a dollar a day," reported the AFP news service.
"US Muslim groups have expressed their outrage over law enforcement raids on a number of Muslim offices and homes including those of respected leaders and some of their families. Protesting against the raids that took place that took place on Wednesday in the Greater Washington, DC area, said that the event is a great tragedy, not only for the Muslim community but for the American community at large," reported the AFP news service.
"While Iraq considers whether to permit the return of UN arms inspectors, a top Pentagon official warned on Thursday the United States does not need proof that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is using weapons of mass destruction before taking action to stop him. In a separate interview on PBS, Wolfowitz denied suggestions that Israeli-Palestinian violence had become a hurdle preventing the United States from taking action against Iraq. Many Arab leaders have said publicly that they would not support a US move against Iraq as long as violence rages in the Middle East," reported the Reuters news agency.
"Leaders of poor nations warned their rich counterparts that if they want a world free of terrorism, they will need to pay for it. Drawing a direct link between poverty and violence, leaders at a UN summit said increased aid to the world’s neediest is more urgent than ever in the post-Sept 11 world," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"Israel will “pay the consequences” if it refuses to allow Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to return home from an Arab summit next week in Lebanon, the head of the Arab League warned," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"A court here yesterday began hearing a libel suit filed by a Muslim leader who claims the Singapore Government slandered him with accusations that he is an international terrorist. Yesterday’s session at the South Jakarta District Court was immediately adjourned because Singapore’s ambassador to Indonesia, who has been summoned to represent his country in the case, was not present.The government said in a statement that Indonesia rejects any unsubstantiated speculation or allegation regarding the supposed presence of the al-Qaeda network in the country. Intensive investigation has thus far found no evidence to support such speculation," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"British-born militant Sheikh Omar and 10 accomplices were charged yesterday with the murder and kidnap of US reporter Daniel Pearl and ordered to stand trial in a Pakistani court," reported the AFP news service.
"US and South Korean troops went ahead with major war games yesterday as students staged a protest on a beach in a bid to stop the drills. The South Korean military could not stop the protesters, as they have no judicial authority over civilians, officials said. South Korea and the US military have said the exercises are defensive, but North Korea has condemned them as preparations for a strike against it," reported the AFP news service.
"A British woman paralysed from the neck down won the right to die yesterday in a landmark legal case.
"The 43-year-old social worker, who was not named for legal reasons, was given the court decision by video link to her hospital bed. She can now effectively sign her own death sentence. British courts had refused to promise her husband immunity from prosecution if he carried out her wishes," reported the Reuters news agency.
"Thai health authorities said yesterday they are ready to begin selling the world’s cheapest anti-AIDS drug early next month for less than a dollar a day," reported the AFP news service.
"President George W. Bush said on Friday that he had “no imminent plans” to attack Iraq but said even Iraqi President Saddam Hussein knows the United States will eventually “deal” with him," reported the AFP news service.
"More than 30 Afghans seized by American troops in a 3am raid on a village security post said they were kicked and abused at a US Army detention centre before being freed four days later. Men captured in that raid said in interviews with reporters that they were treated so badly that some lost consciousness and suffered fractured ribs, loosened teeth and swollen noses. At the time, the US command denied that those detainees had been abused," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"Heavy security surrounded the US embassy and three consulates in Pakistan yesterday as diplomats decided how many staff to keep after Washington ordered families and non-essential people to leave. Five days after a grenade attack on an Islamabad church killed five people, including two Americans, the US State Department said the security situation in Pakistan warranted the withdrawal of all but vital personnel," reported the Reuters news agency.
"South Korea’s military will go ahead with plans to choose next week one of four foreign aircraft builders competing for a 4 trillion won (RM11.4bil) contract to supply 40 fighter jets by 2009, an official said yesterday," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"US tobacco giant Philip Morris was ordered on Friday to pay more than US$150mil (RM570mil) to the family of a deceased smoker who mistakenly believed that low-tar cigarettes would be less addictive and help her avoid cancer," reported the AFP news service.
"Up to 14,000 unexploded weapons - the result of American cluster bombs - are scattered across Afghanistan, according to UN estimates disclosed by the UK’s international development secretary, Clare Short. Their use in Afghanistan has been widely criticised, especially since they have bright yellow containers, similar in colour to food parcels dropped by American aircraft early on in the bombing campaign," reported the Guardian/AFP News Service.
"An Egyptian engineer was found guilty on Saturday of spying for Israel and sentenced to 15 years in jail with hard labour after President Hosni Mubarak overturned a previous acquittal on the same charges," reported the Reuters news agency.
"The World Bank said on Saturday the Palestinian economy is in severe recession and will eventually unravel if Israel maintains army blockades imposed on the West Bank and Gaza 18 months ago," reported the Reuters news agency.
"A Cambodian court on Monday sentenced 18 people, including an American of Cambodian descent, to jail terms of up to 18 years for terrorist attacks in an attempt to overthrow the government," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"American scientists studying a hidden Antarctic lake say they can sample waters believed to be the world’s purest without contaminating what environmentalists say should remain untouched. It does seem strange to us that in order to find life on another planet they want to drill into Lake Vostok and contaminate it,” says Barry Weeber, a New Zealand environmentalist," reported the AFP news service.
"Israeli military planners are preparing for a major assault on Palestinian cities, towns and refugee camps, even as the United States continues diplomatic efforts to forge a truce between the two sides, the Washington Post reported yesterday. The Post said the Israeli warnings seem designed both to prepare domestic and international public opinion for a new round of bloodshed, and to induce the Palestinians to crack down on militant groups and accede to Israel’s terms for a truce," reported the AFP news service.
"The backstage scene at this year’s Oscars was less about the glitz and glamour and more about the fundamentals. Questions about dress designers and post-Oscar parties were replaced with queries about social justice and the social value of art, a lingering sobriety after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks," reported the AFP news service.
"Historians can judge the importance of the Arab summit opening here tomorrow. For now, the diplomatic world is abuzz with speculation on who will show up or not," reported the AFP news service.
"A US lawmaker yesterday released new documents from a federal agency that he claimed revealed a “black hole” in security measures at the nation’s 103 nuclear power plants. His requests came amid fears that Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network could be plotting a nuclear plant attack, based on intelligence gathered by US agencies," reported the Reuters news agency.
"The Philippines rejected a ceasefire call from Muslim guerillas linked to the al-Qaeda network yesterday and said the rebels had only two choices - surrender or die," reported the Reuters news agency.
"A Cambodian court yesterday sentenced 18 people, including an American of Cambodian descent, to jail terms of up to 18 years in connection with an attack on government buildings by an obscure anti-communist group a year and a half ago," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"Two gays and lesbian couples plan to swap their marriage partners in order to claim housing and other benefits to which they say they deserve, a report said yesterday," reported the South China Morning Post.
"The French Justice Ministry said Tuesday it had sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft urging him not to seek the death penalty in the case of Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person charged in the Sept. 11 attacks," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"Some 2,000 people were killed and more than 3,000 injured after a series of earthquakes flattened a district capital and villages in northern Afghanistan late on Monday night and yesterday morning.
"With good reason: In many parts of the world, it’s dangerous to be an American abroad. Around the globe, jittery US expatriates and other Westerners are taking extra precautions and rethinking their routines amid a growing realisation that security is just an illusion. Still, there’s plenty of stoicism. It’s a kind of badge of honour among many Americans who live internationally and tend to shrug off risks and government travel warnings," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"Israel said yesterday it agreed in principle to US proposals for a ceasefire with the Palestinians, but still saw little reason to allow Yasser Arafat to attend an Arab summit in Beirut," reported the AFP news service.
"Apparently angered over US dealings with Taiwan, China has refused permission for a US warship to make a routine port call here," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"A Munich man suspected of murder after he was seen carrying what a neighbour thought was a dead body into his flat was cleared after he showed police his collection of rubber sex dolls," reported the Reuters news agency.
"Outside the gates of the U.S. military base at Kandahar airport, Jalat Khan selected a stone from the gravel on the shoulder of the road and swallowed it."I don't know what's happening,Khan said of the American bombing campaign that helped oust the Taliban, and the hunt for al-Qaida holdouts in Afghanistan's remote mountains. "The Russians came and left after fighting, and then the Arabs came and they left. Now the Americans are here, and I don't know when they are leaving, Khan said. He said further that the Afghanistan land is bloody. Its soil is not sincere with anybody, even with Afghans," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"The Bush administration said it will seek to execute Zacarias Moussaoui in connection with the Sept. 11 attacks and appealed to European allies to keep cooperating with terrorism investigations, despite their opposition to the death penalty. The decision by Attorney General John Ashcroft, a longtime death penalty supporter, touched off immediate criticism from anti-terrorism allies who oppose capital punishment," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"The Bush administration, reluctant at first to get involved in a Mideast morass, now finds its public peacemaking challenged by the deadly Passover attack. The Israelis said the Arab proposal was interesting, but they also noted their strong reservations about some parts," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"Arab leaders unanimously agreed on a far-reaching Saudi proposal for peace with Israel yesterday and closed ranks against any US-led attack on Iraq. Israel responded cautiously saying it was ‘very important and interesting’ but that its terms on Palestinian refugees looked problematic," reported the Reuters news agency.
"Iraq pledged in writing never to invade neighbouring Kuwait again, in the final resolution of the Arab summit in Beirut, Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri said yesterday," reported the Reuters news agency.
"Prime Minister Ariel Sharon consulted his defence chief as Israel weighed a tough response on yesterday to a Palestinian suicide bombing that killed 19 people at a Passover holiday celebration," reported the Reuters news agency.
"An e-mail purportedly from chief terror suspect Osama bin Laden lashing out at the Saudi Middle East peace initiative was published by an Arab newspaper yesterday. Al-Quds Al-Arabi, whose editor, Abdul Bari Attwan, met the Saudi dissident in Afghanistan before the Sept 11 attacks on the United States, has opposed the Saudi plan since it was first aired in February. The London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi said the world’s most wanted man branded as a “betrayal” Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah’s offer in the name of the Arab world to establish normal relations with Israel if it pulls out of all territory occupied in 1967," reported the AFP news service.
"International aid agencies rushed tents, water, blankets, food and medicines into northern Afghanistan yesterday to help frightened survivors of earthquakes that have killed hundreds of people," reported the Reuters news agency.
"Richard Durn, held by police for shooting dead eight councillors in a suburb here, committed suicide yesterday by leaping from a window while in custody, French police said," reported the Reuters news agency.
"A Japanese court sentenced a US airman to 32 months in jail yesterday for raping a local woman in a case that fanned resentment against the US military and even threatened to fray the strategic US-Japan alliance," reported the Reuters news agency.
"A ruling by a judge in upstate New York in an apparently routine divorce case turned into a national debate on Wednesday about parental and individual rights. Johnita deMatteo did the rounds of breakfast television shows to protest at a court order barring her from smoking in her home or car, because it might harm her 13-year-old son, Nicholas - even if he is not there," reported the Guardian News Service.
"US researchers have for the first time shown a relationship between the amount of television adolescents watch and an in-crease in violent behaviour as adults. According to a team of psychologists led by Dr Jeffrey Johnson of Columbia University, adolescents and young adults who spend more then an hour a day in front of the television are more likely to show aggressiveness later in life," reported the AFP news service.
"Two cars driven by presumed terrorist leader Mohammed Atta in the weeks before Sept 11 are for sale, and the new owner says there have been offers of up to US$250,000 (RM950,000) for them. Glynn, owner of Fedtrust Liquidators, said he would only consider legitimate collectors or museums and would donate all proceeds to the American Legion and the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch Programme," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"The US military will close half of its bases in South Korea in the next 10 years under an agreement signed with South Korea yesterday, but will not reduce the number of American troops stationed here. Up to 12,000 of the 37,000 US troops based in South Korea will be moving to new facilities, said Col Robert Durbin, assistant deputy chief of staff for the US Forces in Korea. South Korean officials said the deal would help resolve many civil petitions related to vast plots of private land that the South Korean government has commandeered for use by the US military," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"A coal miner has been rescued after three weeks trapped in a flooded mine in central China with just dirty water to drink, a newspaper reported yesterday," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"The trial of 11 suspects charged with the abduction and murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl will begin on April 5 and will be held inside a Pakistani prison, the chief prosecutor and a senior police investigator said yesterday. Omar, Adil and nine accomplices, of whom seven are still at large, were formally charged last Friday with murder, kidnap for ransom and terrorist activities," reported the AFP news service.
"Eleven per cent of Taiwanese university students have tried to commit suicide while half have contemplated taking their lives because of pressure from study and families, a survey showed yesterday. Most blamed pressure from studies and frustration over family problems, while others suffered from fears of an uncertain future after graduation and of failure to meet people’s expectations," reported the AFP news service.
"Israeli troops took over Yasser Arafat’s headquarters yesterday and a senior Palestinian official said the Palestinian leader was confined to the middle floor in his three-storey office building. Israel TV has said Israeli forces planned to confine Arafat to several rooms in his headquarters. Palestinian officials said phone links to the building and electricity were cut off after nightfall yesterday. Arafat said he did not fear death and would not be cowed. 'They want me under arrest or in exile or dead, but I am telling them, I prefer to be martyred', Arafat said in a telephone interview with Al Jazeera, the Arab satellite television channel," reported the AFP news service.
"Arafat told Al-Jazeera that the brutal aggression is a response to the Arab summit in Beirut. That is the Israeli response to any peace attempt. Because they don’t want peace, they don’t want peace, Arafat asserted. Israel declared Yasser Arafat an enemy and sent tanks and troops charging into his West Bank compound yesterday, where they battled his security forces as part a major military operation in response to Palestinian terror attacks that killed 27 Israeli civilians in three days," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"The Israeli government, which practises state terrorism, has declared a comprehensive war and Sharon is intent on destroying the Palestinian Authority and the peace process, the Palestinians’ chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said. Arafat’s top aide, Nabil Abu Rdainah, said the international community must isolate Sharon and his government because they threatened the security of the entire region," reported the Reuters news agency.
"Thousands of people demonstrated in support of Arafat across the Arab world, including in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan, while several European leaders warned Israel its military operations might spawn new Palestinian attacks. But the United States stood firm behind its main Middle East ally, even if it did vote for the UN resolution. US Secretary of State Colin Powell did not endorse Israel’s offensive but made no explicit call for an Israel pullback. He also said that Arafat was to blame for failing to stop violence against Israeli citizens. Arafat’s Fatah movement yesterday followed the lead of other radical groups and called for stepped up attacks against Israeli soldiers and settlers," reported the AFP news service.
"The Queen Mother Elizabeth, who won the country’s loyalty and admiration during World War II at the side of King George VI, died yesterday, Buckingham Palace said. She was 101 years old," reported the Associated Press news agency.
"Israeli warplanes yesterday raided suspected Hizbollah positions in southern Lebanon after the pro-Iranian guerillas attacked Israeli posts in the disputed area of Shebaa. Israeli warplanes carried out at least two raids on targets on the outskirts of the occupied Shebaa farms, injuring two civilians, Lebanese security sources and Hizbollah sources said. Thousands of Lebanese and Palestinians, wearing the checkered headdress, gathered in front the building housing the United Nations in Beirut chanting anti-Israeli slogans," reported the dpa news agency.
"A besieged and angry Yasser Arafat cut short a live telephone interview with CNN late Friday when the Palestinian leader was repeatedly asked if he would rein in Palestinian militants. Arafat gave the interview as he was holed up in a building at his devastated headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah," reported the AFP news service.
"Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat can do 'a lot more' for peace, US President George W. Bush said yesterday. Arafat has to 'stand up and condemn these attacks' on Israelis, he said, adding that Palestinian security forces also 'have got to do a much better job' of preventing suicide bombers from entering Israel," reported the AFP news service.
"Impotence was the hallmark of US diplomacy in the Middle East this week and analysts expect more of the same for the foreseeable future. The analysts said the Bush administration had made two errors in judgment- its reluctance to mediate vigorously for most of its first year in office and its belief that a truce is possible without offering the Palestinians the prospect of a quick end to 35 years of Israeli occupation," reported the Reuters news agency.
"The US Government moved on Friday to refute charges that American Taliban John Walker Lindh accused of terrorist conspiracy against the United States had been mistreated while in custody of US forces in Afghanistan. The defence has alleged that prior to his FBI interrogations, Lindh was held naked in an unheated metal shipping container, was blindfolded, shackled and prevented from sleeping," reported the AFP news service.
"Minutes after the two planes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre on Sept 11, fires fed with thousands of litres of aviation fuel generated temperatures several times greater than a nuclear power station, paralysing the building’s water supply system and making firefighters’ hoses useless, according to a leaked draft of an official investigation into the tragedy," reported the Guardian News Service.
"For the first time in his 23 years as pontiff, a weakened Pope John Paul II did not follow on foot the Stations of the Cross, the Catholic Church’s most solemn ceremony marking Christ’s crucifixion on Good Friday. Instead, a visibly suffering pontiff stood to receive the 3.3kg cross at the last of the 14 stations, gripping the railing of the balcony in front of him as priests led thousands of faithful through the prayers of the rite. Earlier, the pope prayed for peace in the world, especially in the Middle East," reported the AFP news service.
