The Daily Star: Internet Edition Mon. August 13, 2007

Vol. 5 Num 1140

Mon. August 13, 2007


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International

Musharraf decries rise of militancy
Pak president addresses Kabul jirga
Pakistani President Gen Pervez Musharraf told more than 700 Afghan and Pakistani tribal leaders yesterday that the two countries have been mired in the rise of militancy, extremism and radicalism while

Lankan troop shortages hit push against rebels
12 killed in fresh violence
Sri Lanka's military has been unable to push into Tamil Tiger strongholds in the north due to the threat of monsoon rains and a lack of manpower, defence officials and analysts say.

Exiled Pak leaders reject Musharraf's ‘no to return plea’
Pakistan's main opposition leaders have roundly rejected President Pervez Musharraf's call not to return home until after the forthcoming general elections, party officials said yesterday.

'Musharraf met Benazir to negotiate a safe exit’
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf met former prime minister in exile Benazir Bhutto at Abu Dhabi recently to negotiate a deal for a safe exit, a senior opposition leader has said.

Imran links 'war on terror' to legacy of partition
Former Pakistan cricket captain turned politician Imran Khan linked the "war on terror" to the legacy of partition 60 years ago, in an interview published yesterday.

4 Nato troops among 29 killed in Afghan fighting
A wave of Taliban attacks across Afghanistan killed 29 people, including four international soldiers and nearly two dozen militants, military officials said yesterday.

Millions still depend on aid
South Asian floodwaters recede
The millions of people hit by some of the worst flooding in South Asia for decades continued to depend on aid supplies of food and clean water on Sunday as the inundation slowly receded.

'Military buildup seen hitting China's inroads in Asia'
China may be making huge strides in projecting "soft power" in Southeast Asia amid US preoccupation in Iraq, but the region remains wary of the Asian giant's military ambitions, experts say.

Fresh hopes for Korean hostage release
Fresh talks underway
Two of the South Korean aid workers held hostage in Afghanistan were to be released within hours, a Taliban commander said yesterday, as new talks began over the three-week crisis.

Thai junta's popularity put to test in referendum
In Bangkok's downtown night market, Ratporn Supsong sells wooden statues of Buddha that the faithful believe will bring them good fortune and protect them from harm.

Hackers protest US, Israeli actions on UN website
The official website of the United Nations appeared to have been hacked early Sunday, and was displaying a message protesting US and Israeli policies in the Middle East.

Rebels gun down 4 more migrants in Assam
Suspected separatists in northeastern Assam state shot dead four migrants early yesterday raising the toll from a string of such attacks ahead of India's Independence Day this week to 34, police said.

Pakistan frees 100 Indian fishermen
Pakistan released 100 Indian fishermen, including 28 children, as a goodwill gesture yesterday, ahead of the South Asian neighbours' 60th independence anniversaries next week, officials said.

Pope calls on help for flood victims in Asia
Pope Benedict XVI yesterday called on the international community to assist victims of catastrophic flooding in southeast Asia.

Bacteria 'do not cut short life'
The theory that bacteria hasten our death has been questioned by research suggesting living in a sterile world would not boost life expectancy.

Lebanese army rejects siege surrender offer
The Lebanese army yesterday rejected a conditional offer of surrender by Islamist extremists in a besieged Palestinian refugee camp in the north of the country, a mediator told AFP.

Taiwan presidential hopeful wants rival as running mate
Taiwan's ruling party candidate for the 2008 presidential election, Frank Hsieh, said yesterday he had invited former premier Su Tseng-chang to be his running mate, reports said.