Israeli military raids Gaza refugee camp

By: Ahmad Hammadi

GAZA: Israeli troops backed by helicopters and up to 20 tanks early Wednesday have launched an incursion in a Palestinian refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, firing heavy machine-guns, martyring a 24-year-old Palestinian and wounding four others.

During raid on the Khan Yunis refugee camp, Israeli troops blew up a five-storey apartment building and a six-storey building in what the army said was an operation to prevent gunmen from firing on nearby Jewish settlements.

Tuesday, a Hamas sniper firing from the camp killed an Israeli soldier guarding nearby Jewish settlements.

The violence comes as two side military commanders were due to discuss the implementation of a plan under which Israeli forces will withdraw from Palestinian population centers.

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Musharraf restores 8th amendment

By: Salman Alvi

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf Wednesday announced final decisions about the constitutional amendments proposed by the government.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, he announced to restore Article 58 (2-B) and establish National Security Council (NSC) as part of the Constitution.

“The majority of people spoke against it (National Security Council). Some also spoke in its favor, but honestly, I think this (council) is very important and this will be done,” Musharraf told reporters.

He also announced to repeal the 13th amendment.

“The president will have power to dismiss the National Assembly at his discretion,” Musharraf said. “This order comes into being with immediate effect.”

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FBI alerts about suspected associate of 9/11 hijackers

By: Special Reporter

WASHINGTON: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a worldwide sudden alert seeking information about a Saudi man described as a suspected associate of the September 11 hijackers.

Identifying the man as Saud Al-Rasheed, 21, of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the FBI said he was armed and dangerous as the bureau posted his photograph on its Web page.

The alert said: “If you have information concerning this individual, please contact your local FBI office, law enforcement agency, or the US Embassy nearest you.”

“Law enforcement agencies are requested to stop and detain Al-Rasheed and to contact their local FBI office. He should be considered armed and dangerous,” the bureau warned.

According to the FBI the sudden alert was based on information developed over the last few days. An image of a Saudi Arabian passport issued to Al-Rasheed on May 29, 2000, was recovered among materials related to several of the hijackers, the bureau said.

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US president to attend UNGA

By: Nabil Raza

WASHINGTON: The White House said President Bush would attend the September United Nations General Assembly in New York City, and use the occasion to meet with a number of world leaders.

The president is unlikely to attend the entire September 12-22 session.

The UNGA formally opens September 10, but because of commemorative ceremonies on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, the meet will actually start on the 12th.

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Iran AC says plans drawn up to repel US threats

By: Sheikh Muhammad Khurasani

TEHRAN, Iran: Iranian Army Chief General Muhammad Salimi said that plans to repel an American attack on the country had been drawn up.

“We have plans and mechanisms, including notably maneuvers and movements by ground, air and marine forces that can thwart the US threats against Iran,” General Salimi was cited as saying Wednesday from the Caspian Sea naval base of Noshahr.

The Army Chief said: “Whatever the threats may be or where they come from, large means are ready to respond to them.”

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Russian MP shot dead in Moscow

By: Special Reporter

MOSCOW, Russia: A member of Russian parliament, Vladimir Golovlev, was shot dead in a Moscow street near his home.

The attackers are said to have escaped, reports said.

According to Sergei Yushenkov, one of the co-founders of Golovlev's new political party Liberal Russia, the killing was politically motivated.

He said Golovlev had been the target of an assassination attempt some months earlier, but had escaped thanks to his dog.

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