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Monday, July 06, 2009 SEOUL: Impoverished North Korea has spent an estimated 700 million dollars this year on nuclear and missile tests, enough to solve its food shortage for at least two years; South Korean news reports said Monday. The figure includes the estimated 43 million dollar cost of test-firing five Scud and two Rodong missiles Saturday, according to unidentified government officials quoted by Chosun Ilbo newspaper. The latest tests, staged on the US Independence Day holiday, were seen as a show of defiance to Washington as it seeks tough enforcement of UN sanctions aimed at shutting down the communist state's nuclear and missile programmes.Officials quoted by media estimated it cost 300 million dollars to launch a long-range Taepodong-2 missile on April 5, and another 10 million to launch 10 short-range missiles in recent weeks. In addition, they estimated the May 25 underground nuclear test -- the country's second since 2006 -- cost between 300-400 million dollars.

Monday, July 06, 2009 BANGKOK: Opposition members in Thailand's Parliament called Monday for the resignation of the foreign minister after police filed charges against him for alleged involvement in demonstrations that climaxed with the seizure of Bangkok's airports last year. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and 35 other leaders of the ``Yellow Shirt'' movement face criminal charges including illegal assembly, attempts to stir unrest, and breaches of aviation law and terrorism for the eight-day siege of Bangkok's two airports in November and December.

Roger Federer joined the legion of sporting legends on Sunday, his name sitting comfortably alongside Ali, Woods, Senna, Pele, Bradman, where just one name is enough to confer instant respect. His victory over Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon final gave him a sixth All England Club title and a record 15th major, taking him past close friend Pete Sampras's 14 which he equalled with his French Open breakthrough in June. The 27-year-old, with $US50 million ($A63 million)earned from his superlative career, has not only taken the game to a new level, but also his approach to his trade, both on and off the court. Gracious in both victory and defeat, respectful to the game's history and immensely media-friendly with his press conferences patiently carried out in English, French and Swiss-German, all delivered pitch-perfect. When people are lost for words, occasionally they've been forced to adopt other means of recognising the great man - after his breakthough 2003 Wimbledon triumph...

Monday, July 06, 2009 ST LUCIA: The fourth and the final One-day International between West Indies and India was abandoned due to rain and thus India won the series 2-1. India won the toss and decided to field but the West Indies could make just 27 runs for the loss of one wicket in 7.3 overs when rain began.Then, match referee after consulting with umpires announced to abandon the match and thus India won the four-match series 2-1.

Sunday, July 05, 2009 GALLE: Mohammad Yousuf marked his return to official cricket with his first century in Sri Lanka, a serene innings that lifted Pakistan from a precarious 80 for 4, and put them two runs ahead of Sri Lanka's total by the time he finally got out. Consequently Pakistan were in considerable control of a match that see-sawed for the first four sessions, with neither team claiming clear ascendance. Yousuf got solid support from Misbah-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik, with whom he added 139 and 75 respectively. Those partnerships were the first time in the match that batsmen played with assurance for long periods. To be fair to Sri Lanka, the pitch had eased a bit from yesterday, but the wicketless Ajantha Mendis proved to be a crucial factor on the second day. As they are so far reputed to, Pakistan negotiated Mendis well, reading him early on most occasions and taking 89 runs from his 25 overs, which meant Mendis couldn't create enough pressure with scoreless periods....

Sunday, July 05, 2009 TEHRAN: Iran on Sunday released a British-Greek journalist working for The Washington Times who was arrested in connection with "recent street riots," foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said.

Sunday, July 05, 2009 BERLIN: Anarchists from Hamburg’s autonomous scene battled police for six hours late Saturday and early Sunday in the trendy Schanzenviertel neighbourhood after a street fair. At least 67 rioters were arrested and 27 police officers injured.Over 10,000 visitors visited the Schanzenfest street fair, but once it turned dark, over 1,000 young, masked anarchists came out to do battle, police said. The rioters threw bottles, stones and fireworks at police.“The fusillade was extremely massive,” police spokesman Ralf Meyer told the daily Hamburger Abendblatt, who said the anarchists were more aggressive than in past years. For years, the Schanzenfest has often concluded with clashes between police and anarchists.Over 1,800 police officers were on duty at the event and deployed water cannons and riot sticks against the rioters. Many of the rioters were injured, though no specific numbers were available. One police vehicle was torched by rioters, who also ignited trash ca...

Sunday, July 05, 2009 BEIJING: At least 16 people have died and more than 320,000 have evacuated homes in southern and central China after heavy rains toppled houses, flooded roads and damaged a dam, news reports say. In the central province of Hunan, floods have killed eight people and forced 140,000 to relocate since rain began pounding the region on Wednesday, a local news agency said. Five people have died in southeastern Fujian province, two others were missing, and 22,000 people have been evacuated, the news agency said Saturday. Another three people died and four were missing in Jiangxi province of the Guangxi region. Another 80,000 people were forced from their homes. Rains caused 287 rural houses in Guangxi to topple and inundated Rongshui county causing the Rongjiang river to overflow its banks. More than 70,000 people in the region have been moved, the news agency said. The county government estimated damage at 210 million yuan ($31million). Floodwaters along a major commer...

Sunday, July 05, 2009 NEW YORK: The first visitors allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown in nearly eight years made the arduous climb Saturday on an Independence Day journey laden with symbolism of freedom, national pride — and for one couple, romance.Aaron Weisinger, 26, got down on one knee on the crown's small floor, pulled out a diamond ring and proposed to his girlfriend, Erica Breder. Stunned, Breder squeezed her eyes shut as tears rolled down her cheeks, and whispered an immediate yes."To propose in the crown was perfect," 25-year-old Breder said later.Cheering the Walnut Creek, Calif., couple, fellow visitors also felt the gravity of the occasion."I feel the Statue of Liberty represents global unity, a sign that our world must unify," said Barbara McLean, 57, of Atlanta. After ascending the total of 354 steps to the statue's crown, she sang "America the Beautiful" — her deep voice resonating off the low, rounded ceiling of the cro...

Sunday, July 05, 2009 LONDON: British foreign secretary David Miliband has said that terrorism poses real threat to Pakistan and not India.In an interview to a US news channel, Miliband replying to a question said Pakistan faces no threat from India. He pledged continued support to Pakistan, saying there are disputes among provinces of Pakistan. British foreign secretary said the real causes for Muslim’s inclination towards extremism still exist and cited British businessmen doing business from Pakistan as one of the causes.He said Pakistan has seen 31 years of military rule and that there are disputes among provinces.

WASHINGTON: Fireworks lit up the skies across the United States, as Americans commemorated the nation's 233rd anniversary with barbecues, live music and other festivities.In Washington, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle invited some 1,200 military families for evening Independence Day celebrations at the White House.The All-American event boasted games like volleyball and mini-basketball, an American flag made out of balloons and other festive decorations, but also a traditional July 4 menu, complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, corn on the cob, ice cream, sodas and beer.The nation's capital received hundreds of thousands of visitors for an annual concert and fireworks show that began with a parade down the broad Constitution Avenue.In the country's biggest fireworks display, over 22 tons of pyrotechnics exploded over the Hudson River in New York, launched after dark from six barges spread across a distance of 25 city blocks.It was the first time s...

Sunday, July 05, 2009 LONDON: Madonna paid tribute to Michael Jackson on Saturday night in the same arena where he was to stage his comeback, dancing along with an impersonator doing Jackson's distinctive moves.Jackson, who died last week, was to begin a series of 50 concerts at the 23,000-seat O2 starting July 13.A picture of a young Michael Jackson appeared on stage while Madonna was performing "Holiday," then the impersonator came on, wearing a sequined jacket, white T-shirt, white glove and white socks in the Jackson manner.The music then switched to Jackson's song, "Wanna Be Starting Something," and the impersonator worked through Jackson's moves, including the famous moonwalk. The impersonator didn't sing.After the number, Madonna told the crowd, "Let's give it up for one of the greatest artists the world has ever known," and the crowd roared its approval.The impersonator's appearance would not have surprised anyone paying cl...

Sunday, July 05, 2009 BAGHDAD: Iraq on Saturday told the United States to back off in its attempts to resolve rows between the strife-torn country's sects, saying such interference could cause problems and make matters worse. The message was directed at visiting US Vice President Joe Biden, who has repeatedly voiced concern about lingering feuds between Iraq's Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish communities being a roadblock to political progress. "We don't want other parties to interfere in this matter because it will cause complications," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said on state television, referring to the country's national reconciliation process. "(Joe Biden) has to convey to President (Barack) Obama the common desire of Iraqis to solve their problems together," he said. Baghdad's comments came a day after Biden warned of a "hard road ahead if Iraq is going to find lasting peace and stability," alluding to the need to bolster trust...

Sunday, July 05, 2009 NAZRAN: Militants ambushed a Chechen police convoy in the neighbouring Russian region of Ingushetia on Saturday, killing 10 officers in one of the deadliest recent attacks in the volatile Caucasus. The convoy of six vehicles came under grenade and machine gun fire at around 0530 GMT as it travelled through along a forest road, security officials said. One vehicle burst into flames. "Forty-five members of the Chechnya police force were returning from a joint special operation when their convoy came under fire. Ten were killed and ten were wounded," an Ingush security source told media. The Chechen police were in Ingushetia to conduct a joint special operation against militants with their Ingush colleagues close to the regional border, the source added.The attack took place in the Sunzhensky district, east of Ingushetia's main city Nazran."We believe the convoy fell into a well-planned ambush. It was fired upon from at least three different points...