01 January 2005 Saturday 19 Ziqa'ad 1425 US revises definition of torture WASHINGTON, Dec 31: The US Justice Department has revised its definition of acts that constitute torture, repudiating an earlier definition that human rights activists say led to the abuse of prisoners in Iraq ... Pentagon misses goal for missile defence system WASHINGTON, Dec 31: The Pentagon failed to meet its goal of declaring a missile defence system operational in 2004 and critics said failures in testing the ambitious system show it simply does not work. ... Tsunami casts a shadow over worldwide New Year celebrations SYDNEY, Dec 31: The year 2005 dawned under the shadows of the deadly Asian tsunami disaster, with thousands attending candle-lit vigils, more still struggling to stay alive, and others celebrating in traditional fashion ... Tsunami: over 10,000 foreigners missing PARIS, Dec 31: More than 400 foreign tourists and expatriates have been confirmed or reported as killed in the devastating tsunamis that swept southern Asia last weekend ... Tsunami ranks among world's worst disasters HONG KONG: Asia's tsunami nightmare ranks among the world's worst catastrophes, alongside the Tangshan earthquake in China and the massive floods that swamped Bangladesh 35 years ago. ... Over 500 died in BD's violence in 2004 DHAKA, Dec 31: As many as 522 people were killed, 6,222 injured, 2,914 arrested and 28 were abducted in incidents of human rights violations in connection with politics in the year that just went by ... N. Korea may break off Japan talks TOKYO, Dec 31: North Korea has hinted at breaking off talks with Japan over the fate of Japanese citizens abducted decades ago, saying Pyongyang no longer sees significance in maintaining contact, Kyodo news agency said on Friday. ... Egypt reconciles Libya, S. Arabia CAIRO, Dec 31: Egypt has persuaded Saudi Arabia and Libya to stop attacking each other in the media to try to end recent tension between the two Arab countries, Egyptian state-run media reported on Thursday. ... Khartoum, rebels sign deal to end war NAIVASHA, Dec 31: The Khartoum government and the main southern Sudan rebel group on Friday signed accords on two outstanding issues, paving the way for the signing of a comprehensive peace deal ... Unicef fears outbreak of waterborne diseases GENEVA: Millions of people will be at risk of disease unless there is immediate action to provide clean water in communities hit by tidal waves in South Asia, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned earlier this week. ... Disaster bridges divide among ethnic groups BATTICALOA: The tsunami that caused more than 23,800 deaths so far in Sri Lanka is creating temporary rapprochement between ethnic groups that stayed away from each other despite a three-year cease fire between the government and Tamil separatist rebels. ... Not a good way to start a democracy The core of democracy is tolerance of other people's views. Whether it is Rosa Luxemburg's call for respecting the "freedom of people who think differently" or Winston Churchill's pride in British parliamentary debate ...

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