13 January 2005 Thursday 02 Zilhaj 1425 US quietly halts hunt for Iraqi WMDs WASHINGTON, Jan 12: The United States has stopped searching for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq - one of its key reasons for invading the country ... Washington says Iraqi polls will be flawed WASHINGTON, Jan 12: The White House acknowledged on Wednesday that Iraqi elections, set for Jan 30, are "not going to be perfect". ... UN hails findings of oil-for-food probe UNITED NATIONS, Jan 12: The United Nations officials on Tuesday welcomed the initial findings by an independent probe into the UN oil-for-food programme for Iraq ... Bush pledges to continue 'war on terror' WASHINGTON, Jan 12: US President George W. Bush pledged on Wednesday to remain committed to the "war on terror" in his second term as well. ... US court rules against indefinite detention: Illegal immigrants WASHINGTON, Jan 12: The US Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the government may not indefinitely imprison immigrants who have been in the United States illegally for years and cannot be deported to their home countries. ... UN session to mark liberation of Nazi camps UNITED NATIONS, Jan 12: The United Nations announced on Tuesday that it would hold a special General Assembly session this month to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camps, ... US Customs to ascertain origin of artefacts NEW YORK, Jan 12: The United States Customs on Tuesday seized a shipment of priceless Pakistani artefacts detained by it since October at Newark (New Jersey) port in order to ascertain its origin. ... US opposes Russian missile sale to Syria: Assad to visit Moscow on 24th WASHINGTON, Jan 12: The United States on Wednesday warned Russia against selling missiles to Syria amid reports that Moscow was ready to provide Damascus with a sophisticated weapon that could hit any target in Israel. ... Iran warns IAEA against spying on military sites TEHRAN, Jan 12: Iran warned on Wednesday it would not allow UN nuclear inspectors to 'spy' on a suspect military site which the United States claims may be involved in covert nuclear weapons activities. ... British airlines suspends flights to S. Arabia RIYADH, Jan 12: British Airways is suspending all its flights between Britain and Saudi Arabia from March because of reduced passenger demand, the airlines announced here. ... Lanka's Buddhist party fears forced conversions COLOMBO, Jan 12: With the controversial anti -conversion bill to be presented in the Parliament shortly, anti-Christian sentiments have re-surfaced with the main Buddhist representative party ... Testing times for Lankan leadership COLOMBO: These are surreal times for Sri Lanka's political leaders. Never before have they been sought after, sympathized with and offered promises of assistance from an impressive list of international figures ... Tsunami highlights caste discrimination in India NEW DELHI: India's rigid social divisions based on caste may have taken a knock as a result of intervention by voluntary agencies involved in relief work in areas hit by the Dec 26 Indian Ocean tsunami ... Nepal may hold poll despite rebel threat KATHMANDU: Nepal's prime minister may announce plans this week to push ahead with a general election in 2005 despite a threat by powerful Maoist rebels to "shatter" any vote in the embattled Himalayan kingdom. ...

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