16 February 2005 Wednesday 06 Muharram 1426 Jaafari named for Iraqi PM's post BAGHDAD, Feb 15: The Shia list that won Iraq's elections agreed on Tuesday on Vice President Ibrahim Jaafari as its candidate for the premier ship, as parties continued to haggle over the makeup of the next executive. ... Iraqi results not pleasing for US: Media assessment WASHINGTON, Feb 15: The Iraqi elections have produced results that are not pleasing for the Bush administration, which had hoped the elections would bring a secular, pro-US government in Baghdad, the US media said on Monday. ... Elections fuel fears over Kurdish independence LONDON: Kurdish successes in Iraq's elections, notably in the disputed oil centre of Kirkuk, have heightened Turkey's worries about a future Kurdish drive for independence and Iraq's consequent territorial disintegration. ... Israel to build new town for settlers JERUSALEM, Feb 15: In a sign of the Israeli government's determination to drive through the Gaza withdrawal plan, the interior ministry on Tuesday announced plans for construction of a new town in the southern Negev desert ... Annan calls for Syrian pullout from Lebanon UNITED NATIONS, Feb 15: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday he hoped that there would be clear signs of a withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon within the next two months. ... Lebanon is used by and against Syria BEIRUT: There is one broad certainty about the highly professional assassination of Rafik Hariri, the billionaire former prime minister who has dominated Lebanese politics since the end of the civil war in 1991. ... Officials told to stay away from Hariri funeral BEIRUT, Feb 15: Former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri will be buried on Wednesday in a ceremony at which government officials have been told to stay away, close friends said. ... Second US missile defence test ends in failure WASHINGTON, Feb 14: For the second time in two months, a test of the Pentagon's missile defence system ended in fiasco on Monday when an interceptor missile failed to lift off from its silo to meet the target, defence officials said. ... World has 12,000 N-arms, says study WASHINGTON, Feb 15: There are more than 12,000 nuclear weapons in the world and all but 300 in the hands of the five recognized nuclear powers, says a recent estimate published by a US weapons research organization. ... UK firms unable to find skilled workers: survey LONDON, Feb 15: The number of British firms experiencing problems recruiting skilled workers has increased by almost 50 per cent in the past decade, according to a study by a leading business association published on Tuesday. ... 203 killed in China mine accident BEIJING, Feb 15: A gas explosion in a coal mine in China's north eastern rust-belt province of Liaoning killed at least 203 workers in the worst recorded disaster in 63 years. ... Reunion - a model of coexistence SAINT DENIS, Feb 15: While in France debate rages over secular laws which some say make it difficult for Muslims to integrate, Paris daily Le Figaro has suggested that one French-ruled territory ... UK mayor in trouble after reply to Jewish reporter LONDON, Feb 15: London's controversial Mayor Ken Living stone refused again on Tuesday to apologize for allegedly comparing a Jewish reporter to a concentration camp guard, despite warnings the row could hit the city's bid for the 2012 Olympics. ... 2 win appeal against fast food chain STRASBOURG, Feb 15: The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday condemned Britain for violating the rights of two activists convicted of libelling US fast food chain McDonald's, ending a 15-year legal battle. ... Prisoners stage riot in Azeri capital BAKU, Feb 15: Dozens of inmates in the Azeri capital broke out of their cells on Tuesday and climbed on top of the prison building, waving white flags and demanding better treatment from their wardens. ... Mobile phones, e-mails during flights GENEVA, Feb 15: The European company Airbus and a Geneva-based information technology firm, SITA, said on Tuesday they had set up a joint venture to make mobile telephone services available for passengers during flights. ... Blockade sends prices soaring in Kathmandu KATHMANDU, Feb 15: A road blockade by Maoist rebels ground traffic in Nepal to a near-halt for a fourth consecutive day on Tuesday, sending produce prices soaring in Kathmandu ... North Korea's nuclear vow brings embarrassment to China BEIJING: North Korea's bold statement that it has nuclear weapons - in order to thwart a possible US strike - puts Beijing in an uncomfortable position. ...

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