LOS ANGELES, July 4 (AP) – A huge asteroid whizzed by Earth early yesterday, passing about 433,000 kilometres from the planet’s surface — slightly farther away than the moon.
Iran says call to suspend enrichment not ‘reasonable’
TEHRAN, July 3, 2006 (AFP) – Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator said Monday the international community’s proposal for Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment was unreasonable, ahead of a key meeting with the EU on the nuclear dispute.
Bush, Annan see WTO talks at ‘critical stage’ — US official
WASHINGTON, July 3, 2006 (AFP) – US President George W. Bush and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan agreed Monday that World Trade Organization talks were at a "critical stage", a White House official said after the two leaders spoke by telephone.
Pomegranates: more than just a fruit in Afghanistan
Sardar Ahmad
ARGHANDAB, Afghanistan, July 4, 2006 (AFP) – President Hamid Karzai boasts that Kandahar’s pomegranates are the best in the world; others say they contain the Almighty’s miracle cures. Desperate poets liken their shape to the breasts of their veiled lovers.
World Cup 2006 factfile: Portugal
MUNICH, July 4, 2006 (AFP) – Factfile on Portugal who play France in the World Cup semi-finals here on Wednesday:-
Iran says may give nuclear response early August
TEHRAN, July 4, 2006 (AFP) – Iran could give its response to an international offer aimed at ending a nuclear standoff around August 6, chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani was quoted as saying Tuesday.
"Our negotiations with the Europeans will be on Wednesday, but it is only the beginning of the talks and our definite response to their proposals will be ready around middle of (the Iranian month of) Mordad," or around August 6, Larijani was quoted as saying on state-run television.
Turkey lobbies Syria to help defuse Mideast crisis
ANKARA, July 4, 2006 (AFP) – Turkey has sent a special envoy to meet with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in a bid to convince Damascus to help defuse a mounting crisis between Israel and the Palestinians, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said here Tuesday.
World Cup should come with health warning
Guy Jackson
BERLIN, July 4, 2006 (AFP) – While the fans in Germany are pampered in high-tech stadiums or fun-filled fan areas, in other parts of the world the struggle to catch the World Cup action can cost you your life.
Wallabies unchanged for All Blacks, aside from reserves Tune-up
Neil Sands
SYDNEY, July 4, 2006 (AFP) – Australian coach John Connolly on Tuesday named an unchanged starting line-up to meet New Zealand this weekend but gave World Cup-winning winger Ben Tune the chance to resurrect his career from the bench.
Japanese fans voice mixed feelings over Nakata exit
TOKYO, July 4, 2006 (AFP) – Japanese fans expressed sadness but also a sense of inevitability Tuesday over the shock retirement of star midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata following Japan’s early exit from the 2006 World Cup.
