Naval gazing Channel 4 News
The Queen has begun inspecting hundreds of war ships in the first International Fleet Review for almost 30 years. Thousands of people have lined the Solent for the ceremony that marks the beginning of the Battle of Trafalgar. A seafaring spectacle to rival any other. Not since the Queen's silver jubilee in 1977 has the solent played host to such awesome naval might.
Navies of the world salute Trafalgar Age (subscription)
Trafalgar celebrations begin Times Online
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Russian says Gitmo guards defiled Quran San Jose Mercury News
A Russian formerly held at Guantanamo Bay prison said Tuesday that US guards there regularly desecrated the Quran by putting it into a toilet.
Former Guantanamo Detainee Tells of Koran Desecration Zaman Online
Former Guantanamo detainee says guards desecrated Quran in toilet KFOR-TV
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The Walton heirs CNN
Helen Walton and her children are just as intensely private as they are immensely wealthy.Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, said Tuesday that it had notified all its employees worldwide of John Walton's death Tuesday in a plane crash. Separately, in a statement the company said that a private service would be held for the family. John Walton, 58, was the second son of Wal-Mart (Research) founder Sam Walton. John Walton was killed when an ultralight aircraft he was piloting crashed shortly after takeoff from an airport in Jackson, Wyo. Ranked No. 11 on the Forbes magazine list of the 400 wealthiest Americans in 2005, with a fortune estimated at $18.2 billion, John Walton was credited with his active involvement in the Walton Family Foundation's philanthropic endeavors.
Wal-Mart heir dies in plane crash National Jeweler
John Walton, Wal-Mart Heir, Dies in Plane Crash Fortune
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Bush and Aides Seek to Calm Public's Concerns About Iraq New York Times
The Bush administration pressed on today with high-profile efforts to reassure Americans that political progress is being made in Iraq despite the unrelenting violence there and that it has specific plans to ensure military victory. Recent opinion polls have exposed a mounting restiveness among Americans over the wisdom and prosecution of the war in Iraq, and administration officials have recently sought to address those concerns in a series of public appearances.
Bush to Seek Renewed Support on Iraq Voice of America
Bush tries to overcome flagging support on Iraq Reuters
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US military helicopter crashes in Afghanistan Reuters
A US military Chinook helicopter capable of carrying more than 30 people crashed on an anti-guerrilla mission in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday but the fate of those on board was not immediately known. The U.S. military was unable to say how many were on board but CNN quoted an unidentified U.S. military official as saying "about 16 U.S. troops" were on the helicopter. "A rocket was fired at an American helicopter in the district," said an Afghan official in Kunar province, where the crash occurred. He requested anonymity. A Pentagon official, asking not to be named, said: "I wouldn't rule out anything."
US chopper crashes in Afghanistan CNN
US Chinook crashes in Afghanistan ABC Online
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World’s First Nuclear Fusion Plant Will Have French Accent WebProNews
France has been chosen to host the world's first nuclear fusion reactor, an international consortium decision that passed over Japan's bid for building it.
France to host world's first nuclear fusion plant Reuters
France will be the first experimenting with nuclear fusion reactor EITB
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Israelis, Palestinians Warned of Tactics Guardian Unlimited
Israeli and Palestinian leaders warned Tuesday against a violent response to Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip later this summer, reflecting concern that extremists on both sides could trigger confrontations.
Israeli soldier jailed for refusing Gaza demolition ABC Online
Sharon Harshly Admonishes Extremist Settlers Washington Post
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Defendants in Pakistan's Infamous Gang Rape Ordered Re-Arrested Voice of America
Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered the re-arrest of 13 men accused of involvement in the gang rape of a woman in 2002, pending completion of the final appeals in the case.
Pakistan Orders Re-Arrest of Rape Suspects Muslim American Society
Pakistan Reopens Gang-Rape Case Washington Post
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Iraqis Expressed Ambivalence About Direction of Country New York Times
Haydar Farman strode from a back room in the office where he had been eating grilled chicken with other engineers.
Suicide bomber kills dean of Iraq parliament Sify
Attacks scattered around Iraq KESQ
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French man-o'-war upstages Nelson MSN Money
Diplomacy ruled the waves, but not the shores, as the British and French navies joined forces on Tuesday in the biggest-ever international fleet review to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson's defeat of Napoleon's ships off Trafalgar 200 years ago.
French man-o'-war upstages Nelson Financial Times
'We watered it down to avoid annoying the French' Times Online
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John Paul sainthood cause launched, court sworn in Reuters.uk
Pope John Paul, considered a saint by many Roman Catholics even before he died in April, was formally launched on the road towards sainthood on Tuesday.
Ceremony in Rome opens sainthood cause for Pope John Paul Monsters and Critics.com
John Paul II headed for sainthood Advertiser Adelaide
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Qur'an thrown in toilet by US guards: ex-prisoner CBC News
A Muslim cleric once held at the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has told reporters in Moscow that fellow prisoners told him that guards desecrated the Qur'an by putting it in a toilet.
Former Russian Gitmo detainee tells of Quran abuse Aljazeera.com
Guantanamo Russian Says Soldiers Desecrated Koran Scotsman
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Bush speech draws mixed response USA Today
WASHINGTON — President Bush's address on Iraq drew a largely partisan response at home and a mixed one overseas Wednesday, as the White House waits to learn whether the speech will rally public support. In a televised, prime-time speech from Fort Bragg, N.C., Bush said Tuesday that although images of violence in Iraq are horrifying, "The proper response is not retreat, it is courage." "We will stay in the fight until the fight is won," he said.
Bush Criticized for Linking 9/11 and Iraq San Francisco Chronicle
Bush criticised for linking 9/11 with Iraq Telegraph.co.uk
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Violent Protests Over Gaza Plans CBS News
Jewish settlers got militant Wednesday over Israel's plans to pull out of the Gaza Strip in two months, both inside and outside Israel. Soldiers fired into the air to stop a clash between settlers and Palestinian residents at an outpost on the outskirts of the Shirat Hayam settlement. The clash broke out shortly after Israeli soldiers forcibly removed about 20 settlers who had holed up in the outpost — an abandoned Palestinian home. Settlers and Palestinians threw stones at one another, wounding at least three people, witnesses said. Earlier, during morning rush hour, right-wing Israelis opposed to the Gaza pullout scattered nails and oil across a main highway during morning rush hour, crippling traffic, reports CBS News Correspondent Robert Berger.
Israeli troops clash with settlers at Gaza outpost during eviction CBC News
Israeli troops seize 8 settlers at Gaza outpost Reuters AlertNet
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'New era' on defense for India and US International Herald Tribune
NEW DELHI A 10-year military agreement just signed by the defense secretaries of the United States and India is intended to provide for numerous advances in the relationship, including joint weapons production, greater sharing of technology and intelligence as well as an increased trade in arms.
US, India sign 10-year defense pact Aljazeera.com
India, US sign 10-year defense pact siliconindia.com
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China backs thermo-nuclear site in France Hindu
China today hailed as a "milestone" an international deal to pick France as the host of the world's first largescale nuclear fusion plant.
France chosen for energy experiment OCRegister (subscription)
France Will Get Fusion Reactor to Seek a Future Energy Source New York Times
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Musharraf says gang rape victim free to travel Sify
Islamabad: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said he was pained by the plight of a woman who was gang raped on the orders of a tribal council and added that she was now free to go anywhere.
Pakistan rape victim must get justice-president Reuters
Musharraf says Mukhtaran Mai free to go wherever she wants Rediff
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Arroyo to sack ministers amid scandal - TV report Malaysia Star
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will purge her cabinet of at least four ministers and two other officials close to her scandal-prone husband on Friday, local television reported on Wednesday.
Husband of Philippines president to stay overseas Radio Australia
Philippine vice president not to oppose impeachment of Arroyo Xinhua
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Fleet gathers for Trafalgar celebrations ITV.com
Just like the night of Nelson's greatest victory, the weather played a major part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Queen reviews flotilla of nations ic Birmingham.co.uk
Pageant honours greatest victory Yorkshire Post Today
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Trafalgar

John Paul II set on road to sainthood Chicago Tribune
Pope John Paul II was placed Tuesday on what is expected to be a record-breaking sprint toward sainthood, amid mounting popular pressure for the beatification process to be completed by summer's end.
The road to sainthood has been smoothed and shortened Fort Wayne News Sentinel
Sainthood Process Begins for Pope John Paul II Voice of America
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Muslim country FMs hold talks on Iraq Xinhua
Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Iran held a meeting here on Wednesday morning on the sidelines of the 32nd session of the foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
Most OIC countries support Russia's observer status - leader Interfax.ru
A Muslim seat in UN Security Council! Expressindia.com
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SKorea urges US not to provoke NKorea Forbes
South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon said he has urged the United States to avoid provoking North Korea at a time when hopes are high for a new round of six-party nuclear talks.
Seoul Strives for Progress in Nuke Talks Korea Times
US military says can defeat nuclear-armed N.Korea Reuters.uk
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Attacks Mar Anniversary of Return to Iraqi Rule Los Angeles Times
The insurgency claims at least a dozen more lives. Two American soldiers and an octogenarian legislator are among those killed. By Patrick J. McDonnell, Times Staff Writer.
Iraqi lawmaker killed in car bombing ISN
Iraqi legislator's killing highlights civil tensions Detroit Free Press
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Russian held at Guantanamo speaks against Quran desecration Xinhua
A Russian formerly held at the Guantanamo Bay detention centre in Cuba has spoken out against his treatment at the hands of US forces.
Taliban remnants blamed in US crash Detroit Free Press
Former Inmate Tells of Quran Abuse The Moscow Times
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Egyptian opposition leader's trial adjourned Xinhua
Southern Cairo Criminal Court has agreed to adjourn until Thursday the trial of Ayman Nour, leader ofthe opposition party El-Ghad (Tomorrow) and a member of parliament,the Egyptian Gazette daily reported Wednesday.
Trial of Egyptian Candidate Gets Off to Tumultuous Start Washington Post
Mubarak Opponent, in Court, Rejects Charge of Electoral Forgery New York Times
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Russia, Uzbeks plan first joint military exercises Reuters AlertNet
Russia is to conduct joint military exercises with Uzbekistan, Russia's defence minister said on Wednesday in a further sign of Moscow's growing support for the Central Asian state after a bloody government crackdown. The Uzbek-Russian manoeuvres, which Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said would be the first since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, come as human rights groups are calling on Washington to review its own military presence in the country.