June 2008
World
U.S. Casualties in Iraq Reach Lowest Point (June 1): The U.S. military announces that fatalities in Iraq in May dropped to 19, the lowest level since the war began in 2003.
Sept. 11 Suspects Are Arraigned (June 5): Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who has claimed to have organized the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the U.S., and four others involved in the planning, face a tribunal for the first time at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. All five defendants say they will defend themselves.
Turkey's Highest Court Rules Against Head Scarves (June 5): The Constitutional Court overturns a measure passed by Parliament in February and endorsed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which allowed women to wear headscarves at universities, saying it violates secularist principles inherent in the country's constitution.
Massive Turnout in South Korea to Protest Beef Imports (June 10): As many as several hundred thousand people demonstrate in the streets of Seoul against the government's decision to resume imports of American beef, which was banned in 2003 after mad cow disease was diagnosed in the U.S. The protests, which have taken place in Seoul for about six weeks and peaked on June 10, imply overall dissatisfaction with President Lee, who promised to boost the flagging economy and reach out to the United States. Prime Minister Han Seung-soo and all 15 cabinet members submit their resignations. (June 21): The U.S. and South Korea reach an accord that says the U.S. will not export beef from cattle more than 30 months old. (June 22): Facing continued public pressure, the government says it will put the accord on hold.
U.S. Attack Kills Several Pakistani Soldiers (June 10): U.S. soldiers launch an air strike aimed at Taliban militants who had crossed the border from Pakistan into Afghanistan and fired on American-led troops. Eleven members of a Pakistani paramilitary force die, angering Pakistani officials and increasing tension between the U.S. and Pakistan.
Ireland Votes Against European Union Treaty (June 13): Dissent by Ireland, the only country in the 27-member EU that put the Lisbon Treaty to a popular vote, jeopardizes the future of the pact that would have strengthened the EU’s influence in global politics.
Taliban Masterminds Brazen Jailbreak (June 13): Fighters attack guards outside a prison in Kandahar and then launch a rocket-propelled grenade at a fuel tanker parked outside the prison. The blast kills several guards and opens a hole in the prison wall. About 900 inmates escape, including 350 members of the Taliban.
Bombings Kill Dozens in Iraq (June 17): At least 60 people are killed and about 75 are wounded when an explosive-laden minibus explodes at a bus terminal near a crowded market in a Shiite district of Baghdad. The blast causes an apartment building to burst into flames. (June 18): The U.S. military attributes the bombing to a Shiite militia leader, Haydar Mehdi Khadum al-Fawadi, saying he orchestrated the bombing to incite sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites. (June 26): At least 30 people are killed in two separate attacks in Anbar Province and the city of Mosul. The suicide bombing in Anbar occurred at a meeting of the Awakening Council, an alliance of moderate Sunnis who support the U.S.
Israel and Hamas Sign a Truce (June 19): Egypt brokers a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. The agreement is intended to quell the violence in the region.
Opposition Leader Drops Out of Runoff in Zimbabwe (June 22): Morgan Tsvangirai, of the Movement for Democracy and Change, who was to face incumbent president Robert Mugabe in a June 27 runoff election, withdraws from the race, saying he could not subject his supporters to violence and intimidation. He also says he refused to take part in "this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process." Tsvangirai had been detained by police several times in the past weeks and 85 supporters of his party have been killed in government-backed violence against the opposition. (June 27): Voters go to the polls to cast ballots in an election widely called a sham. Mugabe wins with about 85% of the vote. (June 28): President Bush urges the UN to impose an international arms embargo against Zimbabwe and announces that the U.S. will punish Mugabe with economic sanctions. "The international community has condemned the Mugabe regime's ruthless campaign of politically motivated violence and intimidation," Bush says.
North Korea Takes Steps Toward Denuclearization (June 26): Officials hand over to China a list of its nuclear facilities as well as information on the amount of reprocessed plutonium in its possession. In exchange, the U.S. removes North Korea from its list of countries that sponsor terrorism and lifts some sanctions against the country. (June 27): North Korea destroys a cooling tower at its main reactor in Yongbyon.
U.S. Army Faults Itself in Report on Post-Hussein Iraq (June 30): In 700-page study called "On Point II: Transition to the New Campaign," the Army says that while it was capable of toppling Saddam Hussein, it was not equipped to rebuild Iraq into a functional country.
National
Pakistan Faces Domestic, International Pressure Over Militants VOA 30 Jun 2008 -- The Pakistani army operation against pro-Taliban militant groups has raised questions about the government's motives and intentions.
Pakistan Takes Steps to End Militant Threat on Afghan Border VOA 29 Jun 2008 -- Afghan and NATO officials say insecurity has increased in Afghanistan in recent months, citing peace deals neighboring Pakistan has signed with Taliban militants on its side of the border.
Pakistan Launches Military Operation Against Taliban RFE/RL 28 Jun 2008 -- Pakistani forces have launched a military operation against Taliban militants near the northwestern city of Peshawar.
Pakistan Army Moves Against Pro-Taliban Militants VOA 28 Jun 2008 -- Security forces in Pakistan have begun an operation against pro-Taliban militants in a tribal region bordering Afghanistan and serving as a major route for trade and supplies to U.S-led foreign forces based there
Pakistan Denies Involvement in Karzai Attack VOA 26 Jun 2008 -- Pakistan has rejected as baseless and irresponsible Afghan allegations that its spy agency was behind a recent assassination attempt on President Hamid Karzai
Gates Calls for Better Security on Pakistan-Afghanistan Border, Welcomes
Pakistani Initiative VOA 26 Jun 2008 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has expressed concern about the continuing ease with which insurgents based in Pakistan are able to cross into Afghanistan, and welcomed the plan the Pakistani government announced Wednesday to try to change the situation
Gates Welcomes Pakistan’s Pledge to Reassert Pressure at Afghan Border AFPS 26 Jun 2008 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today praised a pledge by Pakistani officials to renew pressure along its northwestern border, where militants responsible for violence in eastern Afghanistan have taken refuge.
Afghanistan: Kabul Accuses Pakistani Spies Of Attack On Karzai RFE/RL 26 Jun 2008 -- Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been rising for months. Now, they have hit a new peak
Pakistan says foreign militants present in tribal regions IRNA 26 Jun 2008 -- Pakistan has said that there are indications about presence of foreigners in the tribal regions and foreign hand in exploiting the situation there.
Pakistan-Tribal Areas-Operation Military operation in tribal areas last option, says PM IRNA 26 Jun 2008 -- A high level meeting was held here Wednesday chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to review war against terrorism and restoration of law and order in NWFP.
Pakistan, India to share information to prevent terrorist acts IRNA 25 Jun 2008 -- Pakistan and Indian anti-terror experts on Tuesday agreed to assist in investigations through exchange of specific information and for preventing violence and terrorist acts, officials said.
Pakistani Taliban kill over 20 pro-govt tribal elders IRNA 25 Jun 2008 -- Pakistani Taliban have shot dead over 20 tribal elders of peace committee in the restive South Waziristan tribal region, witnesses said Wednesday.
General Cites Work to Improve Communications With Pakistan AFPS 24 Jun 2008 -- Senior U.S. and Pakistani military officials are working hard to improve communications and collaboration between their organizations, especially with regard to operations along the 450-mile-long Afghanistan-Pakistan border, a senior U.S. officer posted in Afghanistan said today.
Pakistan, India open anti-terror talks IRNA 24 Jun 2008 -- Senior officials from Pakistan and India opened talks here on Tuesday to review joint mechanism against terrorism, the Foreign Ministry said.
NATO targets Afghan border after coming under fire from Pakistan IRNA 22 Jun 2008 -- NATO forces launched artillery strikes across the Afghan border at attackers who fired at them from Pakistan.
Afghanistan: Five Civilians Reported Killed In Cross-Border Attacks From Pakistan RFE/RL 22 Jun 2008 -- Afghan officials and the international coalition have reported four cross-border attacks on June 21 in which five civilians were killed
Afghanistan: Legality Of 'Hot Pursuit' Into Pakistan Debated RFE/RL 22 Jun 2008 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai's threat to send troops after Taliban militants in neighboring Pakistan has kindled debate about cross-border military incursions and international law.
Pakistan Reports New Bird Flu Outbreak VOA 22 Jun 2008 -- Pakistani authorities have reported a new outbreak of bird flu at a poultry farm in the country's northwest.
Afghanistan: Karzai's Retaliation Threat Inflames Relations With Pakistan RFE/RL 17 Jun 2008 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has pleaded for years with Islamabad to stop Taliban fighters based in Pakistan's tribal regions from launching attacks in Afghanistan.
Pakistan installs satellite monitoring system on Afghan border: official IRNA 17 Jun 2008 -- Pakistan has installed satellite monitoring system on its border with Afghanistan, in Islamabad, the chief of the country's interior ministry said Tuesday.
RIA Novosti 17 Jun 2008 -- Pakistan's nuclear arsenal poses a greater threat to security in the region than Iran's uranium enrichment, due to the volatile political situation in the country, a Russian expert said on Tuesday.
Afghan President's Comments Highlight Frustration in Kabul and Islamabad VOA 16 Jun 2008 -- Afghanistan's president has threatened to send troops after Taliban militants who take sanctuary in neighboring Pakistan. Analysts say the threat is somewhat hollow
Pakistan Summons Afghan Envoy to Protest Karzai's Military Threat VOA 16 Jun 2008 -- Pakistan has summoned Afghanistan's ambassador to formally protest Afghan President Hamid Karzai's threat to send troops into Pakistan to fight Taliban militants.
Afghanistan: Karzai Threatens Retaliation Against Taliban In Pakistan RFE/RL 15 Jun 2008 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai said today that Kabul reserves the right to strike Taliban insurgents on Pakistani soil as a form of self-defense against cross-border attacks
Afghan President Threatens Raids into Pakistan VOA 15 Jun 2008 -- Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai has threatened to send troops into neighboring Pakistan to fight militants that have been launching cross-border attacks in his country
US-Pakistan Relationship Strained by Terror Issue VOA 13 Jun 2008 -- Relations between the United States and Pakistan have hit some bumpy spots over efforts to curb terrorist acts by Islamic extremists
Condoleezza Rice regrets killing of Pakistani soldiers in US air raids IRNA 13 Jun 2008 -- U.S Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Friday expressed regret over the killing of 11 Pakistani soldiers in air raids by American planes, the Foreign Ministry said.
Pakistan's MP condemns US bombing in tribal region IRNA 13 Jun 2008 -- Former Pakistani Interior Minister and member of the National Assembly Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has strongly condemned the bombing by US-Led forces in the tribal region, calling it a brutal act against the security and sovereignty of Pakistan.
Pakistan FM raises U.S sir strike with NATO secretary general IRNA 13 Jun 2008 -- Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Thursday raised the issue of U.S air strike in the Pakistani tribal region, which killed 11 soldiers, with NATO secretary general, the Foreign Office said.
US Releases Video of Clash Along Pakistan-Afghan Border VOA 12 Jun 2008 -- The U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan has released video footage of a disputed air strike that Islamabad says resulted in the deaths of 11 Pakistani soldiers.
US aircraft bomb areas in Pakistan's Waziristan tribal region IRNA 12 Jun 2008 -- The U.S aircraft have again violated Pakistan's air space and launched another air strike in the country's South Waziristan tribal region, witnesses in the region said Thursday.
Pakistan: Relations With U.S. In Crisis After Clash Across Afghan Border RFE/RL 12 Jun 2008 -- Relations between U.S. and Pakistani military forces are in crisis after clashes and a U.S. air strike that hit a Pakistani border post and killed 11 Pakistani soldiers.
Air Strike in Pakistan ‘Legitimate, Self-Defense,’ Pentagon Official Says AFPS 11 Jun 2008 -- Defense Department officials called a U.S. air strike yesterday in Pakistan near the Afghanistan border “legitimate” and “self-defense,” and said they are investigating the attack with Pakistani officials.
Pentagon Defends Deadly Air Strike on Afghan-Pak Border VOA 11 Jun 2008 -- The Pentagon is defending a deadly air strike on the Pakistan-Afghan border that killed 11 Pakistani soldiers and drew strong protests from the government in Islamabad
U.S. airstrike kills 13 Pakistani border guards RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2008 -- At least 13 Pakistani border guards have been killed in a U.S. airstrike, Afghanistan's Bakhtar news agency has said.
Pakistan Says Coalition Airstrike Kills 11 Troops at Border Checkpoint VOA 11 Jun 2008 -- Pakistan says an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan has killed 11 Pakistani security forces at a checkpoint near the Afghan border
Pakistani PM Gilani condemns U.S-led coalition attack IRNA 11 Jun 2008 -- Pakistani Prime Minister on Wednesday condemned air strike on its border check post by the coalition forces in Afghanistan, which resulted into the killing of 11 soldiers.
Pakistani Prime Minister on Wednesday condemned air strike on its border check post by the coalition forces in Afghanistan, which resulted into the killing of 11 soldiers. IRNA 11 Jun 2008 -- Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned air strike on its border check post by the coalition forces in Afghanistan, which resulted into the killing of 11 soldiers, the Foreign Ministry said.
Pakistan busts network of suicide bombers: officials IRNA 10 Jun 2008 -- Pakistani security agencies have busted a local network of suicide bombers and frustrated a big terrorist attack, chief of the country's interior ministry said on Tuesday.
Pakistan freezes defence budget, says prime minister IRNA 10 Jun 2008 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani announced on Monday that the government has decided to freeze the defence budget as a measure of Pakistan's tangible display to seek peace with neighbours.
Pakistan-Taliban deal Pakistani provincial govt. says deal with Taliban intact IRNA 10 Jun 2008 -- Provincial government in Pakistan's northwest Monday said that a peace deal with the local Taliban in Swat valley has not ended.
Pakistan scraps peace deal with militants: advisor IRNA 09 Jun 2008 -- The Pakistani government has scrapped a peace deal with the militants in the country's northwest as the militants have continued their attacks, the Interior Advisor said Monday.
Pakistani Lawyers Prepare Cross-Country March for Ousted Judges VOA 09 Jun 2008 -- Thousands of lawyers gathered in the southern Pakistan city of Karachi to begin a cross-country march demanding the return of senior judges sacked by President Musharraf last November
Pakistan's Musharraf Denies Resignation Rumors VOA 07 Jun 2008 -- Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf is denying rumors that he is planning to resign following weeks of criticism from his opponents, some of whom have vowed to impeach him
Pakistani Police Foil Bomb Plot Near Capital City VOA 06 Jun 2008 -- Pakistani police say they have foiled a planned bomb attack involving three alleged suicide bombers, three vehicles and hundreds of kilograms of explosives
Pakistan FM Defends Taliban Peace Talks on Eve of Afghan Trip VOA 05 Jun 2008 -- Pakistan's foreign minister says government peace deals with pro-Taliban militants are aimed at establishing a "peaceful coexistence" with the groups
Pakistan: At Least Six Killed In Car Bombing Outside Danish Embassy RFE/RL 02 Jun 2008 -- A suicide attacker detonated a car bomb in front of the Danish Embassy in Islamabad, killing at least six people and injuring more than a dozen.
Blast Kills at Least 8 Near Danish Embassy in Pakistan VOA 02 Jun 2008 -- A large car bomb blast outside the Danish embassy in Pakistan's capital has killed at least 8 people and wounded dozens of others
Pakistan's ex-PM Nawaz Sharif can contest election: Commission IRNA01 Jun 2008 -- Pakistan's Election Commission on Sunday allowed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to contest a seat in Parliament, the Commission said.
Pakistan steps ahead to scrap presidential power: minister IRNA01 Jun 2008 -- Pakistani government Sunday stepped ahead to introduce wide-ranging amendments in the Constitution to scrap powers of the president in dissolving the parliament and appointing services chiefs, the law minister said.
Business/Science/Society
California Governor Declares a Drought (June 4): With reservoir levels well below average and the state experiencing its driest spring in 88 years, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger officially declares that California is in a drought and warns of potential rationing. It is the first such declaration in 17 years.
Unemployment Rate Spikes (June 6): The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the jobless rate increases from 5% to 5.5%, the biggest monthly increase in 22 years.
Several Die in Midwest Floods (June 9): Severe flooding from storms cause already swollen rivers and lakes in Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin to flood, killing 10 people, breaking three dams, and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. In addition, at least 90 roads are closed.
Boy Scouts Are Killed by Tornado (June 11): Four Boy Scouts die and another 48 are injured when a tornado tears through the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in western Iowa. The tornado also touches down in Kansas, killing two people.
Hundreds Are Killed by Typhoon in the Philippines (June 21): More than 800 people die when a ferry is struck by Typhoon Fengshen. About 500 other people die during the storm.
Gates Ends Day-to-Day Work at Microsoft (June 27): Bill Gates remains chairman of the software giant, but he will no longer work at the company full time. Instead, he will devote more time to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.