Deutsche Welle English Service News May 13th 2005, 16:00 UTC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's highlight on DW-WORLD: Troops to Head Home in US Military Cuts US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld revealed swathing military cuts across the United States on Friday which would be offset by returning troops from German bases and other European deployments.
To read this article on the DW-WORLD website, just click on the internet address below: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1581992,00.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you interested in German soccer? Then DW-WORLD has just the thing for you: On Saturday, we offer you a live ticker of a Bundesliga match between Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund. The game starts at 15:30 CET, so be sure not to miss it. Follow all the action by clicking on the LIVE SOCCER banner at DW-WORLD's new Bundesliga Web site: http://www.dw-world.de/soccer ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Allegations Uzbek troops fire at crowd In Uzbekistan, there are reports that tanks opened fire on thousands of protestors in the streets of the town of Andizhan with an unknown number of casualties. Journalists in Andizhan say trouble began after insurgents stormed a prison overnight, freeing over 2,000 prisoners and demanding the release of 23 men suspected of being members of an extreme Islamic group. The families of the 23 accused have been gathering at the town square for months, and many in the town have joined their protest. Uzbek President Islam Karimov has so far made no effort to hold a dialogue with the family members. Other protests are also being held in Uzbekistan. Afghan protests over Koran spread, seven killed Seven people were killed and 20 wounded as protests in Afghanistan continue for a fourth day. Afghans are angry at a magazine report that US interrogators at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba had desecrated the Koran, allegedly flushing books down the toilet. Islamic clerics speaking at weekly Friday prayers told worshippers that protests were justified, but urged Muslims to avoid violence. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said US authorities are investigating the claim. The United States is holding more than 500 prisoners suspected of having ties to terrorists at Guantanamo Bay. Iraq extends emergency law 30 days Iraq's prime minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, has extended a state of emergency which was imposed in the country last year. The announcement comes amid a fresh wave of attacks this week which left close to 100 people dead. Emergency powers allow the government to impose curfews, close borders and airports, and detain suspects without following normal legal procedures. Insurgents have stepped up their campaign of suicide bombings and other attacks in a bid to destabilize Iraq. Germany to extradite CIA spy Germany has agreed to extradite a suspected CIA informer to Switzerland to stand trial for his alleged role in smuggling nuclear technology to Libya. Urs Tinner was suspected of being part of a network helping Libya produce atomic weapons. The network broke up in 2003 after a German ship was seized with suspicious equipment on board. A report in a leading German news magazine said Tinner had agreed to be extradited under a deal with Swiss authorities in which he would only receive a fine. Pentagon to close 33 US bases US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has proposed closing 33 major bases in the United States. The announcement made on Friday would represent the first round in closures and realignments that will save the US military almost $50 billion in 20 years. The Pentagon said its wants to reposition US forces to meet new global threats. Recently, 70,000 US troops were returned from European and Asian bases, including 30,000 from Germany. The closure of US bases is subject to review by an independent commission before being presented to Congress. Taiwan rejects "two sides, one China" Taiwanese officials have rejected Chinese offers of economic incentives and a new formula to describe relations. The Chinese leadership and the head of Taiwan's second-biggest opposition party had proposed a "two sides-one China" formula on Thursday as a basis for renewed talks between China and Taiwan. China also offered to ease employment and visa restrictions for Taiwanese residents and students on the mainland. But the Taiwan government said any agreements between China and the island's opposition parties were irrelevant, and that its Mainland Affairs Council was the only body authorized to deal with Beijing. German firm breaks arms embargo A German engineering firm in Cologne is under investigation for allegedly breaking an embargo on supplying weapons to Burma. Investigators searched the headquarters of the company Deutz as well as companies in Mainz and Hamburg this week. According to a report in the German magazine "Focus", Deutz supplied engines suitable for building into armoured cars to a company in the Middle East. Ten armoured cars fitted with the engines were then shipped to Ukraine and then onto Burma. A spokeswoman for Deutz said the company had done nothing illegal. More than 1,000 museums to stay open More than 1,000 museums across Europe will keep their doors open all night long on Saturday, free of charge to the public. Some 700 museums in France and 500 elsewhere across Europe are participating in the event, called the "Night of the Museums." The idea was launched by France's culture minister to attract more urban, young people. For more information log onto www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr. John Paul on fast track to sainthood Pope Benedict XVI said he had put his predecessor Pope John Paul II on the fast track to Sainthood. The Pope overrode Church rules that impose a five-year waiting period after death before the procedure that leads to sainthood can start. John Paul died on April 2. The only other time the waiting period was waived was for Mother Teresa. Pope Benedict also appointed 68-year San Francisco Archbishop William Levada as his successor as guardian of church doctrine, the highest Vatican office ever held by an American. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- We'd like to introduce you to our latest newsletter: "Germany Light" give you a weekly look at Germany's cultural, peculiar and sometimes odd happenings. To sign up for regular dose of fun and entertainment, please go to our Newsletter section at http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1170241,00.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information please turn to our internet website at http://dw-world.de/english Here you'll find out what's happening in Germany, Europe and the rest of the world. News and background reports from the fields of current affairs, culture, business and science. 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