At least five Islamist militants have been killed in a missile attack by a suspected US drone in Pakistan.
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"Two drones were flying in the area. They fired three missiles," said a witness in the North Waziristan region, near the Afghan border.
It is the second such attack in the area in as many days.
A missile strike on Thursday by a suspected US drone killed four Islamist militants and wounded five others, Pakistani security officials and witnesses said.
As Pakistan prepares to elect a new president on Saturday, the Pentagon said the US would pursue its enemies.
"We are going to pursue terrorists wherever they operate, plan their operations, try to seek safe harbour," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
Earlier this week, US commandos attacked an al-Qaeda target in Pakistan in an operation that could signal a more intense American bid to stop militant attacks in Afghanistan.
US officials are frustrated that Pakistan has not done enough to combat militants operating in the shared border area.
The Bush administration has not officially acknowledged any involvement in the attack on the South Waziristan village of Angor Adda on Wednesday that killed up to 20 people, including women and children.
Pentagon officials said the raid targeted suspected operatives and aimed to disrupt militant safe havens, which pose an escalating threat to coalition and Nato forces just across the border.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Hoy Is Out About Cash In
Olympic cycling hero Chris Hoy has said he feels politicians have tried to "cash in" on his success in Beijing.
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Hoy became embroiled in a debate over the feasibility of a Scottish Olympic team shortly after becoming the first Briton in a century to win three gold medals at a single Games.
The 32-year-old, who was born in Edinburgh, said: "I was annoyed at getting drawn into a political debate when I'm an athlete. I ride a bike, I'm not a politician."
He added: "Politicians want to be involved so that they can get some sort of association with your success and benefit from the positive feeling in your country.
He added: "If there was a Scottish team in the Olympics, of course I'd want to be part of it, just like I am at the Commonwealth Games.
"But I felt the politicians were just trying to cash in on our success."
Hoy - whose exploits in Beijing made his a crucial voice in the debate - said his objection to a Scottish team was based on feasibility and not a lack of national pride.
He insisted the infrastructure in Scotland would require a major overhaul before the idea of a breakaway could be entertained.
"If the politicians are serious about it then great, but show us that you're serious," he said.
"I have to be very careful about what I say but I stand by what I said in terms of the call for a Scottish team to be entered into the Olympics. Before you even start thinking about that, you have to show commitment and put your money where your mouth is."
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Hoy became embroiled in a debate over the feasibility of a Scottish Olympic team shortly after becoming the first Briton in a century to win three gold medals at a single Games.
The 32-year-old, who was born in Edinburgh, said: "I was annoyed at getting drawn into a political debate when I'm an athlete. I ride a bike, I'm not a politician."
He added: "Politicians want to be involved so that they can get some sort of association with your success and benefit from the positive feeling in your country.
He added: "If there was a Scottish team in the Olympics, of course I'd want to be part of it, just like I am at the Commonwealth Games.
"But I felt the politicians were just trying to cash in on our success."
Hoy - whose exploits in Beijing made his a crucial voice in the debate - said his objection to a Scottish team was based on feasibility and not a lack of national pride.
He insisted the infrastructure in Scotland would require a major overhaul before the idea of a breakaway could be entertained.
"If the politicians are serious about it then great, but show us that you're serious," he said.
"I have to be very careful about what I say but I stand by what I said in terms of the call for a Scottish team to be entered into the Olympics. Before you even start thinking about that, you have to show commitment and put your money where your mouth is."
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
postal strike called off
Postal workers would vote on the deal's conditions by postThe Commununication Workers' Union (CWU) has called off strike action which had been set for later this week.
The suspension comes as the union's executive continues talks on whether to accept a Royal Mail deal.
The CWU must decide whether or not to recommend the offer, which is aimed at resolving a long-running row over pay, jobs and pensions.
The deal is thought to give CWU members a 6.9% pay rise over 18 months.
A series of 48-hour stoppages and unofficial walkouts is estimated to have cost Royal Mail more than £200m.
The union had plans for strikes to be carried out in various parts of the country on different days this week.
But CWU's failure to serve the notice correctly meant strikes planned for Monday and Tuesday had to be called off following a Royal Mail injunction, explained a union representative. Other strikes could still take place.
The CWU told the BBC an agreement on whether to continue with planned strikes was likely to be resolved on Tuesday afternoon.
Marathon talks
Leaders of the CWU are presenting the terms of the deal to the union's executive at their headquarters in Wimbledon.
DEAL POINTS
6.9% pay rise from 1 October 07 to 1 April 09
Consultation on ending final salary pension scheme
Flexible working to be trialled and agreed locally
The agreement was hammered out last week during marathon talks with Royal Mail's chief executive Adam Crozier.
Despite Friday's agreement, wildcat strikes have continued to disrupt services in some areas.
Unofficial action has been taking place in Yorkshire and Liverpool, with union representatives in Yorkshire reportedly opposed to working later hours.
In a survey of more than 250 company heads, half of the respondents said the strike had cost their companies at least £1,000.
According to the London Chamber of Commerce, the nationwide mail strikes have cost the city more than £300m.
Flexible working
A ballot of 130,000 workers will be called if the CWU accepts the Royal Mail settlement.
A simple majority would be needed to approve the deal. The results would be declared one month later.
While no details have been released, the BBC understands that the 6.9% pay rise over 18 months will consist of a 5.4% pay rise between 1 October 2007 and 1 April 2008, followed by a 1.5% pay rise from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2009. Workers will also receive a lump sum payment of £175.
In addition, the CWU has agreed to support consultation on ending the current final salary pension scheme.
The CWU has previously said that the Royal Mail's modernisation plans would cost 40,000 jobs.
The suspension comes as the union's executive continues talks on whether to accept a Royal Mail deal.
The CWU must decide whether or not to recommend the offer, which is aimed at resolving a long-running row over pay, jobs and pensions.
The deal is thought to give CWU members a 6.9% pay rise over 18 months.
A series of 48-hour stoppages and unofficial walkouts is estimated to have cost Royal Mail more than £200m.
The union had plans for strikes to be carried out in various parts of the country on different days this week.
But CWU's failure to serve the notice correctly meant strikes planned for Monday and Tuesday had to be called off following a Royal Mail injunction, explained a union representative. Other strikes could still take place.
The CWU told the BBC an agreement on whether to continue with planned strikes was likely to be resolved on Tuesday afternoon.
Marathon talks
Leaders of the CWU are presenting the terms of the deal to the union's executive at their headquarters in Wimbledon.
DEAL POINTS
6.9% pay rise from 1 October 07 to 1 April 09
Consultation on ending final salary pension scheme
Flexible working to be trialled and agreed locally
The agreement was hammered out last week during marathon talks with Royal Mail's chief executive Adam Crozier.
Despite Friday's agreement, wildcat strikes have continued to disrupt services in some areas.
Unofficial action has been taking place in Yorkshire and Liverpool, with union representatives in Yorkshire reportedly opposed to working later hours.
In a survey of more than 250 company heads, half of the respondents said the strike had cost their companies at least £1,000.
According to the London Chamber of Commerce, the nationwide mail strikes have cost the city more than £300m.
Flexible working
A ballot of 130,000 workers will be called if the CWU accepts the Royal Mail settlement.
A simple majority would be needed to approve the deal. The results would be declared one month later.
While no details have been released, the BBC understands that the 6.9% pay rise over 18 months will consist of a 5.4% pay rise between 1 October 2007 and 1 April 2008, followed by a 1.5% pay rise from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2009. Workers will also receive a lump sum payment of £175.
In addition, the CWU has agreed to support consultation on ending the current final salary pension scheme.
The CWU has previously said that the Royal Mail's modernisation plans would cost 40,000 jobs.
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