Gunmen kidnap trade ministry official in Baghdad

Tuesday, December 26, 2006, 15:48 [IST]

BAGHDAD, Dec 26 (Reuters) Gunmen kidnapped a senior Trade Ministry official in Baghdad today after stopping his vehicle on his way to work, a ministry source said.

Muhanad Ahmed Saleh, director of the Baghdad International Fair, was abducted by gunmen in two vehicles shortly after he left his home in Amiriya, a Sunni district in western Baghdad.

No shots were fired.

Baghdad is plagued by kidnappings. Many are political abductions by armed groups on either side of Iraq's Shi'ite-Sunni sectarian violence. Some kidnappings are carried out by criminal gangs seeking extortion money.

REUTERS DKA HT1412

Other articles published on December 26, 2006

Hasina deal with Bangladesh Islamists sparks criticism

Tuesday, December 26, 2006,15:49 [IST]

DHAKA, Dec 26 (Reuters) Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has struck a deal with a radical Islamic group ahead of next month's parliamentary elections, a leader of the group confirmed today. But the agreement between Hasina's Awami League and Khelafat Majlis, considered a pro-Taliban movement with some of its leaders and activists allegedly trained in Afghanistan, has drawn widespread criticism for derailing Hasina's policy of secularism and stance against radicalism. A Majlis leader today.....

Ethiopian planes attack retreating Islamists - witness

Tuesday, December 26, 2006,15:49 [IST]

MOGADISHU, Dec 26 (Reuters) Two Ethiopian jets fired missiles on Islamist fighters retreating from the town of Buur Hakaba which pro-government forces took overnight, a witness said today. ''They attacked heavily in the last 30 minutes. I can confirm three dead,'' an Islamist fighter said of what would be the third day of air-strikes by Ethiopian planes backing the interim Somali government in a war with Mogadishu-based Islamists. He said the dead were Islamist fighters.....

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Tsunami recovery fuelled by record charity

Tuesday, December 26, 2006,15:49 [IST]

ULEE LHEUE, Indonesia, Dec 26 (Reuters) Deny Syahputra, 24, lives alone in a wooden house built by an aid agency after his parents, sisters and a brother were swept away in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that smashed into this Indonesian port town. ''I hope that my family are in heaven now,'' he said today as prayers commemorating the disaster began at a nearby mosque. ''When I remember, I feel sad, but I realise I'm not.....

Japan scientists fail to unfold satellite antenna

Tuesday, December 26, 2006,15:49 [IST]

TOKYO, Dec 26 (Reuters) Japanese scientists have managed to open only one of two massive antennas on the country's biggest-ever satellite after its launch just over a week ago, a spokeswoman for Japan's space agency said today. Scientists abandoned the attempt to unfold the other 17-metre antenna yesterday when it took longer than planned, but they expect to succeed when they make a second attempt later in the day, she said. The successful launch of the.....

Tough toss to win, says England's Strauss

Tuesday, December 26, 2006,15:49 [IST]

MELBOURNE, Dec 26 (Reuters) Opener Andrew Strauss said England would have been happy to have lost the toss on the first morning of the fourth Ashes test in Melbourne today after Australia's bowlers seized the initiative. England skipper Andrew Flintoff called correctly on an overcast, blustery morning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but his batsmen failed to capitalise, falling to the wizardry of Shane Warne as they were skittled for just 159. The 29-year-old Strauss compiled.....