Russia asked for effective Mideast role
BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 11 (UPI) -- Lebanese President Emile Lahoud called Tuesday on Russia to help re-activate the stalled Arab-Israeli peace process. Lahoud told Russian envoy Andrey Vdovin during a meeting in Beirut all parties to the Middle East conflict should return to the negotiation table to discuss how to achieve lasting and comprehensive peace in the region. He said the recent deterioration in occupied Palestinian territories has proven "using force could not achieve any solution". Only an accord to implement the international resolutions could re-launch the Arab-Israeli peace process, Lahoud said.
Rumsfeld to enhance peace moves in S. Asia
WASHINGTON, June 11 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld headed to India Tuesday, seeking to further defuse tensions between the subcontinent's two nuclear rivals, India and Pakistan. He follows Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, who was in the region last week and succeeded in securing a number of confidence-building measures from India after Pakistan acted to stop cross-border attacks by Islamic militants. Before Rumsfeld's arrival, India announced it was re-opening its airspace to Pakistani flights, agreed to return its ambassador to Islamabad and to pull out five warships from the Pakistani coasts. Pakistan described the developments as positive.
Sept. 11 capsule put in Pentagon wall
WASHINGTON, June 11 (UPI) -- A bronze capsule containing items commemorating the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon and memorializing its 184 victims Tuesday was placed behind the final piece of limestone in the restored facade of the building. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, flanked by construction workers, said they had rebuilt a "symbol of American strength" and helped the nation heal and defy those who sought to destroy it and its people.
European Parliament bans animal cosmetic testing
STRASBOURG, France, June 11 (UPI) -- The European Parliament voted Tuesday to ban the sale of cosmetic products tested on animals in a move that sets the assembly on a collision course with European Union governments and the European Commission. The latter two institutions favor outlawing animal testing within the European Union but are opposed to an unconditional sales ban on products tested on animals outside the Union. EU Industry Commissioner Erkki Liikanen told members of the European Parliament that such a move could run counter to World Trade Organization rules.
Lexington bishop resigns amid sex charges
LEXINGTON, Ky., June 11 (UPI) -- Pope John Paul II Tuesday accepted the resignation of Lexington Bishop J. Kendrick Williams, who has been accused in three sex abuse cases. Williams has been on administrative leave since May 22 as a result of lawsuits accusing him of abuse while he was a priest in Louisville. Williams, 65, issued a statement last week categorically denying the charges.
Nokia expects lower sales
HELSINKI, Finland, June 11 (UPI) -- Nokia, the world's largest mobile phone maker, warned Tuesday its sales would fall in the second quarter due to weak demand for handsets and network equipment. Nokia, which makes more than one in three mobile phones sold globally, said based on developments during April and May, it expects second-quarter net sales to decline 2 percent to 6 percent year-on-year against a previous target of 2 percent to 7 percent growth in the quarter. Sales of Nokia mobile phones in the second quarter are expected to grow by 0 to 4 percent compared with last year instead of the previously stated 5 percent to 10 percent.
Stocks rise in active trading
NEW YORK, June 11 (UPI) -- Stock prices on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market edged higher in fairly active early afternoon trading Tuesday, lifted by strength in the telecommunications sector. The blue-chip Dow Jones industrial average, which gained 55.73 points Monday, was ahead 5.89 points at 9,651.29. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index, which slipped 4.79 points in the previous session, was ahead 1.15 points at 1,531.84.
France exits World Cup without a goal
INCHEON, South Korea, June 11 (UPI) -- France, touted as the most powerful soccer team in the world, is going home much earlier than anyone anticipated. Senegal, making its first appearance on the sport's most significant stage, will be staying around for awhile. What had seemed impossible before the start of the World Cup became reality Tuesday as the defending champions made their way to the exit in what will be viewed in their home country as complete disgrace. The World Cup entered a dramatic phase Tuesday with the playing of the first four of the 16 final group matches. In almost every match over the course of four straight days, a berth in the second round will be on the line.
