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| 25 April 2005 | Monday | 15 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426 |
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Welcome to DAWN, Pakistan's most widely circulated English language newspaper Updated round-the-clock, with a major update before 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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Last samples of deadly flu virus destroyed in Beirut Beirut (dpa) - The American University in Beirut (AUB) said Monday that the last missing samples of a deadly flu virus mistakenly sent abroad by the U.S. institute have been destroyed. (Posted @ 23:50 PST)  WIndies hope to be simply the Best in final test ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, April 25 (AFP) - The West Indies made two changes to their squad for the fourth and final Test to be played here with South Africa on Monday following their humbling by South Africa in the third Test. Narsingh Deonarine and Tino Best came in for Ryan Hinds and Reon King for the match which begins on April 29, after the hosts slid abjectly to an innings and 86 runs defeat which gave the tourists an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.(Posted @ 23:40 PST) Annan calls for cooperation with Lebanon verification team UNITED NATIONS, April 25 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday said he expected Lebanon and Syria to cooperate with the team he is sending to verify Syria's pledged withdrawal from its neighbour. "He expects those governments to cooperate fully with the mission and provide it with the necessary support and assistance to carry out its task," Annan's spokesman said in a statement. (Posted @ 23:30 PST) Clinton says Annan picked him for tsunami "guilt" UNITED NATIONS, April 25 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton on Monday said Secretary General Kofi Annan picked him as the UN's Asian tsunami recovery envoy to heap guilt on nations that have pledged money but not paid up. "He thought I could guilt-peddle my former colleagues better than anyone else he could think of," Clinton said at a conference here aimed at boosting private efforts to help with future disaster relief worldwide. (Posted @ 23:15 PST) PM expresses condolence over train accident in Japan ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday expressed his condolence to the Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi on the tragic commuter train accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo, Prefecture, Japan. (Posted @ 22:38 PST) Moot for Accounting professionals of SAARC from May 6 KARACHI, April 25 (APP)- A 2-day International conference featuring the accounting professional of all the SAARC countries will be held here from May 6. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and The institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP) are jointly organizing the conference. "Transformation of Accounting Profession" is the theme of the moot. (Posted @ 22:35 PST) Boeing gets order estimated at 6.1 billion dollars from Air Canada New York (DPA) - U.S. aircraft maker Boeing Co. said Monday that Air Canada has ordered 32 airplanes from it in a deal worth an estimated 6.1 billion dollars. The purchase by Canada's biggest air carrier is for 18 Boeing 777s and 14 of Boeing's 787 Dreamliners, which are to debut in 2008. (Posted @ 22:30 PST) 11000 children forced to work in Larkana, seminar told Larkana, April 25 (PPI): Some 11,000 children are forced to work in Larkana alone, speakers told a seminar here on Monday. The seminar was organized by child rights entity, Spark. The seminar was also told that due to lack of proper facilities 240 children had died in Larkana Children Hospital in last two months. (Posted @ 22:25 PST) President hosts dinner for participants of Formation Commanders Conference ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf hosted a dinner in honour of the participants of Formation Commanders Conference here Monday evening. Chairman Senate Mohammadmian Soomro, Senior Defence Minster Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Chairman Joint Chiefs of the Staff Committee, Gen Ehsan ul Haq, Services Chiefs, and senior serving military officers attended the dinner. (Posted @ 22:20 PST) Afghanistan: Six killed in Kandahar gun battle Kandahar April 25 (PPI)Two soldiers of the Afghan government and four Taliban suspects were killed in an hour-long gun-battle Police officer Salim Khan said that 60 gunmen attacked the office of the Mayor. In an hour-long gun battle, four attackers and two soldiers were killed, he told reporters.(Posted :21:15) Askari Bank earns Rs 465 mln profit KARACHI, April 25 (APP) - Askari Commercial Bank Ltd has posted an after tax profit of Rs 465.006 million during the first quarter ended March 31, 2005. According to information reaching Karachi Stock Exchange on Monday, the earning per share of the bank during the period under review was Rs 12.36 compared to Rs 9.72 during the same period in 2004.(Posted @ 20:55) U.S. dollar rises against the euro FRANKFURT, Germany, (APP/AP) _ The U.S. dollar rose against the euro on Monday as weak business confidence data from Germany helped undermine the 12-nation European currency. The euro bought $1.2983 in afternoon European trading,down from $1.3068 in New York late Friday. The British pound fell to $1.9093 from $1.9151.The dollar also was up slightly against the Japanese yen, climbing to 105.71 yen from 105.38 yen.(Posted @20:45) Minister for Privatisation and Investment Dr. Hafeez Hafeez briefs US businessmen ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Minister for Privatisation and Investment Dr. Hafeez Sheikh has urged US businessmen to invest in Pakistan as it offered great returns on their capital.The minister made the suggestion while meeting targetted US investors and businessmen in New York where he also delivered his keynote address in a special high-level meeting of United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Bretton Woods Institution, the World Trade Organisation and United Nations Conference on Trade & Development at UN Headquarters.(Posted @ 20:25) Conference on new opportunities in Pakistan's oil and gas Sector LONDON Apr 25 (APP): A two- day conference on new opportunities in Pakistan's oil and gas sector will begin here Tuesday in a bid to attract foreign investment.(Posted @ 20:15) OPEC's output increase fails to dampen prices sufficiently: CGES LONDON, April 25 (AFP) - The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries appears to have no intention of increasing crude oil output to levels that would push prices under 50 dollars a barrel, the Centre for Global Energy Studies (CGES) said in its monthly report.(Posted @ 20:15) Mobile subscribers to change company while keeping the old number ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): The mobile phone subscribers would soon be able to keep their number intact while switching over to some other company, Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has said. "10 million mobile phone subscribers would benifit the Number Portability Clause to be operational by the end of current year," Any subscriber desirous of changing his current mobile phone company would be able to keep his current phone number intact despite change of company, he said.Replying to a question he said quality of mobile phone operators would be improved within two months. Replying to another question he said it was not possible for the PTCL to make local calls free of charge. (posted @19:45) Two Japanese tourists killed in bus accident outside Paris VERSAILLES, France, April 25 (AFP) - Two Japanese tourists were killed and a dozen others were injured Monday when their bus veered off a highway outside Paris and landed in a ditch, officials said.(posted @19:20) Japanese PM to visit Pakistan on April 30 ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will pay a two-day official visit to Pakistan from April 30 for talks on bilateral relations and regional and international issues, a foreign office spokesman said on Monday.(posted @18.50) Pakistani kidnapped embassy staffer freed ``unconditionally'' Islamabad, April 25 PPI: Pakistan Monday said its embassy staffer who was kidnapped in Iraq two weeks ago, was freed Sunday "without any condition". "The release of abducted staffer was unconditional," Foreign Office Spokesman Jalil Abbas Jilani told a weekly press briefing. Jilani said freed official has reached the embassy and is safe. "Arrangements are being made that he should arrive in Pakistan very soon," he added. Two Pakistanis working for a Kuwaiti company were killed in July last year after they were kidnapped in Iraq. Jilani said ransom had nothing to do with freeing of Malik, rejecting reports of demanding ransom payment by hostage-takers.(posted@ 18:50) Lebanon security chief resigns as last Syrians leave BEIRUT, April 25 (Reuters) - Lebanon's most powerful pro-Syrian security chief resigned, hours before the last Syrian forces were due to leave their tiny neighbour and end Damascus' 29-year domination. Syria bowed to international and Lebanese pressure last month and began pulling its 14,000 troops and many more spies from Lebanon. Only a few hundred remain in the eastern Bekaa Valley, where the Lebanese Army prepared on Monday to take over the Syrian intelligence headquarters in the town of Anjar. (Posted @ 18:35) New Iraqi cabinet on hold as sectarian tension rises BAGHDAD, April 25 (AFP) - The eagerly awaited new Iraqi government was put on hold again Monday, 12 weeks after landmark elections, amid fears that, with violence unchecked and sectarian tension on the rise, delay could play into the hands of insurgents. Rebels struck at Iraq's vital oil industry, setting fire to pipelines in the north, after a new wave of bombings targeting the Shiite majority community in Baghdad. US officials have suggested that further delay could undermine the Iraqi authorities' credibility. (Posted @ 18:30) Pope reaches out to Muslims, other Churches, in first audience VATICAN CITY, April 25 (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI met leaders of the Muslim community on Monday, welcoming progress in Christian-Muslim dialogue and saying the Catholic Church wanted to continue "building bridges of friendship" with all other religions. "I am particularly grateful for the presence in our midst of members of the Muslim community, and I express my appreciation for the growth of dialogue between Muslims and Christians, both at the local and international level," he said. (Posted @ 18:30) Tsunami disaster reduced conflict in Indonesia's Aceh, says president JAKARTA, April 25 (APP/AFP) - The tsunami that killed 160,000 people in Indonesia's Aceh last year has resulted in a reduction in the number of people being killed by conflict in the province, the country's president said. "The good news, of course, is that on the conflict side, things are under control," Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told a conference on disaster management here. Aceh,the region hardest-hit by the December 26 disaster, has since 1976 been the scene of a violent struggle between separatist rebels and Jakarta, which is also trying to control a smaller insurgency in eastern Papua province.(Posted @ 17:20 PST) Serbian general leaves for The Hague to face war crimes charges BELGRADE, April 25 (APP/AFP) - Former Yugoslav army chief Nebojsa Pavkovic left for The Hague to surrender to the UN war crimes tribunal. "I can confirm that Pavkovic left" aboard a government plane bound for the Netherlands, said his lawyer.(Posted @ 17:20 PST) Afghan gunbattle between government troops, six dead KANDAHAR, Afghanistan April 25 (APP/AP) Dozens of suspected Taliban attacked a mayor's office in southern Afghanistan, sparking a battle with government troops That left six people dead, police say. About 60 gunmen assailed the office in Reg district of Kandahar province just before noon on Sunday, deputy police chief Salim Khan told The Associated Press. Khan said four of the attackers and two Afghan soldiers were killed. Another Afghan soldier was wounded. He blamed Taliban militants for the attack, though provided few details.(Posted @ 17:20 PST) PTCL posts Rs 21 billion net profit in nine months ISLAMABAD April 25 (PPI): Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL) has earned Rs. 21.32 billion profit, in its nine months accounts that ended on March 31, this year, according to a press release. The company's total revenue for nine months stand at Rs 57.93 billion. (Posted @ 17:15 PST) PM hopes Pakistan will achieve millennium development goals ISLAMABAD, APRIL 25 (PPI): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has expressed his confidence that Pakistan which is well on track, will succeed to achieve the millennium development goals for the progress of its people with active support of its development partners. Inaugurating a three-day Pakistan Development Forum 2005 on "Sustaining Growth and Improving Quality of Life" in Islamabad, Mr. Aziz said that his vision for Pakistan is to see it as a developed, prosperous, modern and enlightened Islamic state. Also speaking on the occasion, the World Bank vice President Mr. Patel stressed the need to lay more attention on the improvement of infrastructure, power generation, improvement of irrigation and water supply system, improvement in tax administration and creating more job opportunities particularly in the rural areas. The Director of the International Monetary Fund Mr. Mohsin S. Khan while appreciating Pakistan's achievements emphasised the need to complete its second generation structural reform agenda to create an environment in which private initiatives can flourish. (Posted @ 17:15 PST) Bulgaria celebrates signing of EU accession treaty SOFIA, April 25 (APP/AFP) - Bulgarians were celebrating nationwide, with children off from school Monday, as the former communist state was set to sign an accession treaty to clear the way to joining the European Union in 2007. Bulgaria and Romania are both to sign the accession treaty Monday, and join the EU as the 26th and 27th members of the Union. (Posted @ 17:15 PST) Islamabad Airport to remain closed for three hours Karachi, April 25 PPI: Islamabad Airport will remain closed for three hours between 1300 1600 hours, for necessary repair work to be carried out by Civil Aviation on every Monday and Saturday from April 25 to July 25.(Posted @ 17:00 PST) Afghanistan to float tenders for mobile phone licences KABUL, April 25 (PPI): Afghanistan will float tenders for two new mobile phone licences on May 15 with submission deadline before July 16, government officials said. Currently the first mobile licence holders have around 800,000 subscribers in Afghanistan.(Posted @ 17:00 PST) KASHMIR: Sultan meets Jack Straw (BLACKBURN, April 25 PPI) Former AJK Prime Minister and leader of Opposition in AJK Legislative Assembly, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Ch., met former Foreign Minister of UK, Jack Straw. During the meeting, both leaders discussed the latest ongoing Kashmir situation, the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar Bus service, and the Indo-Pak dialogue process. Mr. Straw said that it was the first time in UK history that the ruling Labour Party of UK has included the Kashmir issue in its agenda, and reaffirmed that if the government of Labour party is retained again (in the upcoming UK election) it would solve the Kashmir issue.(Posted @ 17:00 PST) Benazir slates obstructions in path of PPP workers held in Punjab Karachi, April 25 (PPI): PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto condemned "the obstructions being placed in the path of PPP supporters maliciously arrested by the authorities in Punjab." In a statement, she said: "The authorities were not only deliberately denying the political workers judicial release after unconstitutionally arresting them but also arresting even more workers." Benazir Bhutto claimed that more than five hundred PPP supporters were in prisons many of them wearing clothes they had on when they went to Lahore airport on April 16 to welcome Asif Ali Zardari. "Tyranny never lasts and those who are violating the constitution would soon repent the days that they did so," she added.(Posted @ 17:00 PST) HEC to send abroad 20,000 scholars for MS, Ph.D studies ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): While inaugurating the International Korakorum Conference Chairman Higher Education Commission, Prof Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, said that about 20,000 scholars will be sent abroad for the MS and Ph.D studies during the next seven to eight years. Each university will send about 200 scholars abroad and U$$ 50-60 Billion will be spent on their training. (Posted @ 17:00 PST) China cements regional dominance with major Indonesia deal JAKARTA, April 25 (APP/AFP) - Beijing has sealed a far-reaching deal with Indonesia to extend billions of dollars of trade and provide a raft of other assistance that will most likely cement China's regional dominance. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called the agreement "a new historic milestone" in relations between the two countries as he signed the accord alongside China's President Hu Jintao. The deal, which comes on the heels of an important alliance between China and India, will open a new door between Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and put new pressure on US trade with the region. (Posted @ 16:30 PST) Pak economy grew 6.4 pc during current fiscal year ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Pakistan's economy has grown 6.4 percent during the current fiscal year 2004-05. This was stated by Dr Sarfraz Qureshi, an economic expert, while issuing a survey report titled 'Economic and Social Survey of Asia and The Pacific - 2005 (ESSAP)' at a ceremony organized by UNIC. He further said that the foreign exchange reserves had increased to $ 12.3 billion at the end of June 2004 compared with $ 10.7 billion a year earlier. (Posted @ 16:00 PST) Pak- Steel complete transparency ISLAMABAD, April 25 (PPI) Under an agreement signed by the Pakistan Steel and the Pakistan Transparency International (PTI), Pakistan steel has become the first public sector corporation to adopt complete transparency in its procurement procedures. (Posted @ 16:00 PST) HEC Pak Mountains offer opportunity for research work: Dr Atta ISLAMABAD, April 25 (PPI): Chairman Higher Education Commission Dr Attaur Rehman says Pakistani mountains offer wounderful opportunity for International Research Work. Addressing the International Karakorum conference in Islamabad, he said research in different kind of plants and wild animals on high altitude is beneficial for the humanity adding that research of plants contributes a lot in curing the patients of cancer and brain related diseases. (Posted @ 15:30 PST) Eight killed, 60 injured as bus and train collide in South Africa JOHANNESBURG (DPA) - A bus and a train collided in South Africa on Monday, killing eight people and injuring 60 others, news reports quoting police sources said. (Posted @ 15:30 PST) Two soldiers killed in Abu Sayyaf attack in Philippines = MANILA (DPA) - An army officer and a soldier were killed on Monday in an attack by al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf rebels on a southern Philippine island, a military spokesman said. Five soldiers were also wounded in the attack in Maimbung town, Jolo island, 1,000 kilometres south of Manila, said military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Buenaventura Pascual. (Posted @ 15:30 PST) Joy in Ethiopia as last piece of ancient Axum obelisk returns from Rome AXUM, Ethiopia, April 25 (AFP) - Ethiopia's long and frustrating wait for the return of the ancient Axum obelisk came to end Monday as the third and final piece of the ancient massive monument arrived from Rome nearly 70 years after it was stolen by Italian fascist troops. Russian-built Antonov cargo plane carryied the last portion of the 160-tonne obelisk. "I am very happy," said Prime Minister Meles Zenawi"It is not merely a piece of stone, this is a symbol of identity," he said (Posted @ 14:30 PST) Five injured as plane crash lands at Kabul airport KABUL, April 25 (AFP) - A Russian-made cargo plane arriving from Dubai swerved off the runway at Kabul airport in Afghanistan on Monday morning and burst into flames, injuring five crew members, an official told AFP. (Posted @ 14:30 PST) India agrees to resume military aid to Nepal unconditionally NEW DELHI, April 25 (AFP) - India will resume military aid to Nepal unconditionally, dropping an earlier demand for King Gyanendra to first restore democracy, the Indian foreign ministry said Monday. (Posted @ 14:30 PST) Housing scandal finally forces Czech PM out PRAGUE, April 25 (Reuters) - Czech Prime Minister Stanislav Gross officially resigned on Monday ending months of political uncertainty after a housing scandal tore apart his government. (Posted @ 14:30 PST) Indonesia, China sign pacts to deepen ties JAKARTA, April 25 (Reuters) - The leaders of Indonesia and China signed nine agreements on Monday establishing a "strategic partnership" between the two Asian countries, and calling for more trade, investment and maritime cooperation and for enlarged cooperation in other fields. (Posted @ 14:30 PST) Rice urges Iraq president to end deadlock-NY Times NEW YORK, April 25 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Vice President Dick Cheney have urged top Kurdish and Shi'ite politicians to come together to avert political deadlock in Iraq, The New York Times reported on Monday. The moves, aimed at ending the stalemate over forming a new government, appeared to signal a change in the Bush administration's hands-off approach to Iraqi politics, the newspaper reported. The White House pressure was reported by Iraqi officials in Baghdad and an American official in Washington on Sunday, according to the Times. (Posted @ 14:15 PST) Work on Bolan Dam to begin by June: FATA Minister SUKKUR, Apr 24 (APP): Federal Minister for States and FATA, Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind said on Sunday that Bolan Dam project had been okayed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and work on it would start by June. Addressing a public meeting organised by PML at Usta Muhammad,the Minister said the expanaion of Pat Feedar Canal was also being taken up, after which two lac acres of land would be made cultivable. The government had also approved a Rs 5 billion project for alignment of water courses in Balochistan, during the next two years. (Posted @ 10:30 PST) Rind-Afghans First phase of Afghan refugees' census completed: FATA Minister SUKKUR, April 24 (APP) - Federal Minister for States and FATA, Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind has said the first phase of Afghan refugees' census had been completed and showed the number of such refugees in Pakistan at about 3 million. They were being repatriated and the entire exercise would be completed in next two phases by the year 2006. (Posted @ 10:15 PST) President says talks in Delhi led to resolve to move towards final settlement of Kashmir says his 3-country visit successful ON BOARD PRESDIENT'S AIRCRAFT, April 24 (APP): Describing his visit to India, the Philippine and Indonesia as successful, President General Pervez Musharraf Sunday said his talks in New Delhi yielded positive results as both sides have a clear resolve to move towards a final settlement of the decades-old Jammu and Kashmir dispute between the two South Asian countries. "My talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yielded positive results and led to a joint statement, which reflected a clear resolve to address all issues and a resolve to move towards a final settlement of Kashmir," he said. The President told accompanying media team that the improvement in Pakistan-India relations echoed as a major subject during the Asian-African Summit. (Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Rescuers find 39 workers alive, 30 still missing in China mine disaster BEIJING, April 25 (AFP) - Rescuers Monday found 39 miners alive in a flooded coal pit in northeast China as efforts were stepped up to plug a burst wall and locate 30 workers still missing. The Tengda coalmine in Jiaohe city, Jilin province was flooded Sunday when water from the neighbouring Jian mine gushed into the shaft, trapping 69 men working deep underground. (Posted @ 09:45 PST) Cricket-South Africa claim series with innings victory BRIDGETOWN, April 24 (Reuters) - Andre Nel spearheaded South Africa to a series triumph over West Indies on the fourth day of the third test on Sunday. Fast bowler Nel took a career best six for 32 as South Africa won by an innings and 86 runs. The West Indies, who needed 252 to make South Africa bat again, were dismissed for 166 in their second innings. South Africa declared their first innings on 548 for nine early in the morning session in reply to West Indies' 296. The visitors lead the series 2-0 with the fourth test in Antigua still to play. (Posted @ 09:45 PST) Tennis-U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships men's singles final result HOUSTON, April 24 In the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships Men's Singles Final on Sunday Andy Roddick (United States) beat Sebastien Grosjean (France) 6-2 6-2. (Posted @ 09:45 PST) Russian, U.S., Italian space crew return to Earth ARKALYK, Kazakhstan, April 25 (Reuters) - A Russian Soyuz capsule bumped down on the Kazakh steppe early on Monday, bringing a Russian, an American and an Italian astronaut safely back to Earth from the International Space Station. Russian Salizhan Sharipov and American Leroy Chiao, who have manned the station since last October, returned with Italian astronaut Roberto Vittori, who spent 10 days in space, having accompanied the two-man crew that relieved Sharipov and Chiao. Soyuz rockets have been the sole means of sending crews to the ISS since the U.S. shuttle Columbia disintegrated in February 2003 over Texas, killing all seven astronauts on board. (Posted @ 09:00 PST) Karachi Stocks down 104.05 points: KARACHI, April 25: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 6997.33, down 104.05 points close. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 15:30 PST) Forex update: KARACHI, April 25: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.02 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Posted @ 14:30 PST)   Editor: Tahir Mirza The DAWN Group of Newspapers Haroon House, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Karachi 74200, Pakistan. Phone:+92 (21) 111-444-777 Fax: +92 (21) 569-3995 webmaster@dawn.com Make sure to reload these pages so you're viewing the current version. |
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