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| May 31, 2005 | Tuesday | Rabi-us-Sani 22, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Musharraf indicates Pakistan Qaeda bigwig with US ISLAMABAD, May 31 (Reuters) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said on Tuesday Pakistan had handed over a top al Qaeda suspect to the United States, having completed his interrogation. Pakistan announced in May it had captured Abu Faraj Farj al Liby, a Libyan that U.S. counter-terrorism agents say became al Qaeda's third-most important figure two years ago. Musharraf said he did not know where al Liby currently was, in Pakistan, or in U.S. custody. "We have extracted all the information and intelligence from him and I presume that he may have been deported already to the U.S.," Musharraf said. (Posted @ 00:30 PST)
Advani rejects charges of attacking Quaid, Babrimosque Islamabad May 31 (PPI) Shri L.K. Advani President Bhartia Janta Party (BJP) AND leader ofthe opposition in Indian Lok Sabha Tuesday rejected charges of his involvement in alleged attacks on the life of the Quaid-e- Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah and demolition of historic Babri mosque Answering questions at his news conference here he said these charges are totally baseless. Indian Ambassador, Mr Shivshankar Menon was also present on the occasion. When asked to comment on these charges, initially he regretted to reply.' (Posted @ 00:30 PST)
Saudi King Fahd may leave hospital in days-minister RIYADH, May 31 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Fahd's health has greatly improved on Tuesday and he may leave hospital within the next few days, Interior Minister Prince Nayef said. "I would like to reassure you that today in particular the improvement and progress was very big," Prince Nayef told a meeting of Gulf interior ministers in Riyadh.(Posted @ 21:40 PST)
Indian police arrest two men after cinema blasts NEW DELHI, May 31 (Reuters) - Indian police arrested two men, including a suspected Sikh militant, on Tuesday in connection with last week's cinema bombings in the capital that killed one person and injured dozens, a police official said.One of the men is believed to be a member of Babbar Khalsa, a Sikh rebel group which propagates the idea of an independent state for Sikhs, the official said.(Posted @ 21:30 PST)
Olympic champions Australia hold Pakistan to 2-2 draw,South Korea 4 India 1 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (APP/AP)- Olympic champions Australia scored a goal in the waning minutes to earn a 2-2 draw with Pakistan on Tuesday at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup field hockey tournament.In the orther match South Korea 4 defeated India 1 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.(Posted @ 21:15 PST)
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Bush calls Amnesty criticism of U.S. 'absurd' WASHINGTON, May 31 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Tuesday called an Amnesty International report that criticized the United States on human rights "absurd." "I'm aware of the Amnesty International report and it's absurd, it's an absurd allegation. The United States is a country that promotes freedom around the world," Bush said at a news conference.Amnesty International last week said human rights are in retreat worldwide and the United States bears most of the responsibility. It called the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, "the gulag of our times."(Posted @ 21:15 PST)
Bush vows to keep eye on Russian oil magnate's case WASHINGTON, May 31 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Tuesday stopped short of criticizing the nine-year prison camp sentence handed down against Russian oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky, but said Washington had raised concerns about the process and would keep watch on how any appeal is handled.Bush said he had "expressed my concerns about the case" directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Bush says pleased with progress in Iraq WASHINGTON, May 31 (Reuters) - Despite mounting casualties in Iraq, President George W. Bush on Tuesday said he was pleased with the progress being made there and that the new government will halt the deadly insurgency."I'm pleased with the progress," Bush told a news conference in the White House Rose Garden. "I am pleased that in less than a year's time there is a democratically elected government in Iraq, there are thousands of Iraqi soldiers trained and better equipped to fight for their own country."(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Blair to meet Bush in Washington early next week LONDON, May 31 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair will meet U.S. President George Bush in Washington on Monday and Tuesday next week to discuss climate change and Africa, a spokeswoman for Blair's office said. As well as discussing the two issues Blair has put at the centre of Britain's presidency of the G8 industrialised nations, the two leaders will discuss how to support Iraq's government and review progress in the Middle East, the spokeswoman said. (Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Schadenfreude aside, French vote is bad news for US BRUSSELS, May 31 (Reuters) - Despite the temptation to gloat at French President Jacques Chirac's humiliation, the United States stands to lose from the potentially crippling setback for the European Union's constitution, U.S. analysts say.France's decisive "No" vote in Sunday's referendum means the 25-nation bloc may not be establishing a more stable leadership with a long-term president, a foreign minister and its own diplomatic service any time soon.(Posted @ 20:45 PST)
Saudi King Fahd is well and progressing- Defence minister RIYADH, May 31 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Fahd's health is "well and progressing" and he could leave hospital soon, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Sultan said on Tuesday."By God, the king's health is well, progressing and improving," Prince Sultan told reporters in Riyadh. When asked when the king would be released from hospital, he said: "God willing, soon".(Posted @ 20:45 PST)
Attock Oil Group offers highest bid of Rs. 16.415 billion for National Refinery Ltd ISLAMABAD, May 31 (APP): Attock Oil Group Tuesday offered highest bid of Rs. 16.415 billion for 51% shares of National Refinery Ltd (NRL) surpassing the reference price and winning the bid of the state entity.The bidding party offered Rs.483/ per share for 51% (33,985,788) shares equity stake in National Refinery Limited together with management control.(Posted @ 20:15 PST)
Landmine kills five women in southwest Pakistan QUETTA, Pakistan, May 31 (AFP) - Five women were killed and six others, including two children, were wounded Tuesday when their pickup truck hit an anti-tank landmine in southwestern Pakistan, officials said.The incident happened as a family were travelling to a nearby village at Chamalung, in Loralai district, about 310 kilometres (192 miles) southwest of Quetta, local administrator Zaffarullah Khan Luni told AFP.(Posted @ 20:15)
Some progress' being made in EU-Iran nuclear talks: Bush WASHINGTON, May 31 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said Tuesday that Britain, France and Germany had made "some progress" in efforts to persuade Iran to abandon its nuclear program.(Posted @ 20:15 PST)
Bangladesh campus bomb sparks clashes between student groups: report DHAKA, May 31 (AFP) - A bomb explosion on the Dhaka University campus Tuesday sparked a series of clashes between rival student groups that left around 50 people injured, a report said.The student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the lead partner in the country's four-party coalition government, clashed with the student factions of several opposition parties following a small explosion earlier Tuesday, the private UNB agency said.(Posted @ 20:15 PST)
US Supreme Court overturns Arthur Andersen conviction WASHINGTON, May 31 (AFP) - The US Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned the criminal conviction of Arthur Andersen, the onetime accounting giant effectively put out of business for its role in the Enron financial fraud.Chief Justice William Rehnquist wrote for a unanimous Supreme Court that the case was "flawed" because of the instructions given to the jury telling them what was needed for a conviction. The Chicago-based accounting firm was shut down after its 2002 conviction on criminal obstruction of justice charges for the destruction of documents for its client, Enron, as a regulatory probe was underway.(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Iraqi president expects Saddam trial in 2 months BAGHDAD, May 31 (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein could go on trial for crimes against humanity within two months, far earlier than expected, Iraq's new president, Jalal Talabani, said on Tuesday.(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Chinese sub suffers accident in South China Sea, no word on casualties BEIJING, May 31 (AFP) - A Chinese navy submarine has been damaged during exercises in the South China Sea, Beijing said Tuesday, but officials refused to say whether there were any casualties.Japanese press reports said the sub stalled after a fire broke out aboard the vessel while it was submerged.It was being towed Monday above the water by a Chinese vessel toward the Yulin Naval Port on China's Hainan Island, the Yomiuri Shimbun said, citing Japanese and US defense sources.(Posted @ 19:45 PST)
Advani: Advani calls on Musharraf, Shaukat, Kasuri, Soomro Islamabad May 31 (PPI) Shri L.K. Advani President Bhartia Janta Party (BJP) AND leader of the opposition in Indian Lok Sabha Tuesday called on the President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, foreign minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and Chairman Senate Mohammadmian Soomro in their offices separately.Later addressing a news conference he termed his all meetings with Pakistani leaders as very good.(Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Kashmir dispute can be resolved with flexibility and courage;President ISLAMABAD, May 31 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Tuesday said the Kashmir dispute can be resolved with sincerity,flexibility and courage.He was talking to L.K. Advani, President, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Leader of the Opposition in Indian Lok Sabha who called on the President at the camp Office this morning.(Posted @ 19:45 PST)
President condemns Karachi killings ISLAMABAD, May 31 (APP): President Musharraf has strongly condemned killing of former MNA Aslam Mujahid and loss of lives in a terrorist attack on a mosque in Karachi and appealed to the people to unite in foiling the designs of the subversive elements.In a message, the president expressed his heartfelt grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the two incidents that took place on Monday evening. He ympathized with the families of the victims and said exemplary punishment would be awarded to the terrorists.(Posted @ 19:15 PST)
Privatization of PTCL challenged in SHC Karachi, May 31 PPI: The privatization of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited PTCL was on Tuesday challenged in Sindh High Court.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
India, Pak exchange draft of annual report, meeting on Kishan Ganga tomorrow- NEW DELHI, May 31 APP:- India and Pakistan on Tuesday exchanged the draft of annual report of the Indus Water Commission for 2004-05 and decided to hold an exclusive meeting on Kishan Ganga Storage and Power Project tomorrow.(Posted @ 18:45 PST)
Nine Taliban killed in combined attacks on US-led coalition forces: US KABUL, May 31 (AFP) - US-led warplanes and troops killed up to nine suspected Taliban rebels after the militants launched three attacks in quick succession on Afghan and US-led coalition forces, the American military said Tuesday. (Posted @ 18:45 PST)
Iraq to move 3,100 Iranian Kurds to safe area-UN GENEVA, May 31 (Reuters) - Iraq has agreed to move 3,100 Iranian Kurd refugees, who have been stuck in harsh and dangerous conditions near Ramadi, to a safer area in the north, the United Nations said on Tuesday.The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) welcomed the "breakthrough", as Al Tash camp has been virtually cut off from aid since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 of Iraq due to insecurity, a spokeswoman said.(Posted @ 18:15 PST)
OIC to consider major overhaul with new name, charter, structure: Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (AFP) - The 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is to consider changing its name, charter and structure in a major overhaul aimed at projecting a more moderate image, Malaysia said Tuesday. Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said after returning from the OIC Commission of Eminent Persons meeting in Pakistan last week that the group had come up with a plan to give the OIC a completely new look.(Posted @ 18:15 PST)
Euro hits fresh seven month low as France gets new PM LONDON, May 31 (AFP) - The euro slumped to a new seven month low point against the dollar on Tuesday after President Jacques Chirac appointed Dominique de Villepin as prime minister of France after the country soundly rejected the EU constitution. The single European currency fell to 1.2311 dollars in early European trading, the lowest level since October 14, from 1.2468 late on Monday in New York. Chirac appointed Villepin Tuesday in a major government reshuffle in the aftermath of the country's massive rejection of the EU constitution at the weekend.(Posted @ 18:15 PST)
MMA to observe strike in Karachi, hold nation-wide protest demo on Wednesday Karachi, May 31 (PPI): Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) will observe complete strike in Karachi and hold protest demonstrations and rallies all over the country on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 against the recent wave of terrorism in the country, MMA President Qazi Hussein Ahmed announced Tuesday.(Posted @ 15:52 PST)
Outgoing CJ calls on President RAWALPINDI, May 31 (APP): The outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui, paid a farewell call on President General Pervez Musharraf here Tuesday. During the meeting, President appreciated the services rendered by Mr. Nazim Hussain Siddiqui during this term of office as Chief Justice of Pakistan and wished him success for the future.(Posted @ 15:46 PST)
Afghan police hit largest drugs bazaar in southern Afghanistan Kabul (dpa) - The Afghan Special Narcotics Force (ASNF) has completely disrupted one of the country's largest narcotics and drugs bazaars as part of a three-day operation in southern Helmand, the Afghan deputy interior minister said Tuesday. More than 2.5 tons of opium, 250 kilograms of heroin and about 3.5 tons of chemical material used for producing heroin and morphine was confiscated and destroyed, Daud said.(Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Saudi Arabia gifts hospital equipment to Pakistan ISLAMABAD, May 31 (APP): The Saudi ambassador, Ali Bin Saeed Awadh Asseri, on behalf of the government of Saudi Arabia handed over hospital equipment to the Chief Minister of Baluchistan, Jam Muhammad Yousaf, on Tuesday. Located at Dalbandin in the province of Baluchistan, Prince Fahad Bin Sultan Hospital is a 70-bed general hospital equipped with a variety of modern facilities including an ambulance and a mosque.(Posted @ 15:44 PST)
Four police, seven suspected Taliban killed in Afghanistan gun battle KABUL, May 31 (AFP) - Suspected Taliban militants attacked a police headquarters in Afghanistan, leaving four police officers and seven militants dead in the ensuing gunfight, a senior official said Tuesday. Seven police officers were wounded and three militants were also captured in Monday's incident in the Arghandab district of Zabul province, an official told AFP. (First Posted @ 11:55 PST Updated @ 15:15 PST)
Kidnapped governor of Iraq province found dead BAGHDAD, May 31 (Reuters) - The governor of Anbar province, who was kidnapped earlier this month, was found dead along with his militant captors after they clashed with U.S. forces, a government spokesman said Tuesday. The governor, Raja Nawaf, was found tied to a gas canister in a house alongside the bodies of two Syrians, one Jordanian and an Algerian the near the town of Rawa two days ago, officials said.(Posted @ 15:03 PST)
Prime Minister leaves for Turkey to promote bilateral relations ISLAMABAD, May 31 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Tuesday said his visit to Turkey is aimed at further strengthening ties and increasing economic cooperation between the two countries. Talking to newsmen prior to his departure, Aziz said his discussions would focus on issues concerning the Muslim world besides exchanging views on global and regional affairs. The Prime Minister is also to make a brief stop-over in Beirut to meet the family of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafique al Hariri to condole his demise. (Posted @ 14:53 PST)
Four killed, four hurt in a land mine blast in Balochistan Quetta, Pakistan (dpa) - An explosion killed at least four persons including two women and two children and injured four others Tuesday when their vehicle hit a land mine in the Dukki area, some 300 kilometres east of Balochistan’s capital Quetta, police said.(Posted @ 14:48 PST)
Indian troops kill four militants in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, India, May 31 (AFP) - Indian troops shot dead four militants in two separate encounters in occupied Kashmir, police said Tuesday. The militants were killed overnight in the northern Baramulla and Kupwara districts, a police spokesman said. An army soldier was also injured during the fighting and two houses were damaged, he added. (Posted @ 14:44 PST)
Injured suicide attacker identified Karachi, May 31 (PPI): The suspect involved in the suicide attack at Madinat-ul-Ilm Mosque, Gulshan-i-Iqbal has been identified. He belongs to banned Jaish-i-Muhammad, police sources said Tuesday at Jinnah Hospital. He is Muhammad Jamil, resident of Orangi Town No 6, Karachi. Early Tuesday morning, Jamil regained consciousness in Surgical Ward 16 of Jinnah Hospital where he disclosed his identity; police said adding that a team had been sent for field investigations. They contradicted that Jamil was injured by firing of police guards at the mosque, as initial reports suggested. He was injured in bomb blast, police maintained.(Posted @ 13:15 PST)
Cricket legend Fazal Mahmood laid to rest LAHORE, May 31 (APP)- Pakistan's former Test captain and cricket legend Fazal Mahmood who died here Monday was laid to rest Tuesday morning at the Musafirkhana graveyard on Durand Road. Funeral prayers for the 'Oval hero' were held at Jamia Naimia, Garhi Shahu, attended among others by former Test captains Imtiaz Ahmad and Imran Khan, ex-PCB chiefs Lt Gen (r) Safdar Butt and Lt Gen (r) Tauqir Zia, ex-Test cricketers Yawar Saeed, Shafqat Rana, Azmat Rana, Zulfiqar Ahmad, Abdul Qadir, Shafiq Ahmad Papa, Agha Zahid, Akram Raza, hockey Olympians Munir Ahmad Dar, Kh Tariq Aziz, Test umpires Khizer Hayat, Mian Muhammad Aslam, officials of Pakistan Cricket Board, and a very large number of friends, admirers and relatives.(Posted @ 12:40 PST)
Iran tests new solid fuel rocket with 2,000 km range TEHRAN, May 31 (AFP) - Iran has tested a new missile using solid-fuel technology that matches the more than 2,000 kilometer range of its Shahab-3 rocket, the Islamic republic's defence minister was quoted as saying Tuesday. Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani said the test, carried out on Sunday, was "100 percent successful." Iran recently upgraded the Shahab-3 (range at least 2,000 kilometres) based on liquid-fuel technology.(Posted @ 12:35 PST)
Italian helicopter crashes in Iraq, 4 dead ROME, May 31 (Reuters) - An Italian army helicopter crashed southeast of the Iraqi city of Nassiriya, killing four Italians, Italy's military command said on Tuesday. No further details were immediately available.(Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Iraqi air force helicopter crashes killing five Baghdad/Cairo (dpa) - An Iraqi air force helicopter crashed Monday killing four U.S. soldiers and an Iraqi on board, al-Jazeera television reported. The helicopter came down in the province of Diyala, northeast of Baghdad.(Posted @ 10:07 PST)
Palestinian police discover tunnel leading to Israel settlement Gaza (dpa) - Palestinian Authority security forces early Tuesday discovered a tunnel dug into an Israeli settlement in the central Gaza Strip. A Palestinian Interior Ministry statement said that the tunnel began under a Palestinian resident's house and ended under the Israeli settlement compound of Gush Katif. Police destroyed the tunnel. (Posted @ 10:07 PST)
Six burnt alive as protesters torch US fast food outlet in Pakistan KARACHI, May 31 (AFP) - Six people were burnt alive when a mob protesting a suicide bombing of a mosque torched an outlet of an American fast food chain in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, police said Tuesday. Police and firemen recovered the bodies of six Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) employees after an angry mob set the restaurant on fire late Monday following a suicide attack on a mosque here that killed five people. "Their bodies were found during the search of KFC," city police chief Tariq Jamil told AFP.(Posted @ 9:50 PST)
Miss Canada crowned Miss Universe 2005 BANGKOK, May 31 (Reuters) - Miss Canada Natalie Glebova was crowned Miss Universe 2005 in Bangkok on Tuesday at the climax of a beauty pageant that once again managed to stumble into controversy with religious conservatives. Glebova, a 23-year-old motivational speaker from Toronto, took the crown from last year's winner, Australian Jennifer Hawkins. (Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 152.59 points KARACHI, May 31: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 6860.15, up 152.59 points from Monday’s close. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
Forex update KARACHI, May 31: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.05 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
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