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| July 4, 2005 | Monday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 26, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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Iraqi prime minister to visit Iran next week Teheran (DPA) - Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafari will visit Iran next week, state news agency IRNA reported Monday. IRNA quoted informed sources as saying that Jafari will visit Iran on Tuesday July 12 but prior to his visit, ten of his ministers will come to Teheran to prepare the grounds for the meetings. The sources said that with one-third of Jafari's cabinet members coming to Teheran next week, "the visit should indeed be regarded as a turning point in Teheran-Baghdad relations".(Posted @ 23:15 PST)
U.N. stops shipping aid to Somalia due to pirate threat Nairobi (DPA) - The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) has temporarily suspended delivery of aid to Somalia by ship because of the threat posed by pirates working off the country's coast, it was announced Monday. The move follows the boarding and seizure last week of an aid ship which remains under pirate command, the organisation said in Nairobi. The ship, which was carrying 850 tonnes of rice paid for by donations from Japan and Germany and destined to help tsunami victims in coastal regions of the country, is the first WFP vessel to have been captured by pirates.(Posted @ 23:05 PST)
Kashmir: Bhat asks India to be flexible on Kashmir SRINAGAR, July 4 (PPI): Former Hurriyat Conference chairman Prof Abdul Gani Bhat asked India to bring flexibility in its stand on Kashmir to move forward in resolving the issue. Prof Bhat was talking to a delegate session of his party, the Muslim Conference (MC) where he spoke at length on the contours of his recent Pakistan visit. He said unanimity between the stand of Pakistan and Hurriyat on Kashmir. "Both of us want an acceptable, honorable and lasting solution to Kashmir issue", he said. Prof Bhat praised president Parvez Musharraf who was eager to see solution of Kashmir issue during his tenure. " President Musharraf is a realistic and courageous leader whose approach is honest in finding a solution to the issue", he said.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Afghan blast kills driver, wounds two Turk engineers KABUL, July 4 (Reuters) - An Afghan driver was killed and two Turkish engineers wounded when a roadside bomb blew up their car in southeastern Afghanistan on Monday, the Interior Ministry said. It said some Taliban guerrillas were thought to have been wounded or killed in a clash with police that followed. "There were signs of blood and they left weapons behind."(Posted @ 20:48 PST)
Brother of ex-Taliban minister killed in Pakistan QUETTA, Pakistan, July 4 (Reuters) - The brother of a former Taliban foreign minister was killed by a stray bullet during a clash in Quetta, officials said on Monday. Former Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil has rejoined Afghan politics after being imprisoned by U.S. forces and is running in Afghanistan's September parliamentary election. His younger brother, Maulvi Jalil Ahmed, living in Quetta, was caught in crossfire when a neighbourhood dispute erupted in gunfire on Sunday, police said.Maulvi Jalil had been living in Pakistan as a refugee for years as a Muslim cleric and was not involved in politics, police said,.(Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Monsoon rains kill 15 in Pakistan MULTAN, Pakistan, July 4 (AFP) - At least 15 people have died in Pakistan's first monsoon rains of the year, following a scorching heat wave which claimed scores of lives last month, officials said Monday. Torrential rains and storms lashed central Pakistan early Monday, killing seven people and dumping 71.5 mm (2.9 inches) of rain in three hours on the city of Multan, meteorological and hospital officials told AFP.The toll included two people who were electrocuted while a woman, a child and three other people died in house collapses. Eight people had died when heavy rains swamped Lahore on Saturday, officials said.(Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Bush urges US to back Iraq war MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, July 4 (AFP) - President George W. Bush on Monday urged the deeply divided US public not to lose "our heart, our nerve, or our way" in the face of the deadly insurgency in Iraq. "When the work is hard, the proper response is not retreat. It is courage," Bush told hundreds of cheering supporters in a speech to mark the US independence day in this town of some 30,000 people.(Posted @ 20:22 PST)
Six killed, five injured in tribal clash JACOBABAD, July 4 (APP)- Six persons were killed and five injured in an armed clash between two tribes near Osta Muhammad on late Sunday night. According to police, one Zulfiqar belonging to Brohi Tribe allegedly barged into the house of Mahar Jamali in a village Israr Jamali and on resistence he opened fire on Mahar Ullah Jamali and his son Manthar Jamali. Both died on the spot. In return, armed men of Jamali Tribe attacked Chaakar Khan Brohi village killing three persons and injuring five others.(Posted @ 20:10 PST)
Pakistan China launch F22-P frigates project BEIJING, July 4 (APP): Pakistan and China here Monday launched a joint project to build four F22P Frigates. The launching ceremony was attended by the Chief of Pakistan Navy Admiral Shahid Karimullah and senior officials of China's People Liberation Army. The project is part of the on-going cooperation between the two countries in the defence sector and will be implemented under an agreement already signed by the two sides that includes technology transfer to Pakistan for building frigates.(Posted @ 19:58 PST)
PM arrives in Kazakhstan to attend SCO Summit ASTANA, July 4 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz flew into the Kazakhstan capital Astana on Monday to attend the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The SCO Foreign Minister's recommendation to grant Observer Status to Pakistan will be adopted by SCO summit meeting on Wednesday. The SCO groups China, Russia and four Central Asian states - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - with Mongolia as an observer.(Posted @ 19:45 PST)
Lok Sabha polls may be much earlier than expected: Advani NEW DELHI, July 4 (APP): BJP President and leader of the opposition L K Advani on Monday said the next Lok Sabha elections "may come much earlier than expected". "The next Lok Sabha elections may come much earlier than expected. Nowadays, no one knows when elections will come," Advani told a gathering in Shillong, Meghalaya state. The Congress-led UPA government, he said, was not like the one headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee, which lasted for six years "creating confidence in the people's mind, particularly by making India a nuclear power."(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Second missing U.S. soldier found - Afghan governor KABUL, July 4 (Reuters) - A second American soldier missing in Afghanistan for the past week has been located, a provincial governor said on Monday, adding that 17 civilians died in a U.S. air raid last week during a search for the missing troops. The governor of Kunar, Assadullah Wafa, told Reuters Afghan forces received information on Sunday night that a wounded American was being treated by villagers in a remote mountainous part of the province. "He is safe and there is no danger to his life. This is a very difficult terrain -- big trees and mountains." Wafa said the soldier was in the same area as that where a U.S. helicopter sent to rescue the troops was shot down by militants last Tuesday, killing all 16 U.S. Special Forces soldiers aboard. Wafa said he had no information about two other soldiers believed to be missing.(Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Boxing-Mexican super lightweight dies after Las Vegas bout RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 4 (Reuters) - A Mexican super lightweight has become the fifth boxer in 11 years to die as a result of a fight in Nevada, a Las Vegas newspaper reported. Martin Sanchez, 26, died in a Las Vegas hospital on Saturday as a result of injuries sustained in a fight on Friday, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Sanchez, who had a 13-10 record with 10 knockouts, was knocked out in the ninth round by Russian Rustam Nugaev.(Posted @ 19:18 PST)
Mauritius PM concedes ruling coalition's defeat in weekend polls PORT LOUIS, July 4 (AFP) - Mauritian Prime Minister Paul Berenger on Monday conceded his ruling coalition's defeat in weekend parliamentary elections, telling the Indian Ocean island that the opposition "would form the next government." Berenger, the first prime minister of Mauritius not of South Asian origin, said his coalition had lost in Sunday's polls to the Social Alliance, headed by ex-premier and head of the Labor Party Navin Ramgoolam. "It is the Social Alliance that will form the next government," Berenger said in a speech to voters in his constituency even before the first preliminary results from the election were made public.(Posted @ 19:05 PST)
President, PM address meeting on LG polls, flood, prices RAWALPINDI, Jul 4 (APP): A high-level meeting discussed on Monday morning arrangements of local government elections, flood situation, including preventive steps to reduce losses and measures being taken to keep a check on prices of essential commodities in the country. President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz addressing the meeting, directed the provincial governments to ensure proper security during the forthcoming Local Government Elections. They emphasized that these elections must be held in a free,fair and transparent manner and provincial governments should take all necessary measures in this regard. About flood situation, the Prime Minister said that he had visited the affected areas and announced a grant of rupees one hundred million. The participants of the meeting also reviewed measures being taken to ensure availability of essential items at affordable rates to the common man. They noted the Prime Minister's directive for the provision of Atta and Sugar at reduced rates to the common man form Utility Stores outlets. The four provincial governors and chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan attended the meeting.(Posted @ 17:05 PST)
UN secretary general launches new Democracy Fund at Africa summit SIRTE, Libya, July 4 (AFP) - United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday at the opening of an African heads of state summit in the Libyan town of Sirte officially announced the setting up of the UN Democracy Fund aimed notably at helping countries prepare and hold elections. "I am pleased to announce the creation of the United Nations Democracy Fund, which will provide assistance to countries seeking to establish or strengthen their democracy. A number of member states have already indicated their intention to contribute. I hope more will follow that example", Annan said in his speech to the opening smssion. "We all know this is not an easy process and that it involves far more than one or even two elections", he said, acknowledging that "maintaining democratic institutions can put strains on a poor country's resources".(Posted @ 16:48 PST)
Five die, 20 injured as coach overturns near Ormara KARACHI, July 04 (PPI): Atleast five passengers were killed and 14 others injured when a passenger coach coming from Gwadar to Karachi overturned at the Coastal Highway near Ormara at about 02.00a.m Monday. Five of the total 38 passengers in the coach died on the spot, while 20 others were injured, 14 of them seriously, Edhi information bureau told.(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Three Iraqis killed during anti-insurgent raid Baghdad (dpa) - Three Iraqis suspected of accommodating terrorists were killed during a joint Iraqi-U.S. raid south of Baghdad Monday, the police told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. The police said another seven were injured in the raid in the suburbs of the southern city of Hillah. They said the raid also culminated in the arresting of 45 suspects. The police said two car bombs were also defused. (Posted @ 15:48 PST)
Afghans say 17 civilians dead in US air strike KABUL, July 4 (AFP) - A US air strike in eastern Afghanistan last week killed 17 civilians, including women and children, a governor said Monday as the search continued for the missing comrades of a rescued US soldier. The Afghans were killed when US warplanes bombed a suspected militant hideout at Chichal village in troubled Kunar province late Friday amid the search for the small team of elite US soldiers, Kunar governor Assadullah Wafa told AFP. (Posted @ 15:36 PST)
Syria detains two 'terrorists' in deadly clash DAMASCUS, July 4 (AFP) - Syrian security forces detained two "terrorists" and a security force officer was killed in a dawn clash Monday on Mount Qassioun which overlooks the capital, the official SANA news agency said. "The clash took place early on Monday on Mount Qassioun with a group of people wanted for terrorist crimes, some of whom were former bodyguards of Saddam Hussein," SANA said. "Two terrorists were arrested after the clash," which claimed the life of security forces officer Ahmad Hijazi, it said, adding that two policemen and two other security force officers were wounded. (Posted @ 15:35 PST)
African Union leaders start summit meeting in Libya SYRTE, Libya, July 4 (AFP) - An African Union (AU) summit opened Monday with debate on representation of the world's poorest continent on a revamped UN Security Council and its relations with the G8 group of the world's richest nations topping the agenda. As the African Union is increasingly involved in resolving the various conflicts plaguing the continent, the leaders will also discuss the situation in Ivory Coast, the western Sudanese region of Darfur and how to help Somalia as it struggles to emerge from more than a decade of civil war and turmoil. (Posted @ 15:34 PST)
Troops comb west Baghdad after Egypt envoy kidnap BAGHDAD, July 4 (AFP) - Iraqi and US troops combed suspected insurgent hideouts in west Baghdad Monday after Egypt's ambassador designate became the first foreign head of mission kidnapped in the 15-month-old hostage crisis. Meanwhile, in continuing violence, gunmen barged into the home of Gergis Mohammed Amin. an official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in the main northern city of Mosul, and killed him as his family watched on, his party said Two other officials of the Kurdish former rebel group were gunned down in Mosul Saturday. The US military meanwhile announced the arrest of Tunisian Imad Nassar Ahmed Amarah, also known as Abu Hamza, on suspicion of running a network of safehouses for would-be suicide bombers. It said he was suspected of working for Abu Talha, a suspected aide of Al-Qaeda frontman Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was captured two weeks ago."Evidence collected indicated that over one hundred suicide bombers have passed through and operated out of (Abu) Hamza's terrorist safehouses," a statement said. (Posted @ 15:34 PST)
Chinese Premier Wen urges joint oil exploration in South China Seas BEIJING, July 4 (AFP) - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Monday that oil companies from China, Vietnam and Philippines should begin a joint search for petroleum reserves around the disputed Spratlys Islands in the South China Sea as soon as possible, state press said.Wen made the remarks during talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Khai on the sidelines of the second summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation, Xinhua news agency said. Wen said "he hoped oil companies from the three countries would start joint prospecting in the South China Sea as soon as possible," the report said. (Posted @ 15:09 PST)
China finds world’s largest WWII-era chemical weapons facility BEIJING, July 4 (AFP) - Chinese state media said Monday that researchers have found what could be the largest chemical weapons testing facility in the world, used by Japanese occupation forces during World War II. Human guinea pigs were used at the 100-square-kilometre site in the Bayanhan grasslands in north China's Inner Mongolia region, the China Daily reported, citing eyewitnesses. The paper said Japanese researchers used the facility in the early 1940s as part of contingency plans for a possible attack on the Soviet Union. (Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Bush rules out "Kyoto-style" deal at Gleneagles London (dpa) - U.S. President George Bush has ruled out agreement on fixed targets to combat global warming at the forthcoming G8 summit in Britain but acknowledged that "human activity is to some extent to blame" for climate change. Speaking to Britain's ITV television in an interview to be broadcast later Monday, Bush said he would impress on fellow world leaders the need to develop new technologies in the fight against global warming. (Posted @ 12:54 PST)
US space projectile hits comet head-on PASADENA, California, July 4 (AFP) - A US space projectile early Monday collided head-on with a comet hurtling through the solar system as part of an experiment to study its core, NASA officials said. "We hit just exactly where we wanted to," flight control officials said. (Posted @ 11:21 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 55.00 points: KARACHI, July 4: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 7409.60, down 55.00 points from Friday's close. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, July 4: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.5 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
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