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| July 21, 2005 | Thursday | Jumadi-us-Sani 13, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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London police say some devices failed to explode LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) - London's police chief said on Thursday there were still some unexploded devices on London's transport system after a series of attacks. "From what I understand, some of the devices remain unexploded," police chief Ian Blair told a press conference, after a series of attempted attacks on the underground. He said while the attacks had echoes of ones two weeks ago which killed over 50 people, it was too early to say whether they bore the hallmarks of al Qaeda..(Posted @ 00:15 PST)
Too soon to say if links between London attacks and July 7: police LONDON, July 21 (AFP) - London police chief Ian Blair said it was too soon to say whether there was a connection between Thursday's attacks in the British capital and the July 7 bombings, but he aknowledged there were similarities.(Posted @ 22:10 PST)
Fourteen killed as Taliban attack sparks ethnic clash in southern Afghan KANDAHAR, July 21 (AFP) - Fourteen Afghan civilians were killed when a Taliban attack sparked an ethnic clash between two neighbouring villages in southern Afghanistan, an official said Thursday. Suspected Taliban guerrillas attacked Hazara village in the southcentral province of Uruzgan on Monday, killing 10 villagers, provincial governor Jan Mohammad Khan told AFP. A day later, Hazara tribesmen from Uruzgan's Kejran district -- blaming the attack on their neighboring Pashtun-dominated village -- launched a raid that killed four people, the governor said. However, Mullah Abdul Latif Hakimi, spokesman for the ousted militia said his men were not involved in the bloodshed.(Posted @ 22:08 PST)
52 detainees at Guantanamo Bay on hunger strike: US WASHINGTON, July 21 (AFP) - Fifty-two prisoners at the US Guantanamo Bay terror suspects camp in Cuba have launched a hunger strike and had so far refused at least nine consecutive meals, military authorities said Thursday. Prisoners who refuse food were treated with intravenous drips, and oral rehydration solutions including Gatorade energy drinks, water and oral nutritional supplements, the statement said.(Posted @ 22:00 PST)
Rice arrives on final push over Israel's Gaza pullout JERUSALEM, July 21 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Israel for talks Thursday as part of a final push to ensure the success of next month's pullout from Gaza as Israel considered bringing the withdrawal forward. Rice's three-day visit, which will also take her to the West Bank on Saturday for talks with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas, is likely to be dominated by the disengagement plan which is due to begin on August 17.(Posted @ 22:00 PST)
Rice arrives on final push over Israel's Gaza pullout JERUSALEM, July 21 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Israel for talks Thursday as part of a final push to ensure the success of next month's pullout from Gaza as Israel considered bringing the withdrawal forward. Rice's three-day visit, which will also take her to the West Bank on Saturday for talks with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas, is likely to be dominated by the disengagement plan which is due to begin on August 17.(Posted @ 22:00 PST)
President Musharraf Speech ISLAMABAD July 21 President Parvez Musharraf called up the Pakistanis to join the Jehad against preachers of hatred, violence and terrorism and announced steps to rein in militant organization and banned outfits and set Dec 31 deadline for the registration of madressahs. In a televised address to the nation he said banned militant organization shall not be allowed to function in any shape or new name or raise funds, possession or display of arms shall be strictly probited and severe action will be taken against those who produce literature of hate and violence. He condemned the July 7 bomb blast in London in strongest terms and said Pakistan know lots needs to be done internally but a lot also needs to be done internally but a lot also needs to be done in England where extremist organizations are functioning with impunity, the core of strategy is to encourage and support each other, he added. He also urged the west to help resolve political disputes affecting Muslims which are at the root of extremism and terrorism.(Posted @ 22:00 PST)
Terror, extremism scourge both Pakistan, Britain: UK diplomat KARACHI, July 21 (APP)- The Political Counsellor at the British High Commission in Islamabad, Peter Wilson, has said that Britain and Pakistan both face the scourge of terrorism and extremism. We face it together. "We need to clamp down on extremists", he remarked while addressing the members of Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA) here on Thursday.(Posted @ 21:36 PST)
Pakistan terms Indian PM's remarks unfortunate, misleading ISLAMABAD July 21 (APP): Pakistan said Thursday Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent remarks including those to CNN regarding the security of Pakistan's nuclear programme and strategic assets "are unfortunate and create a misleading impression removed from the facts." A Foreign Office spokesman said "Pakistan's nuclear programme and strategic assets are secure, under strict and multi-layered custodial controls," he said. An elaborate command and control mechanism, institutionalised in the shape of the National Command Authority has been in place since 2000. "We have studied the models of command and control systems elsewhere and our multi-layered security structures are at par with the most stringent international systems and practices, the spokesman said. The issue of terrorism, which is the global phenomenon, should not be used to malign Pakistan, which is in the forefront of the international fight against terrorism, he said.(Posted @ 21:35 PST)
New trade policy announced with $ 17 billion exports target ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): New trade policy for the fiscal year 2005-2006, with exports targetted at $ 17 billion, imports projected at $ 21.7 billion and further liberalization of import regime was announced here on Thursday. Announcing the new Trade Policy over Radio and Television, Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan said, the policy, which is designed to provide maximum possible export opportunities for our business community, envisages a Rapid Export Growth Strategy (REGS). "Measures are also being put in place to further reduce the cost of doing business". He underlined improved market access; focus on neglected regions and countries; strengthening of trade promotion infrastructure; large scale training; and state of the art physical infrastructure as five pillars of the rapid export growth strategy.(Posted @ 21:35 PST)
One person injured at London subway station: police LONDON, July 21 (APP/AFP) - One person was injured Thursday at one of three London subway stations where explosions occurred, police said.The victim received injury at Warren Street," a spokesman said. The other two stations were Shepherd's Bush and Oval. There was also a report of an explosion on a bus in Hackney Road.(Posted @ 21:30 PST)
Attacks designed to scare, says Britain's Blair LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) - Police hope London will return to normal quickly after blasts on the transport system, prime minister Tony Blair said on Thursday. "We know why these things are done. They are done to scare eople," Blair told a news conference. "Fortunately in this instance there appear to have been no casualties...We've got to react calmly." London police chief Ian Blair said that there had been one casualty, but it was not fatal.(Posted @ 20:05 PST)
One person injured at London subway station: police LONDON, July 21 (APP/AFP) - One person was injured Thursday at one of three London subway stations where explosions occurred, police said.The victim received injury at Warren Street," a spokesman said. The other two stations were Shepherd's Bush and Oval. There was also a report of an explosion on a bus in Hackney Road.(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Police find 'no trace of chemical agents' after London explosions LONDON, July 21 (AFP) - Police investigating bombings on the London transport system wore protective clothing to carry out searches at two subway stations but found "no trace of chemical agents" at one of them, a police spokesman said.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
China revalues currency; repegs to basket of currencies BEIJING, July 21 (AFP) - China Thursday revalued its currency and scrapped the yuan's decade-old peg to the dollar in favour of managed float against a basket of currencies, caving in to intense pressure from trading partners led by the United States. The currency was fixed at 8.11 yuan to the dollar effective 11 GMT compared to the old rate of 8.2765 yuan, effectively a two percent revaluation. The dollar dropped sharply against several Asian currencies following the announcement, sinking to 110.38 yen -- its lowest level since June 30 -- from 112.50 yen before the move.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Cricket : Australia 190 all out against England Cricket :LONDON, July 21 (AFP) - Australia, after winning the toss, were bowled out for 190 before tea on the first day of the first Test against England at Lord's here Thursday. Fast bowler Stephen Harmison took five for 43 while Glenn McGrath was 10 not out. This match was the first of a five-Test series.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
One militant killed in attack on US-Afghan patrol, one wounded KABUL, July 21 (AFP) - One militant was killed and another wounded when four insurgents attacked a US-Afghan patrol in southeast Afghanistan, the US military said Thursday. The wounded militant was being treated for his injuries while the other two escaped on motor cycles. US and Afghan troops sustained no casualties in the gun battle, said the statement. In Kandahar militiamen on Wednesday kidnapped four low-ranking government workersbut released them 24 hours later after making them swear they would not work with the government again. Also Wednesday two bombs exploded in the western city of Herat but no one was hurt. "One bomb exploded outside the governor's house and the second outside the police headquarters," said provincial governor Sayeed Mohammad Hussain Anwary.(Posted @ 18:45 PST)
Saddam defence draws colourful cast of characters BAGHDAD, July 21 (Reuters) -Among those who will defend Saddam Hussein when he goes on trial for war crimes are a former U.S. attorney general, a former French foreign minister who once represented Picasso, and a little known contracts lawyer from Jordan.They are: Issam Ghazzawi, a Jordanian who specialises in contracts law; Roland Dumas, a colourful octogenarian who served as France's foreign minister from 1988-93 and who during his career acted as executor of Pablo Picasso's estate; Ramsey Clark, the U.S. attorney general under President Lyndon Johnson in the 1960s; and Khaleel al-Dulaime, an Iraqi who is expected to lead the defence.(Posted @ 18:30 PST)
U.S. releases 8 Guantanamo prisoners, 510 remain WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Wednesday it has released seven Guantanamo prisoners to their home countries after sending another to Spain where he will be questioned in an al Qaeda probe, leaving about 510 jailed.(Posted @ 18:20 PST)
Indonesia's leader urges religious moderation BALI, Indonesia, July 21 (Reuters) - The president of Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, called on Thursday for religious moderation rather than a dogmatic approach that he said could lead to "hatred and ignorance". Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was speaking at the two-day Asian-Europe Conference attended by nearly 200 participants from 27 countries, that "we must all practice our faith with utmost devotion, but we must also never cease to think rationally and constructively". "Moderation certainly does not mean compromising" on religious fundamentals, but does require a "a holistic approach . rather than a literal, piecemeal and narrow view, which often leads to rigid practices and extreme behaviour", Yudhoyono added.(Posted @ 18:10 PST)
Nine people die in Yemen riots, witnesses say SANAA, July 21 (Reuters) - At least nine Yemenis died in violent clashes over fuel price hikes erupting across the country for a second day on Thursday, witnesses said. Two policemen were among the casualties in the northern province of Saada, and two civilians died in the eastern province of Marib. Earlier on Thursday, three people were killed when police fired at protesters trying to storm government oil facilities in the Red Sea port town of Houdeida. Two people died in the southern area of Ta'iz, and 13 people were killed on Wednesday .(Posted @ 18:05 PST)
Three tube lines shuts, no injuries reported LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) - London underground shut three tube lines following reports of incidents and said there were no reports of injuries. "We are responding to reports of incidents at Warren Street and Oval. There are no reports of any casualties at this stage.We have suspended services on three lines -- Hammersmith and City, Victoria ansd Northern Line," the spokeswoman said.(Posted @ 17:45 PST)
SHO, 3 Cops hurt in clashes with demonstrators SRINAGAR, July 21 (APP): In occupied Kashmir, three policemen including a Station House Officer (SHO) Shopian were wounded when police clashed with demonstrators, who were protesting in large numbers against the atrocities committed by Indian troops in the area. Kashmir Media Service reported that one clash occurred in Shopian area and in pitched battles, an SHO Shopian and three of his colleagues sustained injuries. In Noor Bagh Qamarwari in Srinagar, protesters thronged the streets against the arrest of a liberation movement activist Shabbir Ahmad Dar(Posted @ 17:35 PST)
India's Gandhian Leader meets Mirwaiz, Gilani SRINAGAR, July 21 (APP): India's noted Gandhian leader, Nirmala Deshpande met APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq here and exchanged views on the current political situation in occupied Kashmir and the recent visit by Hurriyat and other leaders to Azad Kashmir and Pakistan.According to Kashmir Media Service, during more than two hour-long meeting, they also discussed the ongoing dialogue process in reference to the resolution of the lingering Kashmir issue.(Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Three killed, 20 hurt as Indonesian air force plane goes off runway JAKARTA, July 21 (APP/AFP) - Three people were killed and 20 injured when an Indonesian air force plane crashed on landing in Aceh province on Thursday, the military said The plane suffered a problem with one wheel while landing at Malikulsaleh air base in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, and two army lieutenant colonels and one army major were killed and the others on board were taken to hospital. An air force OV 10 Bronco warplane went missing on a training flight in East Java province the same day.(Posted @ 17:25 PST)
Construction work on Mangla Dam's upraising in full swing MIRPUR, Jul 21 (APP): Construction work on upraising of the country's second biggest Mangla dam is going in full swing and the government has so far disbursed an amount of Rs. 915.377 million among 9110 old affectees for their rehabilitation at the rate of Rs. two lakh per family. Commissioner Mangla Dam Affairs Engineer Ch. Amir Afzal told APP here Thursday. He said that under an agreement between the AJK and the Pakistan governments, a two-km long bridge is being constructed over the Mangal Dam reservoir to link Mirpur city with the adjoining Islamgarh town to provide quick and direct access to Mirpur city.It will completed within six months .(Posted @ 17:20 PST)
Two Algerian diplomats kidnapped in Iraq BAGHDAD, July 21 (AFP) - Algeria's charge d'affaires in Iraq and a colleague were kidnapped in Baghdad Thursday, Algerian and Iraqi officials said. Charge d'affaires Ali Belaroussi and Ezzedin Ben Kadi were nabbed from their car. "I was on the other side of the main road when I saw people in two cars pull the men out of their car and take them. No shots were fired," a third Algerian diplomat, Abdel Wahab Fellah, told AFP. "I couldn't do anything. I just called the police," he said. The kidnapping occurred near the Al-Sa'aa restaurant in the Al-Mansur district of west Baghdad at 2:10 pm. According to the interior ministry, the kidnappers' cars had number plates from Al-Anbar province, a rebel bastion in western Iraq.(Posted @ 17:00 PST)
No Pakistan arrests over London bombings: British high commissioner ISLAMABAD, July 21 (AFP) - No one has been arrested in Pakistan in connection with the London bombings, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Mark Lyall-Grant said in Islamabad on Thursday. "There has been no arrest in Pakistan since July 7 related to the London bombings," the high commissioner told a gathering of Pakistan's ruling party held to commemorate the attacks.Media reports had said an al-Qaeda linked suspect behind the blasts, identified as Haroon Rashid Aswat, had been arrested during sweeping raids of Islamic prayer schools and other sites that netted more than 200 arrests. Pakistani intelligence officials have also denied that they had made any arrests related to the attacks that killed 56 people, including the bombers, and wounded 700.(Posted @ 16:50 PST)
Two killed, four hurt in grenade attack on Pakistan mosque near Afghanistan ISLAMABAD, July 21 (AFP) - Two Islamic preachers were killed and four others wounded on Thursday in a hand grenade attack against a mosque in a Pakistani tribal district bordering Afghanistan, officials said.Unknown attackers threw the grenade into a mosque in the Khabianga village of the Kurram agency tribal district, some 260 kilometres (160 miles) west of Islamabad, local administration official Basir Khan Wazir told AFP. Two members of the Tableeghi Jamaat (Preaching Party) died on the spot, while four people were seriously hurt and taken to hospital, he said.(Posted @ 16:40 PST)
Table of military deaths in Iraq LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) - The following are the latest figures for military deaths in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, in line with the most recent information from the Pentagon: U.S.-LED COALITION FORCES: United States 1,768, Britain 92,Other nations 94, IRAQIS: MILITARY Between 4,895 and 6,370, CIVILIANS Between 22,850 and 25,881(Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Death toll from series of Baghdad attacks rises to 15 BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 21 (APP/AP) _ Two suicide car bombings, along with a string of other attacks, in and around Baghdad Thursday have left 15 people dead, police and army officials say. A suicide car bomber rammed into an Iraqi army checkpoint south of Baghdad, killing six soldiers in Mahmoudiyah, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of the capital. A second Iraqi army checkpoint in the southern Baghdad suburb of Bueitha was also hit by a suicide car bomber, killing one soldier, al-Zeiadi said. Unidentified gunmen assassinated three members of the Qadisiyah provincial council as they were heading to an Internet cafe in the western neighborhood of Khadhra, said police 1st Lt.Muhammad Al-Hiyali. In Baghdad's Shiite enclave of Sadr City, an employee of the Ministry of Trade was killed in a drive-by shooting, said police 1st Lt. Talib Naim said.Explosives were thrown into the compound of a British security firm in western Yarmouk neighborhood, killing one Iraqi guard and injuring two others. Meanwhile, a roadside bomb targeting an Iraqi patrol detonated at dawn in Latifiyah, killing three soldiers.(Posted @ 16:30PST)
Sudan apologises to Rice over manhandling, US says ABU SHOUK, Sudan, July 21 (Reuters) - Sudan's foreign minister on Thursday apologised to visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice over the manhandling of U.S. officials and journalists in Khartoum, a U.S. official said. U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail had phoned Rice while she was on a plane to Darfur in western Sudan to say sorry. Rice had earlier demanded an apology. "He apologised for the treatment of our delegation and the press corps," McCormack told journalists travelling with Rice. Sudanese security staff manhandled U.S. officials and journalists outside a meeting between Rice and SudanesePresident Omar Hassan al-Bashir. (Posted @ 16:05 PST)
Three electricity employees killed in Baghdad Baghdad (dpa) - Three government employees of the electricity ministry were killed on Thursday while inside a vehicle in Baghdad, witnesses said. The witnesses said the employees were driving in Jamia neighbourhood west of Baghdad when gunmen opened fire on them, killing them instantly. The reason for the killing is unknown. A car bomb exploded while a U.S. patrol was passing orchards in the Dora neighbourhood of southern Baghdad Thursday, according to witness reports. The witnesses said U.S. troops sealed off the area and prevented people and journalists from entering the place. The U.S. military did not report if there were any casualties.In Baquba, north-east of Baghdad, unknown persons bombed a Shiite shrine Imam Muhsin bin Ali al-Hadi causing damage to the building, witnesses said.was bombed by insurgents causing damage to the building and completely destroying the shrine's dome. The shrine is located in the industrial district of the city. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Pakistan police arrest 'mastermind' of 2004 suicide blast at Shiite mosque LAHORE, Pakistan, July 21 (AFP) - Pakistani police said Thursday they had arrested the suspected mastermind of a suicide bombing at a mosque last year that killed 28 Shiite Muslims. The suspect, Imran Bobi, was arrested after a gun battle Wednesday that left one militant dead at a house in the eastern city of Lahore, local police officer Babar Ashraf told AFP.(Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Police officer and civilian die in Occuped Kashmir SRINAGAR,, July 21 (AFP) - A policeman who was head of a police station ,and a civilian were killed in a shooting by a policemen in srinagar on Thursday police spokesman said."The policeman involved in the shooting has been arrested. Investigations have started," the spokesman said. Eyewitnesses said the Sikh policeman opened fire at the two officers. "We are investigating whether it was an accidental shooting or a deliberate one," the spokesman said.The shooting took place as Hindu priests were leaving the temple for the southern cave shrine of Amarnath. The two officers were there to oversee security.(Posted @ 15:00 PST)
Malaysian premier calls on Muslims to defy militants KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (AFP) - Malaysian premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Thursday called on Muslims to prevent militant groups from hijacking the name of Islam to advance their violent ideology."The image of Islam in the eyes of the international community has been blackened since September 11," said Abdullah, who chairs the world's biggest grouping of Islamic nations, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference."We realise that Islam and its teachings can be used by certain groups, not only in Malaysia but also overseas, to advance their narrow agenda," he said in a speech to his ruling party's national assembly. "What we regret most is that every time, their actions bring destruction, pain and instability to human beings everywhere, including to Muslims who are innocent," he said. Islam is a major topic at this week's annual talks of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which promotes a moderate "Islam Hadhari" that emphasises economic and scientific development.(Posted @ 11:15 PST)
Indian PM worried Islamic militants may seize Pakistan's nuclear bomb WASHINGTON, July 20 (AFP) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh warned Wednesday of "serious" consequences if Islamic militants grabbed power in Pakistan and took control of its nuclear weapons arsenal.Singh, wrapping up a four-day visit to the United States, said the Al-Qaeda terror network led by Osama bin Laden had a key base in Pakistan and that there was always the risk of Islamic militants seizing power in Pakistan.(Posted @ 10:15 PST)
NASA to launch shuttle Discovery July 26 WASHINGTON, July 20 (AFP) - NASA said Wednesday it had set a new tentative launch date for the shuttle Discovery of July 26 at 10:34 am (1434 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral in Florida. The US space agency scrubbed a planned lift-off on July 13 after a glitch occurred in one of Discovery's fuel gauge systems during launch preparations. "Right now we think we have eliminated all possible causes" related to the glitch, launch program director Bill Parson said in a televised press conference.(Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 0.42 points: KARACHI, July 21: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 7411.40 , up 0.42 points from Wednesday's close. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, July 21: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.5 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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