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| August 11, 2005 | Thursday | Rajab 5, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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Pakistan test-fires first cruise missile ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 (AFP) - Pakistan successfully test-fired its first cruise missile on Thursday, joining a select club of nations which have developed the ground-hugging projectiles, the military said. President Pervez Musharraf hailed the launch of the Hatf VII Babur, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, as a "major milestone" in the country's defence programme, an army statement said. Pakistan did not give advance warning to India saying that the agreement only refers to ballistic missiles and not to cruise missiles, Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Muhammad Naeem Khan told AFP. The launch of the missile, which has a range of 500 kilometres (310 miles), meant that Pakistan had "joined a select group of countries which have the capability to design and develop cruise missiles". The scientists and technicians involved had "again done the nation proud by mastering a rare technology", General Musharraf added in the statement, while Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also sent his congratulations.The missile could avoid radar detection to penetrate hostile defensive systems "with pinpoint accuracy", the statement added, and could also be launched from ships, submarines and aircraft. According to the Federation of American Scientists, there are at least 12 countries which export cruise missiles: Britain, the United States, China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and Taiwan. India unveiled its first cruise missile, a supersonic joint venture with Russia named the BrahMos, in 2001. There was no immediate reaction from New Delhi. Ishtiaq Ahmad, professor of international relations at Islamabad's Quaid-e-Azam University, said the test was a "major achievement". "So far Pakistan has been able to match India's ballistic missile capability and this was the only area in which they were lagging behind," the analyst told AFP.(Posted @ 17:30 PST)
MMA for committee to repeal 17th amendment ISLAMABAD, August 11 (PPI)Secretary General MMA, Amir JUI-F and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Maulana Fazal-ur-Rahman has suggested to form a committee to reconsider repeal of 17th controversial amendment. During deliberation of the All Parties Conference (APC) convened by the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) MMA President Qazi Hussain Ahmed endorsed Maulana Fazalur Rehman 's suggestion regarding formation of the committee to repeal the amendment. MM Leaders agreed to the formation of committee to repeal the amendment adopted by the present regime with their active support when they came under fire from several participants of the APC including Farooq Tariq of the Labour Party who sought apology from the MMA leaders on their support to Gen. Musharraf in passage of the controversial amendment.(Posted @ 23:15 PST)
England 341-5 against Australia MANCHESTER, England, Aug 11 (AFP) - England, after winning the toss, were 341 for five at stumps on the first day of the third Test against Australia at Old Trafford here Thursday. Ian Bell was 59 not out after Matthew Hoggard was bowled for four off the last ball of the day.The five-match series is level at 1-1.(Posted @ 22:46 PST)
PM arrives in Hong Kong HONG KONG, Aug 11 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz arrived in Hong Kong Thursday on the last leg of his week-long visit after concluding a three-day tour of Japan.(Posted @ 22:35 PST)
Nigeria and Iran discuss military cooperation LAGOS, Aug 11 (Reuters) - An Iranian military delegation is visiting Nigeria with a view to signing a defence cooperation pact, Nigerian military spokesmen and an Iranian diplomat said on Thursday. The proposed agreement relates to weaponry and artillery equipment, ThisDay newspaper reported. Nigeria has Africa's largest army and acts as a diplomatic and military arbiter in the conflict-prone West African region. A member of the Non-Aligned Movement, Nigeria maintains good relations with the United States and Europe, but recently it has also sought to strengthen military cooperation with emerging nuclear powers such as Pakistan.(Posted @ 19:25 PST)
Abbas denounces Sharon for refusal to make concessions GAZA CITY, Aug 11 (AFP) - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas Thursday denounced Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for his stated refusal to make concessions over West Bank settlement blocs, east Jerusalem or Palestinian refugees. "We reject these words and we do not accept what Sharon said yesterday. No one has any right to cancel issues from negotiations between us and them," Abbas told reporters in Gaza City. "When the time comes for final status negotiations, we will give our word that these nos are rejected," he said. "The issues of Jerusalem, the settlements and refugees should be examined and resolved on the basis of international resolutions, including the roadmap, which speak explicitly about the end of the occupation which began in 1967."(Posted @ 19:03 PST)
Warne takes 600th Test wicket MANCHESTER, England, Aug 11 (AFP) - Shane Warne became the first bowler to take 600 Test wickets when he had Marcus Trescothick caught behind on the first day of the third Test against England at Old Trafford here Thursday. The 35-year-old Australia leg-spin great reached the landmark in his 126th Test when, in his fifth over, he had Trescothick, trying to sweep, taken by Adam Gilchrist, the ball rolling up the wicket-keeper's leg before he held on to leave England 163 for two. Warne made his name at Old Trafford 12 years ago when, with his first ball in Test cricket against England, he bowled Mike Gatting with a viciously turning leg-break that pitched outside the batsman's pads and clipped the top of off-stump. In the second Test at Edgbaston Warne, who returned figures of 10 for 162, became the first bowler to take 100 Test wickets in a single foreign country.(Posted @ 18:58 PST)
One U.S. soldier, 10 Taliban killed in Afghan clashes KABUL, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Taliban fighters killed a U.S. soldier and wounded another during an ambush in Afghanistan on Thursday.The latest American casualties belonged to a group of U.S. engineers building a highway in Paktika province. Six insurgents were killed and three U.S. soldiers and an Afghan interpreter wounded in ensuing firefights. "Afghan and U.S. forces pursued the enemy combatants towardthe cave complex killing one," it said, adding that several hours later the same forces came into contact with additional militants and killed five more.(Posted @ 18:04 PST)
Casualties in Iraq, Aug 11 BAGHDAD, Aug 11 (Reuters) - U.S forces killed two insurgents as they repelled a small-arms fire attack in the town of Thuluiya, 70km north of Baghdad, the U.S. army said. Five people were arrested following the attack. There were no U.S casualties, the army said. In Baghdad, an Iraqi police officer was assassinated in Mansour district as he was driving to work, a hospital official said. And Iraqi army Lieutenant-Colonel Ibrahim Khalil al-Rawi was assassinated by gunmen in Basra,another report said.The body of an Iraqi translator working for U.S forces was found in central Kirkuk after he was kidnapped by masked gunmen in Kirkuk, police spokesman said.(Posted @ 17:52 PST)
No terror link to Pakistani arrested with fake British passports: French officials PARIS, Aug 11 (AFP) – Bilal Yusauf, a Pakistani arrested with five forged British passports at a Paris airport on Sunday last, has no apparent link to any terrorist plot, French prosecutors said Thursday, adding that his case was now being handled as a standard criminal matter.(Posted @ 17:22 PST)
Radical cleric Omar Bakri detained in Lebanon BEIRUT, Aug 11 (AFP) - Radical Muslim cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed, who faces possible treason charges in Britain, was detained by Lebanese police Thursday, security sources said. Bakri, who holds a Lebanese passport, was detained as he entered a television studio in Beirut where he was due to be interviewed, they said. The cleric arrived in Lebanon on Saturday after sparking outrage in Britain for saying he would not hand over to police Muslims planning to plant bombs.It was not immediately clear why Bakri was detained in Lebanon.(Posted @ 17:18 PST)
11 Bangladeshis arrested while trying to cross over to Pakistan Jammu, , August 11 (PPI): Security forces Thursday arrested 11 Bangladeshis along the Indo-Pak border in Kathua district trying to cross over to Pakistan, Indian media reported.(Posted @ 16:50 PST)
Akalis demand action against leaders named in Nanavati report NEW DELHI, Aug 11 (APP): Notwithstanding assurance given by Indian Prime Minister and resignation of Union Minister Jagdish Tytler, Akali Dal (Badal) workers and 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims Thursday held protest demonstration demanding registration of cases against Congress leaders, indicted by the Nanavati Commission. They also burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and raised slogans against the Congress party as well as the UPA government, said a news report here. "We are not satisfied with the resignation. We want that the four Congress leaders whose names have appeared in the Nanavati Commission report and suspected police officials should be booked under Section 302 (murder)," senior Akali leader Kuldeep Singh Bhogal said.He further said, "we would continue our protest till action is taken against them." Led by Akali Dal Delhi unit President Avtar Singh Hitt, the workers and victims have been sitting on a dharna since yesterday, after their demonstration against the Action Taken Report on Nanavati Commission findings, Bhogal said. The protestors were joined by veteran BJP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma and Nafisa Ali of Congress. "Our party is with you and we will work together till the guilty are punished," Verma told the protestors. Social activist and Congress worker Nafisa Ali said she had come to meet the riot victims on moral grounds. "I will take your voice to the party high command," she added.(Posted @ 16:44 PST)
Protest Against HR Violations In Srinagar SRINAGAR, August 11 (APP): The women's wing of pro-India National Conference (NC) held protest demonstrations in Srinagar against the on-going gross human rights violations, reports Kashmir Media Service. Hundreds of women activists of the National Conference (NC) led by Shameema Firdous held a rally at Lal Chowk against increasing human rights violations and murder of a 9-year-old girl in Mehjoor Nagar area. They marched from the party headquarter to Lal Chowk, carrying placards, and raising slogans. Shammema Firdous later addressing party workers said, "human rights violation in the state contine unabated." Three kids being killed in Bamgergund in Kupwara district, a six year old girl being abducted from Mehjoor Nagar and later murdered, are the glaring instances of the growing human rights violations in occupied Kashmir. Callous attitude of the present Mufti regime has added to the woes of the common people, she added.(Posted @ 16:30 PST)
New underwater optic fiber cable till December: PTCL ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 (APP): New underwater optic fiber cable would be installed by end of the year, which would provide parallel speedy source of data availability in the country. Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Limited (PTCL) Zafar Ahmed talking to a private channel (GEO) said that other countries were also sharing underwater optic fiber cable with Pakistan.(Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Salva Kiir sworn in as new Sudanese vice president KHARTOUM, Aug 11 (Reuters) Southern Sudanese leader Salva Kiir was sworn in as first vice president of Sudan on Thursday, following the sudden death of his predecessor John Garang in a helicopter crash last week.(Posted @ 14:15 PST)
Euro rocket carrying Thai satellite launched PARIS, Aug 11 (AFP) An Ariane 5 rocket carrying a 6.5-tonne Thai communications satellite, the heaviest ever, was launched on Thursday from the Kourou base in French Guiana, the Arianespace company announced. The satellite is designed to provide Internet access and multimedia services for the entire Asia-Pacific region for a period of at least 12 years.(Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Policeman hanged, three others killed in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, Aug 11 (AFP) A policeman was hanged, a shopkeeper was killed and two militants were killed in a clash in occupied Kashmir, police said Thursday. The shopkeeper was killed in the village of Kaimoh, south of Srinagar, on Wednesday when a grenade hurled at a security patrol by suspected militants hit him instead, police said. In the northern district of Kupwara, suspected militants abducted and hanged a policeman working with a counter-insurgency wing, police added. Meanwhile two militants were killed in a clash Wednesday with Indian troops in southern Anantnag district.(Posted @ 13:10 PST)
UK holds ten foreigners deemed to be security threat LONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) Britain detained ten people on Thursday who it said were a threat to national security and said it planned to deport them. In a statement, Home Secretary Charles Clarke said the presence of the ten unnamed foreign nationals was "not conducive to the public good".(Posted @ 13:05 PST)
35 people shot dead in four days in Haiti PORT-AU-PRINCE, Aug 10 (APP/AFP) At least 35 people have been shot to death in violence-wracked Haiti in the last four days, hospital officials said Wednesday.(Posted @ 11:55 PST)
Six militants killed in Afghanistan KABUL, Aug 11 (Reuters) Six militants were killed whereas three U.S. soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were wounded in a clash in Afghanistan's south-eastern province of Paktika, the U.S. military said in a statement issued late on Wednesday.(Posted @ 11:40PST)
Oklahoma man held before boarding plane with bomb OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug 11 (Reuters) An Oklahoma man was taken into custody after he tried to carry a bomb on board an airplane on Wednesday in Oklahoma City, an FBI spokesman said. The 24 year old would be charged in federal court on Thursday with possession of an explosive device at an airport.(Posted @ 11:30 PST)
Malaysia declares emergency as air pollution index soars KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (AFP) Malaysia declared a state of emergency Thursday as the air pollution index soared to extremely hazardous levels, above 500, on the west coast, which was worst-hit by smoke from fires in Sumatra, an official said.(Posted @ 10:40 PST)
Oil prices shoot above 65 dollars in Asian trading SINGAPORE, Aug 11 (AFP) Oil prices shot past 65 dollars a barrel in Asian trading Thursday on nervousness over refinery outages in the United States, tensions in the Middle East and a fall in US gasoline stocks, dealers said. At 11:05 am (0305 GMT), New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in September, was at a new all-time high of 65.17 dollars a barrel, up 27 cents from its close of 64.90 dollars in the United States Wednesday. (Posted @ 10:13 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, August 11: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.1 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
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