|
| August 30, 2005 | Tuesday | Rajab 24, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)
Troops martyr 3 more Kashmiri youth in held Kashmir ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP):Indian troops, in their fresh acts of state-terrorism, martyred three more Kashmiri youth, two of them in Kokernag and one in Kulgam, in Islamabad district.A Special Police Officer (SPO), after critically injuring his colleague, deserted a patrol party, in Kandi area of Rajouri district. He also took away with him, a AK-47 rifle, two magazines and a wireless set. The body was recovered from Dungi Marg area along Pir Panjal range, PTV reported. (Posted @ 20:30PST)
Pakistan attractive destination for investment--PM ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Tuesday said Pakistan was an attractive destination for investment, owing to the growing economy and a strong demand by the growing middle class. Talking to Datuk Nur Jazlam Bin Mohammad Member of Malaysian Parliament, Secretary Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, who called on him at the PM House, he said Pakistan has a 'Vision east Asia' and seeks to cooperate and enhance its relations with countries in Pacific Rim.(Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Hurricane Katrina brings death, floods to US Gulf BILOXI, Miss., Aug 30 (Reuters) - A widespread disaster unfolded on the U.S. Gulf Coast on Tuesday as up to 80 people were reported dead in Mississippi, and floodwaters poured into low-lying New Orleans through levees battered by powerful Hurricane Katrina. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour told the NBC "Today" show there were reports of 50 to 80 fatalities in one coastal county alone, Harrison County. Local media said 30 people died at a Biloxi apartment complex where they were drowned or crushed by debris, and New Orleans' mayor reported bodies floating in floodwaters. The storm inflicted catastrophic damage all along the coast as it slammed into Louisiana with 140 mph (224 kph) winds, then swept across Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. It shattered buildings, broken boats, smashed cars, toppled trees and flooded cities. Risk analysts estimated the storm would cost insurers $26 billion, the most in U.S. history. Most of the deaths appear to have been caused by a massive storm surge that swept in from the sea and as far as a mile inland in parts of Mississippi. No deaths have been officially confirmed in Louisiana, but New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said bodies were floating in high waters that covered most of the city. "The city of New Orleans is in a state of devastation," he told television station WWL. We probably have 80 percent of our city under water; with some sections of our city the water is as deep as 20 feet (6 metres). We still have many of our residents on roofs," he said. "Both airports are under water."(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Remains of 19 Muslim civilians exhumed from Bosnian mass grave SARAJEVO, Aug 30 (AFP) - The remains of 12 women and seven men believed to be Muslims killed at the outbreak of Bosnia's 1992-95 war have been exhumed from a mass grave in southern part of the country, an official said Tuesday. "The victims are to be identified by DNA analyses, but we have reason to believe they were Muslim civilians from the nearby village of Lakat executed by the Bosnian Serb army," a member of the Muslim-Croat commission for missing people, Sanja Mulac, said.The commission was told about the atrocity by a person who survived the mass execution of 19 Lakat villagers by the Bosnian Serb army on July 11, 1992, when they captured the area, Mulac said. According to the witness the victims, aged between 40 and 83, were members of five families, including nine from a single family. The bodies of about 12,500 people, mostly Muslims, have been identified after being exhumed from more than 360 mass graves in Bosnia since the war. Some 16,000 people are still missing.(Posted @ 19:55 PST)
Distt: Four including ex-Nazim die as car plunges into canal Sakrand/ Kandiaro, August 30, (PPI): Four persons died as a speedy car plunged into a canal after its tie-rod broke down near here on Tuesday. According to details, the car proceeding from Kandiaro to Hyderabad plunged into Rein Shakh Canal and four persons died. They were identified as ex-UC Nazim of Kamal Dero Shafi Muhammad Samitio, brothers Khuda Dad Samitio and Rahematullah Samitio, and their servant Mirdad Samitio.(Posted @ 19:30 PST)
International roundtable on intellectual property rights ends ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): A two-day international roundtable conference on intellectual property rights ended here Tuesday formulating recommendations for an effective strategy to combat the problem of piracy. The discussions focussed on intellectual property enforcement, technology transfer, organizational structures, financial autonomy and stability of IPOP, better delivery of services through IT use, building databases and dealing with emerging issues. Senior officials of the WIPO and delegates from European Union, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and Afghanistan besides about 70 local experts from relevant ministries, departments,business and industry, chambers, associations, legal community, universities and research institutions took part in the conference.(Posted @ 19:20 PST)
Netanyahu launches bid to replace Israeli PM Sharon TEL AVIV, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Former Israeli finance minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday he would seek to topple Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as Likud party leader in a primary likely to be held before the end of 2005. Netanyahu will be the main candidate of Likud rightisthardliners in revolt over Sharon's removal of settlers from Gaza and part of the West Bank under his plan to "disengage" from conflict with Palestinians seeking statehood. "Likud needs leadership that will repair damage and bring victory," Netanyahu told a news conference. "I believe I can do this and I will stand for the Likud leadership and the premiership."(Posted @ 19:15 PST)
Two militants killed, four wounded in Afghan clashes KABUL, Aug 30 (AFP) - Two suspected Taliban militants were killed and four wounded in separate clashes in southern Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday.In one incident, seven rebels armed with machine guns and rocket launchers attacked US and Afghan troops in Logar province, just south of the capital Kabul, the US military said in a statement. One insurgent was killed, two were wounded and a fourth captured, the statement said, adding that no US or Afghan troops were injured but a US vehicle was slightly damaged. Late Monday in the southern province of Helmand, a suspected Taliban fighter died and two more were hurt when rebels attacked a police post in the town of Baghran, provincial spokesman Hadji Mohammad Wali told AFP.(Posted @ 19:05 PST)
Death toll from encephalitis outbreak in northern India tops 300 NEW DELHI, India, Aug 30 (AFP) - The death toll in northern India from an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis crossed 300 Tuesday with most of the victims children as more patients jammed hospitals, a report said.Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has called the outbreak in the eastern part of the state a "national calamity" and appealed to the federal government to allow the import of vaccines against the illness. The illness has spread from Gorakpur to more than 20 of the state's 70 districts as well as the capital Lucknow. A number of cases have also been reported in the neighbouring eastern state of Bihar and in Nepal but the numbers of victims were not immediately available.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Indonesia announces amnesty for Aceh rebels JAKARTA, Aug 30 (AFP) - Indonesia's president on Tuesday signed a decree granting amnesty to separatist rebels in Aceh province, clearing the way for more than 1,400 guerrillas to be freed from jail, the state secretary said. The decree was the expected next step in the implementation of an historic peace agreement signed between the rebels and the government in Finland earlier this month. It had to be passed by Wednesday at the latest. "With the general amnesty, the person's social, political, economic and other rights shall be restored," the decree said.Under the deal, the separatist GAM dropped its long-held demand for independence for a form of local self-government and agreed to disarm and demobilise its fighters.Indonesia promised in return to withdraw its non-local security forces by the end of the year, offer amnesties to rebels by August 31 and allow the creation of political parties in the resource-rich province. More than 1,400 prisoners are now expected to be released from jail on Wednesday under the arrangement.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Occupied Kashmir minister's rally attacked, four rebels killed SRINAGAR, Aug 30 (AFP) - A policeman was injured in an attack by militants on a state minister's rally in revolt-hit occupied Kashmir, while Indian troops killed four rebels in three separate clashes, police said Tuesday. Irrigation Minister Qazi Afzal's political rally was attacked Tuesday with two grenades near the town of Patan, 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Srinagar .One of the grenades hit a policeman guarding the venue while the second did not explode.The minister was whisked away swiftly by his security guards along with another PDP leader Iftikhar Hussain Ansari. On Sunday forest minister had also survived attack in Handwara. Among the militants killed, police said, was rebel commander Mushtaq Ahmed alias Chootu linked to Hizbul Mujahedin, during a clash in the southern district of Anantnag, a police spokesman said. Three other rebels were shot dead in the districts of Anantnag and Udhampur late Monday, police said.(Posted @ 18:50 PST)
South Asian countries to cooperate on film, broadcast, media development KATHMANDU, Aug 30 (AFP) - South Asian information ministers Tuesday ended a two-day meeting in Kathmandu with an agreement to cooperate in broadcasting, film and media development, an official said.The ministers from the seven-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) had agreed to establish "a regulatory framework to streamline the works of private channels and broadcasting agencies," said Nepal minister for information and communications Tanka Dhakal. They had furthermore decided to organise SAARC-wide festivals featuring films, television films and documentaries produced in the region. "It was also agreed to establish a SAARC media development 100,000-dollar seed fund and prepare trans-national guidelines for satellite broadcast in the region," Dhakal said. SAARC, formed in 1985, groups Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, India and Bhutan.(Posted @ 18:40 PST)
Iran proposes "love fund" to boost marriages TEHRAN, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Iran is to create a $1.3 billion "love fund" to encourage poor young people to marry, Vice-President Farhad Rahbar said on Tuesday. "The government's share in the $1.3 billion for the 'Reza Love Fund' will be deducted from the oil income of the National Iranian Oil Company," Rahbar said, without elaborating on how the money would be used to help young couples. Each province would have a board of trustees to determine how much money needy couples should get. The "love fund" bill will be the first piece of legislation submitted to parliament by Ahmadinejad's government. (Posted @ 17:35 PST)
Casualties in Iraq, Aug 30 BAGHDAD, Aug 30 (Reuters) - BAGHDAD - The chief of police in the Ghazaliya district of western Baghdad was killed and three of his guards were wounded by gunmen in the western district of Baghdad, a police source said.In Kirkuk, a security official in an oil company and his car companion were killed on Monday night by gunmen.(Posted @ 17:25 PST)
56 killed in US air strikes on Qaeda suspects in Iraq BAGHDAD, Aug 30 (AFP) - At least 56 people were killed in multiple US air strikes in Iraq against suspected Al-Qaeda hideouts near the Syrian border at dawn on Tuesday, an Iraqi security source said. The US military said it had no exact numbers of casualties. "There was a total of three strikes targetting terrorist safe houses... Abu Islam (a reported Al-Qaeda operative) and several associates are believed killed," a US military spokesman in Baghdad said. The spokesman said a total of eight bombs were dropped in three air strikes on suspected Al-Qaeda hideouts, including a safehouse where Abu Islam and several associates were holed up, the spokesman said. Abu Islam and several associates were believed killed in the strikes around Karabila near Qaim, 450 kilometres (280 miles) west of Baghdad, he said.(Posted @ 17:10 PST)
India and Pakistan agree to free hundreds of prisoners NEW DELHI, Aug 30 (AFP) - India and Pakistan have agreed to release hundreds of fishermen and other prisoners held in each other's jails to strengthen their peace process, a joint statement and an Indian official said Tuesday. "They have ... agreed to release on 12 September 2005 all fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences and whose national status has been confirmed," said the statement.An official said this would affect "hundreds" of prisoners but could not give an exact number.India says there are 1,348 Indians in Pakistani prisons while Pakistan says more than 700 of its nationals are in Indian jails."Both sides reiterated their commitment to combat terrorism and re-emphasised the need for effective steps for the complete elimination of this menace," it said. On narcotics, the joint statement said India and Pakistan were satisfied with "the continuing cooperation and exchange of information between the narcotics control agencies of both countries." An agreement that aims at having "a regular institutional mechanism in place to intensify mutual cooperation and liaison on drug control matters" would be signed shortly, it added. Later the Pakistani delegation led by home secretary Sayed Kamal Shah went to the high-security Tihar jail in New Delhi to visit a group of Pakistani prisoners, the Press Trust of India news agency said.(Posted @ 17:05 PST)
1108 Pakistani deportees arrive from Oman KARACHI, August 30 (PPI): Two boats carrying 1,108 Pakistanis deported by Oman arrived early Tuesday morning at Ghas Bander, Keamari. . Nearly all of the deportees belong to the Punjab and NWFP provinces.These unfortunate job seekers were smuggled to the Gulf state through Taftan, crossing the Pakistan-Iran border illegally near Mand Ballu. They paid amunts ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000. According to the deportees, they travelled in batches of 22 each for two days to reach the Iranian border town of Jaishak. After an overnight stay, they again set out and reached another town after two days. Later, they were taken to a jetty where they launches and after a 10-hour voyage were abandoned at DESOLATE PLACE.(Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Two Indian diplomats meet Sarabjit Singh Lahore, August 30 (PPI): Two Indian diplomats Tuesday met Sarabjit Singh, sentenced to death for blasts in Pakistan, at the high-security Kot Lakhpath jail in the outskirts of Lahore. Deepak Kaul, Consular Visa, and SC Sharma, Attache Visa of the Indian High Commission, drove to the prison where Singh has been lodged, officials said. The meeting lasted over an hour.(Posted @ 17:00 PST)
12 burnt, Six hurt near Multan MULTAN, August 30 (PPI): At least 12 passengers including two women and two children were burnt and another six injured when a Rahimyar Khan bound Bus No.LHD-8632 touched a high-tension electricity wire near village Manthar in Rahimyarkhan district early Tuesday morning. DPO Rahimyar Khan, Syed Ahsan Mehboob said the bus was coming from village Manthar by an unauthorised route when it touched the power transmission line and caught fire. Police shifted the injured to Sheikh Zayed Hospital.(Posted @ 17:00 PST)
10 killed, many injured in accident near Dhabeji on National Highway Karachi, August 30 (PPI): At least 10 persons were killed died and many others injured in a road accident on National Highway near Dhabeji when a Thatta-bound truck collided with another truck. According to Steel Town police, the Thatta-bound truck carrying gravel hit the pickup killing 7 persons on the spot and injuring 8 others. A motorcyclist hit the pickup from behind, resulting in the death of its unidentified rider on the spot.(Posted @ 16:25 PST)
KASHMIR: JKLF condemns killing of four labourers in fake encounters SRINAGAR, August 30 (PPI) Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has strongly condemned brutal killing of four labourers in a fake encounter in Kupwara district by Indian troops.In a statement in Srinagar, a party spokesman said the labourers, who belonged to Jammu region, were lured to be provided with jobs and were taken to Keran area of Kupwara where they were subjected to brutal physical torture, resulting in the death of all four, on April 20, 2004. On the directions of JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, a delegation of the party visited the bereaved Families. JKLF urged Amnesty International, Asia Watch and other human rights organisations to take serious note of state terrorism in occupied Kashmir.(Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Five new sectors in Capital soon: Aziz ISLAMABAD Aug 30 (PPI) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Tuesday said that five new sectors would be launched in Islamabad shortly to resolve the housing problem in the capital. Launching the development work of Sector D-12 he said the provincial governments have also been directed to plan similar housing schemes in all big and small towns to overcome housing shortages. He announced that construction of the new Islamabad Airport near Fateh Jang would start shortly. Fencing is underway. On this occasion, Chairman CDA informed that the Prime Minister has approved construction of flats on seventy acres of land in E-11 Sector.(Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Foreign workers must be exposed to Malaysian language and culture: report KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 (APP/AFP) - Foreign workers in Malaysia will have to take a course in Malaysia's language and culture before they are allowed to work in the country. From November 1 they must undergo an induction course in the language, culture and religion of multiracial Malaysia, Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn said Tuesday.Foreign workers would also be required to have insurance cover, he said. The duration and syllabus would be determined through discussions between ministry officials and the relevant countries. It would be conducted in the workers' country of origin, he added.(Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Bangladesh says eight workers shot by Indian border guards DHAKA, Aug 30 (AFP) At least eight Bangladeshi workers were shot and two of them may have been killed by Indian border guards in a fresh flare-up Tuesday on their frontier, a Bangladeshi official said. Six escaped with bullet wounds while BSF soldiers took away the apparently lifeless bodies of the other two, the official added.(Posted @ 13:15 PST)
Malaysian madrassa students expelled from Pakistan face university ban: report KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 (AFP) Some 200 Malaysians expelled from Pakistan's madrassas (seminaries) will not be allowed into local institutions of higher learning, local media said Tuesday. Higher Education Minister Shafie Salleh said that the students could not be accepted at Malaysian universities because of the different educational system practised here.(Posted @ 12:40 PST)
Lebanon arrests ex-security chiefs over Hariri murder BEIRUT, Aug 30 (AFP) Lebanon on Tuesday arrested three former pro-Syrian security chiefs in connection with the February murder of ex-prime minister Rafiq Hariri, security sources said. They were named as former general security chief Jamil al-Sayed, ex-military intelligence chief Raymond Azar and former internal security chief Ali al-Hage, a security source said without giving further details.(Posted @ 12:25 PST)
New Paris blaze kills seven Africans PARIS, Aug 30 (AFP) Seven people were killed and three seriously injured in a fire that swept through a building housing African immigrants in central Paris, fire services and police said Tuesday, four days after a blaze killed 17 Africans in the French capital.(Posted @ 10:55 PST)
Gunmen kill oil security official in Iraq KIRKUK, Iraq, Aug 30 (Reuters) Gunmen killed a security official in Iraq's North Oil Company and a companion travelling with him, a police source said on Tuesday.(Posted @ 10:55 PST)
Saudi security forces clash with Iraqi 'infiltrators': spokesman RIYADH, Aug 30 (AFP) Saudi security forces exchanged fire Monday night in the eastern region of Jubail with four Iraqis "who infiltrated into the kingdom to steal cars and smuggle them (into Iraq)," in the first incident of its kind, an interior ministry spokesman said early Tuesday. All four were arrested, he added.(Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Overloaded bus crashes in China, killing 17 BEIJING, Aug 30 (Reuters) An overcrowded long-distance bus crashed in southern China on Tuesday, killing 17 people and injuring more than 30, Xinhua news agency said. China has the highest annual road death toll in the world, with accidents claiming nearly 107,000 lives last year.(Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 56.26 points: KARACHI, August 30: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 7746.86 , up 56.26 points from Monday's close. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, August 30: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.15 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
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.
|
|
|
Contributions |