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| September 7, 2005 | Wednesday | Sha’aban 2, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistan PM reassures Arab leaders about Israel talks ISLAMABAD, Sept 7 (AFP) - Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz reassured Arab leaders on Wednesday that Pakistan would not recognise Israel until Palestinians get their own independent state, the foreign ministry said. Aziz spoke to his Jordanian, Syrian and Egyptian counterparts and the Arab League's secretary general to brief them about last week's historic talks between the foreign ministers of Israel and Pakistan, it said in a statement. "The Prime Minister made it clear that the contact in Istanbul did not imply recognition by Pakistan of Israel," it said. "It was essentially meant to engage the Israelis to encourage them to resolve the Middle East problem." Aziz noted that Israel had taken a "significant step" by vacating Gaza and Pakistan wanted to see the process continue at an accelerated pace in the West Bank. Aziz "re-affirmed Pakistans principled position" on the issue, emphasizing that recognition of Israel would depend on the establishment of a Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital.The Arab leaders appreciated Aziz's briefing and expressed the hope that the contact between Israel and Pakistan would help the peace process in the Middle East, the statement said.(Posted @ 18:50 PST)
Larijani calls on President ISLAMABAD, Sep 7 (APP): Dr. Ali Larijani, Secretary Supreme National Security Council of Iran called on President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday and conveyed his government’s appreciation of Pakistan's positive role at the IAEA to help resolve controversy over Iran's nuclear programme. The President hoped that Iran-EU dialogue would be resumed and pursued to a successful conclusion.(Posted @ 20:50 PST)
Israeli army killed 5 unarmed Palestinians-watchdog JERUSALEM, Sept 7 (Reuters) - An Israeli rights watchdog accused Israeli soldiers on Wednesday of killing five unarmed Palestinians in a recent raid, and said the assassination of West Bank Arabs had become routine. An army spokesman dismissed the findings of the B'tselem rights group, which said that three of the five killed in the August 24 raid were unarmed 17-year-olds while the other two were civilian supporters of militant groups. B'tselem spokeswoman Sarit Michaeli said the army's actions showed Israeli soldiers exercised little restraint with their weapons in arrest raids. "Our research raises a grave suspicion that execution of Palestinians in so-called 'arrest operations' has become a norm among the security forces," she said.(Posted @ 20:35 PST)
Annan assumes responsibility for oil-for-food management lapses UNITED NATIONS, Sept 7 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Wednesday he assumed responsibility for management lapses uncovered by an independent probe into the UN oil-for-food program for Iraq.(Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Occupied Kashmir: India offers release of 46 Kashmiri detenues New Delhi, Sept 07 (PPI)Hurriyat chairman Mir Waiz Umar Farooq has said that the Indian government has offered to release 46 Ksashmiri detenues.A list OF THESE 46 detenues was given to them , he said adding that it was too small.(Posted @ 19:55 PST)
Kashmir: OIC invites Mirwaiz, Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah Srinagar, Sept 07 (PPI) The Organization of the Islamic Countries (OIC) has invited Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Yasin Malik and Democratic Freedom Party President Shabir Ahmed Shah to attend the annual coordination meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the OIC states to be held during the 60th session of the General Assembly in New York on September 23. Kashmiri leaders are likely to leave Srinagar for the US on September 16. Mirwaiz has reportedly confirmed that he would hold talks with Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf in New York on Sept 17(Posted @ 19:55 PST)
Baluchistan jolted this morning PESHAWAR, Sept 7 (APP): An earthquake of mild intensity jolted Baluchistan Wednesday morning. The epicenter of the quake was about 1000 kilometers south west of Peshawar and it was felt in Turbat. (Posted @ 19:40 PST)
Pakistan opposed to use of force against Iran: Kasuri ISLAMABAD, Sep 7 (APP): Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri Wednesday said Pakistan was opposed to use of force in settling row over Iran's nuclear programme and offered to mediate between Tehran and international community to seek a peaceful resolution of the issue."Pakistan is ready to facilitate both Iran and the international community in finding a peaceful resolution of the issue and ready to mediate between them, if asked," Kasuri said talking to newsmen after inauguration of South Asia Free Media Association's media centre(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Casualties in Iraq, Sept 7 Sept 7 (Reuters) - Bomb killed four U.S. security staff when it hit vehicle at around 8.30 a.m. (0430 GMT), U.S. embassy spokesman said in a statement. All four worked for private security firm supporting the Regional U.S. Embassy Office in Basra, embassy said. An official in the Defence Ministry's media office was shot dead by gunmen in the Doura neighbourhood of Baghdad, the ministry said.Iraqi police said six people were injured, including a U.S national, after a parked car blew up next to a sports utility vehicle, often used by contractors and officials in southern Baghdad.Police captured prominent insurgent Hayder al-Shujeyri in Latifiya as he walked through a market.One protester killed and 16 wounded in riots over failure of electricity and water. Several buildings were set on fire including a children's hospital, radio station, fire department, education ministry building. Seventy protesters were detained in this town near Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya. Insurgents killed four Iraqi soldiers and two civilians and injured seven others when they attacked an Iraqi army checkpoint in the town of Khalis, 45km north of Baghdad, police said.(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Iraq leader says Saddam "confesses" to killings BAGHDAD, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein "confessed" to ordering executions and a campaign against Kurds in which thousands of people are said to have been killed, President Jalal Talabani said. But Talabani did not say whether Saddam had actually admitted to committing any crimes or merely acknowledged that he was head of state and commander in chief of the army at the time of various military operations. "I met the investigator who questioned Saddam," he told Iraqiya state television in an interview late on Tuesday. "He said he had extracted important confessions from Saddam Hussein and he signed them."A government spokesman said that Saddam's trial, on a single charge of mass killings in reprisal for a 1982 assassination attempt, would begin on Oct. 19.(Posted @ 19:15 PST)
Norway chooses Sri Lanka truce talks venue the airport COLOMBO, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Seeking to break a deadlock between Sri Lanka and Tamil Tiger rebels over a venue for talks to preserve a strained truce, peace mediator Norway said it had been left with only one choice: the airport.The government has insisted talks be held in Sri Lanka, while the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) wanted either to host them in their northern stronghold or have them at a neutral venue abroad. Norway on Wednesday came up with its own venue."The Royal Norwegian government has determined that the only possible venue is the Colombo international airport," the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement The government said in a statement it accepted the proposed airport venue, but the Tigers -- who attacked the site to devastating effect in 2001 -- were not immediately available for comment.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Iran to challenge UN nuclear report TEHRAN, Sept 7 (AFP) - Iran is to challenge a tough report on its nuclear programme by the UN's atomic energy watchdog as it contains "errors" and makes "unacceptable" demands of the Islamic republic, a senior official told AFP Wednesday. The senior nuclear negotiator, Ali Agha Mohammadi, also warned the United States and European Union that referring Iran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions was "a threat that is doomed to fail". "We are in the process of examining the report and responding point by point to its errors. Several demands are unacceptable and go beyond international treaties and the additional protocol" of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, said the spokesman for Iran's Supreme National Security Council.(Posted @ 19:05 PST)
Mubarak set for victory in landmark Egypt vote CAIRO, Sept 7 (AFP) - Egyptians voted Wednesday in the country's first contested presidential election with veteran leader Hosni Mubarak all but certain to head off all challengers amid fears of widespread fraud. The electoral commission described turnout as "remarkable" but confusion marked Egypt's democratic experiment as many voters searched in vain for their polling stations and the question of independent monitoring remained in limbo. It is the first election where Mubarak has faced challengers and follows intense international and domestic pressure for reform in a country still ruled under a state of emergency imposed after Anwar Sadat was assassinated in 1981.Although no figures were available, AFP correspondents and independent Egyptian groups monitoring the vote said participation was low in cities and higher in rural areas.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Bangladesh to deploy 20,000 troops for security at South Asia summit DHAKA, Sept 7 (AFP) - Bangladesh will deploy 20,000 troops to ensure security at next month's summit of South Asian leaders, the official BSS news agency said Wednesday. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, which begins on November 12, will bring the leaders of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives to the Bangladeshi capital.(Posted @ 18:50 PST)
Australia's McGrath set for Ashes showdown LONDON, Sept 7 (AFP) - Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath has been passed fit to play the fifth and final Ashes Test against England starting at The Oval on Thursday. He replaces fellow seamer Michael Kasprowicz in the only change to Australia's Trent Bridge line-up.(Posted @ 18:45 PST)
Congress forecasters see big dent to US growth from Katrina WASHINGTON, Sept 7 (AFP) - Hurricane Katrina could slow US economic growth by 0.5 to 1.0 percent for the rest of the year with the loss of 400,000 jobs, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday.(Posted @ 18:40 PST)
Bomb kills soldier in Russia's Caucasus MAKHACHKALA, Russia, Sept 7 (Reuters) - A roadside bomb killed a Russian soldier in the turbulent Caucasus region of Dagestan on Wednesday .Meanwhile ,Interfax news agency reported fresh fighting in Chechnya on Wednesday as gunmen killed three Dagestani policemen on Tuesday as they drove along a road near the town of Izberbash, some 70 km south of Makhachkala. (Posted @ 16:44 PST)
Indian approves purchase of 43 Airbus jets NEW DELHI, Sept 7 (APP/AFP) - India has approved the long-delayed purchase of 43 planes from Airbus Industries for state-run Indian Airlines for 2.2 billion dollars, Prime Minister Mamohan Singh said Wednesday. (Posted @ 16:16 PST)
UK and Pakistan committed to ensure effective fight against terrorism: Charles Clarke LONDON Sept 7 (APP): British Home Secretary Charles Clarke said Wednesday the United Kingdom and Pakistan were committed to ensure an effective fight against the threat of terrorism and could discuss all proposals to achieve that end. Speaking at Foreign Press Association he said: "On the more general issue there is no doubt that fighting terrorism is a very difficult issue both here as very much so in Pakistan and we commit ourselves simply to working with the Pakistan Government and others in the region to ensure that we have the most effective fight against terrorism”. He said: "I take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the way in which the Pakistan authorities have worked with the British Government in terms of trying to deal with some of the recent terrorist incidents here in London. (Posted @ 16:11 PST)
President says Pakistan must not be singled out for globally prevalent violence against women ISLAMABAD, Sep 7 (APP): Holding out Pakistan's firm commitment to protection and promotion of women rights and condemning violence against women, President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday said the country must not be singled out for the scourge which is prevalent globally Addressing an international conference on violence against women. He said he felt hurt when vested interests having political agenda against the country malign Pakistan and called for dynamic and concerted efforts to protect women rights through societal change. "No doubt, we should address the individual cases like Mukhtaran Mai or dr Shazia, but we should not get bogged down in individual cases. We should look out for entrenched underlying causes and find remedies." Pakistan needs to focus on harmonizing social customs with real understanding of women rights as enshrined in Islam. "We have to eliminate feudal and tribal culture through education and enlightenment as they lie at the core of problem," he added. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Hurriyat delegation meets Congress President Sonia Gandhi- NEW DELHI, Sept 7 (APP): Hurriyat Conference team led by its chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq on Wednesday met UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi who assured them that the peace process in occupied Kashmir would continue.The meeting of the three-member delegation which also included Abdul Ghani Bhat and Bilal Lone lasted 25 minutes. (Posted @ 15:53 PST)
Pakistan supports peaceful resolution of Iran's nuclear issue ISLAMABAD, Sep 7 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Wednesday said Pakistan supported efforts to resolve the issue of Iran's nuclear programme through negotiations with the efforts of the European Union troika (EU-3). While talking to Iran's Secretary Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, he said Pakistan was against nuclear proliferation, but added that every country has a right of peaceful use of nuclear energy in accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rules and regulations. Aziz also said Pakistan was committed to the multi-billion dollar gas pipeline project originating from Iran. Larijani briefed Aziz on Iran's point of view over the nuclear issue and appreciated Pakistan's support in this regard. Larijani also said that the new government in Iran was also keen for the completion of the pipeline project and that the Iranian President had given special instructions for the project to go on. (Posted @ 13:48 PST)
Palestinian PRC group says killed Moussa Arafat GAZA, Sept 7 (Reuters) A Palestinian militant coalition, the Popular Resistance Committees, claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the killing of former Gaza security chief Moussa Arafat and the kidnapping of his son. A spokesman for the PRC said it would give its reasons for the killing later. (Posted @ 13:38 PST)
Child encephalitis deaths top 500 in northern India LUCKNOW, India, Sept 7 (APP/AFP) The official death toll from Japanese encephalitis passed 500 on Wednesday in northern India where more than 2,000 children were fighting for their lives against the mosquito-borne disease. All but three of the dead were children, according to official figures. (Posted @ 13:37 PST)
Bungled car bomb kills four in south Afghanistan KABUL, Sept 7 (Reuters) A car exploded in Girishk, a southern Afghan town, on Wednesday, killing its three occupants and a passer-by, in what appeared to be a bungled suicide attack, a Helmand provincial official said. (Posted @ 12:37 PST)
Militant group destroyed in west Chechnya; 30 killed MOSCOW, Sept 7 (AFP) Chechnya's pro-Russian interior ministry troops eliminated a militant group in western Chechnya killing over 30 militants during several weeks of investigation and fighting, the interior minister said early Wednesday. No information on police casualties was given. (Posted @ 10:24 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 2.66 points: KARACHI, September 07: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 7804.38, down 2.66 points from Tuesday’s close. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:40 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, September 07: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.05 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:40 PST)
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