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| September 29, 2005 | Thursday | Sha'aban 24, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Nationalists break into Corsica's assembly AJACCIO, France, Sept 29 (AFP) - Corsican nationalists broke into the island's regional assembly Thursday to protest against the arrest of four union-members, as tensions remained at boiling-point over the privatisation of a ferry company linking the island with the French mainland. A ten-day old labour dispute that has taken on angry nationalist overtones degenerated further as a crowd of about 30 used metal-cutters to smash open the gates of the assembly building in the city of Ajaccio.(Posted @ 23:40 PST)
Uganda threatens to invade DR Congo to disarm rebels KAMPALA, Sept 29 (AFP) - Uganda threatened Thursday to send troops into the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo to disarm Ugandan rebels unless the DRC army and UN peacekeepers in the country do so by the end of November. President Yoweri Museveni said Ugandan forces would be deployed to the volatile eastern Congo unless Kinshasa and the UN mission, known as MONUC, dealt with members of the notorious Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) who have fled there.(Posted @ 23:35 PST)
Pakistan & India in intense talks on troops withdrawal from Siachen Islamabad, Sept 29 PPI: Pakistan and India are engaged in intense negotiations to reach an early agreement on withdrawal of troops from Siachen glacier- world's highest battleground. This was stated by Foreign Office spokesman Thursday in Islamabad while commenting on Indian Defence Minister's statement about withdrawal of troops by both the countries from Siachin. The spokesman said there exist some major differences on the modalities of withdrawal which the two sides are trying to address.(Posted @ 23:20 PST)
Fire threaten Los Angeles suburbs LOS ANGELES, Sept 29 (AFP) - A major wildfire was raging Thursday near Los Angeles, sparking evacuations in the San Fernando Valley, firefighters said. The fire already spanned more than 2,800 hectares (7,000 acres), despite more than 1,000 firefighters working to control it. Smoke was visible for kilometers around. "We're worried because we have an abundance of fuel. This is a time of year that we have a lot of high winds, what are called the Santa Ana winds," police chief Mark Savage told CNN television. "We're battling these severe conditions, very difficult for firefighters yesterday and the same conditions are expected today," he added, noting that the fire was only about five percent contained.(Posted @ 23:10 PST)
US security boss 'shot dead' Afghan interpreter: police HERAT, Afghanistan, Sept 29 (AFP) - An American supervisor at a security firm shot dead his Afghan interpreter apparently after a disagreement, police here said on Thursday. The Afghan, identified as Noor Ahmad, was working for United States Protection and Investigation (USPI) which is providing security for companies building a road in the western province of Farah, they said. "An American man ... killed his interpreter inside their camp on Wednesday," provincial police chief Allahuddin Noorzai told AFP. The victim's brother, Sher Ahmad, also said Noor was killed by his boss. An official in the firm said he was not aware of the incident.(Posted @ 22:56 PST)
Pakistan for exploiting nuclear technology for peace, progress Vienna, Sept 29 PPI: Pakistan has called for exploiting nuclear technology not only for peace but for progress and prosperity of all. The call was made by Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Parvez Butt while addressing 49th International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA's General Conference in Vienna. He reiterated that Pakistan is committed to the utilization of nuclear energy for socio-economic development of its people and seeks cooperation and assistance of the IAEA member states.(Posted @ 22:45 PST)
At least 50 killed in car bombs north of Baghdad BAGHDAD, Sept 29 (Reuters) - More than 50 people were killed in three apparently coordinated car bomb attacks in the mixed Shi'ite and Sunni Arab town of Balad, north of Baghdad, on Thursday, Iraqi police said. They said bombs went off after dark near a busy market in a predominantly Shi'ite district, in a street with a bank and next to a police station in the town about 90 km (55 miles) north of Baghdad, killing at least 50 and wounding around 100.(Posted @ 22:42 PST)
PM hold wide-ranging talks with Korean counterpart SEOUL, Sept.29 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday held wide-ranging talks with his Korean counterpart Lee Hae-chan on bilateral, regional and international issues and discussed various initiatives to strengthen ties between the two countries, particularly in trade and economic fields. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Shaukat Aziz described the talks as very constructive . The talks covered Pakistan-India relations, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea and issues of nuclear non-proliferation and terrorism. Prime Minister Aziz welcomed the Six-Party talks on North Korea's nuclear programme and expressed the hope that it would lead to a peaceful resolution. He also discussed recent developments in efforts to resolve the issue over Iran's nuclear programme. Shaukat Aziz expressed Pakistan's desire for Korean technical assistance in the areas of energy, engineering and SMEs. He said the Korean leader welcomed the idea and also offered to train government employees in Korea and he accepted the offer. The two leaders also discussed cooperation in the areas of IT and bio-technology. The Korean Prime Minister offered technical assistance both in software as well hardware.Pakistan proposed revival of Joint Economic Commission of the two countries which held its last meeting ten years ago and asked Korea to include Pakistan in its review of visa policy. Initiation of air links between the two countries also came under discussion.(Posted @ 20:16 PST)
UN says 29 reported dead in attack on Darfur camp GENEVA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Twenty-nine people were reported to have been killed in an attack on a refugee camp in the north-west of the Sudan region of Darfur, the United Nations said on Thursday. The UNHCR said that according to initial reports received by the agency the Aro Sharow camp was attacked by 250-300 "armed Arab men on horses and camels" late on Wednesday. Another 10 people were reported to have been seriously wounded, the agency said in a statement.(Posted @ 20:12 PST)
'Alternative Nobel' goes to international human rights activists STOCKHOLM, Sept 29 (AFP) - The Right Livelihood prize, dubbed the "alternative" Nobel Peace Prize, was awarded Thursday to activists from Canada, Malaysia and Botswana for their work to promote fair trade and the rights of migrant workers and indigenous peoples. The prize of two million Swedish kronor (257,000 dollars, 213,000 euros) will be shared by Canadian free trade defenders Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke, Malaysian migrant workers' rights advocate Irene Fernandez, and Roy Sesana, an advocate for the rights of the Kalahari indigenous people of Botswana, the Right Livelihood Award Foundation said.(Posted @ 19:54 PST)
Twenty-two passengers killed in occupied Kashmir bus plunge JAMMU, Sept 29 (AFP) - Twenty-two passengers were killed and 27 injured Thursday when an overcrowded bus skidded of a mountain road and plunged into a gorge in occupied Kashmir, police said. The accident occured in the Doda district, 165 kilometres (103 miles) north of Jammu. The bus was overcrowded with pilgrims on their way to a holy site visited by people who suffer from skin ailments.(Posted @ 19:34 PST)
Bangladeshi aid worker wounded, Afghan killed in ambush KABUL, Sept 29 (AFP) –Another Bangladeshi aid worker was shot and wounded and his Afghan colleague killed when they were ambushed outside Afghanistan's capital, the interior ministry said Thursday. They were fired upon while driving a motorbike Wednesday in the northern province of Parwan, which adjoins Kabul, ministry spokesman Yousuf Stanizai told AFP. Another Bangladeshi national, who worked for the UN, was wounded in a similar ambush at the weekend in the eastern province of Nangarhar.(Posted @ 18:28 PST)
Algerians vote on amnesty for militants ALGIERS, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Algerians voted on Thursday in a referendum on a partial amnesty for hundreds of militants, intended to bring an end to more than a decade of conflict that has cost at least 150,000 lives. Most of the 18 million eligible voters are expected to back a controversial "charter for peace and national reconciliation". The charter will pardon rebels in prison, on the run or still fighting and drop other legal proceedings. Those involved in massacres, such as one in 1997 in the Algiers suburb of Bentalha where 400 civilians were killed, are excluded. But it bans Islamists from participating in politics. The conflict began after the army cancelled Algeria's first multi-party legislative election, which Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) was on course to win in 1992.(Posted @ 18:02 PST)
Mass grave of communist soldiers found in Afghanistan KABUL, Sept 29 (AFP) - A mass grave discovered in Paktika in eastern Afghanistan is thought to contain the bodies of more than 500 soldiers of the communist regime that was toppled in 1992, officials said Thursday. “We have sent a delegation to investigate," interior ministry spokesman Yousuf Stanizai said, without giving details. Another official said the grave was believed to contain the bodies of soldiers who were killed after surrendering to mujahedin. There are some 530 bodies in the grave," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We believe that they were the defeated soldiers of Najibullah," he said.(Posted @ 17:48 PST)
Five dead in clashes at Spain-Morocco border: Madrid SEVILLE, Spain, Sept 29 (AFP) - Five people were killed and many injured when hundreds of would-be immigrants tried to storm a border-crossing between Morocco and Spain's north African enclave of Ceuta early Thursday, Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said. Addressing a press conference during a summit between the prime ministers of Spain and Morocco, he said there had been three deaths on the Moroccan side. A spokesman said the third person killed was a baby from Ivory Coast.(Posted @ 17:42 PST)
PM invites Korean entrepreneurs to benefit from Pakistan's investor-friendly climate SEOUL, Sept 29 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said continuity and consistency in economic policies have created a conducive business environment in Pakistan and urged the Korean entrepreneurs to invest in numerous sectors that offer lucrative profits. Speaking at a luncheon meeting hosted by four major Korean Business Associations in his honour, the Prime Minister asked them to specially focus on infrastructure, energy, textile, engineering and telecommunication sectors that have vast potential of foreign investment.(Posted @ 17:30 PST)
SC allows Majid Malik to contest election of District Nazim Chakwal ISLAMABAD, Sep 29 (APP): A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Thursday allowed Lt. Gen (Retd) Abdul Majid Malik to contest election as candidate of District Nazim Chakwal by setting aside the judgement of the Lahore High Court as well as the decision of the District Returning Officer, Chakwal.(Posted @ 17:26 PST)
Renowned poet Umeed Fazli passes away KARACHI, Sept 29 (APP)- Renowned poet Umeed Fazli died on Wednesday night after protracted illness, Anjuman Taraqi Urdu Pakistan announced Thursday.(Posted @ 17:24 PST)
Pakistan, Korea ink agreements on cultural exchange, EDCF facility SEOUL, Sept 29 (APP): Pakistan and Korea Thursday signed two agreements on loan assistance and Cultural Exchange programme as Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and his Korean counterpart held formal talks on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern.The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of agreements after an informal one-on-one meeting. The two leaders were later joined by their respective delegations for formal talks that covered wide ranging issues of bilateral interest and regional and international issues including Pakistan-India relations, Afghanistan, terrorism and nuclear proliferation. Under the agreement, Korea will provide about 18 million dollars in soft assistance for the construction of 220 KV Grid Station in Lahore.(Posted @ 17:20 PST)
Terrorism has no nationality or religion; PM SEOUL, Sept 29 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, dismissing attempts at linking Islam with terrorism, said here Thursday that terrorism is a universal threat with no religion or nationality and urged the international community to do more to address its root causes. Speaking at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security he referred to the concept of Enlightened Moderation proposed by President Pervez Musharraf and said it calls upon Muslims to reform and modernize while at the same time it persuades the major western powers to help resolve issues such as Palestine, Kashmir, Afghanistan and Iraq which have caused suffering and pain in the Muslim world. Reiterating Pakistan's commitment to the war on terrorism, he said "we have broken the back of the Al-Qaeda, destroying its lateral and vertical organizational linkages." On the nuclear issue, the Prime Minister stated that "Pakistan had never pursued the acquisition of nuclear weapons or for that matter chemical or biological weapons, until the Indian nuclear test in 1974. We were compelled to respond and develop our nuclear capability. Even so we refrained from testing until forced to do so following the Indian nuclear tests in 1998, to establish the credibility of our nuclear deterrent." He said Pakistan's engagement with India through a Composite Dialogue was aimed at resolving all outstanding issues, especially the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir in a manner acceptable to all three parties - Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris."(Posted @ 17:12 PST)
Pakistan to set up oil refineries at Gwadar to serve as energy corridor RAWALPINDI, Sep 29 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday said Pakistan will set up oil refineries at Gwadar to serve as a regional trade hub and provide cost-effective fuel for sustaining the country's higher economic growth. He told senior civil servants that his Government is also striving to develop gas, coal, water and alternate energy sources as part of its strategy to minimize the country's dependence on imported oil. "We have strategized our energy requirements for the next 15 years as this will be the lifeline for a vibrant economy," he told participants of Management Course at the National School of Public Policy.(Posted @ 16:26 PST)
Four militants die in occupied Kashmir shootouts SRINAGAR, Sept 29 (AFP) - Four freedom fighter were killed Thursday in two shootouts in occupied Kashmir, Indian army said. Two militants were killed in a gunbattle that erupted when police raided a hideout in district Kupwara and two more died after a fierce gunfight that broke out when soldiers launched a search in a village in district Budgam. An unknown number of other militants were hiding in one or two houses in the village and intermittent firing was continuing, the army spokesman said. Troop reinforcements had been rushed to the village from which most residents had fled to avoid being caught in crossfire, he added. More than 44,000 people have died in the 16-year freedom struggle.. Separatists say the death toll is at least double.(Posted @ 16:14 PST)
Iraqi insurgents multiply attacks ahead of referendum BAGHDAD, Sept 29 (AFP) - Iraqi insurgents Thursday multiplied bombings and drive-by shootings. In the latest attacks, rebels machine-gunned workers at a bakery and fired at a minibus carrying football stadium employees in Baghdad, killing a total of four and wounding eight, an interior ministry official said.Two died in attack on bakery and two more in the drive-by shooting of the minibus which carried employees of Al Shaab stadium in the east of the city. One civilian was also hurt in the explosion of one of two bombs targeting US army patrols in the capital, security officials said. There were no immediate reports of any US casualties.In another incident the entire lay leadership of Bahgdad's Anglican church, including three members of the same family, were feared dead after failing to return home from a road journey to Jordan, their bishop said Thursday. "They are almost certainly dead," said the Nicosia-based Most Reverend Clive Handford, president bishop of the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East.(Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Millions join national strike in India to protest privatisation plans NEW DELHI, Sept 29 (AFP) - A nation-wide strike disrupted flights and shut down government offices and banks in India Thursday as millions of state workers staged a one-day protest over moves to liberalise Asia's fourth-largest economy.NDTV said some 40 million workers had joined the strike, as trade union leaders said the massive stay-away was the first step in a fight against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has allowed the majority sell-off of state-owned firms and airports and eased rules on foreign investment. "This will be just a warning for the government. Unless the government undertakes a comprehensive review of its policies, we will call for a much bigger action -- we may go for longer strikes."The worst affected state was West Bengal, where a Communist government has ruled for 28 years. Officials said operations at the airport and the main port in Kolkata were at a standstill, while government offices were shut and buses off the roads. Another leftist bastion, Kerala, was also badly affected.(Updated Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Bin Laden considered seeking asylum in Britain: ex-minister LONDON, Sept 29 (AFP) - He might be the self-professed enemy of the West, but a decade ago terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden considered seeking asylum in Britain, the country's interior minister of the time has said. Michael Howard told The Times on Thursday that the request from the Al-Qaeda chief appeared to be serious. According to the newspaper, in 1995 bin Laden wanted to abandon his then-base in Sudan and asked some of his followers in London to sound out whether he would be able to move to Britain. "In truth, I knew little about him, but we picked up information that bin Laden was very interested in coming to Britain," Howard, now leader of the main opposition Conservative Party, told the paper. "It was apparently a serious request. He already had people operating here, and who knows how history could have been rewritten if he had turned up here?" However, no application was made as Home Office officials investigated bin Laden and Howard issued an immediate banning order under immigration laws.(Posted @ 15:10 PST)
Five killed in Wana ambush WANA, Pakistan, Sept 29 (AFP) Unidentified gunmen ambushed a police vehicle in Wana, a town in South Waziristan, on Thursday, killing four local policemen and a civilian, officials said. The official said it was unclear whether the attack was mounted by insurgents or a gang of robbers. He would not say whether the money was also taken.(Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Iran says gas deal with India still on TEHRAN, Sept 29 (Reuters) Iran will not use energy ties to punish India for voting against the Islamic state at the U.N. nuclear watchdog, a senior Oil Ministry official said on Thursday. Iran's deputy Oil Minister Hadi Nejad-Hosseinian denied reports that Iran would punish energy-hungry India by calling off its energy contracts. "There has been no order for change of policy regarding natural gas projects with India," Nejad-Hosseinian said.(Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Aziz visits Memorial Tower, National Cemetery SEOUL, Sept. 29 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday visited the National Military Cemetery and laid a wreath at the Memorial Tower where he observed a one minute silence to pay homage to the soldiers who died during the Korean War. Earlier reiterating Pakistan's firm commitment to the goals of nuclear non-proliferation at a breakfast meeting with the editors of the leading Korean print and electronic media, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday hoped that six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear programme would lead to promoting peace in the Korean Peninsula. "We are very encouraged (that) six-party talks will lead to understanding which will enable peaceful atmosphere going forward in Korean Peninsula," he said.(Posted @ 11:00 PST)
Palestinians head for vote RAMALLAH, Sept 29 (Reuters) Thousands of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank cast ballots on Thursday for the final phase of local elections seen as a bellwether of rival factions' clout ahead of a landmark parliamentary poll in January. Unlike the first phase of the municipal election in May, when candidates ran individually, this time more than 144,000 voters in the West Bank will choose among faction lists. The 2,478 candidates vying for 1,018 seats in the West Bank and Arab East Jerusalem include 602 women taking part in the first Palestinian municipal elections in 28 years. (Posted @ 10:26 PST)
Israel kills three Palestinians JENIN, West Bank, Sept 29 (Reuters) Israeli soldiers shot dead three alleged Palestinian militants near the West Bank town of Jenin on Thursday, a Palestinian security source said. Soldiers also arrested 12 suspected militants in raids conducted in the Jenin, Nablus and Bethlehem areas of the West Bank, the Israeli army said.(Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Pakistan says North Korea nuclear ties a 'closed chapter' SEOUL, Sept 29 (Reuters) Pakistan gave South Korea all the information it had about suspected exchanges of nuclear technology with North Korea and considered the issue "a closed chapter", Pakistan's prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, said on Thursday. "As regards to any relationship or interaction with North Korea, we have none any more," Shaukat Aziz told a news briefing in Seoul, ahead of meetings with South Korean officials. Aziz also reiterated that Pakistan was opposed to the use of force against Iran to resolve the standoff over its nuclear programme. "We also believe that the current situation vis a vis Iran and the nuclear programme ought to be handled through the IAEA, and ought to be handled in a way which settles the matter peacefully," he said.(Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Karachi Stocks down -44.73 points KARACHI, September 29: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 8151.60 , down -44.73 points from Wednesday's close. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, September 29: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.4 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
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