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| October 20, 2005 | Thursday | Ramzan 15, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Indonesia "covered up" bird flu, newspaper reports WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (Reuters) Indonesian officials "covered up and then neglected" an epidemic of avian influenza in poultry for two years, allowing it to spread among flocks and then to people, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. "If the government had acted sooner to stamp it out, there would be no outbreak. They have wasted so much time," the newspaper quoted an Indonesian microbiologist as saying.(Posted @ 22:05 PST)
Headscarf banned in schools of central Asian Tajikistan DUSHANBE, Oct 20 (AFP) The use of the Islamic headscarf was banned Thursday in schools and universities of the central Asian former Soviet republic of Tajikistan in order to prevent the spread of Islamic ideology, the education minister said. "They serve to propagate an ideology. For those who wish to wear headscarves there are madrasas and Quranic schools," the minister said. The minister also warned that students disobeying the new rules risked expulsion from their institutions.(Posted @ 21:55 PST)
Abbas calls for action on Middle East 'roadmap' WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (AFP) Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas said Thursday after talks with US President George W. Bush that it was time to "immediately" move forward on the internationally drawn blueprint for Middle East peace. "We must immediately start implementing the roadmap" drawn up by the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations, the Palestinian leader said during a joint public appearance with Bush at the White House Rose Garden. He also urged Israel to end settlement activities in Palestinian territories, halt construction of a barrier in the West Bank, and withdraw its forces to their positions before the latest Palestinian uprising began in September 2000. Bush said that the Palestinian Authority must reject and fight terrorism for the Middle East peace process to be able to move forward.(Posted @ 21:45 PST)
Ambassadors to Denmark protest Mohammed (PBUH) caricatures COPENHAGEN, Oct 20 (AFP) The ambassadors of Islamic countries to Denmark have protested against 12 newspaper caricatures of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammed (P.B.U.H.), in a letter to Denmark's prime minister, his office said on Thursday. A militant group also threatened to carry out attacks in the Scandinavian country over the affair, the media there reported. The 12 drawings by two cartoonists, which appeared in Denmark's largest circulation daily Jyllands-Posten on September 30, have drawn criticism from across the Muslim community in Denmark. In a letter to Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, diplomats from Arab countries and Pakistan, Iran, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Indonesia said they were offended by the caricatures and demanded an official apology from the newspaper, the office said. Last week, as many as 5,000 Muslims demonstrated in Copenhagen against the paper and the drawings, which depicted Mohammed in different settings. In one of the drawings, he appeared with a turban shaped like a bomb strapped to his head. The editors of Jyllands-Posten meanwhile stood by their cartoons and rejected the diplomats' demand for an apology in the name of freedom of expression.(Posted @ 21:24 PST)
Protest over Iraq journalist union official killing BAGHDAD, Oct 20 (Reuters) Angry Iraqi reporters held an impromptu memorial for the secretary of the Iraqi Journalists Union on Thursday, a day after he was killed by unknown gunmen in the latest attack on the country's beleaguered media. The killing of 37-year-old Mohammed Haroon on Wednesday came on the same day as gunmen kidnapped an Irish journalist working in Baghdad as he covered Iraqis' reaction to the start of the televised trial of Saddam Hussein. "This is a big loss for the Iraqi press. We condemn this crime and call the government to investigate it," a union head said as dozens of journalists gathered at a union headquarters in Baghdad for a memorial for Haroon.(Posted @ 20:08 PST)
U.S. kills senior Qaeda leader in west Iraq BAGHDAD, Oct 20 (Reuters) U.S. forces killed 12 militants in western Iraq including an al Qaeda leader responsible for attacks around Ramadi, the U.S. military said on Thursday. A statement said Sa'ad Ali Firas Muntar al-Dulaimi, also known as Abu Abdullah, was among 12 people killed in a series of Oct. 15 raids on suspected insurgents. Also Al Qaeda in Iraq conceded on Thursday that senior operative Abu Azzam had been "martyred" almost a month after U.S. forces said they had killed him in Baghdad, according to an Internet audio statement.(Posted @ 20:04 PST)
Thousands protest religious leaders’ killings in Afghanistan KHOST, Afghanistan, Oct 20 (AFP) Thousands of people marched through the eastern Afghan city of Khost Thursday to condemn the murders of three leaders blamed on Taliban insurgents and demanded that Pakistan crack down on the "terrorists". Religious leaders who organised the march said more than 10,000 people took part in the demonstration but witnesses said there were about 6,000 protestors. Pro-government cleric Mullah Mohammad Khan was killed in Khost province on Friday last week when a bomb exploded during prayers in his mosque.(Posted @ 19:14 PST)
Strongest hurricane on record roars toward Mexico and US CANCUN, Mexico, Oct 20 (AFP) A monstrous Hurricane Wilma barrelled towards Mexico and the storm-weary US coast Thursday, forcing tens of thousands to flee coastlines after it mushroomed into the most powerful storm ever recorded in the Atlantic. The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said the "extremely dangerous" behemoth had weakened slightly to a category four hurricane, packing winds of 240 kilometres per hour, as it continued to swirl toward Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. However, the NHC said Wilma "could regain category five intensity," pushing wind speeds closer to 280 kph (175 mph) per hour as they were clocked on Wednesday.(Posted @ 17:54 PST)
Iran 'has proof' of British role in bombings TEHRAN, Oct 20 (AFP)Iran said on Thursday that it had proof that Britain was involved in a double bomb attack last week that killed six people and injured more than 100 in the restive south-western city of Ahvaz. "Information obtained by the concerned organs show that Britain is the main accused in the recent events," Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told state television. "The information shows that Britain is seeking to create insecurity in our country by interfering in our internal affairs," adding that the consequences "could be worrying for the British." Britain said the allegations were baseless.(Posted @ 17:48 PST)
SC orders formation of new investigation team to probe Sonia Naz case ISLAMABAD, October 20 (PPI) The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the formation of a new investigation team comprising reputable Superintendents of Police (SPs) to probe the Sonia Naz case and rejected the team which was constituted by the Inspector General of Police(IGP) Punjab. The bench also ordered submission of chalaan against the arrested accused before November 8, 2005. The IGP also presented a complete list of 19 SPs from which the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry himself pointed out some reputable officers whom he had known for their good reputation. The Bench also ordered the Advocate General Punjab to submit a progress report in the case to the apex court.(Posted @ 17:42 PST)
Palestinians rule out al-Qaeda presence in Gaza GAZA, Oct 20 (Reuters) The Palestinian Authority rejected on Thursday a report from Israeli intelligence that foreign militants suspected of links to al-Qaeda had slipped into the Gaza Strip after Israel withdrew last month. Israel's military intelligence chief said this week that around 10 "global jihad operatives" entered Gaza during chaos at the border with Egypt following Israel's troop pullout.(Posted @ 17:38 PST)
Iraqi forces arrest Saddam's nephew in Tikrit BAGHDAD, Oct 20 (Reuters) Iraqi security forces have arrested a nephew of toppled president Saddam Hussein in Tikrit on suspicion of financing insurgents, a national security official said Thursday. Yasser Sabawi was arrested on Wednesday as residents of Tikrit protested to mark the beginning of Saddam’s tria, the official said. Sabawi is one of the sons of Saddam's half brother and former presidential adviser Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti.(Posted @ 16:22 PST)
Car bomb kills four north of Baghdad BAGHDAD, Oct 20 (Reuters) A suicide car bomber attacked a U.S. military convoy in Baquba, north of Baghdad, on Thursday, killing at least four Iraqi civilians and injuring 14, police said. There was no immediate word on any U.S. casualties. In a separate statement, the U.S. military said that a roadside bomb attack on convoy near Balad, about 50 km from Baquba, on Wednesday had killed three U.S. soldiers.(Posted @ 16:18 PST)
Three killed, 50 hurt in clash with Bangladesh police NOAKHALI, Bangladesh, Oct 20 (Reuters) - At least three people were killed and nearly 50 injured in clashes with police in southeastern Noakhali district on Thursday, police and officials said. The clash erupted after hundreds of villagers, blaming police for inaction against robbers, attacked a police station at Basurhat of Noakhali district, 200 km from Dhaka. "Three people got killed by gunshots, and 30 others with bullet wounds, " said a doctor at Noakhali General Hospital. A police officer said: "We had to open fire in self defence as a violent mob attacked the police station". "The villagers became agitated after police allegedly failed to respond quickly to a call for help when a jewellery shop was being robbed," local administrative official Mohammad Zafar Alam said. (Updated @ 14:32 PST)
Rumsfeld arrives for talks in South Korea SEOUL, Oct 20 (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrived here Thursday for annual security talks with South Korea, officials said. He arrived from China where he met with President Hu Jintao and Defence Minister Cao Guangchuan and became the first foreigner to visit the headquarters of the Strategic Rocket Forces. (Posted @ 14:14 PST)
India accepts quake aid from Bangladesh DHAKA, Oct 20 (AFP) - A Bangladesh air force plane was readied Thursday to transport relief supplies to India after New Delhi agreed to accept aid for survivors of the devastating earthquake, the official Bangladesh news agency said. India had not requested assistance from its neighbours after the October 8 earthquake but accepted the offer from Bangladesh, the news agency said quoting Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan. "We are now waiting for a reply from New Delhi regarding the time and date for sending the relief," Khan said. (Posted @ 13:58 PST)
Thailand says OIC comments worsen southern unrest BANGKOK, Oct 20 (AFP) - Thailand's prime minister said Thursday that criticism from the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) over his handling of deadly unrest in the kingdom's Muslim-majority southern provinces was worsening the conflict. "It's not nice. The OIC is an organisation of Muslim countries and Thailand, which has five to six million Muslims, is an observer. Why aren't they talking to us instead of issuing a statement," Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told a news conference. "They are interfering in our internal affairs and worsen the situation," he said. OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in a statement Tuesday said the OIC monitored the southern unrest "with deep concern" and lamented persistent violence against Muslims and "innocent civilians". "Some villages have been under siege and some families had to migrate," he said. (Posted @ 13:57 PST)
Arab League chief heads to Iraq CAIRO, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa left for Iraq on Thursday on his first visit to the country since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 that toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Moussa declined to comment to reporters as he left Egypt,which hosts the League headquarters. League officials previously said he would meet top Iraqi officials to discuss an initiative which includes an Iraq national reconciliation conference. Moussa said earlier this month Iraq was on the verge of civil war. (Posted @ 12:16 PST)
Three US soldiers killed, one injured in Iraq bomb blast BAGHDAD, Oct 20 (APP/AFP) - Three US soldiers were killed Wednesday and one injured when their combat patrol hit a a roadside bomb in the town of Balad, 70 kilometers (44 miles) north of Baghdad, the US military said in a statement Thursday.(Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Thailand has new human death from birdflu -PM BANGKOK, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Thailand has had a new human death from bird flu, taking its national total to 13, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Thursday. "Lab test results came out about midnight last night and came out as positive," Thaksin told a news conference.(Posted @ 10:05 PST)
Australian TV shows footage of Taliban burning SYDNEY, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Australian television on Wednesday broadcast footage of what it said was U.S. soldiers burning the corpses of two dead Taliban fighters with their bodies laid out facing Mecca and using the images in a propaganda campaign in southern Afghanistan. The television report said U.S. soldiers burnt the bodies for hygienic reasons but then a U.S. psychological operations unit broadcast a propaganda message on loudspeakers to Taliban fighters, taunting them to retrieve their dead and fight. A U.S. military statement released in Afghanistan said Army investigators had launched a probe "into alleged misconduct by U.S. service members, including the burning of dead enemy combatant bodies under inappropriate circumstances."(Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Indonesia says to monitor Muslim boarding schools JAKARTA, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Indonesia will monitor Islamic boarding schools as part of its effort to fight militant violence and suicide bombings, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said. "It's possible that there are one or two very extreme pesantren among 17,000 pesantrens, and their teachings are not in line with those recognised by our Ulema (Muslim sscholars). Therefore they must be put under surveillance," Kalla, known to be a devout Muslim himself, told reporters late Wednesday. He did not mention any schools by name.(Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Palestinian leader Abbas arrives in Washington for Bush meeting WASHINGTON, Oct 19 (AFP) - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas arrived in Washington on Wednesday. He is to meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice late Wednesday ahead of his meeting Thursday with President Bush who was expected to push Abbas to do more to halt anti-Israel violence, battle corruption, and build the Palestinian economy.(Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Rumsfeld voices concern over Chinese nuclear arsenal BEIJING, Oct 20 (AFP) - China appears to be expanding its nuclear strike capability with missiles able to reach beyond the Pacific, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says in remarks prepared for delivery on Thursday to an audience at the Academy of Military Sciences here on the second day of a visit that has highlighted US concerns about a rapid Chinese military buildup.(Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Malaysian PM Abdullah's wife dies KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (AFP) - Endon Mahmood, the wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, died Thursday after a long battle with breast cancer, devastating Malaysians who admired her loving and enduring relationship with her husband.(Posted @ 09:00 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 315.01 points: KARACHI, October 20: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 8557.95, down 315.01 points from Wednesday's close. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:55 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, October 20: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.1 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:55 PST)
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