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| November 26, 2005 | Saturday | Shawwal 23, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Indian Consulate to begin work in Karachi in Jan: Consul KARACHI, Nov 26 (APP): Indian Consul on Political Affairs in Pakistan, Gataish Sharma, Saturday said Indian Consulate would start functioning here in January 2006 and that another round of Pak-India talks on launching of ferry service between Karachi and Mombai will be held earlier in December. In a call on meeting with former city nazim Karachi Naimatullah Khan advocate here, the Indian envoy said India had completed all arrangements to start Khokhrapar-Monabao railway service. He said the opening of this border route would greatly benefit the people of Sindh. Ninety percent of those who desired to get visa for visit to India were from Karachi who had also great contribution in promoting Pak-India friendship. Over the last couple of years, there was significant work on this front and now the results had started coming out, he said.(Posted @ 23:55 PST)
Government launches national health strategy: Musharraf LAHORE, November 26 (PPI) President Pervez Musharraf says that the government has launched a well-conceived national health strategy to improve the social and health facilities in the country. Addressing a Convocation of in Fatima Jinnah Medical College for Women here on Saturday he said provision of best health care is among top priorities of the government with a special focus on primary and secondary health and up gradation of district and tehsil headquarters hospitals and rural health centers. The President said under the strategy, the target of the provision of potable clean water, health care facilities and electricity would be achieved by the year 2007 for which huge funds are being allocated.(Posted @ 23:40 PST)
Seven killed as minibus falls into reservoir in China BEIJING, Nov 26 (AFP) - Seven people were killed Saturday when a minibus fell into a reservoir in northwest China, state media said, quoting local police. The accident occurred in the morning when a minibus with 33 passengers fell off a wharf at the Liujiaxia reservoir in Gansu province, Xinhua news agency said. Police said 24 people were rescued and two others were hospitalised and in serious condition, it said. The accident was due to brake failure according to an initial investigation, the news agency said. The reservoir is a popular tourist destination in the area, with boats giving access to Bingling Temple and its famous caves containing hundreds of Buddha statues and murals with the earliest believed to date back to 420 AD.(Posted @ 21:45 PST)
Bush urges Americans to help victims of South Asia quake WASHINGTON, Nov 26 (AFP) - President George W. Bush on Saturday urged Americans to reach out and help victims of the devastating, deadly October 8 earthquake in South Asia. Two days after the US Thanksgiving holiday, Bush said in his weekly radio address that "the universal call to love a neighbour also extends beyond our shores, moving us to help people in other lands. "Our nation has begun to help the millions of people in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan who are suffering after last month's devastating earthquake in South Asia. "I urge you to visit the website of the South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund at SouthAsiaEarthquakeRelief.org to find out how you can help," the US president said. Bush also thanked US troops serving overseas. "On Thanksgiving and throughout the year, we are grateful to the men and women of our Armed Forces for securing the peace in these dangerous times. ... They are serving with courage and skill in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere to defend our freedom and extend the blessings of freedom to others," Bush said.(Posted @ 20:24 PST)
Afghan troops foil bomb attack in capital KABUL, Nov 26 (AFP) - Afghan troops foiled a bomb attack in the capital Kabul on Saturday with the arrest of six suspected militants and their explosives-packed vehicle, the defense ministry said. The men were driving two vehicles, one packed with explosives and gas cylinders which are usually used in car-bomb attacks, defense ministry spokesman General Mohammad Zahir Azimi said. "Six men -- three driving a Land Cruiser jeep and three others in a Corolla car -- were arrested in Kabul by National Army troops," he said. "The Land Cruiser jeep was packed with explosives and gas cylinders -- they (troops) prevented a very tragic attack which could have taken many lives," the general said. Azimi said weapons and communication devices were also found in the cars. He would not give further details but said an investigation was underway to determine the identities and affiliation of the arrested men.(Posted @ 20:20 PST)
Suicide bomber blows up petrol station in Iraq SAMARRA, Iraq, Nov 26 (AFP) - A suicide bomber driving a pick-up truck ploughed into a petrol station in northern Iraq Saturday, setting off a fiery explosion that killed at least five people and injured 16. The attack on the outskirts of Samarra, devastated the petrol station and set a dozen cars ablaze, police and witnesses said. Samarra hospital doctor Khalil Ahmed said they received the bodies of six people killed, including the bomber, along with 16 injured.(Posted @ 19:50 PST)
US soldiers reprimanded for burning Taliban bodies, not sanctioned: general KANDAHAR AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Nov 26 (AFP) - Two US soldiers have been reprimand for burning the bodies of two Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, General Jason Kamiya, the top US commander in Afghanistan said Saturday. "My investigation reveals that the US coalition forces did not violate the law of war," he said, adding the burning of the Taliban corpses was for "hygiene purpose" by soldiers unaware of Afghan culture.(Posted @ 19:45 PST)
PM Aziz calls for Kashmir resolution VALLETTA, (Malta) Nov 26 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said here Saturday that the climate in South Asia had improved as a result of Pakistan-India engagement in a dialogue but stressed the need for tangible steps to resolve the core issue of Kashmir. Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the Commonwealth summit, he said he had briefed the leaders about the developments in South Asia and Pakistan's efforts for peace in the region. Replying to a question he said efforts were being made to open Indian consulate in Karachi and Pakistani consulate in Bombay and to further improve communication links. Efforts were also underway for opening of banks by each country in the other. Renewing Pakistan's proposal for demilitarization of Kashmir Shaukat Aziz said there were three parties to the Kashmir issue -- Pakistan, India and Kashmiri people -- and a solution to the dispute should be acceptable to all. He said on the proposal of President Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan and India had opened five crossing points along the Line of Control for the movement of Kashmiris. He said these points were being opened once a week, but Pakistan wanted that they should be opened every day on permanent basis.(Posted @ 19:28 PST)
13 killed, nine injured in Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 26 (Reuters) - A car bomb exploded near a U.S. military patrol in western Baghdad on Saturday, killing four passersby and wounding four others, Iraq's Interior Ministry said. The U.S. patrol escaped unharmed. One civilian was killed and three were wounded on Friday when a roadside bomb went off near a motorcade carrying former interior minister Faleh al-Naqib in Samarra, 100 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, police said. Naqib is a candidate on Ayad Allawi's list for parliamentary elections on Dec. 15. Three Iraqi soldiers were killed and two were wounded on Saturday when gunmen attacked their patrol in Balad, 90 km (55 miles) north of Baghdad, police said. Nadir Karim, a Sunni prayer leader in Basra, was kidnapped and killed on Friday by gunmen, the Muslim Clerics' Association said. Four people were killed, including two soldiers,when gunmen attacked an Iraqi army patrol in southwestern Kirkuk late Friday, police said.(Posted @ 18:24 PST)
Cricket-Giles to miss Pakistan one-dayers for hip surgery LONDON, Nov 26 (Reuters) - England spinner Ashley Giles will miss the one-day series against Pakistan and return home for surgery on a long standing hip cartilage problem after the third test in Lahore. All- rounder Ian Blackwell has been called up to the squad for the five-match one-day series due to start on Dec.10.(Posted @ 18:18 PST)
UK's Blair urges G7 finmins to push for trade deal VALLETTA, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Britain's Tony Blair on Saturday warned of disaster if world powers failed to secure a good trade deal and said finance ministers from the Group of Seven rich nations could pave the way for an accord next week. Blair said a meeting of Commonwealth leaders in Malta would send a strong signal of support for the Doha trade round ahead of December's World Trade Organisation meeting in Hong Kong. "I think this is an absolutely critical moment of decision for the whole World Trade Organisation (WTO)," Blair told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting of leaders from the group of 53 mainly ex-British colonies."If we don't get significant movement in Hong Kong and subsequently there is a danger that the whole round fails and that would be disastrous for economies - developed and developing."(Posted @ 18:08 PST)
Nigeria launches bid to host Africa's first Commonwealth Games VALLETTA, Nov 26 (AFP) - Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasango on Saturday launched a bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Abuja, and asked that the two other contenders withdraw their bids so that the event could be held in Africa for the first time. Obasango announced Abuja's bid to host the games at an informal function on the sidelines of the 53-nation summit. The 2006 Games will be held in Melbourne, Australia, next March. The 2010 event will be held in New Delhi."We already have an infrastructure that can handle a games of Commonwealth standard because it hosted the All Africa games two years ago," the president said. He suggested that other cities bidding to host the prestigious games -- Glasgow and a Canadian city yet to be chosen by internal competition -- withdraw their bids.(Posted @ 17:55 PST)
Commonwealth leaders discuss trade 'road map' VALLETTA, Nov 26 (AFP) - Commonwealth leaders were locked in discussions here Saturday on a "road map" to world trade for poor countries and achieving closer cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the leaders from 53 mostly former British colonies were facing a "packed schedule" for the duration of the closed-doors talks, which end on Sunday.Aziz said governments must ensure that liberalisation of markets should be achieved gradually. "We need to have a road map and a timetable, to transition from where we are to a more free and open market," he told a news conference during a break in the talks. "If the curtain falls overnight then countries will go into severe pain. And the Caribbean countries and the smaller states have made this point." "The advantage of discussing these at the Commonwealth level is that we flesh out our ideas, we understand each others' position and perhaps try to prepare before we get into the Hong Kong round." On terrorism, Aziz said that while there was already a lot of cooperation between the states, including intelligence-sharing, leaders were trying to find a way to "institutionalise" such cooperation. "We need to ponder the root causes of terrorism," he said. Leaders will also discuss the jailing of a presidential candidate in Uganda, and the growing problem of mass migration, which Aziz described as "a major human problem". "Migration as an issue has different points of view. There are those who feel we must allow movement in a relatively free way, and others who naturally have concerns. We will discuss it in the next 48 hours or so." The leaders will also discuss a plea from President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigera for a "zero-tolerance" attitude to corruption.(Posted @ 17:50 PST)
Rich countries must set timetable to scrap subsidies: Pakistan VALLETTA, Nov 26 (AFP) - Pakistan called on rich countries Saturday to show leadership and come up with a timetable to phase out agricultural subsidies that are preventing poor nations from competing with their farmers. "The developed world has to show leadership and come up with a timetable to get to a market mechanism in agriculture," Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told a news conference on the sidelines of a Commonwealth summit. "What we need to do is have a clear road map on how we get from where we are... to a more freer economy," he said. Aziz acknowledged that there were disagreements on how to address the disparities and that there was a greater need for discussion on a way forward. "Our attempt today and tomorrow (during the summit) will be to find common ground," he said. Aziz lamented that one-third of the revenue of European farmers was subsidies, saying "that is a very tough thing to compete with." Commonwealth officials hope that the summit will produce a strong statement on the need for progress on changing trade rules to galvanise the talks in Hong Kong and strike a blow against poverty. Pakistan was also a major player in talks on terrorism. "We need to ponder what is the root cause of terrorism... what the world at large can do," he said.(Posted @ 17:44 PST)
Pakistan, Britain worry over terror links between them VALLETTA, Nov 26 (AFP) - Britain and Pakistan have gained a clearer and worrying picture of terrorist links between them since the July 7 bombings in London, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Saturday. During a news briefing on the sidelines of the Commonwealth summit , Blair confirmed that the British and Pakistani governments were exchanging information on suspected militants traveling between both countries. When asked if there was a list of Britons meeting militant groups in Pakistan, and whether any of the four presumed London bombers were on it, Blair replied: "I'd better refer you to the police for any details of this." "The degree of cooperation we're getting from Pakistan is very great," the prime minister said.(Posted @ 17:38 PST)
Afghan policemen missing in Taliban attack return to base: official KABUL, Nov 26 (AFP) - Four Afghan policemen who had disappeared after an early morning attack by suspected Taliban fighters in southern Logar province returned to their base late Saturday, an interior ministry spokesman said. "They'd gone to a nearby village," said the spokesman, Yousuf Stanizai, without giving further details. (First Posted @ 14:16 PST; Updated @ 17:21 PST)
Kashmir. Geelani rejects self-rule, autonomy Srinagar, Nov 26 (PPI) Rejecting proposals of autonomy and self-rule, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani has said that Kashmiris have notrendered sacrifices for autonomy or self rule but for freedom and independence. Addressing a gathering Tujjar Sharief-Sopore in Baramulla district, he said "Our stand is crystal clear regarding the solution of Kashmir issue. "Only solution would be a successful and long lasting which is based on fulfillment of the wishes as well as aspirations of Kashmiris.” Geelani deplored that India was not ready to shed its rigid stand on Kashmir and there is no use is showing flexibility from one side. On the one hand, Indian security forces are killing Kashmiris and on the other Government of India has engaged Pakistan Government in dialogue. “This cannot lead to any solution of the Kashmir issue", he said. Speaking on the occasion, senior Hurriyat (G) leader, Ghulam Nabi Sumji said that nothing would emerge from the ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan. India is just buying time, he added. (Posted @ 17:07 PST)
PM meets Malaysian PM discuss forthcoming OIC meeting, bilateral economic ties VALLETTA (Malta Nov 25 APP: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badwai held talks Friday on the sidelines of the Commonwealth summit and discussed bilateral issues and ways to promote trade and economic relations between the two countries.They also discussed the forthcoming OIC meeting in Saudi Arabia next month and agreed that OIC should be made more effective and vibrant body to resolve the problems of muslim ummah and project Islam and its true values. (Posted @ 17:06 PST)
Gaza border crossing opens for Palestinians RAFAH, Gaza Strip, Nov 26 (APP/AFP) - The Rafah border terminal between the Gaza Strip and Egypt opened to Palestinian traffic on Saturday, allowing Gazans access to the outside world for the first time in nearly three months.Crowds of Palestinians were waiting to cross into Egypt, without having to first run the gauntlet of Israeli security checks. Under EU supervision, the transit route opens up the world to the Gaza Strip's 1.3 million largely impoverished residents, after fears the territory would be transformed into a "giant prison" following the end of Israel's 38-year Israeli occupation. (Posted @ 16:18 PST)
Nine, including two brothers, three women killed in road coincident near Abbottabad ABBOTTABAD Nov 26 (APP): At least nine people including two brothers and three women were killed and two injured when a jeep coming from Aliabad fell into a deep ravine in Riyalla late Friday, police sources said. The ill-fated jeep was proceeding from Aliabad to Abbottabad. Near Riyalla the driver lost control and the jeep fell into river, about hundred feet below. (Posted @ 16:14 PST)
Cricket-Australia 229-3 v West Indies (405) - close ADELAIDE, Nov 26 (Reuters) Australia were 229 for three in their first innings at the close of play on the second day of the third and final test against West Indies at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Scores: West Indies 405 (Brian Lara 226, Glenn McGrath 3-106, Brett Lee 3-111); Australia 229-3 (Justin Langer 99, Ricky Ponting 56). (Posted @ 13:59 PST)
At least 14 killed, hundreds injured in China earthquake BEIJING, Nov 26 (AFP) At least 14 people died, hundreds were injured and thousands of houses collapsed when an earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale struck at 8:49 am (0049 GMT) near the city of Jiujiang, home to half a million people in east China on Saturday, officials said. The US Geological Survey said the quake occurred about 10 kilometres below the surface of the earth, which makes it a "shallow" earthquake, similar to the one that struck in Kashmir in early October; "shallow" earthquake is a category of tremor generally known to cause greater damage than deeper ones.(First Posted@ 10:05 PST Updated@ 12:10 PST)
Japan probe lands and collects samples on asteroid TOKYO, Nov 26 (Reuters) A Japanese space probe made history on Saturday when it landed on the surface of an asteroid and then collected rock samples that could give clues to the origin of the solar system. The probe, called Hayabusa, Japanese for "falcon", succeeded in the delicate task which scientists have likened to landing a jumbo jet in a moving Grand Canyon. Hayabusa has already sent back detailed images of the asteroid.(Posted @ 12:05 PST)
Indian business tycoon creates hot-air balloon record MUMBAI, Nov 26 (Reuters) An Indian business tycoon with a penchant for adventure created a new hot-air balloon altitude record on Saturday, touching the edge of space in a climb to nearly 70,000 feet (21,336 metres). Vijaypat Singhania, an amateur aviator whose family controls the diversified JK Group, broke the 17-year-old world record of 64,997 feet (19,810 metres) set by British-based Swede Per Lindstrand by ascending to approximately 69,852 feet, the edge of space. Singhania had originally aimed for 70,000 feet, but decided against it towards the end of the journey.(Posted @ 10:50 PST)
No forcible repatriation of Afghan refugees: Geterres PESHAWAR Nov.25 (APP): The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Mr. Antonio Geterres assured the Afghan refugees that they would not be forcibly repatriated to their country unless they themselves opt for the voluntary repatriation. He was addressing a gathering of representative of the elders of the Afghan refugees here at Katchha Garhi refugee camp. UNHCR would only support their voluntary repatriation and not the one involving any kind of pressure or force, he said. He added that UNHCR would continue assisting Pakistan in the rehabilitation and reconstruction work to the maximum possible level. "We will not leave Pakistan in the lurch at this critical juncture," he assured.(Posted @ 10:40 PST)
Swedish soldier dies of injuries from bomb blast in Afghanistan STOCKHOLM, Nov 26 (AFP) One of four Swedish NATO peacekeepers wounded in an explosion in Afghanistan has died of his injuries, the Swedish military said in a statement late on Friday. The four Swedish troops, two of whom were said to be seriously injured in the explosion in Mazar-i-Sharif, were from the NATO-led ISAF. The second Swedish soldier remains in a serious condition in the hospital, while the other two injured are being treated in a hospital in Uzbekistan, the statement said.(Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Cricket-Lara sets run-scoring record in guiding West Indies to 405 ADELAIDE, Nov 26 (Reuters) Brian Lara scored 226 to break Allan Border's run-scoring world record and steer West Indies to a healthy first innings total of 405 in the third and final test against Australia on Saturday. The 36-year-old Lara started the day needing 12 runs to eclipse Border's career tally of 11,174 runs. He was bowled out by McGrath at 226(Posted @ 09:50 PST).
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