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| November 28, 2005 | Monday | Shawwal 25, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Two electricity towers damaged QUETTA Nov 28 (PPI): Unknown terrorists damaged two towers of main transmission line between Sibi and Quetta near Kolpur. According to reports, unidentified persons exploded two towers of main Sibi-Quetta transmission line near Kolpur about 45 Km south of Quetta two days back. The damage two towers resulted in temporary disruption of supply which was restored after brief suspension by changing the line. The repair of the towers was undertaken which was completed Monday, the report said.(Posted @ 23:00 PST)
Two die in Nigerian plane crash LAGOS, Nov 28 (Reuters) - A private aircraft crashed on Monday in the northern Nigerian city if Kaduna killing both people on board, aviation officials said on Monday, weeks after a major crash killed 117 people near Lagos. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said the U.S.-registered Beechcraft-200 owned and operated by a Nigerian businessman crashed shortly after take-off en route to the capital Abuja. "There were two people on board, the pilot and a lady. They all died in the crash," NCAA spokesman Samuel Adurogboye said.(Posted @ 22:50 PST)
Pakistan government and people have nothing to do with terrorism Karachi, Nov 28 PPI: Visiting British Minister of State at Foreign & Commonwealth Office Dr Kim Howells Monday said the government and people of Pakistan have nothing to do with terrorism. Islam was against terrorism. ``We must eradicate terrorism.'' The investigations into July 7, 2005 London bombings in which 56 people were killed and many others injured were still going on, Dr Howells said.(Posted @ 22:40 PST)
India says its U.S. ties can balance rising China NEW DELHI, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Growing warmth in ties between India and the United States can help offset China's rising economic and military clout in Asia, a top Indian official said on Monday. Ties between India and the United States, once on opposite sides of the Cold War divide, have warmed in recent years, with the two nations forging a strategic partnership encompassing many areas from military to economic and space. The high point came in July when Washington took a landmark decision to resume cooperation with India on civil nuclear energy after a gap of many years.(Posted @ 22:32 PST)
India beat South Africa to draw one-day series MUMBAI, India, Nov 28 (AFP) - Hosts India scored a series-levelling win over South Africa by five wickets in the final one-day international here on Monday. India restricted the tourists to 221-6 and then surpassed the target with 15 deliveries to spare in the day-night game at the Wankhede stadium. The five-match series ended at 2-2 after the third game in Chennai was washed out. Brief scores: South Africa 221-6 in 50 overs; India 224-5 in 47.3 overs(Posted @ 22:14 PST)
134 dead, 15 trapped in China coal mine blast QITAIHE, China, Nov 28 (AFP) - An explosion at a coal mine in remote northeastern China killed 134 workers and left another 15 trapped underground, China News Service said Monday, amid frantic rescue efforts to find survivors. A total of 221 miners were underground when the cave-in occurred about 9:40 pm (1340 GMT) Sunday at the state-run Dongfeng coal mine, near Qitaihe city in Heilongjiang province, not far from the Russian border with Siberia. However, after a day of intense rescue efforts, 72 survivors had been pulled from the rubble, said the semi-official China News Service. It said rescue teams of 380 people were involved in the search for those still trapped.(First Posted @ 17:22 PST Updated @ 20:05 PST)
Pakistan not involved in Afghan murder: India NEW DELHI, Nov 28 (AFP) - Pakistan was not involved in the murder last week of an Indian driver kidnapped by Taliban militants in Afghanistan, the Indian defence minister told parliament Monday. Pranab Mukherjee made the statement after India's National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan was quoted as saying the death of Maniyappan Raman Kutty was the result of a "conspiracy" between Pakistan and the Taliban.(Posted @ 19:50 PST)
15 boats capsize near Gwadar QUETTA Nov 28 (PPI): Some 15 boats and launches capsized in the Arabian Sea due to strong winds and high tides near Gwadar in the small hours Monday. A tug boat with which small fishing boats were tied broke down and 15 boats attached to it capsized. Trawler Al- Madina of Marine Security Agency (MSA) also sank. However there was no loss of life.(Posted @ 19:46 PST)
Four US soldiers wounded in car bomb attack BAGHDAD, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Four U.S. soldiers were wounded in a suicide car bomb attack on a military convoy in Baquba, north of Baghdad, on Monday, the military said. At least one vehicle was destroyed in the attack, witnesses said. One Iraqi soldier was killed and another was wounded when gunmen opened fire on their convoy south of Kirkuk on Monday, police said. A local Interior Ministry official's bodyguard was killed and four people were wounded in a roadside bomb attack on a convoy they were travelling in on Monday, police said. The ministry official was unhurt. A leader of the Shammar tribe was killed when a U.S. patrol opened fire after a roadside bomb exploded near it on Sunday in Baiji, 180 km (112 miles) north of Baghdad, police said. No U.S. casualties were reported. One of Baghdad mayor's guards was shot dead on Monday in the Albaya district of Baghdad, hospital sources said.(First Posted @ 17:06 Updated @ 19:35 PST)
Saudi king says Israel's Peretz could help peace RIYADH, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah said new Israeli Labour leader Amir Peretz may help unite Israel's "peace camp" and lead to progress in talks with the Palestinians, the official Saudi Press Agency said on Monday. "I want to give more chance to the peace process, and the emergence of Amir Peretz as the leader of the Israeli Labour party may pave the way for a breakthrough and lead to unification of the dispersed peace camp in Israel," SPA quoted Abdullah as telling journalists on Saturday.(Posted @ 19:25 PST)
Five killed in fresh Kashmir fighting SRINAGAR, Nov 28 (AFP) - Indian troops shot dead three suspected militants as rebels shot dead a municipal councilor and his cousin, officials said Monday. The municipal councilor Ghulam Hassan and his cousin Zahoor Ahmed were shot dead after militants stopped their car near Bandipora, 70 kilometers north of Srinagar Monday afternoon. "Hassan's wife and son were not harmed ," a police spokesman said, adding the killing had sparked fear around Bandipora. Late Sunday Indian troops shot dead three suspected militants in the northwestern village of Hatlanga, in Uri, one of the sectors worst hit by the October 8 earthquake. The army claimed it recovered three automatic rifles, one pistol, one grenade launcher and 10 grenades.(First Posted @ 13:09 PST Updated @ 19:15 PST)
No deal made for return of BB : Sherpao ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (APP): Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said Monday that no deal has been made for the return of Benazir Bhutto . "Neither any deal has been made, nor the government believes in such deals", the Minister told a private television channel. Sherpao said that in the capacity of Interior minister he is of the opinion that Benazir Bhutto can come back any time but she would be dealt with in accordance with the law. He said rumours of her return are floated by certain elements after every 3-4 months. There is no question of according permission for return of anyone by the government because the government is no hurdle in their return. The matter of Shahbaz Sharif was different because the Sharif family had singed an agreement before departure to Saudi Arabia which they have to abide by, Sherpao said.(Posted @ 18:38 PST)
President to visit Kuwait and Yemen ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (APP): President General Perve Musharraf will pay official visit to Kuwait and Yemen from December 2 to 6, Foreign Office spokesperson said Monday.(Posted @ 18:32 PST)
President to attend extra-ordinary OIC Summit in Makkah ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf will represent Pakistan at the 3rd Extraordinary OIC Summit being held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah from December 7-8 to consider a 'Ten-Year Programme of Action" to prepare comprehensive strategy for addressing the problems and challenges of the Muslim World. Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said the 'Ten-Year Programme of Action' is based on the recommendations of the Commission of Eminent Persons (CEP) and Makkah Forum of Scholars and Intellectuals held in in September. The summit will be preceded by a preparatory meeting of OIC Foreign Ministers on December 6.(Posted @ 18:22 PST)
Pakistan's stand on Kashmir in-line with UN resolutions; FO ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (APP): Pakistan's stand on Kashmir to involve the Kashmiris in the dialogue process and find a solution acceptable to Pakistan, India and Kashmiris was in line with the United Nations resolutions which demanded plebiscite in the Kashmir. Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam in her weekly briefing said right of self-determination was directly linked to the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiris. About the five LoC crossing points for movement of Kashmiris, she said Pakistan wanted that these points, being opened once a week, should be opened daily for long term interaction. She said crossing from five points across the LoC was of a different nature as it was on permit and not a routine travel between the sovereign countries which required travel documents. She said these crossing would not affect the LoC status. Refuting the Indian allegations of cross-border terrorism, she quoted the statements of Indian Army Chief J.J. Sindh where he admitted that cross- border infiltration was not a problem for India now. Answering a question, she said, the proposals of demilitarization and self-government in Kashmir are also part of the solution of the issue in accordance with the aspirations and wishes of the Kashmiris. She said in answer to another question that four Pakistanis are still detained in Guantanamo Bay . All others have been released.(Posted @ 18:14 PST)
Pak-Saudi Naval Exercise in North Arabian Sea Karachi, Nov 28 (PPI): North Arabian Sea will be venue of joint Pak-Saudi naval exercise Naseem Al Bahr-VIII Nov 28 to Dec 15), for which a task group of seven Royal Saudi Naval Forces Ships arrived Monday morning at Karachi port. The RSNF contingent is being led by Commander Task Force, Rear Admiral Sammi Bin Masoor Al Rafi. Exercise Naseem Al Bahr is a regular series of exercise between PN and RSNF for the last 13 years.(Posted @ 17:58 PST)
17 Indian children feared drowned at picnic HYDERABAD, India, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Up to 17 School children are feared drown after being swept away by strong currents while swimming during a Sunday picnic in southern India. "We have recovered 12 bodies so far and professional swimmers are looking for others," police officer N. Chandramouli said on Monday. The incident occurred on Sunday about 250 kms (155 miles) southeast of the Andhra Pradesh state capital, Hyderabad.(Posted @ 17:12 PST)
Four foreign aid workers kidnapped in Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 28 (AFP) - Four aid workers -- two Canadians, a Briton and an American -- have been reported kidnapped in Iraq, the latest hostage crisis to hit the violence-wracked country. Canadian foreign ministry official Dan McTeague declined to reveal the identity of those missing, nor say for which aid organisations they worked. He said the ministry was informed Saturday of the kidnappings by the Canadian embassy in Jordan.(Posted @ 16:58 PST)
Two US legislators hurt in Iraq car crash WASHINGTON, Nov 27 (AFP) - Two members of the US Congress were injured in the Iraqi capital and flown to a US military hospital in Germany Sunday after a car accident in the Iraqi capital, officials said. Democratic Representative Ike Skelton, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, and his Republican colleague, Tim Murphy, suffered injuries that were not life threatening after a vehicle taking them to airport overturned while trying to avoid a head-on collision, the officials said. Both lawmakers were able to walk away from the scene of the accident.(Posted @ 16:40 PST)
Iran villagers shelter in tents after killer quake TEHRAN, Nov 28 (AFP) - Several thousand Iranians spent the night in tents without electricity after their villages were hit by a powerful earthquake on an island off the southern coast that left 10 people dead and at least 80 injured.Rescue workers were on Monday ferrying the injured to hospitals and providing tents, blankets and food to survivors of the quake which struck the Gulf island of Qeshm on Sunday with a force of about 6.0 on the Richter scale. "The toll stands at 10 dead after a missing person was found dead and we are not expecting number of the dead to increase," Qeshm island governor Heydar Alishbandi said by telephone. Power was cut on the island and numerous houses damaged or destroyed after the tremor, which was also felt across the Gulf in the United Arab Emirates. Some panicked residents slept outside after a second quake jolted the area several hours later.(Posted @ 16:35 PST)
Saddam blasts court as trial resumes BAGHDAD, Nov 28 (AFP) - A defiant Saddam Hussein on Monday exchanged angry words with the presiding judge and launched into a tirade against the "invaders" of Iraq as his trial reopened after a five week adjournment. Saddam, dressed in a white shirt, Western suit and sporting a neatly-trimmed beard, complained to judge Rizkar Mohammed Amin that he had been forced to walk the stairs into the courtroom as the lift was broken and then lambasted the court for apparently confiscating his pen and paper, saying, "How can a defendant defend himself if they take even his papers and pen?" Amin promised the paper and pen back would be returned later on. Saddam did not shy away from an angry tirade against the court's US guards. "Please judge, I don't want you to tell them, order them. You are Iraqi, you have sovereignty, they are in your country, they are foreigners, they are invaders."(Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Myanmar extends Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest by six months: official YANGON, Nov 28 (AFP) - Myanmar's junta has extended pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest by six months, an official said Monday. Her National League for Democracy (NLD) confirmed the shorter-than-expected extension in a statement issued late Monday.(Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Saddam court hears witness's deathbed testimony BAGHDAD, Nov 28 (AFP) - The court trying Saddam Hussein and seven former cohorts over a 1982 massacre in Iraq watched video testimony Monday from a witness who gave evidence from his prison hospital before his death.Waddah Ismail al-Sheikh, a former prison warden, was shown sitting in a wheelchair and dressed in a hospital robe giving testimony over the 1982 massacre of 148 men and youths from the Shiite village of Dujail after an attempt on Saddam's life. Al-Sheikh, who has since died, testified that about 400 people, including women, children and old people, were rounded up after Saddam's convoy came under fire in Dujail in July 1982. "The troops took orders from Barzan, they spread out through town and started arresting citizens... including entire families," he said, referring to Barzan Ibrahim Hassan al-Tikriti, one of Saddam's three half-brothers and a former director of the feared Mukhabarat intelligence service. In the video clip, shown separately, Saddam was heard telling his security forces "separate them and investigate them."(Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Suspected Taliban shoot dead policeman in Afghanistan KABUL, Nov 28 (AFP) - Suspected Taliban Sunday shot dead a policeman and wounded another in Zabul province's Mizan district, governor Mohammad Yunus said. Police detained 15 suspects afterwards. A police post in Logar province near the capital Kabul was meanwhile attacked by "terrorists" late Sunday but no one was killed in the ensuing gunfight, interior ministry spokesman Yousuf Stanizai said. A security sweep of the province also yielded 446 grenades for rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and 54.5 kilogrammes (nearly 120 pounds) of heroin and 45.5 kilogrammes of hashish, he said.(Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Cricket-Australia 76-2 (& 428) v West Indies (405 & 204) - close ADELAIDE, Australia, Nov 28 (Reuters) Australia were 76 for two in their second innings at the close of play on the fourth day of the third and final test against West Indies at on Monday. Scores: West Indies 405 (Brian Lara 226) and 204 (Dwayne Bravo 64, Ramnaresh Sarwan 62; Shane Warne 6-80, Brett Lee 4-46); Australia 428 (Mike Hussey 133 not out, Justin Langer 99, Ricky Ponting 56; Dwayne Bravo 6-84) and 76-2. (Posted @ 13:10 PST)
Three pilgrims killed in Baghdad attack BAGHDAD, Nov 28 (AFP) Three Indians were killed when a bus packed with pilgrims came under fire in southern Baghdad on Monday, police said. Unknown gunmen opened fire on the bus, also injuring the driver, as the pilgrims were travelling on a road to holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, said police. (Posted @ 13:07 PST)
Chinese private airline signs 1.5-billion-dollar Airbus deal BEIJING, Nov 28 (AFP) European aircraft maker Airbus has signed a 12 billion-yuan (1.48-billion-dollar) deal to supply 20 A320 jets to private Chinese carrier East Star Airlines, the two companies said Monday. (Posted @ 13:06 PST)
Global warming equals weapons of mass destruction: scientist LONDON, Nov 28 (AFP) The impact of spiralling pollution on the planet poses a threat to civilisation just as catastrophic as much-vaunted weapons of mass destruction, Britain's top scientist warned Monday. "The impacts of global warming are many and serious: sea-level rise, changes in availability of fresh water, and the increasing incidence of extreme events -- floods, droughts, and hurricanes -- the serious consequences of which are rising to levels which invite comparison with weapons of mass destruction," Robert May, president of the country's leading scientific body, the Royal Society said.(Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Nepal police seize equipment, arrest journalists to block rebel interview KATHMANDU, Nov 27 (AFP) Nepal police late Sunday seized equipment from a radio station and arrested four journalists and a technician to block the broadcasting of a BBC interview with the Maoist rebel chief, Prachanda, reports said. Those arrested were journalists Durga Karki, Dipak Babur Aryal, Dipak Raj Pandey and Punya Bhandari and technician Rajendra Rijal but said Durga Karki, a woman, was later freed. Nepalnews.com said a total of seven FM stations outside Kathmandu were also forced to drop their transmission of the BBC Nepali service Sunday.(Posted @ 09:55 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Nov 28: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.15 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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