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| February 11, 2006 | Saturday | Muharram 12, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Zawahiri’s relative killed in US attack last month: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Feb 11, 2006 (AFP) A close relative of Al-Qaeda deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri was among five foreign militants killed in a US air strike on a tribal village last month, President Pervez Musharraf said Saturday. "Among the people who were killed in Bajur, one of them was a close relative of Zawahiri," Musharraf was quoted as saying by his spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan. Musharraf added that one of the dead was an "important person" with a five million dollar bounty on his head, however Sultan said it was not clear if the president was talking about Zawahiri's relative or another person.(Posted @ 19:36 PST)
Pakistani troops ambushed near Quetta; two soldiers killed QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) Suspected tribesmen ambushed a troop convoy with rockets and guns Saturday in the town of Turbat, about 700 kilometres southwest of Quetta, killing two soldiers and one civilian, a paramilitary spokesman said. The attack also injured six other paramilitary soldiers, he added. Also on Saturday, a land mine blew up a vehicle carrying paramilitary forces near Kahan, a town about 300 kilometers east of Quetta, killing at least one soldier, he said. No group or individual claimed responsibility for the attacks. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Fossett lands in England after setting flight distance record BOURNEMOUTH, England, Feb 11, 2006 (AFP) - US aviator Steve Fossett landed safely Saturday at an airfield on England's south coast after he broke the record for the longest non-stop flight, an AFP photographer at the scene said.(Posted @ 23:20 PST)
Sudanese military plane explodes, 20 killed KHARTOUM, Feb 11 (Reuters) - A Sudanese military plane caught fire and exploded at the airport in the southern Sudanese town of Awil on Saturday, killing all seven crew and 13 others on board, an army spokesman said. "Twenty people were killed -- seven crew and 13 others, soldiers," said the spokesman. It was not immediately clear what caused the fire or explosion.(Posted @ 22:32 PST)
Thousands protest against blasphemous drawings in Paris PARIS (AP) Several thousand demonstrators marched through Paris Saturday to protest against the blasphemous cartoons and their republication in French newspapers. The protest was calm, and the police presence was discreet.(Posted @ 21:45 PST)
Sharon at no immediate risk after surgery -medics JERUSALEM, Feb 11 (Reuters) Comatose Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's life was not in immediate danger after emergency surgery on Saturday, but the operation would not improve his chances of recovery, the hospital said. Hadassah hospital director told a news conference that one third of Sharon's large intestine was removed to avoid the danger of infection and that there were no complications during the operation.(First Posted@15:20 PST Updated @ 20:48 PST)
Syria's veteran FM named vice president DAMASCUS, Feb 11, 2006 (AFP) Long-serving Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara was named as vice president on Saturday, state news agency SANA reported, replacing Abdul Halim Khaddam, branded a traitor by Damascus. President Bashar al-Assad replaced Shara with Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Muallem in a cabinet shake-up that left the key posts of prime minister unchanged.(Posted @ 19:58 PST)
Indian Maoists kill five in new attack NEW DELHI, Feb 11, 2006 (AFP) Maoist rebels have stormed a village in a remote area of Chattisgarh state, killing five villagers and wounding 18, police said Saturday, bringing the week's toll from guerrilla raids to 27.(Posted @ 19:55 PST)
Two Nepalis kidnapped in Afghanistan KABUL, Feb 11 (Reuters) Two Nepalis working for a foreign security company in Afghanistan were kidnapped in Kabul on Saturday, security officials said. The Interior Ministry confirmed the kidnapping but declined to comment.(Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Thousands protest in London over blasphemous cartoons LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) Thousands of demonstrators converged on Trafalgar Square in central London on Saturday to protest about the publication of blasphemous Danish cartoons. "The first message we want to send to the country is that of the legitimate voice of the Muslim community as opposed to those that hijacked last week's demonstration outside the Danish embassy," the organisers said in a statement. Saturday's rally had the backing of numerous groups, including the Muslim Association of Britain and the Muslim Council of Britain.(Posted @ 19:02 PST)
Nine die in clash with police in northeast India GUWAHATI, India, Feb 11, 2006 (AFP) Nine people were killed in a clash with police in India's revolt-hit northeast over the death of a rebel suspect allegedly in army custody, police said Saturday. Shoot-at-sight orders and a curfew were imposed after the clash in Tinsukia district in Assam state late Friday in which 35 people were hurt, some critically, police said. "Seven civilians and two paramiliatary soldiers have died in the clash and at least 35 more are wounded, including two dozen policemen," a police chief confirmed. (First Posted@ 10:05 PST Updated @ 18:04 PST)
General strike observed in Occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, Occupied Kashmir (AP) There was a total shut down in Srinagar on Saturday with shops and businesses remaining closed after a strike call to honour the 22nd death anniversary of Kashmiri leader Maqbool Bhat was observed. Police arrested about a dozen supporters of the Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front, the oldest separatist group operating in the region, as they prepared to commemorate the 1984 execution of its founder in New Delhi prison. ``Bhat is the initiator and inspiration of our freedom struggle. And today we demand that his remains be returned to his family and the people of Kashmir,'' Yasin Malik, the chairman of JKLF, said. The strike was also supported by the region’s main political alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC). Also on Saturday Indian soldiers killed two freedom fighters in a shootout in Gurmul, 170 kilometres northeast of Jammu. (First Posted@ 12:35 PST Updated @ 16:52 PST)
Davis Cup results: Taiwan 0 Pakistan 1 TAIPEI, Feb 11, 2006 (AFP) Results in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group I first round between Taiwan and Pakistan at Taipei Tennis Club on Saturday: Taiwan 0 Pakistan 1, Aqeel Khan/Aisam Qureshi (PAK) beat Yeu-Tzuoo Wang/Chu-Huan Yi (TPE) 1-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 9-7.(Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Ahmadinejad warns Iran may reconsider membership of NPT TEHRAN, Feb 11 (Reuters) Tehran may reconsider its membership of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if it feels its enemies were using the accord to put unfair pressure on Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday. "If we find out they are going to take advantage of these (NPT) regulations to destroy the rights of the Iranian people, you should know that the Iranian nation will reconsider its policy," he told a huge crowd on the anniversary of the 1979 Iranian revolution. However, he added that Iran was not going to make any sudden withdrawal as North Korea did. "We would still like to be patient, so do not try to wear down our patience," he said. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
G8 calls for stable energy supplies MOSCOW, Feb 11 (Reuters) Finance ministers of the world's wealthiest nations complained about high oil prices at talks in Russia on Saturday but said they nonetheless believed economic growth would be good again this year. "Overall global growth remains solid and is expected to continue in 2006," a draft communique from the ministers of the Group of Eight (G8) club of industrialised countries said. "Risks remain, including high and volatile energy prices." (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
US values military relations with North African countries: Rumsfeld TUNIS, Feb 11, 2006 (AFP) United States wants to strengthen military ties with Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Saturday at the start of a North African tour. Rumsfeld praised the three countries as "constructive partners" in the war on terrorism. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Palestinian killed in clash with Israeli troops in West Bank JERUSALEM, Feb 11 (AP) _ A Palestinian was killed and another injured by Israeli troops early Saturday in the West Bank town of Jenin, an army spokesman said. Army troops had entered the Jenin refugee camp to make arrests when they were fired upon, the army claimed. The soldiers returned fire, killing one and injuring another. Two members of Islamic Jihad were detained, the spokesman said. (Posted @ 12:35 PST)
Hindu religious leader, seven others gunned down in northern India LUCKNOW, India, Feb 11 (AP) _ A Hindu religious leader Swami Sadanand Sant Gyaneshwar and seven of his followers were shot dead by unidentified persons on Friday near Allahabad, police said Saturday. The seer was returning to his Ashram near Varanasi when attacked. Five of his other disciples were also injured in the attack. (Posted @ 11:55 PST)
Moderate quake hit Pakistan, no report of damage ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (Reuters) - A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck northern Pakistan on Saturday at 0533 GMT but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, a meteorological department official said. The epicentre of the quake was 200 km (125 miles) northeast of Peshawar in the Hindu Kush mountains.(Posted @ 11:35 PST)
Iraqi army spokesman in Basra shot dead BAGHDAD, Feb 11, 2006 (AFP) - Captain Makram al-Abbasi, spokesman for the Iraqi army in Basra, was gunned down at around 0800 am (0500 GMT) as he was travelling in his car to the army base, Iraqi army said. "He was shot just 100 metres from his base," it said. (Posted @ 11:30 PST)
More than 25,000 stage protest in Morocco against cartoons RABAT, Morocco, Feb 11 (AP) _ Thousands of people, some burning Danish and Norwegian flags, marched Friday in Morocco's capital to protest the publication of blasphemous cartoons. The demonstration was organized by several unions and political parties. Interior Ministry estimated turnout at between 25,000 and 30,000, though march organizers claimed that more than 100,000 took part. (Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Iran's Khatami says Western style free speech can only lead to more violence KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb 11 (AP) _ Western-style free speech that allowed the publication of blasphemous cartoons will lead to more violence between Muslims and Westerners, former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami warned Saturday. Khatami, who is in Malaysia to attend a conference on Islam and the West, also said Muslims worldwide are fed up with violence and extremism in the name of religion and are ready for democratic governments that want scientific progress. ``I believe if the Islamic world is given assurances that such an act will not be repeated in the future we will see greater calm,'' Khatami said (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Israel carries out airstrikes in Gaza GAZA, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Israel carried out airstrikes in Gaza Strip early Saturday morning, hitting fields and roads believed to be used by militants for rocket attacks on Israel, Israeli and Palestinian security sources said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Israeli aircraft fired two missiles at a road in central Gaza, missing a car carrying militants. An Israeli army spokeswoman said the airstrike in central Gaza targeted rocket-launching sites. Palestinian security sources said Israeli missiles also struck two roads in northern Gaza. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Winter Olympics underway in Turin TURIN, Italy, Feb 11, 2006 (AFP) - Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi officially opened the Turin Winter Olympics on Friday setting the ball rolling on a 17-day festival of snow and ice sports. Competition proper gets underway on Saturday. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Venezuelan Muslims, Christians protest cartoons CARACAS, Feb 11, 2006 (AFP) - Muslims and Christians marched through the streets of Caracas Friday to protest the publication of blasphemous cartoons. They handed the Danish Embassy a petition asking Denmark to apologize for the controversial cartoons. The protesters carried banners saying "Freedom of expression does not mean you can insult faith;" "Blasphemy is equal to terrorism." (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Indonesian Muslims say cartoons part of 'war on Islam' JAKARTA, Feb 11, 2006 (AFP) - About 500 Muslim protestors rallied in the Indonesian capital Saturday calling the blasphemous cartoons part of a "war on Islam". Members of Hizbut Tahrir (Party of Liberation) massed in Jakarta's central traffic circle, waving signs that read "Stop propaganda against Islam" and "The cartoons are proof of Western enmity against Islam." (Posted @ 09:30 PST)
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