|
| March 26, 2006 | Sunday | Safar 25, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Australia completes hat-trick of title wins in men's field hockey MELBOURNE, March 26 (AP) _ Olympic champions Australia won its third consecutive Commonwealth Games men's field hockey title Sunday with a 3-0 victory over Pakistan. Malaysia won the bronze with a 2-0 win over England. Penalty corner goals from Liam de Young and Luke Doerner asserted the Kookaburras' supremacy before Jamie Dwyer's flash strike completed the tally. Australia opened the scoring in the 17th minute on its first penalty corner as de Young deflected in a pass from Dwyer. Pakistan's best shot at the goal in the first session came through Shakeel Abassi, who latched on to a through pass from Rehan Butt, but hit wide. Forcing eight penalty corners, and conceding none, top-ranked Australia dominated the fast-paced encounter to avenge its loss in the final of last year's Rabobank Trophy in Amsterdam. The contest featured some aggressive tackling from both sides, but a deliberate foul by Pakistan midfielder Tariq Aziz resulted in him being sent off in the 44th minute. Doerner increased Australia's lead in the 58th minute with a firm penalty corner drive into the left corner, and Dwyer broke away to shoot on target three minutes later. Australia has won all three men's field hockey titles since the sport made its debut in the Commonwealth Games at Kuala Lumpur in 1998. Pakistan has not won a major title since its 1994 World Cup triumph in Sydney. (Posted @ 09:04 PST Updated @ 09:28 PST)
Troops, tribal militants clash in Pakistan, two dead QUETTA, Pakistan, March 26 (Reuters) - Two tribal militants were killed in a clash with Pakistani security forces in the troubled province of Baluchistan on Sunday, an official said. The exchange of gunfire took place near Loti town, where a natural gas field run by the state-owned Oil and Gas Development Co Ltd., is located. The militants also attacked a natural gas pipeline near Loti, the top administration official in the area, Abdul Samad Lasi, told Reuters. He said he didn't have any more details on the attack or if any soldiers were wounded or killed in the gunfire. (Posted @ 13:40 PST)
PM gives Rs 1 million cheque to Balochi Academy QUETTA, March 26 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Sunday gave a cheque for Rs one million to Balochi Academy for compilation of a standard Balochi dictionary. The cheque was handed over to the General Secretary of Balochi Academy Mumtaz Yousaf who met the PM along with a delegation of the Academy here. The Prime Minister said promotion of local languages would enhance harmony in the country. "Books not only preserve the cultural and literary legacies, but also transfer them to new generations in a better way", he said.(Posted @ 23:45 PST)
Rice says US could withdraw significant number of troops from Iraq this year WASHINGTON March 26 (APP/AP): Echoing military commanders, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday the United States could withdraw a significant number of troops from Iraq this year if Iraqi forces are able to assume greater control of the country's security. "I think it's entirely probable that we will see a significant drawdown of American forces over the next year. It's all dependent on events on the ground," the chief American diplomat said. (Posted @ 23:30 PST)
Thirty decapitated bodies found north of Baghdad BAQUBA, Iraq, March 26, 2006 (AFP) - Thirty decapitated bodies were found Sunday on a highway near the restive Iraqi city of Baquba, northeast of Baghdad, said police. The bodies, which have not been identified, were tossed out on the side of the road near the village of Mullah Eid, about 30 kilometers southwest of the Baquba which known for its sectarian-motivated killings. Since the dynamiting of a Shiite shrine in Samarra on February 22, large numbers of corpses have been discovered in Baghdad and surrounding provinces.(Posted @ 23:20 PST)
Commonwealth-Melbourne bids farewell to Games MELBOURNE, March 26 (Reuters) - The 18th Commonwealth Games closed in Melbourne on Sunday after 12 days of intense competition, drama and emotion between the mostly former British colonies. The Games ended with a spectacular ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground packed with 85,000 spectators including the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Australian counterpart John Howard. Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell declared the Games an outstanding success and Britain's Prince Edward invited the 71 Commonwealth federations to reassemble in New Delhi in four years time.(Posted @ 23:10 PST)
Explosions near residence of Balochistan CM at Bella LASBELLA, March 26, (PPI): Two big explosions near the Jam Palace, the private residence of Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousuf at Bella, rocked the town; however, no causality was reported. According to reports, the first explosion occurred at around 3:30 noon and second 15 minutes later. The boundary wall of the Jam Palace was damaged.(Posted @ 23:00 PST)
Pakistan Ski team leaves for Iran ISLAMABAD, Mar 26 (APP): A six-member Pakistan Ski team (three each male and female) Sunday left for Iran to participate in FIS International Ski competition to be held at Dizin from April 3-7. This is the first time that lady Skiers from Pakistan are taking part in any international FIS Ski Competition. (Posted @ 22:55 PST)
Govt approves 30,000 posts for Balochistan: PM QUETTA, March 26 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Sunday the government has approved 30,000 new posts in various departments including Police and Frontier Corps in Balochistan as an endeavour to check unemployment. Addressing a press conference here, he said these appointments would be made in the next two years. "We will also try to provide jobs to Balochistan youth in various departments of the Federal Government, more than their fixed quota", he added. The Prime Minister, however, clarified that the government alone could not provide jobs to people and for that purpose "We must have to encourage the private sector". (Posted @ 22:52 PST)
President says govt to ensure medical care at grass roots level RAWALPINDI, March 26 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Sunday said the government is following a comprehensive policy to provide medical care at the grass roots level as part of its commitment to human resource development, which lies at the core of sustainable progress of the nation. He was addressing the silver jubilee celebrations of passing out of the first batch of the Army Medical College graduates. President Musharraf told the gathering of doctors, alumini, faculty and students that the government believes that human resource development forms the core of durable and all-round development. "It includes poverty reduction, and access to better health and education facilities - and we are fully focused on all these." Continuing, the President observed that denial of basic education and health facilites leads to poverty and extremism.(Posted @ 22:47 PST)
Indian soldier killed, 7 wounded in Occupied Kashmir attack SRINAGAR, March 26 (Reuters) - An Indian soldier was killed and seven wounded when freedom fighters attacked an army convoy on Sunday on the outskirts of Srinagar, the army said. Lashkar-e-Taiba claim the responsibility for the attack. "There was a heavy exchange of fire," army spokesman V.K. Batra told Reuters.(Posted @ 22:45 PST)
Fighting subsides in Somalia, dozens killed MOGADISHU, March 26 (Reuters) - Fighting in Somalia's capital Mogadishu subsided on Sunday and residents said militia linked to Islamic courts had taken an upper hand after four days of fierce exchanges of fire that killed at least 70 people. Residents said the group had taken control of the area surrounding the Elmaan port and pushed rival militia loyal to a new "anti-terror" alliance of warlords from the area.(Posted @ 22:40 PST)
U.S. navy ship, merchant vessel collide off Iraq MANAMA, March 26 (Reuters) - A United States Navy destroyer collided with a merchant vessel off Iraq's coast in the Gulf, injuring four people, the Navy Fifth Fleet said on Sunday. It said two U.S. soldiers and two crew members from the merchant vessel were injured when the McCampbell and the Kiribati-flagged Rokya 1 collided late on Saturday about 30 nautical miles southeast of the Iraqi coastline. "The cause of the accident is under investigation," it said in a statement, adding that both ships had sustained damage to their bows but were seaworthy.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Bomb in southeast Iraq kills 13-year-old student in front of school BAGHDAD, Iraq Mar 26 (APP/AP) _ A 13-year-old Iraqi student was killed after a roadside bomb exploded in front of a school Sunday in the city of Basra in southeast Iraq, police said. The explosion hit at 7:30 in the morning as children were arriving at school. The school week begins Sunday and runs through Thursday in Iraq, where Friday is the day of prayer for Muslims.(Posted @ 20:45 PST)
Pakistan helping Afghanistan in reconstruction efforts: Shaukat Aziz QUETTA, March 26 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Sunday Pakistan is contributing to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan and its export to the country has risen to 1.5 billion dollars. Addressing the Balochistan cabinet here, he said that a stable Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan that is why Pakistan is helping the brotherly neighbour country to achieve stability. However, certain elements are trying to disrupt these close relations which Pakistan would not allow to succeed. Referring to the Spin Boldak incident in which some Pakistanis were killed at the hands of Afghan forces few days back, he said that Pakistan has lodged strong protest over it. About his government's efforts for speedy development of Balochistan, he said law and order is essential to achieve these objectives. (Posted @ 20:20 PST)
British Prime Minister praises skill of Pakistani hockey players MELBOURNE, Mar 26 (APP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Sunday praised the skills and technique of the Pakistani hockey players and urged them to improve their physical fitness for gaining productive results in the prime hockey events. The British Prime Minister in an informal chat with the team members and officials after the Commonwealth Games hockey final in which Australia beat Pakistan 3-0 said he was delighted to see the skills and technique of the Pakistani players, specially forward Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi and captain Muhammad Saqlain. "You have an excellent team having all the natural talent but you have to concentrate on improving the physical fitness of players in order to perform well in the final of the elite tournament," said Tony Blair while talking to the team members after the medals awarding ceremony.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Blast in Israel wounds 3, police suspect criminals JERUSALEM, March 26 (Reuters) - An explosion wounded three people in a car in Israel on Sunday and police said they suspected the blast was caused by criminals rather than by Palestinian militants. Israel is on alert, two days ahead of a general election, for possible Palestinian attacks. "It's apparently criminal," police spokesman Oded Sharabi said about the blast in a residential area of Netanya, a town that has been a frequent target of Palestinian suicide bombings. Police said three people were wounded in the explosion.(Posted @ 18:05 PST)
Govt keen to complete mega projects on time: Shaukat Aziz QUETTA, March 26 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Sunday the government was keen to see that the mega projects, being implemented in Balochistan, are completed at an accelerated pace and would ensure that they do not suffer delay due to shortage of funds. Speaking at a briefing to review development projects in the province here, he said that the government would also make sure the optimum utilization of resources, provided to the province for the uplift schemes. He said the government would also ensure balance between mega and micro development projects so that the people could get better civic amenities, health and education facilities at their doorsteps.(Posted @ 17:48 PST)
Three kids killed, 18 injured in two roof collapse incidents MULTAN, Pakistan, March 26 (APP): Two minor boys were killed in Multan while a girl lost her life in Kabirwala in separate roof-collapse incidents after heavy rain on Saturday. Some eighteen persons were also injured in the two incidents including fourteen Madressaah girl students in Kabirwala and four members of a family in Multan. (Posted @ 09:51 PST)
Foreign investment this year to be close to $3 billion: PM WASHINGTON, Mar 26(APP)- Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said foreign-investor interest in Pakistan today is very strong, and that this year foreign investment will be at close to $3 billion. "There are opportunities in agribusiness, IT, telecom, software, hotels, engineering goods and infrastructure," he said in an interview with the Newsweek. "We see Pakistan as a hub for many multinationals." In the past three years, he said "we have seen the emergence of a middle class that is creating demand and driving a lot of the growth." "Our per capita income has gone up to $800. Two years ago it was $400. The highest incidence of poverty is in the rural areas where 60 percent of our population lives." Asked how would he take the privatization process, he said it was not the business of government to be in business. "We decided to open everything up." "We just sold 26 percent of Pakistan Telecom (which was overstaffed and inefficient) for $2.6 billion. We eventually want nothing in the public sector." (Posted @ 09:44 PST)
Muslims rally in Indonesian capital to support anti-pornography JAKARTA, March 26 (AP) _ Hundreds of Muslims rallied in Jakarta on Sunday to back a proposed law banning pornography and obscene acts that critics say is a threat to the secular and moderate traditions of the world's most populous Muslim nation. The protesters, including women and young children, urged the Parliament to pass the bill, which is also supported by several political groups. The bill bans pornography and calls for prison terms and fines for kissing in public, exposure of a woman's ``sensual'' body parts and the display of ``erotic'' artworks. Opponents and critics argue that the vague terminology used in the bill could outlaw traditional dancing, skimpy clothing and even bathing in rivers. The country already has laws banning pornography, and critics say police should simply enforce them better. (Posted @ 09:29 PST)
Half a million march against US immigration reform LOS ANGELES, March 26 (AFP) - Half a million protesters paralyzed downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, demanding amnesty for undocumented immigrants and rejection of a proposed law that would drastically tighten US immigration rules. "We have got to stop the approval of anti-immigrant reforms, demand a migration reform that is humane and fair, and not racist," said Javier Rodriguez of the March 25 Coalition, which organized the event. The Coalition represents dozens of pro-immigrant groups as well as farmer, labour, religious and student groups. At the height of the rally there were "at least 500,000 people," said Sarah Faden with the Los Angeles Police Department. (Posted @ 09:05 PST)
Seven dead in shooting spree at Seattle house party SAN FRANCISCO, March 26 (AFP) - A gunman killed six young revellers at a "zombie party" in a Seattle house on Saturday and then shot himself in the head when confronted by police as he left the home, according to officials. Two wounded party-goers were under care at a local hospital while Seattle police detectives scoured the crime scene for clues as to what prompted the shooting spree in the city's trendy Capitol Hill neighbourhood. "These appear to be almost execution-style shootings. He expended a large number of rounds inside that house," Seattle police chief Gil Kerlikowske told reporters at a press conference. (Posted @ 09:04 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Editor: Tahir Mirza
The DAWN Group of Newspapers
Haroon House, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Karachi 74200, Pakistan.
Phone:+92 (21) 111-444-777 Fax: +92 (21) 569-3995
webmaster@dawn.com
Make sure to reload these pages so you're viewing the current version.
|
|
|
Contributions |