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| March 29, 2006 | Wednesday | Safar 28, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistan, India agree to boost trade ISLAMABAD, March 29, 2006 (AFP) Pakistan and India Wednesday agreed to boost economic and commercial cooperation as part of their two-year-old peace process, a joint statement said. "The talks were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere," the statement issued by Pakistan's foreign ministry said after the two-day meeting between Pakistani and Indian commerce secretaries. They agreed to sign a new shipping agreement in the "near future" and said they would push forward talks on an agreement to regulate air services. Pakistan and India also agreed to other steps such as opening bank branches, easing the import of tea from India and removing problems with goods trains between the two countries. (Posted @ 12:03 PST)
Battle at Afghan base leaves 34 dead KANDAHAR, March 29, 2006 (AFP) - US-led troops battled Taliban rebels who attacked a base in Helmand province Wednesday, leaving an American and a Canadian soldier dead along with at least 32 insurgents, officials said. The attack, biggest on a coalition base in months, came in Sangin district at about 2:30 am with mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. Coalition attack aircraft dropped three 500-pound bombs and two 1,000-pound bombs and also fired high-explosive rockets, guided missiles and incendiary rounds, spokesman Lieutenant Mike Cody said. Four coalition troops and an Afghan soldier were also wounded in the firefight. At least 12 insurgents were killed in the initial effort to beat back a "significant enemy element". A further 20 enemy casualties occurred "as part of an early-morning engagement that continued into daylight hours as coalition forces defeated a large enemy element that was attempting to retreat into sanctuaries," the statement said. The coalition then discovered large caches of munitions as they overran the Taliban buildings and the insurgents fled, the statement added.(First Posted @ 09:19 PST Updated @ 20:20 PST)
Parliament calls for Christian convert to be kept in Afghanistan KABUL, March 29, 2006 (AFP) - Afghanistan's parliament Wednesday said that a Christian convert seeking asylum abroad because he faces the death penalty should not be allowed to "escape" the country. The parliament agreed unanimously after a two-hour debate on the case of Abdul Rahman that a court decision to release him from trial for apostasy was "contrary to the laws in place in Afghanistan." "To prevent the escape of Rahman from Afghanistan, his leaving Afghanistan must be prohibited," said a summary of the debate read out by speaker Yunus Qanooni and approved by MPs. (Posted @ 16:56 PST)
Afghan convert leaves Afghanistan for asylum in Italy KABUL, March 29, 2006 (AFP) - An Afghan who escaped death penalty after converting from Islam left Afghanistan Wednesday for Italy where he has been granted asylum, the Italian embassy said. "He has left and he is expected in Italy by tonight," an embassy official said hours after Italy's cabinet offered Abdul Rahman, 41, asylum.(Posted @ 21:28 PST)
Solar eclipse witnessed in Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Mar 29 (APP): Solar eclipse was witnessed around the world including Pakistan on Wednesday. In Pakistan, it started at 3.44 p.m. (PST) and ended at 5.40 p.m. (PST), the Met Office said. The point of greatest eclipse was in southern Libya where the sun was completely blocked out for its longer duration of four minutes and seven seconds. The eclipse began at sunset in Brazil, sweeping across North West of Africa, Turkey and Central Asia before ending in Mangolia. The next total eclipse will occur in 2008.(Posted @ 21:50 PST)
German FM says US-Indian nuclear deal 'not helpful' BERLIN, March 29 (AFP) - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized the nuclear deal between the United States and India Wednesday in light of the dispute with Iran over its nuclear program. Steinmeier said in a speech before the Bundestag lower house of parliament the timing of the accord was "surely not helpful" against the backdrop of international efforts to convince Tehran to abandon sensitive nuclear research.(Posted @ 21:22 PST)
Carter slams US-India nuclear deal WASHINGTON, March 29, 2006 (AFP) - Former US president Jimmy Carter criticized Wednesday Washington's civilian nuclear deal with India, saying it was "just one more step in opening a Pandora's box of nuclear proliferation". "Knowing for more than three decades of Indian leaders' nuclear ambitions, I and all other presidents included them in a consistent policy: no sales of civilian nuclear technology or uncontrolled fuel to any country that refused to sign the NPT," Carter said in an opinion piece in The Washington Post. Carter, a Democrat, slammed the Bush administration for abandoning many of the nuclear arms control agreements negotiated since the administration of Dwight Eisenhower. "This change in policies has sent uncertain signals to other countries, including North Korea and Iran, and may encourage technologically capable nations to choose the nuclear option," he said.(Posted @ 21:18 PST)
Pakistan seeks compensation of Tasman Spirit ISLAMABAD, Mar 29 (APP): Pakistan on Wednesday sought early finalization of the issue of compensation arising from the oil spill of "Tasman Spirit" on the coast of Karachi. Foreign Minister Kasuri talking to Secretary General of the Greek Foreign Office, Charalambos Rocan referred to the visit of Greek Deputy Foreign Minister in 2004 when the Greek Captain and members of the crew of Tanker "Tasman Spirit" were released. During the meeting the entire gambit of Pakistan-Greek relations was discussed. Mr Kasuri expressed satisfaction at the pace of cooperation in various fields. The issue of sacrilegious caricatures also came up and the Greek Secretary General stated that the incident reflected an "abuse of freedom of expression concept" and was regrettable. The two leaders agreed to work together for promoting interfaith harmony. Mr Rocan said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s forthcoming visit to Greece would provide impetus to the ongoing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Huge cache of arms, ammo recovered from Bugti Fort, Pirkoh ISLAMABAD, Mar 29 (APP): Security agencies have recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition of various calibres from various cells of the abandoned Bugti Fort in Dera Bugti and a miscreants' den of Pirkoh. The recoveries include, anti-tank rockets, missiles and missile launchers, bombs, rockets of different ranges, recoil-less launchers, rocket propelled grenades, detonators, rifles, machine guns, klashinkov, sniper rifles, besides huge quantities of live rounds, small arms and high quality explosive in huge quantity. Security agencies also recovered 47 stolen vehicles, 70 motorcycles and machinery to temper the original engine and chassis numbers of stolen vehicles and motorcycles. During the action on abandoned Bugti Fort, they also unearthed two private jails, security officials said. A telephone exchange used for communicating with the terrorists in the "ferari camps" in the area was also detected during the action.(Posted @ 20:22 PST)
Nigerian jet sets off to take Taylor back to Monrovia KANO, Nigeria, March 29, 2006 (AFP) - A Nigerian presidential jet took off Wednesday to carry fugitive former crimes suspect and former Liberian leader Charles Taylor home to Monrovia, witnesses and officials said.(Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Hindu school raided after giving students swords AHMEDABAD, India, March 29 (AFP) - A Hindu priest was arrested Wednesday after 30 teenagers were given swords as part of a school graduation ceremony aimed at encouraging them to fight "Islamic militancy," police said. The students, aged 14 and 15, were given the weapons to "empower the Hindu community to fight back against Islamic extremism and Muslim residents," a police source said on condition of anonymity. Police raided the Hindu school which has a history of involvement in communal clashes and recovered 33 more swords, the source said. The study of 'Shastra and Shaastra' (weapons and scriptures) was part of the curriculum and along with a sword, each student was given four of these Hindu books.(Posted @ 19:28 PST)
Bus and car collide in Iran, 10 killed TEHRAN, March 29 (Reuters) - A bus collided with a car and then plunged 30 meters into a valley, killing 10 people and injuring 21 in the area of Rostamabad, 300 km west of Tehran on Wednesday, police said. Seven people were killed at the scene while three others died in hospital, he said.(Posted @ 19:12 PST)
Saudi Arabia arrests 40 suspected militants RIYADH, March 29 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it had arrested 40 suspected militants, including eight who were linked to al Qaeda's attack on the world's largest oil processing plant last month. Security forces also seized more than 100 grenades and dozens of assault rifles in simultaneous raids in several parts of the kingdom including Eastern province, the capital Riyadh and the holy cities of Mekkah and Medina, an interior ministry spokesman said. "The arrests were made over the last week or so," he said. "Some of them were related to publishing the terrorists' ideas on the Internet ... others were providing assistance, hideouts and financing to terrorists," the spokesman said.(Posted @ 19:04 PST)
EU to give 50 mln euros to African Union for Darfur BRUSSELS, March 29 (Reuters) - The European Union has set aside 50 million euros ($60 million) for the African Union to help it finance a six-month extension of its mission to halt violence in Darfur, EU diplomats said on Wednesday.(Posted @ 18:58 PST)
Germany to spend US 80 million in rebuilding projects ISLAMABAD, Mar 29 (APP): Germany Wednesday pledged to spend US 80 million dollars on health, housing and infrastructure development projects in quake-ravaged areas. German ambassador to Pakistan Gunter Mulack at a press conference said the money was part of the US 110 million grant for the relief and rehabilitation effort. Commander of German Army Disaster Relief Team Jurgen Haupenthal said the six helicopters which took part in relief operations will fly back home on Friday while the remaining 60 German troops will be back home by April 15.(Posted @ 18:55 PST)
SC dismisses Afridi's plea against assets confiscation ISLAMABAD, March 29 (PPI)The Supreme Court Wednesday dismissed an appeal filed by Haji Muhammad Ayub Afridi seeking restoration of his confiscated property worth Rs 168 million in Peshawar. The bench comprised Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice M Javed Buttar. The property was confiscated by the Anti-Narcotics Force on the orders of Special Appellate Court in 1995. Peshawar High Court upheld the judgment of the Special Appellate Court.(Posted @ 18:40 PST)
Musharraf in Gwadar GWADAR, March 29 (PPI): President General Pervez Musharraf Wednesday vowed that he would go all out to remove the causes of sense of deprivation among the people of Balochistan and bring prosperity and development to this province. ``I am confident I would achieve this goal”, he said while inaugurating gas supply pilot project completed at a cost of Rs 100 million. Promising more funds for speedy development of Balochistan, he said he was making efforts to bring the province at a par with other provinces and asked Ports & Shipping Minister, Babar Khan Ghouri to give preference to locals in appointments and relax conditions of recruitment if necessary. He said the government will provide Rs three billion for development projects in 29 districts of Balochistan. Every district will get Rs 100 million each. ``It is now the duty of nazim of every district to provide me details of projects in their areas. I will monitor progress to ensure timely completion.'' The government was also providing huge funds for mega projects like Gwadar Port, Coastal Highway, Mirani Dam etc. Gas pipeline network will be laid all over Balochistan, and inexpensive fuel will be provided to the people either through the pipelines or LNG and LPG projects.(Posted @ 18:34 PST)
Kashmir issue be resolved through dialogue: Chairman JKLF ISLAMABAD, Mar 29 (APP): Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Yasin Malik has said the Kashmir issue should be resolved through dialogue. Talking to CNBC, he said dialogue should be continued with open minds and the pace should be enhanced. Yasin said both Pakistan and India needed to adopt a clear strategy to resolve the Kashmir issue lingering for past 58 years. He appreciated Pakistan's stand on Kashmir. "Kashmir issue should be solved on priority basis, while others will be solved in lesser time frame, he said. About the meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he said, they discussed certain ideas, and time will judge the results. "But it is clear that any solution of Kashmir issue is incomplete without the involvement of Kashmiris," he added.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
Fire kills 12, injures 33 in Johannesburg building overcrowded with illegal immigrants JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 29 (AP) _ A fire swept through a downtown building early Wednesday, killing 12 people and injuring 33 others trapped inside by locked security gates and belongings piled in the passageways. A spokesman said the dead, who appeared to be illegal immigrants from Malawi, suffocated because they could not get out of the building. He estimated there were 150 beds inside but would not guess how many were actually living there. (Posted @ 17:04 PST)
Seventeen injured in southern Philippine bus bombing DAVAO, Philippines, March 29 (AFP) - A bomb exploded on a bus in the southern Philippines Wednesday, injuring 17 people, police said. The bus had just arrived at a terminal in Digos city in the southern island of Mindanao when the explosion occurred. (Posted @ 16:56 PST)
Arab leaders to help fund AU force in Darfur KHARTOUM, March 29 (AFP) - Arab leaders agreed at a summit on Wednesday a 150-million-dollar aid package for cash-strapped African Union troops deployed in Sudan's Darfur region. The move came after summit host Sudan sought to win backing for its opposition to plans for the dispatch of UN peacekeepers to Darfur. Arab leaders stopped short of an outright rejection of wider international intervention in the conflict, but said any deployment of any other troops should have the approval of the government in Khartoum. The leaders endorsed a resolution to allocate 150 million dollars to the African troops over the next six months and called on Arab countries to "provide financial and logistic support to the AU mission in Darfur to enable it to continue performing its tasks." (Posted @ 16:49 PST)
Arabs expect little change from Israeli election KHARTOUM, March 29 (Reuters) Arab leaders meeting in Khartoum said on Wednesday they expected little change from Israeli elections in which Ehud Olmert claimed victory. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Khartoum said the Israeli election result "will not change (anything) as long as the agenda of Olmert himself does not change and he does not abandon the question of 'unilateral agreements'". Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said: "It's not comprehensible leaving the issue of Jerusalem or accepting unilateral withdrawals according to Israeli whims. This will not work but will only lead to worsening matters more and more." The Arab summit, which ends on Wednesday, renewed an Arab offer of peace with Israel in exchange for withdrawal from territory occupied since the 1967 Middle East war. The summit also opposed unilateral steps by Israel, calling for a return to multilateral peace negotiations under international supervision.(First Posted@ 12:22 PST Updated@ 15:01 PST)
Pakistani forces keep uneasy calm after tribal bloodshed PESHAWAR, Pakistan, March 29, 2006 (AFP) Pakistan deployed paramilitary forces Wednesday in the town of Bara in the Khyber tribal district bordering Afghanistan after clashes between followers of warring clerics left at least 27 people dead. Officials said the situation was tense but no fresh violence had occurred. (Posted @ 14:55 PST)
Saudi Arabia backs out of hosting next Arab summit KHARTOUM, March 29 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia backed out of hosting next year's Arab summit on Wednesday and said it would prefer the meeting take place in the country which hosts the Arab League headquarters, Egypt. Saudi Labour Minister Ghazi Algosaibi gave no reasons for the decision, which he announced at the closing session of this year's annual summit in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Saudi officials were not immediately available to comment. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia did not attend the Khartoum summit. Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal, who took part in the ministerial preparatory meetings at the weekend, was also absent from the closing session. (Posted @ 14:55 PST)
Israel must completely withdraw from Palestinian territories: Hamas PARIS, March 29, 2006 (AFP) Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal said in a newspaper interview published here on Wednesday that for peace with Israel "the price to pay is the complete withdrawal from the occupied territories, the immediate end of violence and recognition of the legitimate rights of Palestinians". He added that if Israel evacuated the West Bank and East Jerusalem, recognised refugees' right of return and dismantled its separation barrier, "I can guarantee to you that Hamas and behind it, all the Palestinians, will be ready for serious steps based on justice and equity with a view to permanent peace with the Israelis". "Unfortunately we have seen nothing of the kind until now," he said. (Posted @ 14:53 PST)
Gunmen in Iraqi uniform kill at least eight in store BAGHDAD, March 29 (Reuters) Gunmen wearing the military uniform worn by Iraqi police commandos killed at least eight people and wounded three in a raid on an electronics store in western Baghdad on Wednesday, police sources said. (Posted @ 14:47 PST)
Bangladeshi border troops kill three workers in India KOLKATA, India, March 29, 2006 (AFP) Bangladeshi border troops have shot dead three Indian workers and injured four others in Jamaldah Balapukri village’s Cooch Behar district, around 600 kilometres north of Kolkata, capital of India's West Bengal state adjoining Bangladesh, an Indian official said Wednesday. Bangladeshi officials were not immediately available for comment. (Posted @ 11:29 PST)
Japan, U.S. miss deadline on Okinawa Marines base TOKYO, March 29 (Reuters) The United States has given up on an end-of-March deadline to reach a deal on relocating a U.S. Marines base on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa, officials from both countries said on Wednesday. But the U.S. embassy in Tokyo said a postponement of talks did not reflect any breakdown in the process. The discussions are now likely to start on April 4, Japanese defence and foreign ministry officials said. (Posted @ 11:11 PST)
US soldier killed, three wounded in Iraq BAGHDAD, March 29, 2006 (AFP) A US soldier was killed and three others wounded on Tuesday when their humvee was struck by a roadside bomb near Habbaniya, west of Baghdad, the US military said. "Two soldiers received leg injuries, one received a head injury and one received internal injuries. One soldier later died from the wounds," the military said. (Posted @ 10:12 PST)
Olmert claims victory in Israeli election JERUSALEM, March 29 (Reuters) Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared victory on Wednesday in Israel's election, pledging to pursue a plan to give up parts of the West Bank and impose a border on the Palestinians if peacemaking stays frozen. With votes counted from 99.5 percent of polling stations, official results showed Kadima with 28 seats in the 120-member parliament, centre-left Labour with 20, the ultra-Orthodox Shas with 13, ultranationalist Yisrael Beiteinu with 12 and right-wing Likud with 11. (Posted @ 09:16 PST)
Blair says Iraq isn't Vietnam WELLINGTON, March 29 (Reuters) British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Wednesday the situation in Iraq was a difficult one but it wasn't another Vietnam War. Blair arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday and was greeted by a group of anti-Iraq war protesters who chanted "Blood on your hands" and "British Army, killing machine". In an interview with Radio New Zealand, he said "Vietnam was an occupation where there was a completely different set of circumstances," adding "In Iraq, we're there with the consent of the democratically elected government and the U.N. If the democratically elected government that'll be formed shortly says to us 'leave', we'll leave but they're not saying that." Blair is due to leave for Indonesia later on Wednesday. (Posted @ 09:11 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 35.10 points: KARACHI, March 29: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11414.34, down 35.10 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, March 29: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.37 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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