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| March 31, 2006 | Friday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 1, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Three strong quakes kill at least 66, injure 1,000 in western Iran TEHRAN, Iran, March 31 (AP) _ Three strong earthquakes and several aftershocks jolted western Iran overnight, killing at least 66 people and injuring about 1,200 others, state television reported Friday. The initial quake of magnitude 4.7 struck a mountainous region in western Iran late Thursday. It was followed by a quake of magnitude 5.1 that struck Boroujerd and Doroud, two industrial cities in western Iran, at 11:06 p.m. local time Thursday (1936 GMT), state television said. A third temblor of magnitude 6.0 hit Doroud and surrounding villages at 4:47 a.m. local time (0117 GMT) on Friday. A total of 66 bodies had been recovered from houses in destroyed in Silakhor, a region north of Doroud. An official spokesman said no fewer than 200 villages were damaged, and some were flattened. Most of the 1,200 people injured had been in bed when the quake struck, the television said. Twelve aftershocks were registered after the first quake, said Nabi Bidhendi, the head of Tehran Tehran University's Geophysics Institute. The epicenter of Thursday night's quake was in the mountains south of Boroujerd and north of Doroud. Rescue teams had been sent. Survivors were in urgent need of blankets, tents and food. Hospitals in the cities of Doroud and Boroujerd were full to their capacity and could not receive further injured, the television reported.(First Posted @ 12:50 PST Updated @ 19:40 PST)
Sri Lankan president arrives in Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse arrived Friday for a three-day official visit to Pakistan, officials said. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz welcomed Rajapakse at an airbase near the capital, Islamabad, where the Sri Lankan leader inspected a guard of honor. He's due to meet President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and sign agreements on tourism, culture, railways and education. (Posted @ 13:05 PST)
Blasts kill electricity worker, disrupt power in southwest Pakistan QUETTA, Pakistan, March 31, 2006 (AFP) - An electrician was killed by a landmine blast Friday when he went to inspect four pylons blown up by insurgents in Bolan district, 75 kilometers southeast of Quetta, disrupting supplies to some 70 percent of households in Balochistan province, spokesman Jibrael Khan said. "It may take 48 hours to complete the repair work," he said. (First Posted @ 10:53 PST Updated @ 16:43 PST)
Death toll in Bahrain tourist boat sinking now 57 including 5 Pakistanis MANAMA, March 31 (AFP) - At least 57 people, including Westerners and Asians, were killed when an overcrowded wooden leisure boat sank off the coast of Bahrain late Thursday. Among the dead were 17 Indians, five Pakistanis, and 13 Britons, interior ministry spokesman Colonel Tarek al-Hassan said Friday as rescuers continued to comb the Gulf waters for bodies and survivors. The traditional wooden boat was chartered for a dinner cruise and was carrying 137 people when it capsized about a mile out to sea. Of the 57 bodies recovered so far, 11 remain unidentified, while 67 passengers survived and 13 remain missing, interior ministry official Hassen told a news conference. Other victims included five Pakistanis, four South Africans, three Filipinos, two Singaporeans, one Irish , and one German. First Posted@11:09 PST Updated@ 16:33 PST)
Pakistan Steel Mill fetches Rs.21.68 bln for 75% shares in open bidding ISLAMABAD, Mar 31 (APP): A Consortium of Russia, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan offered highest bid of Rs. 21.68 billion for 75 per cent strategic shares of Pakistan Steel Mill in an open bidding held here Friday. The Consortium comprising M Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works Open JSC (Russia), Tuwairqi Steel Mills (Saudi Arabia) and Arif Habib Securities offered highest bid with Rs. 16.80 per share. Pakistan Steel Mill Corporation (PSMC) has total shares of 1290487275. The runner up consortium consisting Noor Financial (Kuwait), Industrial Union of Donbass (Ukraine), Government of Ras Al Khaimah and Al-Jomaih Holdings (Saudi Arabia) offered bidding of Rs.16.30 per share.(Posted @ 20:10 PST)
Afghan security forces kill six Taliban in southern gunbattle KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) _ Afghan security forces killed six Taliban in an intense gunbattle in southern Afghanistan on Friday, an official said. No Afghan soldiers, however, suffered any casualties in the fighting in three villages near the Sangin district of Helmand province, said Mullah Amir Akhandzada, a deputy governor. ``We sent our soldiers there after a number of Taliban entered those villages and briefly took control,'' he said. But, the Afghan forces ``quickly got back control'' and Taliban fled to nearby areas, he said, adding they had asked their forces ``to chase, capture or kill the Taliban.''(Posted @ 23:25 PST)
Deadly clashes erupt in Gaza after militant leader slain GAZA CITY, March 31, 2006 (AFP) - Deadly clashes erupted in Gaza Friday between militants and supporters of moderate Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas after their military leader was slain in a bombing they blamed on Abbas's security chiefs in collusion with Israel. Abbas's spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina issued an appeal on the official Wafa news agency "for calm and for gunmen to withdraw from the street" while the new government led by Islamic militant group Hamas held an emergency meeting, the prime minister's office said.(Posted @ 23:20 PST)
Pakistan asks France for non-discriminatory approach in civilian nuclear sector ISLAMABAD, Mar 31 (APP): Pakistan Friday stressed the need for a non-discriminatory approach by France towards cooperation in the civilian nuclear sector. Talking to a four-member delegation of the French Senate Commission for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces, Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri briefed the delegation about Pakistan's growing energy requirements in view of its rapid economic development. They also exchanged views over various regional issues including Pakistan-India composite dialogue and Afghanistan. Senator Poncet, appreciating President Pervez Musharraf’s vision of Enlightened Moderation, and commended Pakistan's role in promoting peace and stability and rooting out extremism from its society.(Posted @ 20:12 PST)
Rice says U.S. has no desire to be the world's jailer BLACKBURN, England, March 31 (AP) _ U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that the United States has no desire to be the world's jailer, but suggested that Washington is reluctant to release prisoners from Guantanamo Bay until it is certain they pose no threat. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Rice's host in northern England, had announced last week that Britain would take up the case of a British resident held at the Cuban base. ``We want the terrorists that we capture to stand trial for their crimes,'' Rice said in a speech at Ewood Park in Blackburn. ``But we also recognize that we are fighting a new kind of war, and that our citizens will judge us harshly if we release a capture terrorist before we are absolutely certain that he does not possess information that could prevent a future attack or, even worse, if we meet that terrorist again on the battlefield,'' she said.(Posted @ 19:40 PST)
Sri Lanka's Jayasuriya announces retirement COLOMBO, March 31 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's veteran opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya Friday said he would retire from Test cricket after next week's match against Pakistan. "I thought about it long and hard and decided that's it. It's a very emotional moment, but I guess every good thing has to come to an end," he told AFP. But he said he will be available for selection for next year's World Cup.(Posted @ 19:15 PST)
Abbas condemns Palestinian suicide bombing in Israel CAPE TOWN, March 31(AFP) - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas Friday condemned a suicide bombing that killed four Israelis near a West Bank settlement. "We condemn the incident ... we do not accept it. We as Palestinian Authority want to live in permanent peace, side by side with Israel," Abbas told a news conference after meeting with President Thabo Mbeki. He also criticised big powers --the United States, European Union and Russia -- for cutting off funding to the Palestinian Authority. "The Palestinian people should not be punished because they chose democracy," he said. Earlier, Abbas received a 21-gun salute at a ceremony to mark a state visit.(Posted @ 19:12 PST)
AJK. Kashmir bus resumes service MUZAFFARABAD, March 31 (PPI) The Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service resumed operations Friday after a gap of one month. It was suspended following the road blockade at Chakothi in Azad Kashmir on account of landslides at a number of places. In all, 28 passengers came here from Srinagar. They included 24 residents of Azad Kashmir who have returned from Srinagar and four residents of occupied Kashmir who have arrived to meet relatives in AJK. Earlier, 20 passengers left for Srinagar. They included nine Kashmiris who returned after visiting relatives in AJK.(Posted @ 18:46 PST)
9000 Afghans return to Afghanistan in a month ISLAMABAD, March 31 (PPI): Nearly 9,000 Afghans have gone back home in the first month of UNHCR-assisted repatriation from Pakistan this March. Since March 1, after the winter break, 5,218 Afghans have returned from NWFP, 1,840 from Balochistan, 1,422 from Sindh and 362 from Punjab and Islamabad. Endorsed by the Tripartite Commission, the Pakistani authorities have decided to close Girdi Jungle and Jungle Pir Alizai camps in Balochistan, as well as Katchagari and Jalozai camps in NWFP by April 30. Afghans living in these camps can opt to return home with UNHCR assistance or to relocate to existing camps in Balochistan and 10 camps in NWFP.(Posted @ 18:36 PST)
Seven Russian soldiers killed, six hurt in Chechnya VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia, March 31 (APP/AFP) - Seven Russian soldiers have been killed and six wounded in the past 24 hours in Chechnya, a source in Grozny said Thursday. Three soldiers were killed and four hurt when Russian federal army positions came under rebel fire on 12 occasions, the source said on condition of anonymity. Two others died in Grozny when they came under fire from a passing car. The remaining two were killed in fighting in the village of Gekhy in the Urus-Martan region south of Grozny. Two other Russian soldiers were injured as were two rebels. The incidents were not reported by Russian news agencies.(Posted @ 18:30 PST)
Self-Rule is the "best solution" to Kashmir dispute-Pandit Bhushan NEW DELHI, Mar 31 (APP): President of Jammu Kashmir Democratic Front (JKDF) Pandit Bhushan Bazaz Friday reiterated that the proposal of self-rule floated by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is the "best solution" to the decades-old Kashmir dispute. Addressing Kashmiri migrants at Muthi Camp in Jammu he said: "We say self- rule is the best option proposed by Musharraf and is acceptable to all three regions of Jammu and Kashmir", according to a Press release issued by Party Central Office here. Pandit Bazaz claimed that during the recent roundtable conference at New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said that he would look into "self-rule proposal". The autonomy proposal of National Conference, he said, was unacceptable to the people. He also called for the return of troops to barracks. "Now when peace is returning, Indian army should go to barracks", he demanded.(Posted @ 18:25 PST)
18 injured in bus-truck collision CHICHAWATNI, Mar 31 (APP): At least 18 members of a wedding party including the bridegroom, sustained severe injuries in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck on Lahore-Multan road Friday. The bridegroom and 14 other injured including five women were taken to THQ Hospital Chichawatni.(Posted @ 18:15 PST)
Six killed as train hit motorcycle rickshaw JACOBABAD, Pakistan, Mar 31 (APP)- Six students were killed when a rickshaw, in which they were travelling, was hit by Chiltan Express here Friday at a level crossing near Noor Wah. The deceased, all students, were going in a rickshaw to watch cricket match in a nearby village when the accident took place.(Posted @ 18:12 PST)
PHF imposes ban on Tariq Aziz LAHORE, March 31 (APP): Pakistan Hockey Federation has imposed a six month ban on national team member Tariq Aziz following his assault on a Australian player in the final of the Commonwealth Games hockey in Melbourne. The action has been taken in light of the reports submitted by the team management, an announcement said.(Posted @ 18:02 PST)
Chad army commander dies of wounds after clashes N'DJAMENA, March 31 (Reuters) - The commander of Chad's army has died of injuries suffered during clashes with rebels and Sudanese militia in the east of the country, government military sources said on Friday. General Abakar Youssouf Mahamat Itno, who is a nephew ofPresident Idriss Deby, died following an attack by the rebelsand the militia at Moudeina, said the sources, who asked not to be named.(Posted @ 17:58 PST)
Police: Uganda boarding school fire kills 12 sleeping children KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) _ A fire destroyed a boarding school dormitory in western Uganda, killing at least 12 sleeping students, a police spokesman said Friday. The fire that began late Thursday in a primary boarding school in Kabarole, 320 kilometers west of Kampala, has been put out and police and fire brigade staff are searching for more survivors and bodies, he said. The dozen children killed in the fire were aged between 7 and 13.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
Mortar round slams Baghdad street, shrapnel kills three women BAGHDAD, March 31 (AP) _ A mortar round slammed into a street in northeastern Baghdad Friday, killing three civilians and wounding three others, police said. Earlier in the day, soldiers discovered the bullet-riddled bodies of six men, aged between 25 and 30 years old and wearing handcuffs, in western Baghdad. In Friday's attack, three women were killed when shrapnel fromthe mortar hit their home in the neighbourhood of Gaylani. In the outskirts of Baghdad, insurgents set off explosives underneath an oil pipeline Friday. There were no casualties reported, and the extent of the damage was not immediately known, police 1st Lt. Thair Mahmoud said.(Posted @ 17:32 PST)
Iran test-fires missile able to avoid radar TEHRAN, March 31 (AP) _ Iran successfully test-fired Friday a missile with the ability to avoid radar and hit several targets simultaneously, Gen. Hossein Salami, the air force chief of the elite Revolutionary Guards said. It was test-fired as large military maneuvers began in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian sea. ``This missile can simultaneously hit several targets, has near stealth capabilities with a high maneuverability, pin point accuracy and radar avoidance features,'' Salami said adding that the range of the missile would depend on the weight of its warhead.(Posted @ 17:24 PST)
Suicide car attack on Afghan army convoy KANDAHAR, March 31(AFP) - A suicide attacker detonated a car bomb close to an Afghan army convoy in Arghandab district adjacent to Kandahar city Friday, killing himself but causing no other casualties, the military said. The man detonated the explosives prematurely, just missing the convoy, General Rahmatullah Raufi said.(Posted @ 17:12 PST)
Four killed, six policemen injured in occupied Kashmir fighting SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, March 31(AFP) - Three freedom fighters and a folk singer were killed in separate incidents in occupied Kashmir while six policemen were wounded when their vehicle hit a landmine in Soura locality of Srinagar, security officials said Friday. The three freedom fighters were martyred in two separate raids by security forces in Pulwama district early Friday and late Thursday, army spokesman Vijay Batra said. In the neighbouring district of Anantnag, suspected militants abducted and later shot dead 38-year-old local folk singer and dancer Hassan Shah Thursday evening, police said. "He used to perform during political rallies (by pro-India parties)," a police spokesman said.(Posted @ 17:10 PST)
Militant leader killed in Gaza air strike GAZA CITY, March 31 (AFP) - A Palestinian militant leader was killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza City Friday after Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz ordered stepped up targeted killings of top militants. Doctors identified the dead man as Abu Yussef al-Gouga, a leader of the Popular Resistance Committee, a small militant group believed to have carried out a string of rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza. Gouga was driving his car at the time of the rocket attack which gutted the vehicle. (Posted @ 16:18 PST)
Tehran will not use oil as a lever in nuclear spat: Iranian FM GENEVA, March 31(AFP) - Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Friday said that Tehran will not use its oil supplies as a lever in the dispute with Western countries over its controversial nuclear programme. "We believe the provision of energy is vital for the world. We will remain true to our obligations to provide for the energy needs of our partners. We are not going to use energy as a political leverage," Mottaki told reporters, when asked whether Tehran would turn its oil into a bargaining chip. (Posted @ 16:16 PST)
Palestinian Prime Minister rejects talk of recognising Israel JERUSALEM, March 31 (Reuters) Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in a column that appeared in London's Guardian newspaper on Friday said "the message from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority to world powers is this: talk to us no more about recognising Israel's 'right to exist' or ending resistance until you obtain a commitment from the Israelis to withdraw from our land and recognise our rights". Haniyeh criticised the "scandalous double standards" by the United States and the European Union in making demands to Hamas without putting any pressure on Israeli interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to abandon Jewish settlements and to halt unilateral measures. "Olmert's unilateralism is a recipe for conflict," Haniyeh wrote. "It is a plan to impose a permanent situation in which the Palestinians end up with a homeland cut into pieces made inaccessible because of massive Jewish settlements built in contravention of international law on land seized illegally from the Palestinians," he added. (Posted @ 13:02 PST)
Israeli planes strike Gaza; Suicide bomber kills three Israelis in West Bank JERUSALEM, March 31 (Reuters) Israel carried out air strikes in the Gaza Strip early on Friday morning, hitting roads and a bridge, the army said. Palestinian emergency services said one of the air strikes on a bridge had burst the main water pipe in the area causing flooding. There were no reports of casualties. Artillery gunners early on Thursday also shelled open areas in the northern Gaza strip. A suicide bomber killed at least three Israelis late Thursday near a West Bank settlement. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed the bombing and said it was in response to Israeli attacks. (Posted @ 08:40 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 82.74 points: KARACHI, March 31: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11485.90, down 82.74 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:03 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, March 31: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.25 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:03 PST)
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