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| April 3, 2006 | Monday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 4, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Seven killed in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal belt MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, April 3 (Reuters) Five people were killed in a landmine blast and two militants died in a clash with security forces in the North Waziristan tribal region on Monday, officials said. The landmine victims were travelling in a vehicle in Dattakhel area near Miranshah when it struck a landmine. "Five people were killed on the spot, while the sixth is in critical condition," said an intelligence official. In the second incident, two militants were killed after a clash with a paramilitary patrol in the town of Mir Ali. The militants had hurled hand grenades on the troops, wounding three of them, another intelligence official said. (First Posted@ 12:30 PST Updated@ @ 15:21 PST)
Minesweeper killed, two injured in southwest Pakistan blasts QUETTA, Pakistan, April 3, 2006 (AFP) A paramilitary mine clearance soldier was killed and two others injured Monday in separate blasts in Balochistan province, officials said. The soldier was critically wounded when he stepped on the landmine in Taraman village near Kohlu district and later died of injuries, a spokesman for the Frontier Corps said. Separately a water tanker belonging to paramilitary forces hit a landmine near a natural gas field in Loti area and two soldiers were injured, the spokesman said.(Posted @ 18:12 PST)
Guard kills 3 colleagues while on duty at home of top official in Occupied Kashmir JAMMU, Occupied Kashmir (AP) _ A guard on duty at the home of the top elected official in Occupied Kashmir shot and killed three of his colleagues following a heated argument, police said. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was indoors when the shooting occurred, but was unhurt, said Gopal Sharma, Jammu-Kashmir police chief. Two other soldiers were injured when the Central Reserve Police Force soldier opened fire, Sharma said.(Posted @ 22:50 PST)
Car bomb explodes near mosque in Baghdad, kills at least 10 BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ A truck bomb exploded Monday near a mosque in northeastern Baghdad, killing at least 10 people and wounding 30 others, police said. The explosion was at about 8 p.m. as worshippers left the al-Shroofi mosque after evening prayer in the mostly neighborhood of Shaab.(Posted @ 22:15 PST)
Pentagon releasing more Guantanamo documents WASHINGTON, April 3, 2006 (AFP) The Pentagon is voluntarily releasing 2,600 more pages of transcripts and defense summaries from reviews of cases of prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a spokesman said Monday. The spokesman said that with the latest release the names of all 490 prisoners at Guantanamo will have been made public. "…the 2,600 pages…include 2,000 pages from ARB transcripts and about 600 pages from defense counsel submissions," he said.(Posted @ 21:50 PST)
Use carrot, not stick, with Iran on nuclear issue: Blix OSLO, April 3, 2006 (AFP) The international community should offer Iran more incentives to renounce its nuclear programme, the former chief UN weapons inspector in Iraq, Hans Blix, said on Monday at an energy seminar in Norway. "We still have time on our side. Iran can't have a nuclear bomb until five years from now," Blix said in the Norwegian town of Bergen, the NTB news agency reported. "The United States has given North Korea time to negotiate while Iran has been given a short deadline. The United States and other great powers should negotiate with Iran and offer a few carrots like they did with North Korea," the former Swedish diplomat said.(Posted @ 21:32 PST)
Two families murdered as 17 die in Iraq BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 3, 2006 (AFP) Seventeen people were reported killed in Iraq Monday, including members of two families who were gunned down in Baghdad and Basra. In Basra, six members of the al-Saadun family were murdered in broad daylight in the middle of the city's main market place. The dead included a retired naval officer, a police commando, an employee of the interior ministry, two electric company workers and a four-year-old child. In Baghdad's southern neighborhood of al-Dura, gunmen burst into a home late Sunday and killed four people, including three women, police said. In Baghdad's district Sadr City, a car bomb went off Monday near a passing police patrol, killing a civilian and wounding five others. Another car bomb in Karrada wounded five civilians on Monday. Police in Kirkuk reported that Imam Sheikh Omar Abdel Razeq Mohammed was shot dead as he left his mosque following prayers.In Baiji city, two soldiers were shot dead by insurgents and three others were wounded. In Baquba, a university student was shot in the middle of the downtown market.(Posted @ 21:30 PST)
Lebanon leaders put off talks on Lahoud fate to April 28 BEIRUT, April 3, 2006 (AFP) Lebanese leaders decided Monday to put off talks on demands for President Emile Lahoud to resign until April 28 before moving on to the issue of disarming Hezbollah. Parliament speaker Nabih Berri announced the delay at the end of a fifth round of talks between leaders in Beirut that lasted four hours. "Whether the result is positive or negative we will move on to the remaining issue of the dialogue: the arms of the resistance," said the speaker.(Posted @ 21:25 PST)
Turkmenistan to sell natural gas to China BEIJING, April 3, 2006 (AFP) Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Turkmenistan counterpart Saparmurat Niyazov on Monday signed an agreement for the sale of Turkmen natural gas to China and the construction of a pipeline to carry it. No details were immediately revealed about the accord.(Posted @ 21:20 PST)
India takes evasive action against Google Earth: army NEW DELHI, April 3, 2006 (AFP) India's army chief said Monday the country has taken steps against intrusive photographs of strategic installations shown on Google's satellite image service. "We concede that these satellite images do compromise our sensitive and strategic sites" Indian army chief General J.J. Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a military conference. "We have taken steps and measures to deal with such exposures," the general said without elaborating on how the army could block access to high-resolution images posted on the web. The site contains aerial photos of the national parliament and Kalam's residence in New Delhi as well as airfields and other sensitive locations in India.(Posted @ 21:12 PST)
Afghan police kill suicide bomber, bystander KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, April 3 (Reuters) Afghan police shot and killed a suicide bomber as he approached a police chief visiting a shrine on Monday and a bystander was killed by a stray bullet, police said. On Sunday night, Taliban gunmen on motorbikes mounted a raid on a police post outside a Kandahar jail. Witnesses said four policemen were killed and three wounded. Officials initially said five policemen were wounded but later declined to comment.(Posted @ 21:08 PST)
Iran test fires new torpedo in key Gulf oil nexus TEHRAN, April 3 (Reuters) Iran test fired a new torpedo in the Strait of Hormuz off its south coast, state television reported on Monday. "This torpedo is capable of destroying enemy warships and submarines at any depth and moving at any speed," state television said. The test comes in the middle of Gulf wargames that started on Friday.(First Posted@15:27 PST Updated @ 21:02 PST)
U.S. Air Force plane crashes, all on board survive DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del., April 3 (Reuters) A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy cargo plane crashed and broke apart short of the runway at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Monday but all 17 people on board survived, the Air Force said. There was no precise information about injuries but many of those on the plane were taken to hospital, Air Force spokesman said. There were 14 crew members and three civilian contractors on board, he said.(First Posted @19:35 PST Updated @ 20:54 PST)
Governor NWFP meets Prime Minister Aziz ISLAMABAD, April 03 (Agencies) Governor NWFP, Khalil-ur-Rehman, called on Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, here Monday and discussed issues related to tribal areas, overall political situation of the province and the development projects launched by the government. Earlier Monday two new female members of NWFP Assembly Monday took oath during a NWFP assembly session summoned by Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan. The assembly session was adjourned for Tuesday morning after only a 20-minute proceeding. The nomination of new members were made after the resignation of four members of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazlur Rehman) for their alleged involvement in horse trading during the recent Senate polls in the province. Those who took oath against reserved seats for women were Saira Bano and Fauzia Naz. The nomination of minority member Kishwar Kumar is expected in a day while one general seat will be filled through holding of bye-elections.(Posted @ 20:10 PST)
Militant suspect arrested in Karachi after gunbattle KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) Police arrested a senior militant suspect Monday after a gun battle in Karachi, an officer said. Police launched a raid as Mohammed Junaid, allegedly the operations chief of Harkatul Mujahedeen Al-Almi, and an accomplice were shifting weapons from a hide-out in the city, police said. The two militant suspects exchanged fire with police, before Junaid was captured while the other man got away. Police seized one AK-47 assault rifle, two grenades and a pistol. Junaid was wanted in connection with several attacks on police and a 2003 bombing at a private club in Karachi that injured nine people, police added.(Posted @ 19:44 PST)
Three US marines, sailor killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, April 3 (Reuters) Three U.S. marines and a sailor were killed in action on Sunday in Iraq's western Anbar province, the U.S. military said on Monday. A military statement gave no further details.(Posted @ 19:32 PST)
Government to ensure merit in every discipline for sustainable progress: PM RAWALPINDI, April 3 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday said the government was working to ensure merit in all spheres of life. Addressing a ceremony to hand over a new sub-campus to Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) here, he urged the women of the country to play their role in development and progress. Aziz described quality of education as one of the key areas where the country needs to progress. "Education is a big differentiator, it improves skills, it changes the mind-set and we are determined to improve its quality to achieve the desired objectives," he said.(Posted @ 18:05 PST)
Hamas says it has met French, Indian officials GAZA, April 3 (Reuters) A Hamas spokesman said on Monday Hamas members held talks two months ago with French officials and more recently with an Indian diplomat. France's ambassador to Israel denied any contact with Hamas. The spokesman said Hamas leaders also held talks in Gaza two weeks ago with India's representative in the Palestinian territories. He said the Indian diplomat, whom he did not identify by name, told Haniyeh that India wanted to maintain relations with Hamas and to continue to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. India's representative based in Ramallah was not immediately available to comment. A spokesman for the Indian Embassy in Israel declined to comment.(Posted @ 17:32 PST)
Surprise "no" vote rattles Thai PM BANGKOK, April 3 (Reuters) Thais gave Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra a "no vote" in a snap election on Monday intended to scotch an anti-corruption street campaign to kick him out. Thaksin appeared to acknowledge the election he called three years early had failed to resolve months of political turmoil, saying he was open to all suggestions. "If the media give me an option that could reconcile all sides, I don't necessarily need to be the prime minister. But this doesn't mean that I will continue to be or I won't be the prime minister," he told reporters.(Posted @ 17:10 PST)
Nepali rebels announce Kathmandu truce for strike KATHMANDU, April 3 (Reuters) Nepal's Maoist rebels announced an indefinite ceasefire in the capital and surrounding valley on Monday in response to a call by political parties, days before their nationwide strike, local media reported. (Posted @ 16:11 PST)
Rice, Straw end Iraq visit without new government in sight BAGHDAD, April 3, 2006 (AFP) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and British counterpart Jack Straw wound up two days of intensive talks with Iraqi leaders on Monday, pressing them to speed up the formation of a new government but without any indication of a breakthrough. "We came here to give momentum to the process that is already underway. It is not my responsibility or of Mr Straw to determine who is going to be the prime minister of Iraq," Rice told a press conference. "That will be determined by Iraqis. But we need a strong, unifying government led by someone who can bring stability and meet the challenges of Iraqi people." When asked why the United States or Britain should have an input in the process, Straw said "The Americans have lost over 2,000 troops here, we have lost over a 100, there are 140,000 overseas troops here helping to keep the peace," adding "we do have a right to say, that we have got to be able to deal with Mr A, B or C, we can't deal with Mr Nobody". (First Posted @ 12:36 PST Updated @ Updated @ 15:23 PST)
Britain's new "FBI" crime-fighting unit launched LONDON, April 3 (Reuters) Prime Minister Tony Blair launched a national crime-fighting unit modelled on the United States' FBI at Downing Street on Monday. The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), which will have a staff of around 5,000, will tackle drug traffickers, people-smugglers, global paedophile networks and sophisticated fraudsters. The agency will have new powers such as the use of evidence from phone tapping, plea bargaining for witnesses, and a more sophisticated witness protection programme. (Posted @ 15:21 PST)
Strong storms leave at least 14 dead in three U.S. central states DYERSBURG, Tennessee, April 3 (AP) _ Severe storms swept across the Midwest of the United States late Sunday, killing at least 14 people in Tennessee, Missouri and Illinois, officials said. Eight deaths were reported in west Tennessee's Dyer County, and three in neighbouring Gibson County. The storms, which also injured dozens across the Midwest, spawned at least a half-dozen tornadoes in northeast Arkansas, dropped large, damaging hail and sent thousands of concert goers in Indianapolis scrambling for cover. In Missouri, strong winds were blamed for at least two deaths. A state of emergency was declared in Missouri city of Caruthersville after a tornado caused heavy damage there. The storm also uprooted trees, downed power lines, tipped over semi trailer trucks and caused motorists to lose control of their vehicles. In Tennessee, the National Weather Service reported that tornadoes were spotted in five counties in Tennessee's northwest corner, and officials said the storms caused extensive damage to buildings. Softball-sized hail was reported in Arkansas, where half a dozen tornadoes were reported.( First Posted @ 12:18 Updated @ 13:12 PST)
Violence set to increase in Afghanistan this year: Boucher KABUL, Afghanistan, April 3(AP) Violence is likely to increase in Afghanistan this year as foreign security forces expand into new areas and the government steps up its campaign against a booming trade in opium and heroin, Richard A. Boucher, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia warned Monday. Taliban rebels ``certainly have the ability to continue doing what they are doing for a while and be very nasty.'' he said. ``We will probably see a rise in violence this year as NATO spreads into areas in a more dense fashion, as the insurgents try to test the new forces (and) as the government takes on the narcotics traffickers in new areas,'' Boucher told reporters in Kabul. (Posted @ 12:52 PST)
Suspected rebels kill councillor in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir April 3 (AFP) - A municipal councillor in revolt-hit occupied Kashmir was shot dead by suspected militants opposed to New Delhi's rule in the Himalayan region, police said Monday. Mohammed Afzal Dar was killed late Sunday near Sopore, 50 kilometers north of Srinagar, a police spokesman said. "Militants fired six bullets at Dar causing his on-the-spot death," the spokesman said. (Posted @ 12:45 PST)
NZealand appoints first Asian governor general WELLINGTON, April 3 (AFP) - New Zealand Monday appointed an Asian for the first time to be the official head of state. Court judge Anand Satyanand will become the British monarchy's official representative in New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark said. The appointment was approved by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. (Posted @ 12:40 PST)
Israeli troops kill Palestinian gunman in West Bank BETHLEHEM, West Bank, April 3 (Reuters) - Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian on Monday in the West Bank during an exchange of fire that ensued after they tried to arrest him, the army and Palestinian witnesses said. Soldiers arrived at the house of a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, in the village of Beir Sahur, near Bethlehem and called for him to surrender. An army spokeswoman said the soldiers fired at him inside the house after spotting him toting a rifle. (Posted @ 10:04 PST)
Taliban kill a Turkish engineer and 5 policemen KANDAHAR, April 3 (AP) _ Insurgents fatally shot a Turkish engineer and burned his body in southern Afghanistan, while elsewhere in the region gunmen on motorbikes killed five police and wounded three, officials said Monday. The engineer, who was working on a road reconstruction project, was driving with three bodyguards in Nimroz province Sunday when militants stopped his car and killed him, Ghulam Dastagir Azad, the provincial governor said. The guards were later released, an AFP report said. Azad declined to identify the victim The five policemen were killed Sunday in Kandahar, said a doctor at the hospital where the victims were taken. Taliban spokesman, Qari Mohammed Youssef, claimed responsibility for the attack. (First Posted @ 09:00 PST Updated @ 09:38 PST)
Federer wins Miami Masters Series title MIAMI, April 3, (AFP) - World number one Roger Federer won his second straight Miami ATP Masters Series title here Sunday with a straight-set win over sixth-seeded Croatian Ivan Ljubicic. The 24-year-old Swiss subdued Ljubicic 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (8/6). (Posted @ 09:26 PST)
Three reported dead as molotov cocktail burns bus in Istanbul ISTANBUL, April 3, 2006 (AFP) - A molotov cocktail attack set ablaze a bus in Istanbul late Sunday, resulting in three deaths, the CNN Turk news channel reported. An elderly woman who got off in panic from the burning vehicle was hit by a car in the street and died hospital, while two more bodies were recovered after police removed the wreckage of the bus, which crashed into a truck while manoeuvring to escape the hit, it said. Another woman passenger was seriously injured. (Posted @ 09:23 PST)
Australia, China sign uranium safeguards, export deals SYDNEY, April 3 (AFP) - Australia and China signed a landmark nuclear safeguards pact Monday, opening the way for massive exports of uranium to fuel China's booming nuclear power industry. The agreement on "cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy" was one of eight pacts signed in the presence of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Australian counterpart John Howard. A second deal allows for the transfer of nuclear materials to China from Australia. The deal would lead to exports of 20,000 tonnes of uranium to China per year -- double Australia's current exports of the radioactive material. (Posted @ 09:12 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 88.04 points: KARACHI, April 3: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11573.94, up 88.04 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:16 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, April 3: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.25 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:16 PST)
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