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| May 12, 2006 | Friday | Rabi-us-Sani 13, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Up to 200 dead in Nigerian pipeline blast ILADO BEACH, Nigeria, May 12 (AFP) - Up to 200 people died on Friday when an oil pipeline blew up at a beach village near Lagos, a policeman at the scene said. The officer, who asked not to be named, put the death toll at between 150 and 200 "or even more". The Nigerian Red Cross had earlier reported more than 100 deaths as a result of the explosion at Ilado beach village, near the port of Apapa, where numerous oil installations are located. "Over one hundred people were burnt to death and beyond recognition following the explosion," Nigerian Red Cross Secretary General Abiodun Orebiyi said by telephone. (First Posted @ 18:35 PST Updated @ 20:15 PST)
US must address Iran security concerns-UN watchdog THE HAGUE, May 12 (Reuters) - Iran has legitimate security concerns that the United States must address if the crisis over Tehran's nuclear programme is to be resolved, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Friday. "This is primarily a regional security issue," Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the IAEA told a debate in The Hague. "Iran is surrounded by countries that have nuclear weapons: Russia has nuclear weapons, Pakistan has nuclear weapons, Israel has nuclear weapons, Iraq has used chemical weapons against them. There is a sense of insecurity," he said. "When you talk about the Iranian issue, the only solution is a package that should inter alia include security issues." ElBaradei said only full engagement by the United States could address Iran's security concerns, as well as other grievances that have accumulated over the last 50 years. "I'm happy to see that the U.S. is becoming more and more engaged because ... a final solution to Iran needs the full engagement of the U.S.," he said. "When you are talking about security, there is only one country that can talk to Iran and that is the U.S., it's not Europe. Europe can talk economics, it can talk trade ... but it cannot talk about hard security issues."(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
2 Russian soldiers killed, 3 wounded in rebel attack in Chechnya ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia, May 12, 2006 (AP) _ Unidentified gunmen on Friday killed two Russian soldiers and wounded three others in a daylight attack in Chechnya, officials said. Several assailants riding a car overtook a vehicle containing federal soldiers and sprayed it with automatic gunfire in Grozny, Chechnya's provincial capital, the regional branch of Russian Interior Ministry said in a statement.(Posted @ 23:54 PST)
Man shoots at U.S. mission guards in Jeddah: Source RIYADH, May 12 (Reuters) - A man was arrested after shooting from his car on guards at the U.S. consulate in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Friday, a security source said. No one was hurt in the shooting. The source said police chased the car and arrested the man after the drive-by shooting in which several shots were fired at the mission's guards. There were no other details available.(Posted @ 23:41 PST)
US urges immediate end to Mogadishu violence NAIROBI, May 12, 2006 (AFP) - The United States on Friday called for the immediate end to six days of fierce fighting between a warlord alliance it backs and Islamic militia that has engulfed Somalia's lawless capital. Washington said it was deeply concerned about the violence that has killed nearly 100 people and wounded more than 200 and demanded that the clashes stop and the two sides work with the country's transitional government. "The United States notes with great concern fighting in Mogadishu that has claimed many innocent lives," the US embassy in Nairobi said in a statement.(Posted @ 23:30 PST)
Afghan envoy says government lacks resources to cope with a spike in Taliban strength WASHINGTON, May 12 (AP) Taliban strength in Afghanistan is on the rise and even with a growing NATO security force the country's defences against explosive devices and suicide bombings are severely strained, Afghan Ambassador Said Tayeb Jawad said in an interview Friday. Taliban is acquiring more sophisticated weapons and motorcycles from abroad and continues to receive training in neighboring Pakistan, he said. Taliban fighters are crossing the border into Afghanistan 15 to 20 at a time, and are able to kill five or six Afghan police officers, who are trying to make due with old Soviet-era jeeps, with a single mine, Jawad said. ``So what we need and demand is better help for our police forces and also resources to strength district-level administration,'' the ambassador said. (Posted @ 21:50 PST)
Nine bombs explode in Ethiopia's capital, at least 3 killed and 42 injured ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 12 (AP) _ Nine bombs exploded in Ethiopia's capital Friday, killing three people and wounding 42, a police spokesman and witnesses said. Four bombs exploded in the morning, and another four exploded after midday. The bombs struck across the city, but four exploded in Addis Ababa's main shopping district. (First Posted @ 17:06 PST Updated @ 21:40 PST)
Shaukat Aziz calls for more cooperation among D-8 countries BALI, Indonesia, May 12 (PPI) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has called for more cooperation among the member states of D-8 group in economic, diplomatic and defence fields to harness its full potential. Talking to media men here Friday, he said D-8 groups has not reached its true potential and much more is needed to be done to make it an effective organization. He said Muslim Ummah is facing tremendous challenges today and we have to project Islam in its true light and spirit. The one day summit of D-8 countries is being held Saturday.(Posted @ 21:16 PST)
India to release and repatriate six Pakistani prisoners New Delhi, May 12: India on Friday decided to release and repatriate six more Pakistani prisoners on May 17, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters in New Delhi.(Posted @ 21:12 PST)
Pakistanis protest death of student in German jail ISLAMABAD, May 12 (Reuters) - Religious parties activists organised small but fiery protests in Islamabad and several other cities of Pakistan on Friday against the death of Amir Cheema, 28, a Pakistani student, in a Berlin jail. Some 300 protesters demonstrated outside Islamabad's Red Mosque after Friday prayers. There were also demonstrations in Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan – all cities in Punjab province. Meanwhile, Gunter Mulack, German ambassador to Pakistan, told a press conference that Cheema's body had been handed over to Pakistani authorities and it was expected to be flown home on Saturday. "Mr Cheema was found dead on May 3rd in pre-trial confinement... There are no traces or indications of physical violence or other external influence," Mulack said, adding that a report on the case had been given to Pakistani investigators in Berlin.(Posted @ 21:02 PST)
Five ministers in Nepal king's ousted regime detained KATHMANDU, Nepal, May 12 (AP) _ Five politicians who served in the Cabinet of the ousted government of King Gyanendra were detained Friday, state radio said. They included former Home Minister Kamal Thapa and former Information Minister Srish Sumshere Rana. They were detained on the recommendation of a judicial commission investigating alleged human rights violations during anti-monarchy protests last month, the report said. The other three were former Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey, and former ministers Tanka Dhakal and Nichhya Sumshere Rana. The commission has also asked the government to take ``adequate action'' against the chiefs of the army, police, armed police and the Intelligence Bureau for their ``active role in suppressing the movement.'' (First Posted @ 18:32 PST Updated @ 20:42 PST)
Pakistan appoints retired army general as ambassador to U.S. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) _ Pakistan has appointed Lt-Gen (retired) Mahmud Ali Durrani as its new ambassador to the United States, the foreign ministry said Friday. Gen Durrani, who held key positions in the military before his retirement in 1998, will replace General (retired) Jehangir Karamat, said the ministry in a statement issued in Islamabad.(Posted @ 20:35 PST)
11 missing, dead as Philippine ferry capsizes MANILA, May 12 (AFP) - Six people died and five others were missing after a small ferry capsized in a storm in the central Philippines on Friday, the coast guard reported. Thirteen people were rescued after the ferry went down in rough waters off the island of Masbate, the coast guard said.(Posted @ 20:05 PST)
Former world boxing champion Hamed jailed for 15 months for dangerous driving SHEFFIELD, England, May 12 (AP) _ Former world featherweight boxing champion Naseem Hamed was sentenced to 15 months in jail Friday for dangerous driving. The 32-year-old former IBF and WBO champ was also banned from driving for four years. A man suffered a broken leg and two broken arms when Hamed's Mercedes crashed into two other vehicles on the outskirts of Sheffield, northern England, in April 2005. Prosecutors said Hamed was driving at least 90 mph (145 kph) when he tried to overtake a car and crashed into two vehicles.(Posted @ 18:40 PST)
19 more die of heat stroke in southern Punjab Multan, May 12 (PPI): At least 19 persons including a student of M.Sc.(final) and a female student of SSC have died of heat stroke in Punjab during the last 24 hours raising the heat-wave related deaths to 52. Health authorities have received reports from Jehanian, Sahiwal, Muridke, Phalia, Kot Momin, Multan and Muzaffargarh that another 19 people, mostly aged persons, have died of heat stroke as the mercury rose to 48 degree celsius in Rahimyarkhan, 47.6 in Bahawalpur, 47 degree celsius in Dera Ghazi Khan, and 46 in Multan on Thursday.(Posted @ 18:26 PST)
Indian troops martyr five more Kashmiri youths SRINAGAR, May 12 (PPI) Indian troops have martyred five more Kashmiri youth at different places, reports Kashmir Media Service. Troops of 62 Rashtriya Rifles killed two persons at Narwan-Imam Sahib in Shopian, and one each in Thanamandi, Doda and Kulgam areas. One woman was killed in shoot- out at Dhandi-Mahore in Udhampur District, while he dead body of an abducted youth was recovered from Muhalla Jabra in Mendhar area of Poonch district. Unidentified gunmen shot dead one person at Bazipora, and killed one person and injured another in Thanamandi.(Posted @ 17:50 PST)
US must talk directly to Iran: Annan VIENNA, May 12 (AFP) - The United States must talk directly to Iran about its nuclear programme because Tehran will not negotiate seriously if Washington is not involved, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Friday. "As long as the Iranians have a sense that they are negotiating with the Europeans . . . and what they discuss with them will have to be discussed with the Americans and then come back again to them, I am not sure they will put everything on the table," Annan told reporters in Vienna.(Posted @ 17:12 PST)
70 Bangladesh fishermen held hostage by pirates DHAKA, May 12 (AFP) - Some 70 Bangladeshi fishermen are being held hostage in the Bay of Bengal by pirates demanding thousands of dollars in ransom money, police said Friday. The pirates hijacked eight trawlers at gunpoint on Wednesday. They then allowed a couple of fishermen to return to port in one of the boats with a ransom demand: 100,000 taka (1,587 dollars) for each of the seven boats from the trawler owners and the families.(Posted @ 17:10 PST)
UN inspectors find more highly-enriched uranium in Iran VIENNA, May 12 (AFP) - UN nuclear inspectors have found traces of highly enriched uranium, which can be used to make fuel or atom bomb material, on vacuum pumps at a site where Iran has denied such atomic work, diplomats said Friday.(Posted @ 17:08 PST)
Quake rattles Indonesian capital JAKARTA, May 12(AFP) - A strong undersea earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale hit the Sunda Strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java in Indonesia Friday and was felt in the town of Cilegon in West Java as well as in Jakarta, an official said. We have received some reports of homes damaged, mostly cracked walls" he said adding that no reports of casualties were received.(Posted @ 17:04 PST)
Lebanese army helicopter crash kills four BEIRUT, May 12 (Reuters) Four Lebanese army personnel were killed on Friday when their helicopter crashed in eastern Lebanon during a training exercise, military sources said. (Posted @ 14:35 PST)
Pakistan detains dozens after police school blasts QUETTA, Pakistan, May 12 (Reuters) Pakistan detained about 30 suspects in overnight raids after a series of landmine blasts in the country's troubled southwest killed six policemen, officials said on Friday. Police detained two men hours after the blasts, and 27 more were rounded up in raids overnight in and around Quetta. "These people have track records of involvement in such activities," a senior police official said, adding that it was a case of picking up the usual suspects and hoping interrogations turned up a link. (Posted @ 14:22 PST)
Canadian forces arrest 10 suspected Taliban in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, May 12, 2006 (AFP) Canadian forces arrested 10 suspected Taliban during a raid in southern Afghanistan and handed them over to Afghan authorities, the Canadian military said Friday. The men were arrested in southern Kandahar province on May 8 after a tip-off and were suspected of being "Taliban or their sympathisers", a Canadian military spokesman said. (Posted @ 13:10 PST)
Party quits Iraq govt talks BAGHDAD, May 12 (Reuters) The Fadhila party, part of the Alliance bloc, said it was pulling out of talks on forming a new government on Friday, criticising U.S. interference. "We will not return to the negotiating table and we have announced our final position," a party spokesman told reporters. He criticised other parties for trying to force candidates for ministries on to the Alliance's prime minister-designate, Nuri al-Maliki, as well as pressure from the United States. "The current negotiations are subject to external pressures from the American ambassador in Iraq," he added. (Posted @ 12:11 PST)
U.S. stands tough on Iran's nuclear program WASHINGTON, May 12 (Reuters) The United States will not hold direct contacts with Iran and insists that sanctions must be part of a new carrots-and-sticks offer being drawn up by major powers to curb Iran's nuclear activities, a senior administration official said. Addressing an influential Middle East policy group on Thursday night, Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns promised that Washington will not "quit the diplomatic track easily." He warned Iran and other key players that "we can't be captive to endless discussions in the (U.N.) Security Council and we won't allow ourselves to be." Burns said the package being drafted by the Europeans would restate Moscow's previous offer to guarantee Iran nuclear fuel for power generation that is produced in Russia, and also include other economic and technological incentives. (Posted @ 12:10 PST)
Tamil Tigers accuse Nordic peace monitors after sea battle COLOMBO, May 12, 2006 (AFP) Tamil Tiger rebels accused Scandinavian truce monitors Friday of protecting Sri Lankan naval vessels, a day after one of the worst sea battles between the two sides since they agreed to a ceasefire four years ago. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) was altering the balance of power in the island's northeast by siding with government navy forces. "The SLMM has put its naval monitors at risk to provide protection to Sri Lanka navy vessels," the LTTE said. (Posted @ 10:26 PST)
Israeli troops kill Palestinian youth NABLUS, West Bank, May 12 (Reuters) Israeli troops shot dead an alleged Palestinian militant during a raid in the West Bank town of Nablus on Friday, the army said. The 26-year-old Raed Etbila was a member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. The spokeswoman said another man was arrested during the military operation in Nablus and that five other wanted men were detained in raids elsewhere in the West Bank. (Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Four US marines in Iraq drown in tank accident BAGHDAD, May 12, 2006 (AFP) Four US marines were killed when their tank rolled off a bridge in Iraq's Al-Anbar province, the US military announced late on Thursday. The marines were travelling near Karmah in Al Anbar in a M1A1 main battle tank when their vehicle rolled off a bridge into a canal on Thursday. All four marines in the tank drowned. "The deaths were not a result of enemy action," the US marines said in a statement. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Iran's president says not afraid of attack by the United States JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) The Iranian president said Friday that his country was not afraid of U.S. military action over its uranium enrichment program. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a dialogue with Indonesian Islamic leaders. Asked whether his country was prepared to face an attack by the United States, he said ``that is very unlikely because they know the Islamic Republic of Iran is a strong country.'' He added that``they are waging a propaganda campaign with strong words so our country becomes afraid. The people of Iran and the country are not afraid of them,'' he said to applause from the audience. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Three Kyrgyz border guards killed in attack: reports MOSCOW, May 12, 2006 (AFP) Three Kyrgyz border guards were killed when a group of armed assailants coming from Tajikistan attacked a checkpoint on the country's southern border, the Russian news agencies reported early Friday. "Soldiers from Kyrgyzstan's border guards unit and one customs officer were killed in a shootout with assailants," the Interfax news agency quoted a Kyrgyz official as saying. (Posted @ 09:37 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 19.83 points: KARACHI, May 12: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11511.54, down 19.83 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:02 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, May 12: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.1 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:02 PST)
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