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| May 15, 2006 | Monday | Rabi-us-Sani 16, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Greece and Pakistan pledge to share information on terrorism ATHENS, May 15, 2006 (Agencies) Greece and Pakistan have pledged to exchange information on fighting terror, the two countries' prime ministers said on Monday during the signing of a tourism cooperation agreement in Athens. "Terrorism is a scourge we must fight in every form," Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told reporters. "Greece and Pakistan have similar views on that and we have agreed to share our knowledge on this issue," he said. Aziz heads a delegation to Athens including members of his cabinet, senior officials and businessmen scheduled to meet with Greek ministers, ship-owners and commerce board members during a two-day visit. On Monday, Greece and Pakistan also discussed the prospect of Greek agricultural assistance, particularly in the olive oil sector, Aziz said. "The key decision we have taken is to re-energise our joint economic commission to promote trade and investment," the Pakistani PM said. Aziz and Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis did not take questions, and Karamanlis declined to answer a reporter's query on an ongoing investigation into the alleged abduction and interrogation of a number of Pakistani immigrants in Athens following the July 2005 London attacks. Greece will provide four used frigates for the Pakistan Navy, Aziz said without giving any details of the deal. He said two frigates would be delivered this year and the other two in 2007. The Hellenic Navy uses Elli class frigates and the same would be provided to Pakistan. (First Posted @ 18:48 PST Updated @ 21:35 PST)
Durrani says opposition leaders' pro-democracy deal won't have impact ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Agencies) A deal between two exiled former prime ministers, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, who have vowed to return to Pakistan to contest elections in 2007 and fight the military rule of President Gen. Pervez Musharraf will have no impact, a government spokesman said Monday. ``It's not a threat at all because whatever impact they could have, the government is already facing it. There is nothing new in this,'' Information Minister Mohammed Ali Durrani said. Durrani reiterated the government's stance that Sharif would not be allowed back to Pakistan. He said, however, there was no bar on Bhutto returning, although he gave no indication that the corruption charges against her would be lifted. Also commenting on the deal, the Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told a weekly media briefing here Monday that Pakistan has no extradition treaty with United Kingdom to seek any one or any absconder to return to Pakistan. She said Nawaz Sharif was given permission by the government to travel to London. She said United Kingdom is not interfering in Pakistan's affairs and added Pakistan will not allow any one to interfere in its internal affairs. (First Posted @ 18:50 PST Updated @ 21:44 PST)
Pakistan hits back at Afghan criticism on its counterterrorist efforts ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) Pakistan on Monday responded sharply to Afghan criticism of its counterterrorism efforts, saying that if Osama bin Laden is alive he is more likely hiding in Afghanistan than Pakistan. Over the weekend, the Afghan Foreign Minister told a German newspaper that bin Laden was in Pakistan and that Islamabad was making ``half-hearted'' efforts to bring him to justice. ``I think these allegations are absurd and if any one is making half-hearted efforts, it's on the other side,'' Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told a weekly news conference in the capital. ``Afghans need to concentrate on taking action of their side instead of making accusations at Pakistan,'' Aslam said. Pakistan and Afghanistan have also decided to hold regular meetings at the level of foreign ministers. This decision was taken by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Afghan President Hamid Karazi when they met on the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) recently, Aslam said. Replying to a question, the spokesperson also said Pakistan wants progress from talks with India. She said Pakistan wants to move forward in the dialogue process with India. On the issue of Baglihar, she said the matter is with the neutral expert and both sides would have a meeting with the expert this month or the next. (First Posted @ 18:44 PST Updated @ 21:54 PST)
81 dead in Brazilian gang offensive: official toll SAO PAULO, May 15, 2006 (AFP) - Brazilian authorities said Monday that 81 people have been killed in three days of battles with a crime gang whose followers have attacked police stations, banks, buses and other targets.(Posted @ 23:48 PST)
US sanctions Venezuela over terrorism: official WASHINGTON, May 15 (Reuters) - The United States imposed sanctions on Venezuela on Monday, banning all arms sales to a major oil supplier for what it believes is a lack of help in Washington's war on terrorism, a State Department official said.(Posted @ 23:42 PST)
Saddam refuses to enter plea in trial BAGHDAD, May 15 (AP) The chief judge formally charged Saddam Hussein on Monday with murder, torture of women and children and the illegal arrest of 399 people in a crackdown against Shiites in the 1980s, bringing the trial of the ousted Iraqi leader into a new phase. Saddam, who sat alone in the defendants' pen as the charges were read, refused to enter a plea when chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman asked him if he were guilty or not.``I can't just say yes or no to this. You read all this for the sake of public consumption, and I can't answer it in brief,'' Saddam replied. ``This will never shake one hair of my head.'' Abdel-Rahman entered a ``not guilty'' plea on Saddam's behalf. The trial resumes on Tuesday with further testimony from defense witnesses. (First Posted @ 13:00 PST Updated @ 22:15 PST)
Musharraf asks public representatives to supervise pace of development projects ISLAMABAD, May 15 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Monday said it is the responsibility of public representatives to personally supervise the pace of progress on developmental projects in their constituencies in order to ensure their timely completion. He was speaking to a delegation of public representatives of Pakistan Muslim League belonging to Sargodha, Faisalabad and Toba Tek Singh that called on him here. During the meeting, the PML representatives also discussed the political situation and on-going development projects in their respective areas. The meeting was attended by PML President Ch. Shujat Hussain, PML Secretary General Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chief Minister Punjab Ch. Pervaiz Elahi, Mr. Muhammad Wasi Zafar, Minister for Law and Justice, and other notables from the party.(Posted @ 22:10 PST)
Soccer-Afghanistan kicks off post-war tournament with win over Pakistan KABUL, May 15, 2006 (AFP) Afghanistan kicked off Monday its first international soccer tournament after nearly three decades of conflict with a one goal win against Pakistan at Kabul’s Ghazi stadium. Watched by around 10,000 fans, the game launched a five-day tournament involving teams from Afghanistan's neighbours Iran, Pakistan and Tajikistan. Afghanistan will play Iran in the next match.(Posted @ 22:04 PST)
Blast wounds three Palestinians in Gaza Strip GAZA, May 15 (Reuters) An explosion destroyed a Palestinian car in the Gaza Strip on Monday and wounded three Palestinians alleged to be members of Islamic Jihad, witnesses and medics said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. An Israeli army spokeswoman had no immediate comment. Some of the witnesses said they believed the explosion was caused by an Israeli air strike.(Posted @ 21:30 PST)
EU to offer Iran sophisticated nuclear tech: Solana BRUSSELS, May 15 (Reuters) The European Union said on Monday it was prepared to share the most advanced civilian nuclear technology with Iran if it wanted to produce energy and did not have other atomic ambitions. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said a planned EU offer of incentives to persuade Iran to suspend sensitive nuclear activities would go beyond a package of sweeteners rejected by Tehran last year. "You will find Europe can help you (Iran) out with a major positive project which will go beyond the projects presented in August," Solana told a news conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers. Solana said the new package would provide Iran with the "best and most sophisticated technology" for civilian nuclear uses if Tehran's real aim was to produce energy. He gave no details.(Posted @ 21:28 PST)
Iraqi group accuses US of "atrocity" over raids BAGHDAD, May 15 (Reuters) Iraq's Muslim Clerics Association(MCA) accused U.S. forces on Monday of killing 25 civilians in raids near Baghdad in the past two days, rejecting the U.S. account that only suspected insurgents had died. "We hold the Iraqi government and the occupiers responsible for this brutal atrocity," the MCA said in a statement. The association accused U.S. forces of attacking civilian houses and killing people as they tried to flee. It said 25 people were killed in Latifiya, 40 km south of Baghdad, on Saturday and Sunday. "American and Iraqi forces on Saturday evening carried out a severe air strike in the area of Latifiya against houses with civilians," the statement said. It said people ran away from their houses to seek protection but that U.S. forces followed them and killed them. U.S. troops detained six people, including two women and a child, and returned on Monday and seized more people, it said.(Posted @ 21:25 PST)
Pakistan minorities back banned charities HYDERABAD, Pakistan, May 15 (Reuters) Up to 800 Hindus and Christians drawn from different parts of Sindh province marched in Pakistan’s Hyderabad city on Monday in support of two charities labelled as terrorist organisations by the United States. The U.S. State Department said this month that Jamaat ud-Dawa and its affiliate, Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq, were fronts for Lashkar-e-Taiba. The protesters also urged Pakistan not to comply with the U.S. decision. "If the government of Pakistan took any action against Jamaat ud-Daw and Idara-e-Khidmat-e-Khalq, then minority community of Sindh will be compelled to march towards Islamabad," the resolution said.(Posted @ 21:18 PST)
Abbas meets Putin SOCHI, Russia, May 15, 2006 (AFP) Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Monday. "We propose major efforts to get our people out of economic crisis. We hope we will be able to get out of this crisis as soon as possible. Otherwise we will face extremely difficult conditions," Abbas told Putin in the presence of journalists. Putin told Abbas he was "very happy" to talk about the Palestinians' problems and "to help you in solving them." They met at the Kremlin retreat in Sochi, after which the Palestinian Authority president was due to fly to Strasbourg for an address to the European parliament Tuesday.(Posted @ 19:26 PST)
French soldier killed in Afghanistan during mine removal KABUL, May 15, 2006 (AFP) A French soldier was killed Monday in a blast during a mine clearance operation near Afghanistan's main international airport in the capital, the French military said. The soldier, aged 22, was seriously hurt in the explosion and died later of his wounds, the military said in a statement.(Posted @ 19:24 PST)
Nine Pakistanis accused in 'honour killing' trial in Denmark COPENHAGEN, May 15, 2006 (AFP) Nine Pakistanis living in Denmark went on trial on Monday accused of participating in the so-called honour killing of an 18-year-old woman who married without the consent of her parents. Ghazala Khan was shot dead by her brother with two bullets in the heart in September 2005 just outside the train station of Slagelse, west of Copenhagen. The prosecution has qualified the murder as an honour killing. Her husband, whom she had wed secretly, was seriously injured in the attack. Six members of the murdered 18-year-old's family, including her father and three family friends, were charged with murder and attempted murder. All the accused pleaded not guilty and the victim's brother, 29, told the court that it had been an accident and that he had had no intention of killing his sister.(Posted @ 19:22 PST)
Taliban commanders killed in Afghan clash KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, May 15 (Reuters) Three Taliban commanders were among 11 insurgents killed in a battle near the southern Afghan town of Kandahar in which five policemen were also killed, Afghan authorities said on Monday. The fighting in Panjwai district, 30 km west of Kandahar town, erupted on Sunday after police got word that some Taliban were hiding there and went to search for them, police said. The battle lasted several hours. Seven policemen were also wounded. Foreign forces were not involved in the clash. Taliban spokesmen were not immediately available for comment.(Posted @ 19:04 PST)
Restraint and not pressure stops ICBM test: India NEW DELHI, May 15, 2006 (AFP) India on Monday said "self-imposed restraint" and not Western pressure prevented it from testing its longest-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The assertion came a day after India's top military scientist M. Natarajan said he awaited the government's nod to flight-test the Agni-III (Fire) missile which has an official range of 4,000 kilometres (2,480 miles). "We have no pressure on us. Nor are we putting any political pressure," Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told a military function in New Delhi. "It is just we have decided to have self-imposed restraint because as responsible members of the international community, we want to keep our international commitments on non-proliferation," he told reporters.(Posted @ 18:55 PST)
Four killed in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, May 15, 2006 (AFP) Four people were killed in occupied Kashmir, police said Monday. A spokesman said the bodies of two, Maqbool War and Nazir Ahmed, were recovered in the Rafiabad area of northern Baramulla district early Monday. The spokesman alleged that "militants suspected them of being informers for security forces," adding that Ahmed was a former militant who had quit to run a shop. Two others, Mumtaz Lone and Ghulam Qadir, were found dead Monday after being abducted Sunday evening from the same district, the spokesman added.(Posted @ 18:52 PST)
Indian doctors protest as anger over quotas spreads NEW DELHI, May 15 (Reuters) Services in scores of hospitals across India were disrupted on Monday as thousands of doctors and medical students launched fresh protests against a government move to reserve more places in colleges for the disadvantaged. Hundreds of patients milled around hospitals for treatment, some of them exposed to the blistering sun. In Mumbai, over a 1,000 medical students and interns, shouting slogans like "Down with the police" assembled in a public ground to protest a recent police cane charge on the protestors. Police vehicles mounted with water cannons stood by. But no violence was reported. Protests were also reported in cities in the western state of Gujarat.(Posted @ 16:35 PST)
Militants down U.S. helicopter in Iraq, killing two soldiers BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) Insurgents shot down a U.S. helicopter south of Baghdad and killed two soldiers, the U.S. military said Monday. The helicopter attack occurred Sunday during fighting in Youssifiyah, 20 kilometers south of the Iraqi capital, the military said in a brief statement.(Posted @ 15:35 PST)
Malnutrition among Iraqi children alarming: survey BAGHDAD, May 15 (Reuters) Malnutrition among Iraqi children has reached alarming levels, according to a U.N.-backed government survey showing people are struggling to cope three years after U.S.-forces overthrew Saddam Hussein. Nine percent, almost one in 10, of children aged between six months and five years, suffered acute malnourishment, said the report on food security and vulnerability in Iraq. "Children are...major victims of food insecurity," it said, describing the situation as "alarming."(Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Annan calls for urgent action on Iran nuclear plans SEOUL, May 15 (Reuters) U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday called for urgent action on the Iranian nuclear crisis but said he was encouraged by diplomatic efforts to resolve the simmering dispute between Tehran and the West. European Union foreign ministers meet on Monday in Brussels to work out technical, trade and political details on Iran. Annan met South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon and discussed ways to resolve the Iraninan crisis and also the North Korean nuclear standoff, both of which he said have the potential to escalate a spread of nuclear weapons.(Posted @ 15:18 PST)
Iran security forces kill 10 militants after roadside murders TEHRAN, May 15, 2006 (AFP) Iranian security forces killed 10 suspected militants on the Bam-Kerman road, southeast of the county, state television said Monday. The militants were believed to be part of a group called Jundullah ('Army of God') who have been responsible for the killings of innocent civilians.(Posted @ 15:15 PST)
Policeman killed, power line bombed in southwest Pakistan QUETTA, Pakistan, May 15, 2006 (AFP) Gunmen shot dead a policeman, bombed electricity pylons, and fired rockets at security forces and gas fields in Balochistan province, officials said Monday. The unidentified attackers fled after killing the police official late Sunday at a bazaar in Osta Mohammad town, a local police chief said. The killing sparked protests in the towns of Dera Bugti and Sui where markets were closed and residents burnt tyres to condemn the violence, local residents said. Separately 19 rockets were fired at the Loti and Pirkoh gas fields and at security posts in Chashma and Sangseela villages early Monday but there was no damage, a regional administrator said. Paramilitary troops defused seven landmines at Habib Rahi village in Dera Bugti district and seized explosives and three rockets from a secret arms dump there on Monday, the official added. Three electricity pylons were also blown up early Monday at Miyan Ghundi near Quetta, an official said. Power was restored a few hours later.(Posted @ 15:05 PST)
Nepal parties put off move to check king's powers KATHMANDU, May 15 (Reuters) - Nepal's seven mainstream parties put off a plan on Monday to table a landmark resolution in parliament to curtail the powers of the king, including taking away his control of the army. The proclamation would now be tabled after an expansion of the cabinet and a debate there, political party leaders said after a three-hour meeting.(Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Abbas calls for peace talks during speech mourning Israel's creation RAMALLAH, West Bank, May 15 (AP) _ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday called for Israel to return to the negotiating table during a speech marking the anniversary of the ``catastrophe'' of Israel's creation. Abbas also urged Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip to halt rocket attacks on Israel. He said the violence encourages Israel to step up its military activity and proceed with unilateral plans to impose a border on the Palestinians. ``I tell our neighbors, the Israelis, that we want to make a just and lasting peace with you, and we want a better future for our children and yours. So come to make this year a year of peace,'' he said in remarks set to be broadcast later Monday on Palestinian television and radio.(Posted @ 12:55 PST)
Mortar attack on British base in Iraq wounds four BASRA, May 15 (Reuters) - Suspected insurgents fired about 30 to 40 mortar bombs on Abu Naji base near the city of Amara, 365 km southeast of Baghdad,before dawn on Monday, wounding four soldiers, the British military said. The attack caused no damage to the base, but no other information was immediately available.(Posted @ 12:05 PST)
10 Bangladeshi Islamic militants sentenced to life in prison for bombings DHAKA, May 15 (AP) _ A court in northern Bangladesh has sentenced 10 Islamic militants to life in prison and three others to 20 years for bombings at government buildings, an official said. Judge A.F.M. Aminul Islam delivered the verdict in Rajshahi district, state prosecutor Ketabuddin told reporters.The court acquitted 14 other defendants, he said. Those found guilty are members of the banned Jumatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh group, he added.(Posted @ 09:51 PST)
Bush seeks to ease Mexican worries about border plan WASHINGTON, May 14 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Sunday sought to ease Mexican President Vicente Fox's worries about plans to deploy US National Guard forces on their countries' shared border, the White House said. Fox telephoned Bush early in the day "to relay his concerns about consideration of a plan by the United States to deploy National Guard forces to the border region," said spokeswoman Maria Tamburri. Bush "made clear that the United States considers Mexico a friend and that what is being considered is not a militarization of the border but support of border patrol capabilities on a temporary basis," she said.(Posted @ 09:35 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 414.27 points: KARACHI, May 15: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 11097.27 , down 414.27 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, May 15: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.35 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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