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| May 18, 2006 | Thursday | Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistani PM discusses Iran nuclear programme with Kadhafi TRIPOLI, May 18, 2006 (AFP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Thursday he was opposed to the use of force against Iran over its nuclear programme following talks on the matter with Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi. Aziz, who arrived in Tripoli on Wednesday, said he discussed "several dossiers including that of Iran's nuclear programme" adding that "we do not support the use of force against Iran." The Pakistani premier also welcomed this week's renewal of diplomatic ties between former arch foes Libya and the United States, saying it "contributes in a positive way to relations between the states of the world". A Libyan official said Aziz also held talks with his Libyan counterpart Baghdadi Mahmudi "about bilateral commercial relations in the realms of banking, investments and communication." Aziz, accompanied by members of his cabinet, senior officials and businessmen, is due to travel to Morocco on May 19. (First Posted @ 21:52 PST Updated @ 23:05 PST)
Major Afghanistan clash kills up to 105 KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) Some of the fiercest violence since the Taliban's ouster erupted Thursday across Afghanistan, with coalition forces engaging in multiple fire fights, two suicide car bombs and a massive rebel assault on a small village. Up to 105 people were killed. Much of the violence occurred in Helmand and Kandahar provinces. The Taliban death toll from fighting Wednesday night and Thursday ranged up to 87, U.S. and Afghan officials said. Also, 15 Afghan police officers, one American civilian, a Canadian soldier and an Afghan civilian were killed in the attacks. The attack late Wednesday and early Thursday on a police and government headquarters in Musa Qala in Helmand province sparked eight hours of clashes with security forces. The Interior Ministry said about 40 militants were killed in that, though police said they had retrieved only 14 bodies.(First Posted @ 9:30 PST Updated @ 22:15 PST)
Three Pakistani immigrants sue Greek minister over alleged abductions ATHENS, Greece (AP) Three Pakistani immigrants filed a criminal lawsuit against a Greek minister on Thursday, claiming they were abducted and interrogated by Greek and British agents after last year's London transit bombings. The three men accused Culture Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis, who held the public order portfolio in 2005, of instigating the abductions, shielding guilty parties and lying in parliament about the incident. The lawsuit by Chodwry Gulnawaz Ahmed, Muhammad Munir and Rafaqat Mehmood Raja claimed Voulgarakis ``knew about and supported (the abductions), offering full coverage (to the perpetrators) and instigating the acts.''(Posted @ 22:10 PST)
Pakistan serious about resolving Siachen dispute with India: FO ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) Pakistan said Thursday it is serious about trying to resolve its territorial dispute with India over the Siachen Glacier. But Pakistan did not indicate whether the two rival neighbours were any closer to settling the dispute. ``There has been exchange of ideas on the issue of Siachen between Pakistan and India,'' Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement Thursday. ``We want to seriously address this issue for a resolution,'' it said, without elaborating.(Posted @ 22:08 PST)
Blair asks Musharraf to stop Briton being hanged ISLAMABAD, May 18 (Reuters) Britain asked President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday to stop the hanging of a British man convicted of shooting dead a taxi driver 18 years ago. Mirza Tahir Hussain, from Leeds, northern England, is due to face the gallows on June 3, two days after his 36th birthday, having spent half his life in jail. "The British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, on her behalf and on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Blair, has written a letter to President Musharraf requesting him to commute the death sentence of Hussain to an appropriate term of imprisonment," a British diplomat in Islamabad said. Hussain, who is of Pakistani descent, was charged with murdering and robbing a taxi driver who he says had tried to physically and sexually assault him in 1988. Hussain maintained that the man had pulled a gun on him and it went off during a struggle. Several British parliamentarians have pleaded for Pakistan to exercise mercy, while the London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission said there had been a "miscarriage of justice".(First Posted @ 15:40 PST Updated @ 22:05 PST)
Pakistan bans veteran Indian actor over slur ISLAMABAD, May 18 (Reuters) Pakistan banned on Thursday a veteran Indian actor, Feroz Khan, from returning to Pakistan after officials said he had insulted the country during a visit to promote a film. Khan said Muslims were better off in India than in Pakistan at a show business function in Lahore last month to promote the Bollywood epic, Taj Mahal, produced and directed by his brother. "He abused our hospitality. He made derogatory remarks, which are unacceptable," said Tasnim Aslam, foreign ministry spokeswoman. A senior official, who requested anonymity, said President Pervez Musharraf had personally ordered the ban.(Posted @ 22:02 PST)
Pentagon deploys laser device at Iraqi checkpoints WASHINGTON, May 18 (Reuters) The U.S. military has given troops in Iraq a laser device to temporarily blind vehicle drivers who ignore warnings at checkpoints, the Pentagon said on Thursday. A Pentagon spokesman defended its use as legal and said the devices were intended to prevent civilians from being shot. The U.S. military is fitting some M-4 rifles used by U.S. forces in Iraq with a tube-shaped device that is about 10 ˝ inches long that shines a laser beam. "They don't blind people," the spokesman said, adding that "I think the term is optical incapacitation -- dazzlers as opposed to something that will blind you."(Posted @ 21:58 PST)
EU-3, US, China, Russia meeting on Iran now on May 24: Britain LONDON, May 18, 2006 (AFP) A London meeting scheduled for Friday involving world powers on Iran's nuclear programme will now take place on May 24, a spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office said Thursday.(Posted @ 21:55 PST)
Meeting on trade among Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan concludes ISLAMABAD, May 18 (APP): Two-day experts’ level meeting on "Quadrilateral Agreement on Trade in Transit" signed among Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan concluded on Thursday. Briefing journalists after signing of minutes of the meeting, Joint Secretary Communication, Firdaus Alam, who headed the Pakistani delegation during the talks, said that as a result of this meeting, trade among the four neighbouring countries will register a quantum jump. He said the main issues discussed during the meeting were quota permits for the year 2006-07, validity of visas and permits, awareness campaign on quadrilateral agreement, quarantine rules/customs rules and their availability in English and the issuance of permit for round trips. He further said that it was agreed that Pakistan would move a proposal through diplomatic channels for setting up a joint freight forwarders council to promote and encourage trade among member states trough effective utilization of Karakoram Highway(KKH). All the parties, he added, also agreed in principle to the proposal from Pakistan to launch passenger transport among the contracting parties.(Posted @ 21:54 PST)
Pakistan, Libya have identical views on important world, regional issues: Aziz TRIPOLI (Libya), May 18 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said Pakistan and Libya shared identical views on important regional and global issues and hoped his visit would open up new avenues of cooperation between the two countries in economic, political, defence and diplomatic fields. Speaking to reporters at the end of his two-day visit, Aziz described his talks with the Libyan leadership as very productive and constructive. The two countries also agreed to activate a Joint Economic Commission to boost their economic and commercial ties, he said. Replying to a question, he said he welcomed diplomatic relations between the United States and Libya and said it would contribute to opening up of new avenues of development in that country. Aziz later left Tripoli for Morocco on the third leg of his four-nation tour.(Posted @ 21:52 PST)
Supreme Court orders completion of pension papers before retirement KARACHI, May 18 (APP): A bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar and Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad on Thursday ordered all heads of the departments to ensure completion of pension papers one year ahead of the date of retirement of an employee. The bench was hearing a miscellaneous application filed for Professor Ghazi Khan Jhakrani’s case, who had starved to death along with his wife due to non-payment of his pension dues. The bench also ordered Accountant General Pakistan, Accountant Generals of Provinces, Chief Secretaries and other officials including heads of departments and organizations to ensure that no delay is caused in the payment of pension and other benefits to retiring officials, their widows or children. The bench warned that any delay without a justified reason would be considered as contempt of court and dealt with accordingly. The bench said that the incident brought to the notice of the court was condemnable, and a violation of Article 9 and 14 of the Constitution of Pakistan. The Chief Justice termed the incident as negligence, and the delay a criminal act. The bench directed the Chief Secretary Sindh to take action against persons identified and held responsible for delay in payment of pension dues, including the then Principal of Jamia Milia Degree College M.S.K.Lodhi, to deceased Prof Ghazi Khan Jhakrani. The bench disposing off the application ordered that pension benefits of the deceased Prof Jhakrani should be paid to legal heirs if any or otherwise decision be made as per pension rules and regulations.(Posted @ 20:48 PST)
Third round of Pak-China FTA talks concludes ISLAMABAD, May 18 (APP): The third round of negotiations between Pakistan and China to evolve a consensus for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded here Thursday. The draft text of various chapters of the bilateral FTA was discussed for the first time in the third round of negotiations. The talks were held in an atmosphere of complete understanding and a consensus was achieved on a substantive part of the text. The items for elimination of duty were also discussed in the talks. The discussion on this aspect of the agreement would continue in September 2006, when the next round of talks is likely to be held at Beijing. Deputy Director General, MOFCOM, China Zhu Hong led the Chinese delegation whereas Pakistan side was led by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce Shahid Bashir.(Posted @ 20:35 PST)
President Musharraf announces roadmap to produce skilled workforce ISLAMABAD, May 18 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday assured the government's full support in promoting technical and vocational training across the country as he approved a roadmap to improve the quality and number of work force per annum in the country. He was speaking at a meeting of National Vocational and Technical Education Commission. He set out a five-year timeframe for bringing about improvement in the vocational and technical education system. "We must improve curricula at these institutes and ramp up the capacity to produce skilled workforce of international quality, as it will not only open opportunities for people at the grass roots level but also raise their profile and demand as workers in advanced and industrialized countries," he said.(Posted @ 20:18 PST)
Supreme Court summons details of Pakistan Steel Mills privatization plan KARACHI, MAY 18, (APP): A bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar and Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad on Thursday called for details on the privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM). The bench was hearing a constitution petition filed by Hashim Shaukat Khan of Watan Party, Lahore. The petitioner said that PSM was being privatized for a paltry sum of 362 million USD as against the open market price of rupees five billion. Attorney General for Pakistan, Barrister Makhdoom Ali Khan, appearing for the federation and the Privatization Commission said that PSM was not a profitable organization and instead a burden on the national exchequer. The bench observed that this was not a plausible reason for such a decision as the livelihood of 13,000 employees and their families was dependent on it. As no figures were advanced by the counsel for federation, the bench observed that apparently no such exercise was conducted before the privatization of PSM. The bench then asked the respondent Privatization Commission to submit criteria for privatization and also asked the Chairman PSM to submit details of assets, audited accounts for previous three years, market value and other related relevant record before the bench at Islamabad on May 24.(Posted @ 20:05 PST)
Prodi vows to "jolt" Italy, pull troops out of Iraq ROME, May 18 (Reuters) Prime Minister Romano Prodi on Thursday vowed to undo most of the policies of his predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi, and pledged to bring all Italy's 2,600 troops home from what he called the "occupation" of Iraq. Outlining his programme a day after his centre-left government was sworn in, Prodi said Italy needed a social, economic and moral jolt to mark a clean break with the past. "We consider the war in Iraq and the occupation of the country a grave error," Prodi told the upper house of parliament. "It has not resolved, but complicated the situation of security," he said. "Terrorism has found a new base in Iraq and new excuses for terror attacks both inside and outside the country," he added.(Posted @ 19:48 PST)
Afghan leader says Pakistan trains militants KABUL, May 18 (Reuters) Pakistan is training militants and sending them into Afghanistan, Afghan President Hamid Karzai was quoted as saying on Thursday. "Pakistani intelligence gives military training to people and then sends to Afghanistan with logistics," the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) news agency quoted Karzai as saying. "Pakistan should know that gone are the days when Afghan governments were formed in Pakistan and dissolved there," Karzai was quoted as telling tribal elders and officials in the eastern province of Kunar. "Pakistan wants that Afghanistan be its military base but that dream will never come true," he said.(Posted @ 19:44 PST)
Bomb kills four U.S. soldiers, interpreter in Iraq BAGHDAD, May 18 (Reuters) Four U.S. soldiers and their Iraqi interpreter were killed on Thursday when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb northwest of Baghdad, the U.S. military said in a statement. The statement issued by the 4th Infantry Division that patrols the Iraqi capital did not give further details.(Posted @ 19:40 PST)
Nine killed in clash between caste gangs in eastern Indian village PATNA, India (AP) An upper caste militia killed nine members of a rival low-caste group in eastern India on Thursday, police said. The killings in the village of Goachak, in Bihar state, came on the eve of local elections.(Posted @ 17:54 PST)
Prime Minister Aziz addresses Pakistani community in Libya TRIPOLI (Libya), May 18 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday asked Pakistanis working in Libya to strive for excellence in their fields. Addressing a gathering of the Pakistani community here, he urged them to send their remittances to Pakistan through banking channels instead of the illegal "hundi" system. He informed them that Libyan leaders have agreed to his proposal of allowing import of more Pakistani manpower. To a question, he said a Pakistani school would soon be established in Libya for the children of expatriate Pakistanis. He also assured them that measures would be taken to facilitate Pakistani students wishing to graduate with degrees from Pakistani universities. He said the issue of family visas would also be discussed with Libyan leaders. Also on Thursday, Aziz conferred the Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam award on Libyan Leader Colonel Muamar Al-Gaddafi’s son, Saif Al Eslam M Al-Qadhafi, at a state banquet in recognition of his services for the victims of Oct 8 earthquake in Pakistan. Later talking to Farhad Iqdarah, the Governor Central Bank of Libya, Aziz said Pakistan would be glad to assist Libya in helping it improve its banking sector. He also invited the governor to visit Pakistan to further discuss ways to implement the banking reforms.(Posted @ 16:35 PST)
Bangladeshi man arrested in suspected uranium scam DHAKA, May 18, 2006 (AFP) Security forces in Bangladesh have arrested a man who attempted to sell uranium to undercover officers as part of a suspected scam, police said Thursday. Kartik Chandra Roy, 42, was arrested Wednesday in the southwestern city of Khulna by plain-clothes officers to whom he tried to sell uranium worth two billion taka (30 million dollars), police said. He also offered a 14-page manual and a CD on how to use uranium, police added. There were no further details available immediately.(Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Inter-Korean generals' talks break down with no agreement SEOUL, May 18, 2006 (AFP) Military talks between South and North Korea ended Thursday without agreement on redrawing a disputed maritime border or safety measures for inter-Korean rail lines, the defence ministry said. "The two sides ended talks. There is no agreement or a final statement," a ministry spokesman said of the three days of a general-level meeting held at the border village of Panmunjom.(First Posted @ 09:15 PST Updated @ 16:45 PST)
Britain pleads with Pakistan's Musharraf not to hang prisoner ISLAMABAD, May 18, 2006 (AFP) British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett has written to President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan asking him not to execute a man due to be hanged next month for murder, officials said Thursday. Mirza Tahir Hussain, who is from Leeds in northern England and has dual British-Pakistani nationality, was convicted of shooting dead a taxi driver in the South Asian country in 1988. Hussain has been in jail for nearly 18 years but after his conviction was quashed and reinstated twice, his stay of execution is due to run out on June 1, two days before his 36th birthday. "The foreign secretary has written to request that President Musharraf consider commuting the death sentence to an appropriate term of imprisonment," a British government official said. The "exceptional" appeal was made on humanitarian grounds considering the severity of the sentence and the time that Hussain has already spent in prison, the official said. Pakistan's foreign ministry confirmed that a request had been received from the British government. "The judicial legal system is taking its course. The sentence has been upheld by the highest court in Pakistan," spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said.(Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Ahmadinejad mocks Iran's 'mental' nuclear opponents TEHRAN, May 18, 2006 (AFP) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday mocked those opposed to the Islamic republic's controversial nuclear program, saying they were suffering mental problems. "Those who get upset at the happiness and progress of others are suffering from a mental problem and therefore should find a way to cure themselves," Ahmadinejad told a rally, according to the ISNA student news agency. "We have repeatedly said that we do not have any conflict with others, but will do our best to get our rights," he said in his address in the town of Zarandieh during a trip to Markazi province.(Posted @ 15:30 PST)
Twenty wounded in Occupied Kashmir grenade attack SRINAGAR, Occupied Kashmir, May 18, 2006 (AFP) At least 20 people were wounded in a grenade attack Thursday in Pulwama town in Occupied Kashmir, police said.The grenade was hurled at a passing paramilitary vehicle but it missed its target and exploded among pedestrians, sending people fleeing in panic, police said. "So far 20 people have been hospitalised with splinter injuries," the spokesman said. "Three are in critical condition."(Posted @ 15:10 PST)
Media watchdog urges Pakistan to trace journalist ISLAMABAD, May 18, 2006 (AFP)A global media rights group urged Pakistan Thursday to trace a journalist who went missing five months ago in the country's tribal belt while covering operations against Al-Qaeda. Hayatullah Khan, who reported for an Urdu-language daily, was kidnapped on December 5, 2005 in Mir Ali town in North Waziristan district near the Afghan border. Paris-based Reporters Without Borders said in a statement that the United States had given assurances that its forces in Afghanistan were not involved in the disappearance and so it was now up to Pakistan to clear up the matter. The organisation urged new Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani "to mark his start in the government with a strong signal, by providing detailed information about the journalist."(Posted @ 15:05 PST)
Pakistan military jet crashes, pilot ejects safely KARACHI, May 18, 2006 (AFP) A Pakistan Air Force Mirage fighter jet crashed Thursday near Karachi in the second such incident in a month, the air force said. The pilot ejected safely and there were no reports of losses on the ground, said an air force spokesman. He said the cause of the crash was a technical malfunction. On April 20 another French-built Mirage had crashed near Karachi.(Posted @ 15:00 PST)
Falling trees, lightning strikes kill 16 in India HYDERABAD, India, May 18 (Reuters) - Falling trees and lightning strikes killed 16 people, including a nine-month-old girl, as storms lashed India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh, officials said on Thursday.Four women and the baby, part of a wedding party, were killed when strong winds felled a huge tree onto their vehicle near Kodad town, 165 km southeast of the state capital, Hyderabad, local official V.P. Jauhari said.(Posted @ 13:20 PST)
Palestinian president asks Hamas government to remove its new security forces immediately JERICHO, West Bank, May 18 (AP) _ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told the Hamas-led government it must immediately remove its new security forces from the streets of Gaza, a top Abbas aide said Thursday. The unit, made up of 3,000 militants loyal to Hamas, was deployed Wednesday in defiance of Abbas who opposed the creation of the new force. ``It's a very worrying situation,'' said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, who is close to Abbas. ``He (Abbas) ordered the deployment of the (regular) Palestinian forces, and ordered the other (Hamas-linked) forces to leave the streets.''(Posted @ 13:15 PST)
Annan warns on 'sleepwalking' into nuclear world TOKYO, May 18 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan appealed Thursday for better diplomacy on Iran and North Korea, warning against "sleepwalking" into a world where all nations feel they need nuclear weapons. Annan, visiting Japan on a five-nation tour of Asia, said that all sides had to tone down the fiery rhetoric over Iran and negotiate face-to-face, and called to resume six-nation disarmament talks with Pyongyang.(Posted @ 13:10 PST)
Pakistan keen for resolving Kashmir issue with India through peaceful means: Maulana Fazl New Delhi, May 18 (APP): MMA opposition leader in the National Assembly and President JUI (F), Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that Pakistan desired resolution of all outstanding issues with India including Kashmir dispute through peaceful means. Speaking at a reception last night organized by Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind in honour of the visiting five-member Pakistan parliamentary delegation he emphasized upon addressing the vexed issue of Kashmir through tripartite talks involving India, Pakistan and people of Kashmir. Confidence building measures (CBMs) would not strengthen the peace process if the Kashmir issue continued to be unresolved, he said and termed the pace of Indo-Pak peace process as sluggish. The reception was attended among others by Union Minister for Water and Power, Saifuddin Soze, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, former External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh, Members of Parliament Shahid Siddiqi, Lalit Suri and Nirmaladesh Panday, Ramjeth Malaani, diplomats, academicians from Jaamia Millia and elite of the city. MMA leader was of the view that the problems could also be resolved through SAARC forum. Billing the menace of terrorism as a crime which should be weeded out, he pointed out that terrorism was not so far properly defined at the international level and pleaded for meeting all imperatives of justice before any war against such crimes. Mere use of power would not resolve problems, he added.(Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Typhoon kills eight in China, 99 fishermen missing SHANGHAI, May 18 (Reuters) - A typhoon slammed into south China on Thursday killing eight people and forcing the evacuation of more than 900,000, Xinhua news agency said, while Vietnam was searching for 99 fishermen missing at sea. Typhoon Chanchu, packing heavy rain and winds up to 170 kph made landfall between the cities of Shantou and Xiamen in the early morning. China's coastal provinces of Guangdong and Fujian took the full brunt of the storm. Eight people were killed in Shantou, Xinhua reported.(Posted @ 11:50 PST)
Two bomb blasts wound administrator, two guards in Pakistani tribal region KHAR, Pakistan, May 18 (AP) _ Two homemade bombs exploded minutes apart outside the residence of a deputy administrator in a remote tribal region in northwestern Pakistan, wounding him and his two guards, a government official said Thursday. No one claimed responsibility for the attack late Wednesday attack on Amir Zaman, a deputy administrator in Khar, the main town in Bajur tribal region bordering Afghanistan where remnants of al-Qaida are believed to be hiding. Fahim Wazir, the top administrator in Bajur, said Zaman and his guards were standing near the home when the bombs went off. The three men were in stable condition, he said.(Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Eight Iraqis killed in attack on minibus in Iraq's capital< BAGHDAD, May 18 (AP) _ Gunmen stopped a minibus and killed all eight Iraqis aboard it in Baghdad on Thursday, police said. The victims were seven car mechanics heading to work and their minibus driver. In Mosul, Iraqi and U.S. forces killed three insurgents and wounded 10 in two separate gunbattles Wednesday, the U.S. command said. The U.S. forces later searched a hospital and found nine militants who had been wounded, the military said. All of them were detained. One Iraqi civilian also was wounded in the fighting, the U.S. command said. On Iraqi civilian was wounded in the crossfire. In the second fight, insurgents in two separate cars opened fire on a civilian vehicle on a highway outside of Mosul, wounding all three Iraqis aboard, the military said. U.S. forces patrolling nearby opened fired at one of the insurgent cars, killing all three of its militants. Iraqi police chased the other car, which stopped so its four militants could flee on foot. Police captured one wounded militant,but the others got away.(Posted @ 11:40 PST)
Suicide car bomb attack leaves 1 foreigner dead in western Afghanistan, police say KABUL, May 18 (AP) _ A suicide car bomber rammed into two vehicles carrying foreigners in western Afghanistan on Thursday, killing at least one foreigner whose identity was not immediately known, said Herat deputy police chief Ghulam Sarwar Haydari. A spokesman for a NATO-led peacekeeping force confirmed there was a suicide car bombing, but insisted that none of the force's troops was involved. He gave no other details.(Posted @ 11:30 PST)
Canadian soldier, 13 police, 60 Taliban killed in Afghan battles KANDAHAR, 2006 (AFP) - Thirteen police were killed in two major battles in southern Afghanistan in which a Canadian soldier lost her life and nearly 60 Taliban rebels died, police and the US-led coalition said Thursday. One battle raged in Helmand province for several hours late Wednesday after police stormed a district on a tip-off that Taliban fighters had gathered there, interior ministry spokesman Yousuf Stanizai said. Thirteen police were killed, seven wounded and two missing after the hours-long fighting in Musa Qala district, Stanizai said in Kabul. "Around 40 Taliban were killed and they have left behind the bodies of 10," he said. "Five Taliban with a land cruiser vehicle were captured," he said, adding that five others were captured in a sweep after the battle. Separately, Afghan security forces backed by Canadian coalition troops fought Taliban fighters for most of the day Wednesday and into Thursday in neighbouring Kandahar province. A Canadian soldier Captain Nichola Goddard was killed in the battle Wednesday, becoming the first Canadian woman to die in combat since World War II. "Eighteen Taliban have been killed and 35 are detained," coalition spokesman Major Quentin Innis told AFP Thursday. British attack helicopters and Canadian artillery were called in to lend close air support. The operation was ongoing, Innis said. The battle was centred around Panjwayi district, about 24 kilometres west of Kandahar city. Stanizai put the number of captured Taliban at 45.(First updated @ 9:30 PST Updated @ 11:20 PST)
Gunmen kidnap 15 Iraqi athletes BAGHDAD, May 18 (APP/AFP) - Fifteen members of the Iraqi Tae Kwon Do team were kidnapped on Wednesday between Fallujah and Ramadi, west of Baghdad, as they returned by coach from Amman, Jamel Abdel Karim of the Iraq's Olympic Committee said. "The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of 100,000 dollars (80,000 euros) in return for their freedom," he added.(Posted @ 10:32 PST)
Pakistan's economy "a success story": says State Department WASHINGTON, May 18 (APP): Stating that Pakistan is an economic success story, Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher Wednesday said the country's economy is growing at 6-8 percent annually, despite continuing high oil prices and last year's devastating earthquake. "A high-standard Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) is now being negotiated," which, he hoped, would encourage boosting of economic relations. In a statement before the House InternationalRelations Committee, Boucher said: "we are also taking steps to increase private-sector trade and investment between our countries." "Pakistan's remarkable economic turnaround is attracting record levels of foreign investment. So is the pro-business reform program that prompted the World Bank to name Pakistan one of the top ten reforming economies of the world last year." He said "most of the American companies in Pakistan" currently have plans "to expand their operations in the near future." "Still, we think there is considerable scope to expand our bilateral economic ties further," he added. Toward that end, he said that both countries are negotiating "a high-standard Bilateral Investment Treaty, which we hope will encourage more US companies to take a second look at Pakistan, both as a booming market of 160 million people and also as a potential hub for regional trade and transportation."(Posted @ 10:30 PST)
Chinese Commerce Minister to visit Pakistan Friday BEIJING, May 18 (APP): Chinese Assistant Commerce Minister Fu Ziying will arrive Islamabad Friday to hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart, exploring new avenues of bilateral cooperation in the economic sector.(Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Saudi Minister warns against isolating Hamas WASHINGTON, May 18 (Reuters) - U.S.-led efforts to isolate the Hamas-led Palestinian government could radicalize the Arab world's most educated population while increased contact could foster peace with Israel, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said on Wednesday. Refusing to deal with Hamas and blocking pay for Palestinian doctors, teachers and engineers reflected a "twisted logic" that could alienate "the real supporters of the (Palestinian) peace movement," he told a small group of reporters invited to the Saudi Embassy in Washington.(Posted @ 10:10 PST)
13 Afghan police, 40 Taliban killed in clash KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, May 18 (Reuters/AFP) – Taliban insurgents attacked a town in the southern province of Helmand and 13 policemen and 40 Taliban were killed besides many injured in several hours of fighting. The Taliban attacked the town of Mosa Qala late on Wednesday and the fighting went on until early on Thursday, said the deputy governor, Amir Mohammad Akhundzada. "It was the biggest attack (in Helmand) since the fall of the Taliban," Akhundzada said. Hundreds of Taliban were involved, he said. British troops are in charge of security in the province but no foreign forces were involved in the battle, he said. Many shops in the town's market caught fire during the battle, he said.(First updated @ 9:30 PST Updated 10:00 PST)
US sailor killed in Iraq's restive Anbar province BAGHDAD, May 18 (AFP) - A US sailor was killed in Iraq's restive Al-Anbar province in the course of enemy action on Wednesday, the US military announced Thursday.(Posted @ 09:35 PST)
Brazil police kill 22 people suspected of backing violence SAO PAULO, May 18 (AFP) - Brazilian police have killed some 22 people in the past 24 hours who were suspected of taking part in gang attacks on the police, a Sao Paulo police chief said Wednesday on TV Globo. An explosion of gang violence claimed over 150 lives in South America's biggest city which witnessed gang launched attacks on police stations, banks and buses, and prison uprisings over the weekend.(Posted @ 09:35 PST)
Thirteen police killed in major Afghan battle KABUL, May 18 (AFP) - Thirteen policemen were killed and two were missing after a major battle in southern Afghanistan's Helmand district which is believed to have left around 40 Taliban rebels dead, police said Thursday.(Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Barcelona win Champions League PARIS, May 17, 2006 (AFP) - Barcelona won the Champions League after beating Arsenal 2-1 in the final at the Stade de France here on Wednesday.(Posted @ 09:25 PST)
Korean military talks resume amid low expectations SEOUL, May 18 (AFP) - South and North Korea launched a third day of high-level military talks Thursday, with both sides still refusing to discuss key issues including a disputed sea border and inter-Korean rail lines."There has been no change to the positions of each side," Colonel Moon Sung-Mook, the deputy head of the South's delegation, said ahead of the final day of talks at the border village of Panmunjom. Seoul is refusing to discuss the disputed Yellow Sea border and Pyongyang is unwilling to tackle the need for a military security guarantee that would pave the way for the resumption of cross-border rail links.(Posted @ 09:15 PST)
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