|
|
| May 24, 2006 | Wednesday | Rabi-us-Sani 25, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
No breakthrough in India, Pakistan talks on Siachen glacier NEW DELHI, May 24, 2006 (AFP) Talks between India and Pakistan on troop withdrawals from Siachen glacier have failed to achieve a breakthrough, India's defence minister said Wednesday. "In this round of discussions, we could not not make a breakthrough," Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters after the talks. The Pakistani side has not been "agreeing to the proposal for authentication of positions for quite some time," Mukherjee said.(Posted @ 13:30 PST)
Indian PM defends Kashmir peace talks as "serious" SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, May 24 (AFP) - A general strike, a boycott and more violence greeted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as he arrived here Wednesday, but he defended two days of peace talks here as a "serious initiative". Police said at least three civilians and two paramilitary troopers were wounded when a grenade was thrown in a residential area of Srinagar where the peace talks were scheduled for later in the day. Troops arrested Ali Geelani and Javed Mir to foil street protests, and barricaded intersections amid fears of further attacks by freedom fighters who have vowed to disrupt the premier's roundtable, a police spokesman said. Even the main moderate separatist alliance, the APHC,led by Mirwaiz, declared a boycott of the talks as did India's leading opposition, the nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. "This is a serious, well thought-out initiative to try and get to a meeting ground and this is not drama or a public spectacle," Singh's spokesman Sanjaya Baru told reporters.The talks were to begin in the afternoon and continue Thursday.(Posted @ 16:16 PST)
60 suspected Taliban, five security forces killed in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, May 24 (AFP) - Sixty suspected Taliban and five members of the Afghan security forces were killed in a major new clash in southern Afghanistan, a top Afghan army commander and police said Wednesday. The fighting erupted Tuesday after an Afghan army patrol came under attack in volatile Uruzgan province. "We launched a massive search and clean-up operation after the attack in which our troops spotted and killed 60 Taliban," said General Rahmatullah Raufi, who commands Afghan forces in the south. Four soldiers and a policeman were also killed. Three soldiers and three police were also wounded in the fighting near Tirin Kot, the provincial capital, Raufi said.(Posted @ 15:4 PST)
Palestinian security commander killed in Gaza car explosion GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, May 24, (AP) _ A Gaza security chief loyal to moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was killed Wednesday in an explosion in his car, the second attack on a top commander in less than a week. There was no claim of responsibility.(Posted @ 23:52 PST)
U.S. soldier killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 24, (AP) _ A U.S. Army soldier died when his patrol was attacked by small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades in Iraq, the military said Wednesday. The soldiers' convoy was conducting an anti-roadside-bomb operation south of Balad, which is 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Baghdad, when the attack occurred Tuesday, the U.S. command said.(Posted @ 23:46 PST)
US vows no direct talks unless Iran suspends nuclear activities WASHINGTON, May 24, 2006 (AFP) - The White House on Wednesday vowed there would be no direct negotiations with Iran unless it suspends its uranium enrichment program. "Iran has to take that fundamental step when it comes to enriching and reprocessing uranium -- they've got to suspend all activities," White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters.(Posted @ 23:40 PST)
Algeria's premier resigns; President turns to ally for new government ALGIERS, Algeria, May 24, (AP) _ Algeria's prime minister resigned Wednesday, prompting President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to ask an ally to form a new government, the president's office said. The brief statement did not give a reason for Ahmed Ouyahia's resignation. It said the premier tendered his resignation, and that Bouteflika accepted it and then asked the head of the ruling party, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, to form a new government. (Posted @ 22:48 PST)
Olmert says Israel ready for peace but seeks Palestinian negotiating partner WASHINGTON, May 24 (AP) _ Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday that Israel would be a ``willing partner in peace'' with the Palestinians, but would draw its own borders in the West Bank should it conclude it has no negotiating partner. ``We cannot wait for the Palestinians forever,'' Olmert said in remarks prepared for delivery on the floor of the House of Representatives.(Posted @ 20:54 PST)
Political activist killed, 24 wounded in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, May 24 (AFP) - Suspected militants shot dead a political activist and wounded 24 people in four grenade attacks in occupied Kashmir Wednesday as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held a first round of talks with regional politicians, police said. Khazir Beg, 60, a pro-India People's Democratic Forum activist, died in Budgam distrct, police said. Sixteen civilians, three paramilitary soldiers and four policemen were wounded in three grenade attacks in Srinagar where the attack took place near a police station, while a paramilitary officer was hurt in a separate grenade attack in Anantnag district. "The grenade was aimed at a moving army convoy which missed the target and hit the officer" who was patrolling the highway, an army spokesman said. (First Posted @ 17:25 PST Updated @ 20:50 PST)
Three hurt in cargo area fire at Istanbul airport ISTANBUL, May 24 (Reuters) - A large fire broke out in a cargo area of Istanbul's Ataturk Airport on Wednesday, injuring three people but not causing any air traffic delays, officials said. "There are no delays in air traffic, takeoffs and landings are continuing," airport director Irfan Balta said. Turkish NTV reported the transport ministry as saying the fire had been brought under control, but there was no official word on the cause of the blaze, though the Dogan news agency said it may have been caused by an electricity short circuit. The cargo area is about 1,000 metres from the main passenger area of the airport. (First Posted @ 17:52 PST Updated @ 19:12 PST)
Saddam nephew arrested in Beirut: Iraqi government BAGHDAD, May 24, 2006 (AFP) - Bashar Sabawi, a nephew of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, has been arrested in Beirut on suspicion of crimes against the Iraqi people after contacts through Interpol, the Iraqi government said Wednesday. "Bashar Sabawi is at the top of a list of those wanted for their crimes against the Iraqi people during and after the fall of the dictator," the government statement said. Bashar's brother Ayman, also accused of being involved in the insurgency, was arrested a year ago, during an operation in Saddam's hometown of Tikrit.(Posted @ 19:02 PST)
Three Palestinians killed during Israeli raid on Ramallah RAMALLAH, West Bank, May 24 (AFP) - Three Palestinians were killed on Wednesday during an Israeli army incursion into the centre of the West Bank city of Ramallah, medical and security sources said. Around 30 other people were wounded in the operation which resulted in the arrest of a senior member of Islamic Jihad group, Mohammed al-Shubaki, Jihad commander in Qalqilya area of northern West Bank. More than a dozen armored vehicles took part in the incursion into the centre of Ramallah which serves as the political headquarters of the Palestinian Authority, witnesses and security sources said.(Posted @ 18:45 PST)
Plane carrying British ambassador catches fire in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, May 24 (AFP) - A military plane carrying the British ambassador caught fire on landing in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, Wednesday but all passengers on board evacuated safely, officials said. Flames engulfed the wheels of the British C-130 Hercules just after it touched down. British ambassador Stephen Evans was on the plane but was unhurt, a British embassy spokesman said. "At this time there is no indication as to what caused the incident," a British military statement said. A witness told AFP the fire spread from the tyres to the engine and eventually engulfed the whole plane, leaving the aircraft gutted except for the tail. "We could see people jumping out of the emergency doors and windows. It seems that nobody was left in the plane." he added. (First Posted @ 16:44 PST Updated @ 18:34 PST)
Farooq sees round-table an Indian attempt to divide Kashmiris ISLAMABAD, May 24 (APP): Chairman, All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Mir Waiz Omer Farooq said Wednesday that round-table conference appears to be an Indian conspiracy and attempt to divide the Kashmiris. In a telephonic interview with PTV he said APHC is supportive of all efforts which lead toward the solution of longstanding Kashmir dispute but the round-table conference holds no such character. Talks for the sake of talks is just a time wasting endeavor which would bring about no change in the on-ground conditions in occupied Kashmir, he said noting that today (Wednesday) when the conference is taking place, Srinagar gives a deserted outlook and people are locked in their houses in a state of fear and disappointment. He said the round-table conference would have been a significant move had it been attended by the APHC leadership from both the sides of the Line of Control and Pakistan. The basic issue is between New Delhi and pro-movement Kashmiri leadership, and Pakistan is an essential partner in the issue of Kashmir. So, trilateral dialogue is the only way to seek ways and means for the solution of decades old dispute, he observed.(Posted @ 18:15 PST)
Iranian minister visits Pakistan as world powers meet ISLAMABAD, May 24 (Reuters) - Iran's foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for two days of talks amidst media speculations that he could ask Pakistan to act as a conduit for some kind of approach to the United States to defuse the row. Mottaki will be joined in Islamabad on Thursday by Vice President Parviz Davoudi, and together they will meet President Pervez Musharraf, who is regarded as one of the United States' staunchest allies in the Islamic world. Mottaki was due to see Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz first on Wednesday evening, and Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri the morning after. Attending a joint ministerial meeting on Wednesday, Mottaki stuck to the economic agenda. "We have enormous capacity and capability to enhance the cooperation between the two countries," said the Iranian minister. The row over Iran's nuclear programme was bound to figure in talks, however. "Naturally that issue will come up for discussion," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said.(Posted @ 17:50 PST)
Pakistan detains six Afghans including intelligence agent QUETTA, Pakistan, May 24 (AFP) - Pakistan has arrested six Afghans including an intelligence official and two politicians for suspected involvement in the unrest in its southwestern region, officials said Wednesday. The Afghans were captured in a raid on a refugee camp near Loralai district in Baluchistan province on Tuesday, they said. Four Afghans were found in the home of an Afghan refugee, they said adding that Afghan officials who came from Kandahar province were arrested along with their two Afghan refugee hosts. "On secret information, Frontier Corps along with some intelligence agency officials raided Killi Karaiz refugee camp near Loralai and arrested six Afghans", a senior paramilitary officer said. A large quantity of Afghan currency and US dollars were also recovered from them, he said. Loralai police chief Arif Akram confirmed the arrest but gave no details. (First Posted @ 11:25 PST Updated @ 16:18 PST)
Bin Laden says Moussaoui not involved in 9/11: audio tape PARIS, May 24 (AFP) - Osama bin Laden said convicted Frenchman Zacarias Moussaoui falsely confessed to being a September 11 plotter, according to an audio recording Tuesday which has yet to be authenticated. "I am responsible for assigning the roles of the 19 brothers to conduct these conquests and I did not order Zacarias to be with those on this mission," said speaker, who claimed to be the Al Qaeda leader. "His confession that he was assigned to participate in those raids is a false confession," said the recording on the As-Sahab Internet site, frequently used by Al Qaeda. "No intelligent person doubts (the confession) is a result of the pressure put upon him for the past four and a half years," the message continued.(Posted @ 15:50
Strike hits crude oil production in India's northeast Assam state GUWAHATI, India, May 24 (AFP) - Crude oil output in India's northeast Assam state was hit for a second day Wednesday after violent protests by contract workers who set ablaze three drilling rigs overnight, officials said.Officials were trying to hold negotiations with striking workers, particularly after clashes Monday between strikers and police wounded at least 70 people including a dozen policemen and a magistrate.(Posted @ 15:35 PST)
Ex-Pakistani PM faces Swiss money-laundering charges GENEVA, May 24 (AFP) - Pakistan's former prime minister Benazir Bhutto faced a new round of questioning on Wednesday by a Swiss magistrate who is investigating claims that she laundered millions of dollars in bribes. "It's just a routine hearing," said Bhutto's lawyer Alec Reymond before the meeting with investigating magistrate Vincent Fournier in Geneva, adding that there had been no new developments in the case. Bhutto has been under investigation in Switzerland since 1997. Her husband Asif Ali Zardari has also been charged. However, as at previous hearings, his lawyers said he was unable to attend Wednesday's session because of ill health.(Posted @ 15:20 PST)
India announce Test team for West Indies MUMBAI, May 24 (AFP) - Indian selectors Wednesday announced a 16-member squad for the four-match Test series in the West Indies from June 2 starting with the first match at Antigua. The squad: Rahul Dravid (capt), Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Venkatsai Laxman, Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Dhoni, Dinesh Karthick, Ramesh Powar, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Irfan Pathan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Vikram Rajvir Singh, Munaf Patel.(Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Up to 30 civilians killed in coalition strike: Afghan rights group KANDAHAR, May 24 (AFP) - Afghanistan's main human rights group said Wednesday it had been told by witnesses and villagers that between 25 and 30 civilians were killed in a major coalition strike that started in Kandahar province's Panjwayi district late Sunday. "We have not been able to send our envoys to the area to find out independent toll due to security concerns," the head of the commission's Kandahar branch, Abdul Qadier Noorzai, told AFP. "But the information we have got from villagers and witnesses indicates that between 25 to 30 civilians were killed in the coalition strike in Panjwayi district," he said.(Posted @ 15:15 PST)
Pakistan court halts state steel company sell-off KARACHI, May 24(AFP) - Pakistan's Supreme Court has frozen the sale of state-run Pakistani Steel Mills, the country's largest steel maker, to a group of Russian, Saudi and Pakistani firms, officials said.Unions petitioned the Supreme Court to halt the privatisation on the grounds that it was unconstitutional and that the 362-million-dollar price paid by the consortium was too low. "The court has adjourned the hearing till May 30 and asked the privatisation commission to stop proceeding with regard to the deal till June 15," an official at Pakistan attorney general's office said. "The court has also ordered the commission to submit written replies to the objections which the petitioners had filed," the official said.(Posted @ 15:15 PST)
Latest China mine disaster kills eight, more trapped BEIJING, May 24 (Reuters) A gas explosion at a Chinese coal mine has killed eight miners and trapped an unknown number in the northern province of Henan, official media reported on Wednesday. The owner of the unlicensed mine and some of his officials had fled, Xinhua news agency said, making it difficult to estimate the number trapped underground.(Posted @ 13:10 PST)
Saddam trial resumes BAGHDAD, May 24 (Reuters) The trial of Saddam Hussein and seven others charged with crimes against humanity resumed in Baghdad on Wednesday, with former Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz taking the stand for the ousted president.(Posted @ 13:05 PST)
Gunmen kill Baghdad police general BAGHDAD, May 24 (Reuters) Gunmen shot dead a Baghdad police general on his way to work on Wednesday, a city official said. General Ahmed Dawod was the deputy chief of Baghdad municipality's protection units.(Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Gaza gunmen kill one Hamas member, wound four GAZA, May 24 (Reuters) Gunmen in Gaza shot and killed one Hamas member and wounded four others from the group on Wednesday in renewed violence. No group claimed responsibility for the shootings. Hamas sources said three unarmed Hamas members were kidnapped at dawn in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. They were later dumped on a street with gunshot wounds in their legs. Medics said one of the wounded men later died.(First Posted @ 11:25 PST Updated @ 13:00 PST)
British police arrest eight in anti-terror raids LONDON, May 24 (Reuters) British police arrested eight people on Wednesday in a major anti-terror operation involving 500 officers across the country. "An extensive operation targeting individuals suspected of facilitating terrorism abroad is under way," a spokesman for police in Manchester, northern England, said.(Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Congo arrests 30 foreigners in suspected coup plot KINSHASA, May 24 (Reuters) The Democratic Republic of Congo said on Wednesday it had arrested 30 foreigners, including Nigerians, Americans and South Africans, in a suspected coup plot ahead of elections set for July 30.(Posted @ 12:45 PST)
Bomb targets Baghdad workers BAGHDAD, May 24 (Reuters) A bomb exploded close to a crowd of Iraqi workers gathered to seek day labouring jobs in Baghdad on Wednesday, causing an as yet unknown number of casualties, police sources said.(Posted @ 11:25 PST)
North Korea's military cancels inter-Korean train test-runs SEOUL, May 24, 2006 (AFP) Plans to test-run trains on two inter-Korean railways were called off Wednesday by North Korea's military, a day before the trips were scheduled to take place, officials said. "North Korea informed our side about this cancellation. We will announce our position on the North Korean move soon," said a spokeswoman for the South Korean unification ministry. No reason was given for the cancellation, she said.(Posted @ 09:20 PST)
Four Russian soldiers killed, three injured in Chechnya MOSCOW, May 24, 2006 (AFP) Four Russian soldiers were killed and three others injured in a clash with freedom fighters in Chechnya, an interior ministry source said Wednesday.(Posted @ 09:20 PST)
Iran wants direct talks with US over nuclear program: report WASHINGTON, May 23, 2006 (AFP)Iran has requested through intermediaries direct talks with Washington over its nuclear program, the Washington Post reported Wednesday, citing US officials, Iranian analysts and foreign diplomats. Senior Iranian officials have asked "a multitude of intermediaries" to send the word to Washington that it is open for direct talks, the Post reported. The newspaper cites as sources Saeed Laylaz, a former Iranian government official and prominent analyst in Tehran, as well as several unnamed diplomats.(Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 184.30 points: KARACHI, May 24:At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 11116.88 , up 184.30 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, May 24: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.5 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Editor: Tahir Mirza
The DAWN Group of Newspapers
Haroon House, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Karachi 74200, Pakistan.
Phone:+92 (21) 111-444-777 Fax: +92 (21) 569-3995
webmaster@dawn.com
Make sure to reload these pages so you're viewing the current version.
|
|
|
Contributions |