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| June 07, 2006 | Wednesday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 10, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Nine world class engineering varsities by 2008: President TOPI, Pakistan, June 7 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf said Wednesday Pakistan has made remarkable upsurge in economic development over the last few years and to sustain high economic growth the government has greatly enhanced spending on higher education for human resource development. Addressing the 10th convocation of G.I.K. Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology he said: "We have to do a lot of work to produce highly qualified manpower and will seek assistance of the foreign countries towards this end." He said nine world class science and technology universities would become functional by 2008 with the assistance of Italy, South Korea, Japan, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria and Japan. He said the government would take care of the external debt liability of the GIKI for the next four years and also announced Rs.50 million for the institute besides doubling the cash award for the gold medalists. The president conferred degrees on 196 BS graduates, 40 MS graduates and five Ph.D scholars.(Posted @ 20:14 PST)
Pakistan gives 3 million dollars 'to alleviate Palestinian suffering' ISLAMABAD, June 7 (AFP) - Pakistan pledged Wednesday to donate three million dollars to the Palestinian Authority which is facing a financial crisis after a western aid freeze to its Hamas-led government. The gift was announced by Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri during a meeting with the visiting Palestinian foreign minister Mahmoud Al-Zahar, a foreign ministry statement said. The statement quoted Kasuri as saying that "Pakistan remains steadfast in its support to the Palestinian cause." He called for "complete withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Arab territories and the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state."(Posted @ 18:44 PST)
PM reiterates support to Palestinian cause ISLAMABAD, June 07 (PPI) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for the just cause of the Palestinian people during talks with the visiting Palestinian Foreign Minister, Mr. Mahmoud al-Zahar, who called on him Wednesday. Palestinian Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to Pakistan for its consistent support to the Palestine. He also thanked Pakistan for the offer to build Palestinian embassy in Islamabad. Mahmoud Zahar arrived earlier in the day on two-day visit, and is likely to call on President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. (First Posted @ 11:35 PST Updated @ 20:44 PST)
Ali Shah Geelani arrested, remanded in judicial custody till June 29 NEW DELHI, June 7 (APP): Senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was Wednesday arrested in connection with pending cases relating to "inciting communalism and working against the country" and remanded in judicial custody for three weeks. Ali Shah Geelani, who was scheduled to address a congregation at Mandi, Surankote and Mendhar towns, was taken into custody in the outskirts of Poonch town, Press Trust of India reported. He was later produced in a court in Poonch in connection with three pending cases of "inciting communalism, fundamentalism and working against the country," and was given in judicial custody till June 29, the next hearing date, PTI report said. Geelani was being shifted to Jammu Central Jail on the direction of the court on medical grounds.(Posted @ 19:52 PST)
British parliament closed to public after anthrax alert LONDON, June 7, 2006 (AFP) - The British parliament was closed to the public Wednesday afternoon due to an anthrax-related security alert, but lawmakers continued their work, media reports said. Sky News reported that a man had been arrested after the discovery of a powder which he described as anthrax. (Posted @ 23:24 PST)
Four Iraqi oil employees kidnapped-police sources BAGHDAD, June 7 (Reuters) - Four Iraqi oil employees were kidnapped on Tuesday on their way back from checking on an oilfield near the northern oil hub of Kirkuk, police and industry sources said on Wednesday. No group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Star-studded parade of former World Cup winners at FIFA Congress MUNICH, June 7, 2006 (AFP) - More than 100 World Cup winners provided a trip down memory lane on the opening day of football governing body FIFA's international congress here on Wednesday. Alcides Ghiggia and Juan Carlos Gonzalez Ortiz, two members of the Uruguay team that beat Brazil in the 1950 final in Rio de Janeiro, were the oldest surviving former players to be presented on stage to delegates at the FIFA Congress. They were followed by winners from every one of the World Cups since, including Jack Charlton from England's victorious 1966 team and Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto from Brazil's celebrated 1970 team. The former champions will be part of a 170-strong group of former World Cup winners, including Pele and Diego Maradona, at Friday's opening ceremony in Munich ahead of the opening game between Germany and Costa Rica. The serious business of the two-day congress takes place on Thursday.(Posted @ 20:52 PST)
Princess of Desert Marvi Passenger Train steamed off MIRPURKHAS, June 7 (APP): Pakistan Railways Wednesday introduced the Princess of Desert Marvi passenger train between Mirpurkhas and Khokhrapar. Sindh Chief Minister Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Railways Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed where among thousands of people who attended the ceremony. The train having nine economy class wagons will run daily from Mirpurkhas Junction at 1530 hours and reach Khokhrapar at 2130 hours, covering 134 kilometers distance in six hours. The return journey from Khokhrapar would begin at 0530 hours, reaching Mirpurkhas Junction at 1130 hours, with stoppages at Jamrao, Abdullahabad, Balochabad, Shadi Palli, Pithoro, Heeral, Dhoronaro, Badhar, Seesar, Samrasar, Chore, New Chore, Parchi-ji-Veri, Jalo-jp-Chawero, Veera Wah and Bhatal railway stations. One-way fare is Rs 55.(Posted @ 20:40 PST)
28 people killed Tanzania lorry accident DAR ES SALAAM, June 7 (Reuters) - Twenty eight people were killed and 12 others seriously injured when a truck they were travelling in overturned in northwestern Tanzania, a police official said Wednesday. The seven-tonne vehicle was laden with fish, which its more than 50 occupants were ferrying to Kigoma region, northwest of Dar es Salaam, from a town on the shores of Lake Victoria.(Posted @ 19:40 PST)
Cricket-Injured Shoaib out of initial Pakistan squad KARACHI, June 7 (Reuters) - Pakistan's injured fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will not initially be considered for next month's tour of England after being told to rest his injured ankle for three weeks. "Since he has been advised three weeks rest for his swollen ankle and is not bowling, he will not be considered immediately for the tour," Pakistan Cricket Board director Saleem Altaf said on Wednesday. "He has to start bowling first and be passed fit and he can join the team later on," he said.(Posted @ 19:36 PST)
Afghan suicide bomber dies in botched attack on Turkish company KABUL, June 7 (AFP) - A suspected Taliban suicide bomber was killed when the explosives strapped to his body detonated prematurely at the offices of a Turkish construction company in Andar district of Ghazni province on Wednesday, officials said. The bomber was trying to enter the company office but the explosives went off when he was in the car parking area, police director Abdul Wakeel Kamiab said. "The explosion did not cause any casualties or damage to the property," he said. In another incident a suspected Taliban rebel was killed while planting a landmine in a sports ground in Sharan, the capital of Paktika Province, Ghamay Khan Mohammadyar, secretary to the provincial governor said. Security officials said two Taliban insurgents were also killed, nine wounded, and one arrested in an operation near Ghazni city in a village called Madrasa," army general Akram Samai said.(Posted @ 18:55 PST)
Two police officers, civilian killed in Baghdad BAGHDAD, June 7 (APP/AFP) - Two police officers, a major and a colonel, were killed and two other policemen wounded when gunmen attacked their vehicle in east Baghdad, the official said. The civilian was killed when a mortar landed on a house in Baghdad's eastern Al-Baladiyat neighborhood. Two others were wounded in the mortar attack.(Posted @ 17:28 PST)
Concession in train fare announced LAHORE June 7 (APP): Pakistan Railways Wednesday announced a concession in train fares under 'fuel adjustment' programme for travel in Economy Class only, and effective Sunday, June 11. Passengers travelling a distance up to 1250 km will be offered 5 percent discount while those travelling to a destination more than 1250 km will be eligible for 8 percent concession, says a press release.(Posted @ 16:40 PST)
Six killed, 30 injured as coach skids off bridge KHANEWAL, June 7 (APP): Six people were killed on the spot and 30 injured when a passenger coach skidded off a bridge near Abdul Hakim area on Tuesday night. The accident occurred when the tie-rod of the coach broke down .(Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Bus collides with sports vehicle, killing 5 tourists in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, (AP) _ A bus rammed into a sports car on a busy highway near Sangam in occupied Kashmir on Wednesday, killing five Indian tourists and injuring another three, police said. They were returning to their homes in Maharashtra state after a vacation.(Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Italian Foreign Minister says troops will leave by end of year BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ Italy announced its intention Wednesday to pull out all its troops by the end of the year. Italy has 2,700 troops based in Nasiriyah, about 320 kilometers southeast of Baghdad, and has already said it plans to pull out 1,600 of them this month.(Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Roadside bomb in Pakistani tribal region wounds 1 soldier, 1 civilian MIRAN SHAH, June 7 (AP) _ A bomb exploded Wednesday near an army convoy in northwestern Pakistan, wounding a soldier and one civilian, an intelligence official said. The bomb went off near a road bridge on the outskirts of Miran Shah, the main town in North Waziristan tribal region, the official said. A convoy of army trucks was approaching when the explosion occurred near one end of the bridge, damaging one vehicle, the official said. The blast also tossed a rickshaw off the bridge, wounding its driver.(Posted @ 16:10 PST)
2 U.S., 3 Afghan soldiers killed by roadside bombs KABUL, June 7 (AP) _ A roadside bomb hit a convoy of Afghan soldiers in Kunar province, killing three and wounding four, the Defence Ministry said Wednesday, while the U.S.-led coalition confirmed that two soldiers killed by a roadside bomb were U.S. troops. Elsewhere, the coalition reported the deaths of 17 suspected militants in three operations conducted Sunday and Monday in Uruzgan province. Two coalition soldiers were wounded in one of the battles. In Zabul province, Afghan and coalition troops killed two militants and captured seven, and in Paktika province killed two militants.(Posted @ 15:55 PST)
250 Afghans arrested after riot KABUL, June 7 (AP) _ More than 250 Afghans were arrested after the riot in Kabul last week, and 141 are still in custody, Afghanistan's intelligence chief said Wednesday. Amrullah Saleh said 52 people have confessed to crimes committed during the May 29 riot, which were sparked by a deadly crash involving a U.S. military vehicle.(Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Russia warns of 'colossal' impact if NATO takes in Ukraine, Georgia MOSCOW, June 7 (AFP) - Russia warned Wednesday against NATO taking in the ex-Soviet republics of Ukraine and Georgia, saying such a colossal geopolitical shift would threaten relations."Membership in NATO for countries like Ukraine or Georgia would mean a colossal geopolitical shift," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during questioning in the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament.(Posted @ 15:35 PST)
UN sanctions only possible if Iran breaks nuclear treaty: Russia MOSCOW, June 7 (AFP) - Russia will only back UN sanctions against Iran if the Islamic republic breaks its obligations under the NPT, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. "Any measures that could be supported by Russia in the Security Council can only be in situations when Iran starts to act in contradiction to its obligations under the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty," Lavrov was quoted as saying. Currently "there is no discussion of sanctions against Iran in the Security Council," Lavrov told Russia's lower house of parliament. The Russian minister also said that the offer of multilateral talks with Iran by the international community was dependent both on the Islamic republic halting sensitive uranium enrichment work and the UN Security Council suspending discussion of Iran. "During the period of negotiations, enrichment work will be stopped along with any discussion in the UN Security Council on any resolution that could be proposed on this question," Lavrov said.(Posted @ 15:30 PST)
Mahathir says US policy in Iraq, Iran prelude to fourth World War PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday accused the United States of leading the world into another global conflict in which nuclear weapons could be used. Mahathir said the U.S.-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and Washington's threats to attack Iran over its nuclear program were tantamount to a ``fourth World War.'' He described the Cold War as the third World War. ``Maybe this is an alarmist view ... but the fourth World War is already on and unless something is done, it will spread from Iraq and Afghanistan to Iran and beyond,'' said Mahathir.(Posted @ 14:20 PST)
Forensic experts discover new mass grave in Bosnia SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) Forensic experts who excavated a mass grave in eastern Bosnia have recovered the remains of 43 Muslims killed by Serb forces at the beginning of Bosnia's 1992-95 war, the head of the team said Wednesday. The exhumations from a mass grave in the northeastern Bosnian village of Buk Bijela were completed on Tuesday afternoon and ``we found 43 bodies,'' the head of the team said. ``All bodies will be analyzed and DNA samples will be taken. Only then we will know the age and sex of the victims as well as the exact cause of death,'' the official added. He added that all the victims had their hands tied behind their backs which indicate that they were executed. The bodies were found in a tunnel that was used before the war for soil porosity examination. After killing the Muslim men from the town of Foca, the Serb military forces planted mines in the tunnel to bury the entrance, the official said.(Posted @ 14:20 PST)
Five killed in Sri Lanka's northeast, 14 wounded COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) At least five people were killed and 14 wounded in a land mine explosion in areas under the control of Sri Lanka Tamil Tiger rebels in the northeast Wednesday. A pro-rebel Web-site blamed the military for the attack. There was no independent confirmation of the report. A military spokesman denied government troop involvement in the incident.(Posted @ 14:15 PST)
Two Russian soldiers killed, five wounded in Chechnya clashes ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia (AP) Two Russian soldiers were killed and five others wounded in clashes in Chechnya, officials said Wednesday. Gunmen opened fire on a Defense Ministry checkpoint in the regional capital, Grozny, severely wounding two servicemen, the Russian Interior Ministry said in a statement. Also Tuesday in the mountainous Nozhai-Yurt region in southeastern Chechnya, a group of fighters attacked an army unit. Two soldiers were killed and three others were wounded, the ministry said. After both attacks, the gunmen managed to escape.(Posted @ 14:10 PST)
Iran offered possibility of enriching uranium: report WASHINGTON, June 7, 2006 (AFP) The United States and Europe have offered Iran the possibility of carrying out uranium enrichment activities in its territory if it meets certain stringent conditions, The Washington Post said Wednesday. Contained in the "carrots and sticks" package presented to Iran on Tuesday by the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, the proposal says that Iran has to satisfy International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and the UN Security Council, European and US officials told the daily.(Posted @ 14:05 PST)
US weapon plans threaten missile proliferation: Russia MOSCOW, June 7, 2006 (AFP) US plans to develop low-yield nuclear weapons and to use ballistic missiles for carrying conventional warheads are threatening the world's nuclear non-proliferation regime, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov charged Wednesday. Lavrov said Russia was also concerned by US plans to deploy a network of anti-missile defence systems in central Europe. "There is a danger here for the stealth deployment of ballistic weapons not far from Russia's border," he was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS news agency. Lavrov accused Washington of backtracking on disarmament efforts, saying that the United States was trying "not only to remove the question of disarmament from the world agenda, but also from the public view," ITAR-TASS reported.(Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Iran offer is negotiable if enrichment stops: Merkel BERLIN, June 7 (Reuters) The terms of an offer of incentives delivered to Iran this week to end a dispute over its nuclear programme can be negotiated but only if Tehran suspends its nuclear enrichment activities first, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters Wednesday before a meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana. "It is a broad and comprehensive offer. I believe it is a huge chance and I hope that we'll do a bit of negotiating," she added.(Posted @ 14:00 PST)
14 Euro states colluded with US on prisons: European watchdog PARIS, June 7 (Reuters) Fourteen European countries colluded in a "global spider's web" of secret CIA prisons and transfers of terrorism suspects, a European rights watchdog said on Wednesday. European states played an active or passive role in operations run by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and were not merely unwitting victims of the operation, the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe said in a report on its Web site. The report named the following states: Poland and Romania on the running of secret detention centres; Germany, Turkey, Spain and Cyprus for being "staging points" for flights involving the unlawful transfer of detainees; Ireland, Britain, Portugal, Greece and Italy for being "stopovers" for flights involving the unlawful transfer of detainees; Sweden, Bosnia, Britain, the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, Germany and Turkey were cited in relation to cases involving specific individuals.(Posted @ 14:55 PST)
Nigeria militants kill five soldiers in attack LAGOS, June 7 (Reuters) A Nigerian militant group said on Wednesday it had killed at least five soldiers in a night-time attack on an oil facility operated by Shell during which it also kidnapped five South Korean contractors. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) threatened more attacks on crucial oil facilities in the next few weeks.(First Posted @ 11:00 PST Updated @ 13:45 PST)
More than 590 prisoners freed in Iraq BAGHDAD, June 7 (Reuters) About 594 prisoners were released in Iraq on Wednesday, state television reported, a day after new Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said a total of 2,500 would be freed to help foster national reconciliation. More than 100 of them were freed in the capital, a reporter said. State television, citing the Justice Ministry, said 594 had been freed across the country. Officials at the ministry could not immediately be reached for comment.(First Posted @ 11:45 PST Updated @ 13:45 PST)
Hundred hurt in Bangladesh protest over accident RAJSHAHI, Bangladesh, June 7 (Reuters) - Nearly 100 people were injured in clashes with police in northern Bangladesh on Wednesday sparked by a road accident in which four people were killed, police and witnesses said.(Posted @ 11:40 PST)
Gunmen kill four Iraqi policemen in Baghdad-police BAGHDAD, June 7 (Reuters) - Gunmen in a car shot dead four policemen and wounded another in an attack on their patrol in Baghdad on Wednesday, police sources said. They said the drive-by shooting took place in the capital's western Mansour district.(Posted @ 11:10 PST)
US soldier killed in Baghdad BAGHDAD, June 7, 2006 (AFP) - The US military announced Wednesday the death of a soldier in a roadside bombing in Baghdad. The incident occurred when the soldier's convoy was hit by the bomb on Monday evening. The latest fatality brings the US death toll in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion to 2,477, according to an AFP count based on Pentagon figures. (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 329.50 points: KARACHI, June 7: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 10202.36, down 329.50 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, June 7: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.5 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14.20 PST)
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