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| June 13, 2006 | Tuesday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 16, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Two German soldiers injured in Afghanistan BERLIN, June 13, 2006 (AFP) - Two German soldiers were injured in an attack in Afghanistan on Tuesday, the German defence ministry said. The ministry said the soldiers came under attack while they were on patrol in Faisabad in northeastern Afghanistan. One was seriously injured and another lightly wounded. In a second attack on a German patrol in Kunduz province, a military vehicle was damaged in an explosion, the ministry said.(Posted @ 23:00 PST)
One in three sick babies dying in Gaza: UNICEF GENEVA, June 13 (Reuters) One in three sick Palestinian newborns are dying in Gaza hospitals due to poor care and lack of basic medicines, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday. The agency said it was nearly tripling its appeal for the occupied territories to $22.7 million from the previous $8.4 million as the Palestinian Authority was unable to provide essential health and education services. The United States and the European Union have cut aid and Israel has suspended tax revenue transfers to the Hamas-led government.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Pakistan arrests six militants for sectarian killings MULTAN, Pakistan, June 13 (Reuters) Pakistani police have arrested six members of the outlawed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi militant group accused of masterminding attacks on Shi'ite Muslims, police said on Tuesday. The militants were arrested last week in a raid about 30 km from Multan city in Punjab province, police said in a statement. "They were the planners of all suicide bombings and killings of renowned Shi'ite personalities carried out at various religious gatherings," police said, referring to attacks in various town in Punjab last year.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Bangladesh strike turns violent; 100 hurt DHAKA, June 13 (Reuters) Almost 100 people were wounded in Bangladesh on Tuesday and transport and businesses were largely paralysed as opposition activists fought police at the start of a two-day strike for electoral reforms. An opposition alliance led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina called the strike to try to force the government to accept demands for electoral reform ahead of next January's parliamentary election. The clashes occurred in Dhaka, nearby Narayanganj and northern Sirajganj, where police used batons and tear gas to disperse rock-throwing activists, witnesses said. Police detained more than 150 activists across the country. Protesters set fire to seven vehicles, including a police car and three goods trucks, in Dhaka and its suburbs, police said. The strikers also attacked and damaged two railway stations in northern Bangladesh disrupting movement of trains. Inter-district buses were off the road, but river ferries operated with fewer than normal loads, witnesses said. Several domestic and international flights were cancelled or delayed, airport officials said. Bangladesh's two stock exchanges in Dhaka and Chittagong were closed.(First Updated @ 15:06 PST Updated @ 20:45 PST)
Saddam trial wraps up defence case BAGHDAD, June 13 (Reuters) Defence lawyers for Saddam Hussein and seven co-accused of crimes against humanity wrapped up their case on Tuesday and the court said it will hear final statements within a month before it reaches a verdict. Chief Judge Raouf Abdel Rahman said the prosecution team will make its closing statements on June 19 and the defence team will deliver its final remarks on July 10. Earlier the judge barred the half-brother of Saddam,co-accused Barzan al-Tikriti, from attending the court session. (First Posted @ 13:22 PST Updated @ 20:45 PST)
EU lawmakers add voice to calls to shut Guantanamo STRASBOURG, France, June 13 (Reuters) European Parliament deputies demanded on Tuesday the United States close its prison camp at Guantanamo Bay. "The European Parliament ... reiterates its call on the U.S. Administration to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and insists that every prisoner should be treated in accordance with international humanitarian law," the EU assembly said. The European Parliament also said U.S. authorities should refrain from interrogation techniques such as the use of sexual humiliation and the mock drowning technique known as "water boarding".(Posted @ 20:40 PST)
US insists on right to develop arms for outer space GENEVA, June 13 (Reuters) The United States on Tuesday reasserted its right to develop weapons for use in outer space to protect its military and commercial satellites and ruled out any global negotiations on a new treaty to limit them.In a speech to the Conference on Disarmament, a senior U.S. State Department arms control official insisted that such weapons systems would be purely defensive. Washington sees no need for negotiations to prevent an arms race in space as a 40-year-old international treaty banning weapons of mass destruction in space remains adequate, he said.(Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Nepal frees Maoist rebels as fresh talks expected KATHMANDU, June 13 (Reuters) Nepal's new government freed dozens of jailed Maoist rebels on Tuesday, keeping a pledge made to the guerrillas ahead of last month's resumption of peace talks that aim to end a revolt that has killed thousands of people. At least 60 rebels were freed from a jail on the outskirts of the capital, Kathmandu, a day after officials dropped terrorism charges against them. Officials said on Tuesday that release orders had been issued for about another 290 Maoists, who would be freed after completing the necessary legal formalities.(Posted @ 20:40 PST)
40 people killed in accident in northern India LUCKNOW, India, June 13, 2006 (AFP) At least 40 people travelling on a truck were killed Tuesday when it fell down a gorge in the tiny northern state of Uttaranchal, officials said. The accident occurred when the truck driver lost control while negotiating a sharp curve in the hilly district of Almorah, some 350 kilometres from the city of Lucknow, police said. Some 60 to 65 people were on board the truck, an official said, adding that the death toll could rise further.(Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Bush pledges support for Iraqi government BAGHDAD, June 13 (Reuters) U.S. President George W. Bush pledged U.S. backing for Iraq's new government on Tuesday. Bush spoke during a meeting with Iraqi Cabinet ministers gathered at the U.S. Embassy during a surprise visit by the president to Baghdad. Bush told Maliki, "I have come to not only look you in the eye, I've also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it keeps its word." He said it was in U.S. interest that Iraq succeed and that he was impressed by what he had seen of Maliki and his unity government.(First Posted @ 18:45 PST updated 20:30 PST)
Strike over mosque desecration shuts Kashmir city SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, June 13 (Reuters) Shops and businesses were closed in occupied Kashmir's main city on Tuesday following a strike called by separatists to protest against what they said was the desecration of a holy Quran and a mosque by Indian soldiers. Streets in Srinagar were deserted after the All Parties Hurriyat Conference called for a shutdown. Officials in Kupwara have imposed a curfew. "The behaviour of Indian troops is contradictory to the recent statement of Indian Prime Minister who assured that there would be zero tolerance for any kind of human rights violation in Kashmir," the Hurriyat said in a statement. Police said at least 20 Hurriyat activists were detained when they tried to hold a protest march in Srinagar.( First Posted @ 15:30 PST Updated @ 18:50 PST)
40,000 Iraqi, US forces to mount Baghdad crackdown BAGHDAD, June 13 (Reuters) More than 40,000 Iraqi and U.S. forces will launch a security crackdown in Baghdad on Wednesday, a senior Ministry of Defence official said on Tuesday. "Armoured personnel carriers and tanks will be used. We will depend on intelligence to find suspects, " Major General Abdel Aziz Mohammed said. "There is no time limit for ending this operation because it is a strategic plan through which we are determined to impose order in tense areas," he said.(Posted @ 18:45 PST)
British police "shot without warning": victim LONDON, June 13 (Reuters) A British man shot by police seeking a possible chemical bomb in his London home, and later released without charge, said on Tuesday the officer gave no warning before pulling the trigger. "We both had eye contact, he shot me straight away," Mohammed Abdul Kahar, 23, told a news conference. The east London raid, which involved about 250 police, was one of the biggest since last July's suicide bombings. Police failed to find any evidence and subsequently released Kahar and his brother. A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman declined to comment on the allegations made by the brothers.Kahar's brother Abul Koyair, 20, said they were woken by the sound of smashing glass and believed their home was being burgled because police did not identify themselves. "They tried to murder my brother," Koyair said. "They dragged me away from my brother and they dragged me down the stairs and they were hitting me." A family spokesman said the brothers are Muslims of Bangladeshi origin. Both denied any link to terrorism and said they had no idea why police had raided their house.(Posted @ 18:41 PST)
Roadside bomb blast wounds Pakistani soldier in tribal region MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan (AP) A Pakistani soldier was wounded in a roadside bomb attack Tuesday near Machikhel, a village in the North Waziristan tribal region, an intelligence official said. The soldier's wounds were not life threatening and he was being treated at a nearby hospital. In another attack, militants opened fire at a roadblock manned by paramilitary troops on the outskirts of Miran Shah, but no one was wounded, the official said. The troops fired back but it was not known whether the assailants suffered any casualties, he said.(Posted @ 18:20 PST)
Oregon soldier detained after refusal to return to Iraq EUGENE, Oregon (AP) A 21-year-old woman who refused to deploy with her army unit to Iraq for a second tour has been arrested and will be returned to Fort Lewis, Wash., Eugene police said Monday. A spokesman said Spec. Suzanne Swift told officers she did not want to go back to Iraq because of the war and the way she was treated. She also said her daughter was belittled, called names, and frequently propositioned.(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Monsoon floods kill eight, make thousands homeless in India's northeast GAUHATI, India (AP) Floods and mudslides triggered by monsoon rains killed another eight people and washed away hundreds of homes in India's northeast, leaving 6,500 people homeless, authorities said Tuesday. Flood waters and landslides triggered by the rains also halted road and rail traffic in some districts of Assam state, cutting remote areas off from the state's capital, Gauhati, and the rest of India, a government administrator said.(Posted @ 16:40 PST)
Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking says he's writing a children's book HONG KONG (AP) Stephen Hawking, Britain's most famous scientist, and his daughter said Tuesday they're teaming up to write a children's book about the universe. Hawking told reporters, ``It's aimed at the same age range'' as the Harry Potter books. His daughter, Lucy, added, ``It is a story for children which explains the wonders of the universe.'' They didn't provide other details.(Posted @ 16:35 PST)
Guantanamo suicides no surprise, focus should be on closing camp: UN GENEVA (AP) The suicides of three detainees at the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were ``not completely unexpected'' and the focus now should be on closing the facility, the U.N. human rights agency said Tuesday.(Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Former Irish premier Haughey dies aged 80 DUBLIN, June 13 (Reuters) Charles Haughey, three-times prime minister of Ireland, has died at the age of 80, the Irish government said on Tuesday. The former premier dominated Irish politics for a generation between 1979 and 1992. Often credited with laying the groundwork for Ireland's Celtic Tiger economic boom, his legacy was tainted by a series of scandals and allegations of corruption. (Posted @ 15:54 PST)
Irish author Toibin scoops 100,000 euro book prize DUBLIN, June 13 (Reuters) Irish author Colm Toibin won the world's richest literary prize for a single work of fiction in English on Tuesday for "The Master", his portrayal of American writer Henry James. Toibin, whose previous novels include "The South" and "The Blackwater Lightship" collected 100,000 euros ($125,800) along with the annual International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, fending off competition from nine other writers. The 10 shortlisted titles for the prize were selected from a long list of 132 nominated by 180 libraries from 43 countries. (Posted @ 15:53 PST)
Britain in Afghanistan for the long haul: British minister LONDON, June 13 (Reuters) Defence minister Des Browne said on Tuesday it was impossible to predict how long British troops would have to stay in Afghanistan. Browne, on a visit to the volatile southwest of Afghanistan, said progress had been made but much was left to do. He told BBC radio that the length of the deployment would depend on the ability of local people and politicians to calm matters and commence reconstruction. "There are other challenges in relation to the police, and it will not surprise anybody to know that there are suggestions of police having allegiances beyond the chief of police and the government locally and nationally," he said. (Posted @ 15:52 PST)
Britain names soldier killed in Afghanistan LONDON, June 13 (Reuters) Britain released the name on Tuesday of the first of its soldiers to die on a large new mission to southern Afghanistan. Captain Jim Philippson was killed on Sunday when his mobile patrol was engaged in a firefight with suspected Taliban forces in southern Helmand province, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Two other soldiers were seriously wounded in the fighting. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Israeli missile kills nine Palestinians including children in Gaza GAZA, June 13 (Reuters) Israel killed nine Palestinians, including two children, in a missile attack on Tuesday on a van in the Gaza Strip, medics and witnesses said. "The (Israeli military) carried out an aerial attack in the northern Gaza Strip against a vehicle loaded with rockets and carrying a terror cell en route to launch (them) at Israel," an army statement alleged in Tel Aviv. Shrapnel from the missile apparently flew into an adjacent house, causing casualties among children playing inside. (Posted @ 15:41 PST)
Afghanistan calls for regional help in war on drugs KABUL, June 13, 2006 (AFP) President Hamid Karzai appealed Tuesday to Afghanistan's neighbours for help in ridding the country of the "evil" of opium production. Karzai made the call in a message delivered to a one-day meeting of officials from the region, including Iran and Pakistan. Afghanistan produces about 90 percent of the opium consumed in Europe, where much of it is made into heroin. The drug is trafficked mostly through Pakistan and Iran, but also through the Central Asian states to the north. (Posted @ 15:31 PST)
Abbas tries to restore calm after Palestinian anarchy RAMALLAH, West Bank, June 13 (AFP) - Calm returned to the streets of the West Bank and Gaza on Tuesday after unprecedented factional violence which saw government buildings torched, an MP kidnapped and deadly clashes. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya were to hold talks in a bid to ease tensions between their respective Fatah and Hamas factions, with members of the security services placed on maximum alert. (Posted @ 13:15 PST)
Nine killed as Guinea soldiers fire on students CONAKRY, June 13 (Reuters) - At least nine people were killed and more than a dozen wounded when soldiers opened fire on student protesters in Guinea on Monday, police and witnesses said, as a general strike gripped the poor West African country. President Lansana Conte's government blamed the opposition for stirring violence during the student protests against the suspension of exams due on Monday in the former French colony. (Posted @ 12:15 PST)
Seven bombs kill at least 24 in Kirkuk KIRKUK, Iraq, June 13 (Reuters) - Seven apparently coordinated bomb attacks killed at least 24 people in Kirkuk on Tuesday. A car bomb exploded outside the house of a senior police officer, seriously wounding him and killing one of his bodyguards, police said. When police and U.S. forces gathered in the area a roadside bomb exploded, killing 10 civilians and wounding 11. Another roadside exploded outside a law college, killing one person and wounding two. A car bomb targeting a police patrol killed 10 civilians and wounded two policemen. A suicide bomber in a car was shot by guards as he tried to attack the police headquarters in Kirkuk. He blew himself up, killing two policemen and wounding 10 civilians. Another suicide bomber in a car blew himself up at one of the local offices of a Kurdish party headed by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, wounding two people, police said. Shortly afterwards, a suicide bomber in a car was shot by guards as tried to attack the building. (Updated @ 12:04 PST)
Train hits truck in central Israel, five killed NETANYA, Israel, June 13(AP) _ A commuter train carrying hundreds of passengers derailed Monday after slamming into a truck at a crossing in central Israel, killing five people and injuring 77. Police said the truck stopped at a train crossing and was pushed onto the tracks when another vehicle hit it from behind. Nothing could have stopped the train from hitting the stranded vehicle, officials said.
Six people killed in Vietnam gold mine collapse HANOI, June 13 (AFP) - Six people were killed and another is missing after an illegal gold mine collapsed in a mountainous province of northern Vietnam, officials said. "We have found the bodies of six while one is still missing," one local administrative official said, refusing to be named. (Posted @ 11:25 PST)
Khanafeyeva sets new hammer mark PARIS, June 13 (AFP) - Russia's Gulfiya Khanafeyeva established a new world record in the hammer on Monday with a throw of 77.26m at the Russian championships in Tula, the International Athletics Federation announced. Her throw surpassed the previous mark of 77.06m set by compatriot Tatiana Lysenko in Moscow last July. (Posted @ 10:57 PST)
Nigeria agrees to exit disputed territory in deal with Cameroon MANHASSET, New York, June 13 (AFP) - Nigeria agreed to withdraw its troops from the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula within 60 days in a UN-brokered deal signed here Monday with Cameroon to settle their long-simmering dispute, UN chief Kofi Annan announced. The landmark deal for Abuja pulling out its estimated 2,000 troops from the strategic territory was reached at a UN-mediated summit between Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Cameroonian counterpart Paul Biya in this New York suburb. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
One killed in new coalition accident in Afghanistan KABUL, June 13 (AFP) - A coalition armoured vehicle smashed into a motorbike in the Afghan capital Tuesday, killing a man and injuring another in the same area where a similar crash last month set off deadly protests, an official said. There were no immediate reports of an unrest. (Posted @ 10:13 PST)
158 Pakistani students leaving for France for higher education KARACHI, June 13 (APP)- 158 students from Pakistan are leaving for France this month for higher education, Consul General of France in Karachi, Pierre Seillan said Monday at a reception for the departing students and crew members of the French Navy ship Marne here on a goodwill visit. The students were selected by Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan for Ph.D. courses in various French universities. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
MQM to field its candidates in elections from across the country: Altaf KHAIRPUR, Jun 13 (APP)- Muttahida Qaumi Movement's Chief Altaf Hussain has said MQM would be putting up candidates from across the country in the general elections 2007. Addressing a gathering at New Goth, Khairpur, via phone from London last Sunday night, he said "Wadera Shahi System" should be banished. The so- called nationalist politicians have not given anything to the people of Sindh, he added. He praised the party workers for the success of Jashn-i-Latif, organised by MQM in Khairpur. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Palestinian tourism minister resigns after intercommunal violence RAMALLAH, West Bank, June 13 (APP/AFP) - Palestinian Tourism Minister Judeh Murqos Monday announced his resignation from the Hamas-led government following increased inter-Palestinian violence. In a statement to AFP, Judeh said: "I confirm to you that I have resigned from the government due to the violence that has occurred (Monday) in the Gaza Strip." He added: "I shall give other reasons Tuesday. (Posted @ 09:36 PST)
60 deaths from whooping cough in PNG: report SYDNEY, June 13 (APP/AFP) - At least 60 people have died from whooping cough in northern Papua New Guinea amid fears the death toll could rise sharply as more cases are confirmed, a report said Tuesday. Health Minister Sir Peter Barter who toured the affected region over the weekend, said many of those who fell ill had been immunised but the vaccines have failed because they were unrefrigerated over the long treks needed to get them to remote areas. Reports were emerging that whooping cough had also spread south to the upper Sepik and Middle Ramu areas of Madang province. (Posted @ 09:25 PST)
Tram accident injures 15 in Tokyo TOKYO, June 13 (APP/AFP) - Two trams crashed into each other in Tokyo’s old neighborhood of Kita on Tuesday, injuring 15 passengers, the fire department said. None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, said the official. (Posted @ 09:25 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 417.78 points: KARACHI, June 13: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 9315.08, down 417.78 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:15 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, June 13: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.55 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:15 PST)
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