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| June 15, 2006 | Thursday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 18, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
US Senate approves $94.5 billion war, hurricane funds WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a $94.5 billion emergency bill to fund the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and rebuild after last summer's hurricanes, sending it to President George W. Bush. When Bush signs the legislation into law, $65.8 billion will be rushed to the Pentagon so it can continue combat in the two countries through September. Congress is advancing separate legislation that would add another $50 billion in war funds to keep combat operations running from October through March or so. The emergency bill also contains $19.8 billion to help Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other states recovering from Hurricane Katrina and other storms.(Posted @ 23:36 PST)
Pentagon says US military deaths in Iraq at 2,500 WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) The number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq has reached 2,500, the Pentagon said on Thursday. In addition, the Pentagon said 18,490 U.S. troops have been wounded in the war, which began in March 2003 with a U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein. Of the 2,500 deaths, the Pentagon said, 1,972 have come in combat and 528 in non-combat circumstances such as vehicle accidents or suicides.(Posted @ 23:30 PST)
UK sends 130 more troops to Afghanistan LONOON, June 15 (Reuters) Britain announced 130 more troops for Afghanistan on Thursday, but senior military sources said no additional large scale deployment was planned despite worsening clashes there. Defence Secretary Des Browne announced the additional force on Thursday, a group of 130 troops sent to help secure the air base in Kandahar, a key target.(Posted @ 23:28 PST)
Several killed in Iraq violence BAGHDAD, June 15 (Reuters) A car bomb in front of a bakery killed at least three people in Baghdad on Thursday, a police source said. No further information was immediately available. Elsewhere, three successive roadside bombs targeting Iraqi army patrols killed five soldiers and injured six others in the northern town of Tal Afar on Thursday, police said. Gunmen shot dead 10 labourers as they were heading to work in the Iraqi city of Baquba on Thursday, a police source said.(Posted @ 23:24 PST)
Pakistan, Afghanistan have deep rooted relationship: PM ISLAMABAD, Jun 15 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday held a meeting with Afghanistan’s Minister of Finance Dr. Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady who had called on him at the Prime Minister House. Aziz expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the Pak-Afghan joint Ministerial Commission and emphasized the need to promote regional trade to leverage the true potential of the region. Referring to the initiatives taken by Pakistan to facilitate bilateral trade, Aziz said the Jalalabad-Torkham Road was ready, new terminals were being established at the Pak-Afghan border points and informed that Pakistan would like to expedite the construction of its train tracks up to Spin Boldak and Kandhar. The Afghan Finance Minister said his government is keen to see progress on the Turkmenistan - Afghanistan - Pakistan gas pipeline project. He also appreciated the Pakistani government for extending education facilities and scholarships to Afghan students.(Posted @ 23:22 PST)
Rs171.224 billion budget for Sindh KARACHI, June 15 (APP): A Rs171.224 billion Sindh budget for 2006-2007 with no new tax levied was presented in the Sindh Assembly by Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed here on Thursday. The budget incorporates a development outlay of Rs 50 billion that includes provincial ADP of Rs 24 billion and District ADP of Rs 8 billion. Other components of the development outlay are FPA Rs 5.3 billion, Federally Assistaed Projects Rs 10.5 billion, DERA Rs 250 million and SDSSP Rs 1.95 billion. The General Revenue Expenditure for 2006-2007 is estimated at Rs139.224 billion against revised estimates of Rs126.184 billion for 2005-2006 - showing an increase of 10.3 percent over the revised estimates. The Current Capital Receipts are estimated at Rs 9.248 billion and the Capital Expenditure is expected to be Rs 11.727 billion with a deficit of Rs 2.47 billion. For 2006-2007, combined share of Local Government is estimated at Rs 56.754 billion as against revised estimates of Rs 52.833 billion for 2005-2006 with an increase of Rs 7.4 percent.(Posted @ 23:20 PST)
Supreme Court adjourns hearing of Pakistan Steel Mill case for June 19 ISLAMABAD, Jun 15 (APP): A nine-member bench of the Supreme Court Thursday adjourned the hearing of the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) privatization case till June 19. The counsel of the Federation, Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, apprised the court that all companies engaged with the assessment process of the assets of PSM were provided with audited reports of the accounts till June 2005. The counsel accepted the objection raised by the bench that the value of land was not assessed at the time of evaluation of PSM assets and value of the shares. The counsel appraised the court that the Privatization Commission sold 75 per cent shares of the PSM against Rs. 21.68 billion at the rate of Rs.16.80/ per share. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that "the assessment report was prepared on the basis of historical value of the assets of the PSM not on the basis of market value. Historical value and market value has a lot of difference according to known assessment formulas." Responding to another question related to the land of the PSM, the counsel said the entire land did not belong to the provincial government and the PSM. The bench raised questions over the legal status of the buyers’ consortium, implementation of laws, rules and regulations, authenticity of the assessment report and transparency of the bidding process from pre-qualification to final round of the bidding and directed the counsel to reply all these questions on Monday with the support of relevant documents.(Posted @ 23:16 PST)
Slain Al-Qaeda leader Zarqawi registered as Lucknow resident: report NEW DELHI, June 15 (APP) A probe has been ordered into how Al Qaeda terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed in a US air strike in Iraq last week, was allegedly certified as a resident of the state capital of Lucknow, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported Thursday. Utar Pradesh Chief Secretary N.C. Bajpai ordered an inquiry into how the al Qaeda Iraqi unit chief could have been issued a domicile certificate by the Lucknow district administration. The media reports alleged that the certificate was given without following the set process.(Posted @ 22:15 PST)
Pakistan, China start first bus service ISLAMABAD, June 15, 2006 (AFP) Pakistan and China launched their first passenger bus service Thursday, linking the northern Pakistani town of Gilgit with the western Chinese city of Kashgar, officials said. Twisting through the mountains along the scenic Karakoram Highway, the 550-kilometre journey takes around 16 hours. The service will run each way three times a week. Communications Minister Shamim Siddiqi waved off the first bus carrying 16 passengers, including businessmen and tourists. A second bus with officials and media also left Thursday morning. A Chinese bus left Kashgar almost simultaneously. Tickets cost 44 dollars. No visa or passport would be required for the locals intending to travel on the bus service, Additional Secretary Ministry of Communication Muhammad Abbas said Thursday. Chinese tourists, traders can now come up to Gilgit on just a border pass which would be issued by the chief secretary. Likewise people of Northern Areas can also now go to China on a border pass. However, visa would be needed for travellers from other areas, he told PTV. A truck service has also been initiated with China. Chinese traders have been allowed to bring their trucks up to port cities of Karachi and Gwader. Trucks of NATCO, NLC and private careers would also be allowed to start their transport on Pak-China route, he added. ( First Posted @ 13:30 PST Updated @ 22:06 PST)
President Musharraf meets Iranian, Afghan and Russian leaders SHANGHAI, June 15 (APP): President Pervez Musharraf met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Russian President Vladimir Putin separately on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit here Thursday. Musharraf, in his meeting with Ahmadinejad, expressed the hope for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear standoff, saying confrontation was not in the interest of anybody. On the Iran-Pakistan-India multi-billion gas pipeline project, the two presidents expressed their agreement that there should be discussion at experts’ level, which should resolve in a couple of months time the remaining issues hindering the project, particularly the pricing issue. During his meeting with Karzai, Musharraf said both countries were facing the same problem and the same enemy in the form of terrorism. He reiterated Pakistan's desire to see a strong and prosperous Afghanistan. The two leaders also expressed satisfaction over the joint commission meetings of their two countries. In his meeting with Putin, Musharraf thanked Russia’s support to Pakistan in getting the observer status at the SCO, and expressed the hope for the same in getting the full member status. Putin thanked Pakistan's support to Russia in getting the observer status at the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), and also stressed that there was a scope of expanding economic cooperation in all areas including technology, oil and gas, energy and satellite communication. (First Posted @ 14:10 PST Updated @ 22:02 PST)
Iran offers energy cooperation at Asia summit SHANGHAI, June 15 (Reuters) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad offered energy cooperation to China and other countries on Thursday. "We want this organisation to develop into a powerful body influential in regional and international politics, economics and trade, serving to block threats and unlawful strong-arm interference from various countries," he said in a speech at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). He added that Iran was ready to host a meeting of energy ministers from member countries to look at cooperation in exploration, exploitation and transportation. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in bilateral talks with Ahmadinejad he agreed with Iran that all countries were entitled to peaceful use of nuclear energy, Russia's RIA news agency said. (First Posted@ 10:40 PST Updated @ 20:50 PST)
Gunmen ambush Pakistani police in Karachi, five dead KARACHI, June 15 (Reuters) Gunmen ambushed a Pakistani police car in Karachi’s main electronics market on Thursday, killing four policemen, including a deputy prison chief, and a passer-by, police and a hospital official said. The men were armed with automatic rifles and riding on at least three motorcycles. Provincial interior minister Rauf Siddiqui said the attack was an act of terrorism but it was not clear who was behind it: "We are investigating," he said. The head of police investigations, Manzoor Mughal, said the deputy chief of Karachi's central prison, Amanaullah Niaz, killed in the ambush, had been receiving threats from "criminal elements" for some time. He did not elaborate. The white Toyota police car was riddled with bullets and most of its windows were shot out. Blood was smeared throughout the interior of the car and on its doors. Six people were also wounded, three of which were policemen. Two of the wounded were in critical condition, a hospital official said. A wounded policeman, Mohammad Waris, told reporters the gunmen attacked as the car was stopped at a traffic light. "I've no idea of what happened. Suddenly firing started and I ducked down to save myself," he said. Shooting went on for about two minutes, witnesses said. "I just heard firing and looked up to see a couple of men getting off bikes and firing into the white Corolla," said another witness. After they finished shooting, the gunmen got back on their motorcycles and drove off. A police official said police had fired back at the gunmen and one of their motorcycles had been found abandoned. "One of our guards returned fire but we don't know if any of the attackers were killed or wounded," he said.( First Posted @ 15:35 PST Updated @ 20:48 PST)
Gunmen kill five in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, June 15, 2006 (AFP) Five people were shot dead in occupied Kashmir, police said Thursday, while a bomb explosion injured four others. A retired treasury officer and a Muslim cleric were shot dead in Nadihal village, near northern Bandipora town, Wednesday night as they returned from an Indian army function. A youth working at a petrol station was also shot dead by unknown gunmen in southern Kulgam town, police said. A fruit-seller was also shot and killed in neighbouring Sopore Wednesday evening. No group or individual claimed responsibility for the killings. Meanwhile, a bomb attached to a parked scooter exploded in Sopore when an Indian army vehicle passed by, police said, injuring the driver of the vehicle and three others.(Posted @ 20:46 PST)
Doors of peace between Pakistan and India should not close: Aziz LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Thursday that Pakistan and India should remain friends and the ``doors of peace and understanding'' that they have opened should not close. Aziz said both countries should continue on the path to peace. ``The doors of peace and understanding and love have opened,'' Aziz said at the opening of a three-day Sikh religious festival at the shrine of Guru Arjun Dev, a Sikhism spiritual leader. ``These doors should not close now,'' he told some 5,000 Sikhs who had travelled from India to Lahore city where Dev's shrine is located. Pakistan will issue multiple entry visas to Sikhs pilgrims next year to ease their travel to religious sites here, Aziz said. (First Posted @ 14:25 PST Updated @ 20:44 PST)
Pakistan, Afghan officials agree to improve trade, economic ties ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) Pakistani and Afghan officials agreed to boost trade and economic ties Thursday. The pledge was made in a statement at the end of two days of talks in Islamabad, between Afghan Finance Minister Anwar ul-Haq Ahadi and Salman Shah, adviser to Pakistan's prime minister on economic affairs. The pair met for the sixth session of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Economic Commission. Bilateral Pakistan-Afghan trade was US$169 million in 2000 but currently sits at US$1.2 billion, the statement said.(Posted @ 20:42 PST)
Roadside bomb in Pakistani tribal region kills one soldier, wounds five MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan (AP) A bomb exploded near a military convoy of five vehicles near Sra Shakara, a village in North Waziristan tribal area, on Thursday, killing one soldier and wounding five, an intelligence official said. Hours before the bombing, a land mine exploded near another army convoy near Miran Shah wounding two soldiers and retaliatory fire from troops killed a passer-by and wounded two farmers. Soldiers in the convoy had fired guns toward a farm after seeing people flee the scene, killing a woman and wounding two men, a security official said. In violence elsewhere, assailants lobbed a grenade into a residence for security officials in Qilat, a town about 350 kilometres (southeast of Quetta, wounding three people, police said.(Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Musharraf reiterates call for diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear standoff SHANGHAI, June 15 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf, in a meeting Thursday with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, expressed the hope for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear standoff, saying confrontation was not in the interest of anybody. At a meeting held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, President Musharraf hoped that Iran would consider the incentive package positively. Emphasizing the need of peaceful solution to the standoff, Musharraf told the Iranian leader that if Pakistan could be helpful, it would be ready to do so. The Iranian President said that his country would be carefully examining the package extended to his country. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral issues as well as regional and international matters of mutual concern. On Iran-Pakistan-India multi-billion gas pipeline project, the two Presidents expressed their agreement that there should be discussion at experts level which should finish in a couple of months on the remaining issues, particularly the pricing issue.(Posted @ 20:22 PST)
President Musharraf, Karzai discuss bilateral issues, anti-terror cooperation SHANGHAI, June 15 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai Thursday discussed bilateral and regional issues during a meeting here Thursday on the margins of an Asian regional summit. The two leaders, who also met for one-on-one meeting for about an hour held discussions, emphasized the need for greater coordination and cooperation on security issues. Musharraf said that both countries were facing same problem and had the same enemy in the shape of terrorism. He reiterated Pakistan's desire to see a strong and prosperous Afghanistan. They also expressed satisfaction over the joint commission meetings of the two countries.(Posted @ 17:48 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan's Rana set to miss England tour KARACHI, June 15 (Reuters) Pakistan fast bowler Rana Naved is a doubt for next month's tour of England after picking up a groin injury while playing for English county Sussex. "The initial scan carried out in Lahore says he is out of the tour because he might have to undergo surgery for the groin problem," Pakistan Cricket Board director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf said on Thursday. "The initial reports are not very encouraging. It is a pretty tricky situation. We are going for a second opinion from the head of our medical commission," Altaf added. He said Rana would be out for three months if surgery was necessary.(Posted @ 17:22 PST)
Gunmen ambush Pakistani police, five dead KARACHI, June 15 (Reuters) Gunmen ambushed a police car in Karachi on Thursday, killing four policemen, including a deputy prison chief, and a passer-by, police and a hospital official said. The gunmen were armed with automatic rifles and riding on at least three motorcycles. They opened fire on the police car as it drove along a street near the city's main electronics market. "It appears to be a targeted killing ... It's confirmed that four policemen were killed," said a senior police official. A civilian in another vehicle was also killed, an official at a state-run hospital said. The head of police investigations, Manzoor Mughal, said the deputy chief of Karachi's central prison, Amanaullah Niaz, killed in the attack on Thursday had been receiving threats from "criminal elements" for some time. He did not elaborate. The white Toyota police car was riddled with bullets and most of its windows were shot out. Blood was smeared throughout the interior of the car and on its doors. "I just heard firing and looked up to see a couple of men getting off bikes and firing into the white Corolla," said an eye-witness. People scattered as the shooting erupted. It went on for about two minutes, witnesses said. Six people were wounded, three of them policemen. Two of the wounded were in critical condition, the hospital official said. A police official said police had fired at the gunmen and one of the motorcyles used in the attack had been found abandoned. "One of our guards returned fire but we don't know if any of the attackers were killed or wounded," he said. (First Posted @ 15:35 PST Updated @ 17:20 PST)
U.S. envoy says aid to Pakistani will not be cut ISLAMABAD, June 15 (Reuters) The United States will not scale back its aid commitment to Islamabad, the U.S. ambassador said on Thursday, following media reports that Congress had proposed cuts over Pakistan's democracy and rights record. U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker said there would be no cut to the full amount promised in 2003 -- $3 billion over five years up to 2009. "We are a democracy, Congress has its views, but I would like to make very clear that this administration is totally committed to providing the full amount," Crocker said following a signing ceremony for an agreement on $200 million in budgetary support.(First Posted @ 14:15 PST Updated @ 16:48 PST)
Gunmen kill five including senior Pakistani jail official in Karachi KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) Assailants riding on at least four motorcycles sprayed gunfire at a car carrying a senior Pakistani jail official in Karachi on Thursday, killing him, his two bodyguards and two passers-by, police said. Amanullah Niazi, deputy superintendent of the Karachi Central Prison, was slain on a busy street in a southern district of this bustling port city, said a senior police official. No details were immediately available on the identities of the killers or the motive for the attack. The inside of the car carrying Niazi was splattered with blood and its windows were shattered. A small van was also hit by gunfire. Police found one motorcycle at the scene believed to have been left by the attackers, the official added. Panic gripped the neighbourhood where a nearby market for electronic goods was closed immediately after the shooting, which triggered traffic chaos and left people running for cover, a private local TV station reported.(Posted @ 15:35 PST)
Pakistan enjoys strong credentials to secure full membership of the SCO: Musharraf SHANGHAI, June 15 (APP): President Pervez Musharraf Thursday underscored Pakistan's strong credentials for securing full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and said the country is most suitably positioned to contribute to realizing the SCO objectives. In his address at the sixth summit of meeting of the SCO, he referred to Pakistan's importance in geo-political, geo-strategic and geo-economic terms, for playing an effective role as per its charter. Pakistan, he said, would strengthen SCOs endeavours towards peace, security and overall harmony in the region. Besides playing a critical role in countering terrorism and extremism, Pakistan could also contribute effectively against drug and arms trafficking. Arguing for full membership, the President further said, Pakistan is most suitably positioned to promote the interests of the SCO. "Pakistan provides the natural link between the SCO states to connect the Eurasian heartland with the Arabian sea and South Asia. "We offer the critical overland routes and connectivity for mutually beneficial trade and energy transactions intra regionally and inter regionally," he pointed out. While expressing feelings of friendship with the SCO's member countries, President Musharraf also spoke about the existing deep-rooted Sino-Pak friendship, stating "We greatly values and cherishe this long relationship."(Posted @ 14:55 PST)
No visa required for locals travelling Sino-Pak bus service ISLAMABAD, June 15 (APP): No visa or passport is required for the locals intending to travel on recently started bus service between Pakistan and China, Additional Secretary Ministry of Communication Muhammad Abbas said Thursday. Chinese tourists, traders could come upto Gilgit on just border pass to be issued by the chief secretary. Likewise people of Northern Areas ( NA) could go to China on border pass. However, visa would be needed for travellers from other areas, he told PTV. A truck service has also been initiated with China. Chinese traders have been allowed to bring their trucks upto port cities of Karachi and Gwader. Truck of NATCO, NLC and private careers would also be allowed to start their transport on Pak-China route, he added.(Posted @ 14:45 PST)
SCO members propose next UN secretary general from Asia SHANGHAI, June 15 (APP): The members of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Thursday issued a declaration, proposing that the next UN Secretary General should be from Asia. "The SCO holds that the next Secretary-General of the United Nations should come from Asia," says the declaration, which was signed at the SCO summit. The declaration also calls for the United Nations to improve efficiency and strengthen its capacity for responding to new threats and challenges by carrying out proper and necessary reforms in light of the changing international environment. As for carrying out Security Council reforms, the principles of equitable geographical distribution and seeking the broadest consensus should be observed, the declaration says. "No time limit should be set for the reforms, nor should a vote be forced on any proposals over which there are major differences," it says.(Posted @ 14:35 PST)
SCO member countries sign anti-terrorism agreements SHANGHAI, June 15 (APP): Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries on Thursday signed ten documents on information security, anti-terrorism, economic and financial cooperation at the summit meeting. The documents include a declaration on the fifth anniversary of the SCO founding, a statement on international information security, a resolution on SCO secretary-general and another on the secretariat, a resolution on fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism from 2007 to 2009, an agreement on joint anti-terrorism actions among member countries, and an agreement on cutting off the infiltration channels of terrorists, separatists and extremists. In addition, there are agreements on inter-governmental education cooperation, a resolution on the SCO Entrepreneurs' Committee, and an action guideline for the SCO banks consortium.(Posted @ 14:32 PST)
37 Nobel laureates urge Congress not to approve Indo-US nuke deal- NEW DELHI, June 15 (APP): Terming the Indo-US nuclear civilian nuclear technology agreement as a ''formula for destroying American nonproliferation goals,'' 37 Nobel laureates have urged the US Congress not to approve the deal ''in its current form.'' ''The recent nuclear agreement with India weakens the existing nonproliferation regime without providing an acceptable substitute. Since nothing is more important to the US security than blocking further proliferation and possible use of nuclear weapons, the lawmakers should withhold their seal of approval until the deal can be rectified,'' they wrote in a letter, supported by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS). ''While there are a hundred different areas in which the United States and India could, and should, establish closer ties, this nuclear agreement isnt it,'' said a UNI report here quoting the letter, released at a Press Conference yesterday in Washington. The laureates including Kenneth Joseph Arrow (Economics, 1972), Paul Christian Lauterbur (Medicine, 2003), Alfred Goodman Gilman (Medicine, 1994), Roger Guillemin (Medicine, 1977) and Donald A Glaser (Physics, 1960) urged the lawmakers to vote against the ''enabling legislation'' currently pending before the Congress as they said the nuclear deal ''weakens the existing nonproliferation regime without providing an acceptable substitute'' and bilateral ad-hoc agreements such as the one just announced with India undercut US and world security.(Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz stresses need for promotion of inter-faith harmony LAHORE, June 15 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said promotion of inter-faith harmony, love, moderation and bonds of brotherhood were vital for durable peace in the world. Addressing a seminar on " Muslim-Sikh Relations in Historical Perspective" organised by Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in connection with the 400th death anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Jee, he assured the visiting Sikh Yatrees of best possible facilities during their stay in Pakistan. He said hotels will be constructed and chain of development works will be undertaken in Nankana Sahib, Lahore and Hassanabdal to facilitate the sikh community. He announced the establishment of a university in Nankana Saheb.(Posted @ 14:25 PST)
Pakistan gets US 200$ million in economic assistance, budget support ISLAMABAD, June 15 (APP): Pakistan and United States Thursday inked an agreement to provide US $200 million in direct U.S budget support for Pakistan's federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), 2006-2007. The agreement is the second tranche of the five annual $200 million installments, of U.S economic assistance to support Pakistan in health, education and sanitation. The $200 million is part of the 3 billion U.S. dollars pledge for assistance to Pakistan made by President Bush to President Musharraf at Camp David in 2003.(Posted @ 14:15 PST)
President Musharraf meets Iranian, Afghan and Russian leaders SHANGHAI, June 15 (APP): President Pervez Musharraf met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Russian President Vladimir Putin separately here Thursday. A wide-range of issues of mutual interest including promotion of trade and economic cooperation were discussed at these meetings that took place on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. President Pervez Musharraf reiterated Pakistan's strong commitment to durable peace, security and development in the region, which are also the core points of the SCO charter.(Posted @ 14:10 PST)
Cricket-West Indies to play three tests, five ODIs in Pakistan KARACHI, June 15 (Reuters) - West Indies will play three tests and five one-day internationals in Pakistan in November and December, a Pakistan Cricket Board official said Thursday. "The tour is confirmed. However the itinerary will be finalised later due to some logistical reasons," PCB official Subhan Ahmed said.(Posted @ 14:05 PST)
Attack on Pakistan intelligence agents, four hurt QUETTA, Pakistan, June 15 (Reuters) - A blast at a Pakistani security compound in Baluchistan province wounded four men on Thursday. Police said the residential quarters for officers of Pakistan's main security agency, the Inter Services Intelligence, was attacked in Kalat, 160 km south of Quetta. Three paramilitary troops on guard at the compound and one ISI official were wounded, an official said. In separate incidents on Thursday, gunmen attacked a paramilitary vehicle, killing one man, and a railway line in another area was blown up by a bomb, police said.(Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Pakistan's Musharraf calls for membership of Shanghai group BEIJING, June 15 (AFP) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called Thursday for his nation to be granted full membership of a security and economic forum that so far groups China, Russia and four Central Asian states."Pakistan is eager to become a regular member of this organization," Musharraf said in a prepared speech delivered at the opening of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) leaders' summit in Shanghai. Musharraf focused his remarks on promoting economic growth, stressing that the great natural resources of south and central Asia had the potential to be more closely linked.(Posted @ 13:50 PST)
Suspected rebels kill three in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, June 15 (AFP) - Suspected insurgents shot dead a retired government official, a prayer leader and a fruit-seller -- all three Muslims -- in revolt-hit occupied Kashmir, police said Thursday. A retired treasury officer and an imam were shot dead in Nadihal village, near Bandipora town, Wednesday night as they returned from an Indian army function. A fruit-seller in Sopore town was also killed Wednesday evening. The 16-year-old insurgency against Indian rule has left more than 44,000 people dead by official count.(Posted @ 13:45 PST)
Bomb kills two Afghans with Turkish company KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, June 15 (AFP) - A bomb exploded under a vehicle carrying workers for a Turkish construction company in southwestern Afghanistan Thursday, killing two Afghans and wounding a third, a government official said. The blast in Nimroz province was caused by a suspected mine, said Waheed Khairzad, a spokesman for the local administration.(Posted @ 13:45 PST)
Shanghai group entering new phase, says Hu SHANGHAI, June 15 (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao said Thursday the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) would enter a new phase of economic development as it seeks to play a bigger role in regional and global affairs."We should enhance all-round cooperation and strive to turn the region into a harmonious area with lasting peace and common prosperity," Hu told the summitleaders. "(We should) carry out the agreements with great efforts, promote program cooperation step by step and expand the communication and cooperation with observers and international organizations." Hu also called for the SCO to improve its legal framework to enhance economic cooperation, especially in the fields of energy, electricity, transport and telecommunications. Russian President Vladimir Putin said there was particular "complementary" common ground in the areas of finance and commerce. "Not only can state-owned organizations take part in the cooperation but enterprises and bankers can also participate," Putin said, adding that work on banking matters had already begun.(Posted @ 13:45 PST)
Russia's Putin meets Ahmadinejad, says Iran has right to nuclear technology SHANGHAI, June 15 (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said here Thursday that Iran had the right to nuclear technology, as he entered a meeting with Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "All countries including Iran have the right to use high technology but they need to do it in a way that does not arouse concerns on the part of the international community," Putin said. Putin was meeting with Ahmadinejad on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization annual leaders' summit.(Posted @ 13:40 PST)
Pakistan, China start first bus service ISLAMABAD, June 15, 2006 (AFP) - Pakistan and China launched their first passenger bus service Thursday, linking the northern Pakistani town of Gilgit with the western Chinese city of Kashgar, officials said. Twisting through the mountains along the scenic Karakoram Highway, the 550-kilometre (340 mile) journey takes around 16 hours. The service will run each way three times a week. Pakistani Communications Minister Shamim Siddiqi waved off the first bus carrying 16 passengers, including businessmen and tourists. A second bus with officials and media also left Thursday morning. A Chinese bus left Kashgar almost simultaneously and was due to cross the border and arrive in Gilgit later in the evening. Tickets cost 44 dollars. Travellers will need visas from Islamabad or Beijing. "The response here was overwhelming, it is beyond our expectations," a Pakistan spokesman said. Karakoram Highway was built by Pakistan and China in the 1970s and is described as a monument of friendship between the traditional allies.(Posted @ 13:30 PST)
Sri Lanka mounts retaliatory strikes after bus bombing COLOMBO, June 15 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's military launched artillery attacks against suspected Tamil Tiger positions hours after the rebels were held responsible for bombing a bus and killing 64 civilians, officials said. The long-range attacks were directed against rebel positions at Sampur in the district of Trincomalee, military officials said, adding that they did not have details of any casualties or damage.(Posted @ 11:50 PST)
Sri Lanka mounts retaliatory strikes after bus bombing COLOMBO, June 15 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's military launched artillery attacks against suspected Tamil Tiger positions hours after the rebels were held responsible for bombing a bus and killing 64 civilians, officials said. The long-range attacks were directed against rebel positions at Sampur in the district of Trincomalee, military officials said, adding that they did not have details of any casualties or damage.(Posted @ 11:50 PST)
US forces arrest Karbala provincial council chair for "terrorism" KARBALA, Iraq, June 15 (AFP) - A joint US-Iraqi operation Thursday arrested Sheikh Aqil Fahem al-Zubaidi, president of the provincial council and member of the Fadhila Party, from his house in the center of town, for supporting "terrorism", police said. Kased Karim, who is also a member of the council's security committee, was also arrested in the operation . Mohammed Salem Hussein, a policeman providing security for the chairman, said the US and Iraqi forces arrived in helicopters and humvees. "They broke down the door and threw flash grenades," before they led the sheikh out of the house, verified his name, bound his hands and put him in one of the humvees. The weapons of all the guards were confiscated, added the policeman, and soldiers took documents, money, passports and computers from the sheikh's house. The US military had no comment on the operation.(Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Gunmen kill four worshippers in Tikrit mosque TIKRIT, Iraq, June 15(AFP) - Four Sunni worshippers were killed and 13 others wounded when gunmen opened fire in a mosque Thursday in the northern city of Tikrit, police said. "About seven gunmen came in two vehicles, stormed the Al-Imam Muslim mosque in the early hours and opened fire on worshippers who were praying, killing four and wounding 13," a police officer said. Police found an unexploded bomb in the mosque when they reached the site, he said.(Posted @ 10:42 PST)
Iran president warns against 'domineering powers' in region SHANGHAI, June 15 (AFP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) forum Thursday to warn against "domineering powers", while offering to host a meeting of the group's energy ministers. In a prepared speech delivered at the six-member SCO summit, where Iran is invited as an observer nation, he called for deeper cooperation among SCO members -- China, Russia and four Central Asian republics -- and observer nations Iran, India, Mongolia and Pakistan. "It can... turn the SCO into a strong and influential economic, political and trade institution at both regional and international levels," he said adding that "(it) can throw off the threats of domineering powers to use their force against and interfere in the affairs of other states."(Posted @ 10:40 PST)
Washington ready to 'work with all parties' in Somalia WASHINGTON, June 15 (AFP) - "The United States is ready to work with all parties to seek a peaceful solution and the reestablishment of effective governance in Somalia," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement. The United States, Britain, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Tanzania and the European Union would be represented at the Somalia Contact Group meeting early Thursday at Norway's UN mission. Islamic militia in Somalia Wednesday captured the last strongholds of a US-backed warlord alliance and vowed to establish Sharia courts, cementing a victory after more than four months of fighting, residents said.(Posted @ 10:25 PST)
NATO can't allow Afghanistan to revert to terrorist camp: chief OTTAWA, June 15 (AFP) - NATO cannot allow a failure of its mission in Afghanistan, because the country would revert to a "training camp for terrorists," NATO secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in televised remarks Wednesday. "Terrorism is in Canada's doorstep in Vancouver and Ottawa and Montreal, as much as in Amsterdam or Madrid and New York. In other words, if we fail there, and if we have the Taliban get it their way, Afghanistan will again become a training camp for terrorists," de Hoop Scheffer told CBC. NATO is planning to nearly double its 9,000 troops in Afghanistan, to some 15,000, as it takes charge from US-led coalition forces in late July of the security in the southern region of the country.(Posted @ 10:20 PST)
Shakespeare biography wins world's richest non-fiction prize LONDON, June 15 (AFP) - A partial biography about a year in the life of legendary playwright William Shakespeare won the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction on Wednesday, the world's richest non-fiction prize. American professor James Shapiro receives 30,000 pounds for his book "1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare". In a unanimous decision, he edged out the favourite, British playwright and author Alan Bennett, who penned "Untold Stories".Shapiro, 55, examined how the social and political issues of 1599 and the personal life of Shakespeare, who turned 35, influenced his writing.(Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Teachers say four died in clash with Mexico police OAXACA, Mexico, June 14, 2006 (AFP) - Protesters claim that four people were killed when riot police clashed with some 40,000 striking teachers in the southern city of Oaxaca, a figure officials denied. Some 2,000 police burst into the main Oaxaca town square at dawn Wednesday, wielding clubs and firing tear gas at the protesting teachers who have been camped out there for 22 days. Protesters regrouped at different points and fought back using rocks, clubs and even tear gas snatched from the police. "There were at least four people" who were killed, including a child, said union leader Enrique Rueda in a telephone debate with state governor Ulises Ruiz, broadcast on Radio W. An angry Ruiz lashed back. "Show us where the dead are," he said. Rueda said police withdrew the bodies after the clashes. Local Red Cross said they could only confirm that dozens of people had been injured in the fighting, including three children. By midday downtown Oaxaca was pitted with small fires as police torched improvised plastic tents the teachers had been using.(Posted @ 10:15 PST)
At least 58 killed in Sri Lanka bus attack COLOMBO, June 15, 2006 (AFP) - At least 58 civilian passengers were killed and another 45 wounded when their bus was hit by a massive mine blast in northern Sri Lanka Thursday, government minister Keheliya Rambukwella told AFP.The casualties were high as the bus was overcrowded with villagers travelling to the main town of Kebitigollewa to buy provisions, said Rambukwella, the government spokesman for defence related isues. "This is the most barbaric terrorist act of the Tigers," he said, accusing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of carrying out the attack."Among the 58 dead are two Buddhist monks. There are a lot of children among the 45 wounded," he added.(Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Shanghai summit opens with Iran crowding the agenda SHANGHAI, June 15, 2006 (AFP) - The leaders of China, Russia and four Central Asian nations began their annual summit in Shanghai Thursday but the presence of Iran as one of four observer nations may crowd out all other agenda items.Apart from Iran, nations with observer status are Pakistan -- represented by President Pervez Musharraf -- India and Mongolia. Afghan President Hamid Karzai is also present as a guest.(Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Series of 31 bomb attacks kill one, wound 22 in Thai south YALA, Thailand, June 15 (AFP) - At least 31 bomb attacks hit police and government offices in Thailand's insurgency-hit south Thursday, killing one official and wounding 22 people, police said. The wave of blasts within about 30 minutes of each other rocked the mainly Muslim provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat near the Malaysian border, with five military and one police officer among the injured, police said. In Pattani, nine blasts killed one official at a tea shop near a Khko Pho district police post and wounded 15 more people, two seriously, police said. In Narathiwat, 16 bomb attacks hit the Muang, Ruso, Ra Ngae and Takbai districts, wounding five marine troops. In Yala, six attacks wounded at least two people.(Posted @ 09:45 PST)
10 civilians dead in blast in southern Afghan city KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, June 15 (AFP) - Ten people were killed and 15 wounded Thursday when a bomb exploded on a minibus carrying civilian workers to Kandahar airport in southern Afghanistan, police said. It appeared that the bomb was on the minibus and exploded after it was hit by another vehicle, police Colonel Shir Shah said.(Posted @ 09:45 PST)
At least 25 killed in Sri Lanka bus attack COLOMBO, June 15 (AFP) - At least 25 passengers were killed and another 20 wounded when their bus was hit by a mine at Kebitigollewa in the district of Anuradhapura, 200 kilometres north of Colombo Thursday, the military said.(Posted @ 09:42 PST)
Gunman kills two noisy World Cup fans in Thailand BANGKOK, June 15 AFP) - Thai police said Thursday they were hunting for a gunman who shot dead two noisy World Cup fans at point blank range at a restaurant after they ignored his request to be quiet.(Posted @ 09:40 PST)
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