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| June 17, 2006 | Saturday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 20, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Suicide attack in Afghanistan, five wounded KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, June 17, 2006 (AFP) A suicide bomber with explosives strapped to his body blew himself up near an Afghan army vehicle in southwestern Afghanistan Saturday, wounding three civilians and two soldiers, an official said. The bomber detonated his explosives as the vehicle approached him in the south-western province of Nimroz, a provincial spokesman said.(Posted @ 21:48 PST)
Sea battle kills at least 51 in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, June 17, 2006 (AFP) At least 15 Sri Lankan naval troops, 30 Tamil Tiger rebels and six civilians were killed in major sea and land battles along the island's northwestern coast Saturday, officials said.About a dozen rebel boats engaged the Sri Lankan navy off the coast of Mannar island shortly after dawn Saturday, a defence ministry spokesman said.He said the navy destroyed eight Tamil Tiger boats for the loss of three of their own craft. ( First Posted @ 12:25 PST Updated @ 21:45 PST)
Ukraine detains 33 illegal migrants near EU border LVIV, Ukraine, June 17, 2006 (AFP) Ukrainian border guards said Saturday that they had detained a group of 33 illegal immigrants, most of them from Asia, near the border with Slovakia in the western Zakarpatye region. "At first border guards found a group of 25 illegals within 100 meters of the Slovak border and after a few minutes of searching another eight illegals were found," said an official with the border service. The men were detained overnight and were made up of 15 Indians, eight Pakistanis, five Afghans, four Bangladeshis and a Chechen, he said.(Posted @ 21:40 PST)
Police detain 64 in eastern Turkey protest TUNCELI, Turkey, June 17 (Reuters) Turkish police detained 64 people during clashes at a demonstration on Saturday marking the first anniversary of the day security forces killed 17 members of an outlawed Maoist group, a security chief said. Last June security forces said they had killed 17 members of the Maoist Communist Party People's Liberation Army in eastern Turkey, a poor and mainly rural area better known for Kurdish separatist violence. On Saturday about 100 people gathered to visit the graves of those killed, but the demonstration, which officials said was illegal, turned violent. Police backed by armoured cars used teargas against protesters, who hurled rocks at security forces.(Posted @ 21:38 PST)
Other nations must make good on Iraq pledges: Bush CRAWFORD, Texas, June 17 (Reuters) President George W.Bush on Saturday urged other nations to make good on $13 billion in pledges to help the new Baghdad government and said the United States had come too far to abandon Iraq now. Bush laid out an ambitious agenda for U.S. assistance, including helping the Iraqis increase oil and electricity production by working to protect pipelines from attack. He said coalition transition teams would continue to be embedded in Iraqi army and police units and the United States would help the new Iraqi ministers of defense and interior improve command and control, root out corruption and investigate and punish human rights violations. And he promised U.S. support for Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's efforts to rein in militias and build a judicial system.(Posted @ 21:36 PST)
Chinese premier begins Africa tour in Egypt CAIRO, June 16, 2006 (AFP) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Egypt Saturday on the first leg of his African tour, airport sources said. No less than 10 bilateral agreements, memoranda of understanding and letters of intent are expected to be signed during Wen's 24-hour visit.(Posted @ 21:35 PST)
Higher Education Commission launches Pakistan Research Repository ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP): Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Saturday launched a Pakistan Research Repository to promote open access to scientific literature and international visibility of research conducted in Pakistani universities. The repository will serve as an aggregated repository archiving the research output from institutions across Pakistan. According to HEC, the initial drive for development of content in the repository has been an initiative to digitize and make available online every Ph.D and M.Phil thesis published in Pakistan's universities. The repository is available online at eprints.hec.gov.pk.(Posted @ 21:32 PST)
Pakistan, India exchange list of prisoners ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP): Pakistan and India have exchanged lists of prisoners in each others jails as per an agreement arrived at during the Interior and Home Secretary-level talks held on terrorism and drugs trafficking in Islamabad on May 30. Ms. Tasnim Aslam, spokesperson of the Foreign Office, said "we have conveyed to the Indian side, a list of 493 Pakistani civilian prisoners held in Indian jails." She said out of these, the national status of 213 has been confirmed by Pakistan and are awaiting release from the Indian jails while 169 have not yet been allowed consular access by the Indian Government. The spokesperson said the national status verification of the rest of the 111 prisoners was under process by authorities in Pakistan. She said, "we have been informed that 30 Pakistani fishermen are also in the Indian custody." Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi has sought Consular access for these fishermen, she added. (First Posted @ Posted @ 19:32 PST Updated @ 21:02 PST)
Rs.95.987 billion NWFP budget presented PESHAWAR June 17(APP): Provincial Finance Minister Sirajul Haq Saturday presented Rs.95.987 billion tax free budget for the year 2006-07 in the NWFP Assembly with a total development outlay of Rs.26.630 billion. Presenting the budget, the minister said, the current revenue expenditures have been pitched at Rs.54.500 billion, current capital expenditure Rs.14.868 billion and development expenditure Rs.26.618 billion The budget has been bifurcated into three sectors i.e welfare budget, development budget and administrative budget. The welfare budget would receive the maximum chunk of Rs.42.225 billion (52.8%) followed by Rs.26.618 billion for development outlay (32.82%) while the administrative portion of the budget would get Rs.12.244 billion (15.10%). He said, 92 percent of the revenue resources are from the federal and other sources while only eight percent is from the provincial own receipts. He expressed the hope that during the next financial year the provincial government is expecting 15.7 percent increase from the federal divisible pool. (Posted @ 20:54 PST)
Musharraf meets President of Kazakhstan ALMATY, Jun 17 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf had a meeting with President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev in Almaty on Saturday on the sidelines of the second summit of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which was participated by top leaders of Russia, China and Central Asian states. The two leaders discussed bilateral issues, situation in the region and trade and economic relations between the two countries. Musharraf and Nazarbayev also discussed international issues during the meeting. (Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Balochistan development government's key priority: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Saturday said the development of Balochistan is a key priority of the government and it will continue to allocate necessary funds for the uplift of the province. He was talking to a delegation from Balochistan led by Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali, Deputy Chairman Senate. It included Mir Abdul Majid Bizenjo, former Provincial Minister and Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League (PML), Anayat Allah Khan Baazai, former Deputy Speaker Balochistan Assembly and Senior PML Vice President. Aziz said that the government is keen to accelerate the process of economic development in the province.(Posted @ 20:38 PST)
President Musharraf returns home ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf returned here on Saturday afternoon after attending Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference in China and a regional conference at Almaty. The President was received at the airport by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Chairman Senate Muhammadmian Soomro and other senior government officials.(Posted @ 20:38 PST)
Pakistan condemns abducted journalist's slaying MIR ALI, Pakistan (AP) A senior Pakistani cabinet minister on Saturday condemned the slaying of a journalist who disappeared after reporting the killing of an al-Qaida operative in a U.S. strike in a tribal region bordering Afghanistan. Hundreds of people attended Hayatullah Khan's funeral on Saturday, a day after his body was found near his hometown of Mir Ali, from where he was abducted on Dec. 5. In the capital, Islamabad, journalists boycotted coverage of the National Assembly's proceedings Saturday and marched on a main road where the offices of the prime minister and president are located to condemn Khan's killing. Chanting slogans ``Killer, killer, government killer!,'' they demanded an impartial investigation into the incident. Opposition lawmakers joined the journalists at the rally. The protest came hours after Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao said in a statement that Khan's killing was a ``dastardly act'' and promised to take stern action against those responsible for it. On Saturday, he met with the protesting journalists and assured them that no intelligence agency was behind the kidnapping or slaying of Khan, and claimed that they had tried hard to recover Khan alive. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on the Pakistani government to find those responsible for the killing of Khan. "We hold Pakistani authorities fully responsible for carrying out a vigorous investigation, and prosecuting the perpetrators of this terrible crime," the group's executive director, Ann Cooper, said in a statement. (First Posted @ 11:05 PST Updated @ 20:34 PST)
Russia, China call for multilateral approach at security summit ALMATY, Kazakhstan (AP) The leaders of China and Russia on Saturday called for a multilateral approach to problems in Asia at a security summit hosted by Kazakhstan. ``We cannot sit around given the threats and challenges that the countries of Asia are facing today,'' Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a one-day gathering of the Conference on Interactions and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, or CICA. He cited terrorism, bird flu and AIDS as chief concerns. Delegates repeatedly issued calls for peace at the summit of the 18-member group. ``It is important to have a multilateral approach in the region,'' Chinese President Hu Jintao told the delegates.The participants signed a declaration after the meeting pledging to step up joint efforts to fight terrorism, organized crime, separatism and drug trafficking. It expressed support for U.N. reforms and the election of an Asian candidate as U.N. secretary general, as well as increased trade.(Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Prime Minister Aziz meets delegation from South Waziristan ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Saturday asked the tribal people to extend full support to the government in dealing with extremist elements who were damaging peace and hampering development in their region. Talking to a delegation belonging to South Waziristan that called on him in his chamber at the Parliament House, he asked the tribal leaders not to allow anyone to distort the image of Islam and create misunderstandings between Pakistan and its neighbours. He said the government has allocated Rs. six billion for the development of tribal areas and assured that more funds would be made available. The delegation apprised the Prime Minister of the problems being faced by the people. They also assured full cooperation in pursuing development, peace and prosperity in the tribal areas.(Posted @ 19:52 PST)
Six killed in fresh violence in occupied Kashmir; seven arrested SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, June 17, 2006 (AFP) Four civilians and two unidentified gunmen were killed in fresh violence in occupied Kashmir, while seven alleged bombers were arrested, police said Saturday. Two civilians were killed Friday evening and three policemen wounded in a grenade and gun fire attack on a police motorcade in northern Baramulla district, a police spokesman said. In the same district Saturday, the owner of a public telephone office and in a separate incident a former militant who was working with counter-insurgency police were shot dead, the spokesman added. Police said Indian troops late Friday shot dead two alleged militants in the same district. The region's police chief meanwhile said Saturday police had arrested seven suspects involved in recent attacks in Srinagar.(Posted @ 19:48 PST)
Somali courts claim Ethiopian troops enter Somalia JOWHAR, Somalia, June 17, 2006 (AFP) Somalia's courts on Saturday claimed that Ethiopian troops have entered Somalia, heightening tension in the southern region of the Horn of Africa country. "Ethiopia has amassed troops at its border with Somalia and we are getting information that they have entered into Somalia," Sheikh Shariff Sheikh Ahmed, the leader of the Joint Islamic Courts said. Ahmed was referring to clashes reported by residents early Saturday in the border area, with no reports of casualties.(Posted @ 17:22 PST)
Iraq attacks kill 31, U.S. seeks missing soldiers BAGHDAD, June 17 (Reuters) Bomb and mortar attacks killed at least 31 people in and near Baghdad on Saturday. U.S. forces were searching for two U.S. soldiers who went missing after an attack on Friday in which one American soldier was killed in Yusufiya, south of Baghdad. In the deadliest attack, a car bomb targeting Iraqi army and police killed 11 people. Television footage showed the blackened remains of at least six burnt-out cars. In more violence, a bomb killed six people and wounded 11 in a crowded market in central Baghdad and mortar rounds killed two people and wounded 14 in another market in Kadhimiya district. In the town of Mahmudiya just south of the capital, a car bomb targeting an Iraqi army checkpoint killed seven people.( First Posted@ 13:05 PST Updated @ 16:32 PST)
President Musharraf calls for conflict resolution ALMATY, Jun 17 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Saturday called for addressing the root causes of terrorism and underscored the need for resolution of conflicts to ensure peace, security and economic development in Asia. He was addressing the second summit of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which drew participation by top leaders of Russia, China and Central Asian states. "When we talk of peace and confidence building in the Asian continent, we cannot escape the responsibility to find just solution to the long-standing Palestinian and Kashmir conflict and the need to help Iraq and Afghanistan gain stability and normalcy," he told the gathering. Referring to Pakistan-India peace process for resolution of outstanding disputes including Kashmir, the President informed the summit about the unique peace opportunity existing in South Asia. "This is achievable through leadership, sincerity courage and flexibility," he said. Speaking about the recent tension over Iranian nuclear issue, he welcomed the renewed diplomatic efforts to find a negotiated settlement as well as the US decision to directly engage with Iran. "We have been supporting the Iran EU three dialogue and search for a diplomatic solution, especially by Russia and China," he said. (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Pakistani pacer to get groin treatment in England KARACHI, June 17 (AFP) - Pakistani seamer Rana Naved-ul Hasan left for London Saturday to consult a specialist in the hope of recovering from a groin injury before the Test series against England in July. He suffered the injury while playing for Sussex. Naved took 34 wickets in five matches for Sussex and was expected to spearhead Pakistan's attack in the four match Test and five match one-day series starting July 13. Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq commenting on Naved’s injury said: "I think he was excessively used in (county) matches and not provided proper rest. Teams have to use fast bowlers very intelligently to avoid any burnouts or injuries," Inzamam said in an interview with a local newspaper. (Posted @ 12:55 PST)
Chechen rebel 'president' killed: report MOSCOW, June 17 (APP/AFP) - The self-declared Chechen rebel "president", Abdulkhamid Saidullayev, has been killed, Interfax news agency reported Saturday, quoting an official of the Moscow-backed Chechen government. (Posted @ 12:55 PST)
Coalition kills 45 rebels in Afghanistan, loses two soldiers KANDAHAR, June 17 (AFP) - A policeman and seven Taliban were killed in fresh fighting in Afghanistan early Saturday as security forces pushed on with the largest operation since the Taliban regime fell in 2001. The latest battle, which erupted in southern Kandahar province at midnight and continued until morning, came hours after the coalition announced the killing of 45 Taliban rebels and two coalition soldiers on Friday. Taliban rebels stormed a district government office in Kandahar at around midnight, interior ministry spokesman Yousuf Stanizai said. After the battle, "The Taliban fled, leaving the seven bodies at the site," he said. "One police was also martyred and one was wounded in the several hours' fighting," he added. (Posted @ 11:25 PST)
Indo-Pak problems can be resolved if leaders show courage: Kasuri New Delhi, June 17 (APP): Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has said the Indo-Pak peace process had come a long way and the problems could be resolved if the leaders showed courage and were willing to take risks. In an interview to 'The Asian Age' from Islamabad, Kasuri said President Pervez Musharraf had shown a great deal of courage and he was hopeful now that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would visit Pakistan "sooner than later." He further said he had no information, other than the media reports, about the visit, but that he was strongly of the view that such high-level visits should not be held only when "everything is hunky dory" but more when the situation required the interaction for substantive movement forward. He further said that Pakistan would be "very happy" to resolve Siachen and Sir Creek, maintaining that even Indian newspapers had admitted that Pakistan had "gone the extra length" on this. "I don't know what is standing in the way," Kasuri added. (Posted @ 11:15 PST)
Italy urges United States to close Guantanamo prison WASHINGTON, June 17 (Reuters) - Italy's Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema urged the United States on Friday to close its Guantanamo Bay prison but U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said "dangerous" people needed to be held somewhere. Speaking at a joint news conference in Washington, D'Alema said he joined his European counterparts in calling for the closure of the prison at the U.S. naval base in Cuba. (Posted @ 11:00 PST)
Slovaks start voting in legislative elections BRATISLAVA, June 17 (AFP) - Slovaks began voting Saturday in legislative elections for the 150-seat parliament with centre-right Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda fighting to continue far reaching, but painful, reforms. (Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Chemical blast in eastern China kills 10, injures 26 BEIJING, June 17 (AFP) - A blast at a chemical plant in Dangtu county in Anhui province late Friday afternoon killed at least 10 people and left 26 others injured, local officials and press reports said Saturday. The blast levelled a two-storey workshop. "The cause of the blast is still unknown and is under investigation," an official said. (Posted @ 09:52 PST)
China's Wen departs on seven-nation African trip BEIJING, June 17 (AFP) - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao headed to Africa on Saturday for a hectic week-long seven-nation trip aimed at shoring up energy and mineral resources for his nation's booming economy. Wen will visit Egypt, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, Angola, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda during the trip, Xinhua news agency said. (Posted @ 09:30 PST)
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