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| June 21, 2006 | Wednesday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 24, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Four feared dead as Pakistan army helicopter crashes into dam PESHAWAR, Pakistan, June 21, 2006 (AFP) Four Pakistani soldiers were believed killed Wednesday when their army helicopter crashed into a dam in a tribal area bordering Afghanistan, police said. Rescuers pulled three others from the water following the incident, which came shortly after the chopper took off from a base in the north-western garrison town of Bannu, police said. "Army divers have recovered one body from the crash site. Three others are missing, they are feared dead," a police official said, adding "three people were rescued, they are in stable condition." The cause of the crash appeared to be a technical problem but the military has launched an investigation, he added. A security official in the adjoining tribal region of North Waziristan said the helicopter was flying from Bannu to the region's main town Miranshah. Military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan earlier said that the helicopter lost contact after leaving its base early Wednesday. He said military helicopters had gone to the area to conduct a search. He could not immediately give details about the number of people on board, saying that "it was a small helicopter. We are trying to find out the details." (First Posted @ 09:41 PST Updated @ 11:25 PST)
Pakistan hoisting over 2.5 million Afghan refugees: Michael Thowa ISLAMABAD, Jun 21 (APP): Pakistan still has the highest number of refugees in the world. It is hositing around two and a half million Afghans, BBC reported. There were more than five million Afghan refugees in Pakistan at the hike. Now roughly half of them have returned to Afghanistan. Michael Thowa Deputy head of the UN refugee agency in Pakistan said," actually we do not send refugees back.They volunteered to go back on their own". He said perhaps there were some difficulties to their return viz establishing their livlihood,finding a pace to stay back in Afghanistan and the associated development needs in Afghanistan.(Posted @ 21:35 PST)
Baghdad gunmen kill third Saddam defence lawyer; abduction of 80 factory workers BAGHDAD, June 21 (Reuters) - One of Saddam Hussein's main lawyers was shot dead on Wednesday after men in police uniforms took him from his home, police and relatives said, the third defence attorney to be killed since the trial opened in October. Gunmen also abducted at least 80 Iraqi factory workers travelling in a fleet of buses just north of Baghdad, police and Interior Ministry sources said. The killing of Khamis al-Obaidi was a new setback for the U.S.-backed court. The lead defence lawyer called for the case to be suspended and the defendants taken abroad after the death of his deputy. Meanwhile, Al Qaeda's allies said in a Web posting they would kill fourRussian embassy staff kidnapped in Baghdad 18 days ago because Moscow failed to meet a deadline to pull troops out of Chechnya.(Posted @ 21:25 PST)
Muslim leaders urge Armenian withdrawal from Karabakh enclave BAKU, June 21 (AFP) - Leaders of Muslim states Wednesday urged the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of ethnic Armenian forces from the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh enclave in Azerbaijan Wednesday. In the Baku Declaration, the 57 member states of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) said they "strongly condemn the aggression" of Armenia against Azerbaijan and "urge the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian occupying forces." The OIC declaration called on member states to "support Azerbaijan on the issue of full restoration of its territorial integrity."(Posted @ 21:05 PST)
Earthquake hits India's Andaman Islands NEW DELHI, June 21 (AFP) - An earthquake measuring 5.5. on the Richter scale struck India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which were badly hit by the December 2004 tsunami, an official said Wednesday. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.(Posted @ 21:05 PST)
Palestinian shot dead, 11 wounded in West Bank NABLUS, West Bank, June 21 (AFP) - A wanted Palestinian was shot dead in a shootout with Israeli troops on Wednesday in the northern West Bank where another 11 Palestinians were wounded during an army incursion, medics said.Daoud Katumi, 25, a member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades loosely connected to the Fatah party of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, was killed in a pre-dawn shootout with troops in a refugee camp, Israeli and Palestinians said. Two other gunmen, including another Al-Aqsa member, were wounded in the exchange of fire in the Ain Beit Ilma camp near the restive city of Nablus, Palestinian security sources said. Eleven Palestinians were later wounded by Israeli rubber-coated bullets when troops staged an incursion into Nablus itself, witnesses and medical sources said.(Posted @ 21:05 PST)
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup field hockey result KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (AFP) - Results from the 15th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament on Wednesday: India 3 (Teijbir Singh 9, Sandeep Singh 15, Khandhar 53) South Korea 0 (Half-time score 2-0). Australia 2 (Livermore 27, Schubert 40) Malaysia 2 (Ismail 15, Azrafiq 70). Halftime score 1-1(Posted @ 20:45 PST)
Eight dead, 26 injured in road crash in occupied Kashmir JAMMU, occupied Kashmir, June 21 (AFP) - Eight people were killed and 26 injured in a collision between a truck and two cars in Ramban town, 176 kilometers from Jammu, police said Wednesday.(Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Al-Qaeda attack on London foiled in 2003: report WASHINGTON, June 21, 2006 (AFP) - Al-Qaeda planned to hijack a plane from London Heathrow Airport in 2003 and smash it into a London skyscraper, a US television network reported Wednesday, quoting an American government report. The London attack was one of three Al-Qaeda hijack plots foiled, with Australia, the United States and Italy also targets of Osama bin Laden's group, according to the Department of Homeland Security report cited by ABC television's website. The hijackers in the London attack had planned to use cameras to hide bombs and take on stun guns disguised as flash attachments, highlighting Al-Qaeda's search for innovative new ways to strike. The report said Al-Qaeda had planned to hijack planes taking off from London Heathrow Airport and smash them into the airport and a skyscraper in the Canary Wharf financial district of the British capital.It did not say how the plot was foiled. Al-Qaeda had also planned in May 2003 to fly "an explosive-laden general aviation aircraft into the US consulate in Karachi, Pakistan," said the report. ABC did not give details of the planned attacks in Australia, Italy or the United States, but it said the US report had concluded there were nine similar plots since the September 11, 2001 attacks, "demonstrating a continued commitment to attack aviation-related targets."(Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Pakistan cricketers get 25 percent pay rise, bonuses LAHORE, Pakistan, June 21 (AFP) - Pakistan's top cricketers including injured bowler Shoaib Akhtar received 25 a percent pay rise and the promise of performance bonuses for their next three series and the 2007 World Cup, officials said Wednesday. "We have given central contracts to 20 cricketers with a rise of 25 percent, both in the central contracts and match fees," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters. The players in A, B and C categories were previously getting monthly salaries of 3,750 dollars, 2,500 dollars and 1,250 dollars respectively under the central contracts announced last year. Besides Akhtar, captain Inzamam, vice captain Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi are in the top category while Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and Danish Kaneria are placed in the 'B' category. Opener Yasir Hameed, off-spinner Arshad Khan and paceman Shabbir Ahmed missed out on the contracts introduced last year. However, Shabbir Ahmed would be given a special package as he was banned from all international cricket over his illegal bowling action last year, he said.The board also decided to give cash incentives to players for winning Test matches, one-day internationals and major international tournaments.(Posted @ 20:35 PST)
Bush: Iran's Aug date for atom reply is 'long time' VIENNA, June 21 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Wednesday Iran's plan to reply by late August to a big power offer of incentives to halt nuclear work was "an awful long time for a reasonable answer”. "It shouldn't take the Iranians that long to analyse what is a reasonable deal. I said weeks, not months. I believe that's what the other partners (say too)," Bush told a news conference after talks with European Union leaders in Vienna.(Posted @ 19:15 PST)
China gives Angola $2 bln in fresh credit LUANDA, June 21 (Reuters) - China will extend more than $2 billion in new credit to Angola to help the oil-rich African nation rebuild its war-shattered economy, Angola's state-run media reported on Wednesday. The deal, which comes in addition to a $3 billion credit line Beijing has already given Luanda, was one of several agreements sealed during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's two-day visit to Angola as part of a seven-nation African tour. Angola is sub-Saharan Africa's second largest oil producer after Nigeria, pumping 1.4 million barrels a day (bpd), a figure the government sees rising to 2 million bpd by the end of 2007.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Five Hindu pilgrims hurt in occupied Kashmir grenade attack, top rebel killed SRINAGAR, June 21 (AFP) - Five Hindu pilgrims were injured Wednesday in a grenade attack on their bus by suspected militants in revolt-hit occupied Kashmir, while police said a senior rebel and a political activist were killed in separate incidents. A police spokesman said the attack on the pilgrims took place near Gandherbal, 30 kilometers northeast of Srinagar when they were returning from Amarnath cave after completing the ritual. Meanwhile, the police spokesman said Indian troops shot dead Farooq Ahmed, alias Junaid, a wanted district commander of Hizbul Mujahedin in Anantnag district on Wednesday.In the same district suspected rebels shot dead a worker of the pro-India communist party late Tuesday, police said.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Iran to reply to nuclear offer in August: Ahmadinejad TEHRAN, June 21 (AFP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday Tehran will reply in August to an international call for a freeze of its sensitive nuclear work, despite calls for a reply by the end of June. "We will study the offer and, God willing, will give our opinion at the end of the Mordad," Ahmadinejad said in a speech, referring to the Iranian month that ends on August 22. The proposal was presented to Iran on June 6. Diplomats say Iran was asked to reply by June 29.(Posted @ 19:05 PST)
India sweep into semis at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (AFP) - India swept into the semi-finals of the 15th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament with a classic 3-0 win over South Korea in their final Group A match Wednesday India will learn Thursday who their semi-finals opponents will be. The final Group matches will decide the two teams from that pool, with Pakistan, New Zealand and the Netherlands fighting for berths.(Posted @ 19:05 PST)
British crack troops swoop on Afghan town CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan, June 21 (AFP) - British crack troops and Afghan soldiers swooped into a town in southern Afghanistan at dawn on Wednesday to secure the area, which was the scene of a bloody massacre at the weekend, the British said. No shots had yet been fired but the operation in Helmand province's Sangin district and surrounding areas was ongoing, a British military spokesman told reporters at Camp Bastion, the main British military base in the restive province. Dozens of troops from the 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, were dropped outside the town by helicopter, from where they launched their assault. "Contact has been made with local leaders and a programme of routine patrolling has been put in place," the spokesman said.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
World powers united on keeping Iran from acquiring nuclear arms know-how: Bush VIENNA, June 21 (AFP) - World powers are united in the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring the know-how to make nuclear weapons, US President George W. Bush said Wednesday. "Russia and China are united in our common desire to make sure the Iranians don't develop nuclear weapons," Bush said, adding that there was "no question we share the goal of Iran not having the capacity or possession of nuclear weapons."(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
US wants to close Guantanamo -- Bush VIENNA, June 21, 2006 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said Wednesday he would like to close the prison for terrorist suspects at Guantanamo Bay but a way must first be found to send inmates there home. "I would like to end Guantanamo," Bush told a press conference after an EU-US summit in Vienna.(Posted @ 18:35 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan reject West Indies request for tour change KARACHI, June 21 (Reuters) - Pakistan have rejected a request from the West Indies cricket board to change the itinerary for their tour later this year. "They wanted to play a Twenty20 match on Nov. 17 before coming to Pakistan and asked us to reschedule the dates. But wehave told them it can't be done due to time constraints and the tour starts from Nov 7," a Pakistan cricket board official said on Wednesday(Posted @ 18:30 PST)
Sri Lanka rebels say EU truce monitors must quit COLOMBO, June 21 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers on Wednesday insisted that Nordic truce monitors from European Union countries must be replaced in light of an EU ban against the rebels, Norwegian envoys said after visiting their stronghold.(Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Three Pakistani soldiers killed in bomb blast MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, June 21 (AFP) - Three Pakistani soldiers were killed and three wounded Wednesday when a bomb exploded near a military convoy in the restive tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, security officials said. The device blew up on a sharp bend when a convoy from Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan region, was heading towards the garrison town of Bannu, a security official said. Three paramilitary soldiers who had been guarding the road died and three others were wounded in the blast near the town of Mir Ali, the official said on condition of anonymity. There was no damage to the vehicles in the convoy. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Roadside bomb wounds four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, June 21 (AFP) - Four Canadian soldiers were wounded, one of them seriously, when an improvised bomb struck their armoured vehicle near a Canadian camp in an area of southern Kandahar province early Wednesday, spokesman Major Mario Couture said. The attack was about eight kilometres south of a platoon camp at the village of Gumbad, about 60 kilometres east of Kandahar city. (Posted @ 16:10 PST)
No preconditions' for Iran nuclear talks: OIC BAKU, June 21, 2006 (AFP) Negotiations over Iran's controversial nuclear programme should resume "without any preconditions," the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) said in a declaration adopted in Baku on Wednesday. "We express our conviction that the only way to resolve Iran's nuclear issue is to resume negotiations without any preconditions," OIC members said in a document called the Baku Declaration. They also called for the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East and for the "prompt placement" of Israel under the control of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Iran won't sell gas cheap to India, Pakistan TEHRAN, June 21, 2006 (AFP) Iran will not sell its gas at knock-down rates to India and Pakistan, a senior oil official said Wednesday. "The price suggested by India and Pakistan is almost half of the price we offered," deputy oil minister Mohammad-Hadi Nejad-Hosseinian said on state radio. "If the two governments intend to subsidise their domestic gas, there is no reason for Iran to pay this subsidy," he added. Quoted by the Iranian oil ministry's Shana news agency, Nejad-Hosseinian said Iran was not desperate to sell its gas to India and Pakistan. "The tripartite Peace Pipeline agreement is not an absolute obligation," he said. He also warned India and Pakistan that if the nuclear issue is resolved, other countries "will be the first customers of our gas (and will pay) even better prices." The official also said there was disagreement with India and Pakistan over the amount of gas to be exported -- with Iran unwilling to sell a large chunk of its planned daily exports of 480 million cubic meters to just two countries. "We think it is better for us to have various customers," he said. The three sides held their last round of talks on the project in May. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Rights group says Israel beach death probe not credible JERUSALEM, June 21, 2006 (AFP) A US-based rights group has accused Israel of ignoring evidence and conducting an incomplete investigation into the deaths of eight Palestinian civilians, demanding an international inquiry. "The Israel Defence Forces' (IDF) investigation of the Gaza beach explosion that killed eight Palestinian civilians and wounded dozens is incomplete because it excludes important evidence," Human Rights Watch (HRW) said. The New York-based group released the statement Tuesday after meeting Meir Klifi, the general responsible for the army's internal inquiry into the June 9 beach deaths. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Nepali plane crashes, nine on board killed KATHMANDU, June 21 (Reuters) A Twin Otter passenger plane belonging to a private Nepali airline crashed minutes before landing in the west of the country on Wednesday, killing all nine people on board, airport officials said. The Yeti Airlines plane was going from Surkhet to Jumla, about 350 km west of Kathmandu. The cause of the crash was not known. The victims included six passengers and three crew, all Nepalis, an official said. (Posted @ 13:02 PST)
Twenty-six dead in fresh Afghan violence KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, June 21, 2006 (AFP) Afghan forces said Wednesday they killed 20 Taliban in southern Afghanistan, where British forces say they have encountered more rebels than expected. Afghan and coalition forces attacked a Taliban hideout in Helmand province's Musa Qala district on a tip-off on Tuesday evening and set off three hours of fighting, General Rahmatullah Raufi, commander of the army's southern corps said. "Twenty Taliban were killed in the operation. Their bodies with their weapons were left at the site," Raufi said. An Afghan army soldier was also wounded. A senior British commander told embedded reporters there Tuesday that there were greater numbers of Taliban rebels putting up a fight in Helmand province than expected. Quizzed on what he meant by the larger presence, the commander said he was talking about hundreds not thousands of rebels. (First Posted @ 09:40 PST Updated @ 13:00 PST)
Iraqi forces capture top rebel in Baghdad BAGHDAD, June 21, 2006 (AFP) A leading insurgent was captured Wednesday by Iraqi soldiers in Baghdad's Kadhimiyah district in a raid during the ongoing security clampdown in the capital, the US military said. Nuri Abu Haider Al-Oqabi, an alleged "leader of an assassination cell in Baghdad", was captured from the district's Shuala neighborhood, the military said. The military said he was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of 14 Iraqi army soldiers last month, plus many other such abductions and murders. Another person was also detained during the early morning raid. (Posted @ 11:17 PST)
Two jailed for life in China for drugs BEIJING, June 21, 2006 (AFP) A Pakistani and a Nigerian were sentenced to life in prison in China after being convicted for trafficking 1.3 kilograms of heroin, state press reported Wednesday. Pakistani Muhammad Zubair, 54, was sentenced by the Beijing intermediate court on Tuesday for trafficking one kilogram of heroin through the Capital International Airport in August last year, the China Daily reported. Zubair had ingested over half of the heroin and hid the rest in his shoes, it said. His Pakistani accomplice Tahir Hussain Abbasi, 43, was also convicted of ingesting and smuggling 330 grams of heroin into China and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, the paper said. Zubair and Abbasi both cooperated with Chinese police and later trafficked the heroin to Nigerian Agape Emeka in southern China's Guangdong province in a sting operation, the paper said. (Posted @ 09:25 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 2.21 points: KARACHI, June 21: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 10102.96, down 2.21 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:17 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, June 21: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.7 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:17 PST)
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