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| June 29, 2006 | Thursday | Jumadi-ul-Sani 2, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Israel arrests 64 Hamas members in massive sweep RAMALLAH, West Bank, June 29, 2006 (AFP) Israel arrested 64 members of Hamas, including eight of its cabinet ministers, in a massive overnight sweep. The officials were arrested in a vast Israeli operation concentrated in Ramallah, Hebron and Jenin and occupied east Jerusalem, Israeli military sources said. A ninth, independent minister and 24 Hamas lawmakers were also netted, a Palestinian parliamentary source said. In response to Thursday's arrests, Hamas deputy parliament speaker Ahmed Bahar accused Israel of launching an "open war" to destroy his government. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat urged the international community to help win the release of the arrested ministers and deputies, otherwise warning of "total collapse" in the situation. Information minister Yussef Rizqa denied any Palestinian responsibility for the situation, instead slamming Israel's "crazy military escalation". (First Posted @ 09:45 PST Updated @ 17:08 PST)
Three Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti commanders, 20 others, surrender arms QUETTA, June 29 (APP): Three commanders of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti along with their 20 associates surrendered their arms before the provincial home minister, Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, here Thursday. Speaking at a ceremony the three commanders: Bangan Khan, Saeed Khan and Neyal Khan Bugti, denounced violence and urged other fugitive fighters to follow their example. Minister Nosherwani reiterated the government’s offer of providing full protection to those who surrender their arms.(Posted @ 20:50 PST)
Pakistan frees 50 tribesmen MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, June 29 (Reuters) Pakistani authorities on Thursday released 50 tribesmen in a gesture meant to calm pro-Taliban militants fighting the army in North Waziristan region bordering Afghanistan, an official said. "Our new chief checked their files and ordered their release after finding them innocent," the region's deputy administrator said in the main town of Miranshah. On late Wednesday, leaflets, purportedly from militants, were circulated in Miranshah, reiterating that they would try to ensure that the many groups among them honoured the ceasefire, and sought to encourage the dialogue now started. (First Posted @ 15:35 PST Updated @ 20:18 PST)
President Musharraf directs envoys to focus on expansion of trade ISLAMABAD, Jun 29 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday directed Pakistan's envoys to particularly focus on expansion of economic, trade and investment opportunities for the country, leveraging Pakistan's geo-political location for economic linkages with major regions, enhancing interaction with the international media and mobilizing the Pakistani community for projection of the country. He was addressing the concluding session of the Envoys Conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also reaffirmed Pakistan's policies to fight terrorism and extremism and promotion of enlightened moderation.(Posted @ 23:56 PST)
Pakistan’s proposals on Kashmir basis for settlement: Aziz ISLAMABAD, Jun 29 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz reiterated the government’s commitment to the peace process with India in a meeting with members of the British parliament. Emphasizing the need for an early settlement of the Kashmir dispute, Aziz said peace in South Asia would remain elusive without a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir. He also stressed the need for promoting interfaith harmony. On Afghanistan, he said "the events in Afghanistan have a spill over affect on Pakistan. We will continue to extend our full support for peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan in order to maintain regional stability". He also appreciated the timely and substantial help provided by the British government for the earthquake affected people of Pakistan. Mr. Malcolm Bruce appreciated the manner in which Pakistan handled the difficult situation arising cut of the October 8 earthquake, also discussed the UN reforms.(Posted @ 23:18 PST)
Taliban growing stronger because Iraq diverted world's attention: general KABUL, June 29, 2006 (AFP) Afghanistan's Taliban insurgents are growing stronger because the world's attention was distracted by Iraq, a top British general said. "I'm critical of the whole international community for not listening sufficiently closely to all Afghans, in particular the Afghan governement," said General David Richards, commander of the NATO force in Afghanistan, in a BBC interview. Asked the reason for the resurgence of Taliban, he replied: "Largely it's because people took their eye off this ball and a vacuum was allowed to develop and that vacuum was filled by the Taliban. Richards said, however, that it "is not too late to put the Taliban back in the box."(Posted @ 23:12 PST)
Second US congressional panel backs US-India nuclear deal WASHINGTON, June 29, 2006 (AFP) A controversial deal to help India develop civilian nuclear facilities cleared another hurdle in the US Congress on Thursday, boosting its chances of winning full approval in coming weeks. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved legislation to enable the accord in a 16-2 vote, two days after the House of Representatives' International Relations Committee gave its backing 37-5. The full Senate and House of Representatives could now hold votes on the legislation next month, though no schedule has been drawn up and the deal still faces opposition.(Posted @ 23:10 PST)
US Congress to set legal framework for Guantanamo cases WASHINGTON, June 29, 2006 (AFP) The US Congress will work quickly to create a legal framework for dealing with US "war on terror" detainees being held in Guantanamo Bay, Senator John Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services committee, said Thursday. "It will be a top priority," Warner said after the US Supreme Court ruled that US President George W. Bush overstepped his powers in setting up military war crimes tribunals in Guantanamo.(Posted @ 23:08 PST)
Pakistani court acquits suspect in US consulate bombing KARACHI, June 29 (AP) A Pakistani court acquitted a man Thursday suspected of involvement in a 2002 car bombing outside the U.S. consulate in Karachi that killed 14 Pakistanis, lawyers said. But Naveedul Hassan will remain in custody until he faces court on July 5 on charges of involvement in a failed 2002 assassination attempt on Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf in Karachi. The anti-terrorism court exonerated Hassan in the consulate bombing because the prosecution ``failed to prove his crime,'' said the defendant's counsel.(Posted @ 23:06 PST)
Pakistan mulls possible candidates for top UN job ISLAMABAD, June 29 (Reuters) Lobbyists hoping to see a Pakistani become the next U.N. secretary-general are talking up the names of three diplomats. If Pakistan joins the race, the name of Pakistan's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Maleeha Lodhi is considered to be Islamabad's most likely choice, a top Pakistani diplomat close to President Pervez Musharraf said. Other names in the frame include Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, and former executive-director of the U.N. Population Fund, Dr Nafis Sadik. Earlier last week a junior minister caused a mini political storm in Pakistan's ruling party last week when he suggested that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz should be nominated for the U.N. job. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam ruled out Aziz but declined to comment on other potential candidates until a decision is taken.(Posted @ 23:04 PST)
G8 wants Iran to reply next week to nuclear offer MOSCOW, June 29 (Reuters) The Group of Eight industrialised nations told Iran on Thursday to give a "clear and substantive response" next week to an offer by major powers over its nuclear plans. The joint statement issued by the G8 foreign ministers said: "We are disappointed by the absence of an official Iranian response to this positive proposal…we expect to hear a clear and substantive response to these proposals at the planned meeting ... on July 5 and to bring these discussions to a rapid conclusion". The G8 statement followed talks between Rice and foreign ministers from Russia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Britain who were in Moscow before next month's G8 summit.(Posted @ 21:34 PST)
Kuwaiti women flock to historic polls KUWAIT CITY, June 29, 2006 (AFP) Kuwaiti women turned out in force Thursday to vote for the first time in parliamentary elections in the oil-rich Gulf state after a heated campaign focused on electoral reform and corruption. Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah hailed the high turnout as "unprecedented", as state-run TV reported that turnout had topped 40 percent in the first four hours alone. Female candidates sounded jubilant, with some saying they would still be happy even if they did not win a seat. Polling is due to close at 20:00 (1700 GMT), with the first results expected by midnight (2100 GMT), as votes are still counted manually. (First Posted @ 10:00 PST Updated @ 21:18 PST)
Tennis-Agassi and Sharapova display champions' pedigree LONDON, June 29, 2006 (AFP) Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova showed why they have the right to call themselves Wimbledon champions as they cruised into the last 32 of the men's and women's singles on Thursday. Agassi beat Italy's Andreas Seppi in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), and 6-4. The win put Agassi on course for a third round meeting with French Open champion Rafael Nadal. Fourth-seed Sharapova was close to her intimidating best as she crushed Ashley Harkleroad 6-2, 6-2.(Posted @ 21:14 PST)
Afghan police arrest two India-bound women with heroin KABUL, June 29, 2006 (AFP) Afghan police Thursday arrested two women who were trying to smuggle 14 kilogrammes of heroin to India, officials said. The women, who had fake Afghan passports, were caught at Kabul airport awaiting a flight to New Delhi, an airport police official said. Police believed the women were members of a drug smuggling gang operating in India and Afghanistan.(Posted @ 21:10 PST)
Afghan bus passenger injured in warning shot by NATO troops KABUL, June 29, 2006 (AFP) An Afghan passenger was injured Thursday when soldiers from NATO-led peacekeepers fired a warning shot at a bus in Kabul after its driver ignored a warning not to overtake their convoy, security officials said. The soldiers "fired a second shot (at the bus carrying civilians) which may have injured the driver," a NATO military spokesman in Kabul said, without further detail.(Posted @ 21:08 PST)
US Supreme Court rejects 'war on terror' military tribunals WASHINGTON, June 29, 2006 (AFP) In a major setback for President George W. Bush's "war on terror", the US Supreme Court ruled Thursday he overstepped his powers in setting up military war crimes tribunals for detainees at Guantanamo Bay. The high court, in a 5-3 vote, said the administration violated the Geneva Conventions and the US military code of justice and in ordering a military tribunal to prosecute Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a Yemeni and former driver for Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The justices also ruled that the tribunal system set up by the US administration does not meet the requirements laid down by the 1949 Geneva Conventions on the treatment of people captured in wartime. There was no immediate reaction from the White House. (Posted @ 21:04 PST)
Rice calls for 'responsibility' in Middle East MOSCOW, June 29, 2006 (AFP) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Thursday on all sides in the Middle East conflict to act responsibly in order to maintain peace. After a meeting of G8 foreign ministers in Moscow, Rice called on Palestinians to end militant attacks and urged Israel to exercise restraint. "Because with restraint perhaps you can get to a place where there can be hopes again for the peace process," she added. (First Posted @ 10:25 PST Updated @ 21:02 PST)
Index crosses 9800 points mark in Karachi stock market KARACHI, June 29 (APP) The local capital market’s road to recovery continued by gaining hefty points on Thursday when the KSE-100 index closed with a gain of 407.28 points or 4.32 per cent up, piercing through the 9800 points mark at 9841.43. Starting from the closing of previous day’s 9434.15 points, the equities stopped nowhere till pocketing Rs109.672 in market capital at Rs2763.844 billion by the end of the business day. Out of 375 active companies, 294 companies booked gains, 61 suffered losses and 20 closed on their opening rates. The market traded 140.675 million shares worth Rs9242.624 million.(Posted @ 20:58 PST)
NWFP Assembly approves Rs20.34 billion supplementary budget for year 2005-06 PESHAWAR, June 29 (APP): The NWFP Assembly Thursday passed the supplementary budget with a total outlay of Rs. 20.34 billion for the fiscal year 2005-06. In all a total of 47 demand of grants were presented by different departments on which 237 cut motions were tabled by opposition members. However discussions on only eight demands of grants were permitted. Later the speaker, Bakht Jehan Khan, prorogued the budget session sine die.(Posted @ 20:34 PST)
Pakistan-U.S. to boost cultural ties WASHINGTON, Jun 29 (APP) Secretary Ministry of Culture, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Wednesday said Pakistan and the United States have agreed to further consolidate their ties in the fields of culture and the arts. In the three-day meetings, he said, the two countries took stock of their bilateral cultural relations, and agreed to take all necessary steps to increase the scope of their cooperation.(Posted @ 20:28 PST)
Cricket-Imran backs new cricket appeal system KARACHI, June 29, 2006 (AFP) Former Pakistan cricket great Imran Khan Thursday backed a proposal to allow teams to appeal against umpiring decisions, saying it could help minimise controversies in cricket." Khan said he confronted some bitter moments due to umpiring decisions during his 21-year career. "…Most notable being the semi-final of the 1987 World Cup when I was given out caught behind when I was not out," adding “we couldn't win a series in the West Indies in 1988 just because Viv Richards was not given out in the final Test. Had we had an appeal system we would have benefited". Khan said he was surprised at the decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board to oppose the proposed system. He also disagreed that the appeal system would kill the tempo of a match.(Posted @ 20:14 PST)
Pakistan hangs four criminals MULTAN, Pakistan, June 29, 2006 (AFP) Four condemned prisoners convicted of gang-raping a 14-year-old Christian girl were hanged Thursday after losing a six-year legal battle against the death sentence, an official said. The men, Omar Hayat, Mubarik Ali, Muhammad Ashraf and Shehzad Ahmed, were executed at the central jail in Faisalabad, a police official said. Officials added there was no religious motivation behind the December 1999 attack.(Posted @ 20:12 PST)
Power supply workers beaten as Karachi boils KARACHI, June 29 (Reuters) Provincial authorities in Karachi have called on the Pakistan government to help end a prolonged power supply crisis that has sparked violent protests and attacks on electricity company workers. The Sindh government wants Islamabad to order state-owned power utility WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) to divert more electricity to Karachi. "WAPDA can give more electricity to us to tackle this crisis urgently," a spokesman for Sindh's chief minister said on Thursday. "A number of our workers were injured by emotional crowds," said a spokesman of KESC, adding "we have asked for police protection to carry out unhindered repair and distribution work." The KESC spokesman said "Karachi's requirement is between 2,300 and 2,400 MW but we only have 2,100 MW of supplies". He predicted that "the situation would improve next year as KESC planned to increase its capacity by 500 MW later this year." (Posted @ 20:06 PST)
India, Pakistan to exchange scores of prisoners NEW DELHI, June 29 (Reuters) India and Pakistan would exchange hundreds of prisoners as part of measures aimed at boosting trust between the old rivals, Indian officials said on Thursday. India would free 38 Pakistani civilian prisoners at the Wagah border crossing on Friday under an agreement between the neighbours to release each other's nationals who have served their sentences, an Indian Home Ministry statement said. Pakistan was expected to release 240 Indian fishermen and 21 Indian civilian prisoners, also on Friday, an Indian Foreign Ministry official said. Another 30 Pakistani fishermen and more than 300 Indians remain in each other's jails but their nationalities must be confirmed before they could be released, he said.(Posted @ 20:04 PST)
Afghanistan captures two suicide bombers from Pakistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, June 29, 2006 (AFP) Afghan officials alleged Thursday they had captured two Pakistani nationals who were part of a 20-member team that entered southern Afghanistan to carry out suicide attacks. Two other men from the same group were killed Wednesday when they detonated a car bomb near a US-led coalition convoy in southern Zabul province, while 16 other alleged Pakistani nationals were still at large, a police official said. Police said the information was based on the confession of the detained men.(Posted @ 20:02 PST)
Militants circulate fliers calling for cease-fire with Pakistani troops MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan (AP) Militants distributed fliers Thursday calling for a one-month cease-fire in fighting with Pakistani forces in towns and villages throughout North Waziristan tribal region and talks with the government. ``We will work to ensure that the cease-fire holds and there is no violation to it,'' said the statement released in the name of the ``Mujahedeen of North Waziristan.'' It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the statement, which if genuine could mark a turning point in violent relations between Taliban-linked insurgents and the Pakistani military in this region. (Posted @ 18:48 PST)
Israel confirms arresting Palestinian deputy prime minister JERUSALEM (AP) The head of Israel's southern military command confirmed on Thursday that Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Nasser Shaer was among the Hamas officials Israel arrested in an early morning sweep. (Posted @ 18:46 PST)
Romania planning withdrawal of troops from Iraq BUCHAREST, June 29, 2006 (AFP) Romanian Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu said Thursday he has proposed a withdrawal of the country's troops from Iraq because of the "human and financial cost" of maintaining a contingent in the war-torn country. Tariceanu said he would ask the country's Supreme Defence Council (CSAT) to withdraw its 890-strong force.(Posted @ 17:20 PST)
Coalition soldier, 12 Taliban killed in Afghanistan KABUL, June 29, 2006 (AFP) A US-led coalition soldier was killed and three others injured when their vehicle hit a mine in Helmand province’s Nawzad district, officials said Thursday. Separately two coalition soldiers were wounded after a roadside bomb struck their vehicle in the same region. Meanwhile the coalition said Afghan and foreign troops killed 12 rebel fighters during a raid on a Taliban compound in the village of Lwar Gawrgin in the Shahidi Hassas district of Uruzgan province on Wednesday. Two Afghan soldiers were also slightly wounded, it said. (First Posted @ 10:20 PST Updated @ 17:02 PST)
Civilian killed in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, June 29 (AP) A building contractor was shot and killed Thursday outside his home in Gunddachan, a village about 60 kilometres north of Srinagar, police said. No group or individual claimed responsibility for the killing.(Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Afghanistan foreign minister to visit India KABUL, June 29, 2006 (AFP) Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta will visit India for talks on regional security, his press office said Thursday shortly before he leaves for New Delhi. During his three-day visit the minister is expected to discuss "regional security, the 'war on terror' and other bilateral relations" with his Indian counterpart and other officials, a foreign ministry spokesman said. The spokesman said that Spanta's trip to India was not related to his visit to Islamabad last week.(Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Nine injured in Iran quake TEHRAN, June 29 (AFP) - Nine people were lightly injured in a 5.5 intensity quake which hit the Persian Gulf Island of Qeshm, and the port city of Bandar Abbas area at 00:32 am (2102 GMT)," the head of a provincial natural disaster office, Masoud Dalman, told Iranian media. The area was hit by five aftershocks. Only the electricity in the Qeshm Island was cut. US Geological Survey said the tremor was centered 53 kilometers west southwest of Bandar Abbas and 135 kilometers north of Ras al-Khaymah in the United Arab Emirates.(Posted @ 12:35 PST)
Police kill six Maoists, arrest three in central Indian state RAIPUR, India, June 29 (AFP) - Indian police shot dead six Maoist guerrillas and arrested three others in a raid on a rebel hideout in central India. The six died in a fierce shootout late Wednesday with police in a forested area north of Raipur, capital of the tiny state of Chhattisgarh, police said. A woman Maoist rebel was among the three arrested in the raid in Dantewada district, one of the areas worst hit in the state by insurgent activities, inspector general T.J. Lonkumer said.(Posted @ 12:20 PST)
Cricket-Flintoff unsure of fitness for first test LONDON, June 29 (Reuters) - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was unsure on Wednesday if he would be fit to play in next month's first test against Pakistan at Lord's. "We will have another look in two weeks and see where we are," the 28-year-old told Sky Sports.(Posted @ 10:45 PST)
Palestinians say Israeli aircraft fire missile at Islamic University GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, June 29 (AP) _ Israeli aircraft fired a missile at the Islamic University in Gaza City early Thursday, Palestinian witnesses said. No one was hurt. The attack left a large hole in a playground in the university complex.(Posted @ 10:40 PST)
At least seven dead in US floods, 200,000 evacuated NEW YORK, June 29 (AFP) - Flooding killed at least seven people and forced hundreds of thousands across northeastern United States to evacuate Wednesday in what the New York governor called the area's worst natural disaster of a lifetime. In one of the hardest hit areas in eastern Pennsylvania, county officials ordered the evacuation of up to 200,000 people from low-lying areas around the Susquehanna River amid fears that the river would spill over the dykes as waters crest. Evacuation efforts stretched from Virginia to New York as up to a foot of rain fell through parts of the region. A state of emergency was declared in 46 Pennsylvania counties and helicopters had already been brought in to fly search and rescue missions, plucking stranded residents from their rooftops. "We have never seen a natural disaster this bad in the state of New York," New York Governor George Pataki told CNN.(Posted @ 09:55 PST)
Israel insists no plans to retake Gaza JERUSALEM, June 29, 2006 (AFP) - Israel has no plans to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, Defence Minister Amir Peretz insisted Thursday after troops and tanks stepped up an offensive aimed at freeing a captured teenage soldier. "We have no intention of reoccupying the Gaza Strip, we have no intention of getting bogged down any more in the swamps of this cursed territory," Peretz told journalists on the second day of a ground operation in the coastal strip. "We are coming up against a sealed wall and the total impotency of the Palestinian Authority. That's why we have decided to act in the Gaza Strip," Peretz said.(Posted @ 09:35 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 407.28 points: KARACHI, June 29: At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 9841.43, up 407.28 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, June 29: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.85 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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