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| July 01, 2006 | Saturday | Jumadi-ul-Sani 4, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Iraq PM kicks off Gulf tour to discuss peace plan JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, July 1, 2006 (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki arrived Saturday in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah, his first stop in a Gulf tour to rally regional support for his national peace plan. Maliki's tour -- his first trip abroad since taking over as premier in May -- will also take him to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait to discuss with Arab leaders his national reconciliation plan, according to Iraqi Minister of State for National Dialogue Akram al-Hakim.(Posted @ 22:10 PST)
Casualties continue to mount in Iraq BAGHDAD, July 1 (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber attacked a joint Iraqi and U.S. military checkpoint in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, police said. There were no details on casualties and no comment was immediately available from the U.S. military. Five people were killed and 12 wounded when an explosion, apparently caused by a mortar, destroyed three houses in the village of Khafajiya, just outside the western city of Haditha, residents said. Police said they had found six bodies dumped inside a house under construction in the violent southern Baghdad district of Dora. Police found the bodies of four Iraqi soldiers near Kirkuk, 250 km north of Baghdad. They had been kidnapped on Friday during an attack on a military checkpoint in which five soldiers were killed. A suicide car bomber killed two policemen and wounded six people, including three women, when he attacked a police patrol in Mosul, police said. Clashes between police and insurgents killed one civilian and wounded a policeman in Mosul, hospital sources said. Gunmen killed a traffic policeman in Kirkuk. Police said gunmen had distributed leaflets in Kirkuk warning police to resign. Gunmen also killed a policeman in Falluja.(Posted @ 21:45 PST)
Ruthless Nadal ends Agassi's Wimbledon career LONDON, July 1 (AFP) - Andre Agassi's epic Wimbledon journey, which began in misery in 1987 and peaked with his 1992 title triumph, came to an end on Saturday when Rafael Nadal sent him crashing out on his farewell appearance. The 36-year-old was no match for the Spanish world number two who made the most of his 16-year advantage to pile on the pain for the American, winning their third round clash 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 6-4. Agassi, playing in his 14th and final Wimbledon, simply wilted under a combination of Nadal's constant brutal barrage as well as the searing 30-degree Centre Court temperatures. "I've had a lot of incredible years here," a tearful Agassi told a packed court where wife Steffi Graf was watching. "I'll never be able to repay you for how you've embraced me and I thank you for that. "Thanks for having me." Nadal paid tribute to the American. "It's unbelievable to play against Andre. He's one of the best players in history. I congratulate him on his career."(Posted @ 21:08 PST)
African leaders told to pay more urgent attention to crises BANJUL, July 1 (AFP) - More than 50 African heads of state met in Gambia Saturday at a six-monthly summit aimed at pursuing regional integration but overshadowed by conflicts in the Darfur region of Sudan and in Somalia. African Union commission chairman Alpha Oumar Konare told the leaders they had to give urgent attention to those crises. "Everything should be done to improve relations between Sudan and Chad, everything should be done in the Darfur region... to urgently implement (the May peace deal)", he said.(Posted @ 21:02 PST)
General Kong Qingxin visits JS headquarters RAWALPINIDI, July 1 (APP): Major General Kong Qingxin, alongwith 35 member Peoples Liberation Army delegation Saturday visited the Joint Staff Headquarters and General Headquarter and discussed matters of mutual interest.The Peoples Liberation Army delegation, which is currently in Pakistan on a week long visit met Lieutenant General Syed Athar Ali, Director General Joint Staff, ISPR Press release said. At the General Headquarters the members of Peoples Liberation Army were briefed about the training system adopted by Pakistan Army. Major General Kong Qingxin also called on Major General Sardar Mehmood Ali, Director General Military Training Pakistan Army and discussed matters of professional interest were discussed.(Posted @ 20:10 PST)
President asks govt to provide relief to women languishing in jails without conviction RAWALPINDI, Jul 1 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday asked the government to take steps to provide relief to women prisoners languishing in jails for prolonged period without being convicted and added that they may be considered for release. He was chairing a meeting, which reviewed women’s problems and law reforms, and which was attended among others by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz(Posted @ 20:06 PST)
370 candidates contesting forthcoming Azad Kashmir elections MIRPUR, July 01 (APP): A total of 370 candidates are in the run for the July 11 elections to 41-seat of Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly including 29 for AJK and 12 for occupied Jammu- Kashmir refugees living in various parts of Pakistan. AJK election commission sources said Saturday that a total of 637 candidates had filed nomination papers but after scrutiny, rejection and withdrawals etc 370 candidates were left in the field.(Posted @ 20:04 PST)
12,000 to 15,000 quake survivors receiving compensation daily: Altaf Saleem ISLAMABAD, Jun 30 (APP): Chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) Altaf Saleem Saturday said that about 12,000 to 15,000 earthquake affected families are receiving compensation daily. Talking to a private TV channel, he said Rs 20 billion has been distributed among the survivors in the second installment adding Rs 25 billion had already been paid to affectees in the first instalment at the rate of Rs 25,000 each. Latest technology is being used in the earthquake areas to assess the damages he said adding ERRA has satellite images of all damages houses and digital photographs. To a question he said ERRA’s target was to construct houses and other infrastructure in next three years and to rebuild the entire quake affected areas within fie years.(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Prime Minister to attend UN High Level Panel, ECOSOC meetings in Geneva GENEVA, July 1 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will travel to Geneva on Sunday to participate in meetings of the UN Secretary General's Panel on UN System-wide Coherence and address the High Level Segment of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). During his July 2-5 stay here, the Prime Minister will also address a Swiss think tank, the Pakistani community, European business leaders, besides interaction with local and foreign media.(Posted @ 19:54 PST)
USAID, Pakistan sign $ 40.8 m earthquake reconstruction support agreement MUZAFFARABAD, Azad Kashmir, July 1 (APP): The USAID and Pakistan Saturday signed an agreement that provide $ 40.8 million to rebuild and refurnish schools and health facilities in the earthquake-hit areas. This is the second installment of $ 200 million reconstruction assistance programme of USAID and will be used to build, furnish and train staff at school and clinics in NWFP and Azad Kashmir.(Posted @ 19:44 PST)
Israel army clashes with militants in southern Gaza GAZA, July 1 (Reuters) - Israeli troops and Hamas gunmen clashed inside southern Gaza on Saturday in one of the worst exchanges of fire since Israeli forces launched an assault to free a soldier abducted by Palestinian militants. Gunmen from the armed wing of the ruling Hamas movement said they hit an Israeli tank with two rocket-propelled grenades near the town of Khan Younis. An Israeli military source said one RPG was fired at an army bulldozer, adding the clash was still taking place and that there were no immediate reports of casualties. Soldiers backed by tanks had earlier skirmished with gunmen in the area, wounding one Palestinian, witnesses had said.(Posted @ 19:38 PST)
Bush says Israeli soldier's release 'key' to resolving Gaza crisis WASHINGTON, July 1 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said the Palestinian militants' release of a captured Israeli soldier was the "key" first step out of an escalating crisis in Gaza, the White House said Saturday.(Posted @ 19:25 PST)
Nineteen presumed dead after ferry capsizes in Nepal KATHMANDU, July 1 (AFP) - Nineteen people were presumed drowned after an overloaded boat carrying around 70 people returning from a wedding party capsized and sank in a river in eastern Nepal, police said Saturday. The missing "are presumed dead" and rescue workers are looking for the bodies, a local police officer said. "The bride and groom from the wedding party survived," he added.(Posted @ 19:14 PST)
England great Trueman dies LEEDS, England, July 1 (AFP) - England fast bowling great Fred Trueman has died at the age of 75, his wife announced Saturday. Yorkshire legend Trueman, the first man to take 300 Test wickets, against Australia at The Oval in 1964, was diagnosed with a form of lung cancer in May. His final Test haul of 307 wickets was a world record which stood until 1976, when it was broken by West Indies off-spinner Lance Gibbs.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Three sentenced to death for Indian temple massacre NEW DELHI, July 1 (AFP) - An Indian court handed down death sentences Saturday to three militants accused of masterminding the massacre of 29 devotees in a Hindu temple in 2002 in western Gujarat state, officials said. Another militant was sentenced to life while two others received10 years and five years for the attack on the Akshardham Temple which also claimed the lives of two Indian commandos, court officials told PTI. Special Court judge Sonia Gokani said she held the three main accused, Adam Suleman Ajmeri, Abdul Kayum and Mohammed Hussain Mansuri from revolt-hit occupied Kashmir, "directly responsible" for the September 24, 2002 temple carnage in Gujarat's state capital of Gandhinagar.(Posted @ 19:08 PST)
Iran to continue uranium enrichment program: Ahmadinejad TEHRAN, July 1 (AFP) - Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tehran will continue its uranium enrichment program despite international calls to halt the sensitive project, state television reported Saturday. "The Iranian government and the people have decided, and without any doubt with dignity and glory we will pass this phase," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying from Gambia after explaining Iran's fuel cycle program, which has enriching uranium as its focus, to Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo. Ahmadinejad is in Gambia to address the African Union summit.(Posted @ 19:06 PST)
Kuwait cabinet steps down after opposition poll win KUWAIT CITY, July 1 (AFP) - The Kuwaiti cabinet resigned Saturday after the opposition scored a resounding victory in landmark parliamentary elections in which women took part for the first time. Formation of a new cabinet must be completed within two weeks. The head of state can either ask the outgoing premier to form a new government or appoint a new prime minister. The emir also issued a decree setting the first session of the new parliament for July 12.(Posted @ 19:06 PST)
Protesters rampage in occupied Kashmir over musician's killing SRINAGAR, July 1 (AFP) - At least two dozen people were hurt as thousands of protesters hurled bricks and stones in pitched street battles with police in Srinagar Saturday in a violent demonstration over the killing of a musician by police. Federal security forces shot dead music composer Inayatullah Bhat late Friday near his home in Srinagar. A spokesman said police fired at 31-year-old Bhat when he ignored calls to halt, but residents said he was on an evening walk.( Bhat had been injured in a fall two years ago and had undergone several operations.) "Our jawans fired at him thinking he was a fidayeen (a freedom fighter) as he ignored calls to stop," the spokesman said. The protesters, including women and children, marched through the streets of Srinagar carrying Bhat's coffin, and raising slogans.They hurled stones at police and government vehicles, tore down sign boards and knocked down roadside police kiosks in the heavily militarised city. Stores downed their shutters to protest Bhat's death and traffic came to a halt in main commercial areas. Police used batons and fired teargas shells to disperse protesters but demonstrations continued all day Saturday. In running street battles, eight policemen and 16 protesters were injured, some seriously, police and witnesses said. "This is what they do to even sick people in Kashmir," leading separatist Syed Ali Geelani told the crowd. Both separatists and pro-India political groups have condemned the killing. Also Saturday, troops shot dead three suspected militants in Marhama village while another was shot dead in northern Bandipora.(First Posted @ 14:00 PST Updated @ 19:02 PST)
Israel should free Hamas ministers -EU president BERLIN, July 1 (Reuters) - Israel should release dozens of detained Palestinian officials and the Palestinians should free immediately an Israeli soldier, the new Finnish EU president and Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said in an interview with Germany's Die Welt newspaper.(Posted @ 17:04 PST)
Afghanistan rocket attack wounds 10, including 7 soldiers KANDAHAR, July 1 (AP) _ Two rockets fired by insurgents slammed into the main coalition military base in southern Afghanistan, wounding seven foreign soldiers and three civilian contract workers, military officials said Saturday. The wounded included five American and two Canadian soldiers, as well as three foreign contract workers, said coalition spokesman Maj. Quentin Innis. Their nationalities were not immediately released. One Canadian and one American soldier were seriously injured.(Posted @ 16:52 PST)
Turkish prime minister criticizes Israeli seizure of Palestinian ministers ISTANBUL, July 1 (AP) _ A clearly frustrated Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Israel Saturday for seizing Palestinian ministers and parliamentarians, suggesting it was a disproportionate response to the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier. ``I'm having a hard time understanding now that eight Palestinian ministers and more than 50 parliament members and local directors were kidnapped, and I don't see this as ever adding to peace in the Middle East,'' he said. ``The kidnapping of a soldier is not right _ it's wrong. OK, is the price of this eight ministers, does the price of this mean kidnapping parliament members and local directors over there, taking them prisoner?' Erdogan said he had already spoken by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. Erdogan said both Haniyeh and Abbas told him the Israeli soldier was not in their hands, and said they would turn him over if he was.(Posted @ 16:46 PST)
U.S. ambassador to Iraq announces detainees releases complete BAGHDAD, July 1 (AP) _ Iraqi and U.S. authorities freed 495 prisoners from U.S. facilities on Saturday, completing a mass release announced by the prime minister earlier this month as part of his national reconciliation efforts. U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad welcomed the move and said more prisoners could be freed.(Posted @ 16:42 PST)
Palestinians say Israeli tanks and bulldozers move into vacant area east of Khan Younis GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, July 1 (AP) _ About five Israeli tanks and bulldozers moved into the mostly empty Abasan area near the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis on Saturday, Palestinian security officials said. There were no reports of fighting or casualties. Israeli troops had already taken up positions in vacant areas near Rafah, but the move into Abasan was the first time troops entered Gaza north of that area. The army said the raid in Abasan was a limited operation and the soldiers were expected to leave soon.(Posted @ 16:34 PST)
Iraq woman MP kidnapped in Baghdad BAGHDAD, July 1(AFP) - Sunni woman MP Taiseer Najeh Awad al-Mashhadani was kidnapped in Baghdad Saturday along with eight of her bodyguards, a political source said. "She was coming from Diyala to Baghdad when her convoy was stopped and she was abducted with her bodyguards at an intersection in the Shaab neighborhood in north Baghdad," he said.(Posted @ 16:26 PST)
Israel rejects militant demands as jets strike Gaza GAZA CITY, July 1 (AFP) - Israel on Saturday rejected Palestinian demands to free 1,000 prisoners as its warplanes pounded the Gaza Strip for a fourth straight night in a deepening crisis over a captured soldier. Israeli commanders said the fresh air strikes targeted two militant camps and seven potential escape routes in a bid to prevent militants moving the soldier from the southern Gaza Strip where he is currently believed to be held. The overnight raids also targeted two training camps for Hamas and Fatah militants, while Israel fired around 350 artillery rounds on the Gaza Strip from land and sea. No casualties were reported in the latest stage of the largest Israeli military operation. (Posted @ 16:05 PST)
Captured soldier has three bullet wounds: Palestinian minister RAMALLAH, West Bank, July 1 (AFP) - An Israeli soldier being held captive by Palestinian militants has three bullet wounds and has been treated by a doctor, a Palestinian deputy minister said Saturday. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
At least 66 killed in Baghdad car bombing: minister BAGHDAD, July 1 (AFP) - At least 66 Iraqis were killed and 98 wounded Saturday when a suicide bomber blew up a truck in the district of Sadr City, Deputy Health Minister Sabah al-Husseini told state television. "The total is 66 martyrs and 98 wounded up to now and more of the wounded are still on their way to the hospital," Husseini said. The bomb went off as a police patrol passed through the district's Al-Ula market as it was packed with morning shoppers. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Saboteurs narrowly miss blowing up Pakistan train QUETTA, Pakistan, July 1 (AFP) - Saboteurs blew up Saturday part of a railway track in troubled southwestern Pakistan just 20 minutes before the arrival of a train heading for neighbouring Iran, officials said. Three explosions ripped off a 36-foot portion of track outside Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan. The train, heading for the Iranian border town of Zahidan, had already left Quetta but was stopped soon after its departure as railway workers detected a bomb 35 kilometres down the track, official Shoaib Khan said. As bomb experts defused the first device, three other explosions occurred a short distance away destroying the track, Khan said. Repair work was under way and the train would resume its journey after its completion, officials said. (Posted @ 15:35 PST)
Nigerian footballers injured in armed robbery LAGOS, July 1 (AFP) - A player of top Nigerian club Kano Pillars was shot in the buttocks while at least eight of his teammates were injured after armed robbers attacked the team's bus on their way to a league game and were robbed of their mobile phones and cash. It was the third time this season that a top club has suffered such an attack with Kwara United and Enugu Rangers also previously the victims of armed robbers. (Posted @ 15:30 PST)
Protesters clash with police in occupied Kashmir; three killed in gun battle SRINAGAR, July 1 (AP) Hundreds of protestors clashed with police as they staged demonstrations Saturday in Srinagar to protest the killing of a civilian by paramilitary police a day earlier. At least six police officers were wounded in the clashes, witnesses said. Police fired tear gas and bullets into the air to disperse the demonstrators, who blocked traffic and hurled stones at security patrols. The protesters were angered by the killing of Inayatullah Bhat, who was fatally shot as he was closing his shop Friday in the Khanyar neighborhood of Srinagar. A local resident claimed that he saw Bhat being dragged by some men from the Central Reserve Police Force, who then shot him. But a CRPF spokesman said police fired at Bhat because they suspected he was a suicide attacker. Protestors demanded immediate action against police personnel who shot Bhat. Meanwhile, at least three other people were killed in an alleged gun battle in the village of Mirhama, 65 kilometers south of Srinagar, according to police. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Bomb in east Baghdad kills 33 BAGHDAD, July 1 (Reuters) A car bomb attack at a crowded market in a district of eastern Baghdad killed 33 people and wounded 42 on Saturday, police sources said. It was the bloodiest attack in the capital for weeks. The parked car detonated as a police patrol passed, causing casualties among the police and civilians at the market in Sadr City. (First Posted @ 12:00 PST Updated @ 12:25 PST)
No second Israeli soldier captured: Israel GAZA CITY, July 1, 2006 (AFP) Israeli police denied a claim Saturday that a second soldier had been captured in the Palestinian territories. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades declared overnight that a soldier, identified as Hoffmann Kfeir Samuel, had been seized south of Tel Aviv and would be killed unless Israel ends its military offensive in the Palestinian territories. "He is not a soldier," a police spokesman said. The man in question telephoned his parents in Israel to reassure them that he was safe, military radio reported. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Two rockets hit Afghan base, several hurt KABUL, July 1 (Reuters) Two rockets hit the main international military base in the town of Kandahar on Friday evening wounding several people including two Canadian soldiers, one of them critically, a Canadian military spokesman said. The spokesman declined to give details of the other wounded, saying he was only authorised to speak about Canadians. Another international force spokesman declined to say how many people had been hurt or to give their nationalities, but said the number was small.In a separate incident, gunmen attacked a police post in Balkh province early on Saturday, seriously wounding two men, police said. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Car bomb kills three policemen in Sadr city BAGHDAD, July 1 (Reuters) A car bomb attack on a police patrol in a district of Sadr City on Saturday killed three people and wounded 10, including police and civilians, police said. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Bomb blasts damage railway line in Pakistan, no casualties QUETTA, July 1 (AP) Four bombs exploded minutes apart, badly damaging a section of a railway track in Naushki, a town about 200 kilometres southwest of Quetta city on Saturday, but no one was wounded, police and a railways official said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. (Posted @ 10:20 PST)
China opens 'miracle' railway to Tibet GOLMUD, China, July 1, 2006 (AFP) Chinese President Hu Jintao opened the world's highest railway on Saturday, linking the remote Himalayan region of Tibet with the rest of the country, describing it as a "miracle" for the world. The trains, with extra oxygen pumped into the cabins to prevent passengers from suffering altitude sickness, will traverse a mountain pass sitting 5,072 meters above sea level as it rises up to the Tibetan plateau. (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Palestinian group demand 1,000 prisoners for captured Israeli soldier GAZA, July 1 (Reuters) Palestinian militant factions who captured an Israeli soldier demanded on Saturday that Israel free 1,000 prisoners from its jails and end an assault on Gaza launched to win the soldier's release. Israeli officials were not available for comment. "We are declaring to the public our just and humanitarian demands," said the statement faxed to news agencies by the Popular Resistance Committees. It repeated an earlier call to free women prisoners and minors in exchange for information on the soldier. (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Sri Lankan navy sinks rebel vessel in sea clash COLOMBO, July 1 (Reuters) Sri Lanka's navy sank a Tamil Tiger vessel approaching a military base at the island's northern tip overnight, naval officials said on Saturday. There were no immediate details of casualties in the latest clash. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were not immediately available for comment. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
British generals need more planes, choppers in Afghanistan: report LONDON, July 1, 2006 (AFP) Top British generals are asking the government for more planes and helicopters to be sent to help Britain's troops in Afghanistan, a newspaper reported on Saturday. The Times also said that Prime Minister Tony Blair considered the situation on the ground to be "very dangerous" and was urging other governments to send more troops to support a NATO-led peace-keeping mission there. Blair feels other governments have failed to appreciate how high the stakes are in Afghanistan, according to the British daily. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
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