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| July 03, 2006 | Monday | Jumadi-ul-Sani 6, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Suicide attack in southern Afghanistan: policeman killed KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, July 3 (AFP) - A suicide attacker rammed an explosives-filled vehicle into a police car in Kandahar city late Monday, killing a policeman, an official said. Three other policemen were wounded in the attack opposite a government guest house. (Posted @ 23:34 PST)
US cancels invitation to Pakistani Speaker over Zarqawi prayers PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 3 (AFP) - The US mission in northwest Pakistan withdrew an invitation to an Independence Day reception to the speaker of the NWFP provincial legislature because he allowed prayers for the slain leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, officials said Monday. Speaker Bakhat Jehan Khan was invited for the reception in Peshawar on Saturday but just before the ceremony was told that he would not be welcomed, senior US diplomat Michael Spangler told AFP. Khan presided over the North West Frontier Province assembly which is dominated by pro-Taliban MPs who collectively offered condolence prayers for Al-Zarqawi on June 21.(Posted @ 22:18 PST)
Norwegian PM lauds Pakistani leadership for economic progress GENEVA, July 3 (APP): Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg Monday lauded the Pakistani leadership for steering Pakistan on the path of robust economic growth and political stability. "Pakistan is making important progress in economic and political fields," he said at the outset of his speech at the opening of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) High-Level Segment. Prime Minister Aziz delivered the key-note address at the meeting. Mozambique's Prime Minister Luisa Dias Diogo, Deputy UN Secretary General, Mark Brown, Ministers and diplomats of the UN-member states and representatives of the civil society and international organizations attended the meeting. The three leaders continued their extensive deliberation on Monday to expedite the work of the HLP in preparing recommendations for making the UN an effective and efficient body. "We are working towards creating an environment where UN can be more responsive, reduce its overheads and delivery costs and use the same money and resources to help the developing world achieve its objectives," Prime Minister Aziz told reporters.(Posted @ 22:16 PST)
President says Pakistan's defence to be made impregnable DIAMER, July 3 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf said Monday that Pakistan has strategized its defence requirements for the next 15 years and vowed that defence of the country would be made impregnable. Addressing troops of Northern Light Infantry on the occasion of regimental reunion the President said a strong defence capability guarantees security and strength.He also said that the construction of Basha-Diamer dam would usher in a new era of progress and prosperity in the area, bringing economic opportunities to the people.(Posted @ 22:08 PST)
Five-member Saudi team arrives ISLAMABAD, Jul 3 (APP): A five-member Saudi delegation headed by Major General (Staff) Abdulaaziz Bin Ibrahim Al-Obeida, Management General of the Military Survey (MGMS) arrived here on a 3-days official visit to Pakistan. (Posted @ 22:04 PST)
Kasuri seeks Britain's assistance in meeting country's defence needs ISLAMABAD, Jul 3 (APP): Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri on Monday emphasized that Pakistan should be provided more training opportunities for its armed forces and hoped that Britain would assist Pakistan in meeting its defence needs by providing modern defence equipment. Kasuri was talking to Chairman of the British House of Commons Defence select Committee, James Arbuthnot, who accompanied by twelve-member delegation of the British MPs, belonging to Labour, Conservative and Liberal-Democratic Party called on him here at the Foreign Office.(Posted @ 21:58 PST)
Tennis-Wimbledon-China's Li breaks new ground, U.S. woe LONDON, July 3 (Reuters) - Li Na created history for China at Wimbledon on Monday when he overcame Czech 17-year-old Nicole Vaidisova 4-6 6-1 6-3 to become China's first grand slam singles quarter-finalist. Li beat Russian French Open runner-up Svetlana Kuznetsova in the third round and plays Belgian second seed Kim Clijsters in the last eight. (Posted @ 21:54 PST)
Bush plans $5 billion arms sale to Pakistan WASHINGTON, July 3 (Reuters) - The Bush Administration said on Monday that it planned to sell Pakistan up to 36 advanced F-16 fighter jets in a weapons package that could be worth more than $5 billion. The State Department said the proposed sale was part of an effort to broaden the United States' strategic partnership with Pakistan and advance U.S. national security and foreign policy interests in South Asia. The new F-16 C/D fighters would be used for close air support in the U.S.-declared global war on terrorism, the Pentagon Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a notice to Congress. The agency, responsible for government-to-government arms sales, said the F-16s would be worth $3 billion if all options were exercised. The proposed sale also includes a support package for up to 26 refurbished F-16s that Pakistan eventually may buy and upgrades for Pakistan's current fleet of 34 F-16s, said Jay Greer, a State Department spokesman. The Pentagon said these 60 "mid=life upgrade" kits for older F-16s could be worth as much as $1.3 billion. Among weapons that President Bush would sell to equip the new F-16 C/D Block 50/52 aircraft are 500 AIM-120C5 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles, known as AMRAAM, the notice to Congress said. The U.S. Congress has the power to block or change a proposed sale. The Pentagon notice to Congress was dated June 28 but made public on Monday.(Posted @ 21:48 PST)
U.S. soldier charged with killing, raping Iraqis WASHINGTON, July 3 (Reuters) - A former U.S. soldier was arrested and charged with killing four Iraqi civilians and raping one of the female victims, U.S. officials said on Monday. Steven Green, 21, who was stationed in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, appeared in court in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is expected to be sent to Kentucky where he has been charged with the attacks that took place in March 2006 near Mahmudiyah, Iraq. (Posted @ 21:36 PST)
10 die in northern India after consuming methyl alcohol, mistaking it for liquor LUCKNOW, India, July 3 (AP) _ At least 10 people died and 23 others were hospitalized in northern India after they consumed methyl alcohol spilled from a tanker, mistaking it for liquor, police said Monday. The incident occurred Sunday near the town of Faizabad, where a tanker carrying methyl alcohol overturned, and some residents, thinking it was liquor, collected it and drank it, police said. Three people died in their sleep, while seven others died in hospital Monday. Another 23 were in hospital, seven in serious condition. (Posted @ 21:34 PST)
30 Afghans released from main U.S. base in Afghanistan KABUL, July 3 (AP) _ Thirty Afghans were released Monday from detention at the main U.S. military base in Afghanistan. Syed Sharif Yousafi, spokesman for the national reconciliation commission, said the men had been held for a minimum one year. Most of them were from provinces in the southern and eastern parts of the country, including Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand, and Paktia provinces, he said. Several hundred Afghans remain at the detention facility at Bagram Air Base north of Kabul. (Posted @ 21:22 PST)
At least 34 killed as Valencia metro train derails MADRID, July 3 (AFP) - At least 34 people were killed Monday and more than 20 injured when a metro train derailed in a tunnel in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia, officials said, giving an updated toll. A fire brigade spokesman said that two carriages of the train had come off the rails in a tunnel. The spokesman said rescue services evacuated all the passengers trapped in the train. Another government official said the accident was caused because the train was speeding and a wheel broke. (First Posted @ 18:12 PST Updated @ 21:10 PST)
Tendulkar to play in Pakistan quake relief match LONDON, July 3 (AFP) - Sachin Tendulkar is to play for an international XI in a fund-raising match for victims of the Pakistan earthquake in a Twenty20 international at the Oval on July 10. Tendulkar will be expected to open the batting for a side that will be skippered by Rahul Dravid and also include wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as well as the likes of Brian Lara and Muttiah Muralitharan. The match is being organised by Surrey county cricket club.The squad for the international XI which also includes three England-based Pakistanis in Azhar Mahmood, Mohammad Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq will be from: Rahul Dravid (captain), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicket-keeper), Sachin Tendulkar, Muttiah Muralitharan, Brian Lara, Chris Cairns, Makhaya Ntini, Andrew Hall, Scott Styris, Azhar Mahmood, Mohammad Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq.(Posted @ 21:04 PST)
Crack found in Discovery's foam insulation: NASA CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida, July 3 (AFP) - NASA engineers have found a crack in the insulating foam around the fuel tank of the space shuttle Discovery, a spokesman for the space agency said Monday.(Posted @ 20:50 PST)
Landslide claims 17 lives in Pakistan PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 3 (AFP) - At least 17 people were killed Monday when a landslide triggered by heavy monsoon rains hit a village in northwestern Pakistan, officials said. "We have recovered 17 bodies including 11 women," police official Yar Mohammad said by telephone from Kalam. Five people, including three children, were pulled alive from the rubble, he added. (Posted @ 20:48 PST)
Hewitt into quarters LONDON, July 3, 2006 (AFP) - Lleyton Hewitt advanced to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon with victory in four sets over Spain's David Ferrer. Hewitt, the sixth seed, won 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 to set up a tie against either Australian Open runner-up Marcos Baghdatis or Britain's Andy Murray.(Posted @ 20:42 PST)
Britain urges Israel to show restraint in kidnap crisis LONDON, July 3 (AFP) - Britain's Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett, urged Israel on Monday to "show restraint" and act carefully in its efforts to free a kidnapped soldier from Palestinian militants. Beckett told BBC radio: "We have said repeatedly to Israel that, although we completely understand the pressures the Israeli government and people are under, we believe that they should show restraint and not act in ways which are disproportionate and could be counter-productive."(Posted @ 20:38 PST)
Japan provides US $35.71 million for quake Rehabilitation works ISLAMABAD, July 3 (APP): Japan has provided 4 billion yen (approx. US $35.71 million) as a Non-Project Grant Assistance (NPGA), to rehabilitate and reconstruct education, health and infrastructure facilities in the earthquake devastated areas of Battagram district. The ground breaking ceremony in this connection was held at a pre-fabricated operation theatre at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Battagram.(Posted @ 19:45 PST)
Stage set for Pakistan, India to move towards dispute resolution: PM GENEVA, July 3 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday said the stage has now come for Pakistan and India to move towards dispute resolution and called for a just settlement of the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure durable peace and security in South Asia. "Considerable progress has been made through confidence building measures and people to people contacts which has reduced tensions and improved the bilateral atmosphere," he told a gathering of intellectuals, scholars and diplomats. The Prime Minister was invited by the prestigious the Geneva Center for Security Policy, and Graduate Institute of International Studies to share his thought and vision on the theme of Pakistan: A rising nation". "The stage has now come for the two countries to move beyond dispute management to dispute resolution. Durable peace and security requires a just settlement of the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people, the Prime Minister said. He said a lasting solution must be acceptable to all three stakeholders- Pakistan, India and above all the Kashmiris. Prime Minister Aziz called for demonstrating courage, determination, flexibility and commitment, saying "we remain ready to do our part". He referred to several ideas put forward by President General Pervez Musharraf including self-governance and demilitarization, which were aimed at taking the process forward. "We will continue to pursue this objective," he added. Prime Minister Aziz, in his speech, gave an overview of a qualitative transformation that has taken place in Pakistan in less than a decade and has revitalized and repositioned the country as a key player on the international scene. He also spoke on major conflicts and challenges facing the world today and analyzed their implications for a global peace and security.(Posted @ 19:42 PST)
FIFA allocates 0.7mn USD for earthquake areas PESHAWAR, July 3 (APP): FIFA and AFC (Asian Football Confederation ) have allocated US dollars 0.7 million for the rehabilitation of infrastructure in earthquake affected areas of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, Mohsin Gilani, FIFA developmental officer for Asia, told football federation officials at Abbottabad on Sunday after visit of various football grounds in the City. He said that beside the re-construction and improvement of infrastructure at Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Abbottabad, FIFA also planned to hold training camps at these cities. He disclosed that German Coach will train at least 100 Under-16 players. Complete kit will be provided by the FIFA. Camps will be held from August 28 to September 21 this year. (Posted @ 19:14 PST)
Kashmir freedom struggle can't be suppressed: APHC ISLAMABAD, July 3 (APP):Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that Kashmiri liberation movement cannot be suppressed by the use of brute military force. Addressing mourners at the Qul ceremony of a civilian martyred by troops in Srinagar, he emphasized that sacrifices of the liberation martyrs will not be allowed to go waste, PTV reported. Speaking on the same occasion, the APHC leader Agha HassanAl-Moosvi and the chairperson of Muslim Khawteen Markaz, Yasmeen Raja noted that the graph of human rights violations in occupied Kashmir has risen dramatically after Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh's assurance of Zero tolerance of human rights violations by Indian occupation force. Meanwhile forceful anti-India demonstrations were held inSrinagar, Shopian, Budgam, Bandipora and Pattan areas against increased acts of Indian state terrorism. Complete shut down was also observed in Shopian town.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Number of Indian fishermen entering Pakistan on the rise; FO ISLAMABAD, July 3 (APP): Pakistan on Monday said an overwhelmingly large number of Indian fishermen were entering its territorial waters for economic gains. "There is a certain 'pattern' and it is more of an 'economic issue', rather than inadvertent crossing," Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told reporters at the weekly briefing. She said Pakistan since 2003 has released 2452 Indians, including 208 civilians and 2244 fishermen. On the contrary India released 659 Pakistanis including 299 civilians and 360 fishermen. Ms Aslam said it was a clear reflection of the way things were moving. "Just look at the number of those arrested, 90 per cent are Indian fishermen," she added. Both the sides were following a certain understanding for securing release of fishermen and civilian prisoners. These conditions include completion of prison terms, provision of consular access and confirmation of national status, she said. She said 500 Pakistanis were still in Indian jails including 30 fishermen and it was likely that Indian authorities would provide consular access to them by July. "Release of prisoners in each other's jails was a high level priority area and we will continue to pursue it," she added.(Posted @ 19:08 PST)
Gunmen kill three women in Iraqi holy city NAJAF, July 3 (Reuters) - A group of gunmen killed two women and a teenage girl on Monday when they stormed a house allegedly used as a brothel in the holy city of Najaf, local security sources said. The house had received three warnings to stop its activities, sources said. Residents in Najaf say militia groups have often threatened people selling alcohol or drugs in the city in a bid to impose strict Islamic order.(Posted @ 18:26 PST)
US won't scrap deal to sell F-16 jets to Islamabad, says Pakistani official ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 3 (AP) _ Bush administration notified Congress June 28 that it had approved the sale of 18 new F-16 fighter jets as part of a US$5 billion (euro3.9 billion) weapons deal. The package includes an option to buy another 18 F-16s and modernize 26 used aircraft in Pakistan's arsenal. ``We know that the U.S. administration is committed to provide the aircraft to Pakistan,'' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told reporters on Monday. ``We have no suspicions that the U.S. would not honor this deal.'' Pakistani officials have said they plan to buy 77 of the U.S.-made F-16s by 2007. The country's air force already has 32 of the fighters.(Posted @ 18:24 PST)
More than 30 people killed as subway train derails in eastern Spain MADRID, Spain, July 3 (AP) _ A subway train derailed in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia on Monday, killing more than 30 people, reports said. A spokeswoman for Valencia emergency services department confirmed there were ``several deaths,'' and added that it was ``a serious incident with an important number of deaths.''(Posted @ 18:12 PST)
12 killed as violence surges in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, July 3 (AP) _ Clashes between Indian government forces and suspected separatist militants killed 12 people in occupied Kashmir, officials said Monday. Eight militants and a soldier died in three incidents in the Valley, the army said, while police said they had killed three militants, including a senior leader, in two other encounters in Jammu. A large army force cordoned off the village of Gambru, 60 kilometers north of Srinagar, late Sunday. The troops came under fire as they approached two houses, starting an all-night gunbattle. A soldier and a suspected militant were killed. Later, the army said it had found the body of a second militant. Three soldiers were wounded, one critically. In the Gulmarg area, about 80 kilometers north of Srinagar, had an encounter with a group of militants late Sunday. The ensuing fight left four suspected militants killed. Later Monday, two suspected militants were killed in a gunbattle with paramilitary soldiers in Wangund, an eastern suburb of Srinagar, said Dileep Singh, a spokesman of the Central Reserve Police Force. A soldier was injured in the brief gunbattle, he said. Elsewhere, police raided a rebel hide-out in the mountainous Sharekhi district, about 180 kilometers northeast of Jammu, late Sunday, killing a senior militant, identified as Tariq Usman Sheikh, the district commander of the Hizbul Mujahedeen group, said local police chief Manohar Singh. In another incident, police surrounded a group of militants in the Tramda Nari area, about 190 kilometers northwest of Jammu. Two militants were killed and police continued to battle others, said area superintendent Farooq Khan. Reinforcements have been called in, he said.(Posted @ 18:06 PST)
Bombs and mortars strike markets in Iraq, killing at least 10 and wounding dozens BAGHDAD, July 3 (AP) _ Bombs struck markets north and south of Baghdad on Monday as attacks nationwide killed at least 10 people and wounded dozens. A parked car bomb aimed at a police patrol exploded near a line of shops in the northern city of Mosul, killing at least seven people and wounding 28, officials said. A bomb also went off for a second consecutive day at a popular market in Mahmoudiya, 30 kilometers south of Baghdad, and initial reports said three people were killed and 22 were wounded. The town is at the center of a U.S. investigation into allegations that a group of American soldiers raped a 15-year-old girl, then killed her and three members of her family in an apparent cover-up attempt,The Washington Post reported. Family members have given permission for the girl's body to be exhumed as part of the investigation, town's mayor Mouyad Fadhil Saif told the newspaper. Elsewhere, a roadside bomb also struck a British armored vehicle south of Amarah, but nobody was wounded but the vehicle was heavily damaged. Two mortar rounds also landed outside the joint British-Australian base in Samawah, 370 kilometers southeast of Baghdad, police said, but no injuries or damage were reported. In other developments Monday, a bomb struck an oil pipeline in northern Iraq, setting it on fire, but the attack was not expected to affect exports. The bullet-riddled bodies of five Iraqi soldiers were found in Mandali, on the Iranian border 100 kilometers east of Baghdad._ A suicide car bomber apparently targeting an Iraqi patrol blew himself up near the al-Kindi hospital in eastern Baghdad, wounding two soldiers, two policemen and one civilian. A mortar round struck a popular fruit and vegetable market in northeastern Baghdad, wounding nine people. (Updated @ 17:35 PST)
Explosion on bus kills 5 Pakistani soldiers PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 3 (AP) _ An explosion hit a bus carrying paramilitary troops in northwestern Pakistan on Monday, killing at least five soldiers and wounding six others, police said. he explosion occurred in Dir, a rugged district about 130 kilometers northeast of the provincial capital, Peshawar, police official Pervez Khan said. The cause of the blast was not immediately known, but police said it appeared to be a homemade bomb. The troops were traveling to Chitral, a town near Dir, to provide security for an annual polo tournament there, Khan said. Police cordoned off the scene of the blast as senior security officials investigated what may have caused the explosion. The military had no immediate details on the blast. The region has not been known for terrorist attacks, but it is near tribal-dominated northwestern areas of the country bordering Afghanistan where pro-Taliban militants have been active. (Posted @ 17:45 PST)
Bomb strikes oil pipeline in northern Iraq, setting it on fire< BAGHDAD, July 3 (AP) _ A bomb struck an oil pipeline in northern Iraq on Monday, setting it on fire, but the attack was not expected to affect exports, officials said. The pipeline was pumping oil to filter stations in Kirkuk for export to Turkey. An official said the blast damaged four pipes _ two for oil, one for gas and one for water _ but they were expected to be fixed``within two or three days.'' (Posted @ 17:10 PST)
Palestinian parliament demands Israel release prisoners, ministers and lawmakers in exchange for soldier RAMALLAH, West Bank, July 3 (AP) _ The Palestinian parliament on Monday demanded that Israel release Palestinian prisoners, as well as Cabinet ministers and lawmakers arrested last week, in exchange for a captured soldier. The parliament issued its demand at the first session it held since Israel rounded up 64 top Hamas officials in the West Bank, including eight Cabinet ministers and 26 lawmakers, late last week. ``By arresting those lawmakers and ministers, Israel is trying to hijack the Palestinian political regime, but our people will protect our political regime,'' said parliament speaker Abdel Aziz Duaik. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, whose empty office was hit by Israeli missiles on Sunday, did not attend the session, which was convened to discuss the arrests. Israel is holding 9,000 prisoners in addition to the Hamas officials arrested after Hamas militants seized Cpl. Gilad Shalit, 19, on June 25. (Posted @ 17:00 PST)
20 militants killed in southern Afghanistan KABUL, July 3 (AP) _ U.S. soldiers battled insurgents who ambushed a military convoy in Helmand province's Sangin district on Sunday, killing up to 20 militants, the coalition said Monday. A U.S. attack helicopter also crashed at Kandahar Air Field on Sunday, killing one pilot and wounding another, the military said. Enemy fire was ruled out as the cause of the downing. The military said up to 30 extremists, firing guns and mortars, attacked a coalition patrol. ``The coalition attacked the engaging enemy element as well as a second group attempting to reinforce the original group,'' said a military statement, and estimated that 20 militants were killed. It said two soldiers were wounded. In a separate incident, Afghan police killed seven insurgents who attacked a police checkpoint Sunday night in Nawzad district in Helmand province, the Interior Ministry said. No Afghan police suffered casualties, it said. Enemy fighters left behind only two bodies after the clash. Meanwhile, a small explosion in a trash can Monday wounded eight female students in an English class at Herat University. (Posted @ 16:55 PST)
Israeli military chief doesn't rule out negotiations after Palestinian militants imply they might kill soldier JERUSALEM, July 3 (AP) _ Israel's military chief of staff, signaling a reverse in the government's position on Monday, didn't rule out negotiations to secure the release of a soldier held by Palestinian militants. ``We, and by that I mean the political and military echelons, will consider all that there is to be considered, then reach conclusions and act on them,'' Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz said after leaving the Shalit family's home in northern Israel. (Posted @ 16:50 PST)
Fighting near Kashmir mosque ends, six killed SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, July 3 (AFP) - Indian troops shot dead five suspected militants, two of them near a mosque in Bandipora town where they had holed up after a raid by government troops, officials said Monday. The two rebels had fled to the mosque after soldiers raided their hideout late Sunday, sparking a gunbattle in which a soldier was killed and two others were injured. Skirmishes continued through the night, during which the militants had left the mosque and taken up positions in an adjoining house, said R.K. Bhargva, deputy inspector general of the paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF). Several houses were damaged during the fighting in which both sides also used grenades. "The fighting has stopped and we have recovered two bodies from one of the damaged houses," Bhargva said, adding both were militants. In another incident, police Monday shot dead two militants near the Mughal-built Harwan gardens in Srinagar, a spokesman said, adding a policeman was also hurt in the clash. Another rebel was killed by Indian troops in southern Doda district, while suspected militants shot dead a civilian in the same district late Sunday, police said. The insurgency against Indian rule in Kashmir launched in 1989 has left more than 44,000 people dead, by official count. Rebels and separatists say the toll is at least double that number. (Posted @ 16:35 PST)
Six killed, dozens injured in Sri Lanka blast COLOMBO, July 3 (AFP) - Three policemen and three civilians were killed and dozens of people wounded in a bomb explosion at a security checkpoint in northeastern Sri Lanka Monday, police said. The blast ripped through a road block at the entrance to the port town of Trincomalee, a police official in the area said by telephone. He said a bomb rigged up inside a three-wheel taxi had also destroyed two nearby shops. At least 12 civilians were hospitalised with serious wounds while many more were treated on the spot for lesser injuries. Another blast, meanwhile, wounded four policemen in the neighbouring district of Batticaloa, police said. (First Posted @ 12:10 PST; Updated @ 16:30 PST)
Twelve dead in Pakistan landslide PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 3 (AFP) - At least 12 people were killed and 10 left missing Monday when a landslide triggered by heavy monsoon rains hit a village in the picturesque Swat Valley in northwestern Pakistan, officials said. Huge boulders and tonnes of earth buried at least three mud-brick houses in Ghaeel village near the popular hill resort of Kalam, some 200 kilometers north of the provincial capital Peshawar. "We have recovered 12 bodies so far," police official Yar Mohammad said by telephone from Kalam. The dead included seven men, four women and a one-year-old girl, he said. Three children were recovered alive from the debris, he added. The mayor of Kalam, Jamal Nasir, said the casualties may go up as at least 10 people were reported missing. The mudslide was caused by torrential rains that lashed the area at the weekend, he said. (First Posted @ 14:00 PST; Updated @ 16:00 PST)
Iran unveils major privatisation plan TEHRAN, July 3 (AFP) - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has unveiled plans for a major privatisation of state industries except companies in the crucial oil sector, press reports said Monday. The government plans to sell off 80 percent of its stake in a range of state-run industrial companies -- from banking to media, transport to minerals -- under an order issued by Khamenei. Under the Khamenei plan, however, certain industries affiliated to the armed forces may also be sold off. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Jordan stands by Saddam daughter despite Iraq extradition call AMMAN, July 3 (AFP) - Jordan is insisting that Saddam Hussein's eldest daughter remains under its protection, despite calls from the US-backed authorities in Baghdad for her extradition. Jordanian Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit stressed that no formal extradition request had yet been received from Iraq following national security advisor Muwaffaq al-Rubaie's identification Sunday of Raghdad Saddam Hussein as his country's 16th most wanted fugitive. Bakhit said the ousted Iraqi president's daughter had complied with the conditions of her asylum in Jordan and remained under the protection of the reigning Hashemite royal family of King Abdullah II. "She is the guest of the Hashemite royal family and under its protection as a seeker of asylum" in accordance with Arab tradition, he told the official Petra news agency. Raghad had heeded demands that she refrain from "any political or media activities", the premier added, contradicting accusations by Rubaie that she was a "significant financial supporter of insurgents in Iraq". (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Car bomb kills five, wounds 28 in Iraq's Mosul MOSUL, Iraq, July 3 (Reuters) A car bomb targeting an Iraqi police patrol killed five people and wounded 28 in a crowded market in Mosul city on Monday, police said. Most of the victims were civilians, police said. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
100 arrested in Karachi for World Cup betting KARACHI, July 3, 2006 (AFP) Pakistani authorities have arrested around 100 people on charges of betting on World Cup football matches, officials said Monday. In their first crackdown since the tournament kicked off in Germany last month, law enforcement agencies raided an underground bookmakers in Karachi. "We got information that some people were involved in betting on football World Cup matches so we raided the building in a main shopping area and arrested some 100 people," a senior official of the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee chief said. Gambling records and television sets were also seized and the case was handed to police for further investigation, the official added. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Landslide kills 10 in northwest Pakistan ISLAMABAD, July 3 (Reuters) A landslide caused by torrential rain killed at least 10 people, including women and children, in northwest Pakistan, police said on Monday. It hit three houses in a mountain village late on Sunday night, and rescue workers struggled desperately to clear rubble without the aid of heavy machinery. "We recovered 10 bodies but have no idea how many persons are still stranded there," a police officer in Kalam city said. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Cricket-Kumble bowls India to historic victory KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 2 (Reuters) Anil Kumble bowled India to their first series win in the Caribbean for 35 years on Sunday, and their first outside the sub-continent for 20 years. Scoreboard at close of play on the third day in the fourth and final Test between West Indies and India on Sunday in Kingston, Jamaica: India 1st innings 200 ( Dravid 81; Taylor 5-50), West Indies 103 (Singh 5-13); India 2nd innings Overnight: 128-6 ( Dravid 68; Taylor 4-45, Collymore 5-48) West Indies 219 all out ( Sarwan 51, Ramdin 62; Sreesanth 3-38, A. Kumble 6-78); Result: India won by 49 runs. (Posted @ 12:25 PST)
Tiger blast kills three in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, July 3 (Reuters) A suspected Tamil Tiger blast killed two members of Sri Lanka's security forces and one civilian in the north-eastern port of Trincomalee, the military said. (Posted @ 12:10 PST)
Afghan killed when bomb-filled thermos explodes KHOST, Afghanistan, July 3, 2006 (AFP) An Afghan man was killed Monday when a bomb packed into a thermos flask exploded after he slipped and fell in a muddy field in Khost province, police said. A farmer was also wounded in the explosion, police added. (Posted @ 12:10 PST)
Militants give Israel ultimatum on captured soldier GAZA, July 3 (Reuters) Militant groups that captured an Israeli soldier gave Israel until 0300 GMT on Tuesday to meet their demands for the release of Palestinian prisoners, threatening unspecified consequences if it refuses. "Military Communique 3" issued on Monday a statement: "If the enemy does not agree to our humanitarian demands ... we will regard this case as closed." The militant groups -- Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, the Popular Resistance Committees and the previously unknown Islamic Army -- have also called on Israel to free 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Storms kill 36 across China BEIJING, July 3 (Reuters) Storms in China have killed 36 people in recent days, as heavy summer rains continue to wreak havoc across the country, state media reported on Monday. Chinese meteorological authorities have warned people to expect more heavy storms in coming days, the China Daily said. (Posted @ 11:50 PST)
Rains flood homes, rail lines in Mumbai MUMBAI, July 3 (Reuters) Monsoon rains flooded homes, submerged rail lines and forced hundreds of thousands of people to wade through muddy streets in India's financial capital on Monday. The downpours inundated several arterial roads in central and northern Mumbai and rainwater submerged rail tracks at some places. Air services were also running a little late. Weather officials forecast heavy to very heavy rains in the next 48 hours. (Posted @ 11:50 PST)
M15 spying on 8,000 British Muslims: report LONDON, July 3, 2006 (AFP) Britain's internal intelligence agency M15 is spying on some 8,000 British Muslims alleged to be ‘sympathisers of the Al-Qaeda network’, The Independent newspaper reported Monday. Operation "Rich Picture", also aims to recruit agents within the extremist movement’s arm in Britain, the report said. "Undercover officers are gathering information from all over the country, including at colleges, mosques and internet websites where extremists may try to "groom" or radicalise those sympathetic to the aims of Al-Qaeda," the paper said. Of the estimated 1.6 million Muslims living in Britain, counter-terrorist sources have disclosed that they believe up to 0.5 per cent - about 8,000 - support Al-Qaeda's aims, and have links to extremists. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Israel forces move further into Gaza NIZMIT HILL, Israel, July 3 (Reuters) Israeli tanks and bulldozers moved inside northern Gaza on Monday. "This is not a massive ground entrance. This is a pin-point operation to locate tunnels and explosives near the border fence," said a security source. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Indian troops kill six in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir (AP) Six people were killed in two separate clashes in occupied Kashmir, the army said Monday. In a raid on a hide-out, one soldier and one gunman were killed in a night-long fire fight that ended at dawn Monday, said an army spokesman. Troops also shot and killed four other men along the LoC, the spokesman added. (Posted @ 09:30 PST)
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The DAWN Group of Newspapers
Haroon House, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Karachi 74200, Pakistan.
Phone:+92 (21) 111-444-777 Fax: +92 (21) 569-3995
webmaster@dawn.com
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