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| July 13, 2006 | Thursday | Jumadi-ul-Sani 16, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Israel kills 52 civilians, including more than 15 children, in Lebanon BEIRUT, July 13 (Reuters) Israel struck Beirut airport and blockaded Lebanese ports on Thursday, expanding military offensives that have killed 52 civilians, including more than 15 children, in Lebanon since Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers a day earlier. Ten members of a family were killed in Dweir village and seven family members died in Baflay. A Lebanese army soldier was also killed. Hizbollah guerrillas retaliated by firing at least 70 rockets onto northern Israel, killing two women and wounding 42 people, Israeli medics said. Despite the flare-up in Lebanon, Israel signalled no let-up in its Gaza assault, mounting an air strike that destroyed the office of Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar. Lebanese Information Minister Ghazi al-Aridi said after an emergency cabinet meeting that Lebanon wanted a comprehensive ceasefire and an end to "this open-ended aggression" by Israel. "We should not consider this a matter of days," a senior Israeli air force official said of the prolonged offensive. (First Posted @ 09:45 PST updated @ 19:30 PST)
Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli attack on Beirut airport ISLAMABAD, July 13, 2006 (AFP) Pakistan Thursday strongly condemned the Israeli bombardment of Beirut airport describing the attack as a "dangerous escalation." "The Government of Pakistan strongly condemns the Israeli attack on Beirut airport resulting in loss of many innocent lives and widespread damage to property and infrastructure," a foreign ministry statement said. "The aerial bombardment of Beirut airport and the naval blockade of Lebanese waters announced by the Israeli government represent a dangerous escalation," it said. This attack was a "flagrant violation" of Lebanese sovereignty and contravened the norms and principles of the United Nations Charter, it said. The Pakistani government had also watched with "deep concern" the Israeli attacks on Gaza, it said. Pakistan called for restraint and urged the United Nations Security Council and major powers to act immediately to stop further attacks. (Posted @ 20:48 PST)
Pakistan will help India probe Mumbai bombs if needed: FO ISLAMABAD, July 13 (Reuters) Pakistan said on Thursday it was ready to help India's investigation into the Mumbai bomb blasts that killed 186 people. "Pakistan stands ready along with the international community to help India's investigation, because terrorism is a global problem," Tasnim Aslam, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said. She said such help would be unconditional and in no way dependent on a resolution of Pakistan's dispute with India over Kashmir. The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan are due to meet in New Delhi on July 20 to discuss confidence-building measures between the nuclear-armed neighbours. (Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Pakistani FM warns against 'knee-jerk' blame over blasts WASHINGTON, July 13 (AFP) - Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri warned against "knee-jerk" reactions saddling his country with blame for bomb blasts which killed more than 200 people in Mumbai. In an interview with CNN broadcast Wednesday, Kasuri said India should be careful about ant attempt to attribute the attacks to so-called Pakistan-based militants. Kasuri repeated his firm condemnation of Tuesday's attacks, which he had already called ghastly" but went on to ask "why should there be finger pointing every time?" "India is a vast country, there are attacks in other parts of India, there should not be a knee-jerk reaction that everything happening in India starts in Pakistan."(Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Musharraf cannot lead election campaign of any political party: CEC ISLAMABAD, July 13 (Agencies): Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Qazi Muhammad Farooq said on Thursday that the process for preparation of new electoral rolls will be launched from Friday (tomorrow) and final voters lists will be prepared by May 30,2007. Addressing a press conference here, he said the present electoral lists were prepared in 2001-02 and were revised on annual basis but still there was a need for fresh electoral rolls. He said during last few years considerable demographic changes have occurred in the country and a large number of teenagers have crossed the 18-year mark. He said that during preparations of new electoral rolls, production of computerized ID card will be compulsory. President Gen. Pervez Musharraf cannot take part in electioneering of any political party; however, he can meet and guide Senators and MNAs. "President is the part of the Parliament and he cannot be secluded," he said. The CEC said that the caretaker Prime Minister and Chief Ministers also cannot take part in the election. To a question whether the exiled leaders could run for election, he said, it would be decided by the respective returning officers, then the Appellate Tribunal would decided and finally the Supreme Court would give verdict about their fate. About the seminaries certificate the CEC said that the Apex Court would decide as to who could participate in elections. (Posted @ 19:04 PST)
Israel attacks Beirut international airport for second time BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 13, (AP) _ Israeli helicopter gunships late Thursday unleashed missiles on Beirut international airport, setting fuel tanks ablaze, in the second attack on Lebanon's only international air facility, Lebanese security officials said. One helicopter gunship raked the fuel depots with machine gun fire while three others fired air-to-surface missiles, the officials added. (Posted @ 23:48 PST)
West's mistakes let Taliban return: NATO commander LONDON, July 13 (Reuters) The West is to blame for the resurgence of the Taliban because it sent too few troops to Afghanistan, but an expanding NATO peace force will now turn the tide, the force's commander said on Thursday. British Lieutenant General David Richards, commander of the multinational force that is due to take control in southern Afghanistan within weeks, acknowledged fighting has been tougher than hoped, but predicted success as his troops win hearts and minds. Focusing too much on Kabul and ignoring local leaders had been a mistake in the past, but would now be fixed, he added. (Posted @ 22:15 PST)
Situation in Balochistan improving: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, July 13 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said the government has started implementing the recommendations of the parliamentary sub-committee on Balochistan headed by Senator Mushahid Hussain and work on a number of federal funded projects with allocation of Rs. 134 billion was in progress. He was talking to newsmen here at Prime Minister House after presiding over a high level meeting to review political, development and security conditions in Balochistan. Aziz said federal funded projects would provide more than 33,000 jobs to the local people. He said out of the 35 recommendations prepared unanimously by the sub-committee, implementation on 30 has started while discussions on the remaining five were under way. He added that there would be monthly review of the implementation on the sub-committee recommendations. He claimed that the political and law and order situation in Balochistan was also improving, and more than 20,000 people have returned to Dera Bugti. The government has also decided to double the number of Ph.D. scholarships for Balochistan from 18 to 36, he said. (First Posted @ 20:58 PST Updated @ 22:08 PST)
Iran denies Israeli allegations that captured soldiers heading to Iran TEHRAN, July 13 (Reuters) Iran's Foreign Ministry denied on Thursday Israeli allegations that Iranian-backed Hizbollah could take two captured Israeli soldiers from Lebanon to Iran, saying Jerusalem was "talking absurdities". "I strongly deny such reports," Foreign Ministry spokesman said. "Because of its desperation and increasing isolation in the world and because of the tension and crisis created inside Israel, it is now talking absurdities," he added. (Posted @ 21:36 PST)
Iraq takes control over province SAMAWA, Iraq, July 13 (Reuters) Iraq took full control of a province from foreign troops for the first time since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion on Thursday. Addressing a ceremony to mark the handover of southern Muthanna province from British-led troops to Iraqis, Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki warned "terrorists who want to disrupt the handover of security and the success of the national unity government will not spare any effort to sabotage this step". "If this experience fails, this could lead to a big setback which could affect our efforts to control security," he said. In a joint statement, the U.S. ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and the U.S. commander in Iraq, General George Casey, hailed it as a milestone in Iraq's capability to govern and protect itself as a "sovereign nation" and said handovers in other provinces will take place as conditions are achieved. (Posted @ 21:32 PST)
India names two suspects in Mumbai train bombings Mumbai, India (AP) Indian police detained about 350 people in connection with the deadly Bombay train bombings, as a top official said Thursday that investigators believed they ``should have something substantial soon.'' Hours later, officials named two suspects in the bombings which killed more than 200 people. The government's Anti-Terror Squad released photos of Sayyad Zabiuddin and Zulfeqar Fayyaz. Their nationalities weren't provided, nor was it clear where the photos, headshots which appeared to have been taken for identification documents, originated. No further details were provided. (Posted @ 21:22 PST)
Hundreds protest against security forces raids in Bajaur tribal region KHAR, Pakistan (AP) Around 2,000 supporters of ‘Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-e-Mohammedi’ rallied in the tribal region of Bajur to protest against raids on a village by Pakistani security forces hunting for militants. Many protestors also raised anti-America slogans. (Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Nepal police arrest four Pakistanis KATHMANDU, July 13, 2006 (AFP) Nepal police have arrested four Pakistanis on charges of possessing powerful explosives, police officials said Thursday. Two men were arrested from a downtown Kathmandu hotel Wednesday and another two from the popular Thamel tourist area on Thursday, police said. Police said the two men detained at the Everest Hotel on Wednesday were arrested "in connection with possessing explosives five years ago." "Both of them (have been) at large since then but acting on a tip-off we arrested them on Wednesday. The duo had arrived in Kathmandu from Pakistan on Saturday," police said. (Posted @ 20:56 PST)
Cricket-England 242-3 v Pakistan at tea in day one of first test LONDON, July 13 (Reuters) England were 242 for three at tea on the first day of the first test against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday after winning the toss and electing to bat. For match details click here. (Posted @ 20:45 PST)
UN to send team to Middle East to urge restraint UNITED NATIONS, July 13 (Reuters) U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is sending a three-person team to the Middle East to urge all parties to exercise restraint and help defuse a major crisis in the region, a spokesman said on Thursday. Meanwhile European Union’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana also announded plans to travel to the Middle East in coming days to discuss the escalation of violence there, his office said on Thursday. (Posted @ 19:25 PST)
Israeli aircraft strike Lebanese military airbase CHTOURA, Lebanon, July 13 (Reuters) Israeli aircraft bombed a military airbase in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border on Thursday, witnesses said. The airbase at Riyaq, less than five km (three miles) from the Syrian border, is used by Lebanon's two dozen old U.S.-made helicopters. The military has no fixed-wing jets. The Lebanese army had no immediate comment and there was no word on casualties after the raid. (Posted @ 19:22 PST)
ICRC says Gaza humanitarian situation precarious GENEVA, July 13 (Reuters) Israel must ensure the basic needs of the Palestinian population in Gaza are met throughout the current crisis there, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Thursday. ICRC warned that water and fuel had become a major concern in the largely sealed-off Gaza Strip, with only a few humanitarian agencies able to take in supplies. It said rotating power outages are now occurring in Gaza City, where power is supplied from six to 12 hours per day in each area. Water pumps and hospitals rely on fuel-driven generators and electricity partly provided by Israel. While no acute shortages of water, or fuel to run pumps, have been reported, the ICRC said, stocks could quickly dwindle or vanish if humanitarian organisations are blocked from bringing supplies into Gaza. "The situation remains precarious," it said. (Posted @ 19:20 PST)
Iranian president threatens to quit nuclear treaty TEHRAN, July 13, 2006 (AFP) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned on Thursday that Tehran could halt UN inspections and quit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if subjected to increased pressure over its disputed nuclear programme. The threat came just hours after world powers referred the crisis back to the Security Council for possible sanctions over a failure by Iran to respond to demands that it suspend work that could lead to the production of nuclear weapons. Ahmadinejad asked the world powers to "be patient and not disturb the current climate", arguing that Iran was still looking into the offer. "We will try to conduct a positive examination (of the offer) and will give our reply at the end of Mordad," the Iranian month that ends on August 22, he was quoted as saying. (First Posted @ 17:12 PST Updated @ 18:34 PST)
US military helicopter crashes in Iraq BAGHDAD, July 13, 2006 (AFP) A US military helicopter crashed southwest of Baghdad Thursday, the military said, adding that the two pilots survived. It said the Apache Longbow helicopter was conducting a combat air patrol when it plunged to the ground at about 2 pm (100 GMT) and that the "cause of the incident is unknown." (Posted @ 18:30 PST)
India verifying claim Al-Qaeda has set up network in Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, July 13, 2006 (AFP) The Indian army said Thursday it was evaluating a claim that Al-Qaeda has launched a wing in revolt-hit occupied Kashmir, and if found to be true it would be a "cause of concern." "The veracity of the statement will be evaluated by all the agencies and if it is found to be true then it is definitely a cause of concern," said an army spokesman. The spokesman was reacting to a statement by a previously unknown group calling itself the Al-Qaeda Jammu and Kashmir. "The amir of Al-Qaeda Jammu and Kashmir, Abu Abdul Rehman Ansari, has appreciated those who took part in the Mumbai blasts and expressed happiness," the purported spokesman for the group told Current News Agency in a phone call. He said the group has been formally launched on Thursday. The claims could not be independently verified. "(Ansari) has said the blasts were the result of Indian oppression and repression of minorities, in particular Muslims," the spokesman said. (Posted @ 18:28 PST)
India says Mumbai blasts point to Pakistani inaction NEW DELHI, July 13 (Reuters) Deadly bombings in Mumbai and rising violence in Kashmir show militants continue to have bases in Pakistan and this could hurt the peace process with New Delhi, India's junior foreign minister said on Thursday. While India remained committed to making peace with Pakistan, the peace process was not a one-way street and Islamabad had to fulfil its part of the deal and curb militants, Anand Sharma said. The minister, however, said he would not name any militant group for the Mumbai blasts as investigations were under way. Asked if the foreign secretaries of the two countries would meet as scheduled for next week, he said: "There is no view which has been taken. We have to look at the larger picture, not merely meeting of the foreign secretaries." (Posted @ 17:14 PST)
Iran "can't wait us out" in nuclear dispute: Bush STRALSUND, Germany, July 13 (Reuters) U.S. President George W. Bush warned Iran on Thursday it did not have an unlimited amount of time to settle the dispute over its nuclear programme. "The Iranians must realise that they can't wait us out," Bush told a news conference after meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "We said 'reasonable period of time'. Weeks not months," Bush said. "They evidently did not believe us. Now we're going to the U.N Security Council." Merkel said other steps would be necessary if Iran did not respond to the offer. "If Iran does not agree to this offer, then unfortunately we need to go down other routes," said Merkel at a joint news conference with Bush. (Posted @ 17:10 PST)
Palestinian cancer patient dies due to Israeli assault EL-ARISH, Egypt, July 13 (AP) A 26-year-old Palestinian woman suffering from cancer died at the Egypt-Gaza border after waiting for the crossing to open for two weeks, a medical report said Thursday. Fatama Sedqi Abdeen died Wednesday immediately after an ambulance rushed her to a nearby hospital, said the report obtained by The Associated Press. She had apparently run out of money and was unable to return to Cairo for chemotherapy. Abdeen suffered from brain, skin and lung cancer, and had crossed into Egypt to undergo surgery on her breast, the report said. Abdeen spent several days and nights on the Egyptian side of the border, waiting to cross home where she planned to undergo chemotherapy, a doctor at a hospital in El Arish said Thursday. Abdeen's family was now negotiating with Israeli authorities to open the border to allow her body to be buried in Gaza. According to the doctor, his hospital received 16 other Palestinians in serious condition over the last 72 hours, who had also been waiting at the border crossing. Abdeen is the first Palestinian to die because of the Rafah border closure. (Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Abbas says Israeli incursion into Lebanon raises fears of regional war RAMALLAH, West Bank, July 13 (AP) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday said Israel's incursion into Lebanon has raised the spectre of a large-scale Middle East war and urged world powers to intervene ``to stop this serious deterioration.'' ``The expansion of the military action to the neighbour, Lebanon, is raising our fears of a new regional war,'' Abbas said after meeting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah. (Posted @ 16:56 PST)
Bush says Israel has right to defend itself STRALSUND, Germany, July 13 (AP) U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday criticized Hezbollah for thwarting peace efforts in the Middle East and said Israel has the right to defend itself. Bush also said Syria ``needs to be held to account'' for supporting and harbouring Hezbollah. Pressed on whether Israel's military assaults could trigger a wider war, Bush said he was concerned about any activity that would weaken or topple the Lebanese government. ``Having said that, people need to protect themselves,'' he said of Israel. (Posted @ 16:54 PST)
SC issues notice to IGP, AG Sindh for extra judicial killing ISLAMABAD, July 13 (APP): Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Thursday issued notice to Inspector General of Police Sindh and Advocate General to appear before the court on July 18 after taking suo-moto notice against a reported extra judicial killing of a suspected robber in Karachi on July 11. The Chief Justice took suo-moto notice on a news item published in daily 'Dawn' regarding the blatant act of extra judicial killing by the police who gunned down a suspected robber near the D.J. Government Science College a couple of days earlier. The news item indicated that in this case, articles 9, 10 and 14 of the Constitution have been violated. (Posted @ 16:40 PST)
Arab foreign ministers to meet in Cairo Saturday CAIRO, July 13 (Reuters) Arab foreign ministers will meet in Cairo on Saturday to discuss Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, the Arab League said on Thursday. (Posted @ 16:10 PST)
Japan's Koizumi in West Bank for talks with Abbas RAMALLAH, West Bank, July 13, 2006 (AFP) Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi arrived in the Ramallah on Thursday for talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in the full glare of an escalating Middle East crisis. Koizumi's talks with Abbas following a welcome ceremony, comes one day after he met Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem and urged the Jewish state to take "rational action" to the escalating regional crisis. "I told Prime Minister (Ehud) Olmert that Japan's assistance to the Palestinians will be made in the form of support for Abbas," Koizumi said during a joint news conference with the Israeli leader on Thursday. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Oil hits record near $76 LONDON, July 13 (Reuters) Oil surged to a record high near $76 on Thursday on renewed worries over supply from major exporter Nigeria and as conflict between Israel and Hizbollah in Lebanon heightened international tensions. Prices also rose as the Iran nuclear row appeared to be heading to the U.N. Security Council, North Korea walked out of talks with South Korea and crude inventories in top oil consumer the United States fell more than expected. U.S. crude traded 82 cents higher at $75.77 a barrel by 0958 GMT, after hitting a record $75.89. London Brent was up $1.13 at $75.52 after reaching a record $75.60. (Posted @ 15:22 PST)
Cricket-Australia A and Pakistan A evenly poised in Top End Cricket Series DARWIN, Australia, July 13 (AP) Opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez compiled an imperious 180 runs Thursday as Pakistan A notched 431 in reply to Australia A's 510 on the third day of their four-day match at the Top End cricket series on Thursday. Australia A was 57 for two in its second innings at stumps for a lead of 136 runs with eight wickets in hand and a day remaining. Phil Jaques was 37 not out. Spinner Cullen Bailey said Australia would weigh conditions Friday before deciding whether to declare and set Pakistan a winning run chase. The Top End Cricket Series brings together second-string, A teams from Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan, competing in Twenty20, limited overs and four-day matches. (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Bike bomb in northern Afghanistan wounds five MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, July 13 (AFP) - A bomb fixed to a bicycle exploded near a shrine in Afghanistan's normally peaceful northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif Thursday, wounding up to five people, police said. The timebomb also damaged five cars when it exploded, provincial police chief Khan Mohammad Mujahid said. He said three people including shopkeepers and bystanders were hurt. The explosion was across the road from blue-tiled Shrine of Hazrat Ali in the heart of the city.(Posted @ 13:35 PST)
Russia condemns 'disproportionate' use of force by Israel MOSCOW, July 13 (AFP) - Russia on Thursday slammed Israel's "disproportionate use of force" against Lebanon and Palestinian territory, saying that civilians were being made to suffer. "One cannot justify the continued destruction by Israel of the civilian infrastructure in Lebanon and Palestinian territory with the disproportianate use of force in which the civilian population suffers," the foreign ministry said in a statement that also condemned terrorism.(Posted @ 13:35 PST)
Coalition, Afghan forces kill 19 rebels in southern Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, July 13 (AFP) - US-led coalition and Afghan forces killed 19 Taliban rebels in clashes in southern Afghanistan, a provincial spokesman said Thursday. The clashes erupted after a group of Taliban militants attacked Nawzad district of Helmand province on Wednesday, Helmand spokesman Muhaidin Khan said. The coalition confirmed the clash but could not immediately say how many people were killed. (Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Four killed in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, July 13 (AFP) - Four persons were killed before dawn Thursday by suspected militants in occupied Kashmir, police said. "Suspected militants fired into two houses in Poonch district killing four and injuring two others," a spokesman said. Kashmir is in the grip of a 16-year-old insurgency that has so far left more than 44,000 people dead, by official count. Separatists put the toll at twice as high.(Posted @ 11:35 PST)
Saddam on hunger strike for five days -US BAGHDAD, July 13 (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein and three of his co-defendants have been on hunger strike for five days in protest at court procedures and the killing of their defence lawyers, the U.S. military said on Wednesday. Saddam's lawyer said the protest had lasted for seven days. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 94.32 points: KARACHI, July 13: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 10014.98, up 94.32 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, July 13: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.68 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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