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| July 29, 2006 | Saturday | Rajab 2, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
MQM ministers resignations: Musharraf summons meeting on Tuesday KARACHI, July 29: President Parvez Musharraf has summoned a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday to discuss matters pertaining to the MQM and the Sindh government, a private tv station reported Saturday. The meeting will be attended, among others, by the representatives of the MQM and the Sindh government, it added. Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said it was the outcome of the conciliatory efforts of prime minister Shaukat Aziz who has been holding talks with the stakeholders since his arrival in Karachi on Friday. The present political crisis has emerged following the decision of the MQM to quit the coalition in the centre and in Sindh province on accounts of its grievances (Posted @ 12:50 PST)
Prime Minister says talks to continue between government and MQM KARACHI, July 29 (PPI) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said talks between the government and its coalition partner Muttehada Qaumi Movement MQM would continue until the resolution of all issues. Talking to newsmen Saturday at the Governor House in Karachi, Aziz announced “President General Pervez Musharraf has convened a meeting of the representatives of federal and provincial governments representatives in Islamabad on August 1 in order to discuss the issue." (Posted @ 16:32 PST)
Lebanon crisis is part of broader struggle: Bush WASHINGTON, July 29 (Reuters) U.S. President George W. Bush on Saturday cast the Lebanon war as part of a broader struggle against terrorism and said a strategy to end the violence there must address the threat posed by Hizbollah. "As we work to resolve this current crisis, we must recognize that Lebanon is the latest flashpoint in a broader struggle between freedom and terror that is unfolding across the region," Bush said in his weekly radio broadcast."We will work with our allies to adopt a resolution that establishes a framework to end the violence quickly, and mandates the multinational force," he said. Bush cited Iraq in the radio address and repeated his goal of establishing a democracy "in the heart of the Middle East." In Lebanon, he said ridding the country of "terrorists and foreign influence" would eventually bring about a better life there. "This moment of conflict in the Middle East is painful and tragic," Bush said. "Yet it is also a moment of opportunity for broader change in the region." (Posted @ 19:45 PST)
Pakistan says new nuclear reactor 'safe in our hands' KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (AFP) Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri said a powerful new nuclear reactor under construction was "safe in our hands" and would not spark an arms race with rival India. "It's nothing new, the world knows about it, the world knows that it's safe in our hands," Kasuri told AFP in an interview late Friday at a meeting of Asia's top security forum in Kuala Lumpur. "It's five years old, it's nearing completion now, I don't know the timing," added Kasuri. Kasuri, speaking at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, insisted that Pakistan had legislation in place to cover its use and that it abided by international regulations. He also dismissed suggestions that new atomic plant could spark a fresh arms race with India, saying: "It's nothing new, it's five years old, if it had caused an arms race that was five years ago, not today." Asked why the giant reactor was needed if Pakistan and India were trying to make peace, he said: "The (nuclear) programme started with India so one might ask them first." Kasuri said he was hopeful that senior Indian and Pakistani officials who are set to meet in Dhaka on August 1 would "not miss this opportunity" to get peace talks back on track. (Posted @ 09:25 PST)
Bomb blast on bus in India kills two PATNA, India, July 29 (Reuters) Two people were killed and nine were injured when a small left-wing group set off a bomb on a bus in the Gaya district of Bihar on Saturday, police said. A police official said the attack seemed to be the result of a bitter dispute between Maoists and left-wing radicals belonging to smaller groups. A spokesman of the Revolutionary Core Committee (RCC) called newspaper offices to claim responsibility for the blast and said the two people killed were members of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) (CPI-Maoist). (Posted @ 21:52 PST)
Hezbollah vows more attacks on Israel if war goes on BEIRUT, July 29 (Reuters) Hizbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Saturday his group would fire more rockets at central Israeli cities if Israel's offensive in Lebanon was not halted. In a speech televised on a television channel, Nasrallah said he believed Israel wanted a ceasefire but was being pressured by Washington to continue the conflict. He said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who arrived in Israel on Saturday, had come to impose conditions and serve the Jewish state. (Posted @ 21:50 PST)
Streets deserted in occupied Kashmir in second day of protests SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, July 29 (AP) Streets were deserted Saturday and public transport stayed off the roads in Srinagar, as a general strike was observed for a second day to protest a visit by India's president. The strike was called by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who heads a faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. It was supported by Hezb-ul Mujahedeen. Offices and schools were closed for the weekend. Public buses and taxis did not operate due to the strike. (Posted @ 21:48 PST)
Thousands march on Bangladesh capital to call for electoral reforms DHAKA, July 29 (AFP) More than 20,000 activists marched in the Bangladeshi capital, defying driving rains Saturday, in the fifth day of protests to press for electoral reforms ahead of January polls, police said. The parties, led by the main opposition Awami League, started six days of marches across the country on Tuesday to force electoral reforms they say are necessary for free and fair national polls scheduled for January. (Posted @ 21:36 PST)
Pakistan to be converted into trade corridor: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, July 29 (PPI) President General Pervez Musharraf Saturday said Pakistan would be converted into a trade corridor by linking the Gawadar Deep Sea Port with the regional countries through an efficient communication infrastructure including the rail network. He was speaking at a presentation on modernization of Pakistan Railways at a carriage Factory here Saturday. He inaugurated a high capacity carriage factory here and announced an honorarium of one thousand rupees each for its workers. (Posted @ 21:35 PST)
Earthquake kills one, injures 12 in northern Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan, July 29 (AP) An earthquake hit northern Afghanistan early Saturday, killing one woman and injuring 12 other people, including children, a police officer said. The quake happened around 3:30 a.m. in Imam Sahib district of the northern Kunduz province, said police. A medical team went to the scene and evacuated some of those badly injured to the main provincial hospital in the city of Kunduz, the official added. State television reported that dozens of houses were damaged. (Posted @ 21:34 PST)
Cricket-England beat Pakistan in second test MANCHESTER, England, July 29 (Reuters) England beat Pakistan by an innings and 120 runs on the third day of the second test at Old Trafford on Saturday. Scores: Pakistan 119 and 222. England 461 for nine declared. For match details click here. (Posted @ 21:16 PST)
Drugs to blame for major part of Afghan violence: NATO KABUL, July 29 (AFP) A major part of the violence in southern Afghanistan is due to opium poppy cultivation and drug trafficking, the commander of NATO forces in the country said Saturday. There was an inextricable link between opium and the violence seen, for example, in southern Helmand province, British General David Richards told a press conference. The drug traffickers benefited from the near total absence of authorities representing the central government in the south and also the low number of international troops stationed in the area since the toppling of Taliban regime at the end of 2001, Richards said. "The opium trade is being threatened by the NATO expansion into the south and they are going to fight very hard to keep what they have got and a lot of what we are seeing has nothing to do with any ideological commitment", the general said. Richards however stressed that there was no question of attacking poppy farmers, whom he said were more victims than perpetrators of the drug trade. (Posted @ 20:02 PST)
More US arms deliveries for Israel expected in Scotland LONDON, July 29 (AFP) Two US cargo aircraft carrying weapons for Israel are due to make stop-overs at a Scottish airport over the weekend with the approval of the British government, airport authorities said Saturday. The two Boeing 747s are carrying "dangerous material" from Texas to Tel Aviv, and have been given authorisation to land, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said. The nature of the explosives was not specified. (Posted @ 19:58 PST)
Rice back in Israel for talks on Lebanon crisis TEL AVIV, July 29 (AFP) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived back in Israel on Saturday to try again to broker an end to the bloody Lebanon conflict. (Posted @ 19:56 PST)
Israeli air strike kills six children and mother in Lebanon BEIRUT, July 29 (Reuters) An Israeli air strike on a house in Lebanon on Saturday killed a woman and six children, Lebanese medical sources said. The strike took place in the village of Nmeiriya in southern Lebanon. The sources said the woman was the mother of five of the children. The other victim was the child of neighbours. (Posted @ 19:42 PST)
Chief Minister Sindh presides over high-level meeting of PML KARACHI, July 29 (APP) A high level meeting of Pakistan Muslilm League was held at Chief Minister House here Saturday. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Secretary General PML, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Federal Information Minister Mohammed Ali Durrani, Provincial General Secretary Nadir Akmal Leghari, Additional General Secretary Senator Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi and Provincial Minister Irfanullah Khan Marwat. On the occasion Mushahid Hussain Syed communicated a special message from PML Chief Ch. Shujaat Hussain to Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim. Arbab apprised the meeting about PML's organizational matters in Sindh. According to a Chief Minister House press release, Secretary General PML Mushahid Hussain Syed said the party's central leadership has full confidence in the Chief Minister and fully supports him. (Posted @ 19:38 PST)
India retracts claim of killing Pakistan officer NEW DELHI, July 29 (AFP) India retracted Saturday an army claim that Indian soldiers had killed a Pakistani military officer in occupied Kashmir. "No Pakistan army officer has been killed in (occupied) Kashmir," a defence ministry spokesman said, declining to elaborate. The Indian army had on Friday said Indian forces shot dead Pakistani army officer Mohammad Hyder Turkey and two Pakistani militants earlier in the week. Pakistan had rejected the claim, calling it "ridiculous" and saying the man in question was still alive. (Posted @ 16:50 PST)
Death toll in Lebanon hits 439 TYRE, Lebanon, July 29 (AFP) Early Saturday, Israeli air forces renewed raids on Beirut's southern suburbs, destroying a four-wheel-drive vehicle in a missile strike, the state news agency ANI said. Early Saturday, the bodies of eight civilians, including a couple and their three children in a car hit by a missile, were found on the roads of southern Lebanon following Israeli bombardments on the region, officials said. The bodies of three other civilians killed by shrapnel, some partly decomposed, were found on roads near Tyre, he said. The deaths bring to 439 the number of people killed, including 368 civilians, in Lebanon by the Israeli military onslaught. (Posted @ 16:48 PST)
Israel pulls back from Hezbollah stronghold TYRE, Lebanon, July 29 (AFP) Israeli forces pulled back from positions on the outskirts of a Hezbollah stronghold town that was the scene of the deadliest battles of their advance into south Lebanon, police said Saturday. Tanks and armored vehicles left the hills overlooking Bint Jbeil late Friday and returned to Marun Al-Ras, which was captured by Israeli forces on July 23. But Israeli troops in Marun Al-Ras continued to bombard Bint Jbeil as well as nearby Aitarun and Ainata with over 350 rockets, police said. The pullback took place amid clashes which the Israeli military said left six Israeli soldiers wounded, including one in a serious condition. An Israeli army spokeswoman said Israeli troops "have modified their deployment because of the developments on the ground in the Marun Al-Ras Bint Jbeil sector." (Posted @ 16:46 PST)
Israel rejects UN call for humanitarian truce JERUSALEM, July 29 (AFP) Israel on Saturday rejected a United Nations call for a 72-hour truce in the Lebanon conflict to bring humanitarian aid to trapped civilians and evacuate the wounded, insisting that there were humanitarian corridors already set up to bring in aid to civilians in southern Lebanon. (Posted @ 16:40 PST)
Israel refuses to set date for ending Lebanon assault JERUSALEM, July 29 (AFP) A top Israeli official on Saturday refused to set a date for the Jewish state ending its assault on Lebanon, just hours before US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was due back in the region to try to broker peace. "No date has been fixed for the end of the operations we are carrying out in Lebanon, we are not acting with a stopwatch in our hands," cabinet secretary Israel Maimon told army radio. (Posted @ 16:38 PST)
Four Al-Qaeda suspects captured in Afghanistan; 22 killed in fighting KABUL, July 29 (AFP) US-led troops arrested four suspected Al-Qaeda militants in a raid in eastern Afghanistan while at least 18 Taliban rebels and four policemen were killed during the latest fighting in the insurgency-plagued country, officials said Saturday. There were no casualties on either side during the raid conducted early Saturday in Sal Kalay village in Khost province, the US military said in a statement. Two AK-47 assault rifles and a briefcase, filled with "extremist-related" documents were seized from the location where the men were captured, it added. Fourteen Taliban fighters were were killed on Friday in a "clearance operation" in southern Helmand province's Garmser district, the interior ministry said. In Kapisa province, meanwhile, police killed four Taliban militants on Friday while also losing one of their own men, an official said. Meanwhile two policemen guarding an archaeological site in northern Balkh province were killed and another was wounded when unknown assailants attacked them overnight, police said. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Thirty feared dead in Pakistan flash floods ISLAMABAD, July 29 (AFP) At least 30 people were feared dead after flash floods swept them away overnight in northern Pakistan, an official said Saturday. A seasonal stream flooded by heavy monsoon rains washed away the men who had set up stalls for a weekly bazaar near the stream in the village of Takht Nasrti in North West Frontier Province. "Six bodies have been recovered and rescuers are trying to find the other missing people who are feared to have died in the torrent," an official of the flood warning centre said. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
India strike shuts occupied Kashmir for second day SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, July 29 (AFP) A strike protesting against a two-day visit by India's president to occupied Kashmir shut much of the region for a second day Saturday, while four soldiers were reportedly hurt in a militant attack. Streets in Srinagar were virtually deserted as shops, banks, businesses and schools closed in protest, and most traffic was off the roads. Other parts of the state were also hit by the strike called by the hardline wing of the separatist alliance Hurriyat and backed by groups battling New Delhi's rule in the region. Meanwhile, four soldiers were injured when militants attacked an army convoy south of Srinagar on Saturday with grenades and rifle fire, police said.(Posted @ 13:50 PST)
Sri Lanka duo in new world record partnership COLOMBO, July 29 (AFP) Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara compiled an unbeaten world record partnership of 578 in the first cricket Test against South Africa here on Saturday. Skipper Jayawardene was unbeaten on 278 and Sangakkara was on 273 when they set the new record in the second over after lunch on the third day. The record came through four byes conceded down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Mark Boucher off left-arm spinner Nicky Boje. They had come to the crease on Thursday evening with Sri Lanka struggling at 14-2 in reply to South Africa's first innings total of 169. (Posted @ 13:05 PST)
Israel bombs Gaza tunnels, sends back troops JERUSALEM, July 29 (AFP) Israel bombed a suspected weapons depot and tunnels in the Gaza Strip and sent troops back into the north of the territory early Saturday, the army said. Overnight, war planes bombed a house in Gaza City it said contained arms and ammunition and tunnels near the town of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. (Posted @ 13:05 PST)
Six killed over old enmity near Nawabshah Nawabshah, Sindh, July 29 (PPI): Six persons including two real brothers were killed over old enmity in the jurisdiction of Ali Abad police station in taluka Daulatpur near here Saturday morning. Four of the deceased were reportedly coming to Nawabshah to attend a court hearing when they were ambushed. The firing also killed two passersby, police said adding that they chasing the killers in the forest area. (Posted @ 12:55 PST)
Eight found dead after Israeli strikes on Lebanon TYRE, Lebanon, July 29 (APP/AFP) The bodies of eight civilians, including a couple and their three children in a car hit by a missile, were found on the Maarub-Dardghia near Tyre city following Israeli bombardments on the region, officials said Saturday. The bodies of three other civilians killed by shrapnel, some partly decomposed, were also found on roads in the same area, he said. (Posted @ 12:50 PST)
Four U.S. Marines killed in Iraq's Anbar province BAGHDAD, July 29 (Reuters) Four U.S. Marines were killed in action in Iraq's restive western Anbar province on Thursday, the U.S. military said on Saturday. (Posted @ 11:50 PST)
Mirwaiz urges Kalam to help implement 'demilitarisation' in Kashmir NEW DELHI, July 29 (APP): Chairman of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has urged Indian President Abdul Kalam, now on a two-day visit to occupied Kashmir, to play an effective role for implementation of Pakistan's suggestion for 'demilitarisation' of the state. Describing the prevailing political situation in the state as "grave", Mirwaiz said in Pahalgam Friday the President should also take serious note of "unabated violation of human rights, bloodshed and custodial disappearances in the state." (Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Hocky coach Asif Bajwa quits KARACHI July 29: Pakistan national hockey coach Asif Bajwa has announced his resignation after the team’s dismal performance in the six-nation champions Trophy now in progress in spain. He made the announcement in an interview with a private tv channel last night. Pakistan’s performance this season has been disappointing. In the Champions Trophy in Terrassa (Spain) it has not so far won a single game and suffered the worst-ever 2-9 defeat at the hands of Holland. Pakistan play the last game of the tournament Saturday evening against Argentina. Both teams languish at the bottom of points table.
Death toll in this week's California heat wave 116 CLOVIS, Calif., July 29 (Reuters) The death toll from this week's heat wave in California has reached at least 116, state officials said Friday. Officials confirmed 63 deaths from heat stress, with another 53 fatalities believed to be linked to the extreme weather. Los Angeles County said it was investigating another six deaths believed to be heat related. "This is the worst in recent memory," said Dr. Howard Backer, a medical consultant for California Department of Health Services. (Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Tennis-Holder Agassi makes emotional Los Angeles exit LOS ANGELES, July 29(Reuters) Four-times champion Andre Agassi made an emotional exit in the Los Angeles Open quarter-finals on Friday, losing 6-4 3-6 7-5 to Chile's Fernando Gonzalez. In the 60th and final title defence of his glittering career, the 36-year-old American saved three match points in the 10th game of the deciding set before being broken for the third time in the 12th. Agassi, who has said he will retire after the U.S. Open, received a standing ovation before acknowledging the applause with a bow to all four sides.(Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Rice leaves Malaysia for Mideast diplomacy drive KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Reuters) U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice left Malaysia on Saturday, returning to the Middle East on a new diplomatic drive to end 18 days of fighting between Israel and Hizbollah. Her first stop will be Israel to discuss proposals included in a U.N. resolution expected to be presented in New York next week. She will also hold talks with Lebanon's Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora. (Posted @ 09:55 PST)
IMF releases 1.85 billion dollars for Turkey WASHINGTON, July 29 (AFP) The International Monetary Fund Friday released 1.85 billion dollars from a 10-billion-dollar standby credit it approved last year to help stabilize Turkey's economy. "Turkey's economic performance has been strong. Rapid growth was accompanied until recently by record-high capital inflows, declining debt ratios, and lira strength," IMF managing director Rodrigo Rato said in a statement. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Thousands flee Indonesian oil refinery blast JAKARTA, July 29 (AFP) Thousands of people fled their homes in panic on Saturday after an accidental explosion shortly after midnight at an oil well on Indonesia's Java island but no immediate casualties were reported, police said. "It was purely accident and fortunately, the fire on the well was put out after five hours. Workers contained the leaking gas from the reservoir by setting it on fire so that it evaporates," a spokesman said. No casualties among residents had been reported but police were yet to receive any information on deaths or injuries from the oil refinery operators themselves, he added. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
One dead, five wounded by gunman at Jewish center in Seattle: police SEATTLE, Washington, July 29, 2006 (AFP) A gunman who said he was "angry at Israel" killed one person and wounded five others Friday in a Jewish center in the Pacific Coast city of Seattle, according to local news reports and police. "There was a political element to it, but we believe this was the action of one person and not an organization," Seattle assistant police chief Nick Metz said at a press conference. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
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