|
|
| August 25, 2006 | Friday | Rajab 29, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Opposition moves no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Aziz ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug 25 (Agencies) Opposition parties Friday formally moved a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in the 342-member National Assembly. The motion was moved by President Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Qazi Hussain Ahmed, and was signed by 137 opposition members. 101 opposition MPs were present in the parliament to show favour to the motion. Speaker National Assembly, Chaudhry Ameer Hussain, did not allow Pakistan Peoples Partly Parliamentarians (PPP-P)’s Aitazaz Ahsan to read the complete text of the resolution, and approved it as read after a rumpus. The opposition also protested the speaker’s decision to grant only one day to discuss the no-confidence vote. In response, the speaker said that it was at his discretion to decide how much time should be given for the discussion. He stated that he would adopt the same procedure as in 1989 when a no-confidence vote was tabled against the then Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. The speaker added that he has suggested Tuesday (August 29) as the day for holding the debate on the motion. The parliament session was then adjourned to Monday at 4 p.m. (First Posted @ 15:51 PST Updated @ 19:05 PST)
Cricket-Hair offered to resign in exchange for US$500,000: ICC LONDON, Aug 25 (Agencies) Umpire Darrell Hair offered to resign in the wake of the fourth test fiasco if the ICC paid him US$500,000, the ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed informed a press conference Friday, adding that the information could be used as evidence in the Pakistani hearing. Hair, an Australian, was one of two umpires officiating in the England v Pakistan test who awarded the home side five penalty runs alleging that the tourists had illegally tampered with the ball. ``On Tuesday, 22 August…I received the letter, it is fair to say I was extremely surprised by the content and concerned as to how I should deal with it…In the letter, Darrell Hair offered to leave his job as a top official in the ICC in exchange for a payment of $US500,000,” Speed said. “I told Darrell he is not sacked, not suspended, and has not been charged,” he said, adding “But I couldn't guarantee each of those positions could be maintained indefinitely.” Hair responded by claiming he had rescinded his offer. ``There was no malicious intent behind this communication with the ICC. I am anxious that the code of conduct hearing takes place as soon as possible so these matters can be resolved and allow me to move on with my umpiring.'' Meanwhile the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that Monday's Twenty20 match and the subsequent one-day series will go ahead as scheduled. ``I have had a meeting with PCB chairman Shahriyar Khan and ECB chairman David Morgan and I have been assured the tour continues as scheduled, '' ICC president Percy Sonn told Sky Sports News. Speed confirmed that Inzamam's hearing will now be held in September at a date to be determined. (First Posted @ 19:56 PST Updated @ 21:04 PST)
SAF Games-Pakistan beats India 3-2 to win gold in hockey COLOMBO, Aug 25 (APP) Pakistan beat arch rivals India 3-2 Friday to win gold in the 10th South Asia Games hockey competition held here. Imran Wasri struck twice off successive penalty corners for Pakistan. In the play-off for the third and fourth places, Sri Lanka thrashed Bangladesh 2-0 to claim the bronze. (Posted @ 21:25 PST)
Schemes underway to tap potential of Northern Areas: PM Islamabad, August 25 (PPI) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the government is working on various schemes to tap the tremendous potential of the Northern Areas by encouraging both domestic and foreign tourism. He said this while talking to Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas (KANA) Maj (r) Tahir Iqbal who called on him at the PM's House on Friday. (Posted @ 23:50 PST)
Thar Express suspended for four weeks NEW DELHI, Aug 25 (APP): The train service between Munnabao and Khokhrapar in Pakistan has been suspended for up to four weeks in view of damage to rail tracks due to floods. This information has been conveyed to Pakistan, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told the newsmen here today. (Posted @ 23:40 PST)
U.S. forces clash with militants at insurgent mosque in Ramadi BAGHDAD, Iraq, August 25, (AP) _ U.S. forces fired tank rounds at a mosque on Friday in Ramadi after coming under attack from militants inside, the U.S. military command said. Ramadi police reported that three people were killed and 23 people were wounded, but it was not possible to independently confirm the information. The U.S. military said one American soldier was wounded but later returned to duty. It said it was unclear if there were any other casualties. (Posted @ 23:32 PST)
Dera Bugti, Chagai declared A-areas QUETTA Aug 25 (Agencies) The Home and Tribal Affairs Department of Balochistan officially declared the two districts of the province, Dera Bugti and Chagai, as A-areas. ‘A’ area is controlled by Police while ‘B’ area is manned by Levies personnel. (Posted @ 22:04 PST)
Raja Zulqernain sworn in as President AJK MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 25 (Online): Raja Zulqernain was sworn in as the 21st President of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir at a ceremony in Muzaffarabad on Friday. The Chief Justice of Azad Kashmir, Justice Khawaja Muhammad Saeed, administered the oath. (Posted @ 22:00 PST)
SAF Games-Pakistan wins three gold, one silver in wrestling COLOMBO, Aug 25 (APP): Pakistan won three gold and one silver medals here Friday in the wrestling championship of the 10th South Asia Games. The heavy weight wrestler, Muhammad Bashir Bhola Bhala beat Dharam Raj from Nepal to clinch the gold in the 120 kgs bout. Ghulam Haider produced gold in the 66kgs category defeating Afghanistan's Muhammad Humayun. Usman Majeed led the country to the third gold by securing a clear win over Afghanistan's Muhammad Razab in the 84 kgs bout. In the 55kgs final, Pakistan’s Ahzar Hussain lost to Afghani grappler Abdul Karim to win silver medal. (Posted @ 21:46 PST)
SAF Games-Sri Lanka beats Pakistan in volleyball COLOMBO, Aug 25 (APP) Sri Lanka surprised the Pakistani volleyball team with a five set win 23-25,25-23,20-25,29-27,15-11 on the third day of the tenth South Asia Games’ volleyball competition here Friday. Pakistan will now play India in its last league match on Saturday. (Posted @ 21:44 PST)
SAF Games-Pakistan wins bronze in Karate COLOMBO, Aug 25 (APP) Pakistan claimed a bronze medal in the Karate competition of the tenth South Asia Games here Friday. Shamauz Zaman won the medal in the 75kgs category. (Posted @ 21:42 PST)
SAF Games-Pakistan beat Nepal 2-1 to meet Lanka in football final COLOMBO, Aug 25 (APP) Captain Essa Khan scored with a reserve overhead kick to give Pakistan a narrow 2-1 win over Nepal to set up a showdown with hosts Sri Lankan in the finals of the tenth South Asia Games football tournament here Friday. (Posted @ 21:40 PST)
SAF Games-Pakistan lose to India in Kabaddi league match COLOMBO, Aug 25 (APP) Pakistan team lost to the Indian team in its last league match of the 10th South Asia Games Kabaddi tournament here Friday. Both Pakistan and India are already in the finals scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday). India beat Pakistan 40-17 before leading the first half 28-8. (Posted @ 21:38 PST)
SAF Games-Pakistan wins one gold, two silver, one bronze in Taekwondo COLOMBO, Aug 25 (APP): Pakistan won one gold, two silver and one bronze in the tenth South Asia Games’ Taekwondo competition here Friday. Malik Shahzad Ahmad produced Pakistan's first gold in the Fin weight category beating Nepal's Kumar Manadhar. Faheem Jawad won the silver medal in the fly weight class beating India’s Pradeep Singh. Kiran won the bronze medal in the fin weight class after losing to Indian Jayati Pathak. Samiya too won a bronze medal in the fly weight class. (Posted @ 21:36 PST)
SAF Games-Pakistani shooters win one gold, three silver and two bonze medals COLOMBO, Aug 25 (APP) Pakistani shooters won one gold, three silver and two bonze medals on the fifth day of the tenth South Asia Games’ shooting competition here Friday. The Pakistani men’s team won one gold, one silver and one bronze, while the women shooters won two silver and one bronze medals. (Posted @ 21:34 PST)
Cricket-England line up World XI in case Pakistan pull out LONDON, Aug 25 (Agencies) England could play a World XI if Pakistan pull out of Monday's Twenty/20 game in the ongoing dispute over the actions of captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in the final test at the Oval. "The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) has received approval from ICC to approach leading world players to form an international XI in case of the unlikely eventuality of the England v Pakistan game being unable to proceed," the ECB said in a statement. The ECB is also reported to have reached an agreement with another major nation, believed to be South Africa, to fulfil the five forthcoming one-day internationals as part of the contingency plan. ECB chief executive David Collier stressed that talks between the England and Pakistan boards indicated that the Twenty/20 match and the five-match one-day international series that follows would go ahead as scheduled. "We are pleased discussions strongly indicate the Twenty/20 and the subsequent one-day series will proceed as planned," said Collier. "However, given the current uncertainty concerning the scheduling of the code of conduct hearing and imminence of the Twenty/20, it is prudent to examine all options to provide spectators with guaranteed play on Monday." (Posted @ 10:47 PST)
Britain's Hoon sees no British ground troops in UN force BRUSSELS, Aug 25 (AFP) British Europe Minister Geoff Hoon said Friday that he doubted Britain would be able to send ground troops for a UN mission in Lebanon, although some specialized forces could be made available. Asked whether Britain would send ground forces, Hoon said: "I doubt we will be in a position to contribute to that force, but bear in mind that this is a robust force that will require a number of different specialities". (Posted @ 19:28 PST)
Belgium to send initial 302 troops to Lebanon BRUSSELS, Aug 25 (Reuters) Belgium will send an initial 302 troops to an expanded U.N. force policing the truce between Israel and Hizbollah in Lebanon, Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said on Friday. That number will later rise to 394, he told a news conference.(Posted @ 19:26 PST)
Attacks in Afghanistan leave four coalition, four Afghan soldiers wounded KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug 25 (AP) Separate roadside bomb blasts wounded four coalition soldiers and four Afghan troops in Afghanistan, officials said Friday. The coalition soldiers were wounded when a roadside bomb struck their vehicle Friday in eastern Nangarhar province's Khogyani district, said a U.S. spokesman. No details on the soldiers' nationalities or injuries were given. An explosion late Thursday wounded four Afghan soldiers patrolling in southern Zabul province's Mizan district, said an Afghan army commander Friday. (Posted @ 19:24 PST)
Afghan president orders inquiry into U.S. killings of eight civilians KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug 25 (AP) Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered a probe Friday into the killings of eight people, including a child, in a raid U.S. forces claimed targeted al-Qaida members in eastern Kunar province's Shigal district, according to a statement released by the presidency. The statement said Karzai had ordered a ``thorough investigation'' into the killings. Kunar's governor and local lawmakers have gone a fact-finding trip to the area. (Posted @ 19:20 PST)
Indian forces critically wound woman in Azad Kashmir: Pak army MUZAFFARABAD, Azad Kashmir, Aug 25 (AP) Indian forces Friday fired across the Line of Control (LoC) into Azad Kashmir critically wounding a woman, the Pakistan army said. The woman was cutting grass at a farm in the Nakyal area, 300 kilometres south of Muzaffarabad, when a ``single gunshot fired by the Indian army hit her in the head,'' said an army spokesman, adding that the woman was hospitalized in a critical condition. No Indian comment was immediately available. (Posted @ 19:18 PST)
Seven killed in Iraq violence BAGHDAD, Aug 25 (AFP) Violence claimed seven more victims around Iraq on Friday with the bulk of the killings recorded in Diyala province and its capital Baquba. (Posted @ 17:38 PST)
DNA samples confirm identity of Austrian kidnap victim VIENNA, Aug 25 (AFP) DNA samples have confirmed that the Austrian teenager who turned up after being held captive for eight years is in fact Natascha Kampusch, who had disappeared when 10 years old, police said Friday. Kampusch was found wandering in the town of Strasshof, 17 kilometres east of Vienna, and was identified by her family who had not seen her since she vanished on her way to school on March 2, 1998. (First Posted @ 15:55 PST Updated @ 17:36 PST)
Chirac says 15,000 UN troops for Lebanon 'excessive' PARIS, Aug 25 (AFP) French President Jacques Chirac said Friday it made "no sense" to deploy 15,000 UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. "My feeling is that the figure talked about at the start of the debate of 15,000 soldiers for a reinforced UNIFIL was a totally excessive figure," he told a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, referring to the UN mission in Lebanon. Separately, Chirac and Merkel called on Israel to lift a "completely unjustified" air and sea blockade on Lebanon. The French leader said the blockade was "extremely prejudicial" to the Lebanese economy. (Posted @ 17:34 PST)
Moderate earthquake strikes southwest China, two killed BEIJING, Aug 25 (AP) A moderate earthquake jolted southwest China on Friday, killing two people and destroying many homes, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The magnitude-5.1 quake struck Yanjin county in Yunnan province at 1:51 p.m. (0551 GMT), Xinhua said. It did not give details of the deaths. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Hundreds of cluster bombs still litter civilian areas in Lebanon: UN BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug 25 (AP) Homes, gardens and highways across southern Lebanon are littered with unexploded cluster bombs dropped by Israel, the U.N. said Friday. ``There are about 285 cluster bomb locations across south Lebanon, and our teams are still doing surveys and adding new locations every day,'' said a spokeswoman for the U.N. Mine Action Coordination Center from Tyre city. ``We find about 30 new locations per day,'' she added. This week, the U.S. State Department began investigating Israel's use of American-made cluster bombs in south Lebanon, and whether their use violated secret agreements with Washington, The New York Times reported Friday. The newspaper quoted several current and former U.S. officials as saying they doubted the probe would lead to sanctions against Israel, but that it might be an effort by the Bush administration to ease Arab criticism of its military support for Israel. (Posted @ 16:18 PST)
Top US generals claim curbing violence in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug 25 (AP) A security operation in Baghdad was helping curb violence after a surge of bombings and shootings in recent month, America's two top generals in the Middle East said Friday. ``I believe there is a danger of civil war in Iraq, but only a danger. I think Iraq's far from it. I think that there's been great progress in the security front here recently in Baghdad,'' said Gen. John Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, after meeting with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Col. Michael Shields, commander of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team which has been helping in the Baghdad operation, said the operation was a success in the districts of Ghazaliyah in west Baghdad and Shula in the northwest of the capital. (Posted @ 16:14 PST)
204,000 people displaced in Sri Lanka, food stocks running low: WFP COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Aug 25 (AP) The recent escalation of fighting in the north and east of Sri Lanka has displaced 204,000 people, the U.N.'s food agency said Friday. Jeff Taft-Dick, the Country Director of the World Food Program told reporters in Colombo that food stocks were running low and aid agencies were unable to move relief supplies into some areas because of restrictions by the government. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Taliban denies any peace talks with NATO SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan, Aug 25 (Reuters) The Taliban on Friday denied secretly holding talks with the Afghan government and NATO to lay down their arms in the south, rejecting such reports as propaganda by weakened foreign forces. The guerrillas' military commander, Mullah Dadullah, said NATO and U.S.-led forces were trying to sow dissent among Taliban fighters and supporters. (Posted @ 15:22 PST)
Chavez says Israeli action in Lebanon "worse than Hitler” BEIJING, Aug 25 (AFP) Visiting Venezuela President Hugo Chavez Friday denounced Israel's recent attacks on Lebanon as "genocide," likening its action to war crimes committed by Germany's Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. "Israel often criticizes Hitler ... but they have done the same thing, perhaps even worse," Chavez told reporters in a briefing during his six-day visit to China. Denouncing the "fascist attitudes" of Israel, he said: "What has happened was a genocide. They must be brought in front of an international tribunal." (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
France calls for talks with Iran PARIS, Aug 25 (AFP) French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy on Friday called for dialogue with Iran, warning against "building up a confrontation" with Tehran and the Muslim world on nuclear issues. "I'm working on the assumption that one has to talk to the Iranians, and to hold out one's hand," Douste-Blazy said on RTL radio, adding that Iran's response to an offer Tuesday was "not satisfactory". (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Israeli air strikes wound eight Palestinians in Gaza GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, Aug 25 (Agencies) An Israeli aircraft attacked the home of a local militant leader in the northern Gaza Strip early Friday, destroying the building and wounding eight people, witnesses and medical officials said. Relatives of the militant said he was told to evacuate the home about 15 minutes before the airstrike. The Israeli army confirmed the airstrike, saying it had targeted a weapons-storage facility. (First Posted @ 11:03 PST Updated @ 14:31 PST)
Suspected militants kill widow in occupied Kashmir, injure eight others SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Aug 25 (AFP) Suspected militants shot dead a widow in occupied Kashmir and wounded eight people, including three policemen, in two attacks, police said Friday. The woman was shot dead late Thursday in a village on the outskirts of southern Bhaderwah town, 200 kilometers south of Srinagar. No group claimed responsibility for the killing, but police say militantsoften target people they suspect of working for Indian security forces. In Bhaderwah town, meanwhile, three policeman and five civilians were hurt when suspected militants hurled a grenade late Thursday, police said. (Posted @ 14:31 PST)
Indian FS to get support of Norway, Sweden for Nuke deal NEW DELHI, Aug 25 (APP) Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran is on a visit to Norway and Sweden to muster their support in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for the Indo-US nuke pact. Saran, accompanied by senior officials from the External Affairs Ministry and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), will seek to persuade these countries to support allowing of international nuclear trade with India, said a media report. (Posted @ 11:26 PST)
Gaza's Rafah border crossing to open Friday GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, Aug 25 (AP) The Gaza Strip's border crossing with Egypt is to open on Friday, Palestinian officials said Friday, giving thousands of people stranded on both sides a rare opportunity to cross. Nazmi Muhana, director of the Palestinian border authority, said the Rafah crossing would be open to incoming and outgoing traffic from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ``This is a result of intensive efforts by European monitors with the Egyptians and Israelis,'' he said. (Posted @ 11:20 PST)
Strong quake strikes northern Argentina WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (AFP) A strong earthquake measuring 6.4 on the open-ended Moment Magnitude scale in intensity struck northern Argentina late Thursday, the US Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center said. The quake struck at 0044 GMT Friday, 112 kilometers west of San Salvador de Jujuy and 290 kilometers southeast of Calama, Chile. (First Posted @ 09:28 PST Updated @ 11:17 PST)
Details of Iranian nuclear response, according to Iran experts VIENNA, Aug 25 (AFP) Iran is seeking time guarantees on getting benefits, such as light-water reactors, with its response to the international offer over its nuclear ambitions, two experts on Iran said in a report published on the Internet. "Iran wants firm guarantees on the proposed offers of nuclear assistance, such as the sale of light water reactors to Iran, as well as a secured nuclear fuel supply," Abbas Maleki and Kevah Afrasiabi said on the AgenceGlobal.com web site. Their comments are apparently the first to give details on Iran's response Tuesday to an offer from six world powers of negotiations on trade, technology and security benefits if Iran freezes its strategic nuclear fuel work. (Posted @ 11:14 PST)
Most Israelis want prime minister to resign - poll JERUSALEM, Aug 25 (Reuters) Sixty-three percent of Israelis want Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign in a sharp public backlash over his handling of the war in Lebanon, a newspaper poll showed on Friday. The Yedioth Aronoth, Israel's biggest circulation newspaper, called the poll a political "earthquake" for the Olmert government. (Posted @ 11:02 PST)
EU to nail down troop contributions with UN's Annan BRUSSELS, Aug 25 (AFP) The European Union was set to nail down the core of the enlarged UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon on Friday with firm offers on troop numbers at a meeting with United Nations chief Kofi Annan. EU foreign ministers head into the meeting, due to start at 1300 GMT. (Posted @ 10:01 PST)
Sanctions talk on Iran premature MOSCOW, Aug 25 (AFP) Talk of introducing sanctions against Iran after its response to the world powers' demand to freeze uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities was as yet "premature", Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said early Friday. "It is at least premature and unsound to speak of sanctions" as of now, Ivanov said as quoted by the ITAR-TASS news agency. "In any case, Russia will continue to urge a political and diplomatic resolution (of the Iran nuclear problem), with the non-proliferation regime observed fully and harshly," Ivanov said. (Posted @ 09:34 PST)
Russia still considering troops for UN force in Lebanon MOSCOW, Aug 25 (AFP) Russia is still considering the possibility of sending troops to join the United Nations force in Lebanon along the border with Israel, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said early Friday. "We are examining the situation, so far we are not clear on the peacekeepers' status and rights, what they will do there, what mandate they will have," Ivanov said as quoted as saying by the ITAR-TASS news agency. However, "giving such humanitarian aid would fully answer our country's interests," Ivanov added. Ivanov also dismissed reports that Hezbollah was using Russian anti-tank Hornet missiles as "complete nonsense," adding that "no one has given us any proof that Hezbollah had them." (Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Strong quake off coast of Russia's Kamchatka peninsula MOSCOW, Aug 25 (AFP) A strong earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka peninsula early Friday, Russian news agencies reported quoting local seismological centres. The quake measured 6.4 on the open-ended Richter scale, with an epicentre located some 220 kilometres south of the peninsula's chief city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where tremors up to 5.0 were felt, officials said. No damage or casualties were reported. (Posted @ 09:27 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 370.44 points: KARACHI, August 25: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 9584.79, down 370.44 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:05 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, August 25: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.6 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:05 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Editor: Abbas Nasir
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
Make sure to reload these pages so you're viewing the current version.
|
|
|
Contributions |