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| September 05, 2006 | Tuesday | Sha'aban 11, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Government, local jirga sign peace deal in Miranshah MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan, Sep 5 (AP) The government and the local jirga in North Waziristan’s Miranshah on Tuesday signed an agreement to ensure ``permanent peace''. Under the pact, signed by a tribesman, Azad Khan, and a government representative, Fakhr-e-Alam, nobody in North Waziristan will shelter foreign militants or cross the nearby border to attack the Afghan or coalition forces. No militant would also be allowed to target Pakistani government and security officials or any tribal elders or journalists, a North Waziristan lawmaker Maulana Nek Zaman said before both sides signed the agreement. ``This is a good day for every one,'' Zaman, the lawmaker, told a gathering of about 600 tribesmen, members of a council of tribal elders and senior army and government officers. Tribesmen in North Waziristan also promised to refrain from forming a ``parallel administration for any purpose.'' In return, Zaman said, the government has already freed all 132 militants arrested in recent years. No compensation would be offered to residents who suffered loses due to the fighting between the government forces and militants. ``Let's start afresh and forget whatever happened in the past,'' Zaman said. (First Posted @ 14:53 PST Updated @ 15:43 PST)
Missing boat arrives with all crew KARACHI, Sept 5 (APP)- The missing fishing boat Al-Husaini 15654-B carrying 19 fishermen was pulled back to shore with the collective efforts of MSA and local fishermen, fishing sources said Tuesday. Vice- Chairman Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS) Haji Ali Mohammad said all the crew members are safe and were taken to their houses immediately. (Posted @ 23:58 PST)
Kofi Annan arrives in Turkey ANKARA, Sept 5, (AFP) - UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for talks with Turkish leaders focusing on the situation in Lebanon, the Anatolia news agency reported. (Posted @ 23:16 PST)
Bush administration acknowledges U.S. not yet safe from attack WASHINGTON, Sep 5 (AP) The Bush administration claimed progress in undermining global terrorism Tuesday but said the enemy has adjusted to U.S. defenses and that ``America is safer but we are not yet safe.'' Releasing an updated counterterrorism strategy in advance of a speech that President George W. Bush was set to give later in the day, the White House said: ``The United States and our partners continue to pursue a significantly degraded but still dangerous al-Qaida network.'' (Posted @ 22:06 PST)
More than 50 Taliban killed in latest fighting in Afghanistan: NATO KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Sep 5 (AP) U.S. artillery and air-strikes killed between 50 and 60 suspected Taliban militants Tuesday, the fourth day of a NATO-led offensive in southern Afghanistan’s Panjwayi district of Kandahar province, a NATO spokesman said. A NATO spokesman, said the estimate of 50 to 60 killed in Tuesday's fighting was based on reports from troops. (Posted @ 22:02 PST)
Pakistani border guards arrest four Saudis for illegal entry QUETTA, Pakistan, Sep 5 (AP) Pakistani border guards arrested four Saudi Arabians and a Pakistani man accompanying them as they tried to enter Pakistan from neighbouring Iran without visas, an official said Tuesday. The Saudi men, ages 18 to 25, were arrested Sunday near Taftan, a Pakistani town near the Iranian border, said an official with Pakistan's border security force. ``In investigations, they said that they were coming to Pakistan to study at Islamic schools,'' the official said. (Posted @ 20:56 PST)
Afghanistan poverty fuels Taliban support: report LONDON, Sept 5 (Reuters) Thousands of people are starving in makeshift camps in southern Afghanistan, where poverty is fuelling support for the Taliban against NATO-led troops in the country, a think-tank said on Tuesday. Clashes between Taliban and international forces, coupled with insufficient aid, have driven people into unregistered refugee camps that have sprung up near water sources in Kandahar and Helmand provinces, the Senlis Council said in a report, adding that the crisis was aggravated by a tendency for more money to go into military operations than development. Britain's Foreign Office disputed the claims. Emmanuel Reinert, executive director of the Senlis Council, said 50 researchers had found 10 to 15 camps in Helmand and Kandahar, with one containing 10,000 people. (Posted @ 20:46 PST)
Senior Abbas security official detained in West Bank RAMALLAH, West Bank, Sept 5 (Reuters) Israeli forces arrested a senior member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's special guard at a checkpoint in the West Bank on Tuesday, Palestinian security officials said. Mahmoud Damrah, a commander of a group known as Force 17, was detained near Ramallah, the main city in the West Bank, the security officials said. The Israeli army said it had no comment on the arrest. (Posted @ 20:44 PST)
Three U.S. servicemen killed in western Iraq BAGHDAD, Sept 5 (Reuters) Two U.S. Marines and one sailor were killed in action in western Anbar province, the U.S. military said on Tuesday. They were killed on Monday, the U.S. military said in a statement without providing more detail. (Posted @ 20:42 PST)
MMA to resign if parliament approves Women Rights Bill: Fazl ISLAMABAD, Sept 05 (Agencies): Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) will resign from national as well as provincial assemblies if the government tried to continue with its attempts for approval of the women rights bill in the Parliament. MMA Secretary General and opposition leader in National Assembly, Maulana Fazlur Reham, announced at a press conference after MMA’s supreme council meeting here at the residence of Qazi Hussain Ahmad on Tuesday. "MMA has decided to call upon meetings of national and provincial parliamentary parties to take resignations of the members", he said, adding "PPPP should not harm the cause of joint opposition by its undue favour to the bill". (Posted @ 20:12 PST)
Ukraine detains Moldovan, Pakistani illegal migrants KIEV, Sept 5, (AFP) Ukrainian security forces have detained 23 Moldovan and eight Pakistani illegal migrants who were trying to enter the European Union, the border service said Tuesday. The migrants were detained in forests near Ukraine's western border -- the Moldovans in the Transcarpathia region and the Pakistanis in the Volynia region, a statement from the border service said. (Posted @ 20:02 PST)
One in six Londoners avoid Muslims on buses, trains: survey LONDON, Sept 5 (AFP) One in six people in Britain's capital have admitted moving seats on public transport to avoid a passenger they think is a Muslim, according to a survey published Tuesday. Some 35 percent of travellers in London said they had felt nervous or uncomfortable in the last year because someone of south Asian or north African appearance had got on their underground train or bus. Of that number, nearly half said they had moved seats or sat down away from them, the survey, by pollsters YouGov for London's Evening Standard newspaper, suggested. The poll said just five percent of respondents backed special checks at airports on men who appear to be of "Asian or north African origin". A further 45 percent said they backed random checks of all passengers, with special attention paid to men with Asian or north African features. But 46 percent said nobody should be singled out because of their background or appearance. (Posted @ 20:00 PST)
President Musharraf set to visit Afghanistan: Afghan FO KABUL, Sept 5, 2006 (AFP) President Pervez Musharraf will venture across the border into Afghanistan Wednesday for a two-day trip. "The presidents of Afghan and Pakistan are due to conduct friendly and frank discussions on the war on terror and expanding bilateral cooperation on regional issues," Afghan President Hamid Karzai's office said Tuesday. On his schedule is a meeting with Karzai in Kabul on Wednesday and an address to legislators from the country's first democratically elected parliament and other policy makers on Thursday. (Posted @ 19:56 PST)
Trans-Caspian, Afghanistan pipelines distant: Turkmen president ASHGABAT, Sept 5 (AFP) Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov said Tuesday he saw no immediate prospect for a gas pipeline to the West and cast doubt on another pipeline project across Afghanistan, saying that Russia and China were priority partners. Regarding plans nurtured by the United States to build a pipeline across the Caspian Sea to Western markets, Niyazov was downbeat, saying that territorial disputes over the Caspian would have to be resolved first. Niyazov also appeared pessimistic about plans for a pipeline from his natural gas-rich country across Afghanistan to Pakistan and India, a project also backed by Washington. "We are in talks on the trans-Afghan pipeline. Its volume would be 30 billion cubic metres (annually) but the price hasn't been established and importantly a consortium hasn't been created," he said. "There isn't a chief operator or financing body. As a result consultation meetings are under way with oil and gas ministers," he said. (Posted @ 19:54 PST)
Castro says worst of health crisis is behind him HAVANA, Sept 5 (AFP) Cuban President Fidel Castro said the worst part of a health crisis that made him shed 18.5 kilos was over and that he would attend the Non-Aligned Movement summit here next week, in a handwritten statement published Tuesday. Castro said he lost weight dramatically in just a few days and that after 34 days of convalescence, doctors had removed the last stitches from his intestinal operation. (Posted @ 18:22 PST)
President Talabani says Iraq will have a new flag BAGHDAD, Sept 5 (AFP) Iraq's President Jalal Talabani vowed Tuesday that Iraq would soon get a new national flag. "It's a Saddamist flag," Talabani said at a joint news conference with British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett. "Iraq will have a new flag and the national assembly will discuss the new flag," he said. When asked the last of the 7,200 British troops battling to keep the peace in southern Iraq could head home, Talabani replied: "By the end of 2007". "I don't think fighting will continue until then if the steps of national reconciliation go according to plan. If some groups are still fighting then, our forces will be able to take care of it," he said. (Posted @ 18:18 PST)
British hospital introduces burqa-style gown for Muslim patients LONDON, Sept 5 (AFP) A hospital in northwest England has introduced a new surgical gown modelled on the burqa, allowing female Muslim patients to cover themselves completely in line with their religious beliefs. The Daily Express featured the new gown on its front-page Tuesday. The blue "Inter-Faith Gown" is the first of its type in Britain and has been trialled at the Royal Preston Hospital. It will be available to those who want it from November 1. (Posted @ 18:14 PST)
Iranian leader Khatami says US should stay in Iraq for moment WASHINGTON, Sept 5 (AFP) The United States should stay in Iraq until the Iraqi government has things under its control, visiting former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami said in an interview published Tuesday. "We can't leave this newly formed government at the mercy of terrorists and insurgents," he told USA Today, adding Iran was not the enemy of the United States and both countries shared strategic interests in Iraq and Afghanistan. "No one will benefit as much as Iran from peace and stability in Iraq," he said. He also urged Tehran and Washington to negotiate over the international crisis of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. "Sanctions -- and, even worse than that, military action -- will only serve to complicate the issue, not solve the problem." (Posted @ 18:08 PST)
Musharraf launches 'Rozgar Pakistan' scheme ISLAMABAD, Sept 5 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Tuesday launched the 'Rozgar Pakistan' scheme that aims to target the 2.5 million unemployed individuals in three to five years through simplified financing by the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP). "This scheme will target poorest of the poor and provide employment opportunities to the unemployed youth," he told reporters in the exhibition arranged in connection with the launch of the scheme at Aiwan-e-Sadr. In addition to this scheme, the president said he had asked Prime Minister Aziz to introduce a Graduate Internship scheme in Balochistan in government departments and even in the private sector. (Posted @ 18:02 PST)
Lebanon explosion kills four, wounds police intelligence officer BEIRUT, Lebanon, Sep 5 (AP) A remote-controlled bomb wounded a senior police intelligence officer Tuesday and killed four of his aides and bodyguards in southern Lebanon in an apparent assassination attempt, security officials said. Lt. Col. Samir Shehade, who played a key role in investigating the slaying of a former Lebanese prime minister, was taken to the Hammoud hospital in Sidon, and hospital officials said his condition was stable. (First Posted @ 13:52 PST Updated @ 15:37 PST)
Indian soldier, militant killed in occupied Kashmir JAMMU, occupied Kashmir, Sep 5 (AP) Indian police on Tuesday said they shot and killed, Billo Gujjar, an alleged field commander for the Hizbul Mujahedeen group, in Mangal Kundi, a village nearly 200 kilometres northwest of Jammu, late Monday night. Also Monday night, gunmen killed an Indian soldier in Khaipora village, 45 kilometers north of Srinagar, said police. The soldier's brother was also killed. No group claimed responsibility for the killings. (Posted @ 15:32 PST)
Iran tests laser-guided bomb during war games TEHRAN, Iran, Sep 5 (AP) Iran said Tuesday that it successfully tested laser-guided bombs during recent large-scale military exercises throughout the country, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported. During the maneuvers that began August 19, Iran also has tested a new air defense system and fired short range surface-to-surface and submarine-to-surface missiles. (Posted @ 15:27 PST)
Opposition groups call general strike to protest killing of Akbar Bugti QUETTA, Pakistan, Sep 5 (AP) An opposition group demanded Tuesday a new general protest strike in Pakistan’s Balochistan province over the killing of a prominent tribal chieftain, Nawab Akbar Bugti, killed on Aug. 26 in an alleged military raid. Baluch Solidarity, an alliance of four opposition political parties, called for businesses and public transport to shut down in protest Wednesday in Balochistan, said a coalition member Sardar Akhtar Mengal. ``The rulers have martyred Nawab Akbar Bugti, and our protests against his martyrdom will continue,'' said Mengal, leader of Balochistan National Party, a member of the opposition alliance. (Posted @ 15:10 PST)
Annan sees end of Israel blockade of Lebanon in 48 hours ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, Sept 5 (AFP) UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Tuesday in Egypt that he expected Israel's blockade of Lebanon to be lifted within 48 hours. (Posted @ 14:39 PST)
Two more killed as troops ferry in aid in flood-hit occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Sept 5 (AFP) Two women died in a house collapse and a landslide triggered by the heaviest rains in 25 years in occupied Kashmir as troops rushed supplies Tuesday to people cut off by floods. The women died late Monday in the southern district of Poonch, police said. (Posted @ 13:53 PST)
Palestinians, Israel reach deal on soldier MANAMA, Sept 5 (Reuters) Israel and Palestine have reached an agreement to swap the Israeli soldier held hostage in Gaza with imprisoned Palestinians, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was quoted on Tuesday as saying. Abbas told Bahrain's Akhbar al-Khaleej newspaper soldier Gilad Shalit would first be handed over to Egypt. "An agreement has been reached about exchanging prisoners that is based on Egypt taking the soldier as a deposit, and after that the number of Palestinian prisoners-of-war would be announced," Abbas said in the interview. Israeli media quoted Israeli officials as saying they "know nothing of such a breakthrough". (Posted @ 11:56 PST)
Indian PM warns of more likely terrorist attacks NEW DELHI, Sept 5 (Reuters) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday that intelligence agencies had warned more terrorist attacks were likely, possibly on economic and religious targets as well as on nuclear installations. "Concern about the increasing activities of externally inspired and directed terrorist outfits in the country is justified," Singh told an internal security meeting. "Intelligence agencies warn of a further intensification of violent activities," he added. (Posted @ 11:39 PST)
Sri Lanka Army and Tamil Tigers exchange mortars and artillery, one soldier killed COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Sept 5 (AP) Sri Lanka's army and Tamil Tigers exchanged mortar and artillery fire Tuesday during a clash in the eastern village of Selvanagar that killed at least one soldier and wounded four, a Defense Ministry official said. Details of Tamil Tigers’ casualties were not immediately known. (Posted @ 11:11 PST)
El Al's wings clipped in Europe over arms JERUSALEM, Sept 5 (Reuters) Five European countries are refusing landing rights to aircraft from the Israeli national carrier El Al that are transporting military equipment to the Jewish state, Israel Radio reported on Tuesday. It quoted an airline official as saying the new restrictions imposed by Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal meant some incoming El Al flights carrying arms would not be able to refuel enroute, and would have to reduce their cargo load. El Al was not immediately available for comment. (Posted @ 11:00 PST)
Soccer fans torch cars, battle with police in Indonesia SURABAYA, Indonesia, Sept 5 (AP) Soccer fans torched cars and battled police in Indonesia's second largest city after seeing their side get knocked out of the country's top competition, witnesses and officials said Tuesday. More than 20 people were also injured. Surabaya supporters stormed the pitch in the final minutes of their side's match against Malang. The visitors won 1-0, sending Surabaya out of the Indonesian Cup. (Posted @ 10:45 PST)
Putin arrives for historic South Africa visit CAPE TOWN, Sept 5 (AFP) Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Cape Town on Tuesday for the first ever visit to South Africa by a Kremlin leader, a foreign ministry spokeswoman said. (Posted @ 10:38 PST)
China will not backtrack on WTO commitments BEIJING, Sept 5 (AFP) Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai countered criticism that Asia's second-largest economy was backtracking on its global trade commitments and pledged to open up key areas, state press said Tuesday. "We are actively promoting market opening and I promise China will fully open all markets, especially banking and telecommunications, before the (WTO) deadline," the China Daily quoted Bo as telling a European trade gathering. (Posted @ 10:23 PST)
Solana, Larijani to meet in Vienna over nuclear impasse VIENNA, Austria, Sept 5 (AP) The EU's foreign policy chief and Iran's senior nuclear negotiator agreed late Monday to meet in Vienna on Wednesday in a last-ditch attempt to try and bridge differences over Tehran's nuclear program, U.N. and European officials said. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
Somalia's government, Islamic militia sign agreement KHARTOUM, Sudan, Sept 5 (AP) Somalia's government and Islamic militia that seized control of much of southern Somalia signed an agreement late Monday to eventually form a unified national army, officials said. The deal, which came after two days of peace talks in Sudan, did not specify when the agreement would take effect. Talks were to resume Oct. 30 in Khartoum. (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Five dead, 30 injured as trains crash north of Cairo CAIRO, Sept 5 (AFP) Five people were killed and some 30 others injured as two trains crashed north of Cairo Monday night when a freight train collided into a passenger train some 30 kilometres from Cairo, police said. (Posted @ 09:09 PST)
10 killed in Argentine bus crash carrying US, South African, Spanish tourists BUENOS AIRES, Sept 5 (AFP) A bus carrying American, South African and Spanish tourists collided with a truck in northeastern Argentina Monday in an accident that left 10 people dead and another 10 injured, police said. The bus hit the truck as the driver tried to overtake two other buses. The bus was traveling from the central city of Cordoba to the northeastern tourist destination of Puerto Iguazu, which is known for the huge Iguazu Falls on the Argentina-Brazil border. (Posted @ 09:08 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 124.13 points: KARACHI, September 05: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 10001.78, down 124.13 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, September 05: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.55 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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