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| September 06, 2006 | Wednesday | Sha'aban 12, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistan, Afghanistan leaders pledge to fight Taliban HONG KONG, Sept 6 (AFP) The leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan on Wednesday pledged to work harder to stamp out Taliban activity on both sides of their common border. There should be no "no Taliban activity on our side of the border or across the border in Afghanistan," visiting President Pervez Musharraf told reporters after talks with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai. Musharraf said mutual trust was essential if the deadly insurgency was to be quelled. "If we don't trust each other, there is no moving forward," said Musharraf, who arrived in Kabul earlier Wednesday for a landmark two-day visit. "The only course left is to have trust -- kill mistrust, don't blame each other." The Pakistani leader also gave reassurances that a "peace deal" reached by Islamabad on Tuesday with militants in the North Waziristan tribal belt along the Afghan border was intended to curb militant activity. (First Posted @ 17:00 PST Updated @ 20:55 PST)
Hockey-Germany leave it late to see off India MONCHENGLADBACH, Germany, Sept 6 (AFP) Germany opened the men's World Cup Championship with a last minute 3-2 win over India here Wednesday. Christopher Zeller dived onto Matthias Witthaus' cross to the right post, 17 seconds before the final hooter, to break the 2-2 deadlock and give Germany's 7,000 partisan fans plenty to cheer about. Scores: Germany 3 (C Zeller 27, 70, Hentschel 59) India 2 (S Singh 57, 64).(Posted @ 21:25 PST)
Pakistan, Afghanistan leaders pledge to fight Taliban KABUL, Sept 6 (AFP) The leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan on Wednesday pledged to work harder to stamp out Taliban activity on both sides of their common border. There should be no "no Taliban activity on our side of the border or across the border in Afghanistan," visiting President Pervez Musharraf told reporters after talks with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai. Musharraf said mutual trust was essential if the deadly insurgency was to be quelled. "If we don't trust each other, there is no moving forward," said Musharraf, who arrived in Kabul earlier Wednesday for a landmark two-day visit. "The only course left is to have trust -- kill mistrust, don't blame each other." The Pakistani leader also gave reassurances that a "peace deal" reached by Islamabad on Tuesday with pro-Taliban militants in the North Waziristan tribal belt along the Afghan border was intended to curb militant activity. (First Posted @ 17:00 PST Updated @ 21:25 PST)
Government, MMA agree to constitute committee to review Hudood law amendments ISLAMABAD, Sep 6 (Agencies): The government and Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) agreed Wednesday to constitute a combined committee that would review the proposed amendments in the Hudood Ordinance Bill (HOB); the committee would then present its recommendations. Negotiations were held in the chambers of National Assembly’s opposition Leader, Maulana Fazl-u-Rehman, in this connection by both sides. After the meeting, Minister for Law and Justice, Wasi Zafar, informed newsmen that the committee would comprise of Ulemas that would review Tazir and changes in the clauses. The committee members would be Maulana Taqi Usmani, Maulana Sarfaraz Naeemi, Hanif Jhalandari, Maulana Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Liaqat Baloch, Naseeb Ali Shah, Maulana Abdul Malik and Minister for Law and Justice Wasi Zafar.(Posted @ 20:45 PST)
Two soldiers killed in fresh fighting in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Sept 6 (AFP) At least two Sri Lankan soldiers were killed and 13 others wounded Wednesday in clashes with Tamil Tigers in the country's restive north-east, military officials said. There was no immediate word from the Tigers about the latest attack, but the pro-rebel Tamilnet website said that three civilians were killed in a military shelling of rebel-held territory elsewhere in the region on Wednesday.(Posted @ 20:05 PST)
One British soldier dead, five injured in Afghanistan LONDON, Sept 6 (AFP) One British soldier was killed and five others were seriously injured by a landmine in Afghanistan’s Helmand province Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence in London said. A sixth soldier was less seriously injured.(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
People of Balochistan want peace and progress: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Sep 6 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Wednesday said the people of Balochistan want peace and progress in the province and that the present government would reduce their sense of deprivation through rapid socio-economic development. Talking to Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Muhammad Yousuf who called on him at the Prime Minister's House, he said the government has initiated mega development projects worth Rs.135 billion in the province and allocated special development funds of Rs.100 million for every district of the province. "More investment is being made in fisheries, tourism, minerals and agriculture sectors to open up new job opportunities for the people thus enabling them to become economically independent, he added. Earlier, the chief minister apprised the prime minister of the law and order situation in the province.(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Annan hopeful of quick end to Israeli blockade ANKARA, Sept 6 (AFP) UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Wednesday that he remained hopeful Israel would soon end its blockade of Lebanon. "I am still hopeful that the air, land and sea blockade will be lifted in the next 36 to 48 hours and we are still working on that with the parties," Annan told a joint news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He said that a UN mediator tasked with negotiating the release of the Israeli soldiers would arrive in the region this week. He lauded as "crucial" the participation of Turkey in the Lebanon peacekeeping force.(Posted @ 19:45 PST)
Two dead in new suicide blast in Afghanistan KHOST, Afghanistan, Sept 6 (AFP) A suicide attacker jumped into a stationary taxi in eastern Afghanistan Wednesday and detonated explosives strapped to his body, killing two of the occupants, a district chief said. Two other civilians were wounded in the blast that killed a headmaster and low-ranking government official in the Yaqubi district of the eastern province of Khost, the official said.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Cricket-Inzamam to lead Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad KARACHI, Sept 6 (Reuters) Inzamam-ul-Haq will lead the Pakistan squad in next month's Champions Trophy in India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday. The preliminary phase of the Champions Trophy begins on Oct. 7 and the group stage starts on Oct. 15. The final will be held on Nov. 5. Squad: Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Rana Naved, Kamran Akmal, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez, Rao Iftikhar.(Posted @ 19:05 PST)
Afghan parliament urges NATO troops to avoid civilian casualties KABUL, Sept 6 (AFP) Afghan legislators on Wednesday asked the head of NATO to ensure that international troops battling insurgency in the country avoided civilian casualties. "Preventing civilian casualties is one of the basic demands of the representatives of people," speaker Mohammad Younus Qanooni told NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. He said that harming civilians could be used by the Taliban to turn the general populace against the parliament. Qanooni told the delegation the safety of civilians could be improved through better coordination between Afghan and foreign troops during operations.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
NATO pledges long-term commitment to Afghanistan KABUL, Sept 6 (AFP) NATO on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to helping stabilise and develop Afghanistan by signing an agreement here after talks between the alliance's leadership and President Hamid Karzai. Karzai and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer signed the declaration at a ceremony in the presidential palace in the capital Kabul attended by 25 NATO ambassadors and some Afghan cabinet members. (First Posted @ 14:25 PST Updated @ 18:31 PST)
Cricket-England coach Fletcher breaks Oval row silence SOUTHAMPTON, England, Sept 6 (AFP) England coach Duncan Fletcher has spoken publicly for the first time regarding newspaper reports he saw match referee Mike Procter before play on the fourth day of the controversial fourth Test against Pakistan at The Oval last month. "All I want to say is that people thought they wrote the truth: it wasn't the truth, it was far from the truth," he said. "I know what the truth was and I'm very, very happy with the truth and I'd just like to move on," Fletcher added.(Posted @ 18:30 PST)
Four more government aides quit in Blair departure row LONDON, Sept 6 (AFP) Four more junior government aides resigned Wednesday to protest the "uncertainty" left by Prime Minister Tony Blair's refusal to say when he will leave office, hours after a junior minister quit. The parliamentary private secretaries said Blair had not "ended the uncertainty" over when he intends to step down. Earlier junior defence minister Tom Watson resigned, followed by another PPS, Khalid Mahmood, in fast-moving developments after a newspaper report said Blair plans to leave office next July. (First Posted @ 17:25 PST Updated @ 18:30 PST)
Cricket-Dravid, Ponting and Jayawardene top ICC nominations NEW DELHI, Sept 6 (Reuters) Australia's Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid of India and Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene lead the nominations for this year's International Cricket Council awards, ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed told a news conference Wednesday. The trio of captains were among those short-listed on Wednesday for best player in tests, one-dayers and overall categories for performances between Aug. 1 2005 to Aug. 8 2006. Michael Vaughan, who led England to a famous Ashes triumph over Australia in 2005, was among four players nominated for a newly introduced "Captain of the Year" award alongside Ponting, Dravid and Jayawardene. The names were selected by a five-man panel comprising ICC cricket committee chief Sunil Gavaskar, South Africa speedster Allan Donald, Pakistan paceman Waqar Younis, former Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy. The awards will be presented in Mumbai on Oct. 23 during the ICC Champions Trophy in India.(Posted @ 18:10 PST)
Cricket-Forensic tests possible on Oval Test ball: ICC NEW DELHI, India, Sept 6 (AFP) The International Cricket Council said Wednesday forensic tests may be conducted on the ball used in the controversial Oval Test to ensure a fair hearing for Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq. "A forensic test is being suggested," ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed told reporters. "Lawyers of Pakistan and the ICC are studying what evidence can be put forth." Speed said the sport's world governing body will take every step to ensure a fair hearing. "No final date has been agreed upon, but it will be announced in a day or two,” he added.(Posted @ 18:05 PST)
Ahmadinejad calls for live television debate with Bush TEHRAN, Sept 6 (Reuters) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged the West on Wednesday to turn to God's path and said failure to do would ensure they faced "no good fate". Ahmadinejad also repeated a call for a live television debate with U.S. President George W. Bush so the world could choose which of the two leaders was in the right. "We requested a face-to-face debate (with Bush) to assess the problems of the world ... We will let humanity choose between us," he told a meeting. "We oppose the fact that America and Britain intend to impose themselves on every other nation," he said. (First Posted @ 15:03 PST Updated @ 17:30 PST)
Any Iran sanctions must exclude force: Russia CAPE TOWN, Sept 6 (Reuters) Any economic sanctions adopted against Iran over its nuclear programme must rule out the use of force, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday. Reiterating the Russian position, he added that Russia "unambiguously prefers the path of negotiations for the resolution of the Iranian problem." (Posted @ 16:07 PST)
Iran-EU nuclear talks postponed: Iranian envoy VIENNA, Sept 6 (Reuters) High-level European Union-Iranian talks on Tehran's nuclear programme that were expected on Wednesday have been postponed but could be held on Friday, a senior Iranian diplomat said. Aliasghar Soltanieh, Iranian ambassador to the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency, said that the talks, which were tentatively set to take place in Vienna, were put off for unspecified procedural reasons. "Yes, the talks were cancelled for today. They will be convened in Vienna in a couple of days. Possibly Friday or so. But it's not sure (yet)," Soltanieh said. (Posted @ 16:06 PST)
Clashes erupt in Bangladesh capital, 100 injured DHAKA, Sept 6 (Reuters) Bangladeshi opposition activists clashed with police in the capital on Wednesday, injuring nearly 100 people during a demonstration for electoral reforms ahead of elections next year, police and witnesses said. Police fired tear gas shells and used batons to stop hundreds of opposition activists from marching on the office of the election commission in Dhaka. Several policemen were among the injured. (Posted @ 16:06 PST)
Two Lebanese soldiers killed defusing Israeli mines BEIRUT, Sept 6 (Reuters) Two Lebanese soldiers were killed and a third wounded on Wednesday when they tried to defuse Israeli landmines in southern Lebanon, a security official said. (Posted @ 16:06 PST)
Cricket-Trescothick out of Champions Trophy SOUTHAMPTON, England, Sept 6 (AFP) Marcus Trescothick faced an uncertain future as an England cricketer after it was announced Wednesday that he'd been left out of the 14-man squad for next month's International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy one-day tournament in India on medical grounds. In a statement, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said the opening batsman was still suffering from stomach problems and stress that dated back to his premature departure from the tour of India earlier this year. It added that Trescothick would be fit to resume playing for England prior to the Ashes tour of Australia, which starts in November. (Posted @ 16:02 PST)
Balochistan on strike over Akbar Bugti’s killing QUETTA, Pakistan, Sept 6 (AFP) Parts of Pakistan’s Balochistan province were paralysed Wednesday by a strike called by opposition parties to protest the killing of Jamhoori Watan Party chief, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, in a military raid on Aug 26. Schools and shopping centres were closed and public transport grounded to a halt in provincial capital Quetta and several other towns, but there were no immediate reports of violence. "We will continue our protest until people of Baluchistan get their due rights," secretary general of the Baluchistan National Party, Habib Jablib Baloch said. Officials said security had been stepped up in the province to prevent violence. "There is a strike in some parts of Quetta but it is peaceful so far and there are no reports about unrest or road blocks across the province," provincial government spokesman Raziq Bugti said. (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Two bus accidents kill eight Egyptian pilgrims and one tourist CAIRO, Egypt, Sep 6 (AP) A bus carrying Egyptian pilgrims overturned in eastern Egypt on Wednesday, killing eight people and injuring another 42, police said. A British tourist of Pakistani origin died when a second bus with tourists crashed on the same road. The bus carrying 50 Egyptian pilgrims and heading to Saudi Arabia overturned at the town of Zaafarana due to high speed, a police official said. The police official said that another bus carrying Pakistani tourists, some of them carrying British passports, crashed east of the Egyptian capital on the same road when the front wheel blew up. One British national of Pakistani origin was killed and two Pakistanis suffered injuries. (Posted @ 15:38 PST)
Pakistan army spokesman denies report that bin Laden wouldn't be captured ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sep 6 (AP) Pakistan's top army spokesman on Wednesday denied a news report quoting him as saying that Osama bin Laden would not be taken into custody if he agreed to live peacefully in Pakistan. ``This is absolutely fabricated, absurd. I never said this,'' Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan said referring to an ABC News broadcast aired hours earlier. Sultan's recorded comments were included in the ABC report, but it was not immediately clear whether he understood that bin Laden was the specific subject of discussion at that point in the interview. Sultan said ``Pakistan is committed to its policy on the war on terror, and Osama, caught anywhere in Pakistan, would be brought to justice''. In Washington, Pakistan's Ambassador Mahmud Ali Durrani issued a statement late Tuesday night saying Sultan ``has been grossly misquoted in a section of U.S. media today.'' (Posted @ 15:35 PST)
United Iraqi Alliance submits draft law to divide Iraq BAGHDAD, Sept 6 (AFP) The dominant United Iraqi Alliance submitted to parliament Wednesday a draft law governing the division of the country into autonomous regions, a lawmaker said. "The general committee of the UIA finished drafting the law of regional formations and submitted it to the leadership of the parliament for review," said lawmaker Hamid Mualla al-Saadi. The second day of parliament is expected to be dominated with the review of the controversial draft law which will govern the process of dividing the country into autonomous regions. The three Kurdish provinces in the north are already autonomous and UIA lawmakers have indicated they would like a similar federal status for the overwhelmingly Shiite southern provinces. (Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Defence of Pakistan Day KARACHI, Sept 6 (APP) The 41st Defence of Pakistan Day is being observed with traditional zeal and solemnity throughout the country today. In Karachi, change of guards and floral wreath laying ceremony was held at the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam. Air Officer Commanding, Risalpur Academy, Pakistan Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Hassan laid the floral wreath and offered fateha. Earlier, cadets of PAF Risalpur Academy, took over the guards duty at the mausoleum. Day-long activities include floral wreaths, Quran khwani and fateha at the graves of the martyrs of 1965 war, fauji melas, air shows at major PAF Bases, seminars and symposia. (Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Iran deploys locally made war plane in wargames TEHRAN, Sept 6 (AP) Iran deployed its first locally-manufactured fighter bomber plane on Wednesday during large-scale military exercises, state-run television reported. ``The bomber is similar to (the American) F-18 but more powerful. It was designed, optimized and improved by Iranian experts,'' the report said, adding that it is capable of launching both rockets and bombs.'' (Posted @ 12:35 PST)
Four killed when armored personnel carrier hit by explosion in Russia CHERKESSK, Russia, Sept 6 (AP) An explosion hit an armored personnel carrier traveling in Russia's North Caucasus region, killing four police soldiers and wounding four others, federal and regional law enforcement said Wednesday. The Interior Ministry vehicle was traveling in a disputed section of the North Ossetia region, which borders the troubled provinces of Chechnya and Ingushetia, when an explosive device detonated, said a spokesman for the Ingush Interior Ministry. (Posted @ 11:54 PST)
Turkish Cyprus President supports Kashmir cause Islamabad, Sept 06 (PPI) A reception was hosted in honour of the visiting President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the First Lady Mrs. Mehmet Ali Talat here on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, the visiting President thanked the government and the people of Pakistan for their continued support to the Turkish Cyprus issue and reiterated support to the Kashmir cause. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
Car bomb, roadside bomb kill at least nine, wound 36 in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Sept 6 (AP) A car bomb and a roadside bomb exploded within minutes of each other in north Baghdad Wednesday, killing at least nine people, including two Iraqi soldiers, and wounding 36, police said. The bombs, targeting a passing Iraqi army patrol, detonated at a busy intersection in the Qahira neighborhood during the morning rush hour. Most of the casualties were caused by the car bomb, police Lt. Bilal Ali Majid said, adding that the wounded included at least six Iraqi soldiers. (First Posted @ 10:09 PST Updated @ 10:46 PST)
Four killed, dozen injured in blast at illegal detonator workshop in China SHANGHAI, Sept 6 (AP) An explosion at an illegal detonator workshop in a building in Henan province's Mengke township in central China killed four people and injured about a dozen others, Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday. (Posted @ 10:33 PST)
Five Canadian soldiers wounded in Afghan fighting OTTAWA, Sept 6 (AFP) Five Canadian soldiers were injured Tuesday in fighting west of Kandahar as part of NATO's Operation Medusa in Afghanistan, the defense ministry said. (Posted @ 10:06 PST)
No action against Akhtar after TV highlights ball incident SOUTHAMPTON, England, Sept 6 (AFP) Shoaib Akhtar and the rest of the Pakistan team were cleared of any wrongdoing after an incident during the third match of their one-day series against England at the Rose Bowl here Tuesday. Sky TV footage appeared to show the fast bowler flicking at the ball with his left thumb as he returned to his mark. But more than an hour after Pakistan wrapped up a two wicket-win to go 2-0 up in the five-match series, a statement issued on behalf of ICC match referee Mike Procter said: "After viewing television footage the match umpires have decided no action should be taken against any Pakistan players." The highlighted incident took place three balls after Ian Bell had been dismissed and in Akhtar's seventh over. However, umpires Nigel Llong and Billy Doctrove let Pakistan continue to use the ball after they inspected it at the end of the 41st over. (Posted @ 09:54 PST)
Bush picks Goldman Sachs exec for Treasury post WASHINGTON, Sept 6 (AFP) US President George W. Bush has picked Goldman Sachs to be under-secretary of the US Treasury for domestic finance, the White House announced Tuesday. If confirmed, Steel would replace Randal Quarles, who was sworn into the post in August 2005. (Posted @ 09:46 PST)
Rain washes out day nine at US Open NEW YORK, Sept 6 (AFP) Rain washed out the ninth day of the US Open on Tuesday as only one women's singles match was completed and two more main draw encounters started but were left in limbo. Jelena Jankovic of Serbia defeated Russian fourth seed Elena Dementieva 6-2, 6-1 to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final. Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) was leading 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 against Andy Murray (Britain) in a fourth round tie while another Russian, Marat Safin, was 2-1 up in the first set against Germany's Tommy Haas, when the day’s proceedings came to an end because of rain. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Four Hamas militants killed in Israeli air strikes GAZA CITY, Sept 6 (AFP) Hamas member Mohammed Abu Reda was killed and two others injured early Wednesday in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip east of Khan Yunis, medical and security sources said. The pre-dawn raid brought to four the number of Hamas activists killed overnight by Israeli attacks, sources said. Hours earlier in Rafah, Israeli air strikes killed three members of the military wing of Hamas, according to the same sources. (Posted @ 09:17 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 67.97 points: KARACHI, September 6: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 10069.76, up 67.97 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, September 6: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.57 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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