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| October 08, 2006 | Sunday | Ramazan 14, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Silence falls in Pakistan for quake anniversary MUZAFFARABAD, Azad Kashmir, Oct 8 (AFP) - President Pervez Musharraf led Pakistanis in a minute's silence on Sunday to mourn the first anniversary of the South Asian earthquake, which killed 74,000 people. Musharraf shunned his military uniform and wore a traditional beige smock and trousers known as shalwar kameez for the memorial service in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir. The 60 seconds of silence at 8:52 am (0352 GMT) was followed by special prayers. He then laid a wreath at a monument to victims of the 7.6-magnitude temblor, which also left 3.5 million people homeless. Heavy security surrounded the event in the mountain-fringed city after rockets were found near Musharraf's house in Rawalpindi-Islamabad earlier this week. (Posted @ 09:36 PST)
South Asia quake survivors mourn a year on, fearing for future MUZAFFARABAD, Azad Kashmir, Oct 8 (AFP) - Sombre ceremonies Sunday honoured the 73,000 who died in Azad Kashmir and northwest Pakistan in the massive earthquake this day a year ago, although authorities in Indian Kashmir, where another 1,300 people perished, say they plan no official events. President Pervez Musharraf laid a wreath at a memorial in Muzaffarabad and offered special prayers. In Azad Kashmir and throughout Pakistan a minute's silence was observed at 8:52 am (0352 GMT), the precise moment the 7.6-magnitude quake struck a year ago, shearing off mountainsides and sweeping dozens of villages into foaming rivers across a zone the size of Switzerland. National television and all radio stations relayed the prayer at the same time when the earthquake hit last year while newspapers brought out special editions. A number of schools, hospitals and a university in the quake-ravaged areas would be inaugurated on the day. Many people complain about the slow pace of reconstruction from the quake -- which left 3.5 million homeless -- and about alleged corruption among local aid officials. On the other hand, heaps of rubble still lie untouched in many areas and the United Nations says it will take 10 years to return to normal. In occupied Kashmir, nearly 50,000 people will have to spend their second winter in temporary tin sheds and flapping tents, aid agencies say. The quake is said to have razed around 22,500 homes there. (Posted @ 10:35 PST)
NATO commander to meet Pakistan president on Taliban KABUL, Oct 8 (AFP) - The commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan, Britain's General David Richards, is to travel to Pakistan in the coming days to hold "full and frank" discussions with President Pervez Musharraf over the Taliban insurgency, the NATO-led force said here Sunday. ISAF would not give a date for the visit to Islamabad for security reasons. It also dismissed Sunday Times claim that Richards would "confront" Musharraf about the insurgency and stressed that "the visit is intended to work at developing cooperation between the two nations on the military side." "Not in any sense are we telling Pakistan what to do -- that would be entirely inappropriate," he added. (First Posted @ 09:45 PST, Updated @ 13:50 PST)
Musharraf inaugurates 60-bed hospital in Gari Habibullah GARI HABIBULLAH Oct 8 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf on Sunday inaugurated a modern 60-bed quake-resistant hospital funded by Kuwait and reiterated government's resolve to provide health care to the entire quake devastated areas. Talking to newsmen the President said people of the area will get better medical facilities from the new facility that was much better than the one lost in October 8 Earthquake last year. He said the challenges posed by the earthquake have now been converted into opportunities. (Posted @ 22:56 PST)
PM inaugurates pre-fabricated hospital in Batgram BATGRAM, Oct 8 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday inaugurated a 40-bed pre-fabricated hospital constructed with Japanese assistance to provide health-care to the people in the quake-affected area. The Prime Minister and Japanese ambassador Seiji Kojima jointly opened the facility that has male and female wards and an fully equipped operation theatre will cater to the medical needs. It has been constructed in place of District Headquarters hospital Batgram. (Posted @ 22:45 PST)
PM inaugurates Model school, built with US assistance DADAR, Oct 8 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday inaugurated a Model School constructed with assistance of USAID, signifying government's priority towards education. (Posted @ 22:24 PST)
U.S. to train 30,000 teachers in Pakistani quake areas DADAR, Pakistan, Oct. 8 (Reuters) - The United States will train 30,000 teachers and build 50 schools in quake affected areas of Pakistan, the U.S ambassador said on Sunday, the first anniversary of an earthquake that killed 73,000 people. "The school buildings are the hardware and they have to have the software to go with it and that means the teachers," Crocker said while announcing plans to build 50 schools and train 30,000 teachers in Frontier province and Azad Kashmir. (Posted @ 22:18 PST)
President ask people to help curb extremism, terrorism MANSEHRA, Oct 8 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Sunday urged people to reject extremism and sought their support against foreign militants indulged in acts of terrorism inside Pakistan and outside its borders. "We have to unitedly stop those foreigners who are committing terrorism in Pakistan or outside its borders," he told a large gathering to mark the first anniversary of the Oct 8 earthquake. (Posted @ 22:12 PST)
Iran refuses to halt enrichment despite sanctions moves TEHRAN, Oct 8, (AFP) - Iran on Sunday flatly refused to suspend uranium enrichment despite moves at the UN Security Council to draft a sanctions resolution against it for failing to halt the sensitive nuclear work. "The suspension is completely unacceptable and we have rejected it," foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told reporters. "It has no place in Iran's peaceful nuclear programme." (Posted @ 21:50 PST)
Japanese PM invites China's leaders for return visit BEIJING, Oct 8 (AFP) - Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday invited China's leaders to Japan, and the invitation has been accepted, according to a statement released by the two sides. The statement was released after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held 80 minutes of talks in Beijing with Chinese President Hu Jintao and a 90-minute meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao. (Posted @ 21:14 PST)
Quake disabled to get Govt jobs: PM ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Sunday announced provision of jobs in government departments to the people disabled in Oct 8 earthquake and reiterated full support to the injured till their complete recovery and rehabilitation. Addressing a representative group of people who were severely injured in the quake he said all the female disabled would be provided education and vocational training. Secretary Health Anwar Mehmood said around 3500 people had severe disabilities, including spinal cord injuries. Of these 725 had to undergo amputation and were given artificial limbs. Around 350 returned to their homes after treatment, and 250 were now getting treatment as outdoor patients, while 270 were being treated in the twin cities. (Posted @ 18:10 PST)
President vows to rebuild quake-hit areas on modern lines MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 8 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Sunday vowed to rebuild quake-devastated areas on modern lines and announced housing and agricultural loans waiver for the affected people. His address to the people in Muzaffarabad was the first in the sequence of events the President had planned during his day-long visit to the quake-hit areas on the occasion of the first anniversary of the October 8 earthquake. President Musharraf said Master Plans of Muzaffarabad and Bagh have been finalized. Similarly, Rawalakot (AJK) and Balakot (NWFP) would be developed through proper town-planning. The President said Rs. 3 billion have been allocated for micro financing to help people stand on their own feet while another Rs. 3 billion have been earmarked for skill development. The government has also allocated Rs.6 billion to the National Highway Authority (NHA) for augmenting road network in the quake-hit areas. Money had already been made available to reconstruct the educational institutions and healthcare facilities, he added. (Posted @ 17:58 PST)
PM notes role of foreign countries, donors, agencies in rebuilding BAGH, Oct 8 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday visited a 60-bed hospital built with Chinese help and praised the countries and donor agencies that played a key role in rebuilding the devastated health facilities. He was informed that another 200- bed hospital was being built with assistance from Germany. Speaking on the occasion he appreciated the zeal and vigour of the people who faced the calamity with a resolve to rebuild their lives and was all praise for the volunteers, the NGOs, the army and the foreign agencies. (Posted @ 17:46 PST)
US-Iraqi troops kill 30 in battle with Shiite militia DIWANIYAH, Iraq, Oct 8 (AFP) - US and Iraqi forces killed 30 militia fighters Sunday during a fierce street battle in the southern city of Diwaniyah in which a US main battle tank was severely damaged. They also detained a high-value target which an Iraqi defence official named as Kifah al-Greiti, a local commander in the Mahdi Army of Moqtada al-Sadr. Medics reported that seven civilians had been wounded during the battle, while sporadic firing continued around the city into Sunday afternoon. In other Baghdad violence, a senior police officer was shot dead. Also on Sunday a mortar attack in Waziriyah in central Baghdad on a police patrol killed one policeman and wounded another, as well as a bystander. In Mussayib, a rain of mortars hit a residential neighbourhood, killing one person and wounding two. A roadside booby-trap exploded in the northern town of Rabiaa on the Syrian border, killing police Colonel Yahiya Mohammed as his convoy passed, while the central province of Salaheddin witnessed the death of four civilians near former leader Saddam Hussein's home village when their car struck a roadside bomb. (First Posted @ 14:00 PST Updated @ 17:34 PST)
Preservation of contemporary history vital for future;PM ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday said preservation of contemporary history was vital to apprise the coming generations how the nation coped with various challenges and natural calamities. Talking to Iftikhar Arif, President, Pakistan Academy of Letters, who presented him an anthology on the writings on Oct 8 earthquake, the Prime Minister termed it a commendable job. The book comprises articles in Urdu, Sindhi, Pushto, Punjabi, Balochi, Hindko, Kashmiri, Barohi, Pahari, Gojri, Baroshski and English languages and conveys the sentiments, observations and life stories of those who experienced the devastation. The 1000-page book also comprises pieces of prose and poetry from renowned Pakistani writers. (Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Japan's new PM holds historic talks in China BEIJING, Oct 8 (AFP) - Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held historic talks with China's leadership here on Sunday as both sides pledged to heal damaged ties. Abe, making the first official trip by a Japanese prime minister to Beijing for five years, met with Premier Wen Jiabao at the Great Hall of the People and told Wen he was committed to turning around years of deteriorating ties between Asia's two biggest economies. "I believe that our bilateral relations will... enjoy clear skies, and I will work to move our dialogue forward," Abe said. Wen was similarly upbeat on the way ahead for China and Japan. "Recently through the earnest efforts of both sides we managed to reach a consensus overcoming obstacles, to push forward our relations toward healthy development, enabling this visit," Wen told Abe. "China and Japan are neighbors facing each other across the sea. To develop our friendly, cooperative relations serves the basic interests of our peoples," the Chinese leader said. Abe will also travel on Monday to South Korea, which, like China, refused to invite Koizumi due to the emotionally charged row over the Yasukuni shrine and wartime memories. (Updated @ 14:40 PST)
Imran Khan, Miandad call for Pakistan cricket revamp KARACHI, Oct 8 (AFP) - Former captains Imran Khan and Javed Miandad despaired Sunday at the state of Pakistani cricket after a recent string of fiascos and said the way the game was run in Pakistan had to change. "The country is run on ad hoc basis and so is cricket, and I think ad hocism has to finish," Imran Khan told AFP. He said recent events showed that Pakistan had to change the way cricket is run in the country, in particular its policy of allowing the president to pick who will lead the Board. "It's a tried and failed system because the cricket chief is not accountable to anyone no matter how many blunders he makes," he said. Javed Miandad said recent events showed the relationship between the Board and the players was breaking down. "I can't understand what has been happening. It's the lack of fear of the Board and selectors. Board had encouraged indiscipline and players have little respect for their superiors," said 49-year-old Miandad. (Posted @ 14:35 PST)
Only 35,000 quake survivors residing in camps: Lt. General Nadeem ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (APP): ERRA Deputy Chairman Lt. General Nadeem Ahmed said Sunday that only 35000 quake survivors were living in camps. Talking to BBC he said about 31 to 32 thousands people were in 41 camps in Azad Kashmir and another about three thousand in three camps in the NWFP. (Posted @ 14:25 PST)
Two killed in Hindu-Muslim clashes in Indian town BANGALORE, India, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Hindu-Muslim clashes over the slaughter of cows claimed two lives and left dozens injured in the coastal city of Mangalore, about 320 km west of Bangalore, after a group of right-wing Hindu activists intercepted a vehicle carrying cows and buffaloes to an abattoir, local media reported. Clashes have continued intermittently since and have claimed two lives and more than 60 injured. Incidents of burning of shops and property have also been reported. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
Indian army says kills eight militants in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, Oct 8 (Reuters) - The Indian army Sunday claimed its soldiers shot dead eight suspected militants and suffered two of its own casualties in two separate gunbattles in Gurez and Poonch areas. The encounter at Poonch occurred on Sunday morning while clashes at Gurez began on Saturday night and were continuing more than 12 hours later, an army spokesman said. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Outrage greets execution-style slaying of top Russian journalist MOSCOW, Oct 8 (AFP) - The execution-style slaying of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was almost alone in Russia in reporting human rights abuses during the war in Chechnya, sparked outrage in Russia and abroad Sunday. The United States and the Council of Europe joined Russian politicians, journalists and human rights activists in condemning her murder at her home in central Moscow late Saturday. Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev part-owner of the newspaper where Politkovskaya worked, described her killing as "savage" and "a blow to the entire democratic, independent press," Interfax news agency reported. Politkovskaya, 48, was shot in her apartment building as she stepped out of a lift on her way to fetch shopping bags from her car. The killer first fired in her chest, then finished her off with a shot to the head, Russian news agencies quoted police sources as saying. Her newspaper, the bi-weekly Novaya Gazeta, revealed she had been preparing an article on torture in Chechnya for Monday's edition. "She had several important photographs which showed all of this. This was her material. It was going to be published in Monday's issue. We have some of her notes and of course we will partly publish this material," editor in chief Dmitry Muratov said on NTV television Sunday. (Posted @ 13:40 PST)
Sri Lankan soldiers missing after heavy fighting COLOMBO, Oct 8 (AFP) - Twelve Sri Lankan government soldiers were missing Sunday following fierce fighting with Tamil rebels in the eastern Batticaloa district that left at least seven combatants dead, the defence ministry said. The rebels said they had recovered the bodies of 13 government soldiers and had taken another prisoner, but ministry said only two soldiers were killed while a search operation was under way for the missing dozen. Security forces said they had found the bodies of 12 Tamil Tiger rebels and estimated that 40 to 45 rebels were killed in the fighting. The rebels said only five of their fighters were killed. The ministry also said that 23 soldiers were wounded during fighting but a hospital in the adjoining district of Polonnaruwa said 55 government troopers were brought there for treatment. The latest flare-up came a day after Norway's peace envoy, Jon Hanssen-Bauer, left the island after failing to seal an agreement on a site to resume peace negotiations between the two sides which however agree on October 28 as the date for opening talks. (Posted @ 13:30 PST)
Four killed in Thailand's troubled Muslim south YALA, Thailand, Oct 8 (AFP) - Three Muslims and a Buddhist have been killed in separate shootings by suspected Islamic militants in Thailand's troubled south, police said Sunday. (Posted @ 13:25 PST)
US soldier killed in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Oct 8 (AFP) - A US soldier died in northwest Baghdad when insurgents attacked his patrol with small arms fire, the US military said on Sunday. The incident in northwest Baghdad happened on Saturday afternoon. (Posted @ 10:55 PST)
Truck bomb kills 14 as Iraq violence rages MOSUL, Oct8 (AFP) - A suicide truck bomber ploughed into an Iraqi army post in Tall Afar town Saturday, killing 14 people, including four soldiers, as Sheikh Abdel Sattar Baziya, head of the Abu Risha clan and chairman of the provincial tribal council from the province of Al-Anbar said tribal fighters had killed 34 mostly foreign Al-Qaeda fighters and arrested 40 more in a week-long drive against militant infiltrators. (Posted @ 10:55 PST)
Sri Lanka skipper demands bowling improvement MOHALI, India, Oct 8 (AFP) - Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene is looking forward to a disciplined performance from his bowlers in the remaining qualifying matches of the Champions Trophy after beating Bangladesh by 37 runs in the opener on Saturday. They conceded 36 extras, the second-highest contributor in Bangladesh's total of 265-9, after posting a challenging 302-8. Sri Lanka play Zimbabwe at Ahmedabad on October 10 and defending champions West Indies on October 14 at Mumbai in their last two qualifying matches. The top two sides will advance to the main draw that features world champions Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan. Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said his bowlers failed to make the most of conditions in early stages. "It was a good toss to win," he said. "There was grass on the wicket, but we didn't put the ball in the right areas in the opening 10 overs." "In the end, the target proved too high for us," said Bashar, whose team still managed to post their highest-ever total against Sri Lanka in 18 one-day internationals. Bangladesh will now meet the West Indies on October 11 and Zimbabwe on October 13 at Jaipur. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
Quake hits Indonesian town, no damage: meteorology office JAKARTA, Oct 8, 2006 (AFP) - A moderate 5.3 earthquake hit the Indonesian town of Tolitoli in the northern arm of Sulawesi island but caused no damage, the meteorology office said Sunday. "It was too deep to be felt on the surface, even though its center was inland just 19 kilometers south of Tolitoli," it said. (Posted @ 10:05 PST)
Boat accident kills 19 children in Vietnam: official HANOI, Oct 8 (AFP) - Some 19 children were drowned on their way to school in central Vietnam when their boat capsized, an official said Sunday. Only one body was found but there was no doubt the others were killed, officials said. "Out of about 30 children on board, we are now sure that 19 were killed after the wooden boat capsized on Lam river Saturday morning," said an official of Lang Khe commune of Nghe An province, more than 300 kilometers south of Hanoi. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Second British minister plunges into Muslim veil row LONDON, Oct 8 (AFP) - A second government minister waded into Britain's simmering spat on Muslim women wearing a veil, warning Sunday that they risked provoking "fear and resentment". Communities Minister Phil Woolas urged Muslims to show understanding for the views of non-Muslims who found the veil "frightening and intimidating", in an article for the Sunday Mirror newspaper. (Posted @ 09:55 PST)
Crucial peace talks begin in Nepal KATHMANDU, Oct 8 (AFP) - A crucial second round of peace talks between nepal's government and rebel Maoists, aimed at ending a bloody decade-long insurgency, began Sunday in Kathmandu, witnesses said. Some 24 leaders from the seven-party alliance government and the rebel Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) gathered at the prime minister's residence for the negotiations, a minister said as he entered the talks. "Today's meeting will be concentrating on the formation of an interim constitution and arms management," said Prabhu Narayan Chaudary, minister for land reforms, as he arrived for the talks. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Palestinian militant killed by Israeli army in West Bank NABLUS, West Bank, Oct 8 (AFP) - A Palestinian militant was killed early Sunday by Israeli soldiers who were staging an incursion into the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank, a Palestinian security source said. Three other Palestinians were wounded in the exchange of gunfire with Israeli troops, the security source said. The Israeli army confirmed the incident. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Russia's Valuev retains WBA heavyweight title CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct 8 (AFP) - Russia's Nikolai Valuev stopped Monte Barrett of the United States in the 11th round to retain his World Boxing Association heavyweight crown here on Saturday. (Posted @ 09:35 PST)
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