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| October 16, 2006 | Monday | Ramazan 22, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Cricket-Second drug test confirms doping charges: PCB Chairman ISLAMABAD, Oct 16, 2006 (Agencies) Two internal drug tests conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in India confirmed the presence of banned substances in fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf told reporters here at a press conference. "Shoaib Akthar and Mohammad Asif have tested positive as per preliminary tests for nandrolone which is a banned anabolic steroid," said Ashraf. "The PCB had asked for reconfirmation of the test from the Malaysian laboratory (where the tests were carried out) and we have been verbally informed 15 minutes ago that the reconfirmation is also positive." The board has suspended the two players with immediate effect and withdrawn them from the Champions Trophy 2006, Ashraf added. Pakistan will set up a tribunal to decide how to punish Akthar and Asif, he said adding "The International Cricket Council has a ban of two years for the first offence but we'll go step by step, form a committee which will look into the evidence." He stressed that "we don't want to end the careers of Shoaib and Asif. We will do a complete investigation and then decide the matter." Pakistan deserved credit for immediately revealing the matter, the cricket chief said, adding "We did not cover it up... We don't care about losing or winning. We need to educate the players because this is s very serious offence." All-rounder Yasir Arafat and left-arm spinner Abdul Rahman were finalized as replacements, he said. He also said that Woolmer will remain coach of the Pakistan team till the 2007 World Cup. Ashraf also ruled out any role of the team management, including coach or players' doctors in the positive testing of the two players. (First Posted @ 16:54 PST Updated @ 21:00 PST)
Cricket-Skipper Younis says still optimistic about outcome KARACHI, Oct 16 (Agencies) The Pakistan cricket team’s scheduled practice session was cancelled in Jaipur on Monday after fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were withdrawn from the ICC Champions Trophy in India. Skipper Younis Khan told reporters that "it is very tough when you are without your two important players," adding that he was still positive about the outcome of his team in the tournament. Coach Bob Woolmer said the episode had left him dazed. "It is difficult to understand why it is happening, but it is happening," he said. "I'm pretty confident the team will take any adversity in its stride and rise to the occasion,” adding “unfortunately the timing is not right". (First Posted @ 13:00 PST Updated @ 22:30 PST)
Cricket-I would never cheat: Shoaib Akhtar ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (AFP) Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar Monday protested his innocence of doping charges and said he would never cheat. "I cannot say much at this time about what has happened but I just want to assure everyone that I am innocent of doing anything I shouldn't have," he said in his diary on the Bigstarcricket.com website. Akhtar said President Pervez Musharraf, the patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), had asked him not to make any detailed comments on the matter and he wanted to respect his wishes. "All I can say is that I have not knowingly taken any performance enhancing drugs and would never cheat my team-mates or opponents in this way," said Akhtar in the diary. "I have always played the game fair and I give 100 percent and do not feel that I need to take drugs to help my bowling…I am gutted to be missing the Champions Trophy and I will return to Pakistan to see what has happened and what needs to be done. That's all I have to say for now." (Posted @ 18:56 PST)
Cricket-Akhtar is innocent, says his private doctor LAHORE, Pakistan, Oct 16 (AFP) Shoaib Akhtar's personal doctor said Monday the fast bowler was innocent of doping and likely tested positive because of medicine he took to recover from injury. "Akhtar is definitely innocent and I can vouch for him," Tauseef Razzaq, a physiotherapist and sports medicine specialist, said. Razzaq said Akhtar "doesn't know anything about medicines…And since he recently suffered ankle and knee injuries, he must have taken some medicines which are painkillers but come under the banned substances," said the doctor. Razzaq said Akhtar came up negative in tests conducted by the ICC in the Champions Trophy in England two years ago and after the World Cup 2003 in South Africa. "Akhtar is so valuable a cricketer and is conscious of the fact, so I don't think he would take anything intentionally. Since he bowls at a venomous pace he also knew he would always be a target for a dope test," said Razzaq. Another problem was that some painkillers and energy drinks which could be used by players recovering from injury have banned substances, he added. (Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Israeli bombs 'major threat' to Lebanese children: UNICEF BEIRUT, Oct 17 (AFP) Unexploded Israeli bomblets littering southern Lebanon pose the greatest threat to children, the UN children's agency said Monday, as public schools reopened after the devastating summer war. Fifteen civilians, including several children, were killed by Israeli bombs in southern Lebanon since the war ended with a UN-brokered ceasefire on August 14. Explosions of Israeli cluster munitions in southern Lebanon also maimed more than 90 civilians, according to an AFP count based on UN figures. UNICEF has launched a public awareness campaign focused on teaching children not to pick up unfamiliar objects. Many of the bomblets look like harmless objects or even toys. (Posted @ 22:58 PST)
Three blasts in India's restive northeast GUWAHATI, India, Oct 16 (AFP) A suspected separatist bomber was killed Monday in northeastern India while trying to plant explosives as rebels triggered two more blasts that also caused no casualties, officials said. A police spokesman said the militant belonged to the United Liberation Front of Asom separatist force. (Posted @ 22:52 PST)
India offers no proof of Pakistani hand in Mumbai blasts: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (AFP) India has provided no evidence of Pakistan's alleged involvement in the Mumbai train bombings in July, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Monday, urging New Delhi to desist from blaming Islamabad. "India has no right to accuse Pakistan without any proof," state media quoted Aziz as telling reporters. He said no evidence had yet been provided to Pakistan. "Whatever is happening in India is their internal matter," he said. Aziz reiterated that Pakistan strongly believed that peace in its immediate neighbourhood was vital for stability in the region and also for itself. (Posted @ 22:44 PST)
Two car bombs kill 20 in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Oct 16 (Reuters) Two near simultaneous car bombs killed 20 people and wounded 17 in northern Baghdad on Monday, an Interior Ministry source said. (First Posted @ 13:30 PST Updated @ 22:08 PST)
Bush tells Iraqi leader U.S. setting no deadlines WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (Reuters) President George W. Bush assured Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Monday that the United States had not set any deadline on his government, the White House said. During a 15-minute telephone call initiated by Bush, White House spokesman Tony Snow said "the president underscored his commitment to a democratically elected government of Iraq, encouraging the prime minister to ignore rumors that the United States government was seeking to impose a timeline on the Maliki government". (Posted @ 22:04 PST)
China coal mine fire kills 10, one missing BEIJING, Oct 16 (Reuters) Ten miners died and one was missing after fire blazed through a coal mine in northern China, state media reported on Monday. (First Posted @ 16:42 PST Updated @ 22:00 PST)
Cricket-ICC to review Hair's umpiring future JAIPUR, India, Oct 16 (Reuters) The International Cricket Council (ICC) will review Australian Darrell Hair's future as an elite panel umpire at next month's executive board meeting in Mumbai, chief executive Malcolm Speed said on Monday. "At this stage this is an agenda issue for the ICC executive board meeting in Mumbai on Nov. 3 and 4," Speed told reporters. "As to the future, Darrell is one of the top umpires of the world. I hope we can find a way out for him to continue to umpire at that level," he added. (Posted @ 21:54 PST)
Foreign ministry admits financial irregularities in Pakistani consulates ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (PPI) Pakistan’s foreign ministry Monday admitted before the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that financial irregularities were committed in the Pakistani consulates of Madrid, Paris, Birmingham and Manchester. Special secretary of the ministry, Sher Afghan, told PAC that the irregularities were committed in the head of consular/visa fees section. Foreign ministry officers involved in the irregularities were suspended from their service, the official said, adding that one of the suspended officer had received political asylum in the country of his posting. PAC reviewed the audit reports of the foreign ministry starting from the year 1997 till 2001, and directed the ministry to take strict action against those involved in the scam. (Posted @ 21:50 PST)
US confirms North Korea nuclear test WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (Reuters) The U.S. government said on Monday that the test conducted by North Korea on Oct. 9 was a nuclear explosion of less than one kiloton. "Analysis of air samples collected on October 11, 2006, detected radioactive debris which confirms that North Korea conducted an underground nuclear explosion," the director of national intelligence said in a statement. The statement said the explosion yield was less than a kiloton. By comparison, the nuclear bomb the United States dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945 was about 12.5 kilotons. (Posted @ 21:08 PST)
EC suspends 45 parliamentarians ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (Agencies): The Election Commission of Pakistan Monday temporarily suspended the membership of 45 parliamentarians here under clause 40-A of the Public Representation Act for failing to submit details of their assets. The parliamentarians will be allowed to go back to work once after they submit their asset details, secretary of Election Commission, Kanwar Dilshad, said. (Posted @ 21:04 PST)
Pakistan to be made hub of gems, jewelry business: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said the government was striving to make Pakistan a highly valuable, an internationally competitive and a world-class hub of precious stone cutting and jewelry. He was chairing a meeting here at the Prime Minister House to review the gems and jewelry sector. Aziz said Pakistan’s potential in the gems and jewelry sector was high due to abundant availability of precious and semi-precious gemstones in natural resources, skilled craftsmen, strong domestic market demand and cheap labor. He directed the Ministry of Industries and Production to focus on conducting market and industry surveys on a regular basis to develop the Pakistan brand and a road-map for international recognition. (Posted @ 20:56 PST)
Suicide bombing kills over 100 in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Oct 16 (AFP) Sri Lanka suffered its worst ever suicide attack on Monday when suspected Tamil Tiger rebels detonated a truck packed with explosives next to a convoy of sailors, killing at least 102 people and wounding 150 more, officials said. There was no immediate comment from the Tamil Tigers. (First Posted @ 14:25 PST Updated @ 20:30 PST)
Over a dozen protestors arrested in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Oct 16 (AFP) Indian police on Monday detained over a dozen men in Srinagar's Lal Chowk area who were protesting against the planned execution of a Kashmiri man, Afzal Guru. Senior Kashmiri leader, Shabbir Shah, was among those arrested, police said. (Posted @ 20:26 PST)
Bush telephones Indian PM to discus nuclear energy deal NEW DELHI, Oct 16 (AFP) US President George W. Bush telephoned Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday to discuss their civilian nuclear energy deal, India's foreign ministry said in a statement. Singh and Bush also discussed the stalled "Doha Round of trade negotiations ... developments in the region including Pakistan and Afghanistan, and recent developments in North Korea", the statement said. "This was an opportunity for both leaders to exchange views on current matters," it said. The foreign ministry declined to give further details.(Posted @ 20:24 PST)
Five more US troops killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Oct 16 (AFP) Five more US troops were killed in action in Iraq, their headquarters said Monday, bringing the number of American troops to have died this month to 55. (First Posted @ 09:55 PST Updated @ 20:22 PST)
Two-thirds of Asians lack basic sanitation: report MANILA, Oct 16 (Reuters) Two thirds of Asians do not have basic sanitation and the region has three times as many underweight children and people living on less than $1 a day as sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America combined, a report on Monday showed. Progress on cutting infant mortality and improving access to basic sanitation in urban areas is slow and HIV prevalence is on the rise in the region, a joint report by Manila-based Asian Development Bank and two United Nations' agencies said. It praised China, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia for moving ahead on U.N. development goals but noted that Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines were falling further behind in their efforts. (Posted @ 19:42 PST)
Government pursuing extensive programme to meet energy needs: Musharraf RAWALPINDI, Oct 16 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Monday said the government was pursuing an extensive programme to meet the country's growing energy needs. He made these remarks at a meeting which reviewed the power sector. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also attended the meeting. Musharraf said the rapid economic growth and industrialization has increased the energy demand manifold and the government had made short, medium and long term plans to meet the future requirements. He underlined the need for tapping all sources of energy including, hydel, gas, coal and alternative sources. Aziz said the government was also encouraging the private sector to invest in the energy sector. (Posted @ 19:38 PST)
Cricket-ICC regrets positive dope tests for Pakistani bowlers JAIPUR, India, Oct 16 (Reuters) Positive dope tests for Pakistani pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif meant a disappointing day for cricket, International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed said on Monday. "The Pakistan board has certainly taken the right action in testing the players ahead of the event," Speed told a news conference. He said ICC would now encourage all national boards to streamline their anti-doping policies to comply with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules. Speed said only South Africa, Australia, England, Pakistan and New Zealand tested their players regularly. He said the ICC would wait until the Pakistan board's doping tribunal heard the issue and gave a verdict. Although WADA guidelines stipulate two-year bans for first time offenders, the players' statements could have a bearing, he said. "There are options for the players to prove they are not at fault, there was no negligence, no significant fault and no performance-enhancing effect of the substance," Speed added. (Posted @ 19:34 PST)
Shaheed-i-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan’s death anniversary observed KARACHI, Oct 16 (APP) The 55th death anniversary of the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaheed-i-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan, was observed in the country Monday. Quran Khawani was arranged at the Mazar(tomb) of Liaquat Ali Khan and people from various walks of life visited the mazar to pay him homage. Federal Minister, Mahmood Ali, also visited the Mazar, and laid a floral wreath before offering fateha (prayer). A number of organizations also arranged special programmes to pay him tributes. (Posted @ 19:06 PST)
Thirty new countries could acquire nuclear weapon: IAEA chief VIENNA, Oct 16 (AFP) Up to 30 new countries could have the capability to build a nuclear weapon, on top of the nine current nuclear powers, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, ElBaradei, warned Monday. (Posted @ 17:54 PST)
OPEC lowers world oil demand forecast VIENNA, Oct 16 (AFP) The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said it was revising its world oil demand growth forecast for 2006 down by 100,000 barrels to 1.0 million barrels per day, in its monthly report published Monday in Vienna. This was due in part to "warm weather, higher oil prices and the relatively-lower natural gas prices," especially in OECD countries. The world oil demand growth forecast for 2007 however "remains unchanged at a moderate rate of 1.3 mb/d or 1.5 percent", the report added. (Posted @ 17:50 PST)
Cricket-Sri Lanka wary of crisis-hit Pakistan JAIPUR, India, Oct 16 (Reuters) Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene warned his team Monday against taking the Pakistani side lightly in Tuesday's Champions Trophy Group B tie after strike bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were withdrawn from the tournament. Jayawardene said his team would miss the challenge of facing Shoaib. "We had looked forward to playing against Shoaib, but he was injured," he said. "We wanted to see how we would do against him." Sri Lankan coach Tom Moody said his team was not tested for drugs in Sri Lanka but he remained confident they would have no problems. (Posted @ 16:04 PST)
Pakistan calls for resumption of six-party talks with North Korea ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (APP): Pakistan on Monday said it would abide by the UN sanctions against North Korea but at the same time also urged for the resumption of six-party talks to peacefully resolve all issues in the Korean Peninsula. Responding to a question, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told reporters that Pakistan would continue to maintain its relations with Pyongyong in areas not covered under the sanctions. "We have deplored it (nuclear test), but we do have diplomatic, political and trade relations (with North Korean)," she said. Regarding the reported remarks of the Indian Prime Minister to "test" Pakistan's sincerity on anti-terror cooperation related to Mumbai blasts, she said Islamabad was still waiting to receive any evidence from New Delhi. "It is not a one-way traffic that Pakistan has to prove something," she said, adding that India too had to prove its sincerity and resolve to not to support terrorism inside Pakistan. About the dates of the foreign secretary level talks between Pakistan and India, the spokesperson said the meeting would be held sometime in November, but said the exact dates were yet to be finalized. (Posted @ 15:54 PST)
Cricket-South Africa's Pollock claims 350th one-day wicket MUMBAI, Oct 16 (Reuters) South African paceman Shaun Pollock Monday became the fifth bowler in one-day international cricket to claim 350 wickets. The 33-year-old all rounder reached the mark when he bowled New Zealand opener Lou Vincent for 17 runs with a delivery that cut back in a Champions Trophy group match at the Brabourne Stadium on Monday. Former Pakistan left-arm paceman Wasim Akram heads the list with 502 wickets. He is followed by Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (419), retired Pakistani paceman Waqar Younis (416) and Sri Lankan paceman Chaminda Vaas (358). (Posted @ 15:34 PST)
UN sanctions on North Korea won't affect aid: World Food Programme BEIJING, Oct 16 (AFP) The United Nations food agency said Monday it was relieved that the UN sanctions on North Korea will have little impact on humanitarian aid but warned that the crisis there is still "precarious." (Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Suicide car bomb in Afghan capital, several wounded KABUL, Oct 16 (AFP) A suicide car bomb exploded in Kabul Monday, wounding at least three people, police said. "A vehicle was stopped by police and it is being said that as a result of the stoppage, a suicide bomber who was in the car blew himself up," police said. (First Posted @ 12:30 PST, Updated @ 12:45 PST)
Iran rejects U.N. Security Council sanctions against North Korea TEHRAN, Iran, Oct 16 (AP) Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he rejects U.N. Security Council sanctions against North Korea for conducting a nuclear weapons test, and accused the United States of using the council as a ``weapon to impose its hegemony.'' He also defiantly rejected as ``illegal'' a Security Council demand that Tehran suspend its own uranium enrichment activities and said Tehran will continue its nuclear activities without any fear. ``Some Western countries have turned the U.N. Security Council into a weapon to impose their hegemony and issue resolutions against countries that oppose them,'' Ahmadinejad was quoted by the state-run television as saying Monday. The president did not mention North Korea by name, but he was referring to a council resolution, which imposes sanctions on North Korea and calls Pyongyang's claimed nuclear test ``a clear threat to international peace and security.'' (Posted @ 12:25 PST)
NKorea return to 6-way talks won't end sanctions TOKYO, Oct 16 (Reuters) U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer said on Monday a return by North Korea to stalled six-party talks on its nuclear programme would not be sufficient to end United Nations sanctions. "A return to six-party talks kind of doesn't do it," Schieffer said. "You have to come to the six-party talks and agree on how you are going to implement the Sept. 19 agreement…if that implementation could then be verified by the international community, I think you would see walking back from the sanctions regime," he said, adding that "this is long way to go." (Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Troops destroy bomb-making cell in Afghanistan, kill three KABUL, Oct 16 (AFP) Coalition war planes bombed and destroyed a bomb-making cell Monday in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province, in an encounter that left three insurgents dead and one foreign soldier wounded, the force said. (Posted @ 11:00 PST)
Indian police nab militants carrying explosives NEW DELHI, Oct 16 (AFP) Indian police said Monday they had arrested two suspected militants armed with explosives as they stepped off a train in the capital New Delhi.(Posted @ 10:55 PST)
Electricity supply suspended in Gwadar for two days GWADAR, Oct 16 (PPI): Electricity supply to Gwadar city is Suspended for the last two days since the main cable of transmission line of Gwadar Grid station exploded on Saturday. A team of engineers from Turbat reached Gwadar but could rectify the fault. Another team arrived Sunday night and was at work when last reports came in. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
20-fold rise in nuclear power key to averting deadly climate change SYDNEY, Oct 16 (APP/AP) _ The world needs 20 times as many nuclear power plants to avert an environmental apocalypse that could kill billions of people due to global warming blamed on growing greenhouse emissions, John Ritch, the director general of the World Nuclear Association, said Monday. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 15.24 points: KARACHI, Oct 16: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 10909.31, down 15.24 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:00 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Oct 16: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.6 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:00 PST)
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