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| October 27, 2006 | Friday | Shawwal 3, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Former president Ghulam Ishaq Khan dies PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Oct 27 (Agencies) Former Pakistani president Ghulam Ishaq Khan died here Friday after a protracted illness, his family said. "He was suffering from a lung infection," his son-in-law, Anwar Saifullah said. Ghulam Ishaq Khan took over as president after the death of late military ruler General Mohammad Zia ul-Haq in a plane crash on August 17, 1988. He remained president until 1993. During his tenure he dissolved the governments of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, in 1990, and Nawaz Sharif, in 1993, on different charges. He was laid to rest at the University Town graveyard in Peshawar. Mr. Ghulam Ishaq Khan was born in Bannu in 1915. He joined the Indian Civil Service and later held important positions in the government including the very important office of the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan. He was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in 1985 and was later elected as Senate chairman. After the death of President Ziaul Haq in plane crash in 1988 he became the acting president of Pakistan and was later elected as the President of Pakistan in December the same year. He was also instrumental in the setting up of the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Science and Technology. (First Posted @ 12:30 PST Updated @ 22:10 PST)
British soldier killed in Iraq road crash LONDON, Oct 27 (AFP) A British soldier in Iraq was killed and three others injured in a road traffic accident, the Ministry of Defence in London said Friday. (Posted @ 22:06 PST)
Two dead in Bangladesh protest DHAKA, Oct 27 (AFP) A district leader from Bangladesh's ruling party was killed Friday in a bomb attack and thousands of people took to the capital's streets, police said, as the government's five-year term expired. District vice president Sheikh Mohammad Habibullah was killed when a bomb was hurled at a rally in the eastern Brahmanbaria district, police said. A man also died of bullet wounds Friday, after getting caught in clashes between members of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and supporters of a lawmaker who defected to a new party on Thursday, an official said. Police and witnesses said thousands of activists from the BNP and the opposition Awami League also staged demonstrations in the capital Dhaka late Friday, lighting small fires and brandishing wooden sticks. A bus was also torched. At least 100 people were injured in clashes between rival political activists in Dhaka Thursday. (First Posted @ 10:55 PST Updated @ 22:04 PST)
Pakistani hockey goalkeeper dies of cancer LAHORE, Oct 27 (PPI): Former goalkeeper Pakistan hockey team, Muhammad Qasim, died Thursday of cancer. Qasim, who represented Pakistan in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, had injured himself during Pakistan’s 2004 European tour match when a hockey ball had hit him in the chest. (Posted @ 22:02 PST)
94 illegal immigrants arrested at Pak-Iran border DALBANDIN, Oct 27 (APP): Levies officials arrested 94 illegal immigrants from the Pak-Iran border at Taftan for trying to enter Iran, a local administration in Taftan said Friday. (Posted @ 21:08 PST)
Indian cabinet approves direct shipping links with Pakistan NEW DELHI Oct 27 (APP/AP) The Indian government on Friday approved a plan to restore direct cargo shipping links with Pakistan after a gap of 35 years, officials said. Previously, all cargo ships between the countries had to be routed through other ports such as Singapore and Dubai. This is a very important decision since it will increase the volume of trade and eventually bring down shipping rates, senior Indian minister, Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, said. In addition, ships with Indian and Pakistani flags will be allowed to transport third-country cargo from each other's ports, Dasmunshi said. There was no immediate word on whether the new rules would also apply to passenger and cruise ships. (Posted @ 21:06 PST)
Cricket-Akhtar, Asif decide against testing B sample LAHORE, Pakistan, Oct 27 (AFP) Pakistani bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif will not challenge results of a doping test that forced them out of the ongoing Champions Trophy, a senior official said Friday. The pair declined, when asked at a tribunal hearing their case, if they wanted their 'B' samples examined after their first ones tested positive for a banned performance enhancing steroid nandrolone, tribunal chief Shahid Hamid told reporters. The tribunal also includes former captain Intikhab Alam and doping expert Waqar Ahmed. The pair earlier Friday gave statements to the tribunal. The tribunal, which meets again Saturday, will make recommendations to the PCB and is expected to submit its findings in two weeks. "They had explained their point of view and we are now going to take a medical opinion to examine the situation," said Hamid, who has summoned two doping experts for Saturday's hearing. The panel also Friday recorded statements from PCB's chief medical officer Sohauil Saleem. Asif came alone to the hearing and was questioned for over an hour while Akhtar was accompanied by doctor Nauman Niaz and stayed for the same duration, a PCB spokesman added. (First Posted @ 17:12 PST Updated @ 21:04 PST)
Bush says unacceptable for Iran to have atomic weapon WASHINGTON, Oct 27 (Reuters) U.S. President George W.Bush said on Friday he was aware of "speculation" that Iran has started enriching uranium in a second network of centrifuges and said it was unacceptable for Tehran to have a nuclear weapon. "Whether they doubled it or not, the idea of Iran having a nuclear weapon is unacceptable," he said. (Posted @ 21:02 PST)
Cricket-Ntini blitz powers South Africa into semis MOHALI, India, Oct 27 (Reuters) Strike bowler Makhaya Ntini captured five for 21 to rout Pakistan for 89 on Friday, powering South Africa into the Champions Trophy semi-finals. Ntini's spell and three wickets from Charl Langeveldt set up a 124-run victory after South Africa had made 213 for eight batting first. South Africa claimed their second victory in Group B to qualify alongside New Zealand. Pakistan and Sri Lanka were eliminated. (Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Cricket-Captain Dravid rues India's batting form AHMEDABAD, India, Oct 27 (Reuters) Indian captain Rahul Dravid expressed concern over his side's batting form following Thursday's three-wicket defeat to holders West Indies in a Champions Trophy Group A match. "It was disappointing that none of the top four or five batsmen could go on to get a 70 or 80 which, I think, would have helped reach a winning score," he said. (Posted @ 20:58 PST)
Cricket-Injured Agarkar out of Champions Trophy campaign AHMEDABAD, India, Oct 27 (Reuters) Indian paceman Ajit Agarkar will miss the rest of the Champions Trophy due to a thumb injury, India's board secretary Niranjan Shah said on Friday. Agarkar suffered a hairline fracture on his left thumb while stopping a ball during the side's three-wicket defeat to the West Indies on Thursday. Fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth will be drafted into the squad, pending clearance from the ICC's technical committee. (Posted @ 20:56 PST)
Israel may bomb along border with Egypt JERUSALEM, Oct 27 (Reuters) Israel may soon use "smart" bombs on the narrow border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip to destroy alleged tunnels there, an Israeli newspaper reported on Friday. An Israeli army spokesman declined to comment on the report. Egyptian officials were unavailable for comment. (Posted @ 20:54 PST)
Saudi Arabia confirms threat to oil facilities RIYADH, Oct 27 (Reuters) Top world oil exporter Saudi Arabia said on Friday it was taking measures to protect its oil and economic installations from a "terrorist threat." Western naval forces in the Gulf have been deployed to counter a possible seaborne threat to Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura oil terminal. "Saudi security forces are cooperating and coordinating with the Saudi navy to take the necessary security measures," an Interior Ministry spokesman said. (Posted @ 20:52 PST)
Cricket-Younis Khan joins Yorkshire LEEDS, England, Oct 27 (AFP) Pakistan batsman Younis Khan is to join Yorkshire on a one-year contract for the 2007 English season, the English county announced Friday. The 28-year-old, currently captaining his country in the ICC Champions Trophy in India, will become the Headingley-based county's first Pakistani player when he joins in April, after next year's World Cup in the Caribbean. (Posted @ 20:48 PST)
Ex-president Carter calls for US troops to leave Iraq next year NEW DELHI, Oct 27 (AFP) Former US president Jimmy Carter called Friday for US troops to be "totally" withdrawn from Iraq "within the next year or so". "I don't think so far there's ever been any commitment from our government in Washington ever to totally withdraw from (the) Iraq military. I would like to see that commitment made," Carter told reporters in the Indian capital. Carter said that before their withdrawal, "I would like to see US troops being withdrawn from the center of violence to more remote areas where they could be stationed and called upon to maintain security for the country". He also called for an international conference to obtain global support for Iraq's development after a US withdrawal. Carter also blamed North Korea's decision to stage the test partly on the Bush administration. "Instead of having direct bilateral talks, which I initiated, they shifted to six-nation talks… I think this has been the wrong approach to North Korea" said Carter. (Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Afghan leader seeks Pakistani politicians' help ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (Reuters) Afghan President Hamid Karzai sent letters to two Pakistani politicians urging them to help restore peace in Afghanistan. "He has asked me to use my influence to cope with the situation in eastern and southeastern parts of Afghanistan," Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, leader of the opposition in Pakistan's National Assembly and chief of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam, said Friday. "I have not yet responded to his letter and will do so after consulting my party leadership," he added. Asfandayar Wali Kha, head of the Awami National Party (ANP), said Karazi wrote to him and spoke with him on Thursday. "Right now two forces are operating in the region. One is promoting war, hatred and isolation while the other is trying for peace and harmony," Khan said. "We are in the latter camp and I have assured Karzai that we are ready to play our role in making the jirga successful," he added. (Posted @ 19:32 PST)
Indian police claim foiling bid to blow up state assembly BANGALORE, India, Oct 27 (AFP) Indian police Friday claimed foiling a plot to blow up the state legislature in Bangalore city after arresting two suspects in Mysore late Thursday. Police added that the phone numbers on the captured satellite phones traced back to Pakistan. (Posted @ 19:28 PST)
Chirac says stalemate in Iran talks should trigger sanctions WUHAN, China, Oct 27 (AFP) French President Jacques Chirac said Friday that if a stalemate develops in the dialogue with Iran over its nuclear program then sanctions should be imposed. "If it goes on and appears that the dialogue will not end, then it is probably necessary to find calibrated, adaptable, temporary and reversible sanctions that will be imposed to show Iran that the entire international community does not understand their position and is hostile to it," Chirac said in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. (Posted @ 19:24 PST)
Iran steps up enrichment work TEHRAN, Oct 27 (AFP) Iranian scientists began feeding gas into a second cascade of centrifuges to enrich uranium two weeks ago, the ISNA news agency reported Friday. (Posted @ 19:22 PST)
Germany suspends two soldiers over Afghanistan skull scandal BERLIN, Oct 27 (AFP) Two German soldiers were suspended following the publication of photographs of troops playing with a human skull stolen from a cemetery in Afghanistan, Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung said on Friday. (Posted @ 19:20 PST)
24 policemen killed in Iraq BAQUBA, Iraq, Oct 27 (AFP) A gunbattle between Iraqi police and insurgents late Thursday in a village of Diyala province left at least 24 officers, 18 rebels and one civilian dead, the US military said Friday. (Posted @ 18:40 PST)
Indian, U.S. navies conduct joint exercises in Arabian Sea NEW DELHI, Oct 27 (AP) Indian and U.S. destroyers, frigates and submarines conducted joint naval exercises off India's western coast Friday, officials said. The two navies are engaged in exercises including anti-submarine operations, boarding hostile vessels and a ``simulated war at sea,'' the Indian navy said in a statement. A Canadian frigate also joined the exercises. More than 6,500 U.S. Navy personnel will take part in the exercises, which run through Nov. 5, the U.S. Embassy said. (Posted @ 18:36 PST)
Toxic liquor kills 13 Pakistanis in Multan MULTAN, Pakistan, Oct 27 (Reuters) Police raided an illegal liquor outlet in Multan city on Friday and arrested five people after 13 people died from drinking toxic alcohol. (Posted @ 18:32 PST)
Sports Journalist Ali Kabir dies Karachi, Oct 27: Veteran journalist Ali Kabir died in Karachi Thursday night after prolonged illness. He was 73. He leaves behind a widow, a son and a daughter. Funeral prayers will be held on Saturday after Zohar prayers at Masjid Baitul Mukarram, University Road, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, followed by burial at the graveyard near the Milk Plant. Ali Kabir started his journalistic career in the fifties and joined the daily “Dawn” in 1963 and remained associated with the newspaper till his retirement in 1993. Ali Kabir earned fame as sports correspondent of great merit on account of his tremendous understanding of the finer points of all disciplines of sports, in-depth and investigative reporting and fearless comment and analysis. (Posted @ 15:00 PST)
President, PM aggrieved over Ghulam Ishaq Khan's death ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (APP) President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Friday expressed their deep grief and sorrow over the death of former President Ghulam Ishaq Khan. In separate messages to the family of the late President, they prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. President General Pervez Musharraf in his message said Ghulam Ishaq Khan had a long and distinguished career and served the country as President as well as civil servant in different capacities. "He was an honest, upright person and dedicated to the service of Pakistan," the President said. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in his message said late Ghulam Ishaque Khan's contributions to Pakistan would long be remembered. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani, Chairman Senate Mohammadmian Soomro, Sindh Chief Minister, Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi also expressed sorrow on his demise. (Posted @ 14:50 PST)
Taliban accuse NATO of genocide, vow more attacks SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The Taliban accused NATO forces of genocide on Friday after the latest in a series of civilian combat deaths, and said they would step up already rising suicide attacks. The group's one-legged military commander, Mullah Dadullah, also denied NATO charges the guerrillas used villagers as human shields in combat against foreign forces. The warning came as a provincial official said a bomb had killed at least 14 civilians in the province of Uruzgan on Friday. "The Taliban's mujahideen are ready to fight until death and in the coming days will increase their activities and suicide attacks to such an extent that the infidel forces will not get a chance to rest”, he said. Witnesses and officials say NATO air strikes in neighbouring Kandahar province, where the Taliban began and remain strong, killed at least 50 civilians this week in an area the alliance had said it had cleared of insurgents in an offensive last month. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Strike in occupied Kashmir on Indian army anniversary SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Oct 27 (Reuters) A strike called by separatist groups to mark the 59th anniversary of the arrival of Indian troops in occupied Kashmir shut down large parts of the disputed region, including Srinagar, on Friday. "On this day, Indian troops landed ... to subjugate and occupy Jammu and Kashmir," the All Parties Hurriyat Conference said in a statement, calling on people to mark Friday as a "Day of Mourning". (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Six die, 25 injured as bus overturns in Pakistan Multan, Oct.27 (PPI): At least six persons including five members of a family died and another 25 were injured when a passenger bus overturned near Rasulpur on Jhang-Sargodha Road, some 160 km north-east of Multan on Friday. Police said the mishap occurred due to reckless driving and over speeding. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Prof. Ghafoor terms parliament as 'rubber stamp' HYDERABAD, Pakistan, Oct.27 (PPI): Naib Amir of Jamat Islami, Senator Prof. Ghafoor Ahmed Thursday said that Parliament has been turned into rubber stamp where no important national issue could be discussed, and all decisions were taken by one man who considers himself above the parliament. Addressing an Eid Milan party at Latifabad last night, the JI leader said that issues of operations in Wazirstan and Balochistan have never been brought to parliament. He reminded that Balcohistan issue can never be solved at gun point, and suggested to the government to let the politicians resolve it. (Posted @ 13:45 PST)
Justice Riaz Akhter takes oath as AJK Supreme Court's Chief Justice MIRPUR, Azad Jammu Kashmir, Oct 27 (APP) Mr. Justice Muhammad Riaz Akhter Chaudhry Friday takes the oath of office as the Chief Justice of Azad Jammu Kashmir at an impressive ceremony held at the President House in Muzaffarabad, it was officially stated here Friday. President of Azad Jammu Kashmir Raja Zulqarnain Khan administered the oath of office to Mr. Justice Riaz Akhter Chaudhry as the Chief Justice of Azad Jammu Kashmir, the sources told APP here. (Posted @ 13:08 PST)
Bomb blast kills 14 civilians in southern Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Oct 27 (AFP) A bomb blast struck a minibus in Afghanistan's southern province of Uruzgan Friday, killing 14 passengers and wounding three, a provincial government spokesman said. (Posted @ 12:40 PST)
Sixty people killed in NATO battles KABUL, Oct 27 (AFP) Around 60 people were killed in battles between NATO troops and Taliban in southern Afghanistan this week, more than half of whom were insurgents and the rest civilians, the government said Friday. NATO's International Security Assistance Force in southern Afghanistan said earlier 12 civilians were killed in a series of strikes Tuesday. (First Posted @ 11:20 PST, Updated @ 12:10 PST)
Woman, two children electrocuted Kashmore, Oct.27 (PPI): A woman and her two children were electrocuted in village Jam Golatho of Kashmore on Eidul Fitr day. They were electrocuted when they touched an electric water pump, police said. (Posted @ 11:35 PST)
Three Palestinians killed by Israeli army in West Bank JENIN, West Bank, Oct 27 (Reuters) Israeli soldiers killed three Palestinians near Jenin city in West Bank Friday, local residents said. (Posted @ 11:05 PST)
Cricket-West Indies enter Champions Trophy semi-finals AHMEDABAD, India, Oct 27 (AFP) The West Indies entered the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a three-wicket victory over India in a Group-A league match here on Thursday. Brief scores: India 223-9 in 50 overs; West Indies 224-7 in 49.4 overs. (Posted @ 10:17 PST)
EU's Solana meets Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas RAMALLAH, West Bank, Oct 27 (AFP) EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana called for a restart of the Middle East peace process Thursday after meeting with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. "The Palestinian people have suffered and suffered a lot, and it is time that the occupation that started in 1967 is over…that is the objective of the roadmap," he said after talks with Abbas on the continuing first leg of a Middle East tour. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Eight killed in DR Congo KINSHASA, Oct 27 (AFP) At least four people were killed Thursday in shooting between rival political camps and four others died in other violence, observers said. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
Banning wearing religious symbols is 'politically dangerous': Archbishop LONDON, Oct 27 (AFP) People in Britain should be allowed to display their religion by wearing a veil, turban, cross or other piece of clothing if they wish, and to ban the practice would be "politically dangerous", the head of the world's Anglican Church wrote in The Times on Friday. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, also said that the government should not become a "licensing authority" which decides what religious symbols are acceptable to be displayed in public. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Thai soldier shot dead in south BANGKOK, Oct 27 (AFP) A soldier was shot dead by suspected insurgents Friday in southern Thailand’s Pattani province, police said. (Posted @ 09:05 PST)
EU anti-terror drive targets Internet extremists STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, England, Oct 26 (AFP) Europe's six largest countries on Thursday agreed ways to pre-empt terrorist attacks through sharing intelligence about threats and driving extremists from the Internet. Among the proposals from the law and order ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Poland was the sharing of research into explosives, in particular liquid explosives. Improved co-operation in monitoring and analysing Internet use by terrorist organisations was required to make the Internet "a more hostile-operating environment for terrorists," British Home Secretary John Reid told a press conference at the end of two days of talks. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan fret over Afridi slump before Proteas tie MOHALI, India, Oct 26 (Reuters) Pakistan are worried about Shahid Afridi's batting form ahead of their must-win Champions Trophy tie against South Africa on Friday. "Everyone wants to see Shahid play and perform," skipper Younis Khan told reporters on Thursday. "We want to utilise him to the hilt…As an opener, if he falls early, there is pressure on him and on us. If he comes low down the order, he doesn't have much time…We're trying to give him every chance to settle down," he said. Coach Bob Woolmer said Afridi was key to Pakistan's hopes. "We still see him as a positive force in one-day cricket for Pakistan," he said. "We will try and support him through this period and hope he produces the goods when it counts." Woolmer said he was more frustrated by inconsistency as a team. "It's rather like having a sign on your television set which says normal service will be resumed soon.” (Posted @ 19:44 PST)
Twenty people burn to death in Pakistan road crash KARACHI, Oct 26 (Reuters) At least 20 people, half of them children and women, burnt to death near the southern town of Rohri on Thursday when a passenger bus fell into a ravine and caught fire, police said. (First Posted @ 18:32 PST Updated @ 19:40 PST)
Paris buses hijacked on anniversary of French riots PARIS, Oct 26 (AFP) Hooded youths hijacked and burnt two buses in separate suburbs of Paris overnight, officials said on Thursday. The Paris region transport service RAPT said a dozen men forced the driver and passengers off a night bus in the Bagnolet suburb at around 1:00 am Thursday morning. Earlier on Wednesday night hooded youths set fire to a bus in the Nanterre suburb. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
At least 21 killed in India bus plunge GUWAHATI, India, Oct 26 (AFP) At least 21 people were killed and 49 injured when a crowded bus plunged into the Teesta River in India's northeast state of Sikkim late Wednesday, officials said Thursday. (Posted @ 11:45 PST)
South Korea announces some sanctions against North Korea SEOUL, South Korea, Oct 26 (APP/AP)South Korea made its first concrete move Thursday to enforce sanctions over North Korea's nuclear test, saying it will ban officials from its northern neighbour who fall under a U.N. travel restriction. The Unification Ministry also urged the North to return to six-party talks over its nuclear program and rejected a warning from Pyongyang that sanctions could cause a breakdown in inter-Korean relations. As part of its sanctions, Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok said Seoul would also control transactions and remittances relating to inter-Korean trade and investment with the North Korean officials, Yonhap news agency reported. (Posted @ 11:35 PST)
Key UN powers unveil Iran sanctions draft UNITED NATIONS, Oct 26 (AFP) Key Western UN powers have unveiled proposed sanctions that would target Iran's nuclear and missile programs over its failure to halt sensitive nuclear fuel work, diplomats said Wednesday. According to the draft the Security Council would invoke Article 41 of Chapter Seven of the UN Charter which calls for sanctions not involving the use of force. The text proposes that UN member states "take necessary measures to prevent the supply, sale or transfer directly or indirectly from their territories or by their nationals ... of all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs." The draft warns that the council would "consider further measures" if Iran still refuses to comply with a demand that it freeze uranium enrichment. However China’s UN delegate Li Junhua told reporters that "it's premature to say that the council is in a position to impose sanctions.”. In Washington, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged the 15-member council to immediately slap sanctions on Iran or face losing its credibility. "For the international community to be credible, it must pass a resolution now that holds Iran accountable for its defiance," she said. Russia has also indicated that agreement on an acceptable text were likely to take some time. (Posted @ 11:30 PST)
Five Indonesians die in boat accident JAKARTA, Oct 26 (AFP) Five Indonesians were killed and about 10 were missing Thursday after an apparently overloaded tourist boat capsized just 50 metres from a pier on West Sumatra's Singkarak Lake, police and state media said. (Posted @ 11:20 PST)
Cricket- New Zealand qualifies for Champions Trophy semis MOHALI, India, Oct 26 (Reuters) New Zealand qualified for the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a 51-run Group B victory over Pakistan Wednesday. Scott Styris top-scored with 86 and added 108 runs for the fourth wicket with captain Fleming (80) to lift the Kiwis to 274 for seven after being asked to bat first. Pakistan were bowled out for 223. (Posted @ 11:00 PST)
Up to four killed in East Timor clashes CANBERRA, Oct 26 (AFP) As many as four people were been killed in an explosion of violence between rival gangs of East Timorese youths around the capital Dili Wednesday, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Thursday. (Posted @ 10:55 PST)
Gas explosion kills 11 Chinese miners BEIJING, Oct 26 (Reuters) A gas explosion early Thursday killed 11 miners at a coal mine near China’s Jilin province’s Baishan city, Xinhua news agency said Thursday. (Posted @ 10:55 PST)
We're winning in Iraq: Bush WASHINGTON, Oct 26 (AFP) President George W. Bush insisted Wednesday that the United States was "winning" in Iraq. "I know many Americans are not satisfied with the situation in Iraq. I'm not satisfied, either," said Bush, speaking at a press conference. "But we cannot allow our dissatisfaction to turn into disillusionment about our purpose in this war…we're winning and we will win, unless we leave before the job is done…we are pressing Iraq's leaders to take bold measures to save their country. ” He called Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki "the right man" to lead Iraq but emphasized "we'll push him," warning that US support would last "so long as he continues to make tough decisions." "We've got patience, but not unlimited patience," Bush said. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
China, France urge Iran to honour UN resolution on nuclear program BEIJING, Oct 26 (AFP) Chinese President Hu Jintao and his French counterpart Jacques Chirac called Thursday for Iran to honour a UN resolution threatening sanctions on Tehran if it failed to end its nuclear program. In a joint statement released following a meeting here, the pair also said they would maintain cooperation on the Iranian nuclear issue. "The two sides call for respect of Security Council resolution 1696 and agree to pursue their joint efforts for a resolution of the nuclear issue to maintain a close a permanent contact on this matter," the statement said. Also, they expressed serious concern Thursday over North Korea's nuclear test, calling it contrary to the stated goal of a denuclearized Korean peninsula. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
President offers Eid prayers at Faisal mosque ISLAMABAD, Oct 25 (APP): Eidul Fitr is being celebrated throughout Pakistan Wednesday with religious fervour. President General Pervez Musharraf offered Eid prayers at the Faisal mosque. Ministers, envoys of the Muslim countries and senior military and civil officials also offered prayers at the Faisal mosque, where prayers were offered for the country's progress and prosperity, just resolution of the Kashmir and Palestine disputes and unity and solidarity of the Ummah. Similar congregations were held all over the country.(Posted @ 13:25 PST)
Occupied Kashmir's pro-India ruling party pulls out of talks with Dehli Occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, Oct 25 (APP/AP) The pro-India ruling National Conference in Occupied Kashmir said Wednesday it had suspended talks with the federal government, citing human rights abuses by security forces. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's commitment of zero tolerance to human rights violations is translating into 100 percent tolerance to custodial killings on the ground,; said the leader of the National Conference, Omar Abdullah, announcing his party's move.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Russian strategic missile test fails: officials MOSCOW, Oct 25, 2006 (AFP) - The Russian defence ministry said that a test firing Wednesday of a Bulava strategic missile from a nuclear submarine had failed, Interfax reported. "Several minutes after the launch the missile strayed from its planned course. After this it seems the Bulava's self-destruction system went off and the missile fell into the sea," a navy representative was quoted as saying.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Tunisia closes embassy in Qatar over Al-Jazeera 'campaign' TUNIS, Oct 25, 2006 (AFP) - Tunisia closed its embassy in Doha Wednesday in protest at what it called a "hostile campaign" against it by the Qatar-based satellite channel Al-Jazeera, the Tunisian foreign ministry said.(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Bush expresses concern about recent Iraq events WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said Wednesday that he felt "serious concern" about the events of the past month in Iraq, citing the high US and Iraqi death tolls."The events of the past month have been a serious concern to me, and a serious concern to the American people,"he said at a press conference. His remarks came with less than two weeks before November 7 US legislative elections, at a time when his Republican party fears losing control of the House of Representatives, the Senate, or both, because of the unpopular war.(Posted @ 19:45 PST)
Pyongyang threatens war if S.Korea joins sanctions SEOUL, Oct 25 (Reuters) - North Korea warned South Korea on Wednesday against joining U.S.-led sanctions against Pyongyang and said it would take action after any such move by Seoul. South Korea's participation in sanctions would be seen as a serious provocation leading to a "crisis of war" on the Korean peninsula, a North Korean spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.(Posted @ 18:25 PST)
Attacks marr Bosnia's Eid celebrations SARAJEVO, Oct 25, 2006 (AFP) - Several mosques in the Serb-run half of Bosnia have been attacked during the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, police said on Wednesday. A mosque in the eastern town of Visegrad was slightly damaged by stone-throwing youths on Tuesday, police said in a statement. Five people aged between 19 and 21 were arrested. A similar attack occurred at a mosque in the northeastern town of Prijedor on Monday, the first day of Eid al-Fitr, and an Imam's house in the town was stoned on Tuesday, leading to the arrest of one person.(Posted @ 18:00 PST)
India's new FM sets peace with Pakistan and economy as priorities NEW DELHI, Oct 25, 2006 (AFP) - India's new foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said double-digit growth rate and peace with Pakistan were his immediate priorities. "Our objective is to have sustained economic growth in the range of nine to 10 percent (in the next year) and higher growth after that," said Mukherjee "For that, we require investment and access to technology and we also require to have peace and tranquility in our periphery," Mukherjee said. "It is desirable to live in peace and a tension-free atmosphere (with Pakistan),"the minister said. "We cannot alter our neighbours, therefore it is desirable... to create a tension-free neighbourhood."(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Don't drive North Korea into corner, says Putin MOSCOW, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The international community must not drive North Korea into a corner if a solution is to be found to the crisis around its nuclear test, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.Putin, answering questions on live television, was responding to a viewer from Nakhodka, on the coast of the Sea of Japan, who expressed concern at the close proximity of the Oct.9 test.The Kremlin leader described the test as "unacceptable" andsaid he shared the viewer's concern and not only because it had.been conducted 177 km (115 miles) from Russia's borders.(Posted @ 14:25 PST)
China introduces tough fines to protect Great Wall BEIJING, Oct 25 (APP/AFP) - Fines as high as 63,000 dollars will be imposed for damaging China's famous Great Wall under the central government's first set of uniform laws issued this week to preserve the ancient structure. The new regulations ban seven activities along the Great Wall that include defacing and building unauthorized structures on it, digging out soil or bricks, planting trees, carving names and organizing activities on sections of the wall not open to tourists.(Posted @ 13:30 PST)
Cricket-Chemical for dew control follows adhesive for pitch MUMBAI, India, Oct 25 (Reuters) - An attempt to reduce the impact of dew in day-night matches will be made during the Pakistan-New Zealand Champions Trophy Group B match in Mohali on Wednesday, the International Cricket Council said. A chemical used in farming will be sprayed on the outfield before the match following the adhesive used to bind a Brabourne Stadium pitch last week. "The chemical is not expected to eradicate dew completely, but it is hoped it will reduce it significantly," the ICC said in a statement. On Tuesday, Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said after his side's defeat to South Africa that the dew factor had played on his mind. "It's a tough call for all," he said, referring to the dilemma a captain faces on what to choose when winning a toss.(Posted @ 13:20 PST)
U.S. raids kill five in Baghdad's Sadr City BAGHDAD, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Overnight U.S. raids in Sadr City in Baghdad killed five and wounded at least six people, witnesses and hospital sources said Wednesday. The U.S. military had no immediate comment. Witnesses said aircraft launched strikes in the area. It was not immediately clear if there was any connection to the hunt for a U.S. soldier who went missing on Monday. "We are putting all our assets into finding the soldier," said Lt. Col. Steve Stoder. "We haven't done any air strikes (in the hunt for the soldier)," he added. A Reuters television cameraman filmed five bodies in a morgue and six people wounded, including one elderly woman, in hospital. A witness told Reuters two members of the Mehdi Army were among the dead.(Posted @ 13:12 PST)
Six killed in Madagascar air crash - minister ANTANANARIVO, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Six people died when their light plane crashed shortly after takeoff in the southwest of Madagascar, the transport minister said on Wednesday. Both Madagascan pilots and all four foreign passengers, whose nationalities were not known, died, he said. "The plane caught fire and the six bodies were all burnt to ashes," he added.(Posted @ 13:05 PST)
'A lot of nervousness' about British deal in Afghanistan: US Ambassador LONDON, Oct 25 (AFP) - The US ambassador to Afghanistan has questioned Britain's deal to pull out of previously insurgency-hit Musa Qala district in Helmand province, saying there is "a lot of nervousness" about it, The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday. "There is a lot of nervousness about who the truce was made with, who the arrangement was made with, and whether it will hold," Ronald Neumann told the newspaper in an interview in Kabul. ISAF commander General David Richards said at the time that the move was a "redeployment", stressing there had been no negotiations with the Taliban militia. The ambassador said the consequences of the takeover by local forces must be "rigorously tested" to ensure Musa Qala did not just morph into "a sanctuary for an area governed by the Taliban".(Posted @ 13:05 PST)
Afghan insurgents will change strategy, NATO supreme commander warns LONDON, Oct 25 (AFP) - Afghan insurgents will change their strategy and shift from fighting pitched battles with NATO forces in the country to car bomb tactics used in Iraq, NATO's supreme commander said in an interview published on Wednesday. "Militarily we will not be defeated ... Their strategy is that we suffer a loss as a result of 1,000 IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices)," General James Jones told The Daily Telegraph in an interview in Washington. General Jones also said there was a clear link between rampant drug production in Afghanistan and an increase in violence, noting that anti-drug campaigns must have a real impact to prevent further attacks. "The link between narcotics and insurgents is now clear ... There has to be more focus, more cohesion in counter-narcotics," he said.(Posted @ 12:55 PST)
Seven killed, eight missing in Vietnam boat accident HANOI, Oct 25 (AFP) - A boat accident in northern Vietnam killed seven people and left at least eight missing, police said Wednesday. "We found the bodies of seven people among the 22 or 23 people on board the boat that capsized Tuesday on Da river," said a police official. Eight people were rescued.(Posted @ 12:52 PST)
Five women dead in Indonesia Eid bridge collapse JAKARTA, Oct 25 (AFP) - Five women died in Indonesia when a footbridge overloaded with Eid al-Fitr holidaymakers gave way, a radio report and hospital officials said Wednesday. About 30 people plunged 20 metres into a gully when a tension cable holding the hanging bridge, in a popular hill resort, snapped sending everyone down, in Baturaden, in Central Java's Banyumas district. There was no indication why all the victims were women. None fell into the river below, volunteers said.(Posted @ 12:48 PST)
Chirac arrives in China for four-day visit BEIJING, Oct 25 (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac arrived in China Wednesday for a four-day visit that is expected to see the two nations build on their strong economic links. He is due to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday morning.(Posted @ 12:42 PST)
Kashmiris celebrate Eid in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Oct 25 (AFP) - Muslims in occupied Kashmir thronged mosques Wednesday to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr praying for peace and also freedom from continued Indian occupation of the disputed region. Hizbul Mujahedin, in an Eid message, vowed to continue "its armed struggle against Indian occupation". "We will continue our armed struggle till it reaches its logical end," the group said, urging people to remember "martyrs". Puppet Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad urged militants to shun violence in his Eid message. "Violence will take us nowhere. All issues can be discussed around the table," he said. On Tuesday, suspected militants killed a pro-India politician and a policeman, and also bombed a cable TV office, killing a bystander. They also attacked a police station in the region.(Posted @ 12:40 PST)
NATO troops kill 38 insurgents in southern Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Oct 25 (AFP) - NATO soldiers killed 38 insurgents in southern Afghanistan in strikes against militants trying to infiltrate an area where a major anti-Taliban operation was launched last month, the force said Wednesday. "In two separate engagements we killed 38 insurgents yesterday (Tuesday) through very careful targeting against specific groups of insurgents trying to infiltrate back into Zhari and Panjwayi (districts)," a spokesman for the NATO force said.(Posted @ 12:30 PST)
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