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| October 31, 2006 | Tuesday | Shawwal 7, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistan airstrike dead were all militants: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Oct 31 (AFP) Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said Tuesday that 80 people killed in a raid on a religious school near the Afghan border were all militants undergoing training. "They were militants doing military training. We were watching them for the last six or seven days - we knew exactly who they are, what they are doing," Musharraf told a security conference in Islamabad. "They were all militants using weapons doing military training within the compound…anyone who says that these people were innocent taliban (religious students) is telling lies," Musharraf said. (Posted @ 16:05 PST)
Thousands protest against Bajaur air strike KHAR, Pakistan, Oct 31 (Agencies) Over 15,000 people protested in Khar, the main town of Bajaur tribal district, against a pre-dawn air strike on a religious seminary that killed around 80 people. Authorities closed all entry routes to the city to prevent outsiders from coming into Bajaur in order to maintain law and order, a local administration official said. In Peshawar, schools and offices were open and public transport was operating, but extra security was deployed as a precautionary measure. In Karachi also, police stepped up security around the US Consulate, closing a main road leading to the building. (First Posted @ 11:15 PST Updated @ 14:10 PST)
US military intelligence used in Bajaur raid: Sultan ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct 31 (Agencies) Pakistan used intelligence provided by U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan in a raid on a religious seminary that killed 80 people, Pakistan's chief army spokesman, Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan, said Tuesday. Sultan declined to say what ``percentage'' of help was provided by the U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan. ``Intelligence sharing was definitely there, but to say they (the coalition) have carried out the operation, that is absolutely wrong,'' he said. Meanwhile, a U.S. military spokesman in Afghanistan denied any involvement in the airstrike. "I can assure you without doubt that the United States military in Afghanistan had nothing to do with that attack," Colonel Tom Collins said in a television interview. (First Posted @ 13:00 PST Updated @ 14:15 PST)
Talks on North Korea nukes to restart soon: US envoy BEIJING, Oct 31 (AFP) Six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear program are likely to resume as early as November, US negotiator Christopher Hill announced Tuesday. (Posted @ 17:34 PST)
ECC approves setting up of coastal oil refinery for export purposes ISLAMABAD, Oct 31 (APP): The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) Tuesday decided to set up a coastal oil refinery for export purpose at Khalifa point near Hub in Balochistan at a cost of US $ 5 billion. The construction work on the oil refinery would be started in the July-August 2007 and commissioned by the year 2010-11. He said that a consortium of official Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) is investing in the refinery. The Advisor Finance Ministry said that ECC was also informed that in the Province of Sindh 28.5 mmcf natural gas per day has been newly discovered. (Posted @ 23:52 PST)
Bangladesh caretaker government officials sworn in DHAKA, Oct 31, (AFP) - The advisory council of Bangladesh's caretaker government was sworn in late Tuesday facing an opposition deadline to prove its neutrality and guarantee fair polls in January. (Posted @ 23:46 PST)
Israel defense minister says Saudi peace initiative could be basis for talks TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct 31 (AP) _ Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz on Tuesday said a dormant Saudi initiative for Mideast peace could be a ``basis for negotiations.'' Peretz, speaking at an academic conference, said he was not endorsing the plan. Nonetheless, he was the most senior Israeli official even to consider it. (Posted @ 23:32 PST)
Explosion at a school in east Lebanon kills 1 adult, wounds another BAALBEK, Lebanon, October 31, (AP) _ An explosion at a school in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley killed a bus driver and seriously wounded the deputy principal Tuesday, Hezbollah and a school official said. The explosion took place in the city of Baalbek, the birthplace of Hezbollah, some 15 kilometers from the Syrian border. (Posted @ 23:22 PST)
Bush freezes assets of key officials, businesses in DRCongo WASHINGTON, Oct 31, (AFP) - President George W. Bush on Tuesday ordered the blocking of assets belonging to several political officials and businesses that he says are contributing to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Posted @ 23:10 PST)
Rumsfeld approves plan for further increase in Iraqi security forces WASHINGTON, Oct 31, (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Donald Rumfeld Tuesday approved of a proposal to increase the size of the Iraqi security forces beyond 325,000 and accelerate their training. Rumsfeld would not say how many more Iraqi security forces that General George Casey recommended be added to a force that now stands at about 310,000 and had been slated to grow to 325,000. "I am very comfortable with the increases they have proposed and the acceleration in achieving some of those targets that they have proposed," Rumsfeld told reporters. (Posted @ 23:02 PST)
Wedding car bomb kills 15 in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Oct 31 (AFP) A car bomb blast ripped through a wedding party in Ur district north of Baghdad Tuesday, killing 15 guests, including four children and wounding 19 more, a security official said. "A terrorist left a car parked on the street corner and, when the bridegroom's family arrived in a convoy, he set off a bomb," he said. (Posted @ 21:40 PST)
Seven injured as lightning hits Turkey football pitch ANKARA, Oct 31 (AFP) Seven members of a Turkish second division football team were hospitalized, two in serious condition, after lightning struck their pitch during training on Tuesday, the Anatolia news agency reported. (Posted @ 21:38 PST)
Al-Qaeda leaders frequented bombed Pakistan madrassa: official ISLAMABAD, Oct 31 (AFP) The madrassa targeted in Bajaur airstrikes was frequented by top Al-Qaeda militants including Ayman Al-Zawahiri and the alleged mastermind of the foiled London airlines attack, a senior security official said Tuesday. Neither Zawahiri nor Abu Obaida Al-Misri were in the school, or madrassa, at the time of the raid on Monday, the official said in a briefing to journalists, adding that “the madrassa was frequently visited by Al-Qaeda leaders, including Ayman Al-Zawahiri and Abu Obaida Al-Misri.” He did not disclose when Zawahiri or Al-Misri were last in the seminary. (Posted @ 21:36 PST)
Pak-India talks on Railway begin NEW DELHI, Oct 31 (PPI) The two-day talks between Railway officials of Pakistan and India began in New Delhi on Tuesday. Prior to the talks, the leader of the Pakistan delegation told reporters that the two sides would review the facilities being provided to the passengers travelling across the border, discuss matters relating to trade and freight. (Posted @ 21:26 PST)
Pakistan to maintain quantifying force Level: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Oct31 (PPI) President General Pervez Musharraf Tuesday said that Pakistan's focus would continue to remain in the traditional security sphere so far as the threat or use of threat of force remains in our region and till the resolution of all outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India including the core issue of Kashmir. Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day international seminar on "Security in South Asia in the non-traditional spheres and Human Security" he said the non-traditional sphere is multi-dimensional and despite a paradigm shift from traditional to non-traditional security internationally Pakistan's focus would remain in the traditional sphere. He said extremism and terrorism have seeds leading to traditional security areas. The President said the ethnic, regional and sectarian strife alongside poverty and unemployment are also posing threat in the non-traditional spheres. He said lack of development in the social sectors and empowerment people including spawns extremism and terrorism. He said women and minorities must be empowered politically especially the marginalized people to bring harmony in the society. (Posted @ 20:54 PST)
Blair to visit Islamabad on Nov 20-21 ISLAMABAD, Oct 31 (PPI) British Prime Minister Tony Blair is likely to arrive here on two-day official visit on Nov 20-21. Diplomatic sources said Tuesday that Blair would visit Afghanistan ahead of his visit to Islamabad. (Posted @ 20:34 PST)
Wasim Akram leads Special Olympics torch run KARACHI, October 31 (PPI) Former cricket captain and Pakistan’s Special Olympics ambassador Wasim Akram Tuesday led the torch run from Lahore to Wagah Border to mark the Special Cricket World Cup in Mumbai from November 6-13. He was joined by a large number of fans besides the participating Pakistani teams in the torch run from Shalimar Gardens to the Wagah Border where he handed over the torch to Indian film star Akshay Kumar. Pakistan will field three teams including a women’s outfit in the competition. Teams from Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India are also participating. (Posted @ 20:08 PST)
NWFP Assembly condemns Bajaur Operation PESHAWAR, October 31, (PPI) The NWFP Assembly Tuesday passed a unanimous resolution condemning the federal government for killing innocent Muslims in an air raid on a madrassa in Bajaur and demanded punishment for those responsible and compensation to the victims. The leaders of opposition parties presented the joint draft resolution with the treasury benches. Soon after the passage of the resolution, the Speaker adjourned the House to express solidarity with the people of Bajaur. A total 28 legislators from treasury and opposition benches took part in the debate. Winding up the debate, chief minister Akram Khan Durrani termed the incident deplorable, shameful and condemnable, but urged the members to take a mature, effective and positive stance for the permanent solution of the crises instead of becoming emotional. "We had been demanding solution of problems through dialogue. Use of force is not the solution,” he said. (Posted @ 19:58 PST)
Iraq says needs $100 bln to rebuild infrastructure KUWAIT, Oct 31 (Reuters) Iraq needs around $100 billion over the next four to five years to rebuild its shattered infrastructure, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said at a news conference in Kuwait, during a meeting of officials from donor countries and the United Nations to discuss reconstruction and economic reform in Iraq Tuesday. (Posted @ 19:20 PST)
Indian soldier kills officer in occupied Kashmir camp SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir (Reuters) An Indian soldier shot Lt.Col. Sakat Saxena dead at an army camp in occupied Kashmir on Tuesday in the fourth such fatal shooting in a little over a week, an army spokesman said. (First Posted @ 16:40 PST Updated @ 19:06 PST)
Israel kills three Palestinian militants in Gaza GAZA, Oct 31 (Reuters) Israeli troops killed three Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday during clashes between gunmen and soldiers near Khan Younis, medics said. Six others, including two militants, were also wounded. (First Posted @ 10:50 PST Updated @ 19:04 PST)
Saddam soldiers threw executed Kurds in ditch: witness BAGHDAD, Oct 31 (Reuters) A Kurdish man told a court trying Saddam Hussein for genocide on Tuesday he saw Iraqi soldiers marching Kurdish prisoners from a bus and killing them before dumping their bodies in a ditch. The judge later adjourned proceedings for a week until Nov 7. Saddam is due to hear a verdict and a possible death sentence in a separate trial, for crimes against humanity involving Shi'ites, on Nov 5. (Posted @ 18:56 PST)
40 missing in mass kidnapping; 16 bodies found in Iraq Baghdad, Oct 31 (Reuters) More than 40 people were missing after gunmen mounted a mass kidnap attack on minibuses travelling to Baghdad near Tarmiya, 30 km, north of the capital, a spokesman for the Joint Coordination Center for Iraqi and U.S. forces in Tikrit said. Meanwhile, 16 bodies were found in Suwayra and Baquba towns. Bodies of five gunmen were found in an orchard which was the scene of clashes between gunmen and the police several days ago near Suwayra, 40 km south of Baghdad. Bodies of three more people were retrieved from the Tigris river in same town. While bodies of eight more people were found, bound and gagged, in Baquba. (Posted @ 18:52 PST)
Four days of floods in Ethiopia kill more than 60 people ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Oct 30 (AP) Four days of devastating floods along Ethiopia's eastern border have killed more than 60 people, and prowling crocodiles were hampering rescue efforts as rain continued to fall, officials said Tuesday. (Posted @ 18:30 PST)
Four suspects in bombing near US Consulate in Karachi acquitted KARACHI, Oct 30 (AP) The Sindh High Court Tuesday set aside the death sentence and life imprisonment of four terror suspects convicted in a 2002 car bombing outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi that killed 14 Pakistanis and wounded 40 others. A trial court had sentenced Mohammed Hanif and Mohammed Imran to death and Mohammed Sharib and Hafiz Zubair to life imprisonment for ``masterminding'' the bombing. The appeals court overruled the lower court order on the ground that the sentence was based on ``flawed evidence.'' Prosecution lawyer said the government will examine Tuesday's ruling by the Sindh High Court before filing an appeal in the Supreme Court to reinstate the convictions in the attack. (Posted @ 18:28 PST)
Three NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan blast KABUL, Oct 31 (AFP) Three NATO soldiers were killed and one wounded Tuesday when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle in eastern Nuristan province, NATO's ISAF said. Taliban spokesman also put the death toll at three. (First Posted @14:00 PST Updated @ 17:54 PST)
Two militants sentenced to death in Pakistan KARACHI, Oct 31 (AFP) An anti-terrorism court in Karachi Tuesday sentenced to death two Lashkar-i-Jhangvi militants for an attack on a bus carrying employees of Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) that left six people dead on the outskirts of Karachi. Convicts Shahnawaz, alias Shani, and Mohammad Shaukat also got 20-year jail terms on other counts, court officials said. They were convicted of attacking the bus in October 2003 that was carrying SUPARCO employees for Friday prayers. Defence lawyer said they would challenge the sentence in a higher court, saying the evidence against them was flawed. (Posted @ 17:42 PST)
Five killed, six injured in Sri Lanka clashes COLOMBO, Oct 31 (AFP) At least five people were reported killed and six others injured in separate clashes Tuesday between Tamil rebels and government troops in north and east Sri Lanka, defence officials said. (First Posted @ 10:00 PST Updated @ 17:36 PST)
Iran says Europe lacks authority in atomic talks TEHRAN, Oct 31 (Reuters) Iran's president has told his Russian counterpart talks over Iran's nuclear dispute were being hindered because the European side did not have enough authority, Iran's state television reported Tuesday. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made the comments to Russia's Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation, the report said. Moscow had said the telephone discussion took place on Monday. (Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Qazi, MMA leaders prevented to enter Bajaur Bajaur, Pakistan, Oct 31 (PPI) Qazi Hussain Ahmed President Muttahidda Malis-e-Amal (MMA) and Amir Jamaat-e-Islami and other MMA leaders were denied entry to Bajaur agency Tuesday morning. Political authorities of the agency however denied entry to outsiders. Meanwhile a delegation of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazal) led by Maulana Shujaa-ul-Malik was stopped at Mehmand tribal agency and prevented to enter into Bajaur. They strongly protested over the administration's decision banning their entry. (Posted @ 16:40 PST)
Iraqi PM orders end to Sadr City blockade BAGHDAD, Oct 31 (AFP) Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki ordered the removal Tuesday of road blocks and checkpoints around the Sadr City district of Baghdad. "The prime minister, in his capacity as commander in chief of the armed forces, has decided to lift the blockade of the access roads to Sadr City and other areas of Baghdad," a statement from Maliki's office said. Earlier today (Tuesday), shops were shut and many workers stayed at home in Sadr City to protest the U.S. military’s siege of the suburb. Journalists in the area said there were few cars on the streets and most shops and businesses were shut. Some bakeries selling bread and essential items were open. The U.S. military said Iraqi Special Forces detained three people in Sadr City early on Tuesday. (Posted@14:00 PST, Updated@ 16:05 PST)
Three killed, 32 injured in Pakistan bus accident KHANEWAL, Pakistan, Oct 31 (APP) Three persons were killed and 32 injured when a speeding passenger bus turned turtle near Khanewal Tuesday, police said. According to initial information, the injured were admitted to district headquarters (DHQ) hospital Khanewal. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Tajik president, Aga Khan open bridge to Afghanistan ISHKASHIM, Tajikistan, Oct 31 (AFP) Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov and the Aga Khan inaugurated a bridge into Afghanistan Tuesday. Thousands of the Aga Khan's followers turned out in traditional robes on both the Afghan and Tajik sides of the River Pyandzh at Ishkashim, located near Afghanistan's Wakhan corridor. The Agha Khan said that with the new bridge, "products from China now have a fast road transit route to Afghanistan”. “The Ishhashim bridge is not only a transit point, it is a meeting place…communities on each side of the border will know each other better and be able to help each other grow and prosper," he said. (Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Thirty-five coal miners trapped in China BEIJING, Oct 31 (AFP) At least 35 workers were trapped underground in a Chinese coal mine in the northwestern province of Gansu after a gas explosion Tuesday afternoon, Xinhua news agency said, adding that the cause of the explosion was still unknown. (Posted @ 15:35 PST)
Suicide attack in Afghanistan kills a policeman KABUL, Oct 31 (AFP) A man detonated explosives strapped to his body near a police patrol in southern Afghanistan’s Ghazni province’s Ander district Tuesday, killing a policeman, interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary said. (Posted @ 15:30 PST)
Prince Charles, Camilla visit university in Rawalpindi ISLAMABAD, Oct 31 (AFP) Britain's heir to the throne Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visited the Fatima Jinnah University in Rawalpindi Tuesday. The couple met teachers and students, and Charles also delivered a speech on education there, officials said. (First Posted @ 13:05 PST Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Eighteen killed as Indian train rams taxi CHENNAI, India, Oct 31 (Reuters) Eighteen people, including 14 women farm labourers, were killed when a passenger train hit their shared taxi as they travelled to work in the Tamil Nadu state on Tuesday, officials said. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Three killed in Baghdad bomb attack BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct 31 (AP) A car bomb killed three people and wounded five others in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood early Tuesday. (Posted @ 12:25 PST)
NATO warplanes kill 12 in Afghanistan KABUL, Oct 31 (AFP) NATO warplanes killed 12 insurgents in the southern province of Kandahar late Monday, the alliance's force here said Tuesday. (Posted @ 12:25 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan files written complaint against umpire Hair KARACHI, Oct 31 (Reuters) Pakistan lodged a formal written complaint Tuesday against Australian umpire Darrell Hair, asking the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hold an inquiry into his conduct during the controversial Oval test in August. "The letter is basically a charge sheet against Hair outlining instances where we feel he violated the umpires Code of Conduct during the Oval incident," Saleem Altaf, director cricket operations, told reporters via telephone from India on Tuesday. The ICC have included the issue on the agenda of its executive board meeting in Mumbai on Nov. 3. "We believe that an inquiry into Hair's conduct is necessary as it will have a bearing on the compensation claim filed by England against us for loss of revenues in the test," Altaf said. "We also believe the forfeiture is a result and the match was completed," Altaf added. (Posted @ 12:20 PST)
India's Yuvraj ruled out of South Africa one-dayers MOHALI, India, Oct 31 (AFP) India's Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out of next month's one-day series in South Africa due to a knew injury, the cricket board said Tuesday. Yuvraj will be examined again in two weeks to determine if he will be available for the subsequent three-Test series in South Africa, Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah said. Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthick will take Yuvraj's place in the 16-man squad which leaves for South Africa on November 13. (Posted @ 11:15 PST)
Two U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct 31 (AP) The U.S. military announced Tuesday the deaths of two soldiers who were killed in Baghdad, raising the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq fighting this month to 103. (Posted @ 11:05 PST)
Two die, 50 hurt in Bangladesh train accident DHAKA, Oct 31 (Reuters) Two people were killed and 50 were injured when a passenger train jumped the tracks near Bangladesh's port city of Chittagong on Monday night, transport officials said on Tuesday. The authorities were investigating the cause of the crash. (Posted @ 10:55 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 200.56 points: KARACHI, Oct 31: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11327.71, down 200.56 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Oct 31: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.65 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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