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| November 02, 2006 | Thursday | Shawwal 9, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Car bomb kills three near Pakistan police chief's office QUETTA, Pakistan, Nov 2 (AFP) A bomb exploded in a moving car outside a provincial police chief's office in Quetta on Thursday, killing three people including a policeman, police said. The driver was also among those who died in the blast in Quetta, but police said he was not a suicide bomber and was likely taking the bomb to another location. The powerful explosion completely destroyed the car, leaving only the driver's head still identifiable, and human limbs and pieces of flesh were scattered across the tarmac, a correspondent said. A policeman was also injured, police said. A bomb disposal squad said it was a timed device carrying some 15 kilogrammes of explosives. The blast happened hours after police found an explosives-laden scooter fitted with a timer and parked near the city's main police station, police added. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
Senior Baghdad University academic killed BAGHDAD, Nov 2 (Reuters) A Baghdad University dean was killed along with his wife and son in a drive-by shooting in Baghdad’s Adhamiya district on Thursday, an Interior Ministry source said. Jasim al-Thahabi was the dean of Baghdad University's Administration and Economics department. (Posted @ 21:52 PST)
Car bomb in Baghdad's Sadr City kills seven, wounds 26 BAGHDAD, Nov 2 (Reuters) A car bomb killed seven people and wounded 26 others as it ripped through a crowded market in Baghdad's Sadr City district on Thursday, an interior ministry source said. (Posted @ 21:40 PST)
Pakistan for deeper economic ties with Belgium: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Nov 2 (APP): Pakistan is looking forward to forge closer ties with Belgium in multi-faceted areas and desires greater market access for Pakistani products, President General Pervez Musharraf said Thursday after talking to Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht. De Gucht informed Musharraf about his discussions at various levels since his arrival in Pakistan, which focused on debt swap agreement, cooperation in energy sector involving clean use of coal, food and fruit processing and the idea of a roundtable meeting between the concerned bodies of the two sides for developing research and higher learning as well as technical training. The president welcomed Belgium’s interest in these areas and underlined that cooperation would be mutually beneficial. (Posted @ 20:54 PST)
Pakistan to welcome investment from Kuwait: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Nov 2 (APP): Pakistan is a growing economy with attractive opportunities for investors and welcomes investment from Kuwait and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Thursday in his meeting with the deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Noor Financial Investment Company of Kuwait, Naser Al Marri, who called on him here at the Prime Minister's House. Aziz said Pakistan and Kuwait share historical relations and it was encouraging to see a growing interest of Kuwaiti companies in Pakistan. Al Marri said that several projects under the group were under consideration including real estate development, hotels and refineries. (Posted @ 20:42 PST)
Pakistan, Sri Lanka enjoy excellent relations: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Nov 2 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday said Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy excellent relations and the two countries hold similar views on a number of regional and international issues. Talking to former President of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranika Kamartunga, who called on him here at the PM house today, Aziz said Sri Lanka is an important member of SAARC and the two countries have stood by each other in difficult times. Kamartunga is visiting Pakistan to attend the World Islamic Economic Forum and would advise Pakistan on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of earthquake affected areas, and implementation of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. (Posted @ 20:40 PST)
International media watchdog demands probe into Pakistani journalist's killing ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) An international media rights group Thursday demanded Pakistani authorities to probe the death of a journalist, Malik Mohammed Ismail, who was killed in the capital in what police said Thursday was a premeditated attack. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists demanded an ``immediate and high-level'' investigation into Ismail's killing, the group said in a statement late Wednesday. ``An alarming number of Pakistani journalists have been killed with impunity in the last four years. The government must show that it is determined to end this very poor record by waging a timely and thorough investigation,'' Joel Simon, CPJs executive director said. CPJ said at least nine journalists in Pakistan were killed for their work since 2002. (Posted @ 20:22 PST)
Suspected spy executed in Bajaur tribal region KHAR, Pakistan, Nov 2 (AP) Militants shot dead a man in Bajaur tribal region suspected of spying for Pakistani and U.S. authorities and providing intelligence used in this week's air raid on a seminary that killed 80 people, witnesses and an official said Thursday. (Posted @ 20:16 PST)
China to build satellite navigation system BEIJING, Nov 2 (AFP) China announced Thursday plans to build a satellite navigation system that will include up to 35 satellites and be working in the Asian region by 2008, state press said. The system, called "Beidou", will include five geostationary earth orbit satellites and 30 medium earth orbit satellites, Xinhua news agency said. Navigation services open to commercial customers will provide users with positioning accuracy within 10 meters (33 feet), velocity accuracy within 0.2 meters per second and timing accuracy within 50 nanoseconds, the report said. (Posted @ 20:14 PST)
Palestinian president urges US to stop Israel Gaza offensive RAMALLAH, West Bank, Nov 2 (AFP) Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas called on the United States Thursday to intervene and stop Israel's deadly incursion into Gaza. During discussions with US assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs David Welch in the West Bank, Abbas "again strongly condemned the Israeli crimes committed in Gaza, which constitute a flagrant violation against our people," Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat told reporters. (Posted @ 20:10 PST)
Mubarak meets Putin for talks on nuclear power, Middle East MOSCOW, Nov 2 (AFP) Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin here on Thursday for talks on the Middle East conflict and reviving Egypt's nuclear energy programme. "We confirmed our intention to strengthen further relations in the economic and trade spheres, in the fields of peaceful nuclear energy, space, computers and hi-tech," Mubarak said after meeting Putin in the Kremlin. In his remarks, Putin referred to Cairo as a key regional partner for Moscow and said Egypt could play "a vital role in establishing contacts between Palestine and Israel and in bringing much-needed accord to Palestinian ranks." (Posted @ 19:26 PST)
Gunmen kill 12 in Iraq’s Diyala province BAQUBA, Iraq, Nov 2 (AFP) Gunmen killed at least 12 people on Thursday in a series of attacks in Diyala province, including three policemen, security officials said. (Posted @ 19:24 PST)
Foreign forces still needed for 2-3 years: Iraqi president PARIS, Nov 2 (AFP) Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said on Thursday he did not envisage US-led forces withdrawing from his country before two to three years, despite a US call for them to leave in half the time. "We think that we need time, not 30 years, but we need some years" for Iraqi forces to be ready to take over security nationwide, he told a conference in Paris, at the start of a state visit to France. "On the whole, there is no civil war," he said, blaming "gangs and extremists" for the continuing bloodshed. (Posted @ 19:20 PST)
Cricket-Doping ban a 'disaster' for Pakistan cricket, ex-players say ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov 2 (Agencies) The doping bans handed down to top fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif are a disaster for Pakistan cricket, ex-Pakistani cricketers said Thursday. "There has to be an example set for future generations as steroids are harmful and banned -- but without knowing the details of the judgment I would say it's a harsh decision," cricket legend Imran Khan said. Chief selector Wasim Bari endorsed Imran, saying that the ban was "tragic" for Pakistan's chances in the World Cup. Sarfraz Nawaz, who spearheaded the country's pace attack in the 1970s, said the Pakistan board had no choice but to impose the ban following the verdict of the three-man independent tribunal. ``It's a disaster for Pakistan cricket. As we have seen in the ICC Champions Trophy, without these two bowlers Pakistan are scrambled, they finished nowhere,'' Nawaz said, adding ``Their hopes of contention in the World Cup, of reaching the semis or final are very remote now.'' Former skipper Rashid Latif criticized the bans as harsh, and called for them to be halved on appeal. ``A two-year ban is too much. Shane Warne got one year before the last World Cup…Pakistan traditionally has a good fast bowling attack. Now we don't have any in the side,'' he said. Former Pakistan skipper and coach, Javed Miandad, said that while he ``felt sorry'' for Akhtar and Asif, he backed the board's decision. ``Players are heroes and ambassadors, and they should act like that and play like gentlemen cricketers,'' he said. (First Posted @ 12:15 PST Updated @ 19:12 PST)
Cricket-Skipper Inzy says feels drug-ban pair's pain KARACHI, Nov 2 (AFP): Skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq said Thursday he felt the pain of bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif after they were banned for doping, adding that the team would badly miss their pace. "I can understand how the two were feeling and I am hurt myself over the incidents," said Inzamam. "Their absence will make a difference in our performance. Asif's career had just taken off and both he and Akhtar were our main wicket-takers," added Inzamam. The veteran skipper said he was confident both players would appeal their bans. "Even our series against the West Indies will become tough without them," he said, referring to Pakistan's three-match Test and five-match one day international home series starting later this month. (Posted @ 18:48 PST)
Cricket-Alam has no regrets over Shoaib and Asif bans KARACHI, Nov 2 (Reuters) Former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam said Thursday he had no regrets about imposing the doping bans on Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif that effectively ruled them out of the 2007 World Cup. "We have set the example for others," Alam, a member of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) drug testing tribunal, told the Bigstar Cricket Web site. "We didn't have any doubts in our minds about what we have announced. They admitted themselves that they had been taking dietary supplements. They are both adults and players have to be responsible for their own actions. Sometimes you have to take these decisions," he said. Explaining the different length of punishments given to the players, Alam said: "Shoaib has been around for the last 10 years and the written statement that his spokesman gave about him taking dietary supplements and not consulting a doctor, shows he was negligent." He said the tribunal had been more lenient with Asif because his English was not that good and he comes from a remote village where he would not have been educated on the dangers of drugs in sport. (Posted @ 18:44 PST)
Cricket-ICC commends PCB handling of doping trial MUMBAI, India, Nov 2 (Reuters) The International Cricket Council on Thursday praised the Pakistan Cricket Board for their handling of the doping trial involving fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif. "It is a tragedy that the careers of two cricketers have been tarnished in this way but, at the same time, the judgement emphasises that cricket has a zero tolerance of drug use," ICC president Percy Sonn said in a statement." Sonn said that from an ICC perspective, the judgement was very satisfactory and that it made constant reference to guidelines laid down in the PCB's anti-doping code. He also urged other ICC members without their own testing regimes to adopt such a process so cricket would be able to show its commitment to becoming a drug-free sport. (Posted @ 18:40 PST)
Charles, Camilla visit Lahore LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 2 (AFP) Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visited Lahore Thursday. They spent three hours in the eastern city touring a historic Sikh temple and the 150-year-old Anglican Cathedral Church of the Resurrection, as well as the red sandstone Badshahi Mosque. They also stopped over at the mausoleum of Pakistan’s legendary poet Allama Iqbal. (First Posted @ 16:16 PST Updated @ 18:36 PST)
Coalition kills four insurgents in Afghanistan KABUL, Nov 2 (AFP) US-led coalition troops killed four insurgents and arrested two late Wednesday in Nuristan province, Afghan police said Thursday. (Posted @ 18:26 PST)
Indian border guard killed in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Nov 2 (AFP) Gunmen shot dead a border security guard and injured two others at a crowded market in Srinagar Thursday, a border security spokesman said. (Posted @ 18:24 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan looks to Shabbir after bowlers banned KARACHI, Nov 2 (Reuters) Pakistan will try to resurrect the career of banned pacer Shabbir Ahmed following the doping bans imposed on Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, an official said Thursday. Shabbir has been serving a 12-month ban from the International Cricket Council (ICC) since last December for having an illegal bowling action. Bowlers Akhtar and Asif received two- and one-year bans respectively on Wednesday from a Pakistan Cricket Board drugs tribunal for testing positive for the banned steroid nandrolone outside competition. "Obviously when you lose two key bowlers like Shoaib and Asif it does affect the team...which is why we will be sending Shabbir to Australia on Nov 20 for biomechanic tests on his bowling action," Saleem Altaf, director cricket operations, told Reuters via telephone from India. (Posted @ 17:16 PST)
India's army chief orders probe into soldiers killing colleagues in occupied Kashmir NEW DELHI, Nov 2 (AP) India's army chief, Gen. J.J. Singh ordered an investigation into several cases of soldiers turning their weapons on their colleagues in occupied Kashmir, officials said Thursday. In the past 10 days there have been at least four cases of soldiers in occupied Kashmir fatally shooting colleagues, then committing suicide. The probe was ordered Wednesday after the latest incident in which an army soldier shot and killed his unit commander a day earlier, an army spokesman said. (Posted @ 16:48 PST)
EU presidency meetings with Turkey, Cyprus cancelled: Finland BRUSSELS, Nov 2 (AFP) The European Union's Finnish presidency has cancelled meetings with Turkish and Cypriot officials planned for Sunday and Monday and just ahead of a crucial EU report on Turkey, a Finnish spokesman said Thursday. (Posted @ 16:24 PST)
Israeli forces kill four Palestinians in Gaza GAZA, Nov 2 (Reuters) Israeli forces backed by tanks killed four Palestinians in Gaza on Thursday including two civilians, medics said. (First Posted @ 12:10 PST, Updated@ 15:41 PST)
Clashes in Sri Lanka kill one government soldier, two rebels COLOMBO, Nov 2 (AP) Tamil Tiger rebels fired artillery at troops guarding a closed highway in northern Sri Lanka on Thursday, killing one soldier and wounding two, while troops shot and killed two rebels during a clash in the east, the military said. Separately, Sri Lankan air force jets bombed the Tamil rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi, killing at least four people, a rebel spokesman said. (First Posted @ 09:15 PST, Updated@ 15:36 PST)
Blair to visit Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Nov 2 (AFP) British Prime Minister Tony Blair is to travel to Pakistan later this month for talks with President Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistani foreign office said Thursday. "Mr Blair is expected here later this month and the dates for the summit meeting will be announced after mutual consultations," foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told AFP. (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Khatami urges US pullout from Iraq LONDON, Nov 2 (AFP) A US troop pullout from Iraq would be a "major step" towards restoring stability there, Iran's former president Mohammad Khatami lamented Thursday in an interview with BBC radio that US policies in the Middle East have fuelled radicalism worldwide. He also voiced regret at a "wall of misunderstanding" between the United States and Tehran, which Washington accuses of wanting to build nuclear weapons. (Posted @ 15:10 PST)
China wants North Korea talks as soon as possible BEIJING, Nov 2 (AFP) China called Thursday for the next round of six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program to take place as soon as possible. "It is our belief that it is better to hold this as early as possible," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters.(Posted @ 14:45 PST)
Cricket- Pakistan's Akhtar to appeal career-threatening ban KARACHI, Nov 2 (AFP) Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar will appeal against a two-year drugs ban, his doctor said Thursday, as a tribunal's report showed the paceman took vitamins and herbal medicines without telling team staff. "Akhtar is devastated by the decision and he is definitely going to appeal against the ban," Akhtar’s personal doctor Tauseef Razzaq told AFP. Razzaq said Akhtar was consulting his lawyer about appealing to the high court against the ban as he felt the decision was unjust and career-threatening.(Posted @ 12:50 PST)
Iraq gunmen kill three police BAGHDAD, Nov 2 (AFP) Gunmen assaulted a police checkpoint on Sinaa Street in the Alwiya district of Karrada in Baghdad Thursday, killing three officers and wounding another, a security official said.(Posted @ 12:35 PST)
Iran fires ballistic missiles in war games TEHRAN, Nov 2 (AFP) - Iran fired its first ballistic Shahab-3 missiles carrying cluster bombs at the start of war games Thursday, Al-Alam television reported. "Shahab missiles, carrying cluster warheads, with a reach of 2,000 kilometers were fired from the desert near (the clerical epicentre) of Qom," 120 kilometers south of Tehran, the report (Posted @ 11:30 PST)said.
US soldier killed in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Nov 2 (AFP) A US soldier was killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad Wednesday, the military said Thursday, announcing November's first confirmed death.(Posted @ 10:45 PST)
Moroccan wins Iran's Holocaust cartoon contest TEHRAN, Nov 2 (Reuters) – Moroccan cartoonist Abdellah Derkaoui won first prize onWednesday in Iran's International Holocaust Cartoons Contest, which had sparked outrage in Israel, the West and among Jewish groups. Iran's best-selling newspaper, Hamshahri, had launched the competition in February in retaliation for last year's publication of blasphemous cartoons in Danish and other European newspapers. Organisers said some 1,193 drawings were received from 62 countries including some European states where it is a crime to deny the Holocaust. Some 204 were on display.(Posted @ 09:25 PST)
Nuclear power is 'essential tool': IEA LONDON, Nov 2 (AFP) - The International Energy Agency will urge countries around the world to accelerate construction of nuclear power plants next week, the IEA's chief economist told the Financial Times in an interview published on Thursday. Fatih Birol, speaking ahead of the publication of the agency's World Energy Outlook, said that countries must convince their voters that nuclear power was both safe and an "essential tool" to meet domestic energy security, and global climate change, goals. "We need a decision almost tomorrow if we are going to act before we reach a point of no return in climate and security of supply," Birol told the newspaper.(Posted @ 09:05 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 65.25 points: KARACHI, Nov 2: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 10945.34 , down 65.25 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Nov 2: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.62 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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