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| November 08, 2006 | Wednesday | Shawwal 15, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
President Musharraf condemns Dargai suicide attack ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (Agencies): President Gen Pervez Musharraf strongly condemned the suicide attack at an army recruitment center in Dargai Wednesday which killed 35 trainee soldiers of the Punjab Regiment. Sources said Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao briefed the president on the incident at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. President Musharraf termed the incident as a barbaric act and said that terrorist elements would not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious designs. Musharraf directed the interior ministry, intelligence agencies and law enforcing agencies to track down the culprits behind the incident and step up security at recruitment training centers.(First Posted @ 18:35 PST Updated @ 21:30 PST)
Suicide bomber kills 42 army recruits in northwest Pakistan PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Nov 8 (AFP) A suicide bomber killed at least 42 trainee soldiers belonging to the Punjab regiment at an army base in North West Frontier Province’s Dargai town Wednesday. Witnesses said the huge explosion sowed panic, and left body parts and shredded clothing scattered across a parade ground where the trainees had gathered for morning assembly. "Forty-two recruits died in the attack and others are hospitalised, some are in critical condition," military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan said. "We strongly suspect the attack on the army center was done by the people trained in Bajaur in the madrassa run by Al-Qaeda facilitators Maulvi Liaqat and Maulvi Faqir," Sultan said. Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said the attack was a suicide bombing and vowed there would be no let up in the anti-terror hunt. A local official said investigators found a torso which appeared to be that of the bomber and were examining it. (First Posted @ 10:25 PST, Updated @ 19:50 PST)
Democrats take control of US House WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (AFP) The Democratic Party on Tuesday took control of the US House of Representatives for the first time since 1994, the ABC and MSNBC television channels said. (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Seventeen Palestinians killed in Gaza and West Bank GAZA, Nov 8 (Reuters) Israeli tank fire struck houses in northern Gaza on Wednesday, killing 12 Palestinians, Palestinian medical staff said. They said the dead included women and children but had no exact figures. While in West Bank, Israeli troops shot dead four more Palestinian gunmen and a civilian in another raid, Palestinian security sources said. (First Posted @ 09:00 PST, Updated @ 10:30 PST)
Israel shelling in Gaza kills 19 civilians GAZA, Nov 8 (Reuters) The death toll from Israeli shelling in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday rose to 19, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. A spokesman said all the dead were civilians. He said seven children and four women were among those killed. (Posted @ 11:10 PST)
EU rebukes Turkey but will not suspend membership talks BRUSSELS, Nov 8 (AFP) The European Commission issued a critical report on Turkey Wednesday, stopping short of suspending EU membership talks but telling Ankara to make progress on key issues, especially Cyprus, or face the consequences.In a much-anticipated annual report on Turkey's progress on EU reforms, the commission highlighted human rights problems, including the use of torture and women's and minority issues.(Posted @ 21:05 PST)
US and Russian envoys to meet in Beijing for talks on NKorea BEIJING, Nov 8(AFP) US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said Wednesday he would meet the Russian deputy foreign minister in Beijing, after a day of talks with China on the North Korean nuclear issue. Burns said Wednesday's talks with senior Chinese officials had been constructive. "We worked very hard to see what China and the US can do together... to maintain peace and stability in East Asia and we had very good dicussions on North Korea." Burns refused to give a date for the resumption of six-party talks. Burns also called for a Sino-US partnership aimed at securing "stability and peace in the world."(Posted @ 21:05 PST)
Saddam genocide trial adjourned to Nov 27 BAGHDAD, Nov 8 (AFP) The genocide trial of Saddam Hussein was adjourned Wednesday to November 27 in order to give the defence team time to present its witnesses, marking the end of a key phase in the trial. Four Kurdish witnesses testified against the deposed dictator and six co-defendants in what appeared to be the final session for the prosecution's eye witnesses in the trial.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
President Musharraf expresses resolve to eliminate terrorism from society ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf called upon the nation and political forces in the country to work together to eliminate terrorism from society. Musharraf was chairing a meeting of ministers and selected members of parliament belonging to the four provinces on Wednesday. The meeting discussed the current political situation in the country. The president said that extremism and terrorism were critical problems facing the nation which need to be dealt with forcefully. He said that the protection of national interest was the top priority and the government will take all possible measures to protect it.(Posted @ 20:45 PST)
Saudi executes two Pakistani women for drug smuggling RIYADH, Nov 8 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia executed three Pakistanis, including two women, for drugs smuggling on Wednesday. The official Saudi Press Agency said the two women were put to death in the coastal city of Jeddah for smuggling heroin into the country.(Posted @ 19:40 PST)
Cricket-Butt plunders hundred as West Indies toil in tour game LAHORE, Nov 8 (Reuters) Pakistan's discarded opener Salman Butt sent a timely reminder to the selectors with a fine hundred on the opening day of a tour match against the West Indies on Wednesday. Butt scored 106 and put on 175 runs with Yasir Hameed (92) before he retired as the PCB Patron's XI plundered 305 for four in 77 overs. Play in the two-day match at the Bagh-e-Jinnah was called off early due to bad light.(Posted @ 19:40 PST)
Sri Lankan military shelling kills 65 civilians COLOMBO, Nov 8 (AFP) At least 65 civilians were killed and over 300 injured Wednesday in heavy shelling by government forces in eastern Sri Lanka, Tamil rebels and residents said. (First Posted @ 15:25 PST Updated @ 19:40 PST)
38 killed in Iraq as curfew lifted BAGHDAD, Iraq, Nov 8 (AFP) At least 38 people died in attacks on Wednesday as violence returned to Baghdad and other flashpoint regions of Iraq after the lifting of a curfew imposed during the sentencing of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein. The deadliest attack came 30 kilometers south of the capital in Mahmudiyah where a car bomb exploded in the centre of a popular market, killing six people and wounding another 26, security sources said. In nearby Iskandriyah, another bomb exploded in a residential area killing a man and his 13-year-old son.(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Abbas slams 'international silence' over deaths GAZA CITY, Nov 8 (AFP) Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas Wednesday slammed "international silence" over a "black day" for the Palestinian people, after 18 people, including women and children, were killed by Israeli fire on their homes in Gaza. "This is a black day in the history of Israeli actions against the Palestinian people and is a reminder of all the massacres perpetuated by Israel since the start of the Israeli-Arab conflict," Abbas said during a press conference in Gaza City. "We fully condemn the international silence and those who justify acts committed by Israel," he said.(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Democrats call for course change on Iraq WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (AFP) Victorious Democrats called on US President George W. Bush to change course on Iraq. "Nowhere did the American people make it more clear that we need a new direction than in the war in Iraq," said Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi, set to become the first woman speaker of the House of Representatives. "Stay the course has not made our country safer, has not honored our commitment to our troops and has not made the region more stable," she told supporters at a rally celebrating the Democratic takeover of the House after 12 years of Republican control.The Washington Post noted Wednesday that Democratic leaders have indicated they will not cut off financing for the war."In many ways, their greatest power will be their ability to investigate, hold hearings and provide the oversight that they asserted was so lacking in recent years," the daily said.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Trial resumes as Iraqi PM hints at early Saddam execution BAGHDAD, Nov 8 (AFP) The genocide trial of Saddam Hussein resumed Wednesday as Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said the execution of the deposed leader could happen before end of this year. Maliki told BBC television that "we are waiting for the decision of the appeals court, and if it confirms the sentence, it will be the government's responsibility to carry it out.” Meanwhile, Saddam and the other six defendants were in court Wednesday for the genocide trial along with defence attorney Badie Arief, who charged that defence documents related to the trial had been stolen from his office in the heavily fortified Green Zone.(Posted @ 18:55 PST)
Bangladesh president wants army help at elections DHAKA, Nov 8 (Reuters) Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed urged the armed forces on Wednesday to help ensure free and fair elections next year. "The armed forces of Bangladesh have earned a reputation at home and abroad by delivering services to people in distress and at times of war and natural disasters," Iajuddin told senior commanders at the Dhaka military barracks. It was his first address to the military since taking over the additional responsibility of head of the caretaker government that will oversee parliamentary elections in January. Iajuddin praised the army for keeping their cool during recent political violence but he urged them to "be prepared to assist the state and its people at time of need".(Posted @ 17:20 PST)
Chickens, not children, at Pakistani "ghost school" KARACHI, Nov 8 (Reuters) Pakistani authorities found chickens, not children, when they went to inspect a state-run primary school after a tip-off the establishment was being used to produce poultry. "Chickens, television sets, video recorders, playing cards and breeding cages were found in what were supposed to be classrooms but no students," Kanwar Naved, the mayor of the city of Hyderabad said on Wednesday. "According to education department records, the school had 59 students and two teachers," he said. Some workers detained in the Wednesday raid near Hyderabad said the school had been used as a poultry farm for the past 12 years, he said. Police have been ordered to investigate and file a case against the farm owners.(Posted @ 17:20 PST)
Cricket-Woolmer out to spoil Lara's last Pakistan tour LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 8 (AFP) Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer recalled Wednesday how Brian Lara joked with him before West Indies upstaged South Africa in the quarter-final of the 1996 World Cup in Karachi. Woolmer was coach of the Proteas back then. "I remember Lara said 'sorry Bob this is my day' when West Indies had the better of us and I hope I can return the favour in the coming Test series," Woolmer said. He agreed with Lara that the absence of two key bowlers - Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif - would boost the tourists' chances, but added that other bowlers would have to fill the void. "We have to find different ways of taking wickets and finding ways to play Test cricket well so that we don't let West Indies in with a chance. It is not only about getting 20 wickets but it is also about getting (a) good total." Woolmer said leg-spinner Danish Kaneria was an important part of Pakistan's plans. Woolmer, who refused to underrate the West Indies, admitted the tourists' poor record of one win in the past 14 Tests was pleasing. "That is nice to know they have won only one Test, but I always say yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery and you can't always pick a statistic. It might mean they are probably due to win a Test now." (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Cricket-Asif was victim of naivety: Pakistan physio LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 8 (AFP) Pakistan cricket physiotherapist Darryn Lifson said Wednesday that naivety led to banned paceman Mohammad Asif taking dietary supplements without realising their possible consequences. "I would say Asif was a victim of innocence. When he injured his elbow he took an injection for that, otherwise he was taking a powder which I was not aware of. When I came to know about it I stopped him," Lifson said. Lifson described Asif as serious and honest player. "Asif takes training very seriously and is a fantastic guy to work with, honest, hard-working and a very good man," he said. (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
US reports 14 Qaeda members killed in two Iraq raids BAGHDAD, Nov 8 (AFP) Fourteen members of Al-Qaeda were killed in two separate raids in Iraq, the US military reported on Wednesday, including 10 in an operation that freed a kidnapped Iraqi policeman. (First Posted @ 13:00 PST, Updated@ 14:00 PST)
Pakistan arrests 27 Indian fishermen, holds boats KARACHI, Nov 8 (Reuters) Pakistani maritime security forces arrested 27 Indian fishermen and impounded five boats for illegally entering Pakistan's territorial waters in the Arabian Sea Tuesday, Lieutenant-Commander Atiq Ur Rehman, a spokesman for the Maritime Security Agency, said Wednesday. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Palestinian PM says unity talks 'suspended' GAZA CITY, Nov 8 (AFP) Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniya said Wednesday that talks between his ruling Hamas party and president Mahmud Abbas on forming a national unity government had been "suspended". "The prime minister's office announces the suspension of discussions underway with regard to the national union government," Haniya announced at the opening of an emergency cabinet meeting. "The government calls on our people to unite faced with this barbaric (Israeli) attack," he added. (Posted @ 12:30 PST)
Abbas, Haniya urge urgent UNSC meeting GAZA CITY, Nov 8 (AFP) Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniya Wednesday demanded an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after 18 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip. "I call on the Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to stop these massacres against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank," the prime minister told reporters shortly before an urgent meeting of his cabinet. President Mahmud Abbas also condemned the massacre and endorsed Haniya’s call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting. (Posted @ 12:05 PST)
Pakistani PM says no change expected in US policies MANCHESTER, Nov 8 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has ruled out any dramatic change in the United States policies in the aftermath of US midterm elections. Talking to newsmen during his brief stop over on his way to New York on Thursday morning, he said Pakistan and United States enjoy good bilateral relations and will continue to have friendly relations in future as well. (Posted @ 11:30 PST)
Bombing, mortar rounds kill 22 in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Nov 8 (Reuters) A suicide bomber walked into a cafe in the Greyat district of Baghdad and blew himself up after dark on Tuesday, killing 17 people and wounding 20, police and Interior Ministry sources said. In nearby Adhamiya district, mortars killed five people and wounded 26. (Posted @ 11:20 PST)
Thai Air Force plane crash kills seven BANGKOK, Nov 8 (Reuters) A Thai military Lear jet crashed as it took off to survey a route for an air race in central Thailand on Wednesday, killing all seven people (two pilots, a navigator, two engineers and two photographers), the Air Force said. (Posted @ 11:15 PST)
Nepal government, Maoists seal pact on weapons KATHMANDU, Nov 8 (Reuters) Nepal's government and Maoist guerrillas agreed minutes after midnight on Wednesday to put rebel arms under U.N. watch in a move to rescue a peace process aimed at ending a conflict that has killed thousands. The pact also paves the way for Maoists to join an interim government and parliament. "The rebels will be kept in camps where cameras and other mechanisms will be installed to monitor the arms," Prakash Sharan Mahat, a senior leader of the Nepali Congress (Democratic), a member of the ruling seven-party alliance, told Reuters. "An equal number of arms held by the government army will also be locked." The agreement was signed after two days negotiations by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chief Prachanda. A joint statement signed by Prachanda and Koirala said there would be 28 camps across the landlocked country to hold the Maoist fighters. The statement also said: "Both sides will set up an interim legislature including the Maoists and dissolve the existing parliament." (Posted @ 11:05 PST)
Democrats near majority of U.S. governorships CHICAGO, Nov 7 (Reuters) Democrats took governors' seats from Republicans in five states on Tuesday, nearing a majority of the offices for the first time since 1994 and giving them a potential advantage in 2008 presidential battlegrounds. Governorships in New York, Ohio, Maryland, Massachusetts and Arkansas all fell into Democratic hands, according to media projections. Republicans retained power in Florida and Texas and appeared sure of holding onto California, three of the four most populous states and all crucial players in presidential elections. In other projected returns from the 36 states electing governors, Democratic incumbents were re-elected in Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Wyoming, New Mexico, Kansas, Wisconsin, Maine, Arizona and Tennessee. Republicans incumbents were also returned to office in Georgia, Nebraska, Connecticut, Vermont, South Dakota, South Carolina and Alabama. Of the 36 races, Republicans were defending 22 seats. Democrats hold the other 14. (Posted @ 10:45 PST)
Icebergs near New Zealand after drifting from Atlantic WELLINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) Scores of icebergs have floated to within about 300 km of New Zealand, with the largest measuring about 1.8 km in length and standing some 120 metres above water. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research oceanographer Mike Williams said on Wednesday the icebergs were likely part of a larger piece of ice which broke off the Ronne Ice Shelf, located southeast of the Falkland Islands, six years ago. The original iceberg, named A-43, was 167 km long and 32 km wide. (Posted @ 10:35 PST)
Truck plunges into river in central India, 29 dead RAIPUR, India, Nov 8 (Reuters) A truck carrying farm labourers plunged into a river in India on Wednesday, killing at least 29 people, most of them women and children, officials said. District officials said at least 30 people were injured in the accident, which occurred in Madhya Pradesh state's southern district of Hoshangabad. (Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan look at compensation settlement with England KARACHI, Nov 8 (Reuters) Pakistan is proposing to play a one-day international in England next year to make up for revenue lost by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) during the Oval test in August. A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said discussions had been held with the ECB in India recently on finding a solution to the compensation claim for the test that was awarded to England as a forfeited match. He said Pakistan would be in England next summer to play a one-day game against India for the Prince Charles Trust on July 12 and can play England as well. (Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Bush disappointed at Republicans' losses WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) President George W. Bush, disappointed at the Democrats' seizure of the House of Representatives, will hold a news conference on Wednesday(1800 GMT) to urge his opponents to work with him, the White House said. "The president has got a very active agenda for the next two years and you're going to need both parties.There has to be a calculated decision by the Democrats," a spokesman said. (Posted @ 10:20 PST)
Major UN powers still deadlocked over Iran sanctions resolution UNITED NATIONS, Nov 8 (AFP) Six major UN powers wound up another round of informal bargaining Tuesday, still deadlocked over how to punish Iran for its refusal to halt sensitive nuclear fuel work. Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya described the six-way talks, which focused on the European draft as well as on amendments offered by Russia and the United States, as "inconclusive" and spoke of differences "that cannot be bridged". (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
First Muslim elected to US Congress WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (AFP) Keith Ellison, a Democrat, on Tuesday became the first Muslim to be elected to the US Congress when he won a seat for the House of Representatives for Minnesota, US media said. Ellison, a black Muslim, has called for an immediate pullout of US troops from Iraq, greater reliance on renewable fuels, and for a universal, government-paid health care system. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
US wary after former Marxist wins in Nicaragua WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (AFP) The White House reacted warily late Tuesday to the election of former Marxist Daniel Ortega as president of Nicaragua saying it would work with him based on his commitment to his country's "democratic future." "The United States is committed to the Nicaraguan people. We will work with their leaders based on their commitment to and actions in support of Nicaragua's democratic future," said national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe. (Posted @ 09:05 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 44.26 points: KARACHI, Nov 8: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 10973.25, down 44.26 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:15 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Nov 8: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.72 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:15 PST)
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