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| November 09, 2006 | Thursday | Shawwal 16, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Democrats win control of US Senate WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (AFP) Democrats won control of the US Senate with a victory in a close race in Virginia, handing the party the majority in both chambers of Congress, US media reported Wednesday. Democrat Jim Webb defeated incumbent Republican Senator George Allen in Virginia, giving Democrats a 51-49 majority in the upper chamber currently controlled by President George W. Bush's Republicans, according to NBC and CBS television projections. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)
PM hopes recommendations would help improve execution of UN programmes in coherent manner UNTED NATIONS, Nov 9 (APP) : Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday expressed the hope that recommendations prepared by a high-level panel of UN Secretary General would help improve efficiency of the world body in execution of its programmes in a coherent manner. He told newsmen before going into a breakfast meeting of the panel here at the United Nations that the panel has endeavoured to finalize the recommendations for the betterment of the system and inculcate more coordination among various UN agencies for the benefit of the member states. "Pakistan is proud to be part of the high-level panel and has made efforts in preparing the recommendations along with Norway and Mozambique, "said the Prime Minister. (Posted @ 23:52 PST)
EU to increase funding for Pakistan KARACHI, Nov 9 (APP): The European Union would substantially enhance its funding for Pakistan in the year 2007 and beyond. This was stated by the Head of Operations of the Delegation of the European Commission to Pakistan, Micheal Dale. He was speaking at a function, regarding the European Union's Small Projects Facility (SPF). Dale further pointed out that Pakistan would be the only country in the South and South East Asia which will get the substantial increase in EU funding. (Posted @ 23:34 PST)
Islam has become second largest religion in US: Crocker LAHORE, Nov 9 (APP): US Ambassador in Pakistan, Ryan C. Crocker has said Islam has become the second largest religion in the United States of America. He stated this while addressing the Universal Peace Conference organised by Majlis-e-Ulema-e-Pakistan (MUP) at Alhamra Hall here on Thursday. Mr. Crocker said Islam is the religion of peace, tolerance, harmony and love, adding that peace is the aim of all the religions of the world. (Posted @ 23:16 PST)
Russia tests ballistic missile MOSCOW, Nov 9, (AFP) - Russia on Thursday tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, with a range of 5,000 kilometers, from a base in Kazakhstan, the Khrunishev national space centre said. (Posted @ 22:36 PST)
Bush open to any suggestions on Iraq WASHINGTON, Nov 9, (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said Thursday he was open to any suggestions on US policy in Iraq, following his Republican Party's defeat in congressional elections. "Whatever party we come from, we all have a responsibility to ensure that these troops have the resources and support they need to prevail," Bush said in a statement after meeting members of his cabinet. "I'm open to any idea or suggestion that will help us achieve our goals of defeating the terrorists and ensuring that Iraq's democratic government succeeds." Bush's remarks came ahead of a meeting with Democratic leaders who will wield power in the new House of Representatives, and after his admission Wednesday that Tuesday's elections were a message from voters angry with the "lack of progress" in Iraq. (Posted @ 21:45 PST)
129th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal celebrated ISLAMABAD, Nov 9 (APP): Pakistan Thursday celebrated the 129th birth anniversary of poet-philosopher Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Fateha and Quran Khawani was held at Mazar-e-Iqbal and at mosques and other places throughout the country. Change of guards ceremony was held at the Mazar of Allama Iqbal at Lahore on Thursday. In Iqbal's birth city, Sialkot, a special function was arranged at Iqbal Manzil (the birth place of Allama Iqbal) to commemorate the occasion. Seminars, symposia and meetings were held at various places while special exhibition of books and relics of Allama Iqbal were held at Iqbal Museum Lahore and National Museum Karachi. (Posted @ 20:32 PST)
Pak beat India 3-0 in 2nd leg of tennis series LAHORE, Nov 9 (APP): Aisamul Haq and Aqeel Khan beat Indian pair Divij Sharan and Mustafa Ghouse 6-2,4-6,7-6 (12-10)in the doubles as Pakistan swept the second leg of the bilateral tennis series against India 3-0 on Thursday at Bagh-e-Jinnah courts. Pakistan had lost the opening leg of the tour at Islamabad 1-2. Pakistan team will travel to India for tests at Chandigarh from November 11 and at New Delhi from November 14. (Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Sri Lanka rebels say sink navy attack boat in clash COLOMBO, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels said on Thursday they sank a naval fast attack boat in a clash at sea off the island's northern tip, and that a second vessel was on fire and sinking. The military was not available for comment. (Posted @ 20:28 PST)
US working against militancy on both sides of Afghan-Pakistan border KABUL, Nov 9 (AFP) - The United States is backing efforts on both sides of the volatile Afghan and Pakistan border to assert government authority and defeat Taliban militants operating there, US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher said Thursday. "Both Pakistan and Afghanistan recognise the threat and danger of the Taliban but this process of extending government to both sides of the border is well under way and that remains the central task," he said. Pakistan government finalised a deal with militants in North Waziristan area in September in which tribal elders said they would stop militant activity in exchange for the cutting back of military presence. Boucher said the real test was "whether they (tribal authorities) exert that control and whether they stop the activity...I think the jury is still out." (Posted @ 20:26 PST)
Baghdad rocked by wave of bombings BAGHDAD, Nov 9 (AFP) - A series of concerted bombings ripped through Baghdad markets on Thursday as attacks across Iraq killed at least 27 people and left scores injured. Sixteen people were killed on Thursday as Baghdad was wracked by at least seven explosions, the worst being a suicide car bomb that exploded near the Mishin shopping center in the southeast of the city that killed seven people and wounded 27. A bomb then exploded in Suq Haraj market in Bab al-Sharqi area, killing three and wounding 19. Soon afterwards, Baghdad's Qahira neighborhood was hit by a blast, killing three people and wounding 12. The nearby College of Fine Arts was also attacked by a car bomb that killed two more and wounded three others. Security forces were targeted as well, with one bomb near an Iraqi army patrol killing a soldier and wounding four passers-by on east Baghdad's Palestine Street. Three policemen were also wounded in a roadside bombing near Al-Shaab stadium. Iraq's other flashpoint city of Baquba reported 10 deaths in numerous incidents. An Iraqi army source said 34 people were also arrested in Baquba for carrying out violent attacks. They included five Egyptians and five Sudanese,the source said. Police also recovered nine bodies Thursday. Deep in the south of the country, one civilian was killed and another three were wounded when a bomb exploded near their car northeast of the city of Amara. (First Posted @ 14: 40 PST Updated @ 20:00 PST)
Heavy sea battle in Sri Lanka: military sources COLOMBO, Nov 9 (AFP) - A heavy sea battle erupted in northern Sri Lanka Thursday after Tamil Tiger rebels staged a suicide attack against a navy gunboat, military sources said. (Posted @ 18:24 PST)
Pakistan's economy size almost doubled: Shaukat Aziz New York, Nov 9 (PPI): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the size of Pakistan's economy has almost doubled in last seven years as a result of economic and structural reforms and consistency of policies. Talking to former United States Treasury Secretary, Robert Rubin, he said Pakistan is now in the phase of second generation of reforms. Later talking to former President of World Bank James Wolfensohn, Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan is a high investment country that offers unlimited opportunities both in fixed income bonds as well as equities. He said Pakistan is currently seeking access to regional and global markets to accelerate economic growth and fund country's development and infrastructure requirements. (Posted @ 18:14 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan's Shabbir to undergo tests in Australia LAHORE, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Banned Pakistan seamer Shabbir Ahmed will undergo biomechanical tests on his flawed bowling action on Nov. 21 and 22 at the University of Western Australia and we expect a report from the biomechanic specialists in a week, a senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official told Reuters on Thursday. (Posted @ 16:26 PST)
Gaza holds funeral for 18 killed by Israeli shells BEIT HANOUN, Gaza, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Palestinians marched through Gaza on Thursday in funeral processions for 18 people killed by Israeli shelling on Wednesday. After being taken to mosques, the bodies, each wrapped in a yellow flag of the Fatah movement were buried in graves in a new cemetery on the outskirts of Beit Hanoun. In the occupied West Bank, flags flew at half-mast and residents watched the funeral processions live on television. (Posted @ 16:24 PST)
France tests new long-range nuclear missile BISCARROSSE, France, Nov 9 (Reuters) - France test-launched a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles for the first time on Thursday, eyewitnesses at the launch site said. The M51 missile has a range of 6,000 km, 50 percent further than that of the missile currently in service. It will be able to carry a heavier load than the M45 it will replace, and be armed with up to six warheads. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Kashmiri militant asks president to spare his life NEW DELHI, Nov 9 (Reuters) – Mohammad Afzal Guru, sentenced to death for his alleged role in an attack on India's parliament in 2001 has appealed to the country's president for mercy, a jail official said Thursday. "The mercy petition addressed to the president is being examined and will be forwarded to the appropriate authority," said the official of New Delhi's high-security Tihar jail where Afzal is lodged. A separate mercy plea was filed by last month by Afzal's wife who met President A.P.J Abdul Kalam, along with her young son and Afzal's mother. (Posted @ 16:18 PST)
Shoaib Akhtar maintains innocence after doping ban LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 9 (AFP) Pacer Shoaib Akhtar broke his silence Thursday over his doping ban, saying he had taken nutritional supplements and no banned substances. "The nutritional supplements like Promax-50 and Nitron-5 are not banned even in World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list and I don't know if they have produced nandrolone in my body," said Akhtar in an exclusive interview with AFP. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Two suspected militants, one army soldier killed in occupied Kashmir JAMMU, occupied Kashmir, Nov 9 (AP) Government forces on Thursday shot and killed two suspected militants during a search operation in occupied Kashmir, police said. The encounter took place in Gandoh, a village 170 kilometers north of Jammu. Meanwhile unidentified assailants shot and killed an Indian army soldier late Wednesday in Pandai village, 180 kilometers northwest of Jammu, an army spokesman said. (First Posted @ 12:25 PST, Updated @ 14:50 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan calls for ICC action over security officer LAHORE, Nov 9 (Reuters) Pakistan is to push the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take tough action against an Indian security officer who made allegations of indiscipline in the Pakistan team during the Champions Trophy. Anil Kaul, the security officer in charge of the Pakistan team at the recent tournament in India, told Indian television channels Wednesday that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had slapped coach Bob Woolmer on the team bus. "The issue is not whether the allegations are true. It is that Kaul has violated a strict secrecy code which is a must for all match and team officials at any time," Saleem Altaf, the Pakistan Cricket Board's director of cricket operations, told Reuters on Thursday. "We will be sending a strong letter to the ICC demanding Kaul be banned for any future assignments with the Indian board or the ICC as it was an ICC tournament," Altaf said. He said the PCB had also spoken to team manager Talat Ali who had denied any such incident took place. Kaul alleged that Shoaib struck Woolmer after they quarrelled over what music should be played on the team bus in Jaipur. (Posted @ 14:40 PST)
Iran's Larijani shrugs off sanctions threat, to visit Moscow TEHRAN, Nov 9 (AFP) Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani Thursday shrugged off threatened UN sanctions against Tehran and said he would visit Russia for talks on Iran’s atomic program. "The sanctions are about missiles and our nuclear industry and since we are already sanctioned in this regard, this will not have any effect on the economic situation and on the people's daily life," Larijani was quoted as saying by the Mehr news agency. (Posted @ 14:40 PST)
34 Taliban killed in clashes in southern Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Nov 9 (AFP) Clashes on Wednesday between insurgents and NATO-led and Afghan troops left 34 Taliban and three policemen dead, 22 of them in Kandahar province’s Zahri district, officials said Thursday. Eight policemen, eight Taliban and three civilians were wounded during fighting in southern provinces of Kandahar, Zabul and southeastern Khost which erupted overnight and continued early Thursday, police said. (First Posted @ 11:25 PST, Updated @ 13:45 PST)
Sri Lankan government voices 'regret' over refugee killings COLOMBO, Nov 9 (AFP) Sri Lanka's government on Thursday expressed "regret" over the killing of some 65 civilians in an artillery blitz of the rebel-held east of the island, and accused Tamil Tigers of using human shields. Government defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said the military had targeted two Tamil Tiger artillery positions in Wednesday's attack in the eastern district of Batticaloa, but acknowledged a civilian centre had also been hit. (Posted @ 13:40 PST)
U.S., Russian diplomats meet to discuss renewed Korean nuclear talks BEIJING, Nov 9 (AP) U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns met Thursday with Russia's nuclear envoy Alexander Alexeyev to discuss how to restart disarmament talks with North Korea, and Russian news reports said no resumption was likely until at least mid-December. Alexeyev told Russian reporters ``the resumption of six-party talks over the settlement of the situation on the Korean Peninsula is not possible earlier than mid-December,'' Russia's Itar-Tass news agency reported. (Posted @ 13:30 PST)
Bomb blasts in southern Thailand injure at least nine BANGKOK, Nov 9(AP) Eight bombs exploded almost simultaneously at car showrooms in southern Thailand Thursday, with initial reports showing nine people were injured, police said. (Posted @ 11:10 PST)
Chavez says Bush should resign like Rumsfeld CARACAS, Venezuela, Nov 9 (Reuters) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez greeted the resignation of U.S. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Wednesday with asuggestion that President George W. Bush should follow him. "Heads have started to roll. The president should resign on moral grounds," he told a news conference. (Posted @ 11:00 PST)
British ex-diplomat to disclose secrets on 'disaster' of Iraq war LONDON, Nov 9 (AFP) A former British diplomat offered to reveal secret evidence about the war in Iraq and branded the conflict a "rank disaster" for Britain when he faced a panel of lawmakers Wednesday. Carne Ross was in the United States in the years leading up to the US-led March 2003 invasion of Iraq but quit the Foreign Office in protest over the war. He gave evidence to British Lord Robin Butler's 2004 inquiry into the intelligence relating to Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD), which was a key factor in the decision to invade. Ross said despite legal advice that he might breach the Official Secrets Act, he would provide the panel of members of Parliament with the evidence he gave. Ross said his evidence to the Butler inquiry concluded that the invasion of Iraq was unlawful and accused Prime Minister Tony Blair's government of misleading the public over the threat from Iraq. (Posted @ 10:55 PST)
British foreign minister condemns Pakistan suicide bomb LONDON, Nov 9 (AFP) British foreign minister Kim Howells said there could be "no justification" for a suicide bomb attack which killed at least 42 soldiers at a Pakistani army base Wednesday. It is believed that the attack at Dargai, North West Frontier Province, was in revenge for a missile strike against an Al-Qaeda training camp. Howells said in a statement: "There can be absolutely no justification for this cowardly attack which has resulted in the deaths of so many. "I wish to send our heartfelt condolences to the Pakistani people and the families of those who have been killed today in Dargai." (Posted @ 10:45 PST)
UN overwhelmingly votes against US embargo on Cuba UNITED NATIONS, Nov 9 (Reuters) The U.N. General Assembly told the United States on Wednesday to lift its four-decade old trade embargo against Cuba in a resolution adopted for the 15th consecutive year with near unanimous support. The vote was a record 183 to 4 with one abstention on a resolution submitted by South Africa. It called on Washington to lift its "economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba," particularly provisions affecting foreign nationals. (Posted @ 10:40 PST)
US envoy sees total agreement with Russia, China on North Korea BEIJING, Nov 9 (AFP) Top US envoy and Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said Thursday that Washington was in lockstep with its partners including China and Russia on how to defuse the North Korean nuclear crisis. He was speaking here after meeting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev, Moscow's top delegate to six-nation talks aimed at getting Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear program. "I think the five parties are very strongly together on what needs to be done, and that is the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, the fulfilment of the September 2005 agreement that North Korea has signed up to," Burns told reporters. (Posted @ 10:20 PST)
Bush urges swift probe into Israeli raid WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (AFP) US President George W. Bush said Wednesday he was "deeply saddened" by the human toll of an Israeli attack on homes in the Gaza Strip and urged Israel to speedily investigate the raid. "The United States is deeply saddened by the injuries and loss of life in Gaza today. We send our condolences to the families of all those affected," Bush said in a statement released by the White House. "We have seen the Israeli government's apology and understand an investigation has begun. We hope it will be completed quickly and that appropriate steps will be taken to avoid a repetition of this tragic incident," he said. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Tamil Tiger rebels fire at military post, one soldier dead, two wounded COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Nov 9 (AP) Tamil Tigers attacked a Sri Lankan military post in northern Jaffna late Wednesday, killing one soldier and wounding two others, the Defence Ministry said Thursday. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
West Bankers march in protest at Gaza 'massacre' HEBRON, West Bank, Nov 9 (AFP) More than 2,000 Palestinians demonstrated Wednesday night in the southern West Bank town of Hebron in protest at the deaths of 18 people in Israeli shelling of Beit Hanun in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrators denounced the "massacre", burned an Israeli flag and carried a coffin they said represented the silence of the Arab world at the killings. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)
UN Security Council to take up Gaza violence UNITED NATIONS, Nov 9 (AFP) The UN Security Council is to hold an open meeting today (Thursday) on the mounting bloodshed in the Gaza Strip where 18 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed by Israeli shelling Wednesday, diplomats said. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)
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