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| November 24, 2006 | Friday | Ziqa'ad 2, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistan, China to strengthen ties in defence, energy, trade ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (APP): Pakistan and China Friday reaffirmed pledge to further strengthen ties in defence, energy, economic and trade sectors after talks between President General Pervez Musharraf and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao. The two leaders met for over an hour before they were joined by their respective delegations for wide-ranging talks. The two leaders expressed unanimity of views on all regional and international issues and vowed to take their bilateral ties to new heights. Later, the two presidents also witnessed signing of landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Five-year Plan for Trade and Economic Cooperation along with 16 other documents to strengthen their ties, focussing on trade and economic cooperation. "President Hu Jintao and I had an excellent round of consultations...There was unanimity of views on all issues," President Musharraf told reporters with the Chinese leader. President Hu Jintao termed the talks as "cordial and productive". “We had an in-depth exchange of ideas and reached extensive common understanding on development of China-Pakistan relations as well as international and regional issues of shared interests," he said. President Hu Jintao said Pakistan and China in their talks reached a common understanding to further strengthen energy cooperation between the two sides. The energy cooperation, he added, includes collaboration in hydro power, coal-powered generation and also other sources of energy. China and Pakistan have already developed close cooperation in the development of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant, he said and added the two countries will continue to carry out such cooperation in the future. (Updated @ 17:40 PST)
China, Pakistan sign free trade pact ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (AFP) Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf Friday oversaw the signing of a free trade agreement between the two allies, officials said.(Posted @ 13:15 PST)
Pakistan and China sign deal to develop long-range radar equipped early warning planes ISLAMABAD, Nov 24(AP) Pakistan and China have agreed to jointly develop long-range radar equipped early warning aircraft, the Pakistan Air Force said Friday in a statement. The announcement came during a visit to the country by Chinese President Hu Jintao in which the two allies are expected to discuss expanding ties in the defence, nuclear, economic and trade sectors. The Pakistan Air Force and Chinese Aviation Industries agreed ``for long term collaboration and co-development in the fields of aircraft manufacturing and other related fields including AWACS,'' the PAF said. It said a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Islamabad between the PAF and the Chinese Aviation Company, CETC, for the improvement and further development of Chinese Airborne Early Warning System. ``The same may be delivered to Pakistan in coming years,'' the statement said.(Posted @ 11:00 PST)
China's Hu says Beijing committed to "constructive" role in peace between Pakistan, India ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (AP) _ Chinese President Hu Jintao said Friday that Beijing is committed to performing a ``constructive'' role in resolving disputes between Pakistan and India. Hu's comments came during a joint news conference with Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf who called for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute with India saying both countries wanted peace and urged both governments to push ahead with peace talks. (Posted @ 16:55 PST)
Chinese President conferred Nishan-e-Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (APP): Chinese President Hu Jintao was conferred Pakistan's highest civil award - Nishan-e-Pakistan Friday, in recognition of his visionary leadership and for outstanding contributions made to strengthen Pak-China relations.The award was conferred by President General Pervez Musharraf at a ceremony at the Jinnah Convention Centre. (Posted @ 17:45 PST)
Pak-China sign 13 agreements/MOUs in private sector ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (APP): Pakistan and China Friday signed thirteen agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) worth US $ 3 billion to undertake joint ventures in various sectors. The projects are in Hotels, Housing, Industrial Parks, Cement, fertilizer, Transport, Pesticides chemicals and energy sectors. These MOUs are in addition to those 18 already signed between the two countries. An umbrella MOU between Pakistan and China was also signed under which these projects will be implemented within next five years. Speaking on the occasion visiting Vice Chairman of Federation Chinese Federation of Industries and Commerce, Zhen Yiwel said that this is a proud movement in Pak-China friendship history. (Posted @ 17:35 PST)
At least 23 killed in triple bombing in northern Iraq TAL AFAR, Iraq, Nov 24, 2006 (AFP) - A triple bomb attack near a car dealership in the northern Iraqi town of Tal Afar killed 23 people and wounded 45 on Friday, police said. Tal Afar mayor Najm Abdallah also told AFP it was a triple bomb attack. "There were three bomb attacks at the same place. One was a suicide car bomb attack followed by a suicide bomber blowing himself up. We are still unsure about the nature of the third bomb attack," Abdallah said. (Updated @ 23:45 PST)
Clashes, killings in Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 24 (Reuters) – Gunmen Friday attacked a neighbourhood in Hurriya district of Baghdad, and burned mosques and homes in apparent retaliation for the bloodiest bombing that killed 202 on Thursday, an Interior Ministry official said. He said the number of casualties was not known, but a resident said at least 18 people had been killed and 24 wounded.(Updated @ 20:55 PST)
Gunmen attack Sunni area in Baghdad-ministry BAGHDAD, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Gunmen attacked a Sunni enclave in a mainly Shi'ite district of Hurriya in Baghdad on Friday, burning four mosques and homes, an Interior Ministry official said. The official said the number of casualties was not known, but a resident said at least 18 people had been killed and 24 wounded. (Posted @ 20:45 PST)
Pakistan Open squash semi-final results ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (AFP) - Results in the Pakistan Open squash championship here on Thursday (x denotes seed): Semi-finals: Thierry Lincou (FRANCE x 2) bt Karim Darwish (EGYPT x 6) 4-11, 11-6, 11-7, 4-1 Retired; Gregory Gaultier (FRANCE x 5) bt Ramy Ashour (EGYPT x 8) 11-9, 11-3, 5-11, 5-11, 11-8 (Posted @ 20:20 PST)
British soldier killed in Iraq LONDON, Nov 24 (AFP) - A member of Britain's Parachute Regiment was killed Friday after being shot during a search and detention operation in Basra, the Ministry of Defence said. (Posted @ 19:10 PST)
China's Hu praises Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao hailed his country's close relations with Pakistan as he addressed the South Asian nation's 150 million people live on state television Friday. Hu praised Pakistan's average economic growth of 7.5 percent in recent years and wished the close ally further success. "Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise the new China. Ever since our diplomatic relations began in 1951 we have enjoyed mutual understanding, respect, trust and support and our friendship and cooperation has flourished," he said. "We are truly good neighbours, close friends, economic partners and dear brothers and sisters," Hu said to applause from high-ranking government officials and diplomats. Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf spoke before Hu, saying that Hu's four-day visit "will open up avenues for enormous economic possibilities". (Updated @ 18:40 PST)
Russian nuclear chief to visit Tehran MOSCOW, Nov 24 (AFP) - The head of Russia's nuclear agency Rosatom will visit Tehran on December 11 to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries, Interfax reported Friday. (Posted @ 18:30 PST)
China's Hu addresses Pakistanis on state TV ISLAMABAD, Nov 23, 2006 (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao hailed his country's close relations with Pakistan as he addressed the South Asian nation's 150 million people live on state television Friday, reflecting the importance of the visit to Islamabad. "Our relations are higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the Indian Ocean and sweeter than honey," Hu, dressed in a dark suit and red tie, said in the speech broadcast from the Islamabad convention centre. He spoke in Chinese translated into English by an interpreter and the live footage was intercut with pictures of an audience of Pakistani and foreign dignitaries. The address was shown on the government-run channels PTV (Pakistan Television) 1 and PTV World as well as private satellite stations. Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf spoke before Hu, saying that Hu's four-day visit "will open up avenues for enormous economic possibilities". Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani said Hu’s live telecast "reflects the sentiments of the nation towards a great friend like China". (Posted @ 18:30 PST)
Israel kills 2 Palestinians in Gaza clashes GAZA, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Israeli forces shot dead two Palestinians including a boy in clashes in Gaza on Friday. Two Israeli soldiers were slightly also wounded in fighting in northern Gaza when gunmen detonated an explosive device near troops, the army said. (Posted @ 17:18 PST)
U.S.-led troops kill 7 Taliban in Afghan battle KABUL, Nov 24 (Reuters) - U.S.-led coalition troops clashed with Taliban insurgents in Kandahar province on Friday, killing seven of the militants, the U.S. military said. One soldier from the U.S.-led coalition force was also wounded in the battle which involved artillery, mortars and close air support, it said in a statement. No Taliban official could be reached for comment. Afghanistan's separate NATO force said one of its soldiers was killed and one wounded when militants fired a rocket at a NATO patrol in Ghazni province. It did not give their nationalities. (Posted @ 17:15 PST)
Russian rocket deliveries to Iran started: reports MOSCOW, Nov 24 (AFP) - Russia has begun deliveries of the Tor-M1 air defence rocket system to Iran, Russian news agencies quoted military industry sources as saying Friday. (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Six policemen killed in rebel attack on Darfur camp KHARTOUM, Nov 24 (AFP) - Six policemen were killed and seven wounded in an attack on Wednesday by unidentified rebels on a police camp in Sudan's war-torn South Darfur state, reports said Friday. (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Deadliest attacks in Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 24 (AFP) - At least 202 people were killed in a series of bombings in Baghdad's Shiite district of Sadr City on Thursday, the deadliest attack since the US-led invasion of 2003, according to the latest toll Friday. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Five killed in Thai Muslim south YALA, Thailand, Nov 24 (AFP) - Five people were killed in Thailand's Muslim-majority south, police said Friday. Two suspected militants shot dead a Muslim man at his house in Narathiwat Friday, and a 48-year-old teacher was killed outside his school in Pattani when militants riddled his car with bullets. Militants also staged a spate of arson attacks in Yala, as well as in Narathiwat, but no one was injured. (Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Israel dismisses militants' offer on ceasefire JERUSALEM, Nov 24 (AFP) Israel on Friday dismissed an offer from Palestinian armed groups to stop rocket attacks in exchange for a halt to Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. A spokesman for Islamic Jihad said late Thursday that Palestinian factions were ready to stop firing rockets into Israel if the Jewish state ends its operations in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.(Posted @ 13:10 PST)
Sri Lanka violence leaves 30 dead COLOMBO, Nov 24 (AFP) Renewed fighting in Sri Lanka's northern and eastern regions has left at least 30 people dead, according to defence ministry figures Friday. (First Posted @ 10:05 PST, Updated@ 12:45 PST)
North Korea talks must focus on giving up nukes: Japan TOKYO, Nov 24 (AFP) North Korea must agree to discuss giving up its nuclear ambitions at upcoming six-nation talks despite its test of an atomic bomb last month, Japan's foreign minister Taro Aso said Friday. "It would be meaningless to resume the six-way talks unless North Korea agreed to accept various conditions for returning to the talks," Aso said.(Posted @ 12:30 PST)
Four killed in US raid north of Baghdad BAGHDAD, Nov 24 (AFP) US forces killed four suspected militants and detained six others in a raid in Tarmiyah village, north of Baghdad on a suspected car bomb manufacturing cell in the early hours Friday, the US military announced.The military described the suspects as being members of an Al-Qaeda linked cell involved in the manufacture of car bombs.(Posted @ 12:30 PST)
US troops stood idle during Baghdad killings: Iran TEHRAN, Nov 24 (AFP) Iran which will be hosting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Saturday claims US troops stood idle while "terrorist and savage action," was being committed in Baghdad, news agency IRNA said Friday. Iran "strongly condemns the wave of bombings in Sadr City and considers it a terrorist and savage action which was carried out while the American troops were standing idle," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini was quoted as saying by IRNA. "The occupation and the insecurity which emanates from it has caused continual damage to the Iraqi people, and they have no other choice but to pay its inhuman price," he added.(Posted @ 12:25 PST)
Hezbollah chief urges end to protests in Beirut BEIRUT, Nov 24 (Reuters) Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah appealed to supporters on Thursday to immediately end late night protests in Beirut's southern suburbs. "I urge them to leave the streets, more than urge, I beg them to leave the streets. We don't want anyone on the streets at all," Nasrallah appealed in a telephone call to Hezbollah's television station.(Posted @ 11:20 PST)
NATO chief counts on Germany to operate anywhere in Afghanistan in case of need THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Nov 24 (APP/AP): NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Friday he was counting on Germany to operate in any part of Afghanistan in case of need, and not just in the more peaceful northern sector. "I believe that in emergency situations, be it in the north, west, south or east, that all NATO member states help one another. That is also relevant for Germany," he said.(Posted @ 10:35 PST)
Fiji faces coup within two weeks, says Australian FM SYDNEY, Nov 24 (AFP) Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told ABC television's Lateline programme late Thursday that there is "clear evidence" that Fiji's military chief commander Voreqe Bainimarama is planning to stage a coup in the island nation within two weeks. Bainimarama earlier this week gave the government two weeks to meet a series of demands, but denied there would be a coup if the deadline was not met.(Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Militant dead, one arrested in Philippine clash ZAMBOANGA, Philippines, Nov 24 (AFP) Philippine police shot dead a suspected militant and arrested another in a gunfight during a raid on the al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf, officials said Friday. The raid occurred on the outskirts of Zamboanga City on the southern island of Mindanao late Thursday. The two men are suspected of involvement in kidnappings of businessmen and the murder of soldiers and policemen in the southern island of Jolo.(Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Iraqi president to seek Iranian help TEHRAN, Nov 24 (AFP) Iraqi President Jalal Talabani visits Iran Saturday for talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in a bid to secure the eastern neighbour's help in stabilising Iraq. It is Talabani's second visit to the Islamic republic.(Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 3.79 points: KARACHI, Nov 24: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 10870.90, up 3.79 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:05 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Nov 24: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.87 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:35 PST)
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