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| December 03, 2006 | Sunday | Ziqa'ad 11, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Iraq in civil war, worse than under Saddam: Annan UNITED NATIONS, Dec 3 (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Iraq was in the grips of a civil war and many people were worse off now than under Saddam Hussein, according to an interview to be broadcast on Monday. Annan, who leaves office on Dec. 31 described Iraq as being in an extremely dangerous situation and again questioned the ability of Baghdad's leadership to solve the civil strife by themselves. "When we had the strife in Lebanon and other places, we called that a civil war -- this is much worse," Annan said in an interview with BBC television and radio. Last week Annan told reporters Iraq was nearing civil war. (Posted @ 23:54 PST)
US air strike in Iraq kills 8, including civilians BAGHDAD, Dec 3 (Reuters) - A U.S. air strike destroyed a foreign fighter safe house in a Sunni insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad, killing five insurgents, two women and a child, the U.S. military said on Sunday. (Posted @ 23:46 PST)
Abbottabad, Galliyat, NAs, AJK receive snowfall ABBOTABAD, Dec 03 (PPI) The rainy spell and snowfall started in Northern Areas, Galliyat and Azad Kashmir on Sunday unleashed severe cold and frosty weather in the region. The rain and snowfall also caused closure of several roads for traffic in the area. Sporadic rainfall in Abbotabad and adjoining areas was continued from late night. In Galliayat one to two feet and in Kaghan Valley three to four feet snowfall was recorded. Abbotabad to Murree road was closed at Kalabagh point, while Kaghan-Naran road was also closed for traffic after heavy snowfall in the region. Gilgit, Hunza and Naltar valleys received first snowfall of the season, while heavy snowfall was also reported at Sino-Pak border region. (Posted @ 23:32 PST)
Traffic suspended between Quetta, Karachi QUETTA Dec 3 (PPI): A section of Quetta-Karachi RCD highway was damaged by heavy rains in Distridct lasbella. After the damage traffic between Quetta and Karachi has been suspended. Nullahs and streams in the area were flooded due to two days of rains. (Posted @ 23:26 PST)
5 injured in land mine blast in Sui QUETTA Dec 3 (PPI): Five persons were injured when a pickup struck against a land mine in Sui area. According to a report, a pickup was carrying some persons. It hit a land mine planted along the road in Dinari Pat area of Sui. Land mine exploded in which pickup was completely destroyed. Five inmates were also injured. They were removed to Sui hospital, report added. (Posted @ 23:18 PST)
Bush to consider Rumsfeld options on Iraq WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush is considering a "laundry list" of options for Iraq policy changes suggested by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld before resigning last month, a senior White House official said on Sunday. Rumsfeld told the White House in a classified memo, two days before he resigned, that the U.S. military's role in Iraq was not working well and it was "time for a major adjustment," including possible troop reductions. The memo, first reported by The New York Times, was one of the proposals that Bush will consider before making decisions on how to proceed, Stephen Hadley, White House national security adviser, said. (First Posted @ 09:35 PST Updated @ 23:06 PST)
Tennis-Russia beat Argentina 3-2 to win Davis Cup MOSCOW, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Marat Safin beat Jose Acasuso 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 in the fifth and decisive rubber to clinch Russia the Davis Cup title on Sunday. Russia beat Argentina 3-2 in the three-day final at Moscow's Olympic arena to win their second Davis Cup following their triumph in 2002. (Posted @ 22:56 PST)
11 feared drowned as vehicle falls into canal MULTAN, Dec 3 (APP): Eleven passengers including five kids were feared drowned after the vehicle fell into a canal in district Layyah, some 130 kilometers off here on Sunday, police said. Some 21 passengers were traveling in a big rickshaw-style vehicle, on the way, while crossing a narrow bridge over Thal canal, it plunged into the canal after its axle broke, police said. Five of the passengers including driver, cleaner and passengers seated on the front seats, swam to safety. Sensing fear of drowning, these persons jumped into the canal and swam to safety. (Posted @ 22:40 PST)
Palestinian teenager shot dead by Israeli soldiers NABLUS, West Bank, Dec 3, (AFP) - A Palestinian teenager was shot dead by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday, Palestinian security and medical sources said. Jamil Jabaji, 15, was killed by an Israeli bullet on the edge of Nablus' Askar refugee camp while throwing stones at an Israeli army jeep, the sources said. (Posted @ 22:24 PST)
Shujaat urges religious circles to present their views on WPB ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (APP): Pakistan Muslim League (PML) president Ch. Shujaat Hussain Sunday said the government will make all out efforts to ensure that women get their due social, political and legal rights in the society. Addressing a meeting of prominent religious leaders held at his residence he said women who constituted half of the population be given all the rights in accordance with teachings of Islam. He said some elements was trying to score a political point, but the government was committed to continuing its efforts to improve the living standard of the women. The PML president said all the religious circles should give suggestions regarding women protection bill and, if necessary, we would make amendments in the light of their suggestions. He said: "We want to get along in collaboration with all the political and religious parties. There is a need to make concerted efforts to further empower women and help them utilize their talent and potential to the fullest." (Posted @ 22:14 PST)
Three US soldiers killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Dec 3, (AFP) - Three US soldiers were killed in Iraq in two separate roadside bomb attacks, the leading cause of death for American troops fighting insurgents, the US military said Sunday. In addition, crashed US pilot Major Troy Gilbert, whose F-16 fighter went down in Iraq last week and who had been listed as missing, was confirmed as having been killed in action, the US air force said. (Posted @ 21:48 PST)
Israel approves completion of Lebanon pullout JERUSALEM, Dec 3, (AFP) - Israel on Sunday authorized UN troops to deploy in the Lebanese part of the divided border village of Ghajar, completing its pullout from Lebanon following the war with Hezbollah, a senior government official said. The influential security cabinet "adopted an... agreement on the status of Ghajar under which UNIFIL forces control the northern part of the village and Israel controls the southern part," a senior government official told AFP. (Posted @ 21:16 PST)
Iraq mourns 60 bomb victims as US reviews tactics BAGHDAD, Dec 3, (APP/AFP) - The death toll from Saturday's triple car bombing rose to 60 overnight as more men, women and children succumbed to wounds suffered when the blasts ripped through a crowded shopping street at nightfall, medics said. (Posted @ 20:38 PST)
One killed, two injured as avalanche hit vehicle at Lowari Pass CHITRAL, Dec 3 (APP): One person was killed and two others injured when an avalanche fell upon a pick-up at Lowari Pass on Saturday evening. Officials said that a Chitral bound pick-up was coming from Dir on Saturday evening and when it reached at Khunari Khwar at the top of Lowari Pass a heavy avalanche fell upon the vehicle killing the driver on the spot and injured two others passengers. (Posted @ 19:58 PST)
Blind Cricket World Cup to start on Monday ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Sunday formally inaugurated the World Cup for Blind at a colorful ceremony at National Library Auditorium. In all, seven teams from all major cricket playing countries -- Australia, England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies, India and Pakistan -- are participating. (Posted @ 19:10 PST)
20 killed as bus plummets into Taiwan ravine TAIPEI, Dec 3, (AFP) - A bus carrying 45 people plunged into a valley in southern Taiwan Sunday, killing 20, including four schoolchildren, a news report said. The accident occurred in a mountainous area in Tainan county when the bus crashed down a 20-meter ravine at high speed, Twenty-three other injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. (Posted @ 18:12 PST)
One dead, 50 injured in Bangladesh protest DHAKA, Dec 3, (AFP) - One person died and 50 were hurt Sunday in clashes in northern Bangladesh as opposition parties enforced the first day of an indefinite transport blockade to press for electoral reforms, police said. The clashes took place in the northeast Sylhet district during rallies by both the main opposition Awami League and the outgoing Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). "Supporters of the parties threw stones and small bombs at each other and exchanged gunfire," said police sub-inspector Saffaet Hossen. "Around 50 were injured and 20 of them were hospitalised," he added. (First Posted @ 10:00 PST Updated @ 17:38 PST)
Afghanistan suicide attack on NATO convoy kills two civilians KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Dec 3, (AFP) - A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden car near a NATO-led convoy in the Afghan city of Kandahar on Sunday, killing two civilians and injuring 13 others, officials said. The two Afghan passers-by were killed and the 13 others injured in the Dorahi area of Kandahar city, said interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary. (Posted @ 16:42 PST)
Australia 312 for 5 at close on the third day of second Ashes Test ADELAIDE, Australia, Dec 3, 2006 (AFP) - Australia were 312 for five in reply to England's 551 for six declared at the close on the third day of the second Ashes cricket Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval Sunday. Michael Clarke was not out 30, with Adam Gilchrist on 13. (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Philippines declares state of calamity after mudslide tragedy MANILA, Dec 3, 2006 (AFP) - Philippine President Gloria Arroyo declared a "state of national calamity" Sunday after giant mudslides triggered by typhoon rains killed hundreds of people. With the death toll feared to rise to more than 800 people and possibly up to 1,000, Arroyo said the government would continue to mobilize its resources to try to find survivors. The president authorized the immediate release of a billion pesos (20.12 million dollars) to rehabilitate areas affected by super typhoon Durian which devastated the Bicol region last week. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
Blast rocks southern Afghan city, cause unclear KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Dec 3 (Reuters) - An explosion shook the city of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan on Sunday but it was unclear what caused the blast and whether there were casualties, witnesses said. The incident occurred near a base used by foreign troops, the frequent target of attacks by Taliban militants this year. (Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Suicide bomber kills three policemen near Iraq oil city KIRKUK, Iraq, Dec 3, 2006 (AFP) - A suicide bomber blew himself up next to a police station near the northern oil city of Kirkuk, killing three policemen on Sunday, Major General Torhan Yussef of Kirkuk police said. Yussef said the attack took place at Lailan town, west of Kirkuk, and was targeting the town's police chief Colonel Faulah Othman Abdallah. "The bomber blew himself up at a checkpoint near the police station," Yussef said. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Iraq war has cost US 350 billion dollars WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (AFP) - The war in Iraq has cost the United States more than 350 billion dollars since the March 2003 invasion, according to an AFP review of Congress figures. About 290 billion dollars, including 254 billion for military operations, were allocated for the war in fiscal year 2006, according to a September 22 report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The Congressional Research Service estimated the cost at 319 billion dollars, representing 73 percent of US spending for the "war on terror" launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Congress has approved 70 billion dollars for the "war on terror" in the 2007 defense budget that includes about 50 billion dollars for the Iraq conflict, bringing the three-and-a-half-year spending over 350 billion dollars. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Madagascar begins voting in presidential election ANTANANARIVO, Dec 3 (AFP) - Madagascar began voting in a presidential election on Sunday, with the outgoing head of state, Marc Ravalomanana, tipped as the heavy favourite in a field of 14 candidates. Polling began at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) and was to close at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT. It will take at least three weeks for official results to be known. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Morocco: 12 die, including eight French tourists, in road crash MARRAKECH, Morocco Dec 3 (APP/AP) _ Twelve people _ eight French tourists and four Moroccans _ were killed in a road accident Saturday in Morocco, the official MAP news agency reported, citing security officials. Twenty-four others were injured. A bus carrying tourists collided head-on with a truck on the highway linking the cities of Casablanca and Marrakech, MAP reported. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Lebanon's showdown set for lengthy battle of wills BEIRUT, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Lebanon's political crisis showed no sign of easing on Sunday, with the pro-Syrian opposition pressing its protest campaign to topple the Western-backed government. Thousands of protesters spent a second night in a tent city in downtown Beirut, within earshot of the office-turned-residence of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Abbas weighs options to end Palestinian stalemate GAZA, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday he was considering options open to him after the failure of talks with the governing Hamas faction over creating a unity government. "It is known why the dialogue to form a government has stopped, therefore I do not want to get in to the details and the options which are in front of us and which we are studying seriously," Abbas said, without elaborating. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
N.Korea wants Russia support, offers uranium--paper TOKYO, Dec 3 (Reuters) - North Korea has offered Russia exclusive rights to its natural uranium deposits in exchange for open support at the six-way talks on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons, Japanese daily Tokyo Shimbun said on Sunday. (Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Cricket-Lee reported for excessive appealing ADELAIDE, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Australia fast bowler Brett Lee was reported for excessive appealing in the second Ashes test against England at Adelaide Oval. Lee was cited by New Zealand match referee Jeff Crowe after celebrating what he thought was the wicket of England batsman Kevin Pietersen early on day two. West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor rejected the Australian team's appeal for catch by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. Lee was ordered to appear at a judicial hearing either on Sunday or Monday and faces a fine if found guilty. (Posted @ 09:26 PST)
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