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| December 04, 2006 | Monday | Ziqa'ad 12, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Musharraf backs Pakistan to win cricket world cup; gives Yousuf Rs5 million ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP) President Pervez Musharraf Monday urged the Pakistani team to try to regain the cricket world cup. "I back the Pakistan team to win the World Cup but to achieve that feat, it will have to show super fitness, good fielding, discipline and team spirit", the president said at a reception he hosted for the Pakistan and West Indies teams. On this occasion, Musharraf announced an award of rupees five million for batsman Muhammad Yousuf. "I congratulate the whole Pakistan team for winning the Test series. Muhammad Yousuf stands out with his performance in this series and the nation is proud of him". The president, who is also the Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Cricket Board, eulogised the individual performances during the Test series. "Besides Yousuf, I think fast bowler Umer Gul and some others like Abdur Razzaq and wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal played very well", he said. Talking to pace bowler Rana Naveedul Hassan, he appreciated his tight bowling based on good line and length. To the opening pair of Imran Farhat and Muhammad Hafeez, he said the openers were the key to getting a good total. Speaking to West Indies skipper Brian Lara, he said he was held in high esteem and was a legend among the Pakistani fans, including the president himself. (First Posted @ 15:00 PST Updated @ 20:54 PST)
More than 300,000 South Asia quake survivors at risk as first snows fall: UN ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (AP) More than 300,000 survivors of last year's killer earthquake in Northern Pakistan and Kashmir are at risk of being cut off from food supplies this winter, the United Nations warned Monday. About 250,000 people are at risk of being cut off from food in North West Frontier Province and between 50,000 and 70,000 are vulnerable in Azad Kashmir, WFP spokesman Amjad Jamal said in Islamabad. Ahead of the foul weather, the WFP has positioned nearly 10,000 tons of emergency food at base camps in Kashmir and surrounding areas to feed those who can't get to food or run out, the spokesman said. The WFP has also procured five helicopters to airlift the sick or deliver emergency goods. Another 36,000 are still in refugee camps at lower altitudes receiving WFP aid, he said adding that the aid situation is expected to be somewhat better than last year. The WFP has budgeted about US$67 million in aid for the two year period from April 2006 to March 2008, but has so far received only 37 percent of the necessary funding, Jamal said. (Posted @ 12:35 PST)
British PM Tony Blair to visit the White House on Thursday WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (AFP) British Prime Minister Tony Blair will visit the White House this week to discuss several international issues with President George W. Bush, the White House announced Monday. The two leaders will discuss "strengthening democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan, advancing peace and security in the Middle East, preventing Iran from obtaining the means to build nuclear weapons, ending the genocide in Darfur, and promoting free and fair trade," the statement added. (First Posted @ 21:05 PST Updated @ 21:48 PST)
Prince Karim Aga Khan calls on PM ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Monday that the invaluable services rendered by the successive generations of Aga Khan family both during the independence struggle and also after the creation of Pakistan are a testimony of their commitment, love and faith in Pakistan. Talking to the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community Monday, he said that Prince Karim Agha Khan’s contribution in setting up centers of excellence in the field of education and health care, investment through the Prince Aga Khan network has made Pakistan an attractive destination for investment. Prince Karim Aga Khan particularly appreciated the efforts being made by Pakistan to promote inter-faith and inter-cultural harmony to advance international peace, harmony and understanding. (Posted @ 21:46 PST)
Blair unveils plans to keep nuclear deterrent LONDON, Dec 4 (AFP) British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced plans Monday for Britain to retain its nuclear deterrent but promised to cut the number of nuclear warheads by 20 percent (from under 200 to fewer than 160). Outlining the government's proposals to parliament, Blair said it would be "unwise and dangerous" for Britain to unilaterally give up the US-built Trident missile system in an uncertain world and proposed building new submarines by the 2020s to deter nuclear threats, including from state-sponsored terrorists. (First Posted @ 21:05 PST Updated @ 21:42 PST)
Hockey-Pakistan relive Busan nightmare in Doha DOHA, Dec 4 (AFP) Zubair Mohammad scored a last-minute equaliser as Pakistan snatched a 1-1 draw against Malaysia in their opening match of the Asian Games men's field hockey on Monday. In other games, India rode on captain Dilip Tirkey's hat-trick to trounce Bangladesh 6-0, China outplayed Oman 6-1 and Taiwan shocked Hong Kong 1-0 in their first Asiad appearance. (First Posted @ 18:30 PST Updated @ 21:14 PST)
Security forces kill 13 Maoist rebels in central India RAIPUR, India, Dec 4 (AFP) Indian security forces killed Sunday at least 13 Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh state, police said Monday. Some 500 heavily armed rebels attacked a paramilitary post in Dantewada district, about 500 kilometres south of state capital Raipur, and suffered the causalities in the resultant shootout, police said, but gave no causalities on the government side. (Posted @ 21:10 PST)
Six powers close to agreement on Iran nuclear resolution BRUSSELS, Dec 4 (AFP) The five veto-holding members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany are close to agreement on a United Nations resolution in response to Iran's nuclear programme, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said Monday. "We have taken into account the Russian amendments. We agree with Russia on adopting sanctions against Iranian proliferation programmes; that is sensitive nuclear activities and ballistic programmes," he said. (Posted @ 21:08 PST)
Kasuri to visit Afghanistan for talks on joint jirga: FO ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (Agencies) Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri will visit Afghanistan from December 7 to 9 for talks on holding a tribal jirga on both sides of the border, bilateral relations, follow-up discussions on decisions made by President Pervez Musharraf and President Hamid Karzai during their joint meeting with US President George W. Bush at the White House in September, the Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told newsmen at a weekly briefing Monday. The spokeswoman said there were 36 Pakistanis in Sri Lankan jails, of which two were convicted on drug charges. (First Posted @ 18:26 PST Updated @ 21:02 PST)
Harsh weather hits Pakistani quake survivors MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan, Dec 4 (Reuters) Snow fell in northern Pakistan on Monday where hundreds of thousands of survivors of a major earthquake last year are living in makeshift shelters. A doctor visiting village Thaniyan, northwest of the region's main town, Muzaffarabad, said six infants had died from pneumonia and acute diarrhea since Saturday. A photographer heading up into the mountains on Monday said he saw many people coming down, some carrying children, bound for Muzaffarabad. (First Posted @ 19:02 PST Updated @ 20:56 PST)
Karachi receives 50mms rain KARACHI, DEC 4 (APP) Karachi has received about 50 millimeters of rain since Sunday evening, the Met office said Monday. The rain flooded many roads causing massive traffic jams and disrupted power supply in many parts of the city. (First Posted @ 19:20 PST Updated @ 20:55 PST)
Bangladesh government asks EC to revise voter list, reschedule polls DHAKA, Bangladesh, Dec 4 (AP) Bangladesh's interim government asked the Election Commission on Monday to revise a contentious voter list and reschedule polls due in January in an attempt to end a political stalemate, two government advisers said. ``We have requested the Election Commission to revise the voter list, rectify duplicate names or omissions and prepare a list acceptable to all,'' Mahbubul Alam, an adviser to the caretaker government, told reporters after a meeting with election officials. The government also asked the commission to make changes in the election schedule. ``We talked with them and they will let us know tomorrow what they can do about the voter list and election schedule,'' fellow adviser Hasan Mashud Chowdhury said. The government also plans to ask certain election commissioners to go on leave and may appoint new ones, Alam said. (Posted @ 19:45 PST)
US Marine helicopter comes down in Iraq: 1 killed , 3 missing HADITHA, Dec 4 (Reuters) - One Marine was killed and three servicemen were missing after a U.S. Marine Sea Knight helicopter with 16 people on board made an emergency landing in water in western Iraq on Sunday, the U.S. military said on Monday.(Posted @ 16:35 PST)
PML decides to consult all coalition partners ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP): The Central Executive Committee of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Monday decided to consult its coalition partners including Muttahida Qaumi Movement on all the political issues including the proposed new legislation for the welfare and empowerment of women. The CEC meeting held under the Chairmanship of its President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, was specially attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, and the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Sindh. Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said: "There is democratic process in the country. The government always discusses all the issues and political matters with its coalition partners which will continue in future also."(Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Asian Games soccer:Pakistan give a scare before going down to N.Korea DOHA, Dec 4 (APP)- Pakistan gave a big scare to North Korea before going down 0-1 in the Doha Asian Games round two Group F soccer match Sunday night.Though Pakistan lost the match, the result was a big surprise for a high ranking Korean side which beat them 5-0 in the last Games at Busan in 2002. It was Pakistan's second defeat in a row having lost earlier to Japan 2-3. Despite surrendering the lead in the 54th minute, Pakistan put fire in their attacks, dominating with some rare midfield moves, while Korean keeper exhibited brilliance in yielding no space.(Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Gunbattle erupts during Bangladesh protest; 3 dead DHAKA, Dec 4 (Reuters) Three people were killed and another 50 wounded in Bangladesh on Monday when groups of rival political activists fired on each other during the second day of a transport blockade that has paralysed the country ahead of elections next month. "The gunbattle on Maheshkhali island, 350 km southeast of Dhaka raged for an hour, before they were chased away by police," said senior administrative officer Aminul Islam. The transport strike has been called by the 14-party opposition led by Awami League of Sheikh Hasina to force the interim government to restructure the election commission, change the election schedule and overhaul the voters' list. (First Posted @ 14:10 PST Updated @ 16:10 PST)
Six Iraqis killed; U.S. forces attack insurgents making a car bomb BAGHDAD, Dec 4 (AP) Suspected insurgents used drive-by shootings and a suicide car bomber to kill six Iraqis and wound five on Monday, while American forces said they killed two militants and destroyed a vehicle packed with explosives. In Monday's worst attack, suspected militants killed three government agricultural engineers and their driver in a drive-by shooting as they headed to work Monday morning in Baqouba. A similar attack in Khalis killed a man and woman. In Mosul, a suicide car bomber attacked a U.S. military convoy and wounded five nearby Iraqi civilians. No U.S. casualties were reported. In northern Baghdad, American forces killed two insurgents and detained six during a raid on buildings where insurgents with ties to al-Qaida in Iraq were making car bombs, the U.S. command said. Police found some 50 bodies with gunshot wounds in Baghdad over the past day, an Interior Ministry source said Monday. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Saddam trial hears call for witness testimony to end BAGHDAD, Dec 4 (AFP) The chief prosecutor in the genocide trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein called Monday for the court to wrap up witness testimony on the repression of the Kurds in 1988. "The trial should be fair and fast," Munqith al-Faroon said. "The court has listened to a large number of witnesses and we ask the court to no longer bring forward further witnesses," he added. (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Iraq situation 'much worse' than civil war, Annan says LONDON, Dec 4 (AP) The current situation in Iraq is ``much worse'' than civil war, the outgoing United Nations secretary-general said in an interview with the BBC Monday. Calling the situation ``extremely dangerous,'' Kofi Annan said the international community must help the country to rebuild because he is uncertain Iraq can accomplish it on its own. (Posted @ 14:15 PST)
Cricket-England (551-6) & 59-1 v Australia (513) - close ADELAIDE, Dec 4 (Reuters) England were 59 for one in their second innings at the close of play on the fourth day of the second Ashes test against Australia at Adelaide Oval on Monday. Scores: England 551-6 declared from 168 overs (Collingwood 206, Pietersen 158, Ian Bell 60; Stuart Clark 3-75) and 59-1 from 19 overs; Australia 513 from 165.3 overs (Ricky Ponting 142, Michael Clarke 124, Mike Hussey 91, Adam Gilchrist 64; Matthew Hoggard 7-109) (Posted @ 14:05 PST)
Sri Lankan military says six Tamil rebels, one soldier killed in clash COLOMBO, Dec 4 (AP) Government soldiers and Tamil Tigers clashed in eastern Sri Lanka Monday, and at least six insurgents and a member of a special anti-terrorist force were killed and three members were wounded, the Defence Ministry said. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Pressure mounts in Lebanon standoff BEIRUT, Dec 4 (AFP) Tensions mounted in Lebanon as the protest entered its fourth day Monday after a crowd of 100,000 demonstrated within earshot of the government offices in Beirut, urging the ouster of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and his government. Arab League chief Amr Mussa voiced concern about the "serious" situation and tried to mediate. "We are all worried," Mussa said, vowing to "propose some solutions" Monday after his talks with Siniora and pro-Syrian parliament speaker Nabih Berri. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Nine US troops killed over the weekend in Iraq BAGHDAD, Dec 4 (AFP) Insurgents killed nine US troops across Iraq over the weekend, the military said Monday. Two soldiers were killed and two wounded by an explosion near their vehicle on Sunday during operations, while the military had reported Sunday the deaths of seven other servicemen across the country. (Posted @ 11:55 PST)
Two firemen killed in UK fireworks warehouse blast LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) Two firefighters were killed and 12 other people including nine firefighters and a police sergeant were injured when a fireworks warehouse in Shortgate, East Sussex, caught fire and exploded on Sunday, officials said. (Posted @ 11:50 PST)
NATO kills 70-80 Taliban in fierce battle KABUL, Dec 4 (Reuters) NATO troops killed 70-80 Taliban in a fierce battle in southern Afghanistan Sunday, the alliance said Monday. A reconnaissance patrol engaged a large group of Taliban Sunday about 15 km from village Musa Qala in Helmand province. After a four-hour battle backed by attack helicopters and close air support, an estimated 70-80 guerrillas were killed, a NATO spokesman said, adding that there were no NATO casualties. Separately, three ISAF soldiers were wounded during another clash earlier in the day, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry said that some of the eight crew members on board the supply MI-21 helicopter that crashed on Saturday in Kandahar province had died, but NATO said its ground forces had not reached the wreckage and it did not know the fate of the crew. (Posted @ 11:30 PST)
Bus crash in Taiwan kills 22 TAIPEI, Taiwan, Dec 4 (AP) A tour bus crashed Sunday into a steep ravine in a scenic mountain area in southern Taiwan, killing 22 and seriously injuring 24 others, officials said on Monday. (Posted @ 10:15 PST)
British defence ministry sent defective bullets to Afghanistan: report LONDON, Dec 4 (AFP) The British defence ministry dispatched 22,000 rounds of faulty ammunition for use in Afghanistan, at one point leading a platoon of paratroopers to refuse to go on patrol, The Daily Telegraph reported Monday. The newspaper said that British soldiers had to use ammunition from Canadian and Estonian troops to fight off Taliban attacks in Helmand province. A spokeswoman for the British defence ministry, however, denied that the bullets in question were the problem, saying instead that the "soft mount", or aiming device placed on top of the gun, was to blame. "There was a problem caused by the soft-mount of the gun, which we have fixed," the spokeswoman said. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Chavez wins re-election, promises 'new democracy' CARACAS, Dec 4 (AFP) Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez won a landslide re-election Sunday, which he said would launch an era of "new democracy" in the South American country. Chavez supporters set off salvos of thunderous fireworks as he proclaimed victory from the balcony of the presidential palace in Caracas. "Today, a new era has started, with the expansion of the revolution, of a revolutionary democracy," Chavez told the cheering crowd minutes after electoral officials said he garnered over 61 percent of the votes and a lead of 23 points over state governor Manuel Rosales. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 29.20 points: KARACHI, Dec 4: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 10417.39, up 29.20 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Dec 4: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.95 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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