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| December 28, 2006 | Thursday | Zilhaj 06, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Three million Muslims begin annual hajj in Mecca MECCA, Saudi Arabia, Dec 28 (AP) Nearly three million Muslims from around the world marched through Mina valley outside Mecca on Thursday in the first day of the annual hajj pilgrimage. On Thursday morning, hundreds of thousands opened their pilgrimage by circling the Kaaba. The pilgrims will spend the night in a tent city in Mina before heading Friday for Mount Arafat. (Posted @ 17:02 PST)
Party to decide PM Aziz’s second term in office: Shujaat RAWALPINDI, Dec 28 (Agencies): Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Thursday told reporters that Information Secretary, Tariq Aziz’s, statement on the nomination of Shaukat Aziz for a second term as prime minister were his personal views and did not reflect the views of the party. He added that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has already said earlier that whatever the party decides, it will be acceptable to him. Regarding his meeting with Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson, Benazir Bhutto, he said "my meeting with Benazir Bhutto in Dubai was by chance. However, political issues were also discussed in the meeting…I have asked Benazir Bhutto to direct members of parliament of her party to sit with us and frame a code of conduct so that elections are held in a fair and transparent manner. I have asked Benazir Bhutto to side with the PML-Q". (Posted @ 19:48 PST)
Saddam may face hanging as soon as Saturday: White House CRAWFORD, Texas, Dec 28, 2006 (AFP) - The White House expects ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to be executed perhaps as early as Saturday, a senior official said Thursday on condition of anonymity. The official cited information from US authorities in Baghdad that "it's not going to be tonight our time, or tomorrow their time, it's going to be maybe another day." "It's the government of Iraq's decision," the official said, as US President George W. Bush and top national security aides mulled an overhaul of his Iraq war-fighting strategy. Asked whether the execution could spark violence by lingering Saddam loyalists, the official replied that "they start violence for any reason they can come up with." (Posted @ 02:00 PST)
Bush says making progress on Iraq plan CRAWFORD, Texas, Dec 28 (Reuters) - President George W.Bush said on Thursday he was making "good progress" in coming up with a new Iraq strategy. He made the comments after meeting with his National Security Council. He said there were more consultations to be done and that he and his team would reach out to Congress. (Posted @ 23:56 PST)
Mexican freight train smashes into bus, kills 21 MEXICO CITY, Dec 28 (Reuters) - A freight train smashed into a bus as it crossed a railway track outside Mexico City on Thursday, killing at least 21 people and injuring another nine, local officials said. The bus carrying 30 people drove into the path of the 36-car freight train as it headed north on a highway. "There are 21 dead and nine injured," said Arturo Vilchis, emergency services director for the state of Mexico. (Posted @ 23:50 PST)
Russia charges two Chechens with murder in brawl MOSCOW, Dec 28 (Reuters) - A Russian regional court charged two Chechens with murder during a brawl which sparked inter-ethnic riots in the town of Kondopoga in September, media said on Thursday. (Posted @ 23:40 PST)
PAF to be provided modern equipment: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Dec 28 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday said the country's defence needs will always remain a priority and the government will continue to provide necessary resources to the Pakistan Air Force. The prime minister was talking to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mehmood Ahmad, who called on him at PM House here. (Posted @ 23:16 PST)
Govt focusing on development of Balochistan: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Dec 28 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said the government is focusing on development in Balochistan, and numerous projects currently underway there would bring a meaningful change in the lives of the common man. Talking to the Chief Minister Balochistan province, Jam Mohammad Yousuf, Aziz said Balochistan has immense potential in tourism, fisheries, livestock, agriculture, oil and gas, and minerals and mining sectors and added that serious efforts are being made to exploit the untapped potential of the province in these sectors. The overall law and order situation in the province and the reorganisation of PML also came under discussion during the meeting. (Posted @ 23:10 PST)
Pakistan greatly values ties with Jordan: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Dec 28 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday said Pakistan greatly values its relationship with Jordan and is keen on expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields, including economic and defence spheres. He was talking to the special advisor of the King of Jordan, Farouk Kasrawi, who called on him here. (Posted @ 22:48 PST)
Top Bush aides meet ahead of Iraq policy decision CRAWFORD, Texas, Dec 28 (AFP) US President George W. Bush met Thursday at his Texas ranch with his top aides for final consultations on his planned strategy change in Iraq, White House officials said. The event, dubbed a "non-decisional meeting" by a White House spokesman, included all members of Bush's national security council. (Posted @ 21:44 PST)
Estonian soldier wounded in Afghan attack TALLINN, Dec 28 (AFP) An Estonian soldier was wounded Wednesday evening in southern Helmand province in an insurgent attack, officials said Thursday. (Posted @ 21:42 PST)
Five US troops killed in Iraq as December toll tops 100 BAGHDAD, Dec 28 (AFP) Five US troops were killed in Iraq, the military announced Thursday, bringing December's death toll to 101. One US soldier was killed and another wounded in a roadside bomb attack north of Baghdad on Thursday. Two soldiers died and another was wounded southwest of Baghdad in a bomb attack Wednesday. Another soldier was killed and two more were wounded in an eastern section of Baghdad also Wednesday when another bomb exploded. A marine was killed during fighting in the western Al-Anbar province on Wednesday, the US military said in a statement. (Posted @ 21:40 PST)
Iraq violence kills 29 BAGHDAD, Dec 28 (AFP) At least 29 Iraqis were killed Thursday in a string of attacks across Iraq. Seven people were killed and 25 wounded when two booby traps exploded in a Baghdad market, the military said. Another 10 people were killed and 35 wounded in a bomb attack in east Baghdad. South of the capital, three more civilians were killed in two bomb attacks. Meanwhile, north of Baghdad, two Iraqi soldiers were killed and three soldiers wounded when a booby trap exploded on the highway between Baiji and Tikrit. In Diyala province, a police captain and two civilian women were killed by unidentified gunmen in separate attacks. Two soldiers were killed and a third wounded in a gunbattle in Dujail village, police said. (First Posted @ 10:30 PST Updated @ 21:36 PST)
Israeli soldier to be freed soon: Palestinian PM AL-ARISH, Egypt, Dec 28 (AFP) Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya said on Thursday that the Israeli soldier captured in a June 25 cross-border raid from the Gaza Strip will be freed soon, and the issue of Palestinian prisoners in Israel will also be settled. (Posted @ 21:34 PST)
Indian police kill Maoist guerrilla couple HYDERABAD, India, Dec 28 (AFP) A senior Maoist rebel leader and his wife were shot dead by police in a gun battle in southern India, police said. However rights activists accused police of staging a "cold-blooded, fake encounter". (Posted @ 21:32 PST)
Cricket-South Africa build lead against India DURBAN, South Africa, Dec 28 (Reuters) AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith shared an unbroken half-century stand to build South Africa's lead, when bad light ended play 30.3 overs early on the third day of the second test against India on Thursday. South Africa 1st innings 328 (Prince 121, Gibbs 63, Boucher 53; Sreesanth 4-109), India 1st innings 240 (Tendulkar 63, Laxman 50 n.o.; Ntini 15-4-41–3, Morkel 18-1-86–3), South Africa 2nd innings 64 without loss (Smith 28 n.o., de Villiers 31 n.o.) (Posted @ 20:56 PST)
Mogadishu falls to Ethiopian-backed troops MOGADISHU, Dec 28 (Reuters) Ethiopian-backed Somali government forces marched into Mogadishu on Thursday after leaders of the Somalia Islamic Courts Council (SICC) fled their base early in the morning. (First Posted @ 11:35 PST Updated @ 19:24 PST)
Ireland appoints Pakistani to European anti-racism body DUBLIN, Dec 28 (AFP) Ireland said Thursday it had appointed a member of the country's growing Muslim community to be its representative on the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance. Mazhar Ali Bari is also a member of the boards of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, the Muslim National School in Dublin, the Association of Pakistanis in Ireland and a member of the Ireland Pakistan Business Council. (Posted @ 19:15 PST)
Pakistani relatives protest over missing detainees RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Dec 28 (Reuters) Pakistani police broke up a protest on Thursday when dozens of people, whose relatives have disappeared mysteriously, tried to deliver a petition at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi. Police roughed up several of the protesters and detained at least six of them after the protesters were stopped and tried to stage a sit-in on a road near the gates of the building, witnesses said. (Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Pakistan fence, landmine plan no solution: Karzai KABUL, Dec 28 (Reuters) Afghanistan's president on Thursday urged Pakistan to do more to stop militants from sheltering and training on its territory rather than separating families with an impractical border fence and landmines. Hamid Karzai said "It's going to be, in effect, a separation of tribes and families from each other, not a prevention of terrorism". (Posted @ 19:08 PST)
Nine killed in occupied Kashmir violence SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Dec 28 (AFP) Nine people were killed and 10 others injured in separate incidents in occupied Kashmir, officials said Thursday. Three suspected militants were killed in Rampur village early Thursday morning in an alleged gunbattle with Indian soldiers, the army said. Late Wednesday, two suspected militants were killed in another gunbattle with police in Doda district, police said. Elsewhere, unknown gunmen killed a former militant in Baramulla district and a police informer in Doda district overnight. In another incident in Doda district, the body of a man, identified as Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh, was recovered from Darna village on Wednesday. Hundreds of residents poured on to the streets of Darna, accusing the police of killing Sheikh in custody. Security personnel opened fire on the protestors, killing one and injuring 10, police said. (First Posted @ 16:50 PST Updated @ 18:04 PST)
Egypt sent arms to Abbas loyalists with Israeli help JERUSALEM, Dec 28 (AFP) Egypt has sent a large quantity of arms to forces loyal to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, in coordination with Israel, an Israeli official said Thursday. Abbas's spokesman, however, categorically denied the report. According to the Haaretz daily, "a load of 2,000 Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifles as well as 20,000 cartridge clips and two million bullets were transferred to Fatah's armed groups in the Gaza Strip, in coordination with the Israeli army." (First Posted @ 11:05 PST Updated @ 17:06 PST)
Ex-dictator's supporters strike in Bangladesh DHAKA, Bangladesh, Dec 28 (AP) Police in Bangladesh on Thursday used batons and tear gas to disperse thousands of stone-throwing supporters of a former military ruler and chief of Jatiya Party, leaving several activists injured, a police official said. The violence occurred in five districts of northern Bangladesh, including Rangpur town, where supporters protested against the rejection of Hussain Muhammad Ershad's application to stand in next month's national election. (Posted @ 16:54 PST)
Britain, Pakistan diamond dispute revealed in PM letters LONDON, Dec 29 (AFP) The Pakistani prime minister called on Britain to right historic wrongs 30 years ago by returning a precious diamond which left during colonial times, newly declassified documents showed Friday. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto wrote to his then counterpart, James Callaghan, in August 1976 about the Koh-i-noor diamond, saying "little is left in our land from what was bequeathed to us by the centuries of pre-colonial history". The documents were released by the National Archives in London, under rules which state that official papers can be made public after 30 years. (Posted @ 16:48 PST)
Two soldiers killed in Sri Lanka blast COLOMBO, Dec 28 (AFP) At least two soldiers were killed and three more wounded in a powerful mine attack in northern Sri Lanka’s Jaffna peninsula Thursday, defence officials said.(Posted @ 14:30 PST)
NATO soldier killed in southern Afghanistan KABUL, Dec 28 (Reuters) A NATO soldier was killed and three injured, one seriously, after a blast caused their vehicle to crash during a reconnaissance mission in southern Afghanistan’s Helmand province Wednesday, the alliance said on Thursday.(Posted @ 13:30 PST)
Australia beat England by an innings and 99 runs in fourth Ashes Test MELBOURNE, Dec 28 (AFP) Australia defeated England to win the fourth Ashes Test by an innings and 99 runs and took a 4-0 lead in the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground here Thursday. The Australians routed the tourists for 161 in their second innings. England were dismissed for 159 off 74.2 overs in their first innings. Brett Lee led the way taking 4-47 and Stuart Clark took three wickets. Match scores: England 159 and 161; Australia 419.(Posted @ 12:05 PST)
Two Latvian soldiers killed, three wounded in Iraq RIGA, Latvia, Dec 28 (AP) Two Latvian soldiers were killed and three wounded in Iraq Wednesday when a roadside bomb exploded under their patrol vehicle, the Defence Ministry said. The explosion occurred while the group was on patrol west of Diwaniyah city, a military spokesman told reporters in Riga. They were the Baltic country's first casualties in Iraq since a Latvian soldier was killed in 2004.(Posted @ 10:40 PST)
Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by seven wickets in one-dayer NAPIER, New Zealand, Dec 28 (AFP) Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by seven wickets in their first one-day international here Thursday after veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya led the way with a whirlwind 111. Sri Lanka scored 286-3 in 40 overs in reply to New Zealand's 285-8, with the tourists' other opener Upal Tharanga contributing a valuable 68. Skipper Daniel Vettori took 1-33 from eight overs.For New Zealand, Ross Taylor topscored with an unbeaten 128, with Nathan Astle with 83. Chaminda Vaas was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, taking 3-50 from his 10 overs.(Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Israeli settlement violates 'road map,' US says WASHINGTON, Dec 28 (Reuters) Israel's plan to settle 30 Jewish families on a former army base in the occupied West Bank would violate terms of a U.S.-backed Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, the United States said Wednesday. "The U.S. calls on Israel to meet its road map obligations and avoid taking steps that could be viewed as predetermining the outcome of final-status negotiations," Gonzo Gallegos, a State Department spokesman, told reporters in Washington, adding that Washington was seeking an explanation from Israel.(Posted @ 09:35 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 27.01 points: KARACHI, Dec 28: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 10058.47 , up 27.01 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Dec 28: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.6 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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