|
|
| February 11, 2007 | Sunday | Muharram 22, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Putin in Saudi Arabia after anti-US outburst RIYADH, Feb 11, (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Saudi Arabia Sunday on the first leg of a Middle East tour to enhance ties with regional US allies after launching a scathing attack on Washington's “ruinous” foreign policy. Putin and Saudi King Abdullah, whose countries are the world's two largest oil producers, will discuss regional problems and bilateral links, including possible Russian arms sales to Riyadh, which has traditionally used Western defence systems. The Russian leader, on his first visit to Saudi Arabia, was due to hold talks with Abdullah later Sunday and stay in Riyadh until Monday. Putin will then head to Qatar and Jordan on the three-day tour aimed at bolstering energy and military links in a region where US influence has been uncontested since the collapse of the Soviet Union. (Posted @ 23:28 PST)
Mild quake jolts Pakistan's capital ISLAMABAD, Feb 11, (AFP) - A 5.0 magnitude earthquake Sunday jolted Pakistan's capital Islamabad, and Peshawar and Chitral cities, officials said. The quake happened at 8.05 pm (1505 GMT), local met office chief Qamaruz Zaman Chaudhary said. He said that the epicentre of the quake was located some 300 kilometres north of Islamabad in the Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan. There were no reports of damage or casualties. (Posted @ 22:56 PST)
6 dead, 6 injured as group becomes trapped in underground tunnel in Canary Islands CANARY ISLANDS, Feb 11, (AP) - A group of scientists and nature lovers exploring tunnels in the Canary Islands became trapped underground and six of them died after apparently inhaling toxic gases, officials said Sunday. (Posted @ 22:12 PST)
Five of a family killed as roof collapses LAHORE, Feb 11 (APP): A man and his four daughters were killed when roof of a house collapsed due to rain at Peter colony, Walton road here in the wee hours of Sunday. They were asleep when roof caved in. (Posted @ 21:02 PST)
2 Russian soldiers killed, 6 wounded in blast in Dagestan MAKHACHKALA, Russia, Feb 11, (AP) - Two Russian soldiers were killed and six wounded in a bombing in the troubled southern province of Dagestan, authorities said Sunday. A roadside bomb exploded on the outskirts of Buinaksk on Saturday evening as a team of combat engineers was patrolling the area, regional Interior Ministry spokeswoman Anzhela Martirosova said. The town is about 35 kilometers west of the capital, Makhachkala. (Posted @ 20:34 PST)
Moderate quake jolts Indonesia's Aceh JAKARTA, Feb 11, (AFP) - A moderate 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck northwest of the Indonesian province of Aceh on Sunday, seismologists said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. (Posted @ 20:16 PST)
Four killed, military chief injured in Somali bombing MOGADISHU, Feb 11, (AFP) - At least four people were killed and two dozen wounded Sunday when a bomb exploded in the southern Somali port of Kismayo, witnesses said. Among the injured was the recently appointed Somali military chief General Adbi Mohamed, who was addressing scores of residents in the town, about 500 kilometres south of the capital Mogadishu, a senior army officer told AFP. (Posted @ 20:08 PST)
Israeli cabinet approves Jerusalem excavations JERUSALEM, Feb 11, (REUTERS) - Israel's cabinet decided on Sunday to press ahead with archaeological digging outside Jerusalem's most contentious religious site despite Arab protests, a government official said. (Posted @ 19:40 PST)
US helicopter down north of Baghdad - residents BAGHDAD, Feb 11, (REUTERS), - The U.S. military said on Sunday it was checking reports that an Apache helicopter had come down north of Baghdad. Witnesses reported seeing a missile strike the attack helicopter, which carries two crew, bringing the aircraft down in the Timayma area, near Taji, 20 km north of Baghdad, which houses a major U.S. air base. U.S. military spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Josslyn Aberle said she was looking into the reports. (Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Cricket: South Africa beat Pakistan by 10 wickets CAPE TOWN, Feb 11, (REUTERS) - Emphatic batting by AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith handed South Africa a comprehensive victory in the fourth one-day international against Pakistan on Sunday. South Africa won by 10 wickets to take an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the series with one match to play. Pakistan were dismissed for 107 in 45.4 overs, to which South Africa replied with 113 without loss in 14 overs. De Villiers scored an unbeaten 50, while Smith was 56 not out. (First Posted @ 18:50 PST Updated @ 19:06 PST)
Ten killed, thousands delayed in 80-car China pile-up BEIJING, Feb 11, (APP/AFP) - A crash involving more than 80 cars on an eastern China expressway left at least 10 people dead and caused a massive snarl-up affecting thousands of motorists, state media reported Sunday. Foggy conditions on Sunday morning led to the crash in Jiangxi province, Xinhua news agency said. (Posted @ 18:36 PST)
President Musharraf speaks to Egyptian President ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP) - President General Pervez Musharraf Sunday discussed with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, his initiative, to resolve the Middle East issue. Speaking by phone President Musharraf informed the Egyptian President about his discussions with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Iran and other leaders. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
Abbas says Mideast summit will set stage for final status talks CAIRO, Feb 11, (AFP) - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said on Saturday that a meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert would set the stage for final status talks in the long-stagnant Middle East peace process. “The three-way meeting with Rice and Olmert on February 19 will pave the way for the start of the final peace process,” Abbas said in Cairo after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. (Posted @ 17:46 PST)
Sri Lankan president visits Maldives MALE, Feb 11, (APP/AFP) - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse arrived in the Maldives on Sunday for a series of talks on bilateral trade, officials said. (Posted @ 17:28 PST)
Cricket: England beats Australia to clinch tri-series final SYDNEY, Australia, Feb 11, (AP) - England beat Australia by 34 runs in a rain disrupted second limited-overs cricket final Sunday to clinch the tri-series final series. England won the first of three finals by four wickets Friday at Melbourne. Scores: England 246-8 in 50 overs; Australia 152-8 in 27 overs (result decided by Duckworth-Lewis method). (Posted @ 17:02 PST)
Cricket: Sri Lanka beat India by five runs RAJKOT, India, Feb 11, (AFP) - Sri Lanka defeated India by five runs in the second one-day international here on Sunday to gain a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. The opening match at Kolkata was abandoned due to rain. Scores: Sri Lanka 257-8 in 50 overs; India 252-9 in 50 overs. (Posted @ 16:40 PST)
13 Pakistani hunters held by India sent back home AMRITSAR, India, Feb 11, 2007 (AFP) - Thirteen Pakistani hunters who lost their way and strayed into India were set free in line with a goodwill accord between the South Asian nuclear rivals, Indian troops said Sunday. The hunting party, complete with running hounds, was arrested after the men strayed into the northern Indian state of Punjab, a spokesman for the Border Security Force here said. “They were chasing an antelope when they crossed the borders and then were hopelessly lost,” the spokesman said in the holy Sikh city of Amritsar. “After a commandant-level meeting at the border, they were sent back as a gesture of goodwill,” he said, adding that the Pakistani nationals had crossed into Punjab's Ferozepur district on Thursday night. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Suicide attack on Iraq police kills 12 TIKRIT, Iraq, Feb 11, 2007 (AFP) - A suicide bomber slammed an explosives-laden van into a police station in northern Iraq on Sunday, killing at least 12 people and wounding 25 more, officials said. Lieutenant Colonel Hur Baz of the police in Ad-Dawr said that 12 people -- police officers and prisoners being held in his cells -- were killed outright when the blast devastated the local police department. The 25 wounded included police, prisoners and civilian visitors, he said. (Posted @ 15:00 PST)
Ahmadinejad says ready to talk but rules out nuclear freeze TEHRAN, Iran, Feb 11, 2007 (AFP) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday said Iran was ready to negotiate with the West over its nuclear programme but would not give in to the key demand that it suspends uranium enrichment. “If you are willing to negotiate why do you insist on a suspension?” Ahmadinejad asked the West in a speech to a mass rally in Tehran marking the 28th anniversary of the Islamic revolution. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Cricket: Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar doubtful for World Cup KARACHI, Feb 11, 2007 (AFP) - Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar Sunday said he fears he could miss the World Cup after suffering a knee injury that may take three to four weeks to heal. Doctors have advised Akhtar to have scans to reveal the extent of the injury to the left knee, which was operated on, along with the right knee, in February last year. “I am devastated at the thought of missing the World Cup,” Akhtar told AFP, just a month away from the start of the World Cup in the West Indies, which kicks off with Pakistan playing the hosts on March 13. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Davis Cup: Philippines 4, Pakistan 1 MANILA, Philippines, Feb 11 (AP) In the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II first round match Philippines clinched the issue with four matches to one against Pakistan at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center here Sunday. Result:s: Sunday (Reverse Singles): Cecil Mamiit, Philippines, defeated. Aqeel Khan 6-1, 6-3, 6-2; and Patrick John Tierro, Philippines, defeated Yasir Khan 6-3 6-0. In Saturday’s Doubles Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino, Philippines, head defeated . Aqeel Khan and Asim Shafik, Pakistan, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 and on Friday(Singles) Cecil Mamiit, Philippines, had defeated . Jalil Khan, Pakistan, 6-1, 6-0, 6-1. Pakistan’s only win came through Aqeel Khan, who had defeated Eric Taino, Philippines, 4-6, 6-0, 7-6 (1), 7-5. (Updated @ 12:15 PST)
NATO commander says too few troops in Afghanistan MUNICH, Germany, Feb 11 (APP/AFP) - US presidential hopeful John McCain called on European allies on Saturday to match an American troop increase to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, warning that failure there would deal a grievous blow to the alliance. McCain made the appeal the day after NATO defence ministers failed to reach a consensus on the need for more troops in Afghanistan despite an assessment to the contrary by the alliance's supreme commander, US Army General Bantz Craddock. “If NATO does not prevail in Afghanistan, it is difficult to imagine the alliance undertaking another 'hard security' operation -- in or out of area -- and its credibility would suffer a grievous blow,” said McCain, a Republican senator from Arizona. “There will undoubtedly be an offensive this spring in Afghanistan; the only question is whether it will be NATO's offensive or the Taliban's,” he said in a speech to an international conference here. (Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Indonesia flood toll increases to 85 lives JAKARTA, Feb 11 (APP/AFP) - Floods which have inundated at least three Indonesian provinces including Jakarta for more than a week have claimed 85 lives, officials said Sunday. Nearly half a million people are still unable to return to their homes. “A total of 48 people have been killed in Jakarta alone, ” they said. (Posted @ 10:10 PST)
US 'disappointed' by Putin's accusations WASHINGTON, Feb 11 (AFP) -The White House said Saturday it was “surprised and disappointed” by Russian President Vladimir Putin's charges that the United States had broken from international law and made the world a more dangerous place. “We are surprised and disappointed with President Putin's comments,” White House national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement. “His accusations are wrong,” he said. “We expect to continue cooperation with Russia in areas important to the international community such as counterterrorism and reducing the spread and threat of weapons of mass destruction,” Johndroe said. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Putin begins Mideast tour MOSCOW, Feb 11 (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin Sunday begins a three-day tour through Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, seeking to build on growing energy and military ties with traditional US allies in the Middle East after sharply slamming Washington's policy as a source of regional instability. The visits will be the first by a Russian president to the three countries. ”Putin will spend Sunday and early Monday in Saudi Arabia on the invitation of King Abdullah before travelling to neighbouring Qatar, and then to Amman on Tuesday for talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Blaze kills nine foreigners in South Korea SEOUL, Feb 11 (AFP) - At least nine illegal immigrants were killed and 18 others hurt in a fire early Sunday that swept through an immigration office building in the southern South Korean port of Yeosu, local officials said. The nine victims include five Chinese and one Uzbek. The three others were not immediately identified. “The death toll is likely to rise as 17 of the 18 hurt are in serious condition,”an immigration official said by phone. A total of 55 migrants were in custody at the four-storey building at the time of the pre-dawn blaze. Twenty-eight were rescued by fire fighters.The cause of the blaze was not immediately known but police were investigating the possibility of arson, Yonhap news agency said. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Turkmenistan votes for successor to late Niyazov ASHGABAT, Feb 11 (AFP) - Turkmenistan went to the polls Sunday to elect a successor to late dictator Saparmurat Niyazov, with the gas-rich Central Asian republic's interim leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov seen as guaranteed of victory as his five nominal rivals are little-known figures, while any real potential opponents live in foreign exile. Preliminary results were expected by Monday and the official outcome on Wednesday. (Posted @ 09:35 PST)
Three Muslims shot dead in Thai south YALA, Thailand, Feb 11 (AFP) - Three Muslim rubber workers were shot dead Sunday by suspected militants in Thailand's restive south, police said. The shootings came as Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was Sunday to begin a two-day visit to neighbouring Thailand to discuss ways to solve the long-running insurgency, which has killed more than 1,900 people since 2004. The restive Muslim-majority region was an independent sultanate until it was annexed by mainly Buddhist Thailand in 1902. Separatist violence has erupted periodically ever since. (Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Editor: Abbas Nasir
The DAWN Group of Newspapers
Haroon House, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Karachi 74200, Pakistan.
Phone:+92 (21) 111-444-777 Fax: +92 (21) 569-3995
webmaster@dawn.com
Make sure to reload these pages so you're viewing the current version.
|
|
|
Contributions |