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| February 12, 2007 | Monday | Muharram 23, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
World Bank verdict a 'victory' for Pakistan, minister says ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb 12 (Agencies) Pakistan claimed victory Monday in a dispute over a planned Indian dam in occupied Kashmir, saying that a World Bank arbitrator ruled in its favor and ordered Delhi to change its plans. A World Bank report recommended three changes to the design of the Baglihar dam across the Chenab River, including a cut in the amount of water it can hold, Pakistan's Power and Water Minister Liaqat Ali Jatoi said. “It is a victory” for Pakistan, Jatoi said at a news conference. “Morally, they (India) are bound. They have to respect the decision.” Meanwhile, a Press Trust of India report said that the World Bank appointed expert, Professor Raymond Lafitte, had overruled all objections to the dam raised by Pakistan, except for asking India to lower the height of the proposed 144.5-metre dam by one-and-a-half meters. (Posted @ 19:28 PST)
US defence secretary seeks Pakistan's support to nix Taliban spring offensive RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Feb 12 (AP) - U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates sought Pakistan's support Monday to prevent an expected Taliban spring offensive in neighboring Afghanistan, saying the allies had the chance to deal a “strategic setback” to the militants. Gates, on his first visit to Pakistan since becoming the Pentagon chief, said he had discussed with President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and U.S. commanders in Afghanistan how to increase pressure on insurgents on both sides of the frontier. “We talked about the importance of seizing the offensive this spring to deal Taliban and al-Qaida a strategic setback,” Gates told reporters at Chaklala airbase after talks with the Pakistani leader. Gates described Pakistan as a “very strong ally” of the United States in its war on terrorism. (Posted @ 13:11 PST)
Gates says U.S. won't abandon Afghanistan again RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Feb 12(Reuter) - U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates, in Pakistan for talks on how to defeat the Taliban, said on Monday the United States would not repeat the mistake of letting extremists take control of Afghanistan. Gates met with President Pervez Musharraf following four days of meetings in Spain and Germany focused mainly on the war in Afghanistan. Gates said the United States had absorbed the lessons of the 1980s and 1990s, when the United States left Afghanistan to descend into chaos after covertly supporting an Islamic jihad, or holy war, to end Soviet occupation of the country. “After the Soviets left, the United States made a mistake. We neglected Afghanistan and extremism took control of that country,” Gates told a news conference at the Chaklala military air base in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. “The United States paid a price for that on Sept 11, 2001,” Gates said.. “We won't make that mistake again.” “We can't be successful unless Pakistan is part of the equation in eliminating this insurgency,” said one NATO official ahead of Gates' trip. (First Posted @ 09:50 PST; Updated @ 13:05 PST)
Jerusalem mayor suspends renovations near Al-Aqsa mosque: report JERUSALEM, Feb 12 (AFP) - The mayor of Jerusalem has decided to suspend renovations near the revered Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the city's Old Town that have caused violent clashes between Palestinian protestors and police, Israeli military radio reported. Mayor Uri Lupolianski announced late Sunday the suspension of repair work to a damaged stone ramp leading to the mosque has that has angered Muslims across the world and which the Arab League on Saturday called a “criminal attack.” (Posted @ 10:43 PST)
Writ of state to be maintained at all cost: President RAWALPINDI, Feb 12 (APP) President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday said, the key to country's future and way forward is to sustain economic growth and control extremism. “Writ of the State will be maintained at all cost. No matter what it takes,” the president said in his address to the participants of Exercise “Paasban” at the Joint Staff Headquarters in Chaklala base, which was also attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. “It is important to understand the environment. It is good to be an idealist, however, idealism does not always work because you will never get an ideal environment. One must, therefore, remain pragmatic and formulate policies according to the environment in order to move ahead,” he said. Commenting on policies the president said, “they are good but the problem occurs because of shortfalls in implementation, hence we must understand policy formulation and implementation. We must address the shortfalls but must not get discouraged. I am optimistic about our national potential and future.” (Posted @ 23:14 PST)
No decision to mine Pak-Afgan border: FO ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP) Pakistan on Monday said it had not taken any decision yet to mine the Pak-Afghan border. However, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam at a weekly press briefing here referred to President Musharraf’s statement in which he spoke of selective fencing in NWFP in the first phase, to be followed in parts of Balochistan. When asked about the Canadian offer to suggest alternatives to mining, the spokesperson informed that a Canadian inter-agency team was holding talks with officials in Pakistan in this regard. Responding to remarks attributed to a US commander about crossing into Pakistan’s territory in hot pursuit of Taliban, the spokesperson said the US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates, expressed regrets and apologies for the reported remarks. About Musharraf's meeting with Gates, she said it was part of a continuing dialogue with the United States at various levels. To a question regarding India's increased defence budget and its impact on the Pak-India peace process, the spokesperson said “It's India's decision to spend 10 billion dollars on armaments. However, we do not want to enter an arms race. If there's widening asymmetry between the conventional forces of Pakistan and India, it will not help”. Commenting on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement to seek Pakistan's cooperation in making India a hub of industrial activity, Ms Aslam said that free trade and complete normalization of relations between the two countries would depend on the progress they make on their core issues. (Posted @ 22:40 PST)
Former Iraqi VP sentenced to death BAGHDAD, Feb 12 (AFP) Taha Yassin Ramadan, executed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's vice president, was himself sentenced to death Monday for crimes against humanity by an Iraqi court. US-based Human Rights Watch had urged Iraq not to impose the death penalty because they said there was insufficient evidence linking Ramadan to the murders of villagers from Dujail, north of Baghdad, in the 1980s. (Posted @ 21:42 PST)
Putin arrives in Qatar DOHA, Feb 12 (AFP) Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived Monday in Doha, on the second leg of a Middle East tour aimed at boosting military and energy ties. Putin was received by Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani at the airport, and the two leaders headed to the Emir's palace for talks. (Posted @ 21:38 PST)
At least 79 dead in Baghdad attacks BAGHDAD, Feb 12 (AFP) Bomb attacks ripped through two popular central Baghdad markets on Monday, killing at least 79 people and wounding more than 165. Traders at the Shorja market said a car bomb had detonated in a garage beneath the market, and added that two more car bombs had been placed at intervals in the district, spreading devastation for 700 metres. (First Posted @ 15:25 PST Updated @ 21:34 PST)
Explosion heard near U.S. base in Japan TOKYO, Feb 12 (AP) An explosion was heard near a U.S. Army base south of Tokyo late Monday and police suspected an attempted attack on the base, Kyodo News agency reported. The blast was in the area of the U.S. Army's Camp Zama, Kyodo said. The report did not say whether there were any injuries or damage. Police found parts of a “launch pad” near the base, Kyodo said, and investigators suspected a “guerrilla attack.” (Posted @ 21:18 PST)
Migrants disembark in Mauritania under Spanish plan NOUADHIBOU, Mauritania, Feb 12 (Reuters) Up to 400 African and Asian migrants began disembarking in northern Mauritania on Monday from a battered freighter intercepted by the Spanish coastguard over a week ago, witnesses said. The migrants were handed into Spanish police custody after Mauritania and Spain reached a deal following prolonged diplomatic wrangling over responsibility for the migrants. Consular officials from India, Pakistan and Guinea were also at the dock to meet the migrants, who said they were mostly from occupied Kashmir but were also thought to include nationals from West African countries including Guinea. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)
U.S. troops must stay for now in Iraq: OIC JAKARTA, Feb 12 (Reuters) Pulling out U.S. troops from Iraq given the present “catastrophic position” would be a mistake and would only lead to more bloodshed, the secretary general of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) said on Monday. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu warned that a full-blown civil war in Iraq would “open the doors of hell” in the whole Middle East and threaten international stability. “For 14 centuries we never had such a catastrophic position, this is the first time,” Ihsanoglu said in an interview during a visit to Indonesia, referring to Islamic history. A unified Iraq with a sovereign government and a democratic constitution should be the main objective, he said. (Posted @ 17:50 PST)
Earthquake hits southern Portugal LISBON, Feb 12 (AFP) An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck off the southern coast of Portugal on Monday, official seismic observers said. No casualties or major damage to buildings were reported in the aftermath of the tremor. The earthquake was felt in the Portuguese capital Lisbon as well as in southern Spain and Morocco. (Posted @ 17:48 PST)
Chimps used tools as early as the Stone Age: study CHICAGO, Feb 12 (AFP) Chimpanzees from West Africa were cracking nuts open using stone tools in prehistoric times, according to a study released Monday. The evidence comes from the world's only known prehistoric chimpanzee settlement in the Tai rainforest of Ivory Coast. Archaeologists who were excavating the site last year discovered stone “hammers” that date back 4,300 years. The discovery suggests that this nut-cracking behaviour has been passed down through more than 200 generations of chimps in the Tai forest, and that “chimpanzee material culture has a long prehistory whose deep roots are only beginning to be uncovered,” said the authors of the study. (Posted @ 17:46 PST)
Dixie Chicks sweep Grammys LOS ANGELES, Feb 12 (AFP) Outspoken country trio the Dixie Chicks swept the 49th Grammy awards late Sunday with their hit single “Not Ready To Make Nice,” a song that tackles their vocal criticism of President George W. Bush. The all-female group unexpectedly walked off with the album, record and song of the year as well as best country album and best country group performance. US blues rocker John Mayer scored two hits in the best male pop vocalist category and best pop vocal album for his “Continuum”. The Red Hot Chili Peppers picked up four awards, including best rock song for the group's “Dani California” and best rock album for their “Stadium Arcadium.” US country singer Carrie Underwood won the best new artist award. Bob Dylan won the best solo rock vocal performance award. (Posted @ 16:35 PST)
Palestinian PM says he plans to step down quickly RAFAH, Egypt, Feb 12 (AP) Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Monday that his government plans to step down quickly, possibly by Friday, a formality that is part of a coalition agreement with the rival Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas. “We are convinced of the necessity of speeding up the resignation to within days, possibly Wednesday, Thursday or Friday,” Haniyeh told reporters before crossing into Gaza from Egypt. He said several issues still need to be discussed with Abbas, but that he expects them to be solved quickly. (Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Iran rejects U.S. accusations of arming insurgents TEHRAN, Iran, Feb 12 (AP) Iran on Monday rejected U.S. accusations that the Iranian leadership had armed insurgents in Iraq with armor-piercing roadside bombs. “Such accusations cannot be relied upon or be presented as evidence. The United States has a long history in fabricating evidence. Such charges are unacceptable,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told reporters. (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Six Taliban, five policemen killed in Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb 12 (AP) Gun battles and ambushes in southern Afghanistan left at least six Taliban fighters and five Afghan police dead. In Uruzgan province, NATO forces and Afghan police and soldiers battled suspected Taliban militants for five hours near the town of Tirin Kot late Sunday. Six Taliban fighters and three police were killed, while another 12 suspected Taliban were arrested, an official said. Two police died and a third was wounded in neighboring Zabul province when suspected Taliban militants ambushed a police vehicle Sunday night, said police. The U.S.-led coalition said “several” Taliban fighters died during an assault by coalition forces and the Afghan army early Monday near the town of Gereshk in Helmand province. (First Posted @ 12:05 PST Updated @ 16:25 PST)
EU approves plan for implementing sanctions against Iran BRUSSELS, Belgium, Feb 12 (AP) European Union foreign ministers approved plans Monday for implementing U.N. sanctions against Iran, a move that is meant to punish Tehran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Cricket-India name final squad for World Cup MUMBAI, Feb 12(Reuter) - Indian selectors named their final 15-player squad on Monday for the cricket World Cup starting in West Indies next month. Squad: Rahul Dravid (captain), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar (vice captain), Saurav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Mahendra Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik (both wicketkeepers), Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Zaheer Khan, Santhakumar Sreesanth, Ajit Agarkar. (Posted @ 13:08 PST)
Hundreds of Taliban massing to attack dam -official SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan, Feb 12 (Reuter) - At least 700 Taliban fighters have crossed into Afghanistan to destroy a key dam, a major source of electricity, a provincial governor said on Monday. “We have got confirmed reports that they are Pakistani, Uzbek and Chechen nationals and have sneaked in,” Helmand Governor Asadullah Wafa told Reuters by telephone.The dam, Kajaki, has seen major fighting in recent weeks between the Taliban and NATO forces. (Posted @ 12:55 PST)
Three bogies of Zakaria Express derail Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan, Feb.12 (PPI): Three bogies of Karachi-bound Bahauddin Zakaria Express derailed near Reti railway station early Monday morning. No loss of life was however reported. The accident occurred at about 4.45a.m . All the railway traffic was suspended and relief work started immediately. Passengers of the affected bogies were shifted to other compartments of the train.. Railway officials said up-country traffic has been restored and inquiry into the accident has been initiated. (Posted @ 12:10 PST)
Bangalore hit by general strike over water BANGALORE, India, Feb 12 (AFP) - Bangalore, India's technology hub, and neighbouring towns in Karnataka were hit by strikes Monday after a court verdict awarding an increased share of river water to the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. Schools and colleges were ordered to shut, shops and businesses closed and taxis, auto-rickshaws and commercial vehicles stayed off the roads. Organisers of the protest have also threatened to disrupt flights and trains. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
US soldier killed in Baghdad firefight BAGHDAD, Feb 12 (APP/AFP) - A US soldier was killed in Baghdad and another wounded during a gunfight that pitted his patrol against insurgent fighters, the military said Monday in a statement. (Posted @ 10:38 PST)
Sri Lanka sinks rebel boat, believes 10 Tigers dead COLOMBO, Feb 12(Reuter): Sri Lanka's Navy destroyed a suspected Tamil Tiger boat and damaged another at sea off the island's northeast coast before dawn on Monday, officials said, estimating around 10 rebels were killed. The Tigers were not immediately available for comment. (Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Putin holds talks with king Abdullah RIYADH, Feb 12 (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Sunday. They “discussed the full range of developments on the regional and international scenes, chiefly ... the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq,” official Saudi media reported. They also reviewed “ways of boosting cooperation” between their two countries in all fields, the media said. King Abdullah, who gave Putin a red-carpet welcome, described the Russian leader in remarks aired on state television as “a statesman, a man of peace, a man of justice,” saying Saudi Arabia “extends its hand to befriend Russia. ”Putin described himself as a “loyal friend” of the Muslim kingdom and said the two countries could do much to bolster ties. The two leaders oversaw the signing of a series of economic, cultural and information agreements by officials of the two countries. (Posted @ 10:08 PST)
India's ruling party faces tough mid-term tests AMRITSAR, India, Feb 12 (AFP) - India's ruling Congress party faces the first of a string of tough mid-term tests on Tuesday when Punjab state goes to the polls to elect a new state assembly. This will be followed by votes on February 14 and 23 in Manipur in the northeast and Uttarakhand in the north, both of which are also currently held by Sonia Gandhi's Congress. After that, all eyes will be on pivotal Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, which is currently held by a regional opposition party and goes to the polls at the end of May. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
US says no more bargaining with NKorea on nukes BEIJING, Feb 12 (AFP) - The United States will not bargain any more with North Korea over its nuclear weapons drive, the top US envoy said Monday as six-nation talks hung in the balance on a final day of negotiations .“I think we have put everything on the table. We offered a way forward on a number of issues,” . Christopher Hill told reporters. “They (North Koreans) just have to make a decision. I don't think we are going to do any more bargaining.” Hill said Monday would be the final day of talks. The draft accord put forward by China outlined measures North Korea could take to begin disarming in return for energy aid and other economic incentives. Press reports said it would commit North Korea to closing its five-megawatt nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and other atomic facilities within two months. North Korea has demanded two million tonnes of fuel oil as part of a package of inducements, Japanese press have reported. That would be four times as much fuel oil as offered under a now-defunct 1994 disarmament deal. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Eight killed in shooting rampage in Rio shantytown BRASILIA, Feb 12 (AFP) - Eight people were killed Sunday when two cars packed with drug traffickers went on a shooting rampage in a Rio de Janeiro slum protected by paramilitary forces, according to media reports. The gunmen, five to each car, first shot three civilians inside the Kelsons slum north of Rio de Janeiro. Then they gunned down an off-duty cop. Police chased them out of the slum and into a main city avenue where they managed to kill all five occupants of one vehicle, media said. (Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 214.90 points: KARACHI, Feb 12: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11629.75, down 214.90 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:18 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Feb 12: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.7 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:18 PST)
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