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| February 18, 2007 | Sunday | Muharram 29, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Baghdad bombings kill 60 in first blow to security plan BAGHDAD, Feb 18 (APP/AFP) - A double car bombing ripped through a crowded Baghdad market Sunday, killing at least 60 people and wounding more than 130 in a first vicious blow to the city's new US-led security operation. “Where is the security plan?” wailed distraught relatives crowded outside the Iraqi capital's Kindi Hospital, as fleets of ambulances and civilian trucks ferried the dead and dying into an overworked emergency room. Kindi received 42 corpses -- including 10 children aged between five and 10 -- and was treating 83 seriously wounded patients, medics said. Ibn Nafees Hospital saw 14 dead and 20 critically injured men, women and children, a medic there said. The doctors warned that these figures would rise and a security official put the latest toll at 60 dead. (First Posted @ 20:14 PST Updated @ 23:40 PST)
Pakistani police detain 50 people in probe into deadly courtroom bombing QUETTA, Pakistan, Feb 18 (AP) Police have detained 50 people, mostly Afghan refugees, for questioning about a suicide bombing inside a courtroom that killed a judge and 15 other people here Saturday, an official said Sunday. The chief of police in Quetta said Sunday that 50 people, including at least 22 Afghan refugees living in the city, have been detained in a probe into the bombing. “We will investigate them to determine whether anyone among them has any link with the incident,” said police chief Raho Khan Brohi. The men were picked up in separate raids in various parts of Quetta late Saturday but no one was a suspect or formally arrested in the case, Brohi said. “Afghans have been involved in previous such attacks here. I cannot rule out their involvement,” said Jam Mohammed Yousaf, the Chief Minister of Baluchistan province, on Saturday. “We don't have any evidence to prove it,” he added. (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
Pakistani authorities ban two Islamic charities suspected of militant links ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb 18, (AP) - Pakistan on Sunday banned two Islamic charities accused of links with terrorist groups, including al-Qaida, officials said. The Ministry of Interior said that authorities across Pakistan would shut down the activities of both the al-Rashid Trust and the al-Akhtar Trust. Provincial authorities should ''ensure that all offices, bank accounts, projects, web sites and publications of listed entities do not operate,'' the ministry said in statement. The two charities, based in the southern port city of Karachi, are among a list of groups subject to United Nations sanctions as part of an effort to dry up terrorist financing, the ministry said. (Posted @ 23:50 PST)
Thirteen Canadian soldiers hurt in Afghan pile-up KABUL, Feb 18, (AFP) - Thirteen Canadian soldiers were hurt Sunday in an early morning pile-up of military vehicles in Afghanistan's volatile southern city of Kandahar, the Canadian military said. The soldiers were travelling in convoy through the city centre when “a lead vehicle came to a stop, resulting in a pile-up,” Captain Martell Thompson told AFP. “The 13 were all treated for minor non-life-threatening injuries,” he said. (Posted @ 23:40 PST)
Gas pipeline blown in Dera Bugti QUETTA Feb 18 (PPI) - Unknown terrorists blew up gas pipeline near Dera Bugti. According to reports unknown terrorists blew up a gas pipeline in Pirkoh about 20 Km north of Dera Bugti supplying gas to purification plant. A several feet piece of the pipeline was destroyed and supply form the well was suspended. Official sources said soon the pipeline would be repaired and supply to the plant would be restored. (Posted @ 23:28 PST)
Three killed, 46 wounded in Thai bomb spree BANGKOK, Feb 18, (REUTERS) - Nearly two dozen bombs exploded across Thailand's Muslim south on Sunday, killing three people and wounding at least 46 in attacks on karaoke bars, a hotel and other targets in mainly urban areas, the police and army said. Most of the 23 bombs went off around 7 p.m (1200 GMT) across the four southern provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla, near the Malaysian border, where more than 2,000 people have been killed in a three-year separatist insurgency. (First Posted @ 21:12 PST Updated @ 23:14 PST)
Two American soldiers killed in Iraq fighting BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb 18, (AP) - Two U.S. soldiers have been killed in action, one of them in Baghdad, the U.S. military said Sunday. One soldier was killed Saturday when an insurgent hurled a grenade at his vehicle in a northern neighborhood of the capital, the U.S. statement said. (Posted @ 21:30 PST)
6 killed, 25 injured in road mishap KARAK, Feb 18 (APP) - At least six person were killed and 25 others injured when a Peshawar bound passenger bus collided with a truck coming from opposite direction on Indus Highway near Ghari Banda on Sunday. Police said the bus driver lost control over the steering and collided with truck, killing six on the spot. (Posted @ 20:48 PST)
Car explosion kills four, policeman shot dead, in Somali capital MOGADISHU, Feb 18, (AFP) - At least four people were killed when a car they were in exploded in the Somali capital Sunday, while in a separate incident a police officer was shot dead, police said. The four people travelling in the car were all killed when their vehicle exploded in Mogadishu's Towfiiq neighbourhood, witnesses said. In the second incident, a police officer was killed and two others wounded when masked gunmen opened fire at a police car, in the capital's northern Eymiska district. (Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Eight US military personnel killed in Afghan chopper crash KABUL, Feb 18, (AFP) - Eight US military personnel were killed and 14 injured when a US-led coalition helicopter crashed in southeastern Afghanistan early Sunday, a spokesman said. The Chinook transport chopper came down before dawn in the southeastern province of Zabul, about 250 kilometers southwest of the capital Kabul, after reporting mechanical failure. (First Posted @ 09:40 PST Updated @ 19:02 PST)
Iraq begins to open borders with Iran and Syria SHALAMCHEN, Iraq, Feb 18, (AFP) - Iraq began to reopen its borders with Iran and Syria on Sunday, three days after they closed as part of an operation to crack down on sectarian and insurgent violence, officials said. (Posted @ 18:22 PST)
Rice meets Abbas in Ramallah RAMALLAH, West Bank, Feb 18, (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived Sunday in Ramallah for talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas as part of a bid to revive Middle East peace talks. A joint press conference originally announced by the Palestinian Authority, was cancelled for unspecified reasons. Rice, whose visit is to include a three-way meeting with Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday, alluded to the difficulties she faced in kickstarting peace talks in brief comments to reporters before she and Abbas began closed door talks. “People have been telling me it's a complicated time and I've been saying if I waited for an uncomplicated time to come to the Middle East I perhaps would never get on the airplane,” she said. (First Posted @ 10:00 PST Updated @ 17:28 PST)
Pak Navy helicopters save lives of six persons: ISPR KARACHI, Feb. 18 (APP) - Pakistan Naval Aviation on Sunday saved lives of six persons who got stranded in the PNSC building due to major fire through two Sneaking and one Aloutte helicopters. These helicopters were converted in a short span of 15 minutes to search and rescue role, a statement of Inter Services Public Relations (Navy) said here. (Posted @ 16:34 PST)
Fire in PNSC highrise in Karachi KARACHI, Feb 18 (APP)- A fire broke out on the 11th floor of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) building here on Sunday morning, police and the Central Fire brigade officials said. At least 10 fire tenders are trying to extinguish the fire. Two firemen of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) fainted while battling the flames. Initial reports said the fire was caused by electric short-circuit. A later report said that five floors of PNSC building were gutted in blaze. The camp office of the Shipping Minister on 14th floor of the building was completely damaged, confirmed Shipping Minister Babar Ghauri. The fire is yet to be brought under control. (First Posted @ 12:20 PST Updated @ 16:12 PST)
Australia lose top ODI ranking after New Zealand defeat WELLINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuter) - South Africa have taken over from Australia as the world's top-ranked team in one-day international cricket after New Zealand chased down Australia's total of 336 for a second straight victory in the best-of-three Chappell-Hadlee series in Auckland on Sunday. South Africa recently beat Pakistan 3-1 in a home one-day series to edge closer to the Australians, who were also beaten by England in the tri-series finals at home a week ago. (Posted @ 11:40 PST)
Cricket-Australia 336-4 v New Zealand 337-5 - result WELLINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuter) New Zealand beat Australia by five wickets in the second Chappell-Hadlee series one-day international at Eden Park in New Zealand on Sunday. Scores: Australia 336 for four from 50 overs (Mike Hussey 105, Brad Hodge 97 not out); New Zealand 337 for five from 48.4 overs (Ross Taylor 117, Peter Fulton 76 not out, Craig McMillan 52) (Posted @ 11:35 PST)
U.S. Marine sentenced to 8 years in prison in killing of Iraqi civilian CAMP PENDLETON, California, Feb 18 (AP) A U.S. Marine who said he never fired a shot in the kidnapping and murder of an Iraqi man was sentenced to 8 years in military prison _ the longest sentence yet in the case. Lance Cpl. Robert B. Pennington, 22, also was reduced in rank and given a dishonourable discharge during Saturday's sentencing hearing at the Camp Pendleton Marine base. (Posted @ 11:15 PST)
Plan seen behind downings of US copters - NY Times NEW YORK, Feb 17 (Reuters) Documents captured from Iraqi insurgents indicate some of the recent deadly attacks against U.S. helicopters stemmed from a strategic plan to down coalition aircraft, The New York Times reported in its Sunday edition.The documents, which according to the Times were said to have been drafted by al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, showed the militants were preparing to “concentrate on the air force.” The contents of the documents seized near Baghdad were described in a U.S. intelligence report that was reviewed by The New York Times, and reflected the insurgents' military preparations from late last year, including plans for attacking aircraft using a variety of weapons, the Times said. (Posted @ 10:30 PST)
China's 'Tuya's Marriage' crowned best film at Berlin fest BERLIN, Feb 18 (AFP) - Chinese drama “Tuya's Marriage” about a Mongolian herdswoman and her two husbands won the Golden Bear prize for best picture Saturday at the 57th Berlin Film Festival. Director Wang Quan'an said he could not imagine a better gift for Chinese New Year as he accepted the statuette from jury president Paul Schrader. (Posted @ 10:20 PST)
Qatar warns forum against US dominance DOHA, Feb 18 (AFP) - Qatar's foreign minister warned an international forum on US-Islamic dialogue Saturday against the “monopolisation of power” by the United States, which has been pushing for greater democracy in the Middle East. “If the monopolisation of power on a domestic level is unacceptable, the monopolisation of power on the world scene ... the policy of double standards (and) the absence of transparence ... and the use of force, even more, must cease,” Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani told the opening of the meeting. The meeting is being attended by nearly 230 delegates from 34 countries. Sheikh Hamad outlined a 12-point proposal to improve dialogue between the Islamic world and the United States. In particular, he cited settlement of the Palestinian problems and Middle East conflict, the eradication of poverty and the “struggle against terrorism by policies which search for the causes of it.” (Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Boxing: Khan wins - in just 55 seconds LONDON, Feb 18 (AFP) -Amir Khan blew away Frenchman Mohammed Medjadji after just 55 seconds at Wembley Arena on Saturday and then insisted the quickfire demolition was proof he could be world champion by the age of 21. Khan, 20, extended his unbeaten record to 11 wins without breaking sweat after storming to his quickest professional win. It was Khan's fourth first-round knock-out win, but none has come sooner and in such a chilling manner. (Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Thousands of British troops to return home in May: report LONDON, Feb 18 (AFP) - Britain will reduce its contingent of just over 7,000 troops in Iraq by almost half in May as it hands the main province of Basra over to Iraqi army and security forces, a newspaper reported Sunday. A spokesman at the Ministry of Defence said the News of the World report was “speculation,” adding that any troop withdrawal will depend on security conditions and consultations with Britain's allies. (Posted @ 10:05 PST)
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