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| March 14, 2007 | Wednesday | Safar 24, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistan, India say 2007 'critical' for peace process ISLAMABAD, March 14 (AFP) Top Indian and Pakistani diplomats said Wednesday that 2007 could be a “watershed” year for their peace process, with real hope of resolving key issues including the rancorous Kashmir dispute. Indian foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan wrapped up two days of talks in Islamabad marking the start of the fourth round of the three-year-old negotiations. “For the past three years we have taken steps and engaged each other in serious discussion of issues that have divided us. That, along with the transformed international environment, made it possible that we move from problems and disputes management to resolution of problems and disputes,” Khan told a joint news conference at the Pakistani foreign ministry after the talks between the two states. The fact that this part of the peace dialogue coincides with the 60th year of the independence of the two countries “underscores the need for turning a new page in our relations,” he added. “While recognising the need to make progress towards a solution to sustain the peace process, the focus has been on Kashmir-related confidence building measures” such as transport links created since 2004, he said. Pakistan had also suggested new measures such as sports events, a helicopter service and postal service in Kashmir, Khan said. He said the two countries' defence secretaries would soon hold talks on ending a 20-year standoff on the Siachen glacier in Kashmir. (Posted @ 15:15 PST)
Cricket: Kenya beat Canada by seven wickets GROS ISLET, St Lucia, March 14, 2007 (AFP) - Kenya beat Canada by seven wickets in a World Cup Group C match at Beausejour stadium here on Wednesday. (Posted @ 01:55 PST)
Cricket: Australia beat Scotland by 203 runs BASSETERRE, St Kitts, March 14, 2007 (AFP) - Australia beat Scotland by 203 runs in a World Cup Group A game at the Warner Park Stadium here on Wednesday. (Posted @ 01:52 PST)
President launches national internship programme ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP) President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said that the government has launched different programmes to eradicate poverty, improve employment and impart technical training to the people especially the youth in order to improve their living standards and ensure progress and prosperity in the country. Addressing the launching ceremony of the National Internship Programme (NIP), the president said that “improvement in the jobs, eradication of poverty and better education will effectively fight against extremism and terrorism.” The President said the government wanted to pass on the benefits of the economic development to the masses and was making sincere efforts to create new jobs and National Internship Programme was a part of these efforts. (Posted @ 21:48 PST)
NATO delegation holds terror talks in Pakistan ISLAMABAD, March 14 (AFP) NATO officials on Wednesday held talks with Pakistan's foreign minister on the fight against terrorism and the continuing unrest in Afghanistan, a foreign ministry statement said. An eight-member delegation of the NATO parliamentary assembly, led by its vice president Karl Lamers, “deeply appreciated” Pakistan's role during a meeting with foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri, the statement said. The delegation “said that Pakistan was an important ally of the West and was playing a critical role in regional peace, security and development,” it added. Kasuri “appreciated the ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and NATO in the context of Afghanistan,” the statement said. (Posted @ 21:08 PST)
Militant caught in Balochistan QUETTA, Pakistan, March 14 (Reuters) Pakistani security forces arrested a top militant with five of his men on Wednesday after a brief clash in Baluchistan province’s Tump area, officials said. The militant Wahid Bakhsh Qambar is a leader of the banned Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA), an official said. (Posted @ 21:04 PST)
Pakistan censored TV coverage of judge protests: watchdog ISLAMABAD, March 14 (AFP) A global media watchdog condemned the Pakistani government on Wednesday for allegedly censoring the coverage of protests against the sacking of the country's chief justice. Paris-based Reporters Without Borders said the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority suspended broadcasts by the private Aaj and Geo television stations after they screened footage on Monday of clashes between police and lawyers. “We fear that, in this presidential election year, the independence of the media is going to be under attack from the government,” the watchdog said in a statement. “President Pervez Musharraf must immediately stop this kind of authoritarian intervention, which jeopardises the freedom of Pakistani journalists to decide what they cover and how they cover it,” it added. However the watchdog said Pakistani Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani had denied any censorship. (Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Institutions not personalities need to be strengthened: ACJ ISLAMABAD, Mar 13 (APP) The Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Javed Iqbal, on Wednesday said that institutions and not personalities need to be strengthened in the country. Talking to reporters here after administering oath to Justice Hamid Ali Mirza as the ad-hoc judge of the Supreme Court, he said that had he not taken oath as the Acting Chief Justice, there would have been a constitutional crisis in the country. He claimed that his taking oath of the office was constitutional since the senior most judge Justice Rana Bhagwan Das was out of the country. He made it clear that on Justice Bhagwan Das’s return to the country, he would have no objection in returning back to his chambers. “The things will shape according to the constitution and there is no escape from it,” he added. Justice Iqbal also called upon the media to adopt healthy journalism practices, and said the current events should not be a reason for creating panic among the masses. Regarding the reported mishandling of the Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, by the police, Justice Iqbal said the Supreme Court today took a suo moto notice of the incident and an inquiry will be conducted on Thursday and if proved, appropriate action will be taken against the responsible persons. He said protection and respect of the Chief Justice was his prime responsibility and every step would be taken in accordance with the constitution and law. (Posted @ 16:22 PST)
Afghan governor killed in ambush MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, March 14 (AFP) An Afghan district governor was killed and another wounded in an ambush Wednesday in the northern province of Faryab's capital, Maimana, the provincial governor said. One of the attackers was also killed in the exchange of fire, the official said. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Pakistani lawyers shun courts for third day ISLAMABAD, March 14 (AFP) Pakistani lawyers boycotted courts for the third day Wednesday in protest at the suspension of the country's top judge by President Pervez Musharraf, officials said. A complete strike was observed by lawyers throughout the country to condemn the ouster of chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Pakistan Bar Council President Qazi Anwar said. Lawyers also staged rallies in Karachi city, and other urban centres, witnesses said. “We will end the strike and protests the moment Musharraf withdraws the decision and admits he made a mistake. The sooner he realises it the better it would be for him,” Anwar said. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Bomb kills two, wounds 10 in Iraqi market BAGHDAD, March 14 (Reuters) A bomb exploded in a market south of the northern city of Kirkuk Wednesday, killing two people and wounding 10, police said. (Posted @ 14:45 PST)
Pakistan, Uzbekistan vow to strengthen trade relations, ink four agreements TASHKENT, Mar 14 (APP) Pakistan and Uzbekistan Wednesday agreed on taking concrete measures to further strengthen their economic relations with increased focus on trade, transport and energy, besides collaboration on security matters. The talks held here at the International Business Centre between Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyayev covered wide ranging issues besides the regional and international situation. The two sides discussed cooperation in various fields including energy, cotton and textiles, sugar and agriculture sectors. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan would offer Uzbekistan to be part of the quadrilateral road transportation arrangement it has with China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, through the Karakoram Highway, and said Uzbekistan can also utilize the facilities at the Gwadar Port. The two leaders also discussed for enhancing cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO). Later, Aziz and Mirziyayev witnessed the signing of agreements on Transit Trade and Transportation, Assistance in Criminal and Legal Matters, MoU for Cooperation between the International Islamic University and the University of Tashkent and another for Cooperation between the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce. (Posted @ 14:45 PST)
Two persons killed, three injured in accident HYDERABAD, March 14 (APP) Two boys were killed while three others received serious injuries when Karachi bound Mehran Express hit a Suzuki Pic-Up at Tando Jam Railway Crossing early Wednesday morning. Edhi Centre informed that the accident took place when the driver of the Suzuki Pick-Up tried to cross the Railway Crossing of Tando Jam despite realising that Karachi bound Mehran Express was approaching. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
District chief killed in ambush in northern Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan, March 14 (AP) Gunmen ambushed a convoy carrying local officials Wednesday in northern Afghanistan, killing a district chief and wounding two other people, an official said. The attack on the two-vehicle convoy happened in Qaramqol district of Faryab province and left the district chief and one attacker dead, the governor of the province said. Separately near Qalat city in Zabul province, Taliban attacked a police checkpoint early Wednesday. The ensuing gunbattle left one policeman wounded, police said, adding that two Taliban militants were arrested. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Police storm courtroom in Philippines to free four hostages, kill gunman MANILA, Philippines, March 14 (AP) Philippine police stormed a courtroom to end a two-day hostage crisis Wednesday, killing the gunman and freeing all four captives who were held by the movie stuntman and his wife. Gunshots and a blast rang out inside the Taguig city court in suburban Manila as police went in. Moments later, city spokesman confirmed the gunman was fatally shot and the hostages rescued unharmed. (Posted @ 12:30 PST)
Blast in Kabul gunpowder shop kills six KABUL, March 14 (AFP) A massive explosion in a shop selling gunpowder and dynamite tore through an historic part of the Afghan capital early Wednesday, flattening shops and killing six people, police said. The blast, in a bazaar across the Kabul River from President Hamid Karzai's palace, was heard across the city and sent a huge column of dust into the air, shattering windows up to a couple of kilometres away. Initial reports and an intelligence official said the blast was from a bomb. But police said it was caused by gunpowder and dynamite stored in one of the mudbrick shops in Kabul's Old City. It was not immediately clear what sparked off the ammunition. (First Posted @ 09:15 PST, Updated @ 12:05 PST)
Sri Lankan air force bombs Tamil rebel camp in east COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, March 14 (AP) Sri Lanka's air force bombed a major Tamil Tiger base in the eastern jungle for the third consecutive day Wednesday, the Defence Ministry said. Casualty and damage details were not immediately known. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Cricket- West Indies beat Pakistan by 54 runs KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 14 (AFP) West Indies beat Pakistan by 54 runs in the opening match of the 2007 World Cup at Sabina Park here on Tuesday. Brief scores: West Indies 241-9 in 50 overs (Marlon Samuels 63, Ramnaresh Sarwan 49, Brian Lara 37, Dwayne Smith 32; Rao Iftikhar 3-44, Umar Gul 2-38, Mohammad Hafeez 2-39); Pakistan 187 all out in 47.2 overs (Shoaib Malik 62, Mohammad Yousuf 37, Inzamam-ul-Haq 36; Dwayne Smith 3-36, Dwayne Bravo 3-42, Daren Powell 2-42 (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
Damaged Air Canada jet aborted takeoff at 126 mph in Las Vegas LAS VEGAS, March 14 (AP) An Air Canada jet with 146 people aboard was barrelling down a runway at 126 mph when it blew landing gear tires and aborted its takeoff from Las Vegas, a Federal Aviation Administration official said Tuesday. No injuries were reported after Air Canada flight 547 came safely to a stop Monday about halfway down a 14,510-foot runway at McCarran International Airport. All 140 passengers and six crew were ushered down portable stairs and driven back to the terminal. Air Canada was investigating the mishap. (Posted @ 10:45 PST)
Roadside bombs kill two U.S. soldiers in Baghdad BAGHDAD, March 14 (AP) Two U.S. soldiers were killed and four wounded in separate roadside bomb attacks Tuesday in Baghdad, the military said. A soldier died and another was wounded in a blast in northeastern Baghdad, while another soldier was killed and three were wounded in a southern part of the capital. (Posted @ 10:35 PST)
Five coal miners die in accidents in northern Vietnam HANOI, Vietnam, March 14(AP) Five coal miners died and three others were injured in two separate accidents in mines in northern Vietnam, mining officials said Wednesday. Three miners were killed instantly Tuesday morning when the tunnel they were working in collapsed, said the head of Dong Vong Coal Mine company’s safety department, in Quang Ninh province. In a separate incident in the nearby Ha Long coal mine, two miners died and three others suffered minor injuries when they hit a pocket of water that flooded the underground tunnel. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Avalanche hits cross-country skiers in Colorado, sweeping away three, killing two ASPEN, Colorado, March 14 (AP) An avalanche swept away three cross-country skiers Tuesday, killing two, authorities said. The skier who survived was not buried and called for help on a mobile phone, Pitkin County sheriff's patrol director said, adding that the victims were from New York City and Buenos Aires, Argentina. The slide happened at about 11,500 feet on Mount Shimer, a few miles southeast of Aspen in the White River National Forest. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
New Palestinian government due by weekend GAZA CITY, March 14 (AFP) The new Palestinian unity government will be announced by this coming weekend, officials said Tuesday following a meeting between president Mahmud Abbas and premier-designate Ismail Haniya. “We are in the final moments before the formation of a government of national unity, which will be announced between now and the end of the week,” said Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesman for Abbas, following the two-hour meeting. “There are still difficulties to overcome…but the discussions were serious and positive.” (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
U.S. Senate passes homeland security bill WASHINGTON, March 14 (AFP) The US Senate approved Tuesday by a vote of 60 to 38 a homeland security bill meant to shore up US defences against future terror attack. The bill enacts numerous recommendations of the blue ribbon September 11 panel, which examined the causes of the 2001 terror attacks on New York and Washington in its 2004 report. (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Two shot as ousted Ecuador lawmakers meet QUITO, March 14 (AFP) Two people were wounded Tuesday by gunshots outside a Quito hotel where 57 ousted legislators met to discuss their fate amid a worsening political crisis in Ecuador. Another two people, both ousted lawmakers, were reportedly injured in earlier clashes with the police. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Eight killed in ambush in Thai south YALA, Thailand, March 14 (AFP) At least eight people were shot dead and one injured Wednesday in an ambush by insurgents in southern Thailand, police said. Gunmen attacked a minibus carrying civilians in Yala province. “Militants opened fire on a minibus full of passengers who commute between Betong and Hat Yai, and the bus veered off the road,” a Thai army spokesman said, adding that the militants detonated a bomb soon after the attack to prevent police investigating the scene, and put logs and spikes on the road to stop vehicles approaching. (Posted @ 09:05 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 124.61 points: KARACHI, March 14: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11280.34, down 124.61 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:15 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, March 14: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.75 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:15 PST)
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