|
|
| March 24, 2007 | Saturday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 4, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
President Musharraf to attend Arab League Summit in Riyadh ISLAMABAD, March 24 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf will attend the 19th Arab League Summit being held in Riyadh on March 28-29 as a special guest at the invitation extended by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. The Summit is expected to focus on a broad spectrum of issues of concern to the Middle East region. During his stay in Riyadh, the President is also expected to hold consultations with leaders participating in the Summit, says a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Posted @ 21:38 PST)
Bhagwandas takes oath as acting Chief Justice KARACHI, March 24 (AFP) Rana Bhagwandas, the senior judge of the Supreme Court took over as new acting Chief Justice of Pakistan here Saturday. National and regional bar associations boycotted Bhagwandas' oath-taking ceremony held at the branch office in Karachi of the Islamabad-based top court amid tight security. The 64-year-old judge from Sindh province replaced justice Javed Iqbal who was as acting chief judge for two weeks. (Posted @ 12:15 PST)
Bhagwandas advises patience on Presidential reference KARACHI, March 24 (APP) Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Rana Bhagwandas Saturday said that the matter about the Presidential reference against Justice Ifhtikhar Muhammad Chudhary is subjudice before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and any comments on the same should be avoided. He also said that let the SJC decide about the Presidential Reference against Justice Iftikhar and wait for the verdict of the Council. The Acting CJ stated this while talking to media after taking oath as Acting CJ of Pakistan at a ceremony held at SCP Karachi Registry. Earlier, the second senior most judge of the apex Court of Pakistan, Justice Javed Iqbal, administered the oath from Justice Rana Bhagwandas. To a question, he stated that the SJC would also hear the arguments of Justice Iftikhar M. Chudhary to decide about the objections raised by him about composition of the Council. The Acting CJ said the SJC would also decide about holding open proceedings into the Presidential reference against Justice Ifhtikhar M. Chudhary. (Posted @ 13:50 PST)
Cricket: Australia make 377-6 against South Africa BASSETERRE, St Kitts, March 24, (AFP) - Australia made 377-6 in the allotted 50 overs of their World Cup Group A match against South Africa at Warner Park here on Saturday. (Posted @ 23:12 PST)
Suicide bombers strike in Iraq, killing dozens BAGHDAD, March 24(Reuters) - Suicide bombers struck across Iraq on Saturday in a sharp upsurge in violence that killed more than 60 people, many of them policemen. In the worst attack, a man driving a truck packed with explosives blew it up outside a police station in the district of Dora, killing 20. Officers said the dead included 14 policemen and three detainees as well as three others working in the building. Another 26 were wounded. A suicide car bomber struck a police station in the Qaim area of Anbar, near the Syrian border, on Saturday while two others struck police checkpoints at about the same time. Police said 10 people were killed, including seven policemen, and 18 more police were wounded. A suicide truck bomber also struck near a mosque in Haswa, about 60 km south of Baghdad, killing nine and wounding 43, a hospital source said. The provincial health directorate put the death toll at 16. In Tal Afar a bomber wearing an explosives vest blew himself up in a market, killing 10 people, mayor Najim al Jibouri said. Two of the dead were policemen. In Falluja in the west, a clash between gunmen and Iraqi and U.S. forces left four dead. The bodies of a further 12 people were also found in the city. According to other reports police have found 38 bodies from various parts of Baghdad and another town. Separately, the US authorities have announced the death of two more US soldiers in Iraq. (Posted @ 21:30 PST)
Cricket: Hayden smashes fastest World Cup century ST KITTS, Bassettere, March 24 (AFP) - Australia opener Matthew Hayden smashed the fastest century in World Cup history on Saturday. Hayden reached the landmark in 66 balls in the Group A match against South Africa beating the previous best century of 67 balls set by Canada's John Davison against the West Indies at Centurion in 2003. He achieved the record with a six off South African skipper Graeme Smith. (Posted @ 21:12 PST)
Taliban attack Afghan police: 21 dead KANDAHAR, March 24 (AFP) - Taliban fighters attacked police posts in southern and southeastern Afghanistan overnight, sparking battles that left 16 rebels and five policemen dead, police said Saturday. The attacks occurred late Friday, the same day a commander announced Taliban fighters had ambushed a convoy ferrying supplies to foreign troops, killing at least 14 guards and drivers in one of the biggest incidents of its kind. Insurgents stormed a police post near the Uruzgan capital Tirin Kot, touching off a battle that lasted hours, provincial police chief General Mohammad Qasim said. “Five Taliban and two police were killed and another 10 Taliban and four police were wounded,” he said. In a separate incident, the militants attacked a police post on the Kabul-Kandahar highway in Qalat, capital of Zabul province. “Two Taliban were killed and six wounded.”In a similar attack in southeastern Khost province, one policeman and five militants were killed in a four-hour battle in Gurbuz district on the border with Pakistan late Friday, police commander Basheer Ahmad Kochi said. In neighbouring Paktika province, militants attacked a border police convoy with a roadside bomb, killing two policemen and wounding another five. “Following the blast, police launched an operation in the area , clashed with the enemy and killed four enemy elements,” a spokesman said (Posted @ 20:04 PST)
Iran says British sailors admit illegal entry TEHRAN, March 24 (AFP) - Iran said on Saturday that 15 British service personnel, including a woman, detained by its navy off Iraq had admitted to violating its territorial waters, rejecting demands from London for their swift release. Armed forces general staff spokesman General Alireza Afshar said the 15 had admitted to their interrogators that they knew they were inside Iranian waters, contrary to the insistence of the British defence ministry that they had remained in Iraqi waters. “They are currently being questioned and have admitted to violating the territorial waters of the Islamic repubic,” Afshar told the Fars agency. “The questioning of the British sailors is continuing to try to establish their real intentions,” he added. Earlier another Iranian official told the Fars agency that the authorities had proof from the seized vessels' navigation equipment that the sailors had knowingly entered Iranian waters. (Posted @ 19:56 PST)
Czech Prime Minister attends Pakistan Day reception in Prague ISLAMABAD, March 24 (APP): Mr Mirek Topolanek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, attended the Pakistan Day reception in Prague, on Friday. Speaking on the occasion he said the Czech Republic as a member of EU would like to intensify its cooperation with Pakistan both individually and also within the framework of SAARC in which EU had observer status. He praised Pakistan's role in the war against terrorism as well as its efforts towards international peace and stability. (Posted @ 19:52 PST)
Pakistan achieves edge in cruise missile technology: Mubarak ISLAMABAD, Mar 24 (APP): The Chairman of National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) Dr Samar Mubarakmand Saturday said that Pakistani scientists were achieving milestones and now country stands high in the comity of nations. Speaking at a declamation contest to mark Pakistan Day he praised the country’s scientists and engineers who he said had developed nuclear and missile technology indigenously in a very short span of time. “And now the whole world looks towards us enviably as now we have also attained the most sophisticated and advanced cruise missile technology,” he added. Dr Samar Mubarak Mand said Pakistan has become the third cruise missile capable country in the world He said our missile series excelled due to incorporation of latest technology and it is far superior to the neighbouring country. He informed that six state-of-the-art centres of excellence were working to develop technology related projects. (Posted @ 19:36 PST)
Rice in Egypt to revive Arab-Israel peace plan ASWAN, Egypt, March 24 (AFP) -US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived here Saturday to discuss with Arab allies their long-dormant blueprint that she hopes could revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. She is scheduled to hold talks with officials from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates -- the so-called Arab Quartet which Washington has been trying to enlist in its efforts to stabilise Iraq and resurrect Israeli-Palestinian talks. She is also due to hold talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday. Rice said her discussions with the four Arab allies would focus on US desires to see an Arab summit in Riyadh next week formally endorse a renewal of the five-year-old Arab initiative for a peace deal with Israel. The plan offered recognition of the Jewish state if it returns to its 1967 borders, permits the creation of an independent Palestinian state and allows the return of Palestinian refugees. Israel rejected the take-it-or-leave-it initiative when it was first made by Saudi Arabia at the Beirut Arab summit in 2002. (Posted @ 19:32 PST)
India committed to Iran gas pipeline: oil minister NEW DELHI, March 24 (AFP) - India is committed to a multi-billion dollar pipeline that will transport gas from energy-rich Iran through Pakistan despite reported objections from United States, Oil Minister Murli Deora said Saturday. “No country can debar India from this project. We are committed to this,”Deora said during a visit to Mumbai. Deora did not give any timeframe for completion of the pipeline though last month he said an agreement on the pipeline could be signed by June. “I can't give any timeframe. The advisors have been appointed and they are preparing the feasibility report. It is too early to say at this stage,” Deora said. (Posted @ 19:22 PST)
Cricket-Imran says Pakistan should pick Aaqib Javed as coach KARACHI, March 24 (Reuter) - Former World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan says ex-test paceman Aaqib Javed should be appointed cricket coach of Pakistan. “Pakistan have won two youth World Cups under him and he seems the ideal choice to take over as coach,” Imran told a news conference on Saturday. Imran said he was shocked to learn that coach Bob Woolmer had been murdered. “Only time will tell who is responsible for his death but why someone would want to kill him is a puzzle,” he added. Imran supported Younis Khan as captain in place of Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has resigned as skipper and retired from one-dayers after Pakistan's World Cup exit. He said President Pervez Musharraf was responsible for the team's disappointing performances. “Since 1999 Musharraf has changed four board chairmen and yet we have got no results,” said Imran. “Pakistan cricket must be run on a constitutional and democratic basis.” (Posted @ 18:06 PST)
Six killed in Russian helicopter crash-ministry MOSCOW, March 24 (Reuter) - A helicopter crash in northern Russia killed all six people aboard, an Emergencies Ministry spokesman said Saturday. Rescue teams found the remains of the helicopter, owned by a unit of Russian gas monopoly Gazprom, on Friday, two days after it was reported missing. “We have found all six people,” a ministry spokesman said. “Yesterday we found two and today, the other four.” (Posted @ 18:00 PST)
Record US$4.62 billion FDI in Pakistan July 2006 Feb 2007 ISLAMABAD, March 24( PPI): A record Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of US$4.62 billion was made in the country in the first eight months of current fiscal year (July 2006 to February 2007), Privatization & Investment Minister Zahid Hamid told a news conference Saturday. It includes $2.97 billion and net portfolio investment of $1.65 billion including Oil & Gas Development Company- Global Depository Receipts (GDR) of $731 million. During February 2007 total foreign investment stood at $1.15 billion. He said bulk of FDI has gone into communication sector, which stood at 1.28 billion. The financial business sector received $573 million, oil and gas exploration $353 million. (Posted @ 17:40 PST)
FIFA Chief to arrive Pakistan on March 26 LAHORE, March 24 (APP): The President of International Football Federation,(FIFA), Joseph Sepp Blatter, will arrive in Pakistan on a two-day visit on March 26, a first-ever visit by the head of the game’s governing body in the history of Pakistan sports. He will be accompanied among others by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Mohamed Bin Hammam and will meet President Pervez Musharraf on March 27. Mr Blatter will inaugurate Lahore's FIFA Football House on Tuesday. (Posted @ 17:34 PST)
Pak Army recovers all the 27 dead bodies in village Dobha Saidha MUZAFFARABAD, Azad Kashmir, March 24 (APP): All the 27 bodies of the victims of landslide in village Dobha Saidha of Azad Kashmir have been recovered from the debris. The Army has also evacuated 15 wounded people to Muzaffarabad, an ISPR press release said Saturday. Some 52 people lost their lives in different parts of Azad Kashmir in three days of heavy rain and snowfall. (Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Cricket-India fans vent fury after Sri Lanka loss NEW DELHI, March 24 (Reuters) - Hundreds of cricket fans across India burnt effigies, defaced posters and held mock funeral processions of the national team, a day after their defeat to Sri Lanka in the World Cup match in the Caribbean. On Saturday, television pictures showed furious cricket fans in towns and cities across India taking to the streets to show their outrage at their national team's defeat. In the northern city of Kanpur, dozens of residents held a mock funeral procession where people dressed as the 11 cricket players were carried on stretchers through the streets. At other places, fans burnt effigies, stamped on glossy posters of players and daubed their faces with black paint. Others lashed out at pictures with their shoes. Security has been increased outside the residences of some of the cricketers, including captain Rahul Dravid's home in Bangalore. (Posted @ 17:16 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan seek chartered flight for players to return KARACHI, March 24 (Reuter) - Pakistan Cricket Board is trying to arrange a chartered flight for its players to return home from Jamaica .The Pakistan squad, who were knocked out of the World Cup after a shock loss to Ireland last Saturday, have had their departure delayed since Thursday. PCB’s director operations Saleem Altaf told Reuters their delay was due to non-availability of seats. “The problem they are facing is finding seats from London to Pakistan on the World Cup's official carriers. They have not been held up because of the investigations,” he said. “We are now trying to arrange a chartered flight for them from London onwards.” He denied that the investigating authorities had refused permission for any player(s) to fly out of Jamaica because of ongoing investigations. (Posted @ 17:04 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan resolve compensation dispute with ECB KARACHI, March 24 (Reuter) - Pakistan Cricket Board has resolved a long standing compensation dispute with the England and Wales Cricket, a PCB official said on Saturday. “Pakistan will now play a Twenty20 Cup match on its tour of England in 2012 to compensate the hosts for the loss of revenues they suffered last year in the Oval test,” the official said. England had sought compensation of over 800,000 pounds ($1.56 million) from the Pakistan board after the August Oval test was awarded to the home side at tea on the fourth day.The official said a meeting with ECB officials in London this week had been successful in resolving the dispute. (Posted @ 16:48 PST)
Cricket: Match-fixing still goes on, says England's Vaughan LONDON, March 24 (AFP) -Match-fixing still exists in cricket, England captain Michael Vaughan said in an interview published Saturday, amid claims murdered Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer had been set to expose corruption in the sport. Asked by The Sun newspaper whether he believes match-rigging goes on in the world game, Vaughan said: “If I'm honest, yes, I think it does.” The Sun said the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit was investigating unusual betting patterns in Pakistan's World Cup defeat to the West Indies on March 13. The daily tabloid said investigators were probing a theory that Pakistan could still have qualified for the second stage by beating Ireland and Zimbabwe but betting plans went awry after Pakistan lost to Ireland. The Sun quoted Vaughan as saying he had never experienced match-fixing with any team he has played for, or with teammates or opponents. “But my gut feeling is that there is still some kind of corruption in the game,” he added. “I feel it is very hard to clear corruption from cricket.” (Posted @ 16:32 PST)
Heavy casualties in Sri Lanka amid intense battles COLOMBO, March 24 (AFP) Sri Lankan troops and Tamil Tiger rebels were locked in intense battles in Vavuniya district in the island's northeast on Saturday, for a second straight day, as both sides reported heavy casualties. The defence ministry placed its losses at nine soldiers killed and 45 hospitalised while military sources listed another 45 troopers as “walking wounded.” The ministry said a total of 20 rebels were killed in the past two days. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.com website said the Tigers lost only six fighters and reported killing 60 Sri Lankan troopers and beating back a military advance. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Thirteen killed in road crash in Pakistan KARACHI, March 24 (AFP) Thirteen people died and three were wounded following a head-on collision between two commuter vans in southern Pakistan, police said Saturday. The accident occurred late Friday on a highway near the town of Khairpur, 450 kilometres north of Karachi, town police chief Deen Mohammad Baluch said, blaming the crash on speeding by the two drivers. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Two policemen shot dead in Thai south NARATHIWAT, Thailand, March 24 (AFP) Insurgents shot dead two policemen Saturday near a busy market in southern Thailand, police said. A 30-year-old corporal and a 25-year-old lance corporal were shot in front of hundreds of shoppers who had crowded into a market in Narathiwat province. (Posted @ 12:40 PST)
No match-fixing revelations in Woolmer's book: co-author LONDON, March 24 (AFP) Ivo Tennant, the co-author of murdered Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer's planned book insisted Saturday that it would not have contained any explosive revelations on match-fixing. Writing in The Times newspaper, Tennant swiped at rumours that Woolmer was about to blow the whistle on corruption in the sport. “Rumours that Bob Woolmer was murdered because he was harbouring information on match-fixing or an association with corrupt bookmakers can be dismissed unequivocally,” Tennant wrote. (Posted @ 11:10 PST)
Myanmar boat capsizes, 16 killed, 12 missing YANGON, March 24 (Reuters) At least 16 people were drowned and 12 missing in Myanmar when an overloaded boat capsized in a river near Yangon, a local daily reported Saturday. There were at least 70 people on the small boat, along with sacks of rice bran, when it was caught in a whirlpool in the Toe river Friday. Forty two passengers were rescued. (Posted @ 11:00 PST)
Bush pushes Congress on Iraq funds WASHINGTON, March 24 (AFP) US President George W. Bush Saturday warned his Democrat foes that he will not budge on Iraq war funding and another feud pitting lawmakers against the White House. In his weekly radio address, Bush demanded that the Congress strip a measure setting a timetable for US forces to withdraw from Iraq and stood by his refusal to let top aides testify in a controversy over a prosecutor purge. “My administration has presented a reasonable way forward on the matter of US Attorneys, and on ensuring that our men and women in uniform have the funds and the flexibility they need to win in Iraq,” Bush said. “It is not too late for us to work together…I ask the Democratic leaders in Congress to seize the opportunity before us and move beyond political statements to bipartisan action,” he said. Bush renewed his threat to veto a 124-billion-dollar emergency spending bill for Iraq and Afghanistan, and called for lawmakers to approve the money without any restrictions and strip out funds for domestic projects. “Members of Congress need to put our troops first, not politics. They need to send me a clean bill, without conditions, without restrictions, and without pork,” said the president. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
Yemen says leading rebel among 15 killed by army SANAA, March 24 (Reuters) Yemen said Friday 15 rebels, including a leader of the group, were killed in clashes with soldiers. A government official said eight soldiers were also killed in battles with followers of rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in remote mountainous areas in the north of the country. “Yahya Khudhairi, who was one of the leaders of the Houthis, was killed,” the official said. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Rocket brings down cargo plane over Mogadishu, 11 dead MOGADISHU, March 24 (AFP) Suspected insurgents shot down a cargo plane over Mogadishu Friday, killing all 11 on board. The Belarussian plane was hit by a rocket shortly after takeoff from Mogadishu airport and crashed in the northern Karan neighbourhood, Somali government spokesman Hussein Mohamed Muhamoud said. (Posted @ 09:00 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 |