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| April 17, 2007 | Tuesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 28, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistan, China sign 27 agreements including coop in space technology:Jiabao-Aziz talks BEIJING, April 17 (APP): Pakistan and China on Tuesday inked 27 agreements and MoUs aimed at further expanding ties between the two countries including cooperation in space technology, avoidance of double taxation and increased cooperation between the private sectors. The signing ceremony witnessed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao at the Great Hall of the People and their cabinet members was preceded by an exclusive 40-minute meeting between the two leaders and an hour-long round of formal talks. The private sectors of the two countries signed 14 agreements, while another 13 were signed between the two governments, which also agreed to realize the projects to be undertaken by them on “fast-track basis.” “We have re-energized an already strong relationship by introducing new dimensions, new aspects which are reflective of the changes taking place in the world and both the countries,” Prime Minister Aziz told the accompanying mediamen after the talks. Under the Framework Agreement between China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Suparco, the two sides will “deepen cooperation” in Science and Technology. China will help Pakistan's communications and earth observation satellite programme. The two countries will also work on construction of a cross-border cable system to strengthen their communication linkages. Shaukat Aziz said he was very pleased with the talks. “The relations are going from strength to strength, to new heights,” he said and added the two countries have moved forward in areas of defence cooperation, science and technology collaboration and financing by Chinese companies in Pakistan's energy and trade spheres. Pakistan and China also agreed on infrastructure development projects, including dams, power generation and mass transit systems. Prime Minister Aziz said the “broad-based” talks reflected similarity of views on major international issues and covered cooperation in the fight against terrorism, UN Reforms, Pakistan-India talks and situation in Afghanistan and the Iran situation. (First Posted @ 12:08 PST Updated @ 21:20 PST)
Chinese Minister for National Defence calls on PM Aziz BEIJING, Apr 17 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Tuesday met the Chinese Minister for Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence Zhang Yunchuan, and discussed in detail all aspects of bilateral collaboration in the fields of defence, science, technology, and defence production. The Prime Minister said that the joint production of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft is the symbol of Pakistan-China defence cooperation. He said that there is a need to maintain the momentum of cooperation and said that both countries have agreed to further expand the collaboration to all areas of scientific and defence partnership. (Posted @ 20:38 PST)
Pakistani madressahs declare suicide attacks un-Islamic PESHAWAR, Pakistan, April 17 (AFP) - Some 2,000 Muslim scholars, teachers and administrators from madressahs across Pakistan Tuesday declared suicide attacks un-Islamic and opposed enforcement of Sharia by force. The meeting was convened by Leader of Opposition Maulana Fazlur Rehman, whose hardline Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, is running thousands of madrassas in the country. The convention also declared illegal and un-Islamic threats to hairdressers against shaving off beards and attacks on video shops in the name of curbing obscenity in North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan. They said such acts were a “conspiracy of some hidden powers.” The six-page declaration issued after the convention said: “some hidden powers are engaged in suicide attacks against the Muslim administration of our country and the victims are our Muslim brothers.””Such aggressive acts are not only illegal but also against Islamic Sharia, which can never be encouraged,” it said. It said such steps were bringing madressahs and their Islamic scholars into disrepute and “we do not support them.”It also advised students of madressahs to understand “this conspiracy” and keep themselves away from all such acts. (Posted @ 20:34 PST)
Former Bangladesh PM to go into exile DHAKA, April 17 (AFP) Bangladesh's last prime minister Khaleda Zia is to be exiled as part of a major drive against rampant political corruption by the country's military-backed government, officials said Tuesday. Close aides to Zia said she was being forced to leave quietly in return for leniency for her two sons, both of whom are facing graft and extortion charges. Senior government officials were widely quoted by the press as saying Zia, 61, would be leaving for Saudi Arabia in the coming days as part of a deal that will reshape politics in Bangladesh. “Zia has agreed to leave the country but she is taking her time,” an aide to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said requesting anonymity. “The army held several rounds of negotiations with her. The release of Arafat Rahman and halting of the case against Tareque Rahman were part of that process,” the aide said, referring to Zia's sons. (Posted @ 15:01 PST)
S.Korean student blamed for U.S. shooting rampage BLACKSBURG, Va., April 17 (Reuters) - The gunman who killed 32 people and then himself at Virginia Tech university on Monday was identified by police on Tuesday as Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old South Korean studying English literature at the university. Police gave no motive for the shooting rampage, the worst in U.S. history. Police said one of two guns recovered was used in both of the two separate shooting incidents at the campus that killed a total of 33 people, including Cho. “It's certainly reasonable for us to assume that Cho was the shooter in both places,” Steven Flaherty, superintendent of the Virginia State Police, told a news conference. Victims were found in at least four classrooms as well as a stairwell, he said. “The gunman was discovered among several of the victims in one of the classrooms,” Flaherty said. “He had taken his own life.” Police said the gunman appeared to have used chains to lock doors and prevent victims from escaping. Fifteen people were wounded, including those shot and students hurt jumping from windows in a desperate attempt to flee the gunfire. (First Posted @ 17:28 PST Updated @ 19:50 PST)
Four killed, over 20 injuried as passenger bus overturns DADU, Pakistan, Apr 17 (APP) - Four persons were killed and more than 20, including women and children, injured as a passenger bus overturned while on its way to Hyderabad from Police Station Bola Khan on Tuesday afternoon. (Posted @ 23:50 PST)
Cricket: England 154 all out against South Africa BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 17, (AFP) - England were 154 all out in 48 overs against South Africa in their World Cup Super Eights match at the Kensington Oval here on Tuesday. (Posted @ 22:46 PST)
Bush orders US flags at half-staff WASHINGTON, April 17 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Tuesday ordered US flags on government buildings to fly at half-staff through Sunday in mourning after the massacre at Virginia Tech. (Posted @ 21:02 PST)
Pakistan offers vast investment opportunities: PM Aziz BEIJING, April 17 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday said there were vast investment opportunities in all sectors in Pakistan and there was no discrimination between the local and foreign investors. Speaking at a luncheon meeting hosted by the Chief Executive Officer of CICC Levin Zhu and attended by CEO's of leading financial companies and the corporate sector, the Prime Minister said Pakistan was keen to seek more investment in automative, trucking, energy, construction, steel mills and real estate. He said Pakistan was working on a comprehensive plan to expand the National Trade Corridor and desired joint ventures in manufacture of heavy trucks and allied facilities. (Posted @ 14:19 PST)
Aziz urges more investment from China Development Bank BEIJING, April 17 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Tuesday said Pakistan was keen to see more investment from the China Development Bank into infrastructure development, energy, banking dams and agro industry for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Talking to Chen Yuan, Governor China Development Bank, the Prime Minister Aziz expressed confidence that its cooperation with Pakistani banks and financial institutions will be very beneficial for the two countries. The Governor CDB said there was a broad range for cooperation between the two countries and a consortium can be formed for joint investments in various areas. Prime Minister Aziz appreciating CDB's interest in Pakistan said there was a need to identify long term and sustained cooperation between the two countries. He said he was on one of his longest foreign visits as it was part of the vision of both the countries to increase collaboration in all areas and the two enjoyed a strategic partnership. (Posted @ 12:08 PST)
Top US general says Iranian weapons in Afghanistan WASHINGTON, April 17 (Reuters) - The United States' top general on Tuesday said U.S. forces intercepted Iranian weapons headed to the Taliban in Afghanistan in the last month, but he did not know who had sent them. “It is not as clear in Afghanistan which Iranian entity is responsible but we have intercepted weapons in Afghanistan headed for the Taliban that were made in Iran,” said Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “We do not know with the same clarity we know in Iraq who is delivering those weapons, who is involved,” he told reporters in Washington. (Posted @ 20:14 PST)
Truck hits bus in Ukraine, 12 killed KIEV, April 17 Reuters) - A truck whose driver was believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel collided with a minibus in central Ukraine on Tuesday, killing 12 people, police said. The truck veered into oncoming traffic in Khmelnitsky region, striking the bus. (Posted @ 20:10 PST)
Taliban launch Afghan attacks; blasts kill nine KABUL, April 17 (Reuters) - About 100 Taliban raided Afghan police posts and a district government headquarters northeast of Kabul on Tuesday, in the heaviest fighting in an area so close to the capital since 2001. Earlier on Tuesday, a remote-controlled bomb blew up a U.N. vehicle in Kandahar killing four Nepali contractors and an Afghan driver. The Taliban claimed responsibility. In a separate incident, a blast in a school compound killed four students in the western city of Herat, officials and witnesses said The Taliban launched coordinated attacks in the rugged Tagab district of Kapisa province, 70 km from Kabul. “The fighting is heavy and has been going on since the morning. U.S. air support is also involved,” said the governor, Abdul Sattar Murad. Several Taliban had been killed, while up to five policemen had been wounded, he said. Another foreign official said heavy clashes had broken out along a 10-km front. (Posted @ 20:04 PST)
China says 19 seaweed farm workers swept into sea BEIJING, April 17 (Reuters) - Nineteen workers were swept to their deaths by the rising tide while working on a seaweed farm in east China's Jiangsu Province, the Xinhua news agency said Tuesday. Twenty-one workers rode three tractors to tend to a plantation while the tide was out, but only two of the workers escaped the fast rising tide while the others were swept out to sea, Xinhua quoted rescuers as saying. Local authorities mobilised thousands of people and hundreds of tractors and boats to search for the missing workers, it said. (Posted @ 19:54 PST)
Asiad: Incheon wins right to host 2014 Asian Games KUWAIT, April 17 (AFP) - The South Korean port city of Incheon was Tuesday selected to host the 2014 Asian Games, fending off a challenge from New Delhi to hold the lucrative multi-sport event. It will be the third time South Korea has played host, following Seoul in 1986 and Busan in 2002. Seoul also held the Olympics in 1988. The New Delhi delegation was devastated, insisting it was the frontrunner and had a right to win after being overlooked since it was last selected in 1982. (Posted @ 18:54 PST)
Eighteen killed in occupied Kashmir road accident NEW DELHI, April 17 (APP): At least 18 people were killed when a van fell into a stream in Poonch district of occupied Kashmir on Tuesday.. The overloaded van, which was going from Sabzian to Mandi, plunged into stream while negotiating a turn at Sunderi Nallah. (Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Israel, Palestinians, US set benchmarks for talks JERUSALEM, April 17 (Reuters) Israeli and Palestinian leaders are drawing up confidence-building steps under U.S. auspices to help guide talks they have agreed to hold every two weeks, U.S. diplomats said Tuesday. The effort is meant to build confidence between the parties by ensuring incremental progress on day to day issues, the diplomats said. The benchmarks, sent to Washington for review, include such things as removing Israeli checkpoints in the occupied West Bank, expanding operations at Gaza border crossings and training Palestinian security forces. (Posted @ 14:28 PST)
Blast in THQ hospital Pasrur store, seven injured SIALKOT, Paksitan, April 17 (APP) Seven people including three women received severe burn injuries in a blast in the store room of tehsil headquarter (THQ) hospital Pasrur near here Tuesday morning. A police party led by DSP Pasrur and a bomb disposal squad rushed to the spot, and after initial investigation DSP Muhammad Akram Khan told newsmen that there was no evidence of sabotage or terroist activity, and the blast appeared to be an accident. He said inflammable material was kept in the hospital store room such as spirit containers and oxygen cylinders, and it was possible that that exploded due to human error or carelessness of a staffer. Seven people received burn injuries, two of them seriously, while adjoining rooms were damaged in the explosion. The injured were all referred to Mayo Hospital, Lahore for treatment. (Posted @ 14:08 PST)
Kashmir division formula unacceptable: Sultan KOTLI, Azad Kashmir, April 17 (PPI) The Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister and President of People's Muslim League (PML) Barrister Sultan Mehmood Ch. has said that the formula of Kashmir division is unacceptable and made it clear that struggle will continue till the fulfilment of all demands. AJK Former Premier stated this while addressing the convention of PML and Peoples Youth League as chief guest here Tuesday. Sultan said that PML has no objection on ongoing dialogue process between Pakistan and Indian on Kashmir issue. “It is a good sign that dialogue process is going very smoothly which would be fruitful in near future” he added. He said that the whole Kashmiri community rejects the formula of Kashmir division and added that such kind of tactics will present negativity in the dialogue process. He also said that Indian army is violating human rights in occupied Kashmir under the umbrella of black laws. (Posted @ 13:51 PST)
Five U.S. soldiers killed in attacks in Iraq BAGHDAD, April 17 (Reuters) Insurgents killed five American soldiers in Iraq on Monday, including three in Baghdad, the U.S. military said. The U.S. military said three soldiers were killed in three separate attacks in Baghdad. Two others were killed in western Anbar province. One of the soldiers in Baghdad was killed when a roadside bomb known as an explosively formed projectile (EFP) exploded near his patrol, the military said. (Posted @ 09:12 PST)
Blast traps 33 in China mine BEIJING, April 17 (AFP) At least 33 miners were trapped and feared dead in a coal mine in central China after a series of explosions ripped through the site, the government and press reports said Tuesday. The first explosion occurred Monday night at the Wangzhuang Coal Mine in Pingdingshan in Henan province, the State Administration of Work Safety said. According to Xinhua news agency, after rescue operations began, another explosion shook the mine, hampering efforts to save the trapped miners. Up to a dozen rescuers were injured in the second blast, it said. (Posted @ 08:49 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 1.02 points: KARACHI, April 17: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 12003.57, down 1.02 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:25 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, April 17: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.77 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:25 PST)
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