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| May 10, 2007 | Thursday | Rabi-us-Sani 22, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistan forces poised to defeat rebels - Musharraf QUETTA, Pakistan, May 10(Reuters) - Pakistani forces are on the verge of wiping out militant camps in the gas-rich province of Balochistan, President Pervez Musharraf said Thursday, while reiterating a rebel amnesty offer. Musharraf, on his first visit to one of the province's main rebel hot spots since government forces killed prominent nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti in August last year, said the government would not tolerate terrorism. “Only three to four rebel camps are left. We will wipe them out too,” Musharraf, wearing a big Baluch turban, told a rally in Sui town, the centre of the gas industry in Balochistan. Repeating an amnesty offer, Musharraf said the government would take no action against rebels if they laid down their arms. “They are our brothers and sisters. I urge them to surrender their arms. No action will be taken against them if they do so,” he said. “Give up weapons and terrorism; otherwise the law will take its course. We will not allow terrorism”. Musharraf also announced several development projects for the province and promised more. (Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Prime Minister Tony Blair announces resignation TRIMDON, England, May 10 (AP) - Prime Minister Tony Blair said Thursday that he will step down as prime minister on June 27, after a decade in office in which he brokered peace in Northern Ireland and followed the United States to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Blair will leave office as soon as a new leader is elected for the Labour Party. (Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Pakistan builds anti-Taliban fence on Afghan border RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, May 10 (AFP) Pakistan erected the first section of a controversial fence on the Afghan border, severing a key corridor used by Taliban militants, the chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said Thursday. “We have completed 20 kilometres of fencing in North Waziristan's Lwara Mundi area,” he said. “This is that difficult part where most militants reportedly were crossing over.”(Posted @ 14:05 PST)
Shots fired at home of lawyer for Pakistan's top judge KARACHI, Pakistan, May 10 (AP) Unidentified assailants fired shots at the home of Munir Malik, a lawyer for Pakistan's suspended chief justice Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Thursday, injuring no one. The attorney and local police said about 15 shots were fired before dawn toward the house in Karachi, two of which penetrated an upstairs lounge where Malik said his 17-year-old daughter was sitting at a computer. Malik said it was part of a campaign of intimidation against those working for the reinstatement of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. ''It will not deter me from representing the chief justice and we will carry on our campaign for the independence of the judiciary,'' Malik told reporters at his house. He stopped short of naming any specific suspects. Zia Rivzi, a local police official, said investigators collected about 15 spent shell casings from the scene. He said the shooting was ''apparently an attempt to create harassment.”(Posted @ 09:10 PST)
61 bodies recovered in Haitian boat sinking PORT-AU-PRINCE, May 10, (AFP) - Search teams have recovered 61 bodies from the sea after a boat carrying Haitians heading to the United States sank near the Turks and Caicos islands, a Haitian official said. Authorities had earlier reported a total of 54 bodies recovered from the accident. “Sixty-one bodies have been recovered, of which 20 are completely decomposed,” Jeanne Bernard, director of Haiti's National Organization of Migration, told AFP. (Posted @ 23:38 PST)
Pakistan allows cotton import through land routes ISLAMABAD, May 10 (Reuters) - Pakistan on Thursday allowed import of cotton through land routes from all countries including neighbouring India, to help cut freight cost for its textile industry, a senior government official said. Pakistan already imports cotton from India and various other countries through sea routes that industry officials say cost them an additional 200 rupees ($3.3) per maund. (Posted @ 22:26 PST)
Hockey: Pakistan, Argentina set up clash with wins IPOH, Malaysia, May 10 (AFP) - Pakistan and Argentina will clash for fifth place in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on Saturday after contrasting victories here today. The Pakistanis had to face a penalty shootout against China before winning. Both teams were tied at 2-2 after regulation time and extra time failed to produce a winner. In the shootout Pakistan won 3-1. Earlier, Argentina had a convincing 3-0 win over Canada. (Posted @ 21:02 PST)
Israel plans 20,000 Jewish homes in E. Jerusalem JERUSALEM, May 10 (Reuters) - Israel plans to build 20,000 new homes for Jews in a settlement in Arab East Jerusalem, angering Palestinians who want the land for a future state. An Israeli official said on Thursday that the plan forsees three separate Jewish neighbourhoods being set up on land Israel annexed after the 1967 Middle East War in a move that has not been recognised internationally. Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat condemned the plan, saying: “This destroys the efforts exerted to revive the peace process. The Israeli government must choose between settlements and peace. They can not have both.” (Posted @ 20:54 PST)
Turkish lawmakers back popular vote to elect president ANKARA, May 10 (AFP) - Turkish lawmakers voted 370 to one on Thursday for a constitutional amendment to elect the president by popular vote, a government proposal intended to end an impasse on who will be Turkey's next head of state. The measure -- which calls for a two-round popular vote to elect the president -- is part of a package of sweeping constitutional changes that still needs to be passed by parliament in its entirety before being sent to the president for approval. Lawmakers were holding separate votes on each amendment before voting on the whole package. (Posted @ 19:38 PST)
Cricket: India beat Bangladesh in first one-dayer DHAKA, May 10 (AFP) - India defeated Bangladesh by five wickets here on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match one-day series. Brief scores: Bangladesh 250-7 in 47 overs; India 251/5 in 46 overs. (Posted @ 18:46 PST)
Indian PM pays tribute to 'martyrs' of 1857 war of independence NEW DELHI, May 10 (AFP) - Prime minister Manmohan Singh paid tributes on Thursday to the “martyrs” who battled the mighty British empire 150 years ago in what is called the country's “first war of independence. On the eve of 150th anniversary celebrations of the event, he told the parliament that “in the fight for freedom, Hindus and Muslims stood together shoulder-to- shoulder.” Singh's speech came as thousands of banner-waving marchers belting out patriotic songs reached the outskirts of the Indian capital after an 80-kilometre trek from the city of Meerut, where the uprising began. The marchers, retracing the footsteps of the revolting soldiers, were due to assemble at the Mughal-era Red Fort in Old Delhi on Friday for ceremonies kicking off a year-long celebration of the revolt. (Posted @ 18:04 PST)
Hassan Associates gets LOI for Tharr Coal power plant KARACHI, May 10 (PPI):- Sindh Mines & Mineral Development Department has issued Letter of Intent ( LOI) for 1000 Megawatt fast track coal based power generation plant at Thar coal mines to Hassan Associates who had earlier bought KESC. Sindh Minister for Mines and Mineral Development Irfannullah Marwat addressing a Press conference on Thursday said work would begin soon on this 1.2 billion dollar project, which would start functioning in 38 months. (Posted @ 17:22 PST)
28 more dead bodies found across Iraq Baghdad, May 10 (Reuters) - At least 28 more bodies were found by police on Wednesday in various cities of Iraq , 21 of these in Baghdad alone. Police said they found the bodies of 21 people shot dead in different districts of Baghdad. A hospital received the bodies of three people, two women and a man, from one family besides the bodies of two police officers in the northern city of Mosul. The bodies of two more people shot and tortured were found in the town of Mahaweel, 75 km south of Baghdad, police said. (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Field hockey-Indian government downgrades men's hockey MUMBAI, May 10 (Reuters) - Indian men's hockey has been downgraded by the government from the priority list to the general category following the team's disappointing performance at last year's Asian Games in Qatar. “They re-categorised the disciplines based on performances in the last Commonwealth Games and Asian Games competitions,” Indian Hockey Federation secretary K. Jothikumaran said on Thursday. “We are disappointed, but there is nothing we can do.” It is the first time men's hockey has been taken off the priority list, a move that will cut the annual grant by half for a sport that was once the national game. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Only 2 Taliban in bombed village: Afghan governor KANDAHAR, May 10 (AFP) - Only two Taliban were sheltering in a village bombed by the US-led coalition that killed 21 civilians, Helmand province governor Assadullah Wafa said Thursday. Wafa sent a team to the Sangin district on Wednesday to investigate the damage after an overnight strike called in during 16 hours of intense fighting between soldiers and militants. He confirmed the death toll as 21 killed, including women and children, and 19 wounded. Wafa told AFP that residents had said only two Taliban militants -- one identified as Haji Wali Mohammad and another said to be a Pakistani national -- had attacked foreign forces from the village. The locals “eliminated” the men before the bombing started, he said. Parliamentarian Amer Dad Mohammad from Sangin said “it was a savage bombing which destroyed over 40 houses and killed and wounded 100 civilians, kids and women.” He said 14 people from a single family were among the dead. (Posted @ 15:25 PST)
Musharraf announces Rs 2 bln development package for Sui SUI, May 10 (APP) President Pervez Musharraf Thursday announced Rs 2 billion development package for Sui and said Balochistan would be developed at par with rest of the country. “Balochistan will now see a revolution of development, which will continue till the lifestyle of the locals comes at par with rest of Pakistan,” he said while addressing a public rally in Sui. President Musharraf said the government was carrying out 138 development projects worth Rs 135 billion in Balochistan which was more than any other province. About new development projects in Sui, he said a labour colony would be established to facilitate the locals, while displaced people would be accommodated at their lands. He said Sin Seela Road and a road from Dera Bugti to Kashmore will be constructed as part of improving communication network. The 60 km Sui to Uch road and another from Dera Bugti to Rajan Pur will be constructed, while railway track from Sui to Dera would be upgraded. President Musharraf announced setting up of a gas power plant in Sui for electricity generation, to be supplied to local area. He also mentioned construction of 750 km Coastal Highway from Karachi to Gwadar, 950 km road from Gwadar to Rato Dero via Turbat and Khuzdar. He also said dams and water reservoirs were being built for providing drinking water and for irrigation. President Musharraf announced Rs 100 million grant for each district and Rs 10 million for each tehsil to be spent on area development. President Musharraf said Balochistan was rich in minerals, and exploration was being carried out for coal mines. He said royalty would be given to Balochistan government for such projects. (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Palestinians launch new security plan GAZA CITY, May 10 (AFP) Hundreds of members of Palestinian forces fanned out across the Gaza Strip Thursday under the first phase of a flagship security plan seeking to restore order in the territory. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and prime minister Ismail Haniya gave the final go-ahead late Wednesday for the new security plan to go into effect. A senior official said the deployment was primarily focused on Gaza City and the northern part of the territory.(Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Pre-dawn clashes, air strike rock Baghdad BAGHDAD, May 10 (AFP) Baghdad awoke Thursday to the sounds of heavy fighting as US planes bombarded a suspected weapons smuggling cell in east Baghdad and clashes were heard in the city centre. The US military said it had killed “three armed terrorists” when troops called in an air strike to put an end to a gunbattle with a gang that had allegedly smuggled deadly armour-piercing bombs into Iraq from Iran. “Coalition forces targeted a concentration of buildings associated with the terrorist network, detaining four suspected terrorists during the raids,” a US statement said. “Three Iraqi civilians were also injured during the operation” in Baghdad’s Sadr City suburb. Witnesses said women and children were also injured in the raid and alleged that up to eight people had been killed. (Posted @ 12:40 PST)
Militants blow up music, video shops in Pakistan PESHAWAR, Pakistan, May 10 (AFP) Suspected militants blew up four music and video shops in a bombing in northwestern Pakistan overnight, police said Thursday. The single powerful device badly damaged the outlets in the Amir Abad area of Charsada district, a security official said. There were no casualties as a result of the explosion which was caused by a home-made bomb. (Posted @ 12:30 PST)
Six bandits die in shootout with Bangladesh police DHAKA, May 10 (Reuters) At least six bandits were shot dead in a battle with police in southern Bangladesh Thursday, police said. Six policemen were also wounded in the three-hour shootout near Barisal town, 300 km south of Dhaka. (Posted @ 11:55 PST)
Anti-Sarkozy protests in Paris, students strike PARIS, May 10 (Reuters) French police arrested more than 100 demonstrators and hundreds of students went on strike at a Paris university as left-wing protests against president-elect Nicolas Sarkozy continued for a fourth night Wednesday. Some 300-400 demonstrators gathered on the Boulevard St Michel in the Latin Quarter of Paris, ostensibly to protest against a march by far-right supporters. Shouting anti-Sarkozy slogans, the demonstrators were cornered by hundreds of police close to the nearby Luxembourg Gardens. A police officer at the scene said 118 arrests had been made by 9.30 p.m. In a separate demonstration, hundreds of students at a Paris university staged a strike to protest at Sarkozy's plans to reform France's higher education system and blocked access to an annexe of the Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne university.(Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Communist rebels in Philippines ambush police van, killing five officers MANILA, Philippines, May 10 (AP) Communist rebels detonated a land mine and opened fire on a police van Thursday, killing five officers and wounding five others, a military spokesman said. About 30 New People's Army rebels in San Jose township, on Mindoro island south of Manila, blew up the mine as the police van passed, then sprayed the vehicle with gunfire, the regional military spokesman said.(Posted @ 09:20 PST)
US extends sanctions against Syria for one year WASHINGTON, May 10 (AFP) The White House announced Wednesday that President George W. Bush extended for one year sanctions against Syria for what Washington says is its support for terrorism. The sanctions were imposed in May 2004, then extended in April 2006, “to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the actions of the government of Syria,” Bush said in a statement addressed to the US Congress and made public by the White House.(Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 46.38 points: KARACHI, May 10: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 12346.90, down 46.38 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, May 10: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.7 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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