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| July 25, 2007 | Wednesday | Rajab 09, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Rocket fire kills 10 in Pakistan PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 25 (AP) - Assailants fired four rockets into Bannu city in northwestern Pakistan before dawn on Wednesday, killing 10 people and wounding 40.Rockets hit two houses, a mosque and a shop in Bannu at about 2 a.m. (2100 GMT on Tuesday), said Khwaja Mohammed, a city police official. Police said 10 civilians were killed and that seven police officers were among 40 others wounded. Overnight, militants fired a rocket at a fort manned by paramilitary troops and blew up a government utility office in Miran Shah, the region's main town, forcing authorities to shutter all government offices and banks for fear of casualties, local security officials said. Many shops were also closed as five masked men stole a pickup truck from a government office during daylight hours Wednesday. In the nearby town of Mir Ali, a bomb early Wednesday damaged a government-run school, local security officials said. No one was inside at the time.(Posted @ 16:50 PST)
Gunmen shoot dead 3 government engineers in Balochistan QUETTA, Pakistan, July 25 (AP) - Gunmen on Wednesday attacked government workers assessing flood damage to a highway in Khuzdar district of Baluchistan, killing three engineers, police said. The engineers' driver and another man in the survey team were wounded, police officer Siraj Ahmed said. The attackers fled. No one claimed responsibility and Ahmed declined to speculate about who was responsible.(Posted @ 16:35 PST)
Unidentified gunmen kill former Taliban commander Mullah Naimatullah Noorzai in Chaman ISLAMABAD, July 25 (Reuters) Unidentified gunmen killed former Taliban commander, Mullah Naimatullah Noorzai, in the southern town of Chaman on the Afghan border Tuesday night. (Posted @ 11:10 PST)
Earthquake of magnitude 4.5 shakes Pakistan, Afghanistan PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 25 (AP) An earthquake centred in the remote mountains of Afghanistan shook parts of northwestern Pakistan Wednesday. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the quake, which Pakistan's Meteorological Office said had a 4.5 magnitude. Shocks were felt at 11:21 a.m. in the city of Peshawar, the Chitral valley and other parts of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, said an official at the Meteorological Office. The epicentre of the quake was some 300 kilometres north of Peshawar in the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan, he said. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
US acknowledges Pakistan's role against war on terror ISLAMABAD, July 25 (APP): US Ambassador Ms. Anne, W. Patterson Wednesday said the United States supports President General Pervez Musharraf and especially his efforts against the war on terror. In a meeting with senior Federal Minister for Defence, Rao Sikandar Iqbal she referred to the recent statement of President George W. Bush in which he clearly spoke for the support of Pakistan. She further stated that the US accorded enormous recognition to the role being played by Pakistan against the war on terror.(Posted @ 21:10 PST)
Afghan govt, Taliban say no SKoreans freed KANDAHAR, July 25 (AFP) - An Afghan governor and the Taliban both denied Wednesday a media report that eight of 23 South Korean hostages held in Afghanistan had been released. Mirajuddin Pattan, the governor of Ghazni province where the rebels are holding the hostages, dismissed the report. “Talks continue but no one has been freed so far,” Pattan told AFP. A senior government official involved in the negotiations said on condition of anonymity: “I've checked it with multiple sources I'm afraid it's not true. “The interior ministry said it's not true, other organizations said it's not true,” the official added. Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi also denied the report. “No one has been freed so far, this is untrue and mere government propaganda,” Ahmadi told AFP by telephone from an unknown location. Ahmadi however said one Korean had been killed because he was too sick.(Posted @ 20:50 PST)
Suicide attacks damaging Islam, Pakistan: Benazir ISLAMABAD, July 25 (APP): Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party Benazir Bhutto Wednesday strongly condemned the recent spate of terrorist activities in the country, saying suicide attacks are damaging Islam and Pakistan. Benazir said Islam does not allow suicide attacks and those motivating for such acts are misguiding others, she said in a tv interview. Problems cannot be resolved by carrying out terrorist activities like suicide attacks. The proper way to settle issues is dialogue and negotiations, she added.(Posted @ 20:05 PST)
Storm sweeps Bangladesh; one dead, 500 injured DHAKA, July 25 (Reuters) - A powerful storm flattened hundreds of homes in eastern Bangladesh on Wednesday, killing a child and injuring 500 people, police said. Three of the 13 crew were missing after a Bangladeshi ship carrying more than 1,400 tonnes of cement sank near Chittagong port. The 80 kph storm accompanied by rain swept through several districts, uprooting power and telephone poles and damaging crops.(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Taliban set 'final' deadline for SKorean hostages KANDAHAR, July 25 (AFP) - Taliban militants holding South Korean hostages in Afghanistan set a “final deadline” for their demands for a prisoner swap to be met, after killing one of the captives. “We've set a new deadline for 1:00 am Thursday (2030 GMT Wednesday). If our demands are not met we'll kill some more hostages,” Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi told AFP.(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Arab ministers encouraged on Israel peace push JERUSALEM, July 25 (AFP) - The foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan said Wednesday they were encouraged by how Israel received a new Middle East peace plan as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said serious talks had begun towards creating a Palestinian state.Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said the initiative had met with a positive reception from Israel, after talks with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and president Shimon Peres. “We have heard a lot of positive commentary, from which we discern an intention on behalf of Israel to work seriously on giving the Palestinians an opportunity to achieve their state,” he told a news conference. The ministers hoped to submit a report on the Jerusalem visit at a gathering of Arab League foreign ministers on Monday, before further talks with Olmert and Defence Minister Ehud Barak. The blueprint offers Israel normalisation of ties with Arab nations in exchange for full withdrawal from Arab land occupied during the 1967 Six-Day War, the creation of a Palestinian state and a return of refugees.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Indian troops martyr 3 more Kashmiris ISLAMABAD, July 25 (APP): In occupied Kashmir, Indian troops martyred three more innocent persons, including a 10th class student, in Baramulla district. The student Tariq Ahmad Wani was killed by the personnel of 32-Rashtriya Rifles during a siege and search operation at Lam Mohalla Nadihal . Two dead bodies were also recovered from the debris of a house destroyed by mortar shelling in the operation, PTV reported.(Posted @ 18:40 PST)
5 die in Alaska sightseeing plane crash ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 25 (AP) - A pilot and two couples on a side-trip from an Alaska cruise were killed when their sightseeing plane crashed in the mountains of Misty Fjords National Monument, state police said Wednesday. Searchers spotted the wreckage in the area where an aircraft distress signal had been picked up.(Posted @ 18:30 PST)
ADB releases $200 mln for Pakistan quake survivors ISLAMABAD, July 25(Reuters) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has released a $200 million loan to Pakistan to help rebuild homes for hundreds of thousands of people affected by the October 2005 earthquake, the bank said on Wednesday. The amount was the first tranche of a $400 million concessional loan approved by its board of directors in June, the ADB said in a statement. The second tranche of $200 million would be released in six months on completion of performance targets jointly agreed by the Pakistan government and the bank.The ADB committed a total $1 billion in loans and grants during an international donor conference held in Islamabad in November 2005 for reconstruction and rehabilitation of quake-hit northern Pakistan. The statement said the loan was intended to help Pakistan meet a dealine of May 2008 for completing reconstruction of 585,000 rural homes compliant with seismic safety requirements.“The winter of 2007 will be the last for most displaced people before they move into new houses,” said Peter Fedon, ADB's country director. The October 8, 2005 earthquake killed more than 73,000 and made 3.5 million homeless in Azad Kashmir and North West Frontier Province.(Posted @ 18:25 PST)
Football: Iraq into Asian Cup final after penalties KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (AFP) - Iraq upset South Korea to book their place in the final of the Asian Cup on Wednesday by beating them 4-3 on penalties after the game finished scoreless after extra-time.(Posted @ 18:15 PST)
Sri Lanka wins final one-dayer by 39 runs against Bangladesh, sweeps series 3-0 COLOMBO, July 25 (AP) - Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 39 runs in the third and final one-day international on Wednesday to sweep the series 3-0. The match was curtailed to 40 overs per side because of a damp outfield caused by morning rain. Summarised Scores: Sri Lanka 196 all out in 39.5 overs (Jehan Mubarak 72, Tillakaratne Dilshan 39, Abdur Razzak 3-47, Mohammad Mahmudullah 2-28). Bangladesh 157 all out in 37.1 overs (Tamim Iqbal 54, Mohammad Mahmudullah 36, Sanath Jayasuriya 4-14)(Posted @ 17:55 PST)
Hockey-Pakistan protest at Australia's Champions Trophy pull-out KARACHI, July 25 (Reuters) - Pakistan have lodged a protest with the International Hockey Federation over the withdrawal of Olympic champions Australia from the Champions Trophy tournament in Lahore in December because of security concerns. “We are disappointed with the Australians' decision to pull out from the tournament. We have made our protest.” Khalid Mehmood, secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation said. Mehmood mentioned Britain as possible replacements but added: “At the moment the FIH has told us they are also reluctant about playing in Pakistan. So a final decision on the replacement team is still awaited.” Media reports have said that Spain might also pull out but Mehmood said as yet they had no indication of this.(Posted @ 17:50 PST)
German reporter released in Afghanistan: governor ASADABAD, Afghanistan, July 25 (AFP) - A German reporter kidnapped early Wednesday in eastern Afghanistan has been freed along with his Afghan translator, Shalizai Didar, the governor of eastern Kunar province, told AFP. “They were both freed with the mediation of tribal elders and other influential people. They are safe and sound,” he said.He had travelled to the restive province's Watapour district to report on a NATO-led air strike which killed several Afghan civilians some two weeks ago, Didar said.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
Six killed in joint U.S.-Iraqi raid on suspected militia hideouts BAGHDAD, July 25 (AP) - A joint U.S.-Iraqi force backed with helicopter gunships clashed with suspected Mahdi militiamen when they raided several homes in Sadr City early Wednesday morning, police said. Six people were killed and 10 wounded, they added.(Posted @ 17:05 PST)
French soldier killed in Afghanistan PARIS, July 25 (Reuters) A French non-commissioned officer was killed in the province of Wardak in a rocket attack on Afghan army quarters, the French defence ministry said on Wednesday. (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Pakistani tribesmen bury 'hero' militant commander PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 25 (AFP) Around 2,000 tribesmen brandishing Kalashnikovs and baying for holy war buried Wednesday Taliban militant Abdullah Mahsud who blew himself up after being cornered by security forces in the town of Zhob in Balochistan province. The one-legged former Guantanamo Bay detainee wanted for the 2004 kidnap of two Chinese engineers was laid to rest in his home town in South Waziristan. Commander Abdullah died a hero's death,” local Taliban commander Noor Sayed told the gathering at Nano, 40 km from Wana, the main town in the area, according to officials and witnesses. (Posted @ 16:05 PST)
India's first female president sworn in to office NEW DELHI, July 25 (AP) India's first female president was sworn in Wednesday at a regal ceremony in Parliament followed by a 21 gun salute that could be heard across central New Delhi. Escorted by a company of soldiers clad in white-uniforms and riding horses, Pratibha Patil, 72, entered a packed Parliament and took the oath of office. (Posted @ 14:05 PST)
Iran willing to consider higher-level US-Iraq talks TEHRAN, July 25 (AFP) Iran Wednesday said it is prepared to consider talking with the United States over Iraq at the level of deputy foreign minister, after discussions between the two countries' ambassadors to Iraq. “The talks between Iran and the United States over Iraq at the level of deputy foreign minister can be studied,” Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said after a cabinet meeting, the IRNA agency reported. “If America makes an official request in this regard it can be examined,” he added. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Cricket-More Bangladesh board officials step down DHAKA, July 25 (Reuters) Fifteen more Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials resigned Wednesday as the interim government's plans to depoliticise the authority gathered steam. “I have accepted resignation letters from 17 officials so far,” BCB president M Abdul Aziz told Reuters Wednesday. (Posted @ 12:45 PST)
Broken pipe spews oil into Canadian waters VANCOUVER, July 25 (AFP) A major pipeline broke near a busy port in Canada Tuesday, spewing thousands of litres of crude oil and causing homes to be evacuated amid environmental fears, local authorities said. The breach sent oil spilling into an ocean inlet near the Port of Vancouver, after a backhoe digging device hit a major pipeline in a residential neighbourhood. More than 100 homes were evacuated after crude oil spouted as high as a 10-storey building in Burnaby city, said Burnaby mayor Derek Corrigan. (Posted @ 12:30 PST)
Indian cabinet okays U.S. civilian nuclear pact NEW DELHI, July 25 (Reuters) India's cabinet approved Wednesday a bilateral agreement paving the way for civilian nuclear cooperation with the United States. “They approved the agreement,” Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters, after a joint meeting of the cabinet committees on security and political affairs. “All concerns of India have been reflected and have been adequately addressed.” The deal aims to give India access to U.S. nuclear fuel and equipment for the first time in 30 years to help meet its soaring energy needs. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Lebanese troops bombard militants in refugee camp NAHR AL-BARED, Lebanon, July 25 (Reuters) Lebanese troops bombarded a Palestinian refugee camp with tank and artillery shells Wednesday, trying to force al Qaeda-inspired militants ensnared in the camp to surrender. Witnesses said clashes were concentrated on the last pockets occupied by Fatah al-Islam militants who have stubbornly held on to the Nahr al-Bared camp in more than two months of fighting. (Posted @ 11:50 PST)
Five climbers die of exposure in Italian Alps MILAN, July 25 (Reuters) Five mountain climbers have died of exposure in the Italian Alps, a civil protection official said. Four died on Mont Blanc and one on Monte Rosa, Guido Bertolaso, head of civil protection in Aosta, northwest Italy, told Reuters late Tuesday. A sixth climber, a German woman, is recovering in hospital in Zermatt, Switzerland, he said. (Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Bush links Iraq war to battle against al Qaeda CHARLESTON, S.C., July 24 (Reuters) Defending his strategy in an increasingly unpopular war, President George W. Bush Tuesday ratcheted up his effort to link the U.S.-led fight in Iraq to the broader battle against al Qaeda. Speaking at an air force base in Charleston, Bush cited newly declassified intelligence as he gave an impassioned response to criticism that the U.S. focus on Iraq has become a distraction from the wider war on terrorism. “Al Qaeda in Iraq is a group founded by foreign terrorists, led largely by foreign terrorists and loyal to a foreign terrorist leader: Osama bin Laden,” Bush said. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 42.58 points: KARACHI, July 25: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 13595.48, up 42.58 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, July 25: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 61 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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