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| September 22, 2007 | Saturday | Ramazan 09, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Sindh parliamentarians support Musharraf in presidential election KARACHI, Sept 22 (APP) A meeting of the parliamentarians from Sindh held here at the Chief Minister House Saturday announced full support for General Pervez Musharraf in the coming presidential election. The resolution to this effect was moved by Sindh Chief Minister, Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the President of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, and Federal Information Minister, Mohammad Ali Durrani, were also present on the occasion besides Senators, MNAs and MPAs. The participants of the meeting adopted the resolution unanimously. The resolution said that this meeting welcomes the presidential election and announces full support for President General Pervez Musharraf as the presidential candidate for the country’s welfare and consistency in its development process. (Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Pir Pagara announces full support to President Musharraf’s re-election KARACHI, Sept 22 (APP) The President of PML(F), Pir Pagara, Saturday announced his full support to the re-election of President Pervez Musharraf. He announced his unflinching support in a meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here at Kingri House. Later talking to newsmen Aziz said Pir Sahab assured his full support in the President's election and cooperation during the general election. Aziz said those who believe in negative politics, would not do any good to the country and rather they are causing damage to the country. “It is negative politics”, he remarked when asked about his views on the opposition resignations. “We need positive thinking as we have to strengthen the country and democratic traditions”, he stated. Replying to newsmen’s questions about his unconditional support, Pir Pagara said that his party had always been supporting the government and there is nothing new in it, adding that he had always been with the GHQ and would help them in all conditions. He told a questioner that President Musharraf is sure to win, whether in uniform or no uniform. He said that whether or not the PPP supports the President, he will be through in the election. To a question, Pir Pagara said those who are talking about resignations, don't want to see the country stable and try to create impediments. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
Soldier, two women killed in mortar attack, suicide bomber attacks mly convoy BAJAUR, Sept 22(AFP): A suicide bomber blew up his car near a Pakistani paramilitary convoy Saturday, wounding a soldier in the latest attack on security forces battling militants, officials said. The convoy was heading from the northwestern city of Tank to Jandola town when the bomber detonated the explosives, a security official said, adding that the attacker's car was completely destroyed. “The bomber's body parts have been recovered from the scene and a probe is under way,” the official said. In neighbouring Bajaur tribal district the authorities reported Saturday that a soldier and two women were killed in overnight attacks by pro-Taliban militants. The paramilitary soldier died when mortars hit a camp in the Bajaur tribal district, and the women were killed when a mortar shell struck their house, a local official told AFP. He said two other soldiers were injured, as were six tribesmen. (Updated @ 11:29 PST Posted @ 14:37 PST)
Militants kill policeman, kidnap two others in Swat PESHAWAR, Sept 22(AP): Militants armed with assault rifles attacked a police checkpoint in Swat on Saturday, killing one officer and kidnapping two others, officials said. A government official blamed local extremists for the attack, which came a day after a roadside bomb injured a local mayor and a close relative and killed two of his guards. Police arrested three associates of pro-Taliban cleric Fazal Ullah, who has opposed the deployment of troops in Swat. (Posted @ 12:56 PST)
Assembly dissolution not to affect presidential election: Sher Afgan ISLAMABAD, Sept 22: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sher Afgan Niazi said Saturday that the dissolution of any assembly does not have any bearing on the presidential election, a private television channel reported. Afgan said that if only five votes are cast in the presidential elections with three to Pervez Musharraf, they are enough for his winning the elections. He said the 2/3 majority is only needed in the election of prime minister while in the presidential election numerical majority is required. He said the existence of provincial assemblies is not mandatory for presidential election. (Posted @ 19:20 PST)
Cricket- Pakistan reaches Twenty20 final after defeating New Zealand CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Sept 22 (AP) Imran Nazir scored his first Twenty20 half-century Saturday, scoring 59 to steer Pakistan to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in the semifinals of the world tournament. New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss at the Newlands Stadium and his team scored 143-8 in its 20 overs. Pakistan chased the target down easily, reaching 147-4 with seven balls to spare. (First Posted @ 16:50 PST, Updated @ 20:45 PST)
Nine injured, 25 held after Egypt sectarian brawl ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, Sept 22 (Reuters) Nine people were injured in a brawl between Muslims and Christians in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria, police sources said Saturday. Twenty five people were detained. The fighting began late Friday after a group of Muslim youths exchanged words with a Christian man taking a Muslim woman into his flat in the Sidi Bishr district, they said. The two sides, throwing stones and bottles, called in reinforcements. The fighting disrupted traffic and six cars were damaged by projectiles, the sources said. Eight of the detainees are Muslims and 17 are Christians, all of them local people. (Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Hamas women demonstrate to release loyalists from Palestinian jails RAMALLAH, Sept 22 (AP) Hundreds of female Hamas supporters marched Saturday to demand the release of Hamas members from Palestinian jails. Palestinian police formed a chain to prevent the women from gathering in Ramallah's main square. The women said some 700 Hamas loyalists have been arrested in the West Bank since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip by force in June, and that some 150 still remain in jail without charge. (Posted @ 18:05 PST)
Rockets fired at Khirthar canal bridge near Osta Muhammad in Pakistan Osta Muhammad, Pakistan, Sept 22 (PPI) Militants fired rockets to destroy the bridge of Khirthar Canal located few kilometres from here and used for cattle and pedestrians in the wee hours on Saturday. The militants fired several rockets at the bridge near Lal Bux Nawra village causing partial damage and developing cracks in it. They also opened fire on a police post while fleeing. (Posted @ 17:55 PST)
Two police, six Taliban killed in Afghan violence KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept 22 (AP) Attacks on police checkpoints in northern Afghanistan killed two police officers, and a clash between the Afghan army and Taliban militants in the south killed six militants, officials said Saturday. Afghan soldiers killed the six militant fighters, including two Taliban commanders, during an operation in Wardak province Friday, the Defence Ministry said. In the north, a group of 10 militants attacked a police checkpoint near Kunduz city, killing one policeman, while militants fired rockets at another checkpoint, killing a second policeman and wounding two, said Gen. Noor Afgha Omerkhail, the deputy provincial police chief. (Posted @ 17:35 PST)
PM Aziz says Musharraf's re-election as president would strengthen democracy ISLAMABAD, Sept 22 (AP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has urged lawmakers to back President Pervez Musharraf's bid for re-election, claiming it would strengthen Pakistan's democracy, a government statement said Saturday. Aziz is supervising Musharraf’s campaign by holding meetings with legislators. On Friday, he told Cabinet ministers at his office that Musharraf's re-election ''will auger well for the stability, progress and prosperity of Pakistan and move the country further on the path of democracy,'' the statement said. He did not elaborate. Ruling party chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Saturday met with Aziz and told him that President Musharraf will file his nomination papers on Sept. 27, a government statement said. It quoted Hussain as saying Musharraf's re-election ''will ensure peace, progress and stability in Pakistan.'' (Posted @ 17:15 PST)
Seven hurt in India protests against supermarkets THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India, Sept 22 (AFP) Two shop-owners and five policemen were injured when a protest against big retail stores turned violent in southern India Saturday, police said. Some 100 shopkeepers demonstrated in the city of Kozhikode in Kerala state to protest at the opening of dozens of western-style air-conditioned supermarkets, which they say threaten their business. “We caned the violent mob to disperse them,” said police commissioner Balram Kumar Upadhyay. (Posted @ 16:52 PST)
Four Kurdish PKK guerrillas killed in Turkey’s southeast TUNCELI, Turkey, Sept 22 (Reuters) Four Kurdish guerrillas were killed in operations by the Turkish army Friday night raising the number of guerrillas killed this week to 14, military officials said Saturday. Turkish troops clashed with a group of illegal Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) guerrillas and killed four of them in Hakkari province near the Iraqi border. (Posted @ 16:50 PST)
Gunmen shoot, wound aid workers in Darfur ambush KHARTOUM, Sept 22 (Reuters) Gunmen shot and seriously wounded three aid workers in an attack on a humanitarian convoy in the Darfur region of western Sudan, the U.N. said in a statement. The United Nations said the two vehicles with eight people on board working for World Vision International (WVI), a non-governmental organisation, was ambushed Thursday near Bulbul Timisgo, a small village in South Darfur State. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Sanctions will not stop Iran nuclear drive: Ahmadinejad TEHRAN, Sept 22 (AFP) President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Saturday said that psychological warfare and sanctions would not halt Iran's nuclear drive. “Those who think that with outmoded instruments like psychological warfare and economic sanctions they can stop Iran's march towards progress are making a grave mistake,” Ahmadinejad told a major military parade in Tehran. (Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Airstrikes, bus blast kill two and wound seven in Sri Lanka's northeast COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Sept 22 (AP) A roadside bomb blast and airstrikes killed two people and wounded seven others in Sri Lanka's northeast Saturday, the military and Tamil Tiger rebels said. A bomb attack blamed on the Tigers killed one person and wounded two others on a passenger bus in the eastern Trincomalee district, the military said, while the rebels said the air force launched airstrikes that killed one civilian and wounded five others in the north. (First Posted @ 12:25 PST, Updated @ 15:30 PST)
25,000 textile workers protest poor wages in Bangladesh DHAKA, Sept 22 (AFP) At least 25,000 textile workers defied a ban on protests in emergency-ruled Bangladesh Saturday to demand back pay and bonuses in one of the country's biggest industrial zones, police said. The workers walked off the job in the Tejgaon Industrial Area in Dhaka and held protests in the streets, forcing the shutdown of most factories in the area, assistant police commissioner Moshiur Rahman said. Police used batons to break up protests after demonstrators smashed the windows of several factories, Rahman said, adding army personnel and the elite Rapid Action Battalion were deployed. “The protests have calmed down,” Rahman said. At least 50 people, including four policemen, were injured in the demonstrations, the private UNB news agency reported. Police said a bus was torched by workers after it hit three protestors. (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Al-Qaeda-led group “executes” five Iraqi officers: Web DUBAI, Sept 22(Reuters): An Iraqi al Qaeda-led group, the Islamic State in Iraq, shot dead five abducted Iraqi army officers and posted a video of the execution-style killings on the Internet on Saturday. The footage, posted on a Web site used by insurgents in Iraq, showed a masked gunman shooting the blindfolded officers in the head with a pistol. The officers said they were captured in Baquba, capital of Diyala province. Violence incidents: BASRA: An Iraqi police brigadier-general was wounded by a sniper in Basra. MOSUL: Iraqi police detained 54 insurgents, found several arms caches and confiscated 16 vehicles during a 24-hour curfew in Mosul. TAL AFAR: One insurgent was killed and another wounded when a bomb they were making exploded in Tal Afar, 420kms northwest of Baghdad. KHURMATO: A roadside bomb wounded 10 people near Tuz Khurmato, 180kms north of Baghdad, police said. (Posted @ 14:25 PST)
Afghan forces kill two Taliban commanders KABUL, Sept 22(Reuters): Afghan forces killed a number of Taliban militants and wounded two others during a sweep operation in southern Afghanistan, the defence ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Among those killed in Friday's operation were two provincial-level Taliban commanders who were involved in “sabotaging activities” in Wardak province, the statement said.On the same day, government forces detained Mullah Qaderi, the leader of 15 insurgents who was involved in “terrorist activities” in the Nirkh district of Wardak province, the statement added. (Posted @ 14:12 PST)
80 Bangladeshi fishermen missing after storm DHAKA, Sept 22(Reuters): Eighty Bangladeshi fishermen are missing after 10 fishing boats sank in the Bay of Bengal during a storm overnight, officials said on Saturday. Strong winds and high waves were preventing rescuers from launching a search,” said an administrative officer in the coastal Barguna district. Meteorologists said a storm was churning in the Bay of Bengal, heading towards India's eastern coastal state of Orissa (Posted @ 14:12 PST)
Sri Lanka air attacks injure 13 say rebels COLOMBO, Sept 22(AFP): At least 13 civilians, including children, were wounded when Sri Lankan war planes staged three days of bombing raids over territory held by the Tamil Tiger rebels, the guerrillas said on Saturday. The rebels in a statement listed the names of 13 people they said had been wounded in the bombings, adding they had been admitted to hospital. (Posted @ 10:40 PST)
10,000 monks march in Myanmar YANGON, Sept 22(AP): About 10,000 Buddhist monks marched on Saturday through Myanmar's central city of Mandalay witnesses said. Monks from various monasteries started their march in Mandalay while another 1,000 monks were protesting in the country's main city of Yangon, witnesses said. It was the fifth straight day the monks have marched in Yangon. (Posted @ 12:16 PST)
Black firefighter served dog food settles in discrimination lawsuit LOS ANGELES, Sept 22(AP): The City of Los Angeles will pay $1.43 million to settle claims by a black firefighter who suffered harassment and discrimination after co-workers served him spaghetti laced with dog food, officials announced. The settlement was reached before the firefighter's lawsuit was to go to trial on Monday. The payment is considerably less than a $2.7 million settlement the City Council agreed to pay last year. (Posted @ 10:37 PST)
Kindergarten food poisoning strikes 300 children BEIJING, Sept 22(AFP): The number of children hospitalised with food poisoning after eating school meals at a kindergarten in northwest China has risen to 307, up from an earlier figure of 260, state media said on Saturday. The children, all from the same kindergarten in Wuwei city, Gansu province, suffered fever, vomiting and stomach ache after having porridge and buns for breakfast at school on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported. (Posted @ 09:52 PST)
Deal reached on cutting ozone-damaging emissions OTTAWA, Sept 21(Reuters): Delegates from almost 200 countries agreed late on Friday to eliminate ozone-depleting substances faster than originally planned, the United Nations said. The agreement was reached at a conference in Montreal to mark the 20th anniversary of the Montreal protocol, which was designed to cut chemicals found to harm the ozone layer. (Posted @ 09:25 PST)
Brazil receives first group of Palestinian refugees SAO PAULO, Sept 22(AP): A group of 35 Palestinian refugees arrived in Brazil on Friday after spending three years in a barren and rocky encampment between Iraq and Syria. They are the first Palestinian refugees Brazil has received, and part of a larger group of 117 that is expected to arrive by year's end. They also will receive classes in Brazil's Portuguese language and financial aid of a minimum wage, or 380 reals (about US$200; euro142) a month (Posted @ 09:08 PSt)
Police, rebels killed in clashes in Russia's Caucasus MOSCOW, Sept 22(AFP): One policeman was killed in Chechnya and rebels were killed in the neighboring republic of Ingushetia, on Friday. One policeman was killed and two wounded at Dychne-Vedeno in southeast Chechnya when their vehicle came under small weapons fire, Interfax news agency reported. In Ingushetia, there were two incidents near the capital Nazran. One rebel was killed and several Russian special service members were wounded in a special operation near the village of Ali-Yurt, ITAR-TASS news agency reported. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)
Frail but alert Castro appears in TV interview HAVANA, Sept 21(AFP): Cuban leader Fidel Castro appeared on television on Friday, looking frail but alert and laughing off speculation he was on his death bed. “Well, here I am ... nobody knows when they will die,” said Castro, 81. He underwent intestinal surgery on July 27, 2006, and has not been seen in public since. Wearing a track suit in the red, white and blue colours of Cuba, Castro discussed the US economy, global oil prices and the essays he has been writing over the past months. He mentioned Friday's dollar-to-euro exchange rate, confirming the hour-long interview was taped earlier in the day, officials said. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)
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