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| November 24, 2007 | Saturday | Ziqa’ad 13, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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Pakistan election panel confirms Musharraf as president ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (AFP) Pakistan's election commission confirmed Saturday that President Musharraf won last month's presidential election, giving him another five years in office. Officials said it sent notification of the result to the government, which must still formally declare Musharraf as the incoming president. Once the announcement is made it clears him to swear a new oath of office, which he has pledged to do as a civilian after resigning as army chief. An election commission official said it was up to the government's cabinet office to formally give notice of Musharraf's victory. (First Posted @ 15:35 PST, Updated @ 15:45 PST)
Nawaz Sharif to return after 'understanding' with Musharraf: source ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (AFP): Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif came to an “understanding” with senior officials ahead of his planned return Sunday from exile, an informed government source told AFP. Sharif met intelligence chief Lieutenant General Nadeem Taj in Saudi Arabia. “He is returning under some understanding and we hope he sticks to it,” a senior federal government official told AFP. He is due to land in Lahore on Sunday afternoon on board a Saudi royal plane, his party said. (Posted @ 20:16 PST)
APDM decision to boycott general elections ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (APP): The All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) announced Saturday that it would boycott coming general elections in the country. The announcement was made by APDM convener Raja Zafarul Haq at a press conference following the meeting of the leaders of the alliance here. The press conference was attended by acting president of PML-N Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmed, senior Awami National Party (ANP) leader Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Tehrik-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and others. No leader of the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) of Maulana Fazlur Rehman attended the meeting. (Posted @ 21:24 PST)
Shaukat Aziz says he will not contest polls ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (Reuters): President Pervez Musharraf's most recent prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, said Saturday he will not contest the general elections due on Jan. 8, a private channel and state-run Pakistan Television reported. The Dawn News channel quoted Aziz, whose term ended earlier this month, as saying he had taken the decision for personal reasons. A caretaker government is handling the country's affairs until the election. (Posted @ 13:55 PST)
Two Rawalpindi suicide bombings kill 20: officials RAWALPINDI, Nov 24 (AFP): Two suicide bombings targeting Pakistani security forces killed at least 20 people Saturday. An explosives-laden vehicle rammed a military bus as it entered a compound, witnesses and officials said, while another exploded at a checkpost almost simultaneously. Minutes later, all that remained of the bus was a charred hulk. Military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said at least 15 people died in the bus blast and three security officials were critically wounded at the checkpost. However, security sources told AFP that the toll was higher, with at least 19 dead on the bus and one at the checkpoint. (First Posted @ 09:25 PST Updated @ 21:44 PST)
Kurdish rebel killed in clash with Turkish troops DIYARBAKIR, Nov 24 (Reuters): A Kurdish guerrilla was killed and a Turkish soldier wounded on Saturday during a clash in Turkey's mountainous Sirnak province near the Iraqi border, security forces said. It was the first reported clash between rebels and security forces in southeast Turkey in more than a week. (Posted @ 20:46 PST)
Violence kills 21 in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Nov 24 (AP): A series of clashes between soldiers and Tamil Tiger rebels across Sri Lanka's north left 18 insurgents dead, while separate bomb blasts killed two policemen and an army officer, the military said Saturday. (First Posted @ 10:55 PST Updated @ 20:22 PST)
Darfur rebels reject new Chinese peacekeepers KHARTOUM, Nov 24 (Reuters): Rebels on Saturday demanded Beijing pull its peacekeepers out of Darfur, just hours after a unit of Chinese army engineers flew into the Sudanese region. The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) said it would not allow the engineers onto land held by its forces. It accused Beijing of stoking the crisis by supporting Khartoum. (Posted @ 20:04 PST)
Iran has produced enriched uranium for its reactor: Iranian VP TEHRAN, Nov 24 (AP): Iran has produced its own nuclear fuel pellets of enriched uranium for the first time to power its under construction heavy water research reactor, Vice President Gholam Reza Aghazadeh said Saturday according to the state news agency. “Fuel pellets to be used in the 40-megawatt Arak research reactor have been produced,” IRNA quoted Aghazadeh as saying Saturday. (Posted @ 19:52 PST)
Thousands march against rising prices in Lithuania VILNIUS, Nov 24 (Reuters): Several thousand people marched peacefully through the main street of Lithuania's capital Vilnius on Saturday to protest against rising prices and demand higher wages and pensions. Police said 3,000-4,000 protesters took part in the march. (Posted @ 19:28 PST)
Rudd sweeps to power in Australian landslide SYDNEY, Nov 24 (AFP): Centre-left leader Kevin Rudd stormed to victory in Australia's election Saturday, ending conservative Prime Minister John Howard's 11-year rule with pledges to change course on climate change and the Iraq war. Howard, US President George W. Bush's closest ally in the Iraq war, conceded defeat in Sydney and admitted it was “very likely” that he also faced the rare humiliation of losing his own electoral seat. Labor's stunning victory, in which it was expected to claim as many as 86 of the parliament's 150 seats, means it now controls the central government and all eight state and territory administrations. (Posted @ 19:26 PST)
Two killed, three injured in road accident in Pakistan SAHIWAL, Pakistan, Nov 24 (APP) Two persons were killed while three others sustained injuries in an accident on Sahiwal-Faisalabad road Saturday. The victims’ van was travelling to Jaranwala from Pakpattan when it overturned. (Posted @ 18:45 PST)
MMA participating in polls to protect constitution: Fazal ur Rehman LAHORE, Nov 24 (APP) The chief of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI) Pakistan and secretary general MMA, Maulana Fazal ur Rehman Saturday said MMA is taking part in the coming general elections to protect the constitution and ensure continuity of the democratic process. Addressing the provincial office bearers of JUI on telephone, he said boycott of the polls by any single party will be pointless, and observed that the MMA is well aware of the country's situation and is maintaining contacts with all political forces. “We will try our best to bring a unanimous decision before the nation in this regard,” he added. (Posted @ 18:38 PST)
5,000 US troops to withdraw from Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 24 (AFP) Around 5,000 American troops will head home later this month as part of a withdrawal plan announced by President Bush, US military spokesman Rear Admiral Gregory Smith said Saturday. “Current conditions allow for a withdrawal of the first unit, the Grey Wolf Brigade (deployed in Diyala province), starting on November 27th,” Smith told reporters at a press conference in Baghdad. The brigade will not be replaced, he said, adding the drawdown is an indication of “overall improved security within Iraq as well as the improved capabilities of the Iraqi security forces.” (Posted @ 18:06 PST)
Four Pakistan Railways employees injured in explosion near Quetta QUETTA, Pakistan, Nov 24 (PPI) Four employees of Pakistan Railways were injured when an explosion took place near here Saturday. A long piece of rail was blown when an explosive device planted with the line went off between Sariab and Spezand stations of Quetta-Sibi section of Pakistan Railways. Later another bomb planted nearby exploded injuring four railway employees. Bomb disposal Squad defused a third bomb in the vicinity. (Posted @ 17:58 PST)
Suspected tribal rebels in India's northeast attack Goa governor's convoy, two injured GAUHATI, India, Nov 24 (AP) Suspected tribal separatists in northeastern India attacked the convoy of the visiting governor of Goa state with bombs Saturday but he escaped unhurt when his convoy sped away, an official said. S.C. Jamir, governor of the western Indian state of Goa, was on a visit to his home state of Nagaland when he came under attack by suspected Naga insurgents while travelling between the towns of Mokokchung and Dimapur, a senior government official said. (Posted @ 17:50 PST)
Hundreds protest in Caucasus province NAZRAN, Russia, Nov 24 (AFP) Police fired shots in the air Saturday to disperse hundreds of people who took to the streets in Ingushetia to protest against the government of the south Russian province, witnesses said. An AFP reporter on the scene said around 500 people had massed near the bus station in the province's Nazran city after they were prevented from gathering outside the local government headquarters. Several demonstrators had been hurt. Security forces arrested a number of men present at the demonstration, called to protest against the leader of the province, Murat Zyazikov, and to unexplained kidnappings, police violence and poor economic conditions. Echo of Moscow radio station reported that around 100 people had been arrested. (Posted @ 17:48 PST)
Polish parliament approves new government WARSAW, Nov 24 (AFP) Poland's parliament gave the new government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk its expected vote of confidence Saturday, by 238 votes to 204 with two abstentions. The vote capped a process that began when Tusk's liberal Civic Platform beat the conservative Law and Justice party in a snap election on October 21. Tusk, whose party won 206 seats will govern with the help of the centrist Polish Peasants Party, which has 34. (Posted @ 17:46 PST)
Kasparov arrested in Moscow opposition demo MOSCOW, Nov 24 (AFP) Opposition leader and chess legend Garry Kasparov was arrested on Saturday after scuffling with riot police during a protest a week ahead of legislative elections, AFP reporters saw. Kasparov and one of his bodyguards were grabbed by riot police and forced into a police bus which then drove them away from the scene where hundreds of opposition activists were in a tense standoff with security forces. (Posted @ 17:40 PST)
Cricket- Pakistan 212-5 in second innings NEW DELHI, Nov 24 (AFP) Pakistan were 212-5 in their second innings at stumps on the third day of the opening Test against India at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground here Saturday. Brief scores: Pakistan 231 and 212-5; India 276. (First Posted @ 10:35 PST Updated @ 16:48 PST)
Four killed in Thai south NARATHIWAT, Thailand, Nov 24 (AFP) Suspected militants shot dead four people in southern Thailand, police said Saturday. A couple was killed in a drive-by shooting in Narathiwat province, police said. Also Saturday a man was shot dead in neighbouring Yala province, where another man was also killed outside his home late Friday, police said. (Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Israeli forces shoot two Palestinian men close to border area GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, Nov 24 (AP) - Israeli troops shot dead two Palestinian men who approached the border fence separating Gaza from Israel overnight, Palestinian medical staff said. Also overnight in the Gaza Strip, a bomb went off close to a Hamas police building in Gaza. There were no injuries. (Posted @ 15:15 PST)
Tribal rights clash kills six, injures 60 in India's northeast GAUHATI, India, Nov 24 (AP) - Marchers representing tea plantation workers in India's northeast clashed with area residents Saturday, killing six people and injuring 60 others, police said. A group of nearly 10,000 workers from tea plantations all over the state of Assam, led by the All Assam Tea Tribes Students Association, had been marching in Gauhati to demand that the government recognize them as a separate tribal group. (Posted @ 15:15 PST)
Suicide bomb kills nine Afghans, Italian soldier KABUL, Nov 24 (Reuters) - A suicide bomb on the outskirts of Kabul Saturday killed nine civilians, four of them children, and an Italian soldier, the Italian army said. The bomber targeted Italian troops at a bridge construction project in the Paghman district, just outside the city. Four Italian soldiers were wounded in the attack and one of them died on his way to hospital, the Italian army said. (First Posted @ 14:30 PST, Updated @ 15:05 PST)
Bridge collapse kills storm survivors in Bangladesh DHAKA, Nov 24 (Reuters) - At least three people were killed and nearly 100 were injured in Bangladesh’s Patuakhali district’s Kalapara village Saturday when a road bridge packed with hundreds of hungry cyclone survivors collapsed into a river, police and witnesses said. (Posted @ 15:00 ST)
Commonwealth names Indian as new secretary general KAMPALA, Nov 24 (AFP): The commonwealth heads of government unanimously appointed Kamalesh Sharma as the grouping's new secretary general on Saturday, outgoing head Don McKinnon said Saturday. Sharma is currently India's high commissioner to Britain. (Posted @ 14:05 PST)
UP blasts: authorities circulate three suspects sketches NEW DELHI, Nov 24 (AFP): Indian authorities Saturday circulated sketches of three suspects believed to be behind a series of blasts outside courts in three cities that left at least 13 dead and more than 40 wounded. Police said they are questioning a cyber cafe owner in connection with a threatening e-mail sent just before the blasts, media reports said. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Twelve dead, five injured in Indonesia bus blaze JAKARTA, Nov 24 (AFP) - Twelve people were killed and at least five badly injured when a bus burst into flames early Saturday on Indonesia's Borneo island, reports said. The intercity bus caught fire about 50 kilometres west of Palangkaraya. It was not yet known what caused the fire. (Posted @ 12:55 PST)
Suicide blast kills six near Kabul PAGHMAN, Afghanistan, Nov 24 (AFP) -A suicide bomber blew himself up Saturday in scenic Paghman town near Kabul, killing six people -- most of them children -- and wounding 12, officials said. Four of the wounded were Italian engineers, they added. Interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary said the Italians were working on a bridge under construction in the area. “It is not clear yet whether they are civilian engineers or army soldiers,” Bashary said. (Posted @ 12:50 PST)
Chile hit by 5.7 magnitude quake WASHINGTON, Nov 24 (Reuters) A 5.7 magnitude earthquake rattled northern Chile, which has been rocked by a series of aftershocks over the last 10 days, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Saturday. There were no initial reports of deaths or damage. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
Australians decide PM's fate in potential cliffhanger vote SYDNEY, Nov 24 (AFP) - Australians went to the polls Saturday to decide whether to oust Prime Minister John Howard after 11 years of conservative rule in a vote that is shaping up as a last-minute cliffhanger. As 13.5 million voters in a nation of 21 million began filling out ballot papers from Australia's remote outback to its bustling cities and the icy wastes of Antarctica, Howard said he was confident of victory. Labour needs to gain at least 16 seats with a uniform swing of about five percent to seize power by winning an outright majority in the 150-seat lower house of parliament. (Posted @ 10:40 PST)
Lebanon president leaves without successor BEIRUT, Lebanon, Nov 24 (AP) - Lebanon's political tumult intensified as President Emile Lahoud, a staunch Syrian ally, handed security powers to the army before he left office without a successo when his term expired at midnight . The rival, pro-Western Cabinet rejected the declaration. The capital was calm, and all sides were vowing to avoid violence. Later, a government statement said the Cabinet “continues to shoulder its responsibilities and exercise its full authority.” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled another session for Nov. 30 to give the factions more time to try to find a compromise candidate. (Posted @ 10:20 PST)
Cricket-South Africa beat New Zealand in Twenty20 match Johannesburg, Nov 24 (Reuters) - South Africa beat New Zealand by three wickets in the Twenty20 match in Johannesburg on Friday Scores: New Zealand 129-7 (K. Mills 33 not out), South Africa 131-7 (AB de Villiers 52 not out) (Posted @ 09:55 PST)
Four mountaineers dead in Japan avalanche TOKYO, Nov 24 (AFP) - Four people have been killed in a massive avalanche at a remote snow-covered Mt. Kamihorokamettoku in the northern island of Hokkaido, police said Saturday. Several other people had been buried under the snow slide, but they managed to escape on their own. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
At least four dead in China petrol station blast BEIJING, Nov 24 (AFP) - At least four people were killed and several others injured in an explosion Saturday at a service station in the Chinese city of Shanghai, state media reported. Online reports gave five dead. The injured were mainly passengers on a bus which was passing in front of the petrol station at the time of the blast, the cause of which was not yet known, the Xinhua news agency said. The station was not on fire but several vehicles were damaged. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
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