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| December 23, 2007 | Sunday | Zilhaj 12, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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Satellite Parameters for DAWN NEWS Satellite: Intelsat 10, Band -C Downlink Frequency: 4126.05 Mhz Symbol rate: 3255 Ks/s FEC: 3/4 Polarization: Horizontal 
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Suicide bomber kills nine in Mingora: police MINGORA, Dec 23 (Reuters): A suicide bomber Sunday killed four Pakistani soldiers and five civilians on Sunday in an attack on a military convoy in Swat Valley, police said. A senior police officer in the valley said a suicide bomber in a car attacked a security convoy near the valley's main town, Mingora, killing four soldiers and five civilians. Miliary spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad confirmed the attack but said five civilians and one soldier were killed. “It happened while the forces were returning to their base. It was a suicide attack,” Arshad said. (First Posted @ 19:54 PST Updated @ 20:48 PST)
Pakistan to continue war on terror: minister ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (AP): The Pakistani government said Sunday it would push ahead with its fight against Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants and work to ensure a peaceful election campaign after a suicide attack at a mosque in Charsadda killed at least 50 people. Information Minister Nisar Memon said Sunday the latest attack during Eid al-Adha prayers, was a “shameful act” that would not stop this nation from persisting in its fight against terror groups. “Pakistan is a front-line state in the war on terror. Such attacks cannot deter our resolve,” he told state-run Pakistan Television. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Five hurt as workers of PPP, SUP clash Jamshoro, Dec 23 (PPI): Five persons were injured when the supporters of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Sindh United Party (SUP) clashed at Manjand town here Sunday. The workers of both parties used clubs and iron bars in the brawl. The police registered two separate cases on the complaint of local PPP and SUP leaders. (Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Nawaz for end military rule in politics KARACHI, Dec 23 (APP): Former prime minister and chief of PML-N, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Sunday called for an end to military’s role in politics, restoration and supremacy of 1973 Constitution, independence of the judiciary and rule of law. He was addressing party workers at Mazar-i-Quaid after laying wreath at the Mazar and offering fateha for Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah along with senior party leaders. Mr Sharif said his party was struggling for restoration of real democracy where 160 million people have full opportunity to decide their future. (First Posted @ 11:35 PST Updated @ 18:32 PST)
Benazir claims PPP will form government LARKANA Pakistan, Dec 23 (APP) :- Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party Benazir Bhutto claimed that her party would form the government after January 8 elections. Addressing separate rallies in Ratodero (Larkana) and Shahdadkot (Kamber-Shahdadkot) on Saturday she said conspiracies were hatched to divide the PPP but were foiled by the people and the party emerged stronger after such challenges. She condemned the Charsadda bomb blast and reminded people that Islam gives the message of peace and such incidents are intolerable. (Posted @ 11:55 PST)
Government paying Rs 13 bln per month subsidy to check POL prices ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (APP): Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Salman Shah Saturday said the government is paying Rs 13 billion per month subsidy to keep the POL prices in check. Talking to Dawn News he said global oil prices have increased to unprecedented level from $20 to $100 per barrel within a few years. Government will have no option but to ultimately pass on the increase to consumers. He said food prices in Pakistan are increasing at 10 to 11 percent as compared to global increase of 20 to 25 percent per annum. Wheat is available in the country at Rs 16 per kg while world price of wheat is Rs 30 per kg. A 35 percent regulatory duty has been imposed on wheat to check its exports. Ultimately, the price of wheat, corn and cotton would move towards international price level but strategy was being devised to provide subsidy to lower income group. He blamed the extremists for affecting country's exports which could have been over $ 20 billion as compared to $ 18 billion right now. (Posted @ 11:15 PST)
Two Afghans questioned in Pakistan blast PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Dec 23 (AFP) Two Afghan refugees have been picked up for questioning in the Charsadda mosque suicide attack that killed 56 people and injured scores others during Eid congregation, security officials said Sunday. The men, one of them a student at a madressah as well as being a local prayer leader, were held in addition to several ”suspects” detained earlier in connection with Friday's attack, officials said. Civilian and military investigators are hunting for clues in the suicide bombing, which targeted Aftab Sherpao, a former minister of President Pervez Musharraf, who helped lead a government crackdown on Islamic militants but escaped unhurt. (Posted @ 12:55 PST)
Riots erupt in Indian occupied Kashmir MIRPUR, Azad Jammu Kashmir, Dec 23 (APP): Police resorted to teargas shelling and fired shots in Indian-held Kashmir, to quell a mob which went on rampage and torched the temporary sheds of the Muslim community after Hindu-Muslim riots erupted in Charog Surjan village in Kathua district of the Hindu-dominated Jammu region. The riots started over the issue of slaughtering of sacrificial animals, says a report reaching here Sunday from across the Line of Control. A second riot broke out in Satwari area of Jammu in Belicharana area. (Posted @ 19:04 PST)
Benazir still hopeful of seat adjustment LARKANA, Pakistan, Dec 23 (APP):- Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto has said that the talks with various political parties including Pakistan Muslim League (N) regarding seat adjustment were underway. Talking to journalist after visiting the grave of her father late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto at Garhi Khuda Bux on Saturday evening she said that talks between PPP and PML-N were underway and seat adjustment at 10 to 15 seats was likely. The seat adjustment talks with JUP and ANP were also underway, she said. She repeated her allegation that Nazims (mayors) are using government vehicles and other resources for the government backed candidates in their electioneering. (Posted @ 11:05 PST)
Pakistan's economy continues to perform well : IMF WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (APP): International Monetary Fund has noted that Pakistan economy continues to perform well despite recent political developments in the transition period as well as turbulence in the international capital markets. The latest report based on the IMF executive directors' assessment welcomed Pakistan's monetary policy tightening that has occurred since midyear as it also observed that a main challenge will be maintaining economic growth while reducing inflation and the current account deficit. “Executive Directors welcomed that Pakistan's economy continued to perform strongly in 2006/07. Real GDP growth increased, the international reserve position strengthened, and debt ratios declined. The favourable economic performance and structural reforms to improve the business climate have spurred capital inflows in recent years,” it reported on this week's executive directors' conclusions for the year 2007. (Posted @ 13:20 PST)
Turkish planes strike northern Iraq BAGHDAD, Dec 23 (Reuters): Turkish warplanes bombed a mountainous area in northern Iraq for more than three hours Sunday, causing material damage but no casualties, a Kurdish official said. (Posted @ 22:14 PST)
Two Sudanese men beaten in Germany BERLIN, Dec 23 (AP): A group of suspected soccer hooligans racially abused and beat up two Sudanese men and a German who tried to intervene on their behalf, police and prosecutors in the eastern city of Dresden said Sunday. According to police, several men among the group of 10 to 15 suspected hooligans began taunting the Sudanese men at a nightclub in downtown Dresden, prompting club security guards to intervene. (Posted @ 21:02 PST)
Two 220kvpower towers bombed in Balochistan NASIRABAD Dec 23 (PPI): Some unknown persons planted explosives and bombed two 220kv transmission line towers near Dera Murad Jamali. The two towers No. 726 and 727 of 220kv Guddu-Quetta high tension transmission line at Sonwah Laro some 20 kms from Dera Murad Jamali. The explosion disrupted electricity supply to various parts of Balochistan. TWO KILLED IN TRIBAL CLASH: Two persons were killed and four injured in a tribal clash in Jhal Magsi. Two persons were killed in a tribal clash in Kotera Kundi near Jhal Magsi while four persons were injured. (Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Three Canadian soldiers injured in Afghanistan OTTAWA, Dec 23 (AFP): Three Canadian soldiers were injured in southern Afghanistan Sunday when their vehicle was hit by an explosive device, according to military officials cited on Canadian television. None of the three was seriously injured, and two have already been discharged from the hospital at the Kandahar air base, a Canadian army spokesman said. (Posted @ 20:35 PST)
Israel okays short-range missile defence shield JERUSALEM, Dec 23 (AFP): The Israeli security cabinet Sunday gave the green light for the manufacture of a defence system capable of intercepting short-range rockets such as those fired by Gaza militants, army radio said. The cabinet allocated $207 million, towards the development and manufacture of the missile defence system, it said. The system dubbed The Iron Dome will be operational within two years. (Posted @ 19:46 PST)
Julien Gracq, writer who rejected France's highest literary award, dies at 97 PARIS, Dec 23 (AP): Julien Gracq, a celebrated 20th-century French writer known for surrealism and solitude and turning down France's top literary prize, has died, age 97, hospital officials said Sunday. Gracq died Saturday in the western city of Angers from apparent complications of a digestive hemorrhage, university hospital officials in Angers said by phone. (Posted @ 18:48 PST)
Russian trucks form 100-km queues in Finland HELSINKI, Dec 23 (Reuters): Russian trucks have queued up for 100 kilometres at the Finnish border ahead of the holiday season, prompting the Nordic nation to ask the European Union for help eliminating the record blockage. Russia's booming economy has led to constant traffic headaches in the region. Finland is now as large a trading partner for Russia as the United States because of surging trans-border traffic, but border customs posts are struggling to cope. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
Al-Qaeda confirms death of top operative in Iraq CAIRO, Dec 23 (AP): The purported leader of Al-Qaeda's umbrella group in Iraq has confirmed the death of a top operative who the U.S. military said was killed in an attack last month, according to a new audiotape. The U.S. military had said it captured or killed 40 Al-Qaeda fighters last month, including a Syrian who died in a Nov. 17 raid on a reported propaganda house. The Syrian, identified as Abu Maysara, had escaped from an Iraqi prison in March. (Posted @ 17:26 PST)
About two dozen killed in Afghan violence: authorities GHAZNI, Dec 23 (AFP): Two dozen people were killed in violence across Afghanistan, authorities said Sunday. Three civilians were killed and two wounded when a bomb hit their vehicle in Khost province, a police spokesman said. The Taliban Saturday shot dead seven men two of them truck drivers for a Western security firm, who were kidnapped last week, police and a Taliban spokesman said. The defence ministry said troops killed 10 Taliban in Kandahar province Friday. Several other militants and four soldiers were wounded, it said. Meanwhile, the US-led coalition said its troops working with Afghan security forces killed “multiple” Taliban Sunday in Uruzgan province. The Afghan interior ministry said four rebels were killed in the same region. (First Posted @ 16:20 PST Updated @ 17:18 PST)
Sri Lanka says 22 rebels killed, bunkers destroyed COLOMBO, Dec 23 (Reuters): Sri Lankan troops fought a series of clashes with Tamil Tiger rebels over the weekend, killing 22 rebels, destroying several bunkers and capturing an insurgent base, the military said Sunday. Troops killed eight rebels early Sunday during a raid on a rebel bunker line in Jaffna peninsula, and three others in a clash in Vavuniya district, a military spokesman said. On Saturday, troops took control of a base on the Tigers' side of a heavily defended “border” that separates government from rebel-held territory, hours after capturing an insurgent checkpoint further west. The military said three more rebels died on Saturday in two separate clashes. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were not immediately available for comment. (First Posted @ 15:25 PST Updated @ 16:15 PST)
13 killed in Afghanistan unrest: police, army KABUL, Dec 23 (AFP): Three Afghan civilians were killed when a bomb hit their vehicle in eastern Afghanistan Sunday, police said. Meanwhile the army announced it had killed 10 Taliban in a clash. There was no claim of responsibility for the bombing. The 10 Taliban were killed Friday in a military swoop in Kandahar province. Four soldiers were wounded in the battle, it said. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Saudi Arabia arrests 28 for planning 'criminal acts' RIYADH, Dec 23 (AFP): Saudi Arabia's interior ministry announced Sunday the arrest of 28 people, all but one of them Saudi nationals, for planning “criminal acts. On Friday, the interior ministry said security forces in the oil-rich kingdom, the target of Islamist attacks since 2003, had arrested an Al-Qaeda linked group planning a “terrorist act” during the hajj. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Rare statues go missing from Bangladesh airport DHAKA, Dec 23 (AFP): Two rare Hindu statues of a major deity, the Hindu god Vishnu, disappeared from Bangladesh's main airport as they were about to be shipped to Paris for a museum exhibition, police said Sunday. The statues were in a packed carton that went missing from Zia International Airport in the capital, Dhaka, late Saturday, a senior policeman said. They were part of 188 rare cultural items being sent to Guimet Museum in Paris for an international exhibition on Bangladesh history and culture, he said. (Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Fighting kills five in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Dec 23 (Reuters): Fighting killed at least five people in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Sunday as militants attacked government troops and their Ethiopian allies. Residents said battles broke out overnight in northern neighbourhoods of the city, with both sides exchanging barrages of artillery and machinegun fire. (Posted @ 15:35 PST)
Bahrain hit by protests MANAMA, Dec 23 (AFP): Bahrain was hit by rioting in Shia majority areas for a fifth consecutive day in demonstrations, local press reports said. The Al-Wasat newspaper on Sunday reported a statement by the independent Bahrain Human Rights Association that security forces had made 39 arrests and around a dozen people had been injured during the demonstrations. (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Five dead in US snow storm WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (AFP): A snow storm packing strong winds caused flight delays and closed highways across the central United States, leaving at least five dead, US media reported Sunday. The National Weather Service warned travel conditions due to snow and high wind had deteriorated in Midwestern states from northern Missouri to Michigan. The harsh weather posed a hazard for travellers ahead of the Christmas holiday and for presidential candidates campaigning in Iowa. In Texas, blowing snow reduced visibility and caused a massive 80-vehicle pile-up, leaving one dead and five seriously injured. Snow and slippery roads triggered more than 300 car accidents in Minnesota, causing at least three deaths. (First Posted @ 11:00 PM Updated @ 15:15 PST)
Iraqi Sunni tribal militias will not become a separate army: minister BAGHDAD, Dec 23 (AP) Iraq's Shiite-led government declared that after restive areas are calmed it will disband Sunni groups battling Islamic extremists because it does not want them to become a separate military force. The statement Saturday from Defence Minister Abdul-Qadir al-Obaidi concerned the more than 70,000 strong and often made up of former insurgents, known as Awakening Councils, or Concerned Local Citizens. “We completely, absolutely reject the Awakening becoming a third military organization,” al-Obaidi said. The government has pledged to absorb about a quarter of the men into the predominantly Shiite-controlled security services and military, and provide vocational training so that the rest can find jobs. Integration would also allow Sunnis to regain lost influence in the key defence and interior ministries. (Posted @ 13:15 PST)
Israel plans 740 new homes on occupied land JERUSALEM, Dec 23 (Reuters) Israel plans to build about 740 new homes next year on occupied land near Jerusalem, the construction ministry said on Sunday, despite Palestinian calls for a total settlement freeze. The 740 new homes are included in construction ministry's budget for 2008, ministry officials said. The new homes include 500 at Har Homa and 240 at the Maale Adumim settlement near Jerusalem. Israel hopes to keep Maale Adumim and other large settlement blocs in any final peace deal. “Har Homa is an integral part of Jerusalem and Israel will not stop building there,” said Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Rafi Eitan on Army Radio. Chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurei said Friday the Jewish state must halt all settlement building before final status talks can continue in earnest. (Posted @ 13:05 PST)
Haniyeh aide: Hamas ready for truce if Israel stops military strikes, opens crossings RAMALLAH, West Bank, Dec 23 (AP) Ahmed Youssef, aide to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an interview carried Sunday by Palestinian Maan news agency said that the Islamic group was prepared to reach a truce with Israel if it stops its military campaign against Gaza militants and opens crossings into the impoverished, isolated territory. “We don't object to a truce that ends the siege, but it should not be given gratis, and will not be open-ended,” Maan quoted Youssef as saying. Israel must stop its military strikes and ease the humanitarian situation in Gaza by opening crossings, he said. Israeli defence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say the government is examining the Hamas truce offer. But Israel's official position remains that it will not talk to Hamas unless the group renounces violence and recognizes Israel's right to exist. (Posted @ 11:50 PST)
India's Congress concedes defeat in key state vote NEW DELHI, Dec 23 (Reuters) India's ruling Congress party conceded defeat in Gujarat state poll on Sunday as vote-counting trends showed that the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was heading for a strong majority. “It is a great victory for him, it is a remarkable victory,” Abhishek Singhvi, national spokesman of Congress, told the NDTV news channel, referring to Narendra Modi, the controversial BJP chief minister of Gujarat state. “We congratulate him.” His comments came as TV channels said BJP was leading in 118 of the state's 182 constituencies while Congress was ahead in about 60 seats. (Posted @ 10:35 PST)
Policeman killed in Chechen capital GROZNY, Chechnya, Dec 23(AFP) One policeman was killed and two others were injured in incidents in Grozny, the Chechen Interior Ministry said Saturday. Earlier, two Russian judiciary officials were killed and four others were wounded in a bomb attack in Grozny. Chechnya has been ravaged by two Russian military campaigns over the last 13 years to crush the independence movement and clashes with rebels remain frequent. (Posted @ 10:30 PST)
Turkey stages new air attack on Kurd rebels in Iraq ANKARA, Dec 23 (AFP) Turkey's military said it attacked Kurdish separatists in northern Iraq Saturday for the third time in less than a week, bombing and shelling positions and warning more will follow. “Turkish aircraft attacked between 1:35 pm and 2:00 pm (1125-1200 GMT) major positions of the terrorist organisation” PKK, before Turkish artillery shelled the area for 15 minutes, the military said in a statement on its website. It gave no details on targets, but said that it would carry out more operations despite harsh winter conditions in the mountainous region. The Turkish television channel NTV said the raids were in the Amadiyah area of northern Iraq. In northern Iraq, Jabbar Yawar, spokesman for the Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga security force, said “We do not know the extent of damage. But these areas are largely deserted and are along the border with Turkey”. Turkey, which has the second largest army in the NATO military alliance after the US with 515,000 troops, has moved around 100,000 soldiers up to its 380-kilometre border with Iraq. (Posted @ 10:20 PST)
Voting starts in Uzbekistan election TASHKENT, Dec 23 (AFP) Voting started Sunday in Uzbekistan's presidential election where hardline leader Islam Karimov faces only token opposition to his bid for a new seven year term at the head of the isolated Central Asian state. Polls opened at 6:00 am (0100 GMT) and were due to close at 8:00 pm (1500 GMT). (Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Polls open in Thailand's first post-coup election BANGKOK, Dec 23 (AFP) Polls opened Sunday in a general election meant to restore democracy in Thailand, more than one year after the military ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup. Voting began at 8:00 am (0100 GMT) and was set to close at 3:00 pm (0800 GMT), with unofficial results expected by midnight Sunday. About 45.7 million Thais are eligible to vote in the first post-coup election, in which opinion polls predict neither of the two leading parties will win a clear majority of the 480 seats in parliament. The Election Commission said voter turnout would likely reach 70 percent. Frontrunners are the People Power Party, which was taken over by allies of Thaksin's disbanded Thai Rak Thai party, and the Democrat Party, Thailand's oldest political outfit. While the polls are meant to restore civilian rule, observers question how free and fair they can be as more than one-third of the country, including Thaksin's strongholds, is still under martial law. (Posted @ 10:10 PST)
At least 22 Myanmar people killed in boat accident: Thai police BANGKOK, Dec 23 (AFP) At least 22 people from Myanmar, including four boys and seven women, died after a boat capsized off a small island near the maritime border with Thailand, Thai police said Sunday. The bodies were discovered floating at sea Saturday off Thailand's Ranong province, 570 kilometres south of Bangkok, police said. None of the victims, whose bodies are thought to have floated from the Myanmar side of the border, had any identification, and that others may have been on board the boat when it sank, police said. (Posted @ 10:05 PST)
Italian PM in Afghanistan KABUL, Dec 23 (AFP) Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi was in Afghanistan Sunday to meet President Hamid Karzai, commanders of a NATO-led force operating here and Italian troops, the Italian embassy said. Prodi's surprise visit follows that Saturday of the leaders of France and Australia who also have troops in NATO's ISAF. He was due to travel later Sunday to Herat where most of Italy's some 2,000 troops in Afghanistan are based. (Posted @ 09:5523 PST)
Pakistan arrests suspect in Charsadda mosque suicide bombing PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Authorities have arrested one man over a suicide attack at Charsadda mosque in northwest Pakistan that killed 54 people during Eid prayers, and said they suspect Islamic militants in an Afghan border region were involved. Police picked up the suspect in Charsadda town, security officials said. “We're looking for another man who could be a second accomplice,” a security official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters. Local residents and television said four people, including three Afghan nationals, were arrested late Friday in a town four kms from the site of the attack. It was unclear if the detentions were related to the blast. “We suspect that it could be orchestrated in Mohmand tribal agency, from where we suspect the previous attack on Sherpao was planned,” another security official said. “No head has been found from the scene,” he said. “We have found four legs which we have sent for DNA test, but it could be little help unless we know the family.” (Posted @ 13:05 PST)
Pakistan bomber loaded with ball bearings: hospital PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Dec 22 (AFP) - The suicide bomber who killed 54 people in a Pakistan mosque had packed his explosives vest with ball bearings to inflict maximum casualties, a hospital official said on Saturday. A doctor said many of the victims suffered severe shrapnel wounds. “Many were hit by ball bearings packed into the bomber's suicide jacket,”said Dr Manzoor Khan of the main state-run hospital in Charshadda, where the attack occurred. “It seems most of the victims died from excessive bleeding,” he told AFP. Local police said the head of the suicide bomber had not been located but that two severed legs believed to be his were being sent for DNA tests. “We are probing locally and a team of experts is conducting a high-level investigation into the incident,” said local police officer Gulzar Ahmed. (Posted @ 12:40 PST)
Gates says al-Qaeda targeting Pakistani government and people WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (APP): Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates said Friday that al-Qaeda insurgents who were launching attacks in Afghanistan have now shifted their focus to Pakistan, attacking the government and the people. Addressing a press conference hours after a suicide bomber attacked an Eid congregation in northwest Pakistan, Gates said: “Al Qaeda right now seems to have turned its face toward Pakistan and attacks on the Pakistani government and Pakistani people.” He acknowledged Pakistan army's success in its counterterrorism efforts in Swat and also noted that al-Qaeda activities along the remote and previously ungoverned border areas have not affected Afghanistan. According to Gates “some of the areas in the frontier area have become areas where al-Qaeda has re-established itself.” “But so far, we haven't seen any significant consequence of that in Afghanistan itself,” he added. The Defence Secretary also noted a substantial decline in cross-border movement by militants. “I heard just this morning, in fact, that the number of fighters coming across the border in RC (Regional Command) East is down about 40 percent.” In the context of US-Pakistan cooperation, Gates said the Pentagon is in contact with Pakistan military in terms of how it can help them through both training and equipment. (Posted @ 12:55 PST)
Rice notes Musharraf steps, free poll to help in Pakistan's advance as moderate democratic country WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (APP): The United States, acknowledging President Pervez Musharraf's recent steps towards democratic transition, Friday said a free and fair parliamentary election in January will help advance Pakistan progress as a moderate democratic country that is also an anti-terror ally. “President Musharraf has taken off his uniform and stepped down as chief of the army, and all major civilian leaders have now returned to that country. Free and fair elections in January will advance the goal of a moderate democratic Pakistan that is a partner in the war on terror,” US Secretary of State Condoleza Rice said in her year-end press conference. (Posted @ 10:40 PST)
Pakistani police seek clues to Charsadda suicide bomber's identity PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Dec 22 (AP) - Police examined clothing, shoes and the severed legs of a man Saturday trying to determine the identity of a suicide bomber who killed at least 54 people and injured socres others during Eidul Azha congregation in Charsadda town of North West Frontier Province. Police collected pieces of clothing, shoes, prayer mats and two severed legs of a man from the scene of Friday's bombing, and investigators were examining them for clues to identify the bomber, an official involved in the probe said on condition of anonymity. “We are looking at how it happened and who did it,” he said, adding that so far there were no clues to indicate who was behind the attack. Hours after the bombing in Sherpao village, police raided a madressah in the nearby village of Turangzai and arrested seven students, three of them Afghans. The raid was carried out based on intelligence information, a second police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Suspicion for the blast was expected to focus on the pro-Taliban or al-Qaida militants active in northwest Pakistan _ near the Afghan border _ where the attack occurred. The bomber was in a row of worshippers when he detonated the explosive, provincial police chief Sharif Virk said Friday. Witnesses said the dead included police officers guarding Sherpao, who was praying in the mosque's front row at the time of the attack. (Posted @ 11:55 PST)
India hopes to start work on IPI gas pipeline by March NEW DELHI, Dec 22 (APP): India hopes that work would start on Iran-Pakistan-India Gas pipeline project by March next year. Media reports quoting Indian Secretary for Petroleum and Natural Gas, M S Srinivasan said in Coimbatore in Karnataka state on Friday that talks with Pakistan on transit fee and other related issues were stopped due to political developments in Pakistan. India has already discussed the issue of gas price and transportation charges with Islamabad and only the transit fee issue remains to be solved, he said and expressed confidence that these matters would also be resolved and the project would begin by March next year. (Posted @ 11:05 PST)
Kashmiris reaffirm commitment to continue struggle ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (APP): In Occupied Kashmir, Kashmiris in their Eid congregations Friday reaffirmed their resolve to continue liberation struggle despite increased Indian State terrorism. According to Radio Pakistan, the biggest gatherings were held at Jamia Masjid Srinagar and Dargah Hazratbal. Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addressed faithfuls at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar and reiterated Hurriyats' full support to President Pervez Musharraf's four-point formula on Kashmir. He hoped that the New Year would open fresh opportunities to settle Kashmir dispute in accordance with Kashmiris aspirations. Similar views were expressed by other APHC leaders including Prof Abdul Ghani Bhatt, Maulana Abbas Ansari, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi and Naeem Ahmad Khan. Addressing the Eid gathering at Khangai-i-Maula in Srinagar, the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Mohammad Yasin Malik stressed that India would not succeed in stifling Kashmiris’ voice of freedom by resorting to brute force. Meanwhile, senior Kashmiri Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Gilani was put under house arrest to prevent him from Eid congregation and addressing the faithfuls on the occasion. (Posted @ 11:00 PST)
Six die in fire on French Caribbean island POINTE-A-PITRE, France, Dec 22 (AFP): Six people were killed in a fire that destroyed a Chinese-run shop which sold fireworks on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, rescue services said Saturday. Firemen took nine hours to control the fierce blaze in the island capital of Pointe-a-Pitre, which broke out late Friday and burned through the night, destroying the two-storey building housing the shop.(Posted @ 21:45 PST)
Senegal, Morocco withdraw envoys in diplomatic spat DAKAR, Dec 22 (Reuters): Senegal and Morocco have recalled their ambassadors for consultations in a diplomatic dispute over a Senegalese former foreign minister's comments backing an independent Western Saharan state, officials said on Saturday.(Posted @ 21:10 PST)
Three Afghan anti-drugs forces killed: police JALALABAD, Dec 22 (AFP): A roadside bomb tore through a military vehicle Saturday, killing two policemen and an army soldier who were on a poppy eradication mission in eastern Afghanistan, police said. Three other policemen were wounded in the blast in Spinghar district of eastern Nangarhar province, a police spokesman said.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
French, Australian leaders pledge commitment to Afghanistan KABUL, Dec 22 (AP): The leaders of France and Australia met Afghan President Hamid Karzai Saturday, each pledging their countries were committed to Afghanistan for the long term, as they visited their troops. French President Nicolas Sarkozy told Karzai France has a long-term political and military interest in Afghanistan, Karzai's office said in a statement, apparently signaling French troops would not pull out anytime soon. Hours after his meeting with Sarkozy, Karzai met Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was visiting Australian troops stationed in Uruzgan province. Rudd said, “we will be in Afghanistan, for the long haul, and in partnership with countries from NATO,” he said. He said he would encourage other countries to continue or expand their commitment to Afghanistan.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Indian police cane girls protesting teacher's killing NEW DELHI, Dec 22 (AFP): Police on Saturday beat schoolgirls with batons in the northern Indian town of Ferozabad after the students squatted on a highway to protest the killing of their headmaster, reports said. The girls, who were caned and dragged by their hair by police were between six and 13 years old, the Press Trust of India reported. Television stations reported at least three girls fainted after the assault by riot police on some 100 girls.(Posted @ 20:25 PST)
Iran bus crash kills seven university students TEHRAN, Dec 22 (Reuters): Two passenger buses collided in northern Iran, killing seven university students who were returning from a pilgrimage to the country's holy city of Qom, the official IRNA news agency reported Saturday. Twenty-nine people were injured in the crash late Friday on the road to the city of Damghan east of Tehran. Three were in critical condition.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Ground crew strike hits Orly airport PARIS, Dec 22 (AP): A strike by an Air France ground crew over pay issues grounded passengers at Orly airport near Paris for the third day on Saturday and workers said they would strike for at least another day. Air France said 30 percent of its flights at Orly airport were cancelled, mainly domestic flights to Nice or Toulouse. Other flights suffered delays.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
16 Egyptians drown after bus falls off of Nile ferry MINYA, Dec 22 (AP): Sixteen people, including six children, died Saturday when a microbus they were riding in fell off a ferry and sank in the Nile River in southern Egypt, security and local officials said. The accident happened near the village of Deir Mawas in Minya province about 209 kilometers south Cairo, said the Minya police chief.(Posted @ 17:10 PST & Updated @ 18:55 PST)
Australian PM visits Afghanistan KABUL, Dec 22 (AFP): Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was in Afghanistan on Saturday on an unannounced visit during which he met President Hamid Karzai and held a press conference shown live on television.(Posted @ 17:55 PST)
Suicide bomber kills four in west Baghdad BAGHDAD, Dec 22 (Reuters): A suicide bomber blew himself up near an Iraqi police and army checkpoint in western Baghdad on Saturday, killing four people and wounding six, police said. Police said one of those killed in the attack in the Ghazaliya district was an Iraqi soldier, while the other three bodies were charred beyond recognition and unidentified.(Posted @ 17:52 PST)
French president leaves Afghanistan KABUL, Dec 22 (AFP): French President Nicolas Sarkozy flew out of Kabul Saturday after a short visit in which he met Afghan leader Hamid Karzai and some of the 1,600 French troops based here. During his six-hour stay, Sarkozy also met US General Dan McNeill, commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force under which the French soldiers serve. Sarkozy reiterated France's commitment to Afghanistan and said his visit was aimed at assessing the situation. NATO nations are due to review their strategy in Afghanistan at a summit in Bucharest in April. The president and his entourage were headed for Dushanbe in Tajikistan to meet French soldiers stationed there.(Posted @ 11:25 PST & updated @ 17:50 PST)
Former British PM Blair converts to Catholicism LONDON, Dec 22 (AFP): Former British prime minister Tony Blair has converted to Roman Catholicism, his spokesman told AFP Saturday. The 54-year-old politician converted during a ceremony in central London Friday night but had no further details.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
Koreas agree to allow passengers on cross-border train service SEOUL, Dec 22 (AP): A cargo rail service between North and South Korea will be expanded to take passengers starting next year, but only South Koreans will be allowed to cross the border by train, the Unification Ministry said Saturday. The service, which is now limited to freight transportation between a joint venture factory park in the North Korean border city of Kaesong and Musan, just across the frontier, will also ferry workers to and from the industrial complex in 2008, the ministry said in a statement.(Posted @ 17:35 PST)
800-year-old merchant ship raised from China Sea BEIJING, Dec 22 (AFP): A merchant ship loaded with porcelain and other antiquities that sank off China's south coast 800 years ago was raised from the bottom of the sea, state media reported Saturday. Archaeologists built a large steel basket around the 30-meter-long ship, which was raised on Friday during a two-hour operation, Xinhua news agency reported. Archaeologists have recovered more than 4,000 containers made of gold, silver and porcelain as well as about 6,000 copper coins of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). They estimated there were still 60,000 to 80,000 items on board.(Posted @ 17:08 PST)
Key Tiger rebel front line taken: Sri Lanka defence ministry COLOMBO, Dec 22 (AFP): Government forces Saturday captured a key defence line of Tamil rebels in northern Sri Lanka in fighting that killed six rebels and one soldier, the defence ministry said. Security forces smashed five bunkers of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the confrontation in which six troops were wounded, the ministry said. There was no immediate comment from the Tigers.(Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Pakistan celebrates three Eid in 2007 QUETTA Dec 22 (APP): Three Eids, two Eid-ul-Azha and one Eid-ul-Fitr fell during 2007. Eid-ul-Azha Hijrah 1427 fell on January 1, 2007 while Eid-ul-Azha Hijra 1428 was observed on December 21 across the country. Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated in October. However, some Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia and some other Middle East nations celebrated three Eids in 2006. A year in which three Eids may fall occurs after at least three and a half decades.(Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Four killed in Japan chemical plant fire: police TOKYO, Dec 22 (AFP): Another body was found at the site of a chemical plant fire in Japan Saturday, raising the death toll to four, plant officials and police said. Firefighters had already found three bodies by Friday night after putting out the fire at an ethylene plant of major Japanese chemical maker Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. in the northern Tokyo suburb of Kamisu. Moderate quake hits near Tokyo: meteorologists: TOKYO: A moderate earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale hit near Tokyo Saturday, the meteorological agency said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The quake happened at 0851 GMT off the coast of Chiba prefecture, just east of Tokyo, the agency said. (Posted @ 15:56 PST)
Eight rebels, soldier killed as Sri Lankan troops capture northern rebel post COLOMBO, Dec 22 (AP): Sri Lankan soldiers captured a Tamil post on a northern front line Saturday after a battle that killed eight rebels and one soldier, the military said. The battle erupted about 10:00 a.m. when troops launched an attack on Tamil Tiger rebel bunkers in Parappakandal village in Mannar district, said a military spokesman. The ensuing battle killed eight guerrillas and one soldier, while 12 rebels and six soldiers were wounded, he said. (Posted @ 15:52 PST)
One US soldier killed, 11 hurt in Iraq road bombs BAGHDAD, Dec 22 (AFP): One US soldier was killed and another 11 wounded when two road bombs exploded near their vehicles in the northern Iraqi province of Kirkuk, the military said Saturday. The attack took place during combat operations on Friday. (Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Two militants arrested for India court blasts: police LUCKNOW, Dec 22 (AFP): Police announced the arrest of two suspected hardline leaders Saturday in connection with serial blasts outside courts in three northern Indian cities that left 13 people dead. Officers from Uttar Pradesh state and national security officials described the two arrested men as top state leaders for the banned Bangladesh-based militant group Harkatul Jihad al-Islami (HuJI). (Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Sri Lanka and England draw third test GALLE, Dec 22 (Reuters): The third test between Sri Lanka and England was drawn after England reached 251 for six in their second innings before heavy rain washed out the final session of the fifth day on Saturday. Scores: Sri Lanka 499 for eight declared (Jayawardene 213 not out) v England 81 (Vaas 4-28) and 251 for six (Cook 118, Muralitharan 3-91). (Posted @ 15:35 PST)
Quake of 6.4 magnitude hits eastern Indonesia WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - An earthquake of 6.4 magnitude rattled Indonesia's half of New Guinea island on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The quake, at a depth of 37 km had its epicenter 182 km west of Jayapura in eastern Indonesia, USGS said. (Posted @ 13:10 PST)
China produces new bullet train that runs 300 km per hour BEIJING, Dec. 22 (APP) -- The first bullet train designed and manufactured in China with a speed of 300 kilometers per hour rolled off production line from on Saturday morning. (Posted @ 12:50 PST)
15 dead in Tajikistan avalanche DUSHANBE, Dec 22 (AFP) - At least 15 people were killed when an avalanche swept down onto a road linking capital Dushanbe with northern Tajikistan, the Central Asian state's interior ministry said Saturday. “We extracted 15 bodies from underneath the snow, it is unknown how many remain there,” it said. (Posted @ 11:28 PST)
China's first home-grown regional jet rolls off production line BEIJING, Dec. 22 (APP) -- China's first home-grown regional jet, ARJ21-700, rolled off the production line in Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory on Friday, said a spokesman of the producer. It is powered by a turbofan engine that can carry 90 passengers with a maximum range of 2,000 nautical miles. The ARJ21 is planned to make its maiden flight in March and would be ready for delivery to the first customers in the third quarter of 2009 after it gets airworthiness certification in the first half of the same year before undergoing over 170 test flights. Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan and Shanghai Party chief Yu Zhengsheng were present at the ceremony. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
Muslim pilgrims sadly say farewell as Haj winds down in Saudi Arabia Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Dec 22) - After five days of exhaustion and hardships, Muslim pilgrims were saddened to see the annual Haj come to a close Friday, ending a spiritual high point of their lives. After performing the ritual of stoning the devil in Mina on Friday, pilgrims proceeded to the holy city of Makkah to bid “farewell” to the Kaaba by circling it seven times in the final rite of the Haj. The pilgrimage ended without any major incidents, and the pilgrims prepared for journey back to their countries Friday. (Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Maoists kill 12 policemen in central India RAIPUR, India, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The bodies of at least 12 policemen were recovered from a jungle in central India on Friday, a day after Maoist rebels ambushed a security patrol and looted weapons in the remote Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh state, the epicentre of the Maoist insurgency. Police said about two dozen security men had managed to flee Thursday's rebel gunfire and report the attack. (Posted @ 10:15 PST)
US troops could soon begin partial Iraq pullout: Gates WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates Friday voiced hope that US troops will soon start returning home from Iraq, saying improved security there will enable five units to pull out by July as planned. “The situation on the ground, I think, makes it likely that General (David) Petraeus will be able to decide to bring out the first five teams by July,” Gates told an end of year press conference. “The first of those is coming out this month. My hope has been that the circumstances on the ground will continue to improve,” he added. (Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Saudis bust Islamist ring planning attack during Haj RIYADH, Dec 22 (AFP) - Security forces in Saudi Arabia arrested an Al-Qaeda linked group planning a “terrorist act” during this week's Haj pilgrimage, General Mansur al-Turqi, a ministry spokesman, told AFP. The attack did not however target Islam's holiest sites in Makkah or the pilgrims, he said. Saudi sources said the arrests were made in several different cities of the oil-rich kingdom. Members of the group, whose number was unknown, were arrested “three days before the start of the Haj season”, or at the end of last week. (Posted @ 10:05 PST)
US opposes Taiwan referendum to UN as 'provocative' WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (AFP) - The United States supports a one-China policy and opposes Taiwan's referendum to join the United Nations as provocative, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday. “In the Taiwan Strait... the United States remains committed to peace and security. We have a one-China policy and we do not support independence for Taiwan,” Rice said in firm and clear opening remarks at a press conference. “We think that Taiwan's referendum to apply to the United Nations under the name Taiwan is a provocative policy,” she said at the year-end conference that touched on her priorities for next year. “It unnecessarily raises tensions in the Taiwan Strait and it comes with no real benefits for the people of Taiwan on the international stage. That is why we oppose this referendum,” Rice said. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
54 killed in suicide attack at Sherpao mosque, Aftab Sherpao escaped unhurt, younger son slightly injured PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Dec 21 (Agencies): Former Federal Interior Minister and Chairman of his faction of Pakistan Peoples Party, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, survived a second attempt on his life on Friday morning when a suicide bomber blew himself up in Jamia Masjid Sherpao in District Charsadda of North West Frontier Province, killing 54 faithfuls and injuring over 100. The death toll may rise, DPO Charsadda informed APP on phone. The suicide bomber who was in the mid- row of the Eid congregation blew himself up during the prayers, police said. Aftab Sherpao and his two sons were in the first row of the faithfuls offering Eid prayers. The mosque is situated close to the tomb of Hayat Muhammad Khan Sherpao, who also fell victim to terrorist act in February 1975. Mustafa Khan Sherpao, younger son of Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, received injuries on his legs while Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao escaped unhurt. The attempt on Aftab Sherpao and Sikandar Sherpao was second on their lives after April 28 last which had claimed over fifty lives. The administration declared emergency in all the hospitals of Charsadda and Peshawar where the injured were rushed for medical aid. The security of the former Interior Minister was increased after the first attempt on his life in April 2007 but it was relaxed for the Eid congregation. (First Posted @ 11:50 PST Updated @ 18:15 PST)
Police rearrest Pakistani opposition lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan on way to Islamabad ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec 21 (AP) Police rearrested prominent opposition lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan Friday, despite promises he would be allowed to remain free for the three-day Eidul Azha holidays, his son said. Aitzaz Ahsan was picked up before dawn as he travelled by road from Punjab capital Lahore to Islamabad, his son Ali Aitzaz said. “He has been put under house arrest again,” he said from the family home in Lahore. Aitzaz Ahsan was at the forefront of protests demanding President Pervez Musharraf reinstate the Supreme Court's top judge, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, and other independent-minded justices that he sacked under a state of emergency he imposed on Nov. 3. He was put under house arrest since the state of emergency was imposed, and was freed early Thursday for three days to celebrate Eid. Aitzaz spent Thursday visiting judges and meeting with supporters and journalists in Lahore before heading to Islamabad early Friday to offer Eid prayers with justice Chaudhry, who is also under house arrest, his family said. Police stopped Aitzaz’s car on the road as he headed to the capital, drove him to a police station, before returning him to his home in Lahore, Ali said. Meanwhile, nearly 100 police officers in riot gear prevented about two dozen lawyers and activists from meeting with justice Chaudhry to escort him to a local mosque for Eid prayers. The police stood behind barricades of metal, concrete blocks and razor wire as the lawyers chanted, “Go, Musharraf, go.” (Posted @ 14:50 PST)
Musharraf condemns 'distorted thinking' of militants ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (AFP) President Pervez Musharraf Friday condemned the “distorted thinking” of militants after a suicide attacker killed at least 50 people, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. In a statement, Musharraf vowed to keep up the fight against extremism and ordered the country's security and intelligence agencies to “track down the masterminds behind this abhorrent act,” the agency said. “No Muslim could even think of committing such a heinous crime that takes the lives of a large number of innocent faithful,” the APP reported him as saying. “A handful of extremists were bent upon forcing their way of 'distorted thinking' on the vast majority of moderate and practicing Muslims, which was totally unacceptable.” (First Posted @ 15:55 PST, Updated @ 16:10 PST)
Eid festivities spoiled by Charsadda bomb blast; Musharraf prays for peace ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): Eidul Azha festivities in Pakistan on Friday were spoiled by the suicide bomb blast in Charsadda town of NWFP where at least 50 faithfuls were killed and another 100 injured during Eid congregation prayers. In capital Islamabad, President Pervez Musharraf Friday offered Eid prayers at the Faisal Mosque and prayed for peace, security and prosperity of the country and its people. Members of caretaker federal cabinet, former parliamentarians, civil servants and thousands of people also offered the prayers at the capital's largest mosque. Eid congregations were also held in all parts of the country, followed by slaughter of sacrificial animals . (Posted @ 13:25 PST)
Saudi police on alert as pilgrims rush to finish rite MINA, Saudi Arabia, Dec 21 (Reuters) Saudi police went on high alert on Friday as the estimated 2.4 million Muslims rushed to complete their third stoning of walls representing the devil and leave the Mina area by sunset. If they miss the deadline, they will have to stay a third night in the area. Police were more nervous than usual at the site of the Jamarat, the three stone “pillars” which the pilgrims pelt with stones, now converted into long elliptical concrete walls which can handle a much higher turnover of pilgrims. Saudi authorities have completed more than half of a massive infrastructure project which will cost more than $1 billion. Pilgrims can now throw stones on three levels and a fourth is under construction. Police on Friday imposed a strict one-way system, so that pilgrims who have completed the rite do not mix with those moving in the other direction. They also insisted that people leave their bags outside. Pilgrims said they were delighted with the arrangements. This year more than 1.6 million pilgrims came from abroad. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Pakistani rights lawyer urges US to examine Musharraf's role in fighting terrorism NEW YORK, Dec 21 (AP) One of Pakistan's leading human rights lawyers Thursday urged the United States to examine whether President Pervez Musharraf is really indispensable to fighting terrorism and indicated the answer would almost certainly be “no.” Hina Jilani, the U.N. special representative on human rights defenders, said that since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, militants in Pakistan have gained control of territory not only in tribal areas but in populous settled regions and “militancy has increased,” including in the capital Islamabad. “You don't fight terrorism,” she added, by purging the Supreme Court of judges who showed an independent streak for the first time, or “by sending out the perception ... that terrorists are victims of injustice.” Speaking on Prospects for Democracy in Pakistan, she said “those who think that terrorism is a threat to Pakistan's democracy must realize that it is only one of the threats,” and that Pakistanis have to deal with other “very critical issues.” She recalled the six-week state of emergency that ended on Dec. 15 in which Musharraf purged independent-mind judges, arrested almost 6,000 lawyers and hundreds of opposition figures, and reined in the independent media. Before ending emergency rule, Musharraf unilaterally changed the constitution to entrench decisions he made during the crackdown, she said. (Posted @ 12:40 PST)
US envoy urges Iran to own up to nuclear weapons programme VIENNA, Dec 21 (AFP) Iran should come clean on a 2003 weapons programme alleged in a recent US intelligence report so progress can be made in the nuclear standoff between Tehran and the international community, a US envoy said Friday. “That's precisely what we're looking for. We're looking for an acknowledgement that they had a nuclear weapons programme,” the US permanent representative to the UN nuclear watchdog, Gregory Schulte, told reporters. “And we're looking for them to cooperate fully with the agency in understanding their current activities,” Schulte said. (Posted @ 20:14 PST)
Sharif has accepted Benazir’s domination: Chaudhry Shujaat GUJRAT, Pakistan, Dec 21: President Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Chaudhry Shajaat Hussain told a private television channel at Zahur Palace Gujrat Friday that Nawaz Sharif has accepted Benazir Bhutto’s domination and has decided to take part in the elections while people want Chaudhry Pervez Elahi as prime minister. He also said PML (Q) will make seat adjustment with the JUI in Punjab and NWFP. He said Sharif and Benazir are talking of rigging in the elections when they themselves are products of riggings. Chaudhry Shujaat claimed his party will succeed in the forthcoming elections and will form the government. (Posted @ 20:04 PST)
18 dead, 43 hurt in Sierra Leone gas explosion FREETOWN, Dec 21 (AFP) Eighteen people were killed and 43 injured in an explosion in the centre of Sierra Leone's capital Freetown, a government statement said Friday. Thursday's explosion was attributed by fire services to a blaze in a building housing shops and businesses igniting leaking gas. But deputy police chief Francis Munu told AFP Friday, “We have still not been able to trace the source of the fire or the explosion.” (First Posted @ 12:10 PST Updated @ 19:40 PST)
West Bank demonstration; five protestors beaten, one briefly detained BETHLEHEM, West Bank, Dec 21 (AFP) Israeli guards beat five demonstrators during a protest Friday against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank, organisers said. About 50 Palestinian, Israeli and international peace activists attended the rally in the village of Um Salomona, near Bethlehem. Israeli border guards armed with truncheons briefly detained one activist, the organisers told AFP. (Posted @ 19:18 PST)
Presidential envoy killed in Senegal's restive south DAKAR, Dec 21 (Reuters) A presidential peace envoy to the violence-torn Senegalese region of Casamance was shot dead Thursday. Samsedine Dino Nema Aidara, named by President Abdoulaye Wade as a peace negotiator earlier this year, was gunned down in his family home in Mahmouda Cherife village, the APS news agency reported Friday. The rebel Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) has been fighting since 1982 for greater autonomy for the southern region of Senegal, which they say has been neglected by the government in Dakar. (Posted @ 19:12 PST)
Four killed in Karachi’s Lyari KARACHI, DEC 21 (APP) Police recovered bodies of four young men shot early Friday from Karachi’s Baghdadi area. A Baghdadi police station official said the killings were a result of gang-war going on in Lyari area for the past several years between various drug pushers. He said their bodies were recovered 9 a.m. from the area. (Posted @ 19:08 PST)
Suicide car bomb kills five at Iraq police station BAGHDAD, Dec 21 (Reuters) A suicide bomber killed four policemen and a civilian and wounded eight people Friday when he blew up his car outside a police station just southwest of Baghdad, police said. The bomber targeted Rasheed police station in Yusufiya town. (Posted @ 18:34 PST)
Attack on bunker kills two Tamil rebels in northern Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Dec 21 (AP) Sri Lankan troops attacked a Tamil rebel bunker in the embattled north Friday, killing two insurgents, the military said. Soldiers launched a pre-emptive attack on the rebel bunker across the front lines in the village of Muhamalai on the northern Jaffna peninsula, said a defence ministry official requesting anonymity. Soldiers suffered no casualties. There was no immediate comment from the rebels. (First Posted @ 12:00 PST Updated @ 18:32 PST)
Two killed in Japanese chemical plant fire TOKYO, Dec 21 (AFP) Two plant workers were killed and two others were missing after a fire broke out Friday at a chemical plant in Japan, officials said. Television footage showed the ethylene plant of a major Japanese chemical maker engulfed in flames with black smoke rising high into the sky in the northern Tokyo suburb of Kamisu. Firefighters pulled out two bodies in the plant and both people were later confirmed dead, a fire department spokesman said. The fire put out late Friday was believed to have started in the furnace, which is used to refine naphtha and propylene for ethylene, the spokesman added. (Posted @ 17:22 PST)
Gas pipeline blown up in Dera Bugti QUETTA, Dec 21 (APP) Gas supply to Dera Bugti town was affected as unknown miscreants blew up gas pipeline of Pir Koh- Loti in the wee hours of Friday, Dera Bugti police sources told APP. The unknown miscreants planted explosive material under the pipeline supplying gas to Dera Bugti and to other parts of the country which went off resulting in damaging the pipeline. Meanwhile, PPL sources said that the damaged pipeline would soon be repaired. (Posted @ 17:15 PST)
Prisoner killed, three injured in Khuzdar jail KHUZDAR, Dec 21 (APP) A prisoner was killed while three others seriously injured when scuffles broke out between prisoners over washing of vessels and utensils in Khuzdar central jail Friday noon, Assistant Superintendent Jail Mashooq Ali told APP. (Posted @ 17:05 PST)
Three militants shot dead in Thai south YALA, Thailand, Dec 21 (AFP) At least three insurgents were shot dead Friday after a gun battle with security forces in southern Thailand’s Yala province, police said. (Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Eight dead, 24 hurt in Egypt bus crash CAIRO, Dec 21 (Reuters) At least eight Egyptians, including several children, were killed and 24 others injured when a bus collided head-on with another vehicle early Friday on an intercity road south of Cairo, security and ambulance sources said. The sources said the bus was trying to overtake a passenger car when it collided with another vehicle, either a truck or a minibus, near the oasis town of Fayoum. (Posted @ 16:55 PST)
Belgium arrests 14 in militant jail break plot BRUSSELS, Dec 21 (Reuters) Belgium arrested 14 suspects and stepped up security in public places Friday after thwarting a plot to spring from jail an al Qaeda suspect arrested in September 2001 for plotting attacks on U.S. targets. “They were planning to use weapons and explosives to free him....These means could be employed for another use,” Lieve Pellens, spokeswoman for Belgium's federal prosecutors, told a news conference. (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Cricket: Play abandoned in England-Sri Lanka Test GALLE, Sri Lanka, Dec 21 (AFP) Heavy rain since the lunch interval washed out the last two sessions of the fourth day's play in the third and final cricket Test between England and Sri Lanka here Friday. England, following on 418 runs behind after being dismissed for a new low of 81 against Sri Lanka in the first innings, were 102-1 in their second knock at the end of the morning session. Left-handed Alastair Cook was unbeaten on 53 and Ian Bell was on 17 in an unbroken stand of 35 for the second wicket. Continued wet weather has been forecast for Saturday, the fifth and final day of the match. (Posted @ 14:55 PST)
Accidental blast kills 2 children, wounds 1 in Afghanistan KABUL, Dec 21 (AP) An accidental blast inside a house in Bati Kot district of Nangarhar province on Thursday killed two children and wounded another, an official said Friday. The children had brought an old explosive ordnance and were playing with it when the accident occured, police said. (Posted @ 14:40 PST)
Russia would veto UN backing for Kosovo independence: Lavrov MOSCOW, Dec 21 (AFP) Russia would veto any attempt by the UN Security Council to back independence for Serbia's Kosovo province, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday in a newspaper interview. “If a resolution is proposed that approves a unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, then of course there will be a veto,” Lavrov told the Vremya Novostei daily. Russia supports Serbia, which says the majority ethnic-Albanian province should be allowed autonomy, but no more. Lavrov's interview came two days after the UN Security Council failed to break the impasse. (Posted @ 14:15 PST)
US military judge denies bin Laden's driver POW status WASHINGTON, Dec 21 (AFP) A US military judge on Thursday ruled that Osama bin Laden's former driver is an unlawful enemy combatant and can be tried before a military commission at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, thus denying him prisoner of war status. Salim Hamdan, 37, a native of Yemen, was bin Laden's personal driver in Afghanistan, and was captured in November 2001 with surface-to-air missiles in his car. Hamdan's defence had argued that he was not a fighter, but merely a driver transporting weapons. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Aftershocks rock New Zealand city after major quake WELLINGTON, Dec 21 (AFP) Aftershocks with a magnitude of 4.5 and 4.2 continued to rattle the eastern New Zealand city of Gisborne Friday as residents started counting the cost of a powerful 6.8 earthquake which smashed buildings in the commercial centre. No major injuries were reported after Thursday night's quake, which was felt throughout much of New Zealand, although many people had been Christmas shopping in the city area when it struck. Most of the centre of Gisborne was cordoned off Friday and a state of emergency declared as engineers checked the safety of commercial buildings in the city of 42,000 on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. Gisborne District Council spokesman Vance Walker said an apartment building and two shops had partially collapsed and roofs and awnings had caved in. A total of 16 people reported receiving minor injuries, the council said. (Posted @ 11:55 PST)
Palestinian militant shot dead near Gaza border GAZA CITY, Dec 21 (AFP) Israeli forces shot dead an unarmed Palestinian near the Gaza border on Friday, Palestinian medics said, one day after an incursion into the Hamas-ruled territory killed seven militants. (Posted @ 11:30 PST)
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