- DAWN - RSS Feeds; February 18, 2008

February 18, 2008

Monday

Safar 10, 1429

Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)

Two killed as blasts rock Baghdad BAGHDAD, Feb 18 (AFP) - A barrage of mortars and rockets slammed into Baghdad's international airport and an adjoining US military base Monday, killing two people and wounding about a dozen, officials and witnesses said. Katyusha rockets struck a workers' housing complex within the perimeter of the airport, killing two workers and damaging houses, a defence ministry official said. “At least 10 people were also wounded, among them women and children,” he said.The American military said Camp Victory military base next to the airport was struck by “indirect fire” -- a term it uses for rockets or mortars. “We are aware there are some casualties but damage and casualties are still being assessed,” US spokesman Navy Commander Scott Rye told AFP.(Posted @ 23:50 PST)

Twenty-four dead in China mine explosion BEIJING, Feb 18 (AFP): Twenty-four people were killed and five injured in an explosion at an illegal iron mine in northern China, local government officials said, according to state news agency Xinhua. The explosion happened on Sunday at the mine in Hebei Province, which is disguised as a wild boar farm, trapping 30 people, the local government said.(Posted @ 23:50 PST)

U.S. formally recognizes Kosovo WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - The United States on Monday formally recognized Kosovo in a statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a day after the majority Albanian province declared independence from Serbia. “President Bush has responded affirmatively to a request from Kosovo to establish diplomatic relations between our two countries,” Rice said. “The establishment of these relations will reaffirm the special ties of friendship that have linked together the people of the United States and Kosovo,” she added. “The Kosovars are now independent. It's something I've advocated along with my government,” Bush said earlier in a live interview aired on NBC television from Arusha, Tanzania. Washington's action, which was expected, followed recognition of Kosovo by Europe's largest states -- France, Britain, Italy and Germany. More European countries are expected to follow suit, but Spain said it would not recognize Kosovo. Serbia and Russia strongly oppose the region's independence. Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), a body of 57 Muslim countries, also welcomed the independence of Kosovo in a statement from its headquarters in Riyadh. Kosovo has been under United Nations supervision since 1999, when NATO bombing forced a withdrawal of Serb forces that had been attacking Albanians there. There are now some 17,000 NATO-led troops in Kosovo.(Posted @ 23:35 PST)

Russia parliament sees policy change after Kosovo independence MOSCOW, Feb 18 (AFP) - Russia's parliament said Monday Moscow had the right to review its stance on separatist states in the former Soviet Union if Kosovo is recognised as an independent state, Interfax news agency reported.(Posted @ 23:16 PST)

Afghanistan recognises Kosovo independence KABUL, Feb 18 (AFP) - Afghanistan on Monday recognised Kosovo's independence, a foreign ministry spokesman said, becoming the first country to officially do so. Afghanistan “with respect to the will of the people of Kosovo” and “its commitment to democratic values, human rights, the right of sovereignty and expanding of good relations between countries... recognises the independence of Kosovo,” spokesman Sultan Ahmad Baheen said.(Posted @ 23:15 PST)

OIC backs Kosovo independence RIYADH, Feb 18 (AFP) - The 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference on Monday said it supports the independence of Kosovo, whose Albanian ethnic majority are mostly Muslim. “The Islamic umma (nation) wishes the people of Kosovo and its government success in their new struggle to build a strong and prosperous country,” the OIC said in a statement issued from its headquarters in Jeddah.(Posted @ 23:10 PST)

American observer doesn't take Pakistan polls rigging charges seriously Islamabad, Feb 18 (PPI):- The head of election observer group contracted by United States government to monitor Pakistan's elections Monday said while it was “easy to cry foul in polls, there had to be more specific allegations for it to be taken seriously”.“People fearful of rigging are those who want to leave space (if they lose),” former US congressman Jim Moody told IANS correspondent Devirupa Mitra in Islamabad. “Anyone can cry rigging, but they need to be specific,” he said.(Posted @ 22:45 PST)

Bodies of 6 minor children recovered WAZIRABAD, Pakistan, Feb 18 (APP): Bodies of six minor children were found dumped in a garbage heap near railway line in Ghakkar Mandi town in Punjab province on Monday, police said. The unidentified bodies were recovered when a sanitary worker opened a garbage bag, police officials said adding that the bodies of three girls and three boys. No other details were available.(Posted @ 22:30 PST)

US Ambassador, three senators calls on Pervaiz Elahi LAHORE, Feb 18 (APP)- US Ambassador in Pakistan Anne Patterson alongwith visiting senators John Kerry, Joseph Biden and Chuck Hagal called on former Chief Minister Ch. Pervaiz Elahi Monday and held talks on matters of mutual interest and the current political situation in the country (Posted @ 22:20 PST)

Gun carrying tribesmen queue up for votes, allow women to take part in voting KHYBER AGENGY, Feb 18 (APP): Armed with lethal weapons including assault rifles and rocket launchers, tribesmen were seen forming long queues wearing traditional turbans to cast votes in Khyber Agency. Contrary to the past practice of banning women from exercising their right of franchise, this time tribal elders decided to allow women voters in some parts to take part in electoral process. “We have decided to allow women to take part in voting,” Ibrahim Malik, a candidate for NA: 45 (Khyber Agency) told APP at Hashimabad School Polling station in Jamrud. He complained that the polling process was very slow but a Presiding Officer said this was because female voters are mostly illiterate and take a lot of time in polling process. Tribesmen in large numbers were seen in and outside of different polling stations in Khyber Agency consisting of NA-45 and NA-46 constituencies. The enthusiasm of elderly tribesmen in the democratic process would be proved by the turnout in tribal areas which will be very high, said Abdur Rahim Khan, President of Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Agency.(Posted @ 21:20 PST)

No votes cast at five women polling stations in NA-24 DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Feb 18 (APP): No vots were cast at five women polling stations in NA-24 D.I. Khan. These are: Rora, Kotla Qaim Shah, Jabbar Wala, Saggu (South) and Draban Khurd polling stations,, District Returning Officer Mohammed Nasim Khan said Monday.On the other hand, only seven women cast their votes at polling station Draban Khurd.(Posted @ 20:55 PST)

Counting begins after Pakistanis vote, mostly in peace ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Counting began on Monday after an election in Pakistan which was far less violent than feared. Polling stations closed their doors at 5 p.m. (1200 GMT).Results are expected to start emerging by midnight and trends should be clear early Tuesday morning. Chief Election Commissioner justice (r) Qazi Mohammad Farooq estimated turnout at 35 pct at his polling station in Rawalpindi. “Considering the security circumstances, that's good,” he said as the polls closed. Senator John Kerry, member of the US monitoring team, said fear stopped many people from voting. “It's intimidating people from coming to the polls ... it's not a great atmosphere,” Kerry told reporters after observing the election in the central city of Lahore.Nearly 81 million people were registered to vote. Several hundred foreigners and thousands of Pakistanis monitored the election but were not allowed to do exit polls.(Posted @ 20:40 PST)

Polls close in Pakistan elections: official ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (AFP) - Polls closed in Pakistan on Monday in the crucial general election, an election commission official said. “Polling has come to an end. It was orderly and peaceful in most parts,” Election Commission Secretary Kanwar Dilshad told AFP.(Posted @ 20:30 PST)

Gas pipelines blown up in Pakistan Quetta, Feb 18 (Reuters) Miscreants blew up two pipelines supplying natural gas to a main plant in the town of Sui in Balochistan province early Monday, officials said. Baluch Republican Army claimed responsibility for the attacks. No further details were immediately available(Posted @ 20:30 PST)

Nine killed in polling day violence in Pakistan: officials ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (AFP) - At least 14 people were killed and nearly 100 injured in election-related violence across Pakistan on Sunday and Monday, officials said. Nine of the deaths came on election day itself. On Monday, six people died in shootings in Punjab between rival party supporters, officials said. Two others died in the southern province of Sindh and one death was reported in Karak town of North West Frontier Province. A security official said about 100 people were also injured in election violence on polling day. But interior ministry spokesman Brig Javed Cheema said Monday's polling was generally peaceful and orderly except for sporadic incidents. In Lahore, the victims of Sunday's shooting included Asif Ashraf, a provincial assembly candidate from former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N party. In another incident, a worker for Sharif's PML-N party was shot dead by rivals outside a polling station in the industrial city of Sialkot, north of Lahore, on Monday, said party vice president Javed Hashmi. In Sindh province’s Ghotki town, six people were injured during a clash between supporters of PPP and the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Q during polling, police said. And in Bajaur tribal district bordering Afghanistan, a bomb blast ripped through a wall of a polling station while around 300 people queued to cast their votes, officials and witnesses said. No one was injured and polling resumed shortly afterwards. A rocket-propelled grenade hit a polling station in a remote part of southern Sindh province without causing casualties, a police official said. Separately, a bomb blast was heard in Quetta's Nauroz Sports Complex area where several polling stations were located, while a small bomb exploded near a polling station on the city's outskirts, police and witnesses said. There were no reports of casualties or damage. Also In Baluchistan province, two small bombs exploded separately near uncrowded polling stations, but there were no casualties, police said.(Posted @ 20:30 PST)

UAE PM holds talks in Iran to expand ties TEHRAN, Feb 18 (AFP) - UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed al-Maktoum held talks with the Iranian leaders on Monday on a visit aimed at further boosting strong trade links with the Islamic republic. “Iran and the United Arab Emirates have historical and strong relations and with my trip to the Islamic Republic of Iran bilateral relations will rise to new horizons,” the Mehr news agency quoted him as saying. “The intervention of the foreigners does not have any effect on the boosting of cooperation between Iran and the UAE,” said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his talks with Sheikh Mohammad, according to the ISNA news agency. “Iran and the UAE can cooperate for sustainable security in the region,” said Ahmadinejad. Iran's First Vice President Parviz Davoudi after his talks with Sheikh Mohammad stressed “Iran's right to peaceful nuclear activities”, Mehr reported.(Posted @ 19:55 PST)

occupied Kashmir lists custodial deaths for first time SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Feb 18 (AFP) - More than 300 people have been killed in police custody in occupied Kashmir since a Muslim insurgency began in 1989, according to a state police report obtained by AFP from a source. It said 331 people had died in custody and 111 had disappeared after being arrested -- the first time security officials have given numbers on custodial killings and disappearances. Local human rights groups, however, say some 8,000 people are missing, most of them after they were arrested by the security forces. But officials say many of these people had crossed over to neighbouring Pakistan. Police in occupied Kashmir are also investigating five cases where innocent civilians were detained and killed, and then passed off as Islamic militants. Nearly a dozen police officers have been arrested and charged with murder in those cases. The official report also put the overall death toll from the insurgency at 43,183, with civilians accounting for more than thirty percent of the victims. Rights workers have also disputed that toll. “Nearly 60,000 people have died since the start of insurgency,” said Pervez Imroz, the head of Coalition of Civil Society, occupied Kashmir's main rights group.“Our figures are based on a proper survey,” he said, adding that police wanted to “downplay the figures”.(Posted @ 19:35 PST)

18 killed in fresh Maoist unrest in India RAIPUR, India, Feb 18 (AFP) - Thirteen Maoist rebels and five police were killed in gunbattles in the eastern Indian state of Chhattisgarh Monday as heavy fighting continued for a third day in a neighbouring state, police said. Three guerrillas and five police were killed in a gunfight in thick forest around 450 kilometres from the local capital Raipur. Another 10 insurgents were killed after they fled the area, police sources said. The violence in Chhattisgarh broke out as security forces clashed with Maoist guerrillas for a third day in neighbouring Orissa state where the rebels killed 13 police and a civilian during the weekend.(Posted @ 19:30 PST)

Kosovars 'now independent': Bush WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (AFP) - President George W. Bush said Monday that the Kosovars “are now independent” but said US recognition of Kosovo as a state would be guided by a UN-supported plan for it. “The Kosovars are now independent. It's something I've advocated along with my government, Bush said in an interview with NBC News in Arusha, Tanzania. But he said official recognition was linked to the UN-backed “supervised independence” plan put forward by the former Finnish president and UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari. “The Ahtisaari plan is our blueprint forward,” Bush said.(Posted @ 19:25 PST)

Mumtaz Bhutto casts vote at Mirpur Bhutto village Larkana, Sindh, Feb 18 (PPI): Ex-Chief Minister Sindh and chairman, Sindh National Front Sardar Mumtaz Ali Khan Bhutto Monday cast his vote at his native village Mirpir Bhutto. PPP leader Senator Dr Safdar Ali Abbasi and former provincial minister Haji Munawar Ali Abbasi cast their votes at polling station Waleed, while PPP leader Nisar Khuhro cast his vote at polling station Aqil. Chairperson Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP-SB) Ghinwa Bhutto and her daughter Fatima Bhutto cast their votes at Municipal High School Larkana. Former provincial minister and PPP candidate Mir Nadir Khan Magsi cast his vote at a polling station in Shahdadkot.(Posted @ 19:15 PST)

US $300,000 Pakistan Open Golf in August KARACHI, Feb 18 (APP): The Pakistan Open, carrying US$300,000, will be held at Karachi Golf Club from August 7 to 10, Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) announced Monday.PGF Secretary Taimur Hassan said some of world's top 100 golfers and about 50 from Pakistan would be featuring in the event.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)

CEC urges careful counting, satisfied on turn out ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP): Chief Election Commissioner Justice (r) Qazi Mohammad Farooq Monday urged polling staff to ensure flawless counting of ballot papers.“Election Commission made every effort for fairness and transparency of polls. Now, you people would make it further credible by careful counting,” he told the polling staff during visit to six polling stations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. “In such a massive exercise, minor incidents are usual and the DROs and ROs can take care of such matters,” he told journalists who pointed out incidents of snatching of ballot papers in one constituency. “If anybody has done it, he cannot use these ballots for fake vote casting due to safe entries, secret marks and stamps being fixed on the ballot papers,” the CEC said. “I am satisfied with the pace of polling and hope for good turnout”, he added. “No complaint of rigging has yet been received by the Election Commission,” he said in reply to another question.(Posted @ 18:40 PST)

U.S. officially recognises Kosovo independent LONDON, Feb 18 (Reuters) The United States has officially recognised the independence of Kosovo, BBC World television news reported Monday.(Posted @ 18:20 PST)

One shot dead, some injured in PP-281 polling station CHISHTIAN, Feb 18 (APP):Polling was suspended for about two hours when certain persons opened fire on PPP candidate Mohammad Ali Laleka in PP-281 at a polling station in Chak 102 Fateh, injuring several persons, one of whom died in hospital. Laleka remained unhurt. Five persons including three women received serious injuries, while PML-Q worker Rana Khawar Suhail died in hospital. During the chaotic conditions , some persons decamped with the ballot boxes. Later, the election material including ballot papers and ballot boxes were made available, and polling resumed after two hours.(Posted @ 18:10 PST)

PPP activist killed by rival firing near polling station HAFIZABAD, Pakistan, Feb 18 (APP): A PPP worker was killed and two others injured at a polling station in Kot Nawan in Punjab province near here in cross-fire between PML-Q and PPP activists Monday afternoon. More than six activists of both parties were injured in the shootout which occured in the Muslim High School polling station. The situation was brought under control by the law enforcing agencies and the polling process continued under tight security.(Posted @ 17:00 PST)

Polling stopped at 8 polling stations in Dadu (Sindh) BADIN, Pakistan, Feb 18 (APP)- Presiding Officers for two national and five provincial seats of district Badin in Sindh province .briefly stopped polling process at eight polling stations after scuffles and clashes between workers and supporters of rival candidates. Election officials said armed persons barged into polling stations and took away polling material, forcing them to stop polling. Contingents of Police and Rangers have been deployed at the polling stations to control the situation. Army stands-by for their help. Long queues of voters were seen at the remaining 449 polling stations of the district.(Posted @ 17:55 PST)

Elections: Rangers arrest nine in Karachi KARACHI, Feb 18 (APP): Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, have arrested nine persons from various parts of Karachi on charge of carrying weapons and ammunition and displaying them.This was announced in a statement of the rangers issued here on Monday. Two persons were arrested from Lyari area, one from Jamshed Town area, two from Baldia Town, one from Keamari Town area, and two from Shah Faisal Town.(Posted @ 17:45 PST)

Heavy snowfall, ice wreak havoc in Greece, Turkey ATHENS, Feb 18 (Reuters) Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures shut down schools, paralysed traffic and grounded airplanes in Greece and Turkey Monday. Athens International Airport struggled to stay open. Since midnight, only three flights managed to land and one to take off due to icy conditions while dozens of cancellations were expected throughout Monday.In Turkey, where snowfall and subzero temperatures forced the closure of schools and universities across much of the country, the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul was closed to transit shipping in the north-south direction since Sunday morning, the coast guard said. Hundreds of motorists were stranded around Turkey, some major roads were closed, thousands of villages were cut off and at least two people froze to death Sunday and Monday, Turkish media reported. Ankara witnessed 355 traffic accidents over the past 24 hours and nearly 30 people were injured, while in Istanbul bad weather caused more than 500 accidents, private broadcaster NTV said. (Posted @ 17:25 PST)

Serbia charges Kosovo leaders over independence bid BELGRADE, Serbia, Feb 18 (AP) Serbia filed criminal charges Monday against the three leaders of Kosovo who were instrumental in proclaiming its independence. The Interior Ministry said in a statement Monday that President Fatmir Sejdiu, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and parliament speaker Jakup Krasniqi had been charged, a day after the Albanian-dominated Kosovo parliament declared independence from Serbia. It accused the three of committing ''a serious criminal act against the constitutional order and security of Serbia'' by participating in the proclamation of a ''false state'' on Serbian territory. (Posted @ 17:00 PST)

Suicide car bomber kills 35 in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Feb 18 (AFP) A suicide car bomber killed 35 civilians in an attack targeting Canadian troops in the Afghan border town of Spin Boldak Monday, Kandahar’s provincial governor Asadullah Khalid told AFP. “The suicide attacker detonated near a Canadian military convoy,” Khalid said. “In the attack 35 civilians were killed, 27 civilians were wounded and also three Canadian troops were wounded,” he said. The Canadian military could not immediately confirm its involvement. The governor said the blast had set some shops alight. (First Posted @ 15:45 PST, Updated @ 16:55 PST)

Pakistanis brave violence to vote in key election ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (AFP) - Millions of Pakistanis defied bombings and shootings on Monday to vote in critical parliamentary elections that will also decide the political fate of President Pervez Musharraf. Voting began quietly under tight security and picked up after lunch. Several small blasts near polling stations heightened tensions, despite the presence of around 80,000 troops on the streets. Polls were set to close at 5:00 pm (1200 GMT) with the first results expected at about 10:30 pm. Eighty-one million Pakistanis are eligible to vote, roughly half the country’s population. Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, predicted that their Pakistan People's Party (PPP) would win.“Victory is our destiny and we will change the system,” he said as he cast his vote in the southern city of Nawabshah. .Musharraf pledged to cooperate with whoever wins the election as he voted in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. “Whosoever wins the polls, as president of Pakistan I will function with them in a totally harmonious manner,” Musharraf told state television. He said confrontational politics was damaging Pakistan and urged a “conciliatory” environment. “I will cooperate,” he said. Nawaz Sharif cast his ballot in Lahore and later said that thepro-Musharraf PML-Q “is committing rigging, and they are attacking our candidates and supporters.” “There have been sporadic incidents of violence but by and large the security situation (on polling day) is satisfactory throughout the country,” interior ministry spokesman Brigadier Javed Cheema told AFP. Voting stopped at some female polling stations on the outskirts of Peshawar after tribal elders decided that women should not cast ballots, police and officials said. (Posted @ 16:50 PST)

Afghan suicide raid kills more than 20 KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Feb 18 (Reuters) More than 20 Afghan civilians were killed in a suicide attack Monday targeting a foreign military convoy on a road in the town of Spin Boldak in Kandahar province, a police official said. “The toll has gone up to 23 and more than 20 other civilians have been wounded,” police border commander Abdul Razaaq told Reuters. Another official from the area said two foreign soldiers also died in the attack. (First Posted @ 15:45 PST, Updated @ 16:22 PST)

Afghan-Pakistani border sealed for elections KABUL, Feb 18 (AFP) - The two main border posts between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been closed as a security measure during Pakistan's parliamentary elections on Monday, officials said. The Torkham and Spin Boldak posts, used by thousands of people daily, were shut on the request of Pakistan and for the “smooth” running of the elections, they said. Torkham closed late Sunday for all vehicle and pedestrian traffic and was due to reopen on Tuesday, the border police commander in the area Chitral Shinwari told AFP. Spin Boldak, further south, would be closed for three days to vehicles but would be opened on Tuesday and Wednesday for pedestrians, Kandahar border police commander General Abdul Razeq said. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)

Suicide raid kills seven Afghans in south KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Feb 18 (Reuters) A suicide blast aimed at a foreign military convoy killed seven Afghan civilians in a southern town of Spin Boldak Monday, border commander Abdul Razaaq said. At least three soldiers in the convoy and six Afghan civilians were also wounded in the attack, Abdul Razaaq said. (Posted @ 15:45 PST)

25 PPP supporters injured in attack Khairpur, Sindh, Feb 18 (PPI) At least 25 workers of PPP candidates were injured in the attack by a rival group at polling stations of Taluka Kotdiji Monday. According to reports, an armed group led by Muhabat Khan Rajper gathered at polling station Noor Bozdar, Naseer Fakeer Jalalani of Taluka Kotdiji and when the PPP workers did not allow them to enter the polling station, they attacked them and also fired upon the PPP workers. The attack resulted in injuries to over 25 people. DPO Khairpur Fida Hussain Mastoi rushed to the polling station and the injured were brought to a hospital. Three other people were injured at Kumb polling station and two were injured at Kotdiji polling station. (First Posted @ 13:30 PST, Updated @ 15:05 PST)

Pervaiz Elahi casts vote in Gujrat ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP) PML-Q Leader and President of PML(Q) Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi cast his vote in his native town Gujrat. He is contesting for National Assembly seats from NA-58 Attock 2 and NA-61 Chakwal 2, PTV reported. (Posted @ 14:55 PST)

Senator John Kerry impressed by Pakistan election process ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP) US Senator John Kerry Monday said he was impressed by the election process and the arrangements for the polling to provide a chance to the people to use their right of vote. Talking to reporters during his visit to a polling station in Lahore, Kerry appreciated the enthusiasm of the political workers and said they had worked hard for these elections. On the question of Pak-US relations, he said, “obviously we want a strong relationship going forward.” John Kerry said, “we will like to see these elections to be the new opportunity for the government to restore stability, either through coalition or majority”. He said whatever happens we want to have good relations that work in the interest of the Pakistani people.” (Posted @ 14:55 PST)

Toll passes 100 dead in Kandahar blast KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Feb 18 (AP) Death toll from a suicide blast in Kandahar Sunday rose to more than 100, Kandahar Gov. Asadullah Khalid told The Associated Press. (Posted @ 14:45 PST)

President Musharraf casts vote, pledges harmony ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (AFP) President Musharraf cast his ballot Monday in the parliamentary elections and vowed to work in “harmony” with whoever wins the polls, presidential spokesman Major General Rashid Qureshi said. Musharraf voted in the city of Rawalpindi, Qureshi said. “The president has cast his vote. He has congratulated the election commission and the people of Pakistan,” Qureshi told AFP. “He said that whosoever wins the polls, as president of Pakistan he will function in a totally harmonious manner,” he added. (Posted @ 14:35 PST)

23 injured in clashes at various polling stations in Ghotki Ubauro, Sindh, Feb 18 (PPI) As many as 23 persons were injured in clashes at various polling stations of district Ghotki while a firing incident was also reported at a polling station Monday.According to details, two groups belonging to Leghari and Pitafi communities attacked each other at polling station Gulan Korai, Mirpur Mathelo NA-200 constituency with batons and axes, injuring five persons. A clash also occurred at polling station Qadir Pur of Ghotki NA-201 in which eight persons were injured. The attackers also opened fire on the polling station, harassing the voters. After the incident at the said polling station, the personnel of Rangers brought the situation under control. Meanwhile, two groups clashed at Likpur polling station NA-200, leaving five persons injured.(Posted @ 14:20 PST)

Many EU nations will recognise Kosovo: EU presidency BRUSSELS, Feb 18 (AFP) Slovenia's Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, said Monday he understood that “many EU member states” would recognise Kosovo's independence. “I understand that many EU member states will recognise” Kosovo's independence, he said as he arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, adding that there was likely to be “a lively discussion”. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)

Nawaz Sharif casts vote, warns of fraud LAHORE, Pakistan, Feb 18 (AFP) Former premier and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif cast his ballot Monday with a warning that allies of President Musharraf were trying to rig the country's election. “The Pakistan Muslim League-Q is committing rigging, and they are attacking our candidates and supporters,” he told reporters at Lahore's Islamia College, where he cast his vote around noon. “But despite this we will succeed in the elections,” he said. (Posted @ 13:55 PST)

Rice arrives in Kenya to push for deal to end crisis NAIROBI, Feb 18 (AFP) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Kenya Monday to push for a power-sharing deal to end turmoil that has left more than 1,000 dead in the country. Rice went to a Nairobi hotel where she was due to meet with former UN chief Kofi Annan, who has been mediating the crisis talks for almost a month, following disputed December 27 elections. (Posted @ 13:50 PST)

PPP leader Nisar Khuhro manhandled at polling station LARKANA, Sindh, Feb 18 (AP) Pakistan Peoples Party leader and candidate for PS-36 Nisar Khuhro was manhandled at women's polling station located at Shaikh Zaid Colony School Monday. According to details, chairperson of PPP (SB) Ghinwa Bhutto, contesting election for NA-204 took the National Identity Card (NIC) of a woman, alleging that she was casting double vote. At the same time, she also demanded suspension of the polling process. PPP leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro reached the scene and talked to Ghinwa Bhutto which led to an exchange of angry words. In the meantime the supporters of PPP-SB manhandled Khuhro and tore his shirt. Major Malik Mukhtiar of Rangers and DPO Larkana reached the scene and brought the situation under control and got both the leaders out of the polling station. The workers of both parties chanted slogans against each other, however the polling process resumed after half an hour. (Posted @ 13:35 PST)

Six PPP supporters injured BADIN, Sindh, Feb 18 (PPI) Six PPP supporters sustained severe injuries and were hospitalized Monday when they were attacked by a group of persons armed with batons and guns at polling station Qasim Soomro of PS-56 Tando Bago constituency. The armed men allegedly belonged to a PML-Q candidate. Polling was suspended for a while due to this incident. Meanwhile, firing was reported at Raju Khanani polling station. (Posted @ 13:30 PST)

President Musharraf casts vote in general election RAWALPINDI, Feb 18: President Musharraf cast his vote in the general elections at a polling station at Fatima Jinnah Women University here in constituency NA-54 and PP-9 Monday, a private television channel reported. (Posted @ 13:25 PST)

Chaudhry Shujaat casts vote in Gujrat ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP) PML-Q president, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, cast his vote Monday in his native town Gujrat. Shujaat is contesting for National Assembly seat from NA-105 Gujrat-11, PTV reported. (Posted @ 13:20 PST)

Asif Ali Zardari casts vote in Nawabshah NAWABSHAH, Feb 18 (APP) Co-Chairman PPP, Asif Ali Zardari, cast his vote at Ghulam Haider Shah Colony polling station in Nawabshah Monday. (Posted @ 13:20 PST)

Thirty hurt mourning Bangladesh film hero DHAKA, Feb 18 (Reuters) At least 30 people were injured Monday as mourning fans clashed with police as they paid their respects to a popular actor who died in Dhaka Sunday. Police fired teargas and charged batons to disperse thousands of fans after some of them threw stones at police escorting the coffin of Aslam Talukdar Manna, 44, who died following a heart attack. (Posted @ 13:00 PST)

Women stopped from voting in parts of northwestern Pakistan PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Feb 18 (AFP) Voting stopped at women-only polling stations in parts of northwestern Pakistan Monday after elders decided that women should not cast ballots, police and officials said. Peshawar district mayor Ghulam Ali said voting had to be discontinued in Maryamzai, Budaber and other areas on the outskirts of Peshawar. “I have reports that elders in the area decided that voting by women is against our culture,” Ali said. “This is their tradition. We can do nothing.” (Posted @ 13:00 PST)

Blasts heard in Quetta QUETTA, Pakistan, Feb 18: Two loud explosions were heard in Quetta Monday, private television channels reported. Police was determining the blasts’ location(s). (First Posted @ 12:45, Updated @ 12:55 PST)

Blasts heard in Quetta QUETTA, Pakistan, Feb 18: Two loud explosions were heard in Quetta Monday. Police was determining the blasts’ location(s). (Posted @ 12:45 PST)

Weekend battles kill 51 in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Feb 18 (AFP) Heavy fighting raged in northern Sri Lanka Monday, the defence ministry said, reporting that 49 Tamil Tiger rebels and two soldiers were killed in weekend battles. “Forty nine LTTE terrorists were killed while 20 others were injured during the (weekend) clashes,” the ministry said. “Two army soldiers made their supreme sacrifice while 16 others received injuries.” There was no immediate comment from the Tigers. (Posted @ 12:25 PST)

Chinese vessel sinks in northern Philippines; 26 rescued, two missing MANILA, Philippines, Feb 18 (AP) A Japanese oil tanker rescued 26 crewmen of a Chinese vessel that sank in the northern Philippines while two other members of the crew remained missing, the coast guard said Monday. The M/V Jinshan developed problems and sank late Sunday off the Philippine province of Ilocos Norte, coast guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said. A Japanese tanker in the South China Sea later rescued 26 of the vessel's crew, but two others were still missing, he said. (First Posted @ 08:55 PST, Updated @ 12:10 PST)

Man killed outside Sialkot polling station; one wounded in Gujrat SIALKOT, Pakistan, Feb 18: Polling was suspended temporarily after a man was killed in a firing incident outside a polling station in Sialkot’s NA-112, private television channels reported. Polling was also suspended temporarily when firing outside Kharian polling station in NA-104 in Gujrat wounded one person, news reports said. While in Bajaur Agency’s NA-43 constituency, polling was stopped at a polling station after a bomb exploded in the area, reports said. (Posted @ 11:35 PST)

Fearful Pakistan voters trust in God, not security PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Feb 18 (AFP) Shuffling into a women's polling station, a voter said she hoped for divine protection from the wave of violence that has marred Pakistan's elections. She was one of only a few to vote in the two hours after polls opened in the northwestern city of Peshawar. She said that there were particular fears militants would target women's polling stations “because of the opposition in our society for women to go out and vote.” AFP reporters saw no queues at the 10 polling stations they visited in Peshawar. No troops could be seen but about a dozen police were on guard at each polling station. “The turnout is very low so far,” electoral official Taj Mohammed told AFP at one station. One of the voters, in her 60s, said she was brought to vote by the party that she supports, the Awami National Party (ANP). “I want to vote as soon as I can and then go home. I don't know where and when the bombers will explode themselves. God knows better,” she said. Queues were bigger in Rawalpindi, with dozens of people waiting outside one polling station near Liaquat Bagh. In Karachi, many polling stations were deserted but there was a bustling atmosphere in the neighbourhood of Lyari. “I have lived a long life and I am not afraid of bomb blasts,” said 60-year-old PPP supporter Sakina Bibi, chanting “Long Live Bhutto” after she cast her vote. Labourer Mohammad Nazir, 45, a father of four, said there were widespread security fears “but we should defy these attacks, because they are meant to keep us away from the election and we should use our right to vote.” (Posted @ 11:15 PST)

Pakistan election officer held over missing ballot papers KARACHI, Feb 18 (AFP) Police arrested an election official Monday after complaints from voters that hundreds of ballot papers were missing from their polling station, police said. The incident happened in Shikarpur town in southern Sindh province as voting began in the country's crucial parliamentary elections, local police official Ali Mohammad Shahani said. “We have taken the presiding officer into custody after complaints from voters that some 350 ballot papers were missing from the polling station,” Shahani told AFP. “We are interrogating the presiding officer amid suspicions that he might be responsible,” he added. (Posted @ 10:40 PST)

Gunmen kill at least three police, several civilians in Guyana GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Feb 18 (AP) Gunmen killed at least three police officers and two civilians in a Sunday night assault on a small town in Guyana, authorities and local media said. Police said armed men invaded a police station and raided an ammunitions and weapons depot in the southwestern township of Bartica. Three officers were killed, police commander Gavin Primo confirmed. (Posted @ 10:40 PST)

Polling starts peacefully in Tank, Bajaur, Shangla and Abbottabad ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP) Polling started peacefully in the areas of Tank, Bajaur, Shangla and Abbottabad. Police sources from the respective districts told APP security arrangements to maintain law and order were satisfactory, while people had started visiting polling stations to cast their votes. (Posted @ 10:15 PST)

Pakistan polls open amid violence, fraud fears ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (AFP) Tens of thousands of troops guarded polling stations as polls opened across Pakistan at 8:00 a.m. Monday in critical parliamentary elections overshadowed by violence and fears of rigging. Polling is due to close at 5:00 pm, with the first results at about 10:30 pm. “I am scared because of all the bombings but I am sure Allah will protect me and all the people voting today,” a woman told AFP at a polling station in the northwestern city of Peshawar. Shortly before voting started two bombs went off at polling stations in the northwestern Swat region, causing damage but no casualties, police said. Musharraf's spokesman Major General Rashid Qureshi dismissed opposition allegations of rigging, saying that even the ballot boxes were transparent and fitted with special seals. “I have no doubt in my mind that the elections will be free, fair and transparent,” Qureshi told AFP. “As spokesman for the president, I have seen the earnestness with which he has been working and trying to remove every hitch for these polls,” he added. The government has deployed 500,000 troops for the vote and the aftermath, including 81,000 soldiers - one for every 1,000 members of the 81-million-strong electorate. (First Posted @ 08:20 PST, Updated @ 09:40 PST)

Elections in NA-37 Parachinar postponed: Secretary Election Commission ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (APP) Elections in NA- 37 Parachinar have been postponed on the request of NWFP government, Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan Kanwar Mohammad Dilshad said Sunday. Talking to PTV, he said final decision to postpone the elections in NA-37 has been taken in consultation with provincial administration. Now the elections would be held in 268 constituencies of National Assembly. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)

Cut U.S. aid to Pakistan if polls rigged: Senator Joseph Biden LAHORE, Feb 18 (Reuters) Democratic Senator Joseph Biden, in Pakistan to observe general elections, said Sunday that Washington should cut military aid to Islamabad unless the polls are credible and broadly fair. “Obviously there is not going to be a pristine election,” Biden told reporters. But the polls needed to produce a “credible” result that was broadly in line with the wishes of the Pakistani people, he said. If they do not, “I for one will move to cut off military aid”. The United States has supplied $10 billion of military aid for the Pakistan army to fight Taliban and al Qaeda militants based in the rugged border region. But there needed to be greater accountability on how that was spent, Biden said. “I'm not at all certain it is all being used on the war on terror.” Biden and Senator John Kerry, another Democrat, said the United States had to turn from a policy of backing Musharraf to one of backing Pakistan. “Our hope and our purpose in being here is to encourage the accountability and credibility of this election and to underscore the importance to the world of a Pakistan that emerges with a credible government,” said Kerry. (Posted @ 09:15 PST)

Fire kills three on Chilean cargo ship docked in Brazil SAO PAULO, Brazil, Feb 18 (AP) Three crew members of a Chilean ship were killed by a fire that broke out in the vessel's machine room as it was docked in Brazil, a fire official said Sunday. The ''Rio Blanco'' was taking on a cargo of automobiles and farm equipment in the southeastern port of Santos when the blaze began late Saturday, Lt. Nelson Pinherio Duarte of the Santos fire department said. Firefighters extinguished the flames shortly after dawn on Sunday. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)

Moderate quake hits off Taiwan TAIPEI, Feb 18 (AFP) A moderate 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit off eastern Taiwan Monday, the central weather bureau said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The undersea tremor struck at 4:33 am and was centred 17.8 kilometres southeast of Yuli in the eastern county of Hualien, the bureau said. It occurred at a depth of 19.4 kilometres under the sea floor, it said. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)

28 missing after Chinese ship sinks off Philippines MANILA, Feb 18 (AFP) Twenty-eight Chinese sailors are missing after their ship sank in rough seas off the northern Philippines, the coastguard here said Monday. The China-flagged Jinshan went down about 68 nautical miles northwest of Cape Bojeador on the northern tip of the main Philippine island of Luzon, coastguard spokesman Lieutenant Commander Armando Balilo said. The cause of the accident and details of the ship were not stated. (Posted @ 08:55 PST)

No UN accord on Russian call to invalidate Kosovo independence UNITED NATIONS, Feb 18 (AFP) Russia failed Sunday to secure the backing of the UN Security Council for its call to declare “null and void” the decision by Kosovo's Albanian majority to unilaterally declare independence from Serbia. Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin called the closed-door meeting only hours after Kosovo's parliament officially secede from Serbia. He insisted on implementation of Security Council resolution 1244 and other relevant documents that in his view should invalidate Kosovo's unilateral independence. “No country supported the proposal from Russia that the (move) be declared null and void,” his British counterpart John Sawers told reporters after the meeting. “We regret that the Security Council cannot agree on the way forward,” said a joint statement read out on behalf of the European members of the Council (Belgium, France, Italy, Britain, Croatia) plus Germany, the United States and the European Union presidency. (Posted @ 08:50 PST)

Grenades target EU, UN in flashpoint Kosovo town KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, Feb 18 (AFP) A grenade exploded Sunday in the flashpoint northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica after the Albanian-majority parliament declared independence, the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) said. Spokesman Etienne du Fayet de la Tour said four grenades were thrown in total - two at a European Union building, which failed to explode, and two others against a court building “of which one exploded. There were no victims”. Separately, riot police using tear gas and batons dispersed hundreds of Serbian youths who ran riot through central Belgrade Sunday, targeting the embassies of western backers of Kosovo's independence. The youths, who numbered about 800 at the height of the violence, smashed the windows of two restaurants, and those of the US and Slovenian embassies. The rioting lasted several hours and at least 50 people - among them 20 policemen - were injured during the rioting, radio B92 reported. Anger at Kosovo's independence declaration also flared in Serbia's second largest city, Novi Sad. Several hundred people there staged a protest march. (Posted @ 08:50 PST)

Polls open in key Pakistan elections ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (AFP) Polls opened across Pakistan at 8:00 am Monday in critical parliamentary elections, an election commission official and AFP correspondents said. “Polling has started and it will continue till 5:00 pm without any break,” election commission secretary Kanwar Dilshad told AFP. An AFP reporter saw voting declared open at a polling station in Islamabad, with only one voter waiting to cast his ballot and four armed police standing guard. (Posted @ 08:20 PST)

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