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| July 20, 2008 | Sunday | Rajab 16, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Cricket: South Africa 522 all out against England LEEDS, England, July 20, (AFP) - South Africa were bowled out for 522 in reply to England's first innings 203, a lead of 319, on the third day of the second Test at Headingley here on Sunday. Dale Steyn was 10 not out after Proteas vice-captain Ashwell Prince made 149 and AB de Villiers 174. The four-match series is level at 0-0 after the drawn first Test at Lord's. (Posted @ 23:26 PST)
4 killed, 14 injured in truck, van collision SHEIKHUPURA, July 20 (APP): Four persons were killed and 14 others injured in a collision between a truck and a wagon near here on Sargodha road on Sunday. Police said a rashly driven wagon heading toward Sheikhupura from Farooqabad rammed a truck coming from the opposite direction near Jhamke bus stop. Three passengers and the wagon driver died on the spot while 14 others were injured. (Posted @ 23:18 PST)
ASEAN ministers 'deeply disappointed' over Suu Kyi detention SINGAPORE, July 20 (AFP): ASEAN foreign ministers expressed “deep disappointment” Sunday over the extension of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's detention and called for all political prisoners in the country to be freed. “The foreign ministers expressed their deep disappointment that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's detention under house arrest had been extended by the Myanmar government,” Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said in a statement. (Posted @ 22:48 PST)
Tourist, boy killed in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, July 20 (AFP): An Indian tourist and a Kashmiri boy were killed in a grenade explosion in a mountain resort Sunday, the third attack in three days, police and witnesses said. The latest violence comes a day before top Indian and Pakistani diplomats are due to meet in New Delhi for the fifth round of talks under a peace process launched in 2004. Police identified the dead as a 35-year-old man from India's Utter Pradesh state and an eight-year-old Muslim boy. “The tourist died on the spot, while the boy died in hospital after coming under a hand grenade attack in Gulmarg,” a police officer said. Gulmarg is situated 52 kilometres west of Srinagar and close to the Line of Control. (Posted @ 22:04 PST)
US forces kill son, nephew of Iraqi governor TIKRIT, July 20 (AFP): US forces on Sunday shot dead the son and a nephew of the governor of northern Iraq's Salaheddin province during a raid, police said. Governor Hamid Hummud al-Shakti's son Husam and his nephew Uday were shot dead in the town of Baiji, a police officer told AFP. When asked, the US military said its troops killed two armed men in Baiji who were related to the governor. “Coalition forces engaged and killed them,” a military statement said. “It was subsequently determined that the two armed men killed in the event were related to the governor of Salaheddin province.” (Posted @ 21:26 PST)
Court asks Bangladesh govt to justify emergency powers DHAKA, July 20 (AFP): Bangladesh's High Court on Sunday ordered the country's army-backed authorities to justify the legality of its ongoing state of emergency, lawyers said. The ruling came after four lawyers appealed to the court that the state of emergency, imposed by the government in January 2007 when it came to power after cancelling elections, was illegal. “The High Court has asked the government to explain in four weeks why the proclamation of the emergency would not be declared illegal,” said Deputy Attorney General Naima Haider, who appeared on behalf of the government. “It wanted to know whether the president, who imposed the emergency, acted on the mandate of the constitution,” she said. The court also ordered the government to give details about how it plans to hold general elections at the end of the year and transfer power to a democratically elected government, said lawyer M.I Farooqi, acting on behalf of the petitioners. (Posted @ 20:46 PST)
British PM pledges more support for Palestinians BETHLEHEM, West Bank, July 20 (AFP): British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Sunday pledged further economic aid to the Palestinians aimed at bolstering the US-backed Middle East peace process. “We have pledged 500 million dollars for economic development in Palestine over three years to 2011,” Brown said following a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in the occupied West Bank town of Bethlehem. Brown reiterated his support for the talks and urged Israel to take further steps to halt the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and improve freedom of movement in the West Bank. (First Posted @ 10:00 PST Updated @ 20:26 PST)
Four bombs explode in Spain's Basque country LAREDO, July 20 (AP): Four bombs exploded in northern Spain on Sunday causing damage but no injuries, officials said. A caller earlier warned about the explosives, saying he was speaking on behalf of Basque separatists. The first detonated without warning around 5 a.m. outside a bank in northern Getxo town, damaging a cash dispenser and breaking windows, said a regional interior ministry official. Five hours later, a caller warned fire officials in the Basque town of Muskiz that two bombs would explode in Laredo and Noja in neighboring Cantabria province. A bomb exploded in the sand next to Laredo's beach-front. A little later in Noja, a device detonated at the beach. Another bomb exploded at a golf course an hour later, according to Cantabria's regional interior ministry. (First Posted @ 17:30 PST Updated @ 20:16 PST)
Rebels kill two Iran Revolutionary Guards TEHRAN, July 20 (Reuters): Two Iranian Revolutionary Guards were killed in fighting with rebels in a northwestern region, the official media said on Sunday. Iranian security forces and Kurdish guerrillas have often clashed in the past in the area. IRNA said one of those killed in Saturday's incident was a colonel. (Posted @ 19:54 PST)
5 militants killed, 20 injured in Hangu operation PESHAWAR July 20 (APP): At least five militants were killed, 20 injured and six of their vehicles destroyed during fierce fighting with the Frontier Constabulary (FC) last night at Tora Warai Fort near Doaba in Hangu district. An ISPR statement issued Sunday, said about 120 militants attacked Tora Warai Fort, after midnight. The FC soldiers repulsed the attack and resisted the attackers for three to four hours. There were 29 FC soldiers in the Fort at the time of attack. The FC officer asked for reinforcements. The army immediately dispatched reinforcements. Army troops engaged the militants and destroyed six vehicles of the fleeing militants. Reports said 20 militants were injured in the engagement. (Posted @ 19:36 PST)
Labourer killed, 9 others injured as crane falls 90-feet at Kalabagh MIANWALI, July 20 (APP): A labourer was killed and nine others including a Chinese engineer sustained injuries when a crane at Jinnah Hydel Power Project, Kalabagh fell 90 feet, about 40 km from here on Sunday. Construction work was under way at Jinnah Hydel Power Project when a crane fell into a 90 feet deep gorge killing one person and injuring nine others. (Posted @ 19:24 PST)
Three homemade bombs explode in northern Spain towns LAREDO, July 20 (AP): Three bombs exploded in northern Spain Sunday, two of them following a warning from a caller who said he spoke on behalf of the Basque separatist group ETA, said the interior ministry. No injuries were reported. A homemade device detonated with no warning at 0300 GMT outside a bank in Getxo, damaging a cash dispenser and breaking windows, a regional interior ministry official said. Five hours later, a caller told the northern Basque town, Muskiz, fire service that two bombs would explode in Laredo and Noja in neighboring Cantabria province. Police cordoned off both towns and a bomb exploded next to Laredo's beach-front promenade around 1020 GMT. A second device detonated on the beach of Noja around 1100 GMT. (First Posted @ 17:30 PST Updated @ 19:04 PST)
Army officer among 6 killed in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, July 20 (Reuters): Two Indian soldiers, including an officer, and four Kashmiris were killed in separate gun battles in Indian occupied Kashmir, the army said Sunday. An army officer and a soldier were killed on Sunday in a firefight with militants in Rajouri area, a day after nine soldiers were killed in a landmine blast near Srinagar, the region's main city. Indian soldiers shot dead four Kasmiris on Saturday in Kupwara sector. (Posted @ 18:32 PST)
17 killed as truck rams bus in northern India LUCKNOW, July 20 (AP): Police said 17 people were killed and 35 injured when a bus collided with a truck in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. A police spokesman said seven of those injured in Sunday's accident were in critical condition. He said it was not immediately clear what caused the truck to veer into the path of the bus near Etah, a town 300 kilometers southwest of Lucknow, the state capital. (Posted @ 18:08 PST)
Three killed in Lebanon refugee camp brawl AIN EL-HELWEH, July 20 (AFP): Three Palestinians were killed after an argument between rival factions in a refugee camp in south Lebanon turned violent, a Palestinian official said Sunday. The fighting broke out late Saturday in Ain el-Helweh camp, the largest in Lebanon, between Jund al-Sham and a joint force of Palestinian factions which polices the camp. The funerals of the three men took place under heavy Lebanese army security. Tensions remained high but efforts were under way to prevent further violence. (Posted @ 17:56 PST)
Two homemade bombs explode in northern Spain towns LAREDO, July 20 (AP): Officials said two bombs exploded in northern Spain, one after a warning from a caller who said he spoke on behalf of the separatist group ETA. No injuries were reported. The regional interior ministry said a homemade device packed in a gasoline tin detonated with no warning at 0300 GMT Sunday outside a bank in Getxo, damaging a cash dispenser and breaking windows. Five hours later a caller said bombs would explode in nearby Laredo and Noja. Police cordoned off both towns and a bomb exploded near Laredo's beach at around 1015 GMT. (Posted @ 17:30 PST)
ICC delays final decision on Pakistan hosting Champions Trophy DUBAI, July 20 (AP): The International Cricket Council has delayed a definite decision on whether Pakistan will still host the Champions Trophy in September amid security concerns. A security briefing was held Sunday in Dubai for the eight countries taking part in the tournament. The ICC said in a statement that fears were raised about potential security threats beyond the Pakistan Cricket Board's control. The ICC Board will make a final decision on the tournament later this week. The statement said the Sep. 11-28 tournament will proceed in Pakistan for now. (Posted @ 17:18 PST)
German tourist hostages safe with Turk govt: spokesman ANKARA, July 20 (Reuters): Three German tourists kidnapped by Kurdish separatist guerrillas in eastern Turkey this month are safe with the Turkish government, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Sunday. “We have the German mountaineers. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan called German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to inform him,” said a foreign ministry spokesman. He said details of the operation would be announced later by the governor of Agir Province, where the tourists had been captured. A German Foreign Ministry spokesman said he could not confirm the hostages were free but that the ministry was looking into the matter. (Posted @ 16:54 PST)
Sri Lanka military says captures key rebel camp COLOMBO, July 20 (Reuters): Sri Lankan troops have captured a strategically important Tamil Tiger camp on the islands western coast, the military said Sunday, as government forces continue their push against the rebels' northern stronghold. The capture of the rebel base in northwestern Mannar district came three days after the military said it had struck a “fatal blow” against the Tigers by capturing the northwestern town of Vidattaltivu, the main base of the rebels' sea wing. A military spokesman said 48-hour fighting in the area had killed 15 Tamil Tiger rebels for the loss of one soldier. (Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Obama meets President Karzai in Kabul KABUL, July 20 (Reuters): U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama met Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on the second day of his visit to Afghanistan on Sunday, an official from the presidential palace said. “He is in the palace and in the process of meeting Karzai and perhaps having lunch with him,” the palace official said on condition of anonymity. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Pakistan army fights militants in northwest hills KOHAT, Pakistan, July 20 (Reuters) - Pakistani security forces backed by helicopter gunships have killed 15 Taliban militants and captured 60 in an operation that began mid-week in a troubled northwestern town, the military said on Sunday. The operation was launched on Wednesday around Hangu town after militants killed 17 soldiers and abducted 49 paramilitary soldiers and government officials just over a week ago. “The operation is still on. We have successfully cleared the valley and now our troops are fighting militants on the mountains,” spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas said, adding five soldiers had also been wounded in the fighting. He said the operation's goal was to flush out militants from Hangu district, 40 km west of the garrison town of Kohat, but not to extend it into the neighbouring Orakzai tribal region, where most insurgents were believed to have fled. Residents told Reuters by telephone that the military was using heavy artillery and mortars to hit militants' position in the Tora Warai area, about 25 km west of Hangu town. Militants hurled a grenade inside a military cinema in Kohat city on Saturday night, wounding four people, including a 9-year-old boy. Authorities have imposed a curfew in and around Hangu. (Posted @ 12:15 PST)
Air strikes kill nine Afghan police in 'friendly fire' clash HERAT, Afghanistan, July 20 (AFP) - Nine Afghan policemen were killed in international military air strikes called in after troops clashed with police in Farah province late Saturday night, officials said Sunday. The fighting erupted when police and soldiers mistook each other for Taliban militants, deputy provincial governor Mohammad Younus Rasouli said. “The ANA requested air support, and ISAF bombed the police post that killed nine police and injured five police,” he said. The police chief of Farah's Anar Dara district was among the wounded and was in a serious condition, he said. (Posted @ 12:15 PST)
Three killed in Thai Muslim south BANGKOK, July 20 (Reuters) - Militants fired on an army outpost injuring a soldier, and killed three villagers in separate attacks in Thailand's restive Muslim south, police said on Sunday. (Posted @ 11:20 PST)
Cricket-South Africa 322-4 v England 203 at close in 2nd test Headingley, Leeds, July 19 (Reuters) - South Africa were 322 for four at close on the second day in the second test at Headingley on Saturday. Scores: England 203 (Pietersen 45; D.Steyn 4-76, M.Morkel 4-52); South Africa 322 for four ( Prince 134 not out, AB de Villiers 70 not out). (Posted @ 10:30 PST)
Tropical storm leaves 18 dead in Taiwan TAIPEI, July 20 (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Kalmaegi, killed 18 people and injured another eight, while seven are still missing after it hit the island, an official from the National Fire Agency said on Sunday. “Most of the deaths were from the central and southern parts of Taiwan. These people were either washed away by floods or buried in landslides or drowned,” the official told Reuters by telephone. (Posted @ 10:20 PST)
Arab League slams 'unbalanced' ICC prosecutor CAIRO, July 20 (AFP) - The Arab League on Saturday slammed the International Criminal Court's “unbalanced” prosecutor for seeking the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir, saying Sudan's courts should judge alleged Darfur war crimes. Arab foreign ministers stressed “the mandate of Sudan's civil judiciary in achieving justice,” in a resolution following crisis talks in Cairo over how to deal with ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo's request on Monday for Beshir to be arrested on genocide charges. The resolution also criticised Moreno-Ocampo's “unbalanced stance” for asking ICC judges to issue a warrant for Beshir's arrest. “We noted a lack of balance in (Moreno-Ocampo's) report because it contains nothing about the (Darfur) rebel movements and what they've done,” Arab League chief Amr Mussa told journalists following more than seven hours of talks. (Posted @ 10:15 PST)
British PM due for talks in Israel, West Bank JERUSALEM, July 20 (AFP) – British prime minister Gordon Brown flew into Tel Aviv late Saturday on a previously unannounced visit, having made a surprise trip to Baghdad and Basra earlier in the day. He and was due to hold talks with Israel's President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, plus their Palestinian counterparts Mahmud Abbas and Salam Fayyad on Sunday “to discuss the way forward on the peace process and economic reconstruction and development.” “On Monday he will become the first British prime minister to address the Israeli parliament”. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Obama warnings undercut Pakistan government: NWFP governor Ghani PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 20 (AFP) - White House hopeful Barack Obama's threats of US military action against extremist sanctuaries in Pakistan are undermining Islamabad's new government, North West Frontier Province governor Owais Ghani told AFP in an interview late Saturday at his official residence in Peshawar. Any incursion into Pakistan's mountainous northwestern tribal belt bordering Afghanistan would spark “disastrous” consequences for the whole world, he said. “Candidate Obama gave these statements. I come out openly and say such statements undermine support, don't do it,” Ghani said. A spate of US missile strikes in Pakistan on Al-Qaeda and Taliban hideouts in the tribal areas had also inflamed public sentiment against Islamabad's role in the US-led “war on terror,” said Ghani, who oversees anti-militancy policies in NWFP and the adjoining Federally Administered Tribal Areas. “I think they are being shortsighted and they are being unrealistic,” said Ghani referring to Obama and other US officials. “What the allies and the world must understand is that no government, whether political or military, can remain involved in this global war on terrorism unless the majority of public sentiment backs it,” he said. “These strikes are undermining that, but even the statements are, too.” “It would be disastrous,” Ghani said, when asked about the possibility of US action in Pakistan’s tribal belt. “It won't do any good for anybody, not for the world, not to Afghanistan, not to Pakistan.” He warned that not only would Pakistan defend its sovereignty, but that thousands of ethnic Pashtun tribesmen along the border would rise up to expel any foreign troops. “These are fighters, let me tell you,” the governor said. “Superpowers have underestimated them, the British, the Soviets, and I hope nobody makes the same mistake again.” Ghani said the best solution remained Pakistan's long-standing proposal to fence the border. The root causes of the insurgency lay in Afghanistan's political situation, heroin production and in the continuing presence of foreign troops, Ghani said, adding, however, that an Iraq-style “surge” in Afghanistan could work. “If it is accompanied by a parallel political strategy... yes,” he said. “Once it's on that path then they can decide how to disengage.” The governor said Pakistan's policy of negotiations was working, although he insisted that the government was only talking to tribal elders and not to militants. “I tell our allies, 'Look, if you have better ideas, put them on the table,'” he said. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Editor: Abbas Nasir
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