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| September 18, 2008 | Thursday | Ramazan 17, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (06:00 GMT)
 Fourteen die in Kurram Agency clash Thursday, 18 Sep, PARACHINAR: Fourteen people were killed and 26 others suffered injuries as fresh fierce clashes erupted between rival tribes in Kurram on Thursday. Local people said violent clashes flared up between Turi and Bangash tribes in Pewar Tangi area of Upper Kurram and Mengak, and Aroli areas of lower Kurram. Both sides used heavy weapons against each other, killing 14 and injuring 26 from both tribes. The Turi tribe reportedly attacked Eiddak village and took control of several bunkers of Mangal tribe. Residents have urged the federal government to intervene and rescue the peace-loving people of the area. They said the local administration had failed miserably to control the situation. (Posted @ 23:42 PST)  Bush plans market stabilisation Thursday, 18 Sep, WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush on Thursday expressed concerns about the turmoil in financial markets and said his administration was prepared to go beyond the ‘extraordinary measures’ already taken to strengthen and stabilize them. ‘The American people can be sure we will continue to act to strengthen and stabilize our financial markets and improve investor confidence,’ he told reporters in a brief statement outside the Oval Office at the White House. White House Spokeswoman Dana Perino declined to comment on what possible further steps, if any, were under consideration. In Bush's first remarks on the financial crisis since the rescue by US authorities of insurance giant American International Group, he said the recent steps by his administration and the Federal Reserve were necessary. (Posted @ 23:14 PST) Lawyers movement is in crucial phase, says Aitzaz Thursday, 18 Sep, LAHORE: Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Aitzaz Ahsan has said the lawyers' movement is in a crucial phase as most deposed judges have now taken fresh oaths. Addressing participants at a weekly rally here on Thursday in front of Punjab Assembly, Aitzaz said the judges who took the new oath had in fact accepted their dismissal by Pervez Musharraf on November 3, 2007. He said the lawyers would never accept actions of November 3 or the new oath of the deposed judges. Aitzaz said that so far only 18 deposed judges had refused to take the new oath , adding that lawyers across the country were paying tributes to their struggle for independence of judiciary. (Posted @ 23:02 PST) Kishanganga dam petition adjourned Thursday, 18 Sep, ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing of a writ petition regarding the Government's response to the construction of Kishanganga dam by India and its implications for Pakistan. The single bench of Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Aslam, on Thursday, directed petitioner Kowkab Iqbal advocate, president of Human Rights Society of Pakistan, to make the Ministry of Water and Power party to the case. The next date for hearing is to be fixed later. On August 4, the IHC had directed the petitioner to make the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cabinet Division parties to the case. But the Cabinet Division replied that it had nothing to do with the case and the concerned Ministry of Water and Power should instead be made a party. (Posted @ 22:30 PST) Bush to meet Zardari in New York Thursday, 18 Sep, WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush will meet new Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in New York on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the White House said on Thursday. “The two leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the bilateral relationship and build a long term partnership based on common values,” White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. They will focus on cooperation in fighting terrorism, strengthening the economy and promoting democracy, she said. Tensions have flared recently between Pakistan and the United States over suspected US airstrikes in Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan where Taliban and al Qaeda fighters are suspected of hiding. (Posted @ 22:16 PST) Zardari could face threat from army: thinktank Thursday, 18 Sep, LONDON: Pakistan's new president, Ali Asif Zardari, must make fighting militancy in the border regions with Afghanistan his top priority, a leading thinktank told AFP on Thursday. But he faces a tough job to gain the trust of the army, which could ultimately threaten his government, said the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in its annual review of global geopolitical security. “Zardari's top priority is to fight terrorism and Islamist militancy in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan,” said John Chipman, head of the prestigious London thinktank, launching the Strategic Survey 2008 report. “But the Pakistani army remains unable or unwilling to counter effectively the resurgent Taliban with over 110,000 troops deployed in the area.” (Posted @ 21:44 PST) PHC releases three Russian military officials Thursday, 18 Sep, PESHAWAR: A division bench of Peshawar High Court (PHC) Thursday issued release orders of three Russian military officials who were arrested 11 years back from South Waziristan Agency under section 14 of the Foreigners Act. The two member bench comprising of Chief Justice of PHC, Justice Tariq Pervez and Justice Syed Yahya Zahid Gillani released former Russian military officials including Major Gen Abdur Rashid, Brigadier Rustam and Colonel Murad and directed that they be handed over to Chairman World Prisoners Relief Commission, Ibrahim Paracha, for onward deportation to their homeland. On direction of the court, Ibrahim Paracha, who is also former MNA from Kohat submitted a fine of Rs 5000 each on behalf of the detained prisoners. (Posted @ 21:02 PST) No compromise on terriotorial integrity: PM Thursday, 18 Sep, ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Thursday that the US government had been clearly told that there would be no compromise on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan. Gilani made the remarks at a meeting with the NWFP cabinet, which called on him here on Thursday morning. NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti was present in the meeting. The prime minister said Pakistan would not allow any foreign force to hit targets inside Pakistan because such strikes prove counter-productive. He emphasized upon the need for greater intelligence sharing and better coordination between the security forces of Pakistan, the US, Nato and Isaf. (Posted @ 20:54 PST) Oil rises to over $100 on market rally Thursday, 18 Sep, LONDON: Oil rose to over $100 on Thursday as a move by global central banks to add liquidity to money markets rallied world stocks and the United States energy sector struggles to restart operations shut by Hurricane Ike. US crude was up $2.41 at $99.57 a barrel at 1420 GMT, after touching a high of $102.24 earlier, adding to a $6 gain on Wednesday. London Brent crude rose $2.28 to $97.12 a barrel. The strife on financial markets this week had pushed crude down 10 percent on Monday and Tuesday as investors fled oil for saver havens. The world's top central banks announced on Thursday they would pump more than $180 billion in extra dollar funds into global money markets in a coordinated effort to ease the growing funding squeeze, driving up global stocks and bolstering oil. ‘Most of the big moves at the moment are financial market-related rather than related to the fundamentals. A bit of weakness in the dollar seems to have pushed prices higher right now,’ said Tony Machacek, a broker at Bache Commodities. (Posted @ 20:16 PST) ‘Out-of-court’ settlement with Wapda approved Thursday, 18 Sep, PESHAWAR: The federal government has agreed to an ‘out-of-court’ settlement to a dispute between NWFP and Wapda over payment of Rs 110 billion on account of net hydel profit. This agreement was reached between Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and a special Jirga of NWFP government, which met him in Islamabad on Thursday, said Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the provincial information minister in a statement issued to the press after the meeting. The NWFP cabinet in its meeting on Sept 10 had formed a Jirga headed by Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti with all the provincial ministers as its members to resolve the contentious issue of net hydel profit. During last two decades efforts were made for its resolution, but Wapda always blocked the settlement. (Posted @ 19:38 PST) Panic grips financial markets Thursday, 18 Sep, HONG KONG: Morgan Stanley topped the list of major financial firms scrambling to find a buyer, while central banks rushed in $180 billion of extra liquidity to bring some calm to panicked stock and money markets. Morgan Stanley was discussing a deal with US regional banking powerhouse Wachovia, according to a source familiar with the matter, while CNBC said HSBC Holdings and China's CITIC Group were also eyeing Wall Street's second-largest investment bank. Morgan Stanley shares were up 5 percent in trading before the New York Stock Exchange opened. British bank Lloyds TSB took advantage of the market turmoil to achieve a long-held ambition by scooping up the country's biggest mortgage lender HBOS in a $22 billion all-share deal to end a slump in HBOS shares prompted by fears about its funding. HBOS stock soared 49 percent, while the UK government promised to rewrite competition laws to let the deal go through. (Posted @ 19:26 PST) India PM admits intelligence failings Thursday, 18 Sep, NEW DELHI: The Indian government unveiled new security measures on Thursday after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh admitted to ‘vast gaps’ in intelligence gathering following a spate of bombings in major cities. The cabinet approved proposals to hire 7,000 additional policemen in New Delhi, install closed-circuit television cameras in busy areas and create a research wing in its intelligence agency, Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta told reporters. The measures were announced a day after Singh acknowledged that India had to face up to the growing involvement of home-grown militants in attacks that had previously been blamed almost exclusively on neighbouring Pakistan. (Posted @ 18:54 PST) Former captains seek ICC rule change Thursday, 18 Sep, KARACHI: Former Pakistan captains Ramiz Raja and Intikhab Alam have urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to review its rules to make sure countries do not pick and choose tours. Their demand follows Australia’s decision on government advice to go ahead with their tour of India despite last week’s bomb blasts in New Delhi that killed over 20 people. ‘For Pakistani cricket administrators, players and fans the situation is very frustrating and it is wrong and I think the fault lies with the ICC,’ Raja said on Thursday. ICC rules stipulate hefty fines for teams refusing to tour under its Future Tours Programme (FTP) unless the decision is due to issues beyond the visiting side’s control. (Posted @ 18:48 PST) Security forces clear landmines in Koza Bandi Thursday, 18 Sep, SWAT/MIRAMSHAH: Security forces have taken full control of the Koza Bandi area, also clearing landmines and defusing explosive devices from up to 30 per cent of the region after they started search operations. Troops also bombarded militant hideouts in different areas of tehsil Kabal, in the Swat district, however, no loss of life has been reported so far. Meanwhile, Tehreek-e-Taliban, Swat have released eight of the 13 police personnel, who were abducted by the banned militant outfit on July 29. A spokesman for Tehreek-e-Taliban said the decision to release the eight abducted policemen was taken during the meeting of Majlis-e-Shura and added the fate of the remaining five policemen will also be decided by Majlis-e-Shura. He said it is expected that these security personnel will be released before Eid. (Posted @ 18:16 PST) Afghanistan’s ‘Mission Impossible: 2011’ Thursday, 18 Sep, ISLAMABAD: It may be more of a dream than realistic ambition, but the cricketers of war-torn Afghanistan are about to take the next step on their ‘Mission Impossible 2011’ – playing the globe’s best at the World Cup in three years time. Afghanistan kept alive their dreams of meeting the likes of Australia and India by winning the World Cricket League Division Five in May – beating hosts Jersey by two wickets in a low-scoring final – and are now preparing for the next qualifying stage. From October 4-11, the young Afghans will compete in WCL Division Four against Hong Kong, Italy, Fiji, hosts Tanzania and Jersey. The top two finishers will progress to a six-team WCL Division 3 in Argentina in January. (Posted @ 17:46 PST) China formula scare spreads to ice-cream, yoghurt Thursday, 18 Sep, BEIJING: Hong Kong has ordered the recall of a Chinese company’s products after milk, ice cream and yogurt were found to be contaminated with melamine, the compound responsible for killing four children in a China health scandal. Tainted milk powder produced in China has made thousands ill, and triggered sackings and detentions and rocked public trust already battered by a litany of food safety scares involving tainted eggs, pork and seafood in recent years. Now the scandal has spread to milk, ice-cream and yoghurt ice-bars. Hong Kong ordered the recall of a Chinese company’s products on Thursday after tests found that eight of 30 of its products, including milk drinks, were tainted with melamine. (Posted @ 17:32 PST) Pakistan needs to deal with militants: US Thursday, 18 Sep, WASHINGTON: Militants hiding in the tribal areas are not a threat to Pakistan alone but also to the entire world and Pakistan needs to deal with them, a State Department official said on Wednesday. 'We do make clear that there is an important security interest, not only for the United States and the region but for the globe, regarding the security in those border areas,' State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told a briefing in Washington. 'This is Pakistani territory, Pakistan sovereign territory. So they need to address those issues.' The briefing was held against the background of a missile strike on a village near Angoor Adda in South Waziristan. Pentagon officials also confirmed the media report, attributed to Pakistani military officials, that the missile strike which killed a number of militants and destroyed a container of arms and ammunition was the result of US and Pakistani intelligence sharing. (Posted @ 17:24 PST) Forex reserves drop to $8.91bn, rupee weakens Thursday, 18 Sep, KARACHI: Pakistan’s foreign reserves fell by $190 million to $8.91 billion in the week that ended on September 13, from $9.10 in the previous week, the central bank said on Thursday. The State Bank of Pakistan, said its own reserves fell to $5.52 billion from $5.72 billion previously, while those held by commercial banks rose marginally to $3.39 from $3.38 billion. Some inflows are expected in coming weeks, including $1 billion from the World Bank, $500 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). An expected Saudi oil facility would also help Pakistan save foreign exchange. But all of these have still to materialise. (Posted @ 17:14 PST) Zardari to meet Indian PM in New York Thursday, 18 Sep, ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New York this month, a cabinet minister said on Thursday, for their first talks since Zardari became president. Musharraf managed relations with old rival India for nearly a decade, and since early 2004 he oversaw a peace process between the nuclear-armed neighbours which brought better relations. But ties have become more tense in recent months following a series of violations of a five-year-old ceasefire on their border in the disputed Kashmir region, and a July bomb attack on India's embassy in Kabul that India blamed on Pakistan's spy agency. (Posted @ 17:04 PST) Zardari summons Sindh cabinet members Thursday, 18 Sep, KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari, who returned to Islamabad last night after his private visit to Dubai and London, has summoned Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and his cabinet ministers to Islamabad. Besides the chief minister and PPP ministers, half-a-dozen ministers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and Hyderbad District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil also flew to Islamabad on Wednesday. The rushing of the Sindh cabinet members to the federal capital in the backdrop of President Zardari’s cordial meeting with Altaf Hussain on Tuesday night in London is being termed by analysts an important development amid reports of a reshuffle in the provincial cabinet. Although press reports of the meeting between the two main architects of Gen Pervez Musharraf’s exit from the presidency are silent on the issue of induction of MQM ministers into the federal cabinet and the brewing differences over the exercise of authority between the coalition partners at the provincial level, the summoning of the cabinet shows that all is not well at the Sindh front. (Posted @ 17:00 PST) China formula scare spreads to ice-cream, yoghurt Thursday, 18 Sep, BEIJING: Hong Kong has ordered the recall of a Chinese company’s products after milk, ice cream and yogurt were found to be contaminated with melamine, the compound responsible for killing four children in a China health scandal. Tainted milk powder produced in China has made thousands ill, and triggered sackings and detentions and rocked public trust already battered by a litany of food safety scares involving tainted eggs, pork and seafood in recent years. Now the scandal has spread to milk, ice-cream and yoghurt ice-bars. Hong Kong ordered the recall of a Chinese company’s products on Thursday after tests found that eight of 30 of its products, including milk drinks, were tainted with melamine. (Posted @ 16:30 PST) Former Afghan provincial police chief killed KANDAHAR: Foreign troops killed a former provincial police chief in southern Afghanistan during an overnight clash that also left two of his bodyguards dead, an official said on Thursday. Troops battled with Ruzi Khan Barakzai, the former police chief of Uruzgan province, near the provincial capital of Tirin Kot, said Uruzgan’s deputy police chief Ghulab Khan Wardak. Barakzai was called to a house of his friend, which was surrounded by foreign troops late Wednesday, Wardak said. (Posted @ 16:12 PST) Time for the kill MONSOONS always herald the dreaded return of the deadly dengue mosquito, yet authorities have never failed to deliver an unapologetic repeat performance — a failure to advocate timely precaution that can prevent a yearly epidemic. Reports claim that on Tuesday, as many as 16 new suspected patients of dengue were admitted to various hospitals in Karachi. Unsurprisingly, this year too the figures for dengue victims remain alarming. According to the Sindh health minister, 598 people have been brought to health facilities across the province and 172 have tested positive for the vector-borne virus. Karachi is home to over 60 victims out of which, claims the minister, some 24 have been discharged. Dismal statistics persist despite last year’s 25 dengue deaths with an astounding 3,000 reported incidents of infection. Earlier this year, relevant authorities had expressed fears that the virus may acquire a year-round presence if apt and immediate preventive measures are not adopted. Needless to say, these steps become all the more imperative given that only 20 per cent of the population has access to malarial treatment; the same for dengue. (Posted @ 16:09 PST) Yemen US embassy attack: 25 militants arrested SANAA: A senior security official says at least 25 militants with suspected links to al Qaida have been arrested in connection with Wednesday’s attack on the US Embassy in the Yemeni capital, which killed 16 people but failed to breach the compound’s walls. The Yemeni official said the 25 have been rounded up from various parts of Yemen over the past 24 hours and are being questioned by Yemeni and US investigators. (Posted @ 15:37 PST) Political antics in Punjab Reports of efforts to unsettle the Shahbaz Sharif government in Punjab do not inspire hope of a lasting order based on the principles of democracy and tolerance. The PML-N, which heads the now uneasy coalition in Lahore, is justified in objecting to any moves to destabilise its government. The PPP maintains that it is not planning to stage a coup against Mr Sharif, yet overtures made by PPP men such as Governor Salman Taseer defy the assurances held out by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his party colleagues. The PPP did allow the PML-N to not only take control of Punjab but also consolidate its hold on power. With help from the PML-Q, the PPP could muster the number required to form a government in Punjab after the Feb 18 election. The PPP could in fact have managed to secure for itself the slot of chief minister of Punjab — a title that has eluded the party for more than three decades now. That opportunity was not taken, we were proudly told, in the interest of democracy and national reconciliation. Theoretically, the PPP has no case now for mounting a challenge to the Sharif government in the province since PML-N is by far the biggest party in the Punjab Assembly. Practically, Taseer & Co may have a numerical chance of taking power in Lahore but given the acrimony the act will surely lead to, the party which is in power at the centre may be well advised to refrain from any such adventure. (Posted @ 15:13 PST) An uncertain future There is a growing perception in the West that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), created the Taliban movement in Afghanistan and that the agency still has active Taliban supporters. However, a more realistic point of view is that while the ISI, along with CIA support, helped anti-communist elements during the 1980s war in Afghanistan, to say that they created the Taliban either there or in Pakistan, is not justified. In fact, the heinous crimes of and infighting among Afghanistan’s warlords in the pre-Taliban era fuelled the militancy. There is the well-known incident of the gang-rape of two sisters at the hands of a warlord and his troops in Kandahar. The story of the Taliban is said to have started on the day when students at a madressah administered by Mullah Omar accompanied by a few more orphans from a seminary in a refugee camp in Pakistan freed the sisters after massacring the warlords and his troops. (Posted @ 14:57 PST) Obama no friend of Pakistan During my recent trip to Pakistan, I noticed tremendous excitement about the possibility of Senator Barack Obama winning the presidency. People seem to believe that he would be a friend of Pakistan. There is also a perception that since his middle name is Hussein, he is Muslim. Both views are incorrect. Barack Obama is no more Pakistan’s friend than George Bush or any other president in the past, and perhaps in the future as well. American friendship is based on American national interest, not personal preference of the man occupying the White House. Additionally, despite his Muslim middle name, Obama is a proud Christian and he has emphasised his Christian upbringing and his Christian faith on every occasion he was either asked, or he felt the need to explain it. Even his presidential website clearly elaborates that Obama is not Muslim. (Posted @ 14:39 PST) Suspected suicide bombers killed in Dir SWAT: Two suspected suicide bombers blew themselves up in Upper Dir on Thursday after residents prevented their entry into the area, police said. The militants from Swat valley entered into the nearby town of Upper Dir but people from the area chased them away, a local police officer told AFP. (Posted @ 13:57 PST) US did not warn of missile strike: Qureshi ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Thursday Pakistan was not warned about a suspected US missile strike in the northwest that came amid American assurances that it respects the sovereignty of its anti-terror ally. The suspected strike killed six people on Wednesday in a South Waziristan village. (Posted @ 13:33 PST) 85,000 to perform Haj under govt scheme ISLAMABAD, Sept 17: The names of about 85,000 people were selected through computerised balloting on Wednesday who will perform Haj under the government scheme. Adviser to Prime Minister on Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi pressed the button for the computerised balloting in the presence of intending pilgrims and media personnel. Ministry of Religious Affairs’ secretary Najeebullah Malik and senior officials were also present. (Posted @ 13:25 PST) US Senate passes $612 bln defence spending bill WASHINGTON: The U.S. Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a $612.5 billion defence spending bill for fiscal 2009, including $70 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Passed on an 88-8 vote, the measure would authorise $103.9 billion for Pentagon procurement, $1.2 billion more than President George W. Bush's request. Overall, Bush had asked for $611.1 billion for national defense. (Posted @ 12:46 PST) Drone attack belies Mullen’s assurance: Six killed in SWA WANA / ISLAMABAD: Hours after the American military commander had assured Pakistan’s political and military leadership that the United States would respect the country’s sovereignty, missiles were fired from US drones on a house in South Waziristan, killing six people and injuring three others. The unmanned aircraft which entered the tribal area from Afghanistan fired four missiles on the house in a village near Angoor Adda which is close to an allied forces’ base across the border. The same area had recently experienced an attack by US commandos. (Posted @ 12:02 PST) Israeli FM wins party vote to succeed Olmert TEL AVIV: Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni narrowly won a Kadima party leadership vote, putting her on track to succeed scandal-plagued Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as head of the government, it was announced Thursday. After a race that became ever tighter as the count continued, Livni finally got 43.1 percent of the vote against Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz's 42 percent, winning by just 431 votes, the central electoral commission said. (Posted @ 10:56 PST) US charges 16 people, companies for Iran 'military' exports WASHINGTON: The US has charged eight people and eight companies with illegally exporting to Iran US products that can be used to make bombs and for military purposes, the Justice Department said Wednesday. Under 13 charges, the 16 were accused of purchasing and exporting to Iran “dual use” commodities with military applications, such as parts used in improvised explosive devices. (Posted @ 10:01 PST) Bank of Japan injects $14.4 billion into money markets TOKYO: The Bank of Japan said Thursday it had injected 1.5 trillion yen (14.4 billion dollars) into money markets as financial markets saw more turbulence. This was the third consecutive day the Japanese central bank has made an emergency offer of funds. (Posted @ 08:25 PST) 5 US soldiers die in helicopter landing in Iraq BAGHDAD: The U.S. military said five American soldiers had been killed when a helicopter went down in southern Iraq. A U.S. statement said the CH-47 Chinook helicopter made a ''hard landing'' shortly after midnight Thursday about 96 kilometers west of Basra. (Posted @ 08:14 PST) Pakistan may petition World Bank over Chenab dispute New Delhi: A water dispute between India and Pakistan over reduced flow in the Chenab river has escalated amid threats to seek World Bank intervention on the grounds that New Delhi has not responded to Pakistan's “repeated complaints,” PPI reported. “Pakistan knows very well that water level of Chenab falls during month of September. This is not a recent occurrence but has been happening for many, many years,” an Indian official responded, according to PPI. (Posted @ 05:50 PST) CIA using missile strikes to 'tickle' terrorists WASHINGTON: The Central Intelligence Agency is using strikes against enemy targets to learn how the groups respond when attacked, the agency's director said Wednesday. Speaking at the Air Force Association's annual conference, Michael Hayden said the clandestine agency is trying to 'tickle' enemy groups to provoke a reaction, often with missile strikes targeting just an individual. (Posted @ 05:22 PST) Bangladesh rebel players face 10-year ban DHAKA: Bangladesh will ban rebel players from playing for the country for 10 years if they participate in any unofficial tournament, its cricket board said on Wednesday. 'The decision will be equally effective for contracted players or coaches if they participate in any cricket event having no approval of the ICC (International Cricket Council) or the BCB,' Major-General Sina Ibn Jamali told reporters. (Posted @ 04:46 PST) BLA takes responsibility for triple rocket attack in Quetta Quetta: The Baloch provincial capital of Quetta was rocked by three rocket attacks on Tuesday for which the Baloch Liberation Army has taken responsibility. “First powerful blast occurred near Chaman Housing Society area at Iftar time,” police sources said. (Posted @ 04:24 PST) United held as Juventus and Real win LONDON: Villarreal held defending champion Manchester United to a 0-0 Champions League draw and a referee sent off the wrong player in Aalborg's goalless tie at Celtic. On another night of surprises and comebacks, Arsenal snatched a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Dynamo Kiev and Lyon hit back from two goals down with 17 minutes to go to draw 2-2 with Fiorentina. (Posted @ 04:19 PST) Six killed in Gujranwala paper mill fire LAHORE: Six labourers were killed, and at least 40 injured after a fire broke out at a paper mill in Gujuranwala, rescue officials said. (Posted @ 04:06 PST) South African cricket president resigns CAPE TOWN, South Africa: The president of Cricket South Africa resigned Wednesday, citing tensions over his efforts to reach out to black players and fans 14 years after the end of apartheid. Norman Arendse announced his resignation to reporters in Cape Town, the South African Press Association reported. His three year term was to have ended in 2010. (Posted @ 03:48 PST) Livni to take over Kadima party TEL AVIV: Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni appeared to have cruised to victory on Wednesday in an election to succeed Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as leader of the ruling Kadima party, exit polls by major broadcasters showed. Two polls gave Livni at least a 10-point lead over Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz and 7 to 9 points above a 40-percent threshold to secure outright victory in the four-person first round without a run-off ballot. (Posted @ 03:16 PST) Karachi Stocks down 13.92 points: KARACHI, Sep 18: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 9202.31, down 13.92 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:30 PST) Forex update: KARACHI, Sep 18: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 77.8 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:30 PST)
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