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| November 06, 2008 | Thursday | Ziqa'ad 7, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Oil tumbles below $62 on recession fears Thursday, 06 Nov, HOUSTON: Oil prices tumbled below $62 a barrel Thursday with more evidence that a long and painful recession may be on the way in the United States. The number of Americans continuing to draw unemployment benefits surged to a 25-year high, the Labor Department said. Light, sweet crude for December delivery fell more than 6 per cent, or $4.08, to $61.22 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil prices have fallen about 56 per cent since peaking at $147.27 a barrel in mid-July. They surged above $70 Tuesday as Americans elected Barack Obama their first black president, but a crude sell-off began Wednesday, when prices dipped 7.4 per cent. (Posted @ 21:49 PST)
Latif rescinds resignation to remain NCA coach Thursday, 06 Nov, ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif withdrew his resignation as wicketkeeping coach of the National Cricket Academy on Thursday after the cricket board denied appointing Salim Malik as head coach of the academy. A court last month lifted a life ban on Malik imposed for involvement in match-fixing, allowing him to resume his involvement in cricket. Latif had given evidence to the initial PCB-commissioned inquiry that recommended a life ban for Malik. (Posted @ 20:38 PST)
Rupee, stocks flat as traders seek clarity Thursday, 06 Nov, KARACHI: Pakistan's rupee ended flat in dull trade on Thursday and dealers said they were awaiting clarity on any help from Saudi Arabia and on the possibility of a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Pakistan is facing a balance-of-payments crisis and needs $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion quickly to fill a financing gap. President Asif Ali Zardari and the government's top economic official, Shaukat Tarin, travelled to Saudi Arabia this week seeking help, including deferred payments for crude oil. (Posted @ 19:32 PST)
Tendulkar boosts India with 40th ton Thursday, 06 Nov, NAGPUR:Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar smashed his 40th century to put India in a healthy position in the fourth and final Test against Australia here on Thursday. The hosts reached 311-5 at stumps on the opening day with Tendulkar (109) putting on 146 for the fourth wicket with Venkatsai Laxman, who made a solid 64 in his 100th Test. Sourav Ganguly, playing his final Test, was unbeaten on 27 with new captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on four not out. India looked in trouble when they slipped from 98 without loss to 116-3 in the morning session, with debutant off-spinner Jason Krejza (3-138) grabbing two wickets and seamer Shane Watson one. (Posted @ 19:03 PST)
Pakistan sets death penalty for 'cyber terrorism' Thursday, 06 Nov, ISLAMABAD: Causing death through 'cyber terrorism' will be punishable by death in Pakistan, according to a decree issued by President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday, Reuters reported. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes law will be applicable to anyone who commits a crime detrimental to national security through the use of a computer or any other electronic device, the government said in the ordinance. 'Whoever commits the offence of cyber terrorism and causes death of any person shall be punishable with death or imprisonment for life,' according to a copy of the ordinance, published by the state-run APP news agency. (Posted @ 18:22 PST)
Petraeus: Airstrikes targeting top militants Thursday, 06 Nov, BAGRAM AIR BASE: US missile strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas in recent months have killed three of the top 20 extremist leaders there, causing a blow to insurgents threatening Pakistan's very existence, the chief of US Central Command told AP on Wednesday. Gen David H. Petraeus said controversial airstrikes launched into Pakistan's unruly tribal areas in the last three months were a topic of conversation with every Pakistani leader he met this week. Pakistani leaders have criticized the missile strikes as a violation of their sovereignty. (Posted @ 18:06 PST)
Four Taliban swapped for 10 troops: officials Thursday, 06 Nov, PESHAWAR: Pakistani authorities on Thursday freed an important Taliban commander and three other rebels after the militants released 10 security officials in a northwestern town, local officials said. The swap was negotiated by tribal elders in restive Hangu district, local government official Khan Afzal said. He said the authorities released Pakistani Taliban commander Maulana Rafiuddin with three of his men after the Taliban agreed to release three army soldiers and seven paramilitary troops. (Posted @ 18:01 PST)
Blast kills at least four in Russian region Thursday, 06 Nov, MOSCOW: A blast in the southern Russian region of North Ossetia killed at least four people on Thursday, Itar-Tass news agency reported, citing a reporter at the scene. Tass said a bus exploded in the centre of the region's main city, Vladikavkaz. The news agency gave no more details. Russia's RIA news agency quoted the local interior ministry as saying six people had died in the blast, but it said casualty figures were still being clarified. (Posted @ 17:24 PST)
US responds to Iraq's proposals on US troops Thursday, 06 Nov, BAGHDAD: The US officially responded Thursday to Iraqi proposals for changes in the draft security pact that would keep American troops here three more years, Iraqi officials said. Iraqi lawmakers have said those changes are essential if parliament is to approve the agreement by the year-end deadline. Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told The Associated Press that the response had been received. He gave no further details and declined to characterize the US reply. (Posted @ 16:36 PST)
NATO air strike kills seven civilians in Afghanistan Thursday, 06 Nov, HERAT, Afghanistan: Seven civilians and 15 insurgents were killed in northwest Afghanistan in the second air attack this week by international forces, officials said on Thursday. Police said a convoy of NATO troops, Afghan police and army forces was returning from a search operation in the Ghormach district of Badghis province Wednesday when they were ambushed by Taliban militants and returned fire. The battle went on for hours. NATO troops called in air support which bombed compounds in the area, killing seven civilians and 15 Taliban,' district governor Abdullah Waqif told AFP. (Posted @ 16:06 PST)
Pakistan expects US to supply $200 mln of wheat Thursday, 06 Nov, ISLAMABAD: The United States is expected to supply Pakistan with white wheat worth $200 million on deferred payments, a government official said on Thursday, as the cash-starved country struggles with a balance-of-payment crisis. “Negotiations have been completed and we are waiting for the official communication,” said a Food Ministry official, who declined to be identified. “Initial negotiations were for $100 million worth of wheat on deferred payments, but the amount has been increased to $200 million. Payments will be deferred for two years,” he said. (Posted @ 15:39 PST)
Rice heads to Mideast in latest push for peace Thursday, 06 Nov, JERUSALEM: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice headed to Tel Aviv on Thursday on her latest push for Middle East peace, as Israel called for an extension of the Gaza truce despite an outbreak of violence. During her visit to Israel and the West Bank, followed by trips to Jordan and Egypt, Rice will push for agreement on the outlines of Israeli-Palestinian peace before President George W. Bush hands over the US presidency to Barack Obama on January 20. (Posted @ 15:18 PST)
India deploys troops to scuttle Kashmir protests Thursday, 06 Nov, SRINAGAR: Thousands of troops were deployed in Indian-administered Kashmir on Thursday to prevent a protest rally called by separatist leaders against New Delhi's rule in the Muslim-majority region. “Heavy deployment has been made in Srinagar and other major towns of the valley to foil the separatist rally,” a police official told AFP. Protesters had planned to march to an important mosque in downtown Srinagar, but awoke to tight security with heavily-armed police manning street corners and checking vehicles. (Posted @ 13:58 PST)
S. Korean police hold Pakistanis over Taliban link Thursday, 06 Nov, SEOUL: South Korean police said on Thursday they have arrested five Pakistanis over illegal cash transfers worth millions of dollars, including payments from Afghanistan’s Taliban for materials for heroin production. The five are accused of operating two ‘hawala’ money transfer networks in South Korea since 2005, police said, adding that 53 other hawala brokers including Koreans have been charged but not detained. (Posted @ 13:20 PST)
Pakistan must move on after losing Yousuf: Intikhab Thursday, 06 Nov, KARACHI: Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has criticised experienced batsman Mohammad Yousuf for joining the unofficial Indian Cricket League T20 competition. Yousuf, 34, has been banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board. He averaged an impressive 55.49 in 79 tests and 43.18 in 269 one-dayers. “Yousuf has been the backbone of the middle order batting but since he is no longer eligible to play for Pakistan, we must look ahead and groom a replacement,” Alam told reporters. (Posted @ 13:10 PST)
Bill Clinton may be named envoy on Kashmir Thursday, 06 Nov, WASHINGTON: President-elect Barack Obama may appoint former president Bill Clinton as a special envoy on Jammu and Kashmir, says a New York-based ethnic newspaper. In an interview with the ‘Time’ magazine last week, Mr Obama said he has sounded out Mr Clinton, who has had first-hand experience dealing with the sub-continent. When asked specifically about Mr Clinton playing a role in redefining Pakistan’s relations with India, he said: 'Might not be bad. I actually talked to Bill, I talked to President Clinton about this when we had lunch' at Harlem in New York recently. (Posted @ 13:07 PST)
Twin blasts in Baghdad kill four, wound seven Thursday, 06 Nov, BAGHDAD: Police say four people were killed and seven others wounded when two roadside bombs exploded during the morning rush hour near a checkpoint in central Baghdad. A security official says Thursday’s attack in the capital’s Sunni enclave of Sheik Omar occurred at a checkpoint manned by members of an Awakening Council. Awakening Council is the term for mostly Sunni groups that have joined forces with the Americans against al-Qaida in Iraq. (Posted @ 12:13 PST)
Debutant Krejza strikes in final Test Thursday, 06 Nov, NAGPUR: Debutant off-spinner Jason Krejza grabbed two big wickets in three overs to lead Australia’s fightback in the fourth and final Test against India here on Thursday. India were strongly placed at 98 without loss before slipping to 122-3 at lunch on the opening day, with Krejza taking two wickets and seamer Shane Watson one on a good batting pitch. (Posted @ 11:55 PST)
Rockets hit airport, power line bombed in Peshawar Thursday, 06 Nov, PESHAWAR: Suspected Taliban militants fired rockets at the airport and blew up the main electricity transmission line in northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, officials said Thursday. A rocket hit the runway of Peshawar airport and two others exploded in the surrounding area at about 1:00 am (2000 GMT Wednesday) damaging the runway slightly, police official Dost Mohammad told AFP. This is the third time this week that rockets fired by suspected Taliban militants have hit the airport, which also houses the main airforce base. (Posted @ 11:36 PST)
Taiwan president says China deals beneficial Thursday, 06 Nov, TAIPEI: Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said Thursday that historic deals with China to draw the formerly bitter enemies closer economically do not compromise the island's sovereignty. Amid widespread protests against business deals signed earlier this week that are potentially worth billions of dollars to the island, Ma said Taiwan's position as a democratic and autonomous entity had not been compromised. (Posted @ 11:33 PST)
Jigme Wangchuck crowned new king in Bhutan Thursday, 06 Nov, THIMPHU: The new king of the isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan was crowned on Thursday in a lavish coronation ceremony, taking over as head of state of the world's newest democracy. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, a 28-year-old Oxford-educated bachelor, is the fifth hereditary king of the landlocked Buddhist nation and also becomes the world's youngest reigning monarch. (Posted @ 10:44 PST)
Chavez takes over biggest gold mine in Venezuela Thursday, 06 Nov, CARACAS: Venezuela will take over and nationalize Las Cristinas, the biggest gold mine in the country owned by Canada's Crystallex, Mining Minister Rodolfo Sanz said Wednesday. The move is part of leftist President Hugo Chavez's socialist agenda that calls for nationalizing Venezuela's natural resources. Over the past year, Chavez has taken over the electricity, oil, steelmaking, cement and telephone enterprises. ‘This mine will be seized and managed by a state administration,’ Sanz said in a statement. (Posted @ 09:27 PST)
Explosion hits Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline Thursday, 06 Nov, ANKARA: An explosion ripped through a pipeline carrying oil from Iraq to southern Turkey late on Wednesday, causing a large spill, Anatolia news agency reported. The blast occurred in a section of the pipeline in the mainly Kurdish province of Sanliurfa in southeast Turkey, Anatolia said, adding that initial findings blamed the incident on an abrupt change of pressure in the network. Separatist Kurdish rebels, active in the region, have in the past bombed the twin pipeline, which runs from the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan and has a capacity to carry some 70 million tonnes of crude a year. (Posted @ 09:16 PST)
India choose to bat first in final Test Thursday, 06 Nov, NAGPUR: New India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni elected to bat after winning the toss against Australia in the fourth and final Test here on Thursday. India lead the series 1-0 following their 320-run victory in the second Test in Mohali. The matches in Bangalore and Delhi were drawn. The hosts made two changes from the side that played the previous Test, bringing in debutant batsman Murali Vijay and fit-again spinner Harbhajan Singh in place of retired Anil Kumble and banned Gautam Gambhir. (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Juventus complete Real rout, Celtic-United draw Thursday, 06 Nov, LONDON: Juventus joined Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon in the knockout round of the Champions League on Wednesday after two goals by Alessandro Del Piero gave the Italian team a 2-0 victory at Real Madrid. Defending champions Manchester United are almost through following Ryan Giggs’ 84th-minute header in a 1-1 draw at Celtic. But two more group leaders, Bayern Munich and Arsenal, were also held to draws and still have work to do from their final two matches. (Posted @ 07:58 PST)
Tendulkar rested for first three England one-dayers Thursday, 06 Nov, NAGPUR: Sachin Tendulkar has been rested for the first three matches of a seven-match one-day series against England starting at Rajkot on Nov 14. 'Considering the hectic schedule ahead and the amount of cricket he has already played this season, Sachin Tendulkar requested that he be rested for the first three ODIs,' an Indian board statement said on Wednesday. Indian selectors named a 15-man squad for the matches at Rajkot, Indore (Nov 17) and Kanpur (Nov 20) with Murali Vijay the only new face. (Posted @ 05:15 PST)
Protest launched against the Zardaris Thursday, 06 Nov, SANGHAR: Dozens of people belonging to Chakrani tribe staged a protest against the Zardaris here on Wednesday. They were carrying dead body of a woman, Hazooran 40, wife of Dhani Bux Chakrani. The protesting Chakranis blocked Mirpurkhas road in front of a local press club. (Posted @ 05:12 PST)
Child abuse cases on the rise in Pakistan: Report Thursday, 06 Nov, SUKKUR: Incidents of child abuse were on constant rise in Pakistan and 992 children including 304 boys and 688 girls were subjected to sexual abuse from January 2008 to June 2008 and according to the figure 5 children were facing sexual abuse every day in the country. Khadim Hussain Dahot coordinator referral unit SAHIL disclosed this, while addressing a press conference in Sukkur press club, on Wednesday evening. Legal advisor of SAHIL advocate Hadi Bux Bhat was also present on the occasion. (Posted @ 04:04 PST)
Obama victory met with urgent calls, feeble market Thursday, 06 Nov, NEW YORK: US President-elect Barack Obama stepped into his new role on Wednesday facing calls for urgent action to stem the global financial crisis as he was hit with gloomy news about US jobs and the service sector. A day after his historic election as America's first black president, Obama heard a chorus of congratulations from around the world but also warnings about the creeping global recession that will crowd the top of his agenda along with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Posted @ 03:50 PST)
Rice tries to preserve Mideast peace talks Thursday, 06 Nov, WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flies to the Middle East Wednesday to set the stage for future Israeli-Palestinian peace talks that both sides acknowledge will not produce an agreement this year. The decision to hold an Israeli election in three months has effectively killed US President George W. Bush's goal of securing a peace deal this year to end the six-decade conflict. (Posted @ 03:28 PST)
Tribesmen asked to expel militants and vacate houses Thursday, 06 Nov, GHALANAI: Tension gripped the Mohmand tribal region after the government asked the tribesmen to expel militants and vacate houses ahead of likely military action. Exodus has started from Anbar sub division of the region and displaced people were heading towards Peshawar, Mardan and other areas to avoid military operation, local people said. (Posted @ 03:09 PST)
PM announces compensation for quake victims Thursday, 06 Nov, ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday announced Rs300,000 for the dead and Rs100,000 for injured of the recent earthquake in Ziarat, and Pishin, Balochistan. The Prime Minister would personally distribute the compensation to the quake affected families during his visit to the calamity-hit province. It is in addition to Rs200,000 for dead and Rs50,000 for injured announced by the President Asif Ali Zaradri. (Posted @ 02:06 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Editor: Abbas Nasir
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