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| March 19, 2006 | Sunday | Safar 18, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Six killed in bomb blast in northwestern Pakistan DERA ISMAIL KHAN, March 19 (Reuters) - A bomb blew up a police vehicle in near the town of Dera Ismail Khan in North West frontier Province on Sunday,killing six people, including three policeman and two paramilitary troops, police said."It was a remote-controlled bomb," Daar Ali Khattak, District Police Officer, told reporters. It blew up the vehicle as it was patrolling. Dera Ismail Khan is close to the troubled South Waziristan tribal region where security forces have been battling with al Qaeda-linked militants and their local supports over the past two years.(Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Film actor Muhammad Ali passes away LAHORE, March 19 (APP): Muhammad Ali, a noted film actor of Lollywood industry died of cardiac arrest at his residence here on Sunday. "Ali died around 1:30 p.m. and the entire family is grieved on his death and we are unable to say much", one of the deceased family members told APP.(Posted @ 17:10 PST)
Two Pakistani soldiers killed in grenade explosion at checkpoint MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan (AP) A grenade exploded at a roadside military post in a restive tribal region in northwestern Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, killing two soldiers,officials said Sunday. The explosion was apparently triggered by accident Saturday near Miran Shah, the main town in North Waziristan, an intelligence official said on condition of anonymity.(Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Indian trooper killed, six wounded in occupied Kashmir grenade attack SRINAGAR, March 19, 2006 (AFP) A paramilitary trooper was killed and six others wounded Sunday when suspected freedom fighters lobbed a grenade at an Indian security patrol in occupied Kashmir, police said.The attack took place in Sopore, 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of Srinagar as a Border Security Force (BSF) unit patrolled a busy intersection, a police spokesman said. Three of the six wounded BSF personnel were in serious condition, the spokesman said adding the area had been cordoned off for search operations. Sunday's attack comes a day after three Indian soldiers and two civilians were wounded by a car bomb blast. The explosion occurred seconds after an army truck that was part of a long convoy passed by a parked vehicle laden with explosives in Srinagar.(Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Pakistan: Dozens of rockets, mortars fired at paramilitary troops QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) _ Suspected tribal militants fired dozens of rockets and mortars at two military posts in southwestern Pakistan on Sunday, but not one was injured, an official said. The 19 mortars and 25 rockets fired in the attack near Kohlu, a tribal town east of Quetta, landed in fields near the posts, said Abdul Raziq Bugti, a spokesman for the provincial government. Soldiers based at the two posts retaliated, firing rockets and AK-47 assault rifles that forced the attackers to retreat to nearby hills, Bugti said. No one claimed responsibility but Bugti blamed local tribesmen for the attack. He did not name anyone. Authorities have blamed ethnic-Baluch tribesmen for attacksagainst security forces, railroads and gas fields in Baluchistan, a southwestern province, in recent years in a campaign to press demands for the central government to increase royalties for resources extracted in their territories. The rockets or mortars fired in the frequent attacks in Baluchistan rarely cause serious damage or injuries because many are often fired from crude, homemade launchers.(Posted @ 23:15 PST)
Moderate earthquake jolts northwestern Pakistan, no reports of injuries ISLAMABAD, March 19 (AP) _ A moderate earthquake rattled Pakistan's capital and parts of the country's northwest Sunday, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, an official said. The magnitude 5 quake was cantered in Hazara Division, about 80 kilometers north of Islamabad, said an official adding that it was an aftershock of last year's Oct. 8 quake that left more than 80,000 people dead and millions of others homeless. Sunday's 7:49 a.m (2:49 GMT) quake was felt in Islamabad, as well as in the hill resort district of Swat and the towns of Balakot and Mansehra in the Hazara Division of the North West Frontier province. A total of 1,784 aftershocks have been recorded since the Oct. 8 quake. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Power supply restored in Dera Bugti QUETTA March 19 (APP): Power supply has been restored in Dera Bugti on Sunday after repair of the affected lines and transformers, said a press release of Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO). The press release said that power supply to the town was disrupted when some miscreants had hit the grid station, transmission lines and transformers with rockets on January, 19, thus damaging the power supply system of the town.(Posted @ 23:50 PST)
Pakistan announces its seriousness in Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline TEHRAN (Iran), Mar 19 (APP): Pakistan Sunday showed its commitment, willingness and seriousness in the project for transfer of Iranian natural gas to India via its territory. Pakistan's Ambassador to Tehran Shafkat Saeed in an interview with IRNA said recent decision by America on the energy issue was its own decision and it has nothing to do with the decision of Pakistan. The ambassador said, "We should not forget that Pakistan-Iran relations are excellent, brotherly and special." He said that even if India ignores the gas pipeline project, Islamabad is ready to implement it with Iran on a bilateral basis. (Posted @ 23:00 PST)
Gunfire reported at Tel Aviv restaurant TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) _ Gunfire broke out at a Tel Aviv restaurant on Sunday, police officials said. There were no details on casualties or the source of the shooting.(Posted @ 22:30 PST)
Suspected suicide attacker killed in explosion near French troops in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) _ A suspected suicide attacker triggered a car bomb near a convoy of French troops Sunday in southern Afghanistan, killing himself but injuring no one else, Afghan officials said.(Posted @ 21:40 PST)
Pakistan gets first medal in weightlifting in Commonwealth Games MELBOURNE, March 19 (APP) Pakistan claimed their first medal in the Commonwealth Games when lifter Muhammad Irfan won a bronze medal in the weightlifting competition here on Sunday. Irfan lifted a total weight of 299 kgs to get the medal in the 77 kgs. Irfan a silver medallists at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, lifted 137kgs in snatch and 162 kgs in clean and jerk to lead the country to its first medal in the Games.(Posted @ 21:10 PST)
Bodies of kidnapped foreign workers found in Afghanistan KABUL, March 19 PPI)Regional authorities in Afghanistan on Sunday confirmed they had found the bodies of four foreign workers who had been recently kidnapped in the country's south. Kandahar Governor Asadullah Khalid said the bodies were discovered idden under brush and sticks in a valley in the Maiwand district.(Posted @ 20:45 PST)
Abbas says will not reject Hamas cabinet list GAZA, March 19 (Reuters) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday he would not reject a cabinet put together by the Islamic group Hamas and expected to submit the list soon to parliament for a vote of confidence. Prime Minister designate-Ismail Haniyeh is expected to present the government list to Abbas around 5.00 p.m. (1500 GMT) in Gaza. Abbas said he yet to see the names. "Today I will meet brother Ismail Haniyeh and we will see the (formation) of the cabinet and after that the legal procedures will take place such as going to the (parliament) and the swearing in," Abbas said at a news conference in Gaza. "Regarding calling on the parliament to convene, it will be very soon."(Posted @ 18:00 PST)
Strong explosion rocks Iraqi holy city KARBALA, Iraq, March 19, (APP/AFP) - A strong explosion rocked the centre of the holy city of Karbala in southern Iraq Sunday as hundred of thousands of Shiite pilgrims gathered for a religious commemoration, witnesses said. The blast occurred near the Imam Hussein shrine but its cause was not immediately known.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
Iraqi president backs U.S.-Iran talks on Iraq BAGHDAD, March 19 (Reuters) President Jalal Talabani supports a call by a Shi'ite leader for Iran and the United States to hold talks to resolve their differences over Iraq and ways of stabilising it, his office said on Sunday. The Iraqi president said the issue of talks was raised during a visit he made to Tehran a few months ago, a statement from his office said, summarising talks he held on Saturday with British Defence Secretary John Reid. "We received primary approval from Iran when I visited a few months ago," the statement quoted Talabani as saying.(Posted @ 17:35 PST)
Suicide bomber killed in attack on coalition convoy in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, March 19, 2006 (AFP) A suicide car-bomber was killed Sunday when he rammed his vehicle into a US-led coalition convoy in southern Afghanistan, a witness and an official said but there were no military casualties. A local police commander in the restive Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province said the convoy comprised several vehicles of French troops operating under the US-led coalition in the region. "No one but the attacker was killed in the explosion. It was a suicide car bomb," the commander who asked not to be named said.(Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Rumsfeld warns Iraq pullout equals turning Germany back to Nazis WASHINGTON, March 19(AFP) - One day after a wave of antiwar protests swept the world, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned a quick US pullout from Iraq will result in terrorists taking it over -- and insisted it would be tantamount to handing Germany back to the Nazis. The warning, issued in an article in Sunday's Washington Post, appeared to contradict his assertions in the very same piece that Iraqi security forces are steadily growing in size, capability and responsibility as they get ready to assume control of the country.(Posted @ 11:30 PST)
China aims to produce 98 million computers in 2006 BEIJING, March 19, 2006 (AFP) - China expects to produce 98 million desktop and laptop computers in 2006, mostly for overseas markets, state media reported Sunday. Of the output forecast for this year, China aims to export 58 million computers, or 59 percent of the total, the Xinhua news agency said, citing the Ministry of Information Industry. Huge Chinese exports have forced computer makers to cut their prices to remain competitive.(Posted @ 11:15 PST)
Moderate earthquake rocks Indonesia's Aceh JAKARTA, March 19, 2006 (AFP) - A 5.7-magnitude earthquake on Sunday rocked the centre of Indonesia's Aceh province but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, meteorologists said. The quake hit at 11:24 am (0421 GMT) and was centred inland, some 33 kilometers under the earth's surface and some 28 kilometers (17 miles) west of Takengon. A massive earthquake off Aceh on December 26, 2004 triggered a tsunami that devastated coastlines around the Indian Ocean and left more than 220,000 people dead.(Posted @ 11:00 PST)
Boxing-Rahman retains WBC crown on majority draw ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey, March 19 (Reuters) - Hasim "The Rock" Rahman retained his World Boxing Council heavyweight title after his 12-round bout against James Toney was ruled a majority draw. Rahman was rated a 117-111 winner by one judge, but the other two had it 114-114 at Boardwalk Hall. (Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Protesters rally in New York on Iraq war anniversary NEW YORK, March 19 (AP) _ Joining their counterparts around the country and the world, demonstrators rallied in Times Square on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, demanding that troops be pulled out.``We say enough hypocrisy, enough lies, our soldiers must come home now,'' said Wael Musfar of the Arab Muslim American Federation. ``Stop the U.S. war machine, from Iraq to Korea to the Philippines,'' participants chanted. ``And free, free, free Palestine and end the occupation.'' (Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Up to 200,000 killed in Islamic insurgency in Algeria since 1992 ALGIERS, March 19 (AP) Up to 200,000 Algerians _ civilians, Islamists and security forces _ have died in the spiral of violence triggered by an Islamic insurgency that started 14 years ago in 1992, the head of the government human rights body Farouk Ksentini said Saturday. The number of dead in the violence have never been clear, but this was the highest estimated toll given by anyone representing the state. Ksentini is the head of the Algerian Consultative Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Fire at Chinese hotel kills five people, injures two BEIJING, March 19 (AP) - A fire at a hotel in China's northeast killed at least five people and injured two. The fire broke out Saturday evening at the Xinqiao Hotel in Yanji, a city on the North Korean border, Xinhua News Agency said. Most of the 40 guests were out at the time of the fire, but firefighters were searching burned hotel rooms early Sunday for additional bodies. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Sharapova wins Indian Wells title INDIAN WELLS, California, March 19 (AFP) - Third-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova defeated fourth-seeded compatriot Elena Dementieva 6-1, 6-2 here Saturday to win the WTA Indian Wells title. Sharapova, the glamour girl who shot to prominence with her precocious Wimbledon victory in 2004, captured her first tournament title since Birmingham last June. (Posted @ 09:35 PST)
Bangladesh PM to visit India, fight against terrorism on agenda DHAKA, March 19 (AFP) - Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia heads Monday for a three-day visit to India where she is expected to discuss all bilateral issues including cross border terrorism, security, trade, transport linkages and water sharing of common rivers. (Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Eight missing after SKorean fishing boat sinks SEOUL, March 19 (AFP) - Eight crew were missing Sunday after a South Korean fishing boat sank off the country's southeastern coast, police said. The boat sank in high seas and strong winds, police said. Patrol ships backed by a helicopter were searching for the 51-tonne boat with its skipper and seven other sailors off Pohang, 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The boat sank in high seas and strong winds early Sunday. (Posted @ 09:25 PST)
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