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| April 28, 2006 | Friday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 29, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Musharraf says he's no U.S. "poodle" LONDON, April 28 (Reuters/Guardian Website) President Pervez Musharraf has rejected accusations he is a Western "poodle", saying his fight against militants is for his country's benefit, not for the United States or Britain. In an interview with Britain's Guardian newspaper on Friday, he said "I have enough strength of my own to lead.” Asked if he had the "teeth" to bite back at his Western allies, Musharraf said: "Yes sir, I personally do a lot of teeth. Sometimes the teeth do not have to be shown. Pragmatism is required in international relations." On the Bajaur incident in January which killed 18 civilians, he said: "The strike was an infringement of our sovereignty and I condemned it." Gen Musharraf pledged to hold free and fair elections next year. "It is ironic that I'm sitting in uniform talking of democracy ... but to bring democracy into Pakistan I thought I needed it," he said. He admitted to feeling embattled, adding that there was a growing problem of "Talibanisation" in Waziristan. "Extremism in a Talibanised form is what people are now going for. Mullah Omar and the Taliban have influence in Waziristan and it's spilling over into our settled areas," he said. He also defended his tactic of using military force instead of negotiation to quell the violence and said some collateral damage was inevitable when militants' hideouts were attacked. " If someone happens to be very close to [the target], that somebody is an abetter and they suffer the loss. Sometimes, indeed, women and children have been killed but they have been right next to the place. It's not that the strike was inaccurate but they happen to be there, so therefore they are all supporters and abetters of terrorism - and therefore they have to suffer. It's bad luck," he said. He also played down the unrest in Balochistan. He described the rebels as "mercenaries" and their attacks as "pin pricks", and said the disturbances were confined to one-twentieth of the province's area. "So what revolt are you talking about? People talk about an East Pakistan situation," he said, referring to the secession of Bangladesh in 1971. "I understand strategy. These people are pygmies." Gen Musharraf said his mission was to democratise Pakistan. "My popularity has gone down ... but at this moment my country needs me. I've put a strong constitutional democratic system in place. That will throw up a successor. I'm a strong believer in democracy." (First Posted@9:50 PST Updated@ 10:25 PST)
Indian PM to hold talks with Kashmir separatists next week NEW DELHI, April 28 (AFP) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold a second round of direct one-day talks in New Delhi on May 3 with the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, spokesman Sanjaya Baru said Friday. Singh, during the first round of talks last September, had promised to cut the number of troops in occupied Kashmir if militant violence dipped. He also said he would review cases of people held in various prisons. In Srinagar, moderate factions of the Hurriyat accepted Singh's invitation. "We will be going and talking to the prime minister," Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads the moderate faction of the APHC, told AFP. Farooq said the constituents of the Hurriyat would meet Monday for a common programme for the upcoming talks in New Delhi. "Our agenda is clear. We will discuss Kashmir and how to resolve it," said Farooq, who is also the head priest of Kashmir's main Jamia Masjid . Farooq led the Hurriyat in the September talks, but stayed away from another set of "roundtable" talks in February arguing it was premature to hold such discussions as talks between India, Pakistan and Kashmiris had "made no headway." The second roundtable is slated to be held in Srinagar on May 25. More than 44,000 people have died in the freedom struggle, according to official figures, while separatists say the toll is at least double. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)
China unveils new generation of fighter plane BEIJING, April 28 (Reuters) China successfully flew a new generation of its home-built Xiaolong fighter plane on Friday, marking what state media called a step forward in China's military modernisation. Four Xiaolong or "Fierce Dragon" FC-4 fighters took off for trial flights in Chengdu where China Aviation Industry Corporation has developed the plane using local technology, the official China News Agency reported.Industry reports have said the aircraft is unlikely to be used by China's own air force. But Pakistan plans to buy eight of the planes late this year or early next, according to the China News Agency.(Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Indian engineer kidnapped in southern Afghanistan KABUL, April 28, 2006 (AFP) - An Indian engineer working for an Afghan mobile phone contractor has been kidnapped in southern Afghanistan, several independent sources said Friday. The engineer was abducted in Sharjoy district in the restive province of Zabul, a local official said on condition of anonymity. "One person has been kidnapped," the provincial spokesman Gulan Shah Alikhil told AFP, refusing to give any more information. The engineer was working for the Afghan mobile phone contractor Roshan, sources said. (Posted @ 23:55 PST)
Iran insists IAEA report contains 'no negative points' TEHRAN, April 28, 2006 (AFP) - Iran insisted Friday that a International Atomic Energy Agency report on its nuclear programme contained "no negative points" and argued the issue should not be taken up by the Security Council. "The entire report contains no negative points," Mohammad Saidi, the deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, told state television. "This shows that the IAEA has the capacity to examine Iran's case. The path that other countries want to take, so that the case is examined elsewhere, is a bad way to go," he added. (Posted @ 23:35 PST)
Common aim to convince Iran on nuclear issue: Bush WASHINGTON, April 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Friday the international community wants to peacefully persuade Tehran to give up its nuclear ambitions, but added Iran's intransigence is unacceptable. He spoke after a report circulated by IAEA said Tehran had ignored a U.N. Security Council call to suspend all nuclear fuel enrichment and had accelerated the program. "The Iranian government's intransigence is not acceptable,"Bush said to reporters at the White House. He said "diplomatic options are just beginning" and added Washington would continue to consult with its allies on the issue. (Posted @ 23:05 PST)
Afghan forces detain 10 Taliban after firefight KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, April 28 (AFP) - Afghan forces detained 10 suspected Taliban after a firefight Friday in the country's restive Kandahar province, officials said. At least one Afghan soldier was slightly wounded in the fighting in Panjwai district when Afghan National Army troops and police supported by US-led coalition forces surrounded a Taliban hideout during an operation to clear rebels from the area, military commander General Rehmatullah Raufi said. (Posted @ 22:00 PST)
Swedish foreign minister warns any military strike on Iran would have catastrophic effects HELSINKI, Finland, April 28 (AP) _ Swedish Foreign Minister Jan Eliasson, who is also president of the United Nations General Assembly, on Friday stressed the importance of curbing the spread of nuclear weapons, but warned that any military action against Iran would have``catastrophic consequences.''``It's very important that we work against the spread of nuclear weapons ... and that (Iran) cooperates with the IAEA. But, at the same time, we want to express the strongest wish that everything possible is done to find a peaceful, political solution,'' Eliasson said during a brief visit to Helsinki. ``A military development in the question of Iran could have catastrophic consequences both politically and economically,'' said Eliasson. (Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Protest demonstration against Indian state terrorism in Bandipora ISLAMABAD, Apr 28 (APP): In occupied Kashmir, forceful demonstration was held in Bandipora against Indian state terrorism. Thousands of people mostly women and children, took to the streets and protested against atrocities, ransacking of the houses and killing of a Kashmiri policeman by troops of 5-Jat Regiment at in Bandipora, PTV reported. (Posted @ 20:45 PST)
Pak-China energy forum a significant milestone in mutual cooperation ISLAMABAD, April 28 (APP): The Pakistan-China Energy Forum (April 25-27) was a `significant milestone' in identifying and enhancing areas of mutual cooperation in the energy sector." It also reflected the time-tested and multi-faceted relationship between Pakistan and China", a Foreign Office spokesperson said Friday. The MoU signed on April 27 identified areas for bilateral cooperation, namely,(a) accelerate oil and gas exploration activity in Pakistan,(b) Initiate studies to build an energy corridor for China to access the oil and gas resources of the Central and Western Asia including the development of oil refining and storage in the coastal areas of Pakistan. (c) Exploit Pakistan's coal and lignite resources for increasing domestic energy supplies and for power generation through cleaner coal technologies.(d) Promote development of renewable anergy resources.(e) Capacity building in hydrocarbon research and development.(f) Encourage private sectors as well as financial institutions of both countries to participate in the energy cooperation for realizing joint venture and investments. (Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Bush: solve Iran issue diplomatically, peacefully WASHINGTON, April 28 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Friday he wanted to solve the Iran nuclear issue diplomatically and peacefully. Speaking after a meeting with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, Bush said:L "I assured the president of my desire tosolve this problem diplomatically and peacefully." (Posted @ 20:20 PST)
Five oil tanks explode as lightning hits Malaysian port KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (AFP) - Five fuel tanks holding petrol and natural gas exploded at a major oil facility in Malaysia's southern Johor state after being struck by lightning, officials said Friday. "The fire is still blazing, but we're working to prevent it from spreading," an official said adding that no casualties were reported. (Posted @ 20:15 PST)
Hyundai Motor head arrested over slush fund scandal SEOUL, April 28 (AFP) - Hyundai Motor Group head Chung Mong-Koo was arrested and thrown into a prison Friday on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust following a month-old probe into a slush fund scandal. Earlier on Friday, a Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for Chung as requested by the prosecution. "The accused keeps denying the charges and therefore, there is the possibility of the accused trying to go into hiding or destroying evidence," the judge said of the reasons why he decided to issue the warrant. (Posted @ 20:10 PST)
Iran may have received plutonium from abroad: IAEA VIENNA, April 28 (AFP) - The UN nuclear agency is unable to rule out that Iran may have received plutonium, which is an atomic weapons material, from abroad, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report Friday. "The agency cannot exclude the possibility notwithstanding the explanations provided by Iran that the plutonium analysed by the agency was derived from sources other than the ones declared by Iran," namely domestic experiments, the report said. (Posted @ 20:05 PST)
Security Council gets IAEA report on Iran UNITED NATIONS, April 28 (AFP) - The UN Security Council has received the International Atomic Energy Agency report on Iran, council president Wang Guangya told reporters Friday. (Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Iran has failed to stop enriching uranium - IAEA VIENNA, April 28 (AFP) - Iran has failed to comply with a UN deadline to halt uranium enrichment, UN nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei said in a report Friday that opens the door to possible international sanctions. The report said the IAEA had taken samples on April 13 at Iran's enrichment facility in Natanz "which tend to confirm as of that date the enrichment level declared by Iran." (Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Iran not giving full nuclear cooperation - IAEA VIENNA, April 28 (AFP) - Iran has failed to fully cooperate with UN inspectors trying to determine if Tehran's nuclear program is peaceful or weapons-related, the UN atomic chief reported Friday as a deadline fell. (Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Iran offers to provide timetable for nuclear cooperation: IAEA VIENNA, April 28 (AFP) - Iran has offered to provide a timetable for cooperation with UN nuclear inspectors if the UN nuclear agency, rather than the Security Council, oversees Iranian compliance, the UN agency said Friday. (Posted @ 20:00 PST)
11,000 terror attacks, 14,600 deaths last year: US WASHINGTON, April 28 (AFP) - Some 11,000 terrorist attacks were carried out in the world last year, killing more than 14,600 people, the majority of them in Iraq, the US government reported Friday. The figures in the annual State Department report were sharply higher than the 651 attacks and 1,907 deaths registered in 2004 but were due to the use of a new broader definition of terrorism, the document said. It said Iraq accounted for just over 30 percent (3,500) of the 11,000 terrorist attacks worldwide and 55 percent (8,300) of the more than 14,600 deaths. The department's "Country Reports on Terrorism 2005" also said the number of suicide attacks rose in several countries and caused more than a fifth (3,000) of all fatalities across the globe. (Posted @ 19:40 PST)
Ten killed, eight injured in fire at east China workers' dormitory BEIJING, April 28 (AFP) - Ten people were killed and eight were injured Friday in a suspected arson fire at a factory workers' dormitory in east China's Wenzhou city, Zhejiang province, state media said. The fire broke out on the sixth floor of the building. Three workers were killed on the spot, five jumped to death from the building and the other two were fatally burned. Preliminary investigation shows the fire was caused by arson and the suspected arsonist Wang Yefu, also a worker at the factory, has been detained, Xinhua quoted local police saying. (Posted 19:40 PST)
Nepal's parliament opens again after four-year break KATHMANDU, April 28 (AFP) - Nepal's 205-member parliament sat for the first time in four years Friday, vowing to press for a new constitution that could cut the powers of King Gyanendra. Deputy speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav at the opening session said: "In order to save the country from the on-going political crisis, this parliament meeting has decided to form a new constituent assembly to go for a new constitution." The parliament was committed to hold talks with Maoist rebels who have fought a decade-long insurgency, and to call a government ceasefire to make Nepal "terror-free", she said. The premier designate, Girija Prasad Koirala, 84, did not attend the session because of a bout of bronchitis. Oath-taking ceremony in the morning was also postponed for the same reason. In a message to parliament, Koirala said he believed that” I will be able to fulfill my responsibility as my health is gradually recovering." (Posted 19:25 PST)
Dozens killed as Iraqi forces battle rebels in Baquaba BAQUBA, Iraq, April 28 (AFP) - Iraqi security forces battled insurgents around Baquba Friday despite a curfew as rebels launched massive attacks on checkpoints to seize control of the restive city. Baquba police chief Ghassan Bawi said that 25 rebels were killed since Thursday in the clashes, adding that "gunmen carried out attacks on checkpoints today also." Another 43 insurgents were arrested, the military said. Thursday's brutal attacks on five checkpoints with mortar rounds, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire left 16 people dead, including six Iraqi soldiers. In the village Deli Abbas, the Iraqi army headquarters were reportedly attacked by more than 100 rebels, the military said. In one of the attacks on Thursday, rebels approached a checkpoint posing as a wedding party in a convoy of vehicles, one of which was decorated with ribbons and flowers. (Posted 19:10 PST)
OCCUPIED KASHMIR- Gilani concerned over new military camps Srinagar, occupied Kashmir, April 28 (PPI) Veteran Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Gilani has expressed nserious concern over creation of new Army camps and leasing out tourist spots to armed forces in occupied Kashmir. Addressing a meeting in Srinagar he said this is a dangerous situation and “ we will soon launch a campaign and inform the people about the consequences of this situation”. (Posted 19:00 PST)
Iran deputy oil minister in Pakistan for gas pipeline talks Islamabad, April 28( PPI): Iran Deputy Oil Minister Mohammad-Hadi Nejad Hosseinian arrived Friday in Islamabad to discuss pricing of gas formula of the US$ seven billion Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project. "We will discuss pricing formula at the talks. If we could not reach any agreement, then issue will be discussed in oil ministers meeting in Tehran next month," Hosseinian told Iran's Irna news agency in Islamabad. He said Pakistan had sent a draft gas pricing formula to Iran based on domestic gas pricing mechanism and he will discuss it with Pakistani officials. "I am hopeful that Iran, Pakistan and India will finalize all aspects of the project in two months." About reports that India may stay away from the project, he said top Indian officials have shown interest in the project. "But if India did not take any decision by May end, we will go ahead with Pakistan to implement it. Delhi will be welcomed whenever it wants to join.'' (Posted @ 18:55 PST)
Over 90,000 quake survivors return from relief camps ISLAMABAD, Apr 28 (APP): More than 90,000 survivors of the devastating Oct 8 earthquake have so far returned to their homes and villages, and this has resulted in the closure of 49 relief camps in NWFP and Azad Kashmir, Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) reported. Even before camp closures started on March 10, camp dwellers were returning on their own," Fatma Bassiouni, a spokeswoman at the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said. (Posted @ 18:35 PST)
PM performs ground-breaking of Pakistan's largest $475million fertilizer plant SADIQABAD, Apr 28 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Friday performed the ground-breaking of a US 475 million dollars Fertilizer plant, the country's largest, with a capacity to produce 450 kt urea and 1 million tons of NP, CAN and NPK fertilizers. Speaking on the occasion he said the development of agriculture sector remains the focus of the government efforts as it remains the backbone and main driving-force behind the economic progress as it contributes 25 per cent of the GDP and employs 42 per cent of the total labour force. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
German envoy inaugurates 110 tube wells in Kurram Agency PARACHINAR, April 28 (APP): 110 tube wells were inaugurated by the Ambassador of Germany Dr. Guntermuleck in Kurram Agency on Friday. The project has been financed and completed by KFW, a German NGO, at a cost of rupees 251.619 million. (Posted 18:10 PST)
Thai court rules April 2 general election unlawful BANGKOK, April 28 (Reuters) - Thailand's Administrative Court ruled on Friday that the inconclusive April 2 snap general election was unlawful.The court, which rules on the legality of government actions, also said in a statement that last weekend's by-elections to fill seats left vacant in the general election were also invalid. "To prevent further damage to the country and the national budget, the court orders an injunction to halt the April 29 by-elections," it said, referring to second re-runs due in 14 constituencies on Saturday. (Posted @ 18:00 PST)
China signs oil exploration deal in Kenya NAIROBI, April 28 (Reuters) - Kenya signed an agreement on Friday allowing China's largest offshore oil producer to prospect in the east African country. The deal was one of a clutch of bilateral agreements signed at the end of President Hu Jintao's five-nation tour. Neither Kenyan nor Chinese officials would immediately give details of the oil pact, which came two days after Beijing struck a $4 billion deal for drilling licences in Nigeria. (Posted @ 17:55 PST)
Iraq says troops killed senior al Qaeda leader BAGHDAD, April 28 (Reuters) - Iraqi and U.S. forces have killed a senior member of al Qaeda in Iraq, Interior Ministry sources and the U.S. military said on Friday. Humadi al-Takhi, who they said was a district commander of the group, was killed in a raid on a house on Friday about 10 km northeast of the city of Samarra, but it was not possible to independently verify the claim. The U.S. military said two other militants were also killed in the raid. (Posted @ 17:50 PST)
Five suspected militants killed in southern Russia MOSCOW, April 28 (AP) _ Police and security agents killed five suspected militants in raids in largely Muslim republic of Karachayevo-Cherkessia in the restive Caucasus region, the regional Interior Ministry said Friday. Four suspected militants were killed in a raid on a residence as they were suspected of planning a car-bomb attack while the fifth was killed in a search of other houses when he tried to escape, the ministry said. (Posted @ 17:20 PST)
Bus explosion injures 15 in India AMRITSAR, India, April 28 (AP) - An explosion ripped through a bus in Amritsar on Friday, injuring 15 passengers, 12 seriously, police said. The explosion at the city's main bus station occurred as the bus was about to leave for Nangal, also in Punjab state. Several Sikh militant groups campaigned for the creation of Punjab as a separate Sikh state in the 1980s and early 1990s. The militancy was crushed by the government after some 18,000 people had died. Remnants of some of the rebel groups are still active in the state and carry out such attacks. (First Posted @ 16:40 PST; Updated @ 17:07 PST)
Two killed, 30 injured in Australian train crash SYDNEY, Australia, April 28 (AP) _ At least two people were killed and 30 injured, two critically, Friday when a two-carriage train slammed into a truck at a crossing in rural southeastern Australia, police said. A spokeswoman said 37 people were on the train at the time it hit the truck at an unmanned level crossing about 200 kilometers west of Melbourne. (Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Indian court demands answers on submarine kickback charge NEW DELHI, April 28 (AFP) - An Indian court Friday demanded answers from the government over allegations that a French defence firm paid bribes to secure a deal to sell six Scorpene submarines to the Indian Navy. Delhi High Court chief judge Vijender Jain gave the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) three weeks to answer the charges levelled by a private anti-corruption watchdog. India and France signed the 2.4-billion-euro (three-billion-dollar) deal in October. (Posted @ 16:55 PST)
Police commander survives bomb blast in southern Afghanistan KANDAHAR, April 28 (AFP) - A roadside bomb ripped through the vehicle of Niaz Mohammad, police chief of Daman district in Kandahar province Friday, wounding his two bodyguards, police said. (Posted @ 16:40 PST)
Eight killed in DR Congo air crash KINSHASA, April 28 (AFP) – All eight people on board were killed when a plane operated by a small Congolese carrier crashed on landing in the town of Amisi, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities said Friday "There were no survivors. The plane slammed into the runway, the wings smashed and the entire aircraft caught fire," the governor of the Maniema region, Koloso Sumaili, said after Thursday's accident. The plane was carrying four passengers, all Congolese nationals, and four crew -- two of whom were Congolese and two South African. (Posted @ 16:40 PST)
US seals deal on military bases in Bulgaria SOFIA, April 28 (Reuters) The United States signed an agreement on Friday to establish three military bases in Bulgaria as it shifts troops from old Cold War positions to smaller installations closer to the Middle East and Africa. Under the deal, the U.S. will deploy 2,500 soldiers on short rotations to Bulgaria. "The agreement indeed will enhance our cooperation, allowing the shared use of Bulgarian training facilities and strengthening our ability to operate militarily," said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after a signing ceremony. The 10-year agreement includes the Bezmer airfield and Novo Selo shooting range, both near Bulgaria's border with Turkey, and the Graf Ignatievo airfield in central Bulgaria. U.S. forces will also have access to a storage facility near Bulgaria's port of Bourgas. The total number of soldiers may double for short periods during rotations every six months. The U.S. said the first troops would most likely arrive next year. Under the arrangement, Washington may launch attacks against third countries from the bases after consulting Bulgarian authorities. (Posted @ 14:35 PST)
Afghanistan's Karzai offers olive branch to Taliban KABUL, April 28 (Reuters) Afghan President Hamid Karzai marked the 14th anniversary of the defeat of Taliban government on Friday with a call to the Taliban to give up their insurgency and rejoin society. "I call upon all brothers who are still unconsciously the slaves of propaganda ... not to cause killing, bloodshed and insecurity under the orders of others, and ask them to return to their homes and serve their countrymen," Karzai said in a victory day speech. Friday's celebration also included a military parade. (Posted @ 14:34 PST)
Police kill nine in southern India gunbattle HYDERABAD, India (AP) Police shot and killed nine suspected rebels after a fierce gunbattle Friday in a densely forested area of the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, an official said. Police had launched search operations early Friday after receiving a tip that a group of rebels were hiding in the forests in Kadapa district of the state. A three hour long gunbattle followed in which at least nine rebels, including six women, were killed, the official said.(Posted @ 13:05 PST)
Juror claims she was pressured to convict US terror suspect of Pakistani descent SACRAMENTO (AP) A juror in a terrorism trial in California said she was pressured into casting the final vote to convict Hamid Hayat of attending a terrorist training camp in Pakistan. The juror's claim, made in a sworn statement, means the Hayat, should get a new trial, his defense lawyer argued in a motion filed in federal court late Thursday. ``I was under so much stress and pressure (from other jurors) that I agreed to change my vote,'' the juror, Arcelia Lopez, said in her statement. ``I never once throughout the deliberation process and the reading of the verdict believed Hamid Hayat to be guilty.'' `I deeply regret my decision,'' Lopez said in an affidavit.(Posted @ 13:00 PST
Pakistan arrests four group members for spreading hate KARACHI, April 28, 2006 (AFP) Pakistan arrested four members of Hizb-ut-Tahrir for allegedly publishing hate material, police said Friday. Authorities in Karachi seized pamphlets, sealed a printing press and arrested its owner, suspected group member Arshad Salim, a police officer said. Three other group members, Shahid Mohammad Sheikh, Syed Munawar Saleh and Amir Ahmed, have also been detained. "They have been arrested under anti-terrorism act for printing material creating hatred against the state," police said. (Posted @ 12:50 PST)
U.S. soldier killed by roadside bomb BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) An American soldier was killed by a roadside bomb north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said Friday. The explosion hit a military vehicle at about 7:15 p.m. Thursday, killing the soldier from Multinational Division-Baghdad, the military said. No other details were provided.(Posted @ 11:30 PST)
Indian court orders release of Pakistani prisoners NEW DELHI, April 28, 2006 (AFP) Around 45 Pakistanis still kept in Indian jails despite completing their sentences are to be freed by court order, their lawyer said Friday. "The court said all those Pakistani prisoners languishing in jails in Punjab who have undergone sentence should be released immediately," the lawyer said from Chandigarh. The high court also ordered this week that the prisoners be given 10,000 rupees for each extra year they spent in prison. The prisoners, mostly arrested for straying across the border or not having valid visas, have been in jails for up to 12 years after serving their sentence because of "a callous attitude", the lawyer said. In one instance, a Hindi film enthusiast from Pakistan had illegally crossed over to India 12 times to watch a film featuring the legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan before being caught, the lawyer added.(Posted @ 11:30 PST)
Stolen US military secrets on sale in Afghanistan BAGRAM, Afghanistan, April 28, 2006 (AFP) Computer disks stolen from a US base in Afghanistan said to contain military secrets are on sale in a bazaar despite an ongoing investigation and a security clampdown, witnesses said. Dozens of memory chips are openly displayed for sale in shops at the public bazaar in Bagram, 50 kilometers north of Kabul, where the base is located. The US military spokesman at Bagram Air Base, said the scam was being investigated, but did not rule out that discs containing sensitive information were still being smuggled out.Earlier this month the Los Angeles Times reported the information included classified military assessments of enemy targets, names of Afghan officials alleged to be corrupt and details of American defences and personnel. Since the report, the US military has bought up several of the devices and tightened security, but a shopkeeper said the information was still being smuggled out, mainly by Afghans working as laundry collectors.(Posted @ 10:07 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 341.55 points: KARACHI, Apr 28: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11342.17, down 341.55 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:10 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Apr 28: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.23 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:10 PST)
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