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| April 29, 2006 | Saturday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 30, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistan successfully test fires long-range nuclear-capable missile ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Agencies) Pakistan on Saturday successfully test fired a long-range nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missile, the military said. The ballistic Missile Hatf VI (Shaheen II), with a range of 2,500 kilometers, can carry conventional and non-conventional weapons, a Pakistan military statement said, adding that the ``test was conducted to validate additional technical parameters beyond those that were verified in the last test fire in March 2005.'' The statement did not disclose where the latest test was conducted. Speaking after the successful test, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz made it clear that Pakistan's strategy of credible minimum deterrence was fully in place and was a guarantee of peace in the region. He said his government was fully alive to developments in the region and reiterated that Pakistan would never accept discrimination of any kind. In a separate message, the President General Pervez Musharraf also congratulated the team on its outstanding success. (First Posted @ 9:45 PST Updated@ 10:30 PST)
Pakistani scientists have made country's defence impregnable: PM KARACHI, April 29 (APP) - Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Saturday that Pakistani scientists have made the country's defence impregnable. He was speaking at the inauguration of University of Engineering, Science and Technology Pakistan (UESTP), which will provide higher education in the field of maritime sciences, marine engineering, sea-faring. Referring to the successful launching of Shaheen-II missile earlier in the day Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said "This has enhanced the respect and image of Pakistan. This has reinforced our defence and raised the rank of Pakistan in the comity of nations. It shows the world that Pakistanis are a serious nation. We should also progress in the field of education", he added. (Posted @ 22:00 PST)
Pakistan army says it is in control in Waziristan MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan (AP) Pakistan army on Saturday asserted it had not lost its grip in Waziristan tribal region where hundreds of pro-Taliban militants have escalated attacks. Major Gen. Akram Sahi, army commander for the tribal region, said some 45,000 troops were deployed in North Waziristan, and were doing their best to seal the porous border with Afghanistan. ``If someone says that there is no writ of government here, it hurts me,'' he told a group of visiting reporters at the military command office in Miran Shah, the main town in North Waziristan.Sahi said that since his Golden Arrow army division launched operations in North Waziristan in July 2005, it had killed 324 militants, including 76 foreigners, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Chechens and Arab among them. Fifty-six security forces personnel have died. The top army official maintained that there were just a few hundred militants active in North Waziristan and that four to five militant leaders have been forced out.(Posted @ 12:35 PST)
Five dead in clash in western Ivory Coast - U.N ABIDJAN, April 29 (Reuters) - At least five people have been killed and 10 wounded in clashes in western Ivory Coast believed to be between rival ethnic groups, the United Nations mission in the West African country said on Saturday. "There was an attack yesterday morning at Dieouzon, a village in the Bangolo region (near the border with Liberia)," U.N. military spokesman Colonel Omar El Khadir said. "There are five people dead and 10 injured ... We are told it was an inter-ethnic clash but investigations are underway." (Posted @ 23:28 PST)
Youth killed in military custody, killing sparks anti-India protest ISLAMABAD, Apr 29 (APP): In occupied Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state-terrorism, killed in custody, a Kashmiri youth at Sombura in Pulwama. The incident sparked forceful protest demonstrations in the area. Troops fired indiscriminately at a passenger bus in Handwara town, injuring several passengers. The incident led to a massive anti-India demonstration. (Posted @ 22:35 PST)
Pak-Iran joint working group meeting on gas pipeline continues ISLAMABAD, Apr 29 (APP): The Pak-Iran joint working group meeting on $ 7 billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline continued on Saturday. The group discussed technical and financial aspects of the project. The gas pricing formula and pipeline route and related issues were discussed in the meeting. The Iranian delegation was led by Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Mohammad Hadi Nejad Hosseinian while Secretary Petroleum Dr Ahmed Waqar led the Pakistani side. The two sides observed with satisfaction considerable progress on the project and reiterated their desire to realise it at the earliest. The two sides will finalise proposals for transforming the proposed pipeline into a reality on Sunday. The leaders of the joint working group from both sides will hold a joint press conference tomorrow. (Posted @ 21:30 PST)
Four killed, 27 injured in China mina blast BEIJING, April 29, 2006 (AFP) - Four people were killed and 27 others were missing following a gas explosion Saturday in a coal mine in northwest China, state media said. The blast occurred in the Wayaobao mine in Zichang county, Shaanxi province, the Xinhua news agency reported. It cited a local government source as saying that 39 people were working underground at the time but only eight managed to escape. Rescue operations were ongoing in a bid to find the missing miners. China has the world's most dangerous mining industry with around 6,000 workers dying each year, according to official figures. Human rights groups say the figure could be more than three times as high. (Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Eight Nepalese soldiers killed by mine in barracks KATHMANDU, April 29, 2006 (AFP) - Eight soldiers were killed and nine others injured Saturday when a mine accidentally exploded inside an army barracks in Nepal, the defence ministry said. "Eight soldiers died and nine more were injured in an accidental mine explosion at the army barrack in west of the capital Kathmandu," the defence ministry said in a statement. The injured have been airlifted to the capital, according to the ministry. Earlier an official at the army headquarters said that five soldiers were killed in the explosion. "It was an accidental explosion due to a mine we had on the perimeter of the barracks," said the spokesman on condition of anonymity. It was not immediately clear what set off the mine, the official said. The incident happened at a base in the district of Gulmi, some 250 kilometres (160 miles) west of the capital. (First Posted @ 16:00 PST; Updated @ 20:30 PST)
Russia tells Iran to suspend enriching uranium MOSCOW, April 29 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki to suspend enriching uranium and ensure full-scale cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the IAEA. "The Russian side reiterated there is an urgent need for Iran to take concrete steps to restore trust in its nuclear programme ... by suspending scientific and exploration work on enriching uranium and through full-scale cooperation with the IAEA to clarify the last remaining questions on Iran's nuclear programme," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. (Posted @ 19:25 PST)
Three police, two Taliban killed in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, April 29 (AFP) - Three Afghan police were killed, while security forces shot dead two Taliban rebels in separate incidents on Saturday in Helmand province, officials said. A rocket hit a police patrol killing three police and injuring another in the province's Baghran district, interior ministry spokesman Yousuf Stanizai said adding that the assailants fled after the attack. In the other incident Afghan security forces killed two Taliban rebels in Helmand's Kajaki district, Rahmatullah Raufi, army commander for the southern military corps, said. One Afghan soldier and one policeman were injured in the hour-long clash. In a similar operation on Friday, Afghan forces said they had detained 10 suspected Taliban after a firefight in Panjwai district in neighbouring Kandahar province that injured three security force personnel. (First Posted @ 16:00 PST Updated @ 19:15 PST)
Chelsea crowned champions as United crushed LONDON, April 29 (AFP) - Chelsea were crowned champions of England once again when they emphatically crushed the distant title hopes of closest rivals Manchester United, beating them 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Chelsea were crowned champions for only the third time in their 101-year history. It was the 11th time that the English title had been retained, and the fifth occasion in the Premiership -- United having successfully defended the Premiership crown four times. (Posted @ 19:13 PST)
Seven killed as Iraqi leaders ready for cabinet talks BAGHDAD, April 29 (AFP) - Six Iraqi security officers and one civilian were killed in bombings and shootings across Iraq Saturday, as leaders prepared for negotiations over the next government. Two police officers died when a roadside bomb hit a convoy carrying the police chief of Baiji, police said. Five policemen were also wounded in the attack, apparently targeting police chief Sufian Mustafa, who escaped unscathed. In another attack, two people, including a policeman, were killed execution-style when gunmen grabbed them in Zurf al-Sakhar, a village some 65 kilometers south of Baghdad."The gunmen took the two out of their houses and shot them in front of their homes," an interior ministry official said. One police commando was killed and three others wounded by a roadside bomb their patrol in northwestern Baghdad's Al-Ghazalia neighborhood. Two Iraqi army soldiers were killed and six others wounded when insurgents opened fire on their convoy in Suwera, southeast of Baghdad, an interior ministry official said. Also in Suwera, five male bodies were found floating in the Tigris river, while two other bodies were recovered in Baghdad, an interior ministry official said. The corpses were riddled with bullets in what has become a common sight since the February bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra. Meanwhile, Baquba remained calm after two days of battle between security forces and insurgents. On Saturday authorities lifted a two-day curfew after fighting eased. (First Posted @ 16:30 PST Updated @ 19:00)
Pakistan, India talks to launch some new CBMs New Delhi, April 29 (PPI): Senior officials of Pakistan and India would hold talks on May 2 in New Delhi to discuss modalities for launching some new Confidence Building Measures to facilitate Kashmiris on both sides of Line of Control (LoC). A senior official at Pakistan High Commission told newsmen Saturday in New Delhi that modalities would be discussed to begin a truck service on Muzaffarabad-Srinagar route to promote trade and launching a new bus connecting Poonch and Rawlakot. Matters relating to operationalization of four meeting points along the LoC to enable divided families to meet each other is also included in the agenda. (Posted @ 18:10 PST)
Sh. Rashid announces railway fare discount for journalists, ulema, students ISLAMABAD, April 29 (APP): Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Saturday announced discount in railway fares for journalists and their families, ulema and students from June 1. He said journalists would get 80 % discount on fares while their families would be allowed 50 % concession. Students will get 50 % concession on travel during the vacations while ulema would get 50 % discount. (Posted @ 17:50 PST)
Islamabad, Gwadar and Multan Airports to have latest facilities RAWALPINDI, April 29, (APP): New airports at Islamabad and Gwadar will have state-of-the-art facilities while PIA will have a fleet of new aircraft as part of the government policy to promote tourism, trade and investment, President Pervez Musharraf was informed at two presentations by Civil Aviation Authority and the PIA on Saturday. Multan Airport will be modernized at a cost of Rs2.5 billion while the design of new Islamabad airport will be finalized by mid-May and construction will start by the end of the year," CAA Director General Air Marshal (retd) Pervez Nawaz told media persons, after the presentations. The CAA expects to secure possession of the land for the new Rs three billion Gwadar airport by the middle of next month. (Posted @ 17:45 PST)
Prime Minister reviews law and order situation in Sindh KARACHI, April 29 (APP) - Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Saturday the government is determined to get to the bottom of the Nishtar Park blast, which by all available indications was caused by a suicide bomber with a view to fanning religious and political tension in the country. Chairing a meeting to review law and order situation in Sindh he was told that Sindh administration and federal agencies are pursuing the matter vigorously and are already in possession of some evidence, which will lead to unearthing the elements involved in the crime. The Prime Minister was also apprised of short and long term measures to improve the law and order situation by revamping and improving the human and technical aspects of monitoring and information gathering in a timely and efficient manner. (Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Malawi vice president arrested on treason charges BLANTYRE, April 29 (Reuters) - Malawi Vice President Cassim Chilumpha has been arrested on treason charges, police said on Saturday, deepening a political crisis gripping the impoverished southern African country. Police spokesman Willie Mwaluka said Chilumpha, who has been in a tense political stand-off with President Bingu wa Mutharika, was arrested at his home in Blantyre late on Friday and immediately transferred to custody. Wa Mutharika attempted to fire Chilumpha earlier this year but was blocked by Malawi's high court, which ruled that he did not have the power to unseat his deputy. (Posted @ 17:22 PST)
Indian Maoists free 25 hostages after killing 15 RAIPUR, India, April 29 (Reuters) - Maoist rebels in India released 25 tribal villagers unharmed on Saturday after killing 15 others in the restive central state of Chhattisgarh, police said Saturday. Police in Chhattisgarh discovered 13 bodies on Saturday, while two bodies were found on Friday. Police said the 25 were released unharmed near Dornpal relief camp, some 550 km south of the state capital Raipur. In violence this week, police shot dead 11 Maoists on Friday in Andhra Pradesh state, which neighbours Chhattisgarh, while 13 people were killed when rebels set off a landmine in Chhattisgarh under a vehicle, possibly mistaking it for a police jeep. Indian officials say there are about 20,000 armed Maoist fighters in the country, backed by thousands of more sympathisers. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the Maoists were the biggest threat to India's internal security. (First Posted @ 15:20 PST; Updated @ 17:10 PST)
Taliban demand Indians leave Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, April 29 (Reuters) – Taliban insurgents on Saturday threatened to kill a kidnapped Indian telecommunications worker unless Indians left Afghanistan. The Indian and his Afghan driver were kidnapped after gunmen stopped their car on a road in the province of Zabul on Friday. "If India does not pull out all its nationals working in Afghanistan by 6 p.m. (1330 GMT) tomorrow, we're going to kill him," Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf said by telephone from an undisclosed location. Yousuf said the Indian was a U.S. spy. Police reinforcements had been sent to Zabul to help with the hunt for the Indian and his driver, said Gulab Shah Alikhail, spokesman for the governor of Zabul. (Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Southeast Asian terror chief Noordin Top escapes capture in pre-dawn raid JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 29 (AP) _ One of Southeast Asia's most-wanted terrorists escaped capture when security forces launched a raid on his hideout early Saturday, sparking a gunbattle that left two militants dead, police said. Noordin Top, regarded as a key leader of the al-Qaida-linked group Jemaah Islamiyah, was not in the safe house in Central Java when heavily armed police arrived before dawn, national police chief Gen. Sutanto told reporters in Jakarta.``The four men captured dead and alive were very dangerous.'' (Posted @ 16:55 PST)
Nepal rebels abduct 11 soldiers despite cease-fire offer KATHMANDU, April 29 (AP) _ Nepal's communist rebels abducted 11 unarmed soldiers as they headed home from vacation, an army official said Saturday. The abductions came just hours after the rebels had declared a three-month cease-fire, and it was possible the guerrillas, who have a very limited communications network, did not know of the announcement. (Posted @ 16:45 PST)
26 Asians killed in Saudi bus crash RIYADH, April 29, 2006 (AFP) - Twenty-six Asians were killed and 19 injured when a bus transporting them to the holy city of Medina swerved off a bridge, a Saudi daily said Saturday without specifying their nationalities. The accident took place early Friday on a bridge east of the Red Sea city of Jeddah, the Al-Riyadh newspaper said. The bus fell as much as 10 metres (more than 30 feet), the paper added. (Posted @ 16:07 PST)
Three rangers shot dead in Thailand NARATHIWAT, Thailand, April 29 (AFP) - Suspected Islamic militants shot dead three government rangers and wounded another in three separate drive-by shootings Saturday in Thailand's restive southern province of Narathiwat, police said. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Iran says to allow atomic checks if U.N. drops case TEHRAN, April 29 (Reuters) - Iran said on Saturday it was willing to resume allowing snap U.N. atomic inspections if its case were dropped by the U.N. Security Council and passed back to the International Atomic Energy Agency. "If the case returns to the agency again, we will begin the section that concerns the Additional Protocol," Mohammad Saeedi,deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, told state television. Additional Protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty allows short notice inspections of nuclear facilities.The enrichment will continue. But regarding the Additional Protocol, we will continue implementing the Additional Protocol as a voluntary measure," Saeedi added.(Posted @ 15:35 PST)
Iran says will 'never' give up nuclear programme TEHRAN, April 29, 2006 (AFP) - Hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Saturday to never give up Iran's disputed nuclear drive as Western powers pushed for tough Security Council action against the Islamic republic. In a further show of defiance, a top Iranian nuclear official declared the country's scientists were working on extremely advanced centrifuge designs to enrich uranium -- work that is at the centre of fears the clerical regime may acquire the bomb."The Islamic republic will not negotiate with anyone on its absolute right to use peaceful nuclear technology. This is our red line, and we will never give it up," the president said in a statement."Iran's decision to master nuclear technology and the production of nuclear fuel is irreversible," Ahmadinejad said.(Posted @ 15:30 PST)
Pakistan rejects Zawahiri's call to revolt SHAWAL, Pakistan, April 29, 2006 (AFP) Pakistan on Saturday dismissed Al-Qaeda's call for the army to disobey President Pervez Musharraf, and the military said the president had the full backing of the entire armed forces. Chief military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan said there was no doubt that the armed forces were fully behind Musharraf, when asked to comment on the videotape statement by Al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri. "Certainly there should be no doubt about it," Sultan said, standing at a border post in North Waziritsan's Shawal valley, overlooking Afghanistan's Paktika province. Sultan said Zawahiri's effort to create dissension in Pakistan would fail. "You see the army here and what they are doing," Sultan said, pointing towards Pakistani troops in combat fatigues deployed along the volatile Afghan border. Zawahiri "is trying his best to do what he is trying to do, but he is miserably failing," Sultan said. (Posted @ 14:25 PST)
Al Qaeda's Zawahri calls on Pakistanis to overthrow Musharraf DUBAI, April 29 (Reuters) Al Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri said hundreds of suicide bombers had "broken America's back" in three years of war in Iraq, according to a video posted on the Internet on Saturday. Zawahri also called for the overthrow of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. "America, Britain and their allies have achieved nothing but losses, disasters and misfortunes," he said. A statement accompanying the video said it was made in the latter part of the Muslim month, which ended on Friday. Zawahri also condemned the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia as "traitors" for their close ties to the West and Musharraf as a "treacherous criminal". "Musharraf is fanning the flames of civil war in Pakistan on behalf of America in Waziristan and Baluchistan," Zawahri said. "He is inviting the Pakistani army to fight its own people and brothers and turn a blind eye to the Indian threat," he added.( Posted@ 9:30 PST)
Iraq's unity government marks 'new chapter': Bush WASHINGTON, April 29, 2006 (AFP) President George W. Bush on Saturday hailed the formation of Iraq's new unity government as a turning point that would enable Baghdad to gradually take responsibility for its own security and allow US troops to withdraw. In his weekly radio address, Bush called the new government to be headed by prime minister designate Nuri al-Maliki a "new chapter" for both the US and Iraqi governments. "We will help the new Iraqi government assume growing responsibility for the nation's security," the US president said.(Posted @ 9:30 PST)
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