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| February 28, 2007 | Wednesday | Safar 10, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
President Musharraf warns foreign terrorists to leave LARKANA, Feb 28 (APP) President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday warned foreign terrorists hiding in Pakistan's mountainous tribal areas to leave or face stiff action. “People have come there from outside - they are living in our mountains and spreading terrorism not just in Pakistan but in the entire world,” the president told a public gathering here. He said Pakistan was a moderate Muslim country where extremists have no place. “We want moderation, we are strong Muslims and fully understand our obligations and responsibilities,” he said and asked the people not to vote for extremist elements in the next general election. He urged the people of Sindh to consider the possibility of having large water reservoirs. He said in the next two years 30,000 water courses will be brick-lined so that water is not wasted and every one gets his due share. He assured them that the construction of large water reservoirs in the country was for the betterment of the people. “I can never even think that one province prospers and the other lags behind. I will work equally for progress of all,” he added. The president performed the ground breaking of the Larkana-Khairpur bridge that would cut the distance between them by half. He gave directions to construct an additional 15 km road to link it with the Indus Highway, apart from announcing Rs100 million each for Larkana and Khairpur, and said that the Karachi- Hyderabad Super Highway was being converted into a six- lane motorway. (Posted @ 19:44 PST)
President Musharraf visits cadet college Petaro HYDERABAD, Feb. 28 (APP) President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday attended the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Cadet College Petaro, some 35 kilometres from here. “We are living in a knowledge-based world, and the economic growth and prosperity of the country is based on the knowledge of advance technologies,” he said in his address, adding that Pakistan lagged behind in the field of engineering, science and technology because we did not focus on these fields in the past. He said the government was increasing the allocation for education from about 2.4 percent to 4 percent of the country's GDP to improve the level of literacy in the country. The president urged the students of the college to gain an understanding of the geography of the world, develop reading habits and acquire command of the English language apart from the national language Urdu and their mother tongue. He also advised the cadets to concentrate on building their personality as well as their physical, moral and social development. (Posted @ 21:00 PST)
King Abdullah and Tony Blair discuss Middle East peace LONDON, Feb 28, (AP) - Prime Minister Tony Blair briefed Jordan's King Abdullah II on Wednesday about prospects for a Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, amid warnings from the monarch that time was running out to make progress. Blair consulted with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last week and had telephone talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, following their inconclusive meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. (Posted @ 23:34 PST)
23 killed in Iraq attacks BAGHDAD, Feb 28 (AFP) Bomb and mortar attacks tormented Baghdad on Wednesday, killing 23 people. The deadliest blast ripped through “Street Number 20”, in the southwest of the capital, killing at least 10 people, defence officials and state television said. Elsewhere, a suicide car bomber charged a police station, killing two bystanders. An AFP tally of security force reports gave a total of 23 dead in and around the city. (First Posted @ 12:45 PST Updated @ 21:16 PST)
Iran, Sudan close ranks in face of Western pressure KHARTOUM, Feb 28 (AFP) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his first visit to Sudan on Wednesday extended full support to his opposite number Omar al-Beshir, blaming the United States and its allies for the region's woes. On a two-day visit aimed at bolstering ties between the two states, the Iranian leader held talks with Beshir and several other senior officials. Without naming it, Ahmadinejad also blamed the United States for destabilising Lebanon and “planting the seeds of sectarian discord” in Iraq. Beshir responded by reiterating his country's support for Iran's nuclear programme. (First Posted @ 14:50 PST Updated @ 21:12 PST)
Swiss court clears seven terror support suspects GENEVA, Feb 28 (AFP) Switzerland's top criminal court on Wednesday cleared seven men, including five Yemenis, a Somali and an Iraqi, who were accused of providing logistical support for the Al-Qaeda terror network. The court acquitted them on the charges relating to terrorist activities at the end of a five-week trial, the Swiss news agency ATS said. The court only found them guilty on a lesser charge of breaking immigration laws, and handed down fines and suspended sentences, it added. (Posted @ 21:10 PST)
Murder charges filed against occupied Kashmir policemen SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Feb 28 (AFP) Authorities in a court in Srinagar on Wednesday filed murder charges against seven policemen accused of killing a carpenter and falsely implicating him as a militant, police said. “The accused were charged with hatching a criminal conspiracy, abduction with the intent to murder, murder and destruction of evidence,” the official said. (Posted @ 21:08 PST)
Cricket: Pakistan seek more time on Shoaib and Asif LAHORE, Pakistan, Feb 28 (AFP) Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif will not fly to the Caribbean with the Pakistan World Cup team to give them time to prepare for fitness and doping tests, officials said Wednesday. Team media manager Pervez Mir said “Asif will return on Thursday and Akhtar on Friday and in the next few days they will have to pass these tests”. He said the International Cricket Council (ICC) has extended the deadline for final squad replacements from March 2 until March 8. Meanwhile captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and allrounder Shahid Afridi have both passed their pre-World Cup dope tests. Their reports came back on Wednesdday. (Posted @ 21:06 PST)
US, North Korea to begin normalization talks next week WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (AFP) Senior US and North Korean officials will hold talks next week in New York in a first step towards the normalization of diplomatic relations, the State Department said Wednesday. US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-Gwan will meet March 5 and 6 for their first follow-up to a February 13 agreement reached in Beijing under which Pyongyang promised to freeze its nuclear program, department spokesman Sean McCormack said. (Posted @ 21:02 PST)
Bangladesh seizes first assets in graft crackdown DHAKA, Feb 28 (AFP) Bangladesh authorities started Wednesday seizing assets in a major graft crackdown targeting high-profile figures unable to account for their wealth, a senior official said. The first target was a luxury car worth 290,000 dollars belonging to outgoing Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's political secretary Haris Chowdhury. Officials told the private UNB news agency that the authorities were ready to start removing property belonging to 15 out of the 50 who had failed to meet the deadline to submit financial records. (Posted @ 19:26 PST)
Two killed in Nepal ethnic clash KATHMANDU, Feb 28 (AFP) At least two people were killed in a clash Tuesday between former Maoist rebels and ethnic activists in southwestern Nepal, officials said Wednesday. The latest deaths came as the Himalayan nation was gripped by a nationwide strike and blockade organised by ethnic groups. (Posted @ 19:08 PST)
Report of Iraqi children killed a mistake: officials RAMADI, Iraq, Feb 28 (AFP) A report that 12 children and six women were killed in a truck bombing on an Iraqi football field was mistaken, officials said Wednesday. Officials in Ramadi said the report appeared to have been based on a garbled interpretation of a truck bomb attack in the same area the day before, which left 15 dead. (Posted @ 19:06 PST)
Pakistan rejects Iran complaints after clash QUETTA, Pakistan, Feb 28 (AFP) Pakistan Wednesday rejected complaints by Iran of a lack of cooperation after militants killed two Iranian police and kidnapped four others near the border between the two countries. Officials said they were also unaware of Tuesday's late-night ambush in southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province, after which Iranian police said the attackers fled towards the Pakistani border. A spokesman for the frontier security force in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, said he had “no information about any such incident.” But he dismissed the Iranian official's complaints. (First Posted @ 14:25 PST Updated @ 17:10 PST)
Gunmen kill brothers of prominent Iraqi politician BAGHDAD, Feb 28 (Reuters) Gunmen killed two brothers of a prominent politician on Wednesday in Muqdadiya, north of Baghdad, police and the politician said. The lawmaker Saleem al-Jubouri said his brothers were killed instantly when gunmen opened fire on them in his home province of Diyala.(Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Survivors visit burnt homes to remember India riots AHMEDABAD, India, Feb 28 (Reuters) Muslim survivors marked on Wednesday the fifth anniversary of one of India's worst communal riots by praying for justice and visiting homes that remain charred and empty after they were attacked by Hindu mobs. Prayer meetings were held on Wednesday and voluntary organisations helped people revisit their old homes.(Posted @ 16:15 PST)
British soldier killed in southern Iraq LONDON, Fen 28 (AP) A British soldier died in Basra's Al Maqil district on Tuesday following a small arms fire attack, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.(Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Two suspected militants killed in Russia's Dagestan region MAKHACHKALA, Russia, Feb 28 (AP) Police in southern Russia's Dagestan region stormed a house where gunmen had holed up Wednesday, killing two suspected militants, a police commander said. Two other suspected militants surrendered before police moved in on the home on the outskirts of the regional capital, Makhachkala, and one police officer was wounded in the eye in an exchange of gunfire, said police.(Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Bangladesh elections put on hold DHAKA, Feb 28 (AFP) Elections in emergency-rule Bangladesh have been put on hold indefinitely until reforms to strengthen democracy are carried out, the interim government chief said on Tuesday night. Fakhruddin Ahmed said “it is not possible to give a specific time frame for the elections as reforms are still being carried out”. “The influence of the 3Ms -- money, muscle and misuse of authority -- has to be curbed to pave the way for free and fair elections,” he said.(Posted @ 15:35 PST)
India increases defence spending by 7.8 percent NEW DELHI, Feb 28 (AFP) India raised spending on its military by 7.8 percent to 21.3 billion dollars for the next fiscal year starting April, the government said in its budget announcement Wednesday. India's military has planned a massive upgrade of its weapons systems, including the purchase of 126 new combat aircraft to replace an ageing fleet of MiG-21s.(Posted @ 15:30 PST)
Afghan beheaded for being ‘U.S. spy’ in Pakistan TANK, Pakistan, Feb 28 (Reuters) Militants beheaded an Afghan cleric they accused of spying for U.S. forces fighting insurgents in Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday. The body was found dumped beside a road in the South Waziristan region Tuesday evening and a note was found with the body that accused him of spying for the Americans, an official said.(Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Indian forces kill militant believed to be behind massacre of 35 Hindus JAMMU, occupied Kashmir, Feb 28 (AP) A militant commander believed to be responsible for the massacre of 35 Hindus last year was shot dead by police in occupied Kashmir on Wednesday.The militant was killed after a three-hour gunbattle in Kathua district, police said.(Posted @ 14:15 PST)
British FM meets Afghan president KABUL, Feb 28 (AFP) British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett met Afghan President Hamid Karzai amid tight security Wednesday, a day after a suicide blast during a visit by US Vice President Dick Cheney killed up to 20 people. The British minister met Karzai at the presidential palace to kick off a series of consultations with government officials and commanders of the US-led coalition and NATO forces, which were kept under wraps for security reasons. Details of their discussions were not immediately available. (FirstPosted @ 11:15 PST, Updated@ 14:15 PST)
Eight militants killed, six captured in U.S. raids in and around Baghdad BAGHDAD, Feb 28 (AP) U.S. troops killed eight suspected militants and captured six others in raids in and around Baghdad on Wednesday morning, the military said. Eight people were killed when American helicopters and fighter planes fired on a palm grove northeast of Taji, a town on the northern outskirts of Baghdad, the military said in a statement. Two suspects were detained. Four more suspects were captured in Baghdad, the military said.(Posted @ 12:30 PST)
Israeli troops kill three Palestinians in Jenin RAMALLAH, West Bank, Feb 28 (Reuters) Israeli troops shot dead three Palestinians in the West Bank city of Jenin Wednesday during a raid, medics said.(Posted @ 11:20 PST)
Former U.S. Secretary of State Baker says the United States must recognize its power is limited WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (AP) Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III said Tuesday the United States should be prepared to change course in its foreign policy, and said ''we are doing just that in Iraq.'' A consistent foreign policy promotes stability, he said, ''but when events change, we must be prepared to change with them.” Baker spoke in a lecture series at the Library of Congress and said the United States ''must be comfortable using our power'' but also recognize that it has its limits. ''We need to recognize that even U.S. power is limited'' and ''We cannot be, even if we wanted to be, the policeman for the world.'(Posted @ 10:05 PST)
Gates sees long-term low-level US presence in Iraq WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (Reuters) Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday the United States may have a military presence in Iraq for a “prolonged period” and drew a comparison with U.S. bases in Germany and South Korea. “I think that at a very much reduced level we will probably have some presence in Iraq, as we have had in Korea and Germany and a variety of other places around the world where we've been at war, for a prolonged period of time, a number of years,” Gates told the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee.(Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 196.10 points: KARACHI, Feb 28: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 11180.02 , down 196.10 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Feb 28: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.67 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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