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| May 02, 2007 | Wednesday | Rabi-us-Sani 14, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Lawyers, opposition rally over Pakistan judge row ISLAMABAD, May 2 (AFP) Pakistani lawyers and opposition workers rallied here Wednesday as the country's suspended chief justice Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, charged with misconduct and abuse of authority, made his seventh appearance at the Supreme Court in Islamabad. The rally came despite a heavy crackdown overnight by police who detained hundreds of activists from opposition parties to prevent them from reaching the Supreme Court building, police and opposition sources said. Police confirmed the arrest of another 200 opposition activists in different cities of Punjab alone. More than 1,000 protesters stood under the scorching sun shouting anti-Musharraf slogans, witnesses said. Opposition leaders said police had stopped several processions from entering the capital and had set up barricades where people were sent back. Police also baton-charged a group of opposition supporters who were trying to reach the Supreme Court. Around 30 Musharraf supporters also staged a rally. Lawyers boycotted courts across the country and staged rallies in support of the embattled judge. Some 3,000 lawyers and workers from opposition parties held a rally and sit-in in Lahore. A similar rally was held in Karachi where the protesting lawyers made fiery speeches. Lawyers also boycotted courts and held rallies in all district towns of Sindh, Balochistan and N.W.F.P., reports said. (FirstPosted @ 11:33 PST, Updated@ 14:08 PST)
SJC hears Chaudhry’s case ISLAMABAD, May 2 (Reuters) The Supreme Judicial Council on Wednesday rejected a request to stop a hearing into charges against the country's suspended Chief Justice, judge Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, until the Supreme Court had given verdict on the main petition. .The Supreme Judicial Council held its seventh closed-door session into the accusations against Chaudhry on Wednesday and is to meet again on Thursday. One of Chaudhry's lawyers said the panel of five judges had turned down a request to suspend proceedings until the Supreme Court ruled on a petition challenging the panel's competency. Chaudhry had earlier petitioned the court claiming that three panel members were biased against him.(Posted @ 17:05 PST)
Bush vetoes bill setting dates for Iraq pullout WASHINGTON, May 2 (Reuters) President George W. Bush Tuesday vetoed legislation from the Democratic-controlled Congress that would have set dates for withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq, saying such a timetable would be “setting a deadline for failure.” “Members of the House and Senate passed a bill that substitutes the opinions of politicians for the judgment of our military commanders,” Bush said on the fourth anniversary of the “Mission Accomplished” speech. “Setting a deadline for withdrawal is setting a deadline for failure and that would be irresponsible…it makes no sense to tell the enemy when you plan to start withdrawing. All the terrorists would have to do is mark their calendars and gather their strength and begin plotting how to overthrow the government and take control of the country of Iraq,” Bush said. (Posted @ 08:47 PST)
Turkish ruling party submits early election proposal ANKARA, May 2 (AFP) - Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party submitted a formal proposal to parliament Wednesday for early general elections to be held on June 24, the Anatolia news agency reported. It was not immediately known when it would be debated. (Posted @ 14:09 PST)
Hezbollah leader says he 'respects' Israeli verdict of Lebanon war failure BEIRUT, May 2 (AP) - Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Wednesday he “respects” his enemy's verdict of failure in last summer's war with his guerrillas in Lebanon. “It is worthy of respect that an investigative commission appointed by (Israeli Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert condemns him,” Nasrallah said at the opening of a book fair in a south Beirut neighbourhood complex rebuilt that had been levelled by Israeli warplanes during the summer fighting. “The first important outcome of this commission is that it has finally and officially decided the issue of victory and defeat ... This commission spoke about a very big defeat,” Nasrallah said.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Indian government mulling self-government in occupied Kashmir: Mufti New Delhi, May 2 (PPI):- Indian government is actively considering self-rule in occupied Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, former chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed told CNN-IBN. Mufti claimed Pakistan government is also considering a similar move for Azad Kashmir. “Yes, idea of self governance is already there. There has been a back-channel discussion on this subject. Self-government should play a visionary role in our part of Kashmir. We have our autonomy and a separate constitution within the Constitution of India. Moreover people's verdict should not be negated,” he said. In an earlier statement he had said Indian Government must speed up internal confidence building process including reduction of troops and revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Held Kashmir. Mufti had said these measures should be followed up with initiatives like devising a joint institutional mechanism by involving legislators from both sides of Line of Control.(Posted @ 20:10 PST)
Afghan, coalition forces kill 13 people, including 2 women in Kandahar KANDAHAR, May 2 (AP) - Afghan and international forces killed 13 people during a clash in southern Kandahar province with suspected Taliban militants riding in three vehicles with women and children, Kandahar governor Asadullah Khalid said Wednesday. Twelve other people were wounded. An earlier statement from the U.S.-led coalition said five male insurgents were killed in the incident in Maruf district and three escaped. It did not give any details of civilian casualties.(Posted @ 19:50 PST)
Israel's foreign minister urges Olmert to resign JERUSALEM, May 2 (Reuters) - Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said on Wednesday that she told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that he should resign and that she would seek to take over as leader of his centrist Kadima party. “I told the prime minister that I thought to resign was the right thing to do,” Livni said after meeting privately with Olmert following sharp criticism of his conduct of last year's war in Lebanon.(Posted @ 19:45 PST)
Rice arrives in Egypt for Iraq conference SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, May 2 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday for a landmark conference aimed at stabilising conflict-torn Iraq. She is expected to hold talks with Iraqi and other officials on Wednesday to prepare for the two-day conference, which starts in earnest on Thursday.(Posted @ 18:10 PST)
Wreckage of helicopter found, Chelsea VP on board LONDON, May 2 (AFP) - Wreckage of a helicopter carrying a top businessman and honorary vice-president of Chelsea football club was found in woodland Wednesday after it disappeared overnight, police said. Multi-millionaire Phillip Carter is believed to have been travelling back with three or four other people from Chelsea's Champion's League semi-final with Liverpool at Anfield. The twin-engine Squirrel disappeared from radar screens nearly two hours later. “They found the helicopter intact but we do not know anything about the people inside,” Shirley Waller, whose son Jonathan was also on board the helicopter, told BBC News 24.Chelsea crashed out of the Champions League in the Anfield match, losing 4-1 on penalties in the semi-final to Liverpool after the tie ended 1-1 on aggregate.(Posted @ 18:05 PST)
Hajj quota increased: Ejaz-ul-Haq Islamabad, May 2 (PPI) - Pakistan’s Haj quota has been increased and 159,865 intending pilgrims will perform the Haj this year. Previous Haj quota from Pakistan was 150,000, Minister for Religious Affairs Ejazul Haq told a news conference here Tuesday after returning from Saudi Arabia. He said the Ministry of Religious Affairs will start receiving Haj applications this month and Haj balloting will be held on the 15th of next month. He said fifty percent intending pilgrims will perform Haj under government scheme and other fifty percent through private tour operators. Efforts will be made to send 20,000 intending pilgrims direct to Madina.Ejazul Haq said during his visit he met his Saudi counterpart and other concerned officials and discussed in detail haj matters. He said the Saudi government has appreciated the arrangements made by Pakistan government for Hajis in the last Haj.(Posted @ 18:00 PST)
Afghan probe finds 42 civilians killed in raid HERAT, Afghanistan, May 2 (AFP) -An investigation by provincial authorities has found that 42 civilians, including women and children, were killed in recent fighting in western Afghanistan, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
Karzai says Afghans lose patience over killings KABUL, May 2 (Reuters) - President Hamid Karzai warned on Wednesday that Afghan patience was wearing thin over the killing of civilians by Western forces hunting Taliban guerrillas, saying further deaths would lead to bad consequences. (Around 50 civilians have been killed in raids by U.S.-led troops in the past week) “We can no longer accept civilian casualties. It is becoming a heavy burden,” Karzai told reporters. “It has become too hard for us,” he added.(Posted @ 17:35 PST)
Altaf Hussain lashes ruling party leaders for support to religious extremists London, May 02 (PPI): MQM chief Altaf Hussain has said that religious extremists were involved in suicide bomb attack on federal interior minister Aftab Sherpao and blamed the ruling party for supporting such elements. “The attack on Sherpao is in fact an attack on government, democracy and the humanity,” he said alleging that elements of Lal Masjid, Jamia Hafsa and Jamia Fareedia were involved in it, who had threatened such attacks across the country, to whom the ruling party leaders were presenting as the 'angels'. Altaf Hussain made these observations while talking to Aftab Sherpao on telephone last night, according to a Press release from MQM International Secretariat on Wednesday.(Posted @ 17:15 PST)
Five Afghan soldiers killed rescuing Czech diplomat KABUL, May 2 (AFP) - Five soldiers and seven militants were killed in fighting that erupted when security forces went to rescue a Czech diplomat who came under fire in eastern Afghanistan, an official said Wednesday. Filip Velach, charge d'affaires of the Czech embassy in Kabul, called for help when he was fired upon by gunmen while he was travelling through Paktia province. The diplomat was unhurt but two of his bodyguards were injured in the attack in Zurmat district, the official said. “Five soldiers and seven Taliban were killed in the fighting,” he said, adding the battle lasted more than one hour. The men had taken refuge in a house before the troops arrived, the spokesman said adding that they were taken by helicopter to a US military base.(Posted @ 16:35 PST)
SPO killed in attack, widespread protests in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, May 2 (APP): In occupied Kashmir, a Special Police Officer (SPO) was killed in an attack in Philmarg village of Handwara. According to Kashmir Media Service, Indian troopers ransacked a house and beat up a woman and her two daughters at Kralpora Mantrigam in Bandipora. Meanwhile, overr one thousand teachers took to the streets in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar, demonstrating against apathy of the puppet regime towards their sufferings. Residents of Bemina Srinagar and Green Land Colony Karewa Kulgam also held demonstrations, while at least six protesters were injured after Indian police resorted to heavy baton charge to disperse them at Khanbal in Islamabad district. Separately, a large number of people took to the streets in Jammu and blocked roads for several hours to demand immediate release of a youth who went missing recently. (Posted @ 15:21 PST)
25 hurt, as coaster falls in ravine near Mansehra ISLAMABAD, May 2 (APP): At least 25 persons were injured, five of them seriously, when a passenger coaster heading towards Rawalpindi from Gilgit fell into a ravine at Kotli near Mansehra while negotiating a sharp turn on Wednesday. (Posted @ 15:21 PST)
Bomb kills up to 11 south of Baghdad BAGHDAD, May 2 (Reuters) A bomb planted inside a mini bus killed up to 11 people Wednesday in Mahmudiya, a town 30 km south of Baghdad, police said. (Posted @ 14:47 PST)
22 die in bus crash in northern India NEW DELHI, May 2 (AP) - Twenty-two people were killed Wednesday when a bus they were travelling on plunged into a gorge in the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India, a media report said. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
Search is on for body of Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader BAGHDAD, May 2 (AFP) - The Iraqi government and its tribal allies were scouring dangerous territory Wednesday for evidence to prove their claims that Al-Qaeda's Iraq chief had been killed in a clash between armed factions. “So far we don't yet have it, but there are efforts underway to look for the body,” said Brigadier General Abdel Karim Khalaf, the interior ministry's operations director, whose claim 24 hours earlier that Masri had been killed was scorned by Al-Qaeda and treated with caution by his US allies. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
15 bodies found in Baghdad Baghdad, May 2 (Reuters) - The bodies of 15 people were found shot in different districts of Baghdad on Tuesday, police said. Meanwhile, at least three people were killed and 15 wounded when several mortar rounds landed in three different districts in south and southwestern Baghdad late Tuesday, police said. (Posted @ 12:03 PST)
Sri Lanka says kills 13 Tiger rebels in series of clashes COLOMBO, May 2 (Reuters) Sri Lankan troops operating in rebel-held territory killed 13 Tamil Tiger fighters in a series of clashes over the past 48 hours, the military said Wednesday. Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said patrols had fought with clusters of rebels on the Tigers' side of forward defence lines that separate government from rebel territory in a northern swathe of the Vanni island. (Posted @ 11:09 PST)
Afghans protest again over civilian deaths JALALABAD, Afghanistan, May 2 (Reuters) Afghans protested for a fourth day Wednesday over the killing of civilians by U.S.-led coalition forces. Some 2,000 university students chanted anti-U.S. and anti-Karzai slogans in the eastern province of Nangahar, where up to six civilians died Sunday. (Posted @ 11:07 PST)
Rioters set fire to train tracks, vandalize buses, trams in western Germany BERLIN, May 2 (AP) More than 300 leftist rioters set fire to train tracks and vandalized streetcars and buses in the western German town of Dortmund Tuesday, after a May Day demonstration against right-wing extremism got out of control, Dortmund police said Tuesday. The fires were extinguished after an hour, but some tracks and wires were so heavily damaged that train service was disrupted, police said. Four police officers were injured, one seriously. More than 130 protesters were taken into custody, a police spokesman said Tuesday night. About 1,800 persons had participated in the protest against right-wing extremists in Dortmund. Later Tuesday, about 650 members of right-wing groups gathered for a demonstration in a different part of the city, Wieland said. In Berlin, peaceful daytime demonstrations turned violent Tuesday night. Protesters in the Kreuzberg neighbourhood threw bottles, stones and fireworks at police and set fire to garbage cans. Several officers and demonstrators were injured. (Posted @ 10:44 PST)
More than 200,000 rally in US May Day immigration marches CHICAGO, May 2 (AFP) More than 200,000 activists rallied across the United States Tuesday, demanding an overhaul of immigration laws and greater rights for the country's estimated 12 million illegal workers. May Day protests were held in more than 20 cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and New York, by a broad coalition of immigrant rights' campaigners. The rallies took place on the one year anniversary of massive nationwide protests which saw more than one million mostly Hispanic workers stage an unprecedented “economic boycott” by skipping work for a day. Police put the size of the demonstration at around 150,000, while organizers claimed one million protesters marched through the heart of the city waving US flags, wearing white t-shirts and chanting “si se puede” (yes we can.) (Posted @ 08:49 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 64.06 points: KARACHI, May 2: At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 12433.76, up 64.06 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:17 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, May 2: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.72 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:17 PST)
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