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| March 01, 2008 | Saturday | Safar 22, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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 EC announces official results of 808 NA, PA seats ISLAMABAD, Mar 1 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan Saturday announced official results of the Elections 2008 for 808 national and provincial assemblies seats in the country. “Official results of 258 seats of National Assembly, 291 Punjab Assembly, 122 Sindh Assembly, 89 NWFP Assembly and 48 seats of Balochistan Assembly have been announced through a gazette notification,” said Secretary Election Commission Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad while addressing a news conference here. (Posted @ 22:12 PST)   Two killed, 21 injured in suicide bombing in tribal Pakistan KHAR, Pakistan, March 1 (AFP) Two people were killed and 21 others injured when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-filled car into a security personnel vehicle outside Jar village, near Khar, the main town in Bajaur tribal district, officials said. “A civilian and security official died and 21 others, including eight Levis (tribal police) personnel, were injured in the suicide blast,” local government official Mohammad Iqbal Khan told AFP. The security official and the civilian died at the hospital, he added. He said authorities had found the head of the suicide bomber who was driving a white Suzuki car. A local TV channel reported that 3 people has died in the blast. (First Posted @ 12:20 PST Updated @ 22:10 PST) 
 Pervaiz Elahi named PML-Q parliamentary leader in NA Islamabad, March 1 (PPI): Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) on Sunday named Pervaiz Elahi as its parliamentary leader in the National Assembly and Hamid Nasir Chattha parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly. This was decided at a PML-Q central executive committee meeting which was presided over by the party chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. (Posted @ 22:16 PST) Pakistan court acquits Shahbaz Sharif in murder case LAHORE, Pakistan, March 1 (AFP) - A Pakistani anti-terrorism court Saturday acquitted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's brother of murder, clearing the way for him to contest a by-election, court officials said. The murder charges were brought against Shahbaz Sharif, a former chief minister of Punjab province, after the military toppled the government of Nawaz Sharif in a military coup in October 1999. “The court ordered the acquittal after petitioners told the judge that they had found that Shahbaz was not behind the murders,” defence lawyer Khawaja Mohammed Haris told AFP. Shahbaz was barred by election authorities from standing in the February 18 election because he was facing the murder charges. His party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has already said he will contest a by-election due to be held in the next few months. Shahbaz Sharif, who is PML-N president, returned to Pakistan with his brother after seven years in exile. (Posted @ 11:15 PST) Five PML-Q MPAs announce support for PML-N LAHORE, March 1 (APP): Five MPAs of Pakistan Muslim League-Q here on Saturday announced their support to Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz). Col. (retd) Muhammad Abbas Chaudary, MPA from PP-134 Narowal announced this at a press conference at Lahore Press Club this afternoon. The MPA claimed that “40 PML-Q MPAs from Punjab province have made a forward block and they are with us.” To a question, he said their names would be announced later. (Posted @ 22:20 PST) Three security men hurt in Dera Bugti landmine explosion QUETTA: March 1 (APP): Three personnel of security forces suffered minor injuries after their vehicle hit a landmine in Bekar area of Dera Bugti, a police official Ahmed told APP on Saturday. The security vehicle was on routine patrol when it hit a landmine. (Posted @ 22:44 PST) Three killed, five injured in Jhelum road mishap JHELUM, March 1 (PPI): Three people were killed and five others injured in a road accident here Saturday. A minibus carrying passengers from Pind Dadan Khan to Rawalpindi was involved in a head-on collision with a truck. The bus driver and two passengers including a woman died on the spot. Doctors at the hospital where the injured were taken said the condition of five persons was serious. (Posted @ 22:34 PST) Pakistan opens probe into bombing at police officer's funeral that killed 38 PESHAWAR, Pakistan, March 1 (AP) - Security forces launched a probe into suicide attack at Deputy Superintendent of Police Javed Iqbal’s funeral on Friday that killed 38 people and injured scores of others in Swat valley’s Mingora town in northwestern Pakistan, officials said Saturday. Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Akhtar Ali Shah said a probe was launched. He said although no one claimed responsibility, police were confident of arresting those who orchestrated the suicide attack. Shahabuddin, an assistant inspector of police, said the explosion occurred just as pallbearers _ including Iqbal's teenage son _ lifted the coffin to carry it towards the grave. Many police officers were at the funeral. “Because it was dark, the suicide bomber was able to mingle among the people easily,” said Shahabuddin. name ''As the coffin was lifted I moved toward the gate but suddenly a big explosion took place, which dashed me against the gate. ... It was hell. Everybody was crying for help,” Shahabuddin, who was slightly wounded, told The Associated Press. (Posted @ 10:30 PST) Police formally accuse Baitullah Mehsud of masterminding Bhutto killing ISLAMABAD, March 1 (AP): Police Saturday formally accused top Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud of planning the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Police filed preliminary charges in court against Mehsud, whom the Pakistani government named as a suspect in the December 27 killing of Benazir Bhutto. Four others were also charged in the suicide and gun-attack at a public rally. ''Police submitted preliminary charges in the Bhutto case before an anti-terrorism court, and the judge issued a non-bailable warrant of arrest against Baitullah Mehsud and four other accused,'' said Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, chief investigator in the case. (Posted @ 15:50 PST) US says not interfering in Pakistan's internal process WASHINGTON, March 1 (APP): The United States said it has not taken sides in Pakistan's internal political process but wants to be able to work fully with its government to pursue common long-term interests in counterterrorism, and democratic and economic development of the South Asian ally. “We have a long-term interest and a long-term investment in Pakistan, and we want to be able to work fully not only with yesterday's government and today's government but with future governments, because our interests in Pakistan are long-term,” the State Department said Friday afternoon. Spokesman Tom Casey stated in response to a question at the daily briefing “how Pakistanis, how their democratically elected leaders intend to organize their government, develop their policies and manage their own internal political process-that really is something that is theirs to decide.” “The United States did not, before the election or during the election process, nor are we now going to try and take sides in that or interfere in those internal discussions,” he added. “That's not to say the United States doesn't have interests in Pakistan,” Casey said, adding that the US has a “clear national interest in being able to work closely to confront extremism and terrorism in the region. Citing the US commitment to economic development of Pakistan including the tribal areas, Casey said there was a lengthy discussion there as well about what we can do in the future to be able to assist Pakistan in the years ahead. “Because the important thing is that Pakistan well beyond any time - and I hope there will be a time in the not-too-distant future - where extremism is not such a threat to all of us, Pakistan is going to be an important country in the region and in the world. It's going to be an important partner for the United States in all kinds of areas.” (Posted @ 13:00 PST) 
High winds kill 6 in Austria, Czech Republic VIENNA/PRAGUE, March 1 (Reuters): Gale-force winds hammered Austria and the Czech Republic on Saturday, killing at least six people and sweeping roofs off houses, uprooting trees and cutting power lines, officials said. They said air traffic in both countries was briefly interrupted when the storm, packing winds of between 155 kph and 180 kph lashed parts of central Europe, including southern Germany. (First Posted @ 19:52 Updated @ 21:48 PST) 20 killed in Burundi army-rebels clash BUJUMBURA, March 1 (Reuters): Burundi's army said on Saturday it had killed 17 fighters from the Forces for National Liberation (FNL) in clashes with the guerrilla group. An army spokesman said one soldier and two civilians were also killed in the incidents, which took place late Friday and early Saturday in Gatumba district, 13 km west of the capital Bujumbura. (Posted @ 21:46 PST) Fighting kills five in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, March 1 (Reuters): Five people including two government soldiers and an insurgent have been killed in clashes between allied Ethiopian-Somali troops and militants in Mogadishu, witnesses said on Saturday. Local residents said the gunfight began when Ethiopian and Somali forces patrolling near Mogadishu's sprawling Bakara market were ambushed by militants armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. (Posted @ 21:44 PST) 
Israeli strikes kill 49 in Gaza: medics GAZA CITY, March 1 (AFP/Reuters): An Israeli assault on northern Gaza killed at least 49 Palestinians on Saturday, wounding 150 others medics said, making it the deadliest day of Israeli-Palestinian fighting in more than a year. Those killed included at least 7 women. The latest Israeli attack began before dawn when Israeli tanks supported by helicopters pushed into the town and refugee camp of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip and continued the assault throughout the day. At least 279 Palestinians have been killed since Israel and the Palestinians relaunched formal peace talks at a US conference in November. Since the Palestinian uprising erupted in September 2000, at least 6,240 people have been killed, with Palestinians making up the vast majority. In Jerusalem, the Israeli army said two Israeli soldiers were killed in fierce fighting with Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip. (First Posted @ 09:40 PST Updated @ 22:54 PST) Six Israelis wounded by long-range Gaza rockets: army JERUSALEM, March 1 (AFP): Six Israelis were wounded, one of them seriously, by long-range rockets fired by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the Israeli army said. Militants fired over 40 rockets and mortars at southern Israel as Israeli troops in the northern Gaza Strip launched the deadliest incursion there in over a year, killing at least 46 Palestinians. (Posted @ 21:52 PST) Israel using Holocaust as pretext for Gaza killings: Hamas DAMASCUS, March 1 (AFP): Hamas supremo Khaled Meshaal accused Israel of “using the Holocaust” as a pretext for launching attacks on the Gaza Strip, where at least 35 Palestinians were killed in a major assault on Saturday. “Israel is using the Holocaust as a cover to do what it wants,” Meshaal told a news conference in the Syrian capital, where he lives in exile. Meshaal condemned Israel's air and overland raids on Hamas-run Gaza that have killed more than 60 people since Wednesday as “a real holocaust.” (Posted @ 21:38 PST) Colombian rebel number two leader killed by army: radio BOGOTA, March 1 (AFP): The number two leader of Colombia's FARC rebels, Raul Reyes, has been killed by the country's army, radio Caracol said Saturday quoting officials. It said Reyes was killed during an air attack on the southern town of Tetey, close to the border with Ecuador, which was launched after security agencies intercepted a satellite communication. At least 10 other guerrillas were also killed. (First Posted @ 19:38 PST Updated @ 20:00 PST) 
Two killed in attack on pilgrims: Iraq police BAGHDAD, March 1 (AFP): Two people were killed and 10 wounded in northern Iraq on Saturday in an attack on pilgrims heading home from the Arbaeen religious ceremony. Gunmen ambushed the pilgrims on the highway near Sarha town, some 100 kilometres south of Kirkuk, said the police. Eight of those wounded were women. Fifteen pilgrims returning from Karbala were kidnapped when gunmen stopped two minibuses, police said in the town of Amerli, just south of Kirkuk. (Posted @ 19:18 PST) Irish police arrest three people in security swoop DUBLIN, March 1 (Reuters): Irish police said on Saturday they were questioning three people over what public broadcaster RTE said was links to the discovery of materials that could be used to make explosives. RTE said three men from Afghanistan in their 30s and 40s, were being questioned by police after they were arrested during a search of a hostel for asylum seekers and foreign nationals in County Kerry in south west Ireland. (Posted @ 19:14 PST) Palestinians threaten to call off talks with Israel RAMALLAH, March 1 (AP): Palestinians threatened on Saturday to call off peace talks with Israel after 33 Gazans were killed in violence that escalated sharply during the day. Chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia said Palestinian leaders, including President Mahmoud Abbas, recommended suspending peace talks at a meeting Saturday in the West Bank town of Ramallah. “What is happening in Gaza is a massacre of civilians, women and children, a collective killing, genocide,” Qureia added. “We can't bear what the Israelis are doing, and what the Israelis are doing doesn't lend the peace process any credibility.” (Posted @ 19:02 PST) British airman killed in Iraq LONDON, March 1 (AFP): A British serviceman has been killed in a rocket attack in southern Iraq, the defence ministry in London said Saturday. “A British airman has died as a result of a rocket attack on the Contingency Operating Base in Basra,” a statement read. The incident occurred at approximately 2130 GMT Friday. (Posted @ 18:56 PST)
Mild quake strikes north-central Italy ROME, March 1 (AP) A 4.2-magnitude earthquake rattles towns north of Florence, sending residents into the streets, but causing no known injuries. The National Geophysics Institute says there were several jolts Saturday morning, and that the most powerful ones were felt in Florence and Bologna. The institute has located the epicentre in an area about 40 kilometres north of Florence. Officials have reported minor damage. (Posted @ 18:22 PST) Abbas slams Israel's Gaza 'holocaust' RAMALLAH, March 1 (AFP): Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on Saturday denounced a deadly Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed at least 32 people as “more than a holocaust.” ”It's very regrettable that what is happening is more than a holocaust. We tell the world to see with its own eyes and judge for itself what is happening and who is carrying out international terrorism,” Abbas told reporters in Ramallah. “It is regrettable that Israel uses this word, banned for more than 60 years, the word 'holocaust,' and we demand that the world respond,” Abbas said. (Posted @ 17:00 PST) Britain's Prince Harry back from Afghan frontline LONDON, March 1 (Reuters): Britain's Prince Harry, third in line to the throne, returned home from Afghanistan on Saturday after news leaked out on the Internet that he had been secretly fighting the Taliban for 10 weeks. The prince flew back to the Royal Air Force base at Brize Norton in central England to be greeted by his father, Prince Charles, and brother, Prince William. Harry went to Afghanistan on active service in December on a four-month deployment. (Posted @ 16:55 PST) US troops detain cell leader of female bombers in Iraq BAGHDAD, March 1 (AFP): US forces have detained the suspected leader of a cell recruiting female suicide bombers in Diyala province, the military said on Saturday. The suspected militant was detained north of Khan Beni Sad in the province where a series of suicide bombings have been launched by women bombers. (Posted @ 16:55 PST) Armenia protestors return to streets after crackdown YEREVAN, March 1 (AFP) About 2,000 protestors returned to the streets of the Armenian capital Yerevan Saturday just hours after riot police dispersed a major rally and placed opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian under house arrest. The crowd protesting alleged rigging of a February 19th presidential election gathered near the Yerevan mayor's office and several embassies, an AFP correspondent said. Dozens of riot police gathered nearby. (Posted @ 15:35 PST) Six injured in Pakistan road accident BAGH, Pakistan, March 1 (APP): Six people were seriously injured when an ambulance going from district Bagh to Rawalpindi turned turtle and fell into deep ravine early Saturday morning. (Posted @ 15:25 PST) Cricket- South Africa 583-7 dec v Bangladesh - innings CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, March 1 (Reuters): South Africa declared their first innings on 583 for seven just after tea on the second day of the second and final test against Bangladesh in Chittagong Saturday. Score: South Africa 583-7 (G. Smith 232, N. McKenzie 226, S. Hossain 3-107) v Bangladesh. (Posted @ 15:10 PST) Roadside bomb kills three, wounds seven in eastern Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan, March 1 (AP): A roadside bomb struck a tractor in eastern Afghanistan Saturday, killing three people, including a woman and a child, and wounding seven others, an official said. The blast hit a family as they were travelling between villages in the Ali Sher district of Khost province, said Gul Mohamaddin Mohammadi, a provincial health official. The explosion happened on a road used by foreign and Afghan troops. (First Posted @ 12:30 PST, Updated @ 14:25 PST) Three dead, six injured after Maoist attack in Philippines DAVAO, Philippines, March 1 (AFP) Communist insurgents attacked an army convoy in the southern Philippines Saturday, killing three troops and wounding six others, military spokesman Major Patrick Cinco said. Guerrillas of the communist New People's Army (NPA) ambushed the convoy of army soldiers and pro-government militiamen on the outskirts of Davao City in the southern island of Mindanao shortly after dawn, Cinco said, adding that two militiamen and one soldier were killed before the rebels fled after a brief gunbattle. (Posted @ 13:20 PST) Cricket: South Africa beat Pakistan in under-19 World Cup semi-final KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (AFP) - South Africa defeated defending champions Pakistan by 98 runs in the semi-final of the under-19 World Cup on Saturday to set up a title clash with India. Pakistan, set a revised target of 252 in 47 overs in the rain-hit match spread over two days, were bowled out for 153 in 39.3 overs at the Kinrara Oval. The day-night final will be played at the same venue on Sunday with a reserve day set aside in case of rain. Brief scores: South Africa 260-8 in 50 overs; Pakistan 153 all out in 39.3 overs (Target revised to 252 in 47 overs due to rain). (Posted @ 11:10 PST) Sri Lanka says another 45 Tigers killed COLOMBO, March 1 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's defence ministry claimed Saturday security forces had killed 45 rebels in fresh fighting in the island's embattled north where 11 government soldiers were also wounded. There was no immediate reaction from the Tigers. (Posted @ 10:20 PST) Bus wreck kills 45 in Guatemala GUATEMALA CITY, March 1 (AP) - An overcrowded bus plunged off a highway and rolled into a gully near the city of Cuilapa, about 80 kilometers east of Guatemala City on Friday, killing 45 people and injuring 20 more, authorities said. The death toll is likely to rise, given the serious condition of the injured, officials said. (First Posted @ 09:42 PST, Updated @ 10:10 PST)
Cricket-Smith and McKenzie set world opening partnership record CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, March 1 (Reuters) - South Africa skipper Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie set a world record for the opening wicket partnership on the second morning of the second and final test against Bangladesh on Saturday. Smith was on 231 and McKenzie on 170 when they surpassed the record of 413 for the opening wicket set by Indian pairing Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy against New Zealand in 1956. Their partnership ended shortly after on 415 when Smith was bowled by Abdur Razzak for 232. (Posted @ 10:00 PST) Afghan opium still thriving: US report WASHINGTON, March 1 (AFP) - Despite seven years of efforts to stamp out the opium crops funding Taliban militants through a flood of heroin, more Afghans than ever are growing the poppies, a US government report said Friday. “Narcotics production in Afghanistan hit historic highs in 2007 for the second straight year,” said the report released by the State Department. More than 14 percent of Afghans were involved in poppy production in 2007, up from 12.6 percent the previous year, according to the 600-page document which evaluates anti-drug efforts country by country. Last year, 93 percent of the world's opium came from Afghanistan. This share, up from 90 percent in 2006, was grown over 193,000 hectares of Afghan fields -- a 17 percent increase on the previous year, said the report, which cites United Nations figures. (Posted @ 09:55 PST) Two killed, 14 wounded in S Korean industrial fire SEOUL, March 1 (AFP) - Two people were killed and 14 others injured when a pre-dawn blaze ripped through a chemical plant in Gimcheon City in South Korea Saturday, the Yonghap newsagency reported. (Posted @ 09:50 PST) Iraq gears up for first visit by Iranian president BAGHDAD, March 1 (AFP) - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due in Iraq on Sunday at the start of an historic first visit by a president of the Islamic republic which fought a bitter eight-year war against Baghdad during the 1980s. “This trip will create new opportunities in Iranian-Iraqi relations,” Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said ahead of the trip. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
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