Roadside bomb hits passenger van in Pakistan; 10 killed

Posted : Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:52:56 GMT

Islamabad - At least 10 people were killed and six injured on Thursday when a roadside bomb exploded next to a van carrying passengers in Pakistan's tribal region near the

Afghan border, government officials said.

The blast occurred in the Doolrogha area of Kurram, one of the seven tribal districts where Taliban and al-Qaeda militants have strongholds.

"Ten bodies and six injured have been moved here," said Bahadur Khan, an official at a hospital in nearby Sadda town.

Six people died instantly in the blast, said an intelligence official speaking on condition of anonymity. He estimated the total death toll at 12, and number of injured at eight.

It was not clear whether the van was the intended target of the bombing.

The official said that two rival groups of Taliban have been planting roadside bombs for each other's fighters in the area.

The Kurram district has also seen violence between Sunni and Shiite tribesmen.

UN envoy to Afghanistan, aid groups warn against burning Koran

Posted : Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:08:25 GMT

Kabul - The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan warned Wednesday against a US church's plans to burn copies of the Koran, and aid agencies said it could cost lives of innocent civilians.

An evangelical Christian congregation of only 50 members the US state of Florida plans the book burnings to mark Saturday's ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

"If such an abhorrent act were to be implemented, it would only contribute to fuelling the arguments of those who are indeed against peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan,"

Staffan de Mistura, the UN secretary-general's envoy to the country, said.

"It could also put in jeopardy the efforts of so many Afghans and foreigners who are trying to assist Afghanistan to find its own way to peace and stability within the framework of its own culture, traditions and, indeed, religion," he said.

The Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief, an umbrella group of local and international organizations, called on the organisers of "this irresponsible initiative to stop their plans with immediate effect."

"In the context of Afghanistan, where the situation remains precarious, such an initiative could cost the lives of innocent civilians and dedicated humanitarian workers," it said.

Hundreds of Afghan took to streets in Kabul Monday to condemn the church's plan. They burned US flags and shouted "Death to America."

The top commander for NATO forces in Afghanistan, US general David Petraeus, also criticised the church and said the Taliban could use the act to inspire its fight against foreign troops.

"Were the actual burning to take place, the safety of our soldiers and civilians would be put in jeopardy and accomplishment of the mission would be made more difficult," Petraeus said.

Japan moves to prosecute Chinese fisherman over boat collision

Posted : Thu, 09 Sep 2010 05:06:34 GMT

Tokyo - Japanese authorities on Thursday moved to prosecute the Chinese captain of a fishing ship accused of deliberately colliding with Japanese patrol boats near disputed islands in the East China Sea.

The Japanese Coast Guard sent their file on the case to public prosecutors after arresting Zhan Qixiong Wednesday for allegedly obstructing public duties. The collision occurred

Tuesday off the islands known as Senkaku in Japan, Diaoyu in China and Tiaoyutai in Taiwan, which are claimed, together with the oil-rich surrounding area, by all three governments. No one was injured in the incident.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue summoned the Japanese ambassador to China, Uichiro Niwa, Wednesday to issue a formal protest, China's official Xinhua news agency reported.

Hu demanded Japan immediately release the ship and its crew and guarantee their safety, Xinhua said.

Tokyo and Beijing had bothregistered formal complaints with each other's ambassadors Tuesday.