Black Day to Be Observed on November 3: Aitezaz Ahsan

LAHORE: Chaudhry Aitezaz Ahsan said that black day would be observed all over the country on November 3 and lawyers would boycott the courts.

Addressing at a press conference in Lahore, he said that the deposed chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry would address the Rawalpindi Bar on November 3 and the Sialkot Bar Association on November 8.

The deposed chief justice will go on November 15 to the United States where the New York Bar will award him an honorary membership while the Harvard University will give him medal of freedom which was earlier given to Justice Marshall and Nelson Mendela.

Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will be the third world personality to receive this award.



news by apakistannews.com

20 Killed In US Drones Attack in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: 20 people were killed in an airstrike carried out by a suspected US drone in Pakistan’s tribal region along border with Afghanistan, security officials said.

“A US pilotless aircraft fired two guided missiles on the house of a person named Amanullah in Asori village of Mir Ali sub-district of North Waziristan,” said a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The house was demolished and caught fire. People were trying to pull out the dead and the injured from the rubble but the fire was hampering their efforts, the official added.

news by apakistannews.com

We won’t hamper resolution of Kashmir dispute: NC

Srinagar: The resolution of the Kashmir dispute lies in the hands of India and Pakistan, the state’s main opposition party, the National Conference (NC), has said in its vision document released here Friday as part of the campaign for the upcoming assembly polls.”Our governance agenda will not be any hurdle in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute by India and Pakistan but they must keep the aspirations of the people of the state in mind while reaching that resolution,” the party said.

Its vision document highlights the party’s political and economic agenda for governance in Jammu and Kashmir in the next 15 years. It was prepared by a panel of its leaders headed by Abdul Rahim Rather and included two former chief secretaries of the state, Sheikh Gulam Rasool and Vijay Bakaya.

“This vision document is aimed at achieving self-reliance, eradication of unemployment, environmental conservation and good governance in the state,” party patron and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah told reporters at the Nawa-e-Subha headquarters of the party in summer capital Srinagar.

Party president and MP Omar Abdullah was also present at the function. While talking to reporters, he reiterated his decision to contest the assembly polls from north Kashmir’s Ganderbal constituency. Omar had lost the 2002 elections in Ganderbal to People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Qazi Muhammad Afzal.

The National Conference’s vision document is basically an extension of the party’s autonomy resolution which it had passed in the state assembly with an overwhelming majority in 2000, when it was in power.

The vision document speaks of the peace process between India and Pakistan, good governance, Panchayati Raj, rehabilitation of people affected by militancy, private sector investment in hydro-power generation and also expansion of the industrial and tourism sectors to give a fillip to the state’s economy besides addressing the problem of unemployment.

Asked whether his party had already reached some understanding with the Congress party about a future alliance in the state, Omar said: “Coalition governments have failed in the state in the past and we hope to get an absolute majority on our own this time.

“The option of an alliance would only be discussed by the party after the election results.”

The National Conference president strongly refuted rumours that a deal had been worked out by his party with the centre for future government formation here.

“The power to elect the government lies with the people and they alone would decide who comes to power here,” Omar said.

He also said the party’s election manifesto would be released shortly.

Jammu and Kashmir will hold assembly polls in seven phases from Nov 17 to Dec 24.

news by apakistannews.com

Shahryar Mohammad Khan Cautions ICC over Reversing Oval Test Result

Lahore: Shahryar Mohammad Khan, the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, has cautioned the ICC against overturning the result of the controversial England-Pakistan Test at The Oval in 2006, now a draw, back to a forfeit.

“The ICC will only make fun of itself and it will leave them in a very awkward position,” Shahryar told media on Thursday.

The PCB is currently awaiting the ICC’s reaction to the MCC’s recommendation that the result of the Oval Test be reversed and awarded to England, the Daily Times reported.

The match was initially forfeited by Pakistan, after they refused to take the field, but the ICC changed the result to a draw at an executive board meeting in July this year. The series result was hence changed from 3-0 to 2-0 in favour of England.

Following the MCC world cricket committee’s statement, ICC president David Morgan said it was a decision that he was not happy with and didn’t believe “it was appropriate to change the result.”

Tony Lewis, the chairman of the MCC committee, said the reversal had set a “dangerous precedent and cricket would only be worse off for this decision.”

Shahryar, who was the PCB chairman at the time of the Oval Test, however believed the decision to change the result was unanimous.

“It’’s not a matter that whether the changed decision was right or wrong. Maybe Morgan was not happy when the decision was changed from a forfeit to a draw at the ICC board’’s meeting, but then it was a unanimous decision and it should stay.”

He recommended the ICC should have a body in place to addresses such issues.

Shahryar, who was at The Oval for the match, said the on-field umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove made a mistake in awarding the Test to England. (ANI)

news by apakistannews.com

8 Killed in Suicide Attack in Mardan, Pakistan

MARDAN: At least eight people were killed and 25 other injured in a suicide attack on a high-rank police official here Friday, reported ARY OneWorld.

According to details, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the residence of DIG Mardan killing at least eight people on spot.

The deceased include four policemen and four other citizens as DIG Akhtar Ali Shah remained unhurt in the incident.

Twenty-five people including passersby were also injured in the attack and were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals.

Heavy contingents of police and other law enforcers arrived at the blast site and ceased the area for general public.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have condemned the suicide attack on DIG Mardan.




news by apakistannews.com

UN Secy Gen Ban Ki-Moon to Meet Manmohan Singh Today

New Delhi: UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will meet Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here today.

He is expected to hold talks on the current global financial crisis and climate change with Indian leaders.

Issues like the situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal will also be considered during the meeting between the two sides.

The Secretary General is also scheduled to meet President Pratibha Patil, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition LK Advani.

The visit comes just before the meeting of world leaders called by the US to discuss the financial meltdown that is threatening the economies of most countries. (ANI)

news by topnews.in

Death Toll Mounts To over 300 in Quake-Hit Ziarat

QUETTA: The death toll of Wednesday’s severe earthquake has crossed 300 and about 1000 are injured in the worst-affected quake district, Ziarat, 120 kilometers off from the provincial capital, District Nazim Ziarat, Dilawar Khan Kakar and the District Health Officer Ziarat told media by phone.

Villagers in the badly affected areas fear about estimation of death figures saying causalities might be over 400 while the official sources were citing tentative figures, but the District Nazim and the DHO had yet confirmed officially the death toll as over 300.

Thousands of people were struck by the Wednesday calamity tragedy as 40,000 people were left homeless. 200 houses were completely destroyed in 30 villages in Ziarat, the district administration sources told media.

They said “casualty figures are difficult to predict exactly, but the exact figure of the victims will be produced once the full rescue operation is completed in the devastated villages of Ziarat.”

The aftershocks of the earthquake further added to miseries of the survivors which rattled their minds and caused more losses in the quake-stricken villages of Ziarat, the sources said, adding that survivors passed tough and difficult times last night on open grounds in the chilly weather.








news by geo.tv

Local Bodies By-Polls Likely to Be Postponed

ISLAMABAD: The local bodies by-polls scheduled to be held on November 17 might be postponed in view of deteriorating law and order situation and rough weather conditions in various parts of the country, ARY OneWorld reported here Friday.

The three provinces - Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan - have asked the federal government to hold back the local bodies’ by-polls to a later time. Polls have already been postponed in Balochistan after October 29 eartquake.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will decide whether to hold by-polls as per announced scheduled or to postpone it in its meeting here today. Sources said the ECP will probably decide postponing the polls, reported ARY OneWorld.








news by thearynews.com

Pakistan discussing terms Of IMF Deal: PM

ISTANBUL: Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Thursday his country was discussing the terms and conditions of a possible International Monetary Fund deal to cope with a balance-of-payments crisis.

But Gilani said he still hoped Pakistan could avoid IMF assistance if it wins billions of dollars in aid from friendly governments at a meeting in Abu Dhabi next month.

Pakistan, a nuclear-armed U.S. ally, has been in discussions with the IMF since last week but officials from both sides have been tight-lipped about the talks. Faced with dwindling foreign reserves, it has a few weeks to raise billions of dollars in foreign loans to meet debt payments and pay for imports.

"We are already talking to the IMF and they are talking about terms and conditions," Gilani told international news agency in an interview on the sidelines of a World Economic Forum meeting in Istanbul.

"Whether those terms and conditions are suitable to Pakistan or not, my advisers have to make up their mind," he said.

Islamabad's seven-month-old government, running Pakistan after more than eight years under former army chief Pervez Musharraf, has been reluctant to go to the IMF although many analysts believe this is inevitable.

An IMF package often involves cutting spending, raising taxes and tightening monetary policies.

The "Friends of Pakistan" group -- which includes the United States, the European Union, the UAE, the United Nations and China -- is due to meet next month.

"The Friends of Pakistan are making a package to get Pakistan out of the present situation," Gilani said.

"If our friends start supporting us immediately, maybe Pakistan will not need IMF support," he said.

Pakistan's economic woes began before the global financial crisis set in but analysts say the crisis has compounded Pakistan's difficulties by making donors reluctant to step in.

Gilani's top economic adviser, Shaukat Tarin, said earlier this week Pakistan had no alternative to seeking IMF money, but that Islamabad "would accept their programme on our terms".

Pakistani newspapers have been full of speculation about the conditions which might be attached to an IMF deal, of which the most important would be a big cut in defence spending.

Pakistan, an ally in the U.S.-led war on terror, is battling militants at home. Asked if the IMF had suggested a cut in defence spending as part of any deal, Gilani said: "Certainly not."

Gilani said there was "no possibility" of default and Pakistan would seek deferred oil payments from Saudi Arabia.

Saudi officials have said they will attend the Abu Dhabi talks, but have highlighted the importance of financial institutions.

Asked if his country also planned to ask Iran for deferred oil payments, Gilani said: "I think there is no harm in talking to Iran (about oil deferred payments). Certainly we will ask all our friends to help us out of the difficult situation."

In the interview, Gilani criticised recent U.S. attacks on militants on the Pakistani side of the border.

"These actions are counterproductive and are not helping us combat terrorism," Gilani said.

On Wednesday, Pakistan summoned the U.S. ambassador in Pakistan to protest over missile strikes by pilotless U.S. aircraft on the Pakistani side of its border with Afghanistan, but Gilani said relations between the two allies were good.

"There is only one policy the people of Pakistan are not happy with the United State, and that is the interference of the territory and the sovereignty of Pakistan."





news by thearynews.com

Obama Slams McCain as Recession Fears Laid Open

VIRGINIA BEACH: Democrat Barack Obama predicted Thursday the next president would inherit a painful recession but stuck to a laundry list of big-spending priorities as he vowed to restore prosperity for the middle class.

Five days from Tuesday's election, Obama pounced on news the United States is now officially on the brink of recession to accuse White House rival John McCain of backing Republican policies he said had driven the economy into a ditch.

In the campaign's closing stretch, the Illinois senator bidding to be America's first black president launched a one-day blitz of battleground states, aiming to bury McCain's prospects in Florida, Virginia and Missouri.

"If you want to know where John McCain will drive this economy, just look in the rear-view mirror. Because when it comes to our economic policies, John McCain has been right next to (President) George Bush," he said.

"He's been sitting there in the passenger seat, ready to take over, every step of the way," Obama told more than 13,000 supporters at a sports stadium in Sarasota, an epicenter of Florida's recount fiasco in the 2000 election.

After nine straight months of job losses, falling wages and rocketing home foreclosures, he said, "why would we keep driving down this dead-end street?"

"It is time to change drivers. It is time to have somebody else at the wheel," Obama said in Sarasota and at a later rally in an amphitheater here near Virginia's naval dockyards, attended by 10,000 people.

Earlier, the US government said the gross domestic product (GDP) of the world's largest economy contracted 0.3 percent in the period from July to September. Another fall in the fourth quarter would confirm a recession.

The news was the latest blow to McCain, who has struggled to effectively counter Obama's attempts to tie him to Bush's shattered economic legacy.

Interviewed by media in Sarasota, Obama said the job facing the president-elect taking office on January 20 had got much harder as a result of the financial crisis.

"It's going to be a lot tougher. I don't think there's any doubt about that. We know that the next president is likely to inherit a significant recession," he said.

"We don't know yet how long and how deep it is, and what actions we take over the next six to nine months could help determine how deep and how long," he said, noting fewer revenues coming into the government and higher spending going out on social benefits.


news by geo.tv

British Govt Stands with People of Baluchistan

LONDON: British Justice Secretary, Jack Straw has said that British Government and public are with Pakistan with people who lost their lives and loved ones in recent earth quake in Baluchistan.

This he said while talking to Ary One World here. In the interview he also made clear British government stance over Independent Judiciary in Pakistan and on other issues also





news by thearynews.com

OIC Calls to Assist Pakistan Quake Victims

JEDDAH: The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, conveyed his profound sympathy to the government and people of Pakistan following the earthquake that hit the region of Baluchistan on 29th October 2008, causing loss of lives and massive destruction of property.

The OIC Secretary General solemnly appealed to all Member States and Islamic, humanitarian and relief organizations to extend all possible relief assistance to the affected people in these difficult moments.




news by thearynews.com

Tokyo Stocks Down on Profit-Taking

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks lost some of their recent gains Friday as investors tried to lock in profits.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average, which gained nearly 10 per cent the previous day, lost 245.64 points, or 2.72 per cent, to 8,784.12.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 15.49 points, or 1.72 per cent, at 883.88.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 98.77-82 yen, up from Thursday's 5 pm quote of 98.74-76 yen.

The euro was quoted at 1.2865-70 dollars, down from Thursday's 5 pm quote of 1.3211-12 dollars, and at 127.05-10 yen, down from 130.45-49 yen. (dpa)

news by topnews.in

Ranatunga: Tendulkar one of most well-behaved cricketers

Adam Gilchrist might have called Sachin Tendulkar a “bad sport” but for former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga the Indian batting maestro is one of the best well behaved cricketers he had played with.

“He (Tendulkar) was one of the nicest guys I played cricket with. The thing I admired of him was the commitment for the game. I am very glad that he has left behind (the issue),” Ranatunga told the media.

“I have not seen anyone who is so committed to cricket. Actually I learnt a lot from him. I was not committed enough for my batting. The result shows. I think he (Tendulkar) is a role model for any young cricketer,” Ranatunga said.

Ranatunga, now the Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), said Tendulkar deserved to become Test cricket’s highest run-getter surpassing West Indian great Brian Lara.

“I think he (Tendulkar) deserves to do that because of the commitment. He is one of the greatest cricketers I have played cricket with.”

Ranatunga feels that Tendulkar can easily play a couple of years of cricket and he should be given the luxury to decide when to hang his boots.

“I still feel he can easily play a couple of years. I think the important thing is he has to take care of his injuries. When you are getting older you are getting into all these issues.

“But he is still fit enough to play cricket. Even Sourav Ganguly, he is still getting runs. I think there will be a big vacuum when the ‘fab four’ goes,” Ranatunga said.

“Only Sachin should decide (on his retirement). If he feels that he is not enjoying the game he should announce his retirement,” he added.

(Agencies)

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

news by apakistannews.com

Laxman laments defensive Ponting

Stylish middle order batsman V V S Laxman today (Oct 30) said he wondered why Australia were over-defensive in the ongoing series considering that it was almost the same team which beat India 2-1 earlier this year.

“They are over-defensive since the start of the series. If you see their captain (Ricky) Ponting is talking only about India while Anil Kumble has been so encouraging as he is speaking about our boys, our batsmen and our bowlers,” said Laxman, who posted an unbeaten 200 before India declared their first innings at 613 for 7.

“They’ve got resources. The team is not different in any way, except for (Adam) Gilchrist (who retired earlier this year) which beat us 2-1 in Australia earlier this year.

“I don’t know why they should be defensive,” he added. Australia drew the first Test and lost the second Test by a huge 320-run margin at Mohali while in the on-going crucial third Test as well India are dictating the terms.

Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan had also described Ponting and Co. as defensive after the drawn first Test in Bangalore.

“They were very defensive. I have never seen an Australian team play such a defensive cricket,” he had said.

(Agency)

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

.

news by apakistannews.com

We are more than capable to reply: Clark

Australian pacer Stuart Clark today asserted that the visiting team was “more than capable” to save the crucial third cricket Test here after India declared their first innings at a mammoth score of 613 for 7.

“That’s the big thing. Our guys are capable. We have three-four guys who average 50-plus or close to 50. I think we are more than capable,” Clark said.

“If we bat well, we can save the Test. We need to bat well, need to bat really well tomorrow and post a reasonable score and see how it goes from there. Hopefully, we would post a big total in the first innings,” he said after second day’s play at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground.

India would look to seal the four-match series here as they have taken a 1-0 lead, having won at Mohali after drawing in Bangalore.

As two Indians carved out double tons in their first innings, Clark admitted it was tough job for the visiting bowlers.

“It was hard work for a couple of days. The track was good for batting and it was really tough work for the bowlers.

“The pitch is good for batting, even though it would spin more as you would imagine. There was little movement, just a hint of it,” he added.

Clark said it was difficult to reverse-swing in the Kotla conditions. “We tried everything we worked on at the nets. At different stages of the game, there were hints of reverse swing but surely not as much as we would have liked,” he said.

Clark also praised double centurion VVS Laxman, saying, “He is a very wristy player who hits balls outside the off-stump through mid-wicket. He was very good today and once he got the momentum, he kept going.”

(Agency)

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

news by apakistannews.com

Rani Disguises as Sardar in YRF New Film

MUMBAI: There have been several rumors about Rani Mukherjee’s character in Yash Raj Films’s next directed by Anurag Singh. But the truth is finally out. You must have guessed by now that Rani disguises herself as a Sardar in the movie.

Rumour is that Rani plays the role of a cricket enthusiast, who is obsessed with the sport, so much so that she will go to any level to play it. This obsession pushes her to disguise herself as a man and enter in all male cricket squad.

Shahid Kapoor, who plays the male lead opposite Rani Mukherjee in the movie, also seems to be a part of the cricket team. However, no official confirmation about the movie’s storyline has come from YRF, hence, we will have to wait and watch how Rani makes her way in to the cricket team and how well she is at playing the sport.

Also, it will be interesting to see the chemistry between Rani and Shahid on screen since the camaraderie between the two looks marvelous in the above picture.




news by thearynews.com

IMF takes back demand of increase in interest rate

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) surrendered its demand for immediately increasing the interest rate in Pakistan.

Sources told Geo News that after a meeting, the IMF agreed that Pakistan needs not to increase the interest rate for the next six to eight months.

According to sources, the IMF wants to see the results of the recent increase made in discount rate.

Sources further told Geo News that the IMF did not put any condition of increasing the interest rate for providing loan to Pakistan.

Pakistan’s negotiations for obtaining loan from the IMF are in final stage and the analysts understand that Pakistan requires three to five billion dollars for immediate economic stability.





news by geo.tv

Women Actors Are Smarter, Says Soha

Power woman, actress Soha Ali Khan, who boasts of a strong educational background and work experience in the corporate world, has no qualms in saying that actresses in

Bollywood are smarter and more intelligent than their male counterparts.

“I think the female actors are far more intelligent than the male actors. It’s a misnomer to say that actresses are not smart; they’re deeply in touch with their emotions,” Soha says.

Soha attended the British School in Delhi before graduating from Oxford University in the UK. She then pursued a Masters degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She worked for the New York-based Ford Foundation and later joined a global financial services provider. Only after that did she venture into Bollywood films with Dil Maange More in 2004.

“We do have very intelligent actresses in our country. They’re all very capable, smart and are managing their professions very well,” Soha says.

She adds that it’s important for actresses to be vigilant all the time due to the multiple and often complicated aspects of their lives. “There’s media, glamour, travelling, managing your private and public life – it’s difficult, and now there’s a business angle to films as well. Now, it’s not just about the art, it’s about how you package your image and how you sell a film, your choices of films – and it’s all quite unforgiving. If you make too many mistakes, there are far too many people who will be ready to do the job and you’ll be replaced in the blink of an eye. It requires a huge amount of intelligence to be an actor,” Soha adds.




news by indiatimes.com

5 Killed In Suicide Blast In Afghanistan

KABUL: A suicide bomber has blown himself up inside an Afghan ministry in Kabul, causing a number of casualties.

The attack took place at the information and culture ministry and ambulances have been carrying wounded people from the scene. Eyewitnesses said at least five people were died on spot, reported ARY OneWorld.

The bomb caused massive damage to the ministry building, which is located in the city centre.

Security at ministry buildings in Kabul is usually very tight and attacks such as this are not common.

Many of the building’s windows were blown out by the force of the blast.

The atmosphere outside the ministry is chaotic and very tense, with a heavy police presence.




news by apakistannews.com

25 BLASTS ROCK ASSAM,INDIA 40 DEAD, OVER 200 INJURED

Guwahati: Twenty-five co-ordinated blasts rocked busy areas of Guwahati and three other districts in Assam on Thursday, killing at least 40 people and injuring over 200 others, police and eyewitnesses said.

While four high-intensity blasts are reported to have taken place in the capital Guwahati, three each occurred in Barpeta and Kokrajhar, and one in Bongaigaon district of the northeastern state. The remaining blasts were reported to be of low-intensity.

In Guwahati, the blasts took place at Ganeshguri flyover, Fancy Bazaar, Pan Bazaar and near the district Deputy Commissioner's office. The authorities have imposed curfew in the city following the explosions. Also, the state’s borders have been sealed.

TV channels showed footage of extensive damage, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The mangled remains of cars littered Guwahati's streets even as fire brigade personnel and rescue workers rushed in to control the flames.

Injured have been rushed to the hospital. The wounded include many women and children. The casualty figures are likely to rise with the condition of many of the injured being critical, police said.

The state has been put on red alert, with police carrying out combing operations at a number of places. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC have been promulgated in Guwahati following the blasts which the police suspect to be the handiwork of the banned ULFA and HuJI extremists.

The police had to fire in the air to control an angry mob which resorted to stone pelting at Ganeshguri following the blast. A Zee News cameraman was critically injured in the violence and has been admitted to ICU in a local hospital.

The terror strike comes after the recent violence in the state.

It is believed that the bombs in Guwahati were placed in cars. In Kokrajhar, the explosives were suspected to have been planted in two-wheelers.

One blast went off just 100 metres from the residence of Assam’s Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Another exploded in front of the Kamrup district Deputy Commissioner's office, sources said.

According to reports, most of the blasts took place in crowded market areas. The explosions occurred in a span of 15 minutes with the first one going off at around 11.30 am, triggering fires in many areas and leaving a trail of death and destruction.

The first blast in Guwahati occurred at a vegetable and fruit market at Ganeshguri near the flyover adjacent to the high security Secretariat and the Assembly. The blast caused a major fire in the area with smoke engulfing the entire market and nearby places.

The next blast occurred in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office injuring many and destroying several cars parked there, sources said.

The third explosion rocked areas near the police station of the busy Fancy Bazar, triggering panic among shoppers, many of whom were injured. The fourth blast took place at Pan Bazaar.







NEWS BY APAKISTANNEWS.COM

7 Serial Blasts Rocked Assam,India:12 Killed 50 Injured

Guwahati: Seven serial blasts rocked Assam on Thursday morning, killing at least five people and injuring over 50. While four blasts took place in Guwahati, one each occurred in Barpeta, Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar districts of the northeastern state.

In Guwahati, the blasts reportedly took place in Ganeshguri, District Court Area Fancy Bazaar and Paan Bazaar.

TV channels showed footage of extensive damage, with cars going up in flames. It is believed that the bombs in Guwahati were placed in cars.

According to reports, the blasts took place within a span of one hour.

Injured have been rushed to the hospital.

Police suspect the hand of ULFA rebels in the blasts.

news by apakistannews.com

Marriott Hotel Suicide Attack Targeted Foreigners

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has reportedly established that foreign nationals were the real target of the Marriott Hotel suicide attack on September 20, and claimed that they have identified the mastermind behind the attack and those who actually carried it out.

The investigation done so far rejected claims that the targets of the attack were the political leadership of the country, the Parliament House or the Prime Minister House.

“The target of the attack was foreigners staying at the Marriott,” The News quoted FIA D-G Tariq Pervaiz as saying. Pervaiz is the head of the joint investigation team probing the Marriott attack.

It was also learnt that the mastermind and some of his key facilitators were regular visitors to the Marriott Hotel where they had occasionally observed the presence of foreigners. A source said that even on the day of the attack, one of the collaborators visited the Marriott and reconfirmed the presence of foreigners.

Without disclosing the names of the mastermind and his key facilitator for the reason that it might delay their arrest, Pervaiz said that their arrests would possibly reveal more facts.

He said that in the near future the government might announce head money to apprehend them.

According to the paper, the attackers reportedly belonged to Al-Badar, Harkat-e-Jihad-e-Islami and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, while the mastermind was a resident of Peshawar. So far, the authorities do not have evidence of the involvement of al Qaeda or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in the attack that killed more than 70, including four foreigners, it added.

Meanwhile, a senior Pakistan Interior Ministry source also confirmed that the government had already been conveyed that the Marriott was chosen as the target for the worst ever suicide attack in Islamabad because of the presence of foreigners.

news by apakistannews.com

Militants To Release 58 Abductees today: Swat

MINGORA: Security forces continued operation against miscreants and militants in various areas of Swat district on Thursday too, reported ARY OneWorld.

Forces targeted militants’ suspected hideouts in Sarseeni and Matta tehsils with cannon fire.

Curfew has also been imposed in Brem Pul and Veni Pul on Wednesday. Sarseni area of Kibil tehsil was bearing strict curfew since last four days, turning the life miserable for the local residents.

On late night Wednesday, militants attacked a security forces’ camp in Kanju with heavy artillery but flee the scene on retaliation by forces.

Meanwhile, local militants will release those 58 abductees today who they kidnapped four days back from Mandaldag and Guwalere areas.
The militants will hand over the abductees to the tribal jirga that played a vital role in their release and hold talks with their kidnappers.

news by apakistannews.com

Fireing On US Drones In North Waziristan,Pakistan

MIRANSHAH: U.S. drones made flights in different parts of North Waziristan. Tribesmen fire at drones after which drones were returned to Afghanistan.

Sources said that U.S. drones made low flights in North Waziristan headquarter Miranshah, Dattakhel,Hamzoni and other adjoining areas.

Angry tribesmen targeted drones with heavy and automatic weapons which forced them to go back Afghanistan.

Since last several months, U.S. drones made regular flights in North and South Waziristan, Kurram Agency, Orakzai Agency, Khyber Agency, Mohmand Agency and Bajaur Agency.

news by apakistannews.com

Operation For Stable Of Quake-Hit Areas Continues

QUETTA: The death toll in Balochistan earthquake has reached to 215 with hundreds of villagers injured, while relief and rescue operation is underway in the quake hit areas of the province, reported ARY OneWorld.

Many public and private sector organizations were busy in helping the earthquake victims in the most hit areas including District Ziarat, Pishin, Fort Abdullah and the outskirts of Quetta, where large number of houses collapsed.

An operation room headed by AIG Mujahid Awais, established to provide relief to the earthquake victims, was coordinating among various government departments for rescue activities.

Emergency had already been declared throughout the province, while the Army and Frontier Corps rescuers were also present in the quake hit areas for the relief operation.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sent two trucks filled with life-saving medicines for quake-affected areas of Ziarat and Pishin.

news by apakistannews.com

Afghanistan Troop Buildup Could More Than Double

WASHINGTON: U.S. military planners now think they may need to send more than double the number of extra troops initially believed needed to help fight the war in Afghanistan.

The buildup in the increasingly violent campaign could amount to more than 20,000 troops rather than the originally planned 10,000,two senior defense officials said Wednesday on condition of anonymity because no new figures have been approved.

The newest calculations reflect growing requests from field commanders in recent weeks for aviation units, engineers and others kills to support the fighting units, the officials said.

Officials had been saying for months that they needed more people to train Afghan security forces and two more combat brigades a total of some 10,000 people.

Commanders later increased that to the trainers and three combat brigades or some 15,000, when extra support is included.

Now, military planners say that the number may have to grow yet again by another 5,000 to 10,000 support troops. They would be helicopter units, intelligence teams, engineers to build more bases, medical teams and others to support the fight in the undeveloped nation, where forces have to work around rugged terrain and a lack of infrastructure.





news by geo.tv

Quake in Pakistan Kills At Least 170

ISLAMABAD: A powerful earthquake jolted parts of southwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction in one of the poorest areas of the country, officials said.

More than 170 people were killed and hundreds more were injured as hundreds of mud houses in desolate villages and hamlets in several districts of Balochistan Province were leveled by the magnitude 6.5 quake, which struck at 5:10 a.m. Army and paramilitary troops and aid workers scrambled to help the survivors and pull bodies and the injured out of the rubble, but they were hampered by significant damage to roads and the telecommunications network.

The death toll is expected to rise as reports from remote areas funnel in. Meanwhile, an estimated 15,000 people left homeless, are trying to withstand the cold and serious aftershocks. Local television showed residents sitting in the open, shivering in the cold. Women huddled in groups with their panicked children. Debris of mud houses with caved roofs presented a bleak sight.

People were shown searching through the rubble for survivors and belongings. There were reports of mass burials.

"It was a shallow earthquake, which is very destructive," said Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, the director general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department. "The aftershocks will be felt for a week with more or less the same intensity." Indeed, one on Wednesday evening had a magnitude of 6.2.

The quake struck along a 44-mile stretch including Quetta, the provincial capital, which lies on a fault line and was leveled in 1935 by a quake that killed 35,000 people.

"It was scary," Malik Siraj Akbar, a resident of Quetta and a journalist said by telephone. "The walls of the apartment complex where I live shook so hard that I just closed my eyes and waited for the roof to collapse. I feel so lucky to be alive."

Aid workers said that 2,000 to 3,000 homes were damaged and that 500 had collapsed.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had sent two teams of aid workers to the area, a total of 28 staff members and volunteers, and two mobile health teams.

"Shelter is the most critical need now," said Hasan Muzamdar, the country director of the relief agency CARE, noting that nighttime temperatures fell to 40 degrees. "Winter has already started here."

The earthquake on Wednesday brought back bitter memories of the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck in October 2005 and left more than 75,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless in the northern parts of Pakistan and parts of the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which is divided between Pakistan and India. In that disaster, frustration with the slow pace of government assistance tended to run high..





news by geo.tv

G-7 recognizes Pak sacrifices in war on terror: FM

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Wednesday that G-7 industrialized countries recognize the sacrifices offered by Pakistan in the on-going war against terrorism and has promised to support us to overcome economic crisis.

While addressing a gathering of businessmen and industrialists at Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) here, Foreign Minister said that the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum comprises G-7 industrialized countries besides Saudi Arabia, UAE and China, and he expressed the confidence that the support will come soon.

He said that an economic wing has been made functional in the Foreign Office which will ensure speedy implementation of different business and trade-related agreements Pakistan has made with other countries.

He said that relations between countries revolve around shared economic interests and added that he has introduced economic diplomacy concept to deepen Pakistan's relations with other countries.

He termed China as a trusted and time-tested friend and added that the economic relations with our all weather friend needed to be strengthened further. He said that a sincere attempt was made in this direction during the last visit to China and Pakistan was able to secure promises from China to set up two more nuclear power plants, a telecom satellite project, and investments in banking and other sectors.

He said that bilateral trade volume between China and Pakistan needed to be increased further.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that 160 multinational companies have made investments in Pakistan and the very fact clearly shows that situation was conducive for investment in Pakistan.

Citing an example, he said that China mobile company Zong has invested US$800 million in telecommunications sector and is ready to pump another US$800 million into its business operations in Pakistan.




news by thearynews.com

IMF Creates Short-Term Lending To Aid

WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund announced Wednesday the creation of a new short-term liquidity facility for countries battered by the global financial crisis.

The IMF executive board approved the creation of the emergency tool Wednesday "to establish quick-disbursing financing for countries with strong economic policies that are facing temporary liquidity problems in the global capital markets," the 185-nation lending institution said in a statement.

The managing director of the IMF, Dominque Strauss-Kahn, welcomed the board's approval of the new program.

"The ongoing turmoil in global capital markets has led to significant liquidity difficulties for some emerging market countries, even those that have maintained sound macroeconomic frameworks and have sustained histories of market access," he said at a news conference.

Strauss-Kahn said the new lending facility program fills a gap in the IMF's "toolkit of financial support," which includes loan facilities for countries that require both financing and policy adjustment.

This new initiative addresses the needs of countries facing a cash squeeze despite generally sound economies, he said.

Strauss-Kahn underlined that that the IMF was committed to promoting a coordinated and cooperative approach to dealing with the current global financial crisis that is threatening to tip the world economy into recession.

"Exceptional times call for an exceptional response," he said.

"The Fund is responding quickly and flexibly to requests for financing. We are offering some countries substantial resources on an expedited basis, with conditions based only on measures absolutely necessary to get past the crisis and to restore a viable external position," he said.





news by thearynews.com

GM Ddenies Asking Toyota For Help

DETROIT, Michigan: Struggling US auto giant General Motors has dismissed as "pure speculation" a report that it had asked Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp. for help to revive its business.

According to the report, GM sounded out Toyota on the possibility of GM chairman Rick Wagoner meeting with Toyota's leadership in Japan soon, but Toyota declined the offer, Japan's Kyodo News quoted unnamed sources as saying.

GM was believed to have asked for assistance including the purchase of its assets to help it raise cash, the report said.

GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson said the two companies held talks "on a regular basis" as part of their joint venture operating a manufacturing plant in California for the past 25 years.

Any suggestion that GM and Toyota were preparing to expand their cooperation was "pure speculation," he said.

The Japanese automaker also denied that it had been approached by GM, saying in a brief statement: "There's no truth in the report."

GM, which lost 15.5 billion dollars in the second quarter, has shed tens of thousands of jobs in recent years.

Earlier Wednesday, GM reported its worldwide sales fell 11.4 percent in the third quarter from a year ago to 2.115 million vehicles, leaving the US automaker behind Toyota as the industry leader.





news by thearynews.com
The Detroit giant, struggling in the face of tough economic conditions in North America and fierce competition, remained behind Japanese-based Toyota, which reported sales of 2.236 million vehicles in the quarter.

GM, the longtime global leader, fell behind Toyota in the first quarter of 2008.

Syria hardens stance after deadly US raid

DAMASCUS: Syria threatened Wednesday to cut off security cooperation along the Iraqi border if there are more American raids on Syrian territory, and the U.S. Embassy announced it would close Thursday because of a mass rally called to protest a deadly weekend commando attack.

Thousands were expected to participate in the government-sanctioned protest. Though authorities usually keep Syria under tight control and Americans have generally been welcomed, violence against U.S. and European interests at protests has erupted in the past.

"The U.S. Embassy will be closed on Oct. 30th due to past demonstrations which resulted in violence and significant damage to U.S. facilities and other embassies," the embassy said on its Web site.

It also said an American school in the Syrian capital would temporarily shut its doors Thursday and warned U.S. citizens in Syria to be vigilant.

The Syrian government already ordered the closure of the school and an American cultural center linked to the embassy.

Earlier, the Syrian government demanded that Washington apologize for Sunday's cross-border helicopter strike by American special forces that killed eight people. U.S. military officials said the raid killed a top al-Qaida in Iraq operative who was about to conduct an attack in Iraq.

Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad said Syria wants assurances Iraqi territory will not be used again to raid Syria.

"We have demanded that an investigation be conducted and that Iraq not be used for attacks against Syria. Otherwise, this would torpedo all agreements reached during the Iraq neighbors' meetings and bilateral agreements," he told media persons.

Iraq also demanded Wednesday that a crucial security deal under discussion with the U.S. must include a ban on American troops using Iraqi territory to attack neighboring countries.

Though Syria has long been viewed by the U.S. as a destabilizing country in the Middle East, attacks on its territory are rare and Damascus has been trying in recent months to change its image and end years of global seclusion.






news by thearynews.com

UN again urges US to lift embargo against Cuba

UNITED NATIONS: The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution Wednesday urging the U.S. to repeal its trade embargo against Cuba, and the island nation's foreign minister said he expects the next American president to respond positively.

It was the 17th straight year that the General Assembly called for the embargo to be repealed "as soon as possible."

"We expect that the new president will change the policy toward Cuba," Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque told media persons following the vote.

Referring to the race pitting Democrat Barack Obama against Republican John McCain, Perez Roque said he hopes the next American leader "treats Cuba with respect, lifts the blockade, and hears the message that the U.N. sent today."

The vote in the 192-member world body was 185 to 3, with 2 abstentions. The U.S., Israel and Palau voted "no" while Micronesia and the Marshall Islands abstained.

That was one more "yes" vote than last year's vote of 184 to 4 with 1 abstention, and when the final vote flashed on the screen in the General Assembly chamber, there was loud applause.

Perez Roque said earlier that regardless of what the U.S. does, "I would like to reiterate that they shall never be able to bring the Cuban people to their knees."

U.S. diplomat Ronald Godard said every country has the right to restrict trade. He said the embargo is justified because the Cuban government is undemocratic and restricts political and economic freedom.

The United States has no diplomatic relations with Cuba, lists the country as a state sponsor of terror and has long sought to isolate it through travel restrictions and a trade embargo. The embargo, imposed in 1962, has been tightened during President Bush's two terms.

Perez Roque blamed the sanctions for more than $93 billion in total economic damage over the decades.

But Godard told the General Assembly "the real reason the Cuban economy is in terrible condition and that so many Cubans remain mired in poverty is that Cuba's regime continues to deny its people their basic human and economic rights."

The American people, he said, remain the largest providers of humanitarian aid to the Cuban people, providing $240.5 million in private aid in 2007. The U.S. has increased assistance to non-governmental organizations to help address basic needs but Cuba rejected offers of U.S. aid following two devastating hurricanes, he said.



news by thearynews.com

Vidya Balan's walk in the clouds

Away from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai city, Vidya Balan is communing with nature on the sets of Vishal Bharadwaj's next. Unlike most actors who prefer to shoot in the city, Vidya is having a wonderful time shooting in Wai.

While most actresses who like to remain holed up in their vans in between shoots,
Vidya prefers the outdoors. And since she is shooting in picture pretty Wai, the actress prefers to spend time breathing in the fresh air.

A unit member revealed, "Vidya loves to be in a natural environment. She enjoys nature walks in between shots. She'd rather sit in the greenery and soak in its beauty than be stuck in the van. Vidya finds the entire experience to be meditative and absolutely soothing."

Even when not shooting, Vidya doesn't idle away her time! "Vidya goes for these long walks on the roads of Wai. So if you spot someone in tracksuits with an ipod and speakers hooked into her ears, walking away briskly, you know who it is," laughs the unit member. Viday's
staff does accompany for her brisk walks. "We cannot take any risks. What if she gets mobbed," says a staff member.

It was the same routine for Vidya in Canada, when she was shooting for Kismat Konnection.Vidya said, "I would drag my designer Shabina Khan for long walks and if she would ditch me, I would walk upto the waterfront and just enjoy myself. But I do need my i-pod and the one track that I hear the most is Mitwa from Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna..."

Wonder what track is Vidya listening to in Wai these days.





news by inditimes.com

Former tennis #1 Federer sees the positives

PARIS: Most players would love to have a 'year to forget' such as the one Roger Federer has experienced in 2008.

Knocked off your perch as world number one after almost five years at the summit, usurped by a young Spaniard nicknamed the 'King of Clay' but seemingly not destined to be master of your all-weather, all surface tennis universe up until a final to surpass all finals at Wimbledon.

Add Rafael Nadal's Olympic success and suddenly the 'Fed Express' looked like he was running out of track.

Losing Wimbledon was "rough," Federer recalled with neat understatement on Wednesday after reaching the third round of the Paris Masters - an event where he has some unfinished business having never won here.

The-27-year-old might have expected to lose the final on the other side of Paris, the French Open at Roland Garros - albeit in less humiliating circumstances than the 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 mauling which Nadal handed him in June.

Wimbledon was different, however, as the five-time defending champion went down in five titanic sets just as it seemed he had hauled himself right back from the brink.

Yet Federer is Federer and if he tacitly accepts he has had a poor season it is only because his standards remain set in the clouds.

For anybody else, a 13th career Grand Slam singles title at the US Open would have merited wild celebration - but the losses at Roland Garros and Wimbledon hit hard, following the barren spell he endured in the opening three months of the season.

Given the ups and downs of the campaign Federer therefore took a sanguine view Wednesday, when asked about regirding his loins for 2009.

"It's sort of an easier season than the years before, because I have less to defend - that's the only positive I see, really," he said.

"I'm happy with the way things have gone this season after a rough start and a rough Wimbledon final.

"So I've really been able to turn around, you know, get some emotional wins with the Olympic (doubles) gold and Basel again and then the US Open, which was the last slam of the season left to win."

Federer, who is 14-9 lifetime in Masters Series play and has 57 career titles under his belt, had been rumoured to be ready to skip Paris but in the event turned up seeking to do better than best showings of quarter-finals in 2002 and 2003.

"I never said I was going to pull the plug," he insisted, having already talked recently about trimming his overall schedule.

"I was tired after Davis Cup and it's been a tough season for all the players."

But in recent weeks he has looked very much on song.

"I felt well in Madrid, played great in Basel as well" said Federer, who completed a Swiss hat-trick before his home crowd.

"I thought I was on a roll, keep it going here - and (I'm) happy I came because I won my first round," - 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) against Swede Robin Soderling.

Looking beyond the remainder of this week and the Shanghai Masters Cup, Federer, yet to win a Masters event this season, said he was already emotionally focused on the task of reconquering the summit next year, quite apart from his ambitions here and in Shanghai.

"I'm looking forward to starting off well next year and trying to win the Australian Open - and we'll see how it goes after that."

If the cool Swiss does barge back past Nadal, he likely won't lose too much sleep that his record against the current number one reads 6-12 in the Spaniard's favour.






news by thearynews.com

Suicide Bomb Blast In Kandahar

KANDAHAR: At least 15 people were wounded in a suspected suicide bomb attack near two government buildings in Afghanistan’s southern city of Kandahar on Wednesday, a foreign news agency reported citing police and a government official said.
The blast hit between Kandahar’s main intelligence office and a compound used by the provincial government council, said Zalmai Ayoubi, a spokesman for Kandahar’s governor.
A provincial police officer said the blast was caused by a suspected suicide bomber and that at least 15 people were wounded.

News Sourece

Fazl-ur-Rehman received land for allowing 17th amendment: (ANP), Asfandyar Wali Khan

Awami National Party (ANP), Asfandyar Wali Khan has alleged that Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman received land in exchange for latter’s understanding with the previous government regarding 17th amendment.
Talking to media in Wali Bagh, he said he is not responsible for the repossession of the government land earlier allotted to Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman in exchange for allowing 17th amendment of the Constitution.
Asfandyar Wali Khan visited Charsadda amid strict security today for the first time after he was attacked here on the second day of Eid-ul-Fitr last month.
He said he would never leave the ground and that any aggression against the country will be confronted strongly. To a question, he said he is ready to make any sacrifice for the country.

via

Musharraf to stay out Of Politics:PM Gilani

ANKARA: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Sunday, no action would be taken against former President Musharraf in case he (Musharraf) kept politics at an arms length. We have told Musharraf, the people of Pakistan want change in the country’s political scenario and it is the high time for him to bid fare well to politics.
This PM said in an interview to a Turkish newspaper and added, people and parliament dislike him and he has become an old story.
Referring the ongoing security force operation in FATA Gilani said, the government of Pakistan is set to hold dialogues with Taliban if they lay down arms and come forward on table talks.
Pakistan is doing its best to combat terrorism however U.S. strikes in Pakistan would exert negative impact on Pakistan’s role in terror war, PM added.

news by apakistannews.com

Casualties Feared in Bajaur Tribal Region Air strikes

KHAR: Several casualties feared in recent airstrikes in Damadolla area of Bajaur tribal region.
According to reports, the security forces gunship helicopters pounded suspected militants hideouts in Damadolla and Mamond regions on Sunday and several casualties are feared in the air raids.

ATF disrupts skinhead plot to assassinate Barack Obama

WASHINGTON : Federal agents have broken up a plot to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and shoot or decapitate 102 black people in a Tennessee murder spree, the ATF said Monday.

In court records unsealed Monday, federal agents said they disrupted plans to rob a gun store and target a predominantly African-American high school by two neo-Nazi skinheads. Agents said the skinheads did not identify the school by name.

Jim Cavanaugh, special agent in charge of the Nashville field office for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the two men planned to shoot 88 black people and decapitate another 14. The numbers 88 and 14 are symbolic in the white supremacist community.

The men also sought to go on a national killing spree, with Obama as its final target, Cavanaugh told The Press.

“They said that would be their last, final act that they would attempt to kill Sen. Obama,” Cavanaugh said. “They didn’t believe they would be able to do it, but that they would get killed trying.”

An Obama spokeswoman traveling with the senator in Pennsylvania had no immediate comment.

The men, Daniel Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tenn., and Paul Schlesselman 18, of West Helena, Ark., are being held without bond. Agents seized a rifle, a sawed-off shotgun and three pistols from the men when they were arrested. Authorities alleged the two men were preparing to break into a gun shop to steal more.

Attorney Joe Byrd, who has been hired to represent Cowart, did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday.

Cowart and Schlesselman are charged with possessing an unregistered firearm, conspiring to steal firearms from a federally licensed gun dealer, and threatening a candidate for president.

The investigation is continuing, and more charges are possible, Cavanaugh said.

news by apakistannews.com

Separate Incidents Left At Least 10 Persons Dead 7 Injured

KARACHI : Separate incidents left at least ten persons dead and three injured here on Monday, police said.

In Qaimkhani Colony, Mochko area, four persons died and three were injured as a result of cross-fire between two unidentified armed groups.

Police ASI Zahid identified the dead as Abdul Maalik, 22,Tariq Shams-ul-Haq 29, Muhammad Kamal 47 and Qari Zeb Alam 28. The police officer also identified the injured as Tahawar, son of Muhammad Riaz, Saeed Ahmed and Sahab Gul. The injured are out of danger, he added.

The firing between two groups occurred near Pila School, Qaimkhani Colony.

Procedural formalities are underway prior to hand-over of bodies to their heirs, he further said.

One Hameed Gul, son of Majeed Gul was shot dead near Mama Hotel, Baldia No. 7. According to area police the cause and the accused are still unknown. The body has been shifted to hospital for procedural formalities.

In sector 11-G, New Karachi Industrial Area a man Liaquat, son of Sharifuddin was shot dead by unknown.

According to area police the deceased received a single bullet in the head. He was resident of 5-C-1 Area.

The dead and injured were shifted to various hospitals by Edhi’s ambulance, Edhi Welfare Centre sources said.

Edhi’s sources added information of one more dead and two injured which however, could not be confirmed by police.

They said one person died in Korangi No.3, one person received gunshot injuries in Shahrah Noor Jahan, North Nazimabad and one person received burn injuries near Sindhi Hotel, Liaquatabad.

In Mominabad a possible clash between people and an alleged land mafia group was averted however, tension continues in the area, police said.

news by apakisannews.com

India is Free to Make Nuclear bomb: Mukherjee

NEW DELHI : Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said India was free to make nuclear bomb keeping in view regional geo-political situation and its defence requirements.

Speaking at a seminar in Kolkata on Monday, he said "just as India has the right to make a nuclear bomb, countries who are against it have the right to oppose. Among the 185 countries in the world, there are big powers like the US and very small countries like Fiji and the Solomon Islands. All are sovereign and have equal rights.

He said Indo-US nuclear deal would not compromise India's independent foreign policy.

This nuke agreement was not a military deal, he said adding India was also following 'no first strike' policy announced by it after the Pokhran tests in 1998.

The deal, he said would enable India to break the nuclear apartheid.

He said when he was Defence Minister, he came to know that scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation were not being allowed to attend international seminars on the allegation that they were involved in making the nuclear bomb.

The nuke deal would reverse the situation, he added.





news by thearynews.com

Eight Dead in Philippines Troops Clash With Rebels

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

World oil Prices fall On Demand Fears

SINGAPORE: World oil prices fell in Asian trade Tuesday on concerns a global recession will hurt energy demand, dealers said. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for December delivery fell 89 cents to 62.33 dollars a barrel. In Monday trades, the New York contract dipped to 61.30 dollars at one point, a level last seen in May 2007. Brent North Sea crude for December delivery dropped 1.28 dollars to 60.13 dollars. The contract sank below the 60-dollar level Monday to as low as 59.02 dollars, its lowest point since February 2007. The falls in oil prices mirrored a similar situation in equity markets with major stock indices taking huge falls as investors fled for safety, worried about the prospects of a global recession. Investors remain jittery despite a pledge by the Group of Seven major economies to cooperate to bring stability to the global financial markets. "Prices are more or less tracking the movements of global equity markets at the moment as participants view the indices as a gauge for economic conditions and hence an indicator for future oil demand," said an analyst. Crude prices have slumped almost 60 percent since striking a record high above 147 dollars in July as global economic conditions deteriorated, triggered in large part by the US financial crisis.




news by thearynews.com

Tributes Flow As Aussie Swimmer Hackett Retires

SYDNEY: Praise poured in for Australian swimming great Grant Hackett Tuesday after the athlete known as "Captain Fantastic" announced his retirement from the pool.

The 28-year-old, who won three Olympic gold medals and took first place at 10 World Championship events during his career, told his peers at a dinner on Monday night he would be leaving the sport behind.

"Swimming has been fantastic but you have to know when you are done," Hackett said after a standing ovation at the Swimmer of the Year awards in Sydney.

Hackett, who missed out on a historic third straight gold medal in the 1500m at the Beijing Olympics by just 0.69 seconds, said he had contemplated continuing because he was swimming so well.

"It was the best swimming I had done in seven years," he said, adding that he had even considered competing at the 2012 London Games.

"But that was a definite no-no."

Hackett, who dominated the 1500m for more than a decade, winning four world and two Olympic titles before being piped by Tunisian Oussama Mellouli at the Water Cube in August, said other interests had begun to overtake swimming.

"I think after a while the passion to do this does get worn down a little bit and those other passions start to outweigh (it)," he said.

The lanky Queenslander said he was content with what he had achieved since bursting onto the Australian scene at the 1998 world championships in Perth as a 17-year-old, where he lost the 400m final to a 15-year-old Ian Thorpe.

The pair went on to help Australia's swim team to the nation's best run of success since the golden days of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Hackett's former nemesis Kieren Perkins, who he beat in the 1500m at the Sydney Olympics, led the praise for the swimmer.

"Grant is an exceptional athlete, and moreover, an exceptional human being,' Perkins said.

The new golden girl of Australian swimming, Stephanie Rice, said Hackett's retirement would be a "huge loss" for the team.

"But at the same time, I don't think he'll be too far away from keeping us motivated and being there for the sport," said Rice, who won three gold medals in her Olympic debut in Beijing.

Hackett, who married singer Candice Alley in 2007, has recently begun reading the weekend sports news on the Nine Network in Melbourne and plans to embark on a career in finance with Westpac.

The swimmer, who will be remembered for overcoming a collapsed lung to win the 1500m event in Athens in 2004, retires with two gold medals in his pet event and one for his role as a 4x200m heat swimmer in 2000.

"The proudest moment for me is every time you are overseas at one of those international meets and you get to stand on the No.1 dais and hear the anthem and see the flag go up the middle pole, hopefully with the US flag on one of the other poles," he said.

"It's been a great time and it's over soon so make the most of it," he told swimmers at the Monday night dinner. "Thanks for the memories."







news by thearynews.com