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Japan announces $10m for rain affectees in Sindh
US Senate panel approves $1 billion aid for Pakistan
Mullen accuses ISI of using Haqqani Network to wage proxy war
Dolgopolov, Ljubicic reach Moselle Open quarters
Title-holder AC Milan remains winless in Serie A
Gerrard back as Liverpool sink Brighton
Holders Rangers eliminated by giantkillers Falkirk
Golf: Lewis makes pro debut at Austrian Open
NASA says satellite will hit earth Sept 23 US time
Study: Dialysis 3 times weekly might not be enough
Yemeni truce breached by shelling, 16 dead
Gold little changed on Fed plan
Libyas NTC claims vital Sabha victory
US offers $5.8b F-16 fighter upgrades to Taiwan
Drone attack kills 10 Al Qaeda suspects in Yemen

Japan announces $10m for rain affectees in Sindh

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Talking to Dunya News correspondent in New York, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that Saudi Arabia and other countries also promised aid for rain affectees in Sindh. In her meetings with world leaders in New York she also highlighted Pakistan’s stance on war against terrorism. She said that Pakistan wanted a peaceful and just solution in Kashmir.

US Senate panel approves $1 billion aid for Pakistan

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The US Senate Appropriations Committee approved $1 billion aid for Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund, $100 million below Obama s request. It conditioned aid on Pakistan s cooperation against the Haqqani network, Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations, with some waivers. The foreign aid measure would either trim or impose limitations on U.S. aid to Pakistan, a reflection of the frustration among many lawmakers about an inconsistent ally in the U.S. confrontation with terrorists. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the bill Wednesday on a 28-2 vote. The panel also took the unusual step of not specifying other assistance to Pakistan.

Mullen accuses ISI of using Haqqani Network to wage proxy war

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The United States has accused Pakistan s intelligence agency of using the Haqqani Network to wage a "proxy war", hardening its criticism of Islamabad s ties with Taliban-allied factions fighting NATO and Afghan troops in Afghanistan. Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that in a discussion with Pakistan s army chief that lasted about four hours, he had pressed Pakistan to break its links with the militant group. "We covered ... the need for the Haqqani Network to disengage, specifically the need for the ISI to disconnect from Haqqani and from this proxy war that they re fighting," he said. "The ISI has been doing this -- working for -- supporting proxies for an extended period of time. It is a strategy in the country and I think that strategic approach has to shift in the future." Washington blames the Haqqani Network, one of the most feared Taliban-linked groups fighting in Afghanistan, for last week s attack on the US embassy and other targets in Kabul. It has in the past suggested that Pakistan s powerful Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) maintains ties to the network to guarantee itself a stake in any political settlement in Afghanistan when American troops withdraw. Accusing the ISI of using the Haqqanis to wage a "proxy war" goes further, and risks fuelling tension between Islamabad and Washington, which have been running high since al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in a surprise US Navy SEALs raid in Pakistan in May. The Haqqani network is perhaps the most divisive issue between Pakistan and the United States. Washington has repeatedly pressed Pakistan to go after the network, which it believes enjoys sanctuaries in Pakistan s unruly ethnic Pashtun tribal region of North Waziristan on the Afghan border. Pakistan denies accusations it has ties to the Haqqanis. The Washington Post reported that US officials had delivered an ultimatum to Islamabad in recent days, warning that if it did not cut ties with the Haqqani Network and help eliminate its leaders then "the United States will act unilaterally". He said the United States could step up drone attacks from Afghanistan in North Waziristan or launch long-range attacks on Haqqani hideouts as they did in their helicopter raid on bin Laden in a town just two hours up the road from Islamabad. Launching a larger military operation would be extremely difficult in the mountainous terrain of North Waziristan and would risk hardening anti-American sentiment in Pakistan. There has been no public statement suggesting that the United States might itself mount a full-scale offensive against the Haqqanis in North Waziristan, and the official line in background briefings is only that all options are on the table.

Dolgopolov, Ljubicic reach Moselle Open quarters

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Third-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine rallied from a set down to beat Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3 Wednesday and reach the quarterfinals of the Moselle Open. He was joined by No. 4 Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, who beat French qualifier Nicolas Renavand 7-5, 7-5, and eight-seeded Gilles Muller of Luxembourg who overcame French wild card Benoit Paire 7-6 (5), 6-4. Dolgopolov saved six of the seven break points he faced against Baghdatis. Ljubicic, who won the tournament in 2005, hit 13 aces and broke Renavand once in each set. Meanwhile, Arnaud Clement of France, Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany and Igor Kunitsyn of Russia all advanced to the second round. Clement, the 2003 champion, beat Michael Llodra 6-3, 6-4 and will next face Nicolas Mahut of France. The seventh-seeded Kohlschreiber beat Jonathan Dasnieres de Veigy 6-4, 7-6 (4), and Kunitsyn defeated Kenny De Schepper 7-5, 5-7, 6-4. Kohlschreiber will next play Dutch qualifier Igor Sijsling, while Kunitsyn will meet sixth-seeded Xavier Malisse of Belgium.

Title-holder AC Milan remains winless in Serie A

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At the San Siro, Antonio Di Natale took advantage of an error from Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati to give Udinese the lead in the 29th minute and Milan s 18-year-old forward Stephan El Shaarawy equalized in the 63rd after replacing Alexandre Pato, who came off after just 19 minutes with an apparent thigh injury, while 10-man Juventus drew 1-1 with Bologna to end its perfect start. In Turin, Mirko Vucinic took advantage of a quick free kick from Andrea Pirlo to put Juventus ahead in the 29th but then picked up his second yellow card just before the break for a hard foul and Daniele Portanova equalized for Bologna in the 52nd. Also, it was: Cesena 1, Lazio 2; Chievo Verona 1, Napoli 0; Fiorentina 3, Parma 0; Genoa 3, Catania 0; Lecce 1, Atalanta 2; and Palermo 3, Cagliari 2.

Gerrard back as Liverpool sink Brighton

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Craig Bellamy set Liverpool on course for a 2-1 victory over Brighton in the League Cup third round and there was more good news for the Reds as Steven Gerrard made his long-awaited return from injury as a late substitute. Bellamy struck in the seventh minute at the Amex Stadium and the win was confirmed nine minutes from time when Dirk Kuyt scored Liverpool s second. Ashley Barnes converted a 90th minute penalty for the home side after Jamie Carragher had fouled Vicente to set up a tense finish. But Liverpool survived and, with captain Gerrard playing for 15 minutes in his first appearance after a six month injury lay-off with a recurring groin problem, Reds manager Kenny Dalglish was able to reflect on a successful evening. Back to back Premier League defeats to Stoke and Tottenham had taken the gloss off Liverpool s start to the season, adding to pressure on an already testing tie for Dalglish s side. The 4-0 loss at Spurs had undermined the Reds  confidence and cost them the services of Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel, who were both suspended for this game after being sent off at White Hart Lane. And the way a strong visiting line-up approached the opening half confirmed they were anxious to avoid any slip-ups.

Holders Rangers eliminated by giantkillers Falkirk

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A stoppage time goal from Mark Millar helped First Division Falkirk pull off a shock 3-2 defeat of Rangers to dump the holders out of the Scottish League Cup. The game seemed destined for extra time when goals from Dorin Goian and Nikica Jelavic in the final seven minutes cancelled out Farid El Alagui s second-half double for Falkirk. However, in the third minute of added time Rangers keeper Neil Alexander fumbled Millar s free-kick from 18 yards into the net to send the First Division side into the draw for the quarter-finals. Elsewhere, Celtic gained revenge for one of their most embarrassing defeats in recent years as they moved into the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Ross County at Victoria Park. The First Division side had dumped the Hoops out of the Scottish Cup at the semi-final stage in 2009 but goals from Gary Hooper and a Scott Boyd own goal ensured there would be no upset this time around. At the Falkirk Stadium, Rangers headed into the game on a high after their win in Sunday s Old Firm derby however there were warning signs for the Ibrox side immediately after the break when David Weatherston s shot bounced off the roof of the net. Alexander then pulled off a tremendous save to deny Millar before El Alagui opened the scoring in the 58th minute when he headed home a Kieran Duffy cross. Steven Naismith hit the post and Carlos Bocanegra headed just wide as Rangers pressed for an equaliser. Goian headed just over from a Steven Davis corner before El Alagui doubled Falkirk s advantage in the 73rd minute. The Moroccan rose above Wylde to head home Craig Sibbald s cross past Alexander for his tenth goal of the season. Rangers piled the pressure on and pulled one back through Goian in the 83rd minute when the Romanian headed home Steven Whittaker s cross. Substitute Jelavic then came to Rangers  rescue with a drive into the net from six yard in the 87th minute after good work by Kyle Lafferty. However, the home fans were sent wild in stoppage time when Alexander didn t cope with Millar s free-kick as Falkirk sealed a late winner.

Golf: Lewis makes pro debut at Austrian Open

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Tom Lewis will take his first step toward earning a European Tour card for next year when he makes his professional debut at the Austrian Open on Thursday. The 20-year-old Lewis announced last week that he s turning pro, after raising eyebrows by holding a share of the lead after the first round of this year s British Open. Lewis will be joined by Walker Cup teammate Paul Cutler at the Austrian Open, in a field spearheaded by three-time major champion Padraig Harrington. Lewis has been invited to six more events as he tries to secure a tour card for next season. "That s the max you can get so I am lucky," said Lewis, who won the 2009 Boys Amateur Championship and the 2011 St. Andrews Links Trophy. "I am going to play as good as possible ... but it s a difficult ask to get my card through that." Lewis acknowledged to feeling some pressure after turning pro. "I think that is just a desire to do well for everyone that has supported me," he said. "I am going to prepare the same as I have done as an amateur. Hopefully I can be there on the leaderboard." Lewis recorded the lowest round ever by an amateur at the British Open when he shot a 65 to share the first-round lead. He finished 30th overall and was awarded the silver medal for best amateur. "I ve played well at the Open this year," he said. "I ve competed at the top level as an amateur and I feel it s time I compete with the top players. My goal was the Walker Cup as an amateur. When I made the team, I felt it was the right time (to turn professional)." While Lewis has his eyes set on a tour card, Harrington is looking to improve his Race to Dubai position of 87th. He needs to enter the top 60 to qualify for the Dubai World Championship. "All it takes is a win or one strong finish and I will get into that top 60," Harrington said. The Irishman, who had just one top-10 finish this season at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in March, has been working on his technique with new coach Peter Cowen. "I have been making a few changes to my swing," Harrington said. "The main change ... is that the backswing will be wider and shorter. It is starting to feel good and I am really looking forward to getting out and competing."

NASA says satellite will hit earth Sept 23 US time

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The US space agency has narrowed down its prediction of when a defunct six-ton satellite will crash back to Earth, saying on Wednesday that it is expected to land on September 23, US time. "The time reference does not mean that the satellite is expected to re-enter over the United States. It is simply a time reference," NASA said on its website. "Although it is still too early to predict the time and location of re-entry, predictions of the time period are becoming more refined." NASA had previously said the satellite could hit Earth as early as Thursday, September 22 or as late as Saturday, September 24. All but 26 pieces of the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) are expected to burn up on re-entry into Earth s atmosphere, but where exactly they will land remains a mystery. Orbital debris scientists say the pieces will fall somewhere between 57 north latitude and 57 south latitude, which covers most of the populated world. The debris footprint is expected to span 500 miles (800 kilometres). UARS is the biggest NASA spacecraft to come back in three decades, after Skylab fell in western Australia in 1979. The risk to human life and property from UARS is "extremely small," NASA said, adding that in 50 years of space exploration no one has ever been confirmed hurt by falling space junk. More frequent updates are scheduled for 12, six and two hours before it lands. But even at two hours out, debris trackers will not be able to predict landing with an accuracy greater than 25 minutes of impact, or within a potential span of 7,500 miles (12,000 kilometres), NASA said. "Part of the reason it is so uncertain is the spacecraft itself is rather unwieldy looking and it tumbles and we can t predict exactly how it is going to be tumbling," said Mark Matney, an orbital debris expert at NASA. "Even as it tumbles that could change exactly where it is going to land."

Study: Dialysis 3 times weekly might not be enough

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A major study challenges the way diabetics and others with failing kidneys have been treated for half a century, finding that three-times-a-week dialysis to cleanse the blood of toxins may not be enough. Deaths, heart attacks and hospitalizations were much higher on the day after the two-day interval between treatments each week than at other times, the federally funded study found. The president of the National Kidney Foundation said she was "very troubled" by the results published in Thursday s New England Journal of Medicine. "We could be doing a better job for our dialysis patients" and that might mean doing it more often, said Dr. Lynda Szczech, a Duke University kidney specialist who had no role in the study. Kidneys rid the body of waste and fluids. Most of the 400,000 Americans with failing kidneys stay alive by getting their blood purified by a machine three days a week at dialysis clinics usually on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. In both cases, there s a two-day break between the last session of the week and the next one. The three-day dialysis schedule has been around since the mid-1960s and gives patients a weekend break from the grueling hours of being hooked up to a machine. However, doctors have suspected that the two-day hiatus between treatments was risky, and smaller studies have found more heart-related deaths on the day after the gap. "All the fluids and toxins are built up to the highest extent on Monday morning right before dialysis," said Dr. Anthony Bleyer of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina, who has done similar studies. The latest research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is the largest yet. It was done by Dr. Robert Foley of the University of Minnesota and colleagues. All reported receiving fees from dialysis clinics and suppliers. The team analyzed medical records of 32,000 people who had in-center dialysis three times a week from 2005 through 2008. The average age was 62 and a quarter had been on dialysis for a year or less. After about two years of follow-up, 41 percent had died, including 17 percent from heart-related causes. Monday was the riskiest day for people on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule. For those on a Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule, the riskiest day was Tuesday. Researchers found a 22 percent higher risk of death on the day after a long break compared with other days of the week. Put another way: For every 100 people on dialysis for a year, 22 would die on the day after the long interval versus 18 on other days. Hospital admissions for stroke and heart-related problems more than doubled on the day after a long break than on other days 44 versus 20 for every 100 people treated. Fixing this problem, however, could be daunting for patients, busy dialysis centers and insurers and it would require a rethinking of how dialysis is currently delivered.

Yemeni truce breached by shelling, 16 dead

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Yemeni government forces fired mortars at tens of thousands of mourners at funerals held for protesters killed in clashes and attacked an opposition base, shattering a cease-fire negotiated a day earlier to end the Arab nation s latest bout of deadly violence. The two attacks killed 16 people. The mourners were gathered for funeral prayers for anti-government protesters killed in a deadly, three-day government crackdown in which the death toll topped 80 a sudden spike in violence explained by protesters  impatience with their longtime president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who they say is dragging his feet instead of signing a deal to step down. Nine people were killed. Also in Sanaa, the headquarters of the renegade 1st Armored Division came under heavy shelling from government forces killing seven, including two civilians, and injuring 10 others. The officials said the shelling targeted a part of Change Square, where protesters have camped out since February to demand the ouster of Saleh, in power since 1978. Snipers on rooftops hunted down protesters in Sanaa main road of al-Zubairi, according to Tarek Noamani, a doctor at the square field hospital. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters. The International Committee of the Red Cross expressed concern about "unprecedented level of violence." It said in a statement that at a main hospital, a team of the Yemen Red Crescent society was barred from access to injured people and that their team was "threatened and assaulted." In some cases, they had equipment confiscated, the statement said. The 1st Armored Division, one of Yemen s most combat tested military outfits, mutinied in March to join the opposition. It is led by Saleh s one-time confidant and war veteran Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar. The targeting of the division s headquarters is the latest indication that the fight over control of the Yemeni capital will primarily pit the rebel unit against the elite Republican Guards, led by Ali s son and one-time heir apparent Ahmed. Both sides claim about 20,000 fighters inside the capital, but the Guards have superior weaponry. Military experts say the final showdown between them would be won by the side that shows better urban warfare techniques. The Al-Ahmar office issued a statement holding government forces responsible for "breaching the cease-fire." "This is an attempt to explode the situation militarily and to impose a situation that triggers confrontation," the statement said, calling for international mediators to "discipline this gang and stop its barbaric actions." Gulf and UN mediators appear to have given up on persuading Yemen s opposition and the government to talk about their transition plan, which has been on the table for months. It would allow Saleh to resign in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Saleh has come close to signing several times, only to pull back at the last minute.

Gold little changed on Fed plan

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An expected move by the Federal Reserve to take new steps to stimulate the US economy had little impact on gold prices Wednesday. Trading for gold and other precious metals closed before the Fed announcement of a programme to drive down long-term interest rates. A drop in borrowing costs will likely push up the prices of gold and other metals, analysts say. Traders made few large moves ahead of the Fed s announcement. Gold finished at $1,808.10 an ounce, down less than 0.1 percent from Tuesday s close. Other metals were mixed. Silver rose less than a percent to end at $40.46 an ounce. Palladium dropped 0.7 percent to $712.85. Copper, which is often seen as a bet on the direction of the broad economy, rose 1 percent to finish at $3.7640. Grains were mixed. Contracts for wheat and soybeans each fell by more than 1 percent. Corn contracts fell 0.7 percent to $6.8575. In energy trading, benchmark crude lost $1 to end at $85.92 per barrel in New York. Heating oil fell 2.74 cents to $2.9342 per gallon. Gasoline futures lost 3.49 cents at $2.6665 a gallon. Natural gas dropped 6.8 cents to finish the day at $3.730 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Libyas NTC claims vital Sabha victory

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Officials of the interim ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) said there were only small pockets of resistance in Sabha, Libya s largest desert city and home to a strategically vital military base. The United States prepared to raise the Stars and Stripes Thursday over its Tripoli embassy, after President Barack Obama met Libya s new leader in New York and pledged support for Libya as it consolidates freedom. And NATO, whose air strikes have been been instrumental in beating back Gaddafi forces, said it was extending its air campaign for another 90 days. "We are in complete control of the city of Sabha. Everybody, including (those who were) pro-Gaddafi, are now with the revolution," said Abdelmajid Seif Ennasr, who represents the NTC in Sabha. He admitted, however, that NTC fighters were still encountering some "resistance from some individuals here and there." "Sabha is totally under the control of the revolutionaries," said Mohammed Wardugu, the Benghazi spokesman of the "Desert Shield Brigade" fighting in the region. The battle for Sabha, a city of 100,000 people in an area dominated by Gaddafi s clan, first broke out on June 12 after two days of anti-regime protests in the sprawling oasis. Meanwhile, NTC commander Ahmed Zlitni said that fighters were planning for a three-pronged attack on Gaddafi s hometown, Sirte. "We are working on a strategy to go for a big push from three sides, the east, the west and the south. This is a war, the push could happen in a few days or anytime soon," Zlitni said. "We are still giving time for Sirte civilians to leave the city. There is resistance to our forces from Gaddafi s forces from inside the city." NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said meanwhile coalition warplanes would stay in the air as long as Libyan civilians are under threat. "We are determined to continue our mission for as long as necessary, but ready to terminate the operation as soon as possible," Rasmussen said. At Bani Walid, a Gaddafi bastion southwest of Sirte, doctors said two people were killed and another four wounded. Previously NTC official Abdullah Kenshil reported the death of an NTC fighter in Bani Walid and said new regime forces were preparing for a "decisive" tank-backed battle for the town in the next 48 hour. Anti-Gaddafi authorities have admitted they lost three men at Sirte on Tuesday, taking the overall death toll since they moved on the city on September 15 to at least 45 NTC fighters. Meanwhile, 16 patients, most in critical condition, were evacuated on a Qatari military plane to Malta as doctors said the region s hospitals were overwhelmed. NTC forces suspect Gaddafi enjoys a broad base of support in Sirte. "The majority of residents are with Gaddafi," said Zuber al-Gadir, spokesman of the Misrata military council, adding their persistent loyalty to the ousted leader was a legacy of his now defunct propaganda machine.

US offers $5.8b F-16 fighter upgrades to Taiwan

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Top United States diplomat for East Asia, Kurt Campbell, told a news conference that the upgrades will help ensure Taiwan s ability to defend itself and contribute to the stability of its relations with mainland China, which regards the self-governing island as part of its territory. He said Taiwan s additional request for 66 new F-16s was still under consideration. Taiwan first sought the new planes in 2006. Both Republican and Democrat lawmakers have called for the sales of new planes as well as the upgrades, and have introduced legislation to mandate that. They have criticized the Obama administration of trying to mollify mainland China by denying Taiwan the new planes. Taiwan s Defense Ministry gave the first official confirmation of the upgrades to its F-16 A/Bs earlier Wednesday, after the U.S. administration had notified Congress of the sale. The ministry said the sale would include AESA radar that Taiwan wanted. The system will provide the planes the ability to detect stealth aircraft, like the J-20 that China is developing. But the ministry on Wednesday also urged Washington also to approve the sales of more advanced F-16 C/D warplanes. Campbell defended the Obama administration s commitment to improving Taiwan s defence capability which is widely recognized as having lurched in China s favor as the mainland has invested heavily in its military in the past decade. Beijing has continued to build up its military posture against Taiwan, including ballistic missiles arrayed against the island, despite a sharp improvement in cross-Strait relations in the past three years. Campbell said the administration had approved more than $12 billion in defense sales in the past two years, greater than during any other period. The upgrades account for $5.3 billion of the latest package. It also includes a five-year extension of F-16 pilot training in the U.S., totaling $500 million, and aircraft spare parts for sustaining Taiwan s aging fleet of F-5s, and C-130 transport planes, totaling $52 million.

Drone attack kills 10 Al Qaeda suspects in Yemen

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Ten Al Qaeda suspects were killed while a top leader in the network escaped death as US drones carried out several air strikes on their strongholds in Yemen s south, local officials said Wednesday. "US drones carried out two air strikes on Al-Mahfad (in the southern Abyan province) where Al-Qaeda militants -- among them Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula s (AQAP) number two Saeed al-Shehri -- are present," said a local official in the village. Four suspected militants were killed while Shehri escaped, said the well-informed official who requested anonymity. Another local official from the town of Shaqra -- controlled by the militants since June -- said that six other "Al-Qaeda gunmen" were killed and three were wounded in two separate air raids on the town. Since anti-government protests swept Yemen in late January, militants have taken advantage of the weakening of central authority to set up base in several southern provinces as well as Marib province in the east. In May, a group who name themselves the Partisans of Sharia (Islamic Law), believed to be affiliated with Al-Qaeda, seized control of many regions across Abyan province. Washington and other Western governments have repeatedly expressed growing concern about the role Al-Qaeda might play in Yemen if the regime of veteran President Ali Abdullah Saleh collapses and a power vacuum ensues. Late on Tuesday, the Washington Post said that the United States is building an array of secret new drone bases to conduct strikes against Al-Qaeda targets in Somalia and Yemen. The Post said the United States is also conducting drone missions over Yemen and Somalia from Djibouti, seeking to weaken Al-Qaeda affiliates in both countries. "It s a conscious recognition that those are the hot spots developing right now," it quoted a former senior US military official as saying. The United States regularly launches drone strikes against suspected militants along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where it claims to have greatly degraded Al-Qaeda s core leadership.

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

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