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One killed, 5 injured in suicide attack in Peshawar
Memo scandal: Mansoor Ijaz to conclude testimony today
Elderly alligator recovers after life-saving surgery
Altaf says Balochistan gravest issue of Pakistan
US supports Pakistans security, territorial integrity
Copter collision kills 7 Marines in US desert
Moscow, Beijing reject 'interference' in Syria
Kofi Annan to be Syria crisis envoy
Iraq parliament approves 2012 budget
Storms batter dozens of homes in the US state of Georgia
Valencia, PSV cruise into Europa League last 16
Gasquet, Llodra reach Open 13 quarterfinals
Cycling: Valverde wins Tour of Andalusia
G20 finance ministers to hold crisis talks in Mexico
Gold climbs on concerns about Europe's economy

One killed, 5 injured in suicide attack in Peshawar

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According to initial reports, some miscreants attacked Kotwali Police Station with grenades on Friday morning. An exchange of firing between police and miscreants started soon after the attack which continued till filing of this report. Two of the miscreant blew themselves up inside the police station, injuring one police official and injuring five others. Heavy contingents of police from other parts of the city reached the site and cordoned off the area. The injured were shifted to nearby hospital.

Memo scandal: Mansoor Ijaz to conclude testimony today

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The memo commission will resume its hearing today at 2:00pm in which Mansoor Ijaz will conclude his testimony after which the lawyer will quiz him. The Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court, Justice Faiz Essa is heading the Memo Commission while Chief Justice Sindh High Court Mushir Alam and Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court, Hameed-ur-Rehman are the other two members of the commission. Mansoor Ijaz statement will be recorded by commission from London trough video-link. Although he had concluded his testimony during yesterday’s hearing but he requested the commission that he wanted to bring into light some facts of October and November last year about memo. He also informed the commission that he wanted to give details of his correspondence with Blackberry company. The commission allowed him more time to record his statement, however, he was asked to be precise during his statement.

Elderly alligator recovers after life-saving surgery

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The world s oldest alligator held in captivity is recovering at his home in Belgrade Zoo in Serbia after undergoing surgery on Sunday (February 19). Muja, whose exact age is unknown but is thought to be over 75 years old, was diagnosed with gangrene in his foot which had to be amputated. Once X-ray images had confirmed that Muja was suffering from a life-threatening condition, a team of experts including veterinarians and orthopaedic surgeons were called in to perform surgery on the 200 kilogram animal. The operation had to be done using local anaesthesia, which meant that Muja had to be tied down to the operating table during the three-hour procedure. "The surgery was performed here, in the enclosure he lives in during the winter. We placed him on the (operating) table and immobilized him. It was done using local anaesthesia, as we couldn t risk sedating him by using total anaesthesia because of his old age. There was a possibility that he might not wake up from total anaesthesia," zookeeper Aleksandar Rakocevic said. Muja is still regularly given antibiotics but experts say his life is no longer threatened. On Monday the alligator started eating for the first time after the surgery, which was seen as an indication of his recovery. He eats once a week and his meal normally consists of 5-6 kg of meat. "The very next day after the surgery he started eating. He ate his usual type of food, which is meat. Every time he eats it is a sign of his recovery," zookeeper Aleksandar Rakocevic added. Muja was brought to Belgrade Zoo in 1937 from Germany as a fully grown male and is one of the few animals who survived heavy bombings of Belgrade in World War II when the zoo compound was almost completely destroyed. He has been living alone at the zoo since the 1960s, when a female alligator he shared his enclosure with died. Muja officially became the world s oldest alligator in captivity in 2007, when another member of his species called Cabulitis died in Riga Zoo in Latvia at the age of around 75.

Altaf says Balochistan gravest issue of Pakistan

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Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain on Thursday said that calling an All Party Conference (APC) on Balochistan is futile unless operations against the Baloch come to a halt. Speaking with the Chief of Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on telephone, he said that Balochistan is the gravest issue Pakistan is currently facing because the province is on the verge of separation. The MQM chief said that already there has been a lot of delay in addressing the issue and calling APC at this point in time would not be effective unless prominent Baloch leadership would be part of it. “Now there is a need of some serious decision making and ending the operations against the Baloch,” Altaf Hussain added. AML chief also agreed with Altaf’s point of view.

US supports Pakistans security, territorial integrity

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The United States fully supports Pakistan’s security and territorial integrity and both the Republican and Democrats were against the resolution tabled by an individual on Balochistan. The views came at a meeting of US Congressional delegation led by Congressman David Dreier Chairman, House Democracy Partnership and Chairman House Rules Committee who called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here at the PM House. Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and visiting Congressmen agreed on Thursday that the trust deficit between the two countries should be removed, officials said. The Congressmen said that the US Congress and Pakistan’s Parliamentarians can play an important role in this regard, a statement from the PM office said. The U.S. delegation is visiting Islamabad at a time when relationship between the two allies in the anti-terror war is at lowest ebb. The relations were further hit this month when a resolution was moved in the U.S. Congress, seeking independence for Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. The Prime Minister also conveyed serious concerns about the Balochistan resolution tabled by an individual US Congressman, the statement said. The Congressmen categorically told Prime Minister Gilani that both the Republicans and Democrats as well as the US Government were against the resolution tabled by an individual at the Sub-Committee level. US supported Pakistan’s security and territorial integrity, it said. “The Congressmen expressed support for the Government’s policy aimed at economic development, addressing the needs of education, health and providing employment to the people of the country”. The Prime Minister drew the attention of the Congressmen to the unilateral action such as the drone strikes which were unacceptable and counter productive. So, there was need for deep discussion to overcome this created by such strikes, the Prime Minister said. The people of Pakistan expect US to be mindful and respectful of Pakistan’s national interests and in particular Pakistan’s security and territorial integrity. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan wanted to have excellent relations with US and it was important to follow a partnership approach based on mutual interest and mutual respect, the statement said. “The Prime Minister said that Pakistan had made numerous sacrifices in the war against terror.  The whole nation is united and democratic government has given political ownership to the anti-terrorism campaign”. They also agreed that trade not aid was the way forward to economic development, promotion of education and poverty alleviation enabling them in combating the root causes of extremism and terrorism. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for making mutually acceptable strategy to achieve shared goals.  He emphasized that the military solution does not provide a permanent solution.  Pakistan, therefore, supported the political process leading to political settlement in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister said it was discussed in details with Afghan President during his recent visit to Islamabad.  It was important that Afghanistan, Pakistan and US were on the same page and worked together to promote mutually national reconciliation, peace and stability in Afghanistan. The U.S. Congressional delegation led by Congressman David Dreier, Chairman, House Democracy Partnership and Chairman House Rules Committee, highly appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in consolidating democracy, civilian governance and rule of law in Pakistan.

Copter collision kills 7 Marines in US desert

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Two Marine Corps helicopters collided in midair over a remote section of the California desert during a nighttime exercise, killing seven Marines in one of the deadliest military training accidents in years. The latest in a series of crashes involving troops from Camp Pendleton occurred about 8 p.m. Wednesday near the Chocolate Mountains along the Arizona border and involved an AH-1W Cobra carrying two crew members and a UH-1 Huey utility helicopter carrying the other five, Lt. Maureen Dooley with Miramar Air Base in San Diego said Thursday. Six of the victims were from Camp Pendleton the largest base on the West Coast and one was from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona. Their identities will not be released until their families have all been notified. Officials were investigating the cause of the accident, gathering most of the evidence Thursday after the sun rose in the area favored by the U.S. military and its allies for training because the hot, dusty conditions and craggy mountains replicate Afghanistan s harsh environment and the clear weather allows for constant flying. Cpl. Steven Posy with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar said the weather was mild on Wednesday night. The crash occurred in a remote portion of the Yuma Training Range Complex. The AH-1W carries a crew of two a pilot and gunner and is considered the Marine Corps  main attack helicopter. The UH-1Y, which is replacing the aging version of the Huey utility helicopter first used during the Vietnam War, carries a crew of one or two pilots, a crew chief and other crew members, depending on the mission.

Moscow, Beijing reject 'interference' in Syria

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Moscow and Beijing remain opposed to any foreign interference in Syria, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday as Russia worked to shore up international support for its position ahead of a major international conference. Russia and China have vetoed two Security Council resolutions backing Arab League plans aimed at ending the conflict in Syria and condemning President Bashar Assad s brutal crackdown on opponents. Thousands of people have been killed since an uprising began in March. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov s office said he called his Chinese counterpart on Thursday and they "reaffirmed the joint position of Russia and China." Both countries support "a speedy end to any violence in Syria and the launch of inclusive dialogue between the authorities and the opposition without preconditions for a peaceful settlement that excludes foreign interference in Syrian affairs," the ministry said. Officials from the United States, Europe and Arab nations were meeting in London on Thursday to craft details of an ultimatum to Assad demanding that he agree to a cease-fire and allow humanitarian aid into areas hardest hit by the crackdown. The ultimatum was to be presented at a major international conference Friday in Tunisia on the Syrian conflict. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also continued his efforts to build support for Russia s position. The Kremlin said he spoke by telephone Thursday with the president of the United Arab Emirates, following up his calls the day before to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. Medvedev emphasized that "foreign interference, attempts to assess the legitimacy of the leadership of a state from the outside run counter to the norms of international law and are fraught with the threat of regional and global destabilization," the Kremlin said. Russia and China are eager to head off any repeat of what happened in Libya. Last year, the U.N. Security Council invoked "the responsibility to protect" when it established a no-fly zone over Libya. Russia and China abstained from that decision and strongly criticized Western governments  interpretation of the U.N. mandate, which led to months long NATO bombing campaign against Libyan military facilities.

Kofi Annan to be Syria crisis envoy

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The United Nations on Thursday named its former leader Kofi Annan as the international troubleshooter to try to end the Syrian government s deadly crackdown on protests. As special envoy for the UN and Arab League, Annan will "provide good offices aimed at bringing an end to all violence and human rights violations, and promoting a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis," the two bodies said in a statement. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Arab League chief Nabil el-Arabi said they were "grateful to Mr. Annan for accepting this important mission at a critical time for the people of Syria." A deputy envoy from the Arab region is to be named soon, the two added in the statement. More than 7,500 people have been killed in 11 months of protests against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria and there is growing international pressure for an initiative seeking to end the murderous government crackdown. Annan served two terms as UN secretary general from 1997 through 2006. After standing down he was called in as a mediator to end deadly unrest in Kenya in 2008. The Ghanaian will now act under a mandate set out by a UN General Assembly resolution passed last week and Arab League resolutions on Syria, the UN and Arab League chiefs said. Annan "will consult broadly and engage with all relevant interlocutors within and outside Syria in order to end the violence and the humanitarian crisis," said the statement. He will seek to "facilitate a peaceful Syrian-led and inclusive political solution that meets the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people through a comprehensive political dialogue between the Syrian government and the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition," it added. Ban announced Annan s appointment after final talks in London with el-Arabi and other international leaders on the next steps to take to end the Syria violence.

Iraq parliament approves 2012 budget

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The Iraqi parliament on Thursday approved a 100 billion-dollar (117 trillion-dinar) budget for 2012, a parliamentary official said. "Parliament voted today on the annual budget," the official said, adding that "220 members of parliament attended the session, which lasted for seven hours, and they voted on each individual article, and approved them all." Finance Minister Rafa al-Essawi said on Wednesday that the budget was based on average oil prices of $85 per barrel. Iraq currently produces about 2.9 million barrels per day, and exported an average of 2.1 million bpd in 2011. Crude sales account for the lion s share of government income. Oil Minister Abdelkarim al-Luaybi has said Iraq plans to increase production and exports this year to 3.4 million bpd and 2.6 million bpd, respectively.

Storms batter dozens of homes in the US state of Georgia

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Severe storms ripped through northwest Georgia damaging about 100 homes, knocking down trees, and leaving thousands of people without electricity. There were no reports of injuries, but there is one possible storm-related death. The U.S. National Weather Service is evaluating the scene to try to determine if the storms were caused by a tornado. Tornado season in the United States does not typically begin until March, but the southern states have already seen some twisters. Forecasters are warning that another round of storms could move through the area Thursday night and early Friday.

Valencia, PSV cruise into Europa League last 16

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Valencia followed Spanish league neighbours Athletic Bilbao in advancing to the last 16 of the Europa League Thursday as both sides emerged victorious in their last 32 second leg ties. Valencia started their home tie against Stoke City boasting a 1-0 lead, and their task became easier when Brazilian Jonas gave them a 24th minute lead which was never challenged by the English Premier League side. It gave the Spanish side a 2-0 aggregate score and put them into a last 16 clash with PSV Eindhoven, who should prove formidable opponents after a 4-1 hammering of Trabzonspor for a 6-2 aggregate over the Turks. Athletic Bilbao had an arguably bigger challenge against Lokomotiv Moscow following a 2-1 defeat to the Russians in the first leg last week. And their away goal in the Russian capital proved to be crucial as the Spaniards could only eke out a 1-0 win in Bilbao thanks to winger Iker Muniain s 62nd minute winner. Former champions Atletico Madrid, in action later Thursday, were looking to make it three Spanish clubs into the last 16 having taken a 3-1 lead over Lazio into their second leg. Belgian interest in the competition meanwhile now lies with Standard Liege, who also had the away goals rule to thank for their qualification after a scoreless draw at home against Wisla Krakow, having drawn 1-1 in Poland last week. Club Brugge were sent packing after a 1-0 home defeat to Hanover gave the Bundesliga side a 3-1 victory over the two legs. Udinese turned on the firepower to escape potential disaster in Greece, the Italians scoring two first-half goals and adding a second after the break for a 3-0 away win against PAOK Salonika. On Wednesday Manchester City secured their place in the last 16 with a 4-0 second leg win over defending champions FC Porto.

Gasquet, Llodra reach Open 13 quarterfinals

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Michael Llodra of France stunned sixth-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (5) Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Open 13. Llodra had 19 aces, and the 2010 champion won four straight points to take a 5-2 lead in the deciding tiebreaker. Richard Gasquet also advanced by cruising past Igor Kunitsyn of Russia 6-3, 6-2. The fifth-seeded Frenchman broke Kunitsyn s serve three times and saved all six break points he faced. Gasquet has now reached the quarterfinals four times this season.

Cycling: Valverde wins Tour of Andalusia

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Spain s Alejandro Valverde, of Movistar, secured victory in the Tour of Andalusia following the fifth and final stage won by compatriot Daniel Moreno of the Katusha team Thursday. Valverde returned to competition in January at the Tour Down Under, where he won the most difficult climbing stage, following a ban for his implication in a doping affair. A former two-time winner of Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the Spaniard is one of the most revered riders in the hilly one-day classics which begin in April. In second place overall was Estonian Rein Taaramae (Cofidis), with Frenchman Jerome Coppel of Saur-Sojasun in third.

G20 finance ministers to hold crisis talks in Mexico

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G20 finance ministers and central bankers will meet this weekend in Mexico City to discuss the eurozone debt crisis and more money for the IMF following the latest rescue deal for Greece. With the huge Greek pact having provided temporary market relief, they were expected to take a calmer look at the need for structural and fiscal reforms, conditions to boost growth and financial firewalls to avoid contagion. "The recovery is still fragile and vulnerable to shocks, and the G20 needs to remain active and alert to downside risks," Lael Brainard, Under Secretary of the US Treasury for International Affairs, said Wednesday. "The euro area crisis remains the foremost risk to global growth, and of course to our domestic recovery," she said. "In Mexico City we will discuss with our G20 partners implementation of the concrete commitments that were made in the action plan by members in the name of achieving strong, sustainable, balanced growth." The Europeans hope the meeting of treasurers of the main developing and emerging countries will lead to an increase of resources for the International Monetary Fund and contribute to a more permanent solution to the debt crisis. The IMF announced in January it was looking for $500 billion to help it backstop any fallout from the eurozone crisis. "We see the need for what s been called the global financial firewall to protect countries against the risk of contagion," IMF spokesman Gerry Rice told reporters in Washington Thursday.

Gold climbs on concerns about Europe's economy

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Gold prices are climbing after a forecast called for the European economy to shrink this year. That s raising questions about global economic growth. Gold rose $15 to finish at $1,786.30 an ounce Thursday, its third straight day of gains. Gold is considered a relatively stable asset to hold during uncertain economic times. Investors are buying it as a hedge against potential losses in other holdings. The European Commission is predicting that the overall economy for countries that use the euro will shrink 0.3 percent this year. The forecast has created concerns that government austerity measures being used to try to curb debt could be deterring growth. In other trading, prices for silver, platinum, palladium, oil, corn and soybeans are higher. Natural gas, copper and wheat are lower.

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Cricket - Sports

Friday, February 24, 2012

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