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Contempt case: hearing against Awan resumes today
Memo scandal: Judicial commission to meet today
Sanctions if Pakistan builds gas pipeline with Iran: Clinton
Zardari, Gilani, Kayani discuss Pak-US ties
ECP officials at odds over PS-53 poll result
Brazilian design duo open exhibition in Rio
NATO urges Afghanistan to sign US deal: Karzai
Syria bars UN humanitarian chief from visiting
Egypt sets May 23 for presidential vote
Queen Elizabeth II to open 2012 Olympics
FIFA urged to allow women to wear headscarf
Oman advances in 2014 World Cup qualifying
Qatar, Iran advance after World Cup qualifier draw
Oil prices drop after big jump in supplies
Dollar rises against euro on Bernanke comments

Contempt case: hearing against Awan resumes today

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The two-member bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan and Justice Muhammad Azhar, is hearing the contempt of court case against former Federal Minister Babar Awan. A show cause notice of contempt of court was issued against Babar Awan after the former federal minister held a press conference on December 1, 2011 regarding memogate scandal. Babar Awan’s counsel Ali Zafar in the previous hearing took the stance in the reply that judiciary was not criticized in the said press conference. Rather, that was a political press conference which only clarified the allegations leveled by a rival political party. He prayed that Babar Awan did not ridicule the court during his press confrence. Justice Ijaz Afzal remarked that the court could accept criticism but would not tolerate contempt.

Memo scandal: Judicial commission to meet today

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The Judicial Commission on memo scandal headed by its Chairman Justice Faiz Isa will meet today at 2:00pm at Islamabad High Court. The central figure in the memo scandal, Mansoor Ijaz, will appear before the commission via video link from Pakistan High Commission in London. The lawyers will start cross-examination of Mansoor s testimony today. Memo commission secretary will be present in London along with Mansoor Ijaz.

Sanctions if Pakistan builds gas pipeline with Iran: Clinton

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The US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton has said that Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project wil be a violation of American sanctions on Iran and could have serious consequences on the assistance provided to Pakistan.  While speaking during a hearing of the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programmes Subcommittee of the Congress Appropriations Committee on "Financial Year 2013 Budget for the State Department" Wednesday, she said “the proposed Pakistan-Iran pipeline, if built, could raise serious concerns under the Iran Sanctions Act. We have made that absolutely clear, and have raised this issue with the government of Pakistan", she informed the House in response to a question. The US administration, she said, recognized that Pakistan had significant energy requirements. "For the last three years, we ve been working to help them upgrade their existing energy infrastructure, to look at potential new sources of energy". "There is an alternative that we do strongly support, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline. So we think that that is a better alternative, both in terms of predictability and to avoid doing business with Iran," she said while explaining the alternatives being discussed with Pakistan. Clinton said that the US was "ratcheting up pressure on Iran, and it seems somewhat inexplicable that Pakistan would be trying to negotiate a pipeline. "If and when this pipeline goes beyond just talk, then we will address it, consistent with US law and policy," she warned. When asked to explain possible action against Pakistan in case the pipeline project goes ahead, she said "we believe that actually beginning the construction of such a pipeline, either as an Iranian project or as a joint project, would violate our Iran sanctions law. So, you know, we all know what the consequences of that are. And it would be particularly damaging to Pakistan because their economy is already quite shaky," she emphasised sounding out a clear warning to Pakistan. "This additional pressure that the United States would be compelled to apply would further undermine their economic status", she said hinting at withdrawal of US assistance to Pakistan in case such a project was executed on-ground. "We ve been, you know, very clear in pointing out the consequences of pursuing such a pipeline," she observed. Chairman of the Committee, Kay Granger, Republican from Texas, hoped the administration "will continue to focus on efforts in the front-line states, that you can solidify the military s accomplishments in Iraq, identify sustainable solutions once our troops leave Afghanistan, and ensure that extremists no longer have safe havens in Pakistan. There s so much at stake in these countries." Ranking member of the House Committee, Nita Lowey, Democrat from New York, also expressed concern on the "role that Pakistan is playing in the region and the challenges we face in that relationship, and I hope you will discuss the administration s plans for these two critical countries." Secretary Clinton, however, said that the budget requests for 2013 would allow the United States administration "to sustain our vital national security missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and reflects temporary, extraordinary costs of operating on the frontlines." - Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC

Zardari, Gilani, Kayani discuss Pak-US ties

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A high-level meeting held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr with President Asif Ali Zardari in chair discussed the overall situation of the country especially the war against terrorism and Pak-US relations. The meeting held on Wednesday night in Aiwan-e-Sadr was also attended by Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff Pervez Ashfaq Kayani, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Pakistan’s ambassador to America, Sherry Rehman. All important issues pertaining to national and international situation, reconciliation process with Afghanistan, NATO supply and security concerns of the region were also deliberated. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar apprised the meeting about Pak-US, Pak-Iran and Pak-Afghan relationship.

ECP officials at odds over PS-53 poll result

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According to sources, differences have appeared between Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and officials of Election Commission of Pakistan over withholding of the result of by-elections on PS-53 Tando Muhammad Khan which was won by PPP candidate Waheeda Shah. Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Hamid Ali has conveyed his reservation to the ECP members. He said that the officials of ECP should have consulted him before arriving at a decision of withholding the result of Waheeda Shah. The CEC and a member of Election Commission were not present when the ECP made the decision of withholding the result of by-elections on PS-53 Tando Muhammad Khan. According to constitution, suggestion of three members is considered as recommendation of the commission but he was not consulted in the matter.

Brazilian design duo open exhibition in Rio

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The exhibition "Antibodies" with different works from the famous Brazilian design duo Campana brothers opened in Rio de Janeiro. The brothers, Fernando and Humberto Campana, started working together in 1989 and combined their different experiences as an architect and a lawyer, respectively, to develop furniture made by ordinary materials, like rope and wood scraps. Over 70 pieces of furniture are showcased in the exposition, including their breakout design of the Vermelha ("Red") Chair. Designer Humberto Campana said design is a statement nowadays. "Today, design goes beyond than just functionality and comfort. Today, design is also a politic tool, it can deliver messages. A design can also tell a story, a background, can cause emotions. And most important, it can make a portrait of a country," said Campana. Chairs and sofas made from wood sticks, erasers and even stuffed animals, enchanted visitors like geologist Diogo Arquilham. He said the exhibition was beyond his expectations. "(It is beautiful the fact that) the mixture of simple, random, material can create chair, a table. I am really impressed; this is exceeding all of my expectations," he said. Housewife Graça Tavares said she felt inspired by Campanas  works. "When you are able to work with materials as simple as these and make such beautiful and creative things we remember the fact that with only one tree we can make a boat. With one fabric, piece of cloth, a wood stick, we can create a masterpiece," said Tavares. Fernando and Humberto Campana were the first Brazilian artists to exhibit their work at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The exhibition will travel through Argentine, Chile, and the US.

NATO urges Afghanistan to sign US deal: Karzai

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NATO has urged Afghanistan to accelerate the signing of a strategic partnership deal with the US in the wake of deadly protests over the burning of the Quran, President Hamid Karzai said Wednesday. NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen made the appeal in a telephone call to Karzai in which he expressed regret over the deaths of dozens of demonstrators in anti-US protests, Karzai s office said. In response, the Afghan president said he was willing to sign the long-term agreement but reiterated that it would only be done under certain conditions. These include a respect for Afghan national sovereignty, an end to night raids by international forces and the handing over of the Bagram prison -- known as Afghanistan s Guantanamo Bay -- to Afghan control, Karzai said in a statement. Rasmussen had said the signing of the partnership deal, which covers relations with the US after it withdraws its combat troops in 2014, would make a "good impact" on the Chicago conference on Afghanistan in May. The NATO chief insisted in a statement Tuesday that trust had not broken down between alliance-led troops and Afghan security forces, despite incidents in which Afghans turned their weapons on their American partners. Two US military advisers were gunned down in the interior ministry in Kabul on Saturday, days after two American troops were killed by an Afghan soldier in the east, prompting NATO to pull its advisors out of Afghan government ministries. Popular outrage erupted after Afghans learned that copies of the Quran were thrown into an incinerator pit at the US-run Bagram airbase, leading US President Barack Obama to apologise for what he described as an error. Rasmussen accused Islamist insurgents of attempting to exploit anger over the Quran burning and said he hoped that NATO military advisers would soon return to their posts at Afghan government ministries. NATO has a 130,000-strong US-led military force fighting the Taliban, which has led an insurgency against the Western-backed Kabul government since being toppled from power in 2001.

Syria bars UN humanitarian chief from visiting

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UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said in a statement Wednesday that she is "deeply disappointed" that she has not been able to visit Syria despite her requests to meet officials at the highest level "to discuss the humanitarian situation and the need for unhindered access to the people affected by the violence." Amos  U.N. office said she is now in Amman, Jordan. U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said the Syrians have delayed a decision several times but "they have not so far refused entry." He said Amos has been "extremely flexible ... and she s still ready to go at a moment s notice." Amos said in a statement that she is "deeply disappointed" that she has not been able to visit Syria despite her requests to meet officials at the highest level "to discuss the humanitarian situation and the need for unhindered access to the people affected by the violence." She said given the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, improved access is "a matter of the highest priority." Amos backed calls for a daily pause in hostilities to evacuate the wounded and deliver food and medicine.

Egypt sets May 23 for presidential vote

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Egypt s presidential election will be held over two days starting May 23, the state election committee said on Wednesday, as the country s military rulers prepare to hand power to civilians after last year s overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. A run-off between the top two contenders will take place on June 16 and 17 if no candidate wins outright in the first round and final results will be released on June 21, the committee s head, Farouk Soltan, told reporters. The military has faced street protests and widespread demands that it hand power to civilians sooner than the end-of-June deadline it had set itself and intense speculation has surrounded the date of the vote. The committee said 21 days of campaigning would begin on April 30. Some candidates have already been touring the country to drum up support, including former Arab League chief Amr Moussa and ex-Muslim Brotherhood member Abdel Moneim Abol Fotoh. "The first election inside of the country will take place over a period of two days -- Wednesday, the 23rd of May, 2012, and Thursday, the 24th of May, 2012. The end of vote counting and conveying the voter turnout to the Presidential Election Commission will be on Saturday, the 26th of May 2012," said Soltan. The Muslim Brotherhood, the once-banned Islamist movement that was Mubarak s chief political rival, has taken a dominant position in Egypt s new parliament but has not said who it would back for the presidency. Current Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby is mooted as a consensus candidate, but said he has no such plans. The vote is seen as the first genuine contest for head of state since the overthrow of King Farouk in 1952 ushered in a succession of strongman leaders drawn from the military. Controversially, the election committee said that there will be no right of appeal after the final election result is announced, in accordance with a constitutional declaration.

Queen Elizabeth II to open 2012 Olympics

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Queen Elizabeth II s busy summer calendar just got a bit more crowded. Buckingham Palace said the monarch will open both the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics this summer, signaling that both events will be celebrated as great state occasions something the British are famous for. It is the first time the queen has opened the Paralympic Games, though she has often honored Paralympians for their achievements in the past. Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, will perform the ceremonial role at the 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium when the Olympic games begin on July 27, and for the Paralympic Games on Aug. 29. The queen follows in the footsteps of her father, the late King George VI, who opened the 1948 London Olympics, and her great grandfather, King Edward VII, who opened the 1908 London Olympics. Elizabeth also opened the 1976 Games in Canada, where she is the head of state, while Philip did so on her behalf at Melbourne, Australia, in 1956. The decision to open both ceremonies caps a very busy year for the queen, whose Diamond Jubilee this year marks her 60 years on the throne. The monarch, 85, and Philip, 90, are planning an extensive tour of the United Kingdom during the celebrations, including visits to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Philip is planning to stick to the schedule despite his December heart scare, which required the insertion of a stent to keep his coronary arteries open. At home, the celebrations will include a flotilla on the River Thames, a gala concert in front of Buckingham Palace (with headliners including Paul McCartney and Elton John) and a carriage procession through the streets of London following a service of thanksgiving. Unlike earlier jubilee celebrations, the queen will send her children and grandchildren on official visits to many Commonwealth countries rather than undertake the strenuous voyages herself. She will be busy at the palace, though. Elizabeth will open Buckingham Palace to visitors from June 30-July 8 to accommodate Olympic activities. The palace then will close for a few weeks until July 31 before opening to the public as is the monarch s usual summer practice.

FIFA urged to allow women to wear headscarf

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World football s governing body, FIFA, has been urged by the United Nations to permit Islamic women to wear a specially-designed hijab headscarf while playing the sport. Wilfried Lemke, a special adviser on sport to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, wrote to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, expressing his support for the initiative put forth by the Asian Football Confederation for players to have "the right to wear a safe, Velcro-opening headscarf in FIFA-regulated matches and competitions." AFC chief Zhang Jilong had called for the ban on headscarves to be lifted at the end of January, claiming new designs could prevent neck injuries. Lemke said that a change in legislation "...would remove a barrier that can deter women and girls from participating in football [...] and would set a positive example." He continued: "It would send the message that each female player, from the top elite level down to the grassroots, has the freedom to decide whether or not to wear this particular piece of attire while on the field." "It would give the opportunity for remarkable female athletes to demonstrate that wearing the headscarf is not an obstacle to excelling in life and sports, and would hence contribute to challenging gender stereotypes and bringing about a change in mentalities," added Lemke. The hijab was banned by FIFA in 2007 on the grounds of safety, but both Zhang and Lemke argue that new designs eliminate the potential risk of a serious injury. "I have personally seen the new designs with a velcro joined at the neck which releases if the headscarf is pulled, ensuring the player s safety," said Zhang. The International Football Association Board, football s top law-making body, is scheduled to meet on Saturday in England to discuss the proposal as part of its 126th Annual Meeting.

Oman advances in 2014 World Cup qualifying

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With the win, Oman finished second in Group D behind Australia. The Gulf team overtook Saudi Arabia, which may have gone through with a draw or even a loss had Oman not won. Instead, Oman got the win and Saudi Arabia was beaten by Australia 4-2. Oman dominated the match played in the midday heat.Midfielder Hussain al-Hadhri gave Oman the lead in the 10th minute. Thailand was reduced to 10 men when substitute Winothia Teeratep was sent off in the 85th minute for dangerous play. Oman took advantage and doubled its lead when midfielder Adbul al-Muqbali scored in the 90th. It was only Oman s second victory in qualifying. "I am very proud of the team as we did not have the best start in the third round," Oman coach Paul Le Guen said. "But we came back strongly after our away defeats to Thailand and Australia. It shows the team s character and we deserved to win today." The win set off wild celebrations across the Omani capital of Muscat, with crowds cheering and waving the national flag. "It is a victory dedicated to the fans," captain Ali Al Habsi said. "We played a good match and I am proud of my teammates."

Qatar, Iran advance after World Cup qualifier draw

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Mohammed Kasola scored an 83rd-minute equalizer to send Qatar through to the final stage of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Iran. Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host, was facing elimination when it trailed 2-1 but Kasola s goal meant his team went through at the expense of Bahrain, which won 10-0 against last-place Indonesia. Iran, which had already guaranteed its progress, went ahead through Ashkan Dejagah s 4th-minute header before Khalfan Ibrahim equalized in the 9th from the penalty spot. Dejagah restored the hosts  lead with a free-kick in the 50th. Iran topped Group E with 12 points followed by Qatar with 10. Bahrain, which finished third with nine points after beating Indonesia 10-0, needed Qatar to lose and to turn around a goal difference of nine. Qatar going through is significant with the Gulf nation trying to improve its football status ahead of hosting the 2022 World Cup. After crashing out in the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup last year, Qatar s 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign has been a rocky affair. The only wins came against lowly Indonesia, the 96th-ranked team drawing twice against Gulf rival Bahrain, scoring no goals in either match. As a result, the team has gone through four coaches since the Asian Cup. Earlier this month, Qatar hired Paulo Autuori of Brazil with the match against Iran his first big test. Autuori was recently the coach of the Qatar Olympic team. He has also coached the Peru national team and several clubs in Brazil. Among them is Sao Paulo, which he guided to the 2005 Club World Cup. He also has coached several Qatari sides.

Oil prices drop after big jump in supplies

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The Energy Department said inventories of crude oil rose by 4.2 million barrels last week. Analysts were expecting an increase of just 1 million barrels. The report indicated that demand for oil in the U.S. remains weak. West Texas Intermediate, which is used to price oil produced in the U.S., fell 61 cents to $105.95 per barrel in midmorning trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The price declined both Monday and Tuesday after reaching a nine-month high last week. Brent crude, which is used to price international oil, gained 20 cents to $121.75 in London. Oil was higher earlier, after the U.S. government said the economy expanded at a 3-percent annual rate in the fourth quarter. That s up from a prior estimate of growth of 2.8 percent. Americans also earned more income in the final three months of 2011 than previously reported. But economists cautioned that growth is likely slowing in the current quarter as companies spend less on restocking their warehouses. Retail gasoline prices rose for the 22nd consecutive day to a national average of $3.73 per gallon. The Energy Department said gasoline supplies shrank by 1.6 million barrels, or 0.7 percent, to 229.9 million barrels. That s 2 percent less than year-ago levels. Analysts expected gasoline supplies to decrease by 180,000 barrels. Demand for gasoline over the four weeks ended Feb. 24 was 6.7 percent lower than a year earlier, averaging 8.3 million barrels a day.

Dollar rises against euro on Bernanke comments

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The dollar is rising against the euro after comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke made it seem less likely that the Fed will buy more bonds to stimulate the U.S. economy. Bernanke told lawmakers in Washington that the employment rate has improved more than expected. Analysts and traders interpreted his comments to mean that another round of bond-buying program won t happen. That s good news for the dollar. Bond buying lowers interest rates and increases money supply. With more money in circulation, the value of the dollar that traders are holding decreases. The lower interest rates would make the dollar less attractive than other currencies that have higher interest rates. The euro fell to $1.3359 in afternoon trading Wednesday from $1.3459 late Tuesday.

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