NEWS ALL WORLD

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India meet Bangladesh in final league match today

2010-01-14T01:29:00.000-08:00

DHAKA: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni elected to field after winning the toss against Bangladesh in the last league match of a triangular one-day series here on Monday.

Sri Lanka and India have already advanced to the final to be held here on Wednesday.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Ashraful, Raqibul Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Syed Rasel.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Dinesh Karthik, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Ashish Nehra, Sudeep Tyagi, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.

Umpires: Simon Taufel (AUS) and Sharfuddoula Shahid (BD), TV umpire: Enamul Haque (BD), Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).

Serena Williams, Safina into Sydney quarterfinals

2010-01-14T01:28:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, January 12, 2010
SYDNEY: Top-ranked Serena Williams has advanced to the Sydney International quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain in the American's first match of the season.

The defending Australian Open champion is using the Sydney tournament as her main warm up for first major of the season, which starts next Monday in Melbourne.

She had a bye in the first round and spent only 1 hour, 12 minutes on court Tuesday. She will next face Vera Dushevina, a 6-3, 6-4 winner over fellow Russian Elena Vesnina.

Second-seeded Dinara Safina returned from a back injury with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, losing the opening five games before winning nine straight.

Oil prices fall in Asian trade

2010-01-14T01:27:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, January 12, 2010
SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell below $82 a barrel Tuesday in Asia on expectations a frigid cold spell in parts of the U.S., Europe and Asia will ease in coming weeks, weakening crude demand.

Benchmark crude for February delivery was down 61 cents to $81.92a barrel at midday Singapore time in electronic trading on the NewYork Mercantile Exchange. On Monday, a weakening U.S. dollar helped push the contract to a15-month high near $84 a barrel before it settled down 23 cents at$82.52.

Crude prices have jumped from $69 a barrel a month ago as cold winter weather, especially in the U.S. Northeast, boosted demand for oil products such as heating oil.

Rupee up versus dollar

2010-01-14T01:26:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 13, 2010
KARACHI: The dollar remained up against the rupee in the inter-bank market, dealers said on Tuesday, Geo news reported Wednesday.

The dollar is trading at Rs 84.75. Forex market dealers said rupee could strengthen further due to selling of dollars by importers.

The rupee was up by 10 paisa during today’s trading that helped keep dollar at Rs.84.75 level.

The dealers said rupee will likely gain further strength after continuous selling of cash received from importers.

2 US troops, 4 police killed in Afghanistan

2010-01-14T01:25:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 13, 2010
KABUL: Two U.S. service members died and four Afghan policemen were killed in separate explosions Wednesday in eastern Afghanistan, an area of the nation rife with violence, officials said.

Nine other members of the Afghan National Police were injured Wednesday in other incidents.

NATO said the two American troops died in a bomb blast, but disclosed no other information. Their deaths bring to 12 the number of American troops killed in Afghanistan so far this month; 16 other soldiers from the international coalition have died this month.

In Khost city, members of the Afghan National Police found two explosives, said Amir Hassan, a spokesman for the police chief in Khost province near the Pakistan border. He said the policemen detonated one and removed the other, which subsequently exploded. Four police and a civilian died in the morning blast just outside a police barracks, he said.

In southern Afghanistan, three members of the national police force and three civilians were wounded when a suicide bomber in a truck detonated his explosives near a police office in the Daman district of Kandahar province, according to the Ministry of Interior. Three vehicles, including an ambulance, were damaged in the blast.

And in Ghanzi province, six Afghan policemen were injured when a remote-controlled bomb exploded near an international aid office, said Abdul Ghani, deputy police chief in Ghanzi province of eastern Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defense on Wednesday reported that the body of an Afghan National Army soldier, who was kidnapped on Monday by militants from his house in Baghlan province, was found Tuesday in the Dushi district of the province in northern Afghanistan. The soldier was stationed in Khost district.

Separately, NATO reported Wednesday that Afghan and international forces patrolling in Helmand province on Jan. 10 uncovered a cache of explosives and bomb-making equipment. The patrol found nine jugs of homemade explosives totaling 250 pounds (113 kilograms), a dozen bomb pressure plates, radio-controlled bomb devices and 35 pounds (16 kilograms) of ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer, NATO said. The explosives were rigged to detonate with a cord and 200 rounds of machine gun ammunition.

Yemeni jetfighter crashes in south Yemen: official

2010-01-14T01:24:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 13, 2010
SANAA: A Yemeni jetfighter crashed Wednesday in south Yemen due to a technical problem, while the pilot survived, a security official said.

The aircraft crashed in the area of Salah al-Din, west of the port city of Aden, the official said requesting anonymity. "The pilot has survived," he said, adding that it crashed due to a "technical problem."

Indian FM telephones Shah Mehmood Qureshi

2010-01-14T01:22:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 13, 2010
NEW DELHI: Indian foreign minister S.M. Krishna told his Pakistani counterpart in talks over the telephone on Wednesday that Pakistan should "unravel the full conspiracy" behind the Mumbai attacks and crack down on militancy.

Krishna and his opposite number Shah Mehmood Qureshi spoke in the backdrop of fraught relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours following Mumbai and recent military flare-ups on the border.

India has "paused" a formal peace process with Pakistan after the 2008 strike on Mumbai, which it blames on Pakistan-based militants and some state agencies. The two sides have however met on the sidelines of international gatherings since then.

Pakistan has put seven men on trial for the attacks, but India has demanding swifter justice.

Krishna "underscored the need for bringing the perpetrators of the attack to justice expeditiously and requested that India be kept informed of the progress of the trial," an Indian Foreign Ministry statement said.

"(Krishna) also pointed out that Pakistan needs to take effective steps to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism which exists in Pakistan and continues to be used for anti-India activities," it added.

A Pakistani man accused of being the lone surviving gunman of the Mumbai attacks is on trial in India, while a Chicago man has been charged in the United States for helping plan the strike.

Nisar flays govt for overlooking peoples problems

2010-01-14T01:21:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 13, 2010
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-N on Wednesday staged a token walkout from the National Assembly’s session against the government for not paying attention to the people’s problems.

Opposition Leader in National Assembly and PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stressed that the government should pay more heed to the problems being faced by the 170 millions people of Pakistan.

Speaking on a point or order before the walkout, Chaudhry Nisar said people have no aviability of gas, electricity and flour while the government is engaged in obtaining vote of confidence for the President.

He said that the inane ministers must watch a Capital Talk’s program, in which people had expressed their anger at the non-availability of gas on the CNG station.

The government should first ensure the provision of gas and electricity before raising its prices, said Khan.

“If someone wants to increase the political temperature, he has the ability to respond,” he said.

Responding to Nisar Ali Khan, Federal Minister Naveed Qamar advised the opposition from doing point scoring and asked for solutions.

Zardari says policies of reconciliation will continue

2010-01-14T01:20:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 13, 2010
LAHORE: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that his party will carry on a politics of reconciliation in the country.

This he said at a dinner hosted by Punjab’s Governor Salman Taseer in his honor at the Governor House on Wednesday.

He said nobody would be allowed to take any such step, which could harm the democracy. The President said saving the democracy is equal to saving Pakistan.

Slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto had also embraced martyrdom for the cause of democracy, he said.

FIR of Mian Channu mishap lodged against dead driver

2010-01-14T01:16:00.000-08:00

Thursday, January 14, 2010
MIAN CHANNU: The FIR of Mian Channu train accident, occurred yesterday which claimed as many as 11 children and left another 8 injured, has been lodged against the deceased driver who also died amid the accident, Geo news reported.

Rana Farooq, the SHO Mian Channu Saddar police station told media the case against the deceased driver Shaheen has been registered under Railway act and under other acts of constitution.

It may be mentioned due to thick fog and lack of railway gate at rail crossing here in Mian Channu, a disaster occurred, when a school children van, carrying as many as 19 children, met an accident with train early on Wednesday morning, which killed 11 children and left 8 wounded while the van driver also lost his life amid accident.

Federal government has pledged Rs.5 and Punjab government announced Rs.2 laks for each heirs of deceased child while Rs 50,000 for injured children’s families, sources said.

Holbrooke arrives Swat

2010-01-14T01:13:00.000-08:00

Thursday, January 14, 2010
SWAT: US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has arrived here on Thursday morning, Geo news reported.

According to details, the US envoy will review the progress of rehabilitation process of Swat IDPs.

LHC dismisses article 62,63 definition petition

2010-01-14T01:12:00.000-08:00

Thursday, January 14, 2010
LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed petition requested to define articles 62 and 63 of constitution.

The petition was filed by Khalid Khawaja Advocate seeking definition of constitutional articles 62 and 63 and criteria of eligibility and ineligibility of parliament members should be evaluated and larger bench should be form for case hearing.

Chief Justice LHC Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif has dismissed the petition and said it is the job of Election Commission to decide eligibility of member not the court. The court also rejected the petition seeking halt of by-election on NA-55 till final verdict.

Hakimullah reported killed in Waziristan missile attack

2010-01-14T01:05:00.000-08:00

Thursday, January 14, 2010
MIRANSHAH: Chief of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Hakimullah Mehsud has been reportedly killed in a drone attack in North Waziristan, unconfirmed media reports said on Thursday.

The assault took place in Garyom village in a remote area of North Waziristan. The drone fired two missiles at the house of tribesman Muhammad Yaqoob. The sources confirmed the killing of 10 persons. The toll is likely to rise.

Senior journalist Rahimullah Yousufzai while talking to Geo News said reports from some sources said Hakimullah Mehsud was present in the area at the time of attack and there are conflicting reports about his killing. The Taliban sources have denied the reports.

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4 dead in Karachi blast

2010-01-07T22:48:00.000-08:00

Updated at: 0839 PST, Friday, January 08, 2010
KARACHI: Four people have been killed and several others injured in an explosion occurred in a house located in Balida Town area of Karachi on Friday.

According to police sources, a huge blast occurred in a house in Baldia Town killing four and wounded several others. The explosive material is still present at the blast site. Police have cordoned off the area and called bomb disposal squad. Police also recovered huge arms cache.

Crackdown in Karachi soon, says Malik

2010-01-07T22:45:00.000-08:00

Updated at: 1136 PST, Friday, January 08, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik said crackdown against foreigners will be launched soon in Karachi.

Talking to media after appearing in National Accountability court Malik has asked the illegal foreigners to leave within 15 days after this deadline they will be deported. He said Karachi will be cleared like Swat.

He said inquiry has been ordered for yesterday’s killing in Lyari. About blast occurred today in Karachi, he said the blast happened in a house of man identified as Riaz who shifted to Karachi from Swat two years back.

Malik said landlord across the country have been directed to inform police before giving their property on rent. Police strength will be increased in Karachi. One report on MA Jinnah Road incident has been received whereas another is in last stages, he added.

Cotton output seen 0.9m bales higher than last year

2010-01-07T22:42:00.000-08:00

Updated at: 0502 PST, Friday, January 08, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cotton production this year is likely to miss the 13.36 million bales' target by about half a million bales, however it is still 0.9 million bales more than 11.8 million bales produced last year.

According to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), world cotton production in 2009-10 is expected to decline by 5.17 per cent to 102 million bales (218 kg a bale). Pakistani cotton bale is equal to 170 kilograms.

The ICAC is based in Washington DC and is an association of governments having an interest in cotton production, consumption and trade.

US cotton production has been estimated at 12.5 million bales, down by 2.51 per cent over previous year. Besides, production in China, Brazil and Uzbekistan is also expected to decline.

Due to global decline in cotton production, its price may further go up in the international market. As Pakistan’s total cotton requirement is about 16 million bales but domestic production is expected to touch 12.8 million bales. The remaining gap would be met through imports.

In a second meeting of the Cotton Crop Assessment Committee (CCAC) held here Thursday with Federal Secretary For Food And Agriculture Muhammad Zia-ur-Rehman in chair, cotton production has been projected at 12.7 million bales against 12.10 million bales estimated in October 2009.

Cotton Crop Assessment Committee has estimates this year cotton crop size at 12.7 million bales. Punjab cotton production was estimated at 8.40 million bales, Sindh 4.20 million bales, Balochistan and NWFP at 0.10 million bales. The CCAC made the assessments on the basis of crop review, feedback of provincial Agriculture Departments and stakeholders.

Cotton production for Punjab was targeted at 10 million bales, Sindh 3.25 million bales, NWFP and Balochistan was targeted 0.1 million bales each.

In Punjab, production declined by about 1.6 million bales, which the ministry officials say was due to abnormal temperature, severe cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) attack - one of the major biotic constraints of cotton production.

According to the first estimate of the crop during 2009-10 season, cotton has been sown on an area of 3.072 million hectares (or 7.587 acres). This is 2.54 per cent less than the target of 3.2 million hectares (7.91 million acres). However, compared to year 2008-09 cotton sowing area of 2.82 million hectors, this year it was up by 8.95 percent.

6 killed in Karachi explosion

2010-01-07T22:31:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: Six people have been killed and many others injured in an explosion occurred in a house located in Balida Town area of Karachi on Friday.

DIG West Abdul Majeed Dasti has confirmed the killing of six people. The bodies are still trapped under the rubbles of the part of the house that caved-in due to explosion as bomb disposal squad is searching for more explosives.

Police and Rangers have cordoned off the area. Two hand grenades, a suicide jacket and a Kalashnikov recovered from the

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2010-01-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

Updated at: 2113 PST, Thursday, January 07, 2010
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday underlined the need for the strategic long term partnership between Pakistan and the United States to be based on mutual interest, respect and mutual trust.

He hailed President Obama's affirmation of US commitment to Pakistan's stability, security and prosperity and said that democratic stability in Pakistan is contingent upon advancement of our development agenda for which US support is critical.

The President was talking to a US congressional delegation which led by Senator John McCain called on him here at the Presidency on Thursday afternoon.

The delegation besides Senator John McCain included Senator Joseph Liberman, Senator Johan Barrasso, Christian Brose, Foreign Policy Advisor, Vance Serchuk and Brooke Buchanan. US ambassador in Pakistan Ms Anne W. Patterson and senior officials of the US embassy were also present.

The Pakistani side comprised Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Secretary General to the President, M. Salman Faruqui, Ms Sughra Imam, Ms Farahnaz Ispahani and other high officials.

The President stressed the need for market access for Pakistani goods into the US and EU markets and asked the congressional delegation to play their role for early adoption ofROZs' legislation in the Congress which would usher in a new era of socio-economic development in areas affected by war against militancy.

The President while appreciating US assistance for Pakistan said that the assistance could be channeled through the government in accordance with our priorities and programs and ensured transparency, accountability and efficacy in terms of results.

The President said that the economic cost of the war against terror amounting to US $ 35 billion for the last eight years has almost paralyzed Pakistan's economy.

"Pakistan has been facing delays in payments of coalition support Fund claims", the President said and urged for timely reimbursement of over one billion dollars on account of CSF.

Referring to President Obama's new Afghan strategy the President said that Pakistan has legitimate interests in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan and urged that US must remain sensitive to Pakistan's core national interests and concerns. US actions should remain on the Afghan side of the border, he added.

The President also pointed out that drone attacks on Pakistani territory undermined the national consensus against the war on militancy.

He urged the American delegation to persuade the US policymakers to give drone technology to Pakistan so that the militants could be targeted by Pakistan's national security forces themselves rather than by foreign troops which raised questions of sovereignty.

The delegation appreciated Pakistan's role in the war against extremism and militancy and assured full support in taking this war to the logical end.

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Pakistan take 204-run lead over Australia 2nd day

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Updated at: 1307 PST, Monday, January 04, 2010
SYDNEY: Pakistan gained a big lead of 204 runs over the Aussies despite a collapse in the final session of the second day of the second Test match here at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.

They lost seven wickets in the third and the last session of the day.

At stumps, Pakistan were 331 runs for nine wickets with tail-enders Danish Kaneria (2) and Mohammad Asif (0) at the crease.

Pakistan resumed at 14-0 in the morning and both openers, playing steadily added 70 runs in the first session and succeeded in reaching 100 without being separated after lunch.

This was the second century stand between the pair of Imran Farhat and Salman Butt in Test cricket.

However, the partnership was broken by spinner Nathan Hauritz when Imran Farhat was caught behind by Brad Haddin on an attempted sweep shot.

Imran made 53, his 13th half-century in 32nd Test. He hit four boundaries in his 140-ball innings and together with Salman Butt made 109 runs.

Later, Salman Butt was also caught behind off Mitchell Johnson for 71, made with the help of nine fours. This was his eighth fifty in 26th Test.

Pakistan were 190-2 at tea with Faisal Iqbal and captain Mohammad Yousuf batting patiently. They carved out a 61-run partnership off 83 balls before Faisal departed on 27.

Yousuf was joined by young Umar Akmal who batted aggressively and scored 49 from 48 balls with nine fours. Yousuf also fell in the forties (46).

Misbah-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal could not make good scores and were dismissed on 11 and 14, respectively.

However, Misbah completed 1,000 runs in his 19th Test.

Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul contributed 13 and 12 runs, respectively.

For Australia, Doug Bollinger was the most successful bowler, taking three for 70 runs while Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson claimed two wickets each. Peter Siddle and Hauritz took one wicket each.

Australia 86-0 at lunch vs Pakistan

2010-01-05T22:39:00.002-08:00

Updated at: 0630 PST, Tuesday, January 05, 2010
SYDNEY: Australia were 86 for no loss in second innings against Pakistan at lunch on day 3 of second Test match here at SCG, Geo news reported.

Shane Watson and Phillip Hughes have put good show making unbeaten opening stand of 86 runs with Watson (51) shone with quick half century while Hughes playing on watchful 31 runs.

Australia's openers capitalised on a flattening pitch and a Pakistani reprieve to advance to 0 for 86 in their second innings, reducing to 120 the tourists' overall lead.

Shane Watson raised his 1000th Test run with a lofted pull stroke that Danish Kaneria, fielding at fine leg, dropped over the boundary rope on a morning that saw the hosts restore a degree of parity to proceedings.

Pakistan added just two runs to their overnight first-innings total as Doug Bollinger (4 for 72) snuffed out Kaneria with his fifth ball of the morning.

That took Pakistan's lead to 206 - their second-highest first-innings advantage over the Australians in 54 years of competition between the two countries - although with the SCG pitch nowhere near as threatening as the opening day, the Australians would not have entirely counted themselves out of the contest.

Sri Lanka win toss, put India into bat in triangular ODI series

2010-01-05T22:39:00.001-08:00

Updated at: 1529 PST, Tuesday, January 05, 2010
DHAKA: Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara elected to field after winning the toss against India in a triangular one-day series match here on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka made three changes from the side that beat Bangladesh by seven wickets on Monday. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Chamara Silva were ruled out due to injuries and were replaced with debutant Lahiru Thirimanne and Thissara Perera.

Paceman Thilan Thushara came in place of Nuwan Kulasekara.

Each team will play four league matches before the top two qualify for the final on January 13.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Thilina Kandamby, Thissara Perera, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Suraj Randiv, Thilan Thushara, Suranga Lakmal, Chanaka Welegedara.

2010-01-05T22:37:00.000-08:00

Updated at: 1629 PST, Tuesday, January 05, 2010
DOHA: Victor Troicky of Serbia and Ivo Karlovic of Croatia qualified for second round winning their first round matches in the Qatar Open Tennis Tournament

On the first day in Doha, Fifth seed Viktor Troicki of Serbia advanced with a 6-1, 7-5 decision over Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain and number seven Ivo Karlovic of Croatia ousted Italian Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-4.

Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky upset fourth-seeded Mikhail Youzhny Monday in the first round of the Qatar Open.

Stakhovsky eliminated Youzhny 7-6 (13-11), 6-2 in a match that lasted an hour and 45 minutes at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha.

Latvian Ernest Gulbis pulled off another surprise, beating the sixth seed, Spain's Albert Montanes, 6-2, 7-5.

Other first-round winners included Belgian Olivier Rochus and Evgeny Korolev of Russia.

World No. 1 Roger Federer is the tournament's top seed. Federer will take on Christophe Rochus of Belgium, older brother of Olivvier Rochus, in his first match on Tuesday.

The tournament is considered a tuneup for the Australian Open, the year's first major, which begins january 18 in Melbourne.

Tarin to attend ADB’s conference

2010-01-05T22:35:00.002-08:00

Updated at: 2237 PST, Tuesday, January 05, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance Minister Shaukar Tarin will attend the meeting of Asian Development Bank (ADB) going to be held on 14 and 15 January.

The ADB has organized a two-day conference in Philippines’s capital Manila. It may be noted that finance ministers from nine Asia-Pacific countries will take part in the conference while governors of seven central banks are also expected to attend the meeting.

The conference will review the consequences of global e