Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Poland holds public memorial for crash victims
Updated at: 1455 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
WARSAW: Church bells pealed and emergency sirens blared across Poland at 8:56 a.m. (0656 GMT) Saturday to mark the minute a week earlier that a plane crashed as it attempted to land in Russia, claiming the life of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and 94 others.
Thousands of Poles massed in Warsaw's Pilsudski Square for a public memorial service for the victims. But some world leaders canceled their attendance at a state funeral Sunday, citing the volcanic ash cloud hanging over Europe, leaving numerous airports closed.
So far delegations from India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand and Pakistan have canceled plans to attend Sunday's state funeral, Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Piotr Paszkowski said.
The crash plunged Poland into a deep grief not seen since the death of Pope John Paul II five years ago.
WARSAW: Church bells pealed and emergency sirens blared across Poland at 8:56 a.m. (0656 GMT) Saturday to mark the minute a week earlier that a plane crashed as it attempted to land in Russia, claiming the life of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and 94 others.
Thousands of Poles massed in Warsaw's Pilsudski Square for a public memorial service for the victims. But some world leaders canceled their attendance at a state funeral Sunday, citing the volcanic ash cloud hanging over Europe, leaving numerous airports closed.
So far delegations from India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand and Pakistan have canceled plans to attend Sunday's state funeral, Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Piotr Paszkowski said.
The crash plunged Poland into a deep grief not seen since the death of Pope John Paul II five years ago.
Badar blames Musharraf for BB murder
Updated at: 1445 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
ISLAMABAD: The Peoples Party Secretary General Jahangir Badar said that General UN report clearly indicated that former President Pervez Musharraf is responsible for assassination of Benazir Bhutto and now its his responsibility to come back to Pakistan and answer this.
ISLAMABAD: The Peoples Party Secretary General Jahangir Badar said that General UN report clearly indicated that former President Pervez Musharraf is responsible for assassination of Benazir Bhutto and now its his responsibility to come back to Pakistan and answer this.
Cancer survival rates improve
Updated at: 1435 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
LONDON: Five-year survival rates for breast, lung, prostate and colon cancer have risen, a round-up from the Office for National Statistics showed.
More patients were still alive after five years if they were diagnosed between 2003 and 2007 than if they were diagnosed between 2001 and 2006.
Survival rates increased by 1.3 per cent for women with breast cancer, 1.5 per cent for people with colon cancer and by 2.7 per cent for people with prostate cancer.
The smallest rise in survival rates was for lung cancer where only 0.4 per cent more people were alive five years after diagnosis.
Jane Hatfield, Director of Policy and Research at Breast Cancer Care, said: “It is very encouraging that breast cancer survival rates have continued to improve as a result of efforts across all sectors.
“However, separate research has shown that one-year survival rates are lower for women from disadvantaged communities compared to those from affluent groups.
“Additionally, the survival rates in UK women with breast cancer over the age of 75 are much lower compared to other European countries.
“There is an urgent need to tackle these inequalities in survival from breast cancer. Early detection plays a vital role in this, and Breast Cancer Care is working hard to encourage women of all backgrounds and ages to be breast aware and to visit their doctor if they have any signs or symptoms that they are concerned about.”
Survival rates were also higher for several other cancers monitored over the same period.
More men survived testicular cancer than any other cancer (96.2 per cent) while more women survived malignant melanoma (90.1 per cent).
The lowest five-year survival in both sexes was for pancreatic cancer: 3.1% in men and 3.3% in women.
Ciaran Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "It's welcome news that there are more cancer survivors because of both the improvements in treatment and an ageing population, but this does not show the whole picture.
"After treatment ends, many patients feel abandoned by the NHS and struggle to cope with the long-term effects cancer, and cancer treatment, can have on their bodies, careers and families.
"The next government needs to ensure all cancer patients have the support they need to manage the long-term effects of cancer treatment.
"The current NHS follow-up service is costly and ineffective and must be replaced."
LONDON: Five-year survival rates for breast, lung, prostate and colon cancer have risen, a round-up from the Office for National Statistics showed.
More patients were still alive after five years if they were diagnosed between 2003 and 2007 than if they were diagnosed between 2001 and 2006.
Survival rates increased by 1.3 per cent for women with breast cancer, 1.5 per cent for people with colon cancer and by 2.7 per cent for people with prostate cancer.
The smallest rise in survival rates was for lung cancer where only 0.4 per cent more people were alive five years after diagnosis.
Jane Hatfield, Director of Policy and Research at Breast Cancer Care, said: “It is very encouraging that breast cancer survival rates have continued to improve as a result of efforts across all sectors.
“However, separate research has shown that one-year survival rates are lower for women from disadvantaged communities compared to those from affluent groups.
“Additionally, the survival rates in UK women with breast cancer over the age of 75 are much lower compared to other European countries.
“There is an urgent need to tackle these inequalities in survival from breast cancer. Early detection plays a vital role in this, and Breast Cancer Care is working hard to encourage women of all backgrounds and ages to be breast aware and to visit their doctor if they have any signs or symptoms that they are concerned about.”
Survival rates were also higher for several other cancers monitored over the same period.
More men survived testicular cancer than any other cancer (96.2 per cent) while more women survived malignant melanoma (90.1 per cent).
The lowest five-year survival in both sexes was for pancreatic cancer: 3.1% in men and 3.3% in women.
Ciaran Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "It's welcome news that there are more cancer survivors because of both the improvements in treatment and an ageing population, but this does not show the whole picture.
"After treatment ends, many patients feel abandoned by the NHS and struggle to cope with the long-term effects cancer, and cancer treatment, can have on their bodies, careers and families.
"The next government needs to ensure all cancer patients have the support they need to manage the long-term effects of cancer treatment.
"The current NHS follow-up service is costly and ineffective and must be replaced."
Saif dotes on Kareena’s eyes
Updated at: 1430 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
MUMBAI: One knows that Saif Ali Khan is obsessed with girlfriend Kareena Kapoor. Who can forget that he has tattooed her name on his forearm? But every new facet to this obsession makes it to the headlines. The latest is that Saif is enamoured by Kareena's kohl-lined eyes. His fascination started after seeing how expressive her kohl-lined eyes looked in the first half of Kurbaan.
In fact, Saif couldn't stop looking at Kareena every time she would do up her eyes for the film. It only made Saif realise how much Bebo loves kajal. Now, Saif's close observation has gone beyond the film.
We now know one very private secret of the couple. While watching Kareena getting ready to accompany him for a recent event, Saif, who normally leaves everything aside to watch her eyes transform after she puts on her kajal, told someone around that he can never have enough of this moment. The actor is said to have said, "God, Bebo hardly uses any make up. She just uses a simple kohl pencil and her eyes light up."
Saif himself is not comfortable talking too much about his love for Kareena's gorgeous peepers but Kareena did admit that even in Agent Vinod her character will have smoky eyes in some portions of the film.
The actress said, "I can't reveal any details on the character but I can say that Saif likes me with my eyes made up like I had done in Kurbaan. Sometimes I do up my eyes that way when I attend functions with him. You could say that he has designed this look for me even in Agent Vinod."
"I can hardly wait to get to Tuscany where we will shoot our second schedule for Agent Vinod and I guess I will be wearing this special make up with nicely done eyes, just the way Saif likes them,'' gushed Kareena.
MUMBAI: One knows that Saif Ali Khan is obsessed with girlfriend Kareena Kapoor. Who can forget that he has tattooed her name on his forearm? But every new facet to this obsession makes it to the headlines. The latest is that Saif is enamoured by Kareena's kohl-lined eyes. His fascination started after seeing how expressive her kohl-lined eyes looked in the first half of Kurbaan.
In fact, Saif couldn't stop looking at Kareena every time she would do up her eyes for the film. It only made Saif realise how much Bebo loves kajal. Now, Saif's close observation has gone beyond the film.
We now know one very private secret of the couple. While watching Kareena getting ready to accompany him for a recent event, Saif, who normally leaves everything aside to watch her eyes transform after she puts on her kajal, told someone around that he can never have enough of this moment. The actor is said to have said, "God, Bebo hardly uses any make up. She just uses a simple kohl pencil and her eyes light up."
Saif himself is not comfortable talking too much about his love for Kareena's gorgeous peepers but Kareena did admit that even in Agent Vinod her character will have smoky eyes in some portions of the film.
The actress said, "I can't reveal any details on the character but I can say that Saif likes me with my eyes made up like I had done in Kurbaan. Sometimes I do up my eyes that way when I attend functions with him. You could say that he has designed this look for me even in Agent Vinod."
"I can hardly wait to get to Tuscany where we will shoot our second schedule for Agent Vinod and I guess I will be wearing this special make up with nicely done eyes, just the way Saif likes them,'' gushed Kareena.
Army Chief grieved over Tirah killings
Updated at: 1420 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani extended apology to Kokikhel tribes on the killings of citizens in Pak Army’s action on April 10, Geo News reported Saturday.
According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army Chief expressed deep grief over the killings of citizens belonging to Kokikhel tribes.
Also, he directed to take up measures to avoid such incidents in future.
It should be mentioned that at least 63 people were killed in an action by Pak Army in Tirah Valley on April 10.
RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani extended apology to Kokikhel tribes on the killings of citizens in Pak Army’s action on April 10, Geo News reported Saturday.
According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army Chief expressed deep grief over the killings of citizens belonging to Kokikhel tribes.
Also, he directed to take up measures to avoid such incidents in future.
It should be mentioned that at least 63 people were killed in an action by Pak Army in Tirah Valley on April 10.
Shoaib Malik’s family reaching home today
Updated at: 1420 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
LAHORE: The family members of Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik are reaching home this evening while Shoaib may return up to April 21 after getting back his passport on Monday.
Shoaib’s family members, after participating in his wedding with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in Hyderabad Deccan, have reached Delhi this morning and from here they will arrive in Lahore at 6-00 pm today.
Shoaib’s brother-in-law Imran Zafar Malik told Indian media before departure that Shoaib’s passport is expected to be received on Monday after which he can come to Pakistan up to April 21.
The date of valima reception will be announced today or tomorrow. The ceremony will be held in Punjabi style which is expected to be attended also by people from India.
LAHORE: The family members of Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik are reaching home this evening while Shoaib may return up to April 21 after getting back his passport on Monday.
Shoaib’s family members, after participating in his wedding with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in Hyderabad Deccan, have reached Delhi this morning and from here they will arrive in Lahore at 6-00 pm today.
Shoaib’s brother-in-law Imran Zafar Malik told Indian media before departure that Shoaib’s passport is expected to be received on Monday after which he can come to Pakistan up to April 21.
The date of valima reception will be announced today or tomorrow. The ceremony will be held in Punjabi style which is expected to be attended also by people from India.
Arrest warrants for Kasab, Ansari issued
Updated at: 1420 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
RAWALPINDI: Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi has issued arrest warrants of Ajmal Kasab and Faheem Ansari, the suspects in Mumbai attacks.
Sources told Geo News that a judge of ATC court no 1 has granted permission to FIA to arrest Kasab and Ansari, wanted in Mumbai attacks case and issued their arrest warrants. They will be declared proclaimed offenders if not arrested after issuance of warrants. Both are already arrested in India.
RAWALPINDI: Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi has issued arrest warrants of Ajmal Kasab and Faheem Ansari, the suspects in Mumbai attacks.
Sources told Geo News that a judge of ATC court no 1 has granted permission to FIA to arrest Kasab and Ansari, wanted in Mumbai attacks case and issued their arrest warrants. They will be declared proclaimed offenders if not arrested after issuance of warrants. Both are already arrested in India.
Bomb blasts hit remote Myanmar dam project
Updated at: 1355 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
YANGON: A series of bomb blasts at the site of a controversial dam project in a remote part of Myanmar destroyed cars and buildings and left one man injured on Saturday, an official said.
The explosions took place in the early hours of the morning at four locations where the Myitsone Dam is under construction in the country's northernmost Kachin state, the official said on condition of anonymity.
"One engineer was slightly injured. Some cars and buildings were destroyed because of the blasts," he said.
YANGON: A series of bomb blasts at the site of a controversial dam project in a remote part of Myanmar destroyed cars and buildings and left one man injured on Saturday, an official said.
The explosions took place in the early hours of the morning at four locations where the Myitsone Dam is under construction in the country's northernmost Kachin state, the official said on condition of anonymity.
"One engineer was slightly injured. Some cars and buildings were destroyed because of the blasts," he said.
Shutter-down strike in Quetta; school closed
Updated at: 1350 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
QUETTA: Quetta is observing the shutter-down strike on call from trade organizations in the city in the wake of bomb blast and firing incidents at Civil Hospital yesterday, Geo News reported Saturday.
The entire city looks draped in mourning air with all educational institutions including Balochistan University closed.
The blast killed at least 11 people including two DSPs and a cameraman of a private news channel and injured 35 others.
The Anjuman Tajiran Balochistan gave a call of shutter-down strike against this mishap and other incidents of target killings in the province.
Pashtoonkhaw Mili Awami Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and other religious and political parties also announced to support the strike call.
All the shops and commercial centers are closed with thin traffic on roads.
The FC contingents have been positioned in the city to keep up the law and order situation.
Hazarah Democratic Party is observing three-day mourning in the city; while, Balochistan Union of Journalist and Quetta Press Club are mourning on the killing of cameraman of a private news channel Malik Arif and seven injured journalists.
Also, the journalists will organize protest demo today.
The deceased were laid to rest in Hazrah, Kasi Road, Hazrah Town, Brori Road and Sariab Road cemeteries.
A case of the suicide attack has been registered at Civil Lines Quetta.
Police announced Rs500,000 for the one who will reveal the identity of the attacker.
QUETTA: Quetta is observing the shutter-down strike on call from trade organizations in the city in the wake of bomb blast and firing incidents at Civil Hospital yesterday, Geo News reported Saturday.
The entire city looks draped in mourning air with all educational institutions including Balochistan University closed.
The blast killed at least 11 people including two DSPs and a cameraman of a private news channel and injured 35 others.
The Anjuman Tajiran Balochistan gave a call of shutter-down strike against this mishap and other incidents of target killings in the province.
Pashtoonkhaw Mili Awami Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and other religious and political parties also announced to support the strike call.
All the shops and commercial centers are closed with thin traffic on roads.
The FC contingents have been positioned in the city to keep up the law and order situation.
Hazarah Democratic Party is observing three-day mourning in the city; while, Balochistan Union of Journalist and Quetta Press Club are mourning on the killing of cameraman of a private news channel Malik Arif and seven injured journalists.
Also, the journalists will organize protest demo today.
The deceased were laid to rest in Hazrah, Kasi Road, Hazrah Town, Brori Road and Sariab Road cemeteries.
A case of the suicide attack has been registered at Civil Lines Quetta.
Police announced Rs500,000 for the one who will reveal the identity of the attacker.
Iceland volcano activity increases
Updated at: 1340 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
LONDON: A geologist says activity has increased at an erupting Icelandic volcano, causing an ash plume to rise some 8.5kilometers (5.3 miles) into the air.
Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson of the University of Iceland says winds have cleared visibility for scientists and Saturday will be the first day they can fly above the volcano to assess the activity.
Once scientists determine how much ice has melted, it will bee asier to say how long the eruption could last. An ash plume that has disrupted travel across Europe has been caused by hot magma being cooled quickly by the melting ice cap.
Gudmundsson says as long as there is enough ice, more plumes could form causing even more travel disruption.
LONDON: A geologist says activity has increased at an erupting Icelandic volcano, causing an ash plume to rise some 8.5kilometers (5.3 miles) into the air.
Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson of the University of Iceland says winds have cleared visibility for scientists and Saturday will be the first day they can fly above the volcano to assess the activity.
Once scientists determine how much ice has melted, it will bee asier to say how long the eruption could last. An ash plume that has disrupted travel across Europe has been caused by hot magma being cooled quickly by the melting ice cap.
Gudmundsson says as long as there is enough ice, more plumes could form causing even more travel disruption.
MNA Sardar Mehtab sends resignation to Sharif
Updated at: 1335 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Sardar Mehtab Abbasi of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) decided to resign from his National Assembly seat, Geo News reported Saturday.
Abbasi has sent his resignation to PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif.
A letter attached with the resignation, said, ‘I was elected on PML-N ticket; accordingly, he is sending his resignation to Nawaz Sharif.’
It should be pertinent to mention here that Sardar Mehtab demurred at change of the NWFP’s name and also he did not vote in the National Assembly in favour of Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw to be the new name of the NWFP.
ISLAMABAD: Sardar Mehtab Abbasi of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) decided to resign from his National Assembly seat, Geo News reported Saturday.
Abbasi has sent his resignation to PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif.
A letter attached with the resignation, said, ‘I was elected on PML-N ticket; accordingly, he is sending his resignation to Nawaz Sharif.’
It should be pertinent to mention here that Sardar Mehtab demurred at change of the NWFP’s name and also he did not vote in the National Assembly in favour of Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw to be the new name of the NWFP.
Sudan poll fails to meet global standards-observers
Updated at: 1330 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
KHARTOUM: Sudan's first multi-party elections in 24 years failed to meet all international standards, European Union observers said on Saturday in the first official judgment on the poll.
Final results in the presidential and legislative elections are due out on Tuesday, although incumbent president Omar Hassanal-Bashir is widely expected to win after most of his rivals boycotted the proceedings, accusing his ruling party of fraud.
"These elections have struggled to reach international standards. They have not reached them all," the head of the E.U. observer mission in Sudan Veronique de Keyser told reporters.
KHARTOUM: Sudan's first multi-party elections in 24 years failed to meet all international standards, European Union observers said on Saturday in the first official judgment on the poll.
Final results in the presidential and legislative elections are due out on Tuesday, although incumbent president Omar Hassanal-Bashir is widely expected to win after most of his rivals boycotted the proceedings, accusing his ruling party of fraud.
"These elections have struggled to reach international standards. They have not reached them all," the head of the E.U. observer mission in Sudan Veronique de Keyser told reporters.
Belarus, Ukraine close airspace because of ash
Updated at: 1325 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
MINSK/KIEV: Belarus closed its airspace on Saturday and Ukraine's Kiev and other airports were closed to flights because of the huge volcanic ash cloud drifting over Europe, aviation authorities and airline officials said.
The aviation department at the Belarussian transport ministry said the country had closed its airspace overnight. Officials from Ukraine International Airlines and Aerosvit said Kiev airport would be closed until 3 p.m. (1200 GMT).
Ukraine's Lvov, Odessa, Donetsk, Simferopol and Dnepropetrovsk airports were also closed to flights for an unspecified period, they said.
MINSK/KIEV: Belarus closed its airspace on Saturday and Ukraine's Kiev and other airports were closed to flights because of the huge volcanic ash cloud drifting over Europe, aviation authorities and airline officials said.
The aviation department at the Belarussian transport ministry said the country had closed its airspace overnight. Officials from Ukraine International Airlines and Aerosvit said Kiev airport would be closed until 3 p.m. (1200 GMT).
Ukraine's Lvov, Odessa, Donetsk, Simferopol and Dnepropetrovsk airports were also closed to flights for an unspecified period, they said.
Azlan Shah Cup: probables for camp to announced today
Updated at: 1315 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
KARACHI: The probables for the training camp before Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament next month, are expected to be announced today, Geo News reported Saturday.
Chief Selector Haneef Khan, during the ongoing National Hockey Championship in Karachi, will announce the names of the probables today.
The new names are also expected to be included among the probables.
According to sources, former Captain Wasim Ahmed, goalkeeper Salman Akbar and Abbas Hyder will not be invited at the camp.
Nasir Ahmed to a specialist goalkeeper of the team with Zeeshan Ashraf to lead the squad.
Azlan Shah Tournament will begin from May 6 in Malaysia. The final squad for the tournament would be announced on May 1st.
KARACHI: The probables for the training camp before Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament next month, are expected to be announced today, Geo News reported Saturday.
Chief Selector Haneef Khan, during the ongoing National Hockey Championship in Karachi, will announce the names of the probables today.
The new names are also expected to be included among the probables.
According to sources, former Captain Wasim Ahmed, goalkeeper Salman Akbar and Abbas Hyder will not be invited at the camp.
Nasir Ahmed to a specialist goalkeeper of the team with Zeeshan Ashraf to lead the squad.
Azlan Shah Tournament will begin from May 6 in Malaysia. The final squad for the tournament would be announced on May 1st.
Cookbook pulped after recipe calls for 'salt and black people'
Updated at: 1305 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
SYDNEY: It's a tiny misprint, but an Australian publisher has had to pulp a cookbook after one recipe called for "salt and freshly ground black people" to be added to the dish.
Penguin Group Australia pulped and reprinted about 7,000 copies of "Pasta Bible" after the typographical error was found in the ingredients for spelt tagliatelle with sardines and prosciutto, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Saturday.
"We're mortified that this has become an issue of any kind, and why anyone would be offended, we don't know," head of publishing Bob Sessions was quoted as saying.
Penguin said almost every one of the more than 150 recipes in the book called for salt and freshly ground black pepper but a misprint occurred on just one page, probably as a result of a computer's spellchecker programme.
"When it comes to the proofreader, of course they should have picked it up, but proofreading a cookbook is an extremely difficult task. I find that quite forgivable," Sessions said.
He said it would be extremely hard to recall the stock but if anyone complained about the "silly mistake" they would be given the new version.
SYDNEY: It's a tiny misprint, but an Australian publisher has had to pulp a cookbook after one recipe called for "salt and freshly ground black people" to be added to the dish.
Penguin Group Australia pulped and reprinted about 7,000 copies of "Pasta Bible" after the typographical error was found in the ingredients for spelt tagliatelle with sardines and prosciutto, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Saturday.
"We're mortified that this has become an issue of any kind, and why anyone would be offended, we don't know," head of publishing Bob Sessions was quoted as saying.
Penguin said almost every one of the more than 150 recipes in the book called for salt and freshly ground black pepper but a misprint occurred on just one page, probably as a result of a computer's spellchecker programme.
"When it comes to the proofreader, of course they should have picked it up, but proofreading a cookbook is an extremely difficult task. I find that quite forgivable," Sessions said.
He said it would be extremely hard to recall the stock but if anyone complained about the "silly mistake" they would be given the new version.
Iran wants 'atomic criminal' US suspended from IAEA
Updated at: 1300 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
TEHRAN: Iran slammed "atomic criminal" the United States on Saturday and called for its suspension from the UN nuclear body, urging changes at the UN Security Council and in the Non-proliferation Treaty.
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an opening message to a two-day nuclear disarmament conference hosted by Tehran, said the use of nuclear weapons was "haram", meaning religiously prohibited, and branded Washington as the world's "only atomic criminal."
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad went called for Washington's suspension from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) along with all other nations who possess nuclear arms.
"Only the US government has committed an atomic crime," said a message read out from the all-powerful Khamenei, who formulates Tehran's foreign policy, including its nuclear strategy.
"The world's only atomic criminal lies and presents itself as being against nuclear weapons proliferation, while it has not taken any serious measures in this regard," he said.
TEHRAN: Iran slammed "atomic criminal" the United States on Saturday and called for its suspension from the UN nuclear body, urging changes at the UN Security Council and in the Non-proliferation Treaty.
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an opening message to a two-day nuclear disarmament conference hosted by Tehran, said the use of nuclear weapons was "haram", meaning religiously prohibited, and branded Washington as the world's "only atomic criminal."
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad went called for Washington's suspension from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) along with all other nations who possess nuclear arms.
"Only the US government has committed an atomic crime," said a message read out from the all-powerful Khamenei, who formulates Tehran's foreign policy, including its nuclear strategy.
"The world's only atomic criminal lies and presents itself as being against nuclear weapons proliferation, while it has not taken any serious measures in this regard," he said.
Nadra to issue smart cards usable as cash cards
Updated at: 1255 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
KARACHI: Chairman of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Ali Arshad Hakeem said the Authority would issue Smart Card, which would use the Computerized National Identity Card as ATM and Debit cards, Geo News reported Saturday.
Addressing the inaugural session of the Pakistan Branchless Banking Conference at SBP Learning Resource Centre, Hakeem said the Authority is working on using CNIC as ATM and debit card.
He said the idea of smart card has been derived from giving the financial assistance to terror-hit affectees of Malakand.
Ali Arshad Hakeem said a special chip would be added to the CNIC which would make it usable as cash card.
KARACHI: Chairman of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Ali Arshad Hakeem said the Authority would issue Smart Card, which would use the Computerized National Identity Card as ATM and Debit cards, Geo News reported Saturday.
Addressing the inaugural session of the Pakistan Branchless Banking Conference at SBP Learning Resource Centre, Hakeem said the Authority is working on using CNIC as ATM and debit card.
He said the idea of smart card has been derived from giving the financial assistance to terror-hit affectees of Malakand.
Ali Arshad Hakeem said a special chip would be added to the CNIC which would make it usable as cash card.
Kohat toll rises to 25
Updated at: 1245 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
KOHAT: At least 25 people were killed and several others injured in two powerful explosions at a refugee camp in Kohat’s Katcha Pakka area, Geo News reported Saturday.
According to the reports, the first blast occurred at a place where ration was being distributed among the refugees and a second bomb also went off when the people gathered for relief activities after the first blast. The second blast caused massive losses.
The injured and bodies are being rushed to district Headquarters Hospital, where emergency has been declared.
Several injured are in critical state, which may raise the death toll.
The security forces and the law enforcement agencies put security cordon around the blast site.
According to sources, both the blast were suicide attacks.
It should be mentioned the refugee camp is 20 kilometers from the Hungu city.
The affectees of Orakzai Agency operation are living at these refugees camp on Hangu Road.
Also, the sounds of gunshots were heard soon after the blast.
KOHAT: At least 25 people were killed and several others injured in two powerful explosions at a refugee camp in Kohat’s Katcha Pakka area, Geo News reported Saturday.
According to the reports, the first blast occurred at a place where ration was being distributed among the refugees and a second bomb also went off when the people gathered for relief activities after the first blast. The second blast caused massive losses.
The injured and bodies are being rushed to district Headquarters Hospital, where emergency has been declared.
Several injured are in critical state, which may raise the death toll.
The security forces and the law enforcement agencies put security cordon around the blast site.
According to sources, both the blast were suicide attacks.
It should be mentioned the refugee camp is 20 kilometers from the Hungu city.
The affectees of Orakzai Agency operation are living at these refugees camp on Hangu Road.
Also, the sounds of gunshots were heard soon after the blast.
Sugary foods linked to heart disease risk in women: study
Updated at: 1245 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
WASHINTON: Consuming large amounts of certain high-carbohydrate foods is associated with an increased risk of heart disease in women, a new study has revealed.
The study showed an increased incidence of coronary disease in women -- but not men - whose diet is rich in foods with a 'high glycemic index,' such as white bread, sweets and some sugary breakfast cereals.
High-carbohydrate diets increase the levels of blood glucose and of harmful blood fats known as triglycerides while reducing levels of protective HDL or "good" cholesterol, thereby increasing heart disease risk, according to background information in the article. However, not all carbohydrates have the same effect on blood glucose levels.
Overall carbohydrate intake, glycemic index and glycemic load were not associated with heart disease risk in men.
WASHINTON: Consuming large amounts of certain high-carbohydrate foods is associated with an increased risk of heart disease in women, a new study has revealed.
The study showed an increased incidence of coronary disease in women -- but not men - whose diet is rich in foods with a 'high glycemic index,' such as white bread, sweets and some sugary breakfast cereals.
High-carbohydrate diets increase the levels of blood glucose and of harmful blood fats known as triglycerides while reducing levels of protective HDL or "good" cholesterol, thereby increasing heart disease risk, according to background information in the article. However, not all carbohydrates have the same effect on blood glucose levels.
Overall carbohydrate intake, glycemic index and glycemic load were not associated with heart disease risk in men.
20 dead in Kohat twin blasts
Updated at: 1230 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
KOHAT: At least 20 people were killed and several others injured in two powerful explosions at a refugee camp in Kohat’s Katcha Pakka area, Geo News reported Saturday.
The injured and bodies are being rushed to nearby hospitals, where emergency has been declared.
It should be mentioned the refugee camp is 20 kilometers from the Hungu city. According to initial reports, the blast occurred at a Refuge Camp of affectees of Orakzai Agency operation on Hangu Road.
The sounds of gunshots have been heard soon after the blast.
According to the reports, a second bomb also went off when the people gathered for relief activities after the first blast.
KOHAT: At least 20 people were killed and several others injured in two powerful explosions at a refugee camp in Kohat’s Katcha Pakka area, Geo News reported Saturday.
The injured and bodies are being rushed to nearby hospitals, where emergency has been declared.
It should be mentioned the refugee camp is 20 kilometers from the Hungu city. According to initial reports, the blast occurred at a Refuge Camp of affectees of Orakzai Agency operation on Hangu Road.
The sounds of gunshots have been heard soon after the blast.
According to the reports, a second bomb also went off when the people gathered for relief activities after the first blast.
Pak mobile banking 60pc inexpensive: SBP
Updated at: 1225 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
KARACHI: Syed Salim Raza, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan Saturday said the mobile banking or using third-party sources take the banking costs down 30 percent at international level; while, these expenses are reduced 60 percent in Pakistan.
Addressing at the inaugural session of the Pakistan Branchless Banking Conference at SBP Learning Resource Centre, here, he said at least four billion people are not using the banking system in the world and a meager 12 percent people use banking sources in Pakistan.
The SBP governor said the branchless banking is hugely vital for the banking industry in Pakistan and the research has proved that mobile banking or using third-party sources slash the banking costs by 30 percent, adding in Pakistan these expenses would go down by 60 percent.
Three-tier banking is being operated in Pakistan, i.e. mobile phone operators, large banks and retail micro-finance, he informed
The one-day conference, which is being organized by the State Bank in collaboration with UK Aid, in an attempt to highlight the existing branchless banking developments in Pakistan, showcase the state of industry preparedness and catalyze the investments and product innovation.
Salim Raza said in his keynote address at the conference on the ‘Need for Alternative Delivery Channels in Improving Access to Finance’ that Pakistan is the only country in South Asia to have issued guidelines for branchless banking.
Leading international and local experts and practitioners on Branchless Banking including technology experts from the World Bank’s Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) are at the conference as speakers and panelists.
At least 250 participants primarily from the banking sector, mobile operators, technology companies, agent networks, regulators, government and donors, are attending the Conference.
KARACHI: Syed Salim Raza, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan Saturday said the mobile banking or using third-party sources take the banking costs down 30 percent at international level; while, these expenses are reduced 60 percent in Pakistan.
Addressing at the inaugural session of the Pakistan Branchless Banking Conference at SBP Learning Resource Centre, here, he said at least four billion people are not using the banking system in the world and a meager 12 percent people use banking sources in Pakistan.
The SBP governor said the branchless banking is hugely vital for the banking industry in Pakistan and the research has proved that mobile banking or using third-party sources slash the banking costs by 30 percent, adding in Pakistan these expenses would go down by 60 percent.
Three-tier banking is being operated in Pakistan, i.e. mobile phone operators, large banks and retail micro-finance, he informed
The one-day conference, which is being organized by the State Bank in collaboration with UK Aid, in an attempt to highlight the existing branchless banking developments in Pakistan, showcase the state of industry preparedness and catalyze the investments and product innovation.
Salim Raza said in his keynote address at the conference on the ‘Need for Alternative Delivery Channels in Improving Access to Finance’ that Pakistan is the only country in South Asia to have issued guidelines for branchless banking.
Leading international and local experts and practitioners on Branchless Banking including technology experts from the World Bank’s Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) are at the conference as speakers and panelists.
At least 250 participants primarily from the banking sector, mobile operators, technology companies, agent networks, regulators, government and donors, are attending the Conference.
Casualties feared in Kohat blast
Updated at: 1210 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
KOHAT: Casualties are feared a powerful explosion at a refugee camp in Kohat’s Katcha Pakka area, Geo News reported Saturday.
Ambulances have been dispatched towards the blast site.
According to initial reports, the blast occurred at a Refuge Camp of affectees of Orakzai Agency operation on Hangu Road.
The sounds of gunshots have been heard soon after the blast.
According to the reports, a second bomb also went off when the people gathered for relief activities after the first blast.
KOHAT: Casualties are feared a powerful explosion at a refugee camp in Kohat’s Katcha Pakka area, Geo News reported Saturday.
Ambulances have been dispatched towards the blast site.
According to initial reports, the blast occurred at a Refuge Camp of affectees of Orakzai Agency operation on Hangu Road.
The sounds of gunshots have been heard soon after the blast.
According to the reports, a second bomb also went off when the people gathered for relief activities after the first blast.
Pak companies to take part in China trade conference
Updated at: 1200 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Seventy-six Pakistani companies will attend Chinese trade fair, the head of Export Promotion Bureau Syed Mohibullah Shah said.
Talking to a four-member Chinese delegation, Syed Mohibullah said that 76 Pakistani companies will participated in South Asian commodity fair which will begin from June 6 in China.
Chinese delegation at this occasion said that the fair will provide an opportunity to traders to introduce their products on international level.
ISLAMABAD: Seventy-six Pakistani companies will attend Chinese trade fair, the head of Export Promotion Bureau Syed Mohibullah Shah said.
Talking to a four-member Chinese delegation, Syed Mohibullah said that 76 Pakistani companies will participated in South Asian commodity fair which will begin from June 6 in China.
Chinese delegation at this occasion said that the fair will provide an opportunity to traders to introduce their products on international level.
Oil falls in international trade as week ends
Updated at: 1145 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell towards $85 a barrel on Friday as doubts over US crude demand re-emerged and the dollar strengthened, making imports more expensive for emerging economies where consumption is surging.
U.S. crude for May delivery fell 49 cents to $85.02 a barrel by 0900 GMT, more than $2 lower than an 18-month high above $87 reached last week. The dollar gained almost 0.1 percent against a basket of currencies.
The May London Brent crude oil contract reached 18-month highs just before it expired on Thursday, jumping to a premium over the front-month US crude contract of over $1.60. The June contract, now the front-month contract, was trading about $1 higher than the equivalent contract for US crude on Friday, shedding 35 cents to $87.24.
SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell towards $85 a barrel on Friday as doubts over US crude demand re-emerged and the dollar strengthened, making imports more expensive for emerging economies where consumption is surging.
U.S. crude for May delivery fell 49 cents to $85.02 a barrel by 0900 GMT, more than $2 lower than an 18-month high above $87 reached last week. The dollar gained almost 0.1 percent against a basket of currencies.
The May London Brent crude oil contract reached 18-month highs just before it expired on Thursday, jumping to a premium over the front-month US crude contract of over $1.60. The June contract, now the front-month contract, was trading about $1 higher than the equivalent contract for US crude on Friday, shedding 35 cents to $87.24.
Quetta mourns with shutter-down strike
Updated at: 1130 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
QUETTA: Quetta is observing the shutter-down strike on call from trade organizations in the city in the wake of bomb blast and firing incidents at Civil Hospital yesterday, Geo News reported Saturday.
The entire city looks draped in mourning air with all educational institutions including Balochistan University closed.
The blast killed at least 11 people including two DSPs and a cameraman of a private news channel and injured 35 others.
The Anjuman Tajiran Balochistan gave a call of shutter-down strike against this mishap and other incidents of target killings in the province.
Pashtoonkhaw Mili Awami Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and other religious and political parties also announced to support the strike call.
All the shops and commercial centers are closed with thin traffic on roads.
QUETTA: Quetta is observing the shutter-down strike on call from trade organizations in the city in the wake of bomb blast and firing incidents at Civil Hospital yesterday, Geo News reported Saturday.
The entire city looks draped in mourning air with all educational institutions including Balochistan University closed.
The blast killed at least 11 people including two DSPs and a cameraman of a private news channel and injured 35 others.
The Anjuman Tajiran Balochistan gave a call of shutter-down strike against this mishap and other incidents of target killings in the province.
Pashtoonkhaw Mili Awami Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and other religious and political parties also announced to support the strike call.
All the shops and commercial centers are closed with thin traffic on roads.
Britain's airspace ban back
Updated at: 1120 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
LONDON: British air authorities reintroduced a flight ban on the country's entire airspace on Saturday because of the Iceland volcano ash cloud and warned the situation was 'worsening'.
Restrictions which had earlier been lifted on flights over Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England were reapplied, said the National Air Traffic Services (NATS).
'Current forecasts show that the situation is worsening throughout Saturday,' said NATS, which manages British airspace.
The ban was also extended by six hours to 7pm (1800 GMT, 3am Singapore time).
The air authority had introduced a virtually unprecedented flight ban across all British airspace at midday on Thursday, before relaxing the restrictions in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Manchester in north-west England.
Britain is one of more than 15 European countries to have introduced flight bans because of the ash cloud.
LONDON: British air authorities reintroduced a flight ban on the country's entire airspace on Saturday because of the Iceland volcano ash cloud and warned the situation was 'worsening'.
Restrictions which had earlier been lifted on flights over Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England were reapplied, said the National Air Traffic Services (NATS).
'Current forecasts show that the situation is worsening throughout Saturday,' said NATS, which manages British airspace.
The ban was also extended by six hours to 7pm (1800 GMT, 3am Singapore time).
The air authority had introduced a virtually unprecedented flight ban across all British airspace at midday on Thursday, before relaxing the restrictions in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Manchester in north-west England.
Britain is one of more than 15 European countries to have introduced flight bans because of the ash cloud.
Ahmadinejad wants global body to oversee nuclear disarmament
Updated at: 1115 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on Saturday for the setting up of a global body that would oversee nuclear disarmament.
TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on Saturday for the setting up of a global body that would oversee nuclear disarmament.
Thousands stranded due to Iceland volcano
Updated at: 1055 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
REYKJAVIK: Thousands of air passengers were stranded for a second day Saturday because of ash from an Icelandic volcano that paralyzed European airports.
Most major European airports have been closed as a plume of volcanic ash drifts south from Iceland across the continent, bringing travel chaos.
Air traffic suspensions are now in force in more than a dozen countries in an unprecedented move.
Thousands of travellers are stranded and airlines are losing an estimated $200m each day.
Many countries and airlines have grounded fleets amid fears that the ash a mixture of glass, sand and rock particles, drifting from 5,000ft (1,500 metres) - could be catastrophic to aircraft.
In some of the biggest disruption in commercial aviation history, a swathe of northern European sky was empty of aircraft on Friday.
About two-thirds of the 28,000 daily flights in the affected zone were cancelled, while only half the usual number of flights between Europe and North America operated.
Some 20 countries shut down all or most of their airspace, although restrictions were gradually lifted in Sweden, Ireland and Norway.
Europe's busiest airports, including Heathrow, Frankfurt and Charles de Gaulle, have been affected by the closures.
The disruption has affected hundreds of thousands of travellers since Wednesday when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano began erupting for the second time in a month.
REYKJAVIK: Thousands of air passengers were stranded for a second day Saturday because of ash from an Icelandic volcano that paralyzed European airports.
Most major European airports have been closed as a plume of volcanic ash drifts south from Iceland across the continent, bringing travel chaos.
Air traffic suspensions are now in force in more than a dozen countries in an unprecedented move.
Thousands of travellers are stranded and airlines are losing an estimated $200m each day.
Many countries and airlines have grounded fleets amid fears that the ash a mixture of glass, sand and rock particles, drifting from 5,000ft (1,500 metres) - could be catastrophic to aircraft.
In some of the biggest disruption in commercial aviation history, a swathe of northern European sky was empty of aircraft on Friday.
About two-thirds of the 28,000 daily flights in the affected zone were cancelled, while only half the usual number of flights between Europe and North America operated.
Some 20 countries shut down all or most of their airspace, although restrictions were gradually lifted in Sweden, Ireland and Norway.
Europe's busiest airports, including Heathrow, Frankfurt and Charles de Gaulle, have been affected by the closures.
The disruption has affected hundreds of thousands of travellers since Wednesday when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano began erupting for the second time in a month.
Iran hosts nuclear disarmament meet
Updated at: 1035 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
TEHRAN: Iran is hosting a two-day nuclear disarmament conference in Tehran starting on Saturday that will be attended by several foreign ministers and representatives from the United Nations.
Foreign ministers from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, the Central African Republic, Oman, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Swaziland will participate, while Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar will be represented by their deputy foreign ministers, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.
Mehmanparast said a special aide of the Chinese foreign minister, representatives of the United Nations and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the chief of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) will also be present.
"Due to the eruption of the volcano (in Iceland), some foreign ministers from South America and Africa who had connecting flights may come later or tomorrow. Among them are also some experts of weapons of mass destructions and nuclear weapons," he added.
TEHRAN: Iran is hosting a two-day nuclear disarmament conference in Tehran starting on Saturday that will be attended by several foreign ministers and representatives from the United Nations.
Foreign ministers from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, the Central African Republic, Oman, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Swaziland will participate, while Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar will be represented by their deputy foreign ministers, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.
Mehmanparast said a special aide of the Chinese foreign minister, representatives of the United Nations and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the chief of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) will also be present.
"Due to the eruption of the volcano (in Iceland), some foreign ministers from South America and Africa who had connecting flights may come later or tomorrow. Among them are also some experts of weapons of mass destructions and nuclear weapons," he added.
UN report noncommittal on BB assassins: Commission chief
Updated at: 1020 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
NEW YORK: Heraldo Munoz, chief of the UN Commission for probe into Benazir Bhutto’s murder said the report will unravel new facts and dispel all the doubts, Geo News reported Saturday.
The Secretary-General appointed Ambassador Heraldo Munoz, the Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations as head of the Commission which was constituted on the request by the government of Pakistan.
Heraldo urged the government of Pakistan to further probe into the matter, adding the report neither pinpoints anyone as the lead assassin nor does it exclude anyone from its ambit of suspicion.
Only the facts and circumstances involving the murder have been taken stock of, he added.
Talking to Geo News correspondent Azeem M Mian in an interview, the Commission’s head said the UN Commission mulled over all the facts and circumstances of the murder and it is hoped that the report will lead to new facts and clear the smokescreen, adding the timeline of the murder has come clear with the report.
The Commission’s report will go a long way in bringing the culprits and planners of the murder to the justice, he said.
No one including President Asif Ali Zardari has been given any exception in the report neither has anyone been held culpable, he clarified responding a query.
He said it is up to the Pak courts to investigate as to who are the beneficiaries of BB’s murder.
The funds for the probe were provided by Pakistan, Britain, US, Turkey and UAE; of them, less than half were used, he said.
Heraldo said the Pak agencies fully cooperated, adding meetings were held with Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and DG ISI.
‘I am thankful to them for giving useful information,’ he added.
NEW YORK: Heraldo Munoz, chief of the UN Commission for probe into Benazir Bhutto’s murder said the report will unravel new facts and dispel all the doubts, Geo News reported Saturday.
The Secretary-General appointed Ambassador Heraldo Munoz, the Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations as head of the Commission which was constituted on the request by the government of Pakistan.
Heraldo urged the government of Pakistan to further probe into the matter, adding the report neither pinpoints anyone as the lead assassin nor does it exclude anyone from its ambit of suspicion.
Only the facts and circumstances involving the murder have been taken stock of, he added.
Talking to Geo News correspondent Azeem M Mian in an interview, the Commission’s head said the UN Commission mulled over all the facts and circumstances of the murder and it is hoped that the report will lead to new facts and clear the smokescreen, adding the timeline of the murder has come clear with the report.
The Commission’s report will go a long way in bringing the culprits and planners of the murder to the justice, he said.
No one including President Asif Ali Zardari has been given any exception in the report neither has anyone been held culpable, he clarified responding a query.
He said it is up to the Pak courts to investigate as to who are the beneficiaries of BB’s murder.
The funds for the probe were provided by Pakistan, Britain, US, Turkey and UAE; of them, less than half were used, he said.
Heraldo said the Pak agencies fully cooperated, adding meetings were held with Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and DG ISI.
‘I am thankful to them for giving useful information,’ he added.
11 militants killed in Orakzai Agency
Updated at: 1010 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
PESHAWAR: Eleven more militants were killed during security forces offensive in Sangra area of Orakzai Agency.
Sources said that operation against militants is going on in different areas of Orakzai since four weeks in which gunship helicopters and planes are also taking part along with ground troops.
So far more than 300 militants have been killed in the action. Swat Scouts in a latest move, killed 11 militants in Sangra area and tool control of Sangra and Gowen areas. The officials said forces are advancing swiftly.
PESHAWAR: Eleven more militants were killed during security forces offensive in Sangra area of Orakzai Agency.
Sources said that operation against militants is going on in different areas of Orakzai since four weeks in which gunship helicopters and planes are also taking part along with ground troops.
So far more than 300 militants have been killed in the action. Swat Scouts in a latest move, killed 11 militants in Sangra area and tool control of Sangra and Gowen areas. The officials said forces are advancing swiftly.
Army A tops in National Judo Championship
Updated at: 1000 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Army A with four gold medals has dominated on the first day of National Judo Championship.
In –50 kg category, Mushtaq Ahmad and in –60 kg Zafar Iqbal of Army A secured first position.
In –100 kg category, Zafar Iqbal of Wada won gold whereas in more than 100 kg category, Muhammad Zahid of Army A won gold medal.
In women’s event, Wapda’s Marium Jabbar grabbed first position against Army team in 48 kg.
Federal secretary sports Aneesul Hasnain Moosvi and DG Army sports distributed the prizes.
ISLAMABAD: Army A with four gold medals has dominated on the first day of National Judo Championship.
In –50 kg category, Mushtaq Ahmad and in –60 kg Zafar Iqbal of Army A secured first position.
In –100 kg category, Zafar Iqbal of Wada won gold whereas in more than 100 kg category, Muhammad Zahid of Army A won gold medal.
In women’s event, Wapda’s Marium Jabbar grabbed first position against Army team in 48 kg.
Federal secretary sports Aneesul Hasnain Moosvi and DG Army sports distributed the prizes.
Nadal, Djokovic on the cusp of second Monte Carlo showdown
Updated at: 0935 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
MONTE CARLO: Rafael Nadal survived a minor rain break before resuming his storied clay-court dominance with a 6-4, 6-2 quarter-final defeat of fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero at the Monte Carlo Masters on Friday.
Top seed Novak Djokovic moved nearer to a repeat of the final he lost to the Spaniard here a year ago with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Argentine David Nalbandian, a player on the way back to success after hip surgery last May.
"I have to represent the rest of the world," joked Djokovic, the only non-Spaniard remaining in the last four. "It's a great responsibility.
"You know how well they did on the clay last season, so it's no surprise to find them again in the semis. They are the specialists of this surface.
"Ninety percent of their courts are clay and they are in top condition, Nadal, (Fernando) Verdasco and the rest are the perfect example of how to play on clay."
Djokovic will test his theory as he bids for another final at the event, facing sixth seed Verdasco who needed to pull out of a second-set swoon after losing a 5-1 lead. The Spaniard finally ending the hopes of Alberto Montanes 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-0 in two hours.
"When I got to match point and I started to take risks," admitted Verdasco.
"I lost confidence and suddenly he was back in it. But I recovered in the third set and played solid."
Second-seeded Nadal has now won 30 consecutive matches on the clay of the seaside Country Club, his last loss at the event coming in 2003.
The four-time Roland Garros winner, in search of his first ATP title since last May, will face another countryman Saturday against 11th seed David Ferrer, who put out German Philip Kohlschreiber 7-5, 7-6 (7/1).
"To get to the semi-finals is a very good start to the clay season," said Nadal. "I did well.
"I played a complete match today and I served much better, the best in three days. That's very important."
This year's event turned into an Iberian play-day, with Spaniards accounting for five of eight spots heading into the quarters.
That marked a first at the Master 1000 level during the post-1968 Open era.
The last time Spain sent five men to the last eight was at home in Valencia two years ago.
Nadal improved his record on clay against the man who proceeded him as a major clay-court force to 5-1, last losing to 30-year-old former number one Ferrero in their last meeting in the Rome second round two years ago.
Nadal improved to 19-4 on clay this season as he hopes for a confidence boost after claiming the last five trophys in the principality.
This period is crucial for the world number three as Nadal tries to regain his customary confidence with massive ranking point totals to defend after sweeping to clay titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome in three consecutive weeks in 2009.
The match was interrupted for 50 minutes in the opening set by light rain, with Nadal looking displeased to be forced from his workplace by the weather.
Out again, he got straight back to work, setting up the opening set with a break for 5-4 and starting the second with a break which paced the way to victory.
"I lost a little bit of concentration with the weather interruption, that's the only part of the match that I'm not happy with," said the Spaniard.
Ferrero made a late stand, saving two match points in the penultimate game before Nadal concluded with a service winner after 95 minutes.
"With the wind, it was very difficult to be aggressive," said Ferrero. "But I tried. After an hour, I felt a bit more tired and I couldn't push all the time that I was doing at the beginning.
"I had to be very aggressive with my forehand if I wanted to win the match, try to move him a lot to get him a little bit tired - I didn't do it."
Ferrero came to the event a strong contender after lifting the title in 2002 and 2003 and winning back-to-back clay titles in February in the Americas.
The veteran lost only his second match this season on clay against 17 wins.
MONTE CARLO: Rafael Nadal survived a minor rain break before resuming his storied clay-court dominance with a 6-4, 6-2 quarter-final defeat of fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero at the Monte Carlo Masters on Friday.
Top seed Novak Djokovic moved nearer to a repeat of the final he lost to the Spaniard here a year ago with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Argentine David Nalbandian, a player on the way back to success after hip surgery last May.
"I have to represent the rest of the world," joked Djokovic, the only non-Spaniard remaining in the last four. "It's a great responsibility.
"You know how well they did on the clay last season, so it's no surprise to find them again in the semis. They are the specialists of this surface.
"Ninety percent of their courts are clay and they are in top condition, Nadal, (Fernando) Verdasco and the rest are the perfect example of how to play on clay."
Djokovic will test his theory as he bids for another final at the event, facing sixth seed Verdasco who needed to pull out of a second-set swoon after losing a 5-1 lead. The Spaniard finally ending the hopes of Alberto Montanes 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-0 in two hours.
"When I got to match point and I started to take risks," admitted Verdasco.
"I lost confidence and suddenly he was back in it. But I recovered in the third set and played solid."
Second-seeded Nadal has now won 30 consecutive matches on the clay of the seaside Country Club, his last loss at the event coming in 2003.
The four-time Roland Garros winner, in search of his first ATP title since last May, will face another countryman Saturday against 11th seed David Ferrer, who put out German Philip Kohlschreiber 7-5, 7-6 (7/1).
"To get to the semi-finals is a very good start to the clay season," said Nadal. "I did well.
"I played a complete match today and I served much better, the best in three days. That's very important."
This year's event turned into an Iberian play-day, with Spaniards accounting for five of eight spots heading into the quarters.
That marked a first at the Master 1000 level during the post-1968 Open era.
The last time Spain sent five men to the last eight was at home in Valencia two years ago.
Nadal improved his record on clay against the man who proceeded him as a major clay-court force to 5-1, last losing to 30-year-old former number one Ferrero in their last meeting in the Rome second round two years ago.
Nadal improved to 19-4 on clay this season as he hopes for a confidence boost after claiming the last five trophys in the principality.
This period is crucial for the world number three as Nadal tries to regain his customary confidence with massive ranking point totals to defend after sweeping to clay titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome in three consecutive weeks in 2009.
The match was interrupted for 50 minutes in the opening set by light rain, with Nadal looking displeased to be forced from his workplace by the weather.
Out again, he got straight back to work, setting up the opening set with a break for 5-4 and starting the second with a break which paced the way to victory.
"I lost a little bit of concentration with the weather interruption, that's the only part of the match that I'm not happy with," said the Spaniard.
Ferrero made a late stand, saving two match points in the penultimate game before Nadal concluded with a service winner after 95 minutes.
"With the wind, it was very difficult to be aggressive," said Ferrero. "But I tried. After an hour, I felt a bit more tired and I couldn't push all the time that I was doing at the beginning.
"I had to be very aggressive with my forehand if I wanted to win the match, try to move him a lot to get him a little bit tired - I didn't do it."
Ferrero came to the event a strong contender after lifting the title in 2002 and 2003 and winning back-to-back clay titles in February in the Americas.
The veteran lost only his second match this season on clay against 17 wins.
SC moved against Judicial Commission for judges appointments
Updated at: 0930 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission proposed in the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment for the appointments of judges, has been challenged in the Supreme Court (SC), Geo News reported Saturday.
Advocate Akram Sheikh filed the petition of Advocate Nadeem Ahmed against the Judicial Commission, pleading to make the federal government as party to the case.
The petition said the new modus operandi poses fourth attack on judiciary after March 9; accordingly, the legislating power of the Parliament should be determined.
ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission proposed in the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment for the appointments of judges, has been challenged in the Supreme Court (SC), Geo News reported Saturday.
Advocate Akram Sheikh filed the petition of Advocate Nadeem Ahmed against the Judicial Commission, pleading to make the federal government as party to the case.
The petition said the new modus operandi poses fourth attack on judiciary after March 9; accordingly, the legislating power of the Parliament should be determined.
Jankovic upset at Charleston WTA tennis
Updated at: 0925 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
CHARLESTON: Top seed Caroline Wozniacki advanced in straight sets and second seed Jelena Jankovic was upset in the quarter-finals of the WTA Family Circle Cup.
Wozniacki on Friday reached the semi-finals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Russian Nadia Petrova while Daniela Hantuchova rallied to beat Jankovic 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Wozniacki will face the winner of a contest between Vera Zvonareva and Melanie Oudin of the United States in Saturday's semi-final.
"I feel like I'm playing very well," said the second-ranked Wozniacki, who won last week at Ponte Verde Beach, Florida. "I'm very confident, and I've got some good results with my play."
Jankovic won the first three games of the opening set en route to a 6-1 win. But then she fell apart losing the first four games of the second set.
"I played really well in the first set and I played really aggressive," said Jankovic. "But then I just stopped and I especially had trouble hitting my backhand."
It marks the first time in three years that Hantuchova has beaten a top ten ranked player.
"Definitely, I felt very good on the court today, even though the first set was not easy," Hantuchova said.
Slovakian Hantuchova said her strategy changed in the second set.
"I tried to put a little more on the ball, move her a little more around and stay more aggressive, and that made the difference," she said.
Hantuchova next faces Aussie Samantha Stosur who beat Peng Shuai of China 6-4, 6-1.
Stosur trailed 3-4 in the first set against the unseeded Peng.
"I got that break down, and on that change of ends I thought I had to step it up a gear and not play so many straight shots through the middle and give her a chance to hit it," Stosur said.
CHARLESTON: Top seed Caroline Wozniacki advanced in straight sets and second seed Jelena Jankovic was upset in the quarter-finals of the WTA Family Circle Cup.
Wozniacki on Friday reached the semi-finals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Russian Nadia Petrova while Daniela Hantuchova rallied to beat Jankovic 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Wozniacki will face the winner of a contest between Vera Zvonareva and Melanie Oudin of the United States in Saturday's semi-final.
"I feel like I'm playing very well," said the second-ranked Wozniacki, who won last week at Ponte Verde Beach, Florida. "I'm very confident, and I've got some good results with my play."
Jankovic won the first three games of the opening set en route to a 6-1 win. But then she fell apart losing the first four games of the second set.
"I played really well in the first set and I played really aggressive," said Jankovic. "But then I just stopped and I especially had trouble hitting my backhand."
It marks the first time in three years that Hantuchova has beaten a top ten ranked player.
"Definitely, I felt very good on the court today, even though the first set was not easy," Hantuchova said.
Slovakian Hantuchova said her strategy changed in the second set.
"I tried to put a little more on the ball, move her a little more around and stay more aggressive, and that made the difference," she said.
Hantuchova next faces Aussie Samantha Stosur who beat Peng Shuai of China 6-4, 6-1.
Stosur trailed 3-4 in the first set against the unseeded Peng.
"I got that break down, and on that change of ends I thought I had to step it up a gear and not play so many straight shots through the middle and give her a chance to hit it," Stosur said.
Depression linked to tendency to smoke: research
Updated at: 0920 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
PARIS: A latest research indicates that people struggling with depression are more likely to smoke heavily than those who are not suffering from depression.
The key findings in the report include the fact that 43 percent of adults who had depression were smokers as opposed to 22 percent who were not suffering from depression. Adults who are suffering from depression, even if experiencing only mild symptoms, are more likely to start smoking than those who are not.
Hence, the report concluded that there is a need to create special smoking cessation programs to help smokers suffering from depression to kick the habit.
PARIS: A latest research indicates that people struggling with depression are more likely to smoke heavily than those who are not suffering from depression.
The key findings in the report include the fact that 43 percent of adults who had depression were smokers as opposed to 22 percent who were not suffering from depression. Adults who are suffering from depression, even if experiencing only mild symptoms, are more likely to start smoking than those who are not.
Hence, the report concluded that there is a need to create special smoking cessation programs to help smokers suffering from depression to kick the habit.
Britain extends flight ban, reintroduces curbs in Scotland
Updated at: 0910 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
LONDON: Britain has extended a ban on most flights in its airspace by six hours to 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) Saturday and reapplied restrictions in Scotland, air authorities said.
LONDON: Britain has extended a ban on most flights in its airspace by six hours to 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) Saturday and reapplied restrictions in Scotland, air authorities said.
Three militants killed in Philippines
Updated at: 0900 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
MANILA: Three Al-Qaeda-linked militants suspected of being behind deadly bomb attacks in the southern Philippines were killed in a gun battle with troops, the military said Saturday.
Two soldiers were also wounded in the firefight Friday when troops caught up with fleeing Abu Sayyaf extremists on Basilan Island, said Lieutenant General Ben Dolorfino.
The gunmen are believed to be part of the Abu Sayyaf group that set off two bombs and fired on civilians and security forces in Basilan's capital on Tuesday in an attack that left 15 people dead, Dolorfino said. Two rifles and a machinegun were recovered from the dead extremists, said Dolorfino, who is head of military forces in the southern Philippines.
Troops accompanied by sniffer dogs also discovered and safely detonated a bomb believed to have been left by the Abu Sayyaf in a creek on Basilan on Friday, officials said.
MANILA: Three Al-Qaeda-linked militants suspected of being behind deadly bomb attacks in the southern Philippines were killed in a gun battle with troops, the military said Saturday.
Two soldiers were also wounded in the firefight Friday when troops caught up with fleeing Abu Sayyaf extremists on Basilan Island, said Lieutenant General Ben Dolorfino.
The gunmen are believed to be part of the Abu Sayyaf group that set off two bombs and fired on civilians and security forces in Basilan's capital on Tuesday in an attack that left 15 people dead, Dolorfino said. Two rifles and a machinegun were recovered from the dead extremists, said Dolorfino, who is head of military forces in the southern Philippines.
Troops accompanied by sniffer dogs also discovered and safely detonated a bomb believed to have been left by the Abu Sayyaf in a creek on Basilan on Friday, officials said.
Thai protest leaders will surrender to police May 15: leader
Updated at: 0850 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
BANGKOK: Thai protest leaders who have been rallying in Bangkok for more than a month will turn themselves over to police on May 15, one of them told foreign news agency on Saturday.
"On May 15, 24 of us will surrender. All of the leaders," "Red Shirt" leader Nattawut Saikuar said.
The Red Shirts have so far ignored repeated calls by authorities to disperse from the capital's commercial heartland, despite arrest warrants outstanding against the core leaders.
A week ago demonstrators at another Bangkok rally point clashed with security forces in the country's worst civil unrest in 18 years, leaving 23 people dead and more than 800 injured.
BANGKOK: Thai protest leaders who have been rallying in Bangkok for more than a month will turn themselves over to police on May 15, one of them told foreign news agency on Saturday.
"On May 15, 24 of us will surrender. All of the leaders," "Red Shirt" leader Nattawut Saikuar said.
The Red Shirts have so far ignored repeated calls by authorities to disperse from the capital's commercial heartland, despite arrest warrants outstanding against the core leaders.
A week ago demonstrators at another Bangkok rally point clashed with security forces in the country's worst civil unrest in 18 years, leaving 23 people dead and more than 800 injured.
Japan highlights need for effective UN peacebuilding
Updated at: 0830 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
UNITED NATIONS: Japan on Friday highlighted the need for effective UN strategies to ensure durable peace and development in countries emerging from conflict, including security sector reform and youth employment.
At the initiative of Japan, which chairs the UN Security Council this month, the 15-member body adopted a non-binding statement affirming that security sector reform is "essential to the peacebuilding process."
"Effective security reform requires developing a professional, effective and accountable security sector, in particular national police and military capacities under the civilian oversight of a democratic government," the statement noted.
Friday's council debate on post-conflict peacebuilding was chaired by Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.
In his address, Okada stressed that building the capacity of the national police was "an especially urgent task" in countries such as Haiti or East Timor.
He also proposed that high priority be given to boosting youth employment in all countries emerging from conflict.
UNITED NATIONS: Japan on Friday highlighted the need for effective UN strategies to ensure durable peace and development in countries emerging from conflict, including security sector reform and youth employment.
At the initiative of Japan, which chairs the UN Security Council this month, the 15-member body adopted a non-binding statement affirming that security sector reform is "essential to the peacebuilding process."
"Effective security reform requires developing a professional, effective and accountable security sector, in particular national police and military capacities under the civilian oversight of a democratic government," the statement noted.
Friday's council debate on post-conflict peacebuilding was chaired by Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.
In his address, Okada stressed that building the capacity of the national police was "an especially urgent task" in countries such as Haiti or East Timor.
He also proposed that high priority be given to boosting youth employment in all countries emerging from conflict.
Maradona hints at Munich line-up for WC opener
Updated at: 0825 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
BUENOS AIRES: Diego Maradona said on Friday that Argentina's line-up in their World Cup opener against Nigeria could be identical to the one which started the 1-0 win over Germany in a warm-up in Munich last month.
Maradona, speaking to local radio station FM Metro, said Argentina will play with four centre backs and Jonas Gutierrez and Angel Di Maria on the wings at the tournament in South Africa.
He added that 20 players were sure of a place in the squad for the finals starting on June 11. Argentina meet Nigeria in Johannesburg on June 12 in Group B which also involves South Korea and Greece.
"I tried out lots of full backs, I tried with (Javier) Zanetti, (Emiliano) Papa, and I finished up with four central defenders," Maradona said.
He named Nicolas Otamendi of Velez Sarsfield and the European-based Martin Demichelis, Walter Samuel and Gabriel Heinze, who were his back four in the Munich friendly.
"I think I'm going to play like that, they're the ones who give me guarantees at the back. They didn't concede a goal and (Germany) didn't create any goal chances," he said.
Apart from the recently recalled Inter Milan defender Samuel, it was also Maradona's back four in Argentina's final qualifier, a 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo in October that secured their place at the finals.
Maradona said Jonas Gutierrez, "who gave me a lot" on the right, and Angel Di Maria would be his wings as against Germany.
"I spoke to (Gutierrez) and reassured him that even if he went down to the C (third division) with Newcastle I was going to take him," he said.
As it happened, Gutierrez helped Newcastle regain promotion to the Premier League from the second-tier English Championship at the first attempt this month.
Asked for more details and whether he had already settled on 20, Maradona ran through some of Argentina's biggest names, saying: "'Masche', Veron, Tevez, Messi, 'el Kun' (Sergio Aguero)...Yes, we're there."
Captain Javier Mascherano, Juan Sebastian Veron and Lionel Messi were in the team in Munich along with striker Gonzalo Higuain, who scored the goal.
Tevez was a substitute while Aguero had been an uncertainty for the World Cup with Argentina strong on strikers.
BUENOS AIRES: Diego Maradona said on Friday that Argentina's line-up in their World Cup opener against Nigeria could be identical to the one which started the 1-0 win over Germany in a warm-up in Munich last month.
Maradona, speaking to local radio station FM Metro, said Argentina will play with four centre backs and Jonas Gutierrez and Angel Di Maria on the wings at the tournament in South Africa.
He added that 20 players were sure of a place in the squad for the finals starting on June 11. Argentina meet Nigeria in Johannesburg on June 12 in Group B which also involves South Korea and Greece.
"I tried out lots of full backs, I tried with (Javier) Zanetti, (Emiliano) Papa, and I finished up with four central defenders," Maradona said.
He named Nicolas Otamendi of Velez Sarsfield and the European-based Martin Demichelis, Walter Samuel and Gabriel Heinze, who were his back four in the Munich friendly.
"I think I'm going to play like that, they're the ones who give me guarantees at the back. They didn't concede a goal and (Germany) didn't create any goal chances," he said.
Apart from the recently recalled Inter Milan defender Samuel, it was also Maradona's back four in Argentina's final qualifier, a 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo in October that secured their place at the finals.
Maradona said Jonas Gutierrez, "who gave me a lot" on the right, and Angel Di Maria would be his wings as against Germany.
"I spoke to (Gutierrez) and reassured him that even if he went down to the C (third division) with Newcastle I was going to take him," he said.
As it happened, Gutierrez helped Newcastle regain promotion to the Premier League from the second-tier English Championship at the first attempt this month.
Asked for more details and whether he had already settled on 20, Maradona ran through some of Argentina's biggest names, saying: "'Masche', Veron, Tevez, Messi, 'el Kun' (Sergio Aguero)...Yes, we're there."
Captain Javier Mascherano, Juan Sebastian Veron and Lionel Messi were in the team in Munich along with striker Gonzalo Higuain, who scored the goal.
Tevez was a substitute while Aguero had been an uncertainty for the World Cup with Argentina strong on strikers.
Brazil, Turkey promote diplomatic solution on Iran
Updated at: 0815 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
BRASILIA: Brazil's Foreign Minister Celso Amorim and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglo reiterated Friday their nations' opposition to new sanctions against Iran, promoting renewed dialogue instead.
"We will continue to work together to arrive at a diplomatic solution on Iran and we hope that in the course of the coming week we can make some progress on this front," Davutoglo said during a press conference.
Brazil and Turkey, both non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, have proven resistant to a recent US push for new sanctions against Iran in response to its nuclear program, which many fear masks a weapons drive.
Davutoglo earlier Friday met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacia Lula da Silva, who has embraced the Iranian regime, including controversial President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Davutoglo noted Friday that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan also discussed the Iranian issue with Lula during a nuclear security summit held in Washington earlier this week.
Both Davutoglo and Lula are expected to visit Iran in coming weeks, even as US President Barack Obama and top administration officials work with their Western counterparts to secure support for new UN sanctions from China and Russia.
"After the talks in Washington, we must now exchange views with our Iranian colleagues... and then we shall see what progress we have made," Davutoglo said.
BRASILIA: Brazil's Foreign Minister Celso Amorim and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglo reiterated Friday their nations' opposition to new sanctions against Iran, promoting renewed dialogue instead.
"We will continue to work together to arrive at a diplomatic solution on Iran and we hope that in the course of the coming week we can make some progress on this front," Davutoglo said during a press conference.
Brazil and Turkey, both non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, have proven resistant to a recent US push for new sanctions against Iran in response to its nuclear program, which many fear masks a weapons drive.
Davutoglo earlier Friday met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacia Lula da Silva, who has embraced the Iranian regime, including controversial President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Davutoglo noted Friday that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan also discussed the Iranian issue with Lula during a nuclear security summit held in Washington earlier this week.
Both Davutoglo and Lula are expected to visit Iran in coming weeks, even as US President Barack Obama and top administration officials work with their Western counterparts to secure support for new UN sanctions from China and Russia.
"After the talks in Washington, we must now exchange views with our Iranian colleagues... and then we shall see what progress we have made," Davutoglo said.
Four dead in Spanish helicopter crash in Haiti: UN
Updated at: 0805 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE: Four Spanish soldiers were killed Friday when their helicopter crashed in a mountainous area near Haiti's border with the Dominican Republic, the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti said.
"The four Spanish soldiers are dead," said George Ola-Davies, a spokesman for the mission. The Spanish consul general in Haiti, Juan Pedro Gomez, also confirmed the deaths.
The soldiers' remains "are in the process of being recovered and will be rapidly repatriated to Spain," Gomez said.
Spanish Defense Minister Carme Chacon will travel to Haiti on Saturday with General Jose Julio Rodriguez, chief of the defense staff, to find out "first hand" the circumstances of the crash, sources in her ministry said.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known.
But the Spanish Defense Ministry said in Madrid that the helicopter was returning from the Dominican Republic with another helicopter when "they lost contact with each other due to poor visibility."
"A search operation then began and the damaged helicopter was finally spotted on the side of a mountain which was difficult to access" near Fond-Verettes, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Port-au-Prince.
A Chilean helicopter with the UN peacekeeping force was the first to reach the scene, but was unable to land because of the mountainous terrain, Ola-Davies said.
Two US Blackhawk helicopters were then dispatched to the site and their crews were able to confirm that the Spanish soldiers had been killed in the crash, he said.
The crash victims were part of a 450-member Spanish military detachment sent to Haiti aboard the supply ship Castilla after the January 12 earthquake that killed 220,000 people and left Port-au-Prince in ruins, Gomez said.
Three other Spanish helicopters based on the Castilla were participating in the recovery operation, Ola-Davies said.
The helicopter went down in the same area where an Uruguayan CASA 212 transport plane crashed October 9, killing 11 peacekeepers -- six Uruguayans and five Jordanians.
PORT-AU-PRINCE: Four Spanish soldiers were killed Friday when their helicopter crashed in a mountainous area near Haiti's border with the Dominican Republic, the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti said.
"The four Spanish soldiers are dead," said George Ola-Davies, a spokesman for the mission. The Spanish consul general in Haiti, Juan Pedro Gomez, also confirmed the deaths.
The soldiers' remains "are in the process of being recovered and will be rapidly repatriated to Spain," Gomez said.
Spanish Defense Minister Carme Chacon will travel to Haiti on Saturday with General Jose Julio Rodriguez, chief of the defense staff, to find out "first hand" the circumstances of the crash, sources in her ministry said.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known.
But the Spanish Defense Ministry said in Madrid that the helicopter was returning from the Dominican Republic with another helicopter when "they lost contact with each other due to poor visibility."
"A search operation then began and the damaged helicopter was finally spotted on the side of a mountain which was difficult to access" near Fond-Verettes, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Port-au-Prince.
A Chilean helicopter with the UN peacekeeping force was the first to reach the scene, but was unable to land because of the mountainous terrain, Ola-Davies said.
Two US Blackhawk helicopters were then dispatched to the site and their crews were able to confirm that the Spanish soldiers had been killed in the crash, he said.
The crash victims were part of a 450-member Spanish military detachment sent to Haiti aboard the supply ship Castilla after the January 12 earthquake that killed 220,000 people and left Port-au-Prince in ruins, Gomez said.
Three other Spanish helicopters based on the Castilla were participating in the recovery operation, Ola-Davies said.
The helicopter went down in the same area where an Uruguayan CASA 212 transport plane crashed October 9, killing 11 peacekeepers -- six Uruguayans and five Jordanians.
Hundreds of China quake victims cremated
Updated at: 0800 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
JIEGU: Buddhist monks on Saturday cremated hundreds of victims of China's earthquake on a huge funeral pyre near the epicentre of the disaster on a remote corner of the Tibetan plateau.
Bodies were trucked to the site in northwestern Qinghai province, where the Tibetan Buddhist monks lowered the naked, bloodied, and bruised corpses of men, women, and children into a wood-lined, 150-metre-wide (500-foot) trench.
Amid the somber chanting of hundreds of other monks surrounding the pit and lining nearby hills outside the quake zone's main town of Jiegu, the bodies were doused with gasoline and set ablaze after being blessed by priests.
Huge flames leapt from the massive pile as thick black smoke towered skyward.
"The cremation will allow us to release their spirits so they can go up to heaven," said a Tibetan woman who gave her name as Fale and who is associated with the Jiegu Buddhist monastery overlooking the town.
The Beijing News quoted local officials as saying a total of 740 corpses were to be cremated Saturday as attention turned to stemming possible disease outbreaks after the deadly disaster.
The death toll from Wednesday's 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Qinghai province has risen to 1,144, officials said, with more than 400 others missing.
JIEGU: Buddhist monks on Saturday cremated hundreds of victims of China's earthquake on a huge funeral pyre near the epicentre of the disaster on a remote corner of the Tibetan plateau.
Bodies were trucked to the site in northwestern Qinghai province, where the Tibetan Buddhist monks lowered the naked, bloodied, and bruised corpses of men, women, and children into a wood-lined, 150-metre-wide (500-foot) trench.
Amid the somber chanting of hundreds of other monks surrounding the pit and lining nearby hills outside the quake zone's main town of Jiegu, the bodies were doused with gasoline and set ablaze after being blessed by priests.
Huge flames leapt from the massive pile as thick black smoke towered skyward.
"The cremation will allow us to release their spirits so they can go up to heaven," said a Tibetan woman who gave her name as Fale and who is associated with the Jiegu Buddhist monastery overlooking the town.
The Beijing News quoted local officials as saying a total of 740 corpses were to be cremated Saturday as attention turned to stemming possible disease outbreaks after the deadly disaster.
The death toll from Wednesday's 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Qinghai province has risen to 1,144, officials said, with more than 400 others missing.
Kyrgyz leaders tighten grip after Bakiyev exit
Updated at: 0630 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
BISHKEK: Kyrgyzstan's new leaders tighten their grip on power, arresting top allies of ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, as Washington pledged to work with the regime to develop a "prosperous democracy".
Officials from the interim government which replaced Bakiyev after he was toppled in deadly protests last week said they had arrested his ex-defence minister Baktybek Kaliyev and were seeking to detain a dozen close allies.
They were also hoping to secure international recognition, with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warning them to avoid the faults of their predecessors.
But they received a boost from Washington when the United States pledged to work with the new leadership to develop a "prosperous democracy".
"The United States remains committed to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kyrgyz Republic and to helping the courageous Kyrgyz people achieve their aspirations for developing a peaceful, economically prosperous democracy," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.
BISHKEK: Kyrgyzstan's new leaders tighten their grip on power, arresting top allies of ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, as Washington pledged to work with the regime to develop a "prosperous democracy".
Officials from the interim government which replaced Bakiyev after he was toppled in deadly protests last week said they had arrested his ex-defence minister Baktybek Kaliyev and were seeking to detain a dozen close allies.
They were also hoping to secure international recognition, with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warning them to avoid the faults of their predecessors.
But they received a boost from Washington when the United States pledged to work with the new leadership to develop a "prosperous democracy".
"The United States remains committed to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kyrgyz Republic and to helping the courageous Kyrgyz people achieve their aspirations for developing a peaceful, economically prosperous democracy," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.
US pledges to help Pakistan after Bhutto probe
Updated at: 0600 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
WASHINGTON: The United States pledged Friday to help Pakistan develop democracy after a report said the country could have prevented the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
The United States, which had encouraged Bhutto's decision to return to Pakistan to resolve political turmoil, "cooperated fully" with the UN probe, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.
"The assassination was a tragedy for the people of Pakistan," Crowley told reporters. "Benazir Bhutto gave her life in defense of the development of Pakistan's democratic institutions."
"We will continue to work with Pakistan to make sure that we build the institutions of democracy going forward," Crowley said.
Crowley declined to comment on the particulars of the report, but said: "Tragically there were failures at a number of levels where she did not have the protection that she deserved and obviously needed."
Bhutto, the first woman to become prime minister of a Muslim country, was killed on December 27, 2007 in a gun and suicide attack after addressing an election rally.
Her death threw the world's only nuclear-armed Islamic nation into chaos, sparking violence and months of political turmoil that ended in September 2008 when her widower, Asif Ali Zardari, assumed the presidency.
The United States has supported Zardari's civilian administration, last year approving a five-year, 7.5 billion-dollar package to build infrastructure and democratic institutions.
WASHINGTON: The United States pledged Friday to help Pakistan develop democracy after a report said the country could have prevented the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
The United States, which had encouraged Bhutto's decision to return to Pakistan to resolve political turmoil, "cooperated fully" with the UN probe, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.
"The assassination was a tragedy for the people of Pakistan," Crowley told reporters. "Benazir Bhutto gave her life in defense of the development of Pakistan's democratic institutions."
"We will continue to work with Pakistan to make sure that we build the institutions of democracy going forward," Crowley said.
Crowley declined to comment on the particulars of the report, but said: "Tragically there were failures at a number of levels where she did not have the protection that she deserved and obviously needed."
Bhutto, the first woman to become prime minister of a Muslim country, was killed on December 27, 2007 in a gun and suicide attack after addressing an election rally.
Her death threw the world's only nuclear-armed Islamic nation into chaos, sparking violence and months of political turmoil that ended in September 2008 when her widower, Asif Ali Zardari, assumed the presidency.
The United States has supported Zardari's civilian administration, last year approving a five-year, 7.5 billion-dollar package to build infrastructure and democratic institutions.
Fully cooperated with UN’s Benazir’s panel: State Dept
Updated at: 0500 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
WASHINGTON: The State Department has said that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto assassination was a result of “failures at a number of levels where she did not have the protection that she deserved and obviously needed”.
Spokesman Philip Crowley said the US “cooperated fully” with the UN probe, adding that Washington reiterated its pledge to help Pakistan develop democracy.
“The assassination was a tragedy for the people of Pakistan,” Crowley told reporters. “Benazir Bhutto gave her life in defence of the development of Pakistan’s democratic institutions.”
“We will continue to work with Pakistan to make sure that we build the institutions of democracy going forward,” Crowley said. Crowley declined to comment on the particulars of the report.
WASHINGTON: The State Department has said that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto assassination was a result of “failures at a number of levels where she did not have the protection that she deserved and obviously needed”.
Spokesman Philip Crowley said the US “cooperated fully” with the UN probe, adding that Washington reiterated its pledge to help Pakistan develop democracy.
“The assassination was a tragedy for the people of Pakistan,” Crowley told reporters. “Benazir Bhutto gave her life in defence of the development of Pakistan’s democratic institutions.”
“We will continue to work with Pakistan to make sure that we build the institutions of democracy going forward,” Crowley said. Crowley declined to comment on the particulars of the report.
One million expected for Poland president's funeral
Updated at: 0400 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
KRAKOW: Poland's historic city of Krakow is preparing for a flood of up to one million mourners at Sunday's funeral of president Lech Kaczynski as the nation says its farewells after his death in an air crash.
"This will be one of the largest, if not the largest single event the city has seen over the last couple hundred years," Krakow city spokesman Filip Szatanik told media amid preparations for the ceremony.
"We're expecting as many as a million people based on our experience with pope John Paul II's pilgrimages -- one papal mass (here) attracted nearly two million," Szatanik said.
World leaders including US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev could be kept away from the funeral by the cloud of volcanic from Iceland that has played havoc with European air travel.
But the city authorities are still working on the assumption that they will be here, and are scrambling to prepare what for Krakow is an unprecedented security operation for almost 80 foreign delegations.
"We've had very little time, really just four days, but we are putting in place all the security measures," Szatanik said.
"There will be very restricted access to the areas where foreign guests are expected."
Polish mourners were already gathering Friday in the shadow of Krakow's historic Wawel Castle, once the seat of Polish kings, where Kaczynski and his wife Maria will be buried.
KRAKOW: Poland's historic city of Krakow is preparing for a flood of up to one million mourners at Sunday's funeral of president Lech Kaczynski as the nation says its farewells after his death in an air crash.
"This will be one of the largest, if not the largest single event the city has seen over the last couple hundred years," Krakow city spokesman Filip Szatanik told media amid preparations for the ceremony.
"We're expecting as many as a million people based on our experience with pope John Paul II's pilgrimages -- one papal mass (here) attracted nearly two million," Szatanik said.
World leaders including US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev could be kept away from the funeral by the cloud of volcanic from Iceland that has played havoc with European air travel.
But the city authorities are still working on the assumption that they will be here, and are scrambling to prepare what for Krakow is an unprecedented security operation for almost 80 foreign delegations.
"We've had very little time, really just four days, but we are putting in place all the security measures," Szatanik said.
"There will be very restricted access to the areas where foreign guests are expected."
Polish mourners were already gathering Friday in the shadow of Krakow's historic Wawel Castle, once the seat of Polish kings, where Kaczynski and his wife Maria will be buried.
China quake toll climbs to 1,144
Updated at: 0300 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
YUSHU” The death toll from a deadly earthquake in a remote part of western China has climbed to 1,144, state media said on Saturday.
Another 417 people are still missing following the quake, which hit Yushu county in Qinghai province on the Tibetan plateau on Wednesday, the official news agency said.
State media on Friday reported that another 417 people remain missing — as rescuers neared the end of the 72-hour period viewed as best for finding people alive. They continued to dig for survivors in the rubble, often by hand.
The official toll was likely to climb further. Gerlai Tenzing, a red-robed monk from the Jiegu Monastery, estimated that about 1,000 bodies had been brought to a hillside clearing in the shadow of the monastery. He said a precise count was difficult because bodies continued to trickle in and some had already been taken away by family members.
Hundreds of the bodies were being prepared for a mass cremation Saturday morning. Genqiu, a 22-year-old monk, said it was impossible to perform traditional sky burials for all. Tibetan sky burials involve chopping a body into pieces and leaving it on a platform to be devoured by vultures.
"The vultures can't eat them all," said Genqiu, who like many Tibetans goes by one name.
China Central Television reported that a 13-year-old Tibetan girl was pulled from the toppled two-story Minzu Hotel on Friday after a sniffer dog alerted rescuers to her location. The girl, identified as Changli Maomu, was freed after a crane lifted a large concrete block out of the rubble, it said. Her condition was good and she was taken to a medical station for treatment, it said.
YUSHU” The death toll from a deadly earthquake in a remote part of western China has climbed to 1,144, state media said on Saturday.
Another 417 people are still missing following the quake, which hit Yushu county in Qinghai province on the Tibetan plateau on Wednesday, the official news agency said.
State media on Friday reported that another 417 people remain missing — as rescuers neared the end of the 72-hour period viewed as best for finding people alive. They continued to dig for survivors in the rubble, often by hand.
The official toll was likely to climb further. Gerlai Tenzing, a red-robed monk from the Jiegu Monastery, estimated that about 1,000 bodies had been brought to a hillside clearing in the shadow of the monastery. He said a precise count was difficult because bodies continued to trickle in and some had already been taken away by family members.
Hundreds of the bodies were being prepared for a mass cremation Saturday morning. Genqiu, a 22-year-old monk, said it was impossible to perform traditional sky burials for all. Tibetan sky burials involve chopping a body into pieces and leaving it on a platform to be devoured by vultures.
"The vultures can't eat them all," said Genqiu, who like many Tibetans goes by one name.
China Central Television reported that a 13-year-old Tibetan girl was pulled from the toppled two-story Minzu Hotel on Friday after a sniffer dog alerted rescuers to her location. The girl, identified as Changli Maomu, was freed after a crane lifted a large concrete block out of the rubble, it said. Her condition was good and she was taken to a medical station for treatment, it said.
Closures of French airports extended
Updated at: 0200 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
PARIS: Airports in Paris were closed until at least 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) Saturday because of a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland, the French aviation authority said.
The DGAC civil aviation authority also announced the closures of several smaller airports.
Thousands of extra passengers meanwhile swamped Eurostar's Paris to London high-speed train services on Friday, the eve of school holidays in many parts of France, while a rail strike disrupted some national services.
Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport, France's main international hub, and two other airports in the capital will remain closed until 1200 GMT on Saturday, said a DGAC statement, extending the previous closure order by six hours.
Airports north of a line running from Brittany in the northwest to Strasbourg on the border with Germany were also to remain shut.
Some planes were allowed to land at Charles de Gaulle and the other main Paris airport Orly, up until 1600 GMT on Friday to enable some passengers who had been blocked there to travel, the authority added.
The latest closures took to 35 the number of airports in France either closed or due to be closed on Saturday.
At Charles de Gaulle passengers slept on the benches of cafes or gathered in confused groups.
"We haven't had any news since last night," said Elisabeth Lindley, trying to get back to Manchester, England.
PARIS: Airports in Paris were closed until at least 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) Saturday because of a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland, the French aviation authority said.
The DGAC civil aviation authority also announced the closures of several smaller airports.
Thousands of extra passengers meanwhile swamped Eurostar's Paris to London high-speed train services on Friday, the eve of school holidays in many parts of France, while a rail strike disrupted some national services.
Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport, France's main international hub, and two other airports in the capital will remain closed until 1200 GMT on Saturday, said a DGAC statement, extending the previous closure order by six hours.
Airports north of a line running from Brittany in the northwest to Strasbourg on the border with Germany were also to remain shut.
Some planes were allowed to land at Charles de Gaulle and the other main Paris airport Orly, up until 1600 GMT on Friday to enable some passengers who had been blocked there to travel, the authority added.
The latest closures took to 35 the number of airports in France either closed or due to be closed on Saturday.
At Charles de Gaulle passengers slept on the benches of cafes or gathered in confused groups.
"We haven't had any news since last night," said Elisabeth Lindley, trying to get back to Manchester, England.
Veena Malik, Asif reach settlement
Updated at: 0130 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
LAHORE: After many ups and downs in conflicts between the veteran television actress Veena Malik and Test cricketer Mohammed Asif, two rivals have finally reached a settlement outside court on late Friday, Geo news reported.
“Matters between Mohammed Asif and I have been decided and we have reached an agreement”, Veena Malik told Geo news, adding, “We had two-day long talks to reach a deal”.
Defying detailing over the points of deal, Veena said Asif’s foreign-settled friend Zahid Yusuf, who is also a close friend of mince, played role of mediator between us. He specially returned home to get matters settled between us, she added.
No source privy to Mohammed Asif confirmed news as yet, media reports said.
It may be mentioned both rivals had moved courts against each other over allegations of match-fixing, bounce of cheque and other immoral activities.
LAHORE: After many ups and downs in conflicts between the veteran television actress Veena Malik and Test cricketer Mohammed Asif, two rivals have finally reached a settlement outside court on late Friday, Geo news reported.
“Matters between Mohammed Asif and I have been decided and we have reached an agreement”, Veena Malik told Geo news, adding, “We had two-day long talks to reach a deal”.
Defying detailing over the points of deal, Veena said Asif’s foreign-settled friend Zahid Yusuf, who is also a close friend of mince, played role of mediator between us. He specially returned home to get matters settled between us, she added.
No source privy to Mohammed Asif confirmed news as yet, media reports said.
It may be mentioned both rivals had moved courts against each other over allegations of match-fixing, bounce of cheque and other immoral activities.
Govt committed to prioritize education sector: President
Updated at: 0100 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday said the government was committed to accord priority to the education sector and the concept of compulsory free education as enshrined in the 18th amendment to improve literacy rate in Pakistan was a clear manifestation of our resolve.
Educated and trained human resource was the real wealth of a nation, he said and added that institutions of higher learning and Universities played an important role in producing this national wealth.
The President expressed these views during his meeting with the Association of Private Universities and Institutes of Pakistan (APUIP) here in the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
He called upon the representatives of private universities and institutions in Pakistan to play their role in equipping the students with steel armour to win the battle of life.
It is reassuring that the private sector has also stepped forward and is playing a commendable role in producing quality graduates, he added.
Those who were present during the meeting included Dr. Asim Hussain, President APUIP, Khalid Amin, Vice President APUIP, Syed Ali Abbas Abidi, General Secretary of the association, Chancellor Iqra University Hunaid Lakhani, Executive Director CBM Talib Karim, Vice Chancellor Hamdard University Dr. Nasim Ahmed, Chancellor KASBIT Arif Bokhari, President Indus Institute of Higher Education Muhammad Ahmed Amin, Rector FAST Dr. Aamir Muhammad, Syed Asad Hussain Director SZABIST Islamabad Campus, Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President, Secretary Education Imtiaz Hussain Kazi, Secretary Planning and Development M. Ashraf Hayat and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar.
Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali, Adviser to Prime Minister on Education was also present during the meeting.
The President while appreciating the role, played by the private sector in education sector, he said that the Government was encouraging the private sector so that it should be able to complement the public sector.
The President said, “let us work together to give our children their basic right to education thus creating a promising future for them so that they could contribute towards socio-economic development of the country”.
President Zardari informed that efforts were also underway to improve education of science and engineering and develop a culture of need based research.
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday said the government was committed to accord priority to the education sector and the concept of compulsory free education as enshrined in the 18th amendment to improve literacy rate in Pakistan was a clear manifestation of our resolve.
Educated and trained human resource was the real wealth of a nation, he said and added that institutions of higher learning and Universities played an important role in producing this national wealth.
The President expressed these views during his meeting with the Association of Private Universities and Institutes of Pakistan (APUIP) here in the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
He called upon the representatives of private universities and institutions in Pakistan to play their role in equipping the students with steel armour to win the battle of life.
It is reassuring that the private sector has also stepped forward and is playing a commendable role in producing quality graduates, he added.
Those who were present during the meeting included Dr. Asim Hussain, President APUIP, Khalid Amin, Vice President APUIP, Syed Ali Abbas Abidi, General Secretary of the association, Chancellor Iqra University Hunaid Lakhani, Executive Director CBM Talib Karim, Vice Chancellor Hamdard University Dr. Nasim Ahmed, Chancellor KASBIT Arif Bokhari, President Indus Institute of Higher Education Muhammad Ahmed Amin, Rector FAST Dr. Aamir Muhammad, Syed Asad Hussain Director SZABIST Islamabad Campus, Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President, Secretary Education Imtiaz Hussain Kazi, Secretary Planning and Development M. Ashraf Hayat and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar.
Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali, Adviser to Prime Minister on Education was also present during the meeting.
The President while appreciating the role, played by the private sector in education sector, he said that the Government was encouraging the private sector so that it should be able to complement the public sector.
The President said, “let us work together to give our children their basic right to education thus creating a promising future for them so that they could contribute towards socio-economic development of the country”.
President Zardari informed that efforts were also underway to improve education of science and engineering and develop a culture of need based research.
More than 1,000 dead in China quake
Updated at: 30 PST, Saturday, April 17, 2010
JIEGU: The death toll from a strong quake that rocked a remote Tibetan region of China surged past the 1,000 mark on Friday, as tonnes of food, clothes and other vital supplies started pouring in.
Preparations were meanwhile under way for the cremation of hundreds of victims of the disaster as concern turned toward the risk of disease outbreaks in the quake zone, centred on the town of Jiegu in Qinghai province.
A journalist saw hundreds of bodies laid out on the floor of a warehouse-like structure at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery overlooking the town, with locals saying the dead were to be cremated from Saturday.
As of Friday evening the official number of dead had risen to 1,144, the state’s news agency said, up from a toll of 791 earlier in the day. Yet it could rise further with more than 400 still missing.
The wail of sirens and stench of death filled the air as relief vehicles thundered through the hard-hit town in Yushu county.
Thousands of survivors of Wednesday's 6.9-magnitude earthquake have waited desperately for large-scale shipments of food and other aid, having spent two freezing and hungry nights out in the open after many buildings crumbled.
"I have lost everything," a distraught ethnic Tibetan woman who gave her name as Sonaman told media.
JIEGU: The death toll from a strong quake that rocked a remote Tibetan region of China surged past the 1,000 mark on Friday, as tonnes of food, clothes and other vital supplies started pouring in.
Preparations were meanwhile under way for the cremation of hundreds of victims of the disaster as concern turned toward the risk of disease outbreaks in the quake zone, centred on the town of Jiegu in Qinghai province.
A journalist saw hundreds of bodies laid out on the floor of a warehouse-like structure at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery overlooking the town, with locals saying the dead were to be cremated from Saturday.
As of Friday evening the official number of dead had risen to 1,144, the state’s news agency said, up from a toll of 791 earlier in the day. Yet it could rise further with more than 400 still missing.
The wail of sirens and stench of death filled the air as relief vehicles thundered through the hard-hit town in Yushu county.
Thousands of survivors of Wednesday's 6.9-magnitude earthquake have waited desperately for large-scale shipments of food and other aid, having spent two freezing and hungry nights out in the open after many buildings crumbled.
"I have lost everything," a distraught ethnic Tibetan woman who gave her name as Sonaman told media.
Pakistan welcomes UN report on Bhutto assassination
Updated at: 2310 PST, Friday, April 16, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Friday welcomed a report by a UN-appointed panel which said the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto could have been averted.
A spokesman for President Asif Ali Zardari -- Bhutto's widower -- said in a statement "the Pakistan Peoples Party welcomes this endorsement as the main thrust of the UN report".
The independent panel Thursday said the 2007 murder of Bhutto was avoidable and the authorities deliberately failed to properly investigate her death.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Friday welcomed a report by a UN-appointed panel which said the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto could have been averted.
A spokesman for President Asif Ali Zardari -- Bhutto's widower -- said in a statement "the Pakistan Peoples Party welcomes this endorsement as the main thrust of the UN report".
The independent panel Thursday said the 2007 murder of Bhutto was avoidable and the authorities deliberately failed to properly investigate her death.
KSE slides 18 points at weekend
Updated at: 2230 PST, Friday, April 16, 2010
KARACHI: Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) witnessed mixed trend on Friday, as Index closed 18 points down to 10,659.
Today’s trade began upbeat and investors’ interest in taking positions pushed the Index beyond 10,700 level. But later profit taking in the second session switched the share market into negative zone and the Index closed at the current level.
Today’s trade volume was recorded at 206.4 million shares.
On the other hand KSE-30 Index saw a nominal gain of 11 points to finish at 10,877.
KARACHI: Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) witnessed mixed trend on Friday, as Index closed 18 points down to 10,659.
Today’s trade began upbeat and investors’ interest in taking positions pushed the Index beyond 10,700 level. But later profit taking in the second session switched the share market into negative zone and the Index closed at the current level.
Today’s trade volume was recorded at 206.4 million shares.
On the other hand KSE-30 Index saw a nominal gain of 11 points to finish at 10,877.
18th Amendment issue over, time to deliver now: Altaf
Updated at: 2230 PST, Friday, April 16, 2010
LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain, felicitating the government and parliament over unanimous passage of the landmark 18th Amendment, urged solution of basic problems facing the nation.
He expressed these views while speaking to members of Rabita Committee and International Secretariat here on Friday.
Hussain called upon the government to take urgent measures to address the real issues of power crisis, food shortage, inflation, employment and price hike.
He said the load-shedding issue was getting worse day by day, forcing the people to take to the streets in protest. He felt that effective steps were not being undertaken by the government to deal with the issue.
The developed world was taking advanced measures to generate electricity on regular basis, he said and added that was the need of hour to replicate the approach of developed nations to end power crisis.
LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain, felicitating the government and parliament over unanimous passage of the landmark 18th Amendment, urged solution of basic problems facing the nation.
He expressed these views while speaking to members of Rabita Committee and International Secretariat here on Friday.
Hussain called upon the government to take urgent measures to address the real issues of power crisis, food shortage, inflation, employment and price hike.
He said the load-shedding issue was getting worse day by day, forcing the people to take to the streets in protest. He felt that effective steps were not being undertaken by the government to deal with the issue.
The developed world was taking advanced measures to generate electricity on regular basis, he said and added that was the need of hour to replicate the approach of developed nations to end power crisis.
French airports shut until Saturday
Updated at: 2200 PST, Friday, April 16, 2010
PARIS: French airports in Paris and across the north of the country will remain closed until at least 8:00 am (0600 GMT) Saturday because of a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.
The DGAC civil aviation authority made the order as thousands of extra passengers swamped Eurostar London-Paris high-speed train services on Friday, the eve of school holidays in many parts of France.
Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport, France's main international hub, and other airports in the capital, will remain closed until 0600 GMT on Saturday, a DGAC spokesman told a foreign news agency.
Airports north of a line running from Brittany in the northwest to Strasbourg on the border with Germany were also to remain shut.
Some planes were allowed to land at Charles de Gaulle and the other main Paris airport Orly, until 1600 GMT on Friday.
"Some very limited exceptions" would be made for take-offs from these two airports before 1600 GMT to enable some passengers who have been blocked there to travel, it added.
The DGAC statement listed at least 20 airports that would be shut until Saturday morning.
At Charles de Gaulle passengers slept on the benches of cafes or gathered in confused groups.
"We haven't had any news since last night. Our flight was expected at one o'clock, but it seems to have been cancelled," complained Elisabeth Lindley, trying to get back to Manchester, England.
"We heard that the flights were suspended, but I'm not going north, we're going south, so I thought I could take the plane," sighed Fatima, taking her granddaughter to Casablanca, Morocco, and stranded since dawn.
The Eurostar cross-Channel rail service laid on three extra Paris-London trains but places rapidly filled up and passengers were building up in the Gare du Nord station.
The company said that 10,000 more passengers than usual had attempted to book Eurostar seats out of Paris on Friday, almost a third more than would normally have been expected.
A strike on the French national network forced the cancellation of one high-speed TGV in 10, a fifth of regional trains and more than a third of local services, operator SNCF said.
The disruption came as families in the Paris and Bordeaux region prepared to begin spring school holidays.
Experts have warned the fallout from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in southeast Iceland could take several days to clear.
PARIS: French airports in Paris and across the north of the country will remain closed until at least 8:00 am (0600 GMT) Saturday because of a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.
The DGAC civil aviation authority made the order as thousands of extra passengers swamped Eurostar London-Paris high-speed train services on Friday, the eve of school holidays in many parts of France.
Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport, France's main international hub, and other airports in the capital, will remain closed until 0600 GMT on Saturday, a DGAC spokesman told a foreign news agency.
Airports north of a line running from Brittany in the northwest to Strasbourg on the border with Germany were also to remain shut.
Some planes were allowed to land at Charles de Gaulle and the other main Paris airport Orly, until 1600 GMT on Friday.
"Some very limited exceptions" would be made for take-offs from these two airports before 1600 GMT to enable some passengers who have been blocked there to travel, it added.
The DGAC statement listed at least 20 airports that would be shut until Saturday morning.
At Charles de Gaulle passengers slept on the benches of cafes or gathered in confused groups.
"We haven't had any news since last night. Our flight was expected at one o'clock, but it seems to have been cancelled," complained Elisabeth Lindley, trying to get back to Manchester, England.
"We heard that the flights were suspended, but I'm not going north, we're going south, so I thought I could take the plane," sighed Fatima, taking her granddaughter to Casablanca, Morocco, and stranded since dawn.
The Eurostar cross-Channel rail service laid on three extra Paris-London trains but places rapidly filled up and passengers were building up in the Gare du Nord station.
The company said that 10,000 more passengers than usual had attempted to book Eurostar seats out of Paris on Friday, almost a third more than would normally have been expected.
A strike on the French national network forced the cancellation of one high-speed TGV in 10, a fifth of regional trains and more than a third of local services, operator SNCF said.
The disruption came as families in the Paris and Bordeaux region prepared to begin spring school holidays.
Experts have warned the fallout from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in southeast Iceland could take several days to clear.
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