News from Pakistan

Seattleites rally for healthcare reform

2009-05-30T21:48:00.001-07:00

SEATTLE- Crowds of Seattle residents took to the streets this afternoon for a march and rally calling for healthcare reform.

The event, called ""Health Care for All in 2009 - Mother's Leading the Way," began at Edwin Pratt Park in Seattle's Central District, and was to move to Westlake Center.
Sen. Patty Murray was set to be the keynote speaker at Pratt Park.
Organizers say today's march is endorsed by nearly 200 groups, including labor unions, health providers, small businesses and community groups.
People at Pratt Park held signs reading "Healthcare not health crisis" and "Medicare for all."
Bus trips to the event were planed from Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, Everett, Vancouver, Olympia, Tacoma, Tri-Cities and Spokane.
Another rally was planned today at the First Methodist Church in Tacoma.
Organizers say states around the nation have been holding similar events to build to a June 25th national event in Washington D.C
Set to speak at Westlake Center were Congressman Jim McDermott and Dean Knutsen, board chair of the Washington Community Action Network.
"America is ready for national health care reform. We've been working on this for 75 years but it feels like the energy and the commitment from the people has really peaked. And our leaders are listening," Knutsen said.

Further swine flu cases confirmed

2009-05-30T21:46:00.001-07:00

A further 12 people have been diagnosed with swine flu, bringing the UK total to 229.

The Health Protection Agency said the new patients included an adult and a child in London whose infection was said to be "travel related".

Three children in the Midlands also have the virus, but the cause was not yet known, the agency said.

A number of schools, including Eton, have been forced to close in recent weeks because of swine flu's spread.

The latest cases involve 11 people in England and one in Scotland.

As well as the patients in London and the Midlands, an adult in north-west England has been diagnosed with the virus. They have been linked to another patient already confirmed to have swine flu.

Another four cases have been diagnosed in the east of England, one in Yorkshire and Humber and another in Scotland. All are said to be travel related.

Home treatment

NHS Yorkshire and the Humber confirmed in a statement the health authority had its first diagnosed case of swine flu.

"An individual from North Yorkshire and York has been tested and found to have the virus," it said.

"The individual is being treated at home with anti-viral drugs and is responding to treatment."

Public school Eton became the latest institution to be affected by swine flu on Thursday when it announced a pupil had been diagnosed with the virus.

The Berkshire school is currently closed for half-term and will remain closed next week due to the outbreak.

2009-05-27T03:55:00.000-07:00

Anjaana
Masty

US cancer teen 'to get treatment'

2009-05-26T20:48:00.001-07:00

BBC News - ‎4 hours ago‎

The parents of a US teenager who ran away with his mother after refusing treatment for cancer have said he can now be given chemotherapy.

Schwarzenegger sends lawmakers $5 billion in more proposed cuts

2009-05-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Times - ‎50 minutes ago‎

California governor's plan would dismantle or drastically curtail state programs involving healthcare, higher education, welfare, parks, AIDs treatment and counseling, and prisoner rehabilitation.

A 'Buffy' movie without its maker? Joss Whedon speaks out!

2009-05-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

Entertainment Weekly - ‎5 hours ago‎

Blasphemous. Insane. Moronic. Re-freakin'-diculous. Those are just some of the colorful reactions that greeted today's announcement that H'wood is planning to make a new Buffy movie without Joss Whedon (aka the worst idea in the history of ...

Hands-on: HP Mini 110

2009-05-26T20:43:00.001-07:00

PC World - ‎30 minutes ago‎

HP's newest netbook is an economy-class version of the company's popular Mini 1000 line. What corners get cut, and is this mini-laptop worth its weight?

Weiner Decides to Stay Out of Mayoral Campaign

2009-05-26T20:42:00.001-07:00

New York Times - ‎50 minutes ago‎

By MICHAEL BARBARO and DAVID W. CHEN Representative Anthony D. Weiner, the one-time front-runner in the campaign for mayor who became a frustrated sideline player, has made it official: he is staying out of the race.

Obama Integrates Security Councils, Adds New Offices

2009-05-26T20:41:00.001-07:00

Washington Post - ‎2 hours ago‎

By Spencer S. Hsu President Obama announced yesterday that he will merge the staffs of the Homeland Security Council and the National Security Council to speed up and unify security policymaking inside the White House.

'God knows ...I wanna help Rod'

2009-05-26T20:40:00.000-07:00

Chicago Tribune - ‎47 minutes ago‎

Here is the transcript of a recorded phone conversation between Roland Burris and Rob Blagojevich, brother of then- Gov. Rod Blagojevich, on Nov. 13, 2008.

Velupillai Prabhakaran's death has been disputed among Tamil Tigers

2009-05-26T20:39:00.001-07:00

BBC News - ‎3 hours ago‎

By Charles Haviland At first glance, the admission by the LTTE's head of international relations, Selvarasa Padmanathan, that their supreme leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is dead might seem like the Tamil Tigers simply bowing to the inevitable.

Obama Says Suu Kyi Faces 'Show Trial,' Demands Myanmar Free Her

2009-05-26T20:38:00.001-07:00

Bloomberg - ‎48 minutes ago‎

By Edwin Chen and Daniel Ten Kate May 27 (Bloomberg) -- US President Barack Obama described Myanmar's court case against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as a “show trial” and demanded the military regime release her immediately.

South Korea Confirms North Korea's Short-Range Missile Launches

2009-05-26T20:36:00.001-07:00

Bloomberg - ‎22 minutes ago‎

By Heejin Koo and Bomi Lim May 27 (Bloomberg) -- North Korea fired three short-range missiles yesterday, a day after testing a nuclear weapon and launching three similar missiles.

Mike Tyson's daughter dies after hanging accident

2009-05-26T20:35:00.001-07:00

The Associated Press - ‎1 hour ago‎

PHOENIX (AP) - The 4-year-old daughter of boxer Mike Tyson died at a hospital Tuesday, a day after her neck apparently got caught in a treadmill cord at her Phoenix home, police said.

California's gay marriage ruling signals next step for both sides

2009-05-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Times - ‎18 minutes ago‎

Both supporters and opponents of Proposition 8 waste no time in starting to gear up for the continued battle that both sides believe lies ahead.

Court Nomination Creates a Puff of Pride, and Some Concerns, Among ...

2009-05-26T20:33:00.001-07:00

New York Times - ‎1 hour ago‎

By DAMIEN CAVE MIAMI - The lunch crowd at El Palacio de Los Jugos on Tuesday could not agree on the appropriate level of excitement.

Mullen says Iran closer on nuclear weapons

2009-05-24T23:28:00.001-07:00

WASHINGTON: Iran is clearly moving closer to acquiring a nuclear weapons capability but military strikes to counter the program would have serious unintended consequences, the top US military officer said Sunday.

"I think the unintended consequence of a strike against Iran right now would be incredibly serious, as well as the unintended consequences of their achieving a weapon," Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

"That's why this engagement, dialogue is so important," he said in an interview, referring to President Barack Obama's aim to engage Iran diplomatically.

Mullen said the United States would approach Iran "with all options on the table."

Mullen said he did not believe Iran's claims that it is developing its nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes, but he said the aim of diplomacy would be "to really bring out whether that is how the senior leaders feels."

"Certainly from what I've seen in recent years, Iran is on a path to develop nuclear weapons," he said.

"Most of us believe that it is one to three years (away from acquiring nuclear weapons), depending on assumptions about where they are right now. But they are moving closer clearly and they continue to do that," he said.

Nawaz says Punjab’s doors open for Swat affectees

2009-05-24T23:26:00.000-07:00

LAHORE: The leader of Pakistan Muslim League (PML)-N Mian Nawaz Sharif said the doors of Punjab are open for Swat affectees.

Addressing a meeting for settlement of Swat affectees, Nawaz Sharif said preventing any Pakistani to enter another province is unjust.

“ Prohibiting affectees to enter another province is a violation of basic fundamental rights and national interests,” Sharif added.

Deccan win IPL title beating Bangalore

2009-05-24T23:23:00.000-07:00

JOHANNESBURG: Deccan Chargers won the championship in the second edition of the Indian Premier League by defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore by six runs in the final here at Wanderers on Sunday.

Chasing 144 runs, Bangalore missed the target by just seven runs and could make 137 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Their main scorers were R.van der Merwe (32), Ross Taylor (27) and Robin Uthappa (17 not out) and Jacquis Kallis (16).

For Deccan, Pragyan Ojha claimed three wickets for 28 runs while Andrew Symonds and Harmeet Singh took two wickets each.

Earlier, Deccan Chargers scored 143 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs after Bangalore captain Anil Kumble won the toss and put them into bat.

However, Kumble’s leg break bowling did not let Bangalore batsmen score freely and he captured four wickets for only 16 runs.

Only Herschelle Gibbs provided some resistance, scoring an unbeaten 53 off 48 balls with three fours and two sixes. He was the only batsman to reach a half-century in the match.

Other main scorers were Andrew Symonds (33) and Virat Kumar (24). Both hit one six each.

Pakistan's premier sports channel, Geo Super telecast this interesting final of the IPL live from Johannesburg.

Iftikhar replaces Akhtar in Twenty20 squad

2009-05-24T23:18:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD: Rao Iftikhar was confirmed as replacement for fellow pace-man Shoaib Akhtar in the Pakistan squad Monday for next month's Twenty20 World Cup.

The Pakistan Cricket Board dropped Akhtar from its squad last week due to a skin infection, prompting it to seek approval to replace him from the Twenty20 World Cup organizers.

``The ICC has confirmed the event technical committee of the World Twenty20 has approved Iftikhar as a replacement player for Shoaib Akhtar,'' the International Cricket Council said in a statement.

Akhtar is ruled out of the entire Twenty20 World Cup after the ICC also said that once a player is replaced he is ineligible to return to the squad for the tournament.

Pakistan is drawn in Group B along with the Netherlands and host England for the Twenty20 tournament, which begins from June 5. The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the Super Eight stage.

Iftikhar, 28, has played one test, 58 limited-overs internationals and a Twenty20 match for Pakistan, including during last month's series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates. He was also a member of the Pakistan side, which lost to India in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup final at South Africa in 2007.

ICC clears Pakistan spinner Ajmal's bowling action

2009-05-24T23:15:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI: Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has received a timely boost after an International Cricket Council (ICC) expert cleared his bowling action, which had been reported by umpires last month.

Ajmal, due to play in the World Twenty20 starting in England on June 5, was cleared after a biomechanics expert in Australia ruled his elbow extension, while bowling was within the permitted 15 degrees, an ICC statement said.

The 31-year-old off-spinner, who has played 10 one-day internationals, was reported for a suspect bowling action by umpires after the second one-dayer against Australia in Dubai.

Oil hovers above $61 ahead of OPEC meeting

2009-05-24T23:12:00.000-07:00

SINGAPORE: Oil prices edged lower but hovered above $61 a barrel Monday in Asia as investors eyed an OPEC meeting this week and weighed evidence of a global economic recovery.

Trading was light because U.S. markets are closed Monday for Memorial Day. Benchmark crude for July delivery was down 35 cents to $61.32 a barrel by midday in Singapore in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On Friday, the contract rose 62 cents to settle at $61.67.

In London, Brent prices slid 29 cents to $60.49 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

At least 300 human skeletons found in Aligarh

2009-05-24T23:11:00.000-07:00

ALIGARH: Panic prevailed at the Aligarh railway colony when at least 300 human skulls, several bones and two skeletons were recovered from a pond near the mortuary.

“Children while playing generally come here to get their ball. A child came here and saw a skull. He got scared and ran away. We then came here and saw that behind the jail there is not one but thousands of skulls here. Digging is being done and at least 200-300 skulls have been recovered. Let’s see how many more will be found. I believe the number can even reach 2000-3000,” said Amit Shrivastav, a local.

The skulls and bones surfaced as the pond dried up due to excessive heat.

Police officials are yet to make a final statement as the investigation is still on.

“We want all the investigation process to be completed and all the experts to analyze it, then only we can reach some conclusion,” said Asim Arun, a police officer.

Cyclonic storm likely to hit West Bengal-Bangladesh coast

2009-05-24T23:09:00.000-07:00

KOLKATA: A cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 65-75 km per hour is likely to hit the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast on Monday evening accompanied by heavy to very heavy rains, the Indian Met office said on Sunday.

Gale winds with speed reaching 65-75 km per hour and gusting to 85 km per hour were likely to blow along and off West Bengal coast from this evening.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at most places with isolated extremely heavy falls (more than 25 cm) over Gangetic West Bengal and north coastal Orissa.

Atlantis lands in California after successful Hubble fix

2009-05-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

CALIFORNIA:The space shuttle Atlantis made a picture perfect landing in Calfornia Sunday, nearly two days behind schedule at the end of a successful mission to repair and upgrade the Hubble Telescope.

Bypassing Florida because of uncertain weather conditions, the shuttle and its crew of seven landed at this desert air base 160 kilometers (100 miles) northeast of Los Angeles after 12 days, 21 hours and 37 minutes in flight.

Atlantis blasted off on May 11 with a crew of seven astronauts on what was scheduled to be an 11-day mission to repair the Hubble space telescope and extend its range and life for another five years.

It circled the Earth 197 times before finally making the flawless descent to Edwards, deploying a parachute to break its momentum at 8:40 am local time (1540 GMT).

Bad weather and crosswinds pushed back Florida landing tries for three days before NASA finally opted for the California landing. The craft had enough fuel and supplies to be aloft until Monday at the latest.

A Florida landing would have saved NASA the two million dollars it will cost to transport the shuttle from California to Cape Canaveral on the back of a Boeing 747.

With storms not too far from the Florida space center, the Houston, Texas control center asked the seven astronauts to take another whirl around Earth, hoping that weather conditions would improve.

But as the weather failed to clear enough for a Florida green-light, the California landing was set.

Meeting at Governor House ends, No link with strike call: MQM

2009-05-24T23:06:00.000-07:00

KARACHI: The meeting of the allied parties, which was going on at the Governor House has ended and the MQM said that it has no business with the call for today’s strike in Sindh.

According to sources, the meeting of the allied parties, presided over by Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, held at the Governor House.

The meeting was attended by provincial senior minister Pir Mazharul Haq, provincial minister for local government Agha Siraj Durrani, provincial law minister Ayaz Soomro and provincial minister for irrigation Murad Ali Shah from the Pakistan People’s Party while from the MQM, federal minister for overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar, provincial health minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed and Waseem Aftab were present at the meeting.

After the meeting, Agha Siraj Durrani while talking with Geo News said that we have a good understanding with the MQM and it explained at the meeting its stance on the strike to be observed today.

Durrani said that despite a call for strike by JSQM, transporters and traders have assured that they would continue today their routine activities.

He said that there is a complete coordination between the PPP and the MQM and all decisions are taken with mutual consultations in the interest of the province.

He said that the MQM in today’s meeting explained its stance that it did not give any call for today’s strike.

Strike in Sindh on JSQM call

2009-05-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

HYDERABAD: Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz Aresar group (JSQM) on Monday given a call of wheel jam and shutter down against settlement of Malakand IDPs in Sindh.

All business centers are closed in Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Ghotki, Kotri, Dadu, Nawabshah, Larkana, Shikarpur, Jaccobabad, Sukkur, Thatta, Badin, Khairpur, Sangarh, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Tando Jam and other cities.

Government and private educational institutions in various districts also closed and all papers scheduled today have been postponed.

Traffic on Super Highway and National Highway has been suspended. However, no untoward incident has been reported.

Swat, Malakand parliamentarians to meet President Zardari

2009-05-24T23:03:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD: The parliamentarians of Swat and Malakand division will meet President Asif Zardari to discuss aid packages and restoration of Swat and Malakand affectees.

In a statement, Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Baber said the meeting was scheduled in last week which was postponed due to President Zardari’s visit to Iran. He said the date of meeting will be finalized when president reach back home from Iran.

28 suspected Afghans held near Kohat

2009-05-22T23:29:00.001-07:00

KOHAT: Police claimed capturing as many as 28 suspected persons including three Afghan nationals during search operation near Kohat, seizing heavy weaponry from their possession, police sources said.

Police have also registered cases against them of keeping illegal weapons while more search operations are underway, sources added.

Timing not right for deal with Taliban: Gates

2009-05-22T23:26:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON: The chances of a deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban are remote as long as the insurgents enjoy momentum on the battlefield, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Friday.

In an interview with US television's "Today" show, Gates said the time was not yet ripe for the kind of reconciliation that occurred in Iraq with armed opponents of the Baghdad government.

"I think the view of most of us is that until the momentum of the battle turns against the Taliban... that the likelihood of any kind of reconciliation on the part of the leadership of the Taliban is very small," Gates said.

Asked about a New York Times report that Taliban factions were in talks with the Kabul government and pushing for a deadline for the withdrawal of NATO-led forces, Gates said Washington would "absolutely not" accept any such idea.

The defense secretary said "the end of all such wars involves some measure of reconciliation. We've seen it in Iraq."

Militants blown up school in Mohmand Agency

2009-05-22T23:23:00.000-07:00

GHALNAI: Militants blown up government high school with in tehsil Ambar in Mohmand Agency.

Sources said militants planted explosives in government high school in Moosa Kaur area in tehsol Ambar that went off with a bang late on Friday night.

The blast destroyed the school building, however, no loss of life was reported in the incident.

Meanwhile, security forces shelled militants’ hideouts in Sapri, Bai Kaur and Rangeen Ganda areas in tehsil Yakka Ghanday. No causality was reported.

Six killed in road mishap near Harappa

2009-05-22T23:22:00.000-07:00

SAHIWAL: At least six persons were killed as a wagon, full of devotees, collided with a trawler near Harappa in Sahiwal early on Saturday, geo news reported.

According to police, five persons were killed on the sport after the accident while seventeen persons received critical injuries and another poor injured succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital.

The injured, shifted to District Headquarter Hospital, also included women and children, sources added.

Curfew relaxation announced in Buner

2009-05-22T23:21:00.001-07:00

BUNER: Curfew will relax from 7: 00 am to 7:00 pm in district Buner. DCO Buner Yahya Khan told Geo News that operation against militants still going on, however, relaxation has been given so that people can shop grocery and other essential items.

Bomb attack on security forces convoy in N Waziristan

2009-05-22T23:20:00.001-07:00

MIRANSHAH: Security forces convoy targeted with a remote controlled bomb in North Waziristan.

According to sources, unknown persons attacked security forces convoy with remote control bomb near Chashma Bridge. The convoy was traveling from Miranshah to Bannu.

Security forces cordoned off the area after the incident and closed Miranshah-Bannu Road for traffic. There were no immediate reports of any causality.

Chennai Kings meet Royal Bangalore in IPL semifinal today

2009-05-22T23:18:00.000-07:00

JOHANNESBURG: The second semifinal of Indian Premier League (IPL) will be played between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore today.

Geo Super will telecast the action live from Johannesburg at 8:30 pm for cricket lovers.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings so far performed well in the tournament and secured second place at points table.

On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore reached semifinals after grabbing victory in last round matches.

Rs600b uplift budget for 2009-10 recommended

2009-05-22T23:17:00.001-07:00

ISLAMABAD: Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) has recommended allocating Rs600 billion for the development budget-2009-10.

According to APCC recommendation, the next development budget outlay would be around Rs600 billion, including federal government share of Rs400 billion in the Public Sector Development Programme and provincial share of Rs200 billion.

Following a meeting of the APCC here, Planning Commission Chairman, Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali briefing the media here told the size of budgetary allocations amounting to Rs600 billion for next fiscal year, which would trigger economic activities and accelerate growth.

However, the main chunk of Rs400 billion would be spent on ongoing development projects. In case, ERRA project allocations were included in the PSDP, available fiscal space for the development budget would increase to Rs105 billion.

He said the government gave paramount importance to Diamer-Basha dam and formal work on it would kick off next year, adding bids had been invited from local and foreign construction companies.

11 dead in Brazil plane crash

2009-05-22T23:14:00.000-07:00

SAO PAULO: Brazilian media are reporting that 11 people died when a small plane crashed near a resort in the country's northeast.

The Web site of the local newspaper says a King Airmodel plane exploded near a private air strip in the resort destination of Trancoso.

The newspaper and other Brazil media reports said the plane left Sao Paulo Friday evening and crashed at 9:10 p.m.

Eight passengers and three crewmembers were reportedly on board.

Militants’ hideouts destroyed in Lower Dir

2009-05-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

LOWER DIR: Operation against militants underway in Malakand as a house of extremist leader blown up in Lower Dir.

According to sources, security forces overnight pounded militants’ positions in various areas in tehsil Kabal of Swat and tehsil Maidan in Lower Dir. Several hideouts of militants were destroyed in the shelling.

Security forces in Lal Qila area of tehsil Maidan blew up the house of a key militant commander. No loss of life was reported in the incident.

Official sources announced ease in curfew in tehsil Maidan from 7: 00 am till 4: 00 pm. Chakdara and Gulabad areas on Swat and tehsil Adenzai of Lower Dir remained under curfew for ninth day as people facing shortage of food in these areas. Also, supply of water and power to Swat remained suspended.

Dilshan helps Delhi set Deccan 154 in 1st SF

2009-05-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

CENTURION: Tillekeratne Dilshan along with his captain Virender Sehwag and AB de Villiers steered Delhi Daredevils to 153-8 in the allotted 20 overs against Deccan Chargers in the first semi-final of the Indian Premier League here at the Super Sport Park on Friday.

Dilshan made 65 runs from 51 balls with seven fours and one six, run out off the final ball of the innings.

After put into bat by Adam Gilchrist, Delhi began disastrously by losing both their openers for nought.

However, Sehwag and Dilshan got together and took out the team out of woods by scoring 85 for the third wicket.

Sehwag made 39 off 31 balls with five fours and later AB de Villiers scored 26 and added 48 with Dilshan for the fourth wicket.

For Deccan, Ryan Harris captured three wickets for 27 while RP Singh got two and Andrew Symonds took one wicket.

Ashish Nehra, who was rested for the game against the Mumbai Indians, returned at the expense of Avishkar Salvi, who was pretty impressive as well.

David Warner, who has been among the runs, held on to his spot as opener despite Sehwag's return to form.

The impressive displays by the bowlers meant Glenn McGrath and Daniel Vettori missed out again.

Deccan made one change to the team that lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore, bringing in Harmeet Singh in place of Jaskaran Singh.

Gilchrist’s blast helps Deccan into final

2009-05-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

CENTURION: Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag admitted he was helpless as Adam Gilchrist blasted the Deccan Chargers to a shock win in the first Indian Premier League semi-final at Centurion Park on Friday.

"He batted extremely well," said Sehwag after Gilchrist's 85 off 35 balls took Deccan to a six-wicket victory with 14 balls to spare.

"The bowlers tried everything - yorkers, full tosses, full length, short- pitched - and everything went for fours and sixes."

There were five sixes and ten fours from the former Australian star as the Hyderabad-based Chargers eliminated the tournament favourites.

It was the first time in five matches spread over two seasons that Deccan had been able to beat Delhi, who posted 153 for eight after being sent in.

That target soon looked easy as Gilchrist went on the rampage, hitting a 17-ball half-century, the fastest in the IPL's short history.

Deccan captain Gilchrist, who had not played cricket in almost a year since the 2008 IPL, said batting was "a bit like riding a bike, you don't forget what you have to do, but it's been a great experience to come back after a year off".

Gilchrist paid tribute to his bowlers and fielders for keeping the pressure on Delhi.

"The guys did a great job to restrict them to 150. The previous three games we've been in the same scenario with two overs to go and ended up chasing 170-180."

Gilchrist hit five successive boundaries off fellow-Australian Dirk Nannes in the first over of the Deccan innings.

Herschelle Gibbs was bowled playing a reckless shot against Ashish Nehra in the next over but Gilchrist continued his assault, hitting 15 off an over from Pradeep Sangwan, then 13 off Nehra as the total raced to 56 off four overs.

Tillekeratne Dilshan managed an economical over of off-spin, conceding only three runs but Sehwag was smashed for 25 runs in his only over, including three successive sixes by Gilchrist, one from a free hit following a no-ball.

Gilchrist was third man out when he top-edged an attempted big hit against leg-spinner Amit Mishra to backward point off the last ball of the tenth over with the total on 102. Amid the carnage handed out to the other bowlers, Mishra took three for 19 in his four overs.

Deccan made a great start when Ryan Harris dismissed both Delhi opening batsmen for no runs in the first over.

But Sehwag (39) and Dilshan (65) counter-attacked in a third wicket stand of 85 and Delhi were on target for a challenging total before they lost four wickets for eight runs off the last seven balls of the innings. Harris finished with three for 27.

Delhi finished top of the log in the round robin stage, winning ten of their 14 matches, while Deccan scraped into fourth place with seven wins and seven losses - a big improvement on their 2008 performance when they finished bottom of the log.

The Chennai Super Kings play the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the second semi-final in Johannesburg Saturday. The final will be in Johannesburg Sunday.

"In Twenty20 cricket you always fancy your chances," Gilchrist said of the final. "In a two-horse race anyone can win."

Will Smith to make film on Katrina Hurricane

2009-05-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

HOLLYWOOD: Will Smith’s company Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures have obtained the big screen rights to make a film about Hurricane Katrina, the hurricane that hit New Orleans in 2005 causing unfathomable destruction.

The film will follow the life story of John Keller, an ex-marine who rescued 244 of his New Orleans neighbours. John Lee Hancock (The Alamo) will direct the film. Keller kept the residents of his building safe for five days, helping the old and disabled escape the area as the waters began to go down. This is set to be a truly heroic tale of a normal man with great heart and will.

No other cast members have been confirmed yet but this seems like a return to form after the disappointing action flick Hancock. It seems that Will Smith will be returning to what he does best, not quite saving the world but at least a little part of it. The film is sure to wet the appetites of the US nation and stir-up more than a few emotions.

Many buses torched as violence erupted in Karachi

2009-05-22T14:18:00.001-07:00

KARACHI: Sudden wave of violence has sparked in Karachi as unknown culprits have torched two busses in M.A Jinnah Road, another bus was set ablaze in Gulistan-e-Johar area near metrological office where a hotel was also reportedly came under firing. Meanwhile, in Patel Para and Nazimabad areas, some unidentified miscreants have hurled stones at vehicles trigging panic among people, Geo news reported on late Saturday.

A woman sustained burnt injuries as she was on the bus that was set on fire by anonymous miscreants in Risala Road, Cheepa sources said.

She has been immediately shifted to hospital for medical attainment, Cheepa sources added.

As many as six buses have been set on fire by late on Saturday while many reports of firing incidents in separate areas of Karachi have also reached here.

Gilani felicitates Indian Prime Minister

2009-05-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has congratulated Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh on victory of Congress Party and his resumption of office of Prime Minister. In his message, the Prime Minister said,

“It gives me great pleasure to convey on behalf of the people of Pakistan and on my own behalf our heartfelt felicitations on Congress Party’s impressive election victory and your re-assumption of office as Prime Minster of the Republic of India.”

“The election outcome is indeed a manifestation of the confidence reposed by the people of India in your sagacious leadership,” he added.

He said his government remains committed to working with the Indian government in addressing the common challenges that beset the region and the world at large.

“I also take this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to resolve peacefully all outstanding issues between the two countries so as to usher in an era of peace, progress and prosperity for the peoples of the subcontinent,” the Prime Minister said.

President Zardari congratulates Sonia Gandhi

2009-05-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has felicitated Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson United Progressive Alliance and President All India Congress Party on the victory of her party in the general elections in India. In his message, President Zardari said, “Please accept my heartiest congratulations on the victory of the Congress Party in the recently held general elections.”

“The outcome is a manifestation of the trust reposed by the people of India in your wise and inspiring leadership,” he added.

The President assured that Pakistan remains committed to peace and prosperity in South Asia and would continue to work with India to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries peacefully and in a just manner.

Two killed as tension deepens in Karachi

2009-05-22T13:52:00.001-07:00

KARACHI: Unknown lawbreakers have set as many as four busses on fire in different areas of metropolis burning to death a woman while a person was shot dead in an another incident of indiscriminate firing, Geo news reported late on Friday.

Meanwhile, many areas witnessed aerial firing incidents leaving people in panic, sources added.

According to details, at least four busses have been torched by unidentified miscreants in separate places including Gulistan-e-Johar, Garden, Risala Road, near Metrological office and others.

As per Cheepa welfare sources, the workers found a dead body of a woman from a burnt vehicle while her kid, a minor boy, received burnt injures.

Meanwhile, firefighting sources have confirmed torching of three busses in various areas while in addition to this, anonymous miscreants have also gunned down a person in block 16 of Gulistan-e-Johar area, sources maintained.

KSE-100 Index recovers 176 points

2009-05-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

KARACHI: Buoyant trade activity was witnessed at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) on Friday as the benchmark KSE-100 Index witnessed recovery of 176 points to close at 7,146.

The share market opened upbeat and witnessed buying throughout the two sessions.

Trade volume was recorded at 200 million shares.

Pak PTA was led the volume leaders which gained paisas 67 to close at Rs3.66.

Market analysts say the positive activity will continue in the share market in the coming week.

Australia's Queensland declares emergency after heavy rain

2009-05-22T08:59:00.001-07:00

SYDNEY: Australian authorities declared a state of emergency in Queensland Wednesday as torrential rain and gale force winds caused extensive flooding and left one man dead.

Almost 30,000 homes were without power in the state's southeast, where some areas recorded 300 millimetres (12 inches) of rain in 24 hours and wind gusts exceeding 100 kilometres (62 miles) an hour.

Ambulance officers said a 46-year-old man was killed by flying glass when a freak wind gust smashed in a window on a building on the Gold Coast tourist strip.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh declared a state of emergency including the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast and extending inland to Toowoomba.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the federal government was ready to offer assistance if required.

Rudd said he had received a briefing on the emergency and was told the floods were causing havoc on roads in southeast Queensland.

"There are quite a large number of people who are at this stage isolated in their vehicles and I am further advised there are a number of schools that have been cut off as well," he said.

Police said tables, chairs and barbecues had been blown off the top of high-rise buildings on the Gold Coast and warned people to take extreme care if they ventured outside.

Pakistan, India sharing intelligence on terrorism

2009-05-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK: U.S. media has claimed that Pakistan and Indian in an unprecedented arrangement were now sharing intelligence on extremists.

Wall Street Journal report said that Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had arranged for Pakistan and India to share information on Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, blamed for November’s terrorist attack on Mumbai, as well as Taliban commanders leading the insurgency in Pakistan.

The US is stressing that the governments in Islamabad and New Delhi face a common threat. It hopes that India will ease its deployments against Pakistan when it sees Islamabad seriously fighting the militants – in turn prompting Islamabad to focus more on the Tribal Areas battle.

“We have to satisfy the Mumbai question, and show India that the threat is abating,” a US South Asia-strategy official said.

The news report referring to ISI claimed that an Inter-Services Intelligence official said India and Pakistan have exchanged “a lot” of information about the Mumbai attack. He said the CIA was initially used as a conduit but the two countries now work directly with each other.

Belgium still ready to take in Guantanamo inmates

2009-05-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

BRUSSELS: Belgium's foreign minister says his government remains committed to taking in several detainees from Guantanamo Bay when the U.S. military prison closes down.

Speaking to La Premiere radio during his current trip to Washington, D.C., Karel De Gucht says it remains to be seen how many former inmates may be taken in.

De Gucht says in Friday's broadcast that he spoke to the White House's national security adviser Gen. James Jones about the issue. He says the matter is complicated by the free travel regulations within the European Union, which would allow the former prisoners to change their country of residence without informing the authorities.

Belgium first offered to accept ``a certain number'' of prisoners freed from Guantanamo when Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Brussels in March.

Afghan, U.S. forces kill 34 militants in drug raids

2009-05-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

KABUL: Afghan and U.S. forces have killed 34 militants, almost half of them in air strikes, and made one of the country's largest drug hauls during an operation in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military has said.

Almost 15 tonnes of narcotics including opium, heroin and morphine were seized over the course of the operation, which started on Tuesday, along with supplies of poppy seeds and drug refining products, the military said in a statement issued late on Thursday.

The operation, which included air strikes that killed 16militants, was aimed at securing the Loy Cherah Bazaar in Marjeh city, a narcotics processing hub and militant stronghold in Helmand province.

Afghanistan produces more than 90 percent of the world's opium, most of it in the Taliban's southern heartland. U.S.military officials have estimated the opium trade provides between $80 million and $400 million a year to the Taliban.

UN calls for $543 mln aid to help IDPs

2009-05-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations on Friday appealed for a total of 543 million dollars to help 1.7 million people displaced by the ongoing military offensive in northwest Pakistan.
The appeal comes as people continue to stream out of the conflict zone into camps set up in different parts of the North West Frontier Province.
A UN statement said the figure included 88.5 million dollars which had already been provided or committed by donors but aid agencies and non-governmental organisations needed 454.6 million dollars in extra funds urgently to help the internally displaced.
The money is also needed to provide continuing support to 550,000 people who had fled the situation since August last year.
"Fleeing from intensified insecurity in Pakistan's northwest province, some 1.7 million displaced people have been registered since early May and are now either living in relief camps or with host families," the statement said.
"The scale of this displacement is extraordinary in terms of size and speed, and has caused incredible suffering," the statement quoted the acting UN humanitarian coordinator, Martin Mogwanja, as saying.
"We are calling for generous support from the international community, in addition to the assistance being provided by both ordinary families and the national authorities," the statement said.
UN agencies and Pakistani and international relief groups were "working together to ensure we get relief to people as quickly as possible," the statement said.
Pakistan's economic affairs minister Hina Rabbani Khar said Islamabad backed the humanitarian appeal.
"The government of Pakistan fully supports the appeal which is being launched and we are partners in this," Khar said.
"It (appeal) becomes extremely important as the first step toward the 'three Rs' which is relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction," she said.
"We also understand fully that this military surge that is currently undergoing in these areas has to be followed up by an equally intensive civilian surge," she said.
Diplomats based in Islamabad have expressed concern over the situation in Swat and said their home governments were actively considering further aid in response to the latest UN appeal.
Chief of the Special Support Group for IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed, said that some 200,000 people were still trapped in northern Swat valley.
"If you look at the population density, northern Swat is nearly about 30 percent of the total population of Swat. It could be anything up to 200,000 people locked up there," Ahmed told AFP.
The general said that after the troops flush out militants from Swat, the area needed to be cleared of mines and booby traps so that people could return in safety.
"The military operation is one part. The other part is clearing the area from unexploded devices, mines, IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), to create a sense of security for the people who return."
As the conflict ploughs on with no end in sight, concerns are mounting about how to cope with the displaced, uprooted in what rights groups have called Pakistan's biggest movement of people since partition from India in 1947.
Western countries have already separately pledged 224 million dollars of aid including 100 million dollars from the United States.

Blast heard in Peshawar: police

2009-05-22T08:51:00.001-07:00

PESHAWAR: A powerful explosion has been heard in Khyber Bazaar area of Peshawar, police said on Friday.

PM seeks int’l support for winning IDPs hearts

2009-05-21T01:19:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has sought support of the international community for winning the hearts of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

He said this in his inaugural address at the donors’ conference underway in Islamabad for harnessing international help for the relief and rehabilitation of the affectees of Malakand division.

“We have to execute operation against the terrorists and the same time win hearts of the affected people,” the Prime Minister said.

General Kayani calls on French president

2009-05-21T01:18:00.000-07:00

PARIS: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had an intense single day visit to France where he called on Mr Nicholas Sarkozy, President of France.

President Sarkozy expressed the French desire to have Pakistan as its strategic partner. He said that France would help Pakistan buildup its capabilities to meet its challenges.

COAS also held separate individual meetings with French Foreign Minister, Minister of Defence, Chief of French Defence Staff and Chief of French Army Staff.

Earlier, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited French Army Headquarters. On arrival an impressive Guard of honour ceremony was held by a smartly turned out contingent of French Army. National Anthems of both France and Pakistan were played. Later Legion of merit award was also presented to COAS.

Six separatists killed in India's northeast: army

2009-05-21T01:17:00.000-07:00

GUWAHATI: Indian security forces killed six tribal separatists Tuesday in the restive northeastern state of Assam, officials said.

The six militants belonging to the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) were killed in a lengthy shoot-out with troops near the district of Karbi Anglong, about 290 km (180 miles) east of Assam's main city of Guwahati. The operation was conducted "based on specific intelligence about the presence of six to eight NDFB militants," said army spokesman Rajesh Kalia. A few of the militants may have escaped in the dark, he added.

Police said a large quantity of arms and explosives were recovered from the dead rebels. The NDFB is a rebel group that has fought for a separate homeland for the Bodo tribe in Assam since 1996, although the outfit agreed to a ceasefire with New Delhi in 2005. Despite the truce, the Assam government has repeatedly blamed the NDFB for numerous attacks. More than 10,000 people have been killed in a two-decade long insurgency in Assam, where several separatist groups are acti

EU continues ban on Pak seafood imports

2009-05-21T01:16:00.000-07:00

KARACHI: Pakistan failed to persuade the European Union to lift the ban on fish and shrimp despite the lapse of two years.

The EU had banned the import of fish and shrimps from Pakistan since January 2007on the grounds that the fish processing units operating in Karachi Fish Harbour were not up to mark and that the boats used to catch fish and shrimps from the sea are also not insulated.

However, the EU had assured the Pakistani authorities of lifting the ban if their concerns were removed. But Pakistani authorities failed to make any progress in this connection.

Circles close to the fisheries said millions of rupees were allocated by government as well as foreign donors during the last five years, aimed at improving conditions at the fish harbor.

However, conditions at the site do not reflect utilization of that fund

Thunderstorm, rain expected in parts of country

2009-05-21T01:15:00.001-07:00

ISLAMABAD: Meteorological Department forecast on Tuesday isolated dust thunderstorm and rain in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha and Lahore divisions during next 36 hours.

Thunderstorm affecting different parts of Punjab, NWFP, Northern Areas and Kashmir are the result of a shallow trough over Upper parts of the country that may persist there for another 48 hours, the sources added.

Dry weather with severe heat wave conditions is likely in most parts of Punjab during next few days. According to met analysis, continental air prevails over most parts of the country.

Scattered thunderstorm and rain is expected in Kashmir and Northern Areas, Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar and Kohat divisions in NWFP during next 36 hours.

However, hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of Balochistan and Sindh during next few days.

Maximum temperature recorded in different cities was Islamabad 41 degrees centigrade, Rawalpindi 42, Lahore 45, Karachi 35, Peshawar 40, Quetta 35, Murree 29, Muzaffarabad 40 and the highest maximum temperature was recorded 49 degrees centigrade in Nawab Shah.

Hundreds protest custodial killing of civilian in IHK

2009-05-21T01:13:00.000-07:00

SRINAGAR: Hundreds of people staged a protest demonstration against custodial killing of a civilian by Indian police in the occupied Kashmir.

According to local media, Manzoor Ahmed, 30, was subjected to brutal torture by Indian police in the custody of Special Operation Group.

As a result, hundreds of people took to the streets to protest the extrajudicial killing. The demonstrators pelted stones on the police too.

On the other hand, Indian police personnel subjected demonstrators to heavy lathi charge and excessive tear-gassing.

2009-05-21T01:09:00.000-07:00

Rawalpindi Express likely miss Twenty20 voyage

2009-05-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

LAHORE: Shoaib Akhter’s inclusion in Twenty20 squad for world cup will be decided today.

Sources said a three-member medical board comprised of skin specialist, a surgeon and a doctor from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been established to review the fitness level of Rawalpindi Express.

The board will submit its report to PCB later today after which Chairman PCB will take the decision about inclusion of Shoaib Akhter in the team.

The sources also revealed that the chances of Shoaib Akhter’s inclusion in the team are thin. Rao Iftikhar Anjum is likely to replace Akhter in the squad.

On the other hand, Shoaib said he will play practice match today and has informed coach Intikhab Alam about this.

Sharapova cruises into Warsaw Open quarterfinals

2009-05-21T00:46:00.000-07:00

WARSAW : Maria Sharapova continued her successful return to the WTA circuit with a confident 6-2, 6-0 victory over Darya Kustova of Belarus which took her into the quarter-finals.

The former world No.1 is playing her first singles tournament in nine and a half months after taking time off to recover from a persistent shoulder injury.

Despite the doubts over her fitness, the 22-year-old showed signs of her glory days when she won three Grand Slams including Wimbledon as a 17-year-old.

The Russian pin-up cruised through the first set in a much improved showing from her inconsistent three-set first round win over Italy's Tathiana Garbin 6-1, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3.

She now plays Ukrainian eighth seed Alona Bondarenko for a place in the semi-finals.

Bonderenko, who defeated Poland's Marta Domachowska 6-3, 6-1, promises to provide a stiffer test for Sharapova.

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Yousuf to meet Ijaz Butt tomorrow

2009-05-21T00:27:00.000-07:00

LAHORE: Star batsman Mohammad Yousuf will meet Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt tomorrow.

It has been reliably learnt that in the meeting Mohammad Yousuf will be given a go-ahead to join the Pakistani squad. According to PCB sources, no ICL cricketer except Mohammad Yousuf has contacted the board for the completion of requisite process for joining the national team.

Mohammad Yousuf will meet the PCB chairman after Butt’s return from India. Yousuf is expected to present Butt the papers of his withdrawal from the ICL.

IPL heading towards closing stage, round matches end today

2009-05-21T00:18:00.000-07:00

PRETORIA: Indian Premier League (IPL) is heading towards end, as today is the last day of round matches of mega event.

In the first match of the day, Delhi Daredevils will meet Mumbai Indians. Delhi Daredevils tops points table with 18 points whereas Mumbai Indians secured 11 points. The match will begin at 430 PST.

In another match, Deccan Chargers will face Royal Challengers Bangalore. Both teams secured 14 points each. The winner of today’s match will cruise into semifinals. The match will start at 830 PST.

Geo Super will telecast both matches live from Pretoria.

Changes in income tax commissioners’ authorities draft

2009-05-21T00:17:00.001-07:00

ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has amended the legal draft for income tax commissioners power and removed the complications existed in the draft.

Special notification has been issued in this connection, which clearly defines the authorities of income tax commissioners.

Talking to Geo News, the officials of FBR said income tax commissioners’ powers were described in 2002 according to which commissioners had powers to carry out raids and made arrests.

On the other hand, FBR has exempted tax on cash deposited in Prime Minister’s special funds for IDPs.

Obama to propose new peace plan for Middle East

2009-05-21T00:11:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON: United States President Barack Obama intends to propose a new peace plan for the Middle East that "will emphasize the whole region" and include all the moderate Arab states, Israeli media said.

The solutions, which include a Palestinian state adjacent to Israel, would require both Israelis and Palestinians to cross some of their self-declared red lines.

Palestinians would have to give up the demand for their refugees' "right of return" to areas that are now part of Israel proper, and would instead have to settle for compensation or the option of moving to the West Bank or Gaza Strip.

The capital of the Palestinian state would be in East Jerusalem, which is currently under Israeli control. Most controversially, the plan includes a proposal that the Old City – with sites holy to the three major monotheistic religions – would become an international zone under the flag of the United Nations. Such an arrangement was proposed in the 1947 UN partition plan but was never implemented.

US supports Pak’s democratic government: Clinton

2009-05-21T00:10:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON: The United States (US) not only supports the democratic government of Pakistan but it also is in favour of military offensive against the militants besides making long-term investments in the Pakistani people, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Congress on Thursday.

We’re supporting the Pakistani military as they take on the extremists who confront their country’s stability,’ she said. ‘We’re making long-term investments in Pakistan’s people and the democratically elected government through targeted humanitarian assistance.’

In both Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United States is not only providing substantial financial assistance but also holds their governments accountable for progress toward defined objectives, she said.

Secretary Clinton said that in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and the Middle East the world faces trans-national threats like terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and climate change.

The region’s urgent development needs ranging from extreme poverty to pandemic disease, all of which have a direct impact on America’s security and prosperity and prosperity as well, she said.

In Afghanistan and Pakistan, she said, US efforts centre on President Obama’s goal to dismantle, disrupt, and defeat al Qaeda.

‘This requires a balanced approach that takes more than military might alone. So we’re expanding civilian efforts and we’re ensuring that our strategy is fully integrated and adequately resourced,’ she said.

Delhi bat first against Bangalore

2009-05-21T00:07:00.000-07:00

JOHANNESBURG: Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag opted to bat first against the Bangalore Royal Challengers at the Wanderers here on Tuesday.

Delhi rested Dirk Nannes, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Amit Mishra. Andrew McDonald, Yogesh Nagar and Daniel Vettori brought into team.

The Bangalore has to beat Delhi to stay in contention for the semi-finals race. Anil Kumble's team has 12 points and hence, needs to prevail both against Delhi and the Deccan Chargers on Thursday.

Delhi, on the other hand, are secure and are sitting on the top of the league table with 18 points and have already qualified for the semi-finals.

Teams:

Delhi Daredevils: Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, AB de Villiers, Mithun Manhas, Dinesh Karthik, Farveez Maharoof, Andrew McDonlad, Avishkar Salvi, Ashish Nehra, Daniel Vettori, Yogesh Nagar.

Bangalore Royal Challengers: Robin Uthappa, Jacques Kallis, Virat Kohli, Rahul Dravid, Ross Taylor, Mark Boucher, Roelf van der Merwe, Balachandran Akhil, Manish Pandey, Praveen Kumar, Anil Kumble.

Bangalore stun Delhi with seven-wicket win

2009-05-21T00:06:00.004-07:00

JOHANNESBURG: Royal Challengers Bangalore boosted their chances of winning a place in the semi-finals, winning a crucial game against Delhi Daredevils fairly comfortably at the Wanderers.

Jacques Kallis starred in an excellent all-round performance, playing an important role in restricting Delhi to a chaseable score, and shepherding the chase with an assured innings to take his team to fourth place.

Chasing 135 to win, Bangalore achieved the target for the loss of only three wickets with one over to spare.

Kallis remained not out on 58, scored from 56 balls with two sixes and two fours. He added 70 runs for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid (38) and then 31 with Ross Taylor, who smashed 25 off just 12 balls with three sixes.

For Delhi, Yogesh Nagar got two wickets for 20 and Ashish Nehra took one wicket.

Earlier, Delhi Daredevils scored 134 in the allotted 20 overs. Opting to bat first, they made a disastrous start in the first over as Praveen Kumar removed two batsmen, including captain Virender Sehwag.

Bangalore never allowed the Daredevils to recover with Dinesh Karthik's 31 being the top score followed by opener Gautam Gambhir who scored 27.

Praveen Kumar took three while skipper Anil Kumble picked two wickets.

Delhi rested Dirk Nannes, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Amit Mishra. Andrew McDonald, Yogesh Nagar and Daniel Vettori brought into team.

Over 80 killed in Swine flu worldwide

2009-05-21T00:06:00.003-07:00

GENEVA: The number of confirmed H1N1 flu cases worldwide surpassed 10,000, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.

In the United States, at least 5,469 cases of swine flu have been reported.

Commonly known as swine flu, the outbreak has sickened 10,176 people and caused more than 80 deaths, mostly in Mexico, the organization said. The actual number of people affected may be higher, as it takes time for national governments to confirm cases and report them to the global body.

In the United States, at least 5,469 cases of swine flu have been reported, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The flu strain, which originated in Mexico, killed dozens of people there, causing U.S. officials to worry that it could take a similar toll north of the border.

Oil eases below 60 dollars

2009-05-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

SINGAPORE: Oil eased slightly in Asian trade Wednesday amid fresh concerns about the US economy after government data showed housing starts in the country fell to a record low in April, analysts said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for July delivery, dropped 15 cents to 59.95 dollars a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for July delivery eased one cent to 58.91 dollars a barrel.

Oil prices lower in Asian trade

2009-05-21T00:02:00.005-07:00

SINGAPORE: Oil traded lower in Asia on Thursday as investors cashed in on profits after an overnight rally that pushed prices beyond 62 dollars, analysts said.

New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for July delivery, was down 56 cents to 61.48 dollars a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in July shed 53 cents to 60.06 dollars.

Prices had rocketed to new six-month highs of more than 62 dollars overnight after data released by the US Department of Energy showed a fall in oil inventories.

Four arrested for planning terror attack in New York

2009-05-21T00:02:00.003-07:00

NEW YORK: Four men were arrested on charges linked with planning attacks against a Jewish synagogue and New York military bases, the US district attorney said in a statement Wednesday.

74 Guantanamo Bay inmates returned to terrorism

2009-05-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON: An unreleased Pentagon report concludes that about one in seven of the 534 prisoners already transferred abroad from the detention center in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, has returned to terrorism or militant activity, according to administration officials.

The report, a copy of which was made available to The New York Times, says the Pentagon believes that 74 prisoners released from Guantánamo have returned to terrorism or militant activity, making for a recidivism rate of nearly 14 percent.

Among the 74 former prisoners that the report says are again engaged in terrorism, 29 have been identified by name by the Pentagon, including 16 named for the first time in the report. The Pentagon has said that the remaining 45 could not be named because of national security and intelligence-gathering concerns.

In the report, the Pentagon confirmed that two former Guantánamo prisoners whose terrorist activities had been previously reported had indeed returned to the fight. They are Said Ali al-Shihri, a leader of Al Qaeda’s Yemeni branch suspected in a deadly bombing of the United States Embassy in Sana, Yemen’s capital, last year, and Abdullah Ghulam Rasoul, an Afghan Taliban commander, who also goes by the name Mullah Abdullah Zakir.

The Pentagon has provided no way of authenticating its 45 unnamed recidivists, and only a few of the 29 people identified by name can be independently verified as having engaged in terrorism since their release. Many of the 29 are simply described as associating with terrorists or training with terrorists, with almost no other details provided.

The report was made available by an official who said the delay in releasing it was creating unnecessary “conspiracy theories” about the holdup.

The conclusion could strengthen the arguments of critics who have warned against the transfer or release of any more detainees as part of President Obama’s plan to shut down the prison by January.

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Combating war of our survival, asserts president Zardari

2009-05-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zaradri has said that we are fighting the war of our survival during his meeting with members’ national assembly from NWFP, PPP and other coalition parties here at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday.

President, on the occasion, termed the military offensive as the last resort, opted by government, to uproot those elements who challenged the writ of governemt.

According to sources, the attendees of the meeting were also taken under confidence over the security and political situation.

Swat offensive akin to Lal Masjid operation: Qazi

2009-05-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD: Former Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmad has said that the ongoing military operation in Swat is the replay of Lal Masjid military operation.

Addressing a press conference at a protest camp held against the military operation in Malakand division here on Wednesday, he said neither Taliban nor Sufi Mohammad but hundreds have been killed and thousands made homeless.

"The United States wants to occupy our nuclear assets by marginalizing the Taliban issue and drone attacks are being carried out with the government’s consent", he pointed out.

He regretted the role of Supreme Court for not taking any notice of the Swat operation.

JI leader said that more than 2 million people have been displaced as a consequence of the military operation while thousands still detained at their homes.

He said that people in Mingora, Kanju Town, Charbai, Bahrain, Madin and Kalam are appealing the government by contacting us to make relaxation in curfew so that we could flee the area.

The areas have been without water, power, drugs and other items for the last eleven days and people are out of senses due to shortage of food items, Qazi said, adding, hundreds of houses have been destroyed in the operation.

Criticizing the army, Qazi said the security forces killed 17 students in Pir Baba areas while they were playing cricket while four students were killed when they coming back from paper.

He said that the Swat operation is the action replay of Lal Masjid operation and the only difference is that large numbers of innocent people are being killed in Swat, adding, the target of operation is not Taliban or Sufi Mohammad but the poor and innocent people.

"It is not correct to target the whole population for the pursuance of few terrorists and even the Indian forces never adopted such measures in occupied Kashmir", he observed.

"Taliban could never occupy Islamabad", Qazi said.