Chelsea Clinton weds at exclusive New York estate

RHINEBECK: It was high society inside and high security outside as Chelsea Clinton wed her longtime boyfriend at an elegant estate in a Hudson River village where several prominent guests were spotted beforehand, but the husband-and-wife-to-be stayed out of sight.

The wedding site, a Beaux Arts riverside estate called Astor Courts, was sealed off from the general public. Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton issued a statement announcing that their daughter exchanged vows Saturday evening with investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, and a few photographs were later released to media outlets.

“Today, we watched with great pride and overwhelming emotion as Chelsea and Marc wed in a beautiful ceremony at Astor Courts, surrounded by family and their close friends,” the Clintons said. “We could not have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the beginning of their life together, and we are so happy to welcome Marc into our family. On behalf of the newlyweds, we want to give special thanks to the people of Rhinebeck for welcoming us and to everyone for their well-wishes on this special day.”

Chelsea Clinton, wearing a Vera Wang strapless white gown with a full skirt and silver beading around the waist and carrying a bouquet of white flowers, was escorted down the aisle by her father. The former president and the groom wore dark suits, while the mother of the bride wore a fuchsia dress by Oscar de la Renta.

For the reception, the bride changed into a silk tulle Grecian gown, also by Wang, that crisscrossed in the back and had a narrow black grosgrain belt.

Wang, who also designed the bridesmaid dresses, called it “an honor and a privilege to dress Chelsea on her wedding day,” saying in a statement Sunday that Clinton “radiated joy, youth and happiness.”

Boman Irani felicitated by Canadian Govt.

OTTAWA: Boman Irani a well-known name in the Indian film industry has left no stone unturned to get recognised for his undisputable talent. From his super-hit films Munnabhai MBBS, 3 Idiots to his latest blockbuster Housefull, Boman has made it clear that hard work and determination is all you need to display your hidden talent.

His sheer contribution to the industry has not only been recognised by our reputed directors who have casted him in their movies but now his talent is getting a worldwide recognition. His fan following has crossed all borders and The Canadian government has come forward to felicitate the actor for his contribution to the Bollywood Arts and Entertainment Industry. He was honoured as the featured guest for the Masala! Mehndi! Masti! MMMovies!

Madonna in Paris to direct her new movie

PARIS: The Material Girl is illuminating the City of Light, where she's shooting her latest film, "W.E."

Dressed all in black and heavily accessorized in dark shades, a hat and a patterned scarf, Madonna directed Saturday's shoot in Paris' tony 6th district.

The 51-year-old singer made her directorial debut in 2008 with "Filth and Wisdom," about a Ukrainian cross-dressing punk-rocker.

Madonna is not the only U.S. star to film in the French capital this summer.

Last week, Woody Allen was shooting his "Midnight in Paris" on location near the Pantheon and in a park behind Notre Dame cathedral. The film, starring Owen Wilson, also includes a performance by France's first lady, model-turned-singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

Lindsay Lohan released from jail, now due in rehab

LOS ANGELES: Lindsay Lohan has been released from jail, but she's not exactly a free woman.

Witnesses said the actress walked out of a suburban Los Angeles jail at 1:35 a.m. Monday after serving 14 days of a 90-day sentence for violating her probation in a 2007 drug case. She is now required to begin a three-month stint in rehab.

A judge in Beverly Hills, Calif., had ordered Lohan to report to rehab within a day of her release from jail, but shortened that time last week after conferring with Lohan's attorney and a prosecutor. The judge said during Lohan's surrender on July 20 that she had no control over how long the actress would be jailed, but did require her to serve her time a women's jail operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The facility in Lynwood has hosted several starlets, including actress Michelle Rodriguez and socialite Paris Hilton. Lohan spent 84-minutes there in 2007 after being sentenced for her original case.

Cricket World Cup’s mascot Stumpy unveiled

COLOMBO: Cricket World Cup 2011 mascot ‘Stumpy’ was unveiled at a simple but impressive ceremony at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium here on the eve of the third Test between Sri Lanka and India.

The mascot, an elephant, was named ‘Stumpy’ after an online selection process that drew proposals from thousands of cricket fans around the world.

The lucky winner will receive a cricket bat signed by the all-star quartet of India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena.

The World Cup will be held for the third time in the sub-continent. India and Pakistan had hosted it in 1987, with Sri Lanka being included for the 1996 edition. These three countries, along with Bangladesh were originally to host the 2011 event but Pakistan was dropped on security considerations.

NZ end 32-year wait for Champions Trophy win

MOENCHENGLADBACH: New Zealand beat the Netherlands 3-1 for the first time since 1976 to end a 32-year winless drought in Champions Trophy field hockey on Tuesday.

New Zealand hadn't beaten the Dutch since the 1976 Montreal Olympics, in the semifinals en route to the gold medal.

The Black Sticks' second ever victory ended a tournament record 19-match winless streak dating to the inaugural Champions Trophy in 1978.

Simon Child scored early then Andy Hayward made it 2-0 from the Black Sticks' first penalty corner of this year's event.

Teun de Nooijer halved the deficit in the second half, the penalty stroke goal his 40th in tournament history and tying him for second all-time with Pakistan's Sohail Abbas.

But New Zealand rebounded two minutes later for 3-1, the first time since 1984 the Black Sticks have scored more than twice in a trophy match.

Two-time defending champion Australia maintained its perfect record with a third straight win, holding off England 3-2.

Tendulkar becomes most-capped Test cricketer

MUMBAI: Milestone man Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday became the most-capped Test cricketer in the world after taking field for his 169th match, the third and final of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, in Colombo.

The 37-year-old champion batsman, who holds almost every batting record, overtook retired related stories Sri Lanka win toss, elect to bat against India in final Test former Australian captain Steve Waugh with whom he was tied at 168 matches after the second Test at SSC here.

Tendulkar, who has been around for two decades now, has also played 442 one-day internationals, just a couple of matches less than Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya's record of 444.

Tendulkar has scored 13,742 runs in 168 Tests at an average of 56.08, notching up 48 hundreds and 55 half-centuries in the process.

He has 17,598 runs, including 46 centuries, in his 442 one-dayers. The Mumbaikar also holds the distinction of being the first batsman to score a double hundred in ODIs.

But despite these astonishing feats, Tendulkar remains hungry for more runs and after getting his fifth Test double hundred in the second Test against Sri Lanka, the diminutive batsman urged critics to stop talking about his age.

Fifa gives Iraq one-year deadline for elections

ZURICH: Fifa gave Iraq football officials an extra year in office to prepare for elections, after a sectarian dispute meant the federation missed a deadline to vote for new leaders.

Monday’s decision lifts the threat of Iraq being suspended from world football and allows the national team to prepare to defend its Asian Cup title next January.

Fifa’s emergency committee – comprising president Sepp Blatter and leaders of the six continental confederations – extended the mandate of the Iraqi Football Association executive through July 2011.

“This deadline should allow both groups to settle their differences and to thus permit the election of a new board,” Fifa said in a statement.

A scheduled poll was canceled last month when a Sunni faction supporting current IFA president Hussein Saeed met in Irbil, claiming it was too dangerous to travel to Baghdad, where backers of Shiite challenger Falah Hassan had gathered. Iraq’s government insisted on holding it in Baghdad as a way of showing the country is stable after years of war.

Japan announces aid for Pakistan flood-hit people

TOKYO: Japan on Tuesday decided to help Pakistan’s flood affected areas in the form of relief goods and a grant worth $3.2 million.

According to sources, 230,000 dollars were allocated for emergency relief goods while grant assistance of up to $ 3 million would also be provided.

Tokyo had decided to extend the emergency assistance upon the request of Islamabad. Devastating floodwaters have so far claimed the lives of more than 1,400 people.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada also sent a message of sympathy to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in which he had expressed his deepest condolences to the victims and their bereaved families.

At least three dead in China school attack

BEIJING: At least three children have been killed in an attack on a kindergarten in eastern China, residents and a rights group said Wednesday, in the latest in a series of assaults on schools nationwide.

The attack occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Shandong province's Zibo city, residents said, but the local hospital, police and government all refused to comment.

Gunman kills 8, himself in US workplace shooting

NEW YORK: A disgruntled employee went on a shooting rampage Tuesday at a beer distribution firm in Connecticut, killing eight co-workers before turning the gun on himself, police and officials said.

Officers were called to the scene at Hartford Distributors in Manchester, Connecticut shortly after 7:30 am (1130 GMT) at the time of a shift change when up to 40 people were inside.

"There were nine individuals, including the suspect, who were killed during the shooting," said a police statement. "We are presently in the process of trying to identify the victims and make notifications to family members."

Another protester killed in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: A young man was killed Tuesday when security forces opened fire at stone-throwing protesters in Indian-administered Kashmir, police said, the latest in a series of deaths that have stoked public anger.

Indian police and paramilitary forces struggling to control protests in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley have now killed 12 civilians in less than a month.

“The young man was killed when security forces opened fire at a very violent rally,” a police officer who declined to be named told AFP.

The incident took place in Srinagar which has been at the centre of furious demonstrations since June 11 when a 17-year-old student died from a police teargas shell.

Tuesday's death occurred when security forces opened fire to disperse a demonstration triggered by the disappearance of another protester, a witness said.

The youth went missing Monday evening after separatist protesters clashed with police and paramilitary forces in Srinagar.

Residents said he drowned in a stream during the clash, though no official comment has been issued on the allegation.

Crowds poured onto the streets on Tuesday morning chanting, “we want freedom” and “blood for blood”.

Separatists have fought against rule by New Delhi for 20 years, campaigning for independence or for Muslim-majority Kashmir to join neighbouring Pakistan.

The insurgency, which India says is fuelled by Pakistan, has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Sixteen killed in Mogadishu clashes

MOGADISHU: At least 16 people were killed in fighting between rival factions in Mogadishu as chaos engulfed the Somali capital and spurred the war-torn country’s neighbours into action, officials said Tuesday.

Most of the latest victims were combatants killed in several incidents on Monday, as Islamist insurgents continued to close in on the shriveling perimetre controlled by the government but also fought among themselves.

“Violent elements attacked government forces in northern Mogadishu, sparking heavy fighting. They were defeated and several of their fighters were killed,” government security officer Mohamed Abdirahman told AFP.

“Two of our soldiers were also killed as well as three civilians who were caught in the crossfire,” he added.

Insurgents have been harassing government forces in northeastern districts lately to seize positions from which they can target bases of the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and disrupt their supplies by striking the seaport.

Obama gives $2 billion to solar energy companies

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama announced Saturday the awarding of nearly two billion dollars to two solar energy companies that have agreed to build new power plants in the United States, creating thousands of new jobs.

“We're going to keep fighting to advance our recovery,” Obama said in his weekly radio address. “And we're going to keep competing aggressively to make sure the jobs and industries of the future are taking root right here in America.”

One of the companies, Abengoa Solar, has agreed to build one of the largest solar plants in the world in Arizona, which will create about 1,600 construction jobs. When completed, this plant will provide enough clean energy to power 70,000 homes.

The other company, Abound Solar Manufacturing, is building two new plants, one in Colorado and one in Indiana.

ADB likely to release $200 million for infrastructure project

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank has agreed to release the second tranche of $200 million for the Private Participation in Infrastructure programme.

The bank had approved $400 million for the programme to increase private participation in infrastructure development. The first tranche of $200 million was spent on removing bottlenecks in policy, legal and regulatory frameworks and the priority sectors were power and energy, transportation and urban services.

While the first tranche was released, the government, in parallel, set up the Infrastructure Project Development Facility (IPDF) under the ministry of finance to develop infrastructure projects for private sector participation.

The PPI programme was approved before the global food and fuel crises. However, Pakistan started feeling the impact of the crises in the late 2007 with the situation becoming more severe in 2008-09 that led the government to seek support from the International Monetary Fund.

As part of the ADB’s Accelerating Economic Transformation Programme, which provides budgetary support under overall financing plan for the IMF stabilisation programme, the government was to implement a range of measures to address power sector constraints.

Pakistan beat Australia by 23 runs to win 1st T20

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan beat Australia for the first time in 13 matches across all formats as they won the first Twenty20 international by 23 runs at Edgbaston here on Monday.

They were indebted to Umar Akmal’s career-best 64 that helped Pakistan to a total of 167 for eight after they’d been 47 for four.

Australia, chasing 168 to win, were bowled out for 144 with off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (three wickets for 26 runs off his maximum four overs) and teenage left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer doing the bulk of the damage.

Victory put Pakistan 1-0 up ahead of the second and final Twenty20 here on Tuesday.

Australia were 85 for four when Michael Hussey came to the crease.

They’d been 62 for four, chasing 192 when the left-hander’s unbeaten 60 off 24 balls sawAustralia to a thrilling three-wicket win over Pakistan in the World Twenty20 semi-final inSt Lucia in May — the last time the teams met.

But Umar Gul, who missed the World Twenty20 through injury, captured the prize wicket of Michael Hussey by bowling him for 18 with a superb reverse-swinging delivery.

Gul then bowled Tim Paine, going across his stumps, to leave Australia needing 31 off 12 balls.

Ajmal finished the match with eight balls to spare by having Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait stumped.

Australia lost opener Shane Watson for a second ball nought when he was lbw to a brilliant inswinger from Aamer.

But the second over, from fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, went for 20 runs as left-hander David Warner struck fours off all the first five balls from the ‘Rawalpindi Express,’ for four.

However, Australia captain Michael Clarke fell for just five when he was well caught by opposing skipper Shahid Afridi at short extra-cover off all-rounder Abdul Razzaq’s second ball.

But runs kept coming before David Hussey eventually skied leg-spinner Afridi to Shoaib Malik for 34.

And 81 for three became 85 for four when Warner, who made 41 off just 30 balls, was bowled by off-spinner’s Saeed Ajmal’s second delivery as he tried run the ball down to third man.

Nigeria lifts ban on national team

ABUJA: Nigeria's government lifted a two-year ban it imposed on its national football team after a dismal World Cup showing, avoiding a collision with world governing body FIFA in the process.

The government issued a statement saying the country's football federation apologised to the president and informed him that the national team would be disbanded with the aim of building a new one.

"Based on these assurances, and the appeals of well-meaning Nigerians, including former leaders, President Goodluck Jonathan has decided to review the earlier two-year ban on the country from all international football competitions," it said.

Andrew Garfield is new 'Spider-Man'

LOS ANGELES: Little-known British actor Andrew Garfield will be the star of the next film based on web-slinging superhero “Spider-Man,” it was announced. AFP reported.

Garfield, 26, steps into the void vacated by Tobey Maguire, the star of the first three films in the franchise which have grossed nearly 2.5 billion dollars worldwide since 2002.

Garfield's previous credits include Terry Gilliam's quirky “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassius” and the British indie film “Boy A.” He also has a starring role in this year's film based on the rise of Facebook, “The Social Network.” The new “Spider-Man” will be a reboot of the franchise, taking the character of Peter Parker back to his origins, studio bosses have said.

Maguire dropped out amid rumors of creative differences between director Sam Raimi, who had helmed the first three films, and Sony Pictures Entertainment concerning the script.

The new film is to be directed by Marc Webb, who received plaudits for 2009 low-budget hit “500 Days of Summer.”

'Twilight' eclipses weekend box office competition

LOS ANGELES: "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" the latest in the teen vampire movie franchise, sank its fangs into a hefty 69-million dollar share of box office receipts, making it the top weekend earner, industry estimates showed on Sunday.

The teen goth romance flick, which opened Wednesday, so far has racked up projected ticket sales of 161.7 million dollars in North America, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

In second place was the debut of "The Last Airbender," based on a popular television series in which beings are endowed with magical powers allowing them to control air, earth, water and fire.

Despite poor reviews, the movie sold 40.7 million dollars in tickets over the three-day weekend period.

Last week's box office champ, "Toy Story 3" -- the biggest-ever opener for animated filmmaker Disney/Pixar -- raked in 30.2 million dollars, for a total of 289 million dollars over three weeks.

The Cove' screens in Japan after protests

TOKYO: Oscar-winning dolphin hunting documentary “The Cove” was screened at a cinema guarded by police in Japan on Saturday despite outrage among protesters who have complained the film is anti-Japanese.

Some 50 people watched the first showing of the movie at a theatre in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, its distributor Unplugged said.

The film shows graphic scenes of the bloody but legal dolphin slaughter filmed using hidden cameras and nationalist groups say it should be banned because it is anti-Japanese.

Police were deployed at the entrance “but there has been no confusion so far”, an official at Unplugged said, adding that the film would be screened at five more theatres in Tokyo and other cities on Saturday.

It was the first commercial screening of the film in a Japanese cinema, though the distributor has staged one-off screenings at promotion events and an online screening.

The distributor scrapped planned screenings last month after right-wing protesters – known for their ear-splitting street demonstrations using megaphones – targeted cinemas.

Secrets of Mummies unraveled in California

LOS ANGELES: From an ornate Egyptian sarcophagus to the striking preserved remains of a howler monkey wearing a feathered skirt, a new exhibition in Los Angeles is unraveling the mysteries of mummies.

The "Mummies of the World" exhibit at the California Science Center is being billed as the largest single showing of mummies in history and aims to throw new light on ancient funeral rituals and the work of "mummyologists".

The exhibition comprises dozens of mummified men, women, children and animals drawn from all four corners of the globe -- some embalmed, some naturally preserved -- as well as a treasure trove of archeological artifacts.

The exhibition was conceived shortly after the creation of the German Mummy Project, when 20 long-forgotten mummies were discovered gathering dust in a vault of the Reiss Engelhorn Museum in Mannheim in 2004.

More than 20 European institutions have contributed artifacts to the exhibition, which opened in Los Angeles on Thursday and will later tour the United States for three years

Queen Elizabeth received a new Blackberry handset

OTTAWA: Queen Elizabeth II received a Blackberry handset as a gift on Monday while touring the Canadian headquarters of its maker, Research in Motion.

The monarch is said to be a fan of the popular smartphones, ever since her son, Prince Andrew, introduced her to them a few years ago.

Company co-founder Mike Lazaridis presented queen with the most current model, the Blackberry Bold 9700, personalized with an image of area school children offering her flowers.

Dressed in a creme-colored hat and a white smock, Elizabeth was also given a rare glimpse inside the Waterloo, Ontario factory where the devices are made.

The site was described in pool reports as a cavernous, white room dotted with spotless workstations and large automated machines.

Saudi youth eats 22 scorpions to make world record

RIYADH: A Saudi Arabian man made world record by eating live 22 scorpions.

The Saudi youth Majed Al-Maliki ate 22 live scorpions in Riyadh on January 22. He beat the previous record of eating 21 by USA's Dean Sheldon.

Majed Al-Maliki now is the Guinness World Record holder of a man eating most live scorpions.

Network for women neuroscientists launched

KARACHI: One hundred and fifty neuroscientists, physiologists and clinical neurologists participated in first ever symposium of Women Neuroscientists in Pakistan on Thursday. The symposium was jointly organized by Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) and Women in World Neuroscience (WWN).

The symposium was also a venue of launching of the Women Neuroscientists network in Pakistan.

In the opening session of the two-day conference, Karachi University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr. Pirzada Qasim said that women can understand science better because they have more patience and consistency in the laboratories.

Speaking to Dawn.com, he said that only knowledge-based organization could survive in long run.

Referring to the progress of science and technology, Qasim said that, “our institutes have turned into graveyards of unfinished agendas. We have to finish the proposals with consistency.”

“Universities are facing financial problems and relying on loans and are currently unable to generate resources,” he added.

Uruguay reaches World Cup semifinals

Saturday, 03 Jul, 2010

JOHANNESBURG: Uruguay reached the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1970, beating Ghana 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw Friday.

Sulley Muntari gave Ghana the lead with a 35-meter (yard) left-foot strike seconds before halftime at Soccer City, but Diego Forlan equalized from a free kick in the 55th minute.

Asamoah Gyan had a chance to win the match for Ghana with the final kick of extra time, but he hit the crossbar with a penalty after Luis Suarez was sent off for handling the ball on the line.

Uruguay will play the Netherlands in the semifinals on Tuesday in Cape Town.

Netherlands beats Brazil 2-1 at World Cup

PORT ELIZABETH: Brazil’s dreams of a sixth World Cup title were shattered as the Netherlands came from behind to claim a famous 2-1 win in an enthralling quarter-final here on Friday.

An own goal by Felipe Melo - who was to be sent off later - and a Wesley Sneijder header enabled the Dutch to overturn Robinho’s early opener for Brazil and completely turn around a match that, at half-time, the five-times world champions appeared destined to win comfortably.

The defeat means Brazil’s campaign has ended at the quarter-final stage for the second successive World Cup while the Netherlands can look forward to a semi-final against Ghana or Uruguay having avenged their 1994 and 1998 last-eight defeats by the Brazilians.

The Dutch cause had not been helped by losing centreback Joris Mathijsen to a knee injury minutes before kick-off.

Clash near US border leaves 21 drug gang members dead

MEXICO CITY: A clash between suspected members of rival drug gangs left 21 people dead on Thursday in a rural area of the Mexican state of Sonora, very close to the US border, Mexican justice officials said.

The clash involved “two groups of suspected drug traffickers and undocumented” migrants, the Sonora attorney general's office said in a statement.

The fighting took place some 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the US border.

Police later detained nine people in the area, including six with bullet wounds, the statement said.

Northern Mexican border areas -- on key trafficking routes into the United States -- have seen some of the fiercest fighting between Mexico's powerful drug gangs and with security forces in recent years.

New Afghan war commander facing uphill battle

Saturday, 03 Jul, 2010

KABUL: US General David Petraeus made his public debut on Saturday as commander of the Afghan war, celebrating US Independence Day in one of the most heavily guarded places in the country.

The four-star general, who arrived in the Afghan capital on Friday, faces a tough task to bring peace and secure a face-saving exit for allied troops fighting the Taliban, observers say.

Replacing the sacked US General Stanley McChrystal, Petraeus has said the war in Afghanistan --now well into its ninth year - is likely to get tougher before significant improvements are seen.

He arrives as deaths of US and Nato soldiers are touching record highs in intensified fighting, along with questions about the wisdom of committing such huge resources in manpower and money to what could yet be a lost cause.

The general wore military fatigues as he stood with the US ambassador to receive some 1,700 US diplomats and guests on the lawn of the sprawling US embassy in Kabul to mark the Fourth of July.

His appointment as commander of the 140,000 US and Nato troops in Afghanistan has been welcomed by local officials, including President Hamid Karzai, who is increasingly seen in the West as a loose cannon.

But analysts urged Petraeus to make immediate adjustments to rapidly turn around a war seen as bogged down to the Taliban's advantage.

“Petraeus must change the fundamental strategy of the war against the Taliban,” said parliamentarian Ahmad Behzad.

“A change in the leadership of foreign forces can only be effective if we see more serious steps taken against terrorists,” he told AFP.

McChrystal's reputation had suffered from the failure of foreign forces to secure the poppy-growing district of Marjah, in southern Helmand province, in a massive operation launched in February, said political analyst Haroun Mir.

Obama signs Iran curbs into law

WASHINGTON: After years of congressional efforts, sweeping new Iran sanctions will become law Thursday night when US President Barack Obama signs the bill on his desk.

The legislation affects the gasoline, financial, insurance and shipping sectors, among others, as it seeks to impose a heavy economic cost on Iran for continuing with its nuclear program.

The bill attempts to bar foreign countries from exporting refined petroleum to Iran, as well as restrict access to American financial institutions for any entities that help Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.

It also seeks to choke off investment, technology and development of Iran’s energy sector, and makes it easier for states and localities to divest from companies that do business with Iran.

The measure was passed overwhelmingly by the Senate and House last week ahead of the July 4 recess. Sponsors described it as the toughest ever to target Iran.

PM for taking ties between Pakistan, China to new heights

Updated at: 2155 PST, Friday, July 02, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday expressing his satisfaction over Pakistan's longstanding comprehensive strategic partnership with China called for re-doubling of efforts by both sides to take the bilateral relations to the new heights.

The prime minister expressed confidence that the new Chinese Ambassador would continue the tradition of the previous Ambassador in further strengthening friendship between the two countries.

He assured the Ambassador of his government's complete cooperation in pursuing his mission and in supplementing his efforts, in this regard.

The prime minister was talking to Liu Jian, the new Chinese Ambassador who called on him at the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

Countrywide strike against Darbar carnage today

LAHORE: The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) has given a call for a country-wide strike on Saturday against the suicide blasts at Data Darbar, Lahore, on Thursday.

This was announced by Allama Syed Shah Turabul Haq at a press conference held at SIC headquarter here on Friday. In this connection a protest demonstration would be held at Old Numaish roundabout.

All religious parties belonging to the Barelvi sect has endorsed the strike call given by SIC. Those who supported the call included Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Pakistan Sahibzada Abul Khair, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Sunni Tehreek

Haq also demanded immediate removal of Law Minister Punjab Rana Sanaullah for his alleged association and patronizing banned outfit. He also demanded for strict security measures at the shrines of saints adding that culprits of Data Ganj blasts be also arrested.

Five killed in Thailand ambush

NARATHIWAT: Suspected Muslim insurgents detonated a roadside bomb and opened fire on security forces in southern Thailand on Thursday night, killing five members of a patrol, an officer said.

"The group was on night patrol in a pick-up truck when they were ambushed," said Lieutenant Pairat Kiatjaroensiri, adding the attackers snatched four guns and fled. Three of the five victims were Muslim and two Buddhist.

Oil mixed in Asia

SINGAPORE: Oil was mixed in Asian trade Friday as weak economic data out of the US and China, the world's number one and two energy users respectively, dampened investor mood, analysts said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for August delivery was 18 cents higher at 73.13 dollars a barrel but Brent North Sea crude, also for August delivery, fell six cents to 72.28 dollars.

World Bank halts Diamer-Bhasha dam funds

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has refused to fund Diamer-Bhasha Dam.

"The bank's refusal to provide funds has virtually endangered the practicability of the Bhasha Dam on whose feasibility and technical reports huge amounts have already been spent since 2006," sources privy to a high-level meeting said.

The meeting chaired by Mir Hamdan Bugti was told that the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) required $30-40 billion for the projects, including the Bhasha Dam and others in the next 15 years to meet the growing electricity requirements through cheap power.

On the other hand, World Bank has stopped funds on the objections raised by India because they termed Gilgit-Baltistan a disputed territory.

Five killed in Taliban US aid group attack in Afghanistan

KUNDUZ: Suspected Taliban militants stormed the compound of a US aid organisation in Afghanistan Friday, killing five people including at least one foreigner, a senior Afghan official said.

At least four suicide bombers attacked the premises of Development Alternatives Inc (DAI) in Kunduz city, two of whom detonated explosive vests, Mohammad Omar, the governor of northern Kunduz province, told foreign news agency.

"The first suicide attacker detonated at the entrance of the DAI compound, the second detonated inside the premises, killing one foreign national," he said, adding that one security guard and one policeman were also killed.

CM orders probe into Data Darbar tragedy

LAHORE: Taking strict notice of Data Darbar suicide bombings, the Chief Minister Punjab Mian Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif has ordered law enforcement agencies to investigate into heinous incident of terrorism.

CM Shahbaz issued these orders after reviewing the law and order situation in city having attended a meeting convened especially in connection with the suicide bombings.

Issuing investigation orders, Shahbaz Sharif termed attackers on Sufi shrine of Data Darbar as open enemies of Islam and humanity alike.

“Security measures be made stringent”, he ordered adding, “Better medical facilities should be assured to injured persons.

Lahore shrine toll reaches to 43

LAHORE: Death toll of suicide attacks in Data Darbar has reached to 43 among which 28 martyrs have been identified, Geo News reported on Friday.

Cultural capital Lahore was on high alert Friday after two suicide bombers blew themselves up at Data Darbar packed with devotees, killing more than 40 people and wounding 175.

"The first blast occurred in the basement followed by another one with a deafening sound," said one witness.

On Friday, large numbers of police and other security personnel were patrolling all busy and sensitive areas in Lahore, a city of around 10 million people. Police sources said heads of two suicide bombers have been found.

Security was particularly tight around mosques ahead of weekly Muslim prayers, senior police officer Mohammad Faisal Rana told media.

A senior investigating officer told media that the bomber in the basement set off his vest after he was intercepted by a group of worshippers and that police were combing the scene for forensic clues.

The entire country is in state of shock and mourning on Data Darbar tragedy whereas several religious parties and traders of Lahore announced ‘Youm-e-Sog’ Friday.

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has announced compensation of Rs. 0.5 million each for martyrs and Rs.75, 000 for wounded.