Royal Wedding Web Buzz by the Numbers

Prince William and Kate Middleton stand on the steps of City Hall during a visit to Belfast, March 8, 2011 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Indigo/Getty Images

April 29, 2012

Prince William and Kate Middleton may aspire to leave their imprint on history, but they've already left their mark on the Web.

Chatter about the couple -- and the dress, and the guests, and the church, and every other detail related to the big event -- spiked across all corners of the Internet. Experts say that as the festivities get underway, it will likely be one of the biggest "two-screen" events ever.

Imran to lead Pakistan in Azlan Shah Cup

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hockey team got a new captain for the forthcoming Azlan Shah Cup here on Thursday as chief selector Hanif Khan announced an 18-member squad for the Malaysian event.
Mohammad Imran, 21, who represents the Army team in national circuit, was named to lead Pakistan in the event which commences in Ipoh on May 5.
“I am confident of my team doing well in the tournament since I have seasoned seniors including Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt, Kashif Abbasi, Waseem Ahmed with me as well as a number talented young players who are the ‘generation next’ of Pakistan hockey,” Imran told Dawn minutes after the selectors announced the squad.

Four matches decided in Junior Super Hockey League

PHF Junior Hockey League.

LAHORE: Four more matches were decided in the third PHF Junior Super Hockey League at the National Hockey Stadium here on Thursday.

In the first match, Lahore registered a 3-0 triumph over Quetta after taking 1-0 lead in the first half. Ali Hamza (25th minute), Arslan Sherazi (51st) and Hafiz Sardar (65th) were the other scorers.
PHF Academy, meanwhile, also carved out a 3-1 win against Faisalabad. The winners led the first half 1-0.
Daud Khalid (8th), Zohaib Ashraf (41st) and Ali Hassan (65th) struck one goal each. Waseem Abbas (65th) scored the consolation goal for the losing team.

Pakistanis beat Windies, clinch series

Friday, April 29, 2011

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Penetrative bowling from Ravi Rampaul and Devendra Bishoo was upstaged by a typically resolute, unbeaten 62 from Misbah-ul-Haq that guided Pakistan to a series-clinching, three-wicket victory over West Indies in the third One-Day International(ODI) yesterday.

Rampaul finished with four wickets for 32 runs from nine overs, and Bishoo ended with three for 42 from nine overs, as West Indies failed to successfully defend a modest target of 172 in their rain-affected match at Kensington Oval.

CIA, ISI are best of partners, says Haqqani

Washington: Amidst reports that Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of late do not see an eye to eye, Pakistan’s envoy to the US Husain Haqqani said both are best of partners in the war against terrorism.
"Actually, contrary to public perception, CIA and ISI are the best of partners," Haqqani told the MSNBC news channel in an interview.
"Just as there are people who don’t want to believe the birth certificate even if it exists, similarly, there are people who don’t want to believe that the ISI is a partner of the CIA.
And that causes a lot of problems," Haqqani said referring to the controversy surrounding the birth certificate of President Barack Obama."The truth is that, in the last few months, we have really worked at bridging the gap.

11-judge SC bench to hear ZAB reference next month

ISLAMABAD, April 27: The Supreme Court constituted on Wednesday an 11-judge larger bench which will take up for hearing on May 2 a presidential reference seeking its opinion on revisiting the 1979 death sentence awarded to former prime minister and founder of PPP Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, which critics call a “judicial murder”.

The reference was filed by President Asif Ali Zardari in line with a decision taken by the Pakistan People’s Party and endorsed by the cabinet of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
The larger bench is headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and comprises Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali, Justice Mahmood Akhtar Shahid Siddiqui, Justice Jawwad S. Khwaja, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Sarmand Jalal Osmany and Justice Ghulam

Drone attacks could not stop through sit-ins, long-marches: Shahbaz

April 28, 2011 ⋅

HASILPUR,(SANA): Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said on Wednesday that the Nation must unite and people come out on roads if they intended to stop US drone attacks, adding that these missile attacks would not be stopped through mare condemnations statements and protest sit-ins.
Addressing a public gathering in Hasilpur Tehsil of Bahawalpur, Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Shehbaz Sharif said that people should come out on roads in protest against the US Drone attacks and Pakistan Muslim League-N will fully support them in the move.
Shehbaz Sharif said government should not accept foreign aid with any conditionality as without breaking up the beggar’s bowl the innocent Pakistanis will continue to die in drone attacks.
Chief Minister Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif has said that he promised that lost prestige of Pakistan will be regained if we give-up the policy of dependency as there is no deficiency of resources in Pakistan.
Shehbaz Sharif warns that as soon as we not stopped the policy of reliance the innocent Pakistani citizens will continue to die.

Court issues notices to respondents in Kazmi's bail request

Published: April 28, 2011

Islamabad High Court issues notice in the post-arrest bail petition filed by former minister. PHOTO: PPI/ FILE

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court issued notices to the respondents in the post-arrest bail petition by Former Federal Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi on Thursday.
Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan heard the petition in which Kazmi had argued that his name was not on the list of the accused and he should be released on bail.

CCI Meeting: Provinces can submit proposals for dams

Published: April 28, 2011

All provinces will be consulted about all issues, including the power crises. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The Council for Common Interest (CCI) has approved the Private Power Infrastructure Bill 2010, and amended the NEPRA Act.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani chaired today’s CCI meeting where the issue of power generation and energy crises was top of the agenda. This culminated in the decision to allow Provinces the right to generate their own electricity. Additionally the Provinces will also be able to submit plans for small dams.
It was decided in the meeting that all provinces will be consulted about all issues, including the power crises.
Regarding the Diamer Bhasha Dam, it was decided to approach Turkey and China for constructing the dam.
During the meeting, Pakistan Railways Ministry withdrew its request for procuring South Korean railway engines.
A report on devolved ministries was also reviewed.It was also decided that funding to universities will continue under the present NFC award and that the government will bear all expenses of educational projects.

Fire ants assemble as a ‘super-organism’

Published: April 27, 2011

THE ants may go marching one by one, but they end up forming a superstructure of thousands — and together they can form a raft that stretches the boundaries of the laws of physics, according to new research released today.
Ants have exoskeletons that are naturally hydrophobic, or water repellant. A single ant can walk on water because of the buoyancy of the air bubbles trapped next to its body, and the water’s own surface tension. However, when thousands of ants stand on top of each other, their multiplied weight should cause them to sink. But for years, biologists have observed fire ant colonies floating down flood plains and rivers in their native South America.
For the first time, a group of engineers has attacked the question of ant flotation from a physics perspective. Ants float as a group because they can harness the power of nearby air bubbles. Grasping each other’s mandibles or front legs with a force 400 times their body weight, the ants are able to trap small pockets of air between them — like a group floatation device.

Meera accuses Mahesh Bhatt of abusing her

This is unarguably a new twist in the tale. Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who has been godfather sorts to many Pakistani artists, has been accused of being possessive and abusive, Zee News reported. And the one who has slapped such charges against him is none other than Meera, who made her debut in ‘Nazar’ opposite Ashmit Patel.

Narrating what made her quit Bollywood temporarily, the actress while speaking to a daily said, “Logon ne bahut kuch likha is bare mein, aur kaha bhi, but main ab chup nahin rahoongi. Aaj main sach bolna chahti hun (Many things have been said and written about me but I am not going to keep quiet any longer. I want to tell the truth today.) It was not my decision to stop doing films, but I was asked to leave India by Mahesh ji. He did not like my being famous and interacting with other directors.”

What the royal wedding means for the Beckhams

Could Prince William and Kate Middleton steal the celebrity crown from David and Victoria? Of course not

David and Victoria Beckham, still king and queen of hearts. Photograph: Frezza Lafata/Rex Features/photomontage

At this pivotal time for our nation, there are certain questions I am asked more than any others in my formal capacity as Sometime Writer of a Page Designed To Be Taken Desperately Seriously. Perhaps the most common one: "Is Alex Reid still a celebrity?" (The short answer: it's complicated. We're going to have to deal with it in full next week.) Second only to that inquiry, however, is the question: "What does the royal wedding mean for the Beckhams?"
Not for them personally, you understand – thanks to some of David's typically empty public utterances, we know it's nice for them to be invited, but that Victoria's a bit concerned about how she'll look because she's pregnant. No, the question is what the royal wedding means for the Beckhams as a concept. Are they up or down on the great media barometer, that instrument that harnesses journalism's most abundant commodity – laziness – and uses it to rate whether or not someone is worth giving a few column inches of toss about? What are the implications for the celebrity community of which the Beckhams are emblematic? And are Prince William and Kate Middleton celebrities?

Russia calls on Syria to investigate death

MOSCOW — Russia urged Syria Thursday to punish those responsible for deadly violence during a crackdown on anti-government protests but said an international investigation sought by the United States was not necessary.

The U.N. Human Rights Council will hold an emergency session on Syria Friday at Washington's request and is due to consider a draft resolution submitted by the U.S. delegation.
A close vote was expected on the text in the 47-member forum, with China and Cuba expected to join Russia in opposing the resolution, western diplomats in Geneva said Wednesday.
Russia said Syrian authorities should investigate and bring those responsible for deadly violence to justice but indicated it could carry out an investigation on its own.

Yemen opposition warns bloodshed may derail deal

 

By Mohammed Ghobari and Mohamed Sudam
SANAA (Reuters) - Yemen's opposition warned the government on Thursday that violence against street protesters demanding the removal of President Ali Abdullah Saleh could derail a deal aimed at ending the political standoff.
Plainclothes gunmen killed 12 people and wounded dozens more in Yemen's capital on Wednesday when they opened fire on anti-government marchers just days before a Gulf-mediated deal to end the crisis was due to be sealed. "In the event of your inability to protect protesters, we will find ourselves unable to pursue an agreement that the regime seeks to use to shed more blood," the opposition coalition said in a statement.
A deal to end the crisis by easing Saleh out within a month was expected to be signed on Sunday in Riyadh, three months after Yemenis took to the streets, inspired by revolts that toppled autocratic rulers in Egypt and Tunisia.

Barak: We won't talk to Palestinian gov't with Hamas in it

  Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Thursday evening that Israel would not speak to a Fatah-Hamas government as long as Hamas continues terrorist attacks against Israel.

“This is an organizations that there is nothing to talk to about,” Barak said. “There is no chance that we will talk to this type of government, if it is established and we demand that our friends in the world refrain from speaking to it as well unless Hamas undergoes a substantial and deep change by stopping terrorism, dismantling terrorist infrastructure and accepting the Quartet’s conditions which are recognizing previous agreements with Israel and entering negotiations.”

Alabama, Southern states pounded by 'catastrophic' storms; at least 250 dead

Officials in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Kentucky begin an intense search-and-rescue effort and massive cleanup in the wake of the violent weather. The death toll is expected to rise.

"It was just the force of the storm," the governor told reporters. "It's hard to move that many people."

Officials estimate the intensity of the storm at F4 or F5, meaning winds in excess of 150 mph.. Whole neighborhoods were flattened.

One of the hardest-hit areas was Tuscaloosa, a city of more than 83,000 and home to the University of Alabama. The city's police and other emergency services were devastated, Mayor Walter Maddox said. At least 36 people were reported dead and more than 600 injured.

Pakistan,Iran enjoy cultural,religious bonds:Dr Firdous

ISLAMABAD April 28 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Thursday that Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong cultural,religious,historic,economic,political and geographical relations which bind them in eternal friendship and brotherhood.This she said during her meeting with Iranian ambassador to Pakistan  ashallah Shakeri on the occasion of her visit to Iranian embassy.She said that enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Iran in the field of media and broadcasting would make the relationship between the two brotherly countries stronger.

Parliamentarians in no hurry to debate on ISI role in Pak politics

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentarians could not finalize the time frame and procedure for open debate on ISI role in Pakistan politics, drone attacks , war on terror and the Raymond Davis issue and have referred the matter back to the Prime Minister.
Sources told that representative of all Parliamentary parties participated in the House Business Advisory Committee meeting held at the Parliament House on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi.

Forex reserves ease to $17.18bn

 

KARACHI: Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves eased to $17.18 billion in the week ending on April 23, from $17.38 billion the previous week, a central bank official said on Thursday.

Reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) fell to $13.68 billion from $13.91 billion a week ago, while those held by commercial banks rose slightly to $3.50 billion from $3.47 billion, said SBP chief spokesman Syed Wasimuddin.

NEPRA okays Rs. 1 rise in power tariff

ISLAMABABD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has allowed electricity distribution companies to increase their tariff by Rs. 1-Per unit.

Record earnings continue to keep KSE in the green

KARACHI: The Karachi stock market continued to close in the green zone on Wednesday as support from record earnings in oil and bank sectors had a positive impact on investor sentiment.

The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) 100-share index gained 13.98 points or 0.12 percent to close at 11,947.44 points as compared to 11,933.46 points of the previous session. The KSE 30-share index also increased 5.73 points to close at 11,605.61 points as compared with 11,599.88 points.

Analysts said swinging mood of the 100-share index was observed during the session as despite crossing psychological level of 12,000 points, it failed to sustain the tempo with selling pressure in the energy stocks closing with meagre gain of 14 points.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's Press Conference

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEN BERNANKE, FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN: If inflation persists or inflation expectations begin to move, then there is no substitution for action. We would have to respond. I think while it is very very important for us to try to help the economy create jobs and to support the recovery, I think every central banker understands that keeping inflation low and stable is absolutely essential to a successful economy. And we will do what is necessary to ensure that that happens.

Targeting Pak intelligence agencies

British newspaper, The Guardian, has once again come up with WikiLeaks cables, targeting the premier Pakistani intelligence agency, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

In a shocking revelation, the paper stated the US authorities describe the top Pakistani

to interrogators at Guantanamo Bay rank the ISI alongside al-Qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon; being linked to any of these groups is an indication of terrorist or insurgent activity,” said the report. So, what is the truth behind the shocking report?

PlayStation Network credit card details were encrypted

                               

The PlayStation network remains offline while Sony investigates the hack

Sony has revealed that credit card details held on its PlayStation Network were stored in securely encrypted files.

The news offers some hope to users worried about their personal data after the online system was hacked.
Sony had previously warned that card numbers and expiry dates may have been among the stolen data.
However, other information, including dates of birth and home addresses, did not have the same level of protection.

Acer Aspire Z5763 has gesture-controlled 3D display, forgettable name

A year ago, we thought controlling a computer by prodding a meat stylus at its touchscreen was the height of next-gen sophistication. Acer may just have reset our expectations, however, with the Aspire Z5763 -- an all-in-one computer you control by flailing your arms about.
This ridiculously named device has a 2-megapixel webcam that, according to Engadget, can monitor users' movements using a gesture-recognition system Acer has dubbed ZQ3318P10. Just kidding, it's seen sense and called it something people will actually remember -- Acer AirControl.

Viewdle lets Android smartphones recognize friends

SAN FRANCISCO — Northern California startup Viewdle on Wednesday released software that lets Android-powered smartphones recognize people's faces.
The free SocialCamera application available at the Android Market or online at viewdle.com/products/mobile was billed as the first of its kind for US smartphone users.
"Viewdle SocialCamera is the first mobile camera app to encourage socializing and communication," said Viewdle co-founder and chief executive Laurent Gil.

Korean Mobile Carriers To Release Apple's iPad 2 This Week

SEOUL, April 28 (Bernama) -- SK Telecom Co. and KT Corp., the two largest mobile carriers in South Korea, said Thursday that they will launch the iPad 2, Apple Inc.'s latest version of its tablet computer, this week in the local market, Yonhap news agency reported.

SK Telecom and KT said they will both start selling the iPad 2 tablet computer starting Friday.

The iPad 2, which features a lighter and thinner body than its predecessor, will be available at the starting price of 640,000 won (US$594), according to Apple's Korean Web site.

KT, which first introduced the iPhone in South Korea in 2009 and was the sole mobile carrier to retail the first version of the iPad, faces stiffer competition from its bigger rival SK Telecom, which began selling the iPhone last month.

SK Telecom added that it has started selling the white iPhone 4, after Apple pushed back its release date, citing unexpected manufacturing challenges.

Evidences sent to Islamabad for forensic examination

KARACHI: Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Investigation Iftikhar Tarrar said on Wednesday that available evidence about the attacks on the two Pakistan Navy (PN) buses in Karachi on Tuesday had been sent to a Islamabad laboratory for forensic examination, however, investigators of various agencies believed that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was behind these attacks.

The DIG also pointed out that terrorist organisations had joined hands and started activities to sabotage peace in the city.

3 players show-caused named in Pakistan squad for Azlan Shah

Karachi, Apr 28 (PTI) Pakistan Hockey Federation today picked three senior players in the squad for the Azlan Shah Cup, who were earlier show-caused for having entered into contracts with the non-sanctioned World Hockey Series planned in India. The three players -- Shakeel Abbasi, Wasim Ahmed and Rehan Butt -- all made it to the squad after they informed the PHF in writing that they had nothing to do with the World Hockey Series and had made no commitments with the planned event. The PHF last week issued notices and warnings to top players to avoid getting involved in the proposed WHS or face a total ban from Pakistan hockey.

Pakistan Cricket: Wahab, Asad warned for Twitter usage Latest Sports News: OKLAHOMA CITY: Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Denver Nuggets 100-97 in the Game 5 to win t... Home About Us Events Featured Articles News IPL 2011 Categories » Videos Log In NBA Playoffs Schedule Be our fan on facebook! We on Youtube Subscribe to RSS Follow us on Twitter IPL 2011 (Indian Premier League) Pakistan Cricket: Wahab, Asad warned for Twitter usage

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket is never short of controversies as another one was unveiled on Thursday when two cricketers were warned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for using Twitter.

Asad Shafiq, Wahab Riaz

As per the new Central Contract, players are not allowed to use any of the social networking websites during team tours.

Barca to make complaint after Jose Mourinho outburst

Angry Mourinho questions Barca 'power'

Barcelona will make a formal complaint to Uefa over comments by Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho about Barca coach Pep Guardiola on Wednesday.

After the Champions League semi-final first leg, Mourinho suggested Barca were favourably treated by referees.
After an extraordinary meeting of the board, Barca spokesman Toni Freixa said: "We want to stand firm when the war of words passes certain limits.
"We believe Mr Mourinho crossed this line yesterday."
After the 2-0 defeat at the Bernabeu, Mourinho had said: "It's clear that against Barcelona you have no chance. I don't know if it's the publicity of Unicef [the club's shirt sponsor], I don't know if it's because they are very nice, but they've got this power."
But Freixa retorted: "We are going to present a case to Uefa's Control and Disciplinary committee against Mr Mourinho for breaking Uefa's disciplinary code.

West Indies make 171 against Pakistan

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Saeed Ajmal and Wahab Riaz enhanced Pakistan's chances of a series-clinching victory in the rain-affected third one-day International against West Indies here on Thursday.
Ajmal captured three for 29 from 8.4 overs, and Wahab took three for 38 from eight overs, as Pakistan dismissed their hosts for 171 in 43.4 overs after choosing to field in the match at Kensington Oval.
The visitors appeared to be under pressure, when compatriots Lendl Simmons and Darren Bravo comfortably added 86 for the second wicket in a volley of strokes before Ajmal and Wahab brought Pakistan back into the match, which was reduced to 45 overs-a-side.

Sania bats for resumption of Indo-Pak cricket ties

NEW DELHI: Sania Mirza advocated resumption of bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, saying such a move can help in improving relations between the two countries.
“The fact is people love it. You saw that in the (World Cup) semifinal (in Mohali between the two teams). I think it can make the relations between the two countries better. It’s obvious, you have the two Prime Ministers watching (together), so it’s good stuff,” Sania said according to PTI.
Sania, who got married to Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik in April last year, also emphasised on the positives of getting married to a sportsman.

No comment passed against Akmal’s father-in-Law: Zulqarnain

ISLAMABAD: Former Wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider said that he didn’t remark anything against Kamran Akmal’s father-in-Law so why he should ask for forgiveness.

Govt responsible if I am killed:Zulqarnain Haider

From Bipin Dani

Mumbai - Pakistan's controversial wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider yesterday said he was yet to meet his parents as he and his family were kept under the government's protection in a "secret location" in Islamabad.
Speaking exclusively from this secret location to this paper, he said, "I am yet to get the security clearance and then only I shall be allowed to leave for home in Lahore.
Haider returned to Pakistan on Monday after being in hiding in the UK since November last year.
"I fear for my life. I returned to Pakistan on government's advice and if I am killed, the government would be responsible.

Real Madrid v Barcelona - as it happened

Champions League

Real Madrid 0
Barcelona 2	Messi 76, Messi 87

A typical scene at the Bernabéu Photograph: Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images
¡Hola! And welcome to part three of the El Clásico tetralogy. It's the semi-final of the Champions League, the biggest club competition in football, between the two grandest clubs in Spain the world, and the two best sides to boot. ¡Great!
That's an end to the hyperbole, though. Parts one and two, in La Liga and the Copa del Rey, were nothing short of appalling. And with Jose Mourinho having now worked out exactly how best to get under Barcelona's skin, both on and off the pitch, don't expect too much expansive entertainment tonight.

Pakistan police arrest gang linked to threats against Zulqarnain Haider

• Eight bookmakers arrested over match-fixing allegations
• Wicketkeeper Haider threatened in November last year

Zulqarnain Haider is escorted after arriving back in Islamabad on 25 April. Photograph: Farooq Naeem/AFP/Getty Images
Pakistani police say they have arrested a gang of bookmakers who were allegedly behind death threats sent to wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider. Haider fled the Pakistan team hotel in Dubai last November hours before a one-day international against South Africa. He flew to London where he applied for asylum after saying that an unknown person had threatened him for not co-operating in fixing the one-day series.

PHF Junior Super Hockey League rolls into action today

Staff Report

LAHORE: Lahore will be the hub of a major hockey activity when the 3rd PHF Junior Under-18 Super Hockey League will roll into action at National Hockey Stadium here on Wednesday (today). Addressing a news conference, Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary general Mohammad Asif Bajwa, flanked by tournament director Rana Mujahid, said the league offered a total cash prize of Rs 1.5 million and would be participated by eight teams. “The event will be played on league basis,” added Bajwa. The participating teams are Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Karachi, Quetta, PHF Academy, Peshawar and Multan.

Shahid reaches last 16, Sajjad falls in Asian Snooker

Muhammad Sajjad had a disappointing day at the Asian Snooker Championship. —File photo by White Star

KARACHI: National champion Shahid Aftab became the first Pakistani cueist to advance into the pre-quarter-finals of the ongoing 27th Asian snooker championship in the Indian city of Indore on Tuesday.

Manchester United Shows Wealth of Talent

Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates his goal that gave Manchester a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Less than a week after being told by the financial experts at Forbes that his club was the richest sports franchise on earth, Manchester United’s manager, Alex Ferguson, was given proof where it counts — on the field.

Manuel Neuer, Schalke 04's goalie, played valiantly but lost to Manchester United in a Champions League semifinal opener.

His team simply strolled through the away leg of its Champions League semifinal on Tuesday. With a goal 22 minutes into the second half from Ryan Giggs, and another two minutes later from Wayne Rooney, United looked to be in a league different from that of its German opponent, Schalke 04.

Women’s Quadrangular Series in Sri Lanka

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Pakistan, Ireland win shortened games COLOMBO: In a shortened match at the P Sara Oval in Colombo, Pakistan women made heavy weather of a modest chase and won by two wickets off the last ball against Sri Lanka women. The game was reduced to 27 overs a side, and Pakistan’s bowlers had Sri Lanka all out in 24.2 overs, for 68. The wickets were shared around, with Qanita Jalil finishing with figures of 5-1-7-2. There were only two double-figure scores in Sri Lanka’s innings. Pakistan then lost wickets consistently in their chase, but Marina Iqbal took them home with her 13 not out.

Body set up to develop Fata mineral sector

PESHAWAR, April 26: A working group has been established that will chalk out a strategy to develop the mineral sector in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and enhance its competitiveness.

Established with the direct support from the Fata Development Programme – Livelihood Development (FDP-LD), the Minerals Strategic Working Group (SWOG) comprises over 30 members representing the public and private sector, academia, mine owners, mineral sector experts, academia and key stakeholders of Fata`s mineral sector, said a statement issued here on Tuesday.
The group will highlight challenges facing the minerals industry and identify and plug gaps in its value chain besides improving livelihoods of the people.

Dollar Falls to 16-Month Low Versus Euro Before Fed; Yen Slides

April 27, 2011,

By Allison Bennett and Anchalee Worrachate

April 27 (Bloomberg) -- The dollar dropped to a 16-month low versus the euro on speculation the Federal Reserve will signal today it will hold interest rates steady to support the U.S. economy after its bond-buying program expires in June.

The greenback dropped for a seventh day in its longest losing streak since March 2009 before Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke gives his first press conference following a policy meeting. The yen weakened against all of its most-traded counterparts after Standard & Poor’s cut Japan’s outlook to “negative.” Australia’s currency rose to a record versus the dollar as consumer prices climbed the most since 2006, encouraging demand for assets related to economic growth.

“There is a huge assumption that the Fed is going to maintain ultra-loose policy longer than the hawks on the committee want, so the dollar is getting slammed all around,” said Andrew Wilkinson, senior market analyst at Interactive Brokers Group in Greenwich, Connecticut. “Investors have a voracious risk appetite at this time. They’re picking on the weaker currencies.”

Record earnings take KSE 17 points higher

KARACHI: The Karachi stock market closed higher on Tuesday as record earnings announcements in banks and chemical sectors propelled investors to go for buying activity.

The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) 100-share index gained 17.44 points or 0.15 percent to close at 11,933.46 points as compared to 11,916.02 points of the previous session. The KSE 30-share index also increased by 44.85 points to close at 11,599.88 points as compared with 11,555.03 points.

Analysts said stocks edged higher driven by healthy corporate results announcements by some companies, and dealers said volumes also improved as compared with the last few days.

However, they said stocks are unlikely to rise much in the coming days as investors remain worried that the upcoming budget, expected to be announced for 2011-12 (July-June) fiscal year by the end of May or early June, may include some measures that could affect stock investment.

The market turnover went up by 142.61 percent to 110.34 million shares from its opening at 45.48 million shares. The market capitalisation increased 0.12 percent to Rs 3.173 trillion as against Rs 3.169 trillion. Losers outnumbered gainers 152 to 137, while 77 stocks were unchanged.

SCBA president shows concern over JC constitution

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Says selection of JC member from Balochistan against constitutional criterion Staff Report LAHORE: Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Asma Jahangir has shown her concern over constitution of the judicial commission for appointment of judges (JC) and not elevating any lawyer from Lahore to the post of the Lahore High Court (LHC) judge. Asma said this while addressing a press conference on Tuesday. She, along with the SCBA Secretary Qamar Zaman Qureshi and Vice President Zubair Khalid said that composition of the JC was against the constitutional provisions and its member from Balochistan did not fulfil the constitution criterion.

Four more target killers arrested in Karachi

Karachi PoliceKARACHI: Four more target killers have been arrested Aaj News reported on Wednesday.

According to reports, two out the four target killers are suspected to have killed at least 45 people.

It was also reported that police arrested a target killer named Umar from the Orangi Town area.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik while talking to the mediaalong withChief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah at the CM house in KarachionTuesday said that around 58 target killershave been arrested in Karachi.
According to the interior minister out of 557 murders in Karachi in the period of January to April, 153 were target killings.

UPDATE 1-Q+A-What's going on at Japan's damaged nuclear power plant?

Japanese engineers are struggling to gain control of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo, which was seriously damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Two of the six reactors at the plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), are considered stable but the other four are volatile.
Following are some questions and answers about efforts to end the world's worst nuclear crisis since the 1986 Chernobyl accident:

WHAT IS HAPPENING?
Workers are trying to fill the reactors with enough water to bring the nuclear fuel rods inside to a "cold shutdown", in which the water cooling them is below 100 degrees Celsius and the reactors are considered stable.

Devastation mounts in Misrata after heavy shelling on port

Libyan forces attack Misrata

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Structures along a major thoroughfare in Misrata are damaged or destroyed
• Witnesses say three people died after shelling near a refugee camp in coastal Misrata
• The Libyan government claims Western forces are trying to assassinate Gadhafi
• The British defense secretary says NATO has been targeting capabilities, not individuals

Chernobyl: 25 and Barre

The nuclear disaster in Ukraine was one of the key reasons for the USSR’s downfall
The tragic events in Japan have reminded mankind about the most terrible nuclear disaster in human history — the Chernobyl accident in Ukraine. The world will remember its 25th anniversary on April 26. While this disaster has been gradually forgotten, it has had a lasting impact on the lives of millions of people, the fate of the Soviet Union and on the nuclear industry around the world. The 30-kilometre zone around the Chernobyl plant is still deserted.

Over 500,000 workers have taken part in the heroic attempt to stop further contamination — and have been subject to radiation. Many more — including those living in Kiev, a two-million-people capital city of Ukraine, situated just a hundred kilometres away — had received a substantial dose of radiation before they knew what was going on. The disaster cost about 2.5% of Soviet GDP — exceeding the fiscal cost of the war in Afghanistan. But the most important effect of Chernobyl was the lost credibility of the Soviet state and of the ruling Communist party. Everybody saw that the Soviet system was built on lies. And that the Party could not stop lying even if its own people’s lives were in grave danger. This is why Chernobyl was one of the key events leading to the end of the Soviet Union.

Eight NATO troops killed as Afghan pilot opens fire

KABUL — Eight NATO troops and a contractor were killed when an Afghan pilot opened fire on Wednesday after a row at a Kabul training centre in one of the deadliest such attacks since the US-led invasion in 2001.
The killings appeared to stem from an argument rather than terrorism, but served to highlight the prevailing insecurity in Afghanistan, 10 years after foreign troops ousted the Taliban from power.
They were also likely to raise questions over a massive NATO-led effort to expand and train Afghanistan's military and police so they can take over when foreign combat operations are scheduled to end in 2014.
The NATO-led training mission in Afghanistan confirmed that eight international troops and a contractor died in the shooting but did not reveal the nationality of the troops killed in line with policy.
Afghan defence ministry spokesman Mohammad Zahir Azimi earlier gave further details of the clash, which is now over.
"At around 11:00am (0630 GMT) within the air force compound, an argument took place between an (Afghan) air force officer and foreign colleagues," he said. "An exchange of fire followed. A number have been killed and injured."

Seven killed as terrorists attack Navy buses

F.P. Karachi Office
KARACHI: At least seven persons, including a sub-Lieutenant and a lady doctor, were killed and 58 others injured in two terrorist attacks on the staff buses of Pakistan Navy in Defence Housing Society, Phase II and Baldia Town here on Tuesday, police said.
Three persons were killed while 37 others injured after a Pakistan Navy bus came under attack near P.N. Shifa Hospital adjacent to Defence Housing Society, Phase-I early morning. The deceased included Sub-Lieutenant Iqbal and lady doctor Nazia
The police said that the bomb was planted in a motorcycle; when a Pakistan Navy bus, carrying staff members, reached near it blasted with a loud bang.
After the incident, Police, fire tenders and rescue officials converged to explosion site and cordoned off the area, meanwhile, all injured were shifted to hospital for medical treatment.
Bomb planted motorcycle was destroyed completely while the bus was damaged partially.

Pakistan rape victim Mukhtaran Mai faces new injustice

Mukhtaran Mai still lives in her village, and runs a school for girls

Every day, Mukhtaran Mai, a tall, gaunt woman from a tiny farming village in Pakistan's southern Punjab province, faces the trauma of what happened to her.

Nine years ago, to punish her for an affair her brother was accused of having, a tribal council ordered that she be repeatedly raped.
After the attack, she says she was paraded past scores of villagers.
It became the most infamous women's rights case in Pakistan for years.
In a country where getting convictions in violent crimes cases against women was notoriously difficult, six suspected rapists were caught, convicted and imprisoned.
It was a result that satisfied human rights groups from around the world who had been closely following the case.

Panetta and Petraeus in Line for Top Security Posts

WASHINGTON — President Obama is expected this week to name Leon E. Panetta, the director of central intelligence, as defense secretary and Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American commander in Afghanistan, as director of the C.I.A., administration officials said Wednesday.

 The appointments, set in motion by the impending retirement of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, are part of a significant rearrangement of Mr. Obama’s national security team that will include several new assignments within the closest circle of his diplomatic, military and intelligence advisers.
Mr. Gates is expected to step down this summer.
The changes at the top of Mr. Obama’s national security team have long been expected.
Not long after Mr. Gates leaves, the term will expire for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, who, like the defense secretary, was appointed by President George W. Bush. And Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg has announced that he is leaving for an academic job — removing one of the crucial players in Mr. Obama’s efforts to manage China’s rise.
But Mr. Gates’s role is the most critical. He often allied with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton — who has said that she intends to leave the administration when this term ends — including persuading Mr. Obama to start the military buildup in Afghanistan in 2009. Together they won many other battles, but they visibly split last month on the military intervention in Libya.

Private sector of Pakistan, India to be facilitated

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

pak_india_400ISLAMABAD: Secretary Commerce Zafar Mehmood said on Wednesday that private sectors of Pakistan and India would be facilitated for the benefit of the people of two countries and their economic prosperity.

"Private sector is an engine of economic growth and to facilitate this sector we are talking to boost trade relations through private sector and we want to provide such policy framework for trade facilitation between the two private sectors", he told journalists after participating the 5th round of trade talks between two countries.

Govt determined to strengthen democractic institutions: PM

ISLAMABAD, April 27 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday reiterated that his government was determined to strengthen democratic institutions in the country.Talking to a European Union’s parliamentary delegation, which called on him at the PM House here, the Prime Minister said democracy would help mainstream the people vulnerable to extremists’ influences and tendencies.He hoped that the European Union would continue to lend its support to Pakistan for further consolidation of the democratic process and for building the capacity of the legislative bodies and mechanisms in the country.The Prime Minister thanked the EU for its assistance of Euro 362 million for the flood relief efforts of his government.

Real captain Ramos drops King's Cup under a bus

Updated at: 0251 PST,  Friday, April 22, 2011  VALENCIA: Sergio Ramos suffered an embarrassing mishap during Real Madrid's celebration of Wednesday's King's Cup triumph when he dropped the trophy under a bus at their victory parade. Defender Ramos, one of the club captains and a world champion with Spain last year in South Africa, had the Cup on top of his head as the bus inched past thousands of Real fans celebrating in the centre of the Spanish capital. As he lowered the imposing silver trophy, which weighs nine kilograms and measures 78 centimetres, it slipped from his grasp and under the front of the open-top vehicle.

Salman launches Ready music

Tuesday, April 26, 2011  MUMBAI: Salman Khan was adamant about not wanting to launch the music of his latest film Ready at a five star venue. Earlier there were reports saying that the actor wanted to gift bicycles to some of the key workers/or their children of Mumbai's Filmcity . Now there is a slight change in plan. Today, the actor will have the music launch of his film Ready at Filmcity with the cast, the crew and all the staff members of this Government of Maharashtra run studio.

World's most premature baby born in Germany

BERLIN: A German woman gave birth to a one-pound baby after only 21 weeks and five days of pregnancy, making it the world's most premature baby to survive, the mass circulation Bild newspaper reported Saturday. When Frieda was born on November 7 she measured 11 inches (28 centimetres) and weighed only one pound (460 grammes). Five and a half months later, she is finally fit to leave the clinic in Fulda, western Germany, in the next few days, now weighing 7.7 pounds (3.5 kilos) for 50 centimetres (nearly 20 inches), the paper said.

Sony says to launch first tablet PCs to take on Apple

Sony's first tablet PCs S1 (L) and S2 are displayed at their unveiling ceremony in Tokyo , April 26, 2011. Sony said on Tuesday it will launch its first tablet PCs, hoping to gain second place in the growing market dominated by Apple's iPad. — Reuters Photo

TOKYO: Sony Tuesday said it will launch its first tablet PCs, hoping to gain second place in the growing market dominated by Apple’s iPad.
The new gadgets will use an operating system based on Android 3.0, Kunimasa Suzuki, deputy president of the consumer products and services group, told reporters in Tokyo.
One of the models will have two screens, he added.
Suzuki raised eyebrows in January when he told reporters Sony was aiming for the No.2 position in the tablet market behind Apple within a year
.

South Korea probes Apple about tracking feature

The Korea Communications Commission said it had sent a list of questions asking Apple Korea to clarify why location data was collected from mobile device users and how frequently such data was recorded. – AFP Photo

SEOUL: South Korea’s telecoms regulator said Monday it had launched an inquiry into Apple to see whether the US giant’s collection of location data from its iPhone and iPad users violates privacy rules.
The probe follows claims that Apple traced and stored geographical data from its mobile device users in countries such as France and Germany.
The Korea Communications Commission said it had sent a list of questions asking Apple Korea to clarify why location data was collected from mobile device users and how frequently such data was recorded.
Apple is also required to explain why such information is not encrypted, whether device users have a choice over data deletion or data storage, and whether such data is stored on its servers, it said.

Archaeologists find statue of Tut’s grandfather

Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass. -AP File Photo

CAIRO: Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed the biggest statue of Tutankhamun’s grandfather Amenhotep III and another of the goddess Sekhmet, the country’s antiquities chief Zahi Hawass said on Tuesday.
Both statues were discovered at the pharaoh’s temple on the western bank of the Nile at Luxor in southern Egypt.
The statue of Amenhotep III, who reigned around 3,350 years ago, is 13.65 metres (yards) high and carved out of quartzite.
The statue, found in seven chunks and missing a head, is one of twin statues erected in front of the temple’s northern entrance, said to have been destroyed in an earthquake in 27 B.C.

Pakistan expects international hockey’s return this year

The 30,000-capacity Hockey Club of Pakistan stadium hasn't hosted an international match in years. —File photo by APP

LAHORE: The return of international hockey to Pakistan may become a reality by the end of the year, according to the game’s ruling body in the country.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Asif Bajwa has expressed hope that international fixtures will be hosted in Pakistan this year.
“We are confident of resuming international hockey activities (in Pakistan) within this year,” Bajwa said on Tuesday.
The hockey federation has been in talks with its Indian counterpart for the scheduling of a bilateral series as the governments of both countries seek to build on the ‘cricket diplomacy’ that came into forth following Pakistan’s ICC World Cup semi-final against India.

Pakistan women stutter, but beat Sri Lanka in low-scoring ODI

Nida Dar was one of the mainstay's of Pakistan's chase. —File photo by AFP

COLOMBO: After clinching the quadrangular Twenty20 series, Pakistan made a winning start to the women’s four-nation one-day series when they beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Pakistan’s women’s cricket team have had an impressive tour of Sri Lanka, as they beat the hosts in a one-off ODI, then went on to lift the quadrangular Twenty20 trophy, and have now won the first match of the ODI tournament.
The opening match, which was played at Colombo’s P Sara Oval ground, was a low-scoring encounter as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 68 runs in 24.2 overs after being sent in to bat by Pakistan captain Sana Mir.
Pakistan, however, made the task difficult for themselves as they scraped to a last-ball win with two wickets in hand.

Malinga upset about reports he faked injury for IPL money

Speaking at a news conference to confirm his retirement from test cricket, Malinga said he has ''always been totally committed to playing for Sri Lanka.'' - AFP (File Photo)

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga is upset by reports suggesting he faked injury in order to avoid playing for his country and continue playing in the lucrative IPL.
The 27-year-old Malinga made himself unavailable for Sri Lanka’s three tests against England this year, citing a knee injury.
With Malinga continuing to play in the IPL for Mumbai Indians, Sri Lanka chief selector Duleep Mendi conceded the situation was ”awkward.”
The fast bowler officially subsequently announced his retirement from test cricket, but he confirmed Tuesday he will still be available for limited-overs internationals.
”There were lots of reports in the media insinuating that I might be feigning an injury to play in the IPL,” Malinga said. ”This was very upsetting as I have always been totally committed to playing for Sri Lanka.”

Zulqarnain sued for Rs.100mn by Kamran Akmal’s father-in-law

Kamran Akmal and Zulqarnain Haider in a legal brawl. —File photo

KARACHI: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, who returned home after a self-imposed exile, finds himself in the middles of a Rs.100-million lawsuit.
Haider has been served a Rs.100mn defamation suit by the father-in-law of Kamran Akmal, for defamation charges.
The runaway keeper had reportedly alleged that Kamran’s father-in-law was involved in match-fixing and that the Pakistan Cricket Board should investigate the matter.
Haider said this during a television show on private channel, a day after returned from England following a five-month exile.

Seven Pakistanis killed in Iraq bus crash

Nineteen others, all Pakistanis, were hurt in the accident, which occurred around 260 kilometres west of Baghdad. -AP Photo

RAMADI: Seven Pakistanis were killed and 19 others were injured when a bus they were travelling in through west Iraq overturned, a doctor said.
“Seven Pakistanis were killed when their bus flipped over on the road from Amman to Baghdad,” said Iyad Arak, director of the main hospital in Ramadi, the capital of western Anbar province.
Arak said 19 others, all Pakistanis, were hurt in the accident, which occurred around 260 kilometres (160 miles) west of Baghdad. He added that the casualties were possibly migrant workers.
Police from Ramadi heading to the scene of the crash were attacked by insurgents, leaving four policemen wounded, said a police lieutenant in Ramadi, speaking on condition of anonymity. The insurgents managed to flee the scene
.