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Showing posts from March, 2018

CM Punjab slams PTI chief, says 'Ilzam Khan' should be 'considerate', 'empathetic'

LONDON: "My medical records are in London", Shehbaz Sharif said Saturday night, slamming Imran Khan for being inconsiderate and offering a reason for his foreign travels for check-ups.Khan, the head of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had...

30 years in power but Shehbaz couldn't build a hospital: Imran Khan

LAHORE: The Chief Minister of Punjab could not build a hospital despite being in the government for 30 years, Imran Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief said Saturday night, referring to Shehbaz Sharif's trip to London for a medical...

Pakistani flotilla in Saudi Arabia to participate in naval exercise Gulf Shield-1

ISLAMABAD: Two ships of Pakistan Navy PNS Tippu Sultan and PNS Himmat along with a ship of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency PMSS Bisol have arrived at Jubail Port of Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival they were warmly received by the officers and soldiers of Royal Saudi Naval Forces. Pakistani ships will participate in multinational joint exercise ‘Gulf Shield-1’ organized by Royal Saudi Naval Forces. Pakistan Navy’s Special Services Group, Pak Marines, Maritime Patrol Aircraft and a P3C Orion aircraft will also take part in the drill. Read More: First phase of Pak-Saudi joint naval exercise concludes The ‘Gulf Shield-1’ joint drill is taking place in Eastern Region with participation of military forces from 23 countries as well as the Saudi Arabian forces. The drill aims at raising the military readiness of the participating countries, modernizing the joint mechanisms and enhancing coordination and cooperation. During the exercise, observers from various countries will visit Pakistan

Pakistan grateful as West Indies fly in for T20s

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed thanked the West Indies for touring the country, as the Caribbean side arrived in Karachi Saturday in the latest step towards the resumption of top-level cricket in the country. The West Indies will become only the third international team to play a bilateral series on Pakistani soil since an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009. The 13-member team and staff arrived late Saturday in two groups and were ushered into a bullet proof bus to their hotel. Some 1,000 policemen and paramilitary staff were deployed along their route to guard the team. “We should thank… the West Indies cricket board and their team for the tour,” Pakistan skipper Ahmed said Saturday. “I hope it will be a successful tour and when they go back they will tell players from other countries to come to Pakistan.” Zimbabwe travelled to Lahore for five limited-overs matches in 2015 — the first since the 2009 attack. That was followed by the final of

NA committee working group rejects delimitation of new constituencies by ECP

A map of different constituencies in Islamabad issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan. — ECPISLAMABAD: The working group of a special committee of National Assembly on Saturday rejected delimitation of new constituencies by the Election...

Google employees organize to fight cyber bullying at work

SAN FRANCISCO: About 100 Google U.S. employees concerned about cyber bullying inside the company have organized into a group proposing new policies for conduct at the unit of Alphabet, five people involved in the effort said in recent interviews. Three current employees and two others helping to organize the group said it formed last fall. They said that among its proposals, which have not previously been reported in detail, are that Google should tighten rules of conduct for internal forums and hire staff to enforce them. They said they want to stop inflammatory conversations and personal attacks on the forums and see punishment for individuals who regularly derail discussions or leak conversations. The group also wants Google to list rights and responsibilities for accusers, defendants, managers and investigators in human resources cases. The group also desires greater protection for employees targeted by what it views as insincere complaints to human resources used as a bullyin

Erdogan slams Israel for inhumane attack in Gaza

ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday condemned Israel over inhumane attack in Gaza after Israeli forces killed 16 Palestinians participating in a major demonstration. The bloodshed was carried out on Friday after tens of thousands of people in the Gaza Strip marched near the Israeli border. Over 1,400 people were also wounded, 758 of them by live fire, with the remainder hurt by rubber bullets and tear gas inhalation, the Gazan health ministry said. “I strongly condemn the Israeli government over its inhumane attack,” Erdogan said during a speech in Istanbul. Read More: Israeli forces kill seven Palestinian protesters on Gaza border: Gaza medics The protesters were demanding hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who fled or were expelled during the war surrounding Israel’s creation in 1948 be allowed to return. “Have you heard any noteworthy objections to the massacre by Israel that happened yesterday in Gaza from those who criticize the Afrin oper

Samit Patel includes Sehwag, Amla in his All Time cricketing XI

 England’s Former bowling All-rounder Samit Patel has framed his All time cricketing XI, picking some top class players from across the World. Samit in a video shared by Lord’s Cricket ground YouTube page, went with India’s Virendar Sehwag and South Africa’s Hashim Amla as an opening pair for his team. “My first choice is Sehwag as an opener keeping in mind his aggressive mode of hitting the ball in powerplay and to support him i have got Hashim Amla,” Slow left-arm orthodox said. “Amla deals arm bowlers with an ease and have scored heavily against them,” Samit added. 30-year-old, Samit kept Ex- Australian skipper Ricky Ponting on third slot acknowledging him as one of the best batsmen around the world. “Ponting is among the best batsmen in cricket’s History,” He for fourth position chosen Indian little master Sachin Tendulkar. “I will go with my childhood hero [Sachin] to fill the fourth spot in my team,” South African All rounder Jacques Kallis came at Fifth in Samit’s XI

Australia new boys flop as South Africa turn screw

JOHANNESBURG: Australia’s ball-tampering scandal came back to bite them when three replacement batsmen failed on a disastrous day for the tourists in the fourth Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Saturday. South Africa moved closer to a series win as Australia slumped to 110 for six at the end of the second day in reply to the imposing first-innings total of 488 made by the hosts. South Africa, leading the series 2-1, need only to draw to beat Australia in a home series for the first time since 1969/70. Opening batsmen Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw were out for four and eight respectively while Peter Handscomb was out first ball for nought to leave Australia reeling at 38 for three. The trio were playing in place of Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and captain Steve Smith, who were all banned and sent home in disgrace after the ball-tampering scandal which rocked the third Test in Cape Town last weekend. Read More: Tearful Warner says tampering scandal may spell do

Four PTI MPAs allege Imran neglected party policy issuing Senate tickets

PESHAWAR: Four members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf alleged on Saturday that Imran Khan bypassed the party policy while issuing tickets in the recently-held Senate polls.The PTI members were holding...

CM Sindh writes to PM over ‘reduced’ natural gas supply to K-Electric

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to draw his attention over issue of sudden reduced natural gas supply to K-Electric by Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) which has resulted in increased load-shedding in Karachi. In the D/O letter, the CM, quoting KE, said that Karachi’s power supplier is receiving only 90 MMCFD gas which is insufficient to optimally run gas based power plants that require at least 190 MMCFD. “The result is shortfall of further 500 MW in addition to existing shortage of 400 MW. This unfortunate situation is happening when Karachi is in the grip of unusually severe heat wave and KE consequently has resorted to more than 10 hours of load shedding across the city.” reads the letter written by CM. The chief minister  added that KE claims that SSGC is reluctant to sign the GSA in the light of Economic Co-ordination Committee decision i.e. allocation of 276 MMCFD for KE power plants whereas K

Streak shocked by sacking as Zimbabwe coach

HARARE: Coach Heath Streak said he was shocked after Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) sacked him in a backroom clear-out in the wake of the team’s failure to qualify for the 2019 World Cup. Streak has been widely praised for improving the results of the side during his 18 months in charge, and exits along with his technical team, while captain Graeme Cremer has also reportedly been axed. “It is with great regret and shock that I was told by ZC that myself and my coaching team must resign by 3pm yesterday (Friday), failing which we would be fired,” Streak said in a statement. “I chose not to resign as I believe this to be degrading to our national players and my technical team. As a result, we have been dismissed with immediate effect.” ZC have had a clear-out of all backroom staff amid reports of financial difficulties, including batting coach Lance Klusener, Zimbabwe A coach Wayne James and Under-19 coach Stephen Mangongo, while convener of selectors Tatenda Taibu has also been axed. Read

Struggling Djokovic splits with coach Agassi

Djokovic, the winner of 12 grand slams, suffered a sharp decline in form after lifting his maiden French Open title in 2016BELGRADE: Former world number one Novak Djokovic has parted company with head coach Andre Agassi after struggling to...

‘Filmmaking is full of obstacles’

MUMBAI: Hollywood director Christopher Nolan on Saturday made an impassioned plea to the Indian film industry to revive celluloid as a medium for movies. Nolan is on a three-day trip to the country aimed at drumming up support for shooting on film, as he did for his 2017 World War II epic “Dunkirk”, going against the trend in an industry which has widely embraced digital technology. “Filmmaking is full of obstacles… it is not about being logical and pragmatic… it’s about magic, dreams, experiences and bracing your emotional side,” Nolan said after a round table dialogue in Mumbai, the home of Bollywood. The 47-year-old Oscar-nominated director said he had “a very productive” meeting with members of Bollywood, the world’s largest film industry. “I am really trying to engage filmmakers in this conversation about how we can maintain, improve and continue to enjoy the celluloid photochemical analogue infrastructure for filmmaking,” Nolan said. Famed for his extravagant vision in

Salah strikes again as Liverpool ride their luck to beat Palace

Salah has scored 37 goals this season for LiverpoolJurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool rode their luck as Sadio Mane escaped a second yellow card before Mohamed Salah struck his 37th goal of the season to grind out a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on...

ICC should have more teams in World Cup, says Nepal's Lamichhane

17-year-old Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane. Photo: Sandeep Lamichhane Official TwitterNEW DELHI: Nepal´s cricket sensation Sandeep Lamichhane Saturday urged the game´s administrators to increase the number of teams in the World Cup and give...

Australia new boys flop as South Africa turn screw

South Africa celebrate the wicket of Usman Khawaja, South Africa v Australia, 4th Test, 2nd day, Johannesburg, March 31, 2018/AFPJOHANNESBURG: Australia´s ball-tampering scandal came back to bite them when three replacement batsmen failed on a...

Petrol, diesel prices slashed by Rs2 a liter

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to reduce prices of petrol and diesel by Rs2.07 and Rs2 a litre respectively for one month. It has further decided to maintain the prices of kerosene oil and Light Diesel Oil (LDO) at the same level as in March. The reduced prices will be effective from tonight after 12:00am. Prices of petroleum products for April will be as follows: 92 RON petrol Rs86 a litre, high speed diesel (HSD) Rs96.45 a liter, kerosene oil Rs76.46 a liter, Light Diesel Oil (LDO) Rs65.30 a liter. A press release issued by the government read that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) had proposed increase in the price of diesel by Rs 0.65 a litre but since diesel is primarily used in public and goods transportation and also in farm equipments, therefore, the government has decided not to burden the public with higher rates of diesel. Read More: Ogra recommends Rs 5 cut in petrol prices “OGRA had recommended a greater price reduction for petrol, but as in previo

Eleven West Indies players arrive in Karachi for T20Is

West Indies players presented with traditional Sindhi Ajrak upon arrival in Karachi. Photo: Geo News  KARACHI: Eleven members of the West Indies squad arrived in Karachi on Saturday night, ahead of the three-match T20 international series against...

ICC should give chance to associate nations in World Cup, says Nepal’s cricket sensation Sandeep Lamichhane

NEW DELHI: Nepal’s cricket sensation Sandeep Lamichhane on Saturday urged administrative body of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to increase the number of teams in the World Cup to give associate nations a better chance of playing on the sport’s biggest stage. Lamichhane, 17, and his teammates made history earlier this month when Nepal were given the one-day international status at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe. The 2019 World Cup in England and Wales will have 10 teams including the West Indies and Afghanistan, who paved their ways in tournament through the qualifiers. Lamichhane, the first Nepalese player to land an Indian Premier League deal, believes the International Cricket Council should give more opportunities to up-and-coming teams. “Every player from every country dreams of playing in the World Cup,” the leg-spinner told reporters in New Delhi on Saturday. “ICC should have increased the number of teams so that every player gets a chance to pla

Saudi forces say Houthi missile intercepted over Najran

RIYADH: Saudi air defence forces intercepted a missile fired by Houthi fighters in neighbouring Yemen at the southern Saudi city of Najran on Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition said. In a statement carried by state news agency SPA the coalition said that according to initial findings an Indian resident was injured by falling debris after the missile was intercepted. The Houthi-run Saba news agency earlier said a missile was fired at a Saudi National Guard base in Najran, and that it had led to “losses in the ranks of the enemy and its military equipment”. The Iran-aligned Houthis have launched scores of missiles at the kingdom since the coalition intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015 after the Houthis drove Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile.  Last week, Saudi air defence forces intercepted a flurry of missiles, and falling debris caused the first death in the capital Riyadh. The post Saudi forces say Houthi missile intercepted over Najran appeared first on AR

Deepika to walk down the aisle with Ranveer by year-end

It has been a couple of months since the rumour about Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone’s marriage is doing rounds in the media and finally it has been confirmed to take place later this year. So, after successful pairing of Virat and Anushka into Virushka, the world is soon going to see DeepVeer coupling as Deepika is soon going to walk down the aisle with Ranveer. Families of the on-screen couple had reportedly met in Mumbai ostensibly to finalise a date for the wedding ceremony. An exchange of wedding gifts has already taken place and both the families have locked dates for the special occasion sometime in between September and December. Both the families are now in search for the perfect venue. Deepika has reportedly also started wedding shopping and was seen hitting the stores with sister and mother. Local Indian media reported that the wedding will take place as per the South Indian rituals followed by a grand reception for the film fraternity. Sources say it would be a

Four teen girl suicide bombers launch deadly attack in Nigeria

KANO: Four teenage girl suicide bombers have killed two people in multiple attacks in northeast Nigeria, residents said Saturday, in the latest assault since the government announced it was in ceasefire talks with Boko Haram. The suspected Boko Haram attack took place late Friday in the northeast Borno state capital of Maiduguri, the epicentre of the group’s Islamist insurgency. The girls, estimated to be between the ages of 13 and 18, attacked the Zawuya settlement on the outskirts of Maiduguri, killing two people, residents told AFP. “We lost two people, a woman and a boy, in two of the four suicide explosions,” Zawuya resident Musa Haruna Isa said. One of the bombers blew up while trying to scale a low mud wall outside a house that starting crumbling and detonated her explosive belt, killing the boy, Isa said. “One of them exploded near an open-air mosque, injuring one person,” he said, adding that another bomber “panicked from the explosions from her colleagues and squeeze

Soldier martyred, terrorist killed in Mastung operation

RAWALPINDI: One security personnel was martyred, while a terrorist was also killed in an exchange of fire during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Mastung district, on Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)...

PPP will not tolerate ‘attack’ on 18th amendment: Bilawal Bhutto

 SANGHAR: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday warned that his party will not tolerate any “attack” on the 18th constitutional amendment which guarantees provincial autonomy, ARY News reported. “PML-N is trying to attack 18th amendment for it grants autonomy to provinces, they have not even given NFC award in five years, this amendment is the fruit of our years long struggle so we will not tolerate such attacks,” the PPP chief said while speaking to a party rally in Sanghar. The PPP chairman also alleged that Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) is ruining the region and during its fifty-year rule while only PPP served the people. “All development projects were initiated and completed in PPP rule,” added Bilawal. The PPP supremo also criticised the ruling PML-N and PTI for fighting for political gains rather than serving people. Later, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurated the Benazir Bhutto Fresh Water Project to provide drinking water f

Mongolians protest to demand greater action against child abuse

ULAANBAATAR: Thousands of Mongolians protested in front of parliament in Ulaanbaatar on Saturday to demand more action to prevent child abuse, after the widely-reported rape of a male infant shocked the country. After the reported rape earlier this month in Dornogobi province in Mongolia’s southeast, a group of concerned mothers created a Facebook group announcing the Saturday protest last week, and it quickly reached more than 400,000 members. “We want to show child abusers that we are strong in order to protect our children,” said Davaa Baatar, 41, the father of three children who was attending the protest. The protesters held placards with messages such as “Stop child abuse”, “No child rape” and “Our children, our future”. The protest organisers are demanding stricter laws regarding child abuse, better government services for survivors and more public awareness. Read More: Turkey considers chemical castration for child abusers “We will give our policy demands to the parlia

Murad says international cricket, investment revived in Karachi

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday said that after restoration of law and order international events had started taking place in Karachi and foreign investment was also pouring in. “The government worked out a detail plan and with the political will and support of the people of Karachi the city has been cleansed from terrorists, mafias and outlaws through a vigorous targeted operation,” he said while talking to Senior Bureau Official in Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Affairs, USA, Ambassador Alice Wells. The others in the meeting were Acting Consul General of USA John Warner, Acting Deputy Consul General in Karachi Adam Zerbinopoulos, Chairman P&D Mohammad Waseem and Principal Secretary to CM Sohial Rajput and others. He said earlier the law and order situation in the city was bad since last many years and it was further augmented with terrorist activities. Read More: Sindh govt focusing on energy, PPP mode, poverty reduction: CM

Pakistan vs West Indies: All you need to know about security, traffic

A long queue of people waits to enter the National Stadium to watch the final match of PSL 2018 between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United in Karachi on March 25, 2018.— APP photoKARACHI: The National Stadium will once again light up to welcome...

Met Office forecasts extreme hot weather this Ramazan

KARACHI: The Met Office Saturday forecast that extreme hot and dry weather will prevail across the country during the month of Ramazan this year.DG Met Ghulam Rasool said that temperature is likely to remain higher than normal during the months of...

Pakistan finalise 12-member team for 1st T20 against West Indies

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed addresses media in Karachi KARACHI: Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 stars Asif Ali and Hussain Talat have both been named in the 12-member team to face West Indies in the first T20 international at National Stadium...

Protests erupt in California after shooting of black man

SACRAMENTO, Calif: About 200 demonstrators squared off with police in riot gear overnight in California’s capital and more protests are planned for Saturday, after a autopsy on Stephon Clark contradicted the police account of the shooting of the unarmed black man. Waving signs and chanting the 22-year-old’s name in unison, the protesters gathered at city hall before marching into the Old Sacramento part of the city, filled with bars, restaurants and tourists. Protesters, some with megaphones and black masks covering their faces, shouted “Shoot us down, we shut you down”, along with expletives directed at the police. More than 80 police and California Highway Patrol officers in riot gear blocked protesters from marching onto a highway. Clark’s death was the most recent in a string of fatal shootings of black men by police that have triggered protests across the United States and fueled a national debate about bias in the American criminal justice system. Read More: US police ki

Streak shocked by sacking as Zimbabwe coach

Zimbabwe coach Heath Streak sets up some markers during warm-ups, Scotland v Zimbabwe, 2nd ODI, Edinburgh, June 17, 2017. Photo: Peter Della PennaCoach Heath Streak said he was shocked after Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) sacked him in a backroom clear-out...

England's Hales replaces Warner in IPL Sunrisers squad

Hales has been signed for 10 million INR ($153,700) from the available player pool for this year´s IPLNEW DELHI: Indian Premier League team Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday picked England batsman Alex Hales to replace Australia´s scandal-plagued...