Zardari's civilian democracy is dictatorship, Khawaja Saad Rafique

 [BATKHELA-MOVIES]  Lahore ... PML-N MNA Khawaja sadrfyq theSindh Muslim League-N offices in different citiesto burn tuly Zardari's political terrorism, but inSindh Muslim League-N will protect workers,Khawaja Saad Rafiq while talking to Lahore inresponse said that Zardari's democraticdictatorship and civil tuly of the People's party is being held hostage, shooting and abuse of thePML-N politics to fight for democracy can not be stopped, attacks on the offices of the MuslimLeague-N President tuly bhanda so-calledpolitics of reconciliation has been split.

Israeli bombing of Gaza, the number of Palestinians killed were 9

[BATKHELA-MOVIES]

Jerusalem ... Gaza, Israeli air force bombingkilled the Palestinians, the number 9 was a foreign news agency that the Israeli Air Force in Gaza in various bombing, Israeli air strikes killedPalestinians, the number 9 has, medical sources said. people were killed and the PalestinianIslamic jihad organization has alqdus Brigade.

Malik N summons inquiry report incidents of burning knife

  [BATKHELA-MOVIES]  Islamabad ... Interior Minister Rehman Malik of Sindh Muslim League office took notice of events in light of the judicial inquiry ordered.Federal Interior Ministry, Rehman Malik, the courtordered a three-day preliminary investigationreport has summoned . they spoiled the peacesituation in Oman is the third power of the hand.whatever is found involved in these events will be processed against it. Interior Minister alsodirected the Sindh Home Secretary's PML reportincidents of burning of the knife should beintroduced immediately.

PML-N offices in Sindh judicial probe of light

 [BATKHELA-MOVIES]Karachi ... Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasanto burn the offices of the Sindh Muslim Leaguecalled on the police report, the judicial inquiryordered events. Talking to Geo News said thatPPP was a democratic institution approvedWasan which is not involved in any incident. maybe involved in the incidents which some elements are trying to discredit the PPP name.But such measures to counter democratic partyknows. He said the G and D jeez i burn theoffices of the cases reported have beensummoned, and shoulder coat has suspendedSHO. nobody will be allowed to take up law. theelements involved in these events were foundaction will be taken against them. ProvincialInterior Minister said that PML-N has also beenordered to tighten security offices and policehave been alerted.

Hyderabad, Jacobabad in aurksmur N dfatrnzrats

 [BATKHELA-MOVIES]Hyderabad cities of Sindh,Jacobabad aurksmur unknown gunmen set fire to the offices of the Muslim League. The city ofKhairpur in Sindh Muslim League-N chief MianNawaz Sharif was burn images. Police in the firstKashmore occurred in the shoulder coat. whereunidentified persons set fire to the office of theMuslim League, the local people near the police station after being shot at by gunmen also beena long time, another incident occurred in Mohallalhry of Jacobabad . where N hangman's office by unidentified gunmen. Jacobabad district MuslimLeague-N President Mir Israr jkhrany accused byactivists of the party's action. unknown gunmen inHyderabad district I reached the office of the Council Muslim League, and heavy aircraft fire,was later set fire to the office. in the meantimethe district Council of armed guards tortured.Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim AliShah's home court in Khairpur city Road a similar incident occurred. where Mian Nawaz Sharif Picture jladyn unidentified.

FOOT BALL IN FUNNY DOG

    Karachi ... [BATKHELA-MOVIES] ... Defence Minister Leon Penta Osama bin Laden's death the party bet wins 141 year old champagne cocktails will celebrate. 1870 set in the French wine cost ten thousand dollars a year, nine of I'll drink one night event. British newspaper "Telegraph" Night of the Year last year in his native California mutyry Leon Penta my forty-year-old man was involved in Hydrated balstry party, party host, the party balstry Two dozen guests looked old bottle of wine. However, he refused to open the bottle, saying that "If Osama bin Laden Take Levin, we'll open this bottle," the CIA's Leon Penta He told his friends that led her to hang on. Four months after the al Qaeda leader in Abbottabad was killed by U.S. Navy Seal, his condition quickly remind his friend Leon. suit Osama bin Laden's mother's death by announcing a few moments ago, Leon telephoned his wife to Salva. quinta Mrs. Harold Levin told the Monitor that Leon said on Sunday evening 7.15 to CNN Come on, Obama is going to announce as well as important phone Hydrated balstry btauٴ be ready to open that bottle of wine "Hydrated restaurant owner who owns a bottle of wine for 30 years, he said that his condition Nokia continues to function well and it will open. newspapers from the liquor company was listed on the site that will kunus Leon panetta liquor which is very unusual. New Year's night, three people Leon at the Penta will drink cocktails of wine. paper, U.S. government officials, but there are strict rules about gifts to the Pentagon denied that the French wine in this category do not. spokesperson said that any In case this is not a gift.

Anti-Car Lifting Cell Vehicles ringleader of the gang steals the Inspector found

..[BATKHELA-MOVIES] Karachi in vehicles stolen aurchynnygroups kasrgnh Anti Car Lifting Cell straight, inspectors found. Karachi in cars to stealaurchynny more than 50 incidents percy IDsecretly processed the Anti-Car Lifting CellInspector Ashok maid Balochistan karlftrz ties with Ashok Kumar's cell and found the telephonetuanksaf also recorded that were stolen from Karachi and Inspector Ashok Kumar, policeuniforms, seized vehicles starting with thevarious check posts in Balochistan, Karachi and Balochistan police deployed officials said. baddyIG CID report by CIA Iftikhar Tarar kufuryanspktrasuk turprmatl charge sheet issued by thedesignated officers appointed IG Balochistanagainst kucyk posts sent to the process nameare.

Turkey: Earthquake kills 575 has been hunyualun

  ANKARA:[BATKHELA-MOVIES] Turkey number of those killed in thequake was 575, 25 hundred people injured,according to foreign news agencies and adjacent areas in Van province, Turkeyearthquake death toll from the quake was 575, while 25 hundred people injured, officialsrescued 187 people in the last 6 have been removed. officials say 50 thousand people have been affected by the earthquake.'ve beenorganizing camps for survivors. while includingGermany and Britain from several countries to provide relief to earthquake victims continues

Prpabndy party procession in Karachi was lifted for two days

Karachi: [BATKHELA-MOVIES]Government of Sindh at Karachi, partyprocessions and rallies banned two days offtaken. Department of Interior issued by the nutyfkysn according to the restrictions apply from 31 October to happen. Earlier in Karachi, partyprocessions and rallies ban was extended forthirty days from the last ruzmthdh NationalMovement obscene words against the Presidenton Sunday to rally against PML-N had beenannounced. Sindh Home Department under theban of religious duties , funeral gatherings and the Department of Interior for permission to be exempted from the ban. city on September 28last month by the Interior Department hadimposed the ban.

At least 14 dead in Kabul suicide attack

[BATKHELA-MOVIES] KABUL: At least 14 people, including foreign forces, were killed when a Taliban car bomber struck a US-run NATO convoy travelling through the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday.

The attacker detonated his Toyota Sedan car at 11:20 am (0650 GMT) in the southwest of the city, and the area was now blocked by Afghan and international forces, said police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai.

At least ten foreign forces, three civilians and a policeman were among the casualties.

"The attack targeted an American NATO bus," said a Western military official on condition of anonymity. "There are 10 or 11 people, mostly Americans," he said, giving the death toll.

Spokesman for the interior ministry Siddiq Siddiqui said that three civilians and a policeman had also been killed but he had no information on foreign forces.

"It was a huge explosion, I saw at least ten bodies of foreign forces taken out of their capsized bus and evacuated by two helicopters," one witness told AFP at the scene.

Thick black smoke could be seen rising from an inferno still burning at the scene, while fire hoses were putting out another nearby, footage on private television channel Tolo showed.

NATO's coalition forces were seen tending to at least once casualty on the ground, while fire trucks and ambulances, sirens blaring, were on their way to the scene where one charred vehicle could be seen lying on its side.

A spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said the force could not give further details until further information had been gathered.

The Taliban, fighting Afghan and Western forces to regain control of Afghanistan after ten years of bloody insurgency, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Teacher subjects students to inhumane punishment

 GUJRANWALA: A teacher at a private school here painted the face of seven female students black after they failed to complete their assignment, Geo News reported. 

When the Geo News team arrived to speak to the school administration, the team was threatened and assaulted.

Protesting parents outside the school located at Street No.3, Chirangh Nagar Noshera Road are asking why their daughters were subjected to this inhumane punishment.

According to students of the school, the teacher punched the girls of class seven over not completing their assignment. Later she painted the face of female students with ink and asked them to leave the school.

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Shairf took notice of the incident and the registration for the school was cancelled by the commissioner.

Polish transsexual makes history as lawmaker

 WARSAW: Anna Grodzka sits with poise in her leafy suburban home, flicks her hair and gently shoos away her cat.

The 57-year-old is still coming to terms with being elected Poland's first-ever transsexual lawmaker for an anti-clerical party that is locking horns with conservatives in overwhelmingly Catholic Poland.

"I'm not a single-issue politician," said left-winger Grodzka, who only recently completed what she calls her identity correction.

"Going into politics isn't just about representing transsexuals, but about social issues," the long-time left-winger told.

Grodzka will take up her parliamentary seat on November 8, along with Poland's 459 other newly elected deputies.

In the October 9 polls, the declared atheist was voted in with almost 20,000 votes in the southern city of Krakow, which has a conservative reputation but is also home to a large student and artist community.

Grodzka will be the world's only openly transgender lawmaker -- a broader term than transsexual including those who have not had a sex-change but plan to, or simply opt to live under a different gender.

The first recorded transsexual politician was New Zealander Georgina Beyer, elected as a mayor in 1995 before sitting in parliament from 1999-2007.

Transgender Italian Vladimir Luxuria -- still legally male but living wholeheartedly as a woman -- followed in 2006-2008.

"I could not be more proud of and pleased for Anna's success," Beyer told.

Grodzka ran for parliament for the new opposition Palikot Movement, led by flamboyant tycoon-turned-politician Janusz Palikot. (AFP)

SBP to demonetize Rs5 banknote by Dec 31

 KARACHI: With the matter of Rs500-denomination banknote’s demonetization yet unsettled, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has notified that banknote of Rs5-denomination shall cease to be a legal tender with effect from January 1, 2012, Geo News reported.

The banknote of the lowest denomination in circulation will not be accepted anymore, said an SBP statement.

State Bank has urged the holders of this banknote to have it changed no later that Dec 31, 2011 to save themselves from any inconvenience.

Baghdad, a busy trade center bombing in 2, 5 and 30 security personnel killed, 100 injured

Baghdad   [ batkhela-movies] (North-easternBaghdad, a busy commercial center in the twinbomb blasts in 5 security personnel, including 30killed and 100 wounded. Explosion sdrsty in the field. The United States from Iraq on December 31 the army withdraw Ever since the Iraq securityfragile is becoming. hospital sources and Interior Ministry sources said the explosion 31 people were killed and 71 wounded. Iraq in recent days,several times, the security forces has been targeted. government spokesman said while the two bomb blasts one after another. the first blastoccurred in the north west of Baghdad. rescue teams arrived on the second explosion came.the two explosions killed at least 30 people andinjured 100.

Havens of terrorists in Pakistan are a threat to NATO, Pentagon

   Washington ... U.S. Department of Defense The Pentagon has said that terrorist safe havens in Pakistan NATO forces in Afghanistan are the biggest threat to U.S. Defense Department told Congress jumped the report is bound to attack forces in Afghanistan in total than last year 5 fysdkm are, according to Pentagon figures compared to last year and increased attacks on militants are still powerful. The war against terrorism has been charged in half-hearted participation of Pakistan, limited operations and safe havens for militants to give peace efforts in Afghanistan has been damaged...

Peace in Afghanistan aim to fully support the U.S., Husain Haqqani

    Chicago .{.batkhela-movies}. Pakistan's Ambassador inWashington Hussain Haqqani said that Pakistansupports negotiations for peace in Afghanistan ifU.S. base known as Mullah Omar is in Pakistanto the negotiating table by the letter, that he theChicago Council on gubl afyyrz speaking,Hussain Haqqani, said Clinton's statement ontalks with Afghan militants are welcome, he saidPakistan supports negotiations with the militants,a handful of U.S. like to impose their views ongun. Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's khnathakh alsowants to negotiate peace in Afghanistan, MullahOmar, the U.S. base to know if we wrote to themto join the talks, U.S. the Ambassador said that the problem is that you can not half-heartedparticipant in these negotiations. and what arethe pro-Taliban Afghanistan in the futureksyraljmaaty. they say that these Talibanelements in Pakistan to the negotiating tableyonder every effort will be the access. HusainHaqqani said there would be no war betweenPakistan and U.S. thakh.

C’ wealth heads of government meeting begins

 PERTH: Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani is representing Pakistan in the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (CHOGM) that kicked off Friday here in Western Australia.

The meeting scheduled October 28 to 30 2011 is being attended by the heads of governments of the Commonwealth member countries, while the PM Gilani heading a delegation representing Pakistan in the meeting.

Addressing inaugural meeting Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard stressed on bolstering cooperation among the member countries. She said that the common interests of all the countries should be respected.

The theme of the meeting is 'Building National Resilience, Building Global Resilience'.

Every two years, Commonwealth leaders meet at CHOGM to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, and to agree on collective policies and initiatives. CHOGMs are organised by the host nation in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Issues discussed include international peace and security, democracy, good governance, sustainable development, debt management, education, environment, gender equality, health, human rights, information and communication technology, law, multilateral trade issues, small states and youth affairs.

Pakistan rejects US claims on border fire

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday rejected US accusations that Pakistani armed forces allow insurgents to fire on American troops across the border in Afghanistan.

"I completely reject this, this is wrong and baseless," military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said.

US officials have reported a sharp rise in cross-border attacks against its forces in eastern Afghanistan as relations deteriorated after US forces raided Pakistan to kill the world's most wanted man, Osama bin Laden, in May.

Lieutenant General Curtis Scaparrotti, the deputy US commander in Afghanistan, said that rocket and mortar fire against his forces appears to come from within sight of Pakistani military posts.

"In some locations from time to time you will see what just appears to us to be a collaboration... or at a minimum a looking the other way," he said.

He said that the border forces come from Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps, who are locally recruited and not as highly trained as army units.

Asked about Scaparrotti's comments, Abbas said: "I told you, it is not true, all this is wrong." (AFP)

Pakistan test fires multi-tube stealth cruise missile

 RAWALPINDI: Pakistan on Friday conducted successful test fire of an indigenously developed multi-tube having stealth capabilities Cruise Missile Hatf-VII (Babur).

Babur has a target range of 700 kms, said ISPR in a news release here. The missile test was conducted to validate the design parameters of the weapon system and a new Missile Launch Vehicle (MLV).

"Babur Cruise Missile is low flying, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability, pin-point accuracy and radar avoidance features.

"It can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads and has stealth capabilities. "It also incorporates the most modern cruise missile technology of Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and Digital Scene Matching and Area Co-relation (DSMAC)."

A special feature of Friday's launch was the validation of a new multi-tube MLV during the test. The three tube MLV enhances manifold the targeting and deployment options in the conventional and nuclear modes. With its shoot-and-scoot capability, the MLV provides a major force multiplier effect for target employment and
survivability.

The test was witnessed by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shahmeem Wynne, Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General (R) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Commander Army Strategic Force Command, Lieutenant General Tariq Nadeem Gilani and Chairman National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) Muhammad Irfan Burney, senior officers from the armed forces and strategic organizations, scientists and engineers.

The test will consolidate country's strategic deterrence capability and further strengthen national security.

The successful test has also been warmly appreciated by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani who have congratulated the scientists and engineers on their outstanding success.

All set for PML-N 'Go Zardari Go' rally

 LAHORE: The PML-N is all set to launch its 'Go Zardari Go' drive and will take out its first rally (from Nasser Bagh to Bhati Chowk) in Lahore, for which a large number of party workers have gathered at Nasser Bagh.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif will lead the rally, which starts from the historic Nasser Bagh and concludes at the Bhati Chowk, situated in NA-119, not only a stronghold of the PML-N but also the constituency of Hamza Shahbaz.

Apart from PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, who is on a visit to Turkey , the PML-N leadership, including opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Senator Raja Zafarul Haq, Senator Mushahidullah, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Khawaja Asif and others will attend.

The rally, which will start in the afternoon with the agenda of ousting the 'corrupt rulers', has been termed the 'end of the beginning' of the Zardari government by the PML-N leadership which believes that days of the present government were numbered.

The PML-N, which gave a call for the rally just a week ago, also directed its local organisations, MNAs and MPAs to ensure maximum participation of workers, though some believe that the absence of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif from the rally might reduce the number, which would have been higher otherwise.

All major roads of the city including The Mall, Lower Mall, Circular Road, Main Boulevard etc have been decorated by the PML-N with banners, party flags amid criticism from another emerging political force from the city, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

36 including children recovered from private prison

 UMERKOT: 36 bonded peasants were recovered from the alleged private prison of a local landlord here, Geo News reported. Nine women, seventeen children including four infants were among those recovered. 

On the orders of the District and Sessions Judge Umerkot, the police conducted a raid in village Chaudhry Javed Arain and recovered those imprisoned by the landlord. However no arrests were made.

According to those imprisoned, the landlord was using them as labour for the last four years and since the last two months they were not being provided food on a regular basis. 

UN ends mandate for NATO military operations in Libya

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council on Thursday canceled its authorization for a
seven-month-old NATO military operation in Libya that led to the ouster and death of Libyan leader Muammar Kadhafii.

The 15-nation council unanimously approved a resolution terminating the UN mandate, which set the no-fly zone over Libya and permitted foreign military forces, including NATO, to use "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians.

The resolution said the U.N. authorization for foreign military operations in Libya will lapse at 11:59 p.m. local Libyan time on Oct. 31. (REUTERS)

Libya to try Kadhafi killers

BENGHAZI: Libya's new rulers said on Thursday they would prosecute the killers of ousted dictator Moamer Kadhafi following the international outcry over the circumstances of his death.

"With regards to Kadhafi, we do not wait for anybody to tell us," said Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, vice chairman of the ruling National Transitional Council at a news conference in Benghazi.

"We had already launched an investigation. We have issued a code of ethics in handling of prisoners of war. There were some violations by those who are unfortunately described as revolutionaries. I am sure that was an individual act and not an act of revolutionaries or the national army," the top interim official said.

"We had issued a statement saying that any violations of human rights will be investigated by the NTC. Whoever is responsible for that (Kadhafi's killing) will be judged and given a fair trial."

Ghoga, who spoke in Arabic and whose remarks were translated by an official interpreter, was responding to specific questions about Kadhafi's death and potential abuses.

His statement came as NATO weighed a possible new role in Libya following Kadhafi's controversial death, as France said the UN would vote on Thursday to end the alliance's mandate for an air war on October 31.

Global disquiet has grown over how Kadhafi met his end at the hands of NTC fighters who hauled him out of a culvert where he was hiding following a NATO air strike. (AFP)

Pakistan economy hit by violence also: IMF

 KARACHI: International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that Pakistan’s economy was not only hit by the floods, but also by the recent violence that perpetrated in the cities.

IMF released economic outlook said that the losses incurred due to flight of capital was somewhat eased out by the overseas Pakistanis enhanced remittances and the increase in exports.

Pakistan’s economic growth during 2011-12 is expected at 3.8 percent, while the government has fixed the GNP growth rate at 4.2 percent besides financial deficit is expected at 5.3 percent of GNP (Gross National Product) and current account deficit at 1.7 percent of GNP, said the report.

Similarly, imports estimated at around $46 billion, while the exports trailing behind at an estimated $30 billion during 2011-12, the report further said. 

Gul-inspired Pakistan leave Sri Lanka tottering

 DUBAI: Pakistan's bowlers once again caught Sri Lanka napping on the opening day of the second cricket Test at Dubai Stadium here on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka, opting to bat on a bouncy pitch, were pegged back by Umar Gul (3-49) before slumping further to 176-8 by tea as the Pakistan attack kept relentless pressure on the batsmen with some early help from the pitch.

Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 211 to help Sri Lanka draw the first of three Tests in Abu Dhabi last week, top-scored with 78 hitting eleven boundaries and added an invaluable 54 runs for the sixth wicket with debutant Kaushal Silva (20).

At tea, Rangana Herath (six) and Chanaka Welegedara (15) were at the crease.

When Sangakkara looked set for another century he lost his concentration as he jumped down the crease to hoist left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman straight into the hands of deep mid-wicket fielder Asad Shafiq.

Sangakkara, who also added 27 for the seventh wicket with Dhammika Prasad (seven), had defied the Pakistani bowlers during the first session in which Sri Lanka lost five wickets, three in Gul's incisive first spell.

Junaid Khan ably complemented Gul by dismissing Tillakaratne Dilshan (seven) and Angelo Mathews (19) to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 78-5 at lunch.

Gul trapped opener Lahiru Thirimanne (one) in front of the wicket with the second delivery of his second over as Indian umpire Shahvir Tarapore upheld the appeal for his maiden decision in his first Test.

Gul then had two wickets in his fifth over, as Tharanga Paranavitana slashed a wide delivery straight into the hands of skipper Misbah-ul Haq who held a sharp chance. Tharanga made six.

Off his sixth delivery, Gul had the experienced Mahela Jayawardene edging into the slips for Misbah to make two in two, leading by example in the slips after Pakistan floored seven chances in the first Test.

Khan, who took a career-best 5-38 to dismiss Sri Lanka for a paltry 197 in the first innings, had Dilshan caught in the slip and then Mathews caught behind by keeper Adnan Akmal.

Sangakkara dispatched Gul for his eighth boundary to bring up his 37th half-century before Rehman's dismissed him and Silva in his first spell.

Sri Lanka were forced to make two changes from the first Test line-up, leaving injured Prasanna Jayawardene and Nuwan Pradeep to include Prasad and Silva.

Pakistan replaced paceman Aizaz Cheema with Rehman. (AFP)

Future planes could travel five times speed of sound

 LONDON: The passenger plane of the future could travel at five times the speed of sound, according to a report published in British newspaper.

According to the British daily, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME) in its report said state-of-the-art technology will allow airlines to travel in a V-shaped group formation similar to migrating geese by the end of the century.

The report adds that, regardless of the aircraft type, passenger jets could save on fuel by flying in formation and following in each others' slipstream. A "blended wing" shape, where the wing and fuselage meld into one, will also make the planes more fuel-efficient and aerodynamic, the IME claims.

Bodies of Gaddafi supporters 'found executed' in Sirte

The bodies of 53 Gaddafi loyalists have been found at a hotel in the Libyan city of Sirte after apparently being executed, a human rights group says.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the victims - some of whom had their hands bound - died about a week ago.

It is the latest accusation of atrocities in Libya committed by both sides during the eight-month conflict.

Libya's new rulers have denied any involvement in abuses and have urged Libyans to forego reprisal attacks.

The discovery comes a day after jubilant crowds across the country took to the streets as the interim government declared national liberation, three days after the death of Muammar Gaddafi.

The National Transitional Council (NTC) has come under pressure to investigate how the former leader died, following accusations he had been executed by NTC troops after his capture in Sirte.

His body is in a cold storage facility in Misrata.

It has been on public view, but the commander at the refrigeration unit told the BBC that the door has now been shut and that the last person has viewed Gaddafi's body.

'Hands bound'

The bodies were found on Sunday on the lawn of the abandoned Hotel Mahari in Sirte, which saw heavy fighting last week as NTC forces battled for control of the city.

Continue reading the main story

“

"Some had their hands bound behind their backs when they were shot," Peter Bouckaert, emergencies director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

"This requires the immediate attention of the Libyan authorities to investigate what happened and hold accountable those responsible."

It is not clear who carried out the killings.

HRW said they believed the hotel had been in the hands of anti-Gaddafi forces from Misrata before the killings, and it remained in their control until the fighting in Sirte stopped on 20 October.

On the entrance and walls of the hotel were the names of several anti-Gaddafi brigades from Misrata, HRW added.

"The evidence suggests that some of the victims were shot while being held as prisoners, when that part of Sirte was controlled by anti-Gaddafi brigades who appear to act outside the control of the NTC," Mr Bouckaert said.

Many of the victims suffered bullet wounds to the head, according to an AFP reporter who saw them.

Human Rights Watch also said the remains of 95 people had been found at the site where Gaddafi was captured. They appeared to have died that same day.

HRW, Amnesty International and other rights groups regularly document incidents of atrocities suspected of being carried out by pro- and anti-Gaddafi forces during the conflict. These include several mass killing sites found in August.

Post-mortem

In his speech on Sunday in Benghazi, NTC leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil urged Libyans to put civil conflict behind them for the sake of the country.

Continue reading the main story

"Today we are one flesh, one national flesh. We have become united brothers as we have not been in the past," he said.

"I call on everyone for forgiveness, tolerance and reconciliation. We must get rid of hatred and envy from our souls. This is a necessary matter for the success of the revolution and the success of the future Libya."

Mr Abdul Jalil said the new Libya would take Islamic law as its foundation. Interest for bank loans would be capped, he said, and restrictions on the number of wives Libyan men could take would be lifted.

He thanked all those who had taken part in the revolution - from rebel fighters to businessmen and journalists.

Thousands of people were killed or injured after the violent repression of protests against Gaddafi's rule in February developed into a full-scale civil war.

Gaddafi's government was driven out of the capital, Tripoli, in August.

Questions have been raised over the former leader's death after video footage showed him alive at the time of capture on Thursday. Officials said he had been killed subsequently in a crossfire.

A post-mortem carried out on the former leader's body on Sunday showed he had received a bullet wound to the head, medical sources said.

The NTC has begun moving its base from the eastern city of Benghazi to the capital, Tripoli.

Elections are due to be held by June of next year, Libya's acting Prime Minister, Mahmoud Jibril, said on Sunday.

The new elected body, he added, would draft a constitution to be put to a referendum and form an interim government pending a presidential election.

Kadhafi 'killed by bullets' says 'unfinished' autopsy

 MISRATA: Former Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi was "killed by bullets" after his capture Thursday in Sirte, according to the doctor who carried out an autopsy on the dictator and who said late Sunday his report was "unfinished."

Interim prime minister Mahmud Jibril had declared earlier Sunday that the autopsy showed Kadhafi had died after being caught in crossfire.

But Doctor Othman el-Zentani, who examined Kadhafi's body, said: "My autopsy report is not finished."

Controversy has raged over the circumstances of Kadhafi's death after he was taken alive during the fall of his hometown Sirte. The new Libyan authorities have insisted the former dictator died as a result of crossfire while many sources spoke of a summary execution.

Zentani said Sunday he could not give more details as he had to "wait for the green light from my superior," prosecutor-general Abdelaziz al-Ahsadi.

The doctor said he had examined the bodies of Kadhafi and former defence minister Abubakr Yunes Jaber on Saturday night and Kadhafi's son Muatassim the night before.

The three bodies have been stored in a vegetable market freezer in the eastern city of Misrata, drawing large crowds wanting to view and take pictures of the remains.

Zentani said: "Their wounds showed us how many bullet wounds they received ... we have replies to all the questions," including whether Kadhafi died during fighting or was executed.

"We are talking about death by bullets for all three," he said without giving further details.

"The green light (to give details) will be given in the next few days," the doctor said, "and nothing will be hidden." (AFP)

Begum Nusrat Bhutto laid to rest in Garhi Khuda Bux

 LARKANA: Begum Nusrat Bhutto has been laid to rest at Garhi Khuda Bux, Geo News reported. The former first lady was buried in the Bhutto family graveyard alongside her husband Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

Begum Nusrat’s funeral prayers were held at the Naudero house and attended by President Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani, PPP co-chairman Bilawal Bhutto and other prominent politicians.

Strict security arrangements were in place at Garhi Khuda Bux and the Bhutto family mausoleum had been sealed for the general public.

Her Soyem will be held on Wednesday evening at the Naudero House.

Begum Nusrat Bhutto passed away at the age of 82 in Dubai on October 23 and her body was brought back to Pakistan on Monday.

Begum Nusrat Bhutto received a guard of honour at the Sukkur airport and earlier on Monday the acting President approved conferment of Nishan-e-Imtiaz award on the former first lady Begum Nusrat Bhutto.

Begum Nusrat Bhutto waged almost a decade long political struggle for revival of democracy, restoration of Constitution and upholding of fundamental rights of the Pakistani people in the face of brutal dictatorship.

She was born on September 21, 1929 in an Iranian family. He father was a wealthy Iranian businessman settled in Karachi. Begum Nusrat Bhutto met married Zulfiqar Bhutto in Karachi and was the first lady of Pakistan from 1973-77.

In 1979, after the trial and execution of her husband, she and her daughters were imprisoned and placed under house arrest by the then regime of late dictator Zia-ul-Haq. However, due to health concerns she was later permitted to leave the country for London, where she was later joined by her daughters Benazir and Sanam.

She became leader of the PPP during her London exile and although she was chairperson of the party for life, her daughter Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto later replaced her.

After returning to Pakistan in the late 1980s, she served several terms as an MP to the National Assembly from the family constituency of Larkana in Sindh.

Twice Begum Bhutto was elected member of the National Assembly, remained a senior minister and also a constant source of inspiration for her daughter former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, masses and PPP workers especially.

Paranormal Activity 3 rules US box office

NEW YORK: "Paranormal Activity 3" vanquished the box-office ghosts this weekend, taking in a whopping $54 million upon its premiere in the US, according to studio estimates.

The other two new films in wide release this weekend, however, flopped. An expensive 3-D version of "The Three Musketeers" grossed a disappointing $8.8 million. And "Johnny English Reborn," a comedy starring British comedian Rowan Atkinson, did not resonate with American audiences. While the film is a hit overseas, it collected a weak $3.8 million in the US this weekend.

Still, the results for Paramount Pictures' third "Paranormal" made for the first truly stellar box-office weekend of the fall, which has been characterized by middling performances from high-profile releases. Even past weekend winners such as "Contagion," "Real Steel" and "The Lion King 3-D" had failed to open much beyond $30 million.

"Paranormal's" opening, on the other hand, was the highest-ever October debut, and helped power the top 12 movies to their highest total, $110.3 million, since the middle of August. Analysts had anticipated $40 million to $45 million for the third instalment in the supernatural franchise.

The numbers for the Paramount release represented a significant increase over other horror films, which have struggled of late, and demolished the opening of "Paranormal Activity 2," which drew $40.7 million in its premiere on the same weekend last year.

"Horror fans came out in very large numbers this weekend, and that's a testament to the filmmakers and the enduring power of this franchise," said Rob Moore, Paramount Pictures vice chairman, alluding to the movie directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman.

While Moore declined to elaborate on future plans for the franchise, the numbers all but assured there will be a fourth "Paranormal" film, and solidified "Paranormal's" status as the Halloween heir to the "Saw" series, which reliably yielded a hit every October for the past seven years.

In keeping with the general pattern for horror pictures, "Paranormal" drew a higher proportion of women, who came out to see "Paranormal Activity 3" at a ratio of 54% to 46% compared with men. About 53% of the total audience was under age 25.

The movie grossed an additional $26 million upon its debut in international territories, which included France, Australia and Russia, Paramount said.

Still, it remains to be seen how the movie will perform in the coming weeks. While filmgoers came out in sizable numbers to see the horror prequel, they didn't necessarily like what they saw: The film notched an average grade of C+, according to market research firm CinemaScore. The first "Paranormal Activity" took in $107 million in the U.S., while the second film garnered about $85 million. 

Turkey quake toll jumps to above 200

 ERCIS, Turkey: An earthquake of 7.2 magnitude on Sunday killed above 200 people in eastern Turkey, the Turkish prime minister said.

An earlier toll had given 70 dead including 50 in Ercis, a district of around 100,000 people in the same region as Van.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters, the situation in Ercis is more grave, said Erdogan, adding that around 55 apartment buildings collapsed, raising fears that the toll could increase as many people were trapped under rubble.

"Search and rescue efforts will continue overnight," said Erdogan.

He was being accompanied by six ministers.

Television footage showed search and rescue teams recovering bodies from the collapsed buildings in Van and Ercis.

The teams were using electrical generator lights to help the search for trapped victims as night fell.

"An eight-storey apartment building collapsed," a local from Ercis told AFP.

"There are efforts to rescue people but the loss is big. I myself saw three to four dead," he added.

Most people are expected to spend the night outdoors, with the temperature expected to dip to three degrees Celsius (37 Fahrenheit).

The quake has mobilised Turkey to rush to the help of the victims.

Some 1,275 search and rescue teams from 38 Turkish cities as well as 145 ambulances were sent to the quake region, according to media reports.

The military said six battalions were also involved in search and rescue efforts, in a statement posted online.

Six helicopters, including four helicopter ambulances, as well as C-130 military cargo planes were sent to the area carrying tents, food and medicine.

Some 200 inmates fled the prison in Van province, when the building was damaged in the quake, media reports said. But 50 of the inmates returned to prison later after seeing their families, they added.

US President Barack Obama offered his condolences to the victims of the massive quake and said the United States stood ready to assist the country's authorities.

"We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Turkish ally in this difficult time, and are ready to assist the Turkish authorities," he said in a statement.

The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 1041 GMT, was at Tabanli in Van province, Turkey's Kandilli institute said. Two aftershocks had hit the villages of Ilikaynak and Gedikbulak in particular, it added.

Although the quake damaged Van's airport it did not disrupt the air traffic, the Anatolia news agency reported, citing civil aviation authorities. The Turkish airlines launched additional flights to Van.

The quake was also felt across the border in northwestern Iran, causing some panic in major cities, Iranian media reported. They did not report any deaths or serious damage.

The US Geological Survey initially measured the quake at 7.3 magnitude but later downgraded it to 7.2. It registered many aftershocks, the latest of which was of 6.0 magnitude.

The quake that struck Van, a large eastern city populated mainly by Kurds, was Turkey's strongest in years.

Earthquake-prone Turkey lies atop several fault lines.

In 1999, two strong quakes in the heavily populated and industrialised regions of northwest Turkey left some 20,000 dead. A powerful earthquake in the town of Caldiran in Van province killed 3,840 people in 1976