Brigadier Ali and other officials of the arrest, and there are some reasons, General Bags

Islamabad Chief of Army Staff General Mirza Aslam Beg, the incredible thing is that khayh brygydyyr Ali Khan and four other army officers belonging to the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir were arrested on the grounds. General Baig Talking to The News on Sundayathayajata with comprehensive investigation and evidence is solid. suddenly disappeared and taken into custody by the time indicated by the former army chief said it is unlikely that an officer level position brygydyyr banned in Pakistan with his wife Even relations. The army said it was the method kahualh military officer and the chief of police intelligence on the lowest level looks at the movement. The secret of keeping a series of Army units, the stations' core and field starts from the surface. jayn Army intelligence officer to have started on the first day of blaamtyaz. He also said military intelligence officers and men all over the ISI and looks deep. Iconcerned only with facts and nothing to hide. Ali Khan's arrest and the factors are few. Former Army Chief said that the purely non-violent supporters of Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, which wants to impose its agenda kujbra not have any plans like this.The system may enforce those laws. According to the Constitution of Pakistan because it is based on the Quran and Sunnah and this is compatible with ankanzam. General Beg said that I was surprised this time when General Musharraf declared Hizb ut-Tahrir kukaladm me. do not think any country or terrorist organization by the U.S. as the dictator's Reported. brygydyyr courts Army intelligence in Ali's case, despite the information provided will give him full of self-defense.

Fysdrh President's popularity was only 11, U.S. Survey

Washington, American Institute pyurysrc Center survey, the President's popularity last year, 20 percent said less and 11 per cent, while Imran Khan's popularity 16 fysdazafy the 68 percent decline is the most popular lydrbn are survey results, the President, Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani and Mian Nawaz Sharif's popularity has declined, while Imran Khan is the most popular leader. American Institute survey report said Pakistan's current situation, usually the dissatisfied, the survey participants, 92 percent domestic situations unhappy, 85 percent think the economy has affected the twelve months and eight percent believe in bad condition and will survey the prime minister's popularity has declined 33 percent, Mian Nawaz Sharif are in relatively good conditionpopularity 71 percent down from 63 per cent is the most popular politician Imran Khan, whose popularity 16 percent increased 68 percent decline, the majority, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on the positive feedback makes the army chief, General Kayani balancedposition, and his popularity before the operation, 57 per cent and now 52 percent decline, U.S. survey also revealed that in Pakistan, most people, bin Laden were against the U.S. operation, not for, communities dominated Osama's death near the evil omen is good close to fourteen percent. 

War against terrorism, against Zardari aurnuazayk feedback row

Islamabad: Pakistan Muslim League and Pakistan People's Party between the American-led war against terror war on another against the row opinions are as Asif Ali Zardari that the war is saying and the next 30 to 40 years to fight PML-N of the plan insist that Parliament should be set according to policy. Zardari of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief cleric criticized and ask them the same day with a clear stance aktyarkrtyOpposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the government and armed forces Reported that Islamic ideology prkarbnd keep the government and military institutions kutbah the bcayaja possible. Asif Ali Zardari, and the controversial war, 30 to 40 years for the Taliban or extremist elements with no intention of negotiating, it is being said about them that U.S. diplomats kuyh baurkraty Maghrib are the biggest supporters of Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan. bakbrsrkary by a U.S. and Western diplomats have said that their contactsthe American so-called anti-terrorism war bhrpurhmayt ensure acknowledged are aurkudsy visitors kuyh explaining that Nawaz Sharif's support will be the same as the Taliban's support, which is an interesting way worth 90 AD In the mid-powerThat time came with government support bynzyrbhtuky .9/11 after Musharraf's pro-American policies, which are ongoing military prab usuylyn level, religious people, religious extremism kudyuarsy lgadyakyunkh auranthapsndy mladya the difference in each other's Arbab meaning he was not good. krcl government and military officials are taking the bzahramryka policy, opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the 'closure, affected environment, principally for the Muslims to follow Islamic teachings have expressed serious reservations Confused and with the Pakistan Muslim League-N's stance was clear. brgydyyrky military custody when he was asked about that he knows the background of the case, but the closure of the affected environment concerns is the root cause. the defense forces of Pakistan are rooted in Islamic faith and the Pakistani army is the army of Islam. He warned that the armed forces on grounds of religious and secular divide, not only military but also damaging to the StateArmy ranks and positions will be created but will also create divides. Interestingly, led by the military as a banned organization Hizb ut-Tahrir hazrsrus brgydyyr kumbynh (which is the World Organisation for Muslims and peaceful political jdujhdkrrhy athadky is ) because of the alleged contacts grftarkrlyahy, Pakistani Ambassador in Washington that Pakistani authorities rykardkha on the CIA's operations against Osama helping those who will not punish. under the Constitution of Pakistan that the country's sovereignty violated CIA assistance to the treason / rebellion. institutions where religious extremists and terrorist groups and people have got ghly is a danger that extremism must be increased and the U.S. received instructions from the war on terrorism by Pakistan praslam bndkrky eyes as a result of implementing contradictory. turprmnzurky Pakistan Muslim League, the unanimous resolution by parliament amldramdky has been pressing for the U.S.dynaugyrh preferred solution. However, the Government continued to respect the will of the people kaskarhy hesitation.

The worst criticism of military history, were alarming for Pakistani generals, U.S. Magazine

Islamabad, according to U.S. magazine Time abadmyn U.S. Abbott operation, Mehran base attack in Karachi, killing journalist Salim shzadky young death at the hands of Rangers in aurkracy badpakstany generals of the Army also has a serious situation for the worst criticism kasamnahy History, General Kayani's position any danger, Time magazine reported that Pakistan's powerful generals, to May 2, after seven weeks, serious Most have proved, Osama campus unilateral U.S. attack in the outside world for those complex situations arise been criticized on the internal level, the general public such as Pakistan army chief U.S.  kasamnakrrhy three fronts. A senior Western diplomat in the military officials are concerned that the military orders in certain circumstances Will follow in Washington's South Asia Center Director Shuja nuazkakhna General Kayani's no threat to his position as army chief and officials have no worries, no dbawmyn Kayani, the Arab world or Latin America Unlike the military command of the army in Pakistan is very strong. Kayani two high-level commission led by an even bigger test. next week that will highlight the company's chief credit to kubhal,  keep their alliance with the United States of junyyrafysrz Run to support Pakistan's democracy are so successful. magazine article last 15 years the Government of the Islamic Caliphate in order to pave the way for a military coup by military officers is trying to recruit secret. Report Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani to be very tough since they seem in the mood. Since the last years of the dictatorship of General Pervez Musharraf's image has been badly affected in the military, General Kayani's badjnrl with caution The Institute is working to rebuild the image. unilateral U.S. attack on the complex situation in the outside world was created on the inner surface is facing criticism, the general public such as Pakistan army chief U.S.  kasamnakrrhy three fronts. A senior Western diplomat in the military officials are concerned that in certain circumstances the military will follow orders or not in Washington's South Asia Center's Director General Kayani's position nuazkakhna Shuja No threat or military officials have any concerns, do not dbawmyn Kayani, the Arab world or Latin America, unlike Pakistan's army is very strong command of the army. Kayani two high-level commission led by an intelligent examination too. next week that will highlight the company's reputation kubhal Kayani, to keep alliance with U.S. support for Pakistan's democracy junyyrafysrz  their operation are so successful. magazine article last 15 years, the opposition establishment of an Islamic caliphate to pave the way for the coup military officers is trying to recruit secret. The Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani to be very tough since they seem in the mood . Since the last years of the dictatorship of General Pervez Musharraf's image has been badly affected in the military, General Kayani's badjnrl carefully work your body is busy rebuilding its image.

Brigadier General Ali development of questions waiting to be arrested because of concerns over the operation in Abbottabad

Less than 2 months before your retirement Islamabad arrested Brigadier Ali's lawyer, Col. (R) Award and the top military generals say about Pakistan's Abbottabad meeting had many questions and this operation may cause concern about the arrest of Brigadier Ali expressed his concerns to date Pervez Musharraf in the past he supported the U.S. war against terrorism, which differed from those of Brigadier General in the way of progress 3 generations had become an obstacle in the Army Junior Commissioned Officer Brigadier retired father who served in the Baloch Regiment of the Army Chief General Pervez Kiyani started my career, the lieutenant-generals of the Military Academyraised, Brigadier Ali expressed anger against the chief officers of the Corps Commanders Conference in Abbottabad after the incident, his lawyer said at a meeting held in GHQ intelligence failure on May 2 questionsInstead, their growth has stopped, Brigadier Ali is a patriotic and religious figure, with his wife when she asked him questions about legal jantyn But these questions are wrong My husband was set up at Abbottabad event, differences of opinion do not mean a coup and banned from the conflict should respect their right to contact you, he automatically becomes a place where they belongThis is the ayydyalujy be implemented. 

Michael Jackson exhibit to open in LA

LOS ANGELES: A new exhibit dedicated to late popstar Michael Jackson is to open later today in Los Angeles.

The singer's brother Jermaine will attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Madame Tussauds Hollywood this afternoon in honour of the grand opening of the Michael Jackson Experience.

The Michael Jackson Experience features wax figures of Michael as well as multimedia clips which highlight his journey from his childhood in Gary, Indiana to his multi-platinum recording career.

Attendees will be allowed to take photographs next to three Jackson wax figures and a collection of the popstar's memorabilia.

The $55m exhibition will be open the general public until Labour Day (September 5).

Later this week, the legendary leather jacket that Jackson wore in the 'Thriller' music video will go up for auction in Beverly Hills.

I am going to become grandfather: Big B

MUMBAI: Former Miss World turned Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is pregnant, her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan has revealed. 

"NEWS NEWS NEWS !! I AM GOING TO BECOME A GRANDFATHER .. AISHWARYA EXPECTING .. SO HAPPY AND THRILLED !!!," the veteran megastar wrote on his Twitter account late Tuesday.

Aishwarya Rai, 37, married Bachchan's actor son, Abhishek, 35, in April 2007. The child will be their first and comes after weeks of media speculation in Indian gossip columns about the actress' fluctuating weight.

Bachchan Senior later said on the micro-blogging site that he was "overwhelmed" with the response to the news from followers and had received 2,843 Tweets of congratulation in just half an hour.

The pregnancy was confirmed earlier in the day, he wrote on his blog, early Wednesday, adding: "There is joy and happiness around us," he added.

There was no immediate indication when the baby was due.

The Bachchans -- Amitabh, his actress wife Jaya, Aishwarya and Abhishek -- are Bollywood's "first family" and have a fanatical following in India and around the world. His daughter, Shweta Nanda, has two children

Target killings increase after 'peace talks': ANP

Karachi: Lashing out at the recent target killings of the activists of Awami National Party (ANP), Qadir Khan, spokesman to ANP Sindh chapter said some conspirators want to disturb peace of Karachi by targeting political activists.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday he condemned the killings of two real brothers and activists of ANP, Habibullah and Nazirullah, and termed it a cruel act of terrorism, adding the aim of the killing was to disturb law and order situation.

He alleged that after 'peace talks' between three major ruling coalition parties the target killings and kidnapping cases of ANP activists have increased instead of decreasing.

ANP spokesman said there is growing unrest among the party activists and masses in Karachi and people were asking about the performance of law enforcing agencies. "The target killings, kidnapping and violent incidents are a question mark upon the performance of security agencies."

He said Zia Colony, Korangi and Qasba Colony have become killing zones for the ANP activists. The residents of F Area, and 100 Quarters have also become hostages from an armed outfit, he charged.

He urged the law and enforcers to play their due role to maintain peace in the city.

Meanwhile, the funeral prayer of both slain ANP activists was offered in Awami Colony number 01, in front of ANP ward office. Later, the bodies were sent to their ancestral village in Mardan.

Clinton adds her voice in support of Saudi women

WASHINGTON: Hillary Rodham Clinton’s advocacy for women’s rights – as First Lady, Senator and now Secretary of State – is well known. And yet she found herself facing criticism for not being outspoken enough on one issue: Saudi Arabia’s ban on women driving. 

In a series of letters and statements this month, a coalition of Saudi activists has pressed Mrs. Clinton to use the State Department’s bully pulpit to support its campaign against the kingdom’s ban, expressing disappointment earlier Tuesday that she had not yet spoken out. Then she did.

“What these women are doing is brave and what they are seeking is right,” Mrs. Clinton said, when asked about the criticism at an appearance with Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and their Japanese counterparts at the State Department. Of the women’s campaign, she added, “I am moved by it, and I support them.”

The campaign — waged largely online inside Saudi Arabia — called on women to drive in collective protest last Friday, an event that appeared to draw a much smaller number than organizers had hoped.

On the day of the protest, Mrs. Clinton did discuss the matter by telephone with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, though the State Department’s spokeswomen, Victoria Nuland, declined to detail the conversation. She said Monday that while Mrs. Clinton’s advocacy for women speaks for itself, there were times for “quiet diplomacy

2 car bombs kill 25 in central Iraq: defence ministry

BAGHDAD: Two car bombs killed at least 25 people and wounded more than 30 in the city of Diwaniya in central Iraq on Tuesday, a defence ministry official said.

Saudi Arabia signs $1.7bn defense deal

PARIS: Saudi Arabia has placed a $1.7 billion direct commercial sales contract with Raytheon Company to upgrade the Kingdom's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System to the latest Configuration-3. The award includes ground-system hardware, a full training package and support equipment upgrades.

The announcement came Tuesday at the Paris Air Show where military and commercial deals are done for both military and civilian aircraft and technology.

"Raytheon is honored to provide the most technologically advanced air and missile defense system in the world to Saudi Arabia," said Tom Kennedy, president of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). "We are pleased that, with this contract, they have shown further confidence in Raytheon and the superior air and missile defense capabilities of the Patriot system."

Raytheon first supplied the combat-proven Patriot system to Saudi Arabia in the 1990s to protect the nation's critical assets. Subject to customary US regulatory approvals, work under this contract will be performed by Raytheon at the Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, Massachusetts, and in Saudi Arabia. The newly redesigned Patriot protects against a full range of advanced threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and UAVs.

Floods wreak havoc in China

BEIJING: Pelting rain in parts of central and southern China has forced hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes and prompted the government to demand safety checks on vulnerable dams, news reports said on Thursday.

The torrential rains have ended a drought in many areas, but now threaten the Yangtze River basin and nearby provinces with floods and mudslides that have killed at least 105 people.

In Jiangxi province in east China, troops helped 122,400 residents move from vulnerable low-lying areas, said the China News Service. In Hubei province in the centre, downpours two days ago triggered a landslide that left six people missing and blocked the Pingdu River, forcing 2,000 residents to flee in case a wall of water burst through the mud and debris.

"Many small dams face major hazards," said China's Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters (fxkh.mwr.gov.cn), adding that "all areas must pay high attention to the safety of dams and hydro stations."

In Zhejiang, an eastern province with many manufacturers, officials moved 120,000 residents as surging flood waters cut hundreds of roads and drove the Qiantang River to its highest flood peak since 1955, Xinhua news agency reported late on Thursday.

Forecasters warned that in the coming days rains could bring fresh dangers, including in the southwest.

"Tonight the rains will start from Sichuan province and Chongqing and move east," said meteorologist Li Xiaoquan.

The national forecaster also said heavy showers could hit Guangdong, the export-driven province next to Hong Kong.

Floods and mudslides caused by the rain have killed at least 105 people and 65 are missing, the state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday. No official tally of the total number of deaths has been issued since then

Obama set to unveil Afghan troop cuts

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama will order his promised US troop drawdown from Afghanistan in a primetime address Wednesday, which one official said would likely see 10,000 soldiers called home this year.

Obama will stick with his vow to begin pulling out US forces after an 18-month troop surge, but apparently heed Pentagon warnings that an overly swift withdrawal could imperil hard-won gains against Taliban insurgents.

A senior defense official said on condition of anonymity that the president would "likely" order the return of about 5,000 troops this summer and 5,000 more by the end of 2011.

Another 20,000 troops, part of a 30,000 strong surge ordered in December 2009, would be withdrawn by the end of next year, meaning elevated force levels would remain through two more Afghan summer fighting seasons.

The president's broadcast at 8:00 pm (0000 GMT) will take place as political attitudes shift on the war following the killing of Osama bin Laden, other heavy US blows against Al-Qaeda and as US public support ebbs for the conflict.

"The president will address the nation from the White House to lay out his plan for implementing his strategy -- first unveiled in December 2009 -- to draw down American troops from Afghanistan," Obama spokesman Jay Carney said.

The figure of 10,000 soldiers this year, if confirmed, appears higher than the "modest" initial withdrawals the Pentagon had originally advocated, as Obama walks a delicate balance between political and strategic logic.

War skeptics argue that after the deaths of more than 1,600 US service personnel and at a monthly cost of nearly $10 billion a month, the American commitment is unsustainable at its present size of 99,000 US troops.

Carney branded a flurry of media reports on the size of the drawdown as mere speculation and refused to divulge details of the president's decision, which was finalized earlier Tuesday.

Obama promised Americans when he unveiled the surge that he would begin to bring soldiers home in July 2011 -- a vow critics panned as offering succor to US enemies.

The months leading up to the drawdown decision have seen a turf war that has drawn in Obama's political team, Pentagon brass and lawmakers keenly aware of voter fatigue over a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Democratic Senator Carl Levin reiterated his argument that improved security conditions would permit Obama to bring home 15,000 combat troops by the end of the year.

"The level of US troop reductions in Afghanistan needs to be significant to achieve its purpose --- letting the Afghan government know we are determined to shift primary responsibility for their security to the Afghan security forces," Levin said.

Another powerful Democrat, Senator John Kerry, said Obama needed to change the US emphasis in Afghanistan.

"We've been enormously successful in stripping Al-Qaeda of its capacity. And we need to reflect that now in the troop presence and in the definition of
the mission."

Obama's speech will come less than two months after a daring US forces raid into Pakistan killed Al-Qaeda chief bin Laden, the prime target of the US war on terror launched after the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Since the Afghan mission was partly defined as an effort to disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaeda, some war critics have questioned why America needs to keep such large troop numbers in Afghanistan.

Carney, however, argued that a key component of the mission was the need to stabilize Afghanistan so it would not revert to a haven for terror groups and could meet a 2014 deadline to assume control of its own security.

Obama is expected to explain that his surge has wrought slow, but significant progress, particularly in southern Afghanistan against the Taliban.

But US discontent on the war is steadily rising, and Obama will be keenly aware of public opinion as he plots his 2012 reelection race.

In a new Pew Research Center survey, 56 percent of respondents said US troops should be brought home as soon as possible, while 39 percent said they should stay in Afghanistan until the situation had stabilized.

The decision on withdrawal was complicated by the fragile outreach process Washington has launched with the Taliban.

Backers of the surge have said the Taliban will only countenance serious reconciliation talks if the group's commanders feel they are under pressure from a strong US military footprint in Afghanistan.

7 polling stations setup in city for AJK elections

FAISALABAD: Seven polling stations have been setup in Faisalabad in connection with the elections of Legislation Assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) which would be held on June 26.

A spokesman of the City District Government told the media persons here on Tuesday that these polling stations will work at MC High School Allama Iqbal Road, Government Islamia High School Jinnah Colony, Muslim High School Tariq Abad, MC High School Ghulam Muhammad Abad, Government Boys High School Sammundri, Government Boys High School No.1 Tandlianwala and Government MC High School Jaranwala where Kashmiri people who are residing in Faisalabad will cast their vote in favor of their candidates.

He told that all arrangements are being completed rapidly to hold the elections in a fair, free and transparent manner under peaceful atmosphere.

He told that Assistant Commissioner City was appointed as election in-charge while Admin Officer (Contract) DCO Office will perform duties as election coordinator.

He further told that Assistant Commissioner, TMO and Sub Registrar Urban Management will monitor the elections process whereas Assistant Commissioner City will distribute election material at these polling stations under his supervision on June 25, 2011.

Pakistan to 'host' Lanka, England in UAE

KARACHI: Pakistan will play their next "home" series against Sri Lanka and England in the neutral United Arab Emirates, an official said Tuesday, as security concerns continue to scare off foreign teams.

The announcement comes after Sri Lanka turned down an invitation to return to Pakistan, just two years after a deadly militant ambush in Lahore wounded seven of their players and an assistant coach.

"We have finalised both the series against Sri Lanka and England and both will be played in Abu Dhabi and Dubai," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director operations Zakir Khan said.

Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in October and November, and England in January and February in the Middle Eastern country, he said.

Pakistan have not hosted a top foreign team since the Lahore attack, which left eight people dead and forced the International Cricket Council to ditch the country as co-hosts of this year's World Cup.

Khan also rejected comments from England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke that Sri Lanka could host Pakistan's Tests against England.

"We did consider a number of options for both the series but it is the right of the home board to decide the venue and finally we have confirmed UAE for all the matches in both the series," said Khan.

Pakistan will play three Tests, five one-day matches and a Twenty20 against Sri Lanka. The England schedule will be "finalised soon" but it will feature three Tests, up to five one-day matches and one or two Twenty20 games.

Pakistan have played the West Indies, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in UAE in the last nine years.

They were also forced to play their home series against New Zealand -- who were caught up in a bomb blast in 2002 -- in New Zealand, and last year "hosted" Australia in England

PCB committee to review Ilyas suspension case

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formed a two-member committee to review the suspension case of Mohammad Ilyas, member of national selection committee, Geo News reported.

The two-member disciplinary committee includes PCB Director Domestic, Sultan Rana and General Manager Domestic, Shafiq Pasha.

The committee meeting is expected to be held in two days.

NA approves federal budget for 2011-12

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Wednesday passed Finance Bill 2011 giving legal effect to the budgetary proposals for the next financial year and with this, the new budget with a total outlay 2767 billion rupees stands approved.

Finance Minister, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh moved the bill in the House to give effect to the financial proposals of the federal government for the next fiscal year starting from July 1, 2011 and to amend certain laws in the bill.

The House rejected amendments of opposition with majority vote and approved those moved by the Finance Minister to amend the Finance bill 2011.

Hafeez Shaikh said that the upper house of the parliament had proposed 66 amendments in the bill, out of which 20s were incorporated that reflected government's intention that it was taking seriously consideration to the suggestion provided to it.

Responding to various oppositions with regard to sales tax, the federal minister said that the government intends to reduce the overall sales tax rates to 15 percent. It had reduced the rates to 17 percent last year and from 17 it was now reduced to 16 percent.

On the issue of income tax exemption, the federal minister said that keeping in view the inflationary trends, the government had enhanced the income exemption from Rs.300,000 to Rs.350,000.

He said that the government has to strike a balance while taking such decision.

Marvi Memon resigns from NA, PML-Q

ISLAMABAD: Marvi Memon has resigned from her seat in the National Assembly and from the PML-Q, Geo News reported. 
Speaking to the media, Memon said that she took the decision in protest of the PML-Q joining the government and in opposition of the budget which was against the aspirations of the people.

She added that current government was working against the people of Pakistan and the PML-Q leaders did not live up to the voters by leaving the opposition and joining the government.

“The PML-Q did not correct the disastrous course of the government” she said. The statement read out by Marvi Memon listed the government as being inadequate, not serving the people, not responding to natural disasters, not protecting the country’s sovereignty and depriving people of basic human rights.
Memon added that under these circumstances she could no longer be a member of the National Assembly and that she would not take back her resignations under any circumstance. She however did say that her struggle for justice would continue on the streets and in courts.

Greek police fire tear gas to dispel protesters

ATHENS: Police in Athens fired tear gas at protesters outside parliament as they tried to reach the exit of the building where parliamentary deputies were leaving following a confidence vote won by the government.

About 300 protesters who stayed overnight by the parliament awaiting results of the confidence vote clashed with police outside the building on Wednesday (June 22).

The confidence vote had just been passed in parliament when protesters tried to reach the exit to the building where deputies were leaving. Police fired tear gas in response and protesters responded with stones.

Police vans, metal barricades and fences blocked the parliament entrance and exit so the protesters could not approach.

Police fired several volleys of tear gas to dispel the protesters, who threw stones at police.

Over 20,000 thousand people had gathered earlier in the square opposite the Greek Parliament for an anti-austerity rally ahead of the late night confidence vote called by the country's prime minister, which his government won.

Hands of Constitution violators should be broken: Nawaz

BAGH: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif during a public meeting in connection with the election campaign in Azad Kashmir on Wednesday said hands of those who violate the Constitution should be broken, Geo News reported.

Nawaz Sharif said Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then prime minister of India, had assured him that the Kashmir issue would be resolved by the year 1999 but Musharraf embarked on the Kargil war and brought a bad name to Pakistan.

“I had to sacrifice power to protect the army,” he asserted, and stressed that Musharraf should be asked as to why he brought shame on Pakistan.

The PML-N Chief claimed that when he shook hands with someone then the bond remains forever. “I have shaken hands with the people and I will never let them down,” he promised.

He said his relationship of love with the people goes back a long a way and ‘I can never forget the people of Kashmir’.

Nawaz Sharif said he harbored no grudge against anyone and I just want that when a party comes forward with a mandate it must be respected.

He said when India had conducted nuclear tests, the Indians assumed a threatening tone in terms of Kashmir.

“We responded to the five Indian nuclear tests with six and brought the other side to the table,” Nawaz Sharif maintained.

Nawaz wants to bring army, govt face to face: Zardari

NAUDERO: PPP Co-Chairman and President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari has alleged that PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif wanted to bring army and the government face to face, Geo News reported.

Addressing a gathering in connection with 58th birth anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto in Nauder, Larkana, the President said that there is no difference between thinking of Nawaz Sharif and Taliban leader Mullah Omer.

Zardari said that PPP always fight with doctors rather than any institution.

Asif Ali Zardari said that the thinking of ‘Molvi’ Nawaz Sharif resulted in assassination of Benazir Bhutto. “Our first fight is with the thinking of Nawaz Sharif,” he said. He added that thinking of Nawaz Sharif defeated.

Zardari further said, “All of my cases were created by Nawaz Sharif”

Brig Ali case: army interrogating 4 Majors

RAWALPINDI: DG ISPR, Major General Athar Abbas has said that four Majors were being investigated along with Brigadier Ali Khan for their alleged links with a banned organisation.

In a radio interview, Major General Athar Abbas said that Brigadier Ali Khan had links with banned organisation Hizbul Tehrir and was involved in illegal activities which were against Army discipline.

Brigadier Ali is currently detained and being interrogated. He dismissed reports that a large number of soldiers were in contact with militants or had links with banned organisations. However, he added that in an institution, as large as the army, presence of such individuals could not be immediately dismissed.

Answering a question about the Abbottabad raid and the attack on PNS Mehran, Major General Athar Abbas said many inefficiencies had surfaced following these incidents. He said that there were many reasons behind these incidents and inter-departmental inquiries had been conducted in this regard.

Many issues had come before the people and many were being investigated. He said the army wanted to bring forward all information and did not want to hide anything. The nation should however understand that it cannot be informed of all issues relating national security because it would cause harm to the people and be beneficial to enemies, he added.

World groups urge political solution in Libya

TRIPOLI  – International organisations called for a political process to end the conflict in Libya, where the government hit out at NATO's air war. The Libyan regime headed by Moamer Kadhafi also dismissed rebel denials that the two sides have held talks. World organisations including the United Nations, European Union and Arab League met in Cairo to discuss Libya and stressed the need for a political solution there. They issued a statement in Arabic underlining the importance of "accelerating the launch of a political process that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people." EU foreign policy chief...

Toddlers among 9 dead in Tripoli ‘NATO raid’

Libyan officials showed reporters five bodies, two of them of toddlers, they said were among nine civilians killed in a ‘barbaric’ NATO air raid on Sunday

 as pressure mounted on the alliance to allow a political solution.

Government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim accused the Western alliance of ‘deliberately targeting civilians,’ insisting there were no military targets anywhere near the residential neighbourhood of the capital that was hit.

NATO said it was looking into the Libyan claim.

Ibrahim demanded that the alliance end its ‘aggression’ to pave the way for dialogue, speaking just hours after organisations including the the Arab League, the European Union and the United Nations highlighted the importance of ‘accelerating the launch of a political process’ to end the conflict.

Journalists were taken to the Al Arada district of Tripoli before 1 am (2300 GMT Saturday) to see rescue teams helped by bystanders desperately searching for survivors among the wreckage of a two-storey block of flats.

Journalists were then taken to a Tripoli hospital where they were shown the bodies of a woman and two toddlers that officials said were members of the same family and had died in the raid.

Ibrahim said that four passers-by were also killed, bringing the death toll to nine, and that 18 people were wounded.

A NATO official in Brussels confirmed that the alliance had had planes in the air over Tripoli over the past 24 hours.

‘We’re aware of the claim made by the Libyan regime and we’re looking into it,’ a second NATO official told.

If confirmed, the civilian deaths would be an embarrassment for the alliance which has been leading the bombing campaign under a UN mandate to protect civilians.

‘It is another night of massacre, terror and horror at the hands of NATO,’ the Libyan government spokesman charged.

Western leaders ‘are morally and legally responsible for these murders,’ Ibrahim said.

‘This is not propaganda. It is not something that we can stage.’

Libyan officials have been on the defensive over their credibility after they showed journalists a little girl being treated in hospital two weeks ago and said she had been wounded in a NATO air strike. A member of the medical staff said she had been injured in a traffic accident.

Ibrahim called on NATO to halt its ‘aggression’ against Libya to pave the way for dialogue to end a conflict now in its fifth month.

‘NATO is very good at attacking and killing people but it is very bad at starting dialogue,’ he said.

The alliance has acknowledged mis-hits in the past, most of them involving rebel fighters wrongly identified as loyalist troops.

Only Saturday, NATO acknowleged that aircraft under its command had accidentally hit a rebel column near the oil refinery town of Brega on the frontline between the rebel-held east and the mainly government-held west on Thursday.

‘NATO can now confirm that the vehicles hit were part of an opposition patrol,’ it said in a statement.

‘This incident occurred in an area of conflict between Gaddafi forces and opposition forces.

‘We regret any possible loss of life or injuries caused by this unfortunate incident,’ NATO said.

The alleged civilian casualties in Tripoli come amid mounting international pressure on the alliance to seek a negotiated solution as the frontlines between the rebels and the government show little movement despite the protracted bombing campaign.

After talks in Cairo on Saturday, the African Union, Arab League, European Union and United Nations issued a joint statement on the importance of ‘accelerating the launch of a political process that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people.’

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton attended the meeting along with outgoing Arab League chief Amr Mussa and African Union head Jean Ping, while UN chief Ban Ki-moon joined by live video link.

Ban said the roots of a negotiating process were showing but that the international community needed to give a ‘consistent message’ on a political solution with Gaddafi.

The UN chief’s comments came after both the Libyan prime minister and Russian envoy Mikhail Margelov insisted that contacts were under way between the two sides despite furious denials by the rebels.

‘Ask the Egyptians, French, Norwegians and Tunisians for information. They will tell you the truth,’ Mahmudi said. ‘We are sure of our meetings and everything has been recorded.’

Margelov said after visiting Tripoli that Gaddafi’s regime had forged multiple contacts with the Libyan rebels’ National Transitional Council in foreign capitals including Berlin, Paris and Oslo.

But the NTC denied there were any talks.

‘I can assure you there is and there was no negotiation between the NTC and the regime,’ said the council’s head of international affairs, 

India, China armies resume talks

NEW DELHI: India resumes defence contacts with China frozen for a year when an Indian military delegation visits on Sunday, though few expect any breakthrough with Beijing pursuing its "all-weather friendship" with arch-rival Pakistan.

But analysts say the visit, which ends a suspension of such contacts following a visa row last year, is a step forward in keeping a balance in ties between the emerging rivals for global influence and resources.

New Delhi feels Beijing is trying to encircle and pin India down to South Asia with a string of military bases on the Indian Ocean rim. China is Pakistan's biggest arms supplier and the only major power not to have publicly criticised Islamabad over the discovery of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in that country.

While trade and diplomatic ties between the Asian powers are booming, the lack of defence exchanges is an aberration analysts say must be remedied for the world's fastest growing economies to achieve lasting peace.

"It is symbolic and I cautiously welcome it. It does not represent any breakthrough in solving the disputes," said Uday Bhaskar, director of New-Delhi based think-tank National Maritime Foundation. "The mistrust is (over) the deep anxiety over military cooperation (between Pakistan and China) and how Pakistan is using that for furthering its agenda of terrorism."

While a war between India and China is highly unlikely, any flare up will only add to tensions in a dangerous neighbourhood, complicating efforts by Washington to stabilise a region filled with nuclear weapons and Islamic militants. "(Not having) talks on the defence level is a symbol of mistrust. It breeds more suspicions if they are not talking," said Srikanth Kondapalli, professor of Chinese studies at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University. 

Angelina Jolie visits Syrian refugees at camp

ANKARA: Hollywood star Angelina Jolie travelled to meet some of the thousands of Syrian refugees on the country's border with Turkey. 

The actress and goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), shared fruit and dessert with Syrians who have fled their government's bloody crackdown.

Flying in on a private jet, the celebrity arrived with boxes of toys for the refugees and visited one camp in Turkey which nearly 10,000 have fled to.

Jolie spent two-and-a-half hours with about 1,700 refugees at the site in Altinozu, 12 miles (20km) away from the Syrian border.

It was reported she asked them how they were in Arabic, before speaking with them through an interpreter.

Reports also said she took notes and showed particular interest in the women and children.

"The people in this camp have fled in fear for their lives, and many told me they were distraught about the safety of loved ones still in Syria," she said in a UNHCR statement.

The American actress also praised Turkey for welcoming the refugees, saying it is critical in these situations that people have access to safety.

A mob of children chanted "look who is here", and "welcome, welcome" as they pushed forward to shake Jolie's hand, the statement said.

"I appreciate the opportunity to visit this camp and talk to these families," Jolie said.

Protests first erupted in Syria in mid-March as part of the 'Arab Spring' push toward democracy.

But Syrian president Bashar Assad responded by unleashing a brutal military crackdown on demonstrators - with more than 1,400 Syrians reportedly killed and 10,000 detained

Mullah Omar key for US in Afghan talks: experts

KABUL: The US may be in talks with the Taliban but its key challenge will be reaching out to the militants' elusive, one-eyed leader Mullah Omar as momentum builds for a peace deal in Afghanistan, experts say.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Saturday that the United States and other foreign countries were in contact with the Taliban, the first official confirmation of their involvement in talks after nearly ten years of war.

While diplomats say contacts are at a very early stage, Karzai's remarks show the increasing focus on a political settlement to the Afghan war after the death of Osama bin Laden and as foreign combat troops prepare to leave by 2014.

The support of the Taliban leader, for whom Washington offers a $10 million reward, is considered vital for any ceasefire or power-sharing deal.

But his location, long thought to be somewhere in Pakistan, remains a mystery.

The search has particular momentum given President Barack Obama's promise to start pulling out some of the 90,000 US troops from Afghanistan next month ahead of a full withdrawal within three years.

Pakistani analyst and author Imtiaz Gul said that the US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Marc Grossman, asked for his help earlier this month in tracking down Omar.

"Grossman told me the US is looking for people who can prove demonstrable access to Mullah Omar," he said.

"I think the US considers Mullah Omar is still the key to Afghan peace. A US official told me: 'We don't want to remove him. We are very interested in
talking to him.'"

Omar has long been thought to live in Pakistan's southwestern city of Quetta but Pakistan insists it has no idea where he is.

After Al-Qaeda leader bin Laden was killed by US forces in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad last month, most experts believe that Omar would have moved on quickly.

Afghanistan's intelligence service said shortly after bin Laden was killed that Omar had "disappeared from his hideout" in Quetta, without saying where he might have gone.

Western and Afghan officials in Kabul see assistance from Pakistan as crucial to efforts to open up a communication channel with Taliban leaders.

Karzai recently visited Islamabad, unusually for two days, and inaugurated a joint peace commission. Afghan officials now believe that Pakistan, where the Taliban leadership is believed to be based, is more willing to help.

"The dynamics in the relationship have changed quite substantively over the last few months," an Afghan official said on condition of anonymity.

"They now say very clearly that they have a role to play and we in Afghanistan have specific expectations of Pakistan."

One such expectation is for Pakistan to "actively encourage Taliban leaders including Mullah Omar to join the reconciliation process," he said.

Publicly, the Taliban insist they will not discuss peace until all 130,000 foreign troops leave the country.

"We have already said this and have repeated it many times. We have no negotiations with the United States," said Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman.

But Germany's respected Der Spiegel magazine reported last month that Berlin had helped US officials contact Tayyab Aga, Omar's trusted personal secretary and brother-in-law, reportedly deputy head of a Taliban political commission.

Afghanistan analyst and former Pakistani intelligence official Brigadier Saad Khan said the contacts in Germany were "initial and exploratory" but that Aga took part "with the full blessing of Mullah Omar".

"I think both the US and the Taliban realise they have to talk to each other," Khan said.

Whatever the status of talks, all sides clearly have a vested interest in keeping something so sensitive under wraps.

But in a situation of such shadowy uncertainty, the US and its allies will also be wary of repeating the kind of humiliating mistake which hit efforts to talk peace with the Taliban last year.

In November 2010, a man who claimed to be a senior Taliban commander was apparently brought to Kabul on a NATO aircraft to meet Karzai, before being exposed as a lowly shopkeeper from Quetta

Karzai meets Iran's defence minister

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai met Iran's Defence Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi here on Sunday.

During the meeting, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said national and regional solutions for strengthening stability in Afghanistan were more practical than trans-regional ones.

"A major part of the insecurity in the Middle East stems from the presence of trans-regional forces that have disturbed peace in the region to provide their own illegitimate security," Vahidi said.

"The Afghan nation is not alone, and we and all Islamic countries stand beside you," he said.

Karzai expressed gratitude for Iran's support of Afghanistan during the past 32 years, and called for the continuation of Tehran's help in reconstructing the country and strengthening security.

Vahidi is expected to meet with other top political and military officials in Afghanistan, including Interior Minister Hanif Atmar to discuss bilateral interests as well as the latest regional and international developments.

The Iranian defense minister arrived in the Afghan capital on Saturday on an official visit upon the invitation of his Afghan counterpart Abdul Rahim Wardak.

 

FESCO shutdown notice

FAISALABAD: The Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) has issued a shutdown notice for repair, maintenance and expansion of electricity lines.

According to the notice issued here on Saturday, power supply from City,Farooq and Dijkot Road feeders will remain suspended from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. while Al-Masoom, Roshan Wala and Ahmadnagar feeders will observe a shutdown from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday (May 30).

Similarly, electricity supply from Zahid Jee, Neeli Bar, Sammundri and Sitiana feeders will also remain suspended from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on May 30, 2011

11 killed, 4 injured in road accident

KARACHI: At least eleven people were killed and four others injured when a passenger coach overturned at Makran Coastal Highway in the wee hours of Sunday,

According to the report, the coach capsized owing to over-speeding near Ormara area when it was moving from Karachi to Gwadar.

Relief efforts were kicked off at the site and the injured were shifted to District Health Hospital in Ormara.

Hospital sources said that injured people are in critical situation.

Three killed, 31 injured in Pangjur blast

QUETTA: At least three people including two children were killed and five law enforcement personnel among 31 injured in an attack on a vehicle of a law enforcement agency in Pangur on Saturday.

Unknown men had planted explosive devise in a motorcycle and parked it in Bismillah Chowk and they detonated it with remote control when a LEA convoy was passing through the area, police said.

The dead were identified as: Nasir Ahmed, Muhammad and Abdul Khaliq. Ten out of 31 injured were identified as Azizullah, Anaytullah, Zamir Ahmed, Riaz Ahmed, Hashim Khan, Sajid, Ahmed, Baqir, Ali, Salam. The injured have been admitted to FC hospital

The explosion badly damaged LEA vehicle and smashed windowpanes of nearby buildings. Heavy contingent of law enforcement agency and police reached the site and cordoned off the entire area to trace the attackers.

The police have registered a case against unidentified suspects

Taliban parting al Qaeda will help peace: U.S.

WASHINGTON: Taliban’s separation from al Qaeda will help peace, says a U.S. statement issued by the State Department here, 

It said that the UN resolution differentiating Taliban with al Qaeda would induce the Afghan militants joining in the process of reconciliation in their country. This resolution would also prove beneficial for the Afghan government in their efforts for reconciliation and cooperation with such militants, who severe their ties with the international terror like al Qaeda, condemn violence and respect the Afghan constitution, which included providing security to all the Afghan men and women, then negotiations could be held with them.

In fact, this resolution has clearly endorsed the international community’s efforts underway relating to the reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Japan suspends waste water operation at nuclear plant

TOKYO: Tokyo Electric Power said Saturday it stopped treating highly radioactive waste water at a crippled Japanese nuclear plant just hours after the system came online because parts needed to be replaced.

Part of the system that absorbs radioactive caesium had reached its processing capacity and needed to be replaced far earlier than expected, TEPCO officials said.

The operation started at 8:00 pm Friday (1100 GMT) and was stopped five hours later, said TEPCO, which had earlier expected the part to last for one month.

"We are studying the cause of this," said Junichi Matsumoto, TEPCO official in charge of nuclear operations.

TEPCO officials speculated that especially highly radioactive mud might have entered the treatment system.

"We do not have a firm timing as to when we can resume the operation of the water treatment facility," Matsumoto told a press conference. 

Afghan vice-president escape rocket attack

KABUL: Afghan Vice President Karim Khalili and Interior Minister Besmullah Mohammadi escaped unhurt after a rocket attack targeted a police centre in central Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials said.

Provincial spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said the attack happened in the Chaki Wardak district of Wardak province, a restive area west of Kabul.

"There was a security meeting in the police training centre at which the interior minister and second vice president were present," he said.

"After the meeting was over and we were leaving, a rocket landed within a few hundred metres of the centre but nobody was injured," he added.

Focus of Afghan war is shifting eastward: WP

WASHINGTON: The Afghan war is returning to the place it began: the violent eastern borderlands with Pakistan, where the Taliban and Al-Qaeda slipped out of American reach a decade ago and have organized their insurgency ever since, Washington Post said.

In southern Afghanistan, the United States has succeeded over the past year in prying the Taliban’s grip from parts of Kandahar and Helmand provinces. But U.S. military commanders recognize they have far to go in the country’s east, where insurgents fight from the cover of craggy mountains, drive truckloads of weapons through illegal dirt-road border crossings, and flee across the frontier into Pakistan to elude capture.

The intense U.S. focus on the south has meant that there are about 38,500 troops in that region, compared with 31,000 in eastern Afghanistan. But those in the east have borne a disproportionately high share of casualties in recent months, and some territory held by the Afghan government has fallen back into Taliban hands after U.S. troops pulled out of their small outposts.

In eastern Afghanistan, “we really haven’t focused our energy and efforts,” said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, NATO’s second-ranking commander in Afghanistan. “Because you can’t do it everywhere at the same time.”

By concentrating more on the east, U.S. military officials hope to confront the cross-border flow of Taliban and Haqqani network fighters who operate from Pakistan’s poorly governed tribal districts. The higher priority would mean more intelligence capabilities, such as surveillance drones, as well as more Afghan soldiers for the region. But commanders are faced with the problem of trying to intensify a fight with fewer American troops, as President Obama begins withdrawing forces next month.

With less combat power, commanders must balance between keeping troop-strength high in the south to hold their gains and shifting more to the problems in the east. In the past six months, 64 U.S. troops have died in the east, compared with 67 in the south, despite the fact that there are 7,500 more troops in the south. Some U.S. planners have made the case for making the east the war’s top priority as soon as this summer, but Rodriguez said that is unlikely to happen.

The problems in the east start with Pakistan, whose tribal border districts have long provided refuge for Afghan insurgents. Fighters for the Taliban, as well as Al-Qaeda and the Pakistani group Lashkar-i-Taiba, can move from Pakistan into places such as Konar province, which has cultivated a toxic mix of fighters in remote mountain valleys. U.S. military commanders recognized last year that they were likely never going to have enough troops to pursue a strategy built around protecting the Afghan population. 

Nato concerns over France, Russia deal

ST PETERSBURG: France and Russia signed an agreement on Friday for Paris to supply Moscow with two Mistral class helicopter carriers made by a French-led consortium in a 1.2 billion euro ($1.52 billion) deal.

The long-discussed purchase is Moscow's first major foreign arms purchase in the two decades since the fall of the Soviet Union. Russia agreed last year to buy the Mistrals, to be made in France, giving it access to advanced technology and alarming some of France's NATO allies.

Under details of the deal given in the past, the ships are to be built by shipyard companies DCNS and STX along with Russia's state-run United Shipbuilding Corporation, OSK. DCNS is quarter-owned by defence electronics group Thales.

France will build two ships, the head of Russia's arms monopoly Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaikin said, while Russia's OSK will build another two. He did not specify when the two other ships would be built.

One of the main sticking points in the negotiations was whether Russia will get access to the technology used in French ships, giving it a glimpse of more advanced naval weapons and defence systems.

Isaikin said Russia will buy fully equipped vessels. "I don't know who started this rumour," he said, referring to earlier reports that France could sell the ships without the military technology.

President Nicolas Sarkozy hailed the signing of the contract for the two carriers. A statement from his office said it would mean the creation of more than 1,000 jobs in France over four years.

"The signature of today's contract at St Petersburg ... illustrates the strategic dimension of this cooperation for France and Russia and the constant support of the two heads of state to see it carried out," the statement said.

The purchase caused concern among some NATO members, especially in the aftermath of Russia's 2008 war with Georgia. Russia has tried to ease NATO fears by announcing plans to deploy the vessels in the Pacific.

The Mistral-class ships are able to carry up to 16 helicopters, such as Russia's Ka-50/52 choppers.

Their landing barges and hovercraft allow vehicles, tanks and soldiers to be deployed to shore. Last year Russia, the world's second-largest arms exporter and fifth-largest arms spender, spent $61 billion on arms purchases from domestic firms.

Britain urges citizens to leave Syria 'now'

LONDON: Britain urged its nationals on Saturday to leave Syria ‘now’ by commercial means, warning that its embassy in Damascus would unlikely be able to help them if the situation deteriorates further. 

"British nationals should leave now by commercial means whilst these are still operating," the Foreign Office said in updated travel advice.

"Those who choose to remain in Syria, or to visit against our advice, should be aware that it is highly unlikely that the British embassy in Damascus would be able to provide a normal consular service in the event of a further breakdown in law and order and increased violent civil disorder.

"Evacuation options would be limited because of likely communication and travel restrictions."

Britain urged its nationals on April 20 to consider leaving Syria, but has stepped up its advice amid escalating violence in the Middle Eastern country, where anti-regime protests have sparked a bloody crackdown by security forces.

"It is important that British nationals in Syria maintain a close watch on the situation and take responsibility for their own safety and security, making contingency plans accordingly," a Foreign Office spokeswoman added.

"Our advice is very clear, because of the current situation, we advise against all travel to Syria. We ask British nationals to heed this advice and leave the country now."

The Foreign Office could not immediately give details on how many British nationals were still in Syria.

The violence has claimed the lives of nearly 1,300 civilians and 340 security force members since mid-March, according the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

Small aircraft enters US restricted air space

WASHINGTON: Coast Guard helicopters intercepted a small aircraft that entered restricted air space near the US capital on Saturday, military officials said.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said it ordered the action after the "small general aviation aircraft" approached the capital region without authorization at about 11:50 am (1550 GMT).

"Upon being intercepted, the civilian aircraft was diverted to Annapolis (in Maryland) where the pilot was to meet with local law enforcement," NORAD said in a statement.

It did not provide further details on the pilot, the aircraft, its destination or the precise location of the incident.

President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner were playing golf at the time at Andrews Air Force base five miles (eight kilometers) southeast of Washington.

It was the third time in a week that NORAD had to scramble jets or choppers to steer away civilian planes that strayed into restricted air space in the vicinity of the president.

On June 11 two US F-15 fighter jets intercepted a small civilian plane flying near Camp David, the presidential retreat where Obama was spending the weekend with his family.

Two days later NORAD directed two Coast Guard HH65 "Dolphin" helicopters to intercept a small plane as it neared the capital region, but after identification the aircraft was permitted to continue to its destination

Bollywood flop Akshay Kumar leaves for Hollywood

MUMBAI: Indian actor Akshay Kumar would now be trying his luck in Hollywood, following his series of movies flopped in the Bollywood.

Indian actor Akshay Kumar production house Hari Om couldn’t show anything special to the movie buffs and the buzz is now that Akshay would try his luck by producing a film ‘Breakaway’ in association with a Hollywood director and stars like Russell Peters and Camilla Belle playing the leading roles.

The theme of the film centers round Hockey like Chuk de India’ and ‘Namastay London’, although these films couldn’t make any success on the box office.

Indian and Hollywood joint ventures like ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ has won the hearts of the people, but whether a similar theme was not there in ‘Patiala House’—aspiring to become the a renowned cricketer. Akshay should understand that he couldn’t perform well in the role of a player and the films made on games didn’t hit in Indi

I will not take a u-turn: Afridi

KARACHI: Pakistan former skipper Shahid Afridi said that he would never go back on his word and he would not reverse his retirement decision even after the legal battle against the board has ended in an out-of-court settlement. 

“What I had said earlier stays and I would not backtrack on my words and my decision. Retiring from international cricket does not mean that I would not play cricket. County cricket is also a cricket for me,” Afridi told reporters here at Karachi Gymkhana on Saturday.

He was attending a welfare organization - ‘Make a Wish’ program on Saturday.

Afridi had retired from international cricket and had also vowed not to play cricket under the present Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) set up.

After reaching an agreement with the board, where Afridi was reissued his NOC to play cricket for Hampshire county, while Afridi agreed and later appeared before PCB’s disciplinary committee and prematurely ended his legal battle against the board, it was speculated that Afridi might take a U-Turn as did his other colleagues did in the past.

The most recent case is of prolific middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who retired from international cricket last year but ironically he came out of it in the same year.

However, the flamboyant all-rounder categorically rubbished such speculations. “I will stand firm on my words,” said Afridi.

The agreement between the skipper and the board brought an end to a controversy that began during Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies.

During the one-day series in the Caribbean, Afridi had a falling out with the coach Waqar Younis and he made his feelings public on his return to Pakistan.

The PCB responded by stripping Afridi of the ODI captaincy after which the all-rounder pulled out of the trip to Ireland and retired.

Meanwhile, Afridi said that he has accepted the decision of the board and he would not be to appealing against the fine imposed on him.

“PCB disciplinary committee did what it thought right and I would not appeal against the fine they imposed on me,” he said.

Afridi was fined Rs 4.5 million by the board for breaching its code of conduct.

Afridi also said that if he had time in his schedule to play in domestic cricket than he would certainly feature in the local event.

Afridi would be leaving for England on June 22 to feature in Hampshire county.