23 extremists killed in last 24 hours: ISPR

Updated at: 1654 PST, Wednesday, June 10, 2009 RAWALPINDI: At least 23 extremists have been killed killed in various areas of Malakand and Dir, during the last 24 hours of Operation Rah-e-Raast, Geo News reported Wednesday.While Wali Ullah, aterrorist commander handed over himself to Army, 2 soldiers embraced Shahadat and 12 soldiers were injured including 2 officers.According to ISPR press release, Jani Khel is the staging area of all militants operating in D.I Khan, Bannu, Kohat and Peshawar. Reportedly 600-800 terrorists reached Jani Khel from Miran Shah and Razmak. They were planning to strike at different places in NWFP. Security forces engaged suspected terrorists locations at Jani Khel with heavy fire. Clearance operation in area Zaidi Akbar Khan is in progress.Security forces conducted search operation at Batkhela, during exchange of fire, 1 terrorist was killed. Security forces also recovered cache of arms, ammunition, explosive and communication equipment.Security forces commenced search operation to secure area from Kabbal Camp to Kabbal village. Terrorists fired a rocket at Kabbal Camp, due to which 1 soldier embraced shahadat and 11 soldiers were injured including 2 officers.Terrorists fire raided at Bariam Bridge near Matta, Resultantly 1 soldier embraced shahadat. Wali Ullah (terrorist commander) handed over himself to Army at Besham. Security forces were fire raided by terrorists at Banmani Sar, which was effectively responded, resultantly 6 terrorists were killed.Security forces secured Shalkosar top and Shalkosar Kandao in Piochar valley. Fierce fire fight took place between the security forces and terrorists, resultantly 16 terrorists were killed in South East of Shalkosar top.Local lashkar has moved closer to terrorists at Shatkas and Ghzigae villages. Intense exchange of fire is taking place, reportedly 50 terrorists from Dir-Kohistan side came to support terrorists at Shatkas, who were engaged by Lashkar and they finally ran away.Terrorists demolished two Govt High Schools at Sherjanay, Sangolay village and Chinar Kot in Maidan area. Terrorists demolished a bridge near village Kalpani at Lal Qila, Maidan. Buner. Security forces secured Gat Khela and Jowar area.The security forces also continued relief activities for the IDPs. At least 31 paramedics including 8 specialist doctors were moved to Mingora by Helicopter. Four trucks of ration and non food items were distributed among the stranded people of Swat valley at Mingora.

Peshawar blast death toll rises to 11

Updated at: 0008 PST, Wednesday, June 10, 2009 PESHAWAR: At least 11 people were killed and 40 others injured in a powerful blast at a five-star hotel in Peshawar area of Saddar at Khyber Road, Geo News reported Tuesday.The injured include mainly the servants of the hotel.According to Geo News correspondent, the blast was so powerful that windowpanes of the nearby buildings broke. Soon after the blast, the power supply to the area has been suspended. The whole area is plun ..

Suicide attack on Rescue-15 office kills cop in Isb

Updated at: 2119 PST, Saturday, June 06, 2009 ISLAMABAD: One policeman has been killed and three others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance of Rescue-15 building here on Saturday.According to Geo news correspondent Asim Rana, policemen stationed at the main gate of Rescue-15 offered resistance and shot dead the accomplice of the suicide bomber. Terrorists also tried to attack the building a few days ago but security forces foiled the bid.

Holbrooke assures Taliban won’t step into Balochistan: PM Gilani

Updated at: 0133 PST, Saturday, June 06, 2009 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gialani addressing the PPP Balochistan meeting on Saturday, said that the US special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has assured the government of Pakistan Taliban will not make their ways into Balochistan province.PM urged United States to review its drone policy adding, “Drone attacks are putting negative impact over the government’s policy to part militants with the people of Balochistn”.He said Richard Holbrooke has guaranteed that Taliban will be barred from entering Balochistan province even after surge of US troops in Afghanistan assuring that US is not planning extend drone strike to Balochistan.Government wishes to end ongoing military offensive in Swat and Malakand Division soon.Premier said the salaries of Frontier Corps officials will soon be doubled, reiterating government’s resolve to provide Balochistan with aid packages for development projects

US, Pak, Afghanistan and NATO forming joint strategy: Haqqani

Updated at: 2223 PST, Friday, May 29, 2009 WASHINGTON: Islamabad’s ambassador to Washington Hussain Haqqani says that Pakistan, United States, Afghanistan and NATO are trying to outline a joint strategy to fight militancy. In an interview with a British TV, he said that the government of Pakistan is fully determined to stamp out the militants from Malakand region. “The recent bomb attacks in Pakistan shows that pressure is mounting on the extremists following the launch of military operation,” he said.Haqqani said that Pakistani government started military offensive against the terrorists and the extremists with people support.

Lahore suicide blast death toll mounts to 23

Updated at: 1334 PST, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 LAHORE: The suicide car bomb blast at Rescue-15 building adjacent to CCPO Office killed 23 people and injured over 200 others here in Civil Line area on Wednesday.The injured have been shifted to different hospitals of the city where medical aid is being provided to them.President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the blast.According to sources, gunshots were being heard near the blast site for minutes before a speeding red van laden with explosives broke the barriers outside the Rescue-15 building and blew up with a loud blast, bringing down the entire building.The suicide bomber intended to target the office of the CCPO, sources added.Explosives weighing 100 kilograms were used in the explosion which was followed by gunshots in the area with intervals while four suspects were arrested from the blast site.Windowpanes of the nearby buildings and houses were shattered and 15 vehicles were destroyed as thick smoke clouded the blast site.Rescue activities were kick-started after the blast and the injured were whisked away by ambulances to Meo, Gangaram and Services hospitals.Machines are being used to recover people trapped under the debris. Six of the ten bodies brought to Meo Hospital were of policemen while two bodies are beyond recognition

Army mounts new phase of offensive in Swat : Security forces enter Mingora

17 Taliban including key commander killed as street battles begin * Taliban flee in small groups from Peochar valley By Tahir NiazISLAMABAD: Troops stormed into Mingora and fought street battles with the Taliban on Saturday, in a bid to wrest the main Swat town from Taliban control.Seventeen Taliban including a commander were killed as the new and most important phase of Operation Rah-e-Rast commenced, chief military spokesman Major GeneralAthar Abbas said in a daily briefing.He said the troops had secured a part of the city from the Circuit House to Makan Bagh. Battles to secure Nawan Killi have begun and a link up between forces coming from Fiza Ghat to Whataki Chowk and Ayub Bridge to Nawan Killi has been completed. Intense clashes were reported from Nishat Chowk in Mingora. A suicide bomber was shot dead and an explosives-laden vehicle was destroyed in Makanzai area of the city. On the Qambar Ridge overlooking Mingora, three caves with large quantities of ammunition and rations were discovered during a search and destroy operation. The Taliban are on the run in small groups from their former Peochar stronghold.Troops have secured the vital Wanai Bridge linking Matta with Peochar.Gen Abbas said there were about 1,500 ‘hardcore militants’ still fighting in Swat, and that the army would try to complete the operation in eight weeks.

Car bomb kills 10 in Peshawar

Updated at: 1955 PST, Friday, May 22, 2009
PESHAWAR: A car bomb exploded on Cinema Road in Khyber Bazaar area of Peshawar, killing 10 people and injuring dozens others, police said on Friday.The dead and injured were rushed to the city’s hospitals where emergency was declared. The hospitals’ administration confirmed that more than 50 injured were brought to the hospital, some of them in very critical condition.According to the CCPO Peshawar, more than 75 people sustained injuries in the blast.The cinema building nearby shops were badly damaged in the blast. Several cars and other vehicles parked on the road were also damaged.The blast was very loud and was heard in many parts of the provincial capital.

Swat operation in new phase, security forces enter into Matta

SWAT: The security forces engaged in wiping out militants opened a new phase of the operation by marching into Matta town here.Sources said that security forces quelling some minor resistance took control of the town and set up posts at vintage points and strategic places.Following security forces advice to Matta residents to vacate the town and move out to safer places by 12.00-noon today, a large number of people had shifted.Military officials said that Pakistan Army troops marched into the town, while the forces have the cover of gun-ship helicopters. They said that security forces had to face some resistance in the process, as the militants were trying to escape from the scene.

Taliban ‘challenge of 21st century’: President

Updated at: 2114 PST, Sunday, May 10, 2009 WASHINGTON: President Asif Ali Zardari Sunday said Taliban are challenge of 21st century and a new battle.In an interview with a US TV channel, the President reiterated his confidence that Pakistan will not collapse in the increasing insurgency of the Taliban forces. When asked whether Pakistan is going to collapse, he said: “No. We are 180 million people. There the population is much, much more than the insurgents are." Admitting that Pakistan has "a problem" with Taliban activities inside its borders, the President called for joint international effort to deal with the threat of Taliban. "I think we need to find a strategy where the world gets together against this threat, because it's not Pakistan-specific. It's not Afghanistan-specific," he said. "I think the world needs to understand that this is the new challenge of the 21st century, and this is the new war." Pakistan's military intensified its campaign last week to turn back the Tablian from its moves toward Islamabad. The militants have taken control of many parts of the mountainous districts overlooking the capital.

Night curfew in Swat; Taliban patrol Mingora

Updated at: 2210 PST, Sunday, May 03, 2009 SWAT: Bodies of two security personnel have been found in Tehsil Khwazakhela while unknown men have set on fire three trucks in Babu Klay. Night curfew has been imposed in Swat from 9 pm Sunday to 6 am Monday, sources said.Beheaded bodies of two security men have been found in Alam Ganj area of Tehsil Khwazakhela, sources added.Shops remained closed in Mingora markets as Taliban patrolled the area.Sources further said that security forces had arrested 5 suspects.Meanwhile, unknown men blew up a government boys school with the help of explosives while armed assailants broke into Mingora Grid Station.Heavy exchange of fire also took place between security forces and militants during which a power transformer was damaged resulting in suspension of electricity in many areas.

Gilani, Shahbaz agree to remain coalition partners in Punjab

Updated at: 2130 PST, Saturday, May 02, 2009 LAHORE: Prime Minster Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif agreed on Saturday to carry forward reconciliation process according to the charter of democracy (CoD).According to State TV, the prime minister said that Pakistan People Party (PPP) would remain in the Punjab government as part of reconciliatory policy.Both leaders exchanged views on law and order situation in Punjab, terrorism and other issues in one-on-one meeting lasted for one and half-hour at the prime minister’s residence in Lahore.Gilani told Shahbaz that all parties would be invited to the all parties’ conference so that a joint strategy could be framed to deal with issue of terrorism and other challenges facing the country.

Taliban still present in Buner

Updated at: 0758 PST, Sunday, April 26, 2009 BUNER: The pullout of Taliban came from Swat, is yet to come to end but markets have reopened and business activity started to resume in Buner as situation improves following the news of Taliban withdrawal but the courts and judicial system seem peril as yet and many cases, waiting to be trailed in courts, are in pending.The curfew has been imposed in the Manda tehil of Lower Dir due to the planned movement of security forces in the area, sources said.The routine activities of everyday life are gradually resuming in Buner after the recent withdrawal of Swat Taliban but their ten per cent presence in the area is still being reported, sources said.Crowds of people are now seen in trade centres while hustle bustle of markets is returning fast.However, courts continue to remain closed, resulting in delay of hundreds of pending cases.According to some sources, 10 per cent of the Taliban present earlier in the area are still there while the local Taliban of Buner have been seen patrolling some parts of the area.Meanwhile, a public meeting will be held in Buner’s college ground which will be attended by local elders and leaders of political and religious organizations.The meeting will devise a strategy for improving the overall law and order of the district.

Situation improves in Buner following Taliban pull out

Updated at: 2330 PST, Saturday, April 25, 2009 BUNER: Markets have reopened and business activity started to resume in Buner as situation improves following Taliban pull out from the area.The routine activities of everyday life are gradually resuming in Buner after the recent withdrawal of Swat Taliban.Crowds of people are now seen in trade centres while hustle bustle of markets is returning fast.However, courts continue to remain closed, resulting in delay of hund

Thai summit protest leader arrested: police

BANGKOK: Thai police Sunday arrested the leader of anti-government protesters who stormed an Asian regional summit, forcing it to be cancelled.Police said Arisman Pongreungrong was detained at his home in the capital following his return to Bangkok. "The police went to arrest Arisman Pongreungrong at his house on the charge of inciting protesters to kidnap the prime minister and cause unrest in the country," a police spokesman said. He said Arisman had cooperated with authorities who arrested him and took him to a police station in Bangkok's suburbs for questioning. "There will be further arrests, but right now the police are gathering evidence," the spokesman added. Arisman led at least 1,000 protesters loyal to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who overwhelmed police lines Saturday and stormed the hotel hosting the summit of Asian leaders. Authorities had to cancel the event and send helicopters to evacuate foreign leaders already in attendance. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's four-month-old coalition government has faced weeks of escalating protests peaking with the summit closure. It follows months of turmoil triggered by rival demonstrators who briefly shuttered Bangkok's airports late last year, sparking a political crisis that led to Abhisit taking office.

PM Gilani,CM Shahbaz Sharif Hold key Political Talks

Islamabad:Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani and Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif will hold crucial meeting today for making a last ditch effort to sort out PPP alliance with ML-N in Punjab province and ML-N joining PPP federal government. Both the leaders will be meeting here today at the Prime Minister House on lunch.
Following Shahbaz Sharif government restoration, the recent past allied parties will initiate the process of reviving their cooperation. It may be recalled that after PPP Punjab parliamentary party meeting recently, President Asif Ali Zardari had given the task to the prime minister to hold a final talk with the ML-N and today’s scheduled talks might result in ML-N joining again the federal government leading the PPP also joining the Punjab government.

New Somali bid to free US captain

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Geo News blocked in different cities of country

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Vatican backs abortion row bishop

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Mexican

(CNN) -- Nearly 7,000 Mexican soldiers and federal police arrived in the U.S.-Mexico border city of Ciudad Juarez this week to restore security to a city plagued by a long-standing, bloody drug war.

Mexican federal police patrol in Ciudad Juarez earlier this week.

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Random vehicle checkpoints, patrols of masked soldiers and police in SWAT gear are some of the signs of the massive military buildup ordered by Mexico's president, Ciudad Juarez police spokesman Jaime Torres Valadez said Thursday.
Another 1,500 soldiers are expected to join the 3,500 that rolled into Juarez earlier this week to support municipal police in street patrols and ultimately take control of their operations, Torres said.
In addition to the army troops, about 3,000 federal agents arrived to carry out investigations Torres likened to those of the FBI in the United States.
"They'll stay as long as necessary," Torres said, in the city across the border from El Paso, Texas.
Extreme violence among warring drug cartels and the Mexican government has long plagued Juarez and the state of Chihuahua, but the situation has been getting worse.
Last month, the city's chief of police was obliged to quit after threats from organized crime to kill a policeman every day that he remained on the job.
And this week, the U.S. Consulate in Juarez specifically warned Americans to avoid an area southeast of the city.
"There has been a dramatic increase in drug related violence in the Guadalupe Bravo area and there is no indication that the situation will improve in the near future," the consulate said on its Web site.

India urged to reply soon Mumbai probe questions asked: Rahman Malik

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BEIJING, China (CNN) -- When China's legislature opens its annual session this week, the focus will be on jobs, the economy and social stability.

Every year, over 3,000 delegates to the National People's Congress meet in Beijing to review draft laws and vote on government budget and policies. Delegates come from central and local governments, the military and police, including ethnic minority representatives, who typically show up in their traditional costumes.
In the past, the NPC has been dismissed as a "flower-vase," a largely ceremonial rubber-stamp parliament which merely endorses Communist Party decisions. But in recent years, it has seen robust discussion and debate.
This year, the number one issue will be how to survive the global economic crisis and keep China's economy growing. As the global economic crisis cascades into China Communist Party leaders fear a spike in unemployment could trigger social unrest and snowball into a political crisis.
"The NPC meeting this year will be all about the economy," says Drew Thompson, a China analyst at the Nixon Center in Washington. "Surviving the global financial crisis will depend on the effectiveness of the stimulus effort, and most importantly, keeping employment numbers up."
The unemployment picture already looks grim. The government officially says over 20 million migrants have lost jobs, laid off from thousands of factories which have closed down due to the steep drop in overseas demand for Chinese products. Analysts believe more jobs will be lost. This makes it more difficult for recent college graduates to find jobs.
Workers disgruntled over abrupt layoffs or unpaid arrears have staged scattered protests. Some of them have turned violent. Growing labor unrest alarms China's leaders who believe that social stability is necessary to improve the nation's struggling economy. Says NPC delegate Wang Diangui, "We need to ensure employment for migrants and new college graduates."
Premier Wen Jiabao says China is bracing up to meet the challenge.
"We'll do whatever it takes for to fight the crisis," he declared last weekend during his first-ever online chat with the Chinese Internet users.
"We must strengthen confidence in the face of the crisis and be ready to take firmer and stronger action when necessary."
China has already approved a $586 billion dollar stimulus plan, and there's talk of more. Wen is expected to flesh out details of the stimulus plan when he delivers the government work report, the equivalent of an annual state-of-the-nation address, at the NPC opening session on Thursday.
Wen cautions not to expect quick results. The global financial crisis has not yet hit rock bottom, he warns, and "we must fully realize we are facing a long-term and arduous task."
Economic analysts agree. "They have a lot of work," says Michael Pettis, an economics professor at Peking University. "China needs to make the transition from an export-oriented economy to a domestic market economy, and the historic evidence suggests that it is very, very difficult, and it takes a long time."
Wen is expected to propose an economic growth target of about 8 percent, modest compared to the double-digit growth rates that China has chalked up in recent years. Some economists believe China needs to maintain an 8 percent growth rate to keep unemployment in check.
The legislature will also consider a landmark Social Security legislation that would make health care, unemployment and retirement benefits universal, at least on paper. Such a system is deemed essential to instill a sense of long-term security among Chinese and entice them to consume more and save less. But experts believe it will have not serve as a short-term economic stimulant.
Explains Peking University's Michael Pettis, "Even if they could put in the world's greatest security system and the world's greatest health services tomorrow, it will still take many many years of testing the system before it has the credibility to change household consumption patterns."
Other major budget initiatives include spending increases in public education, housing, environmental protection and energy conservation. Also on the agenda, more money for the modernization of China's military, a newly promulgated food safety law, and proposed legislation that would require officials to public declare their assets, part of the long-term campaign to combat graft and corruption. "Corruption can be prevented fundamentally only when power is restricted," Wen said in answer to questions on corruption.
Analysts say the success of China's stimulus package also depends on strict supervision of spending.
"Chinese leaders, particularly the local officials attending the NPC, will have to closely oversee the projects benefitting from Beijing's stimulus spending," says The Nixon Center's Drew Thompson.
"If they do a good job and the money is not wasted, jobs will be created and China will likely weather the financial crisis. If corruption and waste undermines the central government's plans, those leaders will increasingly have to deal with civil unrest."
In the short term, China's leaders are hunkering down to curb social unrest in a year filled with sensitive anniversaries. In March, there is the 50th anniversary of an aborted uprising in Tibet. In June, there is the 20th anniversary of the crackdown in Tiananmen Square. Perhaps Beijing leaders can heave a sigh of relief only after October 1, when China celebrates the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic with a grand military parade.
Meantime, this year's NPC congress is adopting austerity as its theme. The session will last for only nine days, making it the shortest in recent years. Mainland Chinese delegates will be barred from staying in five-star hotels and their food budget will be capped to 100 yuan per day per person.

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Michael Jackson may soon return to the stage, at least for a "special announcement."

The pop star has scheduled a news conference Thursday at London's O2 arena, the same venue where Prince sold out 21 nights in 2006, according to London's Outside Organisation.
Although the short statement announcing Jackson's news conference did not reveal any details, Britain's Sky News reported Wednesday that the 50-year-old King of Pop has agreed to a series of summer concerts at the O2.
Rumors have circulated for years about a possible Jackson concert comeback, just as speculation has abounded about his physical and financial health.
Jackson reclusive lifestyle -- and a photo last year of him being pushed in a wheelchair -- created fertile ground for health rumors.
When a London tabloid reported in December that Jackson was battling a potentially fatal disease that required a life-saving lung transplant, his publicist responded that he was "in fine health" and that the story was "a total fabrication."
Jackson's financial troubles in the past year have included the near-foreclosure of his Neverland Ranch in California, which he later sold.
Jackson has not lived at Neverland since June 2005, after a Santa Barbara County jury found him not guilty of child molestation charges.

Defiant Karadzic refuses to plead

Ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic refuses to enter a plea to amended war crimes charges at his Hague trial.

President withdraws mobile courts ordinance: spokesman

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Coast Guard set to end search for boaters

The Coast Guard plans to end its search for two NFL players and a third man lost at sea, a Coast Guard official said today. Capt. Timothy Close said the search will be called off at sundown. Former college football player Nick Schuyler was found Monday clinging to a small overturned fishing boat. He told rescuers that all four men clung to the boat for a time but then became separated, Close said.

Six Sri Lanka cricketers hurt, 5 security men killed in Lahore attack

LAHORE: Six Sri Lankan cricket team were wounded and five security officials were killed in a shooting attack in Lahore on Tuesday. According to sources, unknown attackers riding on motorbikes opened fire on Sri Lankan cricket team bus near Gaddafi Stadium.Intense trade of fire occurred between police and unknown attackers after the attack. Five security men have been killed and two injured who were shifted to hospital. Police have cordoned off the area. Several Sri Lankan players reportedly sustained injuries in the incident. Pakistan team has directed to stay in the hotel whereas Sri Lankan team has been shifted to Gaddafi Stadium.Manager cricket team told Geo News that Pakistan cricket team will go to stadium after getting the security clearance.Meanwhile, Sri Lankan sports minister has confirmed that two Sri Lankan player wounded in the attack whereas government of Punjab said firing incident is aftermath of rivalry between two land grabber groups.

Govt. of ‘Kufr’ could carry on, but not that of tyranny: Nawaz

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Govt had no option but to impose governor-rule: PM

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Post-Sharif poll bar, Gilani appeals for calm

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PPP, PML (N) could find way out through dialogue: Zardari

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One U.S. metro area has seen a 71% price increase since 2000. Another dropped 33% in one year.

American's costly blunder

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India respond Pakistan dossier next week: Chidambaram

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Obama: Most troops out of Iraq in August 2010

President Obama said today that he plans to withdraw most U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of August 2010. "Let me say this as plainly as I can: By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end," Obama said in a speech at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Between 35,000 to 50,000 troops will remain to help execute a drawdown plan under which all U.S. forces will be out of Iraq by December 31, 2011