lmost 150 killed on first day of Syria truce: watchdog

BEIRUT: Almost 150 people died on the first day of a barely-observed truce between the warring parties in Syria, a watchdog said, adding that a fresh clashes on Saturday claimed more lives. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said of the 146 people killed in bombings, artillery fire and fighting on Friday, 53 were civilians, 50 were rebels and 43 were members of President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

Imran Khan deplaned, interrogated at Toronto airport

TORONTO: Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, was deplaned from a New York bound flight at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Geo News reported. Sources told Geo News that PTI chief and his entourage were deplaned and interrogated by immigration authorities. Khan was questioned over his stance against US drone attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas, the sources added. After a while he and other PTI leaders were allowed to catch the next plane to New York.

Imran arrives in New York after offloaded in Toronto

NEW YORK: Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has arrived in New York, after four-and-a-half-hour delay in Canada where he was offloaded from New York bound flight at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. PTI chief and his entourage were deplaned and interrogated by immigration authorities. Khan was questioned over his stance against US drone attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas. After four-and-a-half-hour, Imran Khan and other PTI leaders including Fauzia Kasuri were allowed to catch the next plane to New York. Talking about the incident Imran Khan said, " I was taken off from plane and interrogated by US Immigration in Canada on my views on drones. My stance is known. Drone attacks must stop."

Girls school blown up in Mardan

MARDAN: The extremist elements blew up government girls high school with explosive material in Mardan, Geo News reported. According to police, extremists blew up girls school in Katti Garhi area of Katlang, Mardan. Several rooms of the school were destroyed in the blast while watchman sustained injuries in the incident. Police have cordoned off the area and started further investigation.

Eid-ul-Azha to be celebrated with religious fervour today

ISLAMABAD: Eidul Azha will be celebrated today (Saturday) across the country with religious fervour and renewed pledge to work for national solidarity, integrity and prosperity of the country. Eidul Azha is celebrated in the commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) readiness to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail (AS) for Allah. Eid prayers will be offered at Eidgahs‚ principal mosques and open places across the country while special prayers will be offered for the prosperity of the country and unity among the Muslim Ummah. It will be followed by offering sacrifices of animals by the faithful in accordance with the Sunnat-e-Ibrahimi. In the federal capital‚ the main Eid congregation will be held at the Faisal Mosque. Meanwhile, thousands of people celebrated Eidul Azha on Friday in the suburbs of Shabqadar and Shamshto and other towns of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas.

Eid-ul-Azha being celebrated with religious fervour today

ISLAMABAD: Eidul Azha is being celebrated today (Saturday) across the country with religious fervour and renewed pledge to work for national solidarity, integrity and prosperity of the country. Eidul Azha is celebrated in the commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) readiness to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail (AS) for Allah. Earlier Eidul Azha prayer large congregations were held in hundreds of small and big towns/cities, while Eid prayers were offered at Eidgahs, principal mosques and open places everywhere in the country besides special prayer were offered for the prosperity and integrity of the country and unity among the Muslim Ummah. This followed offering sacrifices of animals by the faithfull in accordance with the Sunnat-e-Ibrahim (AS). President Asif Ali Zardari offered Eidul Azha prayer in federal capital at the President House. The main Eid prayer congregation in the federal capital was held at Faisal masjid, where the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry also offered Eid prayer. Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad, diplomats of the Muslim countries and other government high officials besides a large number of people offered Eidul Azha prayer at Bagh-e-Jinnah Polo Ground in Karachi. Following the Eid prayer, talking to media, Sindh Governor wished a happy Eid to the entire nation. In Lahore, hundreds of Eid congregations were held in Eidgahs, mosques and open places, while the main congregation was held at the Badshahi Masjid, where thousands offered prayer including political, social and religious leaders. Muslim League-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, Hassan Shahbaz, Hamza Shahbaz, and other party leaders offered Eidul Azha prayer at Raiwind Jati Umra. In Peshawar, Khayber Pukhtunkhaw Governor and Chief Minister, Amir Haider Khan Hoti offer prayer at the Governor House besides large and small congregations were held at hundreds of mosques, Eidgahs and open places all across the province. The main congregation in Peshawar was held at Eidgah, where Federal Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilor besides thousands of people offered prayer. Stringent security arrangements were made all across the country, especially at places where security threats were earlier reported by the sensitive organizations. Following the Eidul Azha prayer, the faithful are busy in offering sacrifices of animals in accordance with the Sunnat-e-Ibrahim (AS)

SC sets Nov 12 to hear memogate case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) will resume hearing the infamous memogate case on November 12 and has issued notices to all the parties, Geo News reported Tuesday. The controversy emerged when US based businessman Mansoor Ijaz wrote an article in the ‘Financial Times’ revealing about the memo written to Admiral Mike Mullen on behalf of the Pakistani government in order to seek help from the Obama administration in the wake of the Osama bin Laden raid to avert a military takeover of the civilian government in Pakistan. Several petitions were filed in the Supreme Court, pleading to investigate the matter. Consequently, a larger bench comprising nine judges and headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was formed by the SC to hear the petitions. A judicial commission was also formed to probe the matter that declared the memo a reality and hold then US ambassador Husain Haqqani responsible to draft the memo. His counsel in the case, Asma Jahangir has also filed the petition against the report. Now the nine-judge bench will resume the hearing of the case on November 12 for which notices have been issued to 20 parties in the case.

Three arrested 'over plot to poison Benin's president'

President Thomas Boni Yayi survived an assassination attempt by gunmen in 2007

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Prosecutors have named the suspects as Benin's former minister of commerce, Moudjaidou Soumanou, Dr Ibrahim Mama Cisse, and Zouberath Kora-Seke, one of the president's nieces who allegedly worked at his residence.

Authorities said they also intended to issue an arrest warrant for businessman Patrice Talon, a former ally of Mr Yayi who fell out with the leader.

Signs of weakness

Suspicion was aroused when the president showed signs of weakness and started vomiting, the BBC's Vincent Nnanna, in the Beninese city of Cotonou, reports.

"Thankfully, the plot was not successful," Mr Gbenameto said.

"Zouberath spoke about it with her sister and others, and it was those people who warned the head of state."

He added that prosecutors "have requested [the suspects'] indictment for criminal conspiracy and attempted assassination".

Mr Yayi won presidential elections in March 2006 and again in 2011.

He had quit his job as president of the Togo-based West African Development Bank, where he had worked since 1994, to run for president.

In 2007, he survived an ambush by gunmen who attacked his convoy during an election campaign tour.

Mexico drug boss Lazcano's parent exhumed for DNA test

Heriberto Lazcano was suspected of involvement in hundreds of killings

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Officials in Mexico say they have exhumed the remains of one of the parents of a drug cartel leader killed on 7 October by the security forces.

The authorities hope that DNA tests will convince the public that the man shot dead by Mexican marines was Zetas cartel boss Heriberto Lazcano.

His body was stolen from a mortuary hours after his killing, prompting speculation that he is still alive.

The authorities said fingerprints and photos confirmed Lazcano's identity.

The exhumation was carried out at a cemetery just outside the city of Pachuca in central Hidalgo state.

It is not clear whether the bodies of both parents have been exhumed or just that of one.

Last week, Head of Mexico's organised crime unit Cuitlahuac Salinas said they had decided to request permission to exhume the bodies of Lazcano's parents after failing to obtain DNA material from his sisters.

Lazcano, known as "The Executioner", was a founder of Los Zetas which has been involved in a string of mass killings and kidnappings.

Officials said his body was whisked away from a funeral home by gunmen hours after a gun battle in the northern region of Progreso, Coahuila state.

The navy said it was not until after his body and that of another gang member were stolen that officials realised from pictures and fingerprints they had killed one of the country's most feared drug lords.

Correspondents say the theft of the corpse has been an embarrassment for the government and military.

Road mishap in Kalat claims 3 lives

KALAT: Three passengers were killed and fifteen others wounded in a road accident that occurred in District Kalat of Balochistan Tuesday, Geo News reported. According to Levies sources, the unfortunate passenger bus en route to Karachi from Quetta had a head-on collision with the truck on National Highway near Kalat that killed three passengers on the spot while 15 others sustained injuries. The Levies personnel reached the accident site soon after getting the information and shifted the injured persons to a local hospital while severely injured were rushed to Quetta

Karachi suo moto: SC dissatisfied over govt, police report

KARACHI: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) resumed hearing of the suo moto case taken in October 2011 over the deteriorating law and order situation of the city and expressed dissatisfaction over the follow-up report presented by the Government of Sindh and police, Geo News reported Tuesday. A five-member bench headed by Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and comprising Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Gulzar Ahmed was hearing the case at Karachi Registry. During today’s hearing, Justice Anwar Zaheer expressed discontentment over the report submitted by the Sindh Government and security forces regarding their performance in improving the law and order situation in Karachi. He said had the report been comprehensive, there had been no need to hear the case again. He said that 13 months are enough to control the situation. The bench questioned that why legislation was not done to keep the licensed arms. Replying to this, advocate general Sindh told that efforts are underway to legislate on the matter soon. On this, Justice Amir Hani remarked that legislation can be done in half an hour provided that one intends to do so. Advocate general replied that some people are arguing that why to make such a law in SIndh only that is not implemented in other parts of the country. While addressing Inspector General Singh, Justice Khilji Arif remarked that it has become difficult for the children to go out of their houses and questioned about providing security to common man. He said that it is the responsibility of the government to provide protection to its people. He continued saying that the IG Singh should roam in the city without his protection squad and if he is afraid to do so, then he should resign. A policeman does not need security instead protection should be provided to the masses, Justice Khilji said. Justice Khilji said that the squad personnel of the officers abuse common men. Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany questioned that under which law the vehicles having the Dubai number plates are roaming in the city. All such owners should be issued notices, he ordered. He also mentioned about the wall that has been built around the Bilawal House encompassing the entire road and remarked that what more is needed.

Three killed in Karachi, near Safari park

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KARACHI : Three people were killed when unknown assailants opened fire on Abul Hasan Isphahani road near safari park in Karachi. According to sources, all three were students at the Madrassah Darul Khair, and were killed as they made their way back from a protest against target killings.

Three killed, 10 injured in Quetta blast

QUETTA: At least three security officials were killed and four others were among the ten injured in a blast on Sariab Road. According to rescue sources the blast took place at Musa Colony and the bomb was planted on a motorcycle. An FC vehicle which was passing by at the time of the explosion was badly damaged and according to the police the vehicle was the target. Following the blast, Sariab road has been closed for general traffic.

Geo Pakistan PPP MPA shot and wounded in Karachi KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party’s Member Sindh Assembly, Kulsoom Chandio, has been shot and wounded here on Friday evening, Geo News reported. Rescue sources informed Geo News that MPA Kulsoom Akhtar Chandio sustained a bullet injury after unidentified gunmen opened fire at her car near Zamzama Street in Clifton area. She was shifted to Civil Hospital in the wake of attack. Hospital sources confirmed a single bullet-injury. They further added that she was out of danger and doing well. She was elected on women's reserve seat (PSW-142)from Dadu, Sindh. Chandio is currently Member Standing Committee on Board of Revenue, Standing Committee on Health, Standing Committee on Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights, and Standing Committee on Public Health Engineering.

Malala out of coma, stands for first time after attack

BIRMINGHAM: Malala Yousafzai has come out of her coma, according to Dav Rosser the medical head of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. According to the Rosser, Malala is expressing her thoughts by writing notes. She is not speaking currently but there is hope that she would start talking soon. Malala is not on the ventilator as she had a Tracheotomy and is breathing through the tube in her neck. Malala who has movement of her arms and legs also stood with support for the first time after being attacked by the Taliban in Mingora, Swat ten days ago. The medical head of the hospital added that Malala’s infection was still a cause of concern. Malala needs time to recover and needs to be strong enough to undergo reconstructive surgery and her skull bone will need to be replaced either with her own bone or with a titanium plate. The surgery will be conducted weeks to months down the line. “This is a fluid situation and that she sustained a very, very grave injury and she’s not out of the woods yet. But we are hopeful we will make a good recovery,” Rosser said. Malala’s Post Coma Photographs Released Following the media briefing by Dr Rosser, consent was obtained to take and release photographs of Malala. Malala would like to thank all the well-wishers for their message of support and the doctors and nurses who are treating her.

Bangladesh board name Nazmul as new president

DHAKA: Bangladesh has appointed ruling party lawmaker Nazmul Hasan as the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), said a senior official. Nazmul replaced AHM Mustafa Kamal, who was recently appointed vice president of the International Cricket Council for 2012-14, a position that requires him to relinquish his BCB post. "The National Sports Council ... has appointed Nazmul Hasan MP as the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board," said a government statement. Mahbub Ahmed, secretary of the ministry of sports, told Reuters the appointment would be effective from Wednesday. Nazmul, the only son of the country's President Zillur Rahman, is the chairman of one of Bangladesh's top cricket clubs, Abahhani. (Reuters)

Growth of T20 fuels corruption fears

NEW DELHI: As cricket's T20 domestic champions battle it out for supremacy in South Africa, alarm bells are ringing that the proliferation of such tournaments has "considerably increased the risk" of match-fixing. Less than a decade after the 20-over game made its debut in England, every major cricketing country now has its own T20 tournament: attracting new fans and lucrative sponsorship deals -- and the attention of illegal betting syndicates. An Indian TV sting last week, in which six South Asian umpires were shown to be allegedly open to bribery, was just the latest in a line of scandals to have hit the sport, especially T20 cricket. A recent review commissioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) into its anti-corruption activities was unequivocal in pinpointing where the greatest threat to cricket's integrity lies. "The view of those consulted is that the arrival of T20 cricket and the Indian Premier League has considerably increased the risk of match-fixing and spot-fixing," said the review led by former Hong Kong solicitor-general Bertrand de Speville. The best known tournament is the Indian Premier League (IPL), a six-week jamboree infused with the glamour of Bollywood stars as well as the biggest names in world cricket. But as the leagues spread across the cricketing world -- from Bangladesh to Zimbabwe -- experts say the dangers should be clear to all. "The mushrooming of domestic T20 leagues brings in not merely sponsors, spectators and TV revenue, but also a surging interest from the betting mafia," writer Sharda Ugra argued in a recent commentary for the Cricinfo website. "They will not stop trying to find new footholds in the game. Protecting cricket's integrity does not only involve reacting to TV stings every few months. It is now a 24x7 undertaking." The cash-rich IPL initially snubbed an offer by the ICC's anti-corruption unit to monitor matches for the first two editions in 2008 and 2009. But in a bid to quash speculation that it was a haven for match-fixers, it decided to enlist the unit from the third year onwards. Five Indian cricketers were suspended during this year's IPL after a sting by the same India TV channel claimed to unearth evidence that no-balls could be arranged to order. Other tournaments have also been tainted by scandal. Bangladesh banned former international Shariful Haque indefinitely in September after he was found to have approached current star Mashrafe Mortaza for spot-fixing during its T20 tournament. During the Sri Lanka Premier League in August, the country's cricket chiefs were alerted to a possible match-fixing attempt by one of the team owners. Sri Lanka Cricket announced an investigation at that time, but has remained silent on its progress. Meanwhile, players and administrators of the Indian Cricket League, the ill-fated rival to the IPL, traded accusations of match-fixing after the tournament's demise in 2009. The ICC established its anti-corruption unit (ACSU) under former London Metropolitan police chief Paul Condon after South African skipper Hansie Cronje's was banned for life over a match-fixing scandal in 2000. And according to de Speville, the risk of corruption in cricket is not "any less today" than when Condon and his team began work. The ongoing Champions League T20 in South Africa is not only policed by the ICC's anti-corruption unit but also officiated by its elite panel of umpires. But not all boards work with the ICC's monitors. Bangladesh for example posted their own security officials at their event as well as hiring their own umpires. The Bangladesh Cricket Board insists that its own measures are adequate. "We have already taken stringent measures to combat corruption including spot fixing during BPL or any domestic league," board spokesman Jalal Yunus told AFP. "Betting and fixing in cricket is nothing new. It was there even when there was no T20 cricket." But the de Speville review said it was important to involve the ACSU in all cricket-related activities. "One of the ACSU's central functions is to receive information about corruption," the report said. "Without good information about what is going on, getting to grips with the problem is impossible."

Willing to buy India fuel, but at a competitive price: Dr Asim

NEW DELHI: Petroleum minister, Dr Asim Hussain, on Tuesday said the country was willing to import diesel and jet fuel from rival India if the price is "right". The statement by visiting Pakistan petroleum minister, was the latest sign of warming ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours who have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947. If the right prices are given, we have no problems importing (diesel and jet fuel)," Hussain said on the sidelines of a petrochemical conference in the Indian capital, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. India and Pakistan have been channelling their peace efforts into "trade diplomacy" in a bid to build enough trust to tackle thornier issues that divide them such as the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir. While Pakistan has removed fuel imports from its list of goods that were banned from being imported from India, it allows import of diesel and jet fuel only by ship. India, which has refineries across the border, is keen to take the road route to reach fuel-short Pakistan. "I think a way could be found (to import via land) as import of (fuel) products is not banned," Hussain said, adding that a team from India's state-run Hindustan Petroleum Corp would soon visit Pakistan to discuss prices. India in August lifted a ban on foreign investment from Pakistan except in defence, space and atomic energy in a step designed to build goodwill amid the renewed push for a peace settlement. Pakistan has pledged to grant India "Most Favoured Nation (MFN)" status by yearend, meaning Indian exports will be treated the same as those from other nations. India granted Pakistan MFN status in the mid-1990s. Official bilateral trade is just $2.7 billion and heavily tilted in New Delhi's favour, according to the most recent figures, but unofficial trade routed through third countries is estimated at up to $10 billion. India warily resumed a full peace peace dialogue with Pakistan early last year after suspending it following the 2008 attack by Islamist gunmen on Mumbai that killed 166 people. (AFP)

Falling foreign outlays, gas concerns weigh on KSE:

KARACHI: Local stocks closed slightly lower on Wednesday due to concerns over plummeting foreign investment and gas shortages that could affect industry, traders said. The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) benchmark 100-share index ended 0.13 percent, or 19.68 points, lower at 15,654.62 on total volume of 91.251 million shares. "Stocks closer lower today amid concerns over falling foreign direct investment in the country," said a dealer. "Investors were worried." Foreign direct investment in Pakistan in the first quarter of the year had fallen by 67 percent compared to the same period last year, he said, citing data from the state bank. Investors were also concerned about potential gas shortages that might affect the industrial sector, he said. Pakistan's industry has already been badly hit by daily power cuts. (Reuters)

Foreign investment in Pakistan plummets

KARACHI: Foreign investment in Pakistan plummeted by 67 percent in the first quarter, according to official data, with experts blaming the fall on poor economic management, energy shortages and persistent terrorism. The figures from the central State Bank of Pakistan showed net foreign direct investment (FDI) from July to September was just $87 million, compared with $263 million in the same period last year. Pakistan's financial year begins on July 1. The overall FDI inflow during the quarter was $287 million while the outflow was $200 million, with only the oil and gas exploration sector recording a positive net figure. Even the normally popular telecommunications sector registered a net outflow of $100.9 million. Analysts said FDI inflows have been falling for the last four years. "Poor economic management and persistent militancy has forced investors away from a market which has huge potential and prospects," said economist A.B. Shahid. Earlier this month the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Pakistan's economic situation was worsening and the country faced a return to double-digit inflation as the government prints money to finance its deficit. The IMF also predicted growth of just 3-3.5 percent and warned the country's external accounts were deteriorating, with incoming investment slowing and the central bank's reserves dropping. "But the biggest of the negatives is the deteriorating law and order situation that seems unmanageable," Shahid said. Pakistan has repaid $1.3 billion of IMF loans in four instalments, including a $400 million chunk in August, and is due to pay a further $2.5 billion in the current fiscal year, which ends on June 30. The central bank said Pakistan had foreign reserves of $14.4 billion dollars as of last week.

US court throws out OBL driver conviction

WASHINGTON: A US court Tuesday threw out the conviction of Osama bin Laden's former driver over material support to terrorism, in a case that could potentially benefit other past prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. A top US court for the second time ruled in favor of claims by Salim Hamdan, who served as Osama bin Laden's personal chauffeur and has fought to clear his name even after being released and returned to his native Yemen. The US Court of Appeals in Washington said that a law that listed material support for terrorism as a war crime -- approved in 2006 in response to Hamdan's case -- could not apply to him retroactively. US prosecutors instead had to rely on international law, which defines some forms of terrorism -- such as the intentional targeting of civilians -- as war crimes, the court said. "But the issue here is whether 'material support for terrorism' is an international-law war crime. The answer is no," Judge Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the court in an opinion with which the two other judges largely agreed. "Perhaps most telling, before this case, no person has ever been tried by an international-law war crimes tribunal for material support for terrorism," he wrote. Kavanaugh -- who was appointed by former president George W. Bush and is generally considered a conservative -- also dismissed the argument that the Hamdan case was moot as he had already been released. All seven men who have been convicted by Guantanamo's military commission including the Australian David Hicks faced charges that included material support for terrorism. Adam Thurschwell, who served as Hamdan's lawyer, said that the court's decision could allow Hicks and others sentenced over material support to return to court, "Because time doesn't matter. They are in a position to come back to court and have their convictions overturned," Thurschwell said. The American Civil Liberties Union renewed its call for the government to prosecute Guantanamo prisoners in civilian court if it has sufficient, legally obtained evidence. "This decision strikes the biggest blow yet against the legitimacy of the Guantanamo military commissions, which have for years now been trying people for a supposed war crime that in fact is not a war crime at all," said Zachary Katznelson, senior staff attorney for the group. Separate cases underway at Guantanamo -- including the prosecution of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks -- revolve around more serious charges. According to prosecutors, Hamdan moved from Yemen to Afghanistan -- then coming under control of the hardline Taliban movement -- in 1996 and participated in a training camp of bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network. Hamdan became a driver who transported weapons and other goods between Al-Qaeda sites in Afghanistan and later became bin Laden's personal driver and bodyguard, according to US court documents. Hamdan was captured in November 2001, just weeks after the United States and its allies opened a war in Afghanistan in response to the September 11 attacks carried out by Al-Qaeda. Prosecutors said Hamdan was detained in possession of two anti-aircraft missiles as he was driving toward the Taliban's hub of Kandahar. He was then taken to Guantanamo Bay, where the Bush administration set up a controversial jail to hold "enemy combatants" captured in Afghanistan and elsewhere. The former driver steadfastly denied participation in attacks and during his trial expressed grief for the deaths of innocent people. His case went to the US Supreme Court, which in a 2006 decision -- Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, named after then defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld -- said that the procedures in place to try Hamdan violated the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of wartime prisoners. In response to the case, Congress in 2006 approved the Military Commissions Act, signed by Bush that aimed to establish procedures more clearly. Hamdan was convicted and sentenced in August 2008 to 66 months but he was transferred soon afterward to Yemen due to the time he had already served. President Barack Obama vowed upon taking office in 2009 to close the Guantanamo prison within a year, calling it a violation of US values. But he has failed to live up to his promise as lawmakers block moving prisoners to US soil and other countries balk at accepting former inmates.

Truck bomb hits NATO base in Afghanistan

KABUL: A suicide truck bomb attack on a joint NATO-Afghan army base in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday caused several casualties to Afghan forces, the International Security Assistance Force said. Reports by Afghan officials of the number of soldiers wounded in the attack -- claimed by Taliban insurgents -- varied from 10 to 45, but there were no reports of any deaths. "This morning a joint ISAF-ANSF (Afghan National Security Forces) combat outpost in Zurmat district in Paktiya province was attacked by insurgents using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and indirect fire," an ISAF spokesman told AFP. "Early reports say the attack resulted in several ANSF casualties, but there is currently no reporting on ISAF casualties," he said. Deputy provincial governor Abdul Rahman Mangal told AFP: "Around 45 army soldiers have been slightly wounded, mostly by broken glass, by the huge blast caused by a truck bomb at the gate." The Taliban said their fighters had infiltrated the base after the suicide attack and fighting was continuing -- claims denied by ISAF and Afghan officials. "Our mujahideen armed with rockets, machine-guns, hand-grenades and suicide vests successfully infiltrated an American forces base in Zurmat district following a suicide car bomb attack," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told AFP. Afghan forces are taking on an increasing role in the war against the Taliban as NATO draws down its forces ahead of a pull-out of all combat troops at the end of 2014. So far this year the Afghan army and police have suffered an average of 535 casualties -- killed and wounded -- each month, ISAF said in a breakdown of the status of the 337,000-strong ANSF this week. In contrast, a total of 358 ISAF troops have been killed this year, according to the icasualties.com website. The ability of Afghan forces to take full responsibility for the fight against the Taliban is a key plank of NATO's exit strategy from the 11-year war and commanders regularly talk up the growing effectiveness of local troops. But many observers point to reports of indiscipline and lack of motivation among the Afghan forces as warning signs of problems ahead after they lose the military and logistical support of the huge NATO operation. While the Taliban's favourite tactic remains planting homemade bombs that kill indiscriminately, they have recently launched a number of direct attacks on military forces.

sghar Khan case: 'No political cell in Presidency after Sept 2008'

ISLAMABAD: Secretary to the President, Malik Asif Hayat submitted his response to the Supreme Court in the Asghar Khan case. The response stated that there had been no political cell in the Presidency after September 2008. Hayat moreover stated that it was possible that an election information cell had operated from the President House in the past. A three member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed hearing of the Asghar Khan case. Khan has accused the ISI of financing politicians in 1990 election and creating the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) to prevent the PPP from winning the polls. The petition was based on an affidavit of former ISI Chief Durrani. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain inquired of the president’s secretary as to whether a political cell existed in the presidency prior to Sept 2008. Hayat said there were some files in the possession of the president’s military secretary, adding that he would be able to respond on the matter once he had reviewed those. The attorney for former Army Chief General (retd) Aslam Beg also submitted his clients sworn statement and said there was a political cell in the Presidency. Chief Justice Chaudhry remarked that Beg was aware of IJI funding and that the then President Ghullam Ishar Khan used to be briefed about the activities. The Supreme Court also summoned the details of the 80 million rupees not distributed amongst politicians from the Ministry of Defence by Thursday. Early during proceedings, the court was informed that former Brigadier Hamid Saeed of ISI, who was summoned to appear before the court today, could not do so because of being indisposed. The bench subsequently issued summons for Hamid Saeed for Thursday– who Durrani previously alleged had a role in the distribution of money among politicians. In his remarks, Chief Justice said that the then president’s support for the IJI was a violation of his oath. The chief justice reiterated that the head of state should not support any political group. “Under the Constitution, the president is the head of state, not the chief of a political party,” Chief Justice said. Chief Justice Chaudhry also remarked that the Supreme Court may wrap up proceedings of the case by Thursday.

Malala’s condition remains stable

BIRMINGHAM: Malala Yousafzai ‘remains stable’ according to the medical team monitoring her care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Malala spent a second comfortable night at the hospital and continues to be cared for by Queen Elizabeth and Birmingham Children’s Hospital doctors. On Tuesday, the Medical Director of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Dav Rosser said Malala would require reconstructive surgery. He reiterated that that Malala had chance of making a good recovery.

Bakery assault: Accused granted bail

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LAHORE: A Judicial magistrate has granted bail to eight men alleged of beating a bakery employee. Bail has been set at forty thousand rupees, Geo News reported. Earlier the seven policemen and a civilian had been sent to jail, on a fourteen day remand. The incident came to light when a CCTV video surfaced on social media websites showing policemen beating up the bakery employee. According to the Facebook page of Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif took serious notice of the alleged incident where the CM’s son in law’s guards manhandled an employee of a bakery and ordered Police to take strict action against these guards. The CM has stated that nobody is above the law, such actions are inexcusable and the law shall take its course

4 dead in separate incidents of violence in Karachi

KARACHI: Four people lost their lives in separate incidents of firing in the metropolis on Wednesday, Geo News reported. According to police, a man sustained bullet wounds after being attacked by armed men at Qasba Morr. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment. He was later identified as Ali Raza. In a similar incident, one Shafqat Nasir was gunned down in Shadman Town. He worked as an Inspector in KMC. A dead body was found dumped from University Road near Nishtar Basti and another

Son-in-law should be part of bakery assault case investigation: CM Punjab

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif said Wednesday that his son-in-law Imran Ali should be included in the bakery assault case investigation. Shairf said upholding the rule of law was his top priority and as the Chief Minister he was answerable to the people. “It is my firm belief that nobody is above the law and I have issued instructions that this case be dealt totally on merit and justice be done,” Sharif said on his Facebook page. Imran Ali said he was ready to be included in the investigation of the case. Meanwhile a Judicial magistrate granted bail to eight men alleged of beating the bakery employee. Earlier the seven policemen and a civilian had been sent to jail, on a fourteen day remand. The incident came to light when a CCTV video surfaced on social media websites showing the bakery employee being beaten by guards.

Majority of those killed in drone attacks are innocent: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Wednesday that the majority of those killed in drone attacks were innocent people. According to Malik, only 20 percent of those killed in drone attacks were militants while the rest were innocent people. Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Malik said there were 336 drone attacks conducted in Pakistan in which 2,300 people have been killed. He added that 96 cross border attacks were launched from Afghanistan. When asked about an operation in North Waziristan, Malik claimed that no statements were made regarding this matter.

Zilhaj moon sighted: Eid-ul-Azha on Oct 27

LAHORE: The Zilhaj moon has been sighted in Pakistan and Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated on October 27. The moon was sighted at 5:26 PM in several cities across Punjab. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee met for the sighting of the moon in Karachi and zonal committees met in cities across Pakistan.

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Oil mixed in Asia

SINGAPORE: Crude was mixed in Asia on Tuesday with global economic concerns putting a lid on prices which were supported by tighter European Union sanctions against Iran, analysts said. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for November delivery shed 22 cents to $91.63 a barrel while Brent North Sea crude for November delivery added six cents to $115.86. Crude was "holding relatively steady" as fresh Iranian sanctions tussled with global economic worries for traders' attention, said Victor Shum, senior principal of Purvin and Gertz energy consultants in Singapore. "We have concerns about the economy, in particular Europe exerting downward pressure, but supporting oil are the tighter sanctions on Iran from the EU," he told. European Union foreign ministers on Monday agreed tough sanctions against Iran, aimed at forcing a breakthrough in talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, and also the regime in war-ravaged Syria. The new sanctions target EU dealings with Iran's banks, shipping and gas imports. Details on those targeted will be released later Tuesday but a government minister is on the new blacklist, diplomats said.

Euro firms in Asia on easing Greece worries

TOKYO: The euro strengthened in Asian trade on Tuesday as sentiment on debt-addled Greece improved, while the dollar got a boost on better-than-expected US retail sales data. The common currency bought $1.2965 and 102.20 yen in Tokyo morning trade, from $1.2950 and 101.89 yen in New York Monday. The dollar bought 78.81 yen, against 78.66 yen in New York Monday. Concerns over Greece's possible exit from the eurozone eased as regional leaders voiced support for giving the debt-hit country more time to implement austerity reforms. "Various reports indicate that Greece's euro exit risks may have receded somewhat," Junichi Ishikawa, forex analyst at IG Market Securities in Tokyo, told Dow Jones Newswires. Meanwhile the dollar gained on the yen after fresh data showed US retail sales rose sharply in September, pointing to improved consumer optimism heading into the year-end holiday shopping season.

CAA CY earns over Rs8b profit

KARACHI: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has earned a profit of over Rs8 billion during the current year (CY), in spite of that the subordinates and the officers were not paid any bonus. CBA union and association of the officers have warned that if the bonus was not paid before Eidul Azha, then work on all the airports across the country would halt. CBA union, CAA officers Association and Air Traffic Controller Guild staged a protest demonstration at the main CAA office here. The leaders of the CBA union and the association addressing the demonstrators said that CAA this year’s income amounted to Rs27 billion, while the net profit stood at Rs8.65 billion, in spite of that the management not paying bonus to its employees nothing but cruelty and ineptness.

US court throws out bin Laden driver conviction

WASHINGTON: A US federal court on Tuesday threw out the conviction of Osama bin Laden's former driver who was jailed at Guantanamo Bay, saying that material support for terrorism did not constitute a war crime. While Salim Hamdan has already been freed, his appeal in civilian court could have ramifications for other suspects as "material support for terrorism" is a common charge against detainees at the US prison camp in Cuba.

US duo wins Nobel Economics Prize

STOCKHOLM: US scholars Alvin Roth and Lloyd Shapley won the Nobel Economics Prize on Monday for their work on the functioning of markets and how best to match supply and demand. The work by Roth and Shapley helps match donors of human organs with patients in need of a transplant, or students with universities, or Internet search engines that auction out space for advertisers. The two were honoured for "the theory of stable allocations and the practice of market design," the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which picks the winner, said.

Afghan spy carried out suicide attack: officials

KANDAHAR: An Afghan intelligence agent carried out a suicide attack that killed two Americans and four Afghans at the weekend, officials said Tuesday, making it the latest in a series of "insider" attacks. On Saturday, Afghan and NATO forces said a suicide bomber had killed a NATO soldier and a civilian employee and four members of the Afghan intelligence service preparing for a meeting in southern Kandahar province. "It was a suicide bomb attack that was carried out by one of our own staff," a senior member of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. NATO's US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed the bombing was by an Afghan agent. "I can confirm that one of the members of the NDS detonated a suicide vest that day in Maruf, Kandahar," Major Adam Wojack, an ISAF spokesman, told AFP. "But at this time we can't confirm that it was an insider attack aimed at coalition forces," he said. "We're investigating." The Afghan official said that the bomber had worked for eight years for the agency and that he knew that a delegation including coalition officials was visiting from Kandahar city. "He set himself off as he met the Afghan and coalition delegation getting off from a helicopter. He knew a delegation was visiting that day," the official said. Swift revenge was taken by the brother of one of the dead Afghan agents, who murdered a 4-year-old brother of the attacker, the official said. An investigation found that the bomber had moved his wife and children to neighboring Pakistan a week before the attack. This year has seen a dramatic surge in insider attacks in which Afghans turn their weapons against their NATO allies, with more than 50 soldiers killed.

Rotterdam: Million dollar artwork stolen

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands: Seven masterpieces, including paintings by Picasso, Matisse, Monet and Gauguin, were stolen in a pre-dawn heist Tuesday at Rotterdam's Kunsthal museum, the biggest such theft in the Netherlands in two decades, police said. Alerted by an alarm but arriving on the scene after the thief or thieves had fled, police said they had launched a major investigation that includes interviewing possible witnesses and examining closed-circuit television. "On Tuesday morning seven artworks were stolen from the Kunsthal in Rotterdam," police said in a statement, adding the burglary took place at around 3:00 a.m. (0100 GMT). After having initially declined to name the stolen paintings, they said that after consulting with the owners, they can now release photographs of the works. "A major investigation is under way and forensics are at the scene," Rotterdam police spokeswoman Patricia Wessels told AFP. "We're investigating how they got access, what time it happened and who did it." Dutch state television showed a police forensic team dusting one of the Kunsthal's outer doors for fingerprints. The museum's director is flying back from Turkey after hearing news of the theft, television said. The NOS broadcaster said the haul was worth "millions and millions of euros (dollars)", but the paintings are so famous that it will be difficult to get anything like their real value on the black market. It is the biggest art theft in The Netherlands since 20 paintings were stolen from Amsterdam's Van Gogh museum in 1991. The paintings are Pablo Picasso's "Tete d'Arlequin", Henri Matisse's "La Liseuse en Blanc et Jaune", Claude Monet's "Waterloo Bridge, London" and "Charing Cross Bridge, London", Paul Gauguin's "Femme Devant une Fenetre Ouverte, dite La Fiancee", Meyer de Haan's "Autoportrait" and Lucian Freud's "Woman with Eyes Closed". "We're a bit shocked that something like this happens here and at the same time we have some respect for thieves who got away with something like this," said student Ibo Bose, disappointed not to be able to visit the museum. "Police are interviewing possible witnesses and examining closed-circuit video footage," the police statement said. "An initial investigation suggests that the robbery was well prepared." The police spokeswoman said that police were alerted during the night when an alarm went off but the thief or thieves had made off by the time police arrived at the scene. A statement on the museum's website quoted director Willem van Hassel as saying that the museum would be closed to the public on Tuesday. The museum is in Rotterdam's museum park where few people go at night. The works were among the 150-strong Triton Foundation's collection, which was being shown in its entirety to the public for the first time to mark the museum's 20th anniversary, the Kunsthal's website said. The collection "has developed into one with an international reputation and which comprises representative works by the most important and influential artists of the late 19th century to the present day," it said. The exhibition "comprises works from almost every significant art movement", it added. The Kunsthal, which means "art hall", has no permanent collection of its own.