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Waqas Dar

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Blog Entries posted by Waqas Dar

  1. Waqas Dar
    NAIROBI: At least nine people were shot and hacked to death in Kenya´s coastal Lamu County early Saturday, in the latest attack by militants in the region.
    Police sources said Shabaab militants were believed to be behind the killings which took place in the villages of Jima and Pandaguo near the Somali border, an area that has seen a wave of recent attacks, mostly targeting the security forces.
    All the victims were civilians and some were beheaded, according to police.
    Another senior officer in Lamu said that a search was underway for any other bodies but that progress was hampered by fears of improvised explosive devices that might have been planted in the area. The officer said the number of attackers was not yet known.
    Kenyan forces are pursuing the perpetrators who fled. "A security operation is still underway to try and get the attackers," said James Ole Serian, who is in charge of a military operation in the nearby Boni Forest.
    Earlier in the week, three police officers were killed in an attack on a police post in Lamu, also attributed to the Qaeda-aligned Shabaab.
    The Shabaab is fighting to overthrow the internationally backed government in Mogadishu but also carries out regular attacks in neighbouring Kenya, which has troops in Somalia as part of an African Union force.
    In its bloodiest single attack on Kenya so far, Shabaab gunmen raided a university in Garissa in April 2015 killing 148 people, most of them students, while in 2013 the group killed at least 67 people in an assault on a shopping mall in Nairobi.
    In a televised address on Saturday morning -- following the death in hospital of Kenya´s Interior Minister Joseph Nkaissery -- President Uhuru Kenyatta spoke of "an unfortunate incident this morning, which we are assessing".
    Appointing Education Minister Fred Matiangi as acting security minister, Kenyatta said there would be "no vacuum in securing our country".


  2. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said on Saturday that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has revealed his non-democratic mindset as he declared that people would hold him accountable, adding that the premier?s ?twisted logic is negation of democracy?.

    The PTI chief sent out a series of tweets on Twitter, heavily critcising the prime minister.


    Imran in his next tweets, explained the context saying that people elect their representatives and expect them to be accountable before the law and they don?t expect their leaders to abuse the law with impunity.

    ?Islamic and Western democratic traditions both uphold the norm of all being accountable and equal before the law of the land,? he said.
    He further said that Nawaz Sharif should know that development is damaged because of corruption before complaining about development being impeded as he is being investigated over corruption allegations.


    The PTI chief said that elections are a central pivot of democracy but so are rule of law and accountability, including of the elected representatives. 



  4. Waqas Dar
    Pakistan cricket captain Sana Mir on Saturday became the first Pakistani female cricketer to play 100 ODIs, adding yet another accolade to her list of sporting achievements for the country.
    Mir reached the feat during Pakistan?s game against New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Women?s World Cup. The veteran cricketer received a special shield commemorating her 100th ODI, presented by Women's Chief Selector Mohammad Ilyas.
    She was also presented with a special commemorative cap marking her 100th ODI by former Australia cricketer and commentator Lisa Sthalekar, who called Mir ?a special player? and said it was ?an honour? to present her with the cap.
    Mir, expressing her sentiments on the milestone, vowed she would continue to serve Pakistan and cricket.
    ?It has been a long journey. There have been ups and downs. I will keep trying to serve my country and my country?s cricket,? she said in a video message ahead of the match.
    Pakistan have had a dismal tournament so far, with four straight losses. But Mir said her team has learned a lot from the World Cup and participating in the tournament itself is an achievement for her side.


  5. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said India can not subdue the call for freedom by using force in India-occupied Kashmir. 
    He also said the struggle for freedom in Kashmir is indigenous and not supported by any outside power. 
    The prime minister's remarks came on the first death anniversary of Burhan Wani, a freedom fighter martyred by Indian occupation forces in Kashmir. 
    "Burhan Wani is the start of a new chapter in Kashmir's struggle for freedom," said the prime minister. 
    He added that Wani's blood had provided hope to the people of the occupied valley. 
    "India's occupation of Kashmir is not accepted by the people of the valley," said the premier, and added that India should learn from history. 
    Burhan Wani's martyrdom has triggered massive protests and prolonged period of curfews and shutdowns across the held valley. More than 100 innocent Kashmiris have been killed and thousands of others injured in Indian occupied Kashmir. 

    Curfew imposed, internet banned
    In different parts of Kashmir valley, rallies were organised while prayers were also held to mark the first death anniversary of Wani.
    Leaders who have been either confined to their houses or jailed have called for protests starting Saturday to mark Wani?s martyrdom.
    Moreover, all roads leading to Wani?s hometown in Tral area of south Kashmir were blocked ahead of the anniversary. Besides, authorities seized thousands of motorbikes to prevent people from travelling between villages in the area.
    Clashes broke out on Saturday when protesters tried to reach the family home. Wani's home was raided by the police and residents were harassed.
    Telecom service providers have been asked to shut down mobile internet in Kashmir for an indefinite period.






  6. Waqas Dar
    Excited fans in Karachi's Lyari show off their tickets for the football match  KARACHI/LAHORE: Looks like nothing is going to dampen the spirit of football fans in Pakistan, not even the record high prices of tickets for the historic football matches featuring the world's biggest football stars in Karachi and Lahore this weekend.
    The prices of the tickets of the first such high-profile football match in Lahore have outshone the previous prices of tickets of all major sports, even cricket ? the most popular sport of the country.
    For Lahore match on Sunday, six category of tickets have been offered: Platinum plus (Rs 12,500), Platinum (Rs 12000), Gold (Rs 8000), Silver (Rs 5,500) Bronze (Rs 2000) and VVIP (Rs 30,000).
    The ?Ronaldinho and Friends? lineup includes Brazilian football star Ronaldinho who will be accompanied by Brazil's 2002 World Cup winning teammate Roberto Carlos, former French midfielder Robert Pires, France's Nicolas Anelka, Portugal's Luis Boa Morte, Netherlands' George Boateng, England's David James and former Manchester United great Ryan Giggs.
    'Ronaldinho and Friends' in Pakistan for exhibition matches
    The players reached Islamabad early Saturday morning via a private jet
    Ronaldinho will be leading one team and Ryan Giggs will be captaining the other side, with both the teams a mix-up of seven foreign and local players.
    Despite the high ticket prices, diehard lovers of the game are committed to see their heroes in action as it is a rare opportunity to watch world topnotch footballers in their own arena whom they have seen playing on TV screen for years.
    "I will be going with my family to watch the match, obviously we cannot afford high price value tickets but we are happy to buy five Bronze category tickets for us," said Ahmad Sohaib while talking to APP on Friday.
    Saadoon Ali, a student of MBBS in a local medical college, said he does not have enough pocket money to buy the ticket plus his busy study schedule does not allow him to go to the stadium to watch the match.
    "Obviously I will be watching the match on TV," he said.
    Fans in the football-mad Lyari neighbourhood of Karachi said they had spent their savings on tickets. "I want to have a glimpse of Ronaldinho," said a young fan.
    "After the PSL final here in March it is going to be another top level international sports activity and we are glad that Pakistan is hosting world's best known footballers," said a group of former and present international players of football.
    They said the presence of the world famous footballers will be a history-making moment in Pakistan sports, especially football. Successful holding of the two-match series in Pakistan will re-establish the country's soft image, sending a positive message to the world that Pakistan is safe for international sports events.


  7. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Earthquake tremors were felt in different cities of Pakistan on Saturday afternoon. 
    According to sources, tremors were felt in Abbotabad, Islamabad, Muzzafarabad and the Neelum Valley. 
    At present the intensity of the tremors is not known. 


    Note: This story will be updated as fresh details are received. Please refresh your browser for the latest version of this story. 


  8. Waqas Dar
    Sana Mir being congratulated for playing her 100th ODI. Photo: Cricket World Cup official Twitter  Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in Taunton on Saturday, as they search for their first victory in the ICC Women?s World Cup 2017.
    The match holds historical significance for Pakistan skipper Sana Mir, who has become the first female cricketer from the country to play in 100 ODIs.
    Although not mathematically eliminated, Pakistan?s chances of progressing are slim, but Sana Mir feels the team has learned a lot so far, and needs to build on that experience.
    ?What?s very important is that we are able to bat out the 50 overs like we did against Australia. We need the young girls who are playing in the future to get an opportunity to face the best bowlers in the world. This is a learning curve for the newcomers.
    ?I think we have started very well with the ball against all the big teams so we?re not afraid of them [New Zealand].
    ?I think with the kind of attitude and consistency we?re showing with our bowling, particularly early on, we can hurt New Zealand,? she said.
    For New Zealand, a win today could be crucial to their chances of progression in the World Cup.
    ?This whole tournament we?ve understood that every game was going to be a big match, and having the rain-affected match has made that even more important,? said New Zealand captain Suzie Bates.
    ?Every game is almost a knock-out game so we have to bring our A game and play as well as we can against any opposition.?
    Playing XI:




  9. Waqas Dar
    Kashmiris have the right to self-determination, tweeted Inter Services Public Relations Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor quoting Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on the day of the first anniversary of Burhan Wani, a Kashmiri youth who was martyred by Indian forces last year. 
    Sacrifices of Wani and generations against Indian atrocities are a testimony of their [Kashmiris?] resolve, the tweet read.
    In different parts of Kashmir valley, rallies were organised while prayers were also held to mark the first death anniversary of Wani.
    Leaders who have been either confined to their houses or jailed have called for protests starting Saturday to mark Wani?s martyrdom.
    Moreover, all roads leading to Wani?s hometown in Tral area of south Kashmir were blocked ahead of the anniversary. Besides, authorities seized thousands of motorbikes to prevent people from travelling between villages in the area.
    Clashes broke out on Saturday when protesters tried to reach the family home, witnesses and police told AFP.
    Earlier, Indian authorities had shut down the internet in occupied Kashmir, according to Reuters.
    Wani, a commander of Hizbul Mujahideen was martyred in Indian occupied Kashmir on July 8, 2016.
    Burhan Wani's martyrdom had triggered massive protests and prolonged period of curfews and shutdowns across the held valley. More than 100 innocent Kashmiris were killed and thousands of others injured in Indian occupied Kashmir




    With additional input from Geo News


  10. Waqas Dar
    Two civilians, including a girl, were martyred and three injured due to unprovoked firing by Indian forces at the Line of Control (LoC), the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Saturday.

    Indian troops initiated unprovoked firing of small arms, heavy weapons and mortars along LoC in Chirikot and Satwal sectors.
    Pakistani border forces effectively engaged the Indian positions and gave a befitting response, according to Pakistan Army?s media cell.
    Indian violations of the LoC are quite common. On June 12, two civilians were martyred and three injured in Indian troops? unprovoked firing with heavy weapons in Jandrot and Hotspring (Tattapani) sectors along the LoC.
    The Indians also fired mortars into the Pakistani side of the control line, said the ISPR.
    The deceased were identified as 18-year-old Waqar Younas and 19-year-old Asad Ali. Both were residents of Bhabra village.


  11. Waqas Dar
    Andy Murray reacts during the match/AFP LONDON: Andy Murray survived a scare at Wimbledon on Friday but eventually overcame volatile Italian Fabio Fognini in four sets with a dramatic surge to dig himself out of trouble.
    The British defending champion triumphed 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 on Centre Court, winning five consecutive games in the fourth set and saving five set points to book himself a spot in the fourth round.
    Murray struggled to find his rhythm throughout the match or read what was his third unpredictable opponent in a row after Alexander Bublik and Dustin Brown.
    The world number one faces France´s unseeded Benoit Paire on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.
    "I served it out really well to finish. But it was a very up and down match. I didn´t feel like it was the best tennis at times. It was a little bit tense but I managed to get through," Murray said.
    "It´s obviously difficult when you´re playing a guy who has all of the shots like him. He generates power with very short swings. It´s difficult to see when he´s going to hit the ball big. He was taking me out of my rhythm.
    "It was also getting dark towards the end. We would probably had to have come off and closed the roof had I lost that fourth set so you´re thinking a little bit about that as well, a change of conditions and a 20-minute break to think about things before playing a fifth set. So obviously pleased to get off in four."
    Murray had been struggling with a hip problem before Wimbledon but insisted it had not flared up and hampered him during his third round match with 28th seed Fognini.
    "I feel ok. I didn´t feel like I moved as well as I did in the first couple of matches but I´ve got a couple of days´ break now where I can work on that and hopefully get myself in a good rhythm over the weekend and come out and play some good tennis on Monday," he said.
    "I´m happy to get through the first week and anything can happen from now."
    Fognini was docked a point for obscene behaviour. After losing a point, Fognini responded by sucking on his finger.
    It was deemed an obscene gesture by umpire Damien Dumusois and, having already been warned for abuse of his racket, Fognini was docked a point and lost the game.
    Fognini, one of the more combustible players on the tour, already owns the record for the biggest single fine in Wimbledon history after being penalised $27,500 in 2014.
    "He won. That´s sport. But it´s OK," said Fognini. "Right now I don´t feel really happy but I´m really happy about my performance, my tennis."
    Federer and Djokovic take centre stage
    Roger Federer celebrates winning the second round match against Serbia?s Dusan Lajovic/Reuters Centre Court fans at Wimbledon will be hoping to see a bit more of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on Saturday when they play back-to-back third round matches.
    The last time Djokovic and Federer played successive matches on tennis´ most famous stage, fans were left short changed as both of their first-round opponents quit midway through the second set with injuries.
    Latvia´s Ernests Gulbis, once a top 10 player but now ranked 589th, and Germany´s Mischa Zverev are unlikely to disappear quite as easily however, and are likely to pose the first real tests to Djokovic and seven-times champion Federer.
    Women´s top seed Angelique Kerber has been finding her grasscourt feet following her struggles in the first half of the season and will be hoping to continue her resurgence against American Shelby Rogers.
    Agnieszka Radwanska, runner-up here in 2012, will open Centre Court proceedings against Swiss Timea Bacsinszky.
    Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will be back to complete the fifth set of his encounter against Djokovic´s 2016 conqueror Sam Querrey.
    With additional input from Reuters 


  12. Waqas Dar
    LONDON: South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will miss next week´s second Test against England after his verbal abuse of Ben Stokes during the series opener at Lord´s, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Friday.
    Rabada, 22, uttered an audible obscenity after dismissing all-rounder Stokes on the first day of the first Test on Thursday, his latest offence triggering a one-Test ban.
    "South Africa´s Kagiso Rabada has been suspended for next week´s Trent Bridge Test after his accumulated demerit points reached four within a 24-month period following his latest breach of the ICC code of Conduct for which he received a 15 percent fine and one demerit point," said a statement issued by the global governing body.
    The paceman will now play no part in the second Test of a four-match series at Nottingham´s Trent Bridge starting a week on Friday.
    An ICC statement said Rabada had "used inappropriate language after dismissing England batsman Ben Stokes, which was audible over the stump microphones and also resulted in the batsman to turn before walking off the field".
    It added: "During the opening day´s play in the Lord´s Test against England on Thursday, Rabada was found guilty of ... ´using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an international match´."
    The ICC said Rabada had admitted the offence on Friday and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Jeff Crowe, the former New Zealand captain.
    Rabada, one of the rising stars of world cricket, having taken 71 wickets in just 17 Tests prior to this match, was already on thin ice after an on-field physical clash with Sri Lanka´s Niroshan Dickwella during a one-day international in Cape Town in February.
    That incident saw both players fined and have three demerit points added to their disciplinary records.
    The pair were warned then that if they reached four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, those would be converted into suspension points which would see them banned from their country´s next international in whatever format at the time of a subsequent offence.
    Nightwatchman Rabada ended the second day´s play nine not out in South Africa´s 214 for five, a deficit of 244 runs after England made 458 in a first innings where he took three for 123 in 28 overs.
    Rabada´s absence is set to be a big blow to the Proteas, with all-rounder Chris Morris a candidate to replace him at Trent Bridge.


  13. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Seven top footballers from around the world, including Brazilian legend Ronaldinho and Manchester United great Ryan Giggs, arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for two exhibition matches.
    Brazilian hero Ronaldinho, former Manchester United stalwart Ryan Giggs, former England goalkeeper David James, Dutch star George Boateng, former French players Robert Pires and Nicolas Anelka, and Portuguese player Luis Boa Morte reached Islamabad early Saturday morning via a private jet.


    Brazil and Real Madrid great Roberto Carlos will arrive in the country later today.

    The lineup, dubbed 'Ronaldinho and Friends', is set to play with a group of Pakistani footballers for two seven-a-side matches in Karachi on Saturday and in Lahore on Sunday.
    Ronaldinho, 37, who won the World Player of the Year twice and was part of the 2002 World Cup winning team, said he is on a goodwill mission aimed at inducing youngsters to play the game.
    "I am excited at the prospect of playing in Pakistan," he said in a statement.
    "This is a great opportunity for us to induce youngsters in Pakistan and we will do our best to do that."
    Ryan Giggs looking forward to seeing the talent in Pakistan
    The player spoke of how international footballers coming to Pakistan was a great opportunity for the fans
    Giggs, who retired after a long career with United in 2014, said he was "privileged" to take part. He replaced former England and Chelsea captain John Terry, who pulled out due to new commitments with English side Aston Villa.
    The Pakistan Army is providing security for the players and matches, deploying troops in and around hotels, airports and stadiums over the weekend, officials have said.
    COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa will also host a reception in honour of the visiting footballers later today before the group flies to Karachi for the inaugural game of 'Ronaldinho and Friends'.

    Pakistan boasted a top place in Asian football until the early 1970s, but a lack of government support and poor infrastructure helped push them to as low as 200th in the FIFA football rankings.
    The game is growing in popularity once more, however, even in a country obsessed with cricket.
    "It´s a great occasion," said Pakistan team captain Kaleem Ullah, who also played for Sacramento Republic FC in USA and Kyrgyzstan´s FC Dordoi Bishkek. He will take part in one of the matches.
    Football legends come to Pakistan
    The wait is almost over as some of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen will be arriving in Pakistan. The list of players includes Roberto Carlos, Nicolas Anelka, Ronaldinho, Robert Pires, Luis Boa Morte, David James, George Boateng and Ryan Giggs. Click on each player for bio. Produced by Ali Tariq (Virtual tour generated by Panotour)
    Fans in the football-mad Lyari neighbourhood of Karachi said they had spent their savings on tickets. "I want to have a glimpse of Ronaldinho," said a young fan.
    Other Pakistani players in action with 'Ronaldinho and Friends' will be Saddam Hussain, Saadullah, Yousuf Butt, Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Essa, Ghulam Rasool, and star of street child football team Mohammad Razzik.


  14. Waqas Dar
    UNITED NATIONS: Troop and police contributing countries to the United Nations peacekeeping operations launched an informal group on Friday under the leadership of Pakistan and Morocco to discuss strategic issues affecting their personnel and to brainstorm responses to the new challenges facing world peace and security.
    The group, co-chaired by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi and her Moroccan counterpart Omar Hilale, met on the sidelines of Chiefs of Defence Conference at UN Headquarters in New York.
    The meeting was largely attended by ambassadors and senior diplomats from the troop countries who praised the initiative taken by Pakistan and Morocco for discussions of their common problems and offered their full support in ensuring that the group's voice was heard.
    "This group will serve as a sounding board for new ideas and innovative solutions to confront the emerging challenges to international peace and security," Ambassador Lodhi told the inaugural meeting.
    She said it will also be a collective reaffirmation of the troop contributing countries abiding commitment to bring the promise of hope and prosperity to those affected by war and conflict.
    The calls for doing more with less, despite the fact that peacekeeping was the most cost effective way of restoring peace and lives, was neither realistic nor sustainable, Ambassador Lodhi said, while outlining the factors that prompted the formation of the group.
    Also, she said, the demands for cuts in peacekeeping budgets needed to be questioned and countered.
    The ongoing review of the UN peace and security architecture and the impending strategic reviews of peacekeeping missions provide troop and police contributors an opportunity to have their voices heard, the Pakistani envoy said.
    In addition, Ambassador Lodhi said the need to provide a balance to the trend of focusing just on a few black sheep who tarnish the image of Blue Helmets rather than looking at the full picture.
    "The efforts and contributions of our heroes who take huge risks and make the ultimate sacrifice to uphold international peace and security need to be more effectively highlighted."
    Ambassador Lodhi pointed out that troop and police contributing countries place their best resources and expertise at the UN's disposal, and have a huge stake in the success of these peacekeeping missions.
    "It is therefore imperative that we, as a group, should be able to voice their views and concerns effectively."
    She said there was need to focus on some areas, including that the success of UN peacekeeping hinges on having a robust political track that leads to political solutions. As such, addressing the root causes of conflicts was critical. Among others areas was the optimum use of modern technology in peacekeeping, and adequate resources for effectively carrying out diverse mandates.
    Ambassadors and senior diplomats from Uruguay, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Cameroon, Egypt, Jordan, China and Ethiopia endorsed the views expressed by the Pakistani envoy and wished the group a success in its efforts to highlight the issues facing the troop contributing countries.
    In his concluding remarks, the Moroccan Ambassador said that the group would be open, flexible and provide an opportunity to share their experiences. It would also look for out-of-box solutions aimed at making peacekeeping more efficient.
    Earlier, Ian Martin, a senior UN peacekeeping official, welcomed the formation of the group and briefed its members about efforts being made at UN to streamline the peacekeeping operations.


  15. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: The Sharif family has submitted additional documents to the Panama case Joint Investigation Team, as proof of the money trail.
    According to sources, the documents include a check worth SR20.63 million of Al-Azizia Steel Company Limited, dated March 22, 2005. The Sharif family has also given documents regarding their business partnership in Dubai with the Al-Thani family.
    Have nothing to do with family business abroad, PM tells JIT
    Asks investigators if they have any question related to corruption, kickbacks, commissions during his rule
    Al-Aziziz Steel Company Limited was set up between 2001 and 2003 with US$5.4 million that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif?s father Mian Sharif received from the Al-Thani family for investment. The steel company was sold for SR63 million in 2006.
    Panama Case: Story behind the ?money trail?
    The story of the money trail started in 1996
    However, neither the steel company nor any other offshore business has been owned by the prime minister as he has told the JIT he has been involbed in politics since 1981.



    The steel company matter was instead between the prime minister?s son, Hussain Nawaz and father Mian Sharif. Hussain?s counsel Salam Akram Raja told the court Mian Sharif had informed Hussain about the about that was to be received from the Al-Thani family for the steel company.


  16. Waqas Dar
    Mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the country, according to the Pakistan Meteorological (Met) Department.

    However, rain/thundershowers with gusty winds are expected at isolated places in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Malakand, Hazara, Dera Ghazi Khan, Quetta, Zhob, Kalat divisions, Islamabad and Kashmir.
    Seasonal low lies over northeast Balochistan, said the Met department, adding that light to moderate monsoon currents are penetrating in central and upper parts of the country.
    A shallow westerly wave is still affecting upper parts of the country and likely to move northeastwards.
    Past weather
    Rain-thundershowers with gusty winds occurred at isolated places in Malakand, Hazara, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bahawalpur, Multan, DG Khan , Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Rawalpindi divisions, Barkhan, Lasbella, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
    Weather remained hot and humid in other parts of the country.
    Rainfall (mm):
    Punjab: Kot Addu 69 , Kasur 18, Bahawalnagar 09, Faisalabad 08, Rahimyarkhan 07, Bhakkar 05, Sahiwal 03, Multan, Shorkot, Bahawalpur 02, Lahore (AP 01, City 01),Gujranwala , Sialkot, Toba Tek Singh 01, KP: Malamjabba 16,, Saidu Sharif, Kohat 02, , Kashmir: Rawalakot 12, Kotli 06, Balochistan: Barkhan 06, Lasbella 01.
    Yesterday's Highest Maximum Temperatures:
    Nokkundi 45°C, Dadu? Dalbandin 44°C, Shaheed Benazirabad, Pasni, Sibbi 43°C.
    Data courtesy: Pakistan Meteorological Department 


  17. Waqas Dar
    HYDERABAD: An oil tanker travelling from Karachi to Moro went off the M9 motorway road here and flipped over in the nearby rough terrain late Friday night, Geo News reported.
    The driver ? who was severely injured and consequently taken to the hospital ? allegedly in a drowsy state caused the tanker to veer off from the Karachi-Hyderabad route and crash, rescue sources revealed.
    The process to empty out fuel from the oil tanker has begun, as rescue teams and M9 motorway police reached the crash site immediately. Officials further called a bulldozer to cover spilt oil with sand in order to prevent any unfortunate incidents.
    "We have removed the caps from the oil tanker's taps in order to prevent any gas forming inside," an official mentioned.


  18. Waqas Dar
    File Photo KARACHI: 11 gamblers were taken into custody late Friday night in a raid on a gambling town here in Surjani Town?s Khuda Ki Basti, Superintendent of Police (SP)-Orangi Abid Ali Baloch said.
    The police officer mentioned that gambling equipment, as well as cash, was recovered from the arrestees.
    On the other hand, three suspects were arrested during a search operation carried out late Friday night in Karachi?s Mobina Town, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)-Malir stated.
    Rangers raid Lahore?s Badami Bagh
    Numerous suspects were taken into custody during a search operation in Lahore?s Badami Bagh and surrounding areas late Friday night, Geo News reported.
    The operation was conducted by law enforcement agencies, including police and Rangers.


  19. Waqas Dar
    Architectural rendering of Facebook?s proposed Willow Campus is seen in Menlo Park, California, US, in this undated photo obtained by Reuters July 7, 2017. Facebook/Handout via REUTERS  SAN FRANCISCO: The shortage of housing in California's Silicon Valley has gotten so severe that Facebook Inc on Friday proposed taking homebuilding into its own hands for the first time with a plan to construct 1,500 units near its headquarters.

    The growth of Facebook, Alphabet Inc's Google and other tech companies has strained neighbourhoods in the San Francisco Bay area that were not prepared for an influx of tens of thousands of workers during the past decade. Home prices and commute times have risen.
    Tech companies have responded with measures such as internet-equipped buses for employees with long commutes. Facebook has offered at least $10,000 in incentives to workers who move closer to its offices.
    Those steps, though, have not reduced complaints that tech companies are making communities unaffordable, and they have mostly failed to address the area's housing shortage.
    "The problem with Silicon Valley is you don't have enough supply to keep up with the demand," said Sam Khater, deputy chief economist at real estate research firm CoreLogic.
    With Facebook's construction plan, the company said it wanted to invest in Menlo Park, the city some 72 kilometres south of San Francisco where it moved in 2011.
    The company said it wants to build a "village" that will also have 1.75 million square feet of office space and 125,000 square feet of retail space.
    "Part of our vision is to create a neighborhood center that provides long-needed community services," John Tenanes, Facebook's vice president for global facilities, said in a statement.
    The 1,500 Facebook housing units would be open to anyone, not just employees, and 15 percent of them would be offered at below market rates, the company said.
    Facebook said it expects the review process to take two years.
    Alphabet has taken a smaller step, buying 300 modular apartment units for short-term employee housing, the Wall Street Journal reported last month.
    Menlo Park Mayor Kirsten Keith said in an interview that there were concerns about whether the Facebook plan would increase traffic, a subject the city's planning department would study.

    She said, though, that Facebook's plan fits with the city's own long-term plan for development, and that the city was excited about the additional housing.
    Facebook's Tenanes said the density of the proposed development could also entice spending on transit projects.
    "The region's failure to continue to invest in our transportation infrastructure alongside growth has led to congestion and delay," he said.


  20. Waqas Dar
    An officer's leather boot ? recovered from the wreck of HMS Erebus in 2015 ? is part of the 'Death In The Ice: The Shocking Story Of Franklin's Final Expedition' exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London on July 7, 2017. AFP/Ben Stansall LONDON: A new major London exhibition aims to solve the 170-year-old mystery surrounding the disappearance of British explorer John Franklin in the Arctic's icy waters.

    "Death in the Ice" retraces Franklin's final expedition to discover the Northwest Passage linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, since its departure from Britain on May 19, 1845.
    Franklin and his 128 crew members were last seen in July of that year.
    The two ships, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror sunk in the Arctic, and were only found in 2014 and 2016, respectively.
    In a softly lit atmosphere ? meant to evoke the Arctic's piercing cold ? the exhibition will showcase some 200 items, many of which were recovered on the Erebus.
    The ships' fate didn't become clear until 1859, when a vessel chartered by Franklin's widow came across a sombre message on King William Island that revealed that Franklin and 23 crew members had died on June 11, 1847, in unspecified circumstances.
    A year and a half later, stuck in the ice and having run out of supplies, the 105 survivors left the ships in an attempt to reach solid ground on foot, but none survived.
    Striking photographs on display show the bodies of three of Franklin's crew members buried in the ice and still amazingly well preserved.
    Canadian researchers in the 1980s said the remains of expedition members found on Beechey Island indicated they had died of cold, hunger, and lead poisoning from canned food.
    Beyond the archaeological treasures, visitors will also get to see the monumental work undertaken by the Parks Canada archaeologists in 2014, after the discovery of the HMS Erebus.
    Pictures and videos of Canadian divers finding the shipwreck in the Victoria Strait ? off the coast of King William Island ? are shown in the last room, alongside the Erebus's gigantic bell.
    "Death in the Ice" runs from July 14 until January 2018 at the National Maritime Museum.


  21. Waqas Dar
    Renowned Pakistan social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi arranging relief supplies for the flood survivors in Karachi. REUTERS/Zahid Hussein/File Photo  KARACHI: It has been a year since Pakistan's renowned and respected humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi passed away on July 8, 2016, at the age of 88, bringing the nation to tears over the loss of one of its most precious assets.

    Edhi suffered primarily from kidney problems, among other diseases including diabetes. His funeral was attended by hundreds of people in Karachi?s National Stadium.
    Following the celebrated philanthropist?s death, the state and Sindh government had announced one- and three-day mourning periods, respectively. The federal government also posthumously awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz to Edhi.
    Legendary Pakistani social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi passes away in Karachi
    His funeral prayers will be offered at the National Stadium in Karachi after Zuhr prayers on Saturday
    During this period, Pakistan?s flag was flown at half-mast.
    Edhi is survived by four children and his wife Bilquis Edhi, who ran the Edhi foundation with him.
    The beginnings
    Born on February 28, 1928, in Bantva city of India?s Gujrat state, Edhi?s humble beginning was when he started to take care of his ailing, diabetic mother at the age of 11, helping him learn to prioritise others over his own self.
    Post independence, his family migrated to and settled in Karachi. In 1951, the philanthropist purchased a small shop with his meagre savings to open a dispensary with the help of a doctor friend. From thereon began his simple life as he often slept on the bench in front of the shop to help anyone in need of urgent medical care.
    1957 brought a flu epidemic to Karachi, in response to which Edhi set up emergency tents for medical attention throughout the city. Donations from the public started pouring in and Edhi, through those funds, bought the entire building wherein the dispensary was situated.
    He subsequently set up a maternity ward inside the newly-purchased building, alongside a training school for the nurses. This was the start of Edhi Foundation.
    In an interview with Geo News, Edhi said he only owned two pairs of clothes that he washed by himself ? a tradition he had continued for many years. He used to live in a small one-room flat located above the office of his charitable organisation.
    ?He never established a home for his own children,? his wife told news agency AFP in an earlier interview.
    Last days
    The founder and chairman of the Edhi Foundation was diagnosed with kidney failure three years before his death but was unable to receive a transplant due to his worsening health. He was brought to the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) for a regular dialysis just before his death but was shifted to intensive care and put on a ventilator due to severe breathing problems.
    Edhi also suffered from multiple diseases and complications, including diabetes, hypertension, and kidney failure. Faisal Edhi ? his son ? told reporters that he had also become very weak, physically, because he was unable to eat for some time.
    As the last act of selflessness, his son said Edhi wished for all his usable body organs to be donated after death. "He had prepared for himself a grave in Edhi village about twenty-five years ago," he said. "Also, he wanted to be buried in the same clothes in which he died. Hence, we will honour his wish and bury him in the clothes that he passed away," he added.
    Abdul Sattar Edhi ? journey of a sole man
    The outcast and rebel who has spent his life helping mankind
    Faisal Edhi noted that ?only his eyes can be donated? since he was not in a good condition at the time of his death. An operation was conducted to extract Edhi?s cornea for donation, which benefitted two people.
    Frail and weak in his later years, Edhi appointed his son as the managing trustee in early 2016. "I have done a lot of work. I am satisfied with my life," he told news agency AFP.
    Awards and accolades
    Motivated by a spiritual quest for justice, Edhi and his team over the years aimed helped those who could not help themselves and picked up where limited government-run services fell short.
    The most prominent symbols of the foundation ? its 1,500 ambulances ? are deployed with unusual efficiency to the scene of terrorist attacks that tear through Pakistan with devastating regularity. His work was so widely respected by across Pakistan that armed groups and bandits were known to spare his ambulances.
    Revered as a national hero of nearly legendary status, he established his welfare organisation almost six decades ago; Edhi Foundation owns and runs Pakistan's largest ambulance service, as well as nursing homes, orphanages, clinics, maternity wards, morgues, homes for the elderly, women's shelters, rehabilitation centers, and soup kitchens across the country.
    Edhi received a number of international honours, such as Pakistan's Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Lenin Peace Prize, and the Balzan Prize, among several other international honours for his humanitarian work.
    In 2011, the then-Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani proposed Edhi's name for the Nobel Peace Prize. He appeared on the Nobel list again later after being nominated by young Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.
    The Beach Avenue on Seaview in Karachi?s DHA Phase VIII was renamed as Abdul Sattar Avenue in recognition of his legendary services to the humanity, the executive board of DHA announced in July 2016.
    Karachi gets an ?Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue?
    KARACHI: The Executive Board of DHA in a meeting chaired by its President Commander 5 Corps Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar decided to rename Beach Avenue on Seaview in DHA Phase VIII as Abdul Sattar Avenue...
    The renamed road is the most popular ones in the metropolis and is frequented by Karachiites as well as the tourists coming to visit the sea.
    Search engine Google honoured the Pakistan?s ?angel of mercy, Abdul Sattar Edhi, on his 89th birth anniversary? on February 27, this year. It changed its logo in the United States, Iceland, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Estonia, UK, Denmark, Ireland, and Pakistan to an illustration of the humanitarian.
    ?[After moving to Karachi, Edhi], soon noticed that many Pakistanis lacked medicine, education, and other essentials, and he made it his life's mission to help others. In 1951, he established the Edhi Foundation, which is funded solely by private donations,? reads Google?s description of Edhi.
    Google pays tribute to Edhi
    In celebration of Abdul Sattar Edhi, let's all lend a hand to someone in need today, urges Google
    ?In celebration of Abdul Sattar Edhi, let's all lend a hand to someone in need today,? it added.
    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in March 2017 issued a Rs. 50 commemorative coin to commemorate the services of Edhi. The bank said it made its decision keeping in view the meritorious services he rendered for humanity in general and, in particular, Pakistanis.
    These coins were issued through the exchange counters of SBP Banking Services Corporation?s field offices on March 31, 2017, read the statement. Below the Crescent and at the top of two springs of wheat with arms curved upward, the coin notes the year of Abdul Sattar Edhi?s death.
    SBP to issue Rs50 Edhi commemorative coin from March 31
    These coins will be issued through exchange counters of all the field offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation from March 31
    Then, in April 2017, a school in Lyari Town?s Gulistan Colony was named after Abdul Sattar Edhi to pay homage to the famous philanthropist. Formerly known as DMC Girls and Boys Secondary School, the institution is now known as Abdul Sattar Edhi School.
    In the ceremony to rename the school, its students paid a tribute to Edhi and showcased different aspects of his life. His son and his wife were the chief guests for the occasion and announced a plan to open a science laboratory at the school.


  22. Waqas Dar
    Raheel Sharif disembarking the aircraft. -Geo News LAHORE: Former army chief General (retd) Raheel Sharif arrived in Lahore on Friday. 
    The former army chief left for his residence soon after landing. He arrived onboard a private aircraft.
    The crew of the aircraft were lodged in a local hotel. 
    Earlier in April, Sharif departed for Riyadh on Friday after the federal government granted him permission to head a military alliance of Muslim countries led by Saudi Arabia.

    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/f085cb23c61f6f875e6463ec15285ce2.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ny83LzIwMTcgNTo0MjoyOCBQTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPUZkRGhwdTBkNUFHdnord1V2d2YzdWc9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center] With a Joint Comand Centre headquartered in Riyadh, the coalition includes Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Tunisia, Sudan, Malaysia, Egypt, Yemen and other Muslim countries.

    Saudi Arabia says the alliance, which noticeably lacks the presence of Iran, will "coordinate and support military operations to fight terrorism".
    The coalition would tackle "the Islamic world's problem with terrorism and will be a partner in the worldwide fight against this scourge," Saudi defence minister and deputy crown prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud had said at a press conference in Riyadh in 2015. 


  23. Waqas Dar
    Malala Yousafzai has finally joined Twitter. The teenager, who was shot by a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban gunman in 2012 in Swat, tweeted ?Today is my last day of school and my first day on @Twitter? today.




    On her first day on Twitter, the young women?s rights and education activist has already amassed 13.5 million followers. Her Twitter bio reads, ?19 years old | advocate for girls? education and women's equality | founder @MalalaFund?.

    After surviving a fatal head shot for her activism, Malala rose to fame as a role model for young girls across the world, inspiring them to pursue their education come what may. She has been presented with numerous awards and given honorary citizenship by Canada for her unwavering support for and funding of education initiatives.


  24. Waqas Dar
    CAIRO: At least 10 Egyptian soldiers were killed and several injured when two suicide car bombers hit army checkpoints in northern Sinai on Friday, security sources said.
    The two cars exploded as they passed through two checkpoints close to each other on a road outside the border city of Rafah, the sources said.
    No group claimed responsibility for the attacks.
    The army said later on Friday the attacks had killed and injured a total of 26 soldiers, but did not provide a breakdown of the figure.
    It said security forces had killed 40 militants and destroyed six of their vehicles following the attack.
    "Law enforcement forces in northern Sinai succeeded in thwarting a terrorist attack on some checkpoints south of Rafah," the army statement said.
    The army posted photos of five dead militants in blood-soaked fatigues lying in the sand, though it did not identify which militant group it believed the men belonged to.
    President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi describes militancy as an existential threat to Egypt, which has increasingly seen attacks move beyond the war-torn Sinai Peninsula and deep into the mainland, often targeting Christians.
    Separately on Friday a state security officer was shot and killed outside his home in Qalubiya, a province just north of Cairo, while on his way to Friday prayers, an interior ministry statement said.
    Responding to the Sinai attack, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail stressed in a statement the need for countries to unite in order to combat countries supporting terrorism and to "dry up their sources of funding," an apparent reference to Qatar.
    Daesh is leading an insurgency in the rugged and thinly populated northern Sinai desert, where hundreds of soldiers and police have been killed since 2013, when the army ousted president Mohamed Mursi following mass protests.
    The insurgents in Sinai pledged allegiance to Daesh in 2014 and adopted the name Sinai Province.


  25. Waqas Dar
    HAMBURG: US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin held their first face-to-face meeting Friday at a G20 summit marred by violent protests and a rift between America and its Western allies over climate change and trade.
    "We look forward to a lot of very positive things happening for Russia, for the United States and for everyone concerned," Trump said. "It´s an honor to be with you."
    Putin told the US leader: "I´m delighted to be able to meet you personally Mr President. And I hope as you have said, our meeting will yield concrete results."
    The blockbuster encounter could sway issues ranging from the North Korean crisis and conflicts in Syria and Ukraine to US-Russian disarmament treaties, world trade and global warming, analysts say.
    Public images of the interaction are likely to be dissected frame by frame for any sign of rapprochement or estrangement.
    How the "contrasting styles of machismo interact... will likely be the defining feature of their relationship," noted Derek Chollet from think-tank German Marshall Fund.

    Normally a ripple-free event in the diplomatic calendar, this year´s G20 summit in the German port city of Hamburg promises to be one of the stormiest in the forum´s history.
    Trump´s "America First" approach on trade and his climate-sceptic stance are straining relations with longstanding allies, especially in Europe.
    And his tough response to North Korea´s missile program - an issue where Russia and China are urging calm - throws a further volatile ingredient into the mix.
    Outside the heavily guarded G20 conference hall, protesters wreaked havoc, blocking US First Lady Melania Trump at her residence as demonstrators torched cars, smashed shop windows, fired flares at police helicopters and even slashed tires on vehicles belonging to the Canadian delegation.
    The violence forced Hamburg police to call in reinforcements from other German states, and G20 organisers to drastically curtail an official program for spouses of visiting dignitaries.
    "The Hamburg police could not give us clearance to leave," said the first lady´s spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, explaining why she had been forced to miss a cruise tour.
    End ?Destabilizing? Action
    On the presidential election campaign trail last year, Trump said he hoped relations with Putin could be rebuilt after Russia´s acrimonious ties with his predecessor Barack Obama.
    But Moscow faces mounting accusations that it interfered in the election to help propel Trump into the White House. As a result, Trump faces pressure at home and from US allies to take a combative tone.
    In a key speech in Warsaw on Thursday, Trump fired a rare salvo of criticism at Russia, but did not name Putin specifically.
    "We urge Russia to cease its destabilizing activities in Ukraine and elsewhere, and its support for hostile regimes - including Syria and Iran - and to instead join the community of responsible nations in our fight against common enemies and in defense of civilization itself," he told a cheering crowd of about 10,000 people.
    Trump is joined at the Putin meeting only by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and a translator, an extraordinarily small cast list that raised concerns among experts.
    "Neither Tillerson or Trump have any experience of foreign policy. That is one reason why they need pros in the room when meeting Putin," said Thomas Wright of the Brookings Institution.
    Storm over climate
    North Korea´s successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile this week also casts a dark shadow over the US leader´s first G20 summit.
    Trump had warned Thursday that Pyongyang´s military saber-rattling would bear "consequences", saying he was considering a "severe" response to its "very, very bad behavior".
    After repeatedly urging Beijing to ratchet up the economic pressure on North Korea, Trump will hold what promises to be a testy meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the G20´s sidelines.
    Beyond the complex diplomatic waltz, the US leader also faces tough talks in the main G20 conference room, where a united front is forming against his dismissive attitude to global warming.
    Trump may have vowed to pull the US out of the 2015 Paris climate protection accord, but G20 host German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed that "many many other countries want to go on implementing" it.
    "We are not going to paper over the differences but rather, we will call discord discord," said Merkel.
    British Prime Minister Theresa May, meanwhile, said world leaders will redouble efforts over the two-day summit to persuade Trump to rejoin the Paris deal.
    "I believe the collective message that will be given to President Trump around this table will be the importance of America coming back into that agreement, and I hope we will be able to work to ensure that can happen," she told the BBC.


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