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Waqas Dar

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Blog Entries posted by Waqas Dar

  1. Waqas Dar
    American daredevil Erendira Wallenda dangled from her teeth from under a helicopter in a series of eye-watering acrobatic moves over the teeming waters of Niagara Falls on Thursday.
    US media said her stunt set a Guinness World Record for height, breaking a record established by her husband Nik when hanging from his teeth 250 feet (76 meters) above Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.
    Dressed in a black body suit, the mother-of-three sat and dangled from a large hoop tethered to the bottom of the helicopter, at one point hooking her feet over the hoop and hanging upside down with her arms stretched toward the water.
    Wallenda hung above the falls for around seven or eight minutes.
    She did splits hanging off the hoop backwards, before biting into an iron jaw and briefly dangling by her teeth about 300 feet in the air.
    Wallenda comes from a family of stunt artists and world record chasers.
    Thursday's stunt marked the fifth anniversary of her husband's walk on a tightrope over Niagara Falls, which straddle the border between Canada and the United States.
    Speaking to reporters, Wallenda described the experience as "amazing" and "beautiful," and said she had hung twice from her teeth, listening to music throughout so as to block out any sound from spectators below.
    Her stunt adds to the lore and legend of the renowned Wallenda family, famous for astonishing audiences around the world with their jaw-dropping stunts executed from dizzying heights.
    In June 2013, Nik Wallenda became the first man to cross the Grand Canyon on a tightrope, completing that record-breaking feat in under 23 minutes.


  2. Waqas Dar
    US Vice President Mike Pence at a campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, US, during 2016 election campaigns. November 7, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri  WASHINGTON: US Vice President Mike Pence has hired a lawyer known for defending government officials in high-profile investigations to help him with probes into whether there were ties between the election campaign of US President Donald Trump and Russia, his office said on Thursday.
    US intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow interfered in last year's presidential campaign to try to tilt the vote in Trump's favour.

    Trump, who hired his own lawyer last month for probes by a special counsel and congressional committees, lashed out on Thursday after a report that he was under investigation for possible obstruction of justice.
    He dismissed as "phony" the idea that his campaign colluded with any Russian effort to sway the 2016 election. Moscow denies meddling in the campaign.
    Pence hired Richard Cullen, chairman of law firm McGuireWoods, to help him respond to inquiries from special counsel Robert Mueller, a spokesman said.
    Cullen is a former federal prosecutor who has long ties to former FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump fired on May 9. He represents former FIFA President Sepp Blatter in the corruption probe into world soccer's governing body. US prosecutors have not accused Blatter of wrongdoing.
    Cullen, who supported Trump's rival Jeb Bush during the race for the Republican presidential nomination, also represented Tom DeLay, a Texas Republican and former majority leader of the US House of Representatives, during the investigation into corrupt Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. DeLay was not charged.
    Pence had been looking at hiring his own counsel for several weeks, and made his decision earlier this week after interviewing several candidates, his office said.
    "The vice president is focused entirely on his duties and promoting the president's agenda and looks forward to a swift conclusion of this matter," Pence spokesman, Jarrod Agen, said in a statement.
    Pence has seldom addressed the Russia issue, which has overshadowed Trump's efforts to overhaul the health care system, cut taxes and boost jobs ? priorities that Pence has worked on intensively with Republican lawmakers.
    The Washington Post first reported the Cullen hire. Just before the story broke, Trump wrote a pair of angry tweets, suggesting that Hillary Clinton, his Democratic opponent in the election, should be under investigation instead of him.
    Earlier on Thursday, Trump called the probe a "witch hunt" on Twitter. "They made up a phony collusion with the Russians story, found zero proof, so now they go for obstruction of justice on the phony story. Nice," Trump wrote.
    Lines of inquiry
    Mueller is investigating whether anyone on Trump's campaign or associated with it, with him or any of his businesses, may have had any illegal dealings with Russian officials or others with ties to the Kremlin, said one US official familiar with the rough outlines of the probe and who spoke on condition of anonymity.
    That includes the finances and business dealings of Jared Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, and is a senior adviser at the White House, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing unnamed officials familiar with the matter.
    Mueller is also looking at the second line of inquiry: whether, if any potential offences were committed, Trump or others attempted to cover them up or obstruct the investigation into them, the source said.
    An examination of possible obstruction of justice charges was "unavoidable" given testimony by Comey, although the issue may not become the main focus of the probe, the source said.
    Comey told a Senate panel last week he believed Trump fired him to undermine the FBI's Russia probe. He also told the Senate Intelligence Committee in his June 8 testimony that he believed Trump had directed him to drop a related agency investigation into the president's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.
    White House officials, including Pence, initially gave differing reasons for Comey's dismissal, including that he had lost the confidence of the FBI.
    Pence said on Twitter on May 10 that Trump had "made the right decision at the right time to remove Comey as the head of the FBI" and praised him for showing "strong & decisive leadership to restore trust & confidence of the American people in the FBI."
    Trump later contradicted his own staff, saying on May 11 he had the Russia issue in mind when he fired Comey.
    Examining the possibility of obstruction charges will allow investigators to interview key administration figures including Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and possibly Trump himself, said the source familiar with the Mueller investigation.
    While a sitting president is unlikely to face criminal prosecution, obstruction of justice could form the basis for impeachment. Any such step would face a steep hurdle as it would require approval by the US House of Representatives, which is controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans.


  3. Waqas Dar
    PESHAWAR: The hot weather accompanied by long hours of load-shedding added to the sufferings of the residents of Peshawar on Friday morning.
    Various areas of Peshawar plunged into darkness as residents were forced to bear load-shedding during sehri time.

    Residents complained about power outage since 10 AM last night, which continued on till the morning.

    Dalazak Road, Maqsoodabad, Qazi Qila, Gharib Abad were among the various areas of the city that experienced load-shedding lasting several hours.

    Citizens were severely inconvenienced due to the prolonged power outage.



  4. Waqas Dar
    Scientists have identified three mutations that, if they occurred at the same time in nature, could turn a strain of bird flu now circulating in China into a potential pandemic virus that could spread among people.
    The flu strain, known as H7N9, now mostly infects birds but it has infected at least 779 people in outbreaks in and around China, mainly related to poultry markets.
    The World Health Organization said earlier this year that all bird flu viruses need constant monitoring, warning that their constantly changing nature makes them "a persistent and significant threat to public health".
    At the moment, the H7N9 virus does not have the capability to spread sustainably from person to person. But scientists are worried it could at any time mutate into a form that does.
    To assess this risk, researchers led by James Paulson of the Scripps Research Institute in California looked at mutations that could potentially take place in the H7N9 virus's genome.
    They focused on the H7 hemagglutanin, a protein on the flu virus surface that allows it to latch onto host cells.
    The team's findings, published in the journal PLoS Pathogens on Thursday, showed that in laboratory tests, mutations in three amino acids made the virus more able to bind to human cells - suggesting these changes are key to making the virus more dangerous to people.
    Scientists not directly involved in this study said its findings were important, but should not cause immediate alarm.
    "This study will help us to monitor the risk posed by bird flu in a more informed way, and increasing our knowledge of which changes in bird flu viruses could be potentially dangerous will be very useful in surveillance," said Fiona Culley, an expert in respiratory immunology at Imperial College London.
    She noted that while "some of the individual mutations have been seen naturally, ... these combinations of mutations have not", and added: "The chances of all three occurring together is relatively low."
    Wendy Barclay, a virologist and flu specialist also at Imperial, said the study's findings were important in showing why H7N9 bird flu should be kept under intense surveillance.
    "These studies keep H7N9 virus high on the list of viruses we should be concerned about," she said. "The more people infected, the higher the chance that the lethal combination of mutations could occur."


  5. Waqas Dar
    Facebook on Thursday said it is ramping up the use of artificial intelligence in a push to make the social network "a hostile place" for extremists to spread messages of hate.
    Pressure has been building on Facebook, along with other internet giants, who stand accused of doing too little, too late to eradicate hate speech and jihadist recruiters from their platforms.
    In a joint blog post, the social network's global policy management director Monika Bickert and counterterrorism policy manager Brian Fishman said Facebook was committed to tackling the issue "head-on."
    "In the wake of recent terror attacks, people have questioned the role of tech companies in fighting terrorism online," Bickert and Fishman said in the post.
    "We want Facebook to be a hostile place for terrorists," they said, adding: "We believe technology, and Facebook, can be part of the solution."
    They described how the network is automating the process of identifying and removing jihadist content linked to the Daesh group, Al-Qaeda and their affiliates, and intends to add other extremist organizations over time.
    Artificial intelligence is being used, for instance, to recognise when a freshly posted image or video matches one known to have been previously removed from the social network -- which counts nearly two billion users and involves more than 80 languages.
    Facebook is also experimenting with machine smarts to understand language well enough to identify words or phrases praising or supporting terrorism, according to the post.
    And the social network is using software to try to identify terrorism-focused "clusters" of posts, pages, or profiles.
    Facebook said it has also gotten better at detecting fake accounts created by "repeat offenders" previously booted from the social network for extremist content.
    The effort extends to other Facebook applications, including WhatsApp and Instagram, according to Bickert and Fishman.
    Meanwhile, because AI can't catch everything and sometimes makes mistakes, Facebook is also beefing up its manpower: it previously announced it would hire an extra 3,000 staff to track and remove violent video content.
    "We're constantly identifying new ways that terrorist actors try to circumvent our systems -- and we update our tactics accordingly," Bickert and Fishman said.
    Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft and Google-owned YouTube announced a drive last December to stop the proliferation of videos and messages showing beheadings, executions and other gruesome content.
    But they remain under intense scrutiny, and G7 leaders last month issued a joint call for internet providers and social media firms to step up the fight against extremist content online.


  6. Waqas Dar
    The Turkish flag flies over the the Turkish Ambassador's residence in Washington, U.S., June 15, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts1 WASHINGTON: US prosecutors have charged a dozen Turkish security and police officers with assault after an attack on protesters in Washington during Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the US capital last month, officials said on Thursday.

    The May 16 skirmish, caught on video, left nine protesters injured outside the Turkish ambassador's residence and further strained ties at a time when the NATO allies are in sharp disagreement over policy in Syria.
    The charges against some members of Erdogan's security detail send a clear message that the United States "does not tolerate individuals who use intimidation and violence to stifle freedom of speech and legitimate political expression," US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement.
    Turkey condemned the charges and said the Turkish citizens, who left the country with Erdogan, should not be held responsible for the incident.
    "This decision taken by US authorities is wrong [and] biased and lacks legal basis," Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "The brawl in front of the Turkish ambassador's residence was caused by the failure of local security authorities to take necessary measures."
    US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert addressed media but would not say on Thursday whether an extradition request would be made.
    The security officers are no longer protected by the immunity extended to them during Erdogan's recent visit, the State Department said.

    "We will weigh additional actions," Nauert told reporters.
    Washington officials announcing the charges, which were filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, described the treatment of the protesters as an attack on US values. Some of the protesters were associated with the Armenian National Committee of America and accuse Erdogan of running a politically repressive government.
    A video posted online showed men in dark suits chasing protesters and punching and kicking them as Washington police struggled to intervene.
    "If they attempt to enter the United States, they will be arrested," Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said of the security officers charged in the case.

    The police department also posted the names of the suspects.
    Newsham said there was no probable cause to arrest Erdogan, who watched the confrontation unfold from a nearby car.
    Eighteen people have now been charged in the incident, including two Canadians and four Americans, according to prosecutors.
    Two men were arrested on Wednesday.
    Sinan Narin of Virginia faces a charge of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanour assault, and Eyup Yildirim of New Jersey faces two charges of felony assault and a misdemeanour assault charge.


  7. Waqas Dar
    India captain Virat Kohli paid tribute to Pakistan's "magnificent turnaround" after his Champions Trophy title-holders booked a place in the final against their arch-rivals.
    Kohli's men overwhelmed Bangladesh by nine wickets at Edgbaston on Thursday, a day after Pakistan had seen off England by eight wickets in an almost as lopsided semi-final at Cardiff.
    India launched their title-defence with a 124-run thrashing of Pakistan at Edgbaston 11 days ago.
    But following what coach Mickey Arthur labelled a "shambolic" display, Pakistan recovered to beat South Africa, the top-ranked team in this eight-nation one-day international tournament.
    They then held their nerve to seal a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a virtual quarter-final in Cardiff on Monday,

    before dominating a previously unbeaten England.
    Asked if he had any thoughts on a final between the Asian giants, Kohli, to a chorus of laughter at a post-match news conference, answered: "No sir."
    But Kohli's respect for the way Pakistan had hauled themselves off the canvas was evident.
    Belief

    "I've been very impressed," said Kohli.
    "The turnaround has been magnificent. Obviously, if you reach the finals you have to play some good cricket, and credit to them (Pakistan), they've turned things around for themselves really well.
    "They've beaten sides that looked really strong against them, but the belief they showed on the field, the way they played together as a team...You know, regardless of who you play in the finals, it's always going to be challenging because once you start thinking that it's a big game, then your mindset changes," the star batsman added.
    "What we are going to try to do is repeat the similar sort of cricket that we have played so far, knowing the strengths and weaknesses they (Pakistan) have."
    But Kohli said there would be drastic change of game-plan after a semi-final where, having won the toss, he saw his attack restrict Bangladesh to an inadequate 264 for seven.
    India cruised to victory, finishing on 265 for one with nearly 10 overs to spare.
    Rohit Sharma was 123 not out and Kohli, the world's top-ranked ODI batsman, 96 not out in an unbroken stand of 178.
    "I don't know there's much that we need to change as a team," said Kohli, a member of the India side that beat England in the 2013 Champions Trophy final at Edgbaston.
    "I think if we focus on our skills and our abilities and believe in ourselves, we'll give ourselves a chance to do some good things for the team."
    Someone who did plenty of good for India's cause on Thursday was Kedar Jadhav.
    The back-up off-spinner took two for 22 in six overs, removing Bangladesh top-scorers Tamim Iqbal (70) and Mushfiqur Rahim (61).
    The duo put on 123 for the third wicket but Bangladesh's innings never recovered after they were both out.
    Jadhav's bowling was all the more useful on a day when frontline spinner Ravichandran Ashwin went wicketless.
    Afterwards the ungainly Jadhav bristled at suggestions he was a 'part-time' bowler.
    "Before this game I had six wickets and most of them are pure batsmen...it's not like I have been getting out bowlers," he insisted.
    Spinners and wicket-keepers have long worked closely together and Jadhav said India gloveman MS Dhoni had played a key role in his development.
    "He provides me with all the knowledge that he has," explained Jadhav of the input he had received from the former India captain.
    "Even while I am bowling he is looking at me and from his eyes only I can tell what he wants me to bowl," he added.


  8. Waqas Dar
    THE HAGUE: The International Court of Justice has turned down India's request to give it six months to file pleadings before the court in Kulbhushan Jadhav case.

    Speaking to Geo News, Pakistan's Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf said India had sought time till December to file its pleadings in the case. But the court allowed it time until September 13.
    The ICJ also set December 13 deadline for Pakistan to submit its counter-pleadings in the case.
    Had the Indian request been approved, the case would have been delayed by more than eighteen months. Pakistan had requested that the matter of filing of pleadings ought to be completed before the end of the year.
    The court heard the matter in chambers on June 8, wherein the attorney general opposed the Indian request on grounds that New Delhi had one full year to prepare its case and had hurriedly requested for expedited hearing on provisional measures.
    They should not be allowed to drag their feet, he said.
    ICJ stays execution of Indian spy Jadhav pending final decision
    Pakistan shall take all measures to ensure Jadhav isn't executed till court's final decision: ICJ
    On May 18, the ICJ ordered Pakistan to halt the execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an on-duty Indian navy officer working for RAW who was arrested from Balochistan in March 2016, until a final decision in the proceedings.

    "Pakistan shall take all measures at its disposal to ensure that Jadhav is not executed pending the final decision in these proceedings," ordered Judge Ronny Abraham, president of the court, as he announced the decision.
    Arrest, confession, sentencing
    Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel was arrested on March 3, 2016 in a ?counter-intelligence operation? from Mashkel area of Balochistan over his involvement in espionage and sabotage actives in Pakistan.
    Full text of Kulbhushan Jadhav confessional statement
    Following is the full text of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav confessional statement which recorded voluntarily ?My name is Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav and I am the serving officer of Indian...
    The incarcerated RAW agent, in his video statement, confessed to involvement in sabotage and espionage activities inside Pakistan, which has also been the crux of Islamabad?s case in the ICJ.
    On April 10, a Field General Court Martial, under the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act, awarded death sentence to Jadhav for espionage and sabotage.
    Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also ratified the sentencing by the army tribunal.
    Jadhav has since been on death row awaiting appeals.


  9. Waqas Dar
    KARACHI: Baskin-Robbins, the world?s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, announced that it has signed a master licensing agreement with AHG Flavours (Pvt) Limited to introduce the brand in Pakistan, AHG Flavours (Pvt) Limited said in a statement Wednesday.

    The agreement calls for the development of 35 Baskin-Robbins shops across the country, with an initial focus on the city of Lahore, it read.
    ?Baskin-Robbins is famous around the world for offering an extensive variety of 31 ice cream flavours to its guests, and we?re looking forward to treating our customers across Pakistan with the same flavourful experience,? said Irfan Mustafa, chairman of AHG Flavours (Pvt) Limited.
    ?And we look forward to opening our first Baskin-Robbins shop in the months ahead,? Mustafa added.
    The article originally appeared in The News.


  10. Waqas Dar
    Kabul: A suicide bomber struck a crowded mosque in Kabul late Thursday, officials said, in the latest militant attack in the month of Ramazan in the Afghan capital.

    The bomber blew himself up in the kitchen of the mosque after police prevented him from entering the main building packed with worshippers, the interior ministry said with witnesses also reporting gunfire in the area.
    "Terrorist attack on Al Zahra mosque in west of Kabul. Special forces have been sent to the area," ministry spokesman Najib Danish said, without revealing if there were any casualties.
    No group has so far claimed responsibility for the assault.
    Kabul has been on edge since a massive truck bomb on May 31 killed more than 150 people and wounded hundreds in the city's fortified diplomatic quarter, the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital since 2001.
    Just days later protesters incensed by the bombing clashed with police, prompting authorities to respond with live rounds, which left at least four people dead.
    Separately, suicide bombers tore through a row of mourners at the funeral for one of the protesters, killing at least seven more people.
    The carnage during the holy fasting month of Ramazan has left the Afghan capital shaken, with protesters who have set up a sit-in camp close to the bombing site demanding the resignation of Ghani's government.


  11. Waqas Dar
    Qatar's Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday the country signed a deal to buy F-15 fighter jets from the United States for $12 billion.

    The deal was completed despite the Gulf country being criticised recently by US President Donald Trump for supporting terrorism.
    US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and representatives from Qatar were set to meet Wednesday to seal the agreement, a source familiar with the deal told Reuters. Bloomberg News reported the deal was for 36 jets.
    The sale will increase security cooperation and interoperability between the US and Qatar, the Pentagon said in an emailed statement on Wednesday.
    Defense Secretary Mattis and Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Khalid al-Attiyah also discussed the current state of operations against the ISIS and the importance of de-escalating tensions so all partners in the gulf region can focus on next steps in meeting common goals, the Pentagon added.
    In November, the United States approved possible sale of up to 72 F-15QA aircraft to Qatar for $21.1bn. Boeing Co is the prime contractor on the fighter jet sale to the Middle East nation.
    Boeing declined to comment.
    Trump on Friday accused Qatar of being a "high-level" sponsor of terrorism, potentially hindering the US Department of State's efforts to ease heightening tensions and a blockade of the Gulf nation by Arab states and others.


  12. Waqas Dar
    KARACHI: The provincial government of Balochistan declared Astola Island as ?marine protected area? on Thursday, said a notification issued by Forest and Wildlife Department.
    According to the notification, the island situated in District Gwadar have been categorised as protected area in view of protecting, conserving and restoring species, habitats, biodiversity and ecological processes which may be adversely affected as a result of human activities, furthermore, prevent degradation and damages.
    Astola Island, also known as Jezira Haft Talar in Balochi is a small uninhabited island in the Arabian Sea approximately 25 km (16 mi) south of the nearest part of the coast and 39 km (24 mi) southeast of the fishing port of Pasni.




    Astola is Pakistan's largest offshore island at approximately 6.7 km (4.2 mi) long with a maximum width of 2.3 km (1.4 mi) and an area of approximately 6.7 km2 (2.6 sq mi). The highest point is 246 ft (75 m) above sea level. The island can be accessed by motorized boats from Pasni, with a journey time of about 5 hours to reach the island.


  13. Waqas Dar
    Twitter Inc said it would roll out a series of tweaks to its website and mobile applications from Thursday to further simplify the microblogging service's interface for its users.
    The changes include a new circular profile picture, a speech bubble instead of an arrow to reply to tweets and refinements to the fonts.
    Tweets on the company's mobile applications would now update instantly along with counts on "retweets", "likes" and "replies", the company said.
    Twitter, which has faced criticism over the complex interface of its service in the past, has been constantly adjusting its platform based on user feedback.
    The changes also include a consolidated profile and privacy settings and a new navigation menu for users of Apple devices.


  14. Waqas Dar
    The Joint Investigation Team (JIT), formed by the Supreme Court to investigate alleged corruption by the first family, has approached the apex court?s registrar office for visiting Qatar, revealed sources on Thursday.
    The investigation team needs approval from the apex court bench before it can travel of the country.
    Sources also revealed that two members of the JIT will travel to Doha after permission is received from the court. 
    Earlier, Prince Hamad Bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani of Qatar said he would be willing to record his statement in Qatar if the JIT wishes to visit and interview him. 


  16. Waqas Dar
    JALALABAD: Daesh militants have captured Tora Bora, a mountain cave complex in eastern Afghanistan that was once the hideout of Osama bin Laden, officials said Thursday, despite pressure on the militants from US-led forces.
    The militants seized the territory from the Taliban this week after days of heavy fighting, in a show of strength just two months after the US military dropped its largest non-nuclear bomb ever used in combat on a nearby Daesh stronghold.
    "Tora Bora has fallen into the hands of IS fighters," government spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told AFP. "Afghan troops last night launched an operation to take it back from IS."
    Tora Bora in eastern Nangarhar province was the site of a major US military offensive in late 2001, when Al Qaeda chief bin Laden was believed to be hiding there.
    Local tribesmen confirmed to AFP that the Taliban had retreated from large parts of Tora Bora.

    "When Daesh fighters launched their operation to seize Tora Bora, the Taliban fled the area and left us alone to protect our women and children," said Juma Khan, a tribesman who fled the area with hundreds of other local families.
    The fresh Daesh assault and capture of Tora Bora comes despite a heavy US-backed Afghan offensive against the militants.

    The fall of the Tora Bora has also prompted heated discussion in the Afghan parliament, with lawmakers warning the government of growing Daesh activity in eastern Afghanistan.





  17. Waqas Dar
    Hussain lamented England´s "timid play´, which he said was in marked contrast to the way they had revived their ODI fortunes  CARDIFF: Nasser Hussain said it was "disrespectful" to Pakistan to blame England's shock eight-wicket Champions Trophy semi-final defeat on a used Cardiff pitch.

    England, previously the only unbeaten team left in the eight-strong one-day international tournament and huge favourites to defeat Pakistan were bowled out for just 211 in Cardiff on Wednesday.
    Pakistan, who suffered a 124-run thrashing by arch-rivals India in their opening group game then cruised to their meagre victory target with a mammoth 77 balls to spare.
    The pitch played more like a sub-continental surface than a British one and England captain Eoin Morgan said afterwards: "Coming from Edgbaston, it was obviously a big jump in pace and bounce and too much of an ask for us to adjust to really."
    Morgan added Pakistan were more comfortable because "they played two days ago on it (when beating Sri Lanka in a virtual quarter-final).
    'Lame excuse'
    But legendary Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis said blaming the pitch was a "lame excuse and former England captain Hussain agreed.
    "There will be a lot of talk about the Cardiff pitch after Pakistan dumped England out of the Champions Trophy. But that won´t wash with me," Hussain wrote in his Daily Mail column.
    "It´s disrespectful to Pakistan, who played brilliantly and made the best of the conditions."
    Meanwhile, Hussain lamented England´s "timid play´, which he said was in marked contrast to the way they had revived their ODI fortunes since a woeful first-round exit at the 2015 World Cup.
    "Their coach Trevor Bayliss has always asked for them to play smart cricket, not just gung-ho cricket. This was anything but smart. In fact, it was timid."
    Meanwhile, Michael Vaughan, another ex-England captain, said in his Daily Telegraph column that he felt "flatter" than at the time of their World Cup exit two years ago.
    The Ashes-winning skipper added: "Here they had every facet covered with 10 of the 11 players in form and the side playing a style of cricket that makes them a match for any team in the world, so to play that badly in a semi-final, with everything riding on the game, was terribly disappointing."
    Meanwhile, Michael Atherton, a fellow former England captain, said Morgan´s men had "fluffed their lines".
    England came into the Champions Trophy with high hopes and had won 11 of their previous 12 ODIs before Wednesday´s reverse.
    "There were huge expectations they´d go on to win the tournament, I think justifiably so on the back of what they´ve done over the last year-and-a-half," said Atherton.
    "As a result, the bar was set very high for this tournament, and they´ve failed to deliver -- that´s the brutal truth of sport."
    England have never won a major ODI trophy despite appearing in 19 global events at this level since the inaugural World Cup back in 1975.
    Now England´s wait will continue until at least 2019 -- when they stage the next World Cup.
    Meanwhile, Pakistan could have a chance of revenge against India in Sunday´s final at the Oval if the title-holders beat Bangladesh in Thursday´s second semi-final at Edgbaston.


  18. Waqas Dar
    BEIJING: An explosion rocked a kindergarten in eastern China on Thursday, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens, authorities said, as state media published images showing bloodied and unconscious victims.
    The blast occurred near the kindergarten and victims were taken to hospital, according to the Fengxian county government in Jiangsu province.
    Images circulating online showed that the force of the blast tore people´s clothes off and one woman was seen clutching her child, who is in tears.
    Xinhua news agency, citing the emergency office of Xuzhou city, said the explosion happened at the gate just as children were leaving the school in the afternoon.
    An official at the police station in Fengxian county told AFP that the cause of the blast was under investigation.
    At least seven people were killed and 66 injured, including nine seriously, according to Xuzhou city government. Two died at the site of the explosion and five while being treated.
    Pictures of the scene showed more than a dozen people outside a building, many lying on the concrete and some appearing to be unconscious, including a small child.
    Another video posted by the People´s Daily shows emergency workers arriving at the scene with gurneys. Another shows people lying in a hospital.
    Online media reports cite a business owner near the kindergarten as saying that around 5:00 pm (0900 GMT) he heard a "bang", and found that there had been an explosion at the kindergarten entrance only 100 metres away.
    Knife attacks
    It is the latest tragedy to strike a kindergarten in China in recent weeks.
    A school bus packed with kindergarten pupils erupted in flames inside a tunnel in eastern Shandong province on May 9, killing 11 children, a teacher and the driver.
    Officials later said the fire was intentionally set by the driver, who was angry at losing overtime wages.
    There have also been knife attacks at schools in recent years.
    In January a man armed with a kitchen knife stabbed and wounded 11 children at a kindergarten in southern Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
    In February last year, a knife-wielding assailant wounded 10 children in a schoolyard in Haikou, in the southern island province of Hainan, before committing suicide.
    In 2014 state media reported that a man stabbed three children and a teacher to death and wounded several others in a rampage at a primary school that refused to enrol his daughter.
    That followed a March 2013 incident in which a man killed two relatives and then slashed 11 people, including six children, outside a school in China´s commercial hub Shanghai.


  19. Waqas Dar
    LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah alleged on Thursday that the Supreme Court's constituted Joint Investigation Team probing Sharif family transgressed their mandate as it threatened the summoned witnesses.

    He said that the JIT is fighting virtually with every institution of the country, further adding that the popular political leadership cannot be separated from the masses.
    Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appeared before the Panama case Joint Investigation Team (JIT) for questioning.
    Speaking to the media outside the Federal Judicial Academy, he said ?I have told the JIT my point of view.? All documents related to my assets, though already with the Supreme Court, have been provided to the JIT now, he added.
    Giving the PTI`s reaction, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said If the prime minister is confident that the public is with him, he should immediately tender his resignation and let elections be called.
    "The ground and horse both are here," Chaudhry said.
    Also present at the news conference, PTI's Asad Umar said the prime minister was showing as if he did a huge favour by appearing before the JIT. He added Nawaz did not appear by himself, but did so as he was asked to do it.
    While talking about the prime minister's statements, Umar said what Nawaz said the assembly and the court differed. 


  20. Waqas Dar
    Two US Navy vessels have arrived in Doha to take part in a joint military exercise with the Qatari Emiri Navy, reported Qatar News Agency (QNA) QNA. But it was unclear if the arrival of the two warships was planned before the Gulf rift or was a sign of support from the Pentagon.
    Qatar, a major ally of the US and other Western countries, has been in the spotlight since four major Arab powers, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, severed their ties with the country and accused it of supporting terrorism and working secretly with Iran, the arch-foe of the Saudis.
    Qatar hosts the biggest US military base in the Middle East with 11,000 troops deployed to or assigned to Al Udeid Air Base. More than 100 aircraft operate from there.
    The Pentagon last week renewed praise of Qatar for hosting a vital US airbase and for its "enduring commitment to regional security," after four Arab countries cut ties with the Gulf ally.
    The Pentagon reassurance differed from the US President Donald Trump comments that applauded the decision, via Twitter.
    The crews of the two vessels were received by Qatari navy officers, QNA said, citing a statement from the country's defence ministry.

    Turkey sent its foreign minister to Qatar as part of a drive to resolve the crisis. Kuwait, a neighbour and a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council also has been mediating.


  21. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Thursday reacted to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif presenting himself before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT). 
    Khan criticised the prime minister for reading a prewritten speech outside the Federal Judicial Academy, terming that alone as confirmation that the prime minister did not reveal anything new before the JIT.
    "They had only one defence, which was the Qatari letter, since the Qatari is not coming that defence has collapsed. They don't have any other way to prove how the money went from Pakistan to purchase the London properties," Imran Khan said in a video posted on Twitter. 


    Imran Khan said the prime minister was making a dangerous insinuation through his speech, giving the impression that there is a conspiracy being hatched against them. 
    Taking it further, Khan said that the two institutions being maligned as conspirators are the judiciary and the Pakistan army, which is a very shameful tactic. 
    He recalled that when the incumbent Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the incumbent Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, on both occasions the premier's daughter Maryam Nawaz posted on Twitter lauding the appointments as harbingers of better days. 
    Khan said Maryam's posts on Twitter gave the impression that both the COAS and the CJ were people that the ruling party had complete faith in, but today they are pointing fingers at the same people. 
     




  22. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday disclosed assets of National Assembly members for the year 2016 that had been submitted at the commission.

    Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is said to own assets worth more than Rs1.6 billion. According to the ECP details, the premier?s son Hussain Nawaz sent more than Rs230 million to his father from outside the country.
    The Sharif family?s estate in Lahore?s Raiwind locality is priced at Rs4 million while his Upper Mall Lahore property is worth over Rs250 million. Moreover, the premier owns Rs7 million worth of furniture, Rs5 million worth of animals and birds, and three cars and two tractors.
    Kulsoom Nawaz, the prime minister?s wife, owns jewellery worth Rs1.5 million, according to the PM?s declarations to the ECP.
    Moreover, the premier is said to own no properties or investments outside the country.
    Similarly, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan owns assets worth more than Rs1.4 billion.
    He too is said to own no assets abroad.
    Imran residence in Islamabad?s Bani Gala locality is priced at Rs750 million and declared as a ?gift? with ECP. The Khan House office of the PTI chief is priced at Rs5.9 million, while Rs6.9 million is the worth of the boundary wall of Imran?s Bani Gala residence.
    Imran?s family home in Zaman Park, Lahore is said to be worth Rs29 million.
    The PTI chief has also invested over Rs40 million in various schemes, owns furniture worth Rs0.6 million and four goats worth Rs0.2 million.
    The PTI chief does not own a car, as the last vehicle registered under his name was sold in 2016. 


  23. Waqas Dar
    Bollywood?s heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor remarked that he failed to recognise his own nephew, Taimur Ali Khan, who is the son of Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan.

    The actor, who has been busy promoting his upcoming venture Jagga Jasoos as well as shooting Sanjay Dutt?s biopic, told the media that the last time he met Taimur was when the infant was three-months-old.
    He further said that he couldn?t recognise Taimur when he saws his recent pictures online. He also added that the little toddler has got the best of both his parents.
    To make the mood lighter, Ranbir quipped that the family is just waiting for Taimur to become an actor soon.
    Ranbir Kapoor will be seen opposite Katrina Kaif in the much-delayed Jagga Jasoos, which has been directed by Anurag Basu.  


  24. Waqas Dar
    Fakhar acknowledges crowd after reaching fifty against England  Young batting sensation Fakhar Zaman, who has helped transform Pakistan into a fearsome team in a matter of just a few days, cannot wait to unleash his power hitting in the Champions Trophy finale on Sunday.
    The aggressive opener, when asked about who he wanted to face in the final, beat about the bush a bit before finally revealing his preference.
    ?May the best team win,? he said in an interview to the ICC, before admitting that he wanted to face title defenders India.
    Fakhar, who replaced Ahmed Shehzad after Pakistan?s defeat to India and went on to score 31, 50 and 57 in all successive matches, can rightly be called a ?lucky charm? for the Green Shirts.
    ?Yes,? he said. ?You can say that because I've played three matches and we've won all the three. So you can say that, but all the boys are playing well and the credit goes to all of them, especially the bowlers.?
    ?At this stage, if you can play the shots, you should play them,? said Fakhar, who has a strike rate in excess of 117. ?At this level, all teams have quality bowlers and quality attacks. If you go on the back foot, they'll come very hard. In my mind, I always try to get on top of the bowlers and play some shots.?
    Fakhar?s power hitting has also helped his opening partner Azhar Ali.

    Azhar reacts after scoring his fifty against England  ?We want to attack upfront and Fakhar provides that,? Azhar told the ICC. ?I can just carry on the way I bat. A lot of the pressure is taken off by the way he bats, he takes the game on which is good for the team and the game of cricket.

    ?The good thing about him is he is very confident and very simple. Whenever we meet between overs, his thinking is very simple. He plays his game and I can just contribute what I can. When we get together, we just tell each other to make the most of it to make things easier for the coming batsmen.?
    Interestingly, Fakhar?s aggressive style didn?t come naturally to him.
    ?No it's not my natural style. I don't play like this at the start usually. I take time. But I thought in this stage, I thought this is the best game plan and I started playing aggressively,? he said, adding that he has adapted to the team?s needs.
    ?That's the main reason why our team was lagging. All people were saying it's modern-day cricket and all that, so we're trying to adjust to this way. It's not really my game, I take time at the start but on these wickets, they are very true and I had to adjust. These wickets are very true compared to our domestic wickets. It became easier for me to play the shots.?
    ?My mind was very clear today,? he said about his match-winning performance against England. ?England have a strong bowling attack, so we were thinking we will not give them any chance to fight back. So we were trying to attack them early.?


  25. Waqas Dar
    Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before meeting the JIT. -Maryam Nawaz twitter ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif became the first sitting prime minister on Thursday to appear before a Joint Investigation Team, formed by the Supreme Court to investigate alleged corruption by the first family, following the Panama Papers revelations. 
    'Nawaz Sharif's reply to JIT very simple'
    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Umar termed the premier's response to the JIT as simple.
    The senior PTI leader also said that the prime minister is again implying that the "establishment is pulling the strings", referring to Sharif's past. 
    Umar also questioned if the JIT would ask the premier why the institutions under his control are obstructing and delaying the investigation, after the JIT alleged that certain state institutions are tampering records and creating impediments in its work, besides threatening some members of the team.
    'Historical moment for people of Pakistan'
    PTI?s Fawad Chaudhry said it is a matter of shame that the prime minister has to appear before the JIT and added that it means the premier was caught.
    "This is a matter of shame, the precedent being set here is not a matter of pride.?
    Chaudhry also called the premier?s appearance before the JIT as a ?historical moment for the people of Pakistan?. 
    'History is being made'
    PPP's Sherry Rehman said history was being made with the prime minister presenting himself before the investigation team and added that any other prime minister would have resigned before being investigated by officials reporting to his juniors. 
    The PPP senator had also questioned the statement read by the prime minister following his three hour interview by the investigation team.
    She asked if he had resubmitted the same documents once again.




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