45 militants, 4 securitymen killed
in Pak
Karzai asks UN to remove Taliban names from
terror list
US military commander in Afghan
in trouble for comments on Obama aides
US gen in Af-Pak shoots himself in
foot
'Same
group behind Hyderabad, Ajmer blasts'
Mecca Masjid blast case: CBI announces reward of
Rs 10 lakh
Foreign Policy magazine: Oman is most successful
Arab country
Refugees
return to shattered Kyrgyz city
Suu Kyi receives Benazir Bhutto
Shaheed Award for democracy
Two men charged with conspiring to provide
support to al-Qaeda
A defiant Shahzad calls himself ‘Muslim
soldier’
Homecoming for 650 UK soldiers from
Afghanistan
Security
forces kill 24 militants in Orakzai
US general McChrystal returns to
face Obama
Lashes, jail for immoral
activities
Govt committed to holding trial of war criminals:
Bangladesh PM
Draft of amendments to BDR law approved
IAEA
ready to help Egypt with nuclear programme
Israel ‘fully responsible for
any attack’: Lebanon
3 NATO troops killed; bomb explodes in
clinic
Army colonel killed in Kashmir
encounter
43 militants killed in Pak's tribal
region
Crackdown on separatists in
Valley
Suicide blasts by encircled
militants kill four soldiers
Balochistan lawyers assail Rigi’s
hanging
Pak to receive first four of 18 upgraded F-16s
from US
India to turn heat on China-Pakistan nuclear
deal
Israel
launches spy satellite: Defence ministry
Not bound to follow US laws on
Iran: Gilani
UN sets up board to probe firing on CRPF in
Liberia
Pranab Mukherjee discusses bilateral ties with
Hillary Clinton
German
man detained in Pak was wanted for militant links
Barak lashes out plan to demolish Palestinian
homes
Nation
is proud of Kashmir: Lok Sabha speaker of India
Nato, Afghan Forces Capture Senior
Talib
Cops detain Indonesian pop
star
LeT man killed after 24- hour
siege
Liberia
incident betrays the Pak army’s psyche
474 registered NGOs spent Tk 10,366.76 crore in 6
years
Compiled by Asit
kumar
----------
Home ministry recommends death penalty for Afzal
Guru: Sources
Jun 23, 2010
NEW
DELHI: Home ministry has recommended death penalty for Parliament attack accused
Afzal Guru in its report submitted to the President, sources said.
The
government has asked Rashtrapati Bhavan to reject Afzal Guru's mercy petition,
the sources added.
Afzal
was awarded the death sentence by a local court on December 18, 2002, after
being convicted of conspiracy to attack Parliament on December 13, 2001.
The
death sentence was upheld by Delhi high court on October 29, 2003. He had then
appealed against it in the Supreme Court, which rejected it on August 4, 2005.
A
sessions court had also fixed the date of his hanging on October 20, 2006, in
Tihar Jail. He had, however, filed a mercy petition with the President, who
forwarded it to the home ministry for its comments.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Home-ministry-recommends-death-penalty-for-Afzal-Guru-Sources/articleshow/6080941.cms
----------
45 militants, 4 securitymen killed in
Pak
Jun 23, 2010
islamabad, June 22: At least 45 militants and
four securitymen were killed on Tuesday in clashes between the security forces
and the rebels in the tribal Orakzai Agency, officials said, reports our
Pakistan correspondent. “The security forces killed at least 45 militants. Four
securitymen were also killed and four others injured in various areas of Orakzai
Agency”, a security official said.
Meanwhile, in two shooting incidents on Tuesday
six persons were killed and two injured in Karachi. On Monday, three security
personnel and 10 rebels were killed in a clash that erupted after militants
ambushed a security forces vehicle at Kasha village in
Orakzai.
Dawn,
Pakistan
----------
Karzai asks UN to remove Taliban names from
terror list
Jun 23 2010
Afghan
President Hamid Karzai asked a visiting UN Security Council delegation on
Tuesday to remove the names of some Taliban members from a terror blacklist, the
government said. Karzai met the 15-member committee and requested they “remove
names of those Taliban who are not linked to Al-Qaeda”, the President’s office
said.
The UN
visit came after a landmark peace meeting in Afghanistan early this month
produced a 16-point resolution and called for removing militant leaders from the
list.
The
jirga advised the Government to seek the removal of names — including those of
Mullah Mohammad Omar and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar — from the UN Security Council
blacklist compiled after the September 11, 2001
attacks.
Omar has
been supreme leader of the Taliban movement since it emerged in the early 1990s
while Hekmatyar, former Afghan Prime Minister and warlord, is currently waging
an insurgency separate to the Taliban.
The list
designated as terrorists Taliban and Al Qaeda leaders who were based in
Afghanistan at the time, and helped to provide a UN-sanctioned justification for
the US-led invasion of the country in November
2001.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/264418/Karzai-asks-UN-to-remove-Taliban-names-from-terror-list.html
----------
US military commander in Afghan in trouble for
comments on Obama aides
Jun 23 2010
The top
US military commander in Afghanistan was summoned to Washington after making
controversial comments about key aides of President Barack Obama, spilling into
public view the tensions between the White House and the
General.
“McChrystal was summoned to attend a meeting on
Afghanistan and Pakistan in person rather than by video conference,” CNN
reported, quoting a senior administration official.
In an
extraordinary article carried by the current issue of the Rolling Stone
magazine, depicting McChrystal as a ‘runaway general,’ the top US commander was
quoted as denouncing the US envoy in Kabul while his aides dismissed President
Obama and mocked his deputies.
Though
the General apologised for the magazine profile, the White House apparently took
a serious view of his conduct.
“I
extend my sincerest apology for this profile,” Mc Chrystal said in a statement,
issued hours after the article was released on
Monday.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/264415/Top-US-military-commander-in-Afghan-summoned-after-comments-about-Obama-aides.html
----------
US gen in Af-Pak shoots himself
in foot
Chidanand Rajghatta
Jun 23, 2010
WASHINGTON: The top American military commander
in Afghanistan hot-footed it to Washington-or was summoned-after his disparaging
remarks about top Obama administration officials added to the growing impression
that the United States’ Af-Pak policy is in total disarray.
Gen
Stanley McChrystal, the top allied commander in Afghanistan, finds his job on
the line after remarks and observations made by him and his aides about the US
civilian leadership were published in a Rolling Stone profile. In the eight page
spread headlined ''Runaway General,'' McChrystal is quoted by aides as being
unimpressed and disappointed with President Obama, speaking contemptuously of
vice-president Joe Biden and Af-Pak envoy Richard Holbrooke, dissing National
Security Advisor Jim Jones as a ''clown'' who is stuck in the 1980s, and feeling
betrayed by the US envoy in Kabul, Karl Eikenberry.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-gen-in-Af-Pak-shoots-himself-in-foot-/articleshow/6080211.cms
----------
'Same group behind Hyderabad,
Ajmer blasts'
Rahul Tripathi
Jun 23, 2010
NEW
DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that the bomb attacks
on Hyderbad's Mecca Masjid, the mosque in Malegaon and Ajmer Dargah were carried
out by the same group of Hindutva extremists.
The
finding, though only a confirmation of the leads thrown up by investigation into
the blasts, suggests that the Hindutva activists owing allegiance to Abhinav
Bharat had a far bigger network than initially assumed.
The CBI
on Tuesday declared a reward of Rs 10 lakh each on any information regarding the
two prime accused — Sandeep Dange and Ramchandra Kalsangra, both residents of
Indore — in the Mecca Masjid case.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Same-group-behind-Hyderabad-Ajmer-blasts/articleshow/6080592.cms
----------
Mecca Masjid blast case: CBI
announces reward of Rs 10 lakh
Jun 23 2010
NEW
DELHI: CBI announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for providing information on
each of the two accused, Sandeep Dange and Ramchandra Kalsangra, in the Mecca
Masjid Blast in Hyderabad in 2007.
"The
Central Bureau of Investigation has announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh to any
person providing information leading to the arrest of each of the two absconding
accused," CBI spokesperson Harsh Bhal said.
Both
Dange alias Parmanand and Kalsangra alias Ramji alias Vishnu Patel are residents
of Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mecca-Masjid-blast-case-CBI-announces-reward-of-Rs-10-lakh-/articleshow/6079387.cms
----------
Foreign Policy magazine: Oman is
most successful Arab country
23 June 2010
Washington, (ONA) - The Sultanate of Oman was
ranked first on the Arab level at the most successful countries index 2010 ,
published by U.S-based Foreign Policy magazine in collaboration with Global
Peace Fund. The ranking was published on the magazine's website in
English.
The
index classified the Sultanate as one of the most stable Arab countries at the
list of the stable countries. The index classifies the countries into degrees
between under threat and most stable.
The
Sultanate was ranked 146th on the global level with 47.2 level. The least
successful countries are classified from one to 60 and the most successful
countries come in the subsequent ranks.
Norway
topped the list of the most successful countries index for 2010 at the 177th
rank followed by Finland, 176th, and Sweden 175th.
The
gross index includes 12 sub social, economical, political and military indices.
(ONA)
Global
Arab Network
----------
Refugees return to shattered
Kyrgyz city
Jun 23 2010
Kyrgyzstan : Thousands of refugees who had fled
to Uzbekistan to avoid ethnic bloodshed trekked back to burned-out homes in
Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday ahead of a vote on how the Central Asian state will be
governed.
Military
officials in Uzbekistan, where 100,000 mainly ethnic Uzbeks took refuge from a
three-day killing spree earlier this month, said about 5,000 refugees crossed
back into Kyrgyzstan voluntarily.
A
Reuters photographer at the border said many were in
tears.
Osh, a
city 10 km (6 miles) from the border that was the epicenter of the violence, was
tense a day after security forces stormed ethnic Uzbek neighborhoods to search
for weapons ahead of a referendum planned by the interim government for June
27.
Full
report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/refugees-return-to-shattered-kyrgyz-city/637117/
----------
Suu Kyi receives Benazir Bhutto
Shaheed Award for democracy
Jun 23 2010
Islamabad : Myanmar's dissident political leader
Aung San Suu Kyi has become the first recipient of the new Benazir Bhutto
Shaheed Award for democracy instituted by the Pakistan People's Party in the
memory of the slain former premier.
The
award was instituted by the ruling PPP to mark Bhutto's birth anniversary, which
was observed yesterday.
It pays
tribute to Bhutto's life-long struggle for democracy, human rights, improvement
of the status of women and social causes.
The
recipients of the award in four categories democracy, human rights, philanthropy
and women's empowerment were chosen by a committee chaired by PPP chief and
President Asif Ali Zardari, an official statement
said.
Full
report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/suu-kyi-receives-benazir-bhutto-shaheed-award-for-democracy/637029/
----------
Two men charged with conspiring
to provide support to al-Qaeda
Jun 23 2010
Boston :
Two men here have been charged in a superseding indictment with conspiring to
provide material support to terror outfit al-Qaeda.
Tarek
Mehanna, 27, of Massachusetts and Ahmad Abousamra, 28, who is currently in
Syria, have been charged with one count each of "conspiring to provide material
support to a designated foreign terrorist
organisation".
This
charge is in addition to a previous 10-count superseding indictment that charged
them with providing and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists,
conspiracy to kill in a foreign country and conspiracy to provide false
information to law enforcement officials.
Full
report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/two-men-charged-with-conspiring-to-provide-support-to-alqaeda/636994/
----------
A defiant Shahzad calls himself
‘Muslim soldier’
Betwa Sharma
Jun 23 2010
Describing himself a “Muslim soldier”, a defiant
Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad pleaded guilty to carrying out the botched
Times Square bombing and warned that US would face more attacks, if they don’t
leave the “Muslim lands”.
Shahzad
read out a combative statement in the US District Court in Manhattan as he
pleaded guilty to all the 10 charges, including attempted use of weapons of mass
destruction, terrorism and transportation of
explosives.
He
appeared in a Manhattan Court in a white cap and sporting a shaggy beard just
days after a Federal grand jury indicted him of the same charges, some of which
carried mandatory life sentences.
Full
report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/264420/A-defiant-Shahzad-calls-himself-%E2%80%98Muslim-soldier%E2%80%99.html
----------
Homecoming for 650 UK soldiers
from Afghanistan
Jun 23, 2010
LONDON:
More than 600 British soldiers returning from Afghanistan are marching through
southern England's Winchester in a homecoming
parade.
Crowds
of supporters lining both sides of the streets applauded and cheered as the
troops from 11 Light Brigade passed by, accompanied by three marching
bands.
Sixty-four soldiers from the brigade were killed
in action in Afghanistan.
Wednesday's ceremony was the largest of its kind.
It was meant to commemorate the brigade's
sacrifices.
The
soldiers will later be inspected by Camilla, the wife of Prince Charles. A
thanksgiving service will be held, and the brigade will be
disbanded.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/UK/Homecoming-for-650-UK-soldiers-from-Afghanistan/articleshow/6082845.cms
----------
Security forces kill 24
militants in Orakzai
23 Jun, 2010
SAMANA:
Pakistani security forces killed 24 militants on Wednesday in clashes that
erupted after insurgents attacked a security check post in the northwestern
Orakzai region, officials said.
Militant
violence has continued in Orakzai despite a military announcement early this
month it had defeated Taliban militants there, highlighting the challenges
Pakistan's army faces in battling insurgents.
“Militants attacked the checkpost at around 11
a.m. (0600 GMT) with small arms and rockets, prompting retaliation from the
security forces that killed 24 insurgents,” government official Azhar Khan told
Reuters.
There
was no way to independently verify the militant death toll, which is often
disputed and rejected by the insurgents.
Full
report at:
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/03-security-forces-kill-24-militants-in-orakzai-ss-05
----------
US general McChrystal returns to
face Obama
23 June 2010
The top
US military commander in Afghanistan is expected to learn his fate on Wednesday
after being summoned by President Barack Obama to explain his criticism of
leading officials.
Gen
Stanley McChrystal and Mr Obama both said the statements in Rolling Stone
magazine showed "poor judgement".
Gen
McChrystal is expected to have a one-on-one meeting with Mr
Obama.
He will
also face a number of those he criticised at the monthly White House meeting on
Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Afghan
President Hamid Karzai has again indicated he does not want Gen McChrystal
replaced.
Full
report at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/us_and_canada/10386624.stm
----------
Lashes, jail for immoral
activities
By MD AL-SULAMI
Jun 23, 2010
JEDDAH:
The summary court in Hail on Tuesday sentenced 11 young men and four young Saudi
women to imprisonment and lashes after they were found guilty of spending the
night together.
The
young men were sentenced to serve one to two years in prison while two women
were sentenced to one year each in prison and the remaining two to 80
lashes.
Criminal
intelligence officers arrested the young men and women with the support of the
Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of
Vice.
Informed
sources told Arab News that the commission got information an Arab man had
rented a house in Hail for parties and had invited the four women to the
function. “All arrangements had been completed for the party and they had
brought liquor. But the intervention of commission officials turned their plans
upside down,” said one source. “Although the culprits tried to run away from the
site, security officers were able to track them down,” the source
added.
http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article71462.ece
----------
Govt committed to holding trial
of war criminals: Bangladesh PM
Jun 23, 2010
The
South Asian People's Union against Fundamentalism and Communalism on Monday
expressed solidarity with the government's move to hold trial of the
perpetrators of the crimes against humanity committed during the country's War
of Liberation in 1971.
The
assertion came when a delegation of the organisation called on the prime
minister, Sheikh Hasina, at Gonobhaban in Dhaka.
The
delegation members, participants at an international conference on ‘peace,
justice and secular humanism in Dhaka,’ said the trial of the war criminals was
the demand of the time, for the sake of establishing the rule of law, to ensure
justice as well as to uphold human rights.
Full
report at:
http://www.albd.org/autoalbd/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=820&Itemid=1
----------
Draft of amendments to BDR law
approved
Jun 23, 2010
The
Cabinet on Monday approved a draft bill for amending the Bangladesh Rifles Order
1972 in order to accelerate the ongoing trials of hundreds of BDR
mutineers.
The
proposed amendment allows the director-level officials of the BDR, in addition
to the director-general, to preside over the special courts set up for mutiny
trials.
Home
affairs secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikdar placed the draft of the amendments at the
weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, in the
secretariat.
‘The Cabinet has approved the home affairs
ministry’s draft for amending the Bangladesh Rifles Order 1972 to expedite the
trials of the BDR mutiny, as the present law stipulates that only the
director-general shall chair the special courts,’ the prime minister’s press
secretary, Abul Kalam Azad, told reporters after the
meeting.
Full
report at:
http://www.unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-23770
----------
IAEA ready to help Egypt with
nuclear programme
23 June 2010
CAIRO -
The International Atomic Energy Agency is ready to help Egypt in the
construction of nuclear power stations, IAEA chief Yukiya Amano said on Tuesday
during a visit to Cairo.
“The
agency is happy to cooperate with Egypt in its nuclear energy programme,” Amano
told reporters, adding that Egypt was close to finalising the project and its
location.
President Hosni Mubarak declared in 2007 that
Egypt was ready to relaunch its nuclear energy programme, which started with the
Soviet Union in 1961 but was frozen following the 1986 nuclear disaster at
Chernobyl in the Ukraine.
Egypt
has one research reactor at Inshas northeast of Cairo and plans to build four
stations under the supervision of the IAEA.
Full
report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2010/June/middleeast_June597.xml§ion=middleeast
----------
Israel ‘fully responsible for
any attack’: Lebanon
23 June 2010
BEIRUT - Lebanon said on Tuesday it would hold
Israel responsible for any attack, in response to Israeli warnings that it would
use “all necessary force” to stop aid boats planning to sail to blockaded
Gaza.
“Israel
will be held fully responsible for any attack on Lebanon,” the foreign ministry
said in a letter to the United Nations.
Lebanon
“can not prohibit a ship from leaving its ports if its cargo, passengers and
destination all comply with Lebanese law,” it said in the
letter.
Israel’s
ambassador to the United Nations warned the world body last week that the Jewish
state was entitled to use “all necessary force” to stop the Lebanese activists’
boats.
On
Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak also reiterated a warning that
Lebanon would be responsible for any “violent and dangerous confrontation” with
vessels sailing to Gaza from its shores.
Full
report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2010/June/middleeast_June599.xml§ion=middleeast
----------
3 NATO troops killed; bomb
explodes in clinic
Jun 23, 2010
KABUL, Afghanistan - The head of a provincial
health department in northern Afghanistan was killed Tuesday by a bomb planted
in his private clinic, while three NATO service members were killed in attacks,
officials said.
Dr.
Azizullah Safari was walking up to his second-floor clinic when a bomb exploded
under the stairwell, said Muhbobullah Sayedi, a spokesman for the governor of
Kunduz province.
Also
Tuesday, the international coalition reported the deaths of three service
members, bringing to at least 67 the number of its troops killed in the war so
far this month.
NATO
said a U.S. troop died Tuesday following an insurgent attack in southern
Afghanistan, but did not disclose further details.
Full
report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2010/June/international_June966.xml§ion=international&col=
----------
Army colonel killed in Kashmir
encounter
Jun 23, 2010
SRINAGAR: A senior army officer has been killed
in a separatist guerrilla ambush in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, police
said on Wednesday.
Colonel
Neeraj Sood, commanding officer of 18 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), was on Tuesday
critically injured in a gunfight with militants in Saiwan village in Lolab
Valley, about 105 km from here.
"Colonel
Neeraj was critically wounded in the militant attack. He was immediately rushed
to a hospital in Kupwara. However, he succumbed to his injuries in the hospital
late on Tuesday night," a senior police officer said.
"Reinforcements have been rushed to the area.
Searches in the area continue," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-colonel-killed-in-Kashmir-encounter/articleshow/6081057.cms
----------
43 militants killed in Pak's
tribal region
Jun 23, 2010
ISLAMABAD: At least 43 militants and four
soldiers were killed in a clash in the Pakistani tribal region of Orakzai near
the Afghan border, a military spokesperson said Tuesday.
The
confrontation started around 1 p.m. in the area of Upper Orakzai, the main base
of the militants in the region, when a group comprising of 150 to 200 insurgents
attacked a checkpost of the security forces.
According to the military version, the government
forces responded to the attack immediately, resulting in the deaths of 43
attackers and four soldiers, and scores being injured on both sides.
At the
beginning of this month, the Pakistani military command declared that the
anti-Taliban operation in the region had been completed, but since then violent
events have continued to be recorded almost every day.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/43-militants-killed-in-Paks-tribal-region/articleshow/6079393.cms
----------
Crackdown on separatists in
Valley
Khursheed Wani
Jun 23 2010
Authorities have cracked down on separatists
spearheading an anti-government stir in Kashmir following killing of three
youngsters in capital Srinagar in past two weeks. A general strike, termed as
“civil curfew” by separatists, crippled normal life for the third consecutive
day on Tuesday. The jurisdictions of five police stations in old Srinagar
continued under curfew-like restrictions to prevent escalation of
violence.
Sources
said that police rounded up hardline Hurriyat Conference spokesman Ayaz Akbar
and Freedom Party’s Acting Chairman Abdullah Tari from Srinagar, even as a
battery of Hurriyat leaders have been put under house arrest. A group of
Hurriyat activists were arrested when they were heading towards Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq’s residence for a meeting. Full report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/264392/Crackdown-on-separatists-in-Valley.html
----------
Suicide blasts by encircled
militants kill four soldiers
By S. Hassan Mahmood
23 Jun, 2010
KALAYA,
June 22: Four soldiers were killed and 18 injured, many of them seriously, when
two besieged suicide bombers blew themselves up in Dabori area of Orakzai on
Monday.
According to official sources, 23 militants were
killed and 10 others injured in attacks launched by security forces.
They
said the troops had encircled a group of militants and two of them detonated
explosives strapped to their bodies when soldiers tried to capture them.
The
bodies of the former soldiers killed by the blast and the injured were taken to
Peshawar and Kohat.
Meanwhile, troops backed by warplanes pounded
suspected positions in Nendar Mela and Ster Kali areas of upper tehsil.
The
official claim about casualties suffered by the militants could not be verified
from independent sources.
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/suicide-blasts-by-encircled-militants-kill-four-soldiers-360
----------
Balochistan lawyers assail
Rigi’s hanging
23 Jun, 2010
QUETTA,
June 22: Lawyers boycotted courts in several district headquarters of
Balochistan on Tuesday in protest against the hanging of Jundullah leader
Abdolmalek Rigi by Iranian government and kidnapping of Advocate Usman Baloch.
The call
for boycott was given by the Baloch Bar Association.
Sadiq
Raisani, the organiser of the association, said in a statement that lawyers
boycotted courts in Quetta, Nushki, Chagai, Mustang, Kalat, Khuzdar, Hub,
Panjgur, Gwadar, Turbat, Kharan, Washak, Machh, Sibi, Dera Murad Jamali and Dera
Allahyar.
Unidentified people kidnapped Advocate Usman
Baloch not long ago.
Meanwhile, Baloch National Front announced a
three-day mourning on the death of Rigi and condemned his hanging in Iran. A
statement issued by the front said a “black day” would be observed in
Balochistan on Wednesday.
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/balochistan-lawyers-assail-rigis-hanging-360
----------
Pak to receive first four of 18
upgraded F-16s from US
Jun 23, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will receive the first four
of 18 upgraded F-16s from the US this week and the multi-role combat jets will
give its air force the capability to conduct night operations and use
precision-guided munitions.
The four
Block 52 F-16s are due to arrive at Shahbaz airbase in Jacobabad on Saturday,
official sources were quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.
The
delivery of all 18 jets ordered by Pakistan from the US will be completed by the
end of this year, the sources said.
The jets
will enhance Pakistan Air Force's capabilities for the ongoing war against
terror, the sources were quoted as saying.
Pakistan
is also conducting negotiations with the US for purchasing another 14 new F-16s,
the sources said.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pak-to-receive-first-four-of-18-upgraded-F-16s-from-US/articleshow/6081634.cms
----------
India to turn heat on
China-Pakistan nuclear deal
Jun 23, 2010
NEW
DELHI: With US and other members of the Nuclear Supplies Group appearing
unlikely to block China's attempt to reward Pakistan with nuclear reactors,
India has decided to work on its own to organize resistance to the
Beijing-Islamabad deal.
Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh will use a bilateral meeting with Canadian PM Stephen
Harper this weekend to convey "concerns" about China's proposal to build new
nuclear reactors for its "all-weather friend".
Singh
will be in Toronto for the G-20 summit, as well as to sign a civil nuclear
agreement with Canada. Canada is the world's largest supplier of uranium, which
India is in dire need of.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-to-turn-heat-on-China-Pakistan-nuclear-deal/articleshow/6080323.cms
----------
Israel launches spy satellite:
Defence ministry
Jun 23, 2010
JERUSALEM: Israel has launched a spy satellite
from a base in the south of the country, the defence ministry said, with the
device reportedly capable of monitoring arch-foe Iran.
"A few
minutes ago the State of Israel launched the Ofek-9 (Horizon-9) satellite from
the Palmachim base," the ministry said on Tuesday. "The results of the launch
are being examined by the technical team."
It gave
no details on the satellite, but public radio said it, like its predecessors in
the Ofek series, were cable of taking high resolution pictures and aimed at
monitoring Iran's nuclear programme.
The
radio said the satellite was developed by Israel Aircraft Industries and
launched on a Shavit rocket.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Middle-East/Israel-launches-spy-satellite-Defence-ministry/articleshow/6080557.cms
----------
Not bound to follow US laws on
Iran: Gilani
Jun 23, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s prime minister backtracked
on Tuesday from a statement that Islamabad would abide by US sanctions on Iran
that could affect a $7.6 billion Pakistani-Iranian gas pipeline project.
On
Monday, PM Yusuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan would respect US sanctions that are
expected to be put into law shortly, part of Washington’s opposition to an
Iranian nuclear programme it suspects is being used for weapons. Gilani said on
Tuesday, however, he wanted to clarify and “get it right”.
“As far
as the US is concerned, we’re not bound to follow it,” he said while speaking at
a ceremony in Islamabad. “If these are UN (sanctions) then according to
international laws, we’ll consider them.”
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Not-bound-to-follow-US-laws-on-Iran-Gilani/articleshow/6080250.cms
----------
UN sets up board to probe firing
on CRPF in Liberia
Jun 23, 2010
NEW
DELHI: The United Nations has set up a board of inquiry to probe the incident of
firing on a CRPF camp in Liberia allegedly by a Pakistani Army officer on June
8. One civilian was seriously injured in the incident.
"There
was some damage to property. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained by any of
our personnel. UN has begun investigation into the matter and a board of inquiry
has been set up," a statement released by CRPF on Tuesday said. The incident
took place in Zwedru, the capital of Grand Gedeh County, one of the 15 counties
in the West African country of Liberia.
Referring to the preliminary report sent to
India, an official here said it appeared that the Pakistani officer, Lieutenant
Murad who left his rifle at the spot after indiscriminate firing, was mentally
unstable. "We are, however, waiting for the final report," he said.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/UN-sets-up-board-to-probe-firing-on-CRPF-in-Liberia/articleshow/6080607.cms
----------
Pranab Mukherjee discusses
bilateral ties with Hillary Clinton
Jun 23 2010
WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on
Tuesday held a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the sidelines
of a meeting of CEOs from India and the US.
They
believed to have discussed bilateral relations, including economic ties. There
was, however, no official word on what all came up for discussion between the
two.
After
the meeting, both the leaders joined the CEOs for a luncheon hosted by the state
department in honour of the visiting Indian CEOs.
The
meeting of CEOs, co-chaired by Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata and Honeywell
chief David Cote, discussed the draft recommendations, which are expected to be
presented to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama during the
latter's visit to India in November.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pranab-Mukherjee-discusses-bilateral-ties-with-Hillary-Clinton/articleshow/6080046.cms
----------
German man detained in Pak was
wanted for militant links
Jun 23 2010
Peshawar
: Pakistani officials said a German national detained by security forces in the
country's northwest was wanted by German authorities for his alleged links with
extremists.
The
German man, identified as Rami Mackenzie, was clad in a burqa when he was
arrested with two local tribesmen and a minor girl.
The
group was travelling from Miranshah, the main town in the restive North
Waziristan tribal region, to Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province when
it was intercepted by security forces, officials
said.
Security
officials said the German national was arrested by a joint team of local police
and army personnel at a security check post outside
Bannu.
Full
report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/german-man-detained-in-pak-was-wanted-for-militant-links/636982/
----------
Barak lashes out plan to
demolish Palestinian homes
Jun 23 2010
Jerusalem : Under flak from US over plans to raze
22 Palestinian homes, Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak today lashed
Jerusalem authorities for "lack of common sense and sense of timing" on the
issue.
Barak,
who is in the US for a series of meetings with top officials, faced criticism
and demands for explanations after the Jerusalem municipal planning committee
decided to destroy 22 houses in the Arab neighbourhood of Silwan
yesterday.
"The
Jerusalem municipality and the planning committee have shown a lack of common
sense and sense of timing and not for the first time," Barak said, in an
apparent reference to an earlier announcement to build 1600 housing units in an
east Jerusalem neighbourhood during the visit of US Vice President Joe
Biden.
Full
report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/barak-lashes-out-plan-to-demolish-palestinian-homes/637053/
----------
Nation is proud of Kashmir: Lok
Sabha speaker of India
Jun 23 2010
SRINAGAR: Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on
Tuesday said all efforts would be made to ensure peace and development in Jammu
and Kashmir.
At the
end of the 75th All India Presiding Officers Conference held here, Ms. Kumar
told a news conference: “This place has a different kind of attraction. What
struck me the most were the smiles on the faces of scores of tourists when I
went to take a shikara ride in Dal Lake.”
Maintaining that Kashmir held a unique place in
the nation, she said: “We are proud of Kashmir and its youth. We want to assure
the people of Kashmir that we will leave no stone unturned to ensure peace,
development and prosperity in Kashmir,” she said.
“Shah
Faisal has really made us proud. We will ensure that the dreams of every youth
come true.”
Full
report at:
http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/23/stories/2010062354131400.htm
----------
Nato, Afghan Forces Capture
Senior Talib
Jun 23rd, 2010
Nato and
Afghan forces captured a senior Taliban figure in an overnight raid, the
international force said on Tuesday in a statement.
The man
had recently been appointed the Taliban’s finance chief in northern Baghlan
province, Nato said. He was captured in southern Helmand province along with two
other suspected insurgents after a tip-off that he was staying in a compound in
Nah-e Saraj district.
Meanwhile, Nato said one of its service members
died on Monday following an insurgent attack in the south. The international
military coalition did not provide the nationality of the deceased or any other
details.
http://www.asianage.com/international/nato-afghan-forces-capture-senior-talib-759
----------
Cops detain Indonesian pop
star
Jun 23rd, 2010
Jakarta,
June 22: The police says it has detained a popular Indonesian singer over a
sex-tape scandal. Pop star Nazril Irham, better known as Ariel, could face jail
time if found guilty of violating the country’s strict anti-pornography
law.
Two
separate videos allegedly showing the 28-year-old in bed — in each, with a
different celebrity girlfriend — started circulating on the Internet in early
June.
The
scandal topped newscasts for weeks and dominated chatter on social-networking
sites like Facebook and Twitter. National police deputy spokesman Brig. Gen.
Zainuri Lubis said the singer turned himself on Tuesday after he was named a
suspect in the case. —AP
http://www.asianage.com/international/nato-afghan-forces-capture-senior-talib-759
----------
LeT man killed after 24- hour
siege
By Naseer Ganai
Jun 23rd, 2010
TOP
LASHKAR militant Zubair alias Hamza from Pakistan and a policeman were killed on
Tuesday in North Kashmir’s Sopore town after a 24- hour gun battle between
security forces and militants.
The
police said the militants fired two grenades at a camp housing army personnel on
Monday morning.
Soon
after the attack, Special Operations Group ( SOG) personnel rushed to the spot.
The militants fired at the SOG and in the retaliatory fire, one militant was
injured.
The army
and the police then zeroed in on a house where the militants had taken shelter.
In the ensuing encounter, one policeman, Ghulam Hassan, was injured and he died
on the way to the hospital.
Full
report at: Mail Today
----------
Liberia incident betrays the Pak
army’s psyche
Jun 23 2010
‘
PEACEKEEPING’ was clearly not on the mind of Pakistani army’s Lieutenant Murad
when he opened fire on a CRPF camp in Liberia. It is unprofessional, if not
criminal, on the part of the officer that he exported the Indo- Pak hostilities
while on a peacekeeping operation. He has harmed the credibility of the
Pakistani army, which is the largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping
operations. Though Pakistani army officials have dismissed Lieutenant Murad as
being “ mentally imbalanced”, the fact that Indians were the object of his ire
is probably a consequence of the virulently anti- India indoctrination of the
Pakistani army.
Hostility to India has always been the raison
d’être of the Pakistani army, which, in General Parvez Kayani’s own words, is “
India centric”. In fact the army has used hostility to India to maintain its
hold over Pakistani society and polity. The anti- India discourse is not just
political but is also infused with emotive religious and cultural rhetoric. This
indoctrination is visible in ‘ Pakistan studies’ textbooks that emphasise
concepts like jihad and antagonism towards non- Muslims serves to promote an
obscurantist viewpoint. This indoctrination is most deeply rooted in the armed
forces.
Full
report at: Mail Today
----------
474 registered NGOs spent Tk
10,366.76 crore in 6 years
Jun 23 2010
Govt has
no record of their project-wise expenditures: Bangladesh minister
The
government keeps no record as to how the registered NGOs spend their funds on
each project, the agriculture minister, Matia Chowdhury, told parliament on
Monday.
Replying
to a question from Md. Israfil Alam, MP, of Naogaon-3 constituency, she said
that the government was not in a position to provide information on how the NGOs
spend their project funds as the NGO Affairs Bureau does not maintain the
data-base of their accounts.
‘No such
database was created by the NGO bureau,’ she said in her written
reply.
NGO
Affairs Bureau, she said, keeps a year-wise account of expenditures by the
NGOS.
Quoting
the Bureau’s statistics she said the registered NGOs spent a total amount of Tk
10,366.76 crore in six fiscal years beginning
2001-02.
Full
report at:
http://www.dhakamirror.com/?p=13831
11:17 PM
Sultan Shahin
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