Chinese, Pakistani found dead from guesthouse in Isb

ISLAMABAD: The corpses of a Pakistani and a Chinese citizen were found from a guesthouse in Islamabad on Friday night, Geo news reported.

According to sources, the corpses were recovered from a guesthouse located in Sector F-84 in federal capital Islamabad.

Two were killed by gunshot, sources confirmed to media.

Police, having cordoned off the crime scene, have started investigation into murder while bodies have been shifted to hospital for autopsy.

Clinton: Israel-Palestine indirect talks to begin next week

WASHINGTON: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that the earlier announced U.S.-mediated indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians would begin next week.

“We will be starting with proximity talks next week,” Clinton told reporters in Washington on Friday, adding that the U.S. was looking forward to a meeting of Arab states in Cairo on Saturday night “to support the commitment by President Abbas to move forward with these talks.”

She also said US special envoy George Mitchell would be returning to the Middle East shortly to launch the indirect talks, stressing that “ultimately we want to see parties in direct negotiations.”

Israeli and Palestinian leaders had agreed in March to launch indirect peace talks under the mediation of the United States for ending the decades long conflict between the two sides. The decision was announced by US Mideast envoy George Mitchell on 8th March.

While making the announcement, Mitchell expressed hopes that the indirect talks would soon lead to direct negotiations. Mitchell said then that the two sides have already begun “to discuss the structure and scope of these talks.” He also urged the two sides to refrain from any actions that would undermine the U.S. mediated indirect discussions.

Mitchell”s announcement comes fourteen months after the previous peace negotiations between the two sides ended deadlocked. The development was then seen as an achievement for the Obama administration, which has been making serious efforts to resolve the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

But the proposed indirect talks were undermined by an Israeli decision to approve the construction of new Jewish homes in East Jerusalem, which came just a day after George Mitchel made the announcement regarding the talks.

Israeli Interior Ministry”s District Committee for Planning and Construction on 9th March approved the construction of 1600 new homes in Ramat Shlomo neighborhood in East Jerusalem. Apart from the construction of 1600 new homes, the plan approves the expansion of Ramat Shlomo neighborhood, which is located beyond the Green Line, in the southward and eastward directions. The plan also provides provisions for upgrading existing roads leading to the neighborhood and constructing a new access road from the west.

The Israeli announcement, which also coincided with the visit of US Vice-President Joe Biden to the region as part of Obama administration”s efforts to revive the stalled peace talks between Palestine and Israel, had evoked widespread condemnation from across the globe at that time.

Senators press to deny Ahmadinejad entry to U.S.

WASHINGTON: A group of Republican senators wrote Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday, urging them to deny Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad entry into the U.S. next week.

14 Senate Republicans wrote Clinton to ask that the controversial Iranian leader be prevented from attending a United Nations conference on nuclear nonproliferation next week in New York City.

The senators, led by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), condemned the Obama administration”s likely decision to permit Ahmadinejad to attend the conference, as he and other world leaders have previously been permitted to do.

“This is preposterous, and allowing it to happen will make a mockery of the effort to stop the spread of nuclear weapons to rogue states and terrorist groups,” the senators said. “There is simply no compelling reason for Ahmadinejad to be allowed to enter the United States.”

The Republicans outlined U.S. classifications of the Iranian government and statutory history to ask Clinton to deny a visa to the leader.

President Barack Obama has sought sanctions against Iran in Congress and through the UN Security Council in an attempt to halt Iran”s nuclear energy program, which is seen as a step toward the possible construction of nuclear weapons.

The letter was signed by Cornyn, as well as Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), David Vitter (R-La.), John Ensign (R-Nev.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bob Bennett (R-Utah), Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), George LeMieux (R-Fla.), and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.).

PM’s son marred Valima celebrations of Shoaib

LAHORE: The son of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani caused Valima celebrations of cricket star Shoaib Malik to spoil when he punched an unknown person who was trying to approach him for a photo-shoot, Geo news reported.

It may be mentioned that Valima celebrations were all at once finished due to mismanagement reportedly by overcrowding but it is clear now that PM Gilani’s son caused the main disruption, sending the celebrations into chaos.

Earlier, it came in media reports that following eruption of anarchy at the stage where the relatives of Shoaib and celebrities were cautiously waiting for shooting joint photo-shoots with bride and groom, the celebrations were called off out of schedule, however, in a video footage sent by a ‘Geo Dost’, it is revealed that Abdul Qadir Gilani, son of PM Gilani, who in guise of innocence, respect and high-character, showed his true colours to spoil the party.

The video footage gives rise to a serious question that had he (Abdul Qadir) not been among media men or were not being shot with camera, his barbaric response could even be extended rather devastating for that unknown man.

Heavy winds and high tides hamper Gulf oil fight

MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER: Heavy winds and high tides complicated efforts to hold back oil that threatened to coat birds and other marine life as it oozed ashore from the Gulf of Mexico on Friday.

The White House responded to the massive spill by halting any new offshore oil projects until safeguards are in place to prevent rig explosions like the one that caused it.

The National Weather Service predicted winds, high tides and waves through Sunday that could push oil deep into the inlets, ponds and lakes of southeastern Louisiana. Seas of 6 to 7 feet were pushing tides several feet above normal toward the coast, and the wind was pushing oily water over the booms meant to contain it.

President Barack Obama assured Gulf Coast communities that the federal government was fully prepared to meet its responsibilities, and several officials from his administration descended on the coast Friday.

“I am confident we will get to the bottom of what happened here,” said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. “Those responsible will be held accountable.”

His department announced it would send teams to the Gulf to inspect all platforms and rigs.

More than 200,000 gallons of oil a day are spewing from the blown-out well at the site of the Deepwater Horizon, which exploded April 20 and sank two days later. Crews are using at least six remotely operated vehicles to try to shut off an underwater valve, but so far they”ve been unsuccessful.

They are also drilling a relief well to decrease the pressure and slowing the leak, though that could take up to three months.

Meanwhile, concern grew about animals and plants on the ecologically fragile coastline. A rescue operation at Fort Jackson, about 70 miles southeast of New Orleans, had its first patient Friday, a young northern gannett found offshore.

The bird is normally white with a yellow head and long, pointed beak but was covered in thick, black oil. Workers with Delaware-based Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research use Dawn blue dishwashing soap to scrub any oil-tainted animals.

Down the coast, at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Miss., scientists, veterinarians and researchers frantically prepared for the possible arrival of hundreds of oily sea mammals in the coming days.

WIndies set Ireland 139-run target

PROVIDENCE, Guyana: West Indies were 138 for 8 in allotted 20 overs against infant Ireland in ICC World T20 WC’s second counter on the opening day here late on Friday night, Geosuper television reported.

Ireland restrict WIndies to 138-9

PROVIDENCE: Minnows Ireland bowlers did a commendable job restricting hosts West Indies to 139 runs for nine wickets here in the second match of the ICC World Twenty20 here on Saturday.

Batting first after winning the toss, none of the West Indies batsmen could not make any significant contribution as the team lost nine wickets for 139 in the allotted 20 overs.

Their main scorers were Darren Sammy (30) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (24).

For Ireland, George Dockrell captured three for 16 while Andre Botha, Alex Cusack and Boyd Rankin took two wickets each.

Dwayne Bravo is captaining the West Indies side in absence of Chris Gayle, who was injured with stiff neck

West Indies went into this match without off-spinner Sulieman Benn and fast bowler Jerome Taylor as both had shoulder injuries, with Taylor also sidelined with a twisted
ankle.

Ireland, coached by former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons, had no injury problems.

Teams
West Indies: Andre Fletcher, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine, Dwayne Bravo (captain), Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Darren Sammy, Nikita Miller, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach.

Ireland: William Porterfield (captain), Paul Stirling, Niall O”Brien (wk), Kevin O”Brien, Trent Johnston, Gary Wilson, John Mooney, Andre Botha, George Dockrell, Boyd Rankin, Alex Cusack.

West Indies outplay Ireland by 70 runs

PROVIDENCE: West Indies defeated Ireland by 70 runs in a low-scoring match on the first day of the ICC World Twenty20 here on Saturday.

The Irish team could not resist the West Indies pace attack whereas Gary Wilson was the only batsman to enter into double-figures with 17 runs. However, the top-scorer of the Irish innings was Mr Extras (19).

Darren Sammy and Ravi Rampaul were the mist successful bowlers taking three wickets each for eight and 17 runs, respectively, while Dwayne Bravo claimed two for five.

Earlier, minnows Ireland bowlers did a commendable job restricting hosts West Indies to 139 runs for nine wickets here in the second match of the ICC World Twenty20 here on Saturday.

Batting first after winning the toss, none of the West Indies batsmen could make any significant contribution as the team lost nine wickets for 139 in the allotted 20 overs.

Their main scorers were Darren Sammy (30) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (24).

For Ireland, George Dockrell captured three for 16 while Andre Botha, Alex Cusack and Boyd Rankin took two wickets each.

Dwayne Bravo is captaining the West Indies side in absence of Chris Gayle, who was injured with stiff neck

West Indies went into this match without off-spinner Sulieman Benn and fast bowler Jerome Taylor as both had shoulder injuries, with Taylor also sidelined with a twisted
ankle.

Ireland, coached by former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons, had no injury problems.

Govt hikes prices of petroleum products again

ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has increased petrol price by Rs1.94 to Rs75.08 a litre, Geo News reported Friday.

The price of High Speed Diesel has been raised by Rs3.41 to Rs76.80 a litre: HOBC by Rs1.63 to Rs89.19; Kerosene Oil by Rs4.08 to Rs68.89 and; Light Speed Diesel by Rs3.56 to Rs65.76 a litre.

Sri Lanka set 136-run target for NZ in T20 opener

PROVIDENCE , Guyana: Sri Lanka set a modest target of 136 runs for New Zealand in the opening match of the World Twenty20 here on Friday.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat after which his team could make 135 for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to Mahela Jayawardene’s brilliant 81 from 51 balls.

He smashed two towering sixes and eight boundaries and made 59 runs together with Dinesh Chandimal (29) for the third wicket partnership.

No other batsman could make any significant contribution while New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori tried six bowlers, all among wickets except himself.

Fast bowler Shane Bond claimed two for 35 as others took one wicket each.

Veteran Sri Lanka batsman Sanath Jayasuriya come down the order rather than play as an opener. He came at eighth number when only one ball was left.

Chanaka Welegedara, the left-arm seamer, was included as the Sri Lankans, runners-up last year, looked to go one better in the Caribbean.

New Zealand omitted pace bowler Kyle Mills and included Nathan McCullum, amidst speculation the off-spinner might take the new ball.

Teams
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Gareth Hopkins (wk), Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (captain), Nathan McCullum, Shane Bond, Tim Southee

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (captain/wk), Sanath Jayasuriya, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Chanaka Welegedara.

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