Karachi violence claims seven lives overnight

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KARACHI: At least seven people including a woman lost their lives and five others were injured in another surge of violence across the metropolis overnight, TrendPK reports Friday.

According to details, some unidentified miscreants opened fire at a car near Murtaza Chowrangi in Landhi killing a woman on the spot.

Meantime, body of a man was found fro Dhobi Ghat in Lines Area, who was shot to death.

Also, man who was injured with a gunshot in Jatt Lines, succumbed to his injury overnight.

In different incidents of firing, at least four people were killed and five others injured in Nagan Chowrangi area, Qasba Colony, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Kharadar. TrendPK

11 militants dead in Orakzai operation

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ORAKZAI AGENCY: At least 11 militants were killed and 19 wounded when security forces pounded their hideouts in Upper Orakzai region on Thursday.

According to details, security forces shelled suspected militant positions in an area of Upper Orakzai Agency, killing 11 militants and injuring 19 others.

Seven militant hideouts were also destroyed.

Reports say security forces surrounded the entire area. TrendPK

‘Avatar’ robot made in Japan

YOKOHAMA: A Japanese-developed robot that mimics the movements of its human controller is bringing the Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar” one step closer to reality.

Users of the TELESAR V don special equipment that allows them not only to direct the actions of a remote machine, but also to see, hear and feel the same things as their doppelganger android.

“When I put on the devices and move my body, I see my hands having turned into the robot hands. When I move my head, I get a different view from the one I had before,” said researcher Sho Kamuro.

“It’s a strange experience that makes you wonder if you’ve really become a robot,” he told AFP.

Professor Susumu Tachi, who specialises in engineering and virtual reality at Keio University’s Graduate School of Media Design, said systems attached to the operator’s headgear, vest and gloves send detailed instructions to the robot, which then mimics the user’s every move.

At the same time, an array of sensors on the android relays a stream of information which is converted into sensations for the user.

The thin polyester gloves the operator wears are lined with semiconductors and tiny motors to allow the user to “feel” what the mechanical hands are touching — a smooth or a bumpy surface as well as heat and cold.

The robot’s “eyes” are actually cameras capturing images that appear on tiny video screens in front of the user’s eyes, allowing them to see in three dimensions.

Microphones on the robot pick up sounds, while its speakers allow the operator to make his voice heard by those near the machine.

The TELESAR — TELexistence Surrogate Anthropomorphic Robot — is still a far cry from the futuristic creations of James Cameron’s “Avatar”, where US soldiers are able to remotely control the genetically engineered bodies of an extra-terrestrial race they wish to subdue.

But, says Tachi, it could have much more immediate — and benign — applications, such as working in high-risk environments, for example the inside of Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, though it is early days.

“I think further research and development could enable this to go into areas too dangerous for humans and do jobs that require human skills,” he said.

Japan’s famously advanced robot technology was found wanting during the crisis at Fukushima, where foreign expertise had to be called on for the machines that went inside reactor buildings as nuclear meltdowns began.

Tachi said a “safety myth” had grown up around atomic technology, preventing research on the kind of machines that could help in the wake of a disaster.

But he said his kind of robot technology could help with the long and difficult task of decommissioning reactors at Fukushima — a process that could take three decades.

A remote-controlled android that allows its user to experience what is happening far away may have more than just industrial applications, he added.

“This could be used to talk with your grandpa or grandma living in a remote place and deepen communications,” he said. AGENCIES

Tri-series: Sri Lanka win toss, elect to bowl

SYDNEY: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and elected to bowl against Australia in the third match of the ODI tri-series here today.

Australia have not made any change to the side that beat India in their previous match.

For Sri Lanka, Sachithra Senanayake has replaced Thisara Perera.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Sachithra Senanayake, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Thirimanne

Australia: Michael Clarke (c), David Warner, Matthew Wade, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Dan Christian, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty. AGENCIES

SC directs spy agencies to produce missing persons today

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ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) Friday directed the intelligence agencies to present to the court the people went missing from Adiala Jail.

Hearing a case relating the missing persons, the apex court directed Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) to bring to the court by 3PM today the persons, who went missing from Adiala Jail.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry said, “Bring the prisoners even on board helicopters. We are sitting today for the purpose.” TrendPK

Ijaz statement can be recorded via audio/video link: Justice Essa

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ISLAMABAD:  Memo Commission head Justice Qazi Essa has proposed that statement of Mansoor Ijaz can be recorded through an audio or a video link under Article 164 of the law of testimony.

Ijaz counsel Advocate Akram Sheikh said his client is ready to submit an affidavit to appear before Pakistan High Commission to record his statement.

On this, Haqqani’s counsel Advocate Zahid Bokhari said Mansoor Ijaz is a fugitive in four cases in the United States. He said Mansoor Ijaz cannot enter the United States.

Justice Qazi Essa said a senior officer could be appointed in Pakistani High Commission in London to identify Mansoor Ijaz. He proposed that Ijaz statement could be recorded under Article 164 of the law of testimony.

Bokhari said he personally doesn’t agree with the proposal. But he said he would consult his client. TrendPK

Malik says ready to brief Senate on Balochistan package

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ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik says he is ready to brief the House over progress made so far regarding implementation of Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan package.

Speaking at Senate today (Friday), Malik accused foreign interference of creating unrest in Balochistan.

Many countries of the world don’t want Balochistan to be part of Pakistan, he said.

He said neither army nor paramilitary frontier corps are deteriorating law and order situation

Any third power is behind the unrest, he added.

He said that 85 percent implementation has been made on Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan package.

He said no airbase would be allowed to be used for NATO supplies. TrendPK

I can transform Karachi into Dubai: Zardari

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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari claimed transforming Karachi into a Dubai-like city if he wanted so but he thinks fragile law and order situation and unsatisfactory security in metropolis will hinder his efforts, reports TrendPK on Thursday.

President made these remarks addressing the outgoing Senators here at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

To the retired Senators, President said we have to make defence of our country ‘invincible’, adding that a lot has yet to be done like improving economy of Pakistan.

The head of the state says Pakistan is rich in all kinds of resources but anti-state elements do not allow them to serve the country. “We are not being allowed to work,” President rued. TrendPK  

General elections on Oct 18: Manzoor

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KARACHI: Home Minister Sindh Manzoor Wassan revealed Thursday that general elections would be held on October 18, 2012, reports TrendPK.

He made these claims while welcoming the rejoining of former general secretary Sindh Nafees Siddiqui into PPP.

Manzoor was of the view some elements want premature elections but none wants early closure of the ongoing democratic system. TrendPK

CCI’s new gas policy dears 50pc wellhead price

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ISLAMABAD: The meeting of Council of Common Interests (CCI) ratified 50pc raise in the wellhead price of natural gas under the new petroleum policy. It concluded resolving Energy Conference to be convened in Lahore to address longstanding energy crisis, TrendPK reports Friday.

The CCI met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani here which endorsed recommendation from its members seeking 50pc hike in wellhead price of natural gas to counter prevailing energy shortfall under the next year petroleum policy. 

The approval will make the average wellhead gas price dearer from $04 to $06.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah took up the issue of delay in release of funds for Thar Coal Project, prompting PM Gilani to direct Finance Secretary to release funds on priority basis.

Wellhead price is the transportation costs charged by the producer for petroleum or natural gas. TrendPK

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