Washington: Big powers fail to agree on capital reforms
The International Monetary Fund called Saturday for further study on global imbalances and exchange rate policies, stopping short of any specific calls to head off what some see as a looming currency war. The IMF steering committee, which has been struggling to find a consensus on easing currency tensions among key economies including China and the United States, said the organization should continue its study of the issue. While the international monetary system has proved resilient, tensions and vulnerabilities remain as a result of widening global imbalances, continued volatile capital flows, exchange rate movements and issues related to the supply and accumulation of official reserves, it said in a statement. Given that these issues are critically important… we call on the Fund to deepen its work in these areas, including in-depth studies to help increase the effectiveness of policies to manage capital flows. The statement from the International Monetary and Financial Committee, the policy arm of the IMF, stopped short of any specific call on China or others to change policies of using a low currency and accumulation of reserves to boost exports. There are frictions obviously, committee chair Yousaf Boutros-Ghali said at the conclusion of talks at IMF headquarters in Washington. These are being addressed. We have come to the conclusion that the IMF is the place to deal with these issues. IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, when asked about the failure to come up with a stronger statement, said that there is only one obstacle, and that is an agreement of the members. He added that I don’t believe action can be done in a way other than in a cooperative way. Recent IMF figures showed Beijing had currency reserves of 2.447 trillion dollars, the largest in the world and nearly 30 percent of the global total. Washington maintains that China purchases large amounts of dollars to keep the yuan artificially low, which distorts global trade by boosting Chinese exports. The has done little to ease fears of a global currency war, with the United States and China facing off over Beijing’s currency policies.
US apologizes for NATO attacks inside Pakistan
The US apologized Wednesday for a recent helicopter attack that killed two Pakistani soldiers at an outpost near the Afghan border, saying American pilots mistook the soldiers for insurgents they were pursuing.
The apology, which came after the conclusion of a joint investigation, could pave the way for Pakistan to reopen a key border crossing that NATO uses to ship goods into landlocked Afghanistan. Pakistan closed the crossing in apparent reaction to the Sept. 30 incident.
We extend our deepest apology to Pakistan and the families of the Frontier Scouts who were killed and injured, said the US ambassador to Pakistan, Anne Patterson.
Pakistan initially reported that three soldiers were killed and three injured in the attack, but one of the soldiers who was critically injured and initially reported dead ended up surviving, said Maj. Fazlur Rehman, the spokesman for the Frontier Corps.
Pakistani soldiers fired at the two US helicopters prior to the attack, a move the investigation team said was likely meant to notify the aircraft of their presence after they passed into Pakistani airspace several times.
We believe the Pakistani border guard was simply firing warning shots after hearing the nearby engagement and hearing the helicopters flying nearby, said US Air Force Brig. Gen. Tim Zadalis, who led the investigation. This tragic event could have been avoided with better coalition force coordination with the Pakistan military.
The head of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, also expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and wounded, to the Pakistan military, and the people of Pakistan.
We deeply regret this tragic loss of life and will continue to work with the Pakistan military and government to ensure this doesn’t happen again, he said.
Black box of crashed plane found: DG CAA
ISLAMABAD: Director General Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the black box of Air Blue’s flight ED 202 which crashed on Thursday in Margalla Hills has been recovered from the crash site.
Talking to Geo News, DG CAA Junaid Ameen said cockpit voice recorder and black box of crashed have been recovered from Margalla Hills. The black box will be send to France or Germany to retrieve the data. The truth will be unveil for public at the conclusion of the investigations, he added
There were 152 people on board the ill-fated plane, which crashed just as it was getting ready to land in Islamabad. All passengers and crew on board were killed.
Hussain Haqqani calls on Gen Tariq Majeed
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan”s Ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani, who is currently visiting Pakistan, called on General Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) here at Joint Staff Headquarters on Monday.
The Ambassador stayed with the CJCSC for some time and discussed matters of military interest, said an ISPR press release issued here.
Pak-US strategic dialogue successful: PM
ISLAMABAD: Expressing satisfaction over Pakistan-US strategic dialogue, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Monday that Pakistan-US strategic dialogue indicated that the two countries were enjoying cordial relationship, which would further strengthen with the passage of time.
He appreciated the US’s support to the democratic government and the assistance in various sectors, especially energy and infrastructure development.
The Premier expressed these views in a meeting with Ambassador of Pakistan to the US, Hussain Haqqani, who called on him here at PM Secretariat on Monday.
Prime Minister Gilani expressed satisfaction over the conclusion of the fifth Round of Strategic Dialogue and declared these productive, which would have far-reaching and positive results.
He specially mentioned the understanding between the two countries on the negotiation for acquisition of civil nuclear technology and said that it would help resolve the energy shortage faced by the country.
He added that the US eagerness to provide wide access to the Pakistani products to the American markets would also go a long way in translating the relationship into a long-term partnership.
The Prime Minister asked the Ambassador to develop closer coordination with the American leadership so that there might be complete harmony between the two countries regarding any matter.
He further asked him to facilitate the Pakistani community living in the US so as to help resolve their difficulties and assist them to focus on their jobs and businesses. Hussain Haqqani briefed the Prime Minister about the fifth Round of Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue.
He informed that the US has agreed to further enhance its assistance to Pakistan to support programmes and projects in the priority areas of energy, food security and social sector development.
He apprised that the US has announced financial assistance for 18 projects in the energy sector in different parts of the country.
Pak-India delegations meet as secretary level talks ended
ISLAMABAD: A meeting of Pakistan-India delegations is underway at the conclusion of one-on-one meeting between Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.
The meeting will finalise the agenda of Pak-India foreign ministers meeting, which will be held in July.
Sources said Nirupama Rao will hold talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi today. Indian High Commission will host a reception for Indian delegation in which Pakistani officials also invited. Terrorism, water and other issues will be discussed during the meeting.
Up to 60 human heads discovered at US airport
June 20, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
WASHINGTON: A US airline worker has discovered between 40 and 60 human heads during a routine security check, prompting fears of a black market trade in body parts.
The Southwest Airlines employee made the gruesome dicovery when he realised the container, bound for a medical research company in Fort Worth, Texas, had not been labelled properly.
Now officials in Little Rock, Arkansas, where the heads were found, are investigating whether they are part of an illegal trade in human body parts.
“We”ve come to the conclusion that there is a black market out there for human body parts for research or for whatever reason,” said county coroner Garland Camper.
“We just want to make sure these specimens here aren”t a part of that black market and underground trade.”
The package was being sent to a company called Medtronic which maintains that it is common to ship body parts for medical education and research.
However, spokesman Brian Henry admitted it was very rare for a shipment to be seized.
“We expect our suppliers to follow procedures,” he said.
Mr Henry identified the supplier as JLS Consulting, a company which, according to an Arkansas online database, had its business licence revoked last year.
But company founder Janice Hepler has spoken out to a local newspaper to blame a private courrier she hired to transport the heads.
“Nothing is wrong,” she was quoted as saying. “We”re providing the documentation.”
Although US federal law prohibits the sale of human body parts, suppliers can be reimbursed for expenses in the case of legitimate research.
Pak, US officials review defense co-operation
June 10, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under Breaking News
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and the United States defense officials met from June 7-10 at Pakistan’s Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi to discuss issues of common interest under the rubric of the strategic dialogue process, said a handout issued following the conclusion of the four-day talk.
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Pak, US officials review defense co-operation
ann curry
May 25, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
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Ann Curry apologizes for mixing up her Wheatons
BOSTON — When “Today” show news anchor Ann Curry delivered the commencement speech at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, she named a list of distinguished alumni, including the Rev. Billy Graham, Wes Craven and Dennis Hastert.
The problem is the evangelist, the horror movie director and the former U.S. House Speaker all attended the Wheaton College in Illinois, not the one in Massachusetts.
The NBC newswoman on Monday sent an apology letter to the Massachusetts school’s president, Ron Crutcher, and the college community.
“I am mortified by my mistake,” she wrote, “and can only hope the purity of my motive, to find a way to connect with the graduates and encourage them to a life of service, will allow you to forgive me.”
College spokesman Michael Graca said Tuesday the apology was accepted.
“We thought it was heartfelt and genuine,” he said.
The 405 graduates and school administrators knew something was amiss Saturday as soon as Curry reeled off the erroneous names, “but then the moment was over and we moved on,” Graca said. He noted that Curry received a standing ovation at the conclusion of her address.
The embarrassed Ms. Curry sent an open letter to the Massachusetts Wheaton apologizing for her gaffe: “I am mortified by my mistake, and can only hope the purity of my motive, to find a way to connect with the graduates and to encourage them to a life of service, will allow you to forgive me.”
west memphis
May 22, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An anti-government Ohio man who had several run-ins with police around the U.S. was identified Friday as one of two people who allegedly gunned down two officers during a traffic stop in Arkansas.
Arkansas State Police on Friday identified the pair – killed during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement officers – as Jerry R. Kane Jr., 45, of Forest, Ohio, and his son, Joseph T. Kane, believed to be 16.
About 90 minutes before the shootout Thursday with police, Sgt. Brandon Paudert, 39, and Officer Bill Evans, 38, were killed with AK-47 assault rifles after stopping a minivan on Interstate 40 in West Memphis, Ark., authorities said.
Jerry Kane, who used the Internet to question federal and local governments’ authority over him, made money holding debt-elimination seminars around the country. He had a long history with police and recently complained about being busted at a “Nazi checkpoint” near Carrizozo, N.M., where court records show he spent three days in jail before posting a $1,500 bond on charges of driving without a license and concealing his identity.
Clark County, Ohio, Sheriff Gene Kelly told The Associated Press on Friday that he had issued a warning to officers on July 21, 2004, about Kane, saying he might be dangerous to law enforcement. Kelly said he based his conclusion on a conversation he had with Kane over a sentence Kane received for some traffic violations.
