Cricket craze peaks, as Pak, India to clash today

MOHALI: The prime ministers of India and Pakistan will mix with Bollywood stars and thousands of fans as the two rivals square off in a World Cup cricket semi-final today (Wednesday) in the wake of high profile peace talks between the two nations.

WHO predicts more cases of cholera in Haiti

GENEVA: The World Health Organisation said on Tuesday that more cases of cholera would be found linked to the sudden epidemic in Haiti but ruled out the need for travel restrictions.

“At the WHO we think more cases will be found. The most important thing is prevention,” said WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib.

The disease that emerged last week in the country with the first reported cases for a century has killed 259 people, although Haitian officials expressed confidence that the outbreak was contained.

Haiti’s health ministry has confirmed 3,342 cases.

The UN Organisation for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the neighbouring Dominican Republic had mobilised a contingency plan in the border area, “partly closing” four crossing points to those without passports.

“There is no need to close the borders or restrict travel or trade because

Pakistan to emerge victorious against all odds: Gilani

Reiterating his firm resolve to steer the country out of all the crises facing it, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said that Pakistan would emerge victorious against all the odds.
Talking to mediamen in Islamabad, the PM said that Pakistan is a responsible atomic power, and the capability is meant for defence only.
Referring to the neighbouring countries with particular reference to India, the PM said, Dialogue is the only way for India and Pakistan to move forward in their bilateral ties. However, he said that Pakistan would continue to provide diplomatic and political help to the Kashmiris for their justified right to self-determination.
The Premier stated that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan while IranPak relations are deeply rooted. He said that Pakistan also enjoyed good ties with all the Middle Eastern states.

Taliban leader killed in NATO air strike

KABUL: NATO said Thursday that another Taliban leader had been killed in an air strike and ground operation in northern Afghanistan, along with seven of his associates.

The US-led force in Afghanistan named Maulawi Jawadullah as the Taliban leader of Yangi Qala district in Takhar province.

He was allegedly wanted in connection with the deaths of at least 10 Afghan police in an attack in the neighbouring province of Kunduz.

NATO said Jawadullah was “directly responsible” for kidnapping and holding hostage Afghan security personnel, and carried out bombings and ambushes.

NATO said an air strike targeted Jawadullah and a group of insurgents, killing five militants.

The military said that an Afghan and coalition ground force then killed three insurgents in hiding “after they threatened the security force”.

NATO announced separately that

Talks with India impossible sans Kashmir, Siachen: Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that talks with India is impossible sans Kashmir, Siachen and water issues, while his Indian counterpart SM Krishna remarked that both the neighbouring countries are not left with any other option than dialogue.
Talking to media in New York, Qureshi said that talks between India and Pakistan should be ‘result-oriented, meaningful and substantive for the sake peace and stability’. Referring to Kashmir issue, the FM stated, ‘How can Pakistan talk to India without these subjects being on the table,’ Qureshi said pointing to disputes over Kashmir, Siachen and water. The need of the hour was for the Indian government to change ‘tactics’ in dealing with the Kashmiris, he said. ‘It is necessary because India and Pakistan are close neighbours. And there are number of outstanding issues. It’s in the interest of our people and our future to tackle these issues and to have an intelligent dialogue on these issues,’ she said. Qureshi told the reporters that a meeting with Krishna was possible before he left New York, if the Indian side agreed to fresh proposals submitted by Islamabad. If he got a positive response from the Indian side ‘we can meet anytime before I leave for Pakistan,’ he said. But talks between India and Pakistan should be ‘result-oriented, meaningful and substantive for the sake peace and stability’.

Obama to address US on Iraq transition

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama must walk a fine line in a speech on Tuesday night as he highlights progress toward winding down the war in Iraq while trying to avoid any perception of a “Mission Accomplished” moment.

The White House says the removal of all but 50,000 U.S. troops and the declaration of the end to the combat phase shows Obama is fulfilling a campaign promise he made in 2008 to pull out of Iraq.

Obama hopes that message will resonate with Americans ahead of the November 2 elections, where his Democrats are struggling to keep their dominance in the Congress.

The address, scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT, will be only his second from the Oval Office. Obama also used the high-profile venue in June to discuss his administration”s response to the Gulf Coast oil spill.

As Obama prepared to deliver his speech, Vice President Joe Biden flew into Iraq on Monday to assure Iraqis the United States is not abandoning them.

Biden was to hold talks with Iraqi leaders amid a political deadlock almost six months after an inconclusive election in March over forming the next government.

Obama told media in an interview on Sunday that Iraqis are “going through a political process that is natural in a fledgling democracy” but he added, “we”re confident that that will get done.”

Obama plans to visit troops at Fort Bliss, Texas, prior to the speech.

India offers $20m for Pak flood affectees

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday announced additional $20 million assistance to Pakistan which is grappling with the worst floods in recent history of the region.

The announcement by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna in the Lok Sabha comes in the wake of Pakistan’s readiness to accept India’s initial aid offer of $ 5 million which is to be routed through the United Nations.

“As a more concrete assessment of the damage inflicted by this natural disaster and the urgent needs of the people of Pakistan emerges, Government has decided to increase its assistance to Pakistan from $ 5 million, announced earlier, to $ 25 million,” he said in a suo motu statement.

Of the total aid, $ 20 million would be contributed to the ‘Pakistan Initial Floods Emergency Response Plan’ launched by the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian efforts, he said.

The balance $ 5 million would be contributed to the World Food Programme for its relief efforts in Pakistan, Mr. Krishna said.

He noted that India had offered $ 5 million aid to Pakistan during his telephonic talks with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on August 13.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a conversation with Pakistan Premier Yusuf Raza Gilani on August 19, had conveyed that India was ready to do more to assist the neighbouring country which is facing the worst floods in the past 80 years.

Pakistan was reluctant to accept the aid and agreed only after a nudge from the US. However, last week Pakistan conveyed to India to route the aid through the UN.

“We cannot remain unconcerned with this grave humanitarian crisis of enormous magnitude in our immediate neighbourhood,” Mr. Krishna said.

He noted that the recent floods have been described as the worst in that part of the region in the last 80 years.

According to the latest UN figures, 17.2 million people have been affected by the floods which have left 1,600 people dead.

More than 1.2 million houses have been damaged or destroyed besides widespread damage to infrastructure, Mr. Krishna said.

“All the four provinces of Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir have suffered the consequences,” he said.

US drone strikes kill 18 in SWaziristan

PESHAWAR: A US drone fired four missiles into a compound reportedly used by terrorists in northwestern tribal belt on Saturday, killing at least 18 militants, security officials said.

The missiles targeted the compound in Dwasarak village, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Wana, the main town in South Waziristan district, a senior Pakistani security official who wished to remain anonymous told media.

“At least 18 militants have been killed in this attack,” he said adding that two US drones fired four missiles.

Two intelligence officials, one in Wana and one based in Peshawar, also confirmed the attack and the death toll.

South Waziristan, considered a militant stronghold, was the scene of a major Pakistani offensive last year.

Dwasarak is close to the Afghan border in the Angoor Adda area of South Waziristan. Officials said militants belonging to local commander Maulana Halimullah were killed in the attack, the second time that US drones have targeted his men.

A security official in Miranshah, the main town of the neighbouring North Waziristan tribal district said militants were also using the compound as a training camp.

Soon after the attack, militants surrounded the village and forced residents to stay in their houses, another security official in Wana told media.

It was not immediately clear whether there were any high-value targets among the dead, official said.

Attabad landslide spell ends today

HUNZA: The landslide spell that continued for two days at an accident-accelerated lake in Attabad, came to a halt today, Geo News reported Sunday.

The boat service is still closed today; however, helicopter service is in operation for the transportation.

The boat service was stalled owing to the landslide spell at the Lake; however, official will decide today regarding its reinstatement only after the inspection of Attabad Spillway.

There is only one helicopter far less than the need of huge number of people causing the stuck people to be infuriated.

Meantime, the trade with China through Karakoram Highway is cut off, as some part of the Highway is inundated. The boat service is the only means for trade with the neighbouring country. However, the boat service is currently suspended, posing problems to the traders.

Meanwhile, at least 150 affectees are still waiting for to be back home.

Pakistan fighting war not for US but for its own survival: PM

GARHI KHUDA BUX: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday said Pakistan is fighting not the US battle but a war for its own survival and that no dictation whatsoever is required from outside in this regard.

Talking to newsmen Monday at Garhi Khuda Bux after offering fateha at grave of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto on her 57th birthday, he said “we are fighting war of people for the country”s integrity.””

He said killers of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto will be apprehended and the government was moving forward in investigation in light of UN report.

Regarding sanctions on Iran, the Premier said if the US put in place any restriction on Iran the same would be reviewed in the light of international laws.

Replying to a question, he said three provinces have rejected Kalabagh Dam and “we respect their decision.””

Gilani said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was “symbol of the federation and a chain of all the four provinces. She was not only leader of Sindh or Pakistan but a great leader of the world. The entire world was deprived of her leadership.””

He said vision of Benazir Bhutto was same as of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto – rule of law, press freedom of press and democracy in its real spirit. He said dictatorship has ended, 1973 constitution restored and 18th constitutional amendment passed by the parliament unanimously. “We are pursuing policy of reconciliation and taking all institutions on board.””

To another question, Prime Minister said it came up during talks with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh both leaders agreed that war is not a resolution to the issues.

Peoples of both the countries face a number of other problems, such as, poverty, inflation, unemployment and terrorism. Both countries should pursue dialogue which was the only best solution for resolving all issues. Pakistan wants to have good relations with the neighbouring country, he stated.

He said NFC Award was “great achievement of present democratic government. Dictators failed to give 7th NFC Award and this achievement was the credit of present democratic government.””

Gilani said law and order is a provincial subject and could be resolved through negotiations with allies.

Federal Ministers Raja Pervez Ashraf, Ejaz Jakhrani, Speaker National Assembly Dr Mrs Fehmida Mirza, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Provincial Minister Ayaz Soomro accompanied the Prime Minister.

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