60 villages inundated in Shikarpur

SHIKARPUR: Flood water continued to wreak havoc across the country as water submerged in Shikarpur, destroying more than 60 villages. Three women drowned, two died of gastroenteritis in Ameer Shah.

Five people were swept away as the roof of a house collapsed in Muzaffargarh.

More than 16 breaches in Begari and Sindh Canal in district Shikarpur have not been built, even after 13 days have passed. Over 16 villages are inundated with flood water: passing through Shikarpur, into Golo Daro, Jacobabad and Indus Highway.

The flood also destroyed agriculture crops spread over 35 acres of land.

Thousands of people were stranded in 50 villages of katcha area. They are facing shortage of food items and other necessities.

Raging water in Kotri Barrage threatened the villages of Sajan Detho, Sehrish Nagar, Gul Baig Chandio, Latifabad no. 4, Panhor and

USC reduces prices of 200 food items

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has reduced the prices of 200 food items by 10 percent as per the orders of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, said sources on Thursday.

According to sources, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has ordered to decrease the prices of food items at all utility stores to ease the miseries of the common man during the month of Ramazan.

USC has reduced the prices of several food items including ghee, cooking oil, pulses, milk, dates and other edibles.

Sources said the government will provide utility stores a subsidy of Rs. 5 billion over the reduction of food prices. SAMAA

Manmohan calls PM Gilani

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called up Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and expressed grieve over the death of thousands in the huge floods that have devastated parts of his country.

The Prime Minister said the government of India had already made an offer of assistance and was ready to provide more assistance to the flood victims.

He said in such times of natural calamity, all of South Asia should rise to the occasion and join hands to extend every possible help to the people affected by the tragedy. SAMAA

Eight million Pakistanis now need flood help: UN

ISLAMABAD: The number of Pakistani flood victims in need urgent humanitarian relief has risen from six million to eight million, the United Nations said on Thursday.

“Since it’s an evolving situation, things are unfolding. Our estimate has gone up and now eight million are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance,” U.N. humanitarian operations spokesman Maurizio Giuliano told Reuters. AGENCIES

Sri Lanka’s election loser Gen Fonseka arrested

Gen Fonseka was defeated by incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa last month by six million votes to four million.

Gen Fonseka rejected the results and vowed to challenge them in court.

The government has been seeking legal advice to bring a court martial against the general on charges of plotting to overthrow the administration.

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Sri Lanka’s election loser Gen Fonseka arrested was first posted on February 8, 2010 at 9:35 pm.