PM to address the nation today

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will address the nation today (Sunday), at a time when the government is facing multiple challenges on political and economic.

The address is being seen as very crucial vis-à-vis its timing and the prevailing political situation following a Supreme Court order against possible withdrawal of the executive order through which the judges had been reinstated.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani held a critical meeting on Saturday in the backdrop of the current political situation in the country. SAMAA

Suicide vest is vital clue after Uganda blasts

KAMPALA: Ugandan police pinned their hopes on an unexploded suicide vest Wednesday to help them track down suspects in the double bombings that killed at least 76 people watching the World Cup final.

The blasts that ripped through a crowded bar and a restaurant in Kampala on Sunday have been claimed by Al-Qaeda-inspired Shebab insurgents in Somalia, who called them retaliation for the presence of Ugandan troops in Mogadishu.

Police chief Kale Kayihura said a suicide vest — laden with explosives and fitted with a detonator — had been found packed in a black laptop bag at a club in Kampala”s Makindye district on Monday.

“We have established that what was found at the discotheque was in fact a suicide vest, and it could also be used as an IED (improvised explosive device),” he told reporters.

Several arrests have been carried out, but Kayihura did not specify how many, nor did he give their identities.

While the bombers” modus operandi appeared to support the Shebab”s claim of responsibility, the police chief pointed a finger at a homegrown Muslim rebel group known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

“Shebab is linked with ADF,” he said. “ADF is composed of Ugandans, Shebab and ADF are linked to Al-Qaeda.”

Israeli warships ”threatening” Libyan aid ship: foundation

TRIPOLI: Israeli warships “are threatening” a Libyan aid ship heading for the Gaza Strip, the executive director of the Kadhafi Foundation, which chartered the vessel, told AFP late Tuesday.

“Israeli warships are surrounding and threatening the cargo ship. There is a real threat,” Yussef Sawan said.

Sawan earlier said the ship, the Amalthea, was still headed for Gaza, denying a statement by an Egyptian security official that it was expected to arrive in the Egyptian border port of El-Arish on Wednesday.

“The ship is still headed for Gaza and will not change course,” Sawan told media.

Communications with the ship are being jammed, he added.

Vietnam Steps up China-style Internet Control

By Ian TimberlakeBlogger Nguyen Hue Chi is locked in an electronic game of cat and mouse with a mystery cyberattacker — widely believed to be the government.

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Vietnam Steps up China-style Internet Control

Street Violence Hits IHK for 3rd Summer

By Aijaz HussainIt is summertime in Indian-held Kashmir and the streets are roiled by unrest.

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Street Violence Hits IHK for 3rd Summer

Meryl Streep to play Margaret Thatcher

LOS ANGELES: Meryl Streep is in talks to reteam with her Mamma Mia! director for Thatcher, a biopic of the former British prime minister.

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Meryl Streep to play Margaret Thatcher

Nigeria leader bans team after WCup fiasco

ABUJA, Nigeria: Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday banned the country’s football team from international competition for two years following their dismal showing at the World Cup, his office said.

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Nigeria leader bans team after WCup fiasco

Kangaroos avoid series whitewash, beat Eng

LONDON: Australia avoided the possibility of a series whitewash by beating England by 78 runs in the fourth one-day international at The Oval on Wednesday.

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Kangaroos avoid series whitewash, beat Eng

Govt proposes law on media terror images

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers have proposed a code of conduct for the electronic media to restrict their graphic coverage of militants’ terror attacks, a government spokeswoman said Wednesday.

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Govt proposes law on media terror images

Oil falls below $75 as equities hurt confidence

SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell below $75 a barrel Thursday in Asia as falling global stock markets dragged down the confidence of crude investors.

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Oil falls below $75 as equities hurt confidence

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