US senators urge Hillary Clinton, Robert Gates review Pakistan aid

WASHINGTON: US senators have urged Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates to make sure Pakistan is doing its utmost to battle extremists before disbursing more US security aid.

Pakistan Supreme Court dismisses judges' appeal

slamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed intra-court appeals of six judges of high courts facing contempt of court proceedings for having taken oath under a Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) issued on November 3, 2007 by then military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

No confirmation Pakistan militants were Russian - embassy

The Russian embassy in Pakistan said on Wednesday it had received no official confirmation that Russian nationals were among militants killed earlier this week near Pakistan's western border.

Suspect in Saudi diplomat's killing arrested

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani police arrested on Wednesday a key suspect in the attack on the Saudi Consulate in Karachi and the assassination of Saudi diplomat Hassan Al-Qahtani, officials said.

Lawmakers question US aid to Pakistan

WASHINGTON -- Five Democratic senators have written to senior Obama administration officials pressing for assurances on Pakistan's commitment to fight terrorism before Congress provides billions more in U.S. aid.

'US killed Osama Bin Laden clone in Pakistan'

he US operation that allegedly killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan has actually led to the death of a clone of the al-Qaeda leader, working under CIA operative Raymond Davis, an American editor says.

Pakistan, China premiers meet amid tension with US

BEIJING –  Pakistan's prime minister is meeting with his Chinese counterpart in a sign of strong ties amid heightened tensions between Washington and Islamabad.

Pak judges, generals who protected dictator Musharraf ‘traitors’: Nawaz Sharif

Hyderabad (Pakistan) : Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has said that all those judge and generals, who had collaborated with former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, are traitors.

PCB "left disappointed" with Zulqarnain Haider's response to show-cause letter

Karachi : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) believes that runaway former wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has written nothing new in his response to the show-cause letter.

Pakistan opposition says govt, army's new 'secret' accord with US "unacceptable"

 Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) stalwart and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, has rejected the government's new "terms of engagement" with the United States.

US, Pakistan must restore confidence following Abbottabad operation: UK

Islamabad : British Minister for South Asia at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Alistair Burt, has said that the United States and Pakistan must restore confidence following the secret military operation conducted by the US in Abbottabad that killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden on May 2.

Pakistan not to introduce Reformed General Sales Tax

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed with Pakistan to give relaxation on the much-debated and much-controversial Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST), as Islamabad assured the international donor that it would bring Plan-B which would generate more revenue than the RGST in the coming budget 2011-12.

Pakistan may give gold mining rights to Chinese

Toronto : As Pakistan turns to China after the killing of Osama bin Laden by US commandos May 2, Islamabad is likely to dump Canada's Barrick Gold Corp. and grant the mining licence for gold-and-copper Reko Diq project in Balochistan to the Chinese.

‘Most wanted’ mistake due to oversight: Home Minister P. Chidambaram

New Delhi : Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Wednesday that an ‘oversight’ had led to the goof-up in including the name of a Mumabi-based accused, Wazhul Qamar Khan, in the ’50 Most Wanted’ list of Indian terrorists hiding in Pakistan.

Cricket: Sohail Tanvir to lead Pakistan side against Afghanistan

Karachi :  Pakistan's out-of-favour Test all-rounder Sohail Tanvir has been appointed the captain of its second string team that will take on Afghanistan in a ground-breaking one-day series to be held later this month.

'Pakistan hockey on right track for London Olympics': Muhammad Imran

Karachi : Pakistan hockey captain Muhammad Imran Wednesday expressed satisfaction at his team's performance in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and said they are on the right track for the 2012 London Olympics.

Pakistan urges world community use dialogue for mutual harmonious relations: PM Gilani

Suzhou, China : Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani urged world community to use dialogue for mutual harmonious relationship adding cultural and civilization contacts could do wonders in ensuring global peace.

Pakistan Hosts World's Largest Conference on Islamic Microfinance

LAHORE, May 18-(PPI): Al Huda Centre of Islamic Banking &Economics (CIBE) and AKHUWAT are organizing International Conferenceon Islamic Microfinance on June 13, 2011 at Faisal AuditoriumIslamabad wherein delegates from 12 countries will grace theoccasion and 800 participants will attend this mega event. The aimof this conference is to choke out the plan of poverty alleviationon national and international scale to lessen poverty, socialwelfare and to tackle other problems pertaining to it.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority blocks unverified SIMs

Karachi : Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is in a continuous effort for electronic re-verification of all mobile users through SIM Information System – 668 since 15th October2009. For the purpose a centralized database has been maintained at PTA where the information is beingprovided by mobile operators on monthly basis and updated accordingly.

India admits blunder in 'most-wanted' list

NEW DELHI - INDIA'S home ministry has admitted making a mistake in a list of 'most-wanted' fugitives thought to be hiding in Pakistan after a terror suspect was found living in Mumbai.

China, Pakistan joined in bonds of brotherhood

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's visit to China on May 17 is an important event of the "2011 China-Pakistan Friendship Year" and will certainly open a new chapter in China-Pakistan relations under the new international environment and historical conditions.

China hopes to see US-Pakistan ties improve: Chinese daily

Beijing :  Beijing hopes to see US-Pakistan relations improve, a Chinese daily said Wednesday as Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's visits China a fortnight after Osama bin Laden was gunned down by US commandos.

US, Pakistan play blame game over military exchange of fire at Af-Pak border

US and Pakistani officials have offered different accounts as to what exactly prompted the firefight between a US chopper and Pakistani troops near the Afghan border on Tuesday.

Pakistan both "firefighter and arsonist" in US' war against terrorism

Congress has begun openly debating the United States' relationship with Pakistan, which seems to be playing the role of both "firefighter and arsonist", when it comes to helping the US fight terrorism.

2 cops killed as up to 100 militants attack northwestern Pak security checkpoint

Two policemen were killed and several others wounded in a militant attack on a security checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan.

Pakistan to use over 2,500 km of waterways to ferry goods

Islamabad : Pakistan, where over 95 percent of freight is carried by road, now plans to use more than 2,500 km of its rivers and canals to transport goods.

Drinking coffee regularly 'can slash prostate cancer risk in men'

A new study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers has indicated that men who regularly drink coffee appear to have a lower risk of developing a lethal form of prostate cancer.

Drinking coffee regularly 'can slash prostate cancer risk in men'

A new study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers has indicated that men who regularly drink coffee appear to have a lower risk of developing a lethal form of prostate cancer.

Intestinal bacteria cause behavioural changes

Toronto : Intestinal bacteria affect human brains leading to behavioural changes, a recent research has revealed.

Looking through telescopes, lenses with more clarity

Washington, May 18 (IANS) Looking through optical instruments like telescopes and eyeglasses could be improved considerably using a highly refined device, diamond aerogel, that researchers here have created.

Rising greenhouse gases 'may lead to another mass extinction of marine life'

A new study has warned that the rapidly increasing levels of greenhouse gases in our oceans could lead to another mass extinction of marine life that happened during prehistoric times.

Old typewriter is back as a keyboard!

Here's good news for all those people who claim to be nostalgic for the old typewriter days.

Measuring brain waves may help predict schizophrenia

A new study by German and Swiss researchers has found that measuring brain waves may help predict the risk for developing schizophrenia.

Study confirms playing video games ups food intake in kids

Health researchers have observed that playing video games causes children to increase their food intake and/or decrease their energy expenditure.

Relief from chronic back pain normalises brain activity

Toronto : Freedom from chronic low back pain normalises brain activity, a research has revealed.

20 militants killed in Pakistan

Islamabad :  At least 20 militants and two security personnel were killed when a group of over 100 rebels attacked a check post Wednesday morning in Pakistan’s Peshawar city,

Rehman Malik says Osama bin Laden's family not being handed over to US

Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has stressed that the family of slain Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is not being handed over to the United States.

Demand to cut Pakistan funding growing in US

Washington : Support for cutting off some US aid to Pakistan because leaders there turn a blind eye to terrorists who go after US targets is growing in US Congress, according to a key Senator.

New stealth drones flew into Pakistan to see Osama bin Laden house

Washington : New highly-sophisticated stealth drones flew dozens of missions deep inside Pakistan to monitor the mansion of Osama bin Laden, before US commandos stormed the hideout to kill the Al Qaeda leader, a media report said.

Everything of country put at stake by rulers: Nawaz Sharif

HYDERABAD : Quaid Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that everything of the including its economy and sovereignty have been put at stake by the rulers, adding that PML-N would safeguard the sovereignty of the country at every cost.

China a true friend of Pakistan: PM Yousuf Raza Gilani

ISLAMABAD : On the eve of his official visit to China, Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said China is a true friend of Pakistan. "To test a friend whether true or not, it needs time and means under crisis, we appreciate that in all difficult circumstances China stood with Pakistan, therefore we call China a true friend and a time-tested and all-weather friend," Gilani told Xinhua in an interview in Islamabad.

Shortfall of electricity would rise to 6000 mw during next fiscal year

Islamabad: The statistics of Planning Division revealed that demand of electricity in Pakistan could rise to some 21,000 mega watts by next financial year whereas the current power generation is about 13,000 mw while the government has a plan to add only 2,000 mega watts approximately in it.

India provides bullet-proof vehicles to its diplomats in Pak

New Delhi: The Indian government has reviewed the security of its diplomatic corps posted in Pakistan and has provided bullet-proof cars to all senior officials.

Pakistan, ISI not behind terror acts in Afghanistan: Afghan ambassador

SLAMABAD: Afghan ambassador in Pakistan Umar Daudzai has said ISI and government of Pakistan are not behind the terror acts in Afghanistan.

Target killing continues, 2 more killed in Karachi

Karachi: Two more people were gun down and two others injured when unknown armed men opened fire in Pak Colony area of Karachi on Tuesday.

Fugitive on ’most wanted’ list given to Pak lives in India

NEW DELHI: One name in the high-profile ’50 most wanted’ list of fugitives allegedly submitted to Pakistan, Wazhul Kamar Khan, is actually living in Wagle Estate in Thane with his ailing mother, a wife and five children.

Saudi cabinet calls on Pakistan to provide protection to diplomatic staff

Riyadh: Saudi cabinet condemning the killing of its diplomat in Karachi has urged the Pakistani government to step up security at the consulate and the embassy, and provide protection to Saudi diplomatic staff in both Karachi and Islamabad.

U.S. speeds up direct talks with Taliban

WASHINGTON: The administration has accelerated direct talks with the Taliban, initiated several months ago, that U.S. officials say they hope will enable President Obama to report progress toward a settlement of the Afghanistan war when he announces troop withdrawals in July.

China backs Pakistan in fight against terror

BEIJING: China said on Tuesday that it will "unswervingly" continue to support Pakistan’s efforts to fight terrorism and urged "relevant countries" to offer further help to the South Asian country.

Security Forces found 2 letters from Osama bin Laden's compound

Abbottabad: Pakistani Security Forces have found two letters form the compound of Osama Bin Ladin , during comprehensive search after his death, which were written by hand in Arabic language by Al-Qaida Chief himself, but before delivering these letters to the addressees , he died during US operation on the night of May 02.