Govt ready to hold dialogue with militants: PM Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said the government is ready to hold dialogue with militants on condition that these elements decommission and surrender their weapons before the political agents of their areas.

Pakistan's Spy Agency Denies Role in Journalist's Murder

Unnamed official with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency says allegations the spy agency had threatened Shahzad or was somehow involved in his murder were "baseless" and" unfounded." 

Pakistan general rules out North Waziristan offensive

One of Pakistan's top military commanders on Wednesday ruled out an imminent offensive in North Waziristan, contradicting a newspaper report that Pakistan had agreed to assault the militant-infested region following pressure from the United States.

Study: US should delay Pakistan aid

WASHINGTON — The United States should delay much of its multibillion-dollar package to Pakistan pending economic reforms as the aid has led to official inaction and public resentment, a study said Wednesday.

Taliban's post-Osama revenge kills over 170 in Pakistan

The month of May was proven the worst and most tense time of the year for Pakistan as it started with the U.S. SEALs' operation in Abbottabad city that killed al- Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden which was followed by revenging attacks by Pakistani Taliban, leaving 172 people dead and hundreds of others injured.

Intikhab is a hypocrite, fumes Shahid Afridi

Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has launched a scathing counter-attack on team manager Intikhab Alam terming him a hypocrite.

If Shahid Afridi doesn't want to play with me around, it's ok: Ijaz Butt

A defiant Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt on Wednesday said he is not affected by Shahid Afridi's decision to quit the game till the time he was incharge of the PCB and insisted that the temperamental player will have to explain his shock retirement.

Hampshire drops Shahid Afridi after PCB''s withdrawal of NOC

Pakistan's sacked and retired captain Shahid Afridi suffered a setback today when English county Hampshire said it would not be playing the all-rounder in their Twenty20 league after his Cricket Board revoked the requisite NOC.

WikiLeaks: US denied Harpoon missile to Pak due to India

While the United States cleared billions of dollars' worth arms sales to Pakistan for the war on terror, it denied the sale of an advanced missile technology to Islamabad over concerns that it could be used to target India.

Eight people killed by militants in Dir of North Waziristan Pakistan

At least eight people including seven policemen and one woman passerby were killed in a checkpoint attack launched Wednesday morning by militants in the Upper Dir district of northwest Pakistan,

Three feared dead in helicopter crash in central Pakistan

Three people were feared dead as a Rangers helicopter crashed into the Indus River in central Pakistan Wednesday morning,

Shahid Afridi denies violating code of conduct in any international tour

Former captain Shahid Afridi has rebuffed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt’s remarks that he had violated any code of conduct, for which he was sacked as skipper.

Shahid Afridi hints at comeback while urging Zardari to urgently intervene in Pak cricket issues

Former captain Shahid Afridi has appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Patron-in-chief, to take control of national cricket to prevent it from delving into further crisis.

Militants attack Pakistan checkpoint, Five killed

 PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Some 200 militants streamed over the border from Afghanistan and attacked a nearby Pakistani checkpoint on Wednesday, killing at least five security troops, police said.

US gives Pakistan deadline till July for North Waziristan operation

In the past few years, slain Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud and his successor Hakimullah Mehsud launched a "war against the Pakistani security forces with the help of the Mehsud tribe, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and some other sectarian groups".

Chavez condemns US sanctions, jokes about missiles

President Hugo Chavez mocked U.S. concerns about Venezuela's ties with Iran on Tuesday, joking that while his adversaries worry about Iranian-made missiles lining his country's coast his government is actually erecting windmills there.

Iranian wanted by Argentina visits Bolivia

Iran's defense minister, whose extradition is sought by neighboring Argentina for the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center, briefly visited Bolivia on Tuesday, raising tensions between the countries.

10 die in smuggling boat tragedy in Gulf of Aden: UN

The boat set sail early on Sunday from Bossaso, Puntland, in northern Somalia, according to reports by some of the original 115 passengers who made it to Yemen's shore, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated in a news release.

US says Somalia needs governance to defeat piracy

A top U.S. commander Wednesday said piracy in Somalia can only be defeated if the international community helps restore governance in the poor, lawless African country.

Child casualties rise in Mogadishu: UN

Of the 1,590 reported weapon-related injuries in May alone, 735 cases or 46 per cent were suffered by children under the age of five, compared to only 3.5 per cent in Apr.

IAEA team says tsunami threat underestimated

U.N. inspectors faulted Japan on Wednesday for underestimating the threat of a devastating tsunami on its crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, but praised its overall response to the crisis as exemplary.

UN concerned over situation in Georgia

Anti-Government protests turned violent last Thursday, when police reportedly used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse a rally in the Georgian capital.

US role in Asia on agenda for Gates' final trip

On his final overseas trip as secretary of defense, Robert Gates will make the case to a gathering of Asian defense chiefs in Singapore that expected budget-slashing in Washington will not weaken America's commitment to Asia.

Japan's leader rejects calls for resignation

Japan's unpopular Prime Minister Naoto Kan refused to resign Wednesday as opposition lawmakers criticizing his disaster management prepared to file a no-confidence motion in parliament.

At least 1,200 dead or missing fleeing Libya: UN

At least 1,200 people have been killed or are missing after trying to flee Libya by boat in the past three months since the start of the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, a UN official said today.

IAEA says Japan underestimated tsunami threat

Japan underestimated the hazard posed by tsunamis to nuclear plants, the UN atomic watchdog said today, while praising Tokyo's response to the March 11 disaster as "exemplary".

NATO to work with Afghan govt to reduce civil casualties

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force would continue to work with the Afghan government to reduce civilian casualties during counter-terrorism operations, the White House said.

2 Iraqis charged in US with terrorism plotting

Two Iraqis living in Kentucky have been arrested on charges that they tried to send sniper rifles, stinger missiles and money to al-Qaeda operatives in their home country, according to court documents unsealed today.

UN expert calls on SL to investigate execution video

The Sri Lankan government should further investigate the disturbing footage apparently showing summary executions of men and women during the final days of the country's civil war in 2009, an independent UN human rights expert has said.

9/11 mastermind to be tried at Guantanamo: Pentagon

The alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will be tried in a military commission at the Guantanamo Bay terrorist detention center along with four suspected co-conspirators, the Pentagon said.

US says Somalia needs governance to defeat piracy

A top US commander today said piracy in Somalia can only be defeated if the international community helps restore governance in the poor, lawless African country.

Syrian amnesty dismissed by opposition, US

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has decreed a general amnesty for political prisoners, a move dismissed by the opposition and Washington, as the crackdown on dissent claimed more lives.

PCB issues show-cause notice to Shahid Afridi

PCB sent a show cause notice to former captain Shahid Afridi for announcing his "retirement" and making unsavoury remarks about the board officials.

Indian cricket team leaves for West Indies

Led by Suresh Raina, a depleted Indian cricket team left for the West Indies in the early hours of Wednesday for a Twenty20 and the five-match ODI series starting June 4.

Jonathan Trott wins England cricketer of the year award

Jonathan Trott has been named England's Cricketer of the Year for his run-scoring feats over the past 12 months.

Moisturizers and hair dye cause most severe adverse reactions

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has compiled a register of adverse effects from cosmetic products and found that permanent hair dyes and face and body moisturizers caused the most severe reactions.

Scientists unravel mystery of why spiders decorate their webs

The delicate silk decorations spun by some orb-weaving spiders on their webs are a strange but well-known phenomena.

Kids using cannabis before age 15 at high risk of brain damage: Study

Children who start smoking cannabis before turning 15, struggle with mental exercises, doing much worse on tests than those who take it up later in life, a new research has warned.

Childhood obesity is not just to do with eating and exercise

University of Illinois scientists have revealed that many factors including genetic predisposition, family, community, country, culture, how much TV a child watches and others contribute to childhood obesity.

67 per cent Pakistanis want Islamisation of society

As many as 67 per cent Pakistanis want the government to take steps for Islamisation, which is a clear indication that they have lost faith in the existing system.  

Wikileaks: Amin Faheem wants to quit PPP

Senior Pakistan People’s Party leader Makhdoom Amin Faheem wanted to quit his party when Prime Minister’s post was not given to him and he refused to announce the President Zardrai’s nominated prime minister name.

Negative politics could harm country: President Zardari

Islamabad : President Asif Zardari has said negative politics and controversial statements could harm the country at this juncture as Pakistan is passing through most crucial time in the history urging unity among the whole nation is the need of hour to drag out the homeland from crises.

Osama bin Laden's last plan: Grand coalition of militant groups

Osama bin Laden spent much of his last weeks alive planning a new attempt to bring the disparate factions among insurgents and militants fighting in Pakistan and Afghanistan together under the umbrella of al Qaeda.

President Zardari for maintaining law n’ order, uplift projects in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday urged the provincial government of Balochistan to take all possible steps for maintaining law and order besides focusing on welfare and uplift of the people.  

Pakistan values its strategic relations with UK: PM Gilani

ISLAMABAD -  Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said Pakistan greatly values its strategic relationship with the United Kingdom and looks forward to further strengthening it. 

Govt considers development of IT sector of paramount importance: PM Gilani

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that the government considers development in information technology and telecommunication sectors to be of paramount importance for the overall progress of the country.

Saudi Arabia to stand by Pakistan : Saudi envoy

ISLAMABAD : Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer on Tuesday said that assassination of Saudi diplomat Hassan Al Qahtani would not affect relations between the two brotherly countries.

Pak PM Gilani announces probe into Osama bin Laden raid

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has constituted a Commission for investigating  the Abbotabad incident on May 2, 2011.