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 RIO DE JANEIRO: The 2014 World Cup has officially kicked off, with the United States being drawn with Jamaica in qualifying for the North, Central America and Caribbean region for the tournament in Brazil in three years' time.

The other two teams in Group A will come from preliminary qualifying matches that include Haiti, Guatemala, the U.S. Virgin Islands and five other nations.

Mexico is in Group B with Costa Rica, while Cuba and Honduras are in Group C. All three group winners and runners-up will advance to a final qualifying round, beginning February 2013.

African and Asian countries also found out their opponents in Saturday's qualifying draw in Rio de Janeiro, the first major World Cup event in Brazil since the South American nation was awarded the competition in 2007.

In Asia, Japan will face Uzbekistan, Syria and North Korea in Group C, while Australia will play Saudi Arabia, Oman and Thailand in Group D.

Iran, Bahrain and Qatar were drawn in the same Group E, along with Indonesia, while China is in Group A with Iraq, Jordan and Singapore.

The African teams were divided into 10 groups for qualifiers beginning in November. South Africa, last year's World Cup host, was drawn in Group A along with Botswana. Ghana, the best African team last year, is in Group D with Zambia and Sudan.

As host, Brazil is the only nation that doesn't have to qualify. But 166 other teams are having their fate decided in the draw.

South America was not included in the draw because the continent's nine teams will be placed in a single group. They will play each other twice, home and away, with the top four finishers securing a World Cup spot. The fifth-place team will advance to an intercontinental playoff against a team from Asia. The other playoff will pit teams from CONCACAF and Oceania.

The qualifiers began June 15 and will end Nov. 19, 2013, after 824 matches. Twenty-eight teams were eliminated in preliminary rounds before Saturday's draw.

The World Cup will be played from June 12 to July 13, and the complete match schedule will be announced in October.

"We love football,'' Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said at the draw. "Today, Brazil is admired for more than just football, music and its popular festivities. I invite you to come visit us. You will find a country very well prepared for the World Cup.''

 WASHINGTON: The CIA's Islamabad station chief, who oversaw the intelligence team that uncovered Osama bin Laden's hideout, has left Pakistan for medical reasons, a US official said.

The CIA declined to comment on the matter.

"The chief of station is a respected, senior officer who had the full faith and confidence of folks back in Washington," the US official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"Most people will agree the officer's role in one of the greatest intelligence victories of all time means this person was pretty darn effective, no matter what the Pakistanis may think."

American television, citing US and Pakistani officials, said the officer who headed one of the Central Intelligence Agency's most sensitive positions worldwide was not expected to return.

It was the second such departure in seven months from the post.

Despite the quick turnover at the key office, US officials told American TV that it would not hamper US intelligence efforts in Pakistan. (AFP)

 KARACHI: There seems to be no end to the terror incidents in this mega metropolis city, despite the political parties’ impressive peace efforts demo yesterday, as four more persons have fallen victims to the blood thirsty cabals since last night till the filing of this report, besides yesterday’s heart-rending thirteen target killings toll.

The very presence of the Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in the city and the political parties rallying together on the roads and streets holding high the white peace flags besides that of the Pakistan’s should have given enough moral support to the law enforcing authorities to go all out after these target killers, get hold of them and bring them to justice, but much to the disappointment of the peace lovers and the civil society, it hasn’t made any visible impact, while the killing spree continued unabated.

Two bodies were found with hands an legs laced dumped in a car at Sarjani Town sector VII, who appear to have been shot dead after torture, while one was killed by unidentified persons’ firing in orange Town sector 13.

Yesterday also 13 persons were killed in firings and violent incidents at Orangi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Landhi and Sherpao Colony.

 QUETTA: Complete shutter down strike is being observed in the provincial capital city against the last two days of target killing incidents on the call of the Hazara Democratic Party here, Geo News reported.

The anguished and angry citizens protesting voiced slogans against the terrorists killing spree and the government’s utter failure to give protection to the life and security of the people. The police unfortunately instead of going after the culprits preferred taking six protesters under custody on the charges of forcing shops to shut down.

Amaldar Road, Barori, Hazara town, Murreeabad, Jinnnah Road, Sharea Iqbal, Liaquat Bazar and many other areas observing shutter down strike on the call of Hazara Democratic Party. The shops and business centres remain closed, while the traffic on the roads is also very thin

Police have made stringent security arrangements by deploying heavy contingents on the main roads, shopping centres and other vintage poits, while the FC trrops were patrolling around the city.

Police have taken six protesters under custody on the charges of forcing shops to shut down, but HDP leaders complained that the police in their attempt to make the strike unsuccessful arrested their scores of workers. Later, HDP activists torched tyres, voiced slogans against police highhandedness and staged demos at Meezan Chowk, Liaquat Bazar and Junction Chaowk.

 KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Saturday slashed the discount rate by 50 basis points or 0.5 percent to 13.5 from 14, Geo News reported Saturday.

Acting Governor SBP Yasin Anwar while announcing the monetary police for the next two months here said the energy crisis and bad law and order situation adversely affected the growth and feared that the fiscal deficit could climb to 6.2 percent for the previous financial year.

He said the government debt is not an issue exclusively relating to 2011 rather it is a basic problem while the tax to GDP ratio presently stood at 8.6 percent which, he regretted, was at a very low level.

The acting governor of the central bank said improved exports and remittances helped make foreign payments and the trade deficit remained within a limit of 0.8 percent.

He said the foreign exchange reserves held by the SBP had surged to Rs14.8 billion while the rupee value slipped by 0.5 percent during the past fiscal year.

 ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court on Saturday issued its detailed verdict in writing about making Sohail Ahmed OSD and granting of investigation responsibility to former FIA Director, Hussain Asghar in Hajj corruption case, Geo News reported.

In its 36-page written verdict, the SC stated that a civil servant cannot be made OSD if the Prime Minister, who is the competent authority, is not satisfied with his performance. However, the competent authority has the power to order his transfer but cannot penalize him as was done in this case.

 ANKARA: Turkey’s military command echelon resigned late Friday from their posts amid an ongoing spat with the government over the growing number of arrested generals. The mass resignations, which marked a first in the country’s history, immediately caused a state crisis.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Işık Koşaner, Land Forces Commander Gen. Erdal Ceylanoğlu, Air Forces Commander Gen. Hasan Aksay and Naval Forces Commander Adm. Eşref Uğur Yiğit quit their posts days before the Supreme Military Council, or YAŞ, was supposed to meet to discuss key military promotions. Koşaner had another two years left in the office.

Gendarmerie Forces Commander Necdet Özel did not resign.

The resignations came hours after a prosecutor demanded the arrest of a top military official, Gen. Hüseyin Nusret Taşdeler, the commander of the Aegean Army. Sources said disagreements over promotions and the arrests of numerous generals peaked to an unacceptable level following the legal action against Taşdeler.

Tensions between the military and the government have been high in recent years as hundreds of high-ranking officers were put behind bars in the ongoing “Balyoz” (Sledgehammer) and Ergenekon coup-plot cases.

It was not yet sure as of late Friday whether this year’s YAŞ, set to begin Aug 1., would take place as scheduled.

Consecutive meetings between Koşaner, President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the last 10 days were not sufficient to avert the crisis. Koşaner, Gül and Erdoğan met Friday morning, after which Erdoğan met with Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin. Gül tried unsuccessfully to calm down the tension through a statement he made Friday afternoon, before the resignations were announced.

“I hope that everything will be solved in a good way,” Gül told reporters after Friday prayers. Asked by a journalist if the recent meetings were “a sign of a problem” between the government and the military, the president said they were not.

Right after Gül made his statement Friday, however, an Istanbul court demanded the arrest of the commander of one of the country’s most strategic armies, threatening the efforts by the government and military to avert a crisis over the promotions of senior generals.

The 13th Istanbul Court for Serious Crimes on Friday unanimously accepted the indictment prepared by Prosecutor Cihan Kansız, demanding a life sentence for Gen. Taşdeler, who served as Erdoğan’s military advisor in 2007-2008.

Erdoğan met with Ergin after the prosecutor’s demand was made public.

This year’s YAŞ was set to decide on key promotions to the positions of commander of the air and naval forces. Naval Forces commander Yiğit, and Air Force commander Aksay were both scheduled to reach the end of their terms on Aug. 30.

The commander of the Turkish Land Forces, Gen. Ceylanoğlu, had also been expected to retire due to age. However, filling the empty seats was already expected to cause problems with so many high-ranking and eligible generals behind bars in the Balyoz case. The only eligible candidate to replace Aksay had been considered to be is Lt. Gen. Mehmet Erten, who would have had to be promoted to the rank of general and then be appointed as the commander.

Balyoz is the code name for an alleged military coup plot against the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, drafted in 2003. According to the allegations, the military planned drastic measures to foment unrest in the country in order to remove the AKP from power.

 QUETTA: An angry mob protested against the killing of eleven people including three women Saturday, Geo News reported. The mob caused damage to property while different political parties mourned the incident. A shutter down strike call was given by the Hazara Democratic Party.

According to police, gunmen opened fire on a van and a rickshaw as a result of which fourteen including two women were injured. Three of these individuals died on the spot while eight including one woman succumbed to their injuries on the way to the hospital.

The injured were taken to the Bolan Medical Complex. The relatives of the victims arrived at the hospital and protested against the incident blocking the Barori Road.

The angry mob burnt three cars and a motorcycle on the road and threw stones at cars. Some individuals of the mob also fired at Bolan Medical Complex and the area was cordoned off by police and FC personnel. Tear gas was used to disperse the protesters.

The incident was condemned by the Governor and Chief Minister of Balochistan along with the Pakhtunkhwa Mili Awami Party. Leader of the Hazara Democratic Party, Abdul Khaliq Hazara appealed to people to remain calm and protest peacefully.

Meanwhile the police informed the media that several people had been arrested in connection with the firing incident on Sariab Road which took place on Friday and a complete investigation would be conducted into this incident as well.

 QUETTA: Unidentified men opened fire on a van at Spini Road in Quetta that killed eleven persons including a woman and injured three Saturday, Geo News reported.

According to police sources, the firing incident took place near a bus stop at Spini Road when some unknown men attacked a vehicle that killed three people, including a woman on spot while eleven others got injured.

Seven persons lost their lives on their way while one succumbed to injuries after reaching to the hospital.

The injured have been shifted to Bolan Medical Hospital.

The area is gripped by fear while security forces have reached the spot to investigate the incident and cordoned off the area.

The relatives of the victims reached the hospital and protested against the incident while Tahaffuz-e-Azadari Council has announced 40-day mourning.

 LOS ANGELES: The mash-up "Cowboys & Aliens" will likely mean a smack-down for a superhero and some Smurfs this weekend, with the Universal/Dreamworks sci-fi/Western expected to open with a gross of between $40 million and $45 million at more than 3,700 theaters in North America.

Starring Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig, directed by "Iron Man's" Jon Favreau, and with Steven Spielberg among its producers, this truly original film defies categorization and industry projections for its opening have varied. Yet awareness is very high for the film, which had its world premiere at Comic-Con this past weekend, and the fan-boy factor should carry it to victory, despite weak reviews.

A superhero vs. Smurf smack-down in the $30 million range is expected for the weekend's No. 2 spot as Paramount/Marvel's "Captain America: The First Avenger" tries to maintain some of last weekend's opening glory against PG newcomer "The Smurfs."

Starring Neil Patrick Harris, the Sony 3-D film based on the wildly popular Smurfs comic books and the 1980s animated TV series is the very definition of cute and should do well with family audiences.

"Captain America" debuted in first place last weekend with $65 million and has been a solid midweek warrior with more than $85 million deposited in "America's" treasury through Tuesday, its sixth day of release. The film should easily pass the $100 million mark in North America this weekend, when it also opens wide overseas.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" from Warner Bros. should maintain its money-making magic, placing fourth at about $20 million domestically and likely setting still another record on Saturday when it could cross the $1 billion mark internationally after just 16 days in release. This would beat "Avatar's" 17-day sprint to $1 billion in 2009 - with the usual help from ticket-price inflation, of course.

The debuting "Crazy Stupid Love" from Warner Bros. offers summer audiences something different: a PG-13 comedy in a season that's been dominated by no less than five R-rated comedies.

Featuring a strong ensemble cast that includes Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, the date crowd will find much to love in this crazy mix of comedy and drama, giving it a not-so-stupid fifth-place gross approaching $18 million. (AP)

 NOTTINGHAM: India's seamers reduced England to 124 for eight at tea on the first day of the second Test at Trent Bridge here on Friday as they looked to level the series.

India, albeit in helpful, overcast conditions, took six wickets for 55 runs in 24 overs after lunch as they ripped through England's top order.

Stuart Broad (six not out) and Graeme Swann (nought not out) were unbeaten on their Nottinghamshire home ground.

England, 69 for two at lunch, lost four wickets for 15 runs in a dramatic slump at the start of the second session, with Praveen Kumar striking twice in four balls.

Five balls after lunch, Kevin Pietersen, on 29, was squared up by fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, in for the injured Zaheer Khan, and third slip Suresh Raina held the edge to leave England 73 for three.

Kumar had rocked England with his command of swing while taking a Test-best five for 106 in the hosts' 196-run series-opening victory at Lord's.

The medium-pacer had England captain Andrew Strauss, who'd 'got in', out for 32, when the left-hander's full-blooded drive flew to Raina, who held an excellent catch.

And that same over saw 85 for four become 85 for five when a full-length outswinger to left-hander Eoin Morgan pitched in line and had the former Ireland international lbw for nought.

Matt Prior had frustrated India with an unbeaten century after England had collapsed to 62 for five in their second innings at Lord's.

But on Friday he managed just one before, playing at a ball from Sreesanth that left him, the wicketkeeper nicked straight to Rahul Dravid at first slip.

England, in the face of some high-class swing and seam bowling, had lost three wickets for three runs in 23 balls to be 88 for six.

Tim Bresnan, replacing injured fast bowler Chris Tremlett, was undone on 11 by a ball from Ishant Sharma that nipped away.

Ian Bell, the last of England's frontline batsmen, was dropped on 22 by Dravid but he got himself out for 31 when he flat-footedly cut at Sharma and was caught behind by India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

England came into this match knowing they would replace India at the top of the ICC's Test rankings if they won this four-match series 2-0 or better.

But during the last decade India have fought back to either win or square series after losing the first Test.

And although they were without left-arm quick Zaheer due to the hamstring injury that had cut short his participation at Lord's, Dhoni fielded first.

Sharma made the breakthrough when he had Alastair Cook lbw for two.

Sreesanth struck with his fourth ball when Jonathan Trott, on four, drove at an outswinger and edged to Venkatsai Laxman at second slip.

Pietersen, who made a man-of-the-match winning 202 not out at Lord's, survived a huge lbw shout from Kumar on 17, after walking across his stumps.

Kumar, risking disciplinary action, angrily questioned South African umpire Marais Erasmus's decision -- there are no lbw reviews this series because of Indian objections to ball-tracking technology -- at the end of the over before being pulled away by team-mate Harbhajan Singh.

 SINGAPORE: The US debt stalemate continued to roil crude markets in Asian trade Friday as a vote in the House of Representatives on a Republican debt plan was postponed.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in September, fell 22 cents to $97.22 per barrel.

Brent North Sea crude for September delivery shed four cents to $117.32.

"Investors continued to worry about the stalled US debt talks," Phillip Futures said in a report.

US politicians were still wrangling over a compromise deal to stave off a debt default on August 2, with Republican lawmakers challenging their Democratic counterparts to vote for their debt plan on Thursday.

However, in a sign that the plan could not garner enough support even within their own party, the vote originally scheduled for the House of Representatives on Thursday was postponed.

The House was forced to recess while House Speaker John Boehner met one by one with Republican lawmakers to shore up support for his two-step plan to raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling enough to avert default for at least six months.

With five days to go until the default deadline when the Treasury says it will run out of funds, IMF chief Christine Lagarde also piled on the pressure for a deal saying the dollar's status could be in doubt if the impasse continues.

 NEW DELHI: Gunman Ajmal Kasab has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court judgment confirming the death sentence slapped on him by a trial court for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

As Kasab filed the appeal directly through jail authorities, who sent it to the Supreme Court Secretary-General, details are not known. Once the appeal against the February 21 judgment is processed and numbered by the Registry, the Supreme Court will list it for hearing.

Kasab is the only terrorist who was caught alive, while nine accomplices were killed. The terror attack claimed 166 lives and left 238 injured.

 ISLAMABAD: A six-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry heard the Hajj corruption case, Geo News reported. In its order the apex court stated that the notification to make Secretary Establishment, Sohail Ahmed officer on special duty (OSD) was not implementable and the concerned authority should appoint him anywhere within seven days or the notification would be deemed suspended.

According to the order, Hussain Asghar would be given charge in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) upon his return. The order also stated that parliamentarians had brought the Hajj corruption issue to the court and a letter was written by a Saudi prince regarding mismanagement in Hajj affairs.

During proceedings, Attorney General, Maulvi Anwarul Haq informed the court that Chief Secretary Gilgit-Balitistan had stopped Hussain Asghar from leaving the post of IG on directives of the Chief Minister. The AG also told the court he had not met with the Prime Minister.

Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court, Haq said the actions of the government should not be considered resistance and the court’s orders would be implemented.

Secretary Establishment, Sohail Ahmed was made OSD by the federal government for abiding by court orders and issuing the notification to reinstate Hussain Asghar to FIA so he could investigate the Hajj corruption case.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case for indefinite period.

 QUETTA: At least seven devotees were killed and several others injured when unidentified armed men opened fire at them, rescue sources said.

According to sources, devotees were waiting for van at Sariab road when unidentified armed assailants opened fire killing four people on the spot while three succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.

The police said Kalashnikovs and pistols were using in the firing incident.

 GENEVA: Around one third of the global population, or 2 billion people, have been infected with one of the viruses that causes the liver disease hepatitis, which kills about a million victims annually, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.

And although most of those carrying hepatitis do not know they have it, they can unknowingly transmit it to others and at any time in their lives it can develop to kill or disable them, the United Nations agency warned.

"This is a chronic disease across the whole world, but unfortunately there is very little awareness, even among health policy-makers, of its extent," WHO hepatitis specialist Steven Wiersma told a news conference.

The conference marked the first U.N. World Hepatitis Day, called by the world body to raise awareness of the viral disease, largely spread by contaminated water and food, blood, semen and other body fluids.

Wiersma said the disease - which has five main viruses - produced a "staggering toll" on health care systems around the globe and had the potential to spark epidemics, as well as being the main cause ofliver cirrhosis and cancer.

Of the five viruses dubbed A, B, C, D and E, a new WHO document says, B was the most common and could be transmitted by mothers to infants at birth or in early childhood as well as through contaminated injections or injected drug use.

The E virus, transmitted through infected water or food, is a common cause of outbreaks of the disease in developing countries and is increasingly observed in developed economies, according to the WHO.

The WHO says effective vaccines had been developed to combat the A and B viruses and could also be used against D. A vaccine for hepatitis E had been developed but was not widely available, while there was none for the C virus.

Vaccination campaigns had scored considerable success in many countries, with about 180 of the WHO's 193 member states now including the B vaccine in infant immunization programs, the agency said.

But more needed to be done to prevent or control the disease. It was vital to ensure that people already infected could be tested and given quality care and treatment without delay, the WHO document declared. (Reuters)

 The genre mash-up of "Cowboys & Aliens" is more a mush-up, an action yarn aiming to be both science fiction and Old West adventure but doing neither all that well.

The filmmakers - and there are a lot of them, among them director Jon Favreau, 11 producers or executive producers including Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, plus half a dozen credited writers - start with a title that lays out a simple but cool premise: invaders from the skies shooting it out with guys on horseback.

For all the talent involved, they wound up keeping the story too simple, almost simple-minded, leaving a terrific cast led by Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford stuck in a sketchy, sometimes poky tale where you get cowboys occasionally fighting aliens and not much more.

Based on a graphic novel from Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, also a producer on the movie, "Cowboys & Aliens" has Craig doing the stony-faced lone rider thing to such stoic extremes it borders on blandness. Ford is similarly constricted in a stereotyped role as the tyrannical overlord of a Western town, though his unfailing charisma does imbue some spirit into his under-developed character.

Really, the only clever thing about "Cowboys & Aliens" is the basic idea itself. The Western trappings are mostly dull, the aliens and sci-fi elements are unimaginative, and cramming them together is not enough to make them interesting.

As the story opens in 1875, Craig's amnesiac Jake Lonergan wanders into the dusty New Mexico town of Absolution with no clue to his identity and bearing a strange metal bracelet on his wrist. Within minutes, he begins running afoul of the town's leaders, crossing the cowardly son (Paul Dano) of local cattle baron Woodrow Dolarhyde (Ford), then tussling with the sheriff (Keith Carradine) and his deputies.

Just as it looks as though we're in for a showdown among a band of greedy thugs and decent townfolk in need of a hero, space craft swoop in and start snatching people right off the streets. Six-shooters are like firing blanks at the speedy ships, but Jake's wristband comes to life, and he gradually learns how to use it as a weapon to fight back against what the villagers initially assume are demons.

Dolarhyde leads Jake and a posse in pursuit of the creatures, accompanied by the mysterious gun-toting Ella (Olivia Wilde), who knows more about these beings than she lets on.

Director Favreau slipped from fresh and flamboyant on "Iron Man" to lame and listless on its sequel, and there's more of the latter on "Cowboys & Aliens." The posse creeps along through close encounters with outlaws and Apaches and has more abduction run-ins with the aliens.

Yet other than seeing the two blended together, there's nothing here that hasn't been done far better in many Westerns and science-fiction flicks. The aliens are anonymous monsters, and the human folk are mostly cardboard types like those you'll find in any old Western.

The action plays out against grand, gorgeous landscapes captured by cinematographer Matthew Libatique, while the visual effects are standard stuff, save for one very impressive explosion.

As a jittery saloon owner, Sam Rockwell gets to toss out a few funny lines, and Adam Beach manages a few moments of pathos as Dolarhyde's main hand. As the sheriff's young grandson, Noah Ringer is there to broaden the movie's kid appeal but doesn't really add to the story.

Though Ford is pushing 70, it's odd seeing him relegated to second billing in an action movie. His role is big, and it does give him a chance to play a bit nastier than usual.

But Craig's role is the sort Ford might have done if "Cowboys & Aliens" came 20 years earlier. Craig's probably the better actor of the two, but Ford's a true movie star, and it's easy to imagine a livelier film if Jake had more of that Indiana Jones rogue's charm and less of the tightly wound menace Craig has made a part of his take on James Bond.

"Cowboys & Aliens," a Universal Pictures release, is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of Western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity and a brief crude reference. Running time: 118 minutes. Two stars out of four. (AP)

 ZAGREB: Fifth-seeded Tommy Robredo and his fellow Spaniard, former world No. 1 and reigning Umag champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, were among Tuesday's first-round winners at the $570,000 Croatia Open.

The former top-five star Robredo routed compatriot qualifier Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-3, 6-2, while Ferrero advanced with a 3-6, 6-3, 1-1 victory over Argentine Maximo Gonzalez, who retired after two games in the third set due to a hip injury on Day 2 on the red clay at ATP Stadium.

The former French Open titlist Ferrero, who titled in Stuttgart two weeks ago, beat Italian Potito Starace in last year's Umag finale.

Ferrero will battle third-seeded Croatian hero Ivan Ljubicic on Wednesday.

Sixth-seeded Italian Fabio Fognini handled Portuguese Rui Machado 6-4, 6-3, while seventh-seeded Italian Andreas Seppi whipped Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 6-2 and last year's Umag runner-up Starace moved on with a 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-1 victory over Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker. Starace will face top seed Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina in the round of 16.

Additional Day-2 wins came for Dutchman Robin Haase, recent Newport runner-up Olivier Rochus of Belgium, Argentine Carlos Berlocq, and Italians Gianluca Naso, a qualifier, and two-time Umag runner-up Filippo Volandri, who whipped Croatian wild card Mate Pavic 6-4, 6-0. Volandri reached back-to-back finals here in 2003 and 2004.

The 2011 Umag champion will claim $104,000.

 KARACHI: Petroleum products prices expected to slightly increase, while the diesel price to be slashed effective August 1, 2011.

Sources said that the prices of petrol likely to increase by Rs0.50 per litre, HOBC and kerosene by Rs1.00 per litre, while the diesel price might be slashed by Rs0.50.

Pakistan petroleum products prices are correlated with the international prices. Sources said that these expectations are based on the latest international prices, which possibly could change only slightly in the next two/three days.

 ISLAMABAD: A six-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftihkar Muhammed Chaudhry heard the hajj corruption case, Geo News reported.

DG FIA, Tehsin Anwar appeared before the court and said that IG Gilgit-Baltistan Police, Hussain Asghar had not returned to the FIA. To this the Chief Justice remarked that only the rule of law would be followed in the country and no one should think otherwise.

Taking notice of the removal of the secretary establishment Sohail Ahmed, the chief justice directed the attorney general to immediately go and speak to the prime minister.

In his remarks, the chief justice said the secretary establishment was made officer on special duty (OSD) for upholding court orders. Ahmed had sent the summary to the concerned authority to issue the notification for the reinstatement of Hussain Asghar as the investigation officer in the Hajj corruption case, but when no action was taken he issued the notification to uphold constitutional responsibilities. The chief justice added that the prime minister acted in haste.

When the hearing resumed after the break, the attorney general informed the court that he could not speak with the prime minister because he was busy in a cabinet meeting, and presented the notification to make Sohail Ahmed officer on special duty (OSD). The court directed him to personally go and meet the prime minister and present his written reply in court.

The hearing of the case was adjourned till Thursday.

 SEOUL: Landslides triggered by torrential rain in South Korea have killed a total of 18 people, police and a rescue agency said Wednesday.

They said 12 people died when a mudslide hit an inn and three homes in the mountainous Chuncheon area 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of Seoul. Five people were killed in a mudslide in southern Seoul and one elsewhere in the city.

 NEW DELHI: Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and India have agreed to continue talks on Kashmir. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said this is “indeed a new era in bilateral relations between the two countries.”

Speaking during a press conference after the talks, Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna said India has agreed to seek a resolution to the Kashmir issue and discussions with a "view to find a peaceful solution" would continue.

He remarked that relations with Pakistan “were on the right track.” Krishna expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved adding “we have reaffirmed our commitment to resolve all outstanding issues through a comprehensive, serious and sustained dialogue.”

Khar who is on her first visit to India as Foreign Minister, lay emphasis on the dialogue process being result oriented adding that both countries should build convergences and narrow divergences.

On the issue of terrorism, she said that this poses a serious threat to the security of both countries.

 KINSHASA: A measles epidemic has killed 1,145 children in the Democratic Republic of Congo since January, the UN's Humanitarian Affairs mission in Kinshasa said Monday.

The epidemic "has already affected 115,600 children and killed 1,145" between January and June, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement.

This prompted the vaccination of 3.1 million children across five provinces, it added.

The campaign swung into action on May 10 after the NGO Doctors without Borders deplored "the lack of reactivity" of organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) to what it termed an "uncontrollable" epidemic.

Vaccination is continuing in two provinces, OCHA said.

Measles is extremely contagious and can cause severe diarrhoea, pneumonia and, in extreme cases, blindness and death.

It is one of the leading causes of death among young children globally, despite a safe vaccine being available.

In 2010, 5,407 cases were reported in DR Congo, leading to 82 deaths, up from 899 cases and 26 deaths the year before.

DR Congo is also battling cholera and polio epidemics that have claimed 250 people since March, and is the country with one of the world's highest child mortality rates -- 148 out of every 1,000 live births.

The WHO responded to OCHA criticism by calling for dialogue.

"If you have criticism, the best thing is to open dialogue to see what is not going well," its Kinshasa director Ayigan Kossi told AFP.

 MUMBAI: Imran Khan matched steps of three illustrious Khans — Aamir, Shah Rukh and Salman — in his next release, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. The title track of the film will see him imitating the signature moves of the trio in the song, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan… Matrimonial Ki Aankhen… composed by Sohail Sen and shot over three days.

Imran, who features in the Yash Raj Films project opposite Katrina Kaif, shot for the peppy song in Mumbai, New Delhi and Dehradun.

It will begin with Aamir’s famous Aati Kya Khandala… from Ghulam (1998), with a bit of Rang De Basanti (RDB, 2006) thrown in.

Next, Salman is idolised in his classic ‘belt hook’ avatar from Dabangg (2010) and later SRK on a train in Dil Se (1998).

But the actor admits it wasn’t a smooth ride. The train would slow down or speed up suddenly, and bounce along the tracks.

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, another Yash Raj production also features Pakistani actor-musician Ali Zafar, and is slated to release on September 9.

The film marks the directorial debut of Ali Abbas Zafar.

 LAHORE: Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ijaz Butt arrived in the country after four weeks but refused to speak to the media upon his arrival, Geo News reported.

A large number of media personnel were present at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore to ask the PCB chairman questions about his foreign tour but when Ijaz Butt saw them, he changed his course and headed towards the parking lot.

When members of the media followed him, Butt said he could not answer any questions because he is tired after travelling.

Ijaz Butt was returning to the country after attending the ICC conference in Hong Kong and taking part in the ceremonies of the 2000th test match between England and India at Lords.

 PESHAWAR: The gold price has hit highest to a record Rs54, 250 per tola in the provincial here, Geo news reported.

Sarrafa Association said that the spate of hiking prices of gold all across the country persists due to shooting international market gold prices.

Gold price in the city here surging by Rs700 hit the record at Rs54, 250 per tola as against two days ago Rs53, 505 per tola.

Sarrafa Association attributed among other reasons for the soaring gold price to mainly instability in rupee value.

 NEW DELHI: The largest democracy in the world India’s president Pratibha Patil has become the first president to voluntarily declare the details of her assets setting an example not only for the world but for the neighbouring countries also to emulate such worthy step taken by her.

Patil, who completed four years in office today, posted on her website www.presidentofindia.nic.in/assets.html the details of immovable properties worth Rs8.383 million and movable assets worth Rs16.6 million.

The president has a house in Amravati district of Maharashtra worth Rs3.96 million and a 3.82 hectares farm house worth Rs0.982 million. She has inherited 3.57 hectares agricultural land worth Rs0.781 million from her father in Jalgaon and another land worth Rs2 million in Dhule district.

Patil had purchased two agricultural plots of 1.19 hectares and 1.49 hectares in Jalgaon district in 1997-98 worth Rs0.364 million and Rs0.29 million respectively. For immovable properties, the president has primarily relied on traditional modes of investment like fixed deposits, PPF, gold and bonds of infrastructure companies.

She has fixed deposits in various banks worth Rs6.88 million, investment worth Rs2.9 million in Rural Electrification Corporation Limited bonds, Rs0.471 million in Post Office Savings Scheme and Rs1.26 million in Public Provident Fund of the State Bank of India, according to the property statement of March 31, 2011.

She has gold jewellery worth Rs3.1 million and silver articles worth Rs69,134 as well as Rs1.633 million in her savings bank accounts, besides Rs0.187 million cash in hand. As far as the share market is concerned, the president has invested only Rs21,775. She has also invested Rs66,640 in Sanjivini Savings and Investments Limited.

 ISLAMABAD: The government is in no mood to follow the Supreme Court orders and continuously defying the verdicts passed by the apex court, Geo News reported.

In National Reconciliation Ordinance verdict, all cases including those of in Swiss courts were ordered to reopen but the government has not written letter asking for reopening them.

In another case the court asked the Centre to appoint NAB chairman but after the expiry of the dateline the top post is still lying vacant. Notification to de-notify PCO judges has also not been issued despite clear SC orders.

Orders were issued to initiate investigations against former chairman CDA Kamran Lashari in F-9 park case but no action has been taken in this regard.

Probe was ordered against responsible government officials in LNG quota case but this order has also not been implemented.

Investigation officers in NICL and hajj corruption cases have also not been reinstated and court orders are being violated.

 ISLAMABAD: Federal government has made Secretary Establishment Sohail Ahmed officer on special duty (OSD) Tuesday, Geo News reported.

According to the channel sources, the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday was hearing the hajj corruption case and had ordered the secretary of establishment division to produce the restoration notification of FIA investigating officer Sohail Asghar in the court.

The court had also warned the secretary that if he failed to produce the notification, he would be sent to jail following contempt of court charges.

Sohail Ahmed presented the restoration notification following court’s deadline.

It is important to mention that Sohail Ahmed took charge as Secretary Establishment on July 6, however, he was made OSD after twenty days of his appointment.

 LONDON: England beat India by 196 runs to win the first Test at Lord's here Monday to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

India, set what would have been a new fourth innings Test record victory total of 458, were dismissed for 261 in what was the 2,000th Test of all-time and 100th between the two countries.

Fast-medium bowler James Anderson led England's attack with five for 65.

His haul included the wickets of Suresh Raina, who made 78, and Sachin Tendulkar, out for 12 to be left stranded on 99 international hundreds.

England established a position of early dominance thanks to a first innings total of 474 for eight declared featuring Kevin Pietersen's 202 not out after India fast bowler Zaheer Khan suffered a hamstring strain that kept him off the field for most of the match.

India were bowled out for 286 in reply, Rahul Dravid making 103 not out, with England seamer Stuart Broad taking four wickets for 37 runs.

England collapsed to 62 for five in their second innings before Matt Prior's unbeaten 103 and Broad's 74 not out enabled England captain Andrew Strauss to declare on 269 for six.

The series continues with the second Test at Trent Bridge, starting Friday.

England will replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table if they win this four-match series by two Tests.

Brief scores
England 474-8 dec (K Pietersen 202 no, M Prior 71, J Trott 70; P Kumar 5-106) and 269-6 dec (M Prior 103 no, S Broad 74 no; I Sharma 4-59)
India 286 (R Dravid 103 no; S Broad 4-37, C Tremlett 3-80) and 261 (S Raina 78, V Laxman 56; J Anderson 5-65, S Broad 3-57 )

Result: England won by 196 runs
Series: England lead four-match series 1-0

 ISLAMABAD: A new legislation will be enacted for the trial of terrorists presently being detained by the armed forces in tribal areas, Geo News reported Monday.

Under the regulation punishments as severe as hanging to death, life imprisonment, 10-year imprisonment could be awarded while special detention facilities will be established for the terrorists.

 LONDON: Ishant Sharma took three wickets, including two in one over, to give India hope of an improbable win against England in the first Test at Lord's here on Sunday.

England, at lunch on the fourth day, had collapsed to 72 for five in their second innings -- 260 runs ahead -- after Sharma had taken three wickets for one runs in 16 balls on his way to a return of three for 15 in 13 overs.

And with the highest fourth innings total to win a Test at Lord's, the 344 for one made by West Indies in 1984, England's lead was far from impregnable.

England, five without loss overnight, found runs hard to come by early Sunday even though India were again missing fast bowler Zaheer Khan, off the field with the hamstring injury that had sidelined him for most of this match.

Opener Alastair Cook took 27 balls for one run before he was caught behind by India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Praveen Kumar, who had taken a Test-best five for 106 in England's first innings.

But the real slump started when England captain Andrew Strauss, trying to break the shackles, was lbw for 32 to off-spinner Harbhajan Singh after missing a sweep.

His exit left England 54 for two and that soon became 55 for four thanks to Sharma's double-wicket maiden.

Kevin Pietersen had made a superb 202 not out in England's first innings 474 for eight declared.

But in ideal sunny batting conditions, the advancing Pietersen was undone by a steepling delivery from fast bowler Sharma he could only nick through to Dhoni and, five balls later, Ian Bell went in similar fashion for nought.

Sharma wasn't finished, however, bowling Jonathan Trott for 22 with a good length ball that clipped off stump.

Eoin Morgan and Matt Prior were both five not out at lunch as India, who will cede top spot in the ICC's Test Championship rankings to England if they lose this four-match series by two Tests, made clear their determination to stay number one.

India suffered a setback before play began when Sachin Tendulkar was prevented from taking the field with a viral infection, a day after his latest bid to score his 100th international hundred ended with him being dismissed for just 34.

However, India avoided the follow-on Saturday thanks to Rahul Dravid's unbeaten 103 -- his first Test hundred at Lord's coming 15 years after he scored 95 at the ground on his Test debut.

His innings also took Dravid past Australia's Ricky Ponting and into second place behind Tendulkar in the all-time list of Test run-scorers.

 PESHAWAR: A 3-day polio campaign would begin from July 25 in four districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in which drops would be administered to the children below 5 years of age.

Deputy Director of EPI Dr Janbaz Afridi told Geo News that a polio campaign would begin in Mardan, Nowshera, Batgram and Tang from July 25 which would continue till July 27.

Polio drops would be administered to more than 0.7 million children during the campaign, he added.

 KARACHI: Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Salman Siddique has said that the actual tax collection for the last fiscal year was not Rs1.59 trillion but actually it was Rs1.5 trillion, Geo News reported Sunday.

Talking to Geo News, he said Rs1.59 trillion shown as collection was not actually the case as Rs 40 billion out of this amount were to be disbursed as tax refund.

He said he was not informed about the amount of sales tax refund during the news conference held on June 30.

Salman Siddique said he would have the inquiry conducted against the officials after having a meeting with the Finance Minister.

During a news conference held on June 30, the FBR Chief had announced that the target of Rs1.588 trillion revenue had been achieved while tax collection amounting to Rs1.590 trillion was made. It was not clarified that this amount contained Rs40 billion as advance sales tax refund.

He maintained that tax collection target was actually missed by Rs38 billion. This raised the fiscal deficit from 5.6 percent to 5.9 percent.

Sources told Geo News that a report has been sought from FBR on mirepresentation of figures.

 BANGKOK: Three military men were killed and a fourth injured on Sunday in the third fatal Thai army helicopter crash in little over a week, a force spokesman said.

The Bell 212 chopper -- part of the rescue mission following another helicopter crash on Tuesday -- went down in Phetchaburi province, southwest of the capital Bangkok, bringing the death toll from the three incidents to 17.

"There were two pilots and two army technicians on board. One was injured and three were killed," Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told.

Thai television news channels showed aerial shots of the flaming wreckage, in the same jungle-heavy province that witnessed the previous tragedies.

The aircraft, which was travelling from Bangkok to a task force base in Phetchaburi, had on Saturday transported bodies from a Black Hawk helicopter crash on Tuesday, in which nine people were killed. The victims were eight military personnel and a television cameraman from army-run Channel 5.

The Black Hawk was found in dense forest just across the border in Myanmar on Friday morning, three days after it disappeared during a mission to recover the bodies of five soldiers killed in a helicopter accident on July 16.

 MUZAFFARABAD: According to unofficial results, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) won six out of eight reserved seats of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly while Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Muslim Conference (MC) won one each, Geo News reported.

Elections were held today for eight reserved seats in AJK LA meant for 5 women and one each for technocrats, religious scholars and overseas Kashmiris.

Shaheen Kouser, Saddaf Sheikh, Shazia Akber of PPP won women reserved seats while PML-N's Dr Fauzia and MC's Dr Mahrunnisa won their seats.

PPP's Pir Ateeq-ur-Rehman, Faiz Puri and Abid Hussain won the seats reserved for religious scholar, technocrats and overseas Kashmiris respectively.

The newly-elected legislative assembly members will take oath at a Legislative Assembly session on July 25 in Muzaffarabad.

 KARACHI: Four people were killed and 7 others injured in separate incidents of firing in Landhi, Malir, Quaidabad and Baldia Town, Geo News reported on Sunday.

Intermittent firing continues between two groups in Aasoo Goth, Bakra Peeri, Dawood Goth and Millat Town and as a result of the same shops and businesses are completely closed in these areas.

An armed clash between two groups in Memon Goth wounded two people.

Four people were killed late last night in violent activities in Bafar Zone.

Rangers and police have been stationed in different areas of the city including Landhi and Malir.

LONDON: Kevin Pietersen struck the India bowlers to all parts of Lord's on Friday during a majestic unbeaten innings of 202 on a sun-dappled second day of the first
Test.

Pietersen unfurled a series of glorious drives at the spiritual home of world cricket before an appreciative capacity crowd attending the 2,000th Test match and the 100th between the two countries.

He smacked 21 boundaries and a six in more than eight hours at the crease to complete his third test double century and take England to 474 for eight declared.

India survived the final half hour to reach 17 for no wicket at the close and set the stage for Saturday's showpiece day and Sachin Tendulkar, who needs one more century to become the first man to complete 100 international hundreds.

India, reduced to three specialist bowlers in the absence of Zaheer Khan who was off the field all day due to a hamstring strain, had their own hero in the lion-hearted Praveen Kumar who took five for 106 from 40.3 overs.

Moving the ball disconcertingly through the air at times at no more than medium pace with a low-slung action from an economical run-up, Kumar deservedly won a place on the Lord's honours board in only his fourth test.

His performance was all the more creditable as conditions were in favour of the batsmen with the sun shining, the pitch full of runs and little in the way of support.(AFP)

 KARACHI: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketing Association has rejected proposed LPG policy, Geo News reported.

Chairman LPG Marketing Association Iqbal Z. Ahmed, while talking to Geo News, said under the proposed LPG policy all the 75 marketing companies have to import 25 percent of their total sale which is not logical.

He said consumption of LPG is reducing owing to its price hike in the country and the condition to import 25 percent of the sale would further raise the prices.

 OSLO: Norwegian police on Saturday described the main suspect in twin bomb and shooting attacks that left at least 91 dead as a Christian fundamentalist.

A police official said that information gleaned on the internet suggested the 32-year old ethnic Norwegian was a "Christian fundamentalist."

The United States and European leaders immediately denounced the attacks and vowed solidarity with NATO member Norway -- an enthusiastic participant in international military missions that has forces in Afghanistan and is participating in Western air strikes in Libya.

Witnesses described scenes of panic and horror after the gunman, who police said was disguised as a police officer but never worked for the police force, opened fire on the youth gathering.

"I saw a lot of people running and screaming, I ran to the nearest building and hid under a bed," Emilie Bersaas, 19, told Britain's Sky News.

"It is kind of unreal, especially in Norway... This is something we hear about happening in the US."

Another young survivor, Jorgen Benone, said: "People were hiding behind stones. I saw people being shot... I felt it was best to stay quiet, not to run into the open.

"I saw (the gunman) once just 20 to 30 metres away from me," Benone said, adding that he then swam to safety and was rescued by a boat.

Norwegian police said they feared there could also be explosives on the island.

Reports of the island shooting emerged shortly after a blast tore through the government quarter in central Oslo. Police said a "bomb" had been behind the "powerful explosion."

"There are good reasons to believe that there is a link between the events," police commissioner Sveinung Sponheim told reporters in Oslo.

Mayor Fabian Stang said the capital was struggling to come to terms with the idea that it had joined the list of cities targetted by bombers.

"Today we think about those people living in New York and London who have experienced this kind of thing," he told Sky.

"I do not think it is possible for us to understand what has happened today but hopefully we will be able to go on and that tomorrow Oslo will be a peaceful city again."

The prime minister's office and other buildings were heavily damaged, while sidewalks were covered in broken glass as smoke rose above the wreckage.

A police spokesman said a vehicle had been seen driving at high speed in the area just before the explosion but did not confirm that the blast had been caused by a car bomb.

Police had sealed off the area and urged residents to stay in their homes.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon and the EU condemned the attacks and the NATO chief denounced them as "heinous."

US President Barack Obama called the attacks "a reminder that the entire international community has a stake in preventing this kind of terror from occurring."

Norway's intelligence police agency (PST) said in February that Islamic extremism was a major threat to the country, describing it as "our main priority and our main concern."

Norway, which counts some 500 troops in Afghanistan, has never suffered an attack at home by Islamic extremists.

The Norwegian capital is also a well-known symbol of international peace efforts, home to the Nobel Peace Prize and the birthplace of the 1993 Israeli-Palestinian Oslo Accords. (AFP)

 ISLAMABAD: The new monsoon system has entered Pakistan and it is expected that Karachi and other areas of the country will receive rain during the next 24 hours.

According to the met office, rain is expected in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha and Faislabad from Saturday evening.

In Karachi and other areas of Sindh, rain is expected in the next 24 hours while Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat and Bannu will also receive heavy rainfall.

During the last 24 hours Rawalpindi, Lahore and Gilgit-Baltistan received rain.

 MUMBAI: Finally it's finalised... After many discussions, Kareena Kapoor's avatar for the famous Madame Tussauds museum in London has been decided.

The actress is reported to be waxed in 'Chameli' look, the character for which she was critically acclaimed and the 2003 movie that proved to be a boost in her career.

According to sources, several looks were discussed, but the maximum number of votes went to Kareena's look in 'Chameli', for which she won many awards. Besides, since it's an international forum, they wanted her in Indian wear.

The sources added that the museum officials have taken Bebo's measurements and have been working on her statue. For her role in 'Chameli', B-town's favourite designer Manish Malhotra along with executive producer Rangita Nandy had done the costumes and looks. So it is said that Manish will most probably design Kareen's Tussauds look as well.

Kareena will be flying London in October to unveil her wax statue, sources revealed.

 SUKKUR: IG Sindh, Wajid Durrani said Saturday that the violence, which took place in Katti Pahari over the course of the last few days, was the act of the land mafia, Geo News reported. Speaking to the media at the Sukkur Police Headquarters, Durrani said the police had gained control of Katti Pahari and other troubled areas in Karachi.

He said that 17 target killers had been arrested and they were being interrogated, while several individuals involved in arson attacks had been also arrested and ammunition had been recovered from them. In order to make the Sindh police stronger the President had announced a grant of Rs. 5 billion , Durrani said.

IG police said 10,000 individuals had been included in the police force and an increase of Rs 4,000 would be seen in the salaries of police officials.

PARIS: If a pair of custom made sunglasses is high on your wish list, then Cartier, seems to have something that might get you interested.A stunning and chick sunglasses, dated to the 1980’s, is priced at a whopping $25,000 at Cartier-Paris.

 MUMBAI: In a unique way to promote a film, Bollywood actors Salman Khan’s bodyguard Shera unveiled the dramatic promo of his upcoming movie ‘Bodyguard’.

An emotional Shera, dressed as a bodyguard said he had been working for Khan for the last 15 years and found him acting as a real life bodyguard for his friends and family.

After unveiling of the promo, Khan and Kareena Kapoor joined the event. Khan said that he trusted Shera completely and the film was dedicated to him.

 KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistani Aamir Atlas Khan has reached the final of the Malaysian open squash championship.

Aamir defeated Australian Cameron Pillay 3-1 in their semifinal match. He will play top seeded Frenchmen Gregory Gaultier in the final. Gaultier defeated Alan Cylen 3-0 to reach the finals.

Speaking to Geo News from Kuala Lumpur, Aamir said his performance in the tournament was a result of intense training and expressed hope that he would be successful in winning the final.

The winner of the tournament will receive $ 7,000 prize money.

 KARACHI: The share prices at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) ended flat on Friday as early gains on hopes of healthy corporate results were eroded towards the end amid concerns regarding the law and order situation in Karachi.

At least 10 people were killed and 20 injured in the country's biggest city on Friday as rival groups fought pitched battles in the city's eastern neighbourhoods, police and officials said.

"There was some interest in the morning as investors are expecting healthy results from leading companies, particularly in the fertiliser and banking sectors," said Ashraf Zakaria, a dealer at brokers Ali Hussain Rajabli and Co.

"But the violence in the city resulted in negative sentiment and investors, fearing that it could escalate further over the weekend, offloaded holdings before the close," he said.
The Karachi Stock Exchange's benchmark 100-share index ended 0.02 percent, or 2.01 points, higher at 12,476.77.

During the day, the index touched a high of 12,543.18.

Volume rose sharply to 126.25 million shares from 70.32million on Thursday, but dealers said that did not show a broad interest in the market as 60 million shares were traded in the rights issue of NIB Bank alone. (Reuters)

 OSLO: A bomb killed seven people in Norway's capital Oslo on Friday and a gunman opened fire at a youth camp on an island, police said.

Police said they believed the bombing and the shooting were connected, but could not immediately confirm Norwegian media reports that several people at been killed at the youth camp.

A Reuters witness said several army soldiers had taken up position around the centre of the city.

With police advising people to evacuate central Oslo, apparently in fear of more attacks, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg told Norwegian TV2 television in a phone call that the situation was "very serious". He said that police had told him not to say where he was speaking from.

The bomb ripped through the main government building in the normally sleepy Norwegian capital in mid-afternoon, killing seven people, police said, and injuring many more.

"It exploded -- it must have been a bomb. People ran in panic...I counted at least 10 injured people," said bystander Kjersti Vedun, who was leaving the area of the blast in Oslo.

Shortly afterwards, a gunman opened fire at the island of Utoeya north-west of Oslo, where Stoltenberg's Labour party youth section's annual gathering was taking place.

Daily newspaper VG said on its website a man dressed as a policeman had been shooting wildly and had hit many people.

Norwegian commercial broadcaster TV2 said several people had been killed in the shooting spree.

A Reuters witness said he had seen soldiers taking up positions around central Oslo, while police said they feared there might be explosives at the youth camp.

Violence or the threat of it has already come to the other Nordic states: a botched bomb attack took place in the Swedish capital Stockholm last December and the bomber was killed. (Reuters)

 KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan has stated that situation in Malir is under control and that the Rangers and police have entered Landhi and took control of the area, Geo News reported on Friday.

Wasan was talking to media men following a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari in Bilawal House.

The Sindh Home Minister said to control situation in Karachi would take time. He added that he briefed President Zardari on the prevailing situation.

To a question, he said there should not be blame game in the politics, adding that situation would be controlled with the cooperation of MQM.

 KARACHI: The death toll in the latest wave of violence in the city has climbed to 13, Geo News reported.

After four days of peace, violence returned to the streets of the metropolis when firing erupted between two groups in Malir and Landhi which led to the killing of 13 people, Geo News reported.

Rangers were deployed to Malir to maintain law and order after which the situation in the area improved.

Funeral prayer of two MQM members killed in the above incident was held in Kala Board.

According to police, firing started in Malir on Friday morning and continued for several hours. The firing took place in Naad Ali, Jinnah Square, Khokhrapar, KDA Office, Dak Khana, Liaquat Market, Umar Yasir Soceity, Jafar Tayyar Society and other areas of Malir.

Ten dead bodies and 16 injured were taken to Jinnah Hospital, two dead bodies were shifted to Sindh Government Hospital Malir and one was brought to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

According to rescue sources, bodies of Murtaza and Nadeem were taken to Sindh Government Hospital Malir. Their bodies were later taken from their by their families before completion of medico legal formalities.

In Mohammed Nagar an area located in Landhi 89, firing began Friday morning and one person was killed while two were injured. In the afternoon firing once again started in Landhi and as a result one person was killed while two were injured. According to reports a hand grenade explosion also took place in this area

Muttahida Quami Movement leader Haider Abbas Rizvi said that eight workers were killed during attacks while according to Mohajir Quami Movement leader Khalid Naqshbandi, after nine years of noninterference, four of their workers while returning home were killed in Malir.

Funeral prayer of Murtaza and Akbar of MQM was held today while those of Nadim, Akram and Jamshed will be held tomorrow.

Rangers spokesman Major Bilal Farooq said that after receiving directives from the provincial government a huge contingent of Rangers had arrived in Malir to maintain peace.

 KARACHI: A Leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and former city nazim Mustafa Kamal on Friday said that armed men gunned down MQM workers while entering their houses.

Talking to media after offering funeral prayers of party workers, MQM leader said that armed men shot dead ten people at about 7 am in Malir Saudabad and adjoining areas, adding that armed men had support of ministers.

Mustafa Kamal said that MQM Chief Altaf Hussain appealed to the people to remain calm and abide by law.

He added that Rangers clashed with the armed men and ensured the security of a common people while police did not take any action.