Google phone could arrive next week

Google could be preparing to launch its new mobile phone as early as next week, after the company called a press conference at its Californian headquarters.

Speculation has been rife that the company is planning its own branded phone, known as the Nexus One, as it tries to tempt customers and handset manufacturers into using itsAndroid mobile phone software.Earlier this month it confirmed that employees have been testing the device for some time, with reports suggesting that could be ready to launch early in 2010.

But in an announcement sent to journalists today, the company said it would hold a "press gathering" next Tuesday to showcase Android and demonstrate new products - giving the strongest indication yet that the Nexus One's release could be imminent.

"With the launch of the first Android-powered device just over a year ago, we've seen how a powerful, open platform can spur mobile product innovation - and this is just the beginning," it said.

While plenty of Android handsets have hit the market since Google first launched the software two years ago, the manner in which the Nexus One has come together signals a distinct shift in the company's strategy

In the past, Google has worked alongside partners such as Motorola - offering assistance and advice to mobile makers and networks, but not taking a leading role. This time, however, the phone is being manufactured by Taiwanese technology company HTC - with Google overseeing design and development.

Taking a stronger hand in the development of the Nexus One could help it to push its way into a market already crowded with more established rivals such as Apple's iPhone, the BlackBerry and Nokia.

It is not yet known which networks the Nexus One will be made available on, but there are suggestions that Google could sell the handset direct to customers through its website, and the Guardian has previously reported that the company has held talks with a number of operators -including T-Mobile and Vodafone in the UK - about linking up for the launch.

The event appears carefully timed to spoil announcements from its rivals, as it comes on the eve of the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas - where the world's largest technology companies unveil their forthcoming products and plans.

In particular, the timing will prove an irritant to Google's greatest rival,Microsoft, whose chief executive Steve Ballmer is due to give the opening keynote at CES next Wednesday. With only a day between the two announcements, Google may be hoping to pile the pressure on the company it has targeted as its main competitor.

An early January announcement also gives Google several weeks of breathing room before Apple makes its own major product announcement - believed to be a tablet computer - later in the month.LINK

Karachi market fire still raging

Updated at: 1234 PST, Tuesday, December 29, 2009
KARACHI: The fire on Bolton Market buildings lighted by the enraged people after the suicide blast in central mourning procession, could not be extinguished thus far, Geo News reported Tuesday.

The intense fire caused a potion of the affected building to fall down.

Following the suicide blast yesterday on tenth of Muharramul Haram in the central mourning procession, the over 1100 shops, godowns and offices were gutted.

Also, three banks and over 70 vehicles around MA Jinnah Road were torched.

The inferno at Bolton Market was brought under control after continuous efforts lasting for four hours; however, the blaze soon raged again after some moments. The clouds of smoke are still seen hovering over the markets including Bolton Market.

Meanwhile, a part of two-storey building caved in due to the intense fire. The low-intensity explosions are being heard even today owing to the chemicals housed at some shops.

The security personnel stationed there are trying to keep people off the affected sites.

Meantime, two more vehicles have been set ablaze in Korangi and Pehalwan Goth today’s morning...LINK

Aamir’s lethal burst impresses Waqar, Watson

Waqar predicted that with a bit of “meat’’ on Aamir's thin frame, he could become a great fast bowler. — Photo by AP

MELBOURNE: Pakistan’s pace legend and bowling coach Waqar Younis on Tuesday said he could almost see himself in young tearaway Mohammad Aamir, and predicted that with a bit of “meat’’ on his thin frame, he could become a great fast bowler.

In an exclusive interview to the Sydney Morning Herald, Waqar said he saw many similarities between 17-year-old Aamir and himself after the teenager took 5-79 at the MCG. “Yes the headband, that’s for sure, when I first came in I always used to wear the headband. Of course, he is very young which is a plus, and he’s got all the energy. He can bowl quick, he’s got good rhythm, he’s got things going for him. He’ll learn more over time. I think he needs about a year or two, and he’ll be a real threat.”

“He should keep himself fit, which is very important. He is very skinny, I think he needs some meat on him and once he gets stronger, I think he can go a long way, certainly.”

Australian opener Shane Watson had a running battle with Aamir and said it was very difficult to get going against the left-armer. “It was definitely very difficult to start, there’s no doubt, especially with Aamir bowling the way he was,’’ Watson said. “He’s an extremely good bowler. It’s amazing that he’s only 17, because the pace that he bowls, the skill that he has, he’s able to get the ball to move both ways, he’s got a slower ball, he’s got a good bouncer, and he keeps charging in too.

“He bowled a lot of overs and especially yesterday afternoon-evening he bowled a very good spell of fast bowling and this morning as well. I knew that once he went off it was going to be a lot easier for the guys coming in to be able to start.’’

Aamir has been a revelation in the Melbourne Test and is dubbed as the most exciting young pace prospect in the world, generating speeds up to 152kmh and swinging the ball in either direction.

“It’s a great feeling to get the five-for,’’ Aamir said on Tuesday. “I’ve bowled good spells and been a bit unlucky a few times so it was good to get the wickets this time.

“I’ve felt in good rhythm through this Test and really enjoyed my spells. Australia is a big team and to make a mark here is always important.’’

Aamir claimed the scalps of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey on day three and then ran through Michael Clarke, Marcus North and Brad Haddin on Tuesday.

“That spell he bowled really showed he’s got it in him,’’ said Waqar. “It’s never easy when you bowl a nine-over spell and come back on the fourth afternoon. That shows he’s hungry.’’

—Agencies.......... LINK..........Tags: waqar yunis,Mohammad Aamir,australia,bowling

Delhi faces axe as World Cup venue after match abandoned

Delhi is likely to lose its right to host four World Cup matches after the pitch for Sunday's abandoned game against Sri Lanka was deemed 'unfit'.

By Simon Briggs
Published:

5:59PM GMT 29 Dec 2009

We're off: Kumar Sangakkara leads his Sri Lanka players off the field in Delhi Photo: AFP

Match referee Alan Hurst labelled the Feroz Shah Kotla ground 'unfit' in his post-match report..

Guidelines laid out by the International Cricket Council suggest that any ground guilty of "repeat offences" should face a suspension, which usually lasts 12 or 24 months. And as Delhi had already been warned by ICC officials, who inspected the venue at the beginning of November, heavy penalties are expected to follow.

Sunday's match began with a vivid description from Sunil Gavaskar, the former India opener, who examined the irregular patches of bushy grass and said that the pitch looked as though it had had a hair transplant.

While the ground has produced low scores since the playing surface was relaid last winter, the way the ball misbehaved at the weekend was particularly alarming. It kept leaping unpredictably off a length, striking dangerous blows on the hands and forearms of Sri Lanka's batsmen, and in the 24th over their captain, Kumar Sangakkara, called them back into the dressing room. The score was 83 for five.

Chetan Chauhan, the former India batsman who is vice-president of the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association, launched a counter-attack against Sangakkara's team on Monday, accusing the Sri Lankans of calling the match off because they had been losing.

"Sri Lanka were at 83 for five and that's why they backed out," Chauhan said, while also claiming that he had batted on worse tracks in his own career. "It was the Sri Lankans who chickened out. I agree this was not ideal for international matches but this was neither unplayable or dangerous."

If the fiasco had happened at another of India's major centres, such as Calcutta or Mumbai, one might expect the Board of Control for Cricket in India to throw its weight behind the local cricket association.

But Delhi ranks a long way down the list of priorities for the BCCI. The four matches in question are not major contests in the context of the 2011 World Cup, as only one of them – South Africa v West Indies – involves two serious contenders...........LINK

Pakistan, India to clash on opening day

India and Pakistan have been drawn together in pool B alongside Australia, Spain, England and South Africa.—File photo

NEW DELHI: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will face off on the opening day of field hockey’s World Cup next year, according to the schedule announced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday.

India and Pakistan have been drawn together in pool B alongside Australia, Spain, England and South Africa in the 12-nation tournament to be played in New Delhi from February 28 to March 13.

In other Pool B matches on the first day, South Africa lock horns with Spain and Australia take on England, the FIH said in a press release.

Olympic and World champions Germany will open their defence of the title on March 1 against South Korea.

Germany head pool A, which includes the Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina.

Two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals on March 11 and the final is slated for March 13.

Pool A: Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina.

Pool B: Australia, Spain, England, Pakistan, India, South Africa.

Schedule:

Feb. 28: South Africa v Spain, Australia v England, Pakistan v India
March 1: New Zealand v Canada, Germany v South Korea, Netherlands v Argentina
March 2: South Africa v England, Pakistan v Spain, India v Australia
March 3: Canada v Germany, Argentina v South Korea, New Zealand v Netherlands
March 4: South Africa v Australia, England v Pakistan, Spain v India
March 5: South Korea v New Zealand, Netherlands v Canada, Germany v Argentina
March 6: Australia v Spain, South Africa v Pakistan, England v India
March 7: South Korea v Canada, New Zealand v Argentina, Germany v Netherlands
March 8: Spain v England, Australia v Pakistan, South Africa v India
March 9: Germany v New Zealand, Netherlands v South Korea, Canada v Argentina
March 10: Rest Day
March 11: Clas.11-12 6th Pool A v 6th Pool B, Semi-final 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B, Semi-final 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A
March 12: Clas. 9-10 5th Pool A v 5th Pool B, Clas. 7-8 4th Pool A v 4th Pool B, Clas. 5-6 3rd Pool A v 3rd Pool B
March 13: Bronze medal match, Final.—AFP

LINK

Tags: IHF,world cup 2010,hockey

Pakistan, India to clash on opening day

India and Pakistan have been drawn together in pool B alongside Australia, Spain, England and South Africa.—File photo

NEW DELHI: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will face off on the opening day of field hockey’s World Cup next year, according to the schedule announced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday. India and Pakistan have been drawn together in pool B alongside Australia, Spain, England and South Africa in the 12-nation tournament to be played in New Delhi from February 28 to March 13. In other Pool B matches on the first day, South Africa lock horns with Spain and Australia take on England, the FIH said in a press release. Olympic and World champions Germany will open their defence of the title on March 1 against South Korea. Germany head pool A, which includes the Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina. Two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals on March 11 and the final is slated for March 13. Pool A: Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina. Pool B: Australia, Spain, England, Pakistan, India, South Africa. Schedule: Feb. 28: South Africa v Spain, Australia v England, Pakistan v India March 1: New Zealand v Canada, Germany v South Korea, Netherlands v Argentina March 2: South Africa v England, Pakistan v Spain, India v Australia March 3: Canada v Germany, Argentina v South Korea, New Zealand v Netherlands March 4: South Africa v Australia, England v Pakistan, Spain v India March 5: South Korea v New Zealand, Netherlands v Canada, Germany v Argentina March 6: Australia v Spain, South Africa v Pakistan, England v India March 7: South Korea v Canada, New Zealand v Argentina, Germany v Netherlands March 8: Spain v England, Australia v Pakistan, South Africa v India March 9: Germany v New Zealand, Netherlands v South Korea, Canada v Argentina March 10: Rest Day March 11: Clas.11-12 6th Pool A v 6th Pool B, Semi-final 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B, Semi-final 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A March 12: Clas. 9-10 5th Pool A v 5th Pool B, Clas. 7-8 4th Pool A v 4th Pool B, Clas. 5-6 3rd Pool A v 3rd Pool B March 13: Bronze medal match, Final.—AFP

LINK

Tags: IHF,world cup 2010,hockey

'Excited and happy' Henin reckons Australian Open title is within reach

JUSTINE HENIN considers it ''possible'' she can win the Australian Open in just her third comeback tournament and probable she will become a better player in the second phase of her decorated career than she was in the first.

''I believe I can be a better player, I believe I can use my experience more than in the past,'' Henin said in Brisbane yesterday while preparing for Sunday's start to the Brisbane International, her first tournament in 20 months.

''When you are into [playing tennis at] 200 per cent you have no time to realise it. You are too involved all the time and all this time off helped me to realise everything I achieved. What I can say is I know myself much better and that's the most important thing.''

Henin, 27, arrived in Queensland with her long-time coach Carlos Rodriguez late on Monday night, having last played in Australia almost two years ago.

The Belgian, who believes she has found peace and maturity during her break from the game, practised for an hour yesterday morning on Pat Rafter Arena and admitted she would need time to adjust.

''It is tough - the humidity and the long trip and the jet lag, and I am not used to it any more - but I am very excited and I am here a week before the start of the tournament so I am sure I will have enough time to get ready and be 100 per cent,'' she said.

''I had forgot[ten] how hot it was but, no, it is good, and I hope I can use my experience, but it takes a few days and I have to be patient and take some time not to go too fast. It was pretty hard last night but now it is good and I am excited and happy to be back on the tour. It is a strange feeling but a good one.''

Henin retired 11 days before last year's French Open, where she was the defending champion and would have been the top seed. She announced comeback plans in September and has since played only a handful of exhibition matches, accepting wildcards into the Brisbane and Sydney Internationals before the Australian Open, where betting agencies have installed her as third favourite behind world No.1 Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters.

''I think anything is possible, all the time,'' Henin said. ''I go day after day and I hope I have a good preparation the next two weeks. I don't plan my career on the next three or four weeks - I plan it for the next three or four years now.''

The winner of seven grand slam singles titles - including the 2004 Australian Open among 41 career singles trophies, Henin has said repeatedly that much of her decision to return is related to her desire to achieve the Wimbledon success that has so far proved elusive. LINK

Stuart Broad edges England closer to victory in second Test

• All-rounder's three wickets in 15 balls skittled South Africa

• Ian Bell's 'career-saving' knock built big first-innings lead

Paul Weaver in Durban, guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 29 December 2009 20.10 GMT, Article history

Ian Bell sets off on another run on his way to 141 – his ninth Test century but first for 17 months – as England moved into a commanding position on day four. Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

England's cricketers enjoyed their best day on a foreign field for five years today when they reduced South Africa at one stage to 50 for six, with Stuart Broad taking three wickets for one run in the space of 15 deliveries.

The tourists will resume tomorrow morning within touching distance of victory in the second Test after South Africa closed the fourth day on 76 for six, 156 runs behind England, who declared on 575 for nine.

Broad's extraordinary spell erased his Kingsmead nightmare. It was on this ground in 2007 that he was hit for six sixes in one over by Yuvraj Singh in the inaugural World Twenty20. But today the Nottinghamshire all-rounder stunned South Africa by taking the wickets of the key batsmen Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy. Bizarrely, not one of them offered a stroke.

Graeme Swann also took three wickets to add to the four he claimed in the first innings as the shell-shocked home side crumbled. It added up to England's best day overseas since they beat South Africa in the penultimate Test in Johannesburg five years ago before going on to take the series.

Earlier in the day Ian Bell scored his ninth Test century - his first since July 2008 - to put England in a commanding position, and the Warwickshire batsman said: "The whole day has been exactly what we wanted. [Andrew] Strauss asked us to win the first hour. He told us not to let them get two or three wickets. We did that and moved on. I didn't expect it to go like it did but when you have been in the field for so long, as they were, it can go a little flat and we sensed that. The important thing in the morning was not to let them back in.

"The ball started reversing, which was the key to those three wickets by Broad. If you put the ball in the right place on top of off stump, it's difficult for batsmen. It was a real good display from an improving young bowler again."

Bell said that he had talked to Broad about his Yuvraj experience before the Test. "I sat with him before the game and started joking about that over to him. I don't think anything fazes him. He will keep running in all day and tonight was a great example of how he is maturing all the time. He just seems to shrug things off and the next day is just another day. His height and the length he bowls makes him tricky for any batsmen. He asks questions all the time."

It was Bell's sharp catch at silly point to dismiss Ashwell Prince which started the rout. Swann, England's man of the series to date, went on to take the wickets of all South Africa's top three, bowling Hashim Amla through the gate and finally having the hosts' captain, Graeme Smith, lbw.

Bell's innings had kept South Africa in the field for 170 overs and was described by the opposition fast bowler Dale Steyn as a "career-saving" knock. His last hundred was his 199 against South Africa 17 months ago and Bell said: "I hadn't scored a hundred this year. It was nice to give us enough scoreboard pressure for our bowlers to go out and get six wickets. I knew I needed an innings to save my place. There's talk about whether we play five or six batters. I needed that, there's no doubt about that."

Before play started Paul Collingwood dislocated his left index finger in practice, though a fracture was later ruled out. However tonight it was South Africa who looked in disarray after their batsmen had performed as woefully as their bowlers.......LINK

Pakistan face improbable task on final day

Shane Watson's first test century is a testament to his hard work and mental strength that saw him transform from a crash and bang lower order batsman to a self assured Australian opener. -Photo by AFP

MELBOURNE: Pakistan's bid to script an improbable win in the first test against Australia looked all but over as they ended day four 170-3 with the target still 252 runs away. Pegged on the back foot, the tourists will look to anchor down and salvage a final day draw.

They would, however, take confidence in the fact that two of their most competent batsmen, Mohammad Yousuf and Umar Akmal (easily the most reliable in the side with only three tests under his belt), are at the crease offering gritty resistance. Yousuf stood on an assured 45 off 70 balls while Akmal raced a flowing 27 from 34 balls punctuated with five boundaries. Pakistan's survival and any hopes of sneaking to victory, however slim they may be, will depend on how long the 19-year-old bats.

Before Pakistan found themselves in that precarious position, it was a day of contentment and relief for the home side as Shane Watson, starting the day on 64, registered his maiden test hundred and in the process became the first Australia batsman to score a century since August of 2009.

For Watson, who has been on the brink with scores of 96 and 89 in the recently concluded Frank Worrell Trophy, it wasn't without incident though. For him Santa Claus did not appear out of a chimney but stood at gully in the form of Pakistani fast bowler Abdur Rauf as he played a streaky cut on 99. Rauf, clearly full on mid-break goodies, fell like an oak tree to his right as the ball thudded into the outer portion of his palms before landing on the grass. As Watson completed the single, MCG stood up in ovation, his parents tearful in joy.

The all-rounder stood at an unbeaten 120 as Australia declared at 225-8. Mohammad Aamer was the strikeforce for Pakistan picking up his first five-wicket haul for 79 hard-to-come-by runs. Touching speeds of 150 kph, he easily the most exciting bowler of both the sides. His ability to seam the ball at high pace, coupled with stinging bouncers and well-disguised slower balls earned the praise of the century-maker Watson.

Mohammad Asif was economical and Saeed Ajmal far too quick and flat to get any spin on the ball. The two managed one wicket each.

The target of 422, when Ricky Ponting declared with 45 overs remaining in the day, seemed an uphill task for the Pakistani batsmen. They were soon down in the dumps when the opener Imran Farhat fell in the seventh over with the score on 18. Salman Butt combined with Faisal Iqbal to put on 62 at a healthy rate of just under four an over before the former was trapped LBW by an incoming Mitchell Johnson delivery. Nathan Hauritz rattled Iqbal's off stump with one that turned sharply after hitting a crack. Iqbal scored 48 to add to his first innings score of 15 and his fate it seems likely hangs in the balance if reports suggesting a Younis Khan call up are true.

If the Hauritz square-turner is anything to go by the final day could well see the home side canter to a win. Pakistan will have to better the best fourth-innings total at the MCG to win a match by nearly a 100 runs.

LINK

Tags: pakistan in australia

Millions of Shiite Muslims gather in Iraq for Ashura

Thousands of Shiite Muslims gather at the imam Abbas Shrine in the southern holy city of karbal, 110 km from Baghdad overnight on Dec. 27, 2009, for the climax of the Ashura tradition. The 10-day Ashura rituals commemorates the killing of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, by armies of the caliph Yazid in 680.

Photograph by: Mohammed Sawaf, AFP/Getty Images

KERBALA, Iraq — Millions of Shiite Muslims gathered at shrines and mosques across Iraq on Sunday for the Ashura religious festival while Iraqi forces stood watch against the bloody attacks that have marred past pilgrimages.

Loudspeakers blared traditional Ashura chants across Baghdad and the city of Kerbala, site of the most important shrine where Shi'ites commemorate the slaying of the prophet Mohammad's grandson Hussein in 680 AD.

Saddam Hussein, a Sunni, placed strict limits on the traditional pilgrimage to Kerbala, but since his overthrow in 2003 Ashura has become a show of strength for Iraq's Shiite majority and a prime target of Sunni Islamist insurgents.

Security is especially important ahead of a March 7 national election, with Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki struggling to defend his claim to having quelled violence in Iraq after a spate of devastating bombings in the capital in recent months.

Some 20,000 members of Iraq's security forces formed cordons around Kerbala, vehicles were banned and 1,000 snipers were perched on the roofs of buildings. Troops stood watch with bomb-sniffing dogs and the wands used to detect explosives.

"It was difficult to get in, but it's better than having bombings and lots of victims," said Mohammed Abu Sajad, a pilgrim at Kerbala.

Pilgrims, most dressed in black, thronged the streets leading to Kerbala's golden-domed shrines of Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas, many beating their chests in mourning and chanting accounts of Hussein's death on the battlefield at Kerbala.

For Shi'ites, Hussein's death symbolises confronting tyranny in the face of overwhelming odds. It is also a reminder of the rift with Sunnis, who do not revere Hussein as Shi'ites do, over the prophet Mohammad's succession.

Years of sectarian warfare after the U.S. invasion almost tore Iraq apart.

Despite the tight security there have been sporadic, mostly small-scale attacks on pilgrims in recent days. One roadside bomb killed four pilgrims and wounded 18 in Tuz Khurmato, north of Baghdad, early on Sunday. Another killed two pilgrims and wounded eight in Baghdad on Saturday.

The vast number of pilgrims streaming into Kerbala on foot from across Iraq makes it very difficult to ensure security during Ashura.

Shiite religious gatherings have been occasions of major bloodshed in the past. In 2005, rumours of a suicide bomb attack during a Shiite festival panicked pilgrims on a bridge, and the resulting stampede killed about 1,000 people and clogged the river below with corpses.

LINK

© Copyright (c) Reuters

Mir Hossein Mousavi's nephew 'killed' in Tehran clashes

At least eight Iranian protesters were reported to have been shot dead in Tehran today — including a nephew of the opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi — during the fiercest protests in the capital since the immediate aftermath of June’s hotly disputed presidential election.

The shootings mean that the confrontation between the so-called Green movement and the regime has entered a dangerous and volatile new stage, with the security forces prepared to use lethal force in an increasingly desperate effort to crush a resurgent and emboldened opposition.

A close aide to Mr Mousavi, the former Prime Minister defeated by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the June election, said that his 35-year-old nephew, Ali Mousavi, died in a Tehran hospital after being shot in the chest near Enghelab Square. A reliable opposition website,Parlemannews, also reported his death.

Details of the shootings were sparse, but one of the dead was said to be an elderly man and another a young woman, both killed when the security forces opened fire on the huge crowds of protesters that had gathered in central Tehran for the emotionally charged Shia festival of Ashura.

The Iranian state broadcaster said that about 300 people had been arrested during the protests.

A photograph posted on the internet showed a man with blood pouring from head wounds being dragged away by opposition supporters. Two other demonstrators were reportedly wounded. The shootings of the protesters were the first since June 20.

Another opposition website, Rahesabz, said that the security forces opened fire after failing to disperse the crowds with tear gas, charges by baton-wielding officers and warning shots fired into the air.

"Three of our compatriots were martyred and two were injured in clashes. The reporter who was on the scene said these three were directly shot at by military forces," the website reported. It said the shootings clashes occurred near Enghelab street.

Rahesabz said that a fourth protester was later killed near the junctions of Vali Asr and Enghelab streets. "The people are carrying the body of this martyr and are shouting slogans," it said.

However, one opposition website, Jaras, claimed that some police officers were refusing orders to shoot at protesters. "Some of them try to shoot into air when pressured by their commanders," it said.

Ashura commemorates the 7th-century martyrdom of Imam Hossein, the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, at the hands of the Sunni caliph Yazid.

Today also marks the seventh day since the death of Grand Ayatollah Hussein Ali Montazeri, the opposition’s spiritual leader, which is an important day in Shia mourning tradition.

That coincidence served to heighten passions, and both sides appeared far more aggressive than in other demonstrations of recent months.

The security forces used tear gas, batons, chains as well as live fire while helicopters hovered overhead. Thousands of government supporters staged counter-demonstrations.

During clashes on Saturday, government supporters disrupted a speech that the reformist former President Mohammad Khatami was due to address, and attacked nearby offices used by the family of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Leading members of the family support the opposition.

The demonstrators broke through cordons, blocked streets to thwart motorbike charges by basij militiamen, set alight cars and motorbikes belonging to the militia, caught police officers and stripped them of their uniforms and arms, according to opposition websites.

They chanted slogans comparing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, to the caliph Yazid, an act that was unthinkable until recently, and showed how the protests are no longer against the disputed election but the regime itself. “Yazid will be overthrown", "Hussein, Hussein is our slogan. Being a martyr is our pride” and “Khameini is a murderer — his rule is doomed,” they chanted.

Large protests were also said to be taking place in Shiraz, Isfahan and other cities. Last Monday, the holy city of Qom was convulsed by a huge demonstration to commemorate Montazeri. Opposition activists claim that the unrest is spreading both geographically across Iran, and socially to classes that previously supported President Ahmadinejad.

The regime took down much of the mobile phone network, slowed internet services to a crawl, and banned most foreign journalists from Iran, making corroboration very difficult.LINK

President did not pinpoint anyone: Kaira

ISLAMABAD, Dec 27 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari in his address to PPP workers on second death anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto talked about strengthening state institutions and he (Zardari) did not pinpoint anyone for negative propaganda against the party.Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira Sunday told Express News that President Asif Ali Zardari did not name anyone and talked about non state actors, who are trying to destabilise the system.

PPP lost several workers during the campaign for a independent judiciary, Kaira said adding that President in his address did not even hint about clash of state institutions.

Responding to a question he said, a gang of four journalists, belonging to a giant media group, are hatching conspiracies against the popularly elected government of Pakistan Peoples’ Party. They used to support Taliban.

One such disgruntled journalist was in the forefront for praising Zardari during the election campaign of the president and later was appointed Chairman PTV. Another gang member is the citizen of the United States, the minister said.LINK

Now power crisis to end in the next summer: Pervez Ashraf

By Saleem Chandio
& Bachal Chandio
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that power crisis would be resolved in June/July of coming and there would be no power shortfall in the next summer.
Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Thursday, he said government wants to generate electricity from hydel power, which is a long-term plan. He informed that at present 65 percent of electricity is generated through fuel and the cost will reduce if the same power is generated through hydel source.
“For the time being, to meet the present requirement ’rental power project’ was introduced for short term, which was criticized by people without any consideration,” he said adding audit of the project by ADB and other formalities caused delay in its operation and power crisis could not be resolved on the given schedule.
He was of the view that previous government did not make any concrete measures to resolve electricity crisis and power shortfall. He said planning failure was behind it. He said no dams could be built in past years to save water and generate electricity.
He said IPPs are ready, but there is no gas available to operate them. He further said that gas reduces the cost of power generation by one-third as compared to furnace oil.
He said it is among the priorities of government to resolve power crisis and that the government is already providing subsidy on electricity to provide relief to the people. “The cost of each unit is Rs 8.20-9, whereas it is available to people at Rs 5-5.5,” he said.
Regarding KESC’s performance, he said that the KESC should follow the terms of its agreement and improve its performance. He said excess billing would not be tolerated and action would be taken against any such report.
He said Karachi being a cosmopolitan city is being provided with 700 MW of electricity on daily basis in spite of shortfall all over the country. He said power distribution system in Karachi is very old and it would be modified by 30th June 2010.
He urged people to identify those who steal electricity and said government has initiated drive against power theft in the whole country. He further said that government would clear all its dues to KESC, PEPCO and other related authorities so that all the matters could be resolved.
Earlier, the minister congratulated newly elected body of Karachi Press Club and appreciated that democratic procedure is followed in KPC elections every time. He praised performance of media and said that it has struggled for democracy.
On the occasion, prayer was held for senior journalist Najeeb Ahmed, and for all those who lost their life in attack on Peshawar Press Club.LINK

We support democracy, not the corrupt: Nawaz

Sunday, December 27, 2009
Says govt should have removed NRO-tainted ministers; wants SC verdict implemented in letter and spirit; no support to cut CJ’s tenure

By Muhammad Anis

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said the PPP government should have sought resignations from NRO beneficiaries, who are in the government.

“The government should have moved for getting resignations from NRO beneficiaries following the Supreme Court verdict declaring the NRO as unconstitutional,” Nawaz Sharif said while talking to newsmen after chairing a party meeting here at the Punjab House.

Accompanied by Shahbaz Sharif, Raja Zafarul Haque, Ahsan Iqbal and others, Nawaz Sharif said instead of implementing the Supreme Court verdict the government removed the law secretary.

He made it clear to the government that PML-N support to it and the ongoing democratic system should not be misinterpreted. “Our support to democracy does not mean that the corrupt elements are given a free hand and they are forgiven,” he said.

To a question, Sharif said the PML-N would not support any government move aimed at reducing the tenure of the chief justice of Pakistan. “So far the government has not brought any such move before us but if such a move is initiated, we will not support it,” he said.

He maintained that the PML-N would not offer its support to any unconstitutional and illegal measure. About the impression that the PML-N is playing the role of a friendly opposition, Nawaz Sharif said his party never ignored the blunders and mistakes of the government.

He pointed out that the PPP government should have started implementation of the Supreme Court verdict without waiting for the detailed judgment of the apex court against the NRO.

“The government says it is waiting for the detailed judgment of the Supreme Court. What more does the government want as the SC has given a 17-page judgment,” he said.

He emphasised that the SC decision should be fully implemented and there should be no defiance on it. “The government should have asked the beneficiaries of the NRO to resign and get clearance certificates from the Supreme Court for serving on any post,” he said.

Responding to a question, Nawaz Sharif maintained that there would be no question of not supporting the PPP government if it implemented the Charter of Democracy (CoD), abolished the 17th Amendment, established good governance and implemented the Supreme Court verdict against the NRO in letter and spirit. He stressed that government would have to show sincerity in doing away with 17th Amendment. “What a pity that a dictator gets 17th Amendment passed in a few seconds but the democratic forces have not been able to abolish it in two years,” he lamented.

To a query about the new accountability law, Nawaz Sharif said the PML-N believed that government had got an opportunity to get rid of the 17th Amendment through the Parliament but many other issues including the change of name of NWFP, were clubbed with it causing undue delay. “We parted ways with the PPP government with heavy heart only because the government did not meet the deadline for implementation of CoD and abolition of 17th Amendment,” Nawaz said. After parting ways with the PPP government, the PML-N parliamentarians remained occupying treasury benches in the Parliament with a hope to get positive response from the government. “We opted for opposition benches after getting disappointed,” he added.

He said had the government implemented the CoD and fulfilled other promises made with the PML-N leadership, its popularity graph would have elevated and its credibility improved.

About giving any deadline to the government on implementation of the CoD and taking other measures, Nawaz Sharif said no more deadline as it is time for the government to take practical steps.

He also praised the Supreme Court for taking notice of the written-off loans. “Those who got their loans written off are even more rich and they are living in palaces,” he said.

He told a questioner that democracy was not facing any threat from outside forces but said the undemocratic measures could endanger the democratic process. “I do not feel any danger to democracy from third forces rather undemocratic steps can endanger the process,” he observed.

About the new accountability law, he said the PML-N had forwarded its recommendations to the government in this connection saying it would be more effective law if these recommendations were given consideration.

To a question about meeting President Asif Ali Zardari, he said there is no harm in the meeting but it should be productive and result-oriented.

He said the PML-N meeting also constituted a five-member committee headed by Sartaj Aziz to meet leadership of Awami National Party (ANP) on issue of change in the name of NWFP.

The consultative meeting of party’s senior leaders chaired by Nawaz Sharif also nominated party worker Malik Shakil Awan as PML-N candidate for bye-elections from NA-55 Rawalpindi.

“We have nominated a party worker who hails from middle class for National Assembly seat which reflects that PML-N believes in democratic values,” Nawaz Sharif said.

He said party workers from Rawalpindi were also called to the meeting to decide the nomination and Shakil Awan’s name was approved with consensus.

Online adds: Nawaz Sharif said, “We demand four things from the PPP government. First, the government should act on the Charter of Democracy in true means. Second, the government should repeal 17th Amendment. Third, the government should implement the verdicts of the Supreme Court. Fourth, the government must adopt all the rules of good governance and work for betterment of the nation.”

He said all parties must continue consultations on issues faced by the country. No single party can handle these issues alone, he added. He said the challenges faced by the country are very complicated and unity is needed to face them. All parties need to work together for the betterment of the people and for the development of the country, he said.

Nawaz appreciated the role of Shahbaz Sharif and other CMs for playing vital role in announcing the NFC Award.

Replying to another question, Nawaz said he has strong relationship with Saudi Arabia that is why they keep on meeting each other.LINK

I didn’t write off loans of rich: Musharraf

LONDON: Former president Pervez Musharraf has said he has never written off loan of any rich or influential individual.

He, however, said he had written off loans of the poor, especially those struck by natural calamities. Musharraf stated this on the social networking site, Facebook, while replying to questions.

He said the loans of the poor were written off in drought-hit areas of Balochistan and Sindh in 2000, the earthquake victims in 2005, the flood-hit areas of Balochistan and Sindh in 2006 and as part of the agriculture-reform package for the poor. It was always made sure that this special relief was not availed by well-off individuals. “I have never written off a single loan on an individual basis.” Replying to a question whether he would return to Pakistan or not, Musharraf said he would surely return to the country. The timing, however, is of the essence.

He said his return was mainly dependent on the domestic environment. As far as forming a new party or making an alliance is concerned, one has to be pragmatic. The existing politicians have their importance and a definite role to play. He said he would have to generate direct public support to try something original. He said he believed in a military maxim: “Never reinforce failure.” He said the allegations of handing over Pakistanis to the US were baseless and he did not handed over a single Pakistani to the US or any other foreign country. Those taken by the US were captured in Afghanistan and not given to the US.

“Our policy was clear: Pakistanis will be tried in Pakistan; whereas foreigners will be offered to their own countries first and in case of refusal (which was invariably the case), will be handed over to the US.”LINK

End.

Prime Minister Gilani takes the lead

ISLAMABAD, Dec 27 (APP): It was a diplomatic coup by PM Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in Sharm-el-Shaikh with his Indian counterpart which earned a favourable response from the harsh Indian lobby and led to the de-linking of terrorism as a pre condition for the resumption of composite dialogue between the two nuclear powers. And now once again our unanimously elected Prime Minister has taken the lead. PM Gilani has taken a giant humanitarian step by releasing 100 detained Indian fishermen.

Indeed it is a very timely and commendable gesture which deserves accolades.
It was in the second week of July, 2009, that on the invitation of Pakistan Fishermen Forum (PFF) that I visited Ebrahim Hydri, a fishermen village at Karachi’s coastal area. The event was a reception by PFF in honour of a three-member delegation of Indian peace activists on a visit to Pakistan.
All the speeches and slogans were directed to a pressing issue faced by the fisherman on both sides of the border that they are often harassed, tortured and arrested on charges of crossing the border in the sea.
Mai Bhagi, a 60 years old woman from Rehri, another fisherman village on Karachi coast, was on my right at the stage; she came with a list of four family members who had left for fishing in the sea and never returned home.
“It has been more than 15 years now that they are in Indian jails. Here are the names and details; I beg you to please help me and get them released”, she said while handing over the list to the Indian delegation.
Just two chairs next to her on the stage was Kavita Srivastava, peace activist from Rajasthan in India. She also had a list of Indian fishermen who are in Pakistani jails for years.
“I have also brought a list of Indian fishermen who are in Pakistani jails simply for just crossing into the Pakistani waters by mistake”, she said handing over the list to me.
“When I was leaving India, families of detained fishermen came to me and asked for help; please do something”, she added with tears in her eyes.
Srivastava, though not directly affected, brought the pain of the families of poor Indian fishermen who are suffering as their loved ones languish in Pakistani jails.
She shared how women have been rendered destitute and children stopped from going to school after the bread earners of the family were arrested by Pakistani authorities.
In contrast to Srivastava, we had Mai Bhagi, the one who is directly affected and her pain and agony was brutally visible when she spoke to a crowd of 500 men and women who had gathered to greet the Indian delegation.
“There is not a single adult member in the family.
Our women and children do domestic work to barely survive. We are helpless. It is only a letter once a year, which brings hopes that our loved ones are alive,” she added.
Unfortunately, poor and helpless fishermen from Pakistan and India are arrested by each other’s Maritime Authorities on charges of violation of border in the sea and sent to jail for an indefinite period.
Majeed Motani, a fishermen leader from Ebrahim Hydri gave us a true picture of what exactly happens. Motani along with ten other fishermen went on a fishing trip. Unable to catch fish in the nearby waters, they went deep into the sea, two days had passed, tired, they went to sleep. On the third night they woke up to shouts and screams and found themselves surrounded by Indian navy boats.
Next day they were in a jail in India.
“We did not know whether we crossed the border or we were arrested from Pakistani waters. There is no demarcation, how could we find that we have crossed the Pakistani waters,” lamented Motani.
And then he broke into tears to share the heavy price he and his colleagues had to pay by languishing in Indian jails for two years.
Motani was amongst the few lucky ones who got back in two years while many others still languish in Indian jails.
In any other part of the world this issue would have been simple. Fishermen violating sea borders would have been given verbal warnings and they would have just moved their boats back. Maximum they would have been arrested and released on the very next day.
Unfortunately, in the case of India and Pakistan, these poor fishermen fall victim to political hostilities between the two countries. These hostilities are now six decades old and have achieved nothing except sufferings for the common people.
It is the complicated State policy in such matters which make things difficult and often even people like me who are part of the government fail to understand the logic behind all such actions.
Once arrested these detained fishermen spend their time in misery and deprivation. They live in isolation as there is no channel of communication as their families have no means of knowing as to what happened to their loved ones.
They are at the mercy of the jail officials. In short they are treated like war criminals.
Strained relations between two rival countries have contributed so negatively that even those fishermen who have completed their sentences in jails cannot get back to their respective countries for years.
The lengthy process is that the two countries will first agree on a list of people in each other’s jails and then the exchange of prisoners will be on an equal number basis. This means that India will release only 50 people if the number of Indian prisoners released by Pakistan is 50 regardless of the number of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.
Undoubtedly, this is an inhuman act particularly when no fishermen arrested by both the countries during all these years have ever been proved guilty of any heinous crime.
Time has come to think about this issue seriously and find a just, humane and permanent solution of the problem. If it is difficult to work out a solution within the legal frame work of the two countries then the United Nations convention on sea laws can be taken as a guiding principle.
It is in the interest of both India and Pakistan that they safeguard the rights of their citizens specially the poor and marginalized fishermen.
In Ibrahim Hydri all demands were directed to me both from Indian delegates as well as from Pakistani civil society representatives who requested that I take up this issue with the federal government.
Subsequently I passed on the message to the highest authority.
Similarly Srivastava also promised to deliver Mai Bhagi’s message to the Indian government. We decided to stand up together to promote peace, harmony and to stand up against the forces of hatred and enmity in order protects the rights of our poor fishermen.
Prime Minister Gilani deserves highest praise for taking such a humanitarian initiative of releasing Indian fishermen.
It is not only a gesture of goodwill but he has set an example of humane treatment in accordance with our Islamic faith which teaches compassion.
This worthy action will no doubt act as a confidence building measure between India and Pakistan.
It is now time for India to reciprocate with equal magnanimity and release our Pakistani fishermen suffering in Indian Jails for decades. LINK