Who do we talk to in Pakistan, asks Modi

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday pointed to the ?multiple power centres? in Pakistan to explain New Delhi?s difficulty in drawing a ?Lakshman rekha? (red line) for talks with Pakistan.

?The first thing is that with whom in Pakistan will you decide the ?Lakshman rekha? -- with the elected government or with other actors? So India will have to be alert and conscious all the time. There should not be any laxity and negligence,? Modi said in an interview with an Indian news channel.

He was responding to a question about what the ?Lakshman rekha? for holding talks with Pakistan should be. At different times, India has linked the progress of talks to action by Pakistan against the planners of 2008 Mumbai attacks as well as on an airbase in Pathankot earlier this year. In 2014, the NDA government had said talks should only be between the two governments, leaving out the Kashmiri separatist group, the Hurriyat.

Modi, however, clarified that New Delhi will continue to engage with the civilian government in Pakistan. ?Look, there are different types of forces operating in Pakistan. But the government only engages with a democratically elected system. Our effort for that engagement is continuing,? he said.

He said because of his consistent efforts like the visit to Lahore or inviting the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to New Delhi for his 2014 inaugural that he no longer has to convince the world either about India?s stand on terrorism or its willingness to engage with its neighbour.

?The world in one voice is praising India?s role. Pakistan is finding it difficult to answer. The world is watching. If we remain an obstacle then we will have to convince the world that we are not like this,? he said.

?Earlier the world would not buy India?s stand on terrorism and sometime it would even treat it as a law and order problem. Now the whole world is accepting what India says on terrorism? I believe India will have to continue putting forth its view on this matter.?

But opposition parties have described Modi?s foreign policy as inconsistent at best and ?tamasha? at worst, especially after the prime minister?s diplomacy failed to break China?s resistance to India?s effort to become a member of the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG). Pakistan?s refusal in April to host an Indian team probing the Pathankot airbase attack also triggered charges that Modi had played into the hands of Islamabad.

Modi said India will continue to make efforts to enter the NSG, undeterred by the failure to make it into the club last week. ?Everyone attempted and we also attempted to be a member of the NSG group. We will keep trying, and things have started on a positive note. All the things will be according to the due procedure,? Modi said.

Asked about China?s objections to India?s NSG bid, Modi said: ?There have been talks with China and in future also the talks should continue... There have been times when China has differed on several issues and even India has differed on several issues.?

-Originally appeared in The News

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Anti-terror laws to be extended for two years

ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry has decided to extend for two years the Anti-Terrorist Act and the Protection of Pakistan Act, the two laws that are meant to counter terrorism in the country.

The president endorsed these two laws on January 7, 2015. A summary for an extension of these two laws has been sent to the prime minister. A final approval in this regard will be sought from parliament.

Under the Protection of Pakistan Act, the Rangers, police and law enforcement institutions can shoot terror suspects, keep them in custody for 90 days and put suspect from a certain province on trial anywhere in the country.

Parliament has approved these two laws giving special powers to the Rangers, police and other law enforcers to achieve success in the war against terrorism. These laws were implemented for two years.

In the light of the National Action Plan (NAP), law enforcers have been active to counter terrorism in Karachi under these two laws. The Anti-Terrorism Act lapsed on June 15 and Protection of Pakistan Act is set to lapse on July 15.

Sources said that if parliament does not approve these laws, they will be enforced through a presidential ordinance.

-Originally appeared in The News

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Edhi to undergo surgery at SIUT today

Karachi: Thoughts, prayers and visits poured in from all corners of the country after the news of renowned humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi?s surgery, scheduled for today, was announced by his son Faisal Edhi, on Sunday.

Edhi's son while appealing for prayers for his father informed that he is to undergo a kidney operation, at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant (SIUT), under the supervision of Dr Adib Rizvi.

Among those who visited in person to inquire after his health were Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani and Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid.

Rabbani during his visit directed all concerned authorities to ensure Edhi was provided with all facilities required for his treatment to be successful.  

Visiting the humanitarian on directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Rashid expressed his best wishes and prayed for his early recovery.

Speaking to media personnel following the visit, he observed that Edhi had selflessly served humanity to an extent that his services would remain unmatched for years to come.

Senator Nihal Hashmi and Marvi Memon also accompanied Rashid on the occasion.

Faisal thanked all those concerned including Aseefa Bhutto Zardari who had met with Edhi a week ago.

Referring to Edhi?s refusal from accepting Pakistan People?s Party (PPP) Senator Rehman Malik?s offer of sponsoring his treatment abroad, Faisal said the entire family was humbled by the gesture but they were satisfied with the treatment the philanthropist was receiving at the SIUT.

?Dr Adib Rizvi is like family to us,? he added.  Edhi had during Malik?s visit to the Edhi Foundation, on June 10, had politely declined former president Asif Ali Zardari?s offer for treatment abroad in favour of treatment in Pakistan. The man who many claim restored their faith in humanity was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2013, but had not been able to receive a transplant; he had since been on dialysis.

 

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PPP files reference in ECP to disqualify Prime Minister

KARACHI: The Pakistan People?s Party has filed a 1000-page reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan, calling for the disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Speaking to the media on Monday the party?s general secretary Latif Khosa said that Nawaz Sharif had defaulted Rs6 billion when he filed his nomination papers in the ECP in 2013.

Speaking about the document that the party had submitted in the ECP he said that it held details of all of the prime minister?s hidden assets since 1985.

He said that the opposition had given the prime minister time to hold himself accountable since April 3. "But the government does not want an investigation on the prime minister."

He added that the parliamentary committee which the government is insisting on is just a move to buy time.

He said that it was the duty of the ECP to disqualify candidates who are not honest and truthful.

Khosa stressed that they were also presenting themselves for accountability. ?If Rehman Malik has been named in the Panama Leaks he should be probed too.?

Responding to the issue, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz said that it was geared up for the battle which lay ahead. PML-N parliamentarian Talal Chaudhry said, "The PPP had filed a reference to hide its own faults. We are prepared for a legal battle."

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India holding back progress on Indo-Pak cricket revival: Shahryar Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shahryar Khan believes that India is holding back progress on the Pak-India series saying he hopes the political atmosphere improves and cricket relations can be build-up once again.

Shahryar said PCB signed an agreement in which it agreed to the idea of the Big 3?s influence on world cricket in 2014 with the clear understanding that India would play six series with us over a period of eight years.

?These series would have been played in India or a mutually agreed venue in a third country. The BCCI told PCB that they needed permission from the Indian government for these series and PCB agreed to wait for that but that permission never came through.

?PCB even agreed to play India in Sri Lanka back in December but even that permission was not forthcoming from the Indian side and as a result, the series didn?t happen. It also showed that India had not met PCB's conditions for accepting the Big 3 formula,? said PCB Chairman

?Pakistan government has never created any hurdles to this series and even at the time of the World Twenty20 when all sorts of threats were being made Pakistan team still participated in the tournament. It is the Indian government which is holding back progress on this series,? Pakpassion.net quoted him as saying.

Speaking about the lack of international cricket in Pakistan Shahryar said we will be presenting our case in the International Cricket Council (ICC) conference in a few days time.

?The crux of the problem is that we cannot play home series against international sides which is denigrating towards us. We intend to propose that as we cannot play series at home and we are obliged to hire expensive venues in other countries, therefore, the ICC should help us overcome this problem. Let?s see how the ICC reacts to it and whilst they may be receptive to the idea whether a formula emerges to compensate us for this expenditure is yet to be seen,? he said.

Talking about Test skipper Misbah ul Haq Shahryar said Misbah has been a wonderful and a very successful captain.

?We are ranked number three in the Test rankings but we are way down in limited-overs rankings. I am hopeful that Misbah will lead the team on a successful tour and despite his age, we don t see signs of a decline in his fitness and his capacity to play cricket. I will do everything I can to ensure Misbah carries on playing for and captaining Pakistan. Misbah and Younis Khan are the two fittest men in our young team. I hope this tour will be a successful one and Misbah will be ready to carry on his duties as Test team captain against Australia and West Indies etc,? he said.

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Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football

Lionel Messi has said that he is to retire from international soccer after Argentina were beaten 4-2 by Chile in a penalty shootout in the Copa America final on Sunday, the fourth final the Barcelona striker has lost with the national side.

Messi, a five times World Player of the Year, missed Argentina's opening penalty in the shootout after the game ended 0-0 and he was shown in tears while sitting in the team dugout.

"It's tough, it's not the time for analysis," he said. "In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it's not for me.

"That's the way I feel right now, it's a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important.

"I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. But it didn't happen. I couldn't do it."

The decision by the 29-year-old, who surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as his country's highest goalscorer last week, came as a shock to his team mates, who said they hoped his decision was not irrevocable.

Sergio Aguero, Messi's best friend on the team, said he had never seen the mood in the dressing room so low while goalkeeper Sergio Romero suggested he might rethink his decision.

"I think Leo spoke in the heat of the moment because we missed that great chance," said Romero.

Messi, widely held to be the greatest player of his generation, has won every trophy possible at club level with Barcelona, though his only titles with Argentina were the Under-20 World Cup and the 2008 Olympics.

He has played in three Copa America finals in 2007, 2015 and 2016 and the 2014 World Cup final, and was on the losing side every time. Argentina failed to score in all four matches.

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Youm-e-Ali observed across the country amid tight security

KARACHI: Youm-e-Ali was observed across the city to mark the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (RA) and processions were taken out amid strict security.

In Karachi, the MA Jinnah road was blocked for traffic and police was deployed on the route of the Youm-e-Ali procession.

Over 9,630 police personnel and officers were deployed across the city to protect the participants of the processions and Majalis.

The main procession in Karachi was taken out from Nishtar Park and which ended at Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.

Inspector General Police (IGP) Sindh AD Khawaja on Sunday directed police to make foolproof security measures in the Sindh province on the eve of Youm-e-Ali (RA).

According to Sindh police spokesperson, AD Khowaja directed all DIGs and SSPs to ensure effective security arrangements for the processions of Youm-e-Ali.

The spokesperson added that measures had been taken for the security of 650 Imambargahs in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Larkana and Shaheed Benazirabad. The IGP directed the relevant officers to check the suspected vehicles at highways and set up blockades at entry and exit points of the city.

Meanwhile, Karachi police apprised the IGP that 834 Majalis will be held and 122 processions will be taken out from different areas of the city on Youm-e-Ali.

In Lahore, the main procession emerged from Imambargah Mubarak Haveli and passed through Sunehri Masjid, Rang Mahal, Saeed Mitha, Tibbi City and end at Bhati Gate.

Over 5000 policemen guided the route of the procession.

Walk-through gates were installed at entry points, and participants are being checked at multiple spots.

CCTV cameras were installed to monitor the procession.

 

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LEAs beef up Karachi security, arrest 19 suspects in raids

KARACHI: The law enforcement personnel in a series of raids on Monday arrested at least 19 people including two facilitators of terrorists and two extortionists from Karachi.

Following the recent wave of terror in the city, police and Rangers increased their activities against terrorist elements.

A week after the kidnapping of Chief Justice Sindh High Court Sajjad Ali Shah?s son, DIG South gave orders for the suspension of Station House Officer Clifton Nadeem Ahmed.

The law enforcement personnel raided a house in Ranchor Line from where they arrested a person named Wasim Qadri. The suspect was then taken to a secret location for further interrogation.

Wasim Qadri is the elected vice chairman of the Union Council of a political party. The reasons for taking Wasim into custody were not disclosed.

The Counter Terrorism Department personnel conducted a search operation in the SITE area and arrested two suspects.

Incharge CTD Khurram Waris said that the suspects were involved in assistance of injured terrorists. The under custody suspects reportedly belong to Afghanistan.

Police also conducted a search operation in Saddar?s Preddy area and arrested five suspects during investigation of various routes from where the procession of Youm-i-Ali will pass through.

Khokhrapar police arrested three suspects involved in street crimes.

Near Jhanda Chowk in Liaquatabad, Rangers in a search operation arrested three suspects and shifted them to unknown place.

In Malir?s Saudabad area, police arrested two suspects involved in extorting traders, whereas, four suspects were taken into custody over street crimes and drug trafficking allegations.

 

 

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Rise of the machines: Pakistani roboteers hunt global soccer glory

ISLAMABAD: The little striker wearing a crescent moon and star jersey lines up his penalty and kicks right, netting his goal as the keeper dives the wrong way and hits the ground yelping in pain.

Both players are teammates practising to represent Pakistan in a major world football tournament. 

Unlike their low-ranked flesh-and-blood counterparts, however, these are advanced robots whose programmers are set to compete against students from the world's top universities as they look to showcase what their country can do in the world of Artificial Intelligence.

Students at Pakistan's National University of Science and Technology (NUST) will this year for the first time send a team to the annual RoboCup, an event featuring 32 universities that will be held in Leipzig, Germany from June 27 to July 4.

The six machines are NAO humanoid robots purchased from France's Aldebaran Robotics at a cost of roughly $17,000.

It is in fact the third year that NUST, Pakistan´s premier engineering institute, has qualified for the prestigious cup. 

But a lack of travel funds has meant their dream of representing their country on the world stage had to be placed on hold -- until now.

"Our dream came true this year when the university managed to allocate 1.5 million rupees ($14,336) for the team´s travel to Germany," Dr Yasar Ayaz, head of the department of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence told AFP. 

The amount is enough only for three students instead of all 10 involved in the project to travel to Germany and participate in the event, and the university is still hoping to close the gap with funding from sponsors. 

"We are not disheartened...something is better than nothing," Ayaz said.

Pakistani students and team members of Robotics and Intelligence Systems Engineering (RISE) programme their robot football players in the engineering department of the National University of Sciences and Technology in Islamabad

Beating humans 

The first robot football league was started in 1993 by a group of Japanese researchers and named the Robot J-League, after the Japanese professional league.

Following a surge of outside interest, the initiative was extended into an international project and the Robot World Cup Initiative, or "RoboCup", was conceived.

The first edition was held in Osaka in 1996. Its stated aims: "By the middle of the 21st century, a team of fully autonomous humanoid robot soccer players shall win a soccer game, complying with the official rules of FIFA, against the winner of the most recent World Cup."

For the time being, however, that goal appears a long way off. 

Students tap away at their laptops in their university lab, programming their code. Zain Murtaza, who leads the ten-member team, sets up the cute robots on their nine-by-six feet pitch, and the action begins.

Each robot has two cameras on their faces guiding their movements. "The cameras take pictures and feed them to the computers installed inside, which help them decide about their movements and recognise movements of the other players," Ayaz explains.

They walk around the field with short staccato movements, pulling their legs back like a golfer lifts his club before unleashing an ungainly kick that sends the plastic orange ball rolling along the floor.

Mishaps and tumbles are frequent, and the process makes for awkward viewing. 

Humans are allowed to make minor interventions, but the robots´ movements are entirely their own, with results hinging on how cleverly the machines are programmed to carry out their roles.

The work is a labour of love for the Pakistan team.

"This is a whole new world... I want to teach robotics to students and to tell them how interesting it is to interact with the robots," says Murtaza, who has completed his Masters in the subject and has plans to complete a doctorate.

"These are my babies," he adds.

Autonomous future? 

Pakistan's progress in the field of AI mirrors its advancement in the IT sector, where the South Asian giant of 200 million people is considered a mid-tier player -- particularly for software outsourcing.

Cheap labour, a relatively well-educated middle-class that speaks English and has access to markets in North America helped exports grow to $2.2 billion in the fiscal year 2014.

According to Ayaz, advancements in AI could also prove valuable to Pakistan´s small manufacturing base, in addition to being the next major area of scientific research.

Earlier this month Internet giant Google announced it was setting up a dedicated AI research group to focus on machine learning -- a field of computer science that gives computers the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed.

Elsewhere, automakers like Honda are devoting resources to develop autonomous driving technologies.

Computing is also a field where increasing numbers of Pakistani women, who have traditionally steered clear of science and technology jobs, see a future for themselves.

"There are a lot of prospects for us to excel in the field of robotics as we pursue higher studies in this subject," Asma Ashfaq, one of four female members of the ten-strong team.

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10 wounded in California stabbing at neo-Nazi rally

SAN FRANCISCO: Ten people were wounded after a stabbing spree broke out during a neo-Nazi rally Sunday at California´s state capitol building, officials said.

The white supremacist rally was met by counter-protesters, Sacramento Fire Department spokesman Chris Harvey told AFP.

One female and 9 male patients had "multiple stab and laceration wounds," the fire department said on Twitter. It was unclear to which group the wounded, who ranged in age from 19 to 58, belonged.

Of those injured, at least two were in critical condition, Harvey said.

The stabbing spree broke out when some 25 neo-Nazis, who had permission to protest on the capitol´s west steps, clashed with more than 150 anarchists and "anti-fascist" counter-protesters, the Sacramento Bee newspaper reported.

Videos and photos posted online showed the crowd grow violent, with some members swinging what appeared to be wood clubs, while others hurled rocks.

Crowd members helped an injured and bloody black man lying on the sidewalk in a video posted online by the Bee.

Two white men with blood dripping down their shaved heads were escorted by police in footage taken by CNN.

Emergency responders received a call to the scene just before noon (1900 GMT).

The event was staged by a white-supremacist, anti-immigration group called the Traditionalist Worker Party.

A sister organization, the Golden State Skinheads, said online ahead of the rally that members would "stand our ground if forced to that point."

After the protest Traditionalist Worker Party leader Matthew Heimbach said in a statement broadcast by CNN that "the anti-fascists used knives, bottles, bricks and chunks of concrete they broke off a construction site."

"When they attacked, our men defended themselves to be able to drive the attackers off," he said.

Protesters had cleared the capitol lawn by mid-afternoon, the Sacramento Fire Department said.

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Prime Minister to return on July 10: sources

LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to return to Pakistan on July 10, sources told Geo News.

The prime minister went to London for an open heart surgery on May 31. He is recuperating from his illness.

The PM during his time in London had conducted important meetings via video link. He had approved the fiscal budget for the year 2016-2017 via video link  from the Pakistani High Commission in London.   

Earlier, federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had also hinted that Prime Minister Nawaz would be back in the last ten days of the month of Ramazan. 

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'Finding Dory' Drowns Out Disappointing 'Independence Day: Resurgence'

LOS ANGELES: "Finding Dory" showed plenty of box office staying power with $73.2 million in an otherwise modest weekend at the North America box office as "Independence Day: Resurgence" invaded with a disappointing $41.6 million.

A week after energizing the summer season, Disney/Pixar's "Finding Dory" declined only 46% and generated the eighth-highest second weekend of all time, edging "Captain America: Civil War." It's also the best second weekend for an animated title.

"Finding Dory," the sequel to 2003's "Finding Nemo," is already the sixth-highest domestic grosser of 2016 after ten days with $285.6 million -- less than $100 million short of the final total for "Nemo."

Fox's "Independence Day: Resurgence" finished about 20% below recent forecasts, which had pegged the sequel to match the $50 million opening weekend from the 1996 original. It edged "Kung Fu Panda 2" as the eighth-largest opening of 2016.

"Resurgence" brought back the same fearsome aliens from the original, again bent on destroying the Earth. Will Smith, who broke out in the original, did not return to battle the invaders although Bill Pullman, Vivica Fox and Jeff Goldblum reprised their characters with newcomers Liam Hemsworth and Jessie Usher coming on board.

Attendees were 58% male with 64% over 25. "Resurgence" generated a B Cinemascore.

Roland Emmerich returned to the director's chair to helm the $165 million tentpole, which will require strong performances from international markets to become profitable. "Resurgence" took in $102 million from 57 markets in a day-and-date rollout for much of the world.

Blake Lively's shark tale "The Shallows" performed above forecasts with a $16.7 million launch for Sony while Matthew McConaughey's historical drama "Free State of Jones" started quietly with $7.8 million for STX.

Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst with comScore, said that the overall weekend was nearly identical in total box office gross to the same weekend a year ago when "Jurassic World" and "Inside Out" dominated the multiplex.

"The great continued performance by 'Finding Dory' bolstered a very mixed set of results for the remaining films in the Top 10," he noted. "There was good news for one of the newcomers as Sony's 'The Shallows' benefited from great reviews and social media buzz to creep up silently like a shark and surprised everyone with its performance."

The weekend results underline how dominant Disney has been in 2016 with "Captain America: Civil War," "The Jungle Book" and "Zootopia" all topping the $340 million mark after "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" generated massive holdover grosses in January.

For its part, Fox generated a surprise smash with "Deadpool" taking in $363 million domestically and solid returns from "X-Men: Apocalypse" -- which brought in $2.5 million in its sixth weekend to lift its domestic total to $151 million.

"The Shallows," which centers on Lively's bikini-clad character battling for survival in a shark's feeding ground, generated a B+ Cinemascore and nearly matched its modest $17 million price tag. Sony distribution chief Rory Bruer said the social outreach campaign had been effective.

"We were able to convey that this is a movie that has you on the edge of your seat and is both fun and scary," he added.

"The Shallows" finished a close fourth behind New Line/Universal's second weekend of "Central Intelligence," which declined 48% to $18.4 million. The Kevin Hart-Dwayne Johnson action-comedy has topped $69 million in 10 days.

"Free State of Jones," starring McConaughey as the leader of a rebellion against the Confederacy, came in fifth and finished below forecasts. It cost $50 million to make but STX's exposure is under $10 million.

New Line's third weekend of "The Conjuring 2" grossed $7.7 million to finish in sixth with a total of $86.9 million. Lionsgate's third frame of "Now You See Me 2" took in $5.7 million to bring its total to $52.1 million.

Broad Green's release of Amazon's "Neon Demon," starring Elle Fanning in a dreamlike fashion world film, generated little traction with $606,574 at 783 locations -- a limp $783 per screen average.

A24 saw an impressive opening for its offbeat "Swiss Army Men," starring Daniel Radcliffe, with $114,000 at three sites.

LOS ANGELES: "Finding Dory" showed plenty of box office staying power with $73.2 million in an otherwise modest weekend at the North America box office as "Independence Day: Resurgence" invaded with a disappointing $41.6 million.

A week after energizing the summer season, Disney/Pixar's "Finding Dory" declined only 46% and generated the eighth-highest second weekend of all time, edging "Captain America: Civil War." It's also the best second weekend for an animated title.

"Finding Dory," the sequel to 2003's "Finding Nemo," is already the sixth-highest domestic grosser of 2016 after ten days with $285.6 million -- less than $100 million short of the final total for "Nemo."

Fox's "Independence Day: Resurgence" finished about 20% below recent forecasts, which had pegged the sequel to match the $50 million opening weekend from the 1996 original. It edged "Kung Fu Panda 2" as the eighth-largest opening of 2016.

"Resurgence" brought back the same fearsome aliens from the original, again bent on destroying the Earth. Will Smith, who broke out in the original, did not return to battle the invaders although Bill Pullman, Vivica Fox and Jeff Goldblum reprised their characters with newcomers Liam Hemsworth and Jessie Usher coming on board.

Attendees were 58% male with 64% over 25. "Resurgence" generated a B Cinemascore.

Roland Emmerich returned to the director's chair to helm the $165 million tentpole, which will require strong performances from international markets to become profitable. "Resurgence" took in $102 million from 57 markets in a day-and-date rollout for much of the world.

Blake Lively's shark tale "The Shallows" performed above forecasts with a $16.7 million launch for Sony while Matthew McConaughey's historical drama "Free State of Jones" started quietly with $7.8 million for STX.

Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst with comScore, said that the overall weekend was nearly identical in total box office gross to the same weekend a year ago when "Jurassic World" and "Inside Out" dominated the multiplex.

"The great continued performance by 'Finding Dory' bolstered a very mixed set of results for the remaining films in the Top 10," he noted. "There was good news for one of the newcomers as Sony's 'The Shallows' benefited from great reviews and social media buzz to creep up silently like a shark and surprised everyone with its performance."

The weekend results underline how dominant Disney has been in 2016 with "Captain America: Civil War," "The Jungle Book" and "Zootopia" all topping the $340 million mark after "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" generated massive holdover grosses in January.

For its part, Fox generated a surprise smash with "Deadpool" taking in $363 million domestically and solid returns from "X-Men: Apocalypse" -- which brought in $2.5 million in its sixth weekend to lift its domestic total to $151 million.

"The Shallows," which centers on Lively's bikini-clad character battling for survival in a shark's feeding ground, generated a B+ Cinemascore and nearly matched its modest $17 million price tag. Sony distribution chief Rory Bruer said the social outreach campaign had been effective.

"We were able to convey that this is a movie that has you on the edge of your seat and is both fun and scary," he added.

"The Shallows" finished a close fourth behind New Line/Universal's second weekend of "Central Intelligence," which declined 48% to $18.4 million. The Kevin Hart-Dwayne Johnson action-comedy has topped $69 million in 10 days.

"Free State of Jones," starring McConaughey as the leader of a rebellion against the Confederacy, came in fifth and finished below forecasts. It cost $50 million to make but STX's exposure is under $10 million.

New Line's third weekend of "The Conjuring 2" grossed $7.7 million to finish in sixth with a total of $86.9 million. Lionsgate's third frame of "Now You See Me 2" took in $5.7 million to bring its total to $52.1 million.

Broad Green's release of Amazon's "Neon Demon," starring Elle Fanning in a dreamlike fashion world film, generated little traction with $606,574 at 783 locations -- a limp $783 per screen average.

A24 saw an impressive opening for its offbeat "Swiss Army Men," starring Daniel Radcliffe, with $114,000 at three sites.

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At least 8 killed, over 24 injured in Khuzdar bus accident

KHUZDAR: At least eight people were killed and 24 injured on Monday in a bus accident on National Highway in Balochistan?s Khuzdar, Levies sources said.

According to the sources, more than 24 people were wounded in the accident.

The bus was en route to Karachi from Quetta, sources said.

 

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Bilawal holds emergency meeting in Karachi

KARACHI: Chairman Pakistan People?s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the security situation of the city.

The meeting held at Bilawal House was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, provincial interior minister and the IG Sindh police A D Khwaja.

The police IG briefed Bilawal over the Karachi operation, sources said.

The party chairman was briefed over investigation for Owais Ali Shah?s kidnapping and the murder of Amjad Sabri, sources said.

Last week prominent qawwal Amjad Sabri was gunned down in the city's Liaquatabad area while the son of Sindh High Court's Chief Justice, Owais Ali Shah was kidnapped from the city's posh Clifton area. 

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Pakistan would not accept Indian dictation over Kashmir: Aziz

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affair Sartaj Aziz on Monday said that Pakistan would not accept Indian dictation over the issue of Kashmir, adding that the government was exploring ways to completely expose network established by ?Research Analysis Wing (RAW) agent? Kalbhushan Yadav.

Talking to newsmen in Islamabad, he said that security establishment in all democratic countries is taken on board while making country?s foreign policy.

?Like USA, we also take our security establishment on board?, said Aziz.

He said that Pakistan would not accept Indian dictation over the issue of Kashmir; however, the country does not want tensions on Line of Control (LOC).

To a question the adviser said, Kashmir will top the agenda of dialogue with India.

'Pakistan was exploring ways to completely expose network established by Kalbhushan Yadav,' said Foreign Advisor.

In March, Yadav was arrested from Balochistan by security forces.

He later confessed to being an Indian agent sent to Pakistan in order to destabilize the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Talking about the CPEC, Aziz said that Pakistan and China would ensure full implementation of the projects.

He said Pakistan has strengthened its relations with China and Central Asian states.

Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan's membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a major achievement of foreign policy.

'Peaceful neighborhood is the vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,' he said.

He pointed out peace in Afghanistan is one of the priorities of the present government and added that Pakistan is continuing with the policy of non-interference in Afghanistan.

Sartaj Aziz said border management is being strengthened with Afghanistan to check illegal border crossings.

He said now Afghan nationals will not be allowed to enter Pakistan without valid documents.

Foreign Advisor said the two countries have agreed on to prepare a mechanism for an amicable solution of issues.

He said the incumbent government has chalked out a comprehensive policy against terrorism.

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Erdogan apologises to Putin over downed jet: Kremlin

MOSCOW: Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has apologised to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over Ankara´s downing of a Russian military jet last year that shattered ties, the Kremlin said Monday.

"The head of the Turkish state in his message expressed his sympathy and deepest condolences to the family of the dead Russian pilot and said sorry," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He added that Erdogan said he wanted to do "everything possible for the restoration of the traditionally friendly relations between Turkey and Russia."

The Kremlin then released a statement citing Erdogan as saying Ankara "never had the desire and the intention" to down the Russian jet.

"I want to once again express my sympathy and deep condolences to the family of the dead Russian pilot and I say sorry," the statement quoted Erdogan as saying.

Turkey´s downing in November of the warplane on its border with Syria -- where Moscow is flying a bombing campaign in support of long-standing ally President Bashar al-Assad -- sparked an unprecedented crisis in the two nations´ relations.

Ankara had argued that the Russian plane strayed into its airspace and ignored repeated warnings, but Russia insisted it did not cross the border and accused Ankara of a "planned provocation."

According to the Kremlin, Erdogan also said that authorities were probing a Turkish national allegedly responsible for the downing of the jet.

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Sabri murder, kidnapping of Owais Shah reflect frustration of terrorists: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan on Monday said that the assassination of renowned Qawwal Amjad Sabri and kidnapping of Owais Ali Shah, son of Chief Justice Sindh High Court Sajjad Ali Shah in Karachi reflect the frustration of the terrorists, adding that politicizing these events was not in favour of Pakistan.

During a press conference in Islamabad, Nisar said that extortion, target-killing, kidnapping for ransom and other crimes have significantly declined in Karachi since the beginning of targetted operation. But one incident can take all the credit away from the police and there is a strategy behind it.

?No one should be doing politics when it comes to terrorism. It is not in favour of Pakistan. The entire country should be encouraging the security agencies at this point,? he said.

Nisar said some elements were playing a negative role on social media to harm Pakistan's commitment to fight terrorism.

'Terrorists do it to discredit the police because they don?t have the free space they had in the past,' he said.

On Wednesday, Sabri was traveling with an associate when two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on his car.

He was shot multiple times and pronounced dead by medics at a local hospital where he was taken after the attack.

On Monday, The son of Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was kidnapped by unknown persons in Karachi and the law enforcement agencies seem to be clueless about his whereabouts.

Nisar went on to say 2000 retired army officials will be appointed in the Sindh police to improve the capacity of the police.

Talking about China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Chaudhry Nisar said that enemy was after it and it must be defended at any cost.

 

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Amir can be world´s best, says Misbah

SOUTHAMPTON: Mohammad Amir can still become the best bowler in the world despite serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said Monday.

Left-arm fast bowler Amir, 24, is expected to make his return to Test cricket next month against England at Lord´s, where his exciting career came to a shuddering halt in 2010.

During that year´s Test against England at Lord´s, Amir and Pakistan new-ball partner Mohammad Asif bowled no-balls to order on the instructions of their captain Salman Butt as part of a sting operation carried out by a tabloid newspaper.

All three received five-year bans from cricket and, together with sports agent Mazhar Majeed, jail terms.

Amir, who served three months in an English young offenders institute, has only played limited overs internationals for Pakistan, but his career could come full circle when the first of a four-Test series against England starts at Lord´s, ´the home of cricket´, on July 14.

Misbah believes Amir, who was one of the hottest properties in world cricket at the time of his ban, has lost none of his skill.

"If you look at his bowling speed, swing, and control ? it´s there," said Misbah at Hampshire´s Rose Bowl ground near Southampton, where Pakistan were training Monday.

"He can still be the best bowler in the world," he added ahead of Pakistan´s opening three-day tour match against Somerset at Taunton starting Sunday.

"Whatever form of the game he has played since his comeback, he has done well," said key batsman Misbah of Amir, who in his 14 Tests before his ban took 51 wickets at an average of under 30 apiece.

"He knows he is under pressure but he is handling it well," the Pakistan captain insisted.

"This is a good chance for him to come here, the place where he had those problems and show the world he is there to perform and deliver for the team.

"It is a chance to win back all his fans. It´s a great opportunity and he´s working hard."

As for Amir receiving a potentially hostile reception from English spectators, Misbah said: "It might happen ? you can always hear voices.

"The best way is to concentrate on your skills and your duties and Amir has to focus on his game and what he has to do. He is doing well."

?Microscope?

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said he had been impressed by Amir´s attitude since taking charge of the side just over a month ago.

"His training has been excellent, he´s fitted back into the team exceptionally well," explained Arthur.

"It´s up to me and the coaching staff to make him the best he can possibly be in these conditions," said Arthur, who previously coached Australia after making his name internationally when in charge of his native South Africa.

"We all understand he´s going to be under the microscope and he realises that too."

"The way he´s trying to handle that is to let his performances do the talking."

This is Pakistan´s first full tour of England since their infamous 2010 visit.

Pakistan, however, have won their last two Test series against England, in 2012 and 2015, both of which took place in the United Arab Emirates.

England defeated Sri Lanka 2-0 in a three-Test series that concluded with a rain-marred draw at Lord´s earlier this month.

But Arthur said he took heart from the vulnerability of England´s top order.

"I do (see weak links) in the top order. Alastair Cook and Joe Root play such a vital role in that set-up.

"I know Jonny Bairstow has played exceptionally well against Sri Lanka but we don´t know who will replace Nick Compton and James Vince is still trying to find his way.

"If we can put their top-order batting under real pressure, we also have a world-class leg-spinner in Yasir Shah.

"So whenever we bowl, there will be no easy period for batsmen."

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