Trump endorses Ryan, senators in effort to right campaign ship

WASHINGTON: Republican Donald Trump acted to steer his White House campaign back into favor with his party's establishment on Friday by endorsing US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and two Republican senators seeking re-election, after expressing coolness toward them earlier this week.

"I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make," Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, in northern Wisconsin, Ryan's home state. He also endorsed Senators John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, calling Ayotte a "rising star."

"We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends," Trump said.

Trump earlier this week refused to endorse Ryan, telling The Washington Post he was "not quite there yet" - nearly the same phrase Ryan had used about Trump before finally endorsing him. Trump said in the same interview that McCain had not done enough for veterans and criticized Ayotte for distancing herself from him during the campaign.

Ryan, the top US elected Republican, had no plans to attend the Wisconsin event, a sign of lingering frictions between the pair, even though Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, did endorse him. Ryan's Republican primary challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen, did attend, according to a spokesman.

Ryan is expected to win the challenge for his House seat in next week's Republican primary, and he is viewed by many Republicans as a possible presidential candidate in the future. The tension between Ryan and Trump caused deep frustration among party leaders and lawmakers.

Trump's endorsement came as one of several steps to get his campaign back on track after days of controversy and falling poll numbers that have given Democrat Hillary Clinton the advantage in the race to the Nov. 8 election.

In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday, Clinton's lead over Trump narrowed to less than 3 percentage points, down from nearly 8 points on Monday.

Trump said on Friday he wanted a "big tent" party with multiple viewpoints welcome. He said he was endorsing the Republican lawmakers due to their "shared mission to make America great again."

Trump also announced a new advisory team to help guide him on economic policy. The group relies heavily on hedge fund managers and investment bankers, a group Trump has railed against. There are no women on the team.

Trump plans to release his economic policy framework in a speech in Detroit on Monday, an event that will offer him a chance to avoid theatrics and detail how he would handle economic issues if elected.

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Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore told Reuters that the candidate's plan would focus on four areas: tax, deregulation, energy policy and trade. ?It?s going to be an all-encompassing look at how we reform the economy,? Moore said.

At events in Des Moines, Iowa, and Green Bay, Trump showed discipline that is unusual at his often free-wheeling rallies, calling Clinton the "queen of corruption" and defending himself against her charge that he is temperamentally unfit for the White House.

"All my life I've been told, 'You have the greatest temperament,'" he said in Des Moines. He also said voters should consider supporting him because of Pence, who appeared with him at both events.

"If you don't like me, that's okay. Vote for Pence because it's the same thing," Trump said.

Trump bashed the media as well, saying reporters over-hyped an incident earlier in the week and claimed he kicked a baby out of an event in Virginia. "I love babies," he said.

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Punjab kidnapping spree: 13-year-old abducted from Lahore

LAHORE: The latest in the spate of kidnappings, a 13-year-old boy was abducted on Saturday from Lahore?s Malipura area.

According to details, the boy had left home to bring groceries but did not return. Upon police?s reported lack of action over the incident, the residents protested by burning tires on the road.

The protesters although went home when police reassured them of investigation over the kidnapping.

Only a few days ago, a three-year-old girl went missing from Anarkali area.

A wave of anxiety has gripped the region following kidnapping of 600 children from Lahore and other parts of Punjab within a short span of time.

The Supreme Court (SC) is currently hearing a suo motu case with regard to surge in incidents of child kidnapping the province.

The police, meanwhile, maintain that not all of the missing children were kidnapped.

Earlier, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Shahzada Sultan, citing statistics, had said that during 2015 kidnapping cases of 1,134 children were registered in Punjab, of whom 1,093 were recovered.

"This year, 681 cases have been registered, while 640 children have already been recovered," he stated.

Earlier in a rather controversial statement, Inspector General Punjab Police Mushtaq Ahmad Sukherha had reportedly said that the kidnapping of children was not a serious issue and it had been wrongly portrayed by media because most of the children ran away from their homes due to harsh attitudes of their parents.

 

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Punjab kidnapping spree: 13-year-old abducted from Lahore

LAHORE: The latest in the spate of kidnappings, a 13-year-old boy was abducted on Saturday from Lahore’s Malipura area.

According to details, the boy had left home to bring groceries but did not return. Upon police’s reported lack of action over the incident, the residents protested by burning tires on the road.

The protesters although went home when police reassured them of investigation over the kidnapping.

Only a few days ago, a three-year-old girl went missing from Anarkali area.

A wave of anxiety has gripped the region following kidnapping of 600 children from Lahore and other parts of Punjab within a short span of time.

The Supreme Court (SC) is currently hearing a suo motu case with regard to surge in incidents of child kidnapping the province.

The police, meanwhile, maintain that not all of the missing children were kidnapped.

Earlier, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Shahzada Sultan, citing statistics, had said that during 2015 kidnapping cases of 1,134 children were registered in Punjab, of whom 1,093 were recovered.

"This year, 681 cases have been registered, while 640 children have already been recovered," he stated.

Earlier in a rather controversial statement, Inspector General Punjab Police Mushtaq Ahmad Sukherha had reportedly said that the kidnapping of children was not a serious issue and it had been wrongly portrayed by media because most of the children ran away from their homes due to harsh attitudes of their parents.

 

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21 killed as rains lash Karachi, interior Sindh

KARACHI: At least 21 people have died in separate rain-related incidents in Karachi and interior Sindh since Friday evening.

The rain began on Friday evening and continued intermittently till Saturday afternoon, leaving 50 percent of Karachi in darkness, as around 250 feeders of K-Electric out of a total of 1,400 were tripped. The K-Electric repaired around 140 feeders and put them in service. Several roads were heavily inundated and communication systems badly disrupted.

Rescue and government officials said around 14 deaths were reported in Karachi from electrocution or roof collapse incidents in low-lying areas while another seven were killed in Badin, Mithi and Thatta in interior Sindh.

The rains also resulted in massive traffic jams and gridlocks in various parts of the city.

The roads in Karachi were deserted on Saturday, as people preferred to stay indoors in the wake of heavy rains.

As the rain water accumulated in various areas of the city, people faced difficulties in reaching their offices.

Accumulation of rain water on various thoroughfares affected the smooth flow of traffic.

Meanwhile, Chairman Pakistan People?s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed grief over the deaths in rain-related incidents in Karachi and interior Sindh.

In a statement, he asked the Sindh cabinet and the elected representatives to remain alert in their respective areas during the monsoon. He also asked the relevant authorities to ensure that rain water was drained out within the shortest-possible time.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also visited several areas of the city on Saturday morning and directed the officials concerned to make prompt arrangements for draining out the accumulated rain water.

The chief minister also called the chief executive of K-Electric and asked him to take prompt steps for restoring the power supply in the affected areas.

The Meteorological Office earlier described the fresh spell as a ?moderate to heavy rainfall? and said the trend was likely to continue for at least 24 hours.

Meteorological Office Director Abdul Rashid explained that the pressure system that developed in Rajasthan had grown over time and had now reached rural Sindh. ?The rain will continue for the next three days,? he said.

- Originally published in The News

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Accept ToRs and we?ll go home after protest, Imran tells Nawaz

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday said they will go home peacefully after staging a protest if Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif accepted the united opposition?s ToRs.

Imran has decided to build more pressure on the government and invited the masses to actively participate in the movement for accountability starting from today (Sunday).

In tweets, Imran said demanding the rulers? accountability was their right and urged the people to get ready for the decisive movement for accountability. He said the container was again coming into action.

Meanwhile, PTI Secretary General Jehangir Tareen denied having ever taken a penny from any bank as loan and claimed that Tandlianwala Sugar Mills, mentioned in the statement by Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar during the recently-prorogued Senate session, belonged to Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar.

The agricultural loan mentioned in the minister?s written answer in fact belonged to the friends of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Tareen said he would be soon coming up with documentary proof to sift the truth from falsehood.

?Very soon, people will say Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was failed by his own friends. The ruling PML-N is afraid of accountability that is why it is resorting to cheap tactics,? he alleged.

Meanwhile, Tareen and PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi had a rare meeting at Bani Gala, a day before the launch of the movement from Peshawar.

Qureshi was back from the United States, where he stayed for several days reportedly in connection with the presidential poll campaign of Hillary Clinton.

They expressed the resolve that the prime minister would have to submit before the law and agree to his accountability with regard to the revelations made in the PanamaLeaks about his children?s off-shore companies.

The PTI leaders said people would be united for the accountability of the Sharif family and the proposed movement would reach its logical end with unity and harmony.

- Originally appeared in The News

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21 killed as rains lash Karachi, interior Sindh

KARACHI: At least 21 people have died in separate rain-related incidents in Karachi and interior Sindh since Friday evening.

The rain began on Friday evening and continued intermittently till Saturday afternoon, leaving 50 percent of Karachi in darkness, as around 250 feeders of K-Electric out of a total of 1,400 were tripped. The K-Electric repaired around 140 feeders and put them in service. Several roads were heavily inundated and communication systems badly disrupted.

Rescue and government officials said around 14 deaths were reported in Karachi from electrocution or roof collapse incidents in low-lying areas while another seven were killed in Badin, Mithi and Thatta in interior Sindh.

The rains also resulted in massive traffic jams and gridlocks in various parts of the city.

The roads in Karachi were deserted on Saturday, as people preferred to stay indoors in the wake of heavy rains.

As the rain water accumulated in various areas of the city, people faced difficulties in reaching their offices.

Accumulation of rain water on various thoroughfares affected the smooth flow of traffic.

Meanwhile, Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed grief over the deaths in rain-related incidents in Karachi and interior Sindh.

In a statement, he asked the Sindh cabinet and the elected representatives to remain alert in their respective areas during the monsoon. He also asked the relevant authorities to ensure that rain water was drained out within the shortest-possible time.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also visited several areas of the city on Saturday morning and directed the officials concerned to make prompt arrangements for draining out the accumulated rain water.

The chief minister also called the chief executive of K-Electric and asked him to take prompt steps for restoring the power supply in the affected areas.

The Meteorological Office earlier described the fresh spell as a “moderate to heavy rainfall” and said the trend was likely to continue for at least 24 hours.

Meteorological Office Director Abdul Rashid explained that the pressure system that developed in Rajasthan had grown over time and had now reached rural Sindh. “The rain will continue for the next three days,” he said.

- Originally published in The News

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Hyderabad receives 112mm rain, low lying areas inundated

HYDERABAD: One-and-half-hour long widespread 112 millimetres rain inundated the low lying areas of Hyderabad on Saturday afternoon

The heavy downpour though brought the mercury down but submerged the low lying parts of several units of Latifabad, Hyderabad City and Qasimabad, where the citizens experienced knee-high water with entrance of rainwater in the houses.

According to reports, three to four feet rainwater accumulated in Latifabad Unit No: 10, 11 and 12 while the heavy showers also inundated Latifabad Unit No: 4, 6, 8 and 19.

Hussainabad, Wehdat Colony and different localities of taluka Qasimabad including Nasim Nagar, Faraz Villas, Bhitai Town, Gulistan-e-Sajjad, the areas of Hyderabad City including Pathan Colony, Sarfraz Colony, Dadan Shah Colony, Station Road, Koh Noor Chowk, Haider Chowk, Qazi Qayoum Chowk, Makki Shah Road, Goods Naka, Faqir jo Pir, Affendi Town, Liaquat Colony, Ghammonabad, Tando Mir Mehmood, Phuleli and Paretabad.

Numbers of vehicles including cars, auto rickshaws and motorbikes stranded on roads following the accumulation of rainwater which later rescued by locals.

According to Met Office, the mercury which showed before the start of heavy rains 33.5 Celsius, was down to 27 Celsius with 92 percent humidity.

The district administration has already declared rain emergency and called the municipal staff to dispose off the accumulated water in the low lying areas, however, the workers facing difficulties due to power outage which occurred soon after the start of the showers.

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Yasir's 90-in-15 breaks 120-year Test record

KARACHI: Pakistan’s magical spinner Yasir Shah got yet another world record registered against his name when he got the wicket of England's Gary Ballance on the fourth day of the Birmingham Test on Saturday.

Balance's was Yasir’s 90th wicket in the 15 Test matches of his career, making him the player with the highest number of wickets in the first 15 Test matches of his career.

Yasir broke the 120-year-old record of Englishman George Lohmann, who had 89 wickets in the first 15 Tests of his career.

In 1896, Lohmann got 12 wickets in his 16th Test to reach the milestone of 100 Test wickets becoming the quickest to reach 100 Test wickets.

Yasir Shah is likely to equal Lohmann's record in the Oval Test.

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Rio Olympics: Pakistani woman shooter fails to qualify for final round

KARACHI: Pakistani shooter Minhal Sohail failed to qualify for the final round of women’s 10m air rifle shooting competition after finishing 28th out of 51 in the qualifiers.

Minhal scored 413.2 points from four rounds in qualifiers but couldn’t manage to finish among top eight as she was merely 2.7 points short with the last player to qualify for the finals.

However, at 28th position, she finished better than both the shooters (Apurvi Chandela 34th and Ayonika Paul 47th) from arch-rivals and considerably a better shooting team India.

Minhal Sohail, 21, was the first female shooter from Pakistan, and also the first Pakistani athlete to be eliminated from the Rio Olympics.

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Pakistan, Iran agree to cooperate in countering Daesh threat

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to enhance cooperation in politics, trade, economy, and security at the ninth round of political consultations between the two countries in Tehran, the Foreign Office said on Saturday.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry led the Pakistani delegation while the Iranian side was led by Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Ebrahim Rahimpour.

According to a Foreign Office statement, the two sides also reviewed the regional situation as well as opportunities offered by enhanced connectivity for transit trade.

It was agreed that close cooperation is needed in countering extremism and terrorism, especially the threat posed by organizations such as Daesh.

The Foreign Secretary apprised the Iranian officials of the latest situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

He also called on Foreign Minister Javad Zarif during the visit, said the statement.

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Pakistan, Iran agree to cooperate in countering Daesh threat

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to enhance cooperation in politics, trade, economy, and security at the ninth round of political consultations between the two countries in Tehran, the Foreign Office said on Saturday.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry led the Pakistani delegation while the Iranian side was led by Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Ebrahim Rahimpour.

According to a Foreign Office statement, the two sides also reviewed the regional situation as well as opportunities offered by enhanced connectivity for transit trade.

It was agreed that close cooperation is needed in countering extremism and terrorism, especially the threat posed by organizations such as Daesh.

The Foreign Secretary apprised the Iranian officials of the latest situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

He also called on Foreign Minister Javad Zarif during the visit, said the statement.

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Pakistan strike early but England squeeze sizeable lead at Edgbaston

BIRMINGHAM: England were 262 for four in their second innings, a lead of 159 runs, at tea on the fourth day of the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Gary Ballance was 21 not out and Jonny Bairstow two not out.

Earlier today, Joe Root led England's recovery after Pakistan took two early wickets.

At lunch, England were 183 for two in their second innings ? a lead of 80 runs ? after losing openers Alastair Cook and Alex Hales.

Root, dropped on 25 and struggling with a longstanding back problem, put up a 95-run partnership with  James Vince before spinner Yasir Shah dismissed the ace batsman at 62.

Nine overs later, Vince was dismissed for 42 by Mohammad Amir.

With the four-match series all square at 1-1, England resumed on 120 without loss, 17 runs in front.

Cook, the England captain, was 64 not out and Hales 50 not out after they had erased a first-innings deficit of 103 with their maiden century stand in 18 innings as a Test-match opening pair.

But Pakistan removed both batsmen in a dramatic burst of two wickets for no runs in nine balls.

Left-hander Cook (66) pushed out to Sohail Khan and a diving Yasir Shah held an excellent catch at point.

Sohail had bowled a lacklustre spell Friday after marking his return to Test cricket following a five-year absence with five for 96 in England's first-innings 297.

But, publicly upbraided by Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur after Friday's stumps, Sohail now whistled a delivery past new batsman Root's nose.

But it was left-arm quick Mohammad Amir who turned England's 126 for one into 126 for two when Hales (54) edged a seaming delivery and Younis Khan, held a difficult low chance going to his right at second slip.

The four-match series is level at 1-1.

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England's Hales refunds fan unhappy over slow over-rate

BIRMINGHAM: England opener Alex Hales has given a partial refund to a spectator who complained about the slow over-rate during the the ongoing third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston.

Between them, England and Pakistan only managed to bowl 81 of a scheduled 90 overs on Friday´s third day.

The fault mainly lay with England, who fell behind the rate early on and left Pakistan with a marathon 44 overs to bowl in the day´s final session by the time they had dismissed the tourists on the stroke of tea.

Unsurprisingly, Pakistan failed to get through all those overs before the scheduled 6:30pm (1730 GMT) cut-off time for close of play.

Upset fan Alexis Fuller, who was in the Edgbaston crowd on Friday, contacted several England players to ask for a 10 percent refund after Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, pointed out that only 81 overs had been bowled.

"I want 10% of my money back," Fuller wrote. "Wouldn´t go to football and find it ended after 80mins."

Hales, who was 50 not out at stumps, following an unbroken 120-run stand with England captain Alastair Cook, replied saying: "ok DM me your bank details I´ll do it now".

Fuller after posted a picture on social media that appeared to show a payment of £4.10 from Hales into his account.

Fans attending Edgbaston on Saturday saw Hales bat for less than 10 percent of the day´s play after he was out for 54 in the fifth over of the morning to leave England 126 for two in their second innings.

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Report on Tareen's written-off loans submitted in Senate

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Jahangir Tareen are among those lawmakers and politicians who, being directors or partners of various businesses, got their loans written off.

According to a report from the Finance Ministry submitted to the Senate, PTI Secretary General Tareen had a loan worth Rs101 million written off from Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited.

The loan was written off from ZTBL with regards to the Tandlianwala Sugar Mills in 2005, during the former military dictator Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf's government in which Tareen served as a federal minister.

The information is contained as a written reply by the Finance Ministry to questions in the Senate during the question-hour asked by PTI's own Muhammad Azam Swati and Nisar Muhammad of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The finance ministry was asked to disclose details of those politicians, ministers and lawmakers who had their loans written off by state-owned or private banks and financial institutions.

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Report on Tareen's written-off loans submitted in Senate

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Jahangir Tareen are among those lawmakers and politicians who, being directors or partners of various businesses, got their loans written off.

According to a report from the Finance Ministry submitted to the Senate, PTI Secretary General Tareen had a loan worth Rs101 million written off from Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited.

The loan was written off from ZTBL with regards to the Tandlianwala Sugar Mills in 2005, during the former military dictator Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf's government in which Tareen served as a federal minister.

The information is contained as a written reply by the Finance Ministry to questions in the Senate during the question-hour asked by PTI's own Muhammad Azam Swati and Nisar Muhammad of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The finance ministry was asked to disclose details of those politicians, ministers and lawmakers who had their loans written off by state-owned or private banks and financial institutions.

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New asthma pill shows promising results in clinical trial

The first new asthma pill in decades has produced promising results in a small clinical trial, potentially paving the way for another treatment option for patients by the end of the decade.

Fevipiprant, which is being developed by Novartis, reduced a biological marker of asthma nearly five-fold in the 12-week trial involving 61 patients, researchers said on Saturday. No serious adverse events were reported.

Larger and longer studies are now needed to prove that the twice-daily pill can also reduce severe asthma attacks, known as exacerbations. Novartis believes the medicine could be filed for regulatory approval in around 2019.

Pills for asthma used to be standard treatment 40 or 50 years ago, but those older products were often associated with worrying side effects. They have since been replaced by inhalers that deliver small amounts of drugs directly into the lungs.

The Novartis pill works in a very precise way to block the action of inflammatory cells called eosinophils.

The latest research, published in the journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine, comes at a time of considerable innovation in asthma care, with the recent launch of new injectable drugs for severe asthma that also target eosinophils.

At the same time, many drugmakers are developing improved asthma inhalers, including "smart" devices with sensors that monitor use.

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Nissan in talks with Panasonic, others to sell battery operations: sources

Nissan Motor Co is in talks with Panasonic Corp and overseas companies including Chinese firms over the possible sale of its controlling stake in a car battery manufacturing venture, sources said.

Two people with knowledge of the matter said on Saturday that the Japanese automaker wants to sell its 51 percent stake in Automotive Energy Supply Corporation, which makes lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The company is jointly owned by NEC Corp.

The Nikkei daily on Friday reported that Nissan was looking to sell the company because it would be cheaper to buy batteries for its electric vehicles including its Leaf model from other makers. The newspaper did not say where it obtained the information.

Talk of the sale "is speculation, and is not based on any announcement by us", Nissan said in an email. Spokesmen for Panasonic and NEC declined to comment.

Competition to supply batteries for electric vehicles is heating up due to expectations that a growing number of lower emission cars will be produced in the coming years.

Tesla Motors (TSLA.O), which currently procures batteries for its electric vehicles from Panasonic, is planning to boost its total vehicle production to 500,000 in 2018 - two years earlier than its original target.

Nissan and Renault SA (RENA.PA), under Carlos Ghosn, who heads both companies, have bet more heavily on electric cars than mainstream competitors. In 2009 the two companies pledged to invest 4 billion euros ($4.43 billion) to build models including the Nissan Leaf compact and as many as 500,000 batteries per year to power them.

Sales of the Leaf and those of other electrical vehicles, however, have been disappointing, meaning Nissan and NEC have been unable to lower battery costs through mass production.

Reuters reported in 2014 that Ghosn was preparing to cut battery production by AESC and instead use packs made by LG Chem (051910.KS).

Nissan is also in the process of selling its 41 percent stake in auto parts supplier Calsonic Kansei Corp, sources have told Reuters.

In May, the automaker agreed to buy a 34-percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors Corp (7211.T) for about $2.2 billion as it seeks to better compete with bigger rivals such as Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen.

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Pakistan offers medical treatment to victims of state violence in Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday vowed to arrange medical treatment for victims of state oppression by Indian security forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).

Victims, especially those who have been blinded by pellet guns, will receive the best treatment from anywhere in the world on immediate basis, a PM House Statement said.

The Prime Minister has called upon the international community to exercise its influence over India for enabling Pakistan to arrange for the medical treatment of the victims in the wake of ongoing humanitarian crisis in the valley.

"The magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in IOK has compelled us to immediately pool our material and human resources for treating the victims," said the Prime Minister.

"Even more gruesome is that health-care providers in IOK have not been allowed to treat the victims properly. The Indian security  forces have also been targeting the hospitals and ambulances providing health-care to the peaceful and defenceless innocent protestors," the Prime Minister added.

"Being blinded has severe consequences for the victims and their families; some victims of the pellet guns may never see light again. Still, they are resolute; they are guided by the light of freedom for the realization of their right to self determination. The world should realize this. Pakistan will continue to support them morally, politically and diplomatically," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister has directed Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mobilize the support of international political leadership, humanitarian organizations and civil society through Pakistan Missions Abroad in exerting influence over India to allow Government of Pakistan for arranging the treatment of the victims in IOK on humanitarian grounds.

Pakistan will arrange for the boarding, lodging, expenses on the medical treatment for the victims, the Prime Minister further directed the Ministry.

More than 55 people have been killed and at least 100 wounded during protests sparked by the killing of a separatist Burhan Wani in Kasmhir this month.
 

 

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Pakistan offers medical treatment to victims of state violence in Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday vowed to arrange medical treatment for victims of state oppression by Indian security forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).

Victims, especially those who have been blinded by pellet guns, will receive the best treatment from anywhere in the world on immediate basis, a PM House Statement said.

The Prime Minister has called upon the international community to exercise its influence over India for enabling Pakistan to arrange for the medical treatment of the victims in the wake of ongoing humanitarian crisis in the valley.

"The magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in IOK has compelled us to immediately pool our material and human resources for treating the victims," said the Prime Minister.

"Even more gruesome is that health-care providers in IOK have not been allowed to treat the victims properly. The Indian security  forces have also been targeting the hospitals and ambulances providing health-care to the peaceful and defenceless innocent protestors," the Prime Minister added.

"Being blinded has severe consequences for the victims and their families; some victims of the pellet guns may never see light again. Still, they are resolute; they are guided by the light of freedom for the realization of their right to self determination. The world should realize this. Pakistan will continue to support them morally, politically and diplomatically," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister has directed Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mobilize the support of international political leadership, humanitarian organizations and civil society through Pakistan Missions Abroad in exerting influence over India to allow Government of Pakistan for arranging the treatment of the victims in IOK on humanitarian grounds.

Pakistan will arrange for the boarding, lodging, expenses on the medical treatment for the victims, the Prime Minister further directed the Ministry.

More than 55 people have been killed and at least 100 wounded during protests sparked by the killing of a separatist Burhan Wani in Kasmhir this month.
 

 

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Sri Lanka beat Australia by 229 runs to clinch series

GALLE: Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera bagged six wickets to fashion Sri Lanka´s historic series win over Australia Saturday as the world number one side suffered a humiliating 229-run loss inside three days in the second Test in Galle.

Australia, chasing a challenging 413 for victory, were bundled out for 183 after lunch as Sri Lanka, who won their last series against the visitors in 1999, took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match rubber.

Veteran spinner Rangana Herath set up the win for the hosts with his maiden Test hat-trick which helped dismiss Australia for a record low of 106 in their first innings.

Australia faltered in their second outing as well after Perera, who registered his career-best figures of 6-70, sent the visitors packing in just 50.1 overs as the Sri Lankan players went into a celebratory huddle.

Overnight batsmen David Warner and skipper Steven Smith offered some resistance with their 51-run fourth wicket partnership but both of them fell to Perera´s guile.

Warner, who tried to counter attack during his 31-ball 41, was trapped lbw off a straighter Perera delivery that hit the batsman on the front pad.

Smith (30), who used his feet well against the spinners during his 58-ball stay, was the next to go as he gave away a catch at backward short leg.

Perera, who also took two wickets on Friday, then bowled Adam Voges for 28 to register his fourth five-wicket haul in 11 Test matches.

But it was Herath´s left-arm spin that did the early damage in a match dominated by Sri Lankan slow bowlers.

Herath and Perera shared four wickets between them on a chaotic second day which saw the fall of 21 wickets and put the match on the fast track.

Australia´s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc though made his presence felt on a track that offered little help to the fast bowlers with his career-best match figures of 11-94.

Sri Lanka won the first Test at Pallekele by 106 runs.

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Sri Lanka beat Australia by 229 runs to clinch series

GALLE: Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera bagged six wickets to fashion Sri Lanka´s historic series win over Australia Saturday as the world number one side suffered a humiliating 229-run loss inside three days in the second Test in Galle.

Australia, chasing a challenging 413 for victory, were bundled out for 183 after lunch as Sri Lanka, who won their last series against the visitors in 1999, took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match rubber.

Veteran spinner Rangana Herath set up the win for the hosts with his maiden Test hat-trick which helped dismiss Australia for a record low of 106 in their first innings.

Australia faltered in their second outing as well after Perera, who registered his career-best figures of 6-70, sent the visitors packing in just 50.1 overs as the Sri Lankan players went into a celebratory huddle.

Overnight batsmen David Warner and skipper Steven Smith offered some resistance with their 51-run fourth wicket partnership but both of them fell to Perera´s guile.

Warner, who tried to counter attack during his 31-ball 41, was trapped lbw off a straighter Perera delivery that hit the batsman on the front pad.

Smith (30), who used his feet well against the spinners during his 58-ball stay, was the next to go as he gave away a catch at backward short leg.

Perera, who also took two wickets on Friday, then bowled Adam Voges for 28 to register his fourth five-wicket haul in 11 Test matches.

But it was Herath´s left-arm spin that did the early damage in a match dominated by Sri Lankan slow bowlers.

Herath and Perera shared four wickets between them on a chaotic second day which saw the fall of 21 wickets and put the match on the fast track.

Australia´s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc though made his presence felt on a track that offered little help to the fast bowlers with his career-best match figures of 11-94.

Sri Lanka won the first Test at Pallekele by 106 runs.

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FIA detains US national in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) along with Islamabad Police conducted a raid at a guest house and detained a US national who had been expelled from Pakistan in 2011 on suspicion of spying.

Director FIA Mazharul Haq Kakakhel led the raid after it was learned that Matthew Barrett had returned to Pakistan on Friday.

Two officials at the Islamabad Airport have also been suspended for allowing Matthew Barrett to enter the country when his name was on the black-list.

According to FIA sources, Matthew is married to a Pakistani national.

 

 

 

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US, India team up against Pakistan

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: The US and India on Friday teamed up against Pakistan, with the former acknowledging its efforts in the war against terror but blaming it for ‘adopting a selective approach’ and the latter terming it ‘the biggest violator of human rights’.

A day after the Pentagon announced that it was withholding $300 million in the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to Pakistan, the State Department official praised Pakistan’s efforts but maintained that it needs to close all “safe havens of terrorists”.It asked Pakistan to take military action against all terrorist outfits, including those that target its neighbours.

“We have been very clear with the highest levels of the Government of Pakistan that they must target all militant groups and that includes those that target Pakistan’s neighbours. They must also close all safe havens,” deputy spokesman of the State Department Mark Toner said.

He added that Pakistan had made progress but “they’re going after groups, but selectively. We need to see them go after all groups and as I just said, even those groups that might not threaten Pakistan itself but threaten its neighbours.”

Referring to the Haqqani Network and its alleged involvement in terror activities in Afghanistan, he said, “We have urged the Government of Pakistan to address this and to pursue closer counterterrorism cooperation with Afghanistan against all groups that pose a long-term security threat to the region, not just to Pakistan.”

Answering a question about Pakistan’s efforts, Toner said the administration believes that Pakistan has taken and is taking steps to counter terrorist violence and certainly focusing on those groups that threaten its stability.

“They have shut down some of these safe havens. They have restored government control to parts of Pakistan that were used as terrorist safe havens for years,” he said adding, “These important steps have contributed to security interests in the region and have come at a cost of loss of Pakistani lives.”

Meanwhile, a day after a terse war of words with his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhry Nisar at the Saarc Interior/Home Ministers’ meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the Indian parliament that “all of our prime ministers have done their best to improve relations with our neighbours, but this neighbour never learns.”

In response to Nisar’s remarks about the violation of human rights in Indian held Kashmir, Rajnath said Pakistan was the biggest violator of human rights. The Indian home minister said he had skipped aluncheon meeting as he ‘had not gone there to have lunch’.

“It is true that Chaudhry Nisar invited everyone for lunch. But then he left in his car. I also left. I have no complaints or grudges, as I had not gone there to have lunch,” he said.“I will not comment on whether Pakistan was right or wrong in not allowing coverage. I did not register any protest there. I will need to ask the foreign ministry about the protocol of past occasions,” he said.

According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), which quoted a government source, it was standard Saarc practice for the host country’s opening statements to be made public and open to the media, while the rest of the proceedings are in camera which allows for a frank discussion of issues.

 â€"Originally published in The News

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FIA detains US national in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) along with Islamabad Police conducted a raid at a guest house and detained a US national who had been expelled from Pakistan in 2011 on suspicion of spying.

Director FIA Mazharul Haq Kakakhel led the raid after it was learned that Matthew Barrett had returned to Pakistan on Friday.

Two officials at the Islamabad Airport have also been suspended for allowing Matthew Barrett to enter the country when his name was on the black-list.

According to FIA sources, Matthew is married to a Pakistani national.

 

 

 

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Murad devours Chai Paratha at local eatery as he visits rain hit areas of Karachi

KARACHI: Staff at a local hotel in Saddar was pleasantly surprised this rainy Saturday morning when Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah walked in to have a simple breakfast of Chai and Paratha.

The staff and visitors took this chance to take pictures with him. He stopped by at the restaurant after a visit to rain hit areas of the city.

CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah visited Shahrah-e-Faisal, Mehmoodabad, Tariq Road, Abdullah Haroon Road, Jail Chowrangi and Nazimabad this morning.

He expressed anger on municipal staff for not doing their work. He instructed them to perform their duties instead of staying at home.

Syed Murad Ali Shah told media that he belongs to Karachi and wants to bring its lights and colours back. ?I am playing a warm-up match, those who will not deliver would not be part of my team,? he said.

Answering a question, the CM said that he had never seen the Anil Kapoor's movie Nayak where the Bollywood actor becomes Chief Minister for a day and added ?By the way I am not a one day Chief Minister.? He vowed to prove the power of CM in true letter and spirit.

Numerous roads of the metropolis flooded and several areas were without electricity as monsoon showers hit the city for second consecutive day on Saturday.

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Murad devours Chai Paratha at local eatery as he visits rain hit areas of Karachi

KARACHI: Staff at a local hotel in Saddar was pleasantly surprised this rainy Saturday morning when Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah walked in to have a simple breakfast of Chai and Paratha.

The staff and visitors took this chance to take pictures with him. He stopped by at the restaurant after a visit to rain hit areas of the city.

CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah visited Shahrah-e-Faisal, Mehmoodabad, Tariq Road, Abdullah Haroon Road, Jail Chowrangi and Nazimabad this morning.

He expressed anger on municipal staff for not doing their work. He instructed them to perform their duties instead of staying at home.

Syed Murad Ali Shah told media that he belongs to Karachi and wants to bring its lights and colours back. “I am playing a warm-up match, those who will not deliver would not be part of my team,” he said.

Answering a question, the CM said that he had never seen the Anil Kapoor's movie Nayak where the Bollywood actor becomes Chief Minister for a day and added “By the way I am not a one day Chief Minister.” He vowed to prove the power of CM in true letter and spirit.

Numerous roads of the metropolis flooded and several areas were without electricity as monsoon showers hit the city for second consecutive day on Saturday.

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At least 13 killed, 6 injured in France bar fire

ROUEN: At least 13 people were killed and six injured in an accidental fire early Saturday during a birthday party at a bar in the northern French city of Rouen, officials said.

The blaze, which was France's deadliest in a decade, was sparked by the candles of a birthday cake. They appear to have ignited the polystyrene ceiling of the basement room where the celebrations were taking place.

The victims, who were primarily between the ages of 18-25, were poisoned by a toxic mix of gases released by the burning plastic. One of the injured was still fighting for their life.

"There wasn't an explosion, it was candles used for a birthday party," a senior police official told AFP.

Local official Laurent Labadie, who was at the scene of the fire, described the blaze as accidental.

The blaze started at around midnight at the Cuba Libre bar in the city centre, and the firemen were at the scene by 00:20 am (2220 GMT Friday). Its burnt facade and broken front windows were protected by metal barriers and police on Saturday.

"A fire broke out in a bar in the city centre of Rouen this evening, according to an initial investigation, 13 are dead and six are injured, and more than 50 firemen attended the scene," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement.

One of the injured was in a critical condition, the secretary general of the Seine-Maritime prefecture Yvan Cordier told AFP.

The blaze in Rouen was France's deadliest since September 2005 when an apartment building fire in the Paris suburb of L'Hay-les-Roses killed 18 people.

France has not seen such a high death toll in a night spot fire since a November 1970 blaze claimed the lives of 146 people, the majority of whom were their early 20s.

Jittery France is on edge after a series of recent attacks by Islamic State-affiliated extremists, including the killing of a priest in nearby Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

The priest's funeral was held in Rouen's cathedral and was attended by more than 2,000 mourners shocked by the brutal killing of the elderly clergyman.

The church attack came less than two weeks after another assailant ploughed a 19-tonne truck into a massive crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the Riviera city of Nice, killing 85 people and wounding more than 300 others.

The church attack stunned France's religious communities, sparking fears of tensions in a country with a population of some five million Muslims, one of Europe's largest.

 

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