Earthquake shakes central Italy, buildings down

 

ROME: A strong earthquake struck central Italy in the early hours of Wednesday, causing buildings to collapse "with reports of victims" and sending panicked residents fleeing into the streets of numerous towns and cities.

The U.S. Geological Survey said it was a 6.2 magnitude quake that hit near the town of Norcia, in the region of Umbria, at 3.36 a.m. (0136 GMT).

The mayor of the small town of Amatrice reported extensive damage.

"Half the town is gone," Sergio Pirozzi told RAI state television.

"There are people under the rubble... There´s been a landslide and a bridge might collapse.

"Italy´s civil protection agency said the earthquake was "severe".

Fire Department spokesman Luca Cari said: "There have been reports of victims" in the quake zone, but he did not have any precise details.

The worst hit towns were believed to be Accumoli, Amatrice, Posta and Arquata del Tronto, Cari told Reuters, adding that helicopters would be sent up at first light to assess the damage.

"It was so strong. It seemed the bed was walking across the room by itself with us on it," Lina Mercantini of Ceselli, Umbria, told Reuters.

Olga Urbani, in the nearby town of Scheggino, said: "Dear God it was awful. The walls creaked and all the books fell off the shelves.

"Residents of Rome, some 170 km (105 miles) from the registered epicentre, were woken by the quake, which rattled furniture and swayed lights in most of central Italy.?

A 5.5 magnitude aftershock hit the same region an hour after the initial quake.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi´s spokesman said on Twitter that the government was in touch with the country´s civil protection agency and following the situation closely.

The last major earthquake to hit Italy struck the central city of L´Aquila in 2009, killing more than 300 people.

A refuge on the Gran Sasso mountain, a popular area for hikers and climbers, said on its Facebook page that a large piece of rock had collapsed in Wednesday´s quake.

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Aware of attack on media in Karachi: Mark Toner

WASHINGTON: Spokesperson for the US State Department Mark Toner on Wednesday said that the US was aware of the recent attack on media houses in Karachi.

In a press briefing, Mark Toner said that the US was also aware of reports of detention of several MQM workers by Pakistani law enforcement agencies and sealing of the party?s headquarters in Nine Zero.

Talking about Pakistan-India relations, he said that the US encouraged and appreciated negotiations between both nuclear armed states. He urged the two nations to work with patience for strategic stability of the region.

Mark Toner said that India has to respond to Pakistan's suggestion of signing the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). He said that the only practical way forward was for both the countries to sign the treaty.

Expressing concern over the violence in Karachi earlier this week, the spokesperson further said that criticism should be encouraged, rather than silenced, in a democratic society. He said that criticism and freedom of expression strengthen democracies and everyone has a right to protest; however, protests of any kind should be carried out peacefully.

Mark Toner also said that arrest of workers belonging to any political party was a worrying sign and added that the US was gathering more information on the situation.

On Monday, MQM chief Altaf Hussain?s speech to participants in a hunger strike organized by MQM incited party workers to take to the streets yesterday, ransack media houses and vandalize property. At least one person died and eight others were injured during the violent attacks in which around 2,000 party workers participated.

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Terrorists, facilitators being eliminated in combing operations: COAS Raheel Sharif

PESHAWAR: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said terrorists and their facilitators are being eliminated due to combing operations of security forces.

The army chief was addressing the troops engaged in combing operations in the Kurram Agency.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, he was briefed in detail by the operation commander about the security situation in Kurram Agency and the combing operation in Thall.

Expressing satisfaction at the progress of combing operations and the resultant security environment, the army chief appreciated the valour and gains made by the troops and the value these operations are bringing to cleaning of the area from terrorists and their sympathisers.

“As we consolidate gains emphasis is on rooting out all their sleeper cells and a network of facilitators from Fata and across rest of the country,” General Raheel said. He reiterated that the operations would continue across the board without any discrimination and Pakistan will not allow any terrorist to use its soil for terrorism against any other country.

The COAS reviewed new deployments and structures being made to improve border management. He directed stringent measures to check all cross border movement indiscriminately, in coordination with Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan.

Earlier on arrival at Kurram Agency, the army chief was received by Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Hidayatur Rehaman.

 

--Originally published in The News

 

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Clinton ahead of Trump by 12 points in Reuters/Ipsos poll

NEW YORK: Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton leads Republican rival Donald Trump by 12 percentage points among likely voters, her strongest showing this month, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Tuesday.

The Aug. 18-22 poll showed that 45 percent of voters supported Clinton, while 33 percent backed Trump ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

Clinton, the former U.S. secretary of state, has led Trump, a New York businessman, throughout most of the 2016 campaign. But her latest lead represents a stronger level of support than polls indicated over the past few weeks. Earlier in August, Clinton's lead over Trump ranged from 3 to 9 percentage points in the poll.

The poll also found that about 22 percent of likely voters would not pick either candidate. That lack of support is high compared with how people responded to the poll during the 2012 presidential election between Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney.

"Those who are wavering right now are just as likely to be thinking about supporting a third-party candidate instead, and not between Clinton and Trump," said Tom Smith, who directs the Center for the Study of Politics and Society at the University of Chicago.

During the latest polling, Clinton faced renewed scrutiny about her handling of classified emails while serving as secretary of state from 2009 to 2013, and Trump's campaign chief, Paul Manafort, resigned after a reshuffle of the candidate's campaign leadership team.

Clinton held a smaller lead in a separate four-way poll that included Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson and Jill Stein of the Green Party. Among likely voters, 41 percent supported Clinton, while 33 percent backed Trump. Johnson was backed by 7 percent and Stein by 2 percent.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online in English in all 50 states. Both presidential polls included 1,115 respondents and had a credibility interval, a measure of accuracy, of 3 percentage points.

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Elections for Sindh mayors, deputy mayors today

KARACHI: Sindh is all set to hold elections for mayors and deputy mayors today, as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Along with mayors and deputy mayors, elections for chairman and vice chairman of district councils will also be held today. Candidates for chairman and vice chairman have already been elected unopposed in 14 districts in the province, with Pakistan People?s Party (PPP) winning all the seats.

These districts include Hyderabad, Sukkur, Matiari, Jamshoro, Sajawal, Tando Allahyar, Mirpur Khas, Umerkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushehro Feroze and Qamber Shahdadkot.

On the other side, polls for chairman and vice chairman in eight other districts (Larkana, Tando Muhammad Khan, Badin, Tharparkar, Khairpur, Sanghar, Dadu and Ghotki) will be held today.

A case is pending in the Sindh High Court (SHC) pertaining to the posts of chairman and vice chairman of district council Thatta, due to which polls will not be held there.

Polls in Karachi

Having 214 members in the 308-member city council, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) enjoys simple majority to form its government in the Karachi Municipal Corporation.

For getting its candidate elected to the mayor office, a political party requires 155 votes, yet MQM's nominated mayor Waseem Akhtar and deputy mayor Arshad Vohra remain behind the bars.

A spokesperson for Karachi Metropolitan Corporation said that preparations for the mayor and deputy mayor election have been finalized and polls will be held as per schedule.

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Jennifer Lawrence ranked world's highest-paid actress for second year

"Hunger Games" star Jennifer Lawrence on Tuesday topped a Forbes magazine list of the world's highest-paid actress for the second straight year, earning some $46 million, followed by Melissa McCarthy.

Lawrence, 26, took the top spot largely through a slice of the profits from the final movie in the "Hunger Games" franchise, as well as a big upfront fee for her forthcoming space adventure movie "Passengers," Forbes said.

Yet Lawrence's estimated payday was likely well below that for Hollywood's leading men, Forbes said, despite the actress sparking a debate about the gender pay gap last year. She declared she was "finished being adorable" when it came to negotiating better deals for herself.

Lawrence's 2016 earnings dropped 11.5 percent from her 2015 total of $52 million. Forbes will release its list of the world's highest-paid actors on Thursday. Last year Robert Downey Jr. topped the list with an estimated $80 million.

Neither however came close to pop star Taylor Swift, who was named the top earning celebrity of 2016 earlier this year, pulling in an estimated $170 million from record sales and her world tour.

McCarthy took home $33 million in earnings, up $10 million from 2015 in part from her payday for the controversial female reboot of "Ghostbusters."

It was the biggest annual paycheck to date for the star of television comedy "Mike and Molly." McCarthy, 45, also launched a clothing line for sizes 4 to 28 after becoming frustrated at the outfits available for larger women.

Scarlett Johansson of "Captain America: Civil War" was third at $25 million, down nearly 30 percent from 2015.

Together, the world’s 10 highest-paid actresses tallied a combined $205 million between June 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016, before management fees and taxes, Forbes said.

The estimates include earnings from movies, TV and endorsements from cosmetic and other companies. Bollywood star Deepika Padukone is the only newcomer on the list.

The rest of the top 10 2016 highest-paid actresses are:

4. Jennifer Aniston - $21 million

5. Fan Bingbing - $17 million

6. Charlize Theron - $16.5 million

7. Amy Adams - $13.5 million

8. Julia Roberts - $12 million

9. Mila Kunis - $11 million

10. Deepika Padukone - $10 million

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Too early to consider Sattar's takeover of MQM as 'minus one formula': Asif

ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif terming repentances and resignations by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) a 'routine affair' on Tuesday said that we should not rush to consider takeover of party leadership by Farooq Sattar as 'minus one formula'.

In extraordinary developments on Tuesday, the MQM Pakistan distanced itself from controversial anti-Pakistan statements made by the party leadership in London, with Deputy Convener Farooq Sattar taking control of the party leadership.

Sattar, flanked by senior leaders of the party, announced at a press conference in Karachi that future party decisions would be made by the MQM Rabita Committee in Pakistan.

Talking to Geo News, Khawaja Asif said that we will have to analyze the move by the MQM leadership in Pakistan as to whether it is party management or something else.

Chief of Qaumi Awami Tehreek, Ayaz Lateef Palijo termed Farooq Sattar's press conference a move to evade treason case and restoration of party offices.

 He also suggested postponing the election for mayors and deputy mayors until a verdict is not announced in the treason case.

A treason case was registered against MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Tuesday for his inflammatory speech that incited party workers to attack media outlets in Karachi on Monday.

IG Sindh AD Khawaja said on Tuesday that two cases had been filed against Altaf Hussain: one for treason for his anti-Pakistan speech to participants at a hunger strike camp organized by the MQM and the other for inciting party workers to violent protests.

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North Korea test-fires submarine-launched ballistic missile: South Korea

SEOUL: North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile off its east coast, South Korea's military said on Wednesday, the latest in a string of missile launches by the isolated country in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions.

North Korea test-fired the missile at around 5:30 a.m. (4:30 p.m. ET) near the coastal city of Sinpo, where satellite imagery shows a submarine base to be located, an official at South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The launch comes two days after rival South Korea and the United States began annual military exercises in the South that North Korea condemns as a preparation for invasion, and has threatened retaliation.

North Korea has become further isolated after a January nuclear test, its fourth, and the launch of a long-range rocket in February brought tightened UN sanctions.

It has launched numerous missiles of various types this year, including one this month that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula were exacerbated by the recent defection of North Korea's deputy ambassador in London to South Korea, an embarrassing setback to the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

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Scotland Yard set to investigate Altaf?s incitement to violence speech

LONDON: Scotland Yard has confirmed that it’s “assessing” the contents of Altaf Hussain’s speech against the state of Pakistan in which he also incited violence against media and the armed forces of Pakistan.

Speaking to Geo News, a spokesman of Scotland Yard confirmed that “the police are currently assessing the content of a speech given by an individual associated with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to ascertain if any crimes have been committed under UK legislation”.

The police confirmed that it has received numerous calls from the public seeking action against Altaf Hussain. “Where evidence of criminal activity is found we will consult with the Crown Prosecution Service,” said the police.

The police revealed that they are investigating various speeches â€" not just one - made by the London-based leader of the MQM who has been accused of using his London office to incite acts of terrorism inside Pakistan. Previously, the police had said that they were only investigating one speech, after having dropped the previous investigations into incitement.

But the latest outburst of incitement is different and Altaf Hussain himself admitted in his apology that he actually did incite violence in Pakistan and everyone in the MQM â€" and outside â€" agrees that MQM chief in his recent speech crossed the red line of laws governing Britain’s freedom of speech.

To demand the arrest and prosecution of Altaf Hussain for inciting violence in Pakistan, World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis (WCOP) organised a protest outside 10 Downing Street to demand intervention by the British Prime Minister Theresa May. Leaders and activists of PPP, PMLN, PTI, PSP, JI and others attended the large protest that lasted for over two hours. At the end of the demonstration a petition was presented by the WCOP to the British PM informing her that “on 22nd August 2016, through his live public address, transmitted from London to Karachi, the MQM supremo incited and encouraged the audience consisting of MQM officials and party members to spread violence in the port city Karachi, Pakistan. He incited them to target media houses, government buildings and civil armed forces and once the audience asked him for permission to go and target them he gave his blessing to do so. Immediately after his orders, the participants attacked a number of private media houses and clashed with police in various areas of the city where one innocent citizen of Pakistan lost his life apart from damage to property. Mr. Altaf Hussain very clearly and publicly incited violence and there is enough proof in media which should be more than enough to charge him under the British law”.

The petition, signed by Syed Qamar Raza and Tariq Dar, to the British PM, said that Altaf Hussain has issued apology and confessed that he incited violence. “This apology in itself is a proof of his incitement to violence as he accepts that he did commit the crime and thinks he can get away by a mere apology.”

It reminded the British government that “this is not the first time that Mr. Altaf Hussain has incited other people to commit an act of terrorism and violence in Pakistan and encouraged them to commit, prepare or instigate such acts against innocent people and public and government property and machinery. A number of cases are also pending in courts against Mr. Altaf Hussain which are under investigation for murder, money laundering and hate speech/inciting violence both in UK and Pakistan. It is our utmost request and demand as citizens of UK having stakes in Pakistan where our family and property is under threat due to the actions and words of Mr. Hussain that he should be immediately prosecuted and indicted for encouraging and inciting terrorism under Terrorism Act 2006 ss1-2 and Terrorism Act 2000 s.59.”

Earlier on Tuesday, PTI’s London President Barrister Waheed-ur-Rehman protested outside Altaf Hussain’s house in Mill Hill while the MQM leader was present inside the house. Barrister Waheed arrived at the house of Altaf with at least two dozen PTI activists and chanted slogans against Altaf Hussain and in favour of Pakistan. Altaf Hussain’s security called the police outside the house. The demonstration passed off peacefully and the police said that the protestors had every right to air their views peacefully. Barrister Waheed said that protests will be held outside 10 Downing Street and Altaf Hussain’s house until he is arrested and charged with incitement to violence in Pakistan.

Sayeeda Warsi, the former Conservative party chair, accused the Downing Street of ignoring MQM’s record of torture, murder and intimidation. She said in a statement: “We mustn't allow British citizens to use the UK as a base to incite violence against our allies.”

Khalid Mahmood, who chairs Tackling Terrorism All-Party Parliamentary Group in the British parliament, called on the British government to take urgent action against Altaf Hussain. He said that it was unfair that a British citizen was destabilising the biggest city of Pakistan from London. He said that there is little doubt left that Altaf Hussain has incited violence and law of the land must come into action.

Also on Tuesday, PTI’s London leader Soraya Aziz wrote to Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Commissioner of New Scotland Yard, and called on the Scotland Yard to take the issue of violence being peddled from London seriously. She called on the police to prevent the MQM chief Mr Altaf Hussain from making hate speeches & incitement to violence in Pakistan; hold him to account for the actions today as well as previously reported; and remove the protection of his citizenship under which he is evading many criminal charges against him in Pakistan.

Large scale protests have also been planned outside 10 Downing Street and outside the house of Altaf Hussain over the weekend.

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Daesh releases picture of Quetta suicide bomber

On the eve of August 13, ultra-violent global militant outfit Daesh (Islamic State) released a picture of an alleged bomber of Civil Hospital Quetta suicide blast. The name of the suspected bomber mentioned on the photograph read ‘Muaavia Khurasani’.

It began on August 8 at around 8:40 PM, President of the Balochistan Bar Association (BBA) Bilal Anwar Kasi was gunned down on Mano Jan Road as he made his way to work. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital Quetta.

After the incident was reported on electronic media, members of the legal fraternity started gathering in the hospital at around 9:20 AM. By 9:40AM, a large number of lawyers were present inside the premises of the hospital.

Six minutes later, the suicide bomber detonated his explosives, killing at least 72 with over one hundred injured.

In the aftermath, three different groups claimed responsibility of this tragic attack; Jamat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter group of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Hakimullah Mehsud group, and Daesh.

Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) of Balochistan obtained more than six different CCTV footages at the time they started probing the incident. In one of the footages, a suspected man was roaming around the hospital before the blast.

According to an official privy to the investigation, the suicide bomber likely entered the hospital at 9:08 AM and waited for the crowd to gather.

Geo News obtained a video where a young man wearing shalwar-kameez and coat was roaming around the hospital.

On August 14, SP Investigation Quetta Police, Zahoor Afridi said while talking to Geo News, “We have two other suspects, therefore, cannot confirm about any one person. Muaavia Khurasani was the real suicide bomber”.

The law enforcement agencies found two limbs which were dispatched to Lahore for a DNA test.

Earlier, a high-level intelligence source confirmed, “there are similarities found between an alleged photograph of suicide bomber circulating on social media and a man who was spotted in the video.”

However, LEAs are yet to ascertain whether Daesh (Islamic State) released photograph or it is merely fabricated.

“Conclusion will be drawn after the forensic report of the digital record is received” an intelligence source added.

After the attack on Civil Hospital Quetta, Daesh directly claimed responsibility.

Earlier Daesh’s alleged media wing, Amaq News Agency issued a statement on the Quetta massacre. Daesh published the claim in three different languages including English, Arabic, and Urdu.

 Initially due to a history of terror attacks in the city, LEAs believed that the attack was carried out by TTP-JA (TTPJA) with the assistance of banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) Balochistan. The modus operandi of the attack compelled investigators to focus their attention towards TTP-JA and LeJ.

Investigators are confident that LeJ Balochistan had played an important role in the execution of the deadly attack.

 On April 16, 2010, Arshad Zaidi son of Balochistan Shia Conference was targeted at Mannan Chowk. He was shifted to civil hospital Quetta. A large number of Hazara community members started reaching to the hospital.

The suicide bomber was present at the hospital. At least 11 people lost their lives including a cameraman of Samaa TV, Arif Malik and four police officers. The LeJ claimed the responsibility of the attack.

There are other examples where TTP â€" with the cooperation of LeJ Balochistan â€" carried out deadly attacks in Quetta.

Three years ago, again August 8, Station House Officer (SHO) of City Police Station Mohibullah Davi was killed on Airport Road as he returned after Eid shopping with his children.

His funeral prayers were held later that day inside the Police Lines. A large crowd was present to attend the funeral of the slain police officer. At that time, a suicide bomber was intercepted as he tried to sneak in to the premises. He detonated his explosive jacket. At least 30 policemen including a DIG and a SP lost their lives in the attack. The then defunct TTP’s spokesman Shahidullah Shahid claimed the attack.

Later, when the case was traced and some important arrests were made, it was discovered that the TTP hatched the plot and LeJ’s local ruthless chief Usman Kurd alias Saifullah Kurd played a key role in the execution of the plan.

This year on January 13, a suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest near Polio Centre Quetta. At least 15 people were killed including 13 policemen. The defunct TTP Fazlullah group claimed the attack.

 

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'Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai' lead actors visit Academy for Deaf

The lead cast of the upcoming Pakistani feature film ‘Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai’ begin their promotional campaign by visiting JS Academy for the Deaf in Karachi.

All set to make their big debut on the silver screen, lead stars Feroze Khan and Sajjal Ali interacted with hearing impaired  students of all ages.

Poised to make his mark on the big screen, Vj-turned-actor Feroze Khan described the visit as a very humbling experience, adding it makes one realize how blessed we are.

Popular TV star and actress Sajjal Ali, on the other hand, upon communicating with the children visually and physically using sign language, was highly impressed with their expressiveness.

 A special screening of the film trailer with sign language interpretation was also arranged during the visit.

Laila.A.Dossa, chairperson of the Academy for the Deaf, appreciated the initiative and efforts of the cast for recognizing the needs of the students and making it an enjoyable experience for those with less or no hearing.

After this innovative promotional activity, 'Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai' is set to be released by Geo films this Eid Ul Azha.

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Clinton ready for ?wacky? debate with Trump

WASHINGTON: White House hopeful Hillary Clinton suggested Monday that rival Donald Trump could be an unpredictable adversary in upcoming presidential debates, saying she is girding for "wacky stuff."

With the first debate scheduled to take place a month from now near New York, Clinton joked about what to expect from her unorthodox opponent.

"You?ve got to be prepared for wacky stuff. I?m planning on drawing off my experiences from elementary school," she said on late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Trump has suggested he might not attend all of the three scheduled debates.

But he is trailing badly in the polls and the highly watched events offer a much-needed chance to break through with undecided voters.

For a first-time debater, this cauldron of presidential political theatre could present a daunting challenge.

Trump has thrown a series of barbs at Clinton, describing her as "crooked" and making opaque suggestions lately that she has unspecified health problems.

Host Kimmel asked Clinton to open a jar of pickles to show she was in good health and also took her pulse as she brushed off a scandal over emails sent from a private server when she was secretary of state.

After Clinton told Kimmel that she used FaceTime video phone calls to visit with her grandchildren, he teasingly demanded whether she had ever considered using FaceTime instead of email.

Clinton also hit back at Trump?s highly contested assertion that she and President Barack Obama created the so-called Daesh (Islamic State group).

"Who would have guessed this audience would be so enthusiastic about the co-founder of ISIS?" Kimmel asked, after a rousing welcome for Clinton from the crowd.

Clinton responded that she thought "when Trump talks the way he talks, it actually helps the terrorists."

"I do feel sometimes like this campaign has entered into an alternative universe," she said.

"I have to sort of step into the alternative reality and, you know, answer questions about am I alive?" she said incredulously, referring to the health rumours.

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Clinton ready for ?wacky? debate with Trump

WASHINGTON: White House hopeful Hillary Clinton suggested Monday that rival Donald Trump could be an unpredictable adversary in upcoming presidential debates, saying she is girding for "wacky stuff."

With the first debate scheduled to take place a month from now near New York, Clinton joked about what to expect from her unorthodox opponent.

"You?ve got to be prepared for wacky stuff. I?m planning on drawing off my experiences from elementary school," she said on late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Trump has suggested he might not attend all of the three scheduled debates.

But he is trailing badly in the polls and the highly watched events offer a much-needed chance to break through with undecided voters.

For a first-time debater, this cauldron of presidential political theatre could present a daunting challenge.

Trump has thrown a series of barbs at Clinton, describing her as "crooked" and making opaque suggestions lately that she has unspecified health problems.

Host Kimmel asked Clinton to open a jar of pickles to show she was in good health and also took her pulse as she brushed off a scandal over emails sent from a private server when she was secretary of state.

After Clinton told Kimmel that she used FaceTime video phone calls to visit with her grandchildren, he teasingly demanded whether she had ever considered using FaceTime instead of email.

Clinton also hit back at Trump?s highly contested assertion that she and President Barack Obama created the so-called Daesh (Islamic State group).

"Who would have guessed this audience would be so enthusiastic about the co-founder of ISIS?" Kimmel asked, after a rousing welcome for Clinton from the crowd.

Clinton responded that she thought "when Trump talks the way he talks, it actually helps the terrorists."

"I do feel sometimes like this campaign has entered into an alternative universe," she said.

"I have to sort of step into the alternative reality and, you know, answer questions about am I alive?" she said incredulously, referring to the health rumours.

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Sharjeel hopes to repeat batting brilliance against England

SOUTHAMPTON: Opening batsman Sharjeel Khan has said that his career best innings against Ireland boosted his morale and he is looking to repeat the show during the five match ODI series against England.

Speaking exclusively to Geo News, Sharjeel said that he preferred to play his natural game and that helped him post a big score against his name.

"You can't say it was against a minor team, international cricket is never easy, no matter who your opponent is and anything you achieve in international cricket is always so important," he told Geo News in Southampton ahead of Pakistan's first ODI against England.

Sharjeel smashed 152 off 85 balls to score Pakistan's third highest individual score in ODIs after Saeed Anwar and Imran Nazir. It was also the third fastest 150 in ODIs.

When asked if he rued missing a double century, Sharjeel said that it wasn't on his mind and he did not take any pressure of target score while batting.

"I was playing my natural game, and it helped me play my shots comfortably, scoring double century wasn't on my mind," he said.

"But, I am looking to repeat the same performance in the upcoming matches against England," Sharjeel added.

Pakistan takes on England in first ODI of five-match series in Southampton on Wednesday.

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Aamir Liaquat quits MQM

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain on Tuesday announced to quit MQM, saying that the party leadership in London and Karachi were not on the same page.

Talking in a programme of a private TV channel, Amir Liaquat said, ?I am not part of MQM from today and I am leaving the party.?

?I am also quitting Pakistani politics,? he added.

He also advised Altaf Hussain to quit MQM.

 ?If Altaf can?t control his emotions and tongue he should also leave the politics and write books?, Dr Aamir Liaquat said.

?Pakistan is everything for me, whatever I am today it is all because of Pakistan,? Dr Aamir Liaquat remarked.

He also extended an apology over anti-Pakistan slogans and attack on media houses.

Earlier during the day, Dr Amir Liaquat was released by Sindh Rangers after overnight detention in paramilitary custody.

Rangers personnel detained Liaquat on Monday after MQM workers in Karachi turned to violence after being incited by their party chief to surround the offices of Geo News, Samaa and ARY in Karachi.

During his address, the MQM supremo reportedly made statements against Pakistan and urged activists to voice slogans against the country. At least one person was killed in the violence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Aamir Liaquat quits MQM

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain on Tuesday announced to quit MQM, saying that the party leadership in London and Karachi were not on the same page.

Talking in a programme of a private TV channel, Amir Liaquat said, “I am not part of MQM from today and I am leaving the party.”

“I am also quitting Pakistani politics,” he added.

He also advised Altaf Hussain to quit MQM.

 “If Altaf can’t control his emotions and tongue he should also leave the politics and write books”, Dr Aamir Liaquat said.

“Pakistan is everything for me, whatever I am today it is all because of Pakistan,” Dr Aamir Liaquat remarked.

He also extended an apology over anti-Pakistan slogans and attack on media houses.

Earlier during the day, Dr Amir Liaquat was released by Sindh Rangers after overnight detention in paramilitary custody.

Rangers personnel detained Liaquat on Monday after MQM workers in Karachi turned to violence after being incited by their party chief to surround the offices of Geo News, Samaa and ARY in Karachi.

During his address, the MQM supremo reportedly made statements against Pakistan and urged activists to voice slogans against the country. At least one person was killed in the violence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Azhar hopes Pakistan transfer Test form into England ODIs

LONDON: Pakistan one-day captain Azhar Ali wants to see the team take the form that had made them the world´s number one-ranked Test side into their one-day series against England.

Azhar was a member of the Pakistan team that secured an impressive 2-2 draw in a recent four-Test series against England and is now looking for his side to hit similar heights in a five-match one-day international series starting in Southampton on Wednesday.

Pakistan, following their results in England, and India´s rain-affected fourth Test draw with the West Indies in Port-of-Spain, are now number one in the Test rankings for the first time in history.

By contrast, they are just ninth in the ODI standings and in danger of missing out on automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup in England.

But Azhar is confident the team´s white-ball fortunes can be turned around following what was, to many observers, their surprise effort in winning two Tests in English conditions.

"Confidence is very high and belief is there, obviously coming from the Test series, we had a very good couple of months here," Azhar told reporters at Southampton on Tuesday. "We take that confidence into the one-day internationals as well.

"Being number one is a massive boost and a proud moment for Pakistan cricket and the whole nation is very happy about it, and as players the team is really happy about it.

"It´s definitely a good thing for us. Our one-day ranking is not great right now but we will take the opportunity and the way the team is performing, hopefully we can convert it into ODIs as well."

England´s one-day cricket has been on an upward curve since their embarrassing first-round exit at last year´s World Cup and Azhar is among those who´ve been impressed by how Eoin Morgan´s side have bounced back in the 50-over format.

"The way England started playing after the World Cup, they played a lot of attacking, fearless cricket and they´ve been performing very well," he said. "We know that and we have to be aggressive against them as well.

"We are all very confident. No one rated us very highly -- a few people said we would be competitive but there were doubts if we could win the Test matches here.

"But the boys really believed in the Test matches, so here also we believe we can do it."

After the Test series, Pakistan thrashed Ireland by 255 runs in an ODI at Malahide on Thursday -- Saturday´s second fixture in a two-match series was washed out -- but they are now set to face the fit-again Durham duo of fast bowler Mark Wood and all-rounder Ben Stokes, although the latter will be deployed as a batsman only at Southampton.

"Wood is definitely a very good bowler and Stokes a very good all-round player, and a good batsman too," Azhar said.

"Every player they have could be a match-winner for them, so we have to focus on each and every player. If we do that and bring our plans in, we can definitely challenge England."

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Need drugs in jail? Try using a drone

LONDON: While Amazon and the British government are looking into how to use drones to deliver parcels to customers, criminals are already exploiting the technology to send drugs to accomplices in prison.

Police said on Monday they recovered two drones carrying mobile phones and drugs near London's Pentonville prison and have set up a special task force - Operation Airborne ? to catch offenders trying to get contraband into the jail.

In the early hours of Saturday, police saw a man acting suspiciously near the prison.

He ran away, dropping two bags containing drugs and mobile phones and managed to evade arrest, according to a police statement.

Next day, police found a drone that had crashed after being tracked flying over Pentonville.

They were later alerted to another drone being flown at low altitude towards the prison.

The unmanned aircraft was stopped in mid-flight by a police officer and a package containing large amounts of drugs and two mobile phones was recovered from it.

Appealing for witnesses, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Heatley said: "These recovered drones carried a substantial amount of Class B drugs, legal highs and a large quantity of mobile phones.

"Last month, Amazon announced a partnership with the British government "to explore the steps needed to make the delivery of parcels by small drones a reality, allowing Amazon to trial new methods of testing its delivery systems".

But while the US giant is looking into how to use drones safely and reliably, criminals are pushing ahead with the technology.

British media reported in February that there were more than 30 incidents last year in which drones were found in or around prisons and items such as drugs, phones and USB drives recovered.

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England may play three spinners in first ODI v Pakistan

LONDON: England could play three spinners in the first game of their five-match series against Pakistan in Southampton on Wednesday, said one-day captain Eoin Morgan.

A fixture guaranteed to make history, because the third umpire will call front foot no-balls, will take another interesting twist if England field Liam Dawson alongside Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.

The Hampshire left-arm spinner is hoping to play on his home ground, particularly in dry conditions in the day-night game at the Ageas Bowl.

"Having Liam Dawson brings the option of playing three spinners and that is something we might have to take into consideration as we look ahead to the winter tours of Bangladesh and India," said Morgan.

"It will be a very tough series against Pakistan especially as the recent warm weather means conditions may suit them more than they suit us initially.

It is a good test leading into the winter.

"England go into the game full of confidence after their series victory over Sri Lanka earlier this season.

All-rounder Ben Stokes and his Durham team mate Mark Wood are back from calf and ankle injuries respectively although the former will play as a batsman only for the first two games.

Pakistan, who this week rose to number one in the test rankings after their 2-2 draw with England, look to improve a dismal recent record against opponents who have beaten them in eight of their last nine games.

"We have very good potential in one-day cricket also, we´ve certainly got belief," said Azhar Ali who has replaced test captain Misbah-ul-Haq as skipper.

"It's really important going into any series, you need to have belief and trust in the ability of the players.

If we bring our A game we definitely will compete."

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Indian actress refuses to apologise for pro-Pakistan comments

MUMBAI: Indian actress and politician Divya Spandana, more popularly known through her stage name Ramya, refused to apologise for her pro-Pakistan remarks after a sedition case had been filed against her.

According to details, Divya had responded a couple of days ago to Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar?s statement that 'going to hell and going to Pakistan would be the same', by stating:-

"I respectfully disagree, Pakistan is not hell, people there are just like us," she claimed.

Commenting on the situation, Ramya refused to apologise or backtrack on her remarks, stating that doing so would fail the larger purpose of what she was working for.

"I don?t have an ego at all and in any given incident, I would have apologised, but if I do in this case, the larger cause we?re fighting for would go," she said.

After her remarks, a lawyer from Karnatka had filed a sedition case against her, for issuing pro-Pakistan remarks. The actress stated that in a democratic country, it was everyone's right to say what they thought was right.

"It's really sad but such is situation in country today. Everybody is entitled to their views and that is what democracy is about. You can?t force your ideology on anyone," she said. Spandana is an ex-Congress MP and an Indian actress who visited Pakistan to take part in the SAARC conference for young parliamentarians.

Rayma said that politicians wanted to spread hatred while borders did not divide people. Rayma further said that she loved Sri Lanka and Bangladesh too and said that India was her home hence she would never leave the country.

"Politicians want to polarise and spread hatred. Just because borders separate us we shouldn?t hate others," she said. "It?s freedom of speech, also our duty to speak on inclusiveness and peace. Curbing freedoms is wrong in democracy," she added.

Rayma described the people of Pakistan as very welcoming and said that they tried to go out of their way to make her stay in the country comfortable.

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Time has come for action against MQM chief: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Tuesday demanded from the federal government that the matter pertaining to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief’s provocative actions should be taken up with the British government.

Imran Khan was talking to media representatives outside Bani Gala and said that Pakistani government should take strict action on the matter.

He said that time has come for taking action against the party chief.

“One British national stirs up violence time and again in Pakistan,” Imran Khan said.

On Monday, MQM workers had tried to wreak havoc in Karachi following an inflammatory speech by the MQM chief that incited party workers to attack on media houses.

At least one person died and eight others were injured during the violent attacks in which around 2,000 party workers participated.

 Earlier today, Pakistan shared initial evidence relating to the MQM with the British Foreign office along with the Scotland Yard.

According to sources, Pakistan will provide a full transcript of the two speeches made on the 21st and 22nd (August). Only some parts of the speech were shared which relate to MQM Chief Altaf Hussain’s making controversial comments.

 

 

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Kashmiri women offer bangles to UN?s Ban over inaction

MUZAFFARABAD: Women in Azad Jammu and Kashmir offered their bangles to Ban Ki-moon Tuesday, an insult in patriarchal South Asia aimed at the UN head?s perceived inaction over violence in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Hundreds of refugee women marched in Muzzafarabad, chanting slogans against the UN and India as some clutched their bangles in their hands in protest at the weeks of deadly violence.

Much of Indian-occupied Kashmir has been under curfew since protests broke out over the death on July 8 of a popular young Kashmiri leader in a gunfight with security forces.

More than 60 civilians have been killed in clashes between protesters and police and troops and thousands more injured in the worst violence to hit the restive region since 2010.

Hospitals have reported hundreds of young men and boys suffering serious eye and other injuries from the pellets.

"If the secretary general of the UN Ban Ki-moon can?t help Kashmiris, he should wear these bangles and rest," protester Irshad Qureshi told AFP, clutching her bracelets.

Others held placards saying the bangles were "For UN". The protesters also burnt the Indian flag.

Bangles are deeply embedded in female identity in Pakistan.

To offer the delicate bracelets to a man is to say he is acting like a woman -- seen as an insult, where women have been fighting for their rights for decades.

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Time has come for action against MQM chief: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Tuesday demanded from the federal government that the matter pertaining to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief?s provocative actions should be taken up with the British government.

Imran Khan was talking to media representatives outside Bani Gala and said that Pakistani government should take strict action on the matter.

He said that time has come for taking action against the party chief.

?One British national stirs up violence time and again in Pakistan,? Imran Khan said.

On Monday, MQM workers had tried to wreak havoc in Karachi following an inflammatory speech by the MQM chief that incited party workers to attack on media houses.

At least one person died and eight others were injured during the violent attacks in which around 2,000 party workers participated.

 Earlier today, Pakistan shared initial evidence relating to the MQM with the British Foreign office along with the Scotland Yard.

According to sources, Pakistan will provide a full transcript of the two speeches made on the 21st and 22nd (August). Only some parts of the speech were shared which relate to MQM Chief Altaf Hussain?s making controversial comments.

 

 

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Deepika tenth highest-paid actress in the world in 2016: Forbes

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone makes the cut in the top 10 highest-paid actors around the world as Jennifer Lawrence tops the list second year in a row, Forbes magazine reported on Tuesday.

Deepika who starred in movies such as Piku, Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewani, Chennai Express was valued at a net worth amount of $10 million.

Jennifer Lawrence topped a Forbes magazine list for the second straight year, earning some $46 million, followed by Melissa McCarthy.

Lawrence, 26, took the top spot largely through a slice of the profits from the final movie in the "Hunger Games" franchise, as well as a big upfront fee for her forthcoming space adventure movie "Passengers," Forbes said. Yet Lawrence's estimated payday was likely well below that for Hollywood's leading men, Forbes said, despite the actress sparking a debate about the gender pay gap last year. She declared she was "finished being adorable" when it came to negotiating better deals for herself.

Lawrence's 2016 earnings dropped 11.5 percent from her 2015 total of $52 million. Forbes will release its list of the world's highest-paid actors on Thursday. Last year Robert Downey Jr. topped the list with an estimated $80 million.

Neither however came close to pop star Taylor Swift, who was named the top-earning celebrity of 2016 earlier this year, pulling in an estimated $170 million from record sales and her world tour.

McCarthy took home $33 million in earnings, up $10 million from 2015 in part from her payday for the controversial female reboot of "Ghostbusters."

It was the biggest annual paycheck to date for the star of the television comedy "Mike and Molly." McCarthy, 45, also launched a clothing line for sizes 4 to 28 after becoming frustrated at the outfits available for larger women.

Scarlett Johansson of "Captain America: Civil War" was third at $25 million, down nearly 30 percent from 2015.

Together, the world’s 10 highest-paid actresses tallied a combined $205 million between June 1, 2015, and June 1, 2016, before management fees and taxes, Forbes said.

The estimates include earnings from movies, TV and endorsements from cosmetic and other companies. Bollywood star Deepika Padukone is the only newcomer on the list.

The rest of 2016 top 10 are:

4. Jennifer Aniston - $21 million

5. Fan Bingbing - $17 million

6. Charlize Theron - $16.5 million

7. Amy Adams - $13.5 million

8. Julia Roberts - $12 million

9. Mila Kunis - $11 million

10. Deepika Padukone - $10 million

 The totals cover from June 1, 2015 to June 1 of this year, before fees and taxes.

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Pakistan prepares its second LNG import terminal

SINGAPORE: Pakistan is taking another step towards becoming a key buyer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), signing a deal to purchase a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) for its second import terminal.

Singapore's BW Group said in a statement on Monday that it would deliver the FSRU to Pakistan GasPort Limited (PGPL) in the fourth quarter, as well as providing the terminal at Port Qasim, Karachi with LNG regasification services in a 15-year agreement.

The South Asian country has been earmarked as an up-and-coming demand outlet for the oversupplied LNG market. Along with Egypt and Jordan, Pakistan was a newcomer to the LNG import market in 2015, helping drive up demand and absorb growing world supplies from a wave of new projects.

The new import terminal will be able to receive 600 million cubic feet of natural gas per day and is expected to be commissioned for operations by mid-2017.

The terminal will reduce Pakistan's gas deficit by 30 percent and ensure fuel for 3,600 megawatts of new power generation plants being constructed in the country, said PGPL chairman Iqbal Ahmed.

Pakistan started up the 3.5 million tonnes per year Engro Elengy LNG terminal, the country's first LNG import facility, in Port Qasim last March. Pakistan shipped in a total of 1.02 million tonnes of LNG in 2015, and has imported 1.78 millions tonnes in the first seven months of this year.

"We are seeing weaknesses more in the North Asian market, and (South) Korea ... and a lot of the strong (demand) growth in where you might expect," said Neil Beveridge, a Hong Kong-based analyst at AB Bernstein, referring to emerging economies such as Pakistan.

Qatar, which signed two term supply contracts with Pakistan this year, is the country's largest LNG supplier.

 

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India cows get glow-in-the-dark horns to stop crashes

NEW DELHI: Police in central India are sticking glow-in-the-dark strips on the horns of stray cattle to prevent motorists from crashing into the animals as they wander across roads at night, an officer said Tuesday.

Following a spate of road accidents, traffic police in one district of Madhya Pradesh state have stuck orange radium reflective bands on the horns of 300 cows and bulls to help drivers spot them.

Stray cattle are a major traffic menace in India, with hundreds of bovines roaming freely on roads across the country.

"Many drivers injured themselves or killed the cattle after running over them at night," Kailash Chauhan, traffic police inspector for Balaghat district told AFP.

"There was an urgent need to prevent such accidents," he said.

Because of the success of the scheme, officers say they now plan to buy permanent radium paint to cover cows' horns, as the plastic bands only last for a few weeks.

Authorities have also asked farmers to fix glow-in-the-dark bands on their own cattle to help them be seen more easily.

In 2015 more than 550 people were killed in India in accidents involving stray animals, according to road ministry figures.

A World Health Organisation report in 2013 said more than 231,000 people die on India's deadly roads each year.

 

 

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Pink ball makes first-class debut in India

NEW DELHI: India’s Duleep Trophy domestic championship began staging its first match under floodlights Tuesday, experimenting with a pink ball in a likely precursor to the advent of day-night Tests in cricket’s biggest market.

Organisers of the Duleep Trophy, a four-day triangular tournament which traditionally heralds the start of the Indian cricket season, are hoping to attract bigger crowds by playing until around 9pm.

But the first match on the outskirts of the capital New Delhi is also being closely watched by India’s cricket board, which is widely expected to push ahead with plans for a day-night Test if the experiment succeeds.

The first-ever day-night Test match, which saw Australia beat New Zealand by three wickets in Adelaide last November, got mixed reviews from players and commentators.

But players taking part in Tuesday’s match, between teams that have been rebranded India Red and India Green, were excited at the prospect of the longest format of the game also being played after dark in India.

"I think it is pretty exciting and something to look forward to," said veteran all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who has enjoyed great success for the national team under lights in ODI and T20 cricket.

"The New Zealand-Australia Test match I saw was pretty exciting. The ball was swinging a bit much. It will be challenging if it swings a lot, playing under lights," added Singh, who is captaining India Red.

Suresh Raina, the captain of India Green who is trying to force his way back into the Indian team, was similarly enthusiastic.

"The Duleep Trophy has not been played with the pink ball before and it’s a good challenge. All the boys are keen (to perform) and this is a good platform ahead of the season," said Raina.

Eager fans

Singh’s team won the toss and chose to bat first in the afternoon in front of a sizeable crowd who had filed in to watch a piece of cricketing history.

"It’s a novel idea. Local people are eager to watch the pink ball game under lights. We are just hoping that all goes well," Rajeev Tyagi, one of the ground’s administrators, told AFP.

India had been expected to stage their first day-night Test during a tour by New Zealand starting next month. But the plans were shelved to give more time for trials of the pink Kookaburra ball.

Designers say the pink ball is far more visible under lights than the red ball that has traditionally been used in Tests. The white ball used in limited-overs cricket is not viable for Tests as it clashes with the players’ white clothing and sight screens as well as being less durable.

The Australia-New Zealand match is the only Test so far to have been played under lights. But Pakistan are also set to stage day/night contests against Australia and the West Indies in the Gulf later this year.

India, who have just been toppled by Pakistan at the top of the rankings, are about to embark on an extensive round of Test match cricket by hosting series against New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia.

While India’s ODI and T20 matches are usually played in front of packed houses, Tests are only rarely sold out.

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Pokemon-mad Russians hunt Ivan the Terrible with new app

MOSCOW: A compass on the smartphone screen points towards Red Square. As the distance to the target narrows, the camera app pops up and zooms in on a bearded figure in a fur cloak.

The routine is familiar to Pokemon hunters obsessed with the ultra-popular Pokemon Go game -- but this is no Pokemon. Instead, it is Russia?s brutal 16th-century tsar Ivan the Terrible, or rather, his digital 3D rendition in a new app developed by Moscow authorities.

As the Pokemon Go craze sweeps the globe, city officials have launched an augmented reality app called Discover Moscow Photo, which is billed as Russia?s answer to the Nintendo creation.

Instead of yellow and pink Pokemons, the app?s characters are figures from Russian history -- from modernising tsar Peter the Great to Napoleon Bonaparte, who briefly occupied Moscow in 1812, to Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and national poet Alexander Pushkin and composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

The app, available for Apple and Google Android devices, allows players to track down historical figures in places they once frequented and take a selfie with their 3D images.

The app is part of an educational digital project called Discover Moscow, which maps historical buildings and makes it possible for locals and tourists to create personalised guided tours as well as offering quizzes and quests.

"The launch of Pokemon Go gave further impetus" to the Moscow game, which debuted in mid-August, said project leader Kirill Kuznetsov, who works for Moscow city hall.

The game comes out as Pokemon Go is still not officially available in Russia, although thousands of Russians have already found ways to download it and their incessant Pokemon hunting has irked some officials and clerics.

 ?Educational version?

The Moscow government has invested one million rubles ($15,600) in the app and does not deny its resemblance to Pokemon Go, calling it an "educational version" of the game in its publicity materials.

"Some users have accused us of stealing the (Pokemon Go) idea," Kuznetsov said in a recent interview, explaining that in fact the Russian game has been in the making for three years, ever since the augmented reality technology became available.

The game ? so far only in Russian though an English language version is planned ? took a while to complete since developers were trying out various technologies to digitise the historical figures and make them three-dimensional, Kuznetsov said.

"Through this game, we hope to attract tourists to the main Discover Moscow app, so that they can learn something about the rich history of the city," he said.

The game gives Muscovites "more reason to go for a walk," said a press release from city hall, which is on a quest to redevelop Moscow into a tech-savvy and modern capital, so far with mixed results.

The game is set to add another dozen characters to the current nine, a difficult and delicate task as they have to be widely recognisable but not too controversial.

For Maxim Malyshev, the head developer at the game?s producer Notamedia, "the most difficult thing is to find actors who resemble the characters as closely as possible."

As augmented reality technology advances, there will be more and more possibilities for the game, he said: "We can make characters interact with objects or play with other parameters like perspective."

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Pokemon-mad Russians hunt Ivan the Terrible with new app

MOSCOW: A compass on the smartphone screen points towards Red Square. As the distance to the target narrows, the camera app pops up and zooms in on a bearded figure in a fur cloak.

The routine is familiar to Pokemon hunters obsessed with the ultra-popular Pokemon Go game -- but this is no Pokemon. Instead, it is Russia?s brutal 16th-century tsar Ivan the Terrible, or rather, his digital 3D rendition in a new app developed by Moscow authorities.

As the Pokemon Go craze sweeps the globe, city officials have launched an augmented reality app called Discover Moscow Photo, which is billed as Russia?s answer to the Nintendo creation.

Instead of yellow and pink Pokemons, the app?s characters are figures from Russian history -- from modernising tsar Peter the Great to Napoleon Bonaparte, who briefly occupied Moscow in 1812, to Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and national poet Alexander Pushkin and composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

The app, available for Apple and Google Android devices, allows players to track down historical figures in places they once frequented and take a selfie with their 3D images.

The app is part of an educational digital project called Discover Moscow, which maps historical buildings and makes it possible for locals and tourists to create personalised guided tours as well as offering quizzes and quests.

"The launch of Pokemon Go gave further impetus" to the Moscow game, which debuted in mid-August, said project leader Kirill Kuznetsov, who works for Moscow city hall.

The game comes out as Pokemon Go is still not officially available in Russia, although thousands of Russians have already found ways to download it and their incessant Pokemon hunting has irked some officials and clerics.

 ?Educational version?

The Moscow government has invested one million rubles ($15,600) in the app and does not deny its resemblance to Pokemon Go, calling it an "educational version" of the game in its publicity materials.

"Some users have accused us of stealing the (Pokemon Go) idea," Kuznetsov said in a recent interview, explaining that in fact the Russian game has been in the making for three years, ever since the augmented reality technology became available.

The game ? so far only in Russian though an English language version is planned ? took a while to complete since developers were trying out various technologies to digitise the historical figures and make them three-dimensional, Kuznetsov said.

"Through this game, we hope to attract tourists to the main Discover Moscow app, so that they can learn something about the rich history of the city," he said.

The game gives Muscovites "more reason to go for a walk," said a press release from city hall, which is on a quest to redevelop Moscow into a tech-savvy and modern capital, so far with mixed results.

The game is set to add another dozen characters to the current nine, a difficult and delicate task as they have to be widely recognisable but not too controversial.

For Maxim Malyshev, the head developer at the game?s producer Notamedia, "the most difficult thing is to find actors who resemble the characters as closely as possible."

As augmented reality technology advances, there will be more and more possibilities for the game, he said: "We can make characters interact with objects or play with other parameters like perspective."

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Pakistan shares MQM evidence with BritainÂ

LONDON: Pakistan has shared initial evidence relating to the MQM with the British Foreign office along with the Scotland Yard.

According to sources, Pakistan will provide a full transcript of the two speeches made on the 21st and 22nd.  Only some parts of the speech were shared with relate to MQM Chief Altaf Hussain?s inciting and making controversial comments.

Both the FCO and Scotland Yard have confirmed to Geo news that Pakistani authorities at ?various levels? are in touch over the Altaf Hussain issue.

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Pakistan shares MQM evidence with BritainÂ

LONDON: Pakistan has shared initial evidence relating to the MQM with the British Foreign office along with the Scotland Yard.

According to sources, Pakistan will provide a full transcript of the two speeches made on the 21st and 22nd.  Only some parts of the speech were shared with relate to MQM Chief Altaf Hussain’s inciting and making controversial comments.

Both the FCO and Scotland Yard have confirmed to Geo news that Pakistani authorities at ‘various levels’ are in touch over the Altaf Hussain issue.

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After a fracture, patients often continue meds that boost fracture risk

Older people who break a bone are often receiving medications that can increase the risk of a fracture - and even after an accident, less than 10 percent of them stop taking those drugs, according to a new study.

?One would expect that a significant health event like a fracture would result in some change in the use of prescription drugs that might have contributed to that event,? said lead author Dr Jeffrey C. Munson of the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in Lebanon, New Hampshire. ?In contrast to this expectation, we observed that for the overwhelming majority of patients we studied, a fragility fracture did not lead to any change in medications that have been linked to fracture risk.?

The authors used data on 168,000 Medicare beneficiaries, more than 80 percent of whom were women, on average age 80, who had experienced a hip, shoulder or wrist fracture. They compared these records with retail pharmacy claims to identify which patients had been taking medicines that increase the risk of a fall, decrease bone density or are otherwise tied to an increased risk of fracture.

Fragility fractures are common for the elderly and can lead to hospitalisation, pain, and loss of function and independence ? particularly hip fractures, which have a high mortality rate, Munson said.

About 75 percent of fracture patients had been taking one of these medications. While seven percent of people stopped taking the medication after their fracture, a similar number started to take a new medication also tied to fracture risk, the authors reported in JAMA Internal Medicine.

?Some drugs affect balance and memory, like the sleeping pills, which can lead to a fall,? said Dr Sarah D. Berry of the Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, Massachusetts, who coauthored an editorial alongside the results.

Blood pressure medications cause changes in blood pressure that could lead to a fall. Berry said. Other drugs, like prednisone or medications for heartburn, increase bone loss which can lead to a fracture, she told Reuters Health by email.

?Fractures are the leading cause of death from injury and one of the main reasons for nursing home placement in persons over the age of 65,? she said.

?When a patient has a hip, shoulder or wrist fracture, it is important for healthcare providers to examine all the prescription medications he or she is taking, and carefully assess whether there is an opportunity to eliminate those that might cause a future fracture,? Munson told Reuters Health by email.

However, he said, ?In many cases, the benefits of a drug may outweigh its risks, even when those risks are significant.?

Which drugs can be stopped will vary from case to case, Munson noted.

?For many of the drugs we studied, there are alternative drugs that treat the same conditions but with a lower risk of fracture,? he said. ?In other cases, it may be possible to eliminate a drug altogether.?

 

 

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Workers shouldn?t be mistreated due to MQM chief?s speech: Kamal

KARACHI: Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) leader Mustafa Kamal has said that federal and provincial government should not consider the people of Karachi orphan after MQM chief’s anti-Pakistan speech yesterday.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, he said that MQM had an 85pc mandate of urban areas of Sindh.

PSP leader said that party workers should not be mistreated due to MQM chief’s inflammatory speech.

“What kind of a disease is this in which you become RAW’s agent”, Kamal questioned while criticising MQM chief.

He said that people should decide themselves who is wrong and who is right.

He again reiterated his opinion about Farooq Sattar and said that MQM leader was innocent.

Mustafa Kamal’s press conference comes in the wake of MQM Pakistan distancing itself from anti-Pakistan statements made from party offices in London.

Farooq Sattar in a press conference at the Karachi Press Club said the future decisions will be made by the MQM Rabita Committee in Pakistan.

Sattar also announced that he will be assuming control of the party leadership.

The MQM leader said it was not the policy of the MQM to attack media houses as he condemned what transpired on Monday.

Farooq Sattar, Khawaja Izhar, and some other party leaders were nabbed by Sindh Rangers from Karachi Press Club yesterday when they had arrived to address a press conference following MQM party workers’ attack on media houses in Karachi â€" an action incited by MQM chief’s inflammatory speech during the hunger strike organised by the party.

The speech incited party workers to take to the streets yesterday, ransack media houses and vandalise property.

At least one person died and eight others were injured during the violent attacks in which around 2,000 party workers participated.

 

 

 

 

 

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Germany to accept hundreds of migrants to boost EU program: Italy

ROME: Germany has agreed to take in hundreds of migrants who are blocked in Italy in a move that might revive the European Union's failed relocation program, Italy's Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said on Tuesday.

As part of a deal to relieve pressure on Europe's frontline states in the migration crisis, the European Commission last year devised a plan aimed at moving thousands of new arrivals away from Italy and Greece towards other EU members. Under the scheme, up to 40,000 migrants could be relocated from Italy over two years, but so far only a few hundred have been flown out with many EU allies apparently reluctant to welcome in asylum seekers and refugees.

"Up until now, the relocation has been a real flop," Alfano told la Repubblica TV.

"(But) today we have heard that from September hundreds of refugees will be able to go each month to Germany. If things go well with Germany, we think they will also go well with other countries," he added.

Italy has taken in more than 420,000 boat migrants since the start of 2014, official figures show.

Many of the newcomers move swiftly on, looking to reach wealthier northern European nations, but a crackdown on border crossings has slowed the flows, leading to overcrowding in Italy's transit camps and refugee centers.

"We must remember that Germany already took in more than one million migrants in 2015. If it also takes in some of our (refugees) ... the message will be extremely strong, because if Germany can do it, then so can all those who have not put in the huge effort that Germany already has," Alfano said.

Merkel has faced criticism in Germany for being too open to migrants, and the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) is expected to perform well in local elections in two German regions next month.

Only Syrians, Eritreans and Iraqis qualify for the relocation program, meaning the bulk of migrants reaching Italy, many from West Africa, are not be eligible for relocation.

According to latest data, some 3,915 Eritreans, 787 Syrians and 686 Iraqis reached Italy in the first seven months of 2016.

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COAS visits troops in Kurram, expresses satisfaction over operations

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday visited troops engaged in combing operations at Thall, Kurram Agency, the ISPR said.

According to the ISPR, the COAS was briefed in detail by the Operation Commander about the security situation in Kurram, progress of the ongoing combing operations and the Intelligence-based operations.

The COAS expressed his satisfaction over the progress of combing operations and the security environment achieved as a result of the operations, the ISPR statement said.

?He appreciated the valour and gains made by troops and the value these operations are bringing to cleanse the area from terrorists and their sympathizers,? the statement read.

?The COAS reiterated that our operations will continue across the board without any discrimination and Pakistan will not allow any terrorist to use its soil for terrorism against any other country. COAS reviewed new deployments and structures being made to improve border management and directed stringent measures to check across the border movement indiscriminately, in coordination with Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan,? the ISPR stated.

Upon his arrival at Kurram, the Army Chief was received by Corps Commander Peshawar, Lieutenant General Hidayat ur Rehaman.

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Roads leading to British Council in Karachi blocked

KARACHI: Heavy contingents of Police and Rangers reached the British Consulate in Karachi on Tuesday in wake of the recent situation of the city.

Civil Society members protested outside the British Consulate against the MQM chief, whose inflammatory speech yesterday incited party workers to attack media houses which killed one and injured several others.

Roads from the British Consulate up to Do Talwar at Clifton were blocked.

The protesters outside the British Consulate were holding banners that demanded arrest of the MQM chief.

Women and children were among protesters.

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Dr Amir Liaquat released from Rangers custody, says meeting was friendly

KARACHI: Famous television figure Dr Amir Liaquat has been released by Rangers after overnight detention in paramilitary custody.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Amir Liaquat Hussain on Tuesday said that his meeting with DG Rangers was friendly. "I was served tea and biscuits," he said speaking to Geo News.

Rangers personnel detained Liaquat on Monday after MQM workers in Karachi turned to violence after being incited by their party chief to surround the offices of Geo News, Samaa and ARY in Karachi.

During his address, the MQM supremo reportedly made statements against Pakistan and urged activists to voice slogans against the country. At least one person was killed in the violence.

"I apologise over these incidents of violence," said Amir Liaquat. He said that whoever was involved in the arson and vandalism must be brought to justice. The MQM leader also said that these events caused damage to the party.

Liaquat, however, said 'Long Live Pakistan? in a tweet prior to his detention by Rangers personnel.

The workers also caused damage to shops located in Zainab market in the city's Saddar area forcing their closure. Traffic jams were witnessed in areas surrounding I.I.Chundrigar road, while the road leading to CM House was also blocked.

The sudden unrest in the city prompted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to direct authorities for immediate arrest of all those involved in violence. He said that adequate security must be provided to journalists in Karachi.

Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif telephoned DG Rangers Sindh and directed to maintain law and order situation in Karachi. The Army chief said that those who caused the mayhem must be caught at all cost.

DG Rangers during the phone call assured General Raheel that stern action would be taken against the miscreants and their instigators.

 

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No option but to distance myself from Altaf Hussain: Barrister Saif

ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif in a statement issued on Tuesday said there was no option left but to distance himself from MQM chief Altaf Hussain, whose inflammatory speech on Monday incited party workers to attack media houses in Karachi.

Barrister Saif condemned the party chief?s anti-Pakistan speech and the ensuing violence that left one dead and at least eight injured yesterday.

?We are the children of people who created Pakistan. Our ancestors gave huge sacrifices to create this country,? he said.

Altaf Hussain?s speech, delivered at Karachi Press Club to participants of the hunger strike organized by MQM, incited party workers to take to the streets yesterday, ransack ARY News? office, vandalize property, carry out arson and pelt stones at police.

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Pakistan to invest millions on glacier monitoring in effort to cut disaster risk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will invest $8.5 million to expand a network of glacier monitoring stations tracking the pace of glacial melt in the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges, in an effort to strengthen early warning systems and reduce the impact of flooding in the South Asian country.

Almost half of Pakistan´s 5,000 glaciers, covering around 15,000 square kilometres, are in rapid retreat, scientists say.

The rate of glacial melt, which has risen by about 23 percent in the previous decade, is among the fastest in the world, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

Last month, the government approved 892.5 million rupees for a four-year project to expand the network of monitoring stations as officials seek more accurate data on temperature, humidity, changing rainfall patterns and wind speed, while tracking the rate at which glaciers are melting.

"The initiative is indispensible for enhancing the country´s climate resilience, and vital to the meteorological department´s ability to timely release warnings about the flood risk," Ghulsam Rasul, director-general of the meteolorological department, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview.

"Based on data from these weather stations, timely warnings will be issued to provide a lead time of 60 to 90 minutes to communities in flood-prone areas to respond effectively to early flood warnings," he said.

Pakistan is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. In 2010, the country suffered the worst floods in a generation with more than 1,600 killed and over 14 million affected as floodwaters inundated over a third of the country.

Investing in disaster preparedness not only saves lives but also money with each $1 dollar spent saving $7 in tackling the aftermath of disasters such as floods, development experts have said.

SMS ALERTS

Pakistan´s meterological department also has submitted a six-year plan to modernise the country´s aging weather forecasting system - at a cost of 16.6 billion rupees ($159 million) - to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for approval.

The plan proposes installing 22 meteorological radar stations across the country and 400 advanced automatic weather stations, while overhauling community-based weather observatory stations in 98 districts.

"Our radar network - comprising seven flood warning radars - is now very poor and obsolete," Ghulam Rasul said.

Besides expanding early warning systems, disaster management officials are focusing on getting early warnings to as many people as possible as quickly as possible, said Ahmad Kamal, a spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency.

The agency has sought cooperation from the state-owned Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and bodies regulating print and electronic media to disseminate weather forecasts and early warnings by SMS and print media when disaster threatens.

Kamal said as many as 10 million SMS alerts were sent to disaster-prone communities in 2015, adding that SMS alerts had proven to be the most effective way of communicating with remote communities, particularly in mountainous regions.

"Despite the same intensity of summer monsoon rains in 2015 as observed in the preceding years, loss of life and cattle in mountain areas was 80 to 90 percent less," Kamal said.

In a country of 200 million people, more than 140 million are mobile phone users, he noted.

"Loss of the life from disasters can be brought zero if one early warning SMS alert about any possible disaster is relayed to these big number of mobile phone users in the country," he suggested.

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Pakistan celebrate ´incredible journey´ to No. 1 Test side

KARACHI: Pakistanis on Tuesday celebrated the national team´s "incredible journey" to the top of the Test rankings after a turbulent seven years in which they were forced to play home matches on neutral venues.

Pakistan supplanted arch-rivals India to become the world´s number one Test side on Monday, after India´s final Test against the West Indies ended in a rain-hit draw at Port of Spain.

It capped a remarkable rise under captain Misbah-ul-Haq´s leadership for a team which was nearly thrown out of the international arena over a spot-fixing scandal on their tour of England in 2010.

Pakistan have also been forced to play their home matches in the United Arab Emirates since an armed attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009, a significant disadvantage.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan branded the rise "historic".

"The ascension to the top of the ICC Test rankings culminates an incredible journey for Pakistan cricket," he said.

"This is a historic moment in our rich Test cricket history and the credit for this great achievement goes not only to this team but to all the players, coaches and support staff members who have represented Pakistan in recent years."

New coach Mickey Arthur stressed that the work was just beginning.

"It´s a fantastic achievement and a lot of people deserve the credit for that, but the top of them all will be the players who have worked hard and been outstanding," said Arthur, who coached Pakistan to a 2-2 draw in the four-Test series against England.

"I am just the lucky coach who has been with the team now but others have done wonderfully well," he added, singling out his predecessor Waqar Younis.

"People may say that its easier to get there than to remain there so we need to keep that momentum, and improve in one-dayers."

Under Younis, Pakistan plummeted to number nine in one-day international rankings -- a slump which they need to address in the five-match series against England starting on Wednesday.

Younis, who coached Pakistan in two stints from 2010-11 and 2014-16, was also delighted and said it was a "proud moment".

"The hard work has paid off... We as a nation are all proud of this achievement."

Misbah, who has led the side in 46 Tests since the spot-fixing scandal while keeping the off-field image clean, echoed the comments.

"It´s the greatest moment of my career," he told AFP, thanking "everyone involved in the game".

Fans on the street are also savouring the occasion.

"We cannot bring international cricket (to the country) but we have brought the number one rankings," said Abdul Qayyum.

"This has proved that we deserve cricket on our home grounds."

The ICC will present a special trophy to Pakistan in honour of the achievement next month.

If Pakistan remain number one until the April 1, 2017 cut-off date, they will also receive a much-needed $1 million prize money.

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Hate-mongers will have to pay for their actions, top officials at PM meeting decide

ISLAMABAD: Members at a high level meeting presided by the prime minister on Tuesday decided that those who preach hate against Pakistan will have to pay for it.

Without naming Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain, the members said that ‘someone’ living in a foreign country would not be allowed to destroy peace in Karachi, sources confirmed.

It was decided that stability, national interest, and honour of Pakistan will be protected, sources said.

National Security Advisor Lt Gen (R) Nasir Janjua briefed the prime minister over implementation of the National Action Plan. He explained the progress on tasks given to NACTA and other government bodies.

The prime minister expressed his satisfaction over the Rangers’ operation in Karachi, sources said.

The meeting was held in the wake of riots in Karachi on Tuesday where MQM workers ransacked an ARY news office and killed one person.

MQM party workers took to the streets yesterday after Altaf Hussain, in an address from London, incited them to storm media outlets and chant anti-Pakistan slogans during the hunger strike.

In violent protests that ensued, party workers ransacked the offices of ARY News and damaged a mobile satellite van.

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Farooq Sattar, Khawaja Izhar released, will hold press conference shortly

KARACHI: Rangers released Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders Farooq Sattar and Khawaja Izharul Hassan on Tuesday after overnight detention in the paramilitary custody.

Senior leader Farooq Sattar, who returned to his residence today, said that he will hold an important press conference at 2 pm today where he will share the details from last night with the public. He however declined to comment on yesterday?s events for now.

Farooq Sattar, Khwaja Izhar, Dr Amir Liaquat and some other party workers were nabbed by Rangers from Karachi Press Club yesterday when they were coming to address a press conference following MQM party workers? attack on media houses in Karachi ? an action incited by MQM chief Altaf Hussain?s inflammatory speech during the hunger strike organized by the party at Press Club.

Video footage available with Geo News shows Farooq Sattar asking the Rangers personnel for two minutes to address his workers. A Rangers officer does not spare him the time and takes him away, along with Khawaja Izhar.

According to sources, around 50 MQM workers were detained by law enforcement agencies following yesterday?s violence. The detained leaders included Farooq Sattar, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, Arshad Vohra, Khawaja Sohail and Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain.

Altaf Hussain?s speech to participants in the hunger strike incited party workers to take to the streets yesterday, ransack media houses and vandalize property. At least one person died and eight others were injured during the violent attacks in which around 2,000 party workers participated.

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Farooq Sattar released, will hold press conference shortly

KARACHI: Rangers released Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders Farooq Sattar and Khawaja Izharul Hassan on Tuesday after the two, along with some other party workers, were arrested last night.

Senior leader Farooq Sattar, who returned to his residence today, said that he will hold an important press conference at 2 pm today where he will share the details from last night with the public. He however declined to comment on yesterday’s events for now.

Farooq Sattar was arrested by Rangers from Karachi Press Club yesterday when he was coming to address a press conference following MQM party workers’ attack on media houses in Karachi â€" an action incited by MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s inflammatory speech during the hunger strike organized by the party at Press Club.

According to sources, around 50 MQM workers were arrested by law enforcement agencies following yesterday’s violence. The detained leaders included Farooq Sattar, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, Arshad Vohra, Khawaja Sohail and Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain.

Altaf Hussain’s speech to participants in the hunger strike incited party workers to take to the streets yesterday, ransack media houses and vandalize property. At least one person died and eight others were injured during the violent attacks in which around 2,000 party workers participated.

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Opposition presents resolution condemning attack on media houses in Karachi

LAHORE: Opposition on Tuesday submitted resolution condemning attack on media outlets in Karachi in Punjab Assembly.

The resolution, presented by PTI member Shoaib Siddiqui, slams MQM chief Altaf Hussain?s inflammatory and anti-Pakistan speech and party workers? attack on media offices in Karachi.

The resolution expresses solidarity with media houses and journalists and praises the media for delivering its duty courageously even in the most difficult times.

It also pays tribute to Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif?s orders in response to Altaf Hussain?s hate speech and lauds the efforts of Rangers and Sindh police in handling the situation and restoring peace in Karachi.

Another opposition leader, Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed, also submitted a resolution against MQM in Punjab Assembly on Tuesday. The resolution condemns the attack and the anti-Pakistan attitude of MQM chief and party workers.

Moreover, journalists gathered outside Punjab Assembly today to protest the attack.

Altaf Hussain?s speech to participants in the hunger strike organized by MQM incited party workers to take to the streets yesterday, ransack media houses and vandalize property. At least one person died and eight others were injured during the violent attacks in which around 2,000 party workers participated.

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Firing at Karachi seminary kills one, injures another

 KARACHI: At least one person was killed and another injured on Tuesday when unknown men opened fire at a seminary office in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area.

Indiscriminate firing killed Mufti Kamran and injured Mufti Ghulam, SP Gulshan Dr Fahd said.

The injured has been shifted to a private hospital.

The incident disrupted the otherwise peaceful Tuesday morning in Karachi where business opened as usual and children went to school.

Rangers cracked down on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement after violent protest by its workers killed one person and damaged ARY news? Karachi office.

Rangers raided MQM offices across Karachi overnight and sealed MQM sector offices in Lyari, Ranchor Line, Burns Road and PIB Colony. Society, Mehmoodabad, Defense, Gulbahar and Nazimabad sector offices were also locked down.

Party offices were also sealed in New Karachi, Gulshan Iqbal, Surjani Town, Gulistan e Jauhar, Azizabad, Liaquatabad and Malir.

It was further said that more than 50 activists and office-bearers were nabbed during the raids.

Farooq Sattar, Amir Liaquat and Khwaja Izharul Haq were detained by Rangers for interrogation and later released.

 

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