Collingwood candidate for England captaincy in T20 World Cup

Updated at: 1736 PST, Monday, April 13, 2009

KARACHI: Allrounder Paul Collingwood is also among the candidates of the captaincy of the England team for the Twenty20 World Cup but selectors said that first the team would be finalized and then captain would be announced.

The Twenty20 World Cup will be held in June in England.

This is still a question mark that who will lead England in this tournament.

Earlier, names of Kevin has also joined this race.

Collingwood had earlier ruled out the possibility of becoming captain of the England team but talking with an English newspaper yesterday he said that this possibility cannot be ruled that he may accept the responsibility of captaincy.

Ignacio, Seppi advance into second round of Monte Carlo Tennis Updated at: 1300 PST, Tuesday, April 14, 2009 MONTE CARLO: Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina beat Igor Kunitsyn of Russia 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 in the Monte Carlo Masters, setting up a second-round match against top-ranked Rafael Nadal. Andreas Seppi of Italy advanced with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Jurgen Melzer of Austria and will play second-ranked Roger Federer.Oscar Hernandez of Spain defeated Julien Benneteau of France 6-4, 6-4. He will meet No. 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

India to provide more info on Mumbai attacks: Mukherjee
Updated at: 1858 PST, Tuesday, April 14, 2009

NEW DELHI: India agreed to provide more information to Pakistan about Mumbai carnage, but said Islamabad should not delay investigations on the pretext of clarifications. "I have just had a discussion with our foreign secretary. We have received the papers (from Pakistan). We are examining them and if there be further information necessary, then we will give them the further information," Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told new .... Full Story

Afghanistan unrest to rise in 2009: Mullen
Updated at: 2100 PST, Tuesday, April 14, 2009

WASHINGTON: The chairman of the military Joint Chiefs of Staff says violence can be expected to rise in Afghanistan in the next few months as the United States increases its combat presence there.

Adm. Michael Mullen noted that 17,000 additional combat troops and 4,000 military trainers from the United States will soon be on the ground in the wartorn nation and said that ultimately they will have "the right impact."

Interviewed ... Full Story

Chinese air force delegation visits Air Headquarters
Updated at: 1940 PST, Saturday, April 11, 2009

ISLAMABAD: General Xu Qiliang, Commander PLA (Air Force) along with a nine member delegation visited Air Headquarters here on Saturday said a press release.On his arrival at Air Headquarters, Chief of the Air Staff Rao Qamar Suleman, received the distinguished guest.

A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented the Guard of Honour.After reviewing the Guard of Honour, he was introduced to Principal Staff Officers of Pakistan Air Force. The distinguished guest also paid homage to the martyrs of PAF by laying wreath on Martyrs' Monument at Air Headquarters.General Xu Qiliang, also invited Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman in his office. Both discussed matters of professional interest.

They also discussed measures to further strengthen the friendly relations between the two air forces.The delegation was briefed at Air Headquarters on the organization, role and functioning of Pakistan Air Force. On this occasion Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui was also present.Commander PLA (Air Force), General Xu Qiliang along with his delegation who is on a visit of Pakistan is guest of Pakistan Air Force. During his stay he will visit various PAF Operational and Training establishments.

Pakistan can beat Australia: Shoaib Akhtar
Updated at: 1955 PST, Saturday, April 11, 2009

LAHORE: Pakistan’s world renowned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said that by defeating Australia in UAE, Pakistan can prove themselves the best team in the world.Shoaib Akhtar said that the Pakistan Cricket Board has reposed its confidence in him and he would make all out efforts to get Pakistan win the series against Australia.

Talking with media in Lahore, Shoaib Akhtar said that the Pakistan-Australia ODI series would be a difficult series because grounds in Dubai are above sand. This is why the board has decided to take the team to Dubai early enabling the players to adjust themselves to the conditions.Shoaib Akhtar further said that the absence of star Australian players would make a difference but despite this fact their batting line-up is very strong and if Pakistanis bowl well then Australia can be defeated.

India beat Malaysia to lift Azlan Shah Cup
Updated at: 1845 PST, Sunday, April 12, 2009

IPOH: Indian beat hosts Malaysia 3-1 in the final to clinch the 18th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh on Sunday. Arjun Halappa, Prabhjot Singh, Shivender Singh scored a goal each for India.At half-time India were leading 2-1. They built the lead to 3-1 in the second half to win the title for putting an end to their 13-year title drought.Earlier on Saturday,
India overcame arch rivals Pakistan 2-1 to meet Malaysia in their sixth final in the
tourname .... Full Story

Thai summit protest leader arrested: police
Updated at: 1052 PST, Sunday, April 12, 2009

BANGKOK: Thai police Sunday arrested the leader of anti-government protesters who stormed an Asian regional summit, forcing it to be cancelled.Police said Arisman Pongreungrong was detained at his home in the capital following his return to Bangkok. "The police went to arrest Arisman Pongreungrong at his house on the charge of inciting protesters to kidnap the prime minister and cause unrest in the country," a police spokesman said. He said Arism .... Full Story

Leader of Thai protests arrested

The leader of the Thai protesters who humiliated the government by forcing the cancellation of an Asian summit is detained.

In pictures: Protests in Pattaya
Fiasco deepens Thai stalemate
Q&A: Thailand protests

Argentina humiliated by Bolivia in SA World Cup qualifier
Updated at: 1856 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

LA PAZ: Argentina suffered their worst defeat in more than 60 years after losing 6-1 to Bolivia in a South American World Cup qualifier here on Wednesday night, their first loss under coach Diego Maradona.

Bolivia's goals came from a Joaquin Botero hat-trick and Marcelo Martins, Alex Da Rosa and Didi Torrico while Argentina found the net through Luis Gonzalez at La Paz's high-altitude Hernando Siles's stadium. Maradona said of the Argentina fans at the post-match press conference: "I suffered with them. Every Bolivian goal was a dagger in my heart."

Argentinian keeper Juan Pablo Carrizo, who had a memorable night for the wrong reasons, was first beaten in the 12th minute by striker Marcelo Martins, who plays for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukraine. However, the Argentinians, twice world champions, were level in the 25th minute when Porto's Luis Gonzalez hit a shot from 30-metres without much conviction but an unexpected bounce meant it went past Bolivia keeper Carlos Arias and into the net.

Bolivia went further ahead in the 34th minute through hat-trick hero Botero of Mexican club Correcaminos, Mexico.An inspired and motivated Bolivia went 3-1 ahead just before the break through Da Rosa and then Botero got further goals in the 50th and 66th minutes. Torrico scored the sixth and final goal with three minutes to go. Angel Di Maria was sent off in the 63rd minute to make a terrible night even worse. On the other hand, Brazil, the five-time world champion, outclassed Peru 3-0 after getting a 2-0 lead in the first half.England beat Ukraine 2-1 at London’s Wembley Stadium. The first goal for them was scored by Peter Cravitch in the 29th minute and later Ukraine’s Shibyu Chenco equaled the score in the 74th minute. However, in the 85th minute, John Terry made the winning goal.

In another match, Saudi Arabia defeated the United Arab Emirates 3-2.

Obama: India, Pakistan's enemy should be poverty
Updated at: 0202 PST, Friday, April 03, 2009

LONDON: President Barack Obama said India and Pakistan's greatest enemy should be poverty, not each other.He met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the G-20 meeting in London Thursday, and later told a news conference that he suggested it would "make sense" for the two nuclear-armed neighbors to have "a more effective dialogue."

Obama said they discussed the terrorism emanating from Pakistan, but focused more broadly on how the U.S. and India can cooperate on counterterrorism.Obama described Singh as a "wise and decent man" who has done a "wonderful job" guiding India on a path of economic growth.He said they discussed a range of topics, including energy and fighting climate change. Obama said it's important the U.S. lead in efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

K.T. McFARLAND: DEFCON-3: Can Obama Keep His Promises on Af/Pak?
By Kathleen Troia “K.T.” McFarlandNational Security Expert


President Obama’s new policy for Afghanistan and Pakistan– or “Af/Pak” as it’s now known — is bound to drive the anti-war left and neo-con right wingers crazy … Because it both broadens and narrows the war.

11 dead in Dhabeji bus, coach collision
Updated at: 2014 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

THATTA: Eleven passengers were killed and over 55 others injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a coach on National Highway near Dhabeji on Thursday afternoon.The coach caught fire after the collision. As a result some of the passengers were burnt to death on the spot.

The injured were shifted to Karachi for treatment.The area police and local villagers performed the rescue operation and shifted the victims to hospitals.

Israel parliament approves Netanyahu govt
Updated at: 2137 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

JERUSALEM: Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israeli prime minister, pledging to seek peace with the Palestinians amid international concern his largely right-wing cabinet could bury negotiations.

Parliament approved by a 69-45 vote Netanyahu's coalition, which includes his right-wing Likud, the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu, ultra-Orthodox Shas and a small religious faction as well as the centre-left Labour party.

Netanyahu, 59, was then sworn in, followed by the 29 other ministers in his cabinet, the largest in Israel's 61-year history.In his address to the Knesset, the 120-seat parliament, Netanyahu told MPs the biggest threat Israel faced was the possibility of "a radical regime armed with nuclear weapons" -- a clear reference to arch-foe Iran.

But the hawkish Likud leader said peace with the Palestinians was possible, while making no mention of a future Palestinian state."I am telling the leaders of the Palestinian Authority -- if you really want peace, it is possible to reach peace," he said. "We will carry out peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority with a view to reaching a final accord.But he added that Palestinians "must fight against terrorism" if they want peace.

The Palestinian Authority said Netanyahu's statements "mark a start that is not encouraging.""The American administration should pressure the Netanyahu government to stick to the fundamentals of the peace process, in other words land for peace."This means the restitution of all the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967, including east Jerusalem," said Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's spokesman.

Pranab rules out becoming PM
Updated at: 2301 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

NEW DELHI: Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday that he could not become the Prime Minister of India since he neither possessed good command over the Hindi language nor hailed from northern states of world’s largest democracy.Pranab said in a TV interview that he hailed from a state where leftists enjoyed majority. He praised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his intelligence and grasp of the issues and said Singh ha .... Full Story

G-20 aims to raise $1.1 trillion for WB, IMF
Updated at: 2040 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

LONDON: World leaders are looking to raise up to 1.1 trillion dollars in new financing for the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, diplomats said Thursday.

Group of 20 leaders want the extra cash to boost liquidity and help embattled countries -- particularly in crisis-hit eastern Europe -- through the global recession.The British government's Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms said the G20 would ramp up IMF fu ... Full Story

Will We Be Known As the ‘Reckless Generation’?
04.02.2009 10:30AM by Forum Contributor

By Representative John ShadeggRepublican, representing Arizona’s 3rd DistrictOur parents and grandparents were part of[...]

Obama Plays Down G20 Friction, Hails Summit Results
President Obama said he spent time "listening and learning" and "providing American leadership," and the document that emerged from the meeting and the concrete actions that follow "reflect a range of our priorities."
Read More»

New president elected to head Schuylkill Co. IU board

A change of seats took place for the office of president of one of the two boards of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 School District at the annual convention of school board members from the 11 public school districts in Schuylkill County and one from Dauphin County, held at the Maple Avenue Campus in Norwegian Township Monday night.

Theodore Heffner, of Blue Mountain School Board, replaced Richard L. Croneberger, of Schuylkill Haven, as president of the Area Vocational Technical School Board by a vote of 27 to 14.

More . . .
March 31, 2009

U.S. Census is looking for applicants

The United States Census is accepting applications and performing general testing for candidates for temporary, part-time employment with the U.S. Census.

This will be performed at the following locations:
• CareerLink on Broadway in Jim Thorpe on Tuesday, April 7 at 10 a.m.
• Penn Kidder Campus on Route 903 in Albrightsville at 6:30 p.m.
• Lehighton Area High School on Indian Way in Lehighton on Thursday, April 2 and Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m.
• Palmerton Area Public Library on Delaware Avenue in Palmerton on Thursday, April 2 at 10 a.m.

Call toll-free 1 (866) 861-2010 to register.
Additional information and a sample test can be found at www.2010censusjobs.gov.
More . . .
March 31, 2009

Three persons airlifted after Schuylkill crash


Three persons were airlifted to Lehigh Valley area hospitals following a one-vehicle crash that occurred about 6:20 p.m. on Monday along Cold Run Road at Schuylkill Road in the village of Hecla, East Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County.

State police at Frackville said the accident occurred as Damian Shoff, 20, of Tamaqua, was driving a 1995 Subaru Impreza northbound on Cold Run and failed to stop for a posted stop sign at the intersection with Schuylkill Road.
Shoff lost control of the vehicle and went off the road and struck a tree with the right side.
Shoff was flown by MedEvac helicopter to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. Two passengers, who troopers did not identify pending notification of relatives, were also flown to hospitals.
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Court employees unionize in Carbon

Fourteen Carbon County court-related employees have formed a union.
Last week, eligible court professional officials from the county offices of Domestic Relations, Juvenile Probation, and Adult Probation, met with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board and voted to form a union under the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 87, AFL-CIO.

The group initially requested permission to form a union on Jan. 20, when it filed a petition under the Public Employee Relations Act with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.
In the petition, which requests representation by a union, it states that "all professional court-appointed employees including, but not limited to Adult and Juvenile Probation Officer I and II, Deputy Chief Officers, Domestic Relation Support Representative, Domestic Relation Specialist I and II, and Enforcement Officers" would be included and able to join a union.
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Muralitharan, Chanderpaul top ICC Rankings

DUBAI: Riding on the match-saving hundred against New Zealand in the second Test, Indian batsman VVS Laxman on Tuesday returned to the top-20 of the VVS Laxman celebrates....
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Britain starts pulling out of Iraq

BAGHDAD: British forces have officially started pulling out of Iraq on Tuesday, signaling the end of six years of military operations that began with the US-led invasion ....
Full Story

Clinton backs reconciliation with Taliban who reject violence
Updated at: 1737 PST, Tuesday, March 31, 2009

THE HAGUE: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton backed Tuesday Afghanistan's plans to hold reconciliation talks with members of the Taliban or past Al-Qaeda supporters who reject violence.
"We must ... support efforts by the government of Afghanistan to separate the extremists of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban from those who joined their ranks not out of conviction, but out of desperation," she said. "They should be offered an honorable form of .... Full Story

SC restores Shahbaz Sharif as CM Punjab
Updated at: 1311 PST, Tuesday, March 31, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan stayed on Tuesday its decision of February 25 in which it disqualified Pakistan Muslim League-N President, Mian Shahbaz Sharif to hold the office of chief executive of Punjab province.
The five-member bench headed by Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani granted a stay to Shahbaz Sharif on a writ filed through Khawaja Haris till the disposal of main petition.
The bench also announced that the operation of judgme .... Full Story

Nawaz Sharif calls for end to drone attacks
Updated at: 1841 PST, Tuesday, March 31, 2009

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday the new U.S. administration was much better than the previous one, but needed to understand his country's concerns as it battles extremism.

He said reaction to President Barack Obama's new plan for Pakistan and Afghanistan, announced last week, had been "mixed" in the country."

As we are very willing to address the concerns of all our allies and friends, I ... Full Story

First 100 Days

The Obama administration is out of the chute, off and running.
Check out our special section for all the latest updates on team Obama

U.S. Attack 'Soon'

Taliban terror commander in Pakistan claims responsibility
for attack on police academy, threatens 'amazing'...

Miandad re-appointed as PCB Director General
Updated at: 1344 PST, Monday, March 30, 2009

KARACHI: Former Test cricketer and captain Javed Miandad has re-appointed as Director General of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).According to sources, Miandad himself announced that he is appointed once again as PCB Director General. However, sources said Javed Miandad would serve as advisor to chairman PCB.Miandad had resigned few months ago after having differences with PCB

ECNEC approves 29 projects worth Rs77 bln
Updated at: 2324 PST, Monday, March 30, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a total of 29 projects worth Rs77 billion including 11 projects of energy.The ECNEC meeting presided over by Finance Advisor Shaukat Tarin approved the above projects.The projects approved include Rs30 billion worth of 11 energy projects whose completion will cut down line losses by 128 MW.
The ECNEC also approved 6 projects worth Rs11.40 billion for road construction .... Full Story

Ship carrying 257 migrants sinks off Libya coast: report
Updated at: 2234 PST, Monday, March 30, 2009

CAIRO: A ship carrying 257 illegal migrants travelling to Europe has sunk 30 kilometres off the coast of Libya, Egyptian state news agency MENA said on Monday, quoting a foreign ministry official.Ahmed Rizq, responsible for consular affairs in the foreign ministry, said 20 passengers, including six Egyptians, were saved by Libyan rescue workers.The ship sank after setting from Sidi Bilal, near the capital Tripoli, on Sunday morning,
Rizq said.Lib .... Full Story

Manawan Police Center siege ends, 4 attackers killed, 4 held
Updated at: 1840 PST, Monday, March 30, 2009

LAHORE: The siege at the Manawan Police Center in Lahore has ended, bringing a halt to eight-hour long operation Security forces have arrested four terrorists before regaining control of the besieged Police Center. Four terrorists were also killed in the operation. According to sources, eight policemen were martyred, while 95 others were injured in the deadly attack.
The attack came at a time when the trainee policemen were doing parade at a Pol ....
Full Story

Arrested terrorist is Afghan national: Rehman
Updated at: 2118 PST, Monday, March 30, 2009

LAHORE: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik has said that the terrorist arrested from Manawan is an Afghan national and hails from Paktika province of Afghanistan.

Speaking to newsmen here at the Rangers Headquarter, he said that today’s attack on Manawan Police Academy was planned in South Waziristan.

He said that investigations were underway to find more information in this connection.

The Inspector ... Full Story

Razzaq available for selection
Updated at: 1814 PST, Sunday, March 29, 2009

LAHORE: Star all-rounder Abdul Razzaq said today that Indian Cricket League (ICL) has released all players and issued no-objection certificate (NOC) too.Speaking to newsmen here, Razzaq said that he would apprise Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of his availability for selection in a couple of days. “Players can now sign agreement with anyone after issuance of NOC from the unofficial cricket league,” he said.

Britain, Spain amid several EU countries’ people march in G20 protests

Updated at: 1115 PST, Sunday, March 29, 2009

LONDON: Tens of thousands of people in several European countries including Britain and Spain took to the streets in their capital cities ahead of Thursday G20 summit to express their anger at the human cost of the financial crisis.Demonstrators also marched in other European capitals as politicians appealed for calm during Thursday's Group of 20 gathering in London, due to be attended by world leaders including US President Barack Obama.The prot .... Full Story

Policemen among 17 killed in Afghan violence
Updated at: 2016 PST, Sunday, March 29, 2009

KABUL: Four Afghan police were killed in a rebel ambush in western Afghanistan Sunday, while three army commandos and 10 rebels died in other violence, authorities said.Three policemen were killed after militants attacked their vehicle near the western province of Herat, a police spokesman, Abdul Rauf Ahmadi, told a foreign news agency. A senior police officer was injured, he said.Another officer was killed after a police post was ambushed by the .... Full Story

U.S. trying to end extremism with Pak neighbors help: Holbrooke
Updated at: 1931 PST, Sunday, March 29, 2009

WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Robert Gates urged Pakistan's intelligence service to cut contacts with extremists in Afghanistan, which he called an "existential threat" to Pakistan itself.Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has said that U.S. is endeavoring to get to the bottom of problem in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Efforts are being made to end extremism in collaboration with Pakistan neighbors, he sa .... Full Story

Obama rules out US troops in Pakistan
Updated at: 1938 PST, Sunday, March 29, 2009

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama says he will consult with Pakistan's leaders before going after terrorist hideouts in their country.

He also wants Pakistan to be more accountable, but is ruling out deploying U.S. troops there.

In Obama's words, his Afghanistan strategy “does not change the recognition of Pakistan as a sovereign government.''


In an interview with American TV channel, Obama discusses the tenuous secur ... Full Story

Hillary Says Pro-Life Is Anti-Democratic, and the Papers Only Say She 'Champions Women's Rights'?

By TIM GRAHAM,

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was honored Saturday night in Houston by America’s leading provider of abortions, with an award named for a woman who believed the...

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Obama tough-talking causing unease in Pak establishment

Though Pakistan has broadly welcomed the new US Afghan-Pak policy, there are indications here that President Barack Obama's tough talking has caused some "pretty big p...

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