NASA’s new rocket lifts off on short test flight

                                                                                                                                                          NASA's newest rocket blasted off on a brief test flight Wednesday, taking the first step in a back-to-the-moon program that could be shelved by the White House.  
The 327-foot (100-meter) Ares I-X rocket resembled a giant white pencil as it shot into the sky, delayed a day by poor weather.
Nearly twice the height of the spaceship it's supposed to replace, the shuttle, the experimental rocket carried no passengers or payload, only throwaway ballast and hundreds of sensors. The flight cost $445 million.
It was the first time in nearly 30 years that a new rocket took off from Kennedy Space Center. Columbia made the maiden voyage for the shuttle fleet back in 1981.
Liftoff, in fact, occurred 48 years and one day after the first launch of a Saturn rocket, a precursor to what carried astronauts to the moon during the Apollo program. The Saturn V moon rockets were the tallest ever built, an impressive 363 feet.
Wednesday's launch, years in the making, attracted a large crowd. The prototype moon rocket took off from a former shuttle launch pad at 15:30 GMT, three and a half hours late because of bad weather.
 Launch controllers had to retest the rocket systems after more than 150 lightning strikes were reported around the pad overnight. Then they had to wait out interfering clouds.
The ballistic flight did not come close to reaching space and, as expected, lasted a mere two minutes. That's how long it took for the first-stage solid-fuel booster to burn out. But it will take months to analyze all the data from the approximately 725 pressure, strain and acceleration sensors.
The maximum altitude of the rocket was not immediately known, but had been expected to be 28 miles. Parachutes popped open to drop the booster into the Atlantic, where recovery ships waited.
The upper portion of the rocket, all fake parts, fell uncontrolled into the ocean. Those pieces were never meant to be retrieved.
Wednesday's launch represented the first step in NASA's effort to return astronauts to the moon. The White House, though, is re-evaluating the human spaceflight program and may dump the Ares I in favor of another type of rocket and possibly another destination.
NASA contends the Ares I will be ready to carry astronauts to the International Space Station in 2015, four to five years after the shuttles are retired. But a panel of experts said in a report to President Barack Obama last week that it will be more like 2017, and stressed that the entire effort is underfunded.
The first Ares moon trip would be years beyond that under the current plan, known as Constellation.
No matter what happens, NASA managers said they will learn a lot from this experimental flight, even if it's for another type of rocket.
'A lot of the gold that we had to mine in doing this Ares I-X test flight, we've already realized in the people,' Constellation program manager Jeff Hanley said earlier this week.
'The investment that we've made and the people and the learning is preparing us to do whatever the nation asks this team to do in the months and years ahead
NASA’s new rocket lifts off on short test flight

Troops surround ‘Uzbek base’ in S. Waziristan

ISLAMABAD: Security forces have surrounded Kaniguram, an important base of Uzbek militants in South Waziristan, from three directions and preparing to storm the town.

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and Armed Forces Spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas told newsmen on Wednesday that important fronts around the town had been secured.
Gen Abbas said security forces had also achieved substantial successes on two other fronts. He said good progress had been made on the Jandola-Saroragha axis and important heights had been secured in Nawazkot area on the Razmak-Makeen axis.
On the Jandola-Sararogha front, he said, troops were making good progress and securing heights along the main Kotkai-Sararogha road, overlooking the town of Sararogha. Troops secured the important the Nullah road junction, 2km north
of Ganrakas and the important point 1233 west of the Kotkai-Sararogha road. Besides, Inzar Kalay has been cleared.
Three training complexes have been destroyed in Murghabund and 25 centres and nine caves Kotkai.
On the Shakai-Kaniguram axis, the military spokesman said, the important front of Karwan Manza about 2km east of Kaniguram had been secured. It dominates Kaniguram from the east and overlooks the town of Karama towards southeast on the Kaniguram-Kotkai road.
Karama is a stronghold and training centre of foreign terrorists.
On the Razmak-Makeen axis, security forces are consolidating their positions at Shaga, point 6813 Tip-Ghar Top, Lagar Narai and Sharakai Sar and carrying out a search operation in Nawazkot area. During clearance operations, 15 bunkers and Sanghars have been destroyed, along with 37 rockets.
Gen Abbas said 25 militants were killed in South Waziristan and huge cache of arms and ammunition was seized on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said five soldiers suffered injuries.
He rejected a perception that the Taliban had made tactical withdrawal from Kotkai in order to launch another assault and said that the Taliban leadership was on the run.
‘Let us look at the present, the future will take care of itself,’ he remarked.
Answering a question, he said the exact whereabouts of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud were not known, but there were indications that Qari Hussain and Waliur Rahman were still in the area. About TTP Swat chief Fazlullah, he said the noose around him was being tightened.
Responding to another question, he said the US-led Nato forces had readjusted some of their security posts near the border with Pakistan. However, he said Pakistan was still awaiting details it had sought about the relocation of the posts.
He said the operation enjoyed public support as well as backing of tribes. Militants were fleeing to North Waziristan. He appealed to the people of the agency to brace themselves up to deal with the situation.
Asked if the army still had reservations over the controversial Kerry-Lugar bill, he said the army had expressed its opinion in a press release issued after the meeting of corps commanders. He pointed out that the release had stressed that it was for parliament to decide the fate of the bill.
Gen Abbas said there were reports that militants were preparing 12 to 13 years old children for suicide attacks.
Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira condemned the Peshawar blast said it was a clear indication that militants who were facing defeat were targeting innocent civilians out of frustration. ‘What sort of jihad is this? What religion are they preaching?’
He said militants were getting financial and material support through the Afghan route. He said they were also getting their share from the Afghan drug money.

Pakistan:Next NFC Award will be announced shortly: Tarin

PESHAWAR: The National Finance Commission that met here with Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin in the chair Thursday while concluding discussion on the vertical and horizontal distribution of the national resources, agreed on multiple criteria regarding resources’ distribution among the Federation and Federating Units leaving aside the sole criteria of population.
Briefing newsmen after the marathon NFC meeting, the Finance Minister said, the provinces agreed to the distribution of resources on multiple criterions like population, poverty, revenue generation,area, backwardness etc.
'Every province has its own criteria, but we will develop consensual criteria about the distribution of the resources,' he explained.
Currently the provinces get 49 per cent of the divisible pool while the federation is getting 51 per cent, he added. He admitted that the NWFP Government aggressively pleaded its case in the meeting.
The Punjab has shown flexibility over multi-factors criteria, he added.
'We have completed our job now the technical committees of the NFC would further thrash the fiscal matters to reach at a logical end', he remarked.
He declared in clear terms that the next NFC award would be evolved shortly as he does not see problem in evolving a consensus award.
'The next meetings of the NFC will be held in Karachi on November 18 and 19, 2009,' Tarin announced.
To a question about payment of net hydel profit to the NWFP, the Finance Minister said, the Prime Minister would give good news to this effect when he will visit the provincial capital on Oct.30 (Friday).
The meeting also agreed to take into consideration the war damages while distributing the resources and referred to the case of the frontier province which massively hit by the terror war.
The Federal Government, he said with an open heart reduced its distribution proposals from six to three in order to accommodate the provinces’ view point.
Shaukat Tarin said the meeting thoroughly debated the vertical and horizontal aspects of the federal divisible pool and ended up the two-day discussion in one day due to accommodative atmosphere in the meeting.
The meeting observed that the federation and provinces would have to gear up its resources to meet their growing fiscal needs and
added that the meeting decided to hand over the collection of the Capital Value Tax to the provinces in the next award so that their revenue sources could be enhanced.
He maintained that the federation believed the country could not prosper sans strong provinces and in this spirit we are trying to accommodate all the genuine demands of the provinces. He assured that the provinces would get their rights as enshrined in the constitution.
The NFC meeting also strongly condemned the city blast and held it an act of cowardice. Despite the unrest in NWFP, we did not postpone the meeting in order to pass on message to the militants that such barbaric incidents could not deter the government’s resolve of peace and tranquility.
'We equally share in our grief and sorrow with the people of Peshawar and we are standing behind them in this hour of tragedy', he added.
The Finance Minister held out categorical assurance that the Federal Government would fully support the CRBC project when it would be floated in the ECNEC meeting.

In response to a question, he said the NWFP Government would receive its share of aid in the wake of Kerry-Lugar bill. -APP

Membership of 68 MNAs, MPAs suspended

ISLAMABAD: Membership of 21 Members of the National Assembly and 47 Members of the Provincial Assemblies including 32 of Punjab, four of Sindh, seven of NWFP and four of Balochistan have been ceased for not submitting statements of assets and liabilities with the Election Commission of Pakistan according to law.

Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Justice (R) Hamid AliMirza has issued notification about it according to a press release issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan here on Tuesday.

The notification was issued for information of general public, the name of Members of the National Assembly and Provincial Assembly of Punjab, Sindh, NWFP, and Balochistan, who failed to file their statements of assets and liabilities and direct that they shall cease to function as such members with immediate effect and still such statements are submitted by them.

Members of the National Assembly are NA-15 Karak Mufti Ajmal Khan, NA-35 Tribal Area-I Malik Bilal Rehman, NA-52 Rawalpindi-III Capt. (R) Muhammad Safdar, NA -57 Attock-I Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, NA-86 Jhang-I Syed Anayat Ali Shah, NA-91 Jhang-VI Shahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan, NA-99 Gujranwala-VII Rana Nazir Ahmad Khan, NA-101 Gujranwala-VII Justice (R) Iftikhar Ahmad Cheema, NA-116 Narowal-III Ch. Muhammad Tariq Anis, NA-120 Lahore-III Bilal Yaseen, NA-127 Lahore-X Chaudhry Naseer Ahmed Bhutta, NA-134 Sheikhupura-cum-Nankan Sahib-II Sardar Muhammad Irfan Dogar, NA-164 Pakpattan-I

Sardar Mansab Ali Dogar, NA-165 Pakpattan-II Syed Muhammad Salman Mohsin Gillani, NA-170 Vehari-VI, Mehmood Hayat Khan Alias Tochi Khan, NA-175 Rajanpur-II Mir Dost Muhammad Mazari, NA-236 Sanghar-II Roshan ud Din Junejo, (Old Sanghar-III), NA-268 Kalat-Cum-Mastung Dr. Ayatullah Durrani, Reserve Seat for women Ms. Shahnaz Saleem, Reserve Seat for women, Ms. Kashmala Tariq and Reserve Seat for women Malik Mehrunnisa Afridi.

Membership of a total 32 Members of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab has been ceased for the above-mentioned reasons. Members who have been bared are PP-33 Sargodha VI, Ch. Abdul Razzaq Dhillon, PP-38 Sargodha-XI Mrs. Shahzadi Umerzadi Tiwana, PP-63 Faisalabad XII Muhammad Ajmal, PP-64 Faisalabad XIV

Zafar Iqbal Nagra, PP-66 Faisalabad XVI Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan, PP-76 Jhang-IV Mehr Sultan Sikandar Bharwana, PP-100 Gujranwala-X Zulfiqar Ali Bhindar, PP-101 Gujranwala-XI Ch. Khalid Pervez Virk, PP-122 Sialkot-II Muhammad Akhlaq, PP-138 Lahore-II Dr. Asad Ashraf, PP-152 Lahore-XVI, Dr. Saeed Elahi, PP-156 Lahore-XX Muhammad Yasin Sohi, PP-162 Sheikhupura-I Muhammad Khuram Gulfam, PP-165 Sheikhupura-IV Ch. Asghar Manda, PP-173 Nankana Sahib-IV Syed Abrar Hussain Shah, PP-177 Kasur-III Haji Muhammad Naeem Safdar Ansari, PP-182 Kasur-VIII, Amjad Ali Mayo, PP-183Kasur-IX Sardar Muhammad Asif Nakal, PP-187 Okara-III Syed Raza Ali Gillani, PP-192 Okara-VIII, Malik Ali Abbas Khokhar, PP-193 Okara-IX Muhammad Mueen Watto, PP-211 Lodhran-V Ahmed Khan BalochPP-224 Sahiwal-V Shahzad Saeed Cheema, PP-229 Pakpattan-III

Sardar Wajid Ali, PP-240 Dera Ghazi Khan-I Sardar Meer Badshah Khan Qaisrani, PP-251 Muzaffargarh-I Malik Ahmed Yar Hinjra, PP-255Muzaffargarh-VI Malik Jawad Kamran Khar, PP-258 Muzaffargarh-VII Mukhdoom Zada Syed Haroon Ahmed Sultan Bukhari, PP-262 Layyah-I Ahmad Ali Aulakh, PP-264 Layyah-III Sardar Qaisar AbbasKhan Magassi, PP-279 Bahwalnagar-III Rana Abdul Rauf and Reserve Seat for women Ms. Sakina Shaheen Khan.

According to the list, only four members of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh did not submit their statements.

These are from PS-44 Matiari-Cum-Hyderabad Syed Pir Amir Ali Shah, PS-93 Karachi-V Ameer Nawab, Reserve Seat for women

Lal Chand and Reserve Seat for women Salim Khursheed Khokhar.

Seven members of the Provincial Assembly of NWFP did not file their statements of assets so far according to the notification.

The list of these seven members along with details of their constituencies is as under:-

PF-4 Peshawar-IV Syed Aqil Shah, PF-6 Peshawar-VI Muhammad Alamgir Khalil, PF-6 Nowshera-V Pervaiz Ahmad Khan, PF-17 Charsadda-I Fazal Shakoor Khan, PF-35 Swabi-V Sikandar Irfan, PF-56 Mansehra-VI Waji-uz-Zaman Khan and PF-64 D.I. Khan-I KhalifaAbdul Qayyum.

Four members of the Provincial Assembly of BalochistanPB-23 Kohlu Mir Shahnawaz Khan Marri, PB-24 Dera Bugti Tariq Hussain Massui Bugti, PB-43 Panjgur-II Assad Ullah Baloch and Reserved Seat for Women Bibi Zarina have been barred to take part in the sessions of the Assembly as they failed to submit their statements.

Wife of Wasim Akram buried in Lahore

LAHORE: The wife of Pakistani bowling legend Wasim Akram, Huma Wasim was laid to rest in Lahore on Monday, mourned by hundreds of people after her sudden death in India from heart and kidney complications.

Huma Akram, 42, died in Chennai on Sunday and her body brought through a chartered plane to Lahore where hundreds attended funeral prayers led by Wasim's former team-mate Saeed Anwar.

Earlier, chairman PCB Ijaz Butt, Khalid Mehmood, Shafqat Rana, Intikhab Alam, Saeed Anwar, Moin Khan, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Misbah-ul-haq, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Salman Butt and relatives and friends reached Wasim’s residence for offering condolence.

Family members of Wasim and Huma were much grieved on the occasion.

"Huma's loss is great and I request my fans to pray for me so that I am able to raise my kids," said Wasim, who has two sons, Akbar, 12 and Taimur, 8.

Rasm-e-Qul of Huma will be performed on Tuesday after Asr prayer at her residence in Defence.

Iran leader opposes direct talks with US: Bahonar

                                                                                                                                                    

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei opposes holding direct negotiations with the United States, a senior lawmaker said in comments published on Monday.

"Presently, the Supreme National Security Council and the Supreme Leader emphasise that our strategic policies are based on the absence of negotiations with the United States," sources quoted Vice Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar as saying.

"That is why we will not have any direct negotiations with the United States," Bahonar said at a meeting of an Islamic engineers association.

Bahonar is a conservative MP who often criticises the government of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"The policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on the absence of official negotiations with the United States ... the conditions for such negotiations must emerge, which have not as yet emerged," Bahonar added.

I want to make Pakistan team number one: Younis Khan

Pakistan cricket team captain Younis Khan said that he wanted to have the power of the nation which he got and his responsibility ahs been increased after getting powers. He wants to make the Pakistan team number one.

Talking with media after attending the programme of the Islamic Relief Fund at the Karachi Gymkhana, he said that the series against New Zealand would not be easy as the Kiwis play like one unit and we have to play with unity for achieving success against them.

Younis said that after he resigned the entire nation, media and former cricketers encouraged him wholeheartedly which filled him a renewed spirit.

NRO not discussed at Zardari-Nawaz meeting: PML-N

ISLAMABAD: Senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Raja Zafar-ul-Haq Monday said that PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif has urged President Asif Ali Zardari to undertake necessary steps towards amendment of the Constitution including repeal of 17th amendment in the light Charter of Democracy.

Giving briefing on the meeting between President Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said the PML-N Chief proposed formation of a NAB-like organization under the Charter of Democracy.

Nawaz Sharif underlined adoption of a self-reliance policy with a view to end Pakistan’s dependence of foreign aid.

To a question regarding National Reconciliation Ordinance, Raja Zafar said: “The word ‘NRO’ was not mentioned even for a single time during the meeting which lasted for over 90 minutes.”

Nawaz Sharif suggested that leaders of Balochistan be contacted and steps be taken for putting out fire in the province. He underlined adoption of strategy for economic well being and safeguarding political rights of the people of Balochistan.

Raja Zafar quoted Nawaz Sharif as saying: “The challenge of terrorism cannot be tackled only through use of force … socio-ecnomic development must also be incorporated in the strategy to fight terrorism effectively.”

Death toll in Baghdad bombing climbs to 147

BAGHDAD: Iraqi hospital and police officials say that at least 147 people have been killed in Iraq's deadliest bombings in over two years.

More than 700 people were also injured in the deadly blasts, which tore through the heart of downtown Baghdad on Sunday, hundreds of yards from the heavily fortified Green Zone.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The deadly blasts appeared to target two government buildings the Ministry of Justice and the Baghdad Provincial Council and tens of government employees were among the dead.

World Snooker C’ship: Camp begins in Karachi

KARACHI: Training camp of the national quests has begun in Karachi on Sunday in connection with preparations of the World Snooker Championship to be held in India.

Players are practicing without a coach due to non-availability of funds.

National champion Mohammad Sajjad and Mohammad Asif are practicing under self help at the camp being held in Karachi as the players have no facility of a good coach due to non-availability of funds.

President Pakistan Billiard & Snooker Association Alamgir Shaikh told Geo News that visa forms of players have already been sent to Indian embassy and the POA has assured that funds would be paid to the association prior to their departure of the team.

Zardari, Nawaz to hold key meeting today

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari would meet Quaid Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif today (Monday) wherein issues pertaining to repeal of 17th amendment, Kerry-Lugar Law (KLL), Charter of Democracy (CoD), war against terrorism, overall country's political situation would be discussed, Geo news reported late on Sunday night.

According to sources Quaid PML-N Mian Muhammad Nawaz would press the President not to take test of Parliament by bringing National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) into it for sake of its ratification because he would oppose it inside or outside Parliament.

Constitutional recommendations for revoking 17th amendment would be finalized during the meeting.

The meeting is going to take place at that time when Nawaz's party PML-N has decided to oppose KKL and NRO, sources said.

The meeting is being arranged so that the national agenda in the light of charter of democracy, which was signed by slain Former Premier Benazir Bhutto and Quaid PML-N Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, could be devised.

Ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat against militants in South Wazirisitan Agency (SWA ) and political reconciliation, 17th amendment and NRO would be key agenda of meeting.

On the other hand, the President would host a luncheon in honor of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Awan-e-Sadr to be attended by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, head of armed forces and opposition leaders, however, spokesman of presidency has dispelled the impression about any meeting between President and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at that time.

The Turkish Premier would also address the joint session of Parliament. It would be the first address of any Turkish Premier and fourth of any foreigner head to joint session of Parliament.

Sub-Inspector dies in suicide blast near ILMI

A suicide bomber late on Saturday night exploded himself near Islamabad-Lahore Motorway Interchange (ILMI), killing a Sub-Inspector of motorway police, Geo news reported.

According to motorway police spokesman, motorway police officials, intercepting a suspected vehicle indicated to stop near Islamabad-Lahore motorway interchange, namely Lilly, but the driver, on the vehicle, killed himself up with explosives and as a result, a sub-inspector motorway police Shah-e-Iran embraced martyrdom.

Another suspected person was nabbed near blast scene and was taken to unidentified location for investigation, sources said.

N Zealand cricket coach steps down

New Zealand coach Andy Moles quit on Saturday, New Zealand Cricket officials confirmed, ending a stand-off in which senior players had appealed for him to be sacked.

English-born Moles, who was contracted through to the 2011 World Cup, lasted less than a year in the job, resigning just three days before he was to have taken the team to the United Arab Emirates for a series against Pakistan.

The announcement came following a day of mediation talks after it became public that senior players had raised concerns about his abilities.

Former Warwickshire batsman Moles was a surprise choice to replace John Bracewell as the coach of the New Zealand team last November.

At the time, New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said Moles brought "leadership, passion, commitment and a drive to get the best out of his teams, attributes we believe are essential for this role."

However, New Zealand's record has been patchy since them. Four Tests have been drawn and three lost, and in one-day internationals New Zealand have won nine and lost 10.

A review of New Zealand's recent tour of Sri Lanka and South Africa, which included making the finals of the Champions Trophy tournament, is understood to have been critical of Moles' performance.

Leaked media reports early this week said senior players claimed Moles had not provided them with adequate tactical or technical support, and wanted him sacked.

But captain Daniel Vettori was non-specific when asked about player dissatisfaction. "I don't think I'd put it in those terms .... we're not sitting around trying to plot Andy's demise," he said.

"Whenever players are asked honest questions about anything they give their answers. I think guys have voiced ways of making the team better.

Taliban call for Afghan vote boycott

 KABUL: Taliban called Saturday for a boycott of the upcoming run-off in Afghanistan's fraud-tainted presidential election as top US and UN envoys predicted fewer problems with the second round.

While Western military chiefs insist they can ensure the November 7 poll is conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, the warning from the Taliban threatens to further deflate turnout, which was less than 40 percent first time round.

"The Islamic emirate (of Afghanistan) once again informs all the people that no one should participate in this American process and should boycott the process," said a Taliban statement emailed to sources.

"The mujahedeen are fully prepared to defeat this process," it said, adding: "Anyone who participates and gets hurt will be responsible for their own losses."

The run-off pits former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah against incumbent Hamid Karzai, who came to power in late 2001 after the Taliban were toppled by US-led forces.

Eight years on, the Islamists are waging an increasingly virulent insurgency, particularly in their southern heartland, where attacks and threats helped limit turnout in some provinces such as Kandahar to ten percent or less.

Almost 200 violent incidents around the first vote were attributed to the Taliban, including amputations of fingers marked with purple ink as proof of voting, and rocket and grenade attacks on polling stations.

Holbrooke says certain elements concerned on KLB

US especial envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has said Friday there are certain elements in Pakistan who have been raising concerns over Kerry-Lugar US aid bill to Pakistan.

This he said to a press conference here. Holbrooke said those elements have their vested interests in criticizing KLB.

Pervez Musharraf is now former president of Pakistan and he is allowed to assert his point of view as he wants, he said adding, there are no condition on Pakistan in KLB.

We have observed decline in concerns on KLB in Pakistan, he added.

World News

France warns on Iran nuclear deal

France has warned that Iran is not responding positively to a proposed deal over its nuclear enrichment plans.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, a UN agency, had suggested exporting most of Iran's enriched uranium to Russia and France for further refining.

As the deadline neared for Iran to respond to the draft agreement, Iranian TV reported that Iran would prefer to buy uranium for its research reactor.

The French foreign minister said "matters are not very positive."

The draft deal was aimed at reducing international concern over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Deadline disappointment

Under the deal, Iran would get the fuel it needs for its research reactor in Tehran, but would not have enough uranium to make a bomb.

The plan followed talks between the UN, Iran, France, Russia and the US.

The other countries approved it, and Friday was set as the deadline for a response from Iran.

There has been no final official response from Iran, but a report on Iranian TV quoted a member of Iran's negotiating team saying: "Iran is interested in buying fuel for the Tehran research reactor within the framework of a clear proposal... we are waiting for the other party's constructive and trust-building response."

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said, according to the Lebanese National News Agency: "I cannot say that the situation regarding Iran is very positive.

"Now, meetings are being held in Vienna (the IAEA headquarters). But via the indications we are receiving, matters are not very positive."

Iran's rejection of the deal would come as a disappointment to the US, Russia and France, and it could make the wider negotiation with Iran much more difficult - and the threat of sanctions more likely, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna.

Enrichment in Russia

Russian nuclear industry insiders have told the BBC the proposed process would involve Iran sending its uranium to the IAEA, which would forward it to Russia for enriching.

The enriched uranium would then be returned to the IAEA and sent to France, which has the technology to add the "cell elements" needed for Iran's reactor, they said.

This process would enable Iran to obtain enough enriched uranium for its research reactor and for medical use, but not enough to produce a weapon.

Exporting uranium has been seen as a way for Iran to get the fuel it needs, while giving guarantees to the West that it will not be used for nuclear weapons.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes and that it has the right to enrich uranium.

India series challenge for Australia, says coach

Australian cricket team coach Tim Nelson declaring the series against India a challenge said that India have never been easy on their home ground.

Nelson expressed hope that the series in India would be a clash of the titans.

The seven-match One-day International series between the two countries is beginning from October 25.

The Australian coach said that playing against India in their home conditions is very difficult and no less than a challenge for Australia.

Allrounder Shane Watson also said that Australia would be benefited by the absence of Zaheer Khan but Harbhajan Singh may pose problems for Australian batsmen.

PM chairs inter-provincial meeting to review security

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani is chairing a high-level inter-provincial meeting to take stock of the steps being taken to maintain law and order here on Friday.

Senior military leadership and heads of law enforcement agencies are participating in the meeting underway at PM Secretariat.

Chief ministers of Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP, advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, federal ministers besides Army Chief, DG ISI, head of FC, IGs police and provincial chief secretaries are present.

The participants of the meeting were briefed on the security measures taken across the country as well as on continuing operation against terrorists.

Pakistan News

ISLAMABAD: Strong quake measuring 6.4 on Richter scale jolted Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Azad Kashmir besides northern regions of the country at 01:51 AM Friday.

According to Geo News, strong tremors were felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Lahore and Northern Areas forcing people to leave their houses in a cold night.

According to Met office, strong earthquake was felt at 01:51 AM with a magnitude of 6.4 on Richter scale.

The epicentre of the quake lies 180 kilometres deep in the ground in Hindu Kush range, the Met office added.

Strong jolts of quake were also felt in Peshawar, Hungo, Kohat, Abbotabad, Mardan, Chitral, Mansehra and Haripur in NWFP.

People living in the areas affected by the deadly earthquake of October 8th 2005 were highly panic stricken, however no casualties and damage has yet been reported as the epicentre of the quake lies deep in the Hindu Kush range.

Quake also jolted Attock, Jhang, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan and Lahore in Northern Punjab.

Thursday, October 23, 2009

EARTH QUAKE IN PAKISTAN

The EARTH QUAKE feels in Islamabad, Lahore, South Punjab and Northern Areas........

World News

Clinton vows US support for Pakistan’s ‘courageous’ fight
As Pakistan pushed its battle against militant stronghold in South Waziristan amid continuing retaliatory terrorist attacks, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced US solidarity and support for the nation’s ‘courageous’ anti-terror fight.

Speaking at US Institute of Peace, Clinton also noted that the recent terrorist attacks against government and military targets do not pose a threat to Pakistan’s nuclear command and control or access.

‘We don’t think that those attacks pose a threat to the nuclear command and control or access.’

‘We have been reassured about the security of the nuclear weapons stockpiles and facilities. But it is obviously a matter that we are watching very closely,’ she said in reply to a question about nuclear safety and the threat of proliferation in the wake of last week’s deadly attacks in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Washington, she said, remains in touch with Islamabad over these issues.

Clinton’s remarks came as Pakistanis braved an unprecedented wave of terrorist bombings to fight a high-stakes battle against militants in the tribal area of South Waziristan bordering Afghanistan, where the US-led forces are struggling to contain an expanding Taliban insurgency.

‘We are supporting the Pakistani Government in their courageous efforts against these extremists, which, to us, is one of the most important steps they can take to make sure that these questions that you raise are going to be answered satisfactorily.’

In answer to another question, the top US diplomat said the Obama Administration saw the ultimate passage of the $7.5 billion five-year economic assistance package, called Kerry Lugar Bill, as a ‘great milestone in our relationship.’

‘I believe we have gone a long way in answering and putting to rest a lot of those misperceptions. As you know, Foreign Minister (Shah Mahmood) Qureshi made a special trip here last week and met with members of Congress, certainly Senator (John) Kerry and Congressman (Howard) Berman and others, to make clear what the intent of the legislation was. And on his recent trip in the region, Senator Kerry, in between helping us very significantly answer concerns raised in Afghanistan, made a trip to Islamabad where he reiterated our approach.’

Clinton said the US will try to do a good public diplomacy job in responding to misperceptions about its position on various issues and underlined that the ‘United States is hoping to be a good partner for not just the Government of Pakistan, but more importantly, the people of Pakistan.’—APP

cricket Imran Farhat back as Pakistan announce squads

Pakistan has recalled opening batsman Imran Farhat for next month's series against New Zealand, ending his international isolation for playing in the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League.

Farhat, the 27-year-old left-handed batsman last played a test against South Africa in 2007 before joining the ICL.

He has now severed his ties with that league and Pakistan selectors responded Thursday by recalling him.

Pakistan will play three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates before traveling to New Zealand for a three-test series.

Farhat was one of seven players named in the squads for all three formats, along with allrounder Shoaib Malik, batsman Umar Akmal, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and fast bowlers Umar Gul and Mohammad Aamir.

Younus Khan, who was named captain earlier this week through to the 2011 World Cup, will lead the side in ODIs and tests while Shahid Afridi will be the skipper for the T20 games in Dubai.

Out-of-touch batsman Misbah-ul-Haq was left out of the squads, but chief selector Iqbal Qasim hoped the middle-order batsman would find form before Pakistan's tour to Australia later this year.

‘He has been given rest because we think he is under pressure and needs time to regroup himself,’ Qasim told reporters.

Left-handed opener Salman Butt _ ignored for the Champions Trophy _ was named in ODI and test squads as Qasim wanted to avoid reliance on makeshift openers.

‘Opening is a specialized field and we want to hand over this job to regular openers,’ Qasim said.

Paceman Mohammad Asif will join the team in New Zealand for test matches. The fast bowler is barred from entering into the United Arab Emirates as he was deported last year for possessing a small amount of opium.

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq also returns in ODI and T20 teams after he was ignored for the Champions Trophy.

Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and Faisal Iqbal were ignored for ODIs and T20s, but were named in the test squad.
The series begins in Abu Dhabi with a one-dayer on Nov. 3.

Squads:

One-day:
Younus Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq Rana Naveed, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz.

T20:
Shahid Afridi (captain), Khalid Latif, Imran Nazir, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naveed, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Rao Iftikhar, Saeed Ajmal, Imran Farhat, Fawad Alam, Sohail Tanvir.

Test:
Younus Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Khurrum Manzoor, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Fawad Alam, Faisal Iqbal, Kamran Akmal, Danish Kaneria, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamir, Abdul Rauf, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmad.

South Waziristan fighting kills 25 militants

ISLAMABAD: The military claims to have killed at least 25 militants in the ongoing offensive in the South Waziristan tribal region during the last twenty four hours.

Two soldiers also died during the clashes.

Intense fighting took place on the Jandola-Sararogha Axis which the militants vacated after suffering at least 13 casualties, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The military claims to have cleared a number of caves and bunkers in the tribal region’s Tor Ghundai area.

The military claims it is in the process of securing different areas in the region in a systematic manner by establishing pickets during clearance operations.

An update issued by the military spokesman's office says the military is repulsing the militants’ attacks in various areas of the tribal region described as a sanctuary of a number of foreign militants.

The militants fired six rockets at the Razmak camp as a result of which one soldier was killed.

An independent verification of the military’s claims is not possible as journalists do not have access to the battle ground in South Waziristan.

Meanwhile, search and clearance operations are continuing in Swat where the military claims to have killed militant commander Iqbal alias Islam and arrested nine suspects from different areas of the valley.

Kerry says Obama's Afghan decision should wait

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kerry says President Barack Obama should wait until after the new Afghanistan presidential election is conducted before making his decision for the war.

Kerry met with Obama at the White House Wednesday, just hours after returning from Afghanistan, where he played a crucial role in persuading President Hamid Karzai to accept a run-off vote after a fraud-plagued election. The new vote is set for Nov. 7.

The Massachusetts Democrat told it wouldn't make "common sense" for Obama to determine whether more U.S. troops should go to Afghanistan without knowing the election results. He said, "You really want to know that this has worked and you want to know what's coming out of it."

Fed survey: housing, manufacturing drive recovery

WASHINGTON – Improvements in housing and manufacturing are driving the early stages of the economic recovery, according to a Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday.

The Fed's latest snapshot of business conditions nationwide found "many sectors" of the economy either stabilized or logged modest improvements over the last six weeks. The pickups, though, often were from "depressed" levels of activity.

Still, the new report adds to evidence that a recovery has started from the worst recession since the 1930s.

An $8,000 credit for first-time homebuyers boosted the housing sector. There's been concern among private economists and some lawmakers that recent gains in housing will fizzle out when the credit ends. It is slated to expired Nov. 30, although some in Congress are mulling an extension.

Meanwhile, factories increased production as businesses restocked depleted inventories. Part of that restocking was due to the now-defunct Cash for Clunkers rebate program, which caused a brief burst in car sales.

Both housing and manufacturing continued a "pattern of improvement that emerged over the summer," the Fed observed.

By contrast, the Fed said weakest link in the recovery was commercial real estate. Conditions were described as "either weak or deteriorating" across all 12 regions surveyed.