12 killed in Pakistan explosions; 3 suspected militants die in shootout

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) — Pakistani officials announced Friday that
12 victims died in a series of explosions that rocked northwest
Pakistan on Thursday.

In addition, three suspected militants were killed by police.

The attacks shook Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier
Province, where government forces have waged a massive operation
against Taliban militants.

The deadliest of the attacks occurred early Thursday evening. Timed
explosive devices on two parked motorcycles detonated back-to-back,
killing six people at two crowded adjacent bazaars, said Shafqat
Malik, Peshawar bomb disposal squad chief.

Two children were among the dead, and at least 75 people were wounded.

After the bazaar attacks, several of the suspects fled to a rooftop,
where they fought a gunbattle against police. Three suspected
militants were killed, police said.

The markets, Qissa Khawani and Kabari, are part of the larger Khyber Bazaar.

Police recovered two suicide vests and said they thought the attackers
might have caused the blasts to lure more people to the area before
detonating additional explosives.

Thick smoke engulfed the streets, and GEO-TV showed dazed people
mingling and running amid burned-out vehicles and mounds of building
debris. Firefighters doused flames, and other emergency workers
scrambled to rescue people from rubble.

In another bombing, three policeman and one civilian were killed on
the outskirts of Peshawar, authorities said.

Another suicide bombing occurred later in Dera Ismail Khan, the
province's southernmost city. A police officer and a civilian were
killed, authorities said. At least 12 were wounded.

suicide car bomb attack on Rescue 15 in Lahore

Ten people were killed and 83 injured in a suicide car bomb attack on Rescue 15 building located near CCPO office in Civil Lines area here.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the blast. According to sources, an explosive-laden Suzuki van has broke the barriers and exploded near Rescue 15 building. The building of the Rescue 15 has been completely destroyed in the blast. The suicide bomber was trying to hit the CCPO office, reports said. Periodic gunfire heard in the area before and after the blast.

The windowpanes of nearby buildings have also been shattered in the blast and many Rescue15 vehicles have been destroyed. The entire building of Rescue 15 has reportedly collapsed in the blast. Security forces have cordoned off the area and shifted injured and bodies to hospitals. Emergency has been announced in local hospitals.

Two Opposite Suicides...

Punjabi men singing on UK street

Look that Punjabi men playing song on the Uk streets ....Its really
awesome his voice and his tune of song.

Pakistan and Iran sign gas export deal

TEHRAN: Iran and Pakistan signed a framework agreement on Sunday to
export Iranian natural gas to the neighbouring country during a visit
by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to Tehran.

Iran and Pakistan had agreed on a revised price formula and a new
price review mechanism in December which updated terms reached in 2006
during long-running negotiations on the project.

Iran, which sits on the world's second-biggest gas reserves, imports
roughly about as much gas as it exports. U.S. sanctions have been a
factor hindering Tehran's export plans, which tries to become a major
gas exporter.

An Iranian Oil Ministry official has said he hoped that the
commencement of gas delivery would start five years after the contract
was signed, adding both Iran and Pakistan would welcome India if it
decided to join the project.

India had been part of the $7 billion "peace pipeline" project, but
stayed away from talks in September saying it wanted to agree transit
costs through Pakistan on a bilateral basis first.

Deccan Chargers IPL Champions

Deccan Chargers won by 6 runs
Deccan Chargers 143/6; Bangalore Royal Challengers 137/9;
ohannesburg: Deccan Chargers survived anxious moments to beat
Bangalore Royal Challengers by six runs in a gripping final to be
crowned champions of the 2009 edition of the IPL on Sunday.

Put in to bat, Deccan reached 143-6 thanks to an unbeaten half-century
from Herschelle Gibbs.

Bangalore were on course of their target, but Pragyan Ojha and Andrew
Symonds snared crucial wickets to snatch a thrilling win.

Bhasha Dam construction tenders summoned

ISLAMABAD: International companies, three from China, have been asked
to submit tenders for the construction of Bhasha Dam, presidential
spokesman said here Thursday.

Senator Farhatullah Baber informed the newsmen here that President
Asif Ali Zardari chaired a high-level meeting today at President House
that was also attended by the Chinese ambassador in Pakistan Luo
Zhaohui.

The meeting was informed that the feasibility report of Bhasha Dam has
been provided to the three Chinese companies who have shown their
interest in the project.

Earlier, the Chinese ambassador had a luncheon meeting with President
Asif Ali Zardari in the Presidency.

He exchanged views to further strengthen the multi-faceted,
time-tested and strategic ties between Pakistan and China with the
President.

Talking to the Ambassador, the President said that May 21 was an
auspicious day in Pak-China relations as it was on this day 58 years
ago that formal ties between the two countries were established and
which have grown steadily since than.

The President said Pakistan attaches high value to its relations with
China and takes pride in success of China and has strong desire to
promote and strengthen the existing bilateral relations and economic
and strategic cooperation.

The President said that he would visit China more frequently to
strengthen strategic cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

The Chinese ambassador thanked the President and said that China and
Pakistan enjoy an exemplary relationship with a high degree of mutual
trust, understanding and convergence of views on bilateral, regional
and international issues.

Ghostbuster 3 - coming soon

Movie "Ghostbusters" will be seen in a new format, news is that
Ghostbuster gang is getting ready to strap on their proton packs once
more, with some new recruits.
A long-awaited third film in the series "could be in production by
winter," Dan Aykroyd, the star and co-writer of "Ghostbusters"' first
two installments, told the L.A. Times, adding that he hopes stars such
as Alyssa Milano and Eliza Dushku sign on to join the ghost-fighting
team's second-generation squad.
The star confirmed that the core of original cast — Aykroyd, Sigourney
Weaver, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson — is on board for
the film.
However, Aykroyd noted that the new film would focus on new characters
joining the Ghostbusters squad, naming Milano and Dushku as
possibilities.
"I think they're amazing," he said. "I'd like it to be a
passing-of-the-torch movie."

Peoples of Bajaur Agency started returning back

The affectees of Bajaur Agency started returning back their homes and
so far 90 more families have been left Jalozai camp. Earlier, seven
hundred and nine families had been returned back to their homes.

Meanwhile, an important meeting has been called in Jalozai camp.
Political administration, Afghan commissionerate, UNHCR and officials
of district administration Nowshera will attend the meeting to chalk
out future's strategy.

80 militants killed in Swat operation

Image via Wikipedia

ISLAMABAD: Security Forces have cleared Sultanwas after intense
clashes while 80 terrorists were killed during clearance of the area,
Director General ISPR Major General Athar Abass said in a media
briefing on Operation Rah-e-Rast, here on Wednesday.He said six
vehicles of militants, which were under their, were also destroyed
during the operation. Meanwhile, the ISPR confirmed that the security
forces have successfully secured the Binai Baba Ziarat, near Shangla,
a stronghold and a main terrorist den in the area. During the
operation, the terrorists suffered heavy causalities.

In Matta, the security forces after crushing stiff resistance by
militants, fanned them out and took over the portions in the town.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Secretary
Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmed Gondal and Principal
Information Officer Shabbir Anwar were also present.

The Director General ISPR said that during the clearance of Sultanwas,
the security forces encountered seven IEDs which were effectively
defused. Sultanwas was main stronghold of terrorist-miscreants in
Buner, where they have made concrete underground bunkers and
ammunition dumps.

The local populace of Sultanwas had posed severe resistance to the
terrorists and they were unable to get their positions in the area.
But later, the terrorists through an effective suicide attack had
taken over the positions.

He said one soldier embraced Shahadat while 9 others were injured
during the last 24 hours in various areas of Swat.

In the Piochar area, the search and destroy operations by the security
forces were underway while clearance of compounds and houses in Matta
is also in progress.

Search and cordon operation also continued at Kanju where three
soldiers were injured during the operation.

In Takhtaband, clearance operation of the village is in progress where
one soldier embraced shahadat while six others were injured.

Answering a question, Major Gen. Athar Abbas said that around 10 to 15
% people of the total population are present in their houses in Swat,
who have been asked to keep themselves aloof from the terrorists. He
said they also have been asked to come forward and help the security
forces in identifying the terrorists, especially those who have
changed their clad.

When asked to confirm the killing of Maulvi Fazal Ullah and another
terrorist leader, Major General Athar Abbass said that a number of
terrorists have been killed in the last 24 hour operation but anything
could be confirmed after investigations on the ground.

On any possibility of spill out of terrorists from the Operation area
to other adjoining parts, he said, that the security forces have
besieged the terrorists in the area and there is hardly any
possibility of their sneaking out of the area. He said the planners of
Operation had already given due preference to this aspect and the
security forces are keeping strict check on this factor.

He said efforts are in hand to conclude the Operation in the shortest
possible time with the minimal chances of the collateral damage caused
to the life as well as the property.

Gwadar Port declared now tax-free

Image via Wikipedia

ISLAMABAD - The government on Wednesday declared Gawadar Port as
Tax-Free Zone. Mian Manzoor Wattoo, Minister for Industries and
Production, disclosed this while addressing a press conference. He
said that the industries to be established at Gawadar would export 50
per cent of the production while remaining 50 per cent would be sold
in local markets. He said that committee under the chairmanship of
Prime Minister on Wednesday declared Gawadar Port as Tax Holiday Zone.
The members of the committee were Advisor to Finance, Secretary
Commerce and Industries, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue and
Additional Chief Secretary Balochistan.
He said that the decision would help improve economy, provide jobs to
the people and boost developmental and trade activities. He also said
that trade with China, Afghanistan, Iran and Middle East through
Gawadar Port would usher a new era of commercial activity.
He also informed that government had achieved surplus wheat production
of 8 million tons against targeted of 6.5 million ton and that would
reach around 9 million tons as the procurement was still in process.
He also said that the government had paid Rs 27 billion as a subsidy
on fertilisers and also provided high yielding seeds to the farmers.
He said that in Kharif season, the country needed 30 million ton of
urea and 25.5 million ton was available as local production while 4.5
million would be imported.
"We are giving Rs 20.88 billion urea subsidy for the Kharif season as
Rs 16.50 billion on the import of urea bags while Rs 4.38 billion to
the local manufactures of urea," he said.
He said that government would try to control the black marketing of
urea and strict action would be taken against the hoarders.

Pakistan Army fully equipped to tackle any challenge, General Kayani

ISLAMABAD - Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani
Wednesday expressed his sheer satisfaction over the ongoing security
forces operation in Swat and other parts of the country to flush out
militants, saying that the operation was moving in the right
direction.
The Army Chief expressed these views while presiding over a high-level
meeting at the General Headquarters (GHQ). He reviewed the progress of
the ongoing operations and appreciated the high morale of the troops.
He also stressed upon the need of providing relief to the IDPs through
an aggressive management system.

General Kayani said that Pakistan Army was fully equipped to tackle
any challenge, adding that it was working day and night to provide
relief to affectees of Malakand division. He directed the Army to take
every measure to wipe out the menace of terrorism.

The COAS arrived Wednesday from France after a brief stopover at
Brussels where he met Jaap de Hoop, the Secretary General, NATO. He
visited Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE)
and NATO.

The COAS also called on General Bantz J Cardock, Supreme Allied
Commander Europe (SACEUR) and Admiral Giampaolo Dl Paola, Chairman
Military Committee. He also addressed a special meeting of Chairman
Military Committee for NATO.

Katrina Darrell, bikini girl on american idol

Katrina Darrell wins the award. She's been working on her tan since
getting sent home. Ryan, looking at her (and not her face), delivers
probably the best line of the night.

Katrina Darrell, bikini girl on american idol8:44 We're back…The girls
are on the mini-stage doing "Glamourous"…Wow, Megan sounds SO bad.
Tell me again how she got so far and how we're now stuck with her on
the tour?…And her shorts are so short…Allison introduces Fergie and
the crowd goes crazy…Randy stands up…She's doing "Big Girls Don't
Cry"…I really don't like her dark hair…The girls are backing her up…Oh
no, Fergie just encouraged the people in the mosh pit to sway. What
are you doing?…Allison introduces The Black Eyed Peas…They're doing
that new song of theirs that I totally don't get…What's it called
"Boom Boom Pow"?…We just left them to show a silent shot of the "Idol"
logo for several seconds. Is there massive cursing in that song? I
don't know I always turn it off when it comes on the radio? That could
have been a directing mistake, but it was a bad one if it was…They
have dancers behind them dressed in zebra striped bodysuits…The girl
Idols are behind the judges going crazy…Okay those zebra dancers are
freaking me out…The girls are dancing with Paula…They do know how to
put on a show…Ryan says that's why they're number one…Randy gives them
a standing ovation…

8:50 Back to the Golden Idols…Best Attitude…Katrina Darrell, aka
Bikini Girl…Alexis Cohen. You know, the actressing girl?…Tiffany
Shedd, who sang "pee on the safe side" while doing "Because of
You"…And it goes to…Katrina Darrell, who's in a bikini and she has
CLEARLY had some work done. Simon and Randy are a little surprised…She
kisses Ryan on the lips…Ryan says, I was going to ask you what's new,
but I think I can see" and the audience loved it. NICE ONE,
Ryan…Katrina does "Vision of Love" and it's terrible and then we hear
another voice join her…and it's Kara, who comes down the
stairs…Katrina gives up and just stands there…She tries to rejoin
her…Kudos to Kara for managing to stay on key during Katrina's
wailing…And then Kara rips open her dress and she's WEARING A
BIKINI…Ryan says they're donating a bunch of money to Kara's favorite
charity for that…THAT was the best thing Kara's done all season…Break…

Thanks to media.herald-dispatch.com

We are being outcommunicated in Pakistan, Afghanistan: Clinton

Washington, May 21 (IANS) The United States is losing the propaganda
war in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
has told lawmakers saying it was something that must be reversed.We
are being out-communicated by the Taliban and Al Qaeda. That is
absolutely unacceptable,' she told the Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee Wednesday.

Militants broadcasting from radio equipment on the backs of pickup
trucks are threatening and intimidating people and spreading what she
called 'a steady diet of the worst kind of disinformation'.

Admitting that the extremists have been more effective than the US
when it comes to strategic communications, she said the Obama
administration is revamping its communications strategy - looking at
new ways to directly reach people in areas where militants are active
- including on their cell phones.

The US must not lose the 'information war' in the region, and do a
much better job at communicating its values and ideals to Afghans and
Pakistanis.

Clinton is seeking $48.6 billion in State Department funding for 2010,
a seven percent increase over 2009 funding levels. The State
Department will work side-by-side with the Defence Department to
promote US interests and security in the region, she said.

ongress Sends Obama Credit Card Bill

Today, Congress sent President Obama the much talked-about bill
setting in place new rules for the credit card industry.

The new restrictions will protect debt-ridden consumers from many
of the surprise charges common in the industry, like over-the-limit
fees and a charge to pay the bill by phone. People under 21 also will
find it difficult to get a card.

In addition to outlawing other hidden/unexpected fees, the bill puts
into place a measure that will allow credit card holders who miss a
payment and see their rates rise to lower their rate back to the
original level if they pay on time for six consecutive months.

Of course, there are expected to be some negative consequences:

As banks scramble to make up for the lost revenue, cardholders who
pay off their balance in full each month could see annual fees become
the norm and lucrative rewards programs canceled.

Annual fees? No more thank you points? I have a feeling that
competitive forces will still push credit card companies to offer
perks to desirable customers. But I also have a feeling that the lost
revenue from the now out-lawed fees will be recouped through various
shifts and alterations of still-legal fees and rates. As long as so
many of us rely on credit cards, the companies who offer us the credit
will find a way to remain profitable.

Pakistanis in Swat town fend off Taliban

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Armed residents confronted a group of
Taliban fighters and foiled their attempt to sneak into a town in
Pakistan's Swat Valley, the focus of a major military offensive
against the insurgency, an official said Thursday.

The attempted infiltration in Kalam indicated militants are feeling
pinched by the army and are seeking new shelter, while the rare local
resistance Wednesday suggested growing public confidence in an
anti-Taliban operation supported by the United States.

Deputy Mayor Shamshad Haqqai told The Associated Press about 50
Taliban fighters tried to enter his town, but that armed residents
quickly gathered to fight them off. They captured eight militants amid
a shootout and were expecting another attack, Haqqai said.

"We will not allow Taliban to come here," he said. Kalam has about
50,000 residents.

The military said Wednesday its troops had killed 80 militants and
cleared Sultanwas, a town south of the valley in Buner district.
Meanwhile, American military planes brought aid for civilians fleeing
the fierce fighting, and Pakistan's government announced it was
devoting $100 million to help bring relief to the refugees.

Washington has long pressed Islamabad to clear al-Qaida and Taliban
sanctuaries in its northwest regions bordering Afghanistan.

Pakistani troops launched the latest offensive last month after
Taliban militants based in Swat pushed into Buner, bringing them
within 60 miles (100 kilometers) of the capital of Islamabad and
prompting intense U.S. pressure for a stiff response.

The army claims it has killed more than 1,000 militants and won back
swaths of territory from militants in Swat, a valley whose scenery and
cooler climate once drew hordes of summer tourists.

However, authorities say the clashes have prompted about 1.9 million
people to flee their homes, creating a humanitarian crisis that could
sap Pakistani enthusiasm for the effort if it drags on or is extended
to other areas.

Pakistani generals have refused to predict how long it will take to
eliminate militants from Swat.

However, Rear Adm. Michael A. LeFever, the top U.S. military official
at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, forecast Wednesday that between
200,000 and 250,000 will be living in refugee camps at least until the
end of 2009.

Relatives have taken in most of those driven out of Swat in fear of
their lives. But about 160,000 refugees have registered so far at the
camps, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said Wednesday.

Many thousands more are believed to be hunkered down in their homes in
Swat, unwilling or unable to move.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced Tuesday that
Washington would provide $110 million in immediate humanitarian
assistance to Pakistan. As part of that support, two American military
planes touched down Wednesday at an air base near Islamabad laden with
air-conditioned tents and 120,000 pre-packed meals, the U.S. Embassy
said.

U.S. authorities say they already delivered shipments of wheat and
vegetable oil valued at about $28 million to Pakistan last week.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was expected to preside
over a donors conference for the refugees in Islamabad later Thursday
to seek help from other countries and aid agencies.

A meeting of top Pakistani government officials Wednesday resulted in
a decision to devote $100 million to ease the humanitarian emergency,
said Farahnaz Ispahani, a spokeswoman for the country's president.

An Associated Press writer who is not being identified for security
reasons contributed to this report from Peshawar.

Soften cell Phone collection for summer 2009

Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei said US is training terrorists

TEHRAN: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Iran's supreme leader accused
Washington on Tuesday of training "terrorists" in the Kurdish region
of neighbouring Iraq.
"Behind our western border, the US is training terrorists. It is
spending money and handing out weapons to be used against the Islamic
republic" of Iran, he said in a televised speech in the western
Iranian province of Kordestan.

"The Americans have dangerous plans for (Iraqi) Kurdistan … Their
plans are not aimed at defending the Kurdish people, but they want to
control them," he said in the city of Saqaz.

"Our Kurdish friends on the other side of the border have told us that
the US officers are paying the Kurdish youth on the Qandil hills in
exchange for information," he said.

"They pay money to create mercenaries. It is unworthy of Kurdish
youth," Khamenei added.

The border region with Iraq has often seen deadly clashes between
Iran's armed forces and the Kurdish separatists.

Iranians have targeted the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), an
Iranian Kurdish separatist group which has launched attacks on Iran
from rear-supply bases in the Kurdish mountains of northern Iraq.

The group is closely allied with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK),
which has launched similar attacks against Turkey.

On February 4, the US Treasury included PJAK as a "terrorist" group,
while the PKK too is blacklisted as a terror group by both the
European Union and the United States.

The PKK took up arms for self-rule in Turkey's Kurdish-majority
southeast in 1984, triggering a conflict that has claimed some 44,000
lives.

Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey all have significant ethnic Kurdish minorities.

Fwd: Mary-Louise Parker, shows off

All Credit for Mary-Louise Parker, showing off big nipples goes to
Mary-Louise herself who has reprimanded her Weeds bosses for tricking
her into shooting a scene "shows off big nipples." Mary-Louise Parker
said in an statement to More magazine that she was requested to give a
bath-tub scene and she didn't want to do but agreed to do it anyways
and is now upset with whatever happened.Mary-Louise Parker reportedly
said "I knew it was going to be on the Internet: 'Mary-Louise shows
off her big nipples.' I wish I hadn't done that. I was goaded into
it".

Weeds is an American comedy television series created by Jenji Kohan,
produced by Lionsgate Television for the Showtime network. The plot
revolves around a widowed housewife (Mary-Louise Parker, shows off big
nipples) from an affluent California suburb who becomes her
neighborhood's marijuana dealer to make ends meet.

Mary-Louise Parker is a Tony-, Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress.
Some of her well known works include Fried Green Tomatoes, Boys on the
Side, Proof, The West Wing, Angels in America including Weeds.

mary louise parker bathtub scene, mary louise parker nipple, mary
louise parker, mary louise parker nipples, mary louise parker imdb

Pakistan sixth in FIH rankings

LAHORE: Pakistan have climbed two places in world hockey rankings
after reaching the final of the recently-concluded 8th Asia Cup in
Malaysia.

Pakistan were placed at a poor eighth spot after the Beijing Olympic
Games last year but has climbed up to sixth spot. South Korea, which
grabbed the title in the Asia Cup, are now ranked fifth in the world.

According to the latest rankings issued by the International Hockey
Federation (FIH), Germany have retained its top spot followed by
Australia, Spain, Netherlands and Korea. Besides Pakistan, China have
also improved its position by moving to 13th from previous 16th spot.

Other Asia Cup participants dropped a couple of places as well. India
went down from the 10th to the 12th position while Japan dropped from
11th to 14th and Malaysia slipped to 16th from its previous 15th
ranking.

Yuvraj Singh claimed second hat-trick in IPL

Image via Wikipedia

Premier League on Sunday as the Kings XI Punjab beat the Deccan
Chargers by one run at the Wanderers.In the day's second match the
Delhi Daredevils strengthened their hold on top of the standings by
cruising past the Rajasthan Royals by 14 runs in Bloemfontein.

Delhi opened up a three-point lead in the standings while Punjab move
into fourth place.

Deccan hold on to third place while the defending champion Royals are
in fifth place.

After Punjab had posted 134 for seven, Yuvraj picked up the wickets of
Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Symonds and Venugopal Rao with the last ball
of the 12th over and the first two deliveries of the 14th as Deccan
fell agonisingly close to victory as they reached 133 for eight.

Deccan, who had slipped to 79 for five, were rescued by Rohit Sharma
who blasted 42 off 26 balls before falling in the last over of the
Chargers' innings with Deccan needing four runs to win off three
balls.

Left-arm swing bowler Irfan Pathan held his nerve as he conceded just
two runs while taking a wicket off the last three balls while Yuvraj
ended with three for 13 off four overs.

Punjab's total was built around a half-century from Kumar Sangakkara
with the Sri Lankan stroking his way to 56 off 43 balls while left-arm
seamer Rudra Pratap Singh was Deccan's stand-out performer with the
ball as he captured three for 26.

Delhi scored 150 for three with AB de Villiers carving d his way to an
unbeaten 79 off 55 balls.

The South African became the second batsman, after Chennai's Australia
Matthew Hayden, to pass 400 runs In reply, Rajasthan could muster only
36 for nine off their 20 overs.

De Villiers and Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan (33) set Delhi on
their way to a big total with a third-wicket stand of 87 runs off 83
balls before Dilshan was bowled by off spinner Johan Botha

De Villiers and right-handed wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik (23 not out)
then plundered an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 48 runs off 21
balls.

Rajasthan were never in the contest with their top-score coming from
the right-handed Botha who made 37 runs off 31 balls.

All political parties back Swat offensive

ISLAMABAD , All Parties Conference of Pakistan here on Monday backed
the counterinsurgency operation in Swat and assured full support to
the government.

The political leaders speaking at the moot presided over by Prime
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani urged the government to provide better
facilities to the displaced persons.

Jamat Islami and some other political parties expressed their
reservations over the operation in Swat and said that the government
should have taken the nation into confidence by holding an APC before
launching of the counterinsurgency drive.

LTTE Leader Prabhakaran Killed And Body Found

Image by AFP/Getty Images via Daylife

Sri Lanka's state television announced on Monday that Tamil Tiger
rebel chief Velupillai Prabhakaran has been killed. However, there is
no official confirmation of his death.Prabhakaran's death would spell
the end of a more than three-decade quest by the rebel leader for a
separate state for minority Tamils across northern and eastern Sri
Lanka.

Rupavahini television, the state broadcaster, broke into its regular
programming on Monday afternoon to announce Prabakharan's death. They
gave no details of how he was killed.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Army Chief Lt Gen Sareth Fonseka has said that
troops have defeated the last pockets of rebel resistance in the north
and are working to identify Prabhakaran's body from among the dead.

The government information department also sent a text message to cell
phones across the country announcing Prabhakaran was killed along with
his top deputies.

High alert has been sounded in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo after
Prabhakaran's death.

Sri Lanka military has also announced that it has now controlled all
of country's territory.

Earlier, Sri Lankan military officials had informed that Prabhakaran
was killed by government forces this morning.

Two officials had confirmed Prabhakaran's death. The officials spoke
on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to
the media.

Prabhakaran and two of his top commanders, know as Soosai and Pottu
Amman, drove in an armour-plated van accompanied by a bus filled with
armed rebels toward approaching Sri Lankan forces Monday morning, the
officials said. A two-hour firefight broke out before the military
launched a rocket at the van, the officials said.

Troops pulled Prabhakaran's body from the van and identified it as
that of the rebel leader, they said.

"It was confirmed Prabhakaran was killed when trying to flee in an
ambulance before dawn. We are waiting for the official announcement by
the President," a military source said on condition of anonymity.

Earlier in the day, four senior rebel leaders were killed in fighting.

They included the head of the Tigers' political wing, Balasingham
Nadesan, the head of rebels' peace secretariat Seevaratnam Puleedevan,
and a military leader known as Ramesh.

The Army also says it has found the body of Prabhakaran's son, Charles Anthony.

Sri Lanka's hawkish President, Mahinda Rajapakse, will open a new
session of Parliament on Tuesday with an address that will officially
mark the ending of the war.

The conflict has left more than 70,000 dead from pitched battles,
suicide attacks, bomb strikes and assassinations. The LTTE emerged in
the 1970s, with all-out war breaking out in the early 1980s.

How to Devil change our thinking and always attract to sin

Pervez Musharaff, Pakistan army aware of Taliban threat

NEW YORK: Pervez Musharaff Former president on Sunday said Pakistan
army was carrying out operation against Taliban as the political
leadership considers their growing strength as threat to the
country.In an interview to a US news channel, he said that besides the
ongoing operation in the tribal areas of Pakistan, the military should
keep a keen eyed on Indian border.

He said that there was many threats to the life of Pakistan Peoples
Party leader Benazir Bhutto, saying that he had informed her of those
threats.

Musharaff mentioned that any bid to undermine Pakistan's armed forces
has a direct and detrimental effect on the war against terror. He
termed the alleged 'soft corner' in Pak army for Taliban militants as
biased saying "The army is well aware of the threat and nobody should
dictate it."

He said there is an immediate need for the country to thwart the
threats such as the growing political and martial strength of the
Taliban.

Kuwaiti elected countries first-ever women MPs

Four women have won a seat in the 50-seat parliament. Kuwaiti women
were granted active and passive voting rights in 2005, and a woman was
appointed minister that same year, but none had been elected to
parliament so far. Observers say turnout in the elections was low.

The elections were made necessary when the emir decided to dissolve
parliament for the third time in three years.

In Kuwait, which has no political parties, the emir and his family
hold the post of prime minister as well as the key defence, interior
and foreign affairs portfolios. All other ministers are appointed by
the prime minister.

AAB ZAMM ZAMM

General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani visited on swat

wat: General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani Chief of Army Staff on Thursday visited the restive Swat valley and hold meetings with commanders and other army officials.

According to the channel, the COAS was briefed about the ongoing army operation in Malakand Division.

On the occasion, he appreciated the high moral of Pakistan army in the offensive against militants.