South Africa snatch top ODI ranking from Australia, winning series 4-1

PERTH: South Africa has become the number one team in one-day international cricket when they beat the world champions Australia by 39 runs in the final One-day International here at WACA on Friday to take the five-match series 4-1.  Chasing 289 to finish the series with a 3-2 loss, Australia were all out for 249 runs in 49 overs and not only lost the series but also their top position in the ICC rankings which they were enjoying for the last several years.  Debutant Lonwabo Tsotsobe made the perfect start to his ODI career with two wickets in his first four overs to play a key role in South Africa’s victory. He removed two of the danger men, Shaun Marsh and Ricky Ponting. No Aussie batsman except Michael Hussey (78) and Brad Haddin (63) could resist against South African bowlers. Michael’s brother David Hussey also made a useful contribution of 32. The Husseys had come together at 4 for 53 and added 69 runs.  Earlier, Hashim Amla narrowly missed his first century of the series but together with AB de Villiers set the stage with a solid 118-run partnership and JP Duminy provided the late entertainment with a quick half-century to take South Africa to 288-6 in 50 allotted overs. Amla's 97 ended when he tried to guide Hopes through the cordon and tickled the ball to Brad Haddin, while de Villiers (60) picked out David Warner on the square-leg boundary.  Later, Duminy smashed an unbeaten 60 from 42 deliveries. He helped South Africa add 53 in the batting Powerplay, which was taken at the start of the 43rd over, and raised his half-century from 33 balls with a super six over long-off from Nathan Bracken.

Congress did not approve Biden-Lugar bill’ for Pakistan

NEW YORK: A landmark US bill that recognised the role of Pakistan as US ally and the frontline state in combating terrorism and provided for $15 billion in economic assistance to Pakistan over the next 10 years beginning 2009, is legally dead even before it was debated and voted by either chamber of the US bicameral legislature. 

The bill S-3263, popularly known as ‘Biden-Lugar bill’ or “Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act 2008” was introduced in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by its then chairman Sen. Joseph Biden and Sen. Richard Lugar and the Senate Committee had approved the bill unanimously; but it died before it could be tabled before the Senate for debate and vote. 

An official of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmed to The News that “Bill S-3263 is dead as it was not debated and approved by the 110 US Congress that completed its term by the end of 2008.” When Sen. Joe Biden, (D) as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and its ranking member Sen. Richard Lugar (R) presented this bill before the committee and got it unanimously approved in July 2008, Pakistan’s government was jubilant to portray it as symbol of US support to Pakistan’s return to Democracy.

While supporting the bill in July 2008, Senator Joe Biden conceded “For far too long, our policy towards Pakistan has been in desperate need of a serious overhaul,” He also agreed that “The US-Pakistan relationship has been largely transactional: the exchange of aid for services. That transaction isn’t working.

From the American perspective, we’ve spent billions of dollars and have gotten far too little to show for it. From the Pakistani perspective, America is an unreliable ally that will abandon Pakistan the moment it’s convenient to do so, and whose support to date has merely bolstered unrepresentative rulers, both in and out of uniform. 

We need to change this arrangement into the type of normal, functional relationship we enjoy with all of our other military allies and friendly nations. Sen. Lugar and I have worked closely to formulate a bold new strategy for Pakistan. Our bill represents a genuine sea-change - one which will set the US-Pakistan policy on a safer and more successful course.”

This bill proposed economic assistance to Pakistan worth $1.5 billion per year.

India yet to receive probe report from Pak: Mukherjee

NEW DELHI: India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukerjee has said that Pakistan should stop talking through media and communicate through proper channels. 

"We have not received any information from Pakistan about the investigation in the Mumbai terror strike. All we are getting is media reports,” Mukherjee told reporters here. 

He further added, "Pakistan should communicate through proper channels and not through media.” 

Refusing to comment on the media reports, Mukherjee said, "We have provided Pakistan all the evidences about the attack and expect them to investigate the matter and inform us". 

Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik had told reporters on January 17 that he had asked a three-member team to probe the Mumbai attacks and examine the Indian dossier and submit the preliminary findings in 10 days.

FIA presents Mumbai attacks probe report

ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has presented its investigation report on Mumba attacks to the Interior Ministry.

Interior Ministry Sources Friday urged the media to refrain from making speculations regarding the contents of the report.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry held a high level meeting today in which the Law Ministry also reviewed the FIA’s report.

It has also been learned that Pakistan will share the findings of the report with India using diplomatic channels.

US drone attacks will jeopardize war on terror: PM Gilani

DAVOS: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani warned United States on Friday, the war against terrorism, being fought by Pakistan, will be endangered if US remains bent upon carrying out drone attacks on Pakistan soil. “Our efforts to curb cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan will enormously be affected in the event of persistent US policy of drone strikes on Pakistan soil against suspected militants.” This PM Gilani outlined talking to media after partaking World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. PM informed mediamen, his PPP-led government in Pakistan had been profoundly successful to part the local tribes with the terrorists however, he feared, US drone incursions have not been proving fruitful to help Pakistan in its efforts against war of Terrorism. “US administration led by President Obama has no differences with us as we both have identical goals to accomplish but US drone intrusions on Pakistan soil have raised negative sentiments towards US among the people of Pakistan.” Gilani stated and applauded President Obama’s method to win the hearts of people to become triumphant.

Serena Williams into Australian Open final

MELBOURNE: Serena Williams moved within a one win of a 10th Grand Slam title and fourth in Australia with a dominating 6-3, 6-4 win over Elena Dementieva on Thursday. The second-seeded Williams has a sequence of winning the Australian Open every alternate year since 2003. Roger Federer, seeking a record equaling 14th Grand Slam singles title to match Pete Sampras' career record, was playing American Andy Roddick in the night semifinal.  No. 2 Federer, who is 15-2 against seventh-seeded Roddick, who beat defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.  Top-ranked Rafael Nadal set up an all-Spanish final against Fernando Verdasco when he beat No. 6 Gilles Simon 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 on Wednesday night, Verdasco ousted 2008 runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (2), 3-6,6-3, 6-2.

Oil prices fall in Asian trade

SINGAPORE: World oil prices fell in Asia on Thursday after US inventory reports showed another rise in crude stocks.

New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for March delivery, eased 16 cents to 42.00 dollars a barrel. 

Brent North Sea crude for March fell 25 cents to 44.65 dollars. The United States said in its weekly energy report Wednesday that crude reserves jumped 6.2 million barrels in the week to January 23, which was more than double market expectations and indicated weaker demand. 

Afghanistan to hold presidential polls Aug. 20

KABUL: Afghanistan will hold presidential elections on Aug. 20, the head of the election commission said on Thursday, only the second time in history the troubled nation has held democratic polls to choose a head of state. 

"The commission decided to hold the election on the 29th of Asad which corresponds to August 20," commission chief Azizullah Ludin told a news conference. 

President Hamid Karzai has strongly hinted he will run for re-election, but his popularity has waned due to widespread official corruption and widening insecurity as Taliban insurgents battle daily with the Afghan government and international troops. 

According to the constitution, the elections should be held by May, but officials announced in April last year that would not be possible as holding polls in the spring would mean organizing them during the harsh winter when large parts of the country are inaccessible. 

Financial crisis slams global economy to near-halt: IMF

WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund(IMF) slashed its economic outlook, predicting the global financial crisis would slam growth to a virtual standstill this year.

"World growth is projected to fall to 0.5 percent in 2009, its lowest rate since World War II," the IMF said in a sharp 1.75-point downward revision of November forecasts. "The world economy is facing a deep recession," the 185-nation institution warned. 

3 terrorists involved in Lahore blasts arrested

LAHORE: Three terrorists involved in bomb blasts in Liberty and other areas of Lahore have been arrested by Lahore police on Thursday, sources said. Large arms cache has also been recovered from the terrorists.

Pakistan Warns India Against Irresponsible Behaviour

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has warned India against irresponsible behaviour, saying the situation would aggravate more if India did not mend its mind.
Talking to US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W Patterson on Thursday (15 Jan), the President said that despite flexible behaviour of Pakistan, statements being made by Indian authorities especially the remarks of Indian Army Chief that all options were open against Pakistan were unfortunate, sources said.
It is merit mentioning here that it was the third meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and US Ambassador to Pakistan during one week.
Host of issues with regard to security situation, war against terrorism, tense situation between Pakistan and India, investigation of Mumbai carnage, upcoming visit of President Zardari to the US to attend oath taking ceremony of US President-elect Barack Obama were disused during the meeting.
The President also asked international community to determine who is defusing tension or who is escalating tension in the region. Pakistan continues to make every effort to defuse tension in South Asia and has repeatedly stated that it is prepared to extend its cooperation to the Indian government concerning the Mumbai attack, he said.
India continues to escalate tension, which is certainly not helpful to the cause of peace, security and stability of the region and would further aggravate the situation, the President warned. Pakistan, he said, is sincerely reviewing on the evidences provided by India with regard to Mumbai attack but made it clear no Pakistani would be handed over to India for investigation if found guilty in Mumbai mayhem. Action would be taken in Pakistani court in accordance with the country’s law, the President maintained.
India has not given any evidence on Mumbai attacks but just information, he said while urging India to also give positive response to Pakistani offer.
Peterson said Pakistan is vital country of the region whose importance cannot be neglected. She admitted that Pakistan is demonstrating responsible behaviour after Mumbai attacks, sources said. (The Nation/ ANN)

India asks to use diplomatic channels for Mumbai attacks investigations

NEW DELHI: Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked Pakistan to use the diplomatic channels for communication on the Mumbai terror attacks.Responding to questions on the statements in the media by the Pakistan Interior Adviser Rehman Malik, Mukherjee said instead of the media, India would be happy to receive a direct response from Pakistan through the diplomatic channels.

British Foreign secretary reaches Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has reached Islamabad friday on a two-day visit of Pakistan.According to reports, he was received by the officials of British High Commission and Foreign.Diplomatic sources said that Miliband would meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during his stay in Pakistan and exchange views with them on several issues, including a joint investigation of Mum ... Full Story