DELHI: Australian fast and hungry for wickets, bowler Brett Lee is looking forward to take on the powerful Indian batting line-up in the four- Test series next month.Lee faced the media on his first day in India and was quick to praise his teammates.With the retirement of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer, Australia have a comparatively inexperienced squad and Lee admits the pressure will be on the more experienced players like himself.Australia have two warm-up games before the first Test in Bangalore on October 9th.
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ISLAMABAD: Three people were injured after taxi collided with Punjab Police mobile near Ninth Avenue in Islamabad during Sehar on Wednesday.Taxi was on its way to PIMS hospital when it collided with Punjab Police van at the PRC roundabout in Ninth Avenue. The taxi driver, Mumtaz and his two close relatives, Babar and Sahib Bibi sustained severe injuries. They were rushed to PIMS hospital for medical treatment.
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WASHINGTON: The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is probing allegations of fraud by finance giants Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and insurer AIG, US media reported on Tuesday. Media said the mortgage; investment and insurance titans were part of a fraud inquiry by the FBI, which has widened its net to include probes of 26 Wall Street firms as lawmakers rush to agree a 700-billion-dollar government bailout of the troubled US financial sector.
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0SWAT: Local militants set ablaze three schools and a private bank in Mohmand Agency and Swat before Dawn on Wednesday.According to sources, militants attacked a convoy of Security Forces, injuring six security men while two schools were burnt down in Manglor area of Tehsil Charbagh in Swat.Besides, militants also blew up a Government High School situated in Yakaghund area of Mohmand Agency, which completely destroyed its building.In an other incident, a private bank was set on fire by militants in same area.
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NEW YORK: Trade is expected to start across the Line of Control the official date will be announced after the meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New York. Diplomatic sources claimed this issue would be high on the agenda of bilateral talks between the two leaders in their first ever meeting.Zardari and Singh are expected to give a joint statement announcing the schedule and various other details of the cross-LoC trade agreement.According to the Foreign Office, the modalities of the cross-LoC trade were finalized at a meeting of the joint working group held in New Delhi.
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WASHINGTON: The United States is studying a proposal from Kabul for a joint force of Afghan, Pakistan and coalition troops to operate against insurgents on the Afghan-Pakistan border.State Department spokesman Robert Wood said the U-S is taking a good look at it and said something after a thorough analysis.Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak earlier called for creating the joint force during a visit to the Pentagon but did not offer details. The minister told the media that the idea was broached about a month and a half ago at a meeting of senior U-S, Afghan and Pakistani military officials. He said that the Pakistanis are looking also at it. Pentagon officials said the idea of forming a joint force had been rebuffed by Pakistan in the past because of concerns over sovereignty. The U-S has focused instead on creating centers manned by the Afghan, Pakistani and coalition forces personnel to coordinate operations along the border.
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NEW YORK: A New York judge said a Pakistani woman charged with trying to kill a U.S. soldier and FBI agents must undergo psychological testing. U.S. District Judge Richard Berman said at a Tuesday hearing that he would sign an order later this week requiring the testing for Aafia Siddiqui. He also scheduled a December hearing to decide whether she is competent to stand trial. Siddiqui refused to go to court Tuesday. A prison psychologist has said she suffers from severe depression. Siddiqui has been labeled an al-Qaeda supporter. She was brought to the United States for trial after being arrested in Afghanistanin July. She’’s charged with grabbing a gun and trying to shoot U.S. troops.
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Pakistan News
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) which met here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani reviewed the price situation and it was informed that sensitive price indicator has registered decline during the last two consecutive weeks of this month. The prices of 17 items have registered increase, while prices of 15 items have registered a decline and 21 items remained unchanged during the week ending September 18. The ECC also reviewed the wheat stock position which was found comfortable level. The ECC was further informed that the import of 2.5 million tonnes wheat will be completed by the end of this year. The ECC was apprised the supply of fertilizer in the market is sufficient and so far 2,45,770 metric tons has arrived in the country which has improved the situation considerably. Total stock of sugar will be sufficient till the end of current season, the ECC was informed. The ECC was apprised that tax collection by FBR has increased by 32.2% in the first two months of the current financial year amounting to Rs.12.2 billion more than the target. The ECC was also informed that foreign investment has registered an increase of 72% in the first two months of the current financial year amounting to US $ 645 million. Foreign Direct Investment registered an increase of 64% amounting to US $ 754 million during the first two months. It shows that foreign investors are upbeat on the economic outlook of the country, the ECC observed. The ECC was further informed that remittances also registered also increase of 74% amounting to $ 1.2 billion in the first two months of the current financial year which suggests that expatriate Pakistanis have confidence in the economic management of the country. The ECC constituted a committee headed by Advisor on Industries to review allocation of additional requirements of Natural Gas from Marri Gas Field to Fatima Fertilizer Company. The project is critical to meet the requirements of the agriculture sector, the plant is expected to operational in November 2009. Other members of the committee are Minister for Water and Power, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Minister for Information Technology and Minister/Secretary Ministry of Petroleum, secretary Industries. The ECC also reviewed the summary of the Ministry of Industries regarding progress status of Fatima Fertilizer Company being set up at Sadiqabad. The ECC constituted a committee consisting of Advisor on Industries, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue, Minister for Industry Government of Balochistan and Chief Secretary of Balochistan to study the incentive package for establishing of various special economic zones/EPZ/Industrial Estate and Government of Baluchistan Export Processing Zone at Gawdar. The ECC approved the engagement of Chinese Contractor for Muzaffarabad City Development Project. The ECC approved the summary of the Textile Industry Division regarding the Tariff Structure of Polyester Chain- monetizing of Tariff on PTA. The ECC approved action plan pertaining to MINFAL for the actualization of loan by Asian Development Bank.
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US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Tuesday affirmed Washington’s right to take military action against extremists in Pakistan, and called for cooperation from the new government in Islamabad in facing down a common existential threat.
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BEIJING: Senior Chinese military official Guo Boxiong has pledged to further strengthen exchanges between China and Pakistan in defence sector. In his meeting with Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Guo, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, appreciated the fruitful cooperation between both sides over the years, official news agency reported. Noting the two countries as good neighbors, good friends and good partners, Guo said both sides had carried out remarkable cooperation in politics, economics, military, culture and technology, and made positive contribution to regional and world peace, stability and development. China highly values its all-round strategic cooperative partnership with Pakistan, Guo said, vowing to join hands with the country to boost bilateral ties to a new level. In response, Kiyani said his country treasures its traditional friendship with China and is ready to further boost cooperation with China.
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Pakistan News