Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is urging greater counterterrorism cooperation among the United States, India and Pakistan and says she’ll visit India next month as the Obama administration moves to strengthen ties with New Delhi.
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Tribesman seeking to avenge a deadly mosque bombing killed six Taliban in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday, while 22 suspected rebels died in an ongoing military offensive, the army and police said.
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NOTTINGHAM: An intriguing battle is on the cards when favourites South Africa clash with buoyant Pakistan in the semi-final of the World Twenty20 here on Thursday. Geo Super will telecast the action live from the ground at 2230 PST.The South Africans have showed their all-round prowess during an unbeaten run in the tournament, including emphatic wins in all three Super Eight games against the West Indies, England and defending champions India. The latest success came at Trent Bridge on Tuesday when the Proteas fought back after being restricted to a modest 130-5 on a slow wicket to keep off-colour India down to 118-8. Pakistan bounced back after losing their first Super Eights game to Sri Lanka to defeat New Zealand by six wickets before ensuring their place in the semi-final by packing off minnows Ireland by 38 runs. In the preliminary round, the enigmatic Pakistanis had shown a similar never-say-die attitude by thrashing England-conquerors Netherlands by 82 runs after losing their opening match against the hosts. “We are slow starters but we never give up,” said Pakistan captain Younus Khan. “If we lose a game we regroup fast and go out and prove ourselves.” Pakistan have been lifted by a sensational display by seamer Umar Gul, who claimed five wickets for six runs against New Zealand at the Oval last Saturday, the first five-wicket haul in Twenty20 internationals. Gul, who was the highest wicket-taker in the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa when Pakistan ended as runners-up to India, again tops the list with 12 scalps in this tournament. “Gul is a class act,” said Pakistani coach Intikhab Alam. “He has shown that the best way to restrict a side in T20 is by taking wickets. He is definitely a trump card.” Suggestions from the New Zealand camp that Gul extracted reverse swing during his five-wicket haul against them was dismissed by the on-field umpires. But when Pakistan returned to the field against Ireland on Monday, umpires Rudi Koertzen and Rod Tucker regularly checked the ball. Younus, however, wanted his team to overcome the embarrassment and focus on the semi-final. “It will be a tough game because South Africa have proved they are a very good side, but we will be ready for the challenge,” he said. “The bowlers have done a great job so far, but I think the batsmen do not give them enough runs to defend. We can”t let that happen against South Africa.” Graeme Smith’’s side have the advantage of having played two matches at Trent Bridge during the tournament, while Pakistan’’s games were all confined to Lord’’s or Oval in London. “Pakistan are a talented team who will arrive expecting to beat us,” said Smith. “Regardless of who deserves to win going into a semi-final, it’’s about who plays best on the day. It’’s a simple matter.” Smith, however, warned Pakistan his team will not be beaten easily. “We are professional and clinical but I think we have also proved that we have enough flair and enough options available to us to be the all-round package,” he said. “We have played at all the grounds, we have faced many different challenges on different wickets and defended low totals. “So I think we are a well-rounded team going into the semis. We just need to give ourselves the best chance on Thursday and play our type of cricket.” Sri Lanka face the West Indies in the other semi-final at the Oval on Friday, with the final scheduled to take place at Lord’’s on Sunday.
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KARACHI: The business community of Karachi rejecting the Federal Budget 2009-10, gave June 26 as deadline to the government to review the budget measures.In a convention held at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the businessmen warned the government that they would be forced to shift their capital abroad if it failed to remove before the deadline the shortcomings from the budget which, they said, are affecting negatively the business environment.They demanded of the Finance Advisor Shaukat Tarin to contact the members of KCCI within 48 hours and ensure incorporation of the budget proposals presented by the Chamber or else they will be forced to shut down their industries. They expressed concern over the new custom laws, saying these will further increase illegal trade practices and cause losses to the traders.
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India’s prime minister said Wednesday that his country is again ready to talk peace with Pakistan following a six-month freeze between the nuclear-armed rivals in the wake of last year’s terror attack in Mumbai.
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called Wednesday for greater counterterrorism cooperation among the United States, India and Pakistan and said she would visit India next month as the Obama administration moves to strengthen ties with New Delhi.
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NOTTINGHAM: South Africa defeated India by 12 runs in their last Super Eights match of the World Twenty20 Cup 2009 here at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.Chasing 131, India could score 118 runs for the loss of eight wickets when the 20 overs were completed.Their top scorers were Rohit Sharma (29), Yuvraj Singh (25) and Gautam Gambhir (21). John Botha claimed three wickets for 16 runs and Dale Steyn took two for 25.Earlier, South Africa made 130 runs for the loss of five wickets after winning the toss.AB de Villiers top scored with 63 from 51 balls. He struck seven fours.For India, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh, harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina claimed one wicket each.
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Pakistan News
KARACHI: A major power break down has hit Karachi, leaving most parts of the city without electricity.According to sources, most of the grid stations of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) tripped and suspension of power supply from Bin Qasim and Korangi Gas Turbine led this break down which has sent 90 percent area of the city into darkness.Work at the airport has been affected due to the power break down.Traffic signals across the city also stopped functioning, leading to traffic mess in the metropolis.
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Army surveillance planes flew Wednesday over suspected Taliban militant strongholds in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal district where a major offensive is planned.
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India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday he wanted to try again to make peace with Pakistan, but stressed Islamabad needed to take “strong and effective” action to end terrorism.
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