ISLAMABAD: Industries and Production Minister Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo claimed that mills owned by Mian Nawaz Sharif and Humayun Akhtar were involved in s

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Pakistan has been shifting its forces by historic proportions from its Indian border to the Afghan frontier, gaining ground against militants and giving the United States room to focus more on economic problems threatening the nuclear-armed state, Washington’s envoy said.

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 15 (UPI) — Islamic extremists bent on getting their hands on nuclear weapons have attacked Pakistani facilities three times in the past two years, an expert says.

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SINGAPORE: Oil prices posted their biggest loss in more than two weeks on Friday after a report showing weak U.S. consumer confidence darkened the economic outlook and tanked stocks on Wall Street.

U.S. crude oil futures fell $3.01, or 4.27 percent, to settle at $67.51 a barrel while London Brent crude fell $1.07 to settle at $72.41.

Stocks on Wall Street tumbled on the news as investors worried sluggish consumer activity would prolong the economic recession.

“Crude futures are down, following a slide in the stock market and after the Reuters/University of Michigan survey showed consumer confidence down earlier this month,” said Tom Pawlicki, analyst at MF Global Research in Chicago.

Oil prices remain more than double their winter lows below $33 in December, with most of the support for commodities markets so far this year finding root in economic optimism.

Data on Thursday showed Germany and France had posted second quarter growth, ending their recessions in April-June, which was earlier than expected.

Some of the market’’s attention has also been on the weather in the Atlantic Ocean, which could soon see its first named storm of the hurricane season.

Tropical storms and hurricanes can disrupt operations at offshore platforms and coastal refineries but many forecasts are for a mild hurricane season this year.

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BINGHAMTON ? the pair of Aisam-Ul-Haq of Pakistan and Prakash Amritraj of India were defeated in the doubles semi-finals of the Levene Gouldin Thompson Tennis Challenger here on Friday.

The third-seeded pair was beaten by top-seeded doubles team of De Voest of South Africa and American Scott Lipsky 6-7 (40), 3-6 in the semi-finals.

Talking with Geo News, Aisam-Ul-Haq said that he was disappointed by losing the match but now he wants to focus his all attention on the US Open Tennis Championship, beginning from August 31 for which he would leave for New York tomorrow.

Aisam?s ranking has come down by 115 grades to 458 which is his worst ranking in the last two and a half years whereas he is on 99 in doubles ranking.

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Karachi

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had extended unconditional support to the present local

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KARACHI: Sugar price has reduced by Rs3.50 per kilogram to Rs48.50 in Karachi Wholsale Market.

Chairman Karachi Wholesalers and Grocers Association Anis Majeed talking to Geo News said the market remained closed because of the raids being conducted by the government against hoarders. This affected the market activities and led to the decrease in sugar prices, he added.

He said arresting the wholesalers is unjustified because they sell sugar at a rate which contains only a fair margin on a price at which they receive it from the sugar mills.

Anis Majeed said the wholesalers are strongly protesting against the arrests of wholesalers.

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LAHORE: Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Saturday taking suo motu notice, summoned the authorities of Board of Intermediate Secondary Education, Lahore (BISEL) for allegedly depriving a student of the third position in intermediate examination result.

CJ Khawaja Muhammad Sharif directed the Chairman, Secretary and Controller of Examination BISEL to appear before the court in person alongwith the concerned record.

CJ took notice on a news broadcast on a private news channel in which a student Mohsin Raza Roll no. 49815 of Commerce group protested against the board for not declaring him 3rd position holder in the result of annual inter exams announced here on Saturday morning.

Mohsin claimed that he secured 915 marks in his group while a student with 914 marks was declared 3rd position-holder which was unjust.

Lahore board, correcting its mistake, declared Mohsin Hasan to have clinched the third position and gave student medal and a certificate.

According to Board Chairman Akram Kashmiri, Muhammed Bashir, Deputy Chief Secrecy Officer, responsible for the mistake, has been sacked from the office; while, computer programmer Waheedur Rehman has been suspended.

Also, the board constituted an inquiry committee comprising Prof. Abdul Majeed Sundhela and Dr Akhlaq Ahsan Shamsi.

Chairman Board also apologized to the position-holder Mohsin hasan on board?s mistake.

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Pakistan News

LONDON:The English Premier League Football of the 2009/10 season is beginning here today and Manchester United will defend their title in the event.

All teams have reached Birmingham for participating in the Premier League.

Manchester United are determined to defend the title as their manager Alex Furgusen believes his team would easily retain the title.

Following matches will be played on the first day:

Arsenal vs Everton, Sunderland vs Bolton, Chelsea vs Hull City, Manchester City vs Blackburn, Aston Villa vs Wiga, Portsmouth vs Fulham and Wolves vs West Ham.

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COLOMBO: Pakistan A are moving close to victory over Sri Lanka A in the second unofficial Test here at the Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.

Pakistan A need just 54 runs more to win the match with their all ten wickets intact.

Sri Lanka resumed their incomplete first innings at 155-6 on third day of the match and they were collapsed for 180.

Mohammad Talha captured five and Wahab Riaz claimed four wickets.

After being followed on, Sri Lanka batted well and succeeded in avoiding the innings defeat but they were again all out for 229, setting an easy target of 68 runs for Pakistan A.

Muthumudalige Pushpakumara made 95 while captain Kaushal Silva remained not out on 79.

For Pakistan A, spinners Abdul Rehman and Wahab Riaz bagged five for 82 and three for 52, respectively while Fahad Masood got two wickets.

Pakistan were 14 for no loss at stumps and they require further 54 runs to win the match.

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Pakistan News