Team brought joy to nation in time of trial: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari held a ceremony in honour of the victorious national cricket team of the World Twenty20 Cup here at the Presiden

Cheney 'ordered CIA to hide plan'

Former US Vice-President Dick Cheney ordered the CIA to hide a mysterious intelligence project from Congress, US media say

Obama speaks of hopes for Africa

Africa can forge its own future and solve its problems, Barack Obama says on a first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as US president

Zardari, Manmohan meet; agree on foreign-secretary level talks

YEKATERINBURG ( June 16, 2009, 16:48 ) :The eight-month long Pakistan-India stalled peace process got a fresh lease of life as President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met here on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Analysis: The changing fight in Pakistan

What I am finding on this visit is as alarming as it is reassuring, CNN's Nic Robertson says. Checkpoints are becoming more common, but so are Taliban attacks. The government's commitment to defeating the Taliban appears as firm as it was when it began the Swat offensive during my last visit. But as the contours of the fight become clearer, the prospect of a swift victory looks ever more distant

Missing teen's family pushes on

The parents of a California teen who disappeared on her way to school in February have closed the center that was the staging ground for search efforts, citing a lack of volunteers and a shift in direction. But the parents of 14-year-old Amber DuBois say the search will continue with a small group of dedicated volunteers.

Anti-war campaigners slam 'secret' Iraq probe

Anti-war protesters have criticized a decision by the UK government to hold an investigation into Britain's involvement in the Iraq war behind closed doors.

Student attacks stoke India-Australia tensions

The Australian government says the nation is safe, but a recent spate of vicious attacks on Indian students has parents and hundreds of students shaken and angry.

State media: 7 killed in attack in Tehran

Seven people were killed after they attacked a military post in central Tehran, state television has said. The news came as Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi told followers he would "pay any cost" to contest the country's election results. Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama said he was "deeply troubled" by the violence, but said it was "up to Iranians to decide" who Iran's leaders will be.

Oil prices below 70 dollars in Asian trade

SINGAPORE ( 2009-06-16 09:47:18 ) :Oil prices fell below 70 dollars in Asian trade Tuesday, mirroring a dive on Wall Street amid a strengthening US dollar, but traders were closely watching developments in Iran, analysts said.New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July, shed 69 cents to 69.93 dollars a barrel.Brent North Sea crude for August delivery eased 66 cents to 69.58 dollars. The July contract expired on Monday.A strengthening greenback as well as losses on Wall Street sparked the pullback in oil, analysts said."The firmer tone of the US dollar and declines on US equity markets were negatives for the oil price," the Commonwealth Bank of Australia said in its daily commodities report.A stronger dollar makes crude more expensive for buyers holding weaker currencies and that in turn tends to dampen demand and push the market lower.The US currency particularly rose against the euro Monday following a spike in eurozone job losses and fresh concerns the credit crunch could stifle tentative signs of recovery there.Traders are also "likely monitoring political developments in Iran," which is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), the report added, referring to violent post-election protests in Tehran.Iran is traditionally a price hawk among Opec members and is usually the leading advocate of a cut in production."The unrest if it continues will attract the attention of oil traders," said Phil Flynn of Alaron Trading.

Seven killed as anti-Ahmadinejad protests turn deadly

TEHRAN ( 2009-06-16 11:48:04 ) :Seven people were killed when a massive opposition rally in the heart of Tehran against the re-election of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad turned violent, state radio said on Tuesday.Tyres, dustbins and motorbikes were set ablaze by protestors as hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets in a public outpouring of anger reminiscent of the days of the Islamic revolution in 1979.

Zardari, Manmohan set to meet today

YEKATERINBURG ( June 16, 2009, 08:58 ) :President, Asif Ali Zardari, and Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, will meet here on Tuesday on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in an attempt to restart the stalled peace process. The meeting between President Zardari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to be held in Yekaterinburg

Hostages' bodies 'found in Yemen'

At least seven foreign hostages seized in Yemen, including at least one child, have been found dead, officials say.

Israeli PM concedes a little in key speech

The fact that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu felt it necessary to make a speech at all about a Palestinian state shows that American pressure works.

'Tanned' Berlusconi heads for US

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's joke about the newly-elected Barack Obama being "young, handsome and sun-tanned" hangs over him on his first visit to Washington since the election.

Iran poll loser leads huge rally

Defeated presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi leads tens of thousands of supporters in a rally against Iran's election result

Lakers take NBA title with win over Magic

The Los Angeles Lakers secure their 15th National Basketball Association (NBA) title at the Amway Arena on Sunday after a 99-86 win over Orlando Magic in Game Five seals a 4-1 victory in the best-of-seven finals

Snapshots: Viva Las Vegas

From the neon lights of the Strip to the dramatic desert landscape surrounding the city, iReporters love Las Vegas

Money, God and homosexuality

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner is perhaps best-known for his play "Angels in America." His latest work is "The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures." CNN sat down with him to talk about the same-sex marriage debate, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the Obama administration.

'Hunch' Web site will make decisions for you

Stumped on a tough decision? Hunch.com, which launches for the public today, is here to help. Hunch will consider your quandary by asking you a series of questions and then spitting out three decisions. In an interview, founder Caterina Fake says she created Hunch because it's too hard to find smart information online.

World reacts to Iranian election result

Members of the international community react to the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president of Iran and the oppostion protests which have accompanied the result

Gas prices up 17 cents in two weeks

The average price per gallon of self-serve regular gasoline is $2.66, up 16.68 cents from two weeks ago, the Lundberg Survey found

Scotland reports first 'swine flu' death

person with the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, dies in Scotland, the government announces, marking the first known death of a swine flu patient outside of the Americas, according to the latest World Health Organization information. Scottish health minister Nicola Sturgeon (pictured) insists the risk to the general public remains low.

Moussavi cheered as supporters rally in Iran

Iran's main opposition leader Mir Hossein Moussavi is cheered through the streets of Tehran as thousands of his supporters gather to rally in protest over last week's presidential election. Moussavi says Friday's vote was rigged to give hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad an overwhelming victory.

Six terrorists killed in Malakand, Bannu: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Six terrorists were killed in Malakand and Bannu while 6 were injured during the last 24 hours. According to ISPR, security forces consolidated their positions and carried out search operation in Godhand Banda and Arkot area of Swat.It said terrorists fire raided security forces position at Banmanai Sar in response security forces retaliated causing casualties; number could not be ascertained.

Ireland to take on T20 champions today

LONDON ( 2009-06-10 10:29:27 ) :Ireland will take on World T20 champions India today in their final Group A match at Trent Bridge knowing that win or lose a chance to revisit the greatest day in Irish cricket history is guaranteed.When Pakistan beat Holland yesterday to claim the final place in the T20 last eight, it meant that Ireland will play the team they famously beat by three wickets at the 2007 World Cup at the Oval on Monday.A victory against India would mean Ireland top Group A but wherever they finish they will play New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the next stage, with the top two progressing to the semi- finals next week.Beating the world champions will not be easy, but, over the shortest distance, Ireland are not without hope, and their chances improved yesterday with the news that India's explosive opening batsman Virender Sehwag will miss the rest of the tournament with a shoulder injury.Ireland are in confident mood after Monday's win against Bangladesh and man-of-the-match Niall O'Brien expects to be fit to play after twisting his ankle.O'Brien said: "We are up against the world champions but we are going to give it our best shot. "There will be nothing left on the pitch, I can guarantee you that. "It's Twenty20 cricket and we have already seen an upset by Holland against England, and we said at the last World Cup we are not just here to make up the numbers, we want to win as many games as we can."We've got a belief in the squad that we've got a very talented bunch of players. We are all here to win cricket matches and we've got off to a great start."

Jayasuriya, Dilshan overpower West Indies

NOTTINGHAM ( 2009-06-10 23:10:16 ) :Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillekeratne Dilshan hammered an opening stand of 124 as Sri Lanka beat the West Indies by 15 runs in the World Twenty20 here on Wednesday.The duo lifted Sri Lanka to 192-5, a total the West Indies chased bravely despite the absence of explosive opener and captain Chris Gayle, who missed the Group C match due to a knee injury.The West Indians ended at 177-5, fired by a spectacular counter-attack by Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan, who put on 77 off 59 balls for the fifth wicket.Bravo hit a 38-ball 51 that included five fours and two sixes, while Sarwan remained unbeaten on 28."The main thing today was to get momentum and I'm happy with the way the guys played," said Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara."Sanath is a genius and he was ably supported by Dilshan. They proved that with a good start you can put up a very defendable total."West Indies skipper Denesh Ramdin said his team will be back on form in the Super Eights when Gayle will return from injury."We needed to get a good start but we had to chase the game. We'll play hard cricket in the Super Eights and we'll bounce back."The match, watched by a sell-out crowd at Trent Bridge, held only academic interest since both teams had already qualified for the Super Eights at Australia's expense.Sri Lanka, who thumped Australia by six wickets in their first match, are hot favourites to make the semi-finals from Super Eights Group F which includes Pakistan, Ireland and New Zealand.The West Indies are drawn in the tougher Group E which also has defending champions India, South Africa and hosts England.Two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.Left-handed Jayasuriya, at 39 the oldest player in the 12-nation tournament, smashed 81 off 47 balls that was studded with 10 boundaries and three sixes.Dilshan, who contributed just 38 in the century partnership, went on to make 74 off 47 balls before he became one of seamer Lendl Simmons' four victims.All-rounder Kieron Pollard bore the brunt of the Sri Lankan assault, conceding 45 runs from his three overs.The West Indies made a spirited reply, reaching 70-1 by the seventh over before losing three wickets in the space of as many runs.Two of those wickets fell in one over from spinner Ajantha Mendis, who had Xavier Marshall caught in the deep before bowling danger man Shivnarine Chanderpaul for one

Younus tells Pakistan to win T20 for fans

LONDON ( 2009-06-10 10:21:17 ) :Pakistan captain Younus Khan challenged his side to win the World Twenty20 for their cricket-starved fans after they boooked their place in the second round here on Tuesday.Victory over the Netherlands - who stunningly defeated England in the opening match of the tournament - by 82 runs at Lord's saw Pakistan bounce back from their 48-run loss last weekend to the hosts at the Oval.Now Younus wants Pakistan, finalists at the inaugural World Twenty20 two years ago in South Africa, to go all the way and give their supporters something to celebrate after the Asian nation became a virtual no-go zone for international cricket following an armed attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March."We have no international cricket so if we reach the semi-final or win the tournament, the nation will stand up for us," Younus told reporters. "I need a cup for Pakistan. If I bring one cup for Pakistan that will be an achievement for me."The Dutch, who began the match with a better run-rate, needed to stop Pakistan winning by at least 25 runs to go through to the Super Eights. But, after holding Pakistan to 175 for five and so needing to make at least 151 to get into the second round, the Dutch were dismissed for just 93. Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi did the bulk of the damage with four wickets for just 11 runs - the fourth best figures in all Twenty20 internationals."If we bowl like that in every game, we will go through to the semi-finals, said Younus.”Everybody knows we are slow starters, I just hope we have performances like this in every game."Afridi, perhaps best known as a destructive batsman in limited overs cricket, has been struggling for runs of late but Younus said: "I don't worry about his batting."Everybody knews if he bowls well, we will get quick wickets."Kamran Akmal responded to being promoted to open from No 3 by top-scoring with 41 and the wicket-keeper then completed four stumpings during the Dutch innings. "I am very happy to open the batting," he said. I was just given a free hand."Dutch captain Jeroen Smits said his Associate or non-Test side, which features several part-time players, could be proud of their efforts. "I thought we had a good chance," he said. "Maybe we were a bit over-confident."However, the wicket-keeper added: "Pakistan deserved to win, Afridi bowled a special game. Afridi was really special and he made life hard for us."Maybe that's the difference between Associate level and a professional level. We can be proud of ourselves but I feel a bit disappointed we didn't make it to the Super Eights."We felt confident at half-time but we needed a big innings from someone. I would have liked to seen Darron Reekers (the opener's 13 included three fours) for a few more overs but it wasn't to be."Pakistan return to Lord's on Friday for their first Super Eights match against Sri Lanka

Abdul Razzaq gets ICC clearance

LONDON ( 2009-06-11 11:26:21 ) :The ICC has confirmed the event technical committee of the ICC World Twenty20 2009 has approved Abdul Razzaq as a replacement player for Yasir Arafat in Pakistan’s squad for the tournament, which runs until 21 June at three venues – Lord’s, The Oval and Trent Bridge.The confirmation was conveyed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on behalf of the event technical committee today (Wednesday).Razzaq takes over from Arafat after the latter was diagnosed with a hamstring injury. Having reviewed the medical reports, the technical committee agreed to his replacement in the squad.Razzaq has been deemed eligible to take part in the tournament having terminated his contract with the Indian Cricket League and received a sanction from the PCB for his involvement in unofficial cricket.The nature of that sanction is determined by each ICC Member Board subject to the laws within their own territories.The requirement for each Member to impose some form of sanction is in accordance with an ICC Board resolution agreed at its most recent meeting in Dubai in April. The rationale for the resolution was to protect the fabric of the game and to discourage players from switching at will from official to unofficial cricket and back again.ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat confirmed: 'The PCB has advised the ICC it has imposed a sanction on Abdul Razzaq in accordance with the ICC Board resolution.'The event technical committee of the ICC World Twenty20 2009 consists of David Richardson (ICC General Manager – Cricket and technical committee chairman), Steve Elworthy (tournament director), Campbell Jamieson (representative of IDI, the ICC’s commercial arm which runs major ICC events), Alan Fordham (ECB representative), Ian Bishop (independent nomination) and David Lloyd (independent nomination).Pakistan’s next match of the tournament is on Friday against Sri Lanka at Lord’s beginning at 1330 (local time).

31 militants killed in Orakzai air raids, 10 killed in Bannu

KALAYA ( June 11, 2009, 14:04 ) :At least 31 noncombatants were killed and over 15 injured as jet planes pounded various areas of Hangu and Orakzai Agency, Aaj News reported on Thursday

Tribal lashkar destroy militants hideout in Upper Dir

SWAT: Security forces operation against militants is going on in Malakand Division. Search operation is underway in different areas of Dir Lower while a hideout of militants has been destroyed in Upper Dir.Security forces pounded militants’ positions in various areas of tehsil Maidan of Dir Lower, however no causality was reported in the shelling.According to military sources, search operation has been launched in Ghor

Gas tariff slashed, to be effective from July 1

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to slash gas tariff by 2 to 10 per cent which will be effective from July 1, Ministry of Petroleum told Geo News on Wednesday.In this regard, the summary has been sent to Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the sources added.According to the summary, the domestic consumers will get a relief of 2 per cent while gas rates will be reduced up to 10 per cent for the industrial consumers.