Is Al-Qaeda planning another 9/11-type attack to get back at ISIS?

New Delhi: Media reports suggest that the Al-Qaeda, for the first time since its existence in 20 years, is facing a threat from a rival jihadist organization. Threatened by the increasing presence and strength of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Al-Qaeda is desperate for a comeback. Al-Qaeda preparing explosives that airport scanners can’t detect They are preparing the explosives that the airport scanners can’t detect. According to intelligence reports, the Al-Qaeda has major airports in the United Kingdom on its radar. It’s being speculated that they are making a new bomb devised by one of the best bomb makers Ibrahim Al-Isiri. This explosive can beat the metal detectors and sniffer dogs. Though Al-Isiri is now a part of ISIS, intelligence reports say that he has shared the formula with some members of the Al-Qaeda. Media reports say the Al Qaeda feels that launching a massive attack could repose confidence in its fighters and ensure that they either stay back or return to their fold.

ISIS is not only powerful in terms of combat but also in terms of resources and funds. Al-Qaeda had $200 million in terror funds and the Taliban $70 million during peak years. ISIS stole $450 million after the raid in Mosul. They have also taken over the oil fields, an estimate worth of which is around $4 billion. According to a report, a US-based think tank said that the Al-Qaeda will now be looking for a major attack on the lines of 9/11 to regain what it has lost to ISIS. Tehrik-e-Taliban support ISIS The latest statement by the Tehrik-e-Taliban has worried the Al-Qaeda. The TTP said that they support those mujahideen who fight for the sake of the survival of the caliphate. The Al Qaeda now sees the situation slipping out of its hand.

5 symptoms of breast cancer women should not ignore

Breast cancer is a type of cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts. More than 22% women are diagnosed with it every year in India. What seems like a trivial lump can cost you your life. We bring to you some specific symptoms of Breast cancer which women should not ignore. -A lump in the breast or underarm that persists after your menstrual cycle. -Swelling in the armpit. -Pain or tenderness in the breast. Although lumps are usually painless, pain or tenderness can be a sign of breast cancer. -A noticeable flattening or indentation on the breast. -A reddish, pitted surface like the skin of an orange could be a sign of advanced breast cancer. -Change in the nipple, such as a nipple retraction, dimpling, itching, a burning sensation, or ulceration. -Unusual discharge from the nipple that may be clear, bloody, or another color. -A marble-like area under the skin. -An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.

ISIS captured largest oil field in Syria: See in 10 pictures what exactly is happening in the country

Damascus: The militant group ISIS has took control of a major Syrian oil field on Iraqi border. By seizing the Al-Omar oil field, it now controls most oil and gas fields in the oil-rich Syrian province of Deir Ezzor. “IS took control of the Al-Omar oil field,” located north of the strategic town of Mayadeen, also under its control since dawn Thursday, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The capture ‘comes after (Al-Qaeda affiliate) Al-Nusra Front withdrew from the oil field without a fight’, the Britain-based monitor added. Before Syria’s 2011 revolt against President Bashar al-Assad broke out, the oil field produced some 30,000 barrels a day. According to the Observatory, Al-Nusra Front and its anti-regime allies took over the field in November 2013 and kept it running and selling 10,000 barrels a day. ISIS supporters posted amateur video on YouTube, showing a bearded man wearing black Afghan clothes and a black scarf on his head, identified by the cameraman as Commander Hommam. “We took it (the oil field) over without any fighting. They fled like rats,” the commander says. The footage also shows two signs posted on the road. One reads “the Euphrates Oil Company — Al-Omar Oil Field.” The cameraman shouted: “The Islamic State is here to stay.” Some rebels initially welcomed IS, then known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), among their ranks as they battled Assad’s forces in their bid to topple his regime. In January, rebels and Al-Nusra Front fighters began turning their guns on IS fighters, whose brutal abuses and quest for hegemony earned them the opposition’s wrath. “But in four months of fighting (in Deir Ezzor), the rebels who were fighting IS did not receive a single bullet” from countries that back the revolt, complained Free Syrian Army spokesman Omar Abu Leyla. IS has vastly bolstered its resources through an offensive it launched in Iraq on June 9, capturing a swathe of territory in northern and western provinces as it sweeps towards Baghdad. It has brought many of the heavy weapons it seized from Iraq’s fleeing troops across the border and is now deploying them in Syria, giving it vastly improved firepower. Abu Leyla echoed a recent claim by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius that IS is selling oil to Assad. The “regime is playing a dangerous game. For the past ten days it has been bombing areas under IS control, but causing very few IS casualties,” the rebel spokesman told AFP. “At the same time, there are secret channels between IS and the regime. IS sells oil and gas to the regime through businessmen. There is no direct dealing between IS and the regime, but there is a lot of proof that these channels exist,” he said. On Sunday, IS declared a “caliphate” straddling Syria and Iraq, referring to an Islamic system of rule that was abolished nearly 100 years ago in a move that has angered other rebel groups and Islamists, who declare it a ‘heresy.” Syria’s war began as a peaceful movement demanding Assad’s ouster, but morphed into a conflict after a brutal crackdown by the regime. Many months into the fighting, jihadists started to pour into Syria, drawing warnings from analysts of a looming regional conflagration. (Image: A man carries an injured child after what activists claim was a car explosion in a market in the Douma neighborhood in eastern al-Ghouta.)

Civil defence members try to put out a fire after what activists claim was a car explosion in a market

A man stands on sandbags near a dead body at a site

Men try to put out a fire at a site hit by what activists said was an airstrike by forces loyal to Syria

Free Syrian Army fighters prepare locally made shells on Al-Hamideyeh front.

A rebel fighter walks thorugh a hole in the wall.

Men inspect a damaged site.

Members of the Civil Defense rescue children after an air strike.

A man holds an injured child at a damaged site.

'Yadavisation' of UP administration? If you surname is Yadav, you have better chances of cracking UPPSC exams

Lucknow: If you are a resident of Uttar Pradesh, have you ever thought what stops your son or daughter from becoming a district magistrate (DM) or a police chief? A Headlines Today investigation exposes why your ward has not been able to crack the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) examinations. The sting operation enitled 'Operation Sarkar' reveals that recommendations have become the easy route for becoming a DM or SP in UP. It unmasks the UP government and unearths how vacant posts in the state administration are being filled with Yadav candidates. It is caste over merit in the civil services merit list. Shockingly, marks are suitably altered to suit a particular caste. If your surname is Yadav, you son or daughter has better chances of cracking the civil service examination. Now, several questions arise: Is 'Yadavisation' of the UP administration mere a co-incident or a conspiracy? Is it Uttar Pradesh Service Commission or Uttar Pradesh Yadav Service Commission? The ruling Samajwadi Party is more or less equivalent to its chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's clan. The Yadav's family rules all the way. Those who crack UPPSC exams and go on to become a DM, SP, Commissioner, DIG and IG in the future, they will have one thing in common - their surname as Yadav surnames dominates in the UPPSC examination merit list. Members of a particular community are being selected for UPPSC interviews. And it is smoothly sailing even before the interview panel. That is how Yadav surnames dominate UPPSC merit list. The sting operation exposes how one call from Delhi or Lucknow alters name on final merit list. "I know a fact that there was mobilisation for a candidate from Delhi. A call made to Anil Yadav and he was briefed. The boy was selected.... I know it," reveals Mushtaq Ali, HoD of the Department of Hindi at Allahabad University. Even employees in the UP government are convinced that recommendation is a short-cut to get selected in the UPPSC. UPPSC Section Officer Ramesh has been recorded by the news channel on hidden camera as saying, "A candidate is studying day and night. When he sits before to the interview board, what will you ask him when you know that he is not going to be selected? Whatever list is sent from the top (on phone), you will have to do it." Meet Anand Shekhar Singh who is principal at Ishwar Sharan Degree College in Allahabad. He is also the member of the UPPSC interview board. He says, "Interview is one main thing that is in your hand. It is a big thing that is in your hand. It is a very big thing. The member are yours, you can pass on off-the-record direction like dekh lijiyega (see him) to anyone." When asked that the interview board is not provided with actual roll number of candidates, they carry a particular code, then it can be done, Singh said, "If you are a member of the UPPSC board, you have it. I am the chairman, we know all coding and decoding. If I want to do something, I can. If I want to do it, I will pass it to other members of interview panel." He revealed members of the interview board are given details about the candidates and a community-based list is sent to them much ahead of the interview. Carrying a weightage of 200 marks, the interview is an important part of the UPPSC exams. And there is a rider for examiner here. In case, an examiner gives over 140 marks to a candidate, he needs to furnish explanatory remarks. The Akhilesh Yadav govt was in power when the last UPPSC examination was held. Its result was shocking. Among the 86 backward community candidates who were selected, 50 were Yadavs. And barring one or two exceptions, most of these Yadav candidates performed exceptionally well. They scored between 135 to 140 marks in the interview. Even those Yadav candidates who had low grades in written exams also made it through the interviews with flying colours. Mushtaq Ali, who claims to have interviewed UPPSC candidates, also confirmed that despite all attempts to maintain secrecy, recommendations always make their way through. When the reporter asks him how it can be done in public service examinations, he says, "It gets coded there, there is no name. There is just a candidate's coding. So if you are coming through a member, you can be obliged. He will recognise the face." Explaining the process, he said, "Suppose you are a member, you met me in the evening. We spoke. Suppose, it does not come under your board but someone else's. So, you will tell him that there is this candidate, just see him. And if his candidate is in your board, you will help him. It's all well coordinated." The sentiment among the state public service commission employees is clear too - recommendations are a key. UPPSC Upper Secretary Virender Tiwari says, "All the details are sent to the interview panel ahead of interviews. Suppose 100 candidates are to be interviewed today in 5 different boards. The deatils of all candidates along with roll number and educational qualifications are sent to the interview panel. They are divided in a group of 20 in five boards. So it's pre-decided which candidate appears in front of which board for interview. In each board, there are 3-4 experts. They pose questions to candidates. The marks are ultimately to be given by the UPPSC board member irrespective of what is being asked. If the chairman, secretary and a member want to pass any candidate, they can do it." The picture is blatantly clear. When you compare the average interview scores of candidates of all three categories, Yadavs are the clear gainers. When the news channel's reporter asked Dhanajay Pandey, ex-professor, Allahabad University, that is it just secretary, chairman and member or can people at lower level also do this, he replied, "People at lower level can't do it. If they try, the scam will be out in the open. More people will come to know about it. It's not possible at the lower level."

Argentina beat Belgium to reach first semi since 1990

BRASILIA: Argentina reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 24 years on Saturday when an early goal by Gonzalo Higuain and a strong defensive display proved enough to beat a disappointing Belgium side 1-0. Lionel Messi's close control and a fortunate deflection opened the way for Higuain to shoot home the only goal after eight minutes, and the striker should have added a second early in the second half when he grazed the bar after a driving run. Kevin Mirallas and Marouane Fellaini went close with headers as Belgium tried to force their way back into the game but with key midfielder Eden Hazard anonymous they never really looked like doing so against a well-drilled and hard-working Argentina. In their first semi-final since 1990, when they went on to lose to West Germany in the final, Argentina will play either Costa Rica or the Netherlands, who meet in the last quarter-final later on Saturday.

MQM delegation visits JI Karachi office

MQM delegation visits JI Karachi office by dawn-news KARACHI: A delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) visited the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Karachi office, Idara Noor-i-Haq, on Saturday. The MQM delegation, comprising Ameenul Haq, Abdul Haseeb and Rehan Hashmi extended their invitation to JI Karachi Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, to join MQM’s rally in solidarity with the armed forces, which is scheduled to be staged at the Bagh-i-Jinnah tomorrow (Sunday). JI warmly welcomed the MQM delegation but showed reservations in joining the rally. “Jamaat-i-Islami does not support North Waziristan operation,” the JI Karachi Emir said, adding, “We are with the Pakistan Army, but the operation would result in creating differences and rift between our armed forces and the people of tribal areas.” The JI Karachi Emir also asked for an immediate stop to the operation. Talking to mediapersons, Ameenul Haq said, “We have old relations with Jamaat-i-Islami, and we are here to invite them to our rally.” “We hope for Jamaat-i-Islami to also visit our headquarters, it will improve relations,” Haq said.

Strauss in Pietersen swearing storm

LONDON: Former England captain Andrew Strauss found himself involved in a fresh row regarding Kevin Pietersen after making highly offensive comments about his former Test colleague while broadcasting on Saturday. Sky Sports commentator Strauss, believing he was off the air in a break in play during the Lord's bicentenary match between MCC and the Rest of the World, reportedly used a particularly obscene epithet to describe Pietersen. But although Strauss's remarks weren't heard by Sky viewers, they were picked up on an overseas app receiving a continuous feed of the Sky commentary. A brief statement issued by Sky said: “Earlier comments were made during a break in play which were heard overseas. We apologise for the language used.” Pietersen, after making a match-saving hundred in a Test against his native South Africa at Headingley in 2012, was briefly dropped from the England team after sending text messages said to contain derogatory references to Strauss to Proteas players. Strauss, twice an Ashes-winning captain, retired following South Africa's 2-0 win in that series. The former opening batsman insisted at the time, however, that he had not quit as a result of the comments made by Pietersen, his predecessor as England captain. However, he did say in retirement: “I wasn't all that bothered about him (Pietersen) sending texts to the South African players that he knew quite well.” “I did, however, have issues with him criticising me to the opposition. That felt like talking out of school, not to mention giving the opposition a way to drive a wedge between Pietersen and myself and the team.” “And if he really had given information about how to get me out, well that amounted to treachery and I would never forgive him. I am confident, in retrospect, that he did not give the South Africans information on how to get me out.” “The nagging frustration I still have is that all of that time, effort and commitment from our players over a three-year period to make our environment special and different was undermined in one episode.” Pietersen was subsequently restored to the England team. But following England's recent 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board effectively ended the 34-year-old Pietersen's international career – even though he is England's all-time leading run-scorer across all formats – in what they said was a move designed to support current captain Alastair Cook. Pietersen said Friday he still harboured hopes of an England return but playing for the Rest of the World against an equally star-studded MCC side on Saturday he did little to advance his cause by being stumped for 10 off Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal. In Pietersen's absence, England were beaten 1-0 at home to Sri Lanka in a two-Test series last month. England begin a five-Test series at home to India at Nottingham's Trent Bridge ground on Wednesday.

Arsalan was appointed to recognise services of his father: CM

ISLAMABAD/QUETTA: Defending appointment of Arsalan Iftikhar as vice chairman Board of Investment (BOI), Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch on Saturday said the former was appointed to recognise the services of his father, the former chief justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry for the Baloch masses. Dr Baloch was addressing a joint press conference with the National Party (NP) chief, Senator Hasil Bizenjo in Islamabad to dispel what they called ‘misunderstandings’ with regard to the controversial appointment. The government of Balochistan had appointed Arsalan Iftikhar as the vice chairman BOI few days back. The decision drew severe criticism from media, civil society and some opposition political parties. Subsequently, the mounting media and political pressure worked and Arsalan Iftikhar was asked to tender his resignation on Thursday. “I wanted to keep intact the link of Iftikhar Chaudhry with Balochistan by appointing his son as vice chairman of the BOI Balochistan,” said the chief minister. “There was no role of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the appointment of Arsalan,” he added. He, however, admitted that it was a wrong decision to induct Arsalan Iftikhar as the Vice Chairman Board of Investment. “I withdrew the decision when the party chief told me to do so,” Dr Baloch said. Speaking on the occasion, Senator Bizenjo said that Arsalan was given the post upon his request to the chief minister. He expressed regret over the statement of Pakistan Thereek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in this regard, adding that his party's government had never been part of any financial scandal. In response to a question, Chief Minister Baloch stated that during the last one year, his government had established better governance as compared to the previous provincial governments. “Nobody can show any financial scandal during the last one year,” the chief minister added. He claimed that “90 per cent” of the province was peaceful and roads were now safe and secure. However, when his attention was drawn on Baloch rebels living on mountains, the chief minister admitted his failure in convincing them to join the main stream politics. “They (separatist) talk with gun and we talk under the ambit of the constitution which is not acceptable to them.” Both leaders, on the occasion rejected Dr Tahirul Qadri and Imran Khan’s “politics of agitation,” saying the NP would continue to support the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for the sake of democracy.

5 minute makeup routine to make you look stunning instantly

Ladies, getting ready for office or college in the morning can be quite a tedious task, especially if you have a lot to do and too little time on hands. We bring to you an easy five minute makeup routine. Look beautiful and vibrant with this easy routine. Here’s what you should do. Step 1: Apply a moisturizer with SPF. It will help the concealer to glide on smoothly. Apply a concealer only on areas that need it, like under eye, dark circles, and blemishes. Step 2: Use a contouring color to draw lines in areas of the face that you like. For e.g. nose, cheeks – under the cheek bones, and above the eyebrows to give more definition. Buff in with a brush of your choice. Step 3: Apply a cream blush to the cheeks and blend the color with a brush moving in an outward motion. Step 4: Apply a shimmery eye base to your eyelid using your pointer finger. This will give your eyes radiance and make them appear large. Step 5: Apply a gold or bronze shade of eye shadow and place it on your eyelid over your shimmer eye cream. Try to stay within your eyelash line and your crease area. This makes your eyes POP. Last but not the least, apply a lip colour of your choice.

7 home remedies to lighten skin tone

Tired of applying skin whitening lotions and fairness creams, which fail to deliver results? While many brands adore creams which guarantee to minimize the melanin content in your skin to make you look fair, most of them are mere publicity stunt. All of us wish for a fairer skin tone. We bring to you natural ways to make your skin look fair and flawless. Here’s what you can do to make you skin look like pearls. -Mix 1 spoon of sugar in lemon juice. Scrub on your face, and body till sugar melts completely. -Mango peels mixed with 1 spoon of milk can be applied on face, and neck to impart healthy glow to your face. -Boil cabbage/cumin seeds in water to make you fair . Wash off your face with this water to get incandescent glow in your complexion. -Apply an egg white , and honey for 20 minutes to tighten your skin .This home remedy will give soft skin and help to retain youthful glow to your skin. -Lentil, curd/milk, lemon juice, and rice mixed together become a great scrub for getting fair, soft, and glowing skin naturally. Follow this beauty tip on alternate days. -Soak up sunflower seeds(chirongi) in raw milk overnight ,and grind them . Apply with a pinch of saffron, and turmeric . -Potato or tomato alone is a good bleach for your skin. Use this beauty tip daily. -Apply bread crumbs with malai(milk cream) to get fair , and smooth skin which glows from within.

PML-N leader shot dead in Kalat firing

KALAT: A local Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) district leader was killed in the wee hours of Saturday morning when unknown gunmen opened fire on him in Balochistan's Kalat district, DawnNews reported. According to Levies personnel, unknown assailants broke into the house of PML-N leader Abdul Jabbar Imrani at the time of Sehri and shot him dead. The suspects escaped after launching the attack. Meanwhile, a tehsildar was killed in an exchange of fire between dacoits and Levies personnel in Sibi's Lehri area. His body was shifted to Combined Military Hospital Sibi whereas Levies personnel arrested three dacoits after the incident.

One-person restriction at airport

LAHORE: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said only one person will be allowed to accompany passengers at the airport from Sunday (tomorrow). The CAA on Friday informed the passengers and the general public that only one person (family member or friend) would be allowed to enter the airport for receiving the passenger(s). “The access to the terminal building will not be allowed to more than one person for seeing off or receiving passenger(s) by the security personnel deployed there,” the CAA said. It said the decision had been taken as a measure to beef up security at the airports. Published in Dawn, July 5th , 2014

Political Islam: Why militants now symbolise Muslims

The most recognizable face of political Islam today is neither a mullah nor a religious scholar. It is a militant. Until 2001, spellchecks did not recognise the word Taliban and suggested changing it to "tally bone.” Now it is recognised by all spellchecks. Names like al Qaeda and Boko Haram are also equally recognizable. Even the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which is a recent addition to the list of Muslim militant organizations, is known across the globe. Yet, a recent survey by Pew Research Center, Washington, shows that overwhelming majorities – 70 per cent and more – in Muslim countries reject extremism. Why, then, has the militant become the symbol of Islam across the globe? The answer is simple: The methods they use — suicide bombings, mass killings, executions and hijacking — draw immediate attention. And since they do so in the name of Islam, they are seen as representing their faith even if 80 to 95 per cent Muslims reject suicide bombing as haram. Intellectual deficit and political chaos Muslim and Western scholars of Islam warn that it would be a mistake to equate the religion with violence, but many across the world find it difficult to appreciate the distinction between Islam and its militant version. "Political disputes and not religion, beget violence," argues John Esposito, a widely respected American professor and author on the Islamic world, known for his moderate views on Islam. "If you had Palestines and Northern Irelands in other places, you would have violence in those places as well," says Esposito. But what ordinary people across the world see — from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States to the July 7, 2005, London bombings and the recent violence in Iraq and Afghanistan — influences their opinion about Islam. While Esposito's argument that political disputes and not religion beget violence may be correct, the inability of political Islam to provide an intellectual base for Muslims allows these violent groups to occupy the central stage in the Islamic world. The lack of an intellectual base has created a vacuum in the Islamic world that extremists like those in the Taliban and al Qaeda try to fill. But these groups choose violence, and not intellectual arguments, for spreading their message. Scholars like Esposito, however, point out that almost all those groups that use violence as a weapon were born in the areas where Muslims are engaged in violent political struggles. Afghan War and madrassas served each other They argue that no event made a greater contribution to the creation of terrorist groups than the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which soon became a war between two superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States. The United States and its Western and Muslim allies took immediate steps to counter the Soviets. As the war in Afghanistan grew in intensity and the Soviet occupation forces made it obvious they had come to stay, Washington and its allies began to search for an ideology to counter the communism that the Soviets had brought with them to Afghanistan. They did not have to look far. Political Islam was the ideology they needed, and madrassas provided them with thousands of volunteers willing to die for their faith. The madrassas claim to be the centres of religious learning. But they provide only a rudimentary knowledge of Islam to mainly rural youths who have nowhere else to go. Most madrassa students, when they graduate, cannot compete in the job market with students from other schools. So they work as teachers of Islamic scriptures, making meager incomes. When US-backed recruiters arrived at their doors to take them to Afghanistan, they found these youths keen to join a jihad that not only gave them the opportunity to fight "Godless Russians" but also provided a steady income. The war in Afghanistan also changed the mullahs' status in countries like Pakistan, where they were never part of the ruling elite. But the Afghan war suddenly brought a lot of funds from backers of the jihad around the globe. A good example of how the money pumped into Pakistan for the war altered the country's social fabric is that of the imams of Islamabad’s Red Mosque. Before the war, the entire family — parents, two brothers and two sisters — lived in a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house near the mosque. The father, Maulana Abdullah, had one bicycle, and his sons, Ghazi Abdur Rashid and Abdul Aziz, did not even have enough warm clothes to protect them from Islamabad's cold winter. Soon after the war, when the Red Mosque’s clerics joined the efforts to defeat the Russians in Afghanistan, they had a four-wheel drive vehicle, a big house and armed bodyguards. Consequences of 'strategic depth' After the war, the Americans pulled out of the region so rapidly it created a vacuum. The Pakistani government, instead of recognising the threat the militants posed to the state, decided to use them for a proxy war against India and to create the so-called 'strategic depth' in Afghanistan by backing the Taliban. It is true that Pakistan did not have the resources needed to disarm thousands of battle-hardened extremists brought from all over the Islamic world to join the jihad. But when others offered to help, particularly after 9/11, the Pakistanis rejected them. The clerics, who gained prominence during the Afghan war, obviously were unwilling to revert to their previous social status, living once again in relative poverty. This created a new conflict by pitching the clerics against the traditional, English-speaking elite unwilling to treat the mullah as an equal. What happened at the Red Mosque in 2007 — a major military operation in which hundreds of madrassa students reportedly died — was a logical consequence of this larger conflict between two social classes. Pakistani troops did succeed in destroying the radical madrassa attached to the Red Mosque, but the operation created new problems for the Pakistani government. Tehreek-e-Taliban, Pakistan, used it to widen its support base and successfully recruited hundreds of new sympathisers and scores of suicide bombers. Mullah Fazlullah of Swat used it as an excuse to create a state within a state and implemented his own version of Sharia in the valley. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rightly summarised the situation after the Red Mosque operation: "Pakistan is on a knife's edge," she said. "It is easily, unfortunately, a target for the jihadists.” In a comment on Pakistan’s decision to allow the Taliban to operate from Fata, she said that Pakistan was “keeping snakes in its backyard (Fata)” but they had conveniently forgotten that “the snakes do not bite your neighbours only. One day they will bite your children as well.” The need for new narratives The Pakistani establishment carried out a major military operation in Swat when the militants captured the valley. But they remained reluctant to accept the argument that the militants were their enemy. They continued to focus on India, instead. But a major Taliban attack on the Karachi airport last month has forced the Pakistanis to reconsider their strategy. They have now launched a major military offensive in North Waziristan and are also attacking militant targets in other tribal agencies. According to the Pakistani military, almost 500 militants have already been killed during this offensive, which still continues. All the same, there is some truth in the argument that this problem cannot be resolved by military means alone. There's an immediate need for providing a counter-narrative to the Pakistani youths, particularly those in the madrassas, who have been raised on a regular diet of militancy. What the misguided militant youths need is a balanced and secular education system coupled with an economy that creates job opportunities for them. Creating jobs for the rural unemployed is crucial as often it is them who go to the madrassas because they have nowhere else to go. And more than anything else, the Muslim societies, not just in Pakistan, need to develop an intellectual base to counter extremism, and that does not seem to be happening soon

Indian nurses stranded in Iraq return home

NEW DELHI: More than 40 Indian nurses stranded in territory held by militants in Iraq on Saturday returned home to southern India aboard a special flight, officials said. The 46 nurses had been holed up for more than a week in Tikrit, where fighters of the Islamic State group have taken over. The nurses had been moved to a new area under the extremist group's control, and finally crossed over into Irbil, in Iraq's largely autonomous Kurdish region late Friday. After a brief refueling stop in Mumbai, the plane landed in Kochi, in Kerala state, where the nurses are from. Another 76 other Indians were also aboard the plane that flew them from Irbil, according to Syed Akbaruddin, a spokesman for India's foreign ministry. Akbaruddin tweeted that after dropping off the nurses, the plane would transport the others to the southern city of Hyderabad. It remained unclear whether the nurses had been held by the militants or were just stranded in their territory. The Indian foreign ministry gave no details of how their freedom was secured. According to the foreign ministry, 39 Indian construction workers abducted two weeks ago were still being held by the militants, but were safe and unharmed. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Akbaruddin said that any details about the backroom diplomatic maneuvers that India undertook to free the nurses would compromise the safety of the construction workers. About 10,000 Indians work and live in Iraq, but only about 100 are in violent, insecure areas. The abducted construction workers were mostly from northern states including Punjab, and had been employed by the Tariq Noor al-Huda construction company.

Boxing-Khan bailed after suspected assault

World welterweight title contender Amir Khan has been released on bail after the British boxer was arrested on suspicion of two assaults in the early hours of Friday morning, according to media reports. Greater Manchester Police would not confirm that it was Khan who had been arrested but they did issue a statement on the incident. “Just before 1.30am on Friday 4 July 2014 police were called following reports of an assault in Bolton,” the statement read. “Officers discovered two 19-year-old men had been assaulted. Their injuries are not serious. “A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two assaults and has been bailed until mid-July pending further enquiries.” Khan, however, played down the incident on social media. “All nonsense please don't believe what you read. I'm home with my family and nobody got beat up,” the boxer said on his Twitter account. Khan is hoping to challenge Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the unbeaten American's World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council titles. Mayweather beat Argentine Marcos Maidana on points in a title fight in Las Vegas in May and on the undercard of the same bill Khan outpointed American Luis Collazo.

Model Town vandalism: Gullu Butt moves court for bail

LAHORE: Gullu Butt, the baton-wielding man seen damaging vehicles in Lahore, filed a bail petition in a local court on Saturday, DawnNews reported. The petition was filed in Judicial Magistrate Imran Ishaq's court. The petition submitted by Advocate Wahid Hussain presented the stance that the case registered against Butt was a false one thus he should be released on bail. The court summoned a record from the police on July 10. Butt, also known as Sher-i-Lahore, came into the limelight after he was caught on cameras brazenly damaging several vehicles in the presence of police, during the clash between Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers and police in Lahore's Model Town on June 17.

ATC indicts five suspects in Farzana murder case

LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Saturday charged five suspects in connection with the murder of 25-year-old Farzana Iqbal who was stoned to death outside the Lahore High Court, DawnNews reported. The case was heard by Judge Haroon Latif of ATC-III. The preliminary report submitted by the police in the court nominated the names of five people, including the victim’s father Azeem, two brothers Ghulam Ali and Zahid Iqbal, former husband Mazhar Abbas and a close relative Jahan Khan, as responsible for the murder. The court indicted all five suspects today. The court summoned all witnesses on July 7 and subsequently adjourned the hearing of the case to the said date. Farzana Parveen was murdered on May 27 outside the Lahore High Court in a so-called honour killing by more than two dozen attackers, including her brother and father, for marrying against her family's wishes. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had demanded “immediate action” over the brutal murder The brazen, brutal nature of the killing, in broad daylight in the centre of Pakistan's second largest city, triggered outrage around the world.

Vincent ban will do more harm than good: NZCPA

WELLINGTON: The head of the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association says the life ban imposed on former test batsman Lou Vincent for match-fixing might deter other players from admitting similar activities. The England and Wales Cricket Board last week slapped Vincent with 11 life bans, to be served concurrently, after he admitted taking money to manipulate limited-overs matches in the English county competition. The ban means the 35-year-old Vincent, who played 23 Tests and more than 100 one-day internationals for New Zealand, can't have any future involvement in cricket or even enter a stadium while a match is in progress. NZCPA chief executive Heath Mills said that while Vincent's behavior was “unacceptable,” the severity of the sanction might deter others from admitting their wrong-doing or providing information on match-fixing activities to anti-corruption officials. “What Lou Vincent has done is unacceptable and it required a heavy sanction,” Mills said. “However, the bigger goal here has to be the fight against corruption in our sport. The anti-corruption officers have few tools in this fight and their most important tool is information from players. “So by not giving people credit for coming forward and providing information, you are effectively putting up a significant barrier for anyone coming forward in the future.“ Vincent pleaded guilty to 18 match-fixing or spot-fixing charges involving matches he played for English counties Lancashire in 2008 and Durham in 2011. Eleven of the 18 offences carried life bans. He had previously been banned for three years by Bangladesh for not reporting an approach to fix matches while playing in that country's Twenty20 league.

Taliban militants set dozens of fuel trucks on fire in Kabul

KABUL: Taliban militants set fire to dozens of fuel trucks, which they claimed were supplying foreign troops in Afghanistan, in an attack on the outskirts of Kabul, officials said Saturday. The fire triggered by a bomb set ablaze tankers waiting to enter the city in a parking lot west of the Afghan capital overnight. “At around 10:30 pm last night, dozens of fuel tankers belonging to private companies caught fire,” Hashmat Stanikzai, Kabul police spokesman told AFP. “No one can come close to them since the fire is still raging at the scene,” Stanikzai said. No casualties were reported as fire fighters tried to control the fire in the morning, he added. “I was sleeping in my truck, when I heard three big bangs. After that I saw the fuel trucks exploding one after the other. I fled the area immediately, “Janat Gul, a truck driver told AFP. Gul Aghan Hashimi, the Crime Investigation Director of Kabul police, said: “it was a magnetic bomb that caused the fuel tankers to catch on fire,” adding that the trucks belonged to private companies. However, it was unclear whether the trucks were supplying fuel to Nato. A Nato-led International Security Assistance Forces spokesman told AFP they were “looking into the incident to determine if any of the fuel destroyed in Chawk-e Arghandi last night was intended for use by Isaf forces. “Taliban militants who have been regularly attacking western supply convoys in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility. “Our brave Mujahideen fighters in a special tactic have set ablaze hundreds of fuel tankers in the west of Kabul, which were supplying fuel and food for foreign forces,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said a statement. Taliban have stepped up their attacks recently as Nato forces complete their withdrawal by end of this year. On Thursday, the Taliban insurgents fired rockets into Kabul airport destroying the Afghan president's parked helicopter and damaging three other choppers. Eight military officers were killed the day before in a suicide bombing attack on an air force bus. The Afghan capital has been relatively peaceful since the presidential election on June 14, though there have been street demonstrations as politicians are locked in a dispute over vote fraud. All Nato combat troops will leave Afghanistan by December, with about 10,000 US troops staying into next year if the new president signs a security deal with Washington.

Egypt court sentences Brotherhood leader, 36 others to life

CAIRO: An Egyptian court sentenced Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie and 36 other to life in prison Saturday, and confirmed death sentences for 10 others, most of them on the run. Badie, convicted of involvement in deadly protests, had already received death sentences in two other cases in a crackdown on opposition after last year's military ouster of president Mohamed Morsi. Of the 10 defendants condemned to death last month in the same case, whose sentences were confirmed, an Islamic cleric has since been arrested. Another defendant was sentenced to three years. Egyptian courts have sparked international concern over a spate of death sentences for more than 200 people in several mass trials. On Saturday, presiding Judge Hassan Farid said the defendants were involved in violence and the murder of two people during protests last July after the army overthrew Morsi, who belonged to the Brotherhood. He said the defendants had committed the violence “to achieve terrorist goals." The Brotherhood has been designated as a terrorist movement, with much of its leadership imprisoned, including the former president. Following Morsi's overthrow, staged rallies that often ended in clashes with police and their opponents. At least 1,400 people, mostly Islamists, have been killed in street clashes, and scores of policemen and soldiers have died in militant attacks. About 700 Morsi supporters were killed in just one day in August, when police broke up two protest camps in Cairo. Morsi's supporters rampaged across the country, attacking police stations and torching dozens of churches and Christian properties, blaming the minority for backing the Islamist's overthrow. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former army chief who toppled Morsi and was elected in May to succeed him, has pledged to wipe out the Brotherhood. The movement, founded in 1928, was banned for decades before an early 2011 uprising that overthrew veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak. It went on to win every election before Morsi's overthrow. It has since been decimated, with an estimated 16,000 members and alleged supporters in jail, and has lost much ground amid accusations that it is involved in militant attacks. The crackdown has extended to secular dissidents and even journalists, with three reporters working for Al-Jazeera English receiving sentences of up to 10 years in prison for allegedly supporting the Brotherhood. The case against them, who include the celebrated Australian journalist Peter Greste, led to international calls for their release. The prosecution had accused them of aiding a “terrorist group” — the Brotherhood — on evidence that was not clarified during the trial. The Brotherhood insists it is peaceful. Most of the attacks have been carried out by militant groups that are ideologically similar to Al-Qaeda, with no proven ties to the Brotherhood. But there have been indications that some Brotherhood members are taking part in attacks on police. On Friday, four people were killed apparently preparing explosives at a farm owned by a senior Brotherhood member, the interior ministry said.

Car bomb kills two near Somali parliament

MOGADISHU: Al Shabaab militants, who threatened to step up attacks during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, said they were behind a blast on Saturday that killed two people in the Somali capital's political centre. The two people were killed when a car bomb exploded near the Somali parliament building on Saturday, a few hundred metres from the presidential compound. “This is our second attack against the parliament building and we shall continue it,” said Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab's spokesman for military operations. Police said soldiers guarding the parliament building had prevented it from reaching its target. “The suicide car bomb was targeting the parliament entrance but it was fired on from all sides as it approached the main gate,” said Nur Ahmed, a colonel in the police service. Police said two soldiers were killed and four wounded. The Al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab militants killed a lawmaker and his bodyguard in another attack on Thursday, accusing them of collaborating with Christians — a reference to the backing the government in Mogadishu gets from Western powers and the African Union. A Reuters reporter saw bloody, broken chairs that were used by the troops guarding parliament before the attack. “A car bomb occurred near the parliament house but we are all safe,” Dahir Amin Jesow, a legislator, said, referring to lawmakers inside the building.

Sunni cleric says Iraq caliphate violates Sharia

DOHA: Sunni Muslim religious scholar Yusef al-Qaradawi said on Saturday that the declaration of an Islamic caliphate by militants fighting the governments in Syria and Iraq violates Sharia law. Last Sunday, the militants declared an “Islamic caliphate” in areas they control in Iraq and Syria and ordered Muslims worldwide to pledge allegiance to their leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Qatar-based Qaradawi, seen as a spiritual guide of the Muslim Brotherhood in his native Egypt, said in a statement that the declaration “is void under Sharia“.

Zarb-i-Azb: Five suspected militants killed in NWA airstrikes

Zarb-i-Azb: Several militants killed in... by dawn-news PESHAWAR/MIRAMSHAH: Five suspected militants were killed and five militant hideouts were destroyed early on Saturday as jet fighters pounded parts of the North Waziristan tribal region. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR),on facing fire and opposition from inside the Miramshah town and Boya village, air strikes were launched to eliminate militants. Five militant hideouts, caves and a huge cache of arms and ammunition were also destroyed and scores of militants were killed in early morning air strikes. Most of the militants killed in the strikes were reportedly Uzbeks. Meanwhile, one soldier was also killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded during a clearance operation in the morning. Earlier today, sources had said that suspected militant hideouts in Daigan, Poikhel and Muhammadkhel areas were targeted and destroyed during airstrikes. So far more than 400 suspected militants, mostly foreigners, have been killed during the operation while at least 19 IED-making factories have also been unearthed by security forces in parts of Miramshah, the main town in North Waziristan. Insiders said most of the houses in Miramshah contained IEDs and most of the roads in the area were planted with explosives and landmines.
Operation Zarb-e-Azb: Landmines stash seized in... by dawn-news A high level officer privy to the developments in the military operation claimed that foreign fighters of all origins had made the locals hostage. The officer added that during search operations security forces recovered literature and flags of different international militant organisations, including the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Uighurs etc. Literature in unknown languages was also found during search operations, said the officer. Due to the North Waziristan offensive more than 500,000 people have fled from the area, the operation's major aim is to get rid of longstanding militant strongholds. As many as 44,633 displaced families have reached Bannu in the wake of the military operation in North Waziristan. The government has claimed that it has been treating the Internally displaced people (IDPs) quite effectively.

Murree’s nine historical buildings declared ‘special premises’

LAHORE: Nine historical buildings at Murree have been declared special premises under Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance 1985 by the Punjab archeology directorate general, sources told Dawn. Sources said a meeting was held at Murree regarding the development and preservation of the hill station’s heritage buildings on May 16, 2014. The meeting deputed a team on behalf of Directorate General of Archeology to coordinate with the team constituted by communication and works (C&W) secretary comprising representatives of Punjab architecture department and Nespak. A joint survey was conducted by the teams comprising technical experts of 16 buildings identified by the Murree Town Municipal Administration for preservation. The sources said that after carrying out thorough inspections, analysis and keeping in view the archeological, historical and architectural significance of these buildings, the teams jointly prepared and submitted a report. To discuss and examine the recommendations of the report, a meeting was held with the archeology directorate general. The meeting decided that out of 16 buildings identified by the local administration only 9 could be declared special premises on merit. These buildings are: Bright Land Hotel, GPO Mall Road, Cecil Hotel (a portion), Convent of Jesus and Mary School, Lawrence College, Holy Trinity Church, Mall Road, Murree Christian School Garyal Camp, Presentation Convent School and Saint Margaret Union Church. The measures that were taken to declare these buildings as special premises included topographical survey of the selected structures and their surroundings, comprehensive documentation, including photographic and graphic documentation, architectural drawings and history of interventions. Study of general environment inside and outside the monuments and preparation of a detailed conservation and restoration plan addressing all issues. The Bright Land Hotel located on Imtiaz Shaheed Road, Murree , is a private property owned by Ghulam Qadir, built in 1860. Originally, the building was constructed as a residence by Sardar Bahadur Mr NJ Jamas–Jee & Sons. General Post Office, Mall Road, was built in 1876 by the British. The building adds value to the beauty of the area. It has undergone numerous interventions. Today its facade is completely different from the visual icon it was in 1876. In 1970, the façade was torn down in the name of modernisation. Cecil Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Pakistan, located on Mount View Road, was built in 1851 owned by Lakhani Group. Present building of the hotel was originally built in 1858. It has a very rich history almost as old as the discovery of the region itself, by the Raj. In 1940, the building was converted into the official house of Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India. It was converted into a hotel by a Rawalpindi based businessman in 1957. Lakhani Group bought it in 1998 through an open auction and is the current owners. Convent of Jesus & Mary School was built in 1876. The Convent of Jesus and Mary, Murree, was considered one of the best boarding schools for girls in Pakistan. It was first built in 1876. The original building was reduced to ashes in the great fire of 1904 and the new structure was completed by 1913. Lawrence College was built in 1860. Sir Henry Lawrence was the force behind the Lawrence schools in the subcontinent. The asylum at Ghora Gali was first elevated to a school in 1914 and then a college in 1926, to be ranked as the Oldest Residential Educational Institution in the country. Presently, it is an elite public boarding school located at Ghora Gali. It was founded as an asylum school for orphans in 1860 during the British Raj and named after Maj Gen Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence. The Lawrence Asylum at Ghora Gali was renamed Lawrence Royal Military School in 1920. In 1927 the name was changed to Lawrence College, Ghora Gali. Holy Trinity Church was built in 1875 on the Mall Road, Murree. One of the earliest buildings erected in the area, it stands out as a prominent landmark of Murree. Until 1875, it lay further away from the then main market or ‘lower bazaar’ as it is now known. But when the market was burnt down in a huge fire in 1875, a new Mall strip was built in its place in an area overlooked by the church grounds and parallel to the ‘lower bazaar’. The church was the centre of early colonial life and still serves the town's remaining Christian population and the visitors. Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2014

Hamid Mir left for London

KARACHI: Senior journalist, analyst and anchorperson Hamid Mir has left for London, DawnNews reported on Friday. Mir, who was targeted by armed gunmen on April 19, 2014 in Karachi and received six bullets, is expected to consult doctors for medical treatment in London. Know more: Mir injured in gun attack Mir left for London along with his wife and daughter through flight PK613, where his son Yasir Aarafat has already been residing for educational purposes, DawnNews quoted sources as saying. According to the sources, Mir’s stay in London could be prolonged.

Govt mulls invoking Article 245 to summon army

ISLAMABAD: The government is mulling invoking Article 245 of the Constitution to summon the army in all major cities of the country, DawnNews reported late on Friday night. If the said article is invoked, the army can be called to guard all important public installations including airports and sensitive areas in major urban centres. According to sources, the government is considering the move to help the civil administration deal with law and order situation and combat terrorism. Feedback from the law and interior ministries as well as the attorney general has been sought in this regard. The sources said the army will be called in the next few days by the civil administration. The sources added that the army operation in Fata is being carried out under Article 245.

Dark chocolate can help ease pain for patients with artery disease

Eating dark chocolate - a food rich in polyphenols - may help people with peripheral artery disease walk a little longer and farther before pain sets in, scientists have found. In a small study, people with artery problems in their legs walked a little longer and farther when they ate dark chocolate.Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries to the legs, stomach, arms, and head - most commonly in the arteries of the legs. Reduced blood flow can cause pain, cramping or fatigue in the legs or hips while walking. In the pilot study of patients with PAD (14 men and six women, ages 60-78), study participants increased their ability to walk unassisted after eating dark chocolate, compared to when they ate milk chocolate. The authors suggest that compounds found in cocoa - polyphenols - may reduce oxidative stress and improve blood flow in peripheral arteries. The patients were tested on a treadmill in the morning and again two hours after eating 40 grams of dark and milk chocolate (about the size of an average American plain chocolate bar) on separate days. The dark chocolate in the study had a cocoa content of more than 85 per cent, making it rich in polyphenols. The milk chocolate, with a cocoa content below 30 per cent, had far fewer polyphenols. After eating the dark chocolate, they walked an average 11 per cent farther and 15 per cent longer (almost 12 metres farther and about 17 seconds longer) than they could earlier that day. But distance and time didn't improve after eating milk chocolate. Levels of nitric oxide - a gas linked to improved blood flow - were higher when participants ate dark chocolate. Other biochemical signs of oxidative stress were also lower. Based on these observations and other laboratory experiments, the authors suggest that the higher nitric oxide levels may be responsible for dilating peripheral arteries and improving walking independence. The researchers said the improvements linked to these compounds in dark chocolate need to be confirmed in a larger study involving long-term consumption.

Night shelters are for pregnant and lactating women: HC

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday rapped night shelters' occupants who have made them their permanent home and said the shelters were meant for homeless pregnant and lactating women and not for healthy persons. "It's night shelter, we have not built it as a permanent accommodation. How is it possible that everyone who comes in Delhi will be given permanent home? You cannot have monopoly over it. How can you occupy it permanently? This house is for homeless pregnant and lactating women," a bench of Justice Manmohan said. "There are thousands who are homeless in Delhi. Night shelter are only for needy one. This is not a permanent house. Once your need is over, you should leave and allow the people in need to use it," the bench said. The court's observations came on a plea filed by Delhi government seeking its clarification of the earlier order where it asked government to provide facilities to pregnant and lactating women. The government told the court that homeless people from other states have come here and have been residing in the shelters for many years. Despite repeated requests, they have not been vacating the shelters and residing there permanently, Delhi government informed the bench while asking it to clarify its order that food and shelter facilities in that shelter home was ordered for pregnant and lactating women only. Earlier a contempt plea was filed by Priya Kale, who resides in Motia Khan shelter home here, alleging that she had lost her two-month-old baby due to inhuman conditions in the shelter home.

Air India sends Boeing 777 to Iraq: Indian nurses free, to be flown to Kochi on Saturday

Baghdad: The Red Cross on Friday confirmed that Indian nurses who were held hostage in Tikrit by Islamist terrorist group ISIS have been freed. The nurses will move to Erbil by tonight, said MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin. According to sources, the nurses will b brought to Kochi by tomorrow morning. The Air India's Boeing 777 is on its way for the evacuation of nurses. From Erbil, the nurses, most of whom are from Kerala, will take a flight to India. Also, the Kerala government is sending a woman IAS officer in an aircraft, which is going from Delhi to Erbil and is expected to bring the nurses back. State government sources said Indian officials in the Iraqi region have made arrangements for the safe stay of the nurses once they get their custody. The nurses were taken by Sunni militants ISIS yesterday from a hospital basement in Tikrit to an undisclosed location. According to TV reports, the Ministry of External Affairs have redoubled its efforts to ensure the freedom of 39 construction workers stranded in Iraq. MEA Sushma Swaraj is leading diplomatic efforts to secure release of stranded Indians in Iraq. There were about 10,000 Indians before the start of the serious strife between government troops and Sunni militants, backed by al Qaeda. The militants have captured two key cities and are marching towards Baghdad. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been displaced in the fighting that broke out on June 10.

Hummels sinks France, takes Germany into World Cup semis

RIO DE JANEIRO: Mats Hummels headed the winner as Germany beat old rivals France 1-0 to advance to the World Cup semi-finals for a record fourth straight time on Friday. Borussia Dortmund defender Hummels rose to head home Toni Kroos's free-kick on 13 minutes to settle a cagey encounter at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium. Joachim Loew's side will now play the winner of Friday's second quarter-final between Brazil or Colombia in next Tuesday's semi-final in Belo Horizonte. France had entered the match quietly confident of avenging semi-final defeats against Germany in 1982 and 1986. But they were left to rue a lacklustre first half performance which saw Germany dominate in sweltering conditions. France rallied in the second half and Hummels saved Germany with a desperate late block of a Karim Benzema shot shortly before Manuel Neuer parried a firm strike from Blaise Matuidi. Andre Schuerrle should have sealed victory in the closing minutes, but with the goal gaping, struck his shot from Mesut Ozil's low cross directly at Hugo Lloris in the French goal. There was still time for Neuer to save Germany at the death, pulling off a brilliant block from Benzema just seconds from the final whistle. In Friday's other quarter-final, Brazil will aim to banish their jittery second round performance against Chile when they face Colombia in Fortaleza. To ensure his men were in the right state of mind for the battle ahead coach Luiz Felipe Scolari ordered an extra session with the team psychologist this week. “I had never done anything like it before and I am quite enjoying it, “reported Neymar, fully fit despite thigh and knee injuries against Chile. Captain Thiago Silva insisted the squad were capable of coping with the pressure. “I think we are good psychologically. We are doing what we love to do,” the Paris Saint-Germain defender said. Scolari, mastermind of Brazil's fifth title in 2002, cut a confident figure at the eve of match press conference. “Does Brazil continue to have one hand on the trophy? Yes,” he said. “We are going on to the fifth step and there are seven steps. “ The fourth step caused 200 million Brazilian hearts to flutter as Chile gave the hosts the fright of their lives in a bruising encounter, only succumbing in the spotkick lottery. Four eyecatching wins have propelled Colombia to uncharted territory at the World Cup to face a rival they have only beaten twice in 25 meetings. “We need to play our own game as we have done up to now and try to impose our play on them,” Argentine coach Jose Pekerman reflected. “The key is not to believe there is a favourite. “Friday's games go ahead in the shadow of an overpass collapse in semi-final venue Belo Horizonte which killed two, and an illegal multi-million pound ticketing scandal involving a FIFA individual. The quarter-final drama continues Saturday when the Netherlands play Costa Rica and Belgium take on Argentina.

What ISIS and the 'caliphate' mean for Pakistan

Among many factors, the Pakistani state's protracted apathy and inaction on the issue of security has provided non-state actors the spaces to grow and expand their influence. They used these spaces not only to propagate their ideologies and narratives but also to establish a 'state within the state' in Pakistan's tribal areas. Even as counteraction is now underway, the sudden rise of ISIS has threatened to make matters worse for us. The militants are jubilant over the success of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), which has established a 'caliphate', or 'Islamic state' in parts of Syria and Iraq. This is not the first time militants have captured some territory and established their so-called Islamic writ. Afghanistan, Pakistani tribal areas, Northern Mali and Somalia have experienced similar ventures by militants in the past, though on varying levels. Rise of ISIS ≠ Fall of al Qaeda Many experts see the decline of al Qaeda in the rise of ISIS, while analysing the recent developments happening in Iraq and Syria. That is a mistake. A realistic review of militants’ strategies suggests that they first challenge the very foundation of the state by providing alternative socio-cultural and political narratives and then march onto its physical territory. They may have differences over strategies, as ISIS and al Qaeda had, but ultimately they overcome their differences. Al Qaeda might feel stunned over the ‘victories’ of ISIS but now, instead of arguing with ISIS over strategies, will prefer to develop a consensus over a model of caliphate. In some cases, militants develop alliances with nationalist groups. That's what happened in Northern Mali, where the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) had developed coordination with Islamist groups. But when they captured a territory, Islamist groups started imposing Shariah. The alliance was weakened due to ensuing infightings and eventually broke up after a military offensive was launched by the French forces. A dangerous inspiration Apart from group dynamics, inspiration plays an important role in militants’ efforts to replicate one success in other parts of the world. The rise and success of ISIS could play a very dangerous, inspirational role in Pakistan, where more than 200 religious organisations are operating on the national and regional level. These organisations pursue multiple agendas such as transformation of society according to their ideologies, the enforcement of Shariah law, establishment of Khilafah (caliphate) system, fulfilment of their sectarian objectives and achievement of Pakistan’s strategic and ideological objectives through militancy. Such organisations could be influenced by the success of ISIS in various ways. A few would limit themselves to providing just moral support, but others might actively provide donations and financial assistance on ISIS' call. Common purpose: Establish the state of Khurasan Still others — mainly religious extremist and militant organisations — could find inspiration in ISIS' strategies and tactics. This is possible since even groups operating in two different regions can find common ground in the Takfiri ideologies they believe in, and in the organisational links they share with each other. The map released by ISIS shows countries for expansion marked in black across North Africa, into mainland Spain, across the Middle East and into Muslim countries of Central and South Asian region. It depicts exactly the states, which are or once remained under Muslim control. According to this notion, the territory which has come under Muslim rule even once becomes a permanent part of Islamic caliphate. These territories, if later invaded by non-Muslims, will be considered as unjustly occupied territories and it will be obligatory for a Muslim to struggle to regain them. Interestingly, the ISIS map shows both Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of the Islamic caliphate state's Khurasan province. Al Qaeda and its affiliates believe that the movement for the establishment of the Islamic state of Khurasan will emerge from the region comprising of the Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan and Malakand region of Pakistan.

A map purportedly showing the areas ISIS plans to have under its control within five years has been widely shared online. As well as the Middle East, North Africa and large areas of Asia, it also reveals ISIS' ambition to extend into Europe. Spain, which was Muslim-ruled until the late 15th Century, would form part of the caliphate, as would the Balkan states and eastern Europe, up to and including Austria. 6666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666 They consider Khurasan as the base camp of international jihad, from where they will expand the Islamic state boundaries into other non-Muslim lands. Mullah Fazlullah of Swat was inspired by the notion and considered himself the founder of the Khurasan movement. Many other groups and commanders in Pakistan and Afghanistan subscribe to the same idea, but only a few groups have dedicated themselves to the cause of establishment of the Islamic state of Khurasan. The current TTP leadership — mainly Fazlullah and his deputy Qayum Haqqani, and Khalid Khurasani group in Mohmand and Bajaur agencies of Fata — are leading this movement, not only on the militant, but on the ideological front as well. The concentration of al Qaeda and TTP hardliner groups in Kunar and Nuristan are of the same mind; they intend to use the territory as a base camp for the establishment of the state of Khurasan. Though they are not strong enough to trigger a massive militant campaign like the one going on in Iraq, they will remain a critical security irritant and keep inspiring radical minds in the region. Though the North Waziristan military offensive is an attempt to damage militants’ operational baseline, at the same time it has forced the militants to assemble in Khost, Nuristan and Kunar regions, which are all places that seem more conducive for beginning a militant struggle toward the eventual establishment of their fantasised Islamic state.

View from India: When feminists brook no opposition

West Bengal actor and now politician Tapas Pal must resign from the Lok Sabha, or be forced to do so. His remarks exhorting Trinamool Congress workers to kill and rape indicate a mindset that should have no place in politics. The reaction of his boss and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is in itself horrifying as she was first silent, then called it a “major blunder” then went on to say that what more was she expected to do - sending out a clear and loud message that she was not totally against the sentiments expressed by the TMC MP in such a brutal and vulgar fashion. In other words, the cult of violence in West Bengal will continue where CPI(M) women are targeted as potential victims of rape, and communist cadres attacked and killed, in a frenzy of hate unleashed by insecure and short sighted politicians. Thus will no action be taken by the party against Pal, as he was merely expressing a matter of current TMC ‘policy’? Unfortunately, the Pal kind of comments are coming in from all sides from senior political leaders and their goons. The country was still trying to cope with Pal’s words, when Shiv Sena MLA Prakash Bala Sawant was reported to have told a woman that he would strip and beat her over some row concerning a housing society. Not much has been done against him although months ago two young women were arrested for doing little more than posting a comment criticising the Shiv Sena on Facebook. Warped justice? Moral policing seems to have become part of the political culture with women constantly attacked by all kinds of side organisations like Pramod Muthalik’s Rashtriya Hindu Sena, for drinking in pubs, sitting with boys, or just wearing jeans and skirts. A senior minister in Goa’s BJP government Sudin Dhavalikar has joined the anti-women bandwagon with his thoughts, that women should not wear short dresses as it does not fit in with “our culture.” This increasing verbal and physical assault on women clearly demonstrates that ours has been a faulty upbringing. As a nation we have not been able to deal with the gender issue, and instead of moving forward in getting equality for women we seem---at times like this---to be sliding back into a primitive society and polity where we hesitate to condemn the violence and even the verbal abuse. If society and the state had taken pains to bring in gender equality, and empowerment, into the national consciousness through education, laws, justice by establishing principled accountability the story might have been quite different. Instead the reverse has been encouraged with society applauding the woman who gives birth to a son that then opens the door for discrimination and violence. Men like Pal should know better, but then the political culture that he represents looks at violence as a necessary weapon, and women as the necessary victims of this ugly mindset. Similarly those attacking women for not dressing according to their perceptions, are seeking to enforce control over one half of the population to add to their authority and patriarchal domination. The opposition to the Women's Bill seeking to reserve one third of seats in the legislatures for women comes from the same kind of thought processes, the inability of such men to look upon women as equal and hence to give up a 33 per cent share of the seats across the country. Women remain the biggest victims in India. They are killed before they are born, they are maltreated after they are born, they are denied equality and freedoms that are basic to humanity, they are married when they are too young, they suffer at the hands of their husband and families, if they work they are victims of sexual harassment and low pay, and on the streets they remain every man’s game. There is a growing awareness of course of their rights, but even so this is heavily laced with insecurity and a certain diffidence that expresses itself only on occasion. Political inaction against erring men like Pal compounds the problem as it sends the message across that those elected to protect and empower women can not be depended upon. And that the worst crime of rape is justified by political leaders as a means of subjugation, to silence political rivals, and at the same time establish male supremacy. Pal, because he is an MP, should be made an example of. An FIR has been registered but given levels of politicisation it remains to be seen whether the law will be allowed to follow its own course, and that too speedily. Since clearly the TMC is not going to act against the film actor it becomes imperative for society to demand action against him, starting with his suspension from the Lok Sabha. Politicians who can encourage sexual assault on women certainly should have no place in our polity, and while the Indian system has been kind to elected leaders on this issue, there has to be a collective shout from across India: Stop, No More. Women’s organisations and the saner sections of Indian society who see the dangers in such threats need to build pressure against such political leaders and an anti-woman system as well. Police do not register FIRs easily when the crime is against women, as the Badaun case showed. Despite the brutal hanging of two Dalit women the police were not keen to register a case initially. This is so everywhere. Crime against women remains a low priority item on the government and administrative agenda, with the victims, their families, and supporters having to assert themselves before getting even minimalist recourse to justice. The National Commission for Women is a useless body, and has always been so. It is more politicised in that sense than even the police, and extremely insensitive to women as its responses have shown time and again over the years. All governments in power insist otherwise, but a term in office always passes by without basic rights for women being secured. India remains a scary country for women. Delhi is scarier than most cities, and the north Indian states the worst defaulters of justice, equality and empowerment. The writer is Editor-in-Chief of The Citizen, a daily online newspaper.

Kidnappers release Judicial Magistrate Ziarat

QUETTA: Kidnappers released Judicial Magistrate Ziarat‏ Jam Saka on Friday evening, a senior administration official said. Akbar Hussain Durrani, the Home Secretary Balochistan said the kidnappers freed Dashti near Ziarat Cross after three days. He said the kidnapped law officer spent three days in captivity and was finally set free by his captors. “The judicial magistrate is safe and sound. He has been shifted to Quetta,” Durrani said. The motive behind the kidnapping is yet to be confirmed. However, the officials were reluctant to comment over the method adopted for the release of judicial magistrate by his captors. Armed militants had kidnapped Jam Saka Dashti near Ziarat-Pishin cross when he was coming to Quetta from the tourist town of Balochistan. The kidnappers had freed the driver and security guard of Jam Saka near Syed Hameed Cross area of Killa Abdullah district. Despite tall claims on the part of the government, law enforcers are yet to burst the gangs involved in acts of kidnapping. In the past, the militants had kidnapped aid workers from Pishin district and they were set free after payment of ransom to the kidnappers.

ATC sends 53 PAT workers on a 10-day-long judicial remand

Petition filed against Nawaz, Shahbaz over... by dawn-news RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorist court (ATC) on Friday sent 53 PAT workers to jail after ordering a 10-day-long judicial remand on the charges of violence on police outside Islamabad airport, DawnNews reported. The case was heard today by ATC Judge Pervez Ismail Joia. The court also issued a notice to police on bail applications of all the PAT members and adjourned the hearing. Earlier on Friday, the director of Tehreek-i-Minhajul Quran district (TMQ), Jawwad Ahmed, submitted a petition on Friday against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and five others calling for the registration of a case against them over the Model Town tragedy. The petitioner also included the names of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in the application. In his petition, Ahmed had named former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah, ASP Model Town Haroonur Rasheed and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) activist Gullu Butt as parties. The petitioner said the government was solely responsible in the Model Town tragedy and claimed that a case should be registered against the specified people on charges of murder and robbery in Model Town on June 17. The petition springs from an anti-encroachment drive that was conducted by a contingent of police personnel in order to remove the barriers placed outside Pakistan Awami Tehreek's (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri's Lahore residence. Qadri also heads the TMQ. During this drive, a violent clash erupted between police personnel and PAT supporters that killed at least seven people, including women. A number of vehicles were also damaged during the skirmish in Lahore's Model Town.

Sharapova targeted for 'snubbing' Tendulkar

NEW DELHI: Outraged Indian cricket fans have left thousands of angry messages on Maria Sharapova's Facebook page after she admitted to not recognising cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar, considered a demi-god in his home country and an all-time great of the game by most fans, was among a star-studded crowd that watched Sharapova at Wimbledon last Saturday. When asked if she recognised the recently retired batsman, seated next to former English cricket captain Andrew Strauss and football star David Beckham, she reportedly replied that she did not. “I was one of the biggest fans of you as a tennis star but now I will never see your matches,” wrote Vivek Kumar Pandey in one of the milder messages on the Russian tennis player's Facebook page. Others used foul language and made threats, while Twitter users took up the tongue-in-cheek #whoismariasharapova hashtag which began trending. For some, the hurt pride was misplaced. “Why splutter over Sharapova not knowing Sachin?” leading TV presenter Barkha Dutt wrote on Twitter on Friday. “Does it matter? Doesn't diminish him. But makes us sound insecure.”

Overpass collapse kills two in Brazil World Cup city

BELO HORIZONTE: An unfinished highway overpass being built for the World Cup in Brazil collapsed Thursday in the city due to hold a semifinal match, killing at least two people and injuring 19. The tragedy in Belo Horizonte turned the fervor gripping the nation as it prepared for quarter finals Friday to mourning. Large-screen TV public gatherings to watch the game Friday against Colombia in another city, Fortaleza, were scratched. President Dilma Rousseff expressed sadness over the accident. Globo television footage showed the front of a yellow bus crushed under a large stretch of the fallen highway, which is about five kilometers from the southeastern city's World Cup stadium and was being built as part of delayed infrastructure improvements for the world's premier sporting event. “It was like an earthquake. The ground shook violently,” Daniel Magalhaes, who was near the site at the time of the accident, told Globo. “I heard a deafening sound. I looked and saw the collapsed overpass. “Two people were killed and 19 injured, the mayor's office said. One of the fatalities was the bus driver. Three other vehicles, two trucks and a car, were also hit. Part of infrastructure rush The unfinished project was part of Brazil's frenzied and not completed successful rush to get infrastructure ready for the World Cup. Some stadiums were incomplete when games started. Over the past year the $11 billion price tag for staging the Cup angered Brazilians who took to the streets, clamoring that so much money might be better spent to improve things like schools and hospitals. B razil will also host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The overpass had been due to carry an express bus service through the city. After the delay, it had been due to be completed at the end of July. Belo Horizonte will host a semi-final match on Tuesday between the winners of the Brazil-Colombia and France-Germany games. The latter is also to be played Friday. A spokesman for the fire service said 13 people were rescued from the bus unscathed. It was not immediately known how many people were inside the car that was crushed, firefighter spokesman Edgard Estevo da Silva told reporters. “The vehicle is completely under the overpass,” he said. The two trucks that were hit were empty at the time Silva said. A total of 14 firefighting teams were at the scene. Rousseff expressed “sadness” on Twitter. “In this time of pain, I express my solidarity with the families of the victims,” she wrote. The structure, which was begun last year, is in the Sao Joao Batista district of the city. “The overpass was in the final stages of construction and they were taking down the scaffolding when the accident happened,” a fire brigade spokesman told AFP. Belo Horizonte's Mineirao Stadium has hosted five World Cup matches so far. The Brazil World Cup has been dogged by delays to stadiums and infrastructure, and there were several accidents during construction of the stadiums. Three days before the World Cup began on June 12, another accident in Brazil's business hub Sao Paulo killed one worker and injured two when an unfinished monorail collapsed.

Polio team beaten up in Khairpur

KHAIRPUR: Two polio vaccinators were wounded in Shah Latif town in Sindh's Khairpur district on Friday, DawnNews reported. Unknown attackers beat up the members of the polio vaccination team with sticks. A case was registered against unknown persons at the Shah Latif Police station. Pakistan is one of three countries where the polio virus still exists. The World Health Organisation had declared Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar as the world's “largest reservoir” of the polio virus. Polio teams come under frequent attack from militant groups who see vaccination campaigns as a cover for espionage, and there are also long running rumours about polio drops causing infertility. According to the World Health Organisation, Pakistan recorded 91 cases of polio last year compared with 58 in 2012.

Strike, curfew shut Kashmir as Narendra Modi visits

SRINAGAR: Newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made his first official trip to Indian-held Kashmir, where separatist groups called a strike that shut shops, businesses and schools. Modi was expected to inaugurate a railway line and a power station, and also review security and development in the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan. Kashmir is India's only Muslim majority state and Modi — whose nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won elections in a landslide — has long had an uneasy relationship with Muslims. He was the chief minister of western Gujarat state in 2002 when communal riots there killed more than 1,000 people, most of them Muslims. A police officer, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said a curfew had been declared in the old quarters of Srinagar, the main city in Indian-held Kashmir, and residents had been asked to stay indoors. The restrictions were imposed to prevent any violent protests supported by separatist groups who oppose Indian rule, he said. Most top separatist leaders were either put under house arrest or detained at police stations, the officer said. Kashmiri leaders are often detained or barred from leaving their homes during public protests. Armed police and paramilitary soldiers patrolled the mostly deserted streets in Srinagar and set up additional checkpoints in the already heavy guarded city. No violence was immediately reported. Strikes are a common separatist tactic in the region to highlight local demands and embarrass the government. Kashmiri separatists have been distrustful of all top Indian government officials across party lines, calling Kashmir a territory under India's occupation. Top separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that he hoped that Modi would “understand the ardent political message we seek to convey” through the shutdown. “The newly-elected government must not repeat the mistake of relying on militaristic approaches and should stop believing that time alone will resolve the Kashmir issue,” he said. Kashmiri separatists demand either independence from Hindu-majority India or a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan. About 68,000 people have been killed since 1989 in an armed uprising and Indian military crackdown. While the armed rebellion has largely been suppressed, anti-India resentment still runs deep and is mainly expressed through street protests.