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Quetta blast toll rises to 84
Car blasts kill 28 in Iraq
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NATO will ‘comply’ with Afghan air strike ban
Cyprus holds presidential poll amid economic crisis
Cypriots were voting today to choose a new President after a heated election campaign focused on rescuing the recession-hit EU member state from bankruptcy.
Pope Benedict XVI blessed the faithful from his window overlooking St Peter's Square for the first time since announcing his resignation, cheered by an emotional crowd of tens of thousands of well-wishers from around the world. Pope Benedict XVI
Libyan leader calls for unity on 2nd anniversary of uprising
Illegal immigrants may get US residency in 8 yrs: Report
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Quetta blast toll rises to 84
The death toll in Saturday’s devastating bomb attack that targeted Shia Hazaras in Quetta city of south-western Pakistan rose to 84 as several persons died in hospital and bodies were pulled out of the rubble of collapsed buildings, officials said on Sunday. The Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) has given the government a 48-hour deadline to arrest those responsible for Saturday’s blast in Quetta. HDP leader Azizullah Hazara, accompanied by members of his community, warned that if those behind Saturday’s blasts in Quetta were not arrested, then protests would be held daily outside the Balochistan High Court. He further said a targeted operation could be conducted to eliminate those targeting the Hazara community. A spokesman for the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) claimed responsibility for the bombing, according to media reports. LeJ spokesman Abubakar Siddique told reporters by phone: "Our suicide bomber carried out the blast and the Shia community in Hazara Town was the target." "The terrorist attack on the Hazara Shi'ite community in Quetta is a failure of the intelligence and security forces," Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, governor of Baluchistan province, said while touring a hospital. There was no official word on whether a suicide bomber was involved in the incident, which was the deadliest attack on Quetta's Shia Hazaras since 93 members of the community were killed in twin suicide bombings on January 10. On Sunday, people searched for survivors under blocks of cement torn off buildings by the blast. A large blood stain could be seen on a wall near the site. Many shops and bazaars were closed. Relatives of the wounded responded for an appeal for blood made by hospitals. "The government knows exactly who is doing what and who is behind all this," said Mohammad Imran, a local trader. "If the government wants (to prevent it), no one can take even a kitchen knife into any market," he added. Most commercial centres in Quetta were closed amid shutdowns in several other cities of Balochistan and Sind in protest over Saturday's bomb blast. The governments in both provinces have declared three-day mourning. The national flag remained half-mast in both provinces. HDP leaders told reporters that the imposition of governor's rule after similar massacre last month has not improved the situation. Citing governor Magsi's admission of complete failure of intelligence agencies, the HDP leaders demanded that the army may be called out to restore peace and order. Some platoons of the army patrolled in the city on Sunday but the governor has yet to decide whether to hand over city's control to the army as demanded by the HDP. The Karachi Goods Transporters Association and Oil Tankers Association have also announced to halt supply of goods across the country. President Asif Ali Zardari telephoned Balochistan governor Zulfiqar Magsi and directed him to monitor relief operation besides providing security to the Hazara community. (With Agency inputs)
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Baghdad, February 17 The attacks come amid rising sectarian discord in Iraq. The explosions, mostly in outdoor markets, struck at the start of the local work week and appeared aimed at causing mass casualties among residents going about their morning shopping. Violence in Iraq has fallen since the height of sectarian fighting in 2006 and 2007, but insurgents still launch lethal attacks frequently against security forces and civilians in an attempt to undermine the Shiite-led government. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, but similar ones have been orchestrated by Sunni extremists, such as Al-Qaida's local arm. The group, known as the Islamic State of Iraq, favours large-scale, coordinated attacks. It frequently targets Shiite Muslims. The police and hospital officials provided the death toll, and said over 80 persons were wounded. The detonation of a parked car loaded with explosives in the sprawling Shiite district of Sadr City heralded the start of the attacks today morning. Two more parked cars later exploded elsewhere in the poor neighbourhood. Other blasts erupted in the Baghdad neighbourhood of al-Amin, in an open-air market in Husseiniya, north-east of the capital, and in the Kamaliya area in Baghdad's eastern suburbs. As sectarian strife mounts, protesters drawn overwhelmingly from Iraq's Sunni community have been staging weekly demonstrations and sit-ins since late December to rally against the government, which is led by Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The protesters have rejected calls for violence and distance themselves from extremists groups such as the Al-Qaida. There are also concerns that Sunni insurgents could step up attacks ahead of provincial elections scheduled for April 20. The ballot would be the first countrywide vote since the US troop withdrawal more than a year ago. Today's attacks bring to more than 100 the number of people killed in violent attacks in Iraq since the start of the month. A total of 178 were killed in January attacks. — AP
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NATO will ‘comply’ with Afghan air strike ban
Kabul, February 17 Karzai yesterday said he would issue a decree ordering an end to local security forces calling in NATO air strikes amid new tensions over civilian casualties caused by such attacks. Karzai made the statement after a NATO air raid killed 10 civilians, including women and children, in a region of eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday night. US General Joseph Dunford, who took charge of the US-led NATO force in the war-battered country last Sunday, said he was prepared to comply. "We are prepared to provide support in line with the President's intent," Dunford told reporters in Kabul. Karzai summoned Dunford over the air raid in Kunar province. "I get the broad guidance from the President and we will work out the details in the coming days," Dunford said. "We have restraints and constraints on each operation. I believe we will continue to support the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and meet the President's intent," Dunford said in response to questions Karzai's order. "There are other ways to support the Afghans besides aviation," he said. — AFP
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Cyprus holds presidential poll amid economic crisis Nicosia, February 17 Nicos Anastasiades (66) of the rightwing main opposition Disy party, is tipped to win the first round in which 5,50,000 Cypriots are eligible to vote, perhaps managing to cross the 50 per cent threshold that would avoid a run-off a week later. He has the support of the centre-right Diko party in the race for the presidency, which unlike in previous polls on the normally affluent but divided island has focused on the economy rather than elusive efforts at reunification. Polling stations opened at 7 am and will close at 6 pm, with a result expected less than three hours later. Asked after voting in the southern town of Limassol what the stakes were in the election, Anastasiades said it was about "survival of the country and nothing else". His closest challenger for the Greek Cypriot leadership is former health minister Stavros Malas, 45, a British-educated independent backed by the currently ruling communist AKEL party. "This is a day for the most important chapter in the history of the Cypriot people to be written," Malas said after voting in the capital. Anastasiades, who led Malas by 20 percentage points in polls, is seen as someone the Europe Union can do business with, while his stance on ending the division of Cyprus is more flexible than his rivals. The most pressing task facing the next president as he starts a five-year term will be to agree terms with a troika of lenders on a bailout to save the island's Greek-exposed banks and failing economy. The European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund are awaiting the election result before offering the terms for a 17-billion-euro ($23-billion) lifeline. Malas, who is confident of seeing off the challenge of 52-year-old former foreign minister George Lillikas and reaching a second round vote next Sunday, argues for "softer" austerity measures. President Demetris Christofias sought a bailout in June, and talks dragged on as the outgoing leader, who is not standing for re-election, resisted measures including privatisation and reopened talks with Russia on topping up a 2.5-billion-euro loan. — AFP
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Pope thanks faithful for affection, spiritual closeness
Vatican City, February 17 Smiling broadly, Benedict raised his arms outstretched to the massive crowd in his second-to-last Angelus blessing before leaving the papacy. A huge banner in the square read: "We love you". The Sunday noon appointment is one of the most cherished traditions of the Catholic Church, and this moment is one of Benedict's last opportunities to connect with the Catholic masses. The pope's voice was strong and clear as he looked into hazy sunshine over the square packed with at least 50,000 pilgrims. Benedict made no reference to his stunning decision to step down on February 28. But in an indirect nod, he thanked the faithful for their "affection and spiritual closeness". The crowd broke out into cheers and wild applause. The pope gave particular thanks to the "beloved inhabitants of the city of Rome", a possible hint at the title he will take after retirement. The Vatican has suggested he may be called "emeritus bishop of Rome". The traditional noon appointment normally attracts a few thousand pilgrims and tourists, but city officials prepared for a crush of people. "We wanted to wish him well," said Amy Champion, a tourist from Wales. "It takes a lot of guts to take the job and even more guts ... to quit." From Sunday evening, the pope will be out of the public eye for an entire week: A meditation service at the Vatican marks the beginning of the traditional Lenten period of reflection and prayer. Rome threw on extra buses and subway trains to help deal with the crowds, and offered free shuttle vans for the elderly and disabled. — AP
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Libyan leader calls for unity on 2nd anniversary of uprising
Benghazi, February 17 Addressing thousands of flag-waving Libyans, Mohammed el-Megarif urged his countrymen to "join ranks and resolve our differences to build our nation". He also promised to fight poverty and "marginalisation", and to give Libyans extra cash to mark the occasion. He did not say how much money he meant, or how it would be distributed. El-Megarif spoke at a rally in Benghazi, the eastern Libyan city that was the birthplace of the anti-Gaddafi uprising in 2011. Libya has been roiled by instability and violence since the ouster of the Gaddafi regime in late 2011. Benghazi has been among the worst-hit parts of the country, falling prey to armed militiamen and Muslim militants. El-Megarif alluded to the rise of radical Islam in the energy-rich nation, vowing that he would not allow Libya to become "an incubator of terrorism and violence". In what appeared to be an attempt to assuage the militants, the Libyan leader promised that the nation's next constitution would explicitly declare Islam as the country's religion and that Islamic law, or Shariah, would be the main source of legislation. He also vowed to push for laws that would "isolate" remnants of the old Gaddafi regime, another bid to appease militants who claim that members of the ousted regime remained in charge of many government departments as well as the security forces. Today's celebration was held amid tight security precautions. Army vehicles blocked roads leading to the site and snipers deployed on nearby rooftops. — AP
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Illegal immigrants may get US residency in 8 yrs: Report
Washington, February 17 According to the draft being circulated among various government agencies, visa applicants would need to pass a criminal background check, file biometric information and pay fees, USA Today reported. The plan would also allocate additional funds for border security and require business owners to check the immigration status of any new hires within four years. The estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States could also apply for a “Lawful Prospective Immigrant” visa, the report said. Once approved, they would be allowed to reside in the United States legally, work, and leave the country for short visits without losing their status. A new ‘fraud-proof’ identification card would prove their legal residence in the country. And, within eight years of this, the immigrants could apply for a green card to obtain legal permanent residence if they learn English and “the history and government of the United States.” They would also have to pay back taxes, the report said. With green card in hand, the immigrants would then be on a path to apply for US citizenship. News of this new legislation comes when members in both chambers of Congress are drafting their own version of a new immigration bill, it said. A bipartisan group has been negotiating an immigration proposal for years. Last month, four Republican senators joined with four Democratic senators to announce their agreement on the general outlines of an immigration plan. The new bill mirrors many provisions of the failed bipartisan 2007 bill that was spearheaded by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, and Senator and 2008 Presidential Candidate John McCain, and then-president George W. Bush. In his first term, Obama often deferred to Congress on drafting and advancing major legislation, including the Affordable Care Act. Two weeks ago in Las Vegas, while outlining his immigration plans, Obama made clear that he would not wait too long for Congress to get moving. — PTI
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Russian meteor exploded with force of 30 Hiroshima N-bombs
New York, February 17 The 55-foot-wide rock with a mass of 10,000 tonnes lit up the sky above the Urals region, causing shockwaves and damaging thousands of homes in an event unprecedented in modern times. “It had an energy greater than (all) the weapons used in World War II,” Bill Cooke, leader of the Meteoroid Environments Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, told the ‘New York Daily News’. The dazzling fireball burned brighter than the Sun as it unleashed nearly 500 kilotons of energy, around 30 times the size of the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Shockwaves from the aerial explosion injured some 1,200 persons and wrecked thousands of homes as residents cowered from the apocalyptic momentum in the city of Chelyabinsk, some 1497 km east of Moscow. “Imagine a shock wave coming through a city with glass flying from all these tall buildings. Walls collapsed ... doors were blown in and a lot of people were injured by flying debris,” Cooke said. The fiery 643734 kph streak disintegrated 32.5 seconds after blasting through the atmosphere about 24 km up, according to new data culled from five infrared stations located throughout the world. The trajectory of the Russian meteor (north to south) diverged so greatly from Asteroid DA14’s near-Earth flyby (south to north) that scientists insist they are unrelated phenomena. “They occurred the same day so some people would assume that the meteor was a chunk of DA14 but that’s not true,” said Cooke. The meteor is the largest reported since 1908 when one crashed into Tunguska, Siberia, about 4,828 km to the east. “We would expect an event of this magnitude to occur once every 100 years on average,” said Paul Chodas of NASA’s Near-Earth Object Program Office. “When you have a fireball of this size we would expect a large number of meteorites to reach the surface and in this case there were probably some large ones,” he said. — PTI
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Dam collapses in China, thousands evacuated B’desh mulls ban on Jamaat-e-Islami Churches shut in Italian town after quakes |
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The death toll in Saturday’s devastating bomb attack that targeted Shia Hazaras in Quetta city of
south-
A series of car bombs exploded within minutes of each other in and around Baghdad today, killing at least 28 persons and wounding many others in overwhelmingly Shiite areas.
Benghazi, February 17
