W O R L D

ISI ‘warns’ CIA of backlash
Islamabad, September 28
Upset over the “blunt” American assessment about its links with Haqqani network, the ISI has told the CIA that Pakistan will be forced to retaliate if US forces attempt to launch a unilateral strike on its tribal belt, dubbed as a safe haven for Taliban, a media report said today. The message was personally delivered by ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha to CIA head Gen David Petraeus during the Pakistani General’s recent trip to Washington, an official familiar with the development told The Express Tribune newspaper.

US: ISI gives financial, technical & physical support to extremists

US slaps sanctions on LeT founding leaders

GO, AMERICA GO: Pakistanis shout anti-US slogans during a rally outside the US consulate in Lahore on Wednesday. — AFP

Battered by typhoon, Filipinos count losses Manila, September 28 The Philippines today began tallying the damage bill from powerful Typhoon Nesat, which killed at least 21 people and left behind flooded towns, overflowing dams and damage to rice crops across northern Luzon island. Trail of Destruction: A day after Typhoon Nesat battered Manila, residents rummage through what is left of their shanties, on Wednesday. — AP/PTI

Asterix creator retires after 52 yrs

Paris, September 28 Albert Uderzo, co-creator of one of France’s greatest comic book heroes, Asterix the Gaul, said he was hanging up his pen at the age of 84 but had found several successors to carry on his legacy. French comic book illustrator and scriptwriter Albert Uderzo (left) and Anne Goscinny, daughter of Rene Goscinny who was the co-writer of the comic book series, pose with trophies to mark the 350 millionth copy of the 34 Asterix books sold worldwide, in Paris. — AFP

Swiss House votes to ban burqa in public
Geneva, September 28
After France, Netherlands and Belgium, Switzerland is now on its way to become the fourth country in Europe to impose a ban on burqa, with lawmakers today voting for a far-right move to outlaw face veils in public.

ISI ‘warns’ CIA of backlash
Says Pakistan will retaliate if US attempts unilateral strike

Islamabad, September 28
Upset over the “blunt” American assessment about its links with Haqqani network, the ISI has told the CIA that Pakistan will be forced to retaliate if US forces attempt to launch a unilateral strike on its tribal belt, dubbed as a safe haven for Taliban, a media report said today.

The message was personally delivered by ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha to CIA head Gen David Petraeus during the Pakistani General’s recent trip to Washington, an official familiar with the development told The Express Tribune newspaper.

However, the Pakistani military denied the report, saying its contents and remarks attributed to the ISI chief were “factually incorrect and misleading”.

“Media should refrain from speculative reporting on such sensitive issues related to national security,” a spokesman for the Inter-Service Public Relations said.

His remarks came after the daily quoted the unnamed official as saying Pasha had informed Petraeus that the “Pakistani people will not tolerate any US misadventure” and the government will be left with no other option but to retaliate if American troops launch a unilateral raid.

Senior ISI members had felt “betrayed” by US military chief Adm Mike Mullen’s “blunt assessment” that the ISI had links with the Afghan Taliban-allied Haqqani network, the official said.

Mullen has accused the ISI of supporting the Haqqani network to target US forces in Afghanistan. He called the Haqqani network a “veritable arm” of the ISI. The US has been pressing Pakistan to launch a military offensive against the Haqqanis in North Waziristan. — PTI

US: ISI gives financial, technical & physical support to extremists

US slaps sanctions on LeT founding leaders

Battered by typhoon, Filipinos count losses

Manila, September 28
The Philippines today began tallying the damage bill from powerful Typhoon Nesat, which killed at least 21 people and left behind flooded towns, overflowing dams and damage to rice crops across northern Luzon island.

As the typhoon moved over the South China Sea towards northern Vietnam and southern China, Manila said efforts to find dozens of people still missing were being hindered by bad weather.

Financial markets, government offices and some schools reopened after being closed by the typhoon, and train services resumed after power supplies were restored in the capital. However, some flights were again cancelled on Wednesday.

The Department of Agriculture said initial estimates put crop damage, mainly of rice, at about $16 million, while the disaster agency put infrastructure damage at around $1.7 million.

Crop damage included 33,890 tonnes of rice from 56,421 hectares affected in five regions, including the key rice growing Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon regions.

The National Food Authority said it had sufficient stocks to cover the losses, with 2.5 million tonnes of rice, equal to 75 days of demand, in its warehouses. The central bank said crop damage and supply problems caused by the typhoon could increase prices temporarily. — Reuters

Asterix creator retires after 52 yrs

Asterix and his jovial sidekick Obelix first appeared in print in October 1959, and their adventures fighting the Roman invaders have since been translated into over 100 languages.

Paris, September 28
Albert Uderzo, co-creator of one of France’s greatest comic book heroes, Asterix the Gaul, said he was hanging up his pen at the age of 84 but had found several successors to carry on his legacy.

The Italian-born artist, who dreamt up the indomitable warrior with his scriptwriter friend Rene Goscinny in 1959, said he was “a bit tired” after 52 years of drawing and that it was time to hand over his creation to younger talent.

The announcement came on the day publishing house Hachette celebrated the sale of 350 million Asterix books around the world, making the diminutive hero one of France’s biggest-selling exports. “I’ve decided that there should be some continuity, and I want it to carry on for generations and generations,” Uderzo told RTL radio.

Asterix and his jovial sidekick Obelix first appeared in print in October 1959, and their adventures fighting the Roman invaders have since been translated into over 100 languages.

Following the death of Goscinny in 1977, Uderzo took over both the writing and artwork for the comic book, drawing criticism from die-hard fans who felt his scripts lacked Goscinny’s humour and irony.

The recent appearance of Asterix and his friends in a billboard advertising campaign for McDonald’s also sparked outcry, with some accusing Uderzo of selling out the diminutive Gaul to capitalist invaders. — Reuters

Swiss House votes to ban burqa in public

Geneva, September 28
After France, Netherlands and Belgium, Switzerland is now on its way to become the fourth country in Europe to impose a ban on burqa, with lawmakers today voting for a far-right move to outlaw face veils in public.

Swiss parliamentarians turned inwards on the sensitive issue of immigration today by endorsing a bill authored by a politician of a far-right party, that seeks to ban the wearing of face coverings in public, including in public transport.

A motion titled "masks off", discontinuing with burqa or other facial covering in public mustered majority support of 101 parliamentarians in the lower chamber. It was opposed by 77 members. However, the Upper chamber is yet to give its green signal to the draft bill before it comes into force.

As the land-locked country goes to national polls within three weeks, right-wing political groups are mounting a strong campaign on emotional issues of immigration. — PTI