Khan wins Bill Gates kudos for anti-polio efforts

Khan wins Bill Gates kudos for anti-polio efforts

PESHAWAR: Prominent philanthropist and Microsoft cofounder, Bill Gates, has appreciated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s efforts for eradication of polio in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas of Pakistan, Media reported Wednesday.

“I’m encouraged by your personal commitment to eliminate this disease in Pakistan. Your strong leadership comes at a critical time in our global efforts,” said Gates in a letter to PTI chief.

“Your direct engagement and your leadership are essential to ensuring a polio-free future for all of the children of KP, FATA and Pakistan and your work will have global reach and recognition,” writes Gates who is chief of his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the main contributors for polio eradication initiative in Pakistan.Media

Mulder and Scully return as 'The X-Files' revived

Mulder and Scully return as 'The X-Files' revived

LOS ANGELES: Cult television thriller "The X-Files" will return for a limited series with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprising their FBI agent roles, Fox Broadcasting network said on Tuesday.

"The X-Files," which premiered on Fox in 1993, followed FBI special agents Fox Mulder (Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Anderson) as they investigated cases of the unexplained, UFOs and often paranormal phenomenon.

Scully was the logical, practical partner of Mulder, who believed that alien worlds could exist within the universe and constantly searched for the truth in government cover-ups and conspiracy theories.

The show created by Chris Carter became the longest-running sci-fi series in U.S. network TV history with nine seasons, concluding in 2002.

The new series will comprise six episodes, due to start production this summer. An air date has not yet been announced.

"I think of it as a 13-year commercial break," Carter said in a statement. "The good news is the world has only gotten that much stranger, a perfect time to tell these six stories."

"The X-Files" revival comes on the heels of Fox's recent programming hits with Batman prequel "Gotham" and hip hop drama "Empire." – Reuters

Oil to reach $100 a barrel by end of 2016: Pickens

Oil to reach $100 a barrel by end of 2016: Pickens

SAN FRANCISCO: Oil prices could hit $100 a barrel by the end of next year, US oil magnate T. Boone Pickens said on Tuesday, revising his previous forecast which said they would reach that level as early as this year.

"I think you could very well be at $100 a barrel by the end of 2016," the 86-year-old billionaire and chair of BP Capital told an audience of about 100 at the Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco.

Oil prices have fallen sharply amid weaker Asian and European demand and a boom in North American production. U.S. crude futures have dropped more than 60 percent since highs last summer and were at around $47.40 a barrel on Tuesday.

Pickens said the idea of "peak oil" – the point in time at which oil production will go into an irreversible decline – shouldn't be dismissed on account of the increase in U.S. production. Other regions are seeing their output decline, he said.

A lifelong Republican, Pickens said he would support Jeb Bush if he decided to pursue the party's nomination in 2016, as is widely expected.

"The Republicans will win in 2016," said Pickens, who has donated heavily to Republican presidential candidates in the past, including Jeb's brother, former President George W. Bush. – Reuters

Who's saying what at the World Cup semi-finals

Who's saying what at the World Cup semi-finals

SYDNEY: Who's saying what about the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday:

"David will be fine. He knows the rules, as we all do, and his rules are no different than the rest of ours."

- Australia captain Michael Clarke backs temperamental opener David Warner to behave himself in Thursday's semi-final against India in Sydney.

"I heard Davey (Warner) say he was not going to get involved in all that stuff. Someone has got to do it and I think I might put my hand up. It’s part of the game."

- Australia fast bowler Mitch Johnson offers to step in on Warner's behalf for sledging duties.

"Look a bit of sledging is okay as long as boundaries are not crossed. The Indian team will not cross the line, but we will not back down either."

- India batsman Rohit Sharma

"I talked to Dale Steyn today in Auckland and must say that my respect for him is enormous. True cricketing gentleman."

- Former England spinner Graeme Swann on encountering the South African fast bowler, whose side were knocked out of the World Cup by New Zealand.

"He did say when I saw him at the end 'does this mean I get to come to Melbourne?' There's a bit of irony there, I suppose. He's shown how he important he is to us so I'm sure he is looking forward to Melbourne."

- New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum on semi-final star Grant Elliott, who was not selected for a 20-man group which visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground on a scouting mission in October as his chances of being picked in the World Cup squad were considered to be slim.

"Hopefully we've got one more game, one more big fairytale finish for him and then we'll have a few beers."

- McCullum on aiming to give veteran spinner Daniel Vettori a winning send-off on Sunday.

"The bigger the expectation, the more that's asked, the bigger they stand up. I honestly don't think this World Cup final is going to daunt these guys."

- Former New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram (AFP)

Two missing after India navy plane crashes into sea

Two missing after India navy plane crashes into sea

MUMBAI: A naval aircraft crashed off the western Indian coast leaving two pilots missing, the navy said Wednesday, in the latest of a string of accidents which have hit the force.

Rescue operations were underway after the Indian navy's Dornier aircraft plunged into the sea some 25 nautical miles off the western holiday state of Goa around 10:00 pm local time (1630 GMT) Tuesday.

"Last evening a navy Dornier during a routine training sortie off Goa ditched into sea," a navy statement said early Wednesday.

"One survivor rescued. Full scale search and rescue operation launched to locate two more officers (one pilot and one observer)," it added.

It is the latest in a series of deadly disasters to hit the navy, and comes just months after a naval ship sank off the southeastern coast of India leaving one worker dead and four others missing.

A fire aboard a nuclear submarine killed two officers off the Mumbai coast last February which led to the immediate resignation of the navy chief.

Eighteen sailors were also killed in August 2013 when INS Sindhurakshak burst into flames in Mumbai harbour. - AFP

Imran pledges Switzerland-like LG system for Azad Kashmir

Imran pledges Switzerland-like LG system for Azad Kashmir

MIRPUR: Imran Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman, Wednesday pledged that his government would introduce in Azad Kashmir a Switzerland-like Local Government system after coming to power.

“We will bring in a Local Government system which is being practiced in Switzerland and other Scandinavian countries. We are setting up the same system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Imran said while addressing a rally in Mirpur.

Criticizing the PML-N and PPP governments, he said that both the parties have badly politicized the police department, adding that his party would depoliticize Azad Kashmir police after winning the election which is scheduled to be held on March 29.

“We will depoliticize the police as we did in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the PTI chief said.

Judicial Commissionis being constituted to probe alleged election rigging, he said, adding that it would resulted in “Go Nawaz Go”.

Imran announced that he would hold next public rally in Karachi.Media