9 killed in 5 days of clashes in Lebanon´s Tripoli: security

9 killed in 5 days of clashes in Lebanon´s Tripoli: security

TRIPOLI: Nine people have been killed in five days of fighting in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, where sectarian clashes linked to the Syrian war regularly break out, a security official said Wednesday.

 

"After a civilian and an army soldier were killed today, the death toll since Friday has risen to nine people," said the official, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.

 

Another 65 people, including four soldiers, have also been wounded, he added. The latest deaths come a day after the army started deploying troops on the aptly named Syria street, that acts as the frontline separating the Sunni district of Bab al-Tebbaneh from Jabal Mohsen.

 

While residents of Bab al-Tebbaneh support the revolt in neighbouring Syria against Bashar al-Assad, the Alawites of Jabal Mohsen back the regime.

 

"The clashes ensued despite the army´s attempt to deploy, making it very difficult for troops to enter Syria street," said the security official.

 

Then on Wednesday morning, "armed men from Bab al-Tebbaneh launched a rocket-propelled grenade at a military vehicle," he added.

 

One of the four troops wounded in the attack died later in the day from his injuries.

 

Fighting then raged between the army and Bab al-Tebbaneh´s fighters, who view the military as siding against them and on Jabal Mohsen´s side.

 

The fighting has since subsided, after a meeting Wednesday at caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati´s Tripoli residence, during which a ceasefire was agreed.

 

But hundreds of families that have fled the two neighbourhoods in the past five days have not yet returned, while Tripoli´s schools and universities remained closed.

 

On Wednesday, shop owners in the heart of the city kept their stores shut, for fear clashes between Sunni militants and the army might spread beyond the battle-hardened, outlying neighbourhoods.

 

Govt failed to hold Taliban talks in line with APC mandate: Imran

Govt failed to hold Taliban talks in line with APC mandate: Imran

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan Wednesday said the government has failed to hold peace talks with the Taliban, in line with the mandate finalized in the All Parties Conference (APC) and warned that the situation now seemed to be heading towards military operation.

Talking to media men here, Imran Khan regretted that although several months have passed since the APC, there is still no sign of negotiations with the Taliban.

Khan called upon the government to arrange an in-camera briefing for the heads of all the parliamentary parties.

He said categorization be made among the groups of Taliban on the basis of proponents and opponents of dialogue process.

“Although Tehreek-e-Insaf is the second largest party of the country, it is not being taken into confidence over Talliban talks,” Imran Khan complained.

Measles claims 151 lives in Sindh last year

Measles claims 151 lives in Sindh last year

KARACHI: A total 5,460 measles cases were reported in Sindh province last year and 151 patients died during the treatment.

According to Sindh Health Department official sources, as many as 225 measles affected children were rushed to the hospitals of Hyderabad, out of them six died during the treatment.

As many as 196 measles cases were reported in Jamshoro district, where nine children. 214 measles-hit children were brought to Matiari hospitals where seven kids expired during the treatment.

Sources said 130 measles cases were reported in Tando Allahyar, 248 cases were detected in Tando Muhammad Khan, where eight patients died. 103 cases were reported in Thatta where three kids expired; 417 cases were detected in Badin where four kids died; 127 children were rushed to hospitals of Shaheed Benazirabad where three patients died; 172 cases reported in Dadu where 20 children lost their lives.

He furthers said 741 measles cases were reported in Mirpurkhas where six patients died; 330 cases surfaced in Tharparkar, where 21 children died; 266 cases were reported in Umerkot where four children died; 238 cases were detected in Sanghar where 16 kids died; 329 cases were reported in Sukkur where six children expired, and 317 cases were reported in Ghotki out of them nine died during treatment.

Over 241 measles patients were brought in hospitals of Khairpur where 10 patients died. 45 cases were reported in Naushahro Feroze. 124 cases were detected in Larkana where three children died in hospitals. 239 cases were reported in Shikarpur, where nine children died; 110 children were shifted to hospitals of Kamber-Shahdadkot where four died during treatment, while 315 cases were reported in Jacobabad where two children died.

As many as 175 cases detected in Kashmore, where one child expired.

In Karachi 158 measles cases were reported in Karachi city, with no casualty reported. (PPI)

Famous playwright Asghar Nadeem Syed attacked in Lahore

Famous playwright Asghar Nadeem Syed attacked in Lahore

LAHORE: Famous playwright Asghar Nadeem Syed was attacked here on Tuesday when unknown gunmen fired on his vehicle.

 

The attack took place near the Shaukhat Khanum Hospital, in which, according to police, Asghar Nadeem was targeted.

 

The playwright was shifted to a private hospital for treatment.

Oil prices extend gains in Asia

Oil prices extend gains in Asia

SINGAPORE: World oil prices extended gains in Asian trade Wednesday as investors cheered the IMF´s upbeat forecast for global growth this year, which is expected to boost demand.

New York´s main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for March delivery, was up 38 cents to $95.35 in mid-morning trade, while Brent crude for March rose 33 cents to $107.06.F

Pakistan praised for thrilling run chase

Pakistan praised for thrilling run chase

KARACHI: Former Pakistan players Tuesday heaped praise on the national team for its thrilling run chase to grab an unlikely victory in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka in Sharjah.

 

Pakistan, currently placed fifth in the Test rankings, chased down 302 in 57.3 overs in fading light on Monday to level the three-Test series, after losing the second Test in Dubai by nine wickets.

 

Azhar Ali notched up his fifth Test hundred with 103, captain Misbah-ul Haq hit an unbeaten 68 and Sarfraz Ahmed scored 48 as Pakistan achieved their second-best run chase, bettered only by their 314 against Australia in Karachi in 1994.

 

Former captain Aamir Sohail praised the batting.

 

"It was refreshing to see Pakistan chase down a tough target," said Sohail. "The way Azhar played, Sarfraz helped him to set the tempo and then Misbah finished the game, it was nice and will help lift the team´s morale."

 

Team manager Moin Khan said the plan was to go for the win in a Twenty20 style.

 

"We had that in mind to go for runs in the last Twenty20 overs and promoting Sarfraz helped," Moin said on the team´s arrival.

 

"It was nice to see the positive intent and this win will go a long way in building the team."

 

Another former captain, Rashid Latif, also praised Misbah.

 

"The kind of role Misbah has played is praiseworthy," Latif told AFP. "As a batsman and as a captain he has been good. The way he used the new players was also appreciable and will help him build this team."

 

Latif however criticised Sri Lanka´s response to the batting onslaught.

 

"Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews used negative tactics, placing his fielders on the boundary line, which went against him. You can´t win or save a Test by such tactics." (AFP)