WASHINGTON: Allegations of US spying on Brazil’s president and on its state oil company raise “legitimate questions”, a US official said Wednesday during talks with Brazil’s foreign minister.Luiz Alberto Figueiredo met US National Security Adviser Susan Rice to discuss the reported surveillance by the National Security Agency.Rice told Figueiredo “the United States understands that recent disclosures in the press – some of which have distorted our activities and some of which raise legitimate questions for our friends and allies about how these capabilities are employed — have created tensions…,” spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said after the talks.
Late strikes give Pakistan hope in Zimbabwe
HARARE: Three late wickets gave Pakistan renewed hope after Zimbabwe played themselves into a strong position on the third day of the second Test against Pakistan at Harare Sports Club on Thursday. A five-wicket haul by Brian Vitori and a century stand between Tino Mawoyo and Hamilton Masakadza put Zimbabwe on top before both partners and nightwatchman Tinashe Panyangara fell in the last three overs of the day. Zimbabwe were 121 for four at the close, an overall lead of 185 on a wearing pitch which has made stroke play difficult for batsmen of both sides.
Terrorism badly affecting economy: Nawaz
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that extremism and terrorism are adversely affecting the country’s economy. Speaking at a meeting of the cabinet on Tuesday, he said: “Economic development is the only way forward, but terrorism and extremism are badly hampering the economic turnaround in Pakistan. The country is passing through difficult times and we are evolving a consensus strategy to sort out all issues confronting the nation.” According to an official handout, the cabinet discussed good management practices to be adopted by the government sector to make it more effective, efficient and accountable.
Obama pushes for Syria strike in televised address
WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama pushed his case for military strikes against the Syrian regime in a televised address to the nation despite a promise from Damascus to hand over its chemical arms for destruction. Obama said that he had deeply held preference for peaceful solutions and had seen encouraging signs in the last few days. The US president added that he had asked Congress to postpone votes on Syria action to pursue diplomatic solution, noting that Secretary of State John Kerry would head to Geneva to meet his Russian counterpart on Thursday.
ATC issues fresh order to produce Musharraf
QUETTA: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) here on Tuesday once again ordered production of former military ruler retired Gen Pervez Musharraf before the court in the Nawab Akbar Bugti murder case. The ATC Judge, Tariq Anwar Kasi, rejected an application submitted by the counsel for the retired general to exempt him from appearing in the court and instead ordered his presence during the next hearing on Sept 30. During the hearing on Tuesday, the court again issued arrest warrants for the then prime minister Shaukat Aziz, former Balochistan governor Owais Ahmed Ghani and former district coordination officer for Dera Bugti Abdul Samad Lasi.
TTP leaders in session to firm up response
MIRAMSHAH: A meeting of the central shura of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan is being held at an unspecified location in the tribal region to firm up a formal response to the government’s peace overtures made after the all parties conference (APC) held in Islamabad. According to sources, the meeting of the militant organisation’s central decision-making body might continue till Wednesday after arrival of some important Taliban leaders from different areas.
Jamaat chief hails APC decisions
KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Munawar Hasan has described decisions of the All Party Conference as a step in the right direction and advised the government to assert itself while holding talks with Taliban. He also urged all security institutions to coordinate and cooperate with the government over the matter. Addressing a press conference at the Idara-i-Noor-i-Haq here on Tuesday, the Jamaat chief said there was dire need to pull the country out of the war on terror, claiming that the conflict was in the interest of the US and not that of Pakistan.
Altaf condemns arrest of MQM’s ex-MPA
KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain on Wednesday condemned the arrest of Nadeem Hidayat Hashmi, a former provincial legislator belonging to the party, DNA reported.
In a statement issued from the MQM’s London secretariat, Altaf asked the Sindh government to explain the reasons and clauses of the law under which the former Member of Provincial Assembly was taken into custody by law enforcers.
Shah says easier to negotiate with Afghan Taliban than Pakistanis
ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah Tuesday said the government should hold result-oriented dialogue with Taliban to curb terrorism and restore peace in the country. Speaking to journalists at his chamber in the Parliament House, he said, “There are two types of Taliban: Afghans and Pakistanis. It is easy to negotiate with the Afghan Taliban as compared to the Pakistanis, because there are around 59 groups operating in the country.”
APC backs govt push for peace talks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top political leaders, who had huddled together in Islamabad on Monday for an All Parties Conference (APC) on how to tackle growing terrorism, agreed on initiating peace talks with “all stakeholders”. The APC, chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and attended by the Army and intelligence chiefs as well as leaders of all major political parties, concluded after adopting a consensus resolution to overcome the ‘national security crisis’ besetting Pakistan.
