China’s economic growth slowed in the April to June period, the second straight quarter of weaker expansion. The world’s second biggest economy grew by 7.5% compared to the previous year, down from 7.7% in the January to March period, data showed. The figures were in line with analyst expectations. After decades of blistering growth in China, analysts say authorities now seem ready to accept a slower pace of expansion.
China’s economic growth at 7.5% in April to June period
Bangladesh Islamist Ghulam Azam found guilty of war crimes
A war crimes court has found Islamist leader Ghulam Azam guilty of five charges relating to Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence with Pakistan. Ghulam Azam was sentenced to 90 years in jail for his involvement in mass killings and rape during the war. Supporters of Bangladesh’s main Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, which he led from 1969 until 2000, clashed with police ahead of the verdict.
Fugitive Edward Snowden trapped in Russia – Putin
The US authorities have in effect trapped fugitive intelligence leaker Edward Snowden in Russia, President Vladimir Putin has said. But Mr Putin said Mr Snowden would leave if he was able to. The former intelligence analyst has been offered asylum in a number of Latin American states, but has no documents with which to leave the transit zone at Moscow airport.
Spain Barcenas scandal: Rajoy rejects resignation calls
Spain’s prime minister says he will not give in to “blackmail”, amid calls for him to resign over alleged links to a suspect in a payments scandal. Mariano Rajoy said he would fulfil the mandate given by the Spanish people. The calls came after a newspaper published text messages he allegedly sent to the suspect, Luis Barcenas, ex-treasurer of his Popular Party (PP). Meanwhile Mr Barcenas repeated in court allegations that Mr Rajoy received payments from a slush fund.
‘Glee’ convention becomes memorial for Monteith
What was supposed to be a weekend celebration of the musical TV series “Glee” turned into an impromptu memorial of song and dance for Cory Monteith after news of the “Glee” co-star’s death rocked a “Glee” fan convention in England.
Firing kills four in Quetta: police
QUETTA: At least four people were killed Monday evening when armed men opened fire at a vehicle in Quetta, the capital of insurgency-hit Balochistan province. Fayyaz Sumbal, the Deputy Inspector General Police, said four militants opened fire at the vehicle on Masjid road area of Quetta. All four men sitting in the vehicle were seriously wounded and succumbed to their injuries on their way to the Combined Military Hospital, he said.
Nawaz inaugurates first private hydro power plant in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan opened its first private hydroelectric power plant on Monday, moving to tackle a deepening energy crisis that has devastated its already struggling economy. The new government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif won an election in May partly on promises to fix persistent power cuts lasting some 12 hours in parts of the nuclear-armed nation of 180 million people. On Monday, Sharif travelled to the northern province of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to oversee the launch of a new project he says will offer a significant boost to the ailing power sector.
New Indian High Commissioner arrives in Lahore
LAHORE: The newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr TCA Raghavan arrived in Lahore via the Wagah border on Monday, DNA reported. Addressing media persons at the Indo-Pak border town of Amritsar in India, Raghavan said that he desired to tackle the challenges and treats faced by the relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Fat-boosting gene mystery ‘solved’
The mystery of a genetic flaw which greatly increases the risk of obesity in one in six people has been solved by an international group of scientists. A version of an obesity gene, called FTO, had been linked to a bigger belly, but the reason why was uncertain. A study, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, showed it made fatty foods more tempting and altered levels of the hunger hormone, ghrelin.
Afridi’s brilliance must not mask Pakistan’s batting failure
Pakistan was rescued yesterday by one man’s dazzling performance. The mercurial Shahid Afridi scored 76 and claimed seven wickets to pummel the West Indies in a comeback performance of epic proportions. He walked in the middle when the Pakistan’s score was a sorry 47-5, and combined with captain Misbah-ul-Haq for a record-breaking sixth wicket partnership of 120 runs.
