ISLAMABAD: The Abbottabad Commission has called for strengthening democratic control of state institutions and civilian oversight over so far unaccountable security and intelligence agencies if a national embarrassment like the one caused by the US raid of May 2, 2011, is to be avoided. The commission, in the penultimate chapter of the 336-page report, made 32 wide ranging recommendations to address the issues identified during the course of its investigations and testimonies by key civilian and military functionaries. But strikingly, its suggestions repeatedly bemoaned “military hegemony” and emphasised on strengthening democracy.
No quick call on Afghanistan troops: White House
WASHINGTON: The White House says the decision on how many US troops to leave in Afghanistan will not be imminent. But it is leaving open the possibility the US will not leave forces there after combat troops depart in 2014.White House press secretary Jay Carney says the so-called zero option is still on the table. He says the US will have clear objectives for its mission in Afghanistan after the long-planned drawdown. He says those objectives could be met with a residual force or through other means.
Oil prices edge higher in Asia
SINGAPORE: Oil prices edged higher in Asian trade Wednesday buoyed by solid gains in US stocks and stronger demand in the world’s biggest economy, analysts said.
Concerns about a disruption in Middle East supply caused by the turmoil in Egypt have eased after a timetable for fresh polls was announced Tuesday following last week’s military coup. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in August, gained 99 cents to $104.52 a barrel in morning trade and Brent North Sea crude for August delivery added two cents to $107.83.
Egypt militants kill two in Sinai checkpoint attack: medics
CAIRO: Two people died in a militant attack on a security checkpoint in Egypt’s Sinai on Wednesday, as a police base elsewhere in the peninsula came under mortar fire, medics said.The medics and security officials said one of the dead appeared to be a civilian whose car was hit by a grenade. They did not identify the other casualty.The checkpoint, in the middle of the peninsula, was manned by soldiers and police, they said.
India beat Sri Lanka to join them in Tri-nations final
PORT OF SPAIN: India overcame Sri Lanka and the almost continuous threat of inclement weather on Tuesday at Queen’s Park Oval to advance to the final of the Tri-Nation Series two days later against the same opponents. In yet another match in Trinidad severely affected by rain, the World Cup and Champions Trophy holders battled to 119 for three off 29 overs before a torrential downpour just before midday seemed set to force the match into a reserve day.
Missile plan to go ahead despite test failure: US
WASHINGTON: The US military will go ahead with the deployment of a missile defense system in Alaska despite the recent test failure of an interceptor missile, officials said Tuesday. Pentagon spokesman George Little said the unsuccessful test on Friday of a Ground Based Interceptor (GBI) was no reason to scrap deployment of the weapons in Alaska.“The test on Friday was not a success and it’s being reviewed to see what went wrong,” Little said.“But we maintain that we have a robust defense system in place to defend the United States and her allies from a range of threats.
Algeria keen to Expand relations With Pakistan
Dr. Ahmed Benflis:
51st Anniversary of Restoration, National sovereignty, and Independence of Algeria, (1962 to 2013)
Algeria is celebrating 51st Anniversary of Restoration, national sovereignty and independence. Ambassador of Algeria to Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr. Ahmed Benflis issued a special message on this special occasion. The full text of the message of the ambassador is given below for readers interest. For the 5th consecutive time, from the land of the brotherly Pakistan, I have the opportunity to write few words on the glorious and great occasion that signifies the greatness of the Algerian people. It is the 51st anniversary of the restoration of Algerian sovereignty and dignity on its sacred land after long years of struggle against the French colonists.
Nanga Parbat Tragedy; Who let the killers out?
Tazeen Akhtar
Who let the dogs out – that is a very famous song. We recalled it when we were thinking about Who killed the foreign mountaineers at Nanga Parbat base camp. Our question is not very different than that . That is ”who let the killers out?”That is the main issue being discussed in diplomatic circles of Islamabad. Everyone has one’s own story. But we have an analysis on the basis of common sense in the well scenario of the situation, some information about the procedure of mountaineering in Pakistan and some details about the area of the incident.
Australia India nuclear power deal and Pakistan
The power issue is at the center stage of debate. Almost every country is shaping up its energy policy to meet its growing power needs. So are Pakistan and India. Australia and India have agreed in principle on nuclear energy co-operation deal. And if everything goes as planned, Australia would begin exporting uranium to India in less than two year time. Australia has got 40 per cent of the world uranium deposits and is gearing up its exploration to capitalize on the growing Asian energy market. On other hand the nuclear capable Pakistan, faced with acute power shortage, is watching all this from sidelines with a pinch of salt and with no clear-cut roadmap in hand to handle the crises.
