RIYADH: A Saudi man has died of the coronavirus MERS and another has contracted the virus, the health ministry said on Saturday, bringing the kingdom’s deaths from the virus to 39. The man, who had previously been diagnosed with the SARS-like virus, died in the southwestern province of Asir, the ministry said on its website. The other man who contracted the virus, 83, is in the same province, it said.
How I cheated death by assassin’s bullet…thanks to the fall that nearly killed me: Imran
LONDON: I had been told I was number one on the terrorist hit-list, although who the terrorists would be was anybody’s guess. There are perhaps 25 militant groups, which now call themselves ‘Taliban’ and any one of them could have been hired by my political opponents, said Imran Khan to a British newspaper.
LNG permit of three firms revoked
ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has cancelled the permit of three companies because of their failure to take steps for import and sale of 1,400mmcfd of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Cancellation of terminal construction licences assigned to these private companies is also likely soon.
JJ Cale, songwriter behind Clapton, Skynyrd hits, dies at 74
LOS ANGELES: Grammy-winning singer-songwriter JJ Cale, whose music was made famous by Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Cash and others, has died in California. He was 74. He died Friday at a hospital in La Jolla, California, after suffering a heart attack, according to a statement on his website. “Donations are not needed but he was a great lover of animals so, if you like, you can remember him with a donation to your favorite local animal shelter,” the statement added.
ECP moves to protect secrecy of presidential vote
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has finalised arrangements for holding the presidential election on July 30. Mamnoon Hussain, the PML-N candidate, and retired justice Wajihuddin Ahmed of the PTI are now left in the field after withdrawal of candidature by Mr Hussain’s cover candidate, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra. An ECP official told DNA that transportation of about 2,000 ballot papers would be completed by Monday. If required, C-130 planes and helicopters would be used for the purpose, he added.
Italy top court to shape Berlusconi’s political fate
ROME: Italy’s Supreme Court meets Tuesday to examine a fraud trial against Silvio Berlusconi which could see him ousted from politics and risks upsetting the country’s fragile coalition government. The court will rule on whether to uphold a tax fraud conviction against the former premier and confirm the one-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office, which would effectively end his 20-year political career. The 76-year-old is unlikely to be jailed because of his age, but his banishment from parliament would be a blow to the centre-right. It could also unsettle Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s centre-left and right coalition, already riven with bickering.
Malians to defy death threats to vote in new leader
BAMAKO: Malians were preparing Sunday to defy Islamist death threats and vote in their millions for a president expected to usher in a new dawn of peace and stability in the conflict-scarred nation. They will have a choice of 27 candidates as they vote for the first time since last year’s military coup upended one of the region’s most stable democracies, as Islamist militants hijacked a separatist uprising to seize much of the country.
Thousands protest in Peru as president feels heat
LIMA: Peruvian police used tear gas and water cannon Saturday to drive back thousands of demonstrators protesting against what they said were President Ollanta Humala’s unkept promises on schools and jobs. On the eve of Independence Day celebrations, some 6,000 marchers heeded a call by the country’s largest union confederation, CGTP, to turn out in force. Those taking to the streets included university students, non-governmental activists and human rights groups.
Two security men injured in IED attack in Peshawar
PESHAWAR: At least two security forces’ persons were injured Sunday when a roadside Improvised Explosive Device (IED) targeted their vehicle in Peshawar’s Wazir Bagh area. According to a DNA source, the police mobile van was targeted with a roadside IED in Wazir Bagh on the outskirts of Peshawar. The vehicle was completely damaged and two security forces’ persons were injured, who were immediately shifted to Lady Reading Hospital. No loss of life was reported in the incident.
Afridi, Babar heroics seal thrilling win for Pakistan
KINGSTOWN: Thirty-four-year debutant Zulfiqar Babar took three key wickets then struck a six off the final ball of the match to give Pakistan a two-wicket victory over West Indies in the first Twenty20 international on Saturday.
