A stunt double for Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie has sued News Corp over allegations its British newspapers hacked her phone, the first lawsuit in the United States against the company since the scandal broke two years ago.
Karzai suspends US talks, sets new conditions for Taliban negotiations
KABUL: The Afghan government on Wednesday threatened to boycott planned talks with the Taliban in Qatar announced by the United States, saying the peace process had to be “Afghan-led”. “The latest developments show that foreign hands are behind the Taliban’s Qatar office and, unless they are purely Afghan-led, the High Peace Council will not participate in talks,” a statement said.
Pakistani stocks rise on IMF visit optimism
KARACHI: Pakistan’s stocks closed higher on Wednesday, helped by market optimism that a visiting delegation from the International Monetary Fund could lead to a bailout loan and resolve the country’s balance of payment problems, dealers said.
Three Balochistan ministers sworn in
QUETTA: After detailed negotiations among the coalition partners, three members of Balochistan Assembly took oath as provincial ministers on Wednesday evening. Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai administered oath to the newly appointed members of the cabinet.
Nawaz for early completion of Neelam-Jehlum Project
MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the concerned authorities to expedite construction work on Rs274.882 billion Neelam-Jehlum Hydro-power Project and make it functional till 2014-15 to overcome the power shortage issue in the country.
PML-N suspends female MPA over bus hostess row
LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday suspended the party membership of a female provincial lawmaker over a recent altercation with the hostess of a local bus service.
Pakistani girl killed in Kashmir border firing: officials
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani girl was killed Wednesday when Indian troops opened fire across the de facto border that divides disputed Kashmir, Pakistani officials said. The incident took place in Rawlakot district, around 65 kilometres east of Islamabad near the Line of Control (LoC) separating the Indian and Pakistani-controlled sectors of the Himalayan territory.
England reach final after South Africa disintegrate yet again
LONDON: Hosts England cruised into the Champions Trophy final with a seven-wicket win on Wednesday after South Africa once again underlined their reputation as cricket’s ‘chokers’.
Moyes to face Mourinho on Old Trafford debut
LONDON: Champions Manchester United will begin their title defence with a trip to League Cup winners Swansea, the English Premier League said on Wednesday as it announced the 2013/14 fixtures. New manager David Moyes, who was appointed after Alex Ferguson retired in May, takes his team to south Wales on August 17 and will take charge for his first home game the following week.
India monsoon floods leave 120 dead
DEHRADUN: Military helicopters dropped emergency supplies Wednesday to thousands of tourists and pilgrims stranded by flash floods that tore through towns and temples in northern India, killing at least 120 people, officials said. Thousands of people have already been evacuated after floods and landslides caused by early monsoon rains forged a path of devastation through two tourist states in the Himalayas, officials said.
