US declares JuD, 3 other organizations ‘terrorist’

WASHINGTON: The U.S. State Department has named a self-proclaimed Pakistani charity as a "foreign terrorist organization", a status that freezes any assets it has under U.S. jurisdiction.

Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) calls itself a humanitarian charity but is widely seen as a front organization for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET), a Pakistan-based group accused of orchestrating attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people.

British media quoted U.S. State Department and reported that all the four organizations, JuD, Infaal Trust, Tehreek-e-Hurmat-e-Rasool and Tehreek-e-Tahafuzz-e-Qibla-e-Awwal were different names of outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba and changing names to avoid sanctions.

The designation comes as NATO troops in Afghanistan are drawing down, and regional rivals Pakistan and India compete with each other for influence with Kabul.

Some fear the competition may spill into open conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations, who have fought three wars since independence.

Historically, Pakistan has used militant groups like LET to mount covert attacks on Indian soil, something the current government has vowed will not happen again.

Jamaat-ud-Dawa's listing will prohibit U.S. entities or citizens from dealing with the organisation, but will probably have little practical effect on its operations or fund raising.

The United Nations said in 2008 that Jamaat-ud-Dawa was a front for LeT and Pakistani authorities vowed to crack down.

No other choice but to stand with the army: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan Monday said his party was left with no other choice but to stand with the army after the decision of going ahead with the comprehensive offensive has already been taken.

He said he learnt about the launch of operation in North Waziristan on TV and questioned ‘shouldn’t they have taken us into confidence first?’ “Now what other choice do we have except for standing with the army?”

Imran Khan asked is it a good practice in democracy that the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) comes forward to announce that an operation has been launched?

He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, which is the biggest victim of terrorism, was not taken on board. The KP government, therefore, has not made any arrangements for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), he added.

“If there was no other choice but to go ahead with an operation, then at least we should been taken into confidence,” he lamented.

He said the Prime Minister did not ensure to put the dialogue process under a leadership it had deserved.

Imran Khan said the Prime Minister kept undertaking tours for attracting investment but the terrorism was a much bigger issue. “Investment would automatically flow to Pakistan if it rids itself of terrorism,” he added.

Why Jang Group’s other channels are off air, asks President SAFMA

KARACHI: President South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), Imtiaz Alam Tuesday asked that PEMRA had only suspended Geo News then why is it that Jang Group’s other channels continue to remain off the air.

“Attack on a section of media is tantamount to an assault on the entire freedom of expression,” Imtiaz Alam observed while addressing a seminar at Karachi Arts Council.

He said what channels of other media groups have done on the issue of Geo had actually muzzled the freedom of expression. “The media infighting has put the lives of hundreds of journalists in danger,” he noted.

President SAFMA further said no drums of celebration should beat on the blackout of Geo’s channels.

“PEMRA had taken a decision only against Geo News, then why the group’s other channels have continued to remain shut?” he asked.

Bombs against Kurds, other attacks in Iraq kill 33

BAGHDAD: A double bombing tore through Kurdish political party offices in northern Iraq in the deadliest of a series of attacks nationwide that killed at least 33 people, officials said.

It was the second such assault in as many days. Nobody claimed responsibility for Monday´s attack.

But an al-Qaida splinter group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility for the previous double bombing Sunday against Kurdish offices in Jalula, northwest of Baghdad, killing 19 people.

The group said in an online statement that the bombings in Jalula were in response to the detention of Muslim women by authorities in the self-rule Kurdish region in northern Iraq.

Iraq is grappling with its worst surge in violence since the sectarian bloodletting of 2006 and 2007, when the country was pushed to the brink of civil war despite the presence of tens of thousands of U.S. troops.

The Americans withdrew at the end of 2011.Monday´s attack took place in the town of Tuz Khormato, about 200 kilometers (130 miles) north of Baghdad, when a suicide bomber drove his explosives-laden truck into a checkpoint leading up to the offices of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the nearby Kurdistan Communist Party.

Bombs against Kurds, other attacks in Iraq kill 33

BAGHDAD: A double bombing tore through Kurdish political party offices in northern Iraq in the deadliest of a series of attacks nationwide that killed at least 33 people, officials said.

It was the second such assault in as many days. Nobody claimed responsibility for Monday´s attack.

But an al-Qaida splinter group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility for the previous double bombing Sunday against Kurdish offices in Jalula, northwest of Baghdad, killing 19 people.

The group said in an online statement that the bombings in Jalula were in response to the detention of Muslim women by authorities in the self-rule Kurdish region in northern Iraq.

Iraq is grappling with its worst surge in violence since the sectarian bloodletting of 2006 and 2007, when the country was pushed to the brink of civil war despite the presence of tens of thousands of U.S. troops.

The Americans withdrew at the end of 2011.Monday´s attack took place in the town of Tuz Khormato, about 200 kilometers (130 miles) north of Baghdad, when a suicide bomber drove his explosives-laden truck into a checkpoint leading up to the offices of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the nearby Kurdistan Communist Party.

Maulana Aziz criticises Geo, other channels

ISLAMABAD: Lal Masjid Khateeb Maulana Adbul Aziz on Friday slammed Geo TV and other channels for, what he alleged, promoting vulgarity in the country.
In a statement issued here, while addressing the congregation on Friday prayer, Maulana Adbul Aziz said all private TV channels are now following the same lines of Geo, which is condemnable.

On the occasion, Naib Kahteeb Lal Masjid Maulana Amir Siddique maintained that the said TV channel also did not show Musharraf’s cruelty and hence fulfilled promise, which made with Musharraf. — Online

Our Gujranwala correspondent adds: Jamiat Ahle Hadith activists led by district amir Mushtaq Ahmed Cheema took out a protest rally against Geo TV.Participants, marching on GT Road, reached Gujranwala Press Club and chanted slogans, demanding registration of case against the channel authorities.

Our Chunian correspondent adds: The deputy superintendent of police and station house officer Friday called the correspondents of Geo and Jang Group at the police station and told them that there was a danger to their lives regarding recent wave of allegations against the Group.

Other Woman' curbs 'Captain America' with $24.7M

LOS ANGELES: A femme-fueled comedy beat a superhero blockbuster at the box office this weekend.

After holding the top position for three weeks, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" has been topped by "The Other Woman" for the No. 1 spot.

Fox´s revenge comedy, starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton, debuted with $24.7 million, while Disney-Marvel´s "Captain America," led by Chris Evans, grossed $16 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its domestic total to $225 million.

The PG-13 rating of Nick Cassavetes directed "The Other Woman" — about three ladies wronged by a three-timing spouse played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau of "Game of Thrones" — helped it draw a larger audience, says Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst of box-office tracker Rentrak.

"The rating was perfect," he said. "If you are going for the mainstream audience who is looking for something that has a little bit of an edge, but not too much, you can hit that sweet spot and draw a large audience."

The release date couldn´t have been better, Dergarabedian noted. "This was the perfect time to release this film, between the success of ´Captain America´ and before the official start of the summer movie season with ´Spider-Man 2.´

"Hollywood hasn´t yet seen a comedy do especially well at the box office in 2014 since "Ride Along," which was released in January. Domestically, Jason Bateman´s "Bad Words" made only $7.7 million overall. Tyler Perry´s "The Single Moms Club" brought in $16 million domestically. Most of his films have grossed over $40 million domestically. And Marlon Wayans´ sequel "A Haunted House 2" opened with $8.8 million, drastically down from the original´s $18 million debut.

"Sometimes it´s about casting," Dergarabedian said. "When you have Cameron Diaz in a comedy like this, it´s hard not to knock it out of the park. This film is right in her wheelhouse. This is what she does best."

While Diaz´s last film, thriller "The Counselor," grossed only $17 million domestically last year, her foul-mouthed 2011 comedy "Bad Teacher" earned over $100 million stateside.

"Captain America" has now hit over $645 million globally, surpassing its 2011 original "The First Avenger," which earned $370 million. The sequel is the highest-grossing April release ever.

Sony´s faith-based "Heaven Is for Real," starring Greg Kinnear, held the third-place position with $13.8 million after opening in the same slot last weekend behind leaders "Captain America" and Fox´s animated "Rio 2," which drifted down to fourth place with $13.7 million.

Relativity Media´s action crime drama "Brick Mansions," starring the late Paul Walker, was No. 5 with $9.6 million. The film was one of the last Walker completed before he died in a car accident in November. To finish "Fast & Furious 7," which will be released April 2015, Walker´s brothers, Caleb and Cody Walker, have stepped in to complete their brother´s action scenes.

It´s a solid debut after the film was pushed back from its original release date in February.

In one of his first interviews since the announcement from Universal Pictures, the studio behind the "Fast & Furious" franchise, Cody Walker broke down in tears when talking on Fox´s Baltimore TV affiliate about his late brother´s charitable work last week.

Johnny Depp´s sci-fi disappointment "Transcendence" dropped from No. 4 to No. 6 in its second weekend, earning $4.1 million. The Warner Bros. film is Depp´s third consecutive flop after 2013´s Western "The Lone Ranger," in which he played Tonto, and 2012 quirky vampire flick "Dark Shadows."

Could the A-lister be losing his appeal at the box office? Depp´s last film to exceed $100 million domestically was "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" in 2011. Perhaps his upcoming Disney fantasy "Into the Woods," also starring Meryl Streep, will fare better.

Also opening this weekend was Lionsgate´s "The Quiet Ones," starring Jared Harris ("Mad Men") as an Oxford professor who recruits students to conduct an experiment to prove supernatural abilities exist. The horror film´s take was a mere $4 million.

Next weekend, Sony-Marvel´s "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" kicks off the summer movie season with its domestic debut. The 18 weeks of summer constitutes on average 40 percent of the year´s box office earnings, Dergarabedian said.

"Spider-Man 2" has already premiered internationally in locations like South Korea and Russia. In its second weekend of international release, it made $132 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday:1. "The Other Woman," $24.7 million.2. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," $16 million.3. "Heaven Is for Real," $13.8 million.4. "Rio 2," 13.7 million.5. "Brick Mansions," $9.6 million.6. "Transcendence," $4.1 million.7. "The Quiet Ones," $4 million.8. "Bears," $3.6 million.9. "Divergent," $3.6 million.10. "A Haunted House 2," $3.3 million. (AP)

Morning Glory other 5 Pakistani crews expected today

LAHORE: The captain of the Morning Glory oil tanker, Noman Beg arrived on Saturday morning here, Geo News reported.

Talking to media at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here, Noman Beg said it was the blessing of the God and prayers of the people that he got released and arrived home safely.

Noman Beg expressed his deep gratitude and thanks to all those, especially social activist Ansar Burney and the Pakistan embassy in Libya, who tried utmost in getting him and the other five Pakistani crews released expected to arrive sometime today.

Captain Noman Beg said that during the captivity he spent his time reciting the holy Quran and praying to God.

Earlier, it was reported that five out of the six members — Captain Mirza Nauman Baig, Mohammad Mehdi Shamsi, Syed Asif Hassan, Naik Zada and Mohammad Irshad — are expected to be flown back to Pakistan today, while the chief officer, Ghuffran Marghoob, is yet to be handed over to the Pakistani authorities by the Libyan government.

Fans not stopped from flying flags of other countries: BCB

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said that fans are not being barred from flying the flags of foreign nations at stadiums during the World Twenty20.

The BCB reverted an earlier decision banning local fans from flying flags of other nations after intervention by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

On Tuesday, the hosts of cricket's World Twenty20 threatened to ban local supporters from stadiums if they are seen carrying the flags of any of the other teams competing in the tournament.

The order came after an outcry over images of locals waving Pakistani flags during the recently concluded Asia Cup, also held in Bangladesh.

Following the BCB announcement, the ICC sought a clarification from the cricket board.

Bangladesh fans barred from waving flags of other countries

 

DHAKA: The Bangladeshi hosts of cricket’s World Twenty20 threatened to ban local supporters on Tuesday from stadiums if they were seen carrying the flags of any of the other teams competing in the tournament.
The order came after an outcry over images of locals waving Pakistani flags during the recently-concluded Asia Cup, also held in Bangladesh.A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesman said the board had issued a directive after it “noticed that some local fans were flying foreign flags flouting the country’s flag rules.

“We’ve received instructions in this regard,” the spokesman told AFP, without clarifying. “As such we’ve ordered security officials and guards to make sure Bangladesh fans cannot carry or fly flags of foreign nations in the stadiums.” The BCB order came on the eve of Bangladesh’s 44th Independence Day celebrations.

This was not the first time that Bangladeshi fans were seen supporting the Pakistan cricket team. A considerable number of Bangladeshi fans support Pakistani cricketers and they very often cheer the success of the Pakistani cricket team and the good performance of the cricketers.

The ban on Bangladeshi fans supporting the Pakistani team came reportedly after pressure by some elements in the government as their politics mainly focus on anti-Pakistan rhetoric.On the other hand, there are also voices in the Bangladeshi corridors of power which have objected to the ban and are using their influence to reverse the same.

According to the latest reports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has also taken notice of the ban on Bangladeshi fans supporting other countries and sought an explanation from the Bangladeshi cricket bosses.