Deadly Blast Strikes Near a Mosque in Southwestern Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — At least 10 people were killed Wednesday in Quetta, in southwestern Pakistan, when an explosion struck a crowd in a parking lot near a Shiite mosque, police officials said.
At least 20 people were wounded.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for what was believed to be a suicide car bombing, but sectarian attacks are frequent in the city, the capital of Baluchistan Province. A low-level insurgency by nationalists of the Baluch ethnic group has simmered in the province, and Taliban militants have found a haven there. Extremist Sunni groups like the Taliban have singled out Shiites and other religious minorities.

“The damage would have been more extensive had the terrorist managed to come closer to the mosque,” a police official said.

Local television news networks broadcast images of ambulances carrying the dead and wounded to hospitals, as distraught worshipers milled about. Plumes of smoke swirled in the debris-strewn street as vehicles burned. Remains of a badly mutilated body were found inside the wreckage of a car in the parking lot.

Soon after the blast, Shiite protesters staged a rally at the site and chanted slogans against the government for failing to take more stringent security measures.

In a statement released by the office of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, he condemned the bombing. “Those elements playing with lives of innocent people would not escape the wrath of Allah and law of the land,” he said.

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Pakistan Points to Help From U.S. in Qaeda Arrests

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — American and Pakistani officials celebrated their cooperation on Monday as Pakistan announced the arrests of three men they identified as senior operatives of Al Qaeda who had been planning attacks on American and other Western targets.
The shift in tone was particularly noticeable for Pakistan, which has been bitter toward the United States in the four months since its military was surprised, humiliated and infuriated by the Navy Seals raid in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden.

“This operation was planned and conducted with technical assistance of United States intelligence agencies with whom Inter-Services Intelligence has a strong, historic intelligence relationship,” the Pakistan’s military said in a statement, referring to Pakistan’s top military spy agency. “Both Pakistan and United States intelligence agencies continue to work closely together to enhance security of their respective nations.”

One of the men arrested was identified as Younis al-Mauritani, who was captured in southwestern city of Quetta, which has long been thought of as a safe haven for Taliban and Qaeda leadership. American officials said Monday that he had a central role in planning attacks in Europe.

The Pakistan military said he was “responsible for planning and conduct of international operations” for Al Qaeda. “Al-Mauritani was tasked personally by Osama bin Laden to focus on hitting targets of economical importance in United States of America, Europe and Australia,” the military said. “He was planning to target United States economic interests including gas/oil pipelines, power generating dams and strike ships/oil tankers through explosive-laden speed boats in international waters.”

In Washington, the deputy White House press secretary, Joshua Earnest, praised his capture and the collaboration behind it. “We applaud the actions of Pakistan’s intelligence and security services that led to the capture of a senior Al Qaeda operative who was involved in planning attacks against the interests of the United States and many other countries,” he said.

The last time Pakistan announced the arrest of a Qaeda operative, in mid-May, the relationship between Pakistan and the United States risked spiraling out of control as the Pakistan Army and NATO helicopters exchanged fire on the Pakistan side of the border with Afghanistan. Two Pakistani soldiers were wounded in the firefight, which came as some in Washington questioned the $3 billion a year in aid to the country.

Tensions have run high since the May 2 raid on Bin Laden’s compound, which inflamed Pakistani sensitivities over sovereignty while at the same time heightening distrust of Pakistan in the United States.

Monday’s announcement sought to strike a note of respect for a relationship portrayed as longstanding. “The intimate cooperation between Pakistan and United States intelligence agencies has resulted into prevention of number of high-profile terrorist acts not only inside Pakistan/United States but elsewhere also in world,” the Pakistan Army statement said.

Eric Schmitt and Jackie Calmes contributed reporting from Washington.

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Double Suicide Bombings Strike Southwest Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — At least 21 people, including a senior army officer, were killed on Wednesday when two blasts were detonated by separate suicide bombers in southwest Pakistan, police officials said.
The attackers’ target was the Frontier Corps, a paramilitary force commanded by army officers and stationed in the restive province of Baluchistan, including the provincial capital, Quetta. At least 30 people were injured in the explosions there.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Suspicion immediately fell on militants from Al Qaeda and the Taliban. On Monday, Pakistani officials announced the arrest of a senior Qaeda leader, Younis al-Mauritani, who is from Quetta. The arrest operation was conducted by Inter-Services Intelligence, the country’s intelligence organization, and the Frontier Corps, according to an army spokesman.

The attack on Wednesday morning took place in a high-security neighborhood of Quetta where several government offices and homes of high-ranking government officials are located.

The attackers struck the house of Brig. Farrukh Shehzad, the deputy inspector general of the Frontier Corps. One bomber detonated his vehicle outside the house at 8:58 a.m., a witness told AAJ TV, a private news channel. Minutes later, another attacker entered the house on foot and started firing before detonating his explosives.

Brigadier Shehzad was wounded and his wife was killed, according to initial local news reports. A colonel, Khalid Masood, was also killed in the attack.

Local television networks broadcast images of charred vehicles as ambulances ferried the wounded to nearby hospitals. The house of the wounded brigadier was badly damaged.

Police officials said that at least 110 to 150 pounds of explosives were used in the car bombing and that the second attacker had least 22 pounds of explosives in his suicide vest.

An identification card found at the scene was thought to belong to one of the attackers. It was issued to a 21-year-old Afghan man, Ahmad Gul, in Peshawar in early 2010. Many Afghan refugees live in Baluchistan and in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province in the northwest.

Quetta has a history of sectarian and nationalist violence. Qaeda leaders and Taliban militants are also thought to have found a haven in the city and the surrounding province.

The United States Embassy in Islamabad issued a statement strongly condemning the attack, saying that “nothing can justify immoral and indiscriminate attacks against innocents, including Pakistan’s security forces.”

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Pak, Australia form groups to tackle issues

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Australia on Tuesday showed their commitment to further enhance joint measures to end human trafficking, terrorism as well as transnational crimes and two joint working groups would focus on these issues.
The decision was taken in a meeting held between Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Chief Operating Officer Customs and Border Protection Service Australia Michael Pezzullo.
Malik informed media after the meeting that Australia was providing Pakistan with a forensic laboratory as well as imparting training to Pakistani officers of police and law enforcement agencies in Australia for their capacity building. He termed Pak-Australian relations as of great importance and that would be further enhanced in times to come. Malik said both countries had formed two joint working groups to end human trafficking, terrorism and transnational crimes.

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New depth in Pak-Iran ties

PRIME Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani’s two-day visit to Iran has proved to be a highly productive one as it has brought the two brotherly countries still closer in different fields. Apart from greater understanding on political and regional issues, the leadership of the two countries had fruitful exchange of views on cementing ties in various sectors to the mutual advantage.

The outcome of the visit amply proved that the Prime Minister had done the necessary homework to get maximum benefit out of his interaction with the Iranian leadership. Right from the moment he talked to media before embarking on the plane for Iran, Mr Gilani conveyed a lot of optimism about the prospects of increasing cooperation with the neighbouring country especially in the field of commerce, industry and trade and his talks in Tehran demonstrated his sincerity of purpose. He categorically declared that under a policy revamp, Islamabad wants a very close relationship with Tehran and give fresh impetus to the existing bilateral ties in line with their proximity and potential in trade, security and other fields. It appeared that the two sides are determined to move swiftly towards this direction, as was visible from the understanding they reached during their talks. Their resolve to increase the bilateral trade from the existing just $1.2 billion to $10 billion and expedite completion of gas and power projects is manifestation of the desire of the two countries to take their relationship to new heights. We would, however, expect that while sorting out details of how to boost their trade, they would give due consideration to strike a balance as currently Pakistan’s exports to Iran constitute just 20% of the total volume of trade between them because of a number of barriers erected by Tehran on imports from Pakistan. Similarly, Iranian interest in expediting implementation of the gas pipeline project and power transmission lines is highly appreciable but Pakistan is still caught in bureaucratic rigmarole despite the fact that it needed completion of energy projects on fast track in view of the prevailing crisis. The world is today focusing on consolidating trade with neighbours and regional economic cooperation because of advantages of proximity and we too should focus on this strategy in letter and in spirit.

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Sindh flooded again!

Around ten million people are directly and severely affected in the twenty-one districts of Sindh province due to never-stopping heavy rains and floods caused by the breaches in the drains and canals. Similarly, more than ten million other population of the province has become indirectly affected or that would become even more affected due to food insecurity, paucity of milk, butter, cereals, vegetables and fruits because the affected twenty districts are considered as the “ supply storage” of the province. Nothing is left in the affected districts. Near and dear ones are gone/departed/ dead. Millions of houses destroyed. Hundreds of thousands of livestock are killed. Crops standing on millions of acres of land are destroyed. Roads are inundated. Bridges are broken and there is no electricity.

Much more is said in the press releases of the relevant provincial and federal government organizations but regrettably nothing is being done practically to save the lives of the victims. All the victims have contracted skin disease. So far more than 350 people are reported dead. Officials deputed in the affected districts are wasting their times in fun and frolic and giving relief packages to their own un-affected relatives. Doctors and paramedical staff is not visible anywhere. Sindh is flooded. Sindhi is sinking. Sindh is drowned. I can make no explanation but Corruption ( of our past and present rulers) Corruption ( of our callous bureaucrats of revenue, irrigation etc.) corruption (of irrigation, WAPDA engineers and technocrats) have ruined Sindh and the rural life and economy. All those corrupt, callous and incompetent officers and technocrats who made corruption worth millions of rupees but did not utilize even ten percent of the allocated funds for the construction of roads, canals, water channels, water courses and drains. All those who are involved in the defective and disastrous schemes such as Left Bank Outfall drain ( LBOD) and Right Bank Outfall Drain ( RBOD) may be put on trial and and hanged to for their heinous offense against the ten million people in the worst affected districts of the province.

Where are the so-called national NGOs who hold seminars and workshops about caring and saving humanity in the air-conditioned rooms of five stars hotels in the mega cities? Where is the vibrant Civil Society? Where is the National Rural Support Program (NRSP) and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund ( PPAF)? People are virtually dying of hunger. People have no water to drink and perform religious rituals of their near and dear ones and to bury them. The incompetent and corrupt revenue and other provincial and federal government officials are enjoying the ruthless death of the victims. From the prevalent doom and destruction it appears, perhaps, that all concerned have decided to drown and decimate the Sindhis.

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Middle child has the hardest time

ARE you thinking of starting a family? Stick to two children even four – but think twice about having three, an expert says.
Family psychologist Sally-Anne McCormack says having three children means it is almost inevitable the middle child will be left out and doted on less, characteristics commonly associated with those born between the eldest and youngest.
“It’s really hard with three,” she said. “It’s often best to have two or four, or even more, to avoid having the others gang up on just the one in the middle, and to make sure you spend equal time with each.
“Your birth order definitely plays an impact on the type of person you are. First-borns have more pressure, the youngest do tend to be a little spoilt, and the middle child left without the attention.
But a new book The Secret Power of Middle Children, says “middles” are characterised by neglect and resentment, but in fact the overall picture is “tremendously positive” and they are likely to have a more holistic approach to life.
Adolescent psychologist Dr Darryl Cross said the eldest tended to end up in a “helping” profession, a result of the responsibilities often placed on them by parents.
“But I think with middle kids, they’re a bit harder to characterise,” he said.
“It’s definitely tricky with three.
“But the benefit of being a middle child is you haven’t got the pressure of the first and the ‘my poor baby’ attitude of the youngest.

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China's Growing Water Crisis

August 9, 2011
World Politics Review
"In China's thousands of years of civilization, the conflict between humanity and nature has never been as serious as it is today." -- Minister of Environment Zhou Shengxian, February 2011.
What is the biggest challenge that China faces? Corruption, the gap between the rich and poor, and the rapidly aging population often top the list of answers to this question. Yet a closer look suggests that the greatest threat may well be lack of access to clean water. From "cancer villages" to violent protests to rising food prices, diminishing water supplies are exerting a profound and harmful effect on the Chinese people as well as on the country's capacity to continue to prosper economically. While much of the challenge remains within China, spillover effects -- such as the rerouting of transnational rivers and a push to acquire arable land abroad -- are also being felt well outside the country's borders. China's leaders have acknowledged the severity of the challenge and have adopted a number of policies to address their growing crisis. However, their efforts have fallen woefully short, as they fail to include the fundamental reforms necessary to turn the situation around. Meanwhile domestic pressures, as well as international concerns, continue to mount.
Development Run Amok
China's water story begins with a challenging reality: The country's per capita water resources just exceeded more than one-quarter that of the world average, and the distribution of those resources throughout the country is highly uneven. Northern China is home to approximately 40 percent of the country's total population and almost half its agricultural land, and produces more than 50 percent of GDP. But it receives only 12 percent of total precipitation. Southern China, in contrast, receives 80 percent of China's total precipitation, yet skyrocketing levels of water pollution dramatically reduce the south's natural advantage.
The spectacular economic growth that has made China the envy of the world has only exacerbated the challenge. Resources, particularly water, are consumed without consideration for future demand. Industry and agriculture are notoriously profligate water consumers: Industry, which accounts for about one-quarter of China's total water consumption, uses anywhere from four to 10 times more water per unit of GDP as other competitive economies. Water used for energy is a singularly important drain on China's scarce resources. By far, the largest portion of China's industrial water use is devoted to energy: The process of mining, processing and consuming coal alone accounts for almost 20 percent of all water consumed nationally. Hydropower raises the bar even further. Already the largest producer of hydropower in the world, China plans to triple hydropower capacity by 2020. According to Ma Jun, the director of the Chinese NGO Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, many Chinese rivers simply won't be running in 2020 if China meets its hydropower capacity goals.

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Democracy in Steep Decline Around the World

July 15, 2011
The national
Over the past six months, the world has watched as the Middle East, a region that long seemed immune to democratic change,has risen up.
The popular movements in the region have inspired democrats from around the globe. In China, online activists have called for a "Jasmine Revolution" designed to press the Communist Party to open up. While in Africa, reformers have called for their own "African Spring".
But the Arab Spring is, in many ways, a mirage. Several nations in the region may eventually make the transition to democracy - this is hardly assured - but in reality, democracy is faltering throughout the developing world, from Asia to Latin America, from Africa to the former Soviet states.
In its annual survey, the monitoring group Freedom House, which uses a range of data to assess social, political and economic freedoms, found that global freedom plummeted for the fifth year in a row in 2010, the longest continuous decline in nearly 40 years. In fact, there are now fewer elected democracies than there were in 1995.
A mountain of other evidence supported Freedom House's findings. One of the other most comprehensive studies of global democracy, compiled by Germany's Bertelsmann Foundation, uses data examining the ability of democracies to function, manage government and uphold freedoms to produce what it calls the Transformation Index.
The most recent index found "the overall quality of democracy has eroded [throughout the developing world] ... the key components of a functioning democracy, such as political participation and civil liberties, have suffered qualitative erosion ... these developments threaten to hollow out the quality and substance of governance". The index concluded that the number of "highly defective democracies" - democracies with institutions, elections and political culture so flawed that they no longer qualified as real democracies - had roughly doubled between 2006 and 2010.

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Get Used to Your Computer, Do Not Get Used By It

More than what the name connotes, computers have much to do with our lives today. You get in touch with your friends, make a purchase from a department store, you access your bank account you make an opinion poll, you listen to your favorite music ou play chess online, you reserve your flight tickets, all with this odd assembly of electronic gadgets.
You often tend to think how clever you have been in manipulating the electrons into doing what you want them to do for you. Do not be too sure. The flip side of technology is that you get so addicted to the convenience of technology that you fail to see what hazards they bring. Do not ignore these hazards as they can be very detrimental to your own health. Always adhere to best practices and regulations.
This deals extensively with various things that can go wrong while someone spends their time on computers. The potential hazards that are hidden in the application of computers and their recommended preventive measures are discussed. In the event of you already suffering with any of the ailment mentioned, there are corrective actions recommended, which will reduce or eradicate them for you. You do not have to spend a single cent for this. Here, you do not lose anything. Besides, you gain much.
Have you felt eyes burning while having to sit for a long time in front of the monitor? Have you felt that unmistakable stiffness in your neck? Does your fingers and wrist ache and sprain when trying to flex them backwards? If you are, then know that you are being used by your computer!
A healthy mind is in a healthy body
This saying is true even for computer users. While working on the computer, your body is at rest and gets typically no physical workouts. But for fingers, your body is in a state of inaction and lethargy. You even forget to blink your eyelids sometimes! This results in the degeneration of muscles that are toned only if they get enough exercise.
Muscles sag, joints get stiff, fat deposits are added and you are susceptible to a number of small and big ailments. This is how computer users tend to go out of shape and gain weight easily. So, do remember to adhere to the advice and tips given above in order to say fit and healthy even after extremely long hours at your computer.

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The Influences of Plastic Surgery Costs

There is more to determining Plastic Surgery Costs than one might initially believe. The main determinants to the cost is the part of the body to be treated, the type of procedure, the technique used and the geographical location of the clinic. Basically, the larger sized areas will cost more because it usually takes more work. The exact treatment and technique that will be used could affect the tools required and could be more or less difficult than the alternative. The rates for each itemized charge are relative to the cosmetic surgery market of that geographical region.

The size of the area will cost more or less depending on how large it is. It might seem obvious but it is the effort and time required of the surgeon that patients are being charged.Having multiple areas being worked on at one time will save money.Getting multiple areas treated at once will cost less than multiple individual sessions. It is cheaper to do work on multiple areas in a single session to make the most of the efforts of setting up and preparing the patient for surgery.
The type of procedure will also play a major role since some procedures are harder or easier to perform than others. Minimally invasive procedures such non-surgical alternatives, injectables, and skin treatments will usually cost less since they tend to be smaller and less risky.
The amount of anesthesia required depends on the size of the surgery which is a factor of the type of treatment. The anesthesia charge is a big item in the total cost of plastic surgery and the amount of the drug used is not free. An anesthesiologist will have to administer higher doses of the drug which also adds to the cost.
The surgeon fee is the price most often quoted and advertised since it is consistently an item across every type of plastic surgery procedure. There are many more types of costs that have to be added in for each procedure. The overhead charge for the use of the surgical equipment and room will be charged as a facility fee or hospital fee. The average procedure will run up about $1,000 in anesthesia charges. Any special equipment or tool used during the surgery will usually be included to the facility fee or itemized individually.

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Things Learn Regarding The Benefits Of Jewelry Display Stands

How to get the best use from jewelry display stands will be realized by jewelry businesses through several methods of approach when advertising and creating revenue. Although there are many ways to attract customers and grow a business, every store is different and must use the best one that proves most effective for them. Various ways made be tried before one can actually be chosen to bring the most efficient results.
First impressions are everything to a potential customer, so stores must make sure they give it their best efforts and bring positive results in their sales. Every business aims for the same goal when working diligently on marketing strategies. Most are fully aware that placing items at eye level for the customer to take notice is a very effective way to boost sales. Showcasing jewelry by arranging items in an attractive display will increase chances for sales.
Displays that are commonly arranged under glass cases are a popular method used to draw attention of those casually walking by. Many displays of this sort will have items individually arranged on a silky or velvety backdrop. Other items in the case may be placed on small stands of different shapes and sizes, grouping them based on factors such as price and quality.
The lights that are used in a display case can definitely bring out beauty and elegance in jewelry by casting ambiance on gemstones, sparkling gold or delicately engraved sterling silver. This gives each consumer the best of opportunities to see the vibrancy and exquisite nature each unique creation has to offer.
Other methods used to display jewelry are designed to securely hold and affix all included pieces on a durable plastic-like card, which is then placed on a rack that spins around or simply remains stationary and one sided. Some racks will hold a only few styles of jewelry, while others are made to hold many more. The benefits of stands which spin and display more options for the customer to choose from, far outweigh any other, but they are also more expensive.
Many different materials are used to construct stands that hold jewelry and a store can even request theirs be customized to match a particular theme and decor of their shop. Stands that are able to mesh with existing shelving and walls are the best choice when displays are selected for a certain area of a store. Some of the stands are made from less expensive materials, such as cardboard, press board and acrylic. Those with a hefty price tag consist of wrought iron, wood, ceramic and fine metals with a vintage design.
Shops that cater to wealthy clients are able to afford high-end, elegant displays. A certain “look” has to be projected within their shop by using only the biggest and best in displays to prevent the idea of cheapening the quality of their jewelry. This is not to say that smaller, less expensive shops will not be able to create an inviting storefront with a classy vibe. There are very nice stands which are made from affordable materials that will bring just as much success in assisting these shops to increase sales, but for a fraction of the cost.
One added benefit to many jewelry display stands, are the intentional brackets or slots placed at the top of the unit. These are very instrumental for shops to better advertise, announce sales prices or discounts and give descriptions of their products. So many aspects of jewelry stands have changed with their design and purpose, causing them to be one of the most popular venues in which jewelry can effectively be sold.

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Successful Currency Trading Online Takes Understanding

currency trading online requires exactly the same basis in knowledge as any other kind of trading of foreign currency.This doesn’t mean that not everyone can enter into this kind of endeavor; on the contrary, anyone can try. But what it does mean is it has to be looked at as anyone would look at entering a new career, with an educated eye.
There are some traders who have gone gung ho on very little knowledge at all and entered the market. These guys have even sometimes been successful at making a profit, but where the problem lies is in the long terms. Pure luck is not enough to carry any forex trader through in the long term. Most success stories in this industry tell us that a certain structure was adhered to when entering this market. It is safe to assume that this structure should be followed in order to achieve success.
These successful people have recognized the fact that trading in forex is a specialized field. It is because of this the specialized knowledge is required. Any previous skills learned in a completely different profession might, or then again, might not have any bearing on their skills as a forex trader.
One of the most important realizations of the successful trader is that he/she acknowledges they can make a loss just as easily as they can make a profit. It is for this reason that it is vital to have a systematic strategy in place in terms of trading methods. Any successful forex trader will tell you that they do not dive out of the frying pan and into the fire with currency trading. This is just as dangerous as it sounds! They have been educated in the ways of their trading platform, how to open margin accounts and, when to or not to trade.
One of the most popular was it seems of starting in this business, is to start small. Put a specific amount of money which you can afford aside. through in the long term. Most success stories in this industry tell us that a certain structure was adhered to when entering this market. It is safe to assume that this structure should be followed in order to achieve success.
These successful people have recognized the fact that trading in forex is a specialized field. It is because of this the specialized knowledge is required. Any previous skills learned in a completely different profession might, or then again, might not have any bearing on their skills as a forex trader.
One of the most important realizations of the successful trader is that he/she acknowledges they can make a loss just as easily as they can make a profit. It is for this reason that it is vital to have a systematic strategy in place in terms of trading methods. Any successful forex trader will tell you that they do not dive out of the frying pan and into the fire with currency trading. This is just as dangerous as it sounds! They have been educated in the ways of their trading platform, how to open margin accounts and, when to or not to trade.
One of the most popular was it seems of starting in this business, is to start small. Put a specific amount of money which you can afford aside. through in the long term. Most success stories in this industry tell us that a certain structure was adhered to when entering this market. It is safe to assume that this structure should be followed in order to achieve success.
One of the most popular was it seems of starting in this business, is to start small. Put a specific amount of money which you can afford aside.

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