TRIPOLI: Snipers from Libya’’s government forces fired on mourners attending a funeral for slain protesters Saturday, killing at least 15 people as demonstrations calling for the ouster of President Moammar Gadhafi continued for the fifth straight day. Snipers targeted the thousands of people who were attending a mass funeral in Benghazi, Libya’’s second-largest city and the site of violent protests. The mourners had gathered to honour the 35 protesters who were shot by government forces on Friday. Dozens of mourners were also injured, with many of the victims suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and chest. “Many of the dead and the injured are relatives of doctors here,” an official at the local hospital told The Associated Press. “They are crying and I keep telling them to please stand up and help us.” Saturday’’s killings pushed the overall death toll to 99 as Gadhafi’’s forces crack down hard on protesters calling for an end to his more than 40 years of autocratic rule. “The blood of our martyrs is still leaking from coffins over the shoulders of the mourners,” one protester told The Associated Press, as she stood beside about 20 coffins in Benghazi. After Friday’’s violence, the government moved to stifle online communication, a key public relations component for organizers of the demonstrations. U.S.-based Arbor Networks said Internet use in Libya ground to a halt shortly after 2 a.m. local time Saturday, with protesters confirming they were unable to get online. A few hours later, government special forces broke up a camp of protesters, which included lawyers and judges, outside of the Benghazi courthouse. One protester told the Associated Press that soldiers dispersed the crowd by firing tear gas on the group. After the violence at the funeral, local residents organized neighbourhood patrols through Benghazi as police disappeared from the streets. Residents feared the lack of police presence meant that government forces were preparing to raid homes, particularly of protest organizers, overnight. British Foreign Secretary William Hague called reports of guns and other weapons being used against demonstrators in Libya “clearly unacceptable and horrifying.” He also criticized limits on media access. Malcolm Smart of Amnesty International said Saturday that during anti-government demonstrations across much of the Arab world, protesters have remained resolute even when they have been shot at by pro-government forces. “I think that’’s in a sense the inspiration that’’s going to the protesters, and also in the minds of those in power and who do not want to go the way of those who were in power in Tunis and in Cairo,” Smart told CTV News Channel, referring to former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and former Tunisian leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who were both forced from power by popular uprisings. Canada’’s Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said the federal government is monitoring events in Libya very closely and is “deeply concerned” about the attacks on peaceful protesters. “We call on the Libyan government to respect the rights of freedom of expression and assembly and to engage in peaceful dialogue with its people to address legitimate concerns,” Cannon said in a statement. In Libya, as in Egypt and other nations, protesters want solutions to dire poverty and high unemployment, as well as greater respect for human rights, including the right to peaceful protest. The demonstrations have largely occurred in the particularly impoverished cities in the nation’’s east, although protesters have taken to the streets in the capital of Tripoli. However, the police and military presence have remained heavy in Tripoli, where one female protester described residents as being “under siege.” (Online)
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TOKYO: The number of Japanese citizens missing after a powerful quake struck the city of Christchurch in New Zealand has risen to 24, many of whom are believed to be trapped under rubble, reports said Wednesday. They include 11 students from Toyama College of Foreign Languages in Toyama City, who are believed to be trapped under the collapsed building of the King’’s Education College language school. Three Japanese from the cities of Morioka, Kyoto and Kobe, who studied at the same language school, were also missing, Kyodo and other news reports said. A Tokyo company organising studies abroad cannot contact 10 students who visited New Zealand on a tour through the company, the reports said. Several members of the Toyama group were in the fourth-floor cafeteria of the King’’s College building when the 6.3-magnitude quake struck at lunchtime, reducing the building to rubble. The school was first alerted to the disaster when a female teacher contacted her family in Japan by text message, saying she was trapped inside the building with seven students. Japan’’s government was to dispatch an emergency quake rescue team of some 70 rescuers and police officers as early as Wednesday morning. New Zealand declared a national state of emergency Wednesday after the quake left nearly 400 people dead or missing. Like New Zealand, Japan sits on the “Pacific Ring of Fire” zone of seismic activity and is also often hit by powerful earthquakes. (AFP)
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TRIPOLI: Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi will fight a popular revolt to “the last man standing”, one of his sons said on Monday as people in the capital joined protests for the first time after days of unrest in the eastern city of Benghazi. Anti-government protesters rallied in Tripoli’’s streets, tribal leaders spoke out against Gaddafi, and army units defected to the opposition as oil exporter Libya endured one of the bloodiest revolts to convulse the Arab world. Gaddafi’’s son Saif al-Islam Gaddafi appeared on national television in an attempt both to threaten and calm people, saying the army would enforce security at any price. “Our spirits are high and the leader Muammar Gaddafi is leading the battle in Tripoli, and we are behind him as is the Libyan army,” he said. “We will keep fighting until the last man standing, even to the last woman standing … We will not leave Libya to the Italians or the Turks.” Wagging a finger at the camera, he blamed Libyan exiles for fomenting the violence. But he also promised dialogue on reforms and wage rises. The cajoling may not be enough to douse the anger unleashed after four decades of rule by Gaddafi — mirroring events in Egypt where a popular revolt overthrew the seemingly impregnable President Hosni Mubarak 10 days ago. “People here in Benghazi are laughing at what he is saying, it is the same old story (on promised reform) and nobody believes what he says,” a lawyer in Benghazi said after watching the speech. “He is liar, liar, 42 years we have heard these lies.” The United States said it was weighing “all appropriate actions” in response to the unrest. “We are analysing the speech … to see what possibilities it contains for meaningful reform,” a US official said. In the coastal city of Benghazi, protesters appeared to be largely in control after forcing troops and police to retreat to a compound. Government buildings were set ablaze and ransacked. “Security now it is by the people” the lawyer said. In the first sign of serious unrest in the capital, thousands of protesters clashed with Gaddafi supporters. Gunfire rang out in the night and police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators, some of whom threw stones at Gaddafi billboards. Human Rights Watch said at least 223 people have been killed in five days of violence. Most were in Benghazi, cradle of the uprising and a region where Gaddafi’’s grip has always been weaker than elsewhere in the oil-rich desert nation. Habib al-Obaidi, a surgeon at the Al-Jalae hospital, said the bodies of 50 people, most of them shot dead, were brought there on Sunday afternoon. Two hundred wounded had arrived, he said. “One of the victims was obliterated after being hit by an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) to the abdomen,” he said. Members of an army unit known as the “Thunderbolt” squad had brought wounded comrades to the hospital, he said. The soldiers said they had defected to the cause of the protesters and had fought and defeated Gaddafi’’s elite guards. “They are now saying that they have overpowered the Praetorian Guard and that they have joined the people’’s revolt,” another man at the hospital, lawyer Mohamed al-Mana, said by telephone. BENGHAZI THE CRADLE If Gaddafi had hoped to dismiss Benghazi as a provincial problem, he faced an alarming development on Sunday night as crowds took to the streets of Tripoli. One resident said he could hear gunshots and crowds of people. “We”re inside the house and the lights are out. That’’s what I hear, gunshots and people. I can”t go outside,” he said. An expatriate worker said anti-government demonstrators were gathering in residential complexes. “The police are dispersing them. I can also see burning cars,” he said. Support for Gaddafi, the son of a herdsman who seized power in 1969, among Libya’’s desert tribes was also waning. The leader of the eastern Al-Zuwayya tribe threatened to cut oil exports unless authorities halted what he called the “oppression of protesters”. Speaking to television, Shaikh Faraj al Zuway said: “We will stop oil exports to Western countries within 24 hours” if the violence did not stop. Oil jumped by more than $1 a barrel to $103.5 a barrel on fears the unrest could disrupt supplies. Akram Al-Warfalli, a leading figure in the Al Warfalla tribe said: “We tell the brother (Gaddafi), well he’’s no longer a brother, we tell him to leave the country.” The Libyan uprising is one of series of revolts that have raced like wildfire across the Arab world since December, toppling the long-time rulers of Tunisia and Egypt and threatening entrenched dynasties from Bahrain to Yemen. The West has watched with alarm as long-time allies and old foes have come under threat, appealing for reform and urging restraint. REVILED AND REVERED Gaddafi has been one of the most recognisable figures on the world stage in recent history, reviled by the West for many years as a supporter of militants and revolutionary movements while at the same time cutting a showmanlike figure with his flowing robes, lofty pronouncements and bevy of glamorous female assistants attending him in his Bedouin tent. Former US President Ronald Reagan once called him “the Mad Dog of the Middle East” and in 1986 unleashed air raids against Tripoli in response to the bombing of a Berlin disco frequented by US servicemen, an attack the United States blamed on Libya. The 1988 destruction of a Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, by Libyan agents in which 270 people were killed brought him fresh notoriety and led to UN sanctions. But recent years have seen a rapprochement with the West as countries such as Britain and Italy sought a slice of its oil wealth and other lucrative commercial deals. Though portrayed overseas as a ruthless despot, Gaddafi has enjoyed some popular support at home. After toppling King Idriss in 1969, he forged a middle road between communism and capitalism and oversaw rapid development of the poor country. While using ruthless tactics against dissidents, he also spent billions of oil dollars to improve living standards. (Reuters)
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LAHORE: Four students of Punjab University attempted self-immolation outside the Vice Chancellor’’s office here Wednesday in protest against non-recognition of their degrees and non-acceptance of their demands by the administration. Scores of male and female students of BSc Honour and MSc Honour from Institute of Plant Pathology (IPP) department had gathered in front of VC’’s office to press their demands. They also chanted slogans against the VC for not accepting their demands. Four students of IPP department including Muhammad Atif,Muhammad Umer, Adnan Saeed and Muhammad Wajid attempted self-immolation by sprinkling petrol on their bodies. The students were intercepted by the police and provided first aid by Rescue-1122 staff. The students of IPP have been protesting for the last nine months as their degrees were not recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and rejected by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC). The students had been demanding the change in the nomenclature of the institute from IPP to Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS) as for the requirement of HEC and PPSC and other public and private agricultural organisations. The students were also demanding appointment of a permanent director in the institute with a degree in agriculture, transfer of Dr Ghazala Nasim, ex incharge IPP from the institute and the appointment of 10 permanent agriculturists. The students alleged that Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Mujahid Kamran was biased and did not accept their lawful demands despite being the competent authority to do so. The VC denied any meeting with the protesting students and did not come to office. The students were still protesting and staged a sit-in outside the VC office till the filing of this report.
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(RTTNews) – A female lawmaker of Pakistan's ruling party desisted from a move to amend the country's controversial blasphemy laws after she was forced to abide by the government's …
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Associated Press reports. “The field test is meant to pave the way for the use of genetically engineered Aedes aegypti male mosquitoes to mate with females and produce no offspring or ones with …
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MELBOURNE: China’’s Li Na stunned top seed Caroline Wozniacki Thursday to set up a historic Australian Open final with Belgium’’s Kim Clijsters, who crushed world number two Vera Zvonareva. Li clawed her way back from match point down to become Asia’’s first female Grand Slam finalist 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, and lie one win from a maiden major victory which could ignite tennis’’s growth in her giant home country. It was sheer delight for the beaming Li, who was beaten by Serena Williams in last year’’s semi-final, and heroically recovered from a dreadful start against Wozniacki which she blamed on lack of sleep. “I didn”t have a good night’’s sleep last night,” she joked. “My husband (snored). I woke up every hour.” Li, China’’s number one, saved the second-set match point with a crunching forehand as she finally came alive and overhauled her fading opponent on a sun-baked Rod Laver Arena. Despite a soaring error-rate, the Wuhan native came out on top of a nerve-shredding deciding set when Wozniacki drove one long on Li’’s first match point. When asked what had inspired her gritty fightback, the crowd favourite laughingly replied: “Prize money”, referring to the US$2.2 million winner’’s jackpot. But the result meant heartbreak for Wozniacki, who remains without a major title, meaning she will undoubtedly face more questions about her legitimacy as the world’’s best player. Her best result is US Open runner-up in 2009. The 20-year-old Dane has had a difficult tournament after sparring with the media — at one point falsely telling press she was attacked by a kangaroo — and being told her media appearances were “boring”. “Sometimes in matches or in tennis it’’s one ball that can change everything. I didn”t get my match point. From then on, well, she was just better at the most important points,” said the despondent Wozniacki. “Of course right now I”m sitting here and I wish I would have won the match. It’’s quite difficult to get through this one. I just need to get back on the practice court and keep working hard.” By reaching the semis Li was already assured of returning to the top 10, after becoming the first Chinese player to crack the elite group following last year’’s semi-final defeat to eventual winner Williams. The trailblazing Li, China’’s first WTA champion, also remains unbeaten in 2011 after winning this month’’s Sydney International, when she shocked three-time US Open winner Clijsters in the final. However, she will be in no doubt about the task ahead after Clijsters steamrolled Russia’’s Zvonareva with ominous ease to reach her second Australian Open final 6-3, 6-3 in just 1hr 13min. Clijsters said she played her best tennis of the tournament. In 2004, Clijsters was runner-up to countrywoman Justine Henin, who announced her retirement overnight after an elbow injury. But the result meant more frustration for Zvonareva, who was a beaten finalist at the previous two Grand Slam finals, including September’’s US Open loss to Clijsters. “Vera is a tough player and I knew it would be a tough match against her,” Clijsters said. “I knew I had to be on top of my game and lift my level compared to my other matches. I was able to rise to the occasion.” Zvonareva, 26, got off to a perfect start when she broke Clijsters in the opening game, but from there on the Belgian dominated. The 27-year-old barely made a mistake, banishing the erratic form that has plagued her career.
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RAHIMYAR KHAN: In what has come as a startling story, Farzana, a female aged 18, turned into a male after undergoing a surgery and became Faizan Ali, Geo News reported Monday. According to details, 18-year old Farzana who is a student of Zahir Pir Madressa, got sick and taken to Shaikh Zaid Hospital where she underwent a minor operation. Later, she had some medical tests done on her which showed positive signs of gender change from female to male. Farzana is now on her way to become Faizan Ali after a final surgery to be carried out on Tuesday. Munir Ahmed, the father of Faizan Ali, earlier had two daughters and three sons. He is now happy to have become father of four sons after one of his two daughters became a male.
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Pakistani female tennis players will take part in the upcoming Fed Cup after a gap of 12 years.
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The radical Islamists target education institutions, especially female ones. The Diocese of Peshawar to AsiaNews: “Our society is heading towards darkness, education is a ray of hope. We urge the
