Tag: Fears

MOSCOW - A new drama film set in Chernobyl opens in Russian cinemas this week, recalling the trauma of the world's worst nuclear accident just ahead of the 25th anniversary of the catastrophe. The Russian film's release comes after the quake-damage to a nuclear power plant in Japan brought fears of a nuclear explosion on the scale of Chernobyl and suspicions of another Soviet-style cover-up by officials. The film, 'Innocent Saturday,' shows a junior party worker, Valera, learning of

BERLIN - Germany abstained from voting for a U.N. Security Council resolution authorising a no-fly zone over Libya because of worries there would be civilian victims like in Iraq and Afghanistan, Berlin said on Friday. Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told parliament the centre-right government was determined that German troops would not take part in a military operation in Libya, and favoured instead tougher sanctions against the Libyan leader. "Any military operation brings

ABIDJAN - Fears grew for the safety of civilians in this tense economic capital on Thursday as the violent standoff between Ivory Coast's two rival presidents threatens to degenerate into full-scale civil war. A spokesman for the UN mission in Ivory Coast (ONUCI) said on Thursday that 18 people have been killed nationwide in the past week, bringing to 410 the number of fatalities since the end of last year.
Witnesses reported heavy gunfire overnight in several Abidjan districts

COMMENT - It was only a week ago that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) announced its split with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), saying enough was enough, they could not pull together with the PPP any longer. Hence came the famous goodbye at a press conference by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, probably for all time to come. But then came a stunning U-turn the other day when the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif - as if forgetting the blow his party had inflicted upon the PPP

ISLAMABAD - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed reservations over the government's claims that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would manage collecting the targeted Rs 1,604 billion during the current fiscal year. An official source privy to technical level talks said the IMF team formed the opinion after the revenue collection data for the last eight months was presented to it. The IMF team was of the opinion that the target was not achievable without the imposition

JUBA - Renegade militia fighters clashed with south Sudan's army for a second time in three weeks, both sides said, reigniting fears for the stability of the oil-producing region in the countdown to its independence. Rebel leader George Athor told Reuters just short of 100 people died in the latest fighting on Sunday in the south's Jonglei state - where France's Total oil giant is due to start exploring.
The south's army said fighting continued on Monday but added Athor's death

LAHORE - Keeping in view of the current political instability in troubled areas of Middle East, the federal government should formulate a policy to provide safeguard to Pakistani exporters, said Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Acting Chairman Taufiq Ahmed Khan.
He said the government should make sure that all buyers honoured their business commitment with Pakistani exporters as financial insecurity was increasing in exports, especially in Middle East countries

MILAN - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini on Wednesday said he feared an immigrant exodus on a biblical scale if Moamer Gaddafi is ousted, predicting up to 300,000 Libyans could try to flee their country. Italy is already grappling with a mass influx of immigrants from Tunisia since the fall of its veteran ruler but Frattini said that would be nothing compared to the number of immigrants that could flee neighbouring Libya. "There would be an exodus of biblical proportions, a

DHAKA - Six weeks of World Cup action gets under way on Saturday with the 2011 tournament tipped to be the most open in history. Four years ago in the Caribbean, Australia marched relentlessly towards a historic third successive title while others were playing catch-up. But how times have changed.
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell says India, Sri Lanka, Ashes-winning England, South Africa and Australia are strong contenders this time. "Unlike the 2007 tournament where it was

HONG KONG - Oil stayed above $100 a barrel Tuesday on lingering concerns over the political unrest in Egypt. The price of Brent North Sea crude broke the $100 mark in New York on Monday to hit its highest level in more than two years as protesters demanded Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak step down.
Traders sent crude prices higher on supply fears because while Egypt is not a major producer, it is home to the Suez Canal, which carries around 2.4 million barrels of oil a day -

DAVOS - Human Rights Watch (HRW) fears that Egypt's army may open fire on protesters during demonstrations planned for Friday, the head of the New-York based group said on Thursday.
Police in Cairo have already fought thousands of Egyptians who defied a government ban on Wednesday to protest against President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year-old rule, firing rubber bullets and tear gas at the crowds and dragging away demonstrators.
"We are enormously fearful that the army would

LAHORE - Former ICC President Ehsan Mani believes that the ICC wants thorough investigation before announcing the final verdict in the spot-fixing case.
Mani believes that the tribunal does not want any stone unturned before drawing the final conclusion. Mani also feared harsh punishment for the suspended trio. "I have no doubt in the ability of Michael Beloff and his team. It's a high profile case and the delay was expected. Not to forgot that the players have a right to

KARACHI - Though the market got to the 12,000 mark, market experts believed that the assassination of the Punjab governor will engender instability in the political scenario and entail caution on the market as a result.
After yesterday's bearish spell the stock market was encouraged by reports that PML-N is likely to support the current government in its bid to remain in power. The KSE 100 index closed at 12110.26 with a gain of 260.80 points, while total volume stood at

CAIRO - Christians prayed Sunday at a church targeted by a suicide bomber who killed 21 people as Egypt pointed the finger of blame at international terrorism and fears of sectarian violence mounted.
"With our soul and our blood we will redeem the Holy Cross," the grieving congregation chanted at the Coptic Al-Qiddissin church in Alexandria at Sunday mass a day after the bombing. Bloodstains from Saturday's attack were still visible on the facade of the church where 21 people

Lindsay Lohan's father has confirmed the actress has been moved to a new rehab facility amid fears for her safety. The Mean Girls star has been enrolled at California's Betty Ford clinic since October when a judge ordered her to complete three months of treatment for violating her probation stemming from a DUI arrest.
The actress was rumoured to have left the facility this week following reports she has been receiving strange phone calls, with Britney Spears' former

NEW DELHI: The new secret diplomatic cables exposed by the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks revealed that the US was not happy with India's response to Pakistan over 2001 parliament attack.
The 3,038 cables sent from the US embassy in New Delhi to Washington have exposed that India was not willing to attack Pakistan even after 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The cables sent from the US embassy said India commenced 'Cold Start', a military doctrine developed by Armed Forces, which

ISLAMABAD: The National University of Modern Languages (NUML)'s management on Thursday decided to close the varsity for three days after getting threats of an attack.
A large contingent of police, led by Industrial Area Station House Officer (SHO) Rana Akram, cordoned off the university and reviewed security arrangements. The security supervisor of the university, Mazhar Hussain, confirmed that the Interior Ministry had warned the university of a possible suicide attack,