Court summons Musharraf on July 1 in Ghazi murder case

ISLAMABAD: A local court in Islamabad resumed hearing the murder case of former prayer leader of Lal Masjid, Abdul Rasheed Ghazi and rejected the exemption plea filed by the accused General (retd) Pervez Musharraf from today’s hearing and summoned him on July 1, Geo News reported on Thursday.

The court had summoned former president and accused in the case in today’s hearing and had granted exemption in the last hearing. However, Musharraf did not appear in today’s hearing as well, instead two of his guarantors appeared before the court.

The court dismissed Musharraf’s exemption plea for today and summoned him on July 1.

The counsel of Musharraf, Major (retd) Akhtar Shah apprised the court that doctors treating his client have strictly forbidden him from traveling, however, if adequate security arrangements are made, he will reach the court by availing the next flight to Islamabad.

The counsel also presented Musharraf’s medical report in the court on which the prosecutor and applicant’s lawyer raised objections.

While raising objections, the applicant’s lawyer Abdul Haq Malik termed the report as a mere piece of paper and said that the report didn’t include the details of Musharraf’s hospital and the medicines he was using.

The court, later, rejected the exemption plea filed by Musharraf’s lawyer and ordered him to appear in the court by any means.

Earlier, Judge Wajid Ali had already rejected Musharraf’s petition seeking permanent exemption in the Ghazi murder case during the last hearing.

Cyclone Nanauk: more than 30 villages of coastal belt inundated

KARACHI: More than 30 villages of Sindh and Makran coastal belt submerged as sea level has risen due to the cyclone which is likely to strike the coastal areas of Oman this Sunday.

The contact of fishermen with their families has cut off, while rain has also been forecast today (Saturday).

Light rain and high velocity winds are continuing in coastal areas of Thatta.

Protective embankment of Keti Bunder in Thatta was damaged as a result more than 30 villages including Keti Bander, Kharochhan and Ghorabari were flooded and the local residents were migrating towards safer place.

In Balochistan sea water has entered Dam, Sonmiani, Gadani shipyard and several other coastal areas, resulting people are shifting to safer areas.

As many as 25 boats were damaged when waves hit beach in Jewani area along Balochistan coast.

Football: Chile beat Australia to heap pressure on Spain

CUIABA: Chile helped pile the pressure on champions Spain after sealing an eventually comfortable 3-1 win over Australia in their World Cup Group B opener in Cuiaba on Friday.

Early goals from Alexis Sanchez and Jorge Valdivia put the South Americans in front before Tim Cahill´s brilliant header gave the Socceroos a lifeline, only for Jean Beausejour´s fine injury-time strike to seal the victory.

The result meant Spain have a lot of ground to make up following their 5-1 trouncing by the Netherlands in the earlier Group B match.

Although Chile dominated much of the opening stages, they came under pressure at times from the battling Aussies in the second half, with Cahill having another stunning header disallowed for a marginal offside.

Barcelona star Sanchez got Chile off the mark on 12 minutes with a precise strike inside the near post from close range after Australia failed to clear a cross into their box.

Valdivia´s second barely 90-seconds later was a peach as he curled home from outside the area.

Australia weren´t prepared to give up and Cahill soared to head into the top corner 10 minutes from time.

But Beausejour´s drilled low effort from distance put Chile level with Holland on three points meaning Spain will almost certainly have to beat the South Americans in Rio on June 18 to avoid the ignominy of an early elimination. (AFP)

Nisar undergoes angiography, shifted to ICU

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan underwent an angiography procedure after his health deteriorated, Geo.

Sources said Nisar was present at his home when his heath deteriorated and he was shifted to Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology.

Sources added that the Interior Minister has been placed in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and he is likely to undergo angioplasty.

Foreign fighters flee Pakistani tribal zone

MIRANSHAH: Some of the world´s most feared fighters are quietly slipping away from a Pakistani tribal region ahead of a long-rumoured military operation, raising questions about the effectiveness of such intervention.

The exodus from the mountainous North Waziristan district on the Afghan border began in late May following Pakistani air strikes, locals have told AFP.

But it has been hastened by the Taliban´s all-night siege of Karachi airport this week, which all but destroyed a tentative peace process.

On Wednesday night two US drone strikes hit the region killing at least 16 in the first such attack this year, fuelling suspicion of coordination between the two countries, with Islamabad´s patience for talks seemingly exhausted.

But as pressure builds for a fuller response to the airport assault, which was joined by militants from Uzbekistan, residents and officials in the district´s main town of Miranshah said the majority of foreign and local fighters had already left.

"Most of them have gone deep into the mountains towards the Afghan border," a senior security official told AFP.

The locals said militant groups were also seen escaping from villages. Rumours of a ground offensive in North Waziristan, one of seven tribal regions along the border, have abounded for years.

But authorities have held back from a final push -- possibly fearing the blowback in Pakistan´s major cities such as Karachi, where 38 people including 10 militants were killed at the airport.

However, the sheer numbers of people leaving -- some 60,000, according to official estimates, since late May -- suggest that this time might be different.

- Empty bazaars -
Residents saw foreign militants leaving the Machis Camp and Data Khel village near Miranshah, as well as the villages of Musaki, Hurmaz, Hesso Khel and Api.

The fighters included Chechens, Uzbeks, Turkmen, Tajiks and Uighurs, residents and officials said.

They arrived during the early 2000s, lured by the fiery rhetoric of Osama bin Laden and the chance to fight "infidel" forces in Afghanistan.

Married into the local population, some have erected mud houses in small villages among the area´s rugged mountains.

Others "have rented houses and rooms here but they have now left towards the Afghan border", a grocery shop owner in Miranshah bazaar told AFP.

Another resident in Miranshah estimated that more than 80 percent of local and foreign fighters have left North Waziristan.

The migrations began on May 22 when Pakistani F-16s pounded suspected targets, killing at least 75 according to the military.

Government representatives also began holding talks two weeks ago with a grand jira, or council of elders, warning them to hand over foreigners in the area or face severe consequences.

"Tribesmen are against war, they want to solve this conflict with talks and according to tribal traditions and that´s why we have formed a peace jirga," jirga chief Sher Mohammed told AFP.

Residents said some jirga members last week made announcements from mosque loudspeakers in several villages asking foreign fighters to leave the area.

They also made those under their command hoist Pakistani flags to demonstrate their loyalty and ward off aerial attacks.

Most areas along the border are not well demarcated, which allows militants to escape into Afghanistan.

"They have moved towards Shawal and Birmal," an intelligence official said, referring to remote villages on the Afghan border.

A second security official said: "It is good that they (fighters) are leaving. We hope that tribesmen will not allow them to come and settle here again.

"In case of any military operation, we will face less resistance," he added. Residents said they have seen less activity of the feared Haqqani fighters in recent weeks.

"They are also disappearing, probably they have gone to Khost, Paktia or Paktika," one resident in Miranshah told AFP, naming Afghan border provinces.

Journalists stage walk out from Sindh Assembly against ban on Geo

KARACHI: Journalists on Friday staged walk out from the Sindh Assembly during budget speech of Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah against suspension of Geo’s license.

Sindh Information Minister Sahrjeel Inam Memon expressed solidarity with the protesting journalists and told them “We are against ban on any channel including Geo”.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) Secretary General Amin Yousuf said that Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid was causing rift among the journalists.

Moderate 5.3 magnitude earthquake hits southwestern Pakistan

QUETTA: A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Pakistan on Friday, but officials said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The epicentre was in the city of Khuzdar, in Baluchistan province, at a depth of 26 kilometres (16 miles), meteorological official Zabih Ullah told AFP.

The quake, which struck late morning, was also felt in surrounding towns and districts. Pakistan straddles part of the boundary where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, making the country susceptible to earthquakes.

It was hit by a 7.6-magnitude quake on October 8, 2005 that killed more than 73,000 people and left about 3.5 million homeless, mainly in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated several areas in southwestern Baluchistan province in September last year. It killed at least 370 people and left 100,000 homeless.

Football: Dutch stun World Cup champions Spain

RIO DE JANEIRO: Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben scored twice each as the Netherlands avenged their 2010 World Cup final defeat to Spain with a record 5-1 drubbing of the defending champions on Friday.

Van Persie pounced in each half as the Dutch recovered from a controversial Xabi Alonso penalty to inflict a crushing defeat on the reigning kings of world and European football.

Stefan De Vrij got the Netherlands´ other goal as Spain slumped to the heaviest defeat ever inflicted at a World Cup on the reigning champions.

It was Spain´s worst defeat in more than half a century, coming 51 years after a 6-2 defeat to Scotland in 1963. Thousands of fans gathered in Madrid to watch the game on giant screens were left stunned into silence by the rout.

The extraordinary Group B drama in the northern Brazilian coastal city of Salvador has potentially turned the World Cup permutations on their head.

If Spain fail to recover the form which saw them win back-to-back European titles either side of their 2010 World Cup triumph, they could conceivably crash out in the first round, or face a daunting clash with Brazil in the last 16.The walloping eclipsed more refereeing controversies on the second day of competition.

FIFA officials earlier defended Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura after he awarded Brazil a bitterly contested penalty in their opening game victory over Croatia.

Referees chief Massimo Busacca insisted Nishimura had been justified in awarding the spot-kick after an alleged foul by Dejan Lovren on Brazilian striker Fred.

"He had a very good position," said Busacca, referring to a photo of the incident which appeared to show Lovren´s hands making contact with Fred. "When he saw the hands doing something he makes it (the decision)."But no sooner had referees chief Busacca sprung to Nishimura´s defence then the standard of officiating was again under scrutiny as Mexico took on Cameroon.

Mexico´s Oribe Peralta scored the only goal of a rain-lashed Group A game in Natal, securing a precious three points for Miguel Herrera´s side.

But the main talking point after the game was Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan who chalked off what looked like two valid Mexico goals in the first half.

"The referee has taken two goals off us but we go away with three points and in top spirits," Mexico coach Miguel Herrera said.

Football chiefs have introduced the use of goal-line technology at this World Cup, anxious to avoid a repeat of the fiasco at the 2010 tournament when England´s Frank Lampard saw a legitimate goal not given in his team´s last 16 match with Germany.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said earlier this week the use of technology should be taken further, suggesting the introduction of a possible video-replay based challenge system similar to those used in other sports.

However referees chief Busacca said Friday he was unconvinced more technology was the answer. "When the situation is clear 100 percent of course it (technology) can really help the referee to say ´Yes, the player scored a goal by his hands´. But these situations are very rare," Busacca said.

In a separate controversy, the pitch in the Amazon city of Manaus due to host its first World Cup match when England play Italy there on Saturday is not up to the required standard, according to world players union FIFPro.

There are large dry areas on the pitch and some of it has been spray painted green, according to reporters who have been to the stadium.

Neither England nor Italy have officially complained ahead of the much-awaited Group D game on Saturday. (AFP)

Special Court rejects Musharraf plea, seeking documents on 2007 emergency

ISLAMABAD: The special court conducting the treason trial of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf dismissed his plea seeking documents pertaining to the November 2007 emergency.

Special court registrar Abdul Ghani Soomro read out the detailed verdict which was earlier been reserved.

Rejecting the plea, the court ruled that though it was right of the accused to seek evidence, Musharraf’s plea was premature.

The court said that the accused himself could get the verified copies of the documents from the departments concerned. The court will consider the accused application during the course of hearing if he needed evidence.

The special court said the documents were public property.

Appeal filed in SHC to remove Musharraf’s name from ECL immediately

KARACHI: An appeal has been filed in the Sindh High Court (SHC) requesting that former President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s name be removed from the Exit Control List (ECL) at the earliest.

The appeal filed by the former president’s lawyer, Faroog Naseem calls on the SHC to amend its verdict which suspended the order of removing Musharraf’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) for 15 days allowing time for the government to file an appeal in the Supreme Court.

The appeal states that Pervez Musharraf’s mother is ill and he should be allowed to leave the country on an immediate basis.

Modi replies to PM Nawaz’s letter

ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has replied to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif’s letter.

In the letter Modi wrote that he was hopeful that bilateral relations between Pakistan and India would further improve, adding that he and his government were keen to work with Prime Minister Sharif in an atmosphere free from confrontation and violence.

Modi wrote that it was an honour for him to have Nawaz Sharif attend his oath taking ceremony. "Your presence and that of other leaders from our region not only added a special sheen to the event but also a celebration of the strength of democracy in our region and a reflection of our collective hopes and shared destinies," Modi wrote.

The Indian prime minister also condemned the Karachi airport attack and expressed his sorrow over the loss of innocent lives.

Modi also thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the Sari he sent for his mother.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had written to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi expressing satisfaction over his recent meeting and said he was looking forward to work with him in harmony to resolve all unsettled matters.

Indian Army fires indiscriminately along LoC

KOTLI: Indian Army carried out indiscriminate firing and shelling in Nakyal sector of Azad Kashmir at the Line of Control (LoC), Geo reported on Friday.

In response, Pakistan Army retaliated with full force that compelled the Indian side to discontinue the firing.

Sources told that the incident occurred early Friday morning when Indian troops opened indiscriminate firing and shelling in Nakyal sector that caused panic and terrorized the local residents.

Fortunately, no loss of life was reported in the attack.

It may be mentioned here that it is not the first time a ceasefire violation has taken place.

Earlier on May 11, Indian troops had resorted to unprovoked firing at the Bhattal sector of the LoC. Pakistan Army had lodged a protest with Indian authorities after the incident.

Another incident of LoC violation occurred on April 25 when Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged fire on the LoC when Indian force broke a three-month-long period of calm in Poonch Sector by resorting to unprovoked firing.

IHC issues contempt notices to CEO ARY Salman Iqbal, Lucman, others

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued contempt of court notices to Chief Executive Officer of ARY Network Salman Iqbal, anchor Mubashir Lucman, acting chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Pervez Rathore and secretary information, and summoned them to appear in person in the next hearing.

IHC judge Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui was hearing the petition filed by the District Bar against the ARY Network for broadcasting anti-judiciary content.

The petitioner stated that the programmes containing anti-judiciary content were broadcast from May 22 to 31 criticising the Supreme Court’s judge Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja.

Justice Shaukat Aziz remarked that contempt proceedings are lawful as the programmes broadcast on ARY were an attack on superior judiciary.

The court ordered the concerned parties to appear in the court to explain why the channel telecast such malicious programmes for ten days, and why the regulatory authority did not intervene.

Later, the court summoned Salman Iqbal, Mubashir Lucman and other concerned parties in the first week of July and adjourned the hearing. (GNN)(Thenews)

Punjab presents budget for fiscal year 2014-2015

LAHORE: Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujur Rehman on Friday presented the provincial budget for 2014-2015 financial years with an outlay of Rs 1033.70 billion amid protest from opposition benches.

Amid uproar, the finance minister proposed 10 percent increase in the salaries and pensions of government employees.

He said 10 billion rupees would be allocated for subsidy on fertilizers for which the province would seek five billion rupees assistance from the federation.

He said that 25 billion rupees will be allocated for the Yellow Cab Scheme to provide 50,000 more vehicles under the initiative.

In his budget speech the minister said that Rs263 billions had been allocated for south Punjab development projects and 36 percent of total provincial budget would be spent in south Punjab.

Qaim Ali Shah presents Rs686 billion outlay Sindh budget

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah on Friday presented budget proposals for the fiscal year 2014-15. During his budget speech in the Sindh Assembly, he said that outlay of the budget would be Rs686 billion.

The Sindh government has announced 40,000 job opportunities in financial year 2014-15. Shah said that Pakistan Peoples Party government had created 200,000 jobs in last 6 years.

He said that in the new budget more jobs would be created for poor and jobless citizens of the province as it is the priority of PPP to provide maximum number of jobs to people.

The chief minister said that Sindh didn't get its share of royality on account of gas infrastructure. He said that salaries of the Sindh government employees had been increased by 10 percent in the budget.

He said 168 billion rupees have been proposed for the development projects of the province in the budget. Shah said that Rs42 had been allocated for the development budget of Karachi.

Sindh cabinet approves 2014-15 budget proposals

KARACHI: The Sindh cabinet has approved the provincial budget proposals for fiscal year 2014-15.

The provincial cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah.

The provincial budget has allocated 30 per cent for education. Sindh Education Minister Nisar Khuro said 4,000 students of class 4-10 will be provided a stipend of Rs2500-Rs3500.

Ramazan relief package announced

ISLAMABAD: The relief package for the holy month of Ramazan has announced a reduction of 5-10 per cent in prices of 1500 items and will be applicable from June 23.

The price of oil, ghee and lentils, among 12 consumer items has been decreased by Rs10 per kilo.

The price of flour has been decreased by Rs6 per kilo, resulting in Rs120 decrease in the price of a 20 kilo bag compared to the open market price.

According to the announcement Chana Dal will retail Rs13 cheaper per kilo, while chickpea will retail Rs18 cheaper per kilo when compared to the open market prices.

Dates and Basmati Rice will retail Rs40 cheaper at the Utility Stores, where a 950 gram packet of Tea will retail Rs88 cheaper than the open market.

Moong Dal will retail Rs18 cheaper, Masoor Dal Rs12 cheaper and Mash Dal Rs15 cheaper per kilo.

Price of Tetra Pak milk will decrease by Rs12 per litre while the price of beverages will also decrease by Rs10 on 1.5 litre bottles.

Crude prices up as militants close in on Baghdad

SINGAPORE: Crude prices on Friday extended the previous day´s rally to sit at nine-month highs after militants closed in on Iraq´s capital Baghdad, fuelling fears over supplies from the major crude producer.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate advanced 47 cents to $107.00 in afternoon trade after surging $2.13 in New York on Thursday to reach its highest level since September.

Brent North Sea crude gained 28 cents to $113.30 per barrel after shooting up $3.07 in London.

Iraq is the second biggest producer in the OPEC oil cartel after Saudi Arabia and any escalation of the violence there could hit supplies, sending prices higher, analysts said.

"Any disruption at OPEC´s second largest producer risks tearing apart the global rebound we had seen this year," Desmond Chua, market analyst at CMC Markets in Singapore, said in a note.

Phillip Futures warned that "higher energy prices will apply brakes on a global recovery and may even cause the world to re-enter recession".

US President Barack Obama has said his national security team "is looking at all the options" to help the Iraqi government.

Iraq, which has the world´s fifth largest proven reserves, pumps an average of about 3.5 million barrels of oil a day.

On Wednesday, OPEC maintained its output ceiling where it has been since late 2011. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi expressed satisfaction with a relatively stable oil market.(AFP)

Yen edges down in Asia after BoJ holds fire on easing

TOKYO: The dollar edged up against the yen Friday after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) stood pat on its stimulus programme, partially reversing a sell-off in New York fuelled by fears over the growing crisis in Iraq. In afternoon Tokyo trading, the dollar strengthened to 101.87 yen from 101.68 yen in New York although the US unit was still down from levels above 102 yen in Asia on Thursday.

The euro strengthened to 138.04 yen from 137.80 yen in US trade while is was also at $1.3555 against $1.3553.BoJ policymakers unanimously agreed to hold off any further measures after a two-day meeting, despite fears that a sales tax rise in April would dent the country´s nascent recovery.

Many analysts, however, expect the BoJ to usher in further easing later this year to counter a downturn from the levy hike, a move that would tend to weaken the yen."A case could be made that further stimulus beyond the originally planned two years (of the current easing package) has become unnecessary," Capital Economics said.

"We think this is premature. For a start, price pressure has moderated, and inflation will likely fall short of the target by the end of the year... We stick to our long-held view that an extension (of the easing package) will be revealed at the late-October meeting," it added.The dollar sank in US trade as dealers nervously watch Iraq, where jihadists are heading towards Baghdad after capturing several towns in the north. President Barack Obama has said he is exploring all options to save the country´s security forces from collapse while US companies have evacuated hundreds from a major air base.

With the militants closing in on the capital, forces from Iraq´s autonomous Kurdish region took control of Kirkuk, an ethnically divided northern city they have sought to rule for decades against the objections of successive governments in Baghdad. (AFP)

Bangladesh says ICC let fixed matches go ahead

DHAKA: Bangladesh has accused anti-corruption investigators from the International Cricket Council of allowing a match in a scandal-plagued Twenty20 tournament to go ahead even though it knew it was fixed.

A report from a special tribunal set up by the Bangladesh board said the ICC´s Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) was aware beforehand that a match in the Bangladesh Premier League was going to be fixed but decided to keep organisers in the dark rather than alert them. "The evidence is clear that the fixed match between DG (Dhaka Gladiators) and CK (Chittagong Kings) played in Chittagong on the 2 February 2013 was played with the consent of ACSU," the tribunal´s report said. "It is obvious that the focus of ACSU was on gathering evidence and not on prevention of (the) fixed match," the report added.

The report, a copy of which has been obtained by AFP, was handed to the ICC on June 8. The tribunal, headed by a retired judge, was set up by the board last September after the ICC brought charges against nine people over fixing.

Organisers had hired the ICC´s investigators to monitor the BPL after its inaugural edition in 2012 was tainted by similar allegations.

The tribunal has subsequently convicted one of the owners of the Dhaka Gladiators of match-fixing, while three international players pleaded guilty over the 2013 scandal.

Former New Zealand international Lou Vincent pleaded guilty to breaching the ICC´s code of conduct for failing to tell authorities when a bookmaker approached him about fixing a match.

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful and Sri Lanka´s Kaushal Lokuarachchi have also pleaded guilty.

The report said Dhaka Gladiators coach Ian Pont alerted the ACSU that he had been approached by one of the team´s owners about fixing the February 2 match but was instructed to go ahead and play.

ICC spokesman Sami Ul Hasan declined to comment on the report´s allegations. "We are reviewing the written judgement and have no comments to make at this stage," he told AFP in an email.

The tribunal said ICC investigators were obligated to inform the BCB of any wrongdoing. "The chairman of ACSU, Sir Ronald Flanagan, expressed his regret about this failure to inform BCB of this significant matter and made a personal unreserved apology on behalf of ACSU for not involving BCB at that stage." (AFP)

Fabregas joins Chelsea from Barcelona

LONDON: Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas has signed for English Premier League club Chelsea from Barcelona, he confirmed on Thursday.

Fabregas, who is preparing for the World Cup with the Spain squad in Brazil, is believed to have signed a five-year contract for a fee in the region of £30 million ($50.5 million).

The 27-year-old former star of Chelsea´s London rivals Arsenal said he had "unfinished business" in English football and revealed that Arsenal had decided not to use their option to re-sign him.

He said in a statement: "I considered all the other offers very carefully and I firmly believe that Chelsea is the best choice. Yes, everyone knows that Arsenal had the first option to sign me. They decided not to take this option and therefore it wasn´t meant to be. I wish them well in the future."

Fabregas said it was "extremely important" to him that the move was completed before Spain begin their World Cup defence "so that my mind will only be focused on hopefully helping my country try to retain the trophy". With Barcelona having had a rare trophyless season and with Luis Enrique appointed as the new head coach, Fabregas was allowed to leave the Catalan giants and he said Chelsea were an attractive option. "They match my footballing ambitions with their hunger and desire to win trophies," he said. "They have an amazing squad of players and an incredible manager. I am fully committed to this team and I can´t wait to start playing."

Fabregas joined Arsenal from Barcelona´s youth set-up in 2003 and eventually became captain, but the only trophy he won in England was the 2005 FA Cup.

He left for Barcelona in 2011, but now he returns to the Premier League with Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, in a midfield also featuring Eden Hazard of Belgium and Brazil´s Oscar. "I do feel that I have unfinished business in the Premier League and now is the right time for me to return," he said.

He thanked everyone at Barcelona -- "my childhood club" -- and said: "I will always be proud and honoured that I had a chance to play for such a great team".

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez said Fabregas´ move is a blow to the Catalan club.

"I can see he is happy and contented. Now he is calmer knowing his future. It is an important loss for Barcelona," Xavi said at a press conference in Brazil ahead of Spain´s World Cup opener against the Netherlands on Friday. "It is his future and he has decided it. As a good friend I wish him the best." (AFP)

Croatian press slam ´shameful´ penalty

ZAGREB: Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura bore the brunt of the Croatian media´s anger on Friday for awarding what they termed was a non existent penalty to hosts Brazil in the World Cup opening match with Croatia which they ultimately won 3-1."Injustice!" "Shame!" and "Referee shamelessly broke the Fiery Ones (Vatreni - the team’s nickname)!" read the leading dailies frontpage headlines as they lamented over an "invented penalty."

The press gave great play too to Croat coach Niko Kovac´s comments to Croatian state-run HRT television that: "If that was a penalty then we should not play football anymore!"

Nishimura -- Asian referee of the year in 2012 -- turned the game when with the match evenly poised at 1-1 in the second-half he awarded the penalty believing that striker Fred had been fouled by Dejan Lovren, though, there appeared to be no contact whatsoever.

The influential Jutarnji List daily slammed "inexcusable mistake by the referee at the World Cup opening match" by which he "pierced Croatia´s heart with a sword." "With a rather peculiar interpretation of the rules by Japanese referee Nishimura, Croatia was deprived the right to fight against Brazil on an equal footing," wrote one of the paper´s columnists.

Sports daily Sportske Novosti gave credit to Neymar, who converted the penalty to secure himself a brace in the match, but had no mercy for Nishimura. "Neymar and Japanese referee Nishimura took away Croatia´s big dream," it commented. “Croatia began the match in excellent fashion and silenced Corinthians Arena with Marcelo´s own goal. But Brazil woke up and turned the match the other way with the referee´s help."

However, the papers said on the upside there was much to encourage Croat fans that their team could go further in the tournament where their best showing was a semi-final appearance in 1998.

Sportske Novosti said that (coach) Niko Kovac´s squad "showed that it can be counted on at the tournament." Croatia produced a "solid game," it said but warned that the team lacked a player capable of orchestrating the flow of the match.

Jutarnji List stressed that Croatia performed bravely while the Vecernji List daily estimated that "after the defeat the pride remains."

Croatia will go on to play Cameroon and Mexico, the latter two sides open their campaign later on Friday in Natal. (AFP)

Japan fans shamed after ref aids Brazil in opener

TOKYO: Japanese football fans hung their heads in shame Friday after referee Yuichi Nishimura´s controversial performance in the World Cup opener helped Brazil to a 3-1 win over Croatia, further clouding FIFA´s showpiece tournament.

Social media in Japan lit up after the official´s decision to give a soft penalty to Brazil which changed the balance of the closely fought match.

Several posts showed mocked-up photos of Nishimura wearing a Brazil jersey. "There´s a lot of Nishimura bashing but quite right," tweeted @shinokc. "That was not a penalty. Feel so sorry for Croatia."

Echoing the sentiments of Croatia´s furious coach Niko Kovac, who claimed Nishimura had been out of his depth, @sanadamasayuki2 commented: "It´s a tough job for us dithering Japanese."

Anticipating further backlash, @tonbuhin tweeted: "Oh dear, if Brazil win the World Cup the whole world will say Nishimura was the MVP (most valuable player)."

The 42-year-old Nishimura also disallowed a Croatian goal and should arguably have shown Brazilian star Neymar a straight red card for elbowing Luka Modric.

He has been an international referee since 2004, and has officiated in several tournaments including the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

At the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Nishimura was shoved by Angolan players during an ill-tempered quarter-final with Egypt but failed to send any of them off, and did not feature in the rest of the tournament.

In 2010, Congolese fans incandescent at his performance in a Club World Cup game took rather misguided revenge by vandalising a Chinese restaurant in their country. And although twice voted by the J-League as its referee of the year, he has long been controversial among Japanese fans, not least for his reputation for awarding dubious penalties.

Fellow Japanese referee Masayoshi Okada was sent packing by FIFA after just one game of the 1998 World Cup, after England players reacted furiously to his invigilation of their 2-0 win over Tunisia.

However, Nishimura´s display is likely to linger longer in the memory, having significantly altered the momentum of the opening game.

It comes as further embarrassment for FIFA after months of public protests and strikes in Brazil, and with soccer´s ruling body battling renewed allegations of corruption over its award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
Japanese people felt pressure around the world on Friday, with @chizurufgarcia in Argentina claiming she had been e-mailed by local reporters for comment on Nishimura.

Some took refuge in humour. Japanese fans were among more than 16,000 who retweeted @FootballFunnys account´s "Man of the Match - The Referee".

Mainstream media in Japan have so far steered clear of the controversy surrounding the World Cup opener, but the Nikkan Sports daily gave the match official a measure of support. "Referee Nishimura resolutely gives Brazil a penalty," it headlined. But @SpursJapan was resigned to a wave of criticism to come from the footballing fraternity, tweeting: "Japan´s battle with the world has begun." (AFP)

Asian shares mostly down, focus on Iraq crisis

HONG KONG: Asian markets mostly fell Friday, following another Wall Street sell-off as oil prices shot up to a nine-month high on concerns about the growing crisis in Iraq.

Assets considered safe options in times of uncertainty also benefited, with gold up and the yen holding on to healthy gains seen in US trade.

Investors are also awaiting the release of Chinese indicators and the end of a Bank of Japan policy meeting later in the day.

Tokyo fell 0.78 percent, Sydney tumbled 0.94 percent and Seoul sank 1.00 percent but Hong Kong added 0.14 percent and Shanghai was flat.

New York´s three main indexes took a hit Thursday on news that Iraqi militants were pushing towards Baghdad after capturing a town to the north.

The Dow fell 0.65 percent and the S&P 500 lost 0.71 percent -- both having hit record highs earlier in the week -- and the Nasdaq sank 0.79 percent.

US President Barack Obama raised the prospect of possible air strikes when he said his national security team "is looking at all the options".

Forces from the autonomous Kurdish region took control of disputed northern oil hub of Kirkuk to protect it from attack, officials said.

Adding to the fears over more geopolitical instability is the prospect that supplies from a major oil producer could be cut off. And those worries filtered through to crude markets.

The US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in July, jumped 81 cents to $107.34, having surged $2.13 in US trade.

Brent crude, the European benchmark, was up 54 cents at $113.56 after rallying $3.07 on London´s Intercontinental Exchange.

On foreign exchange markets the dollar was at 101.78 yen in early trade, compared with 101.68 yen in New York trade and well off the 102.08 yen in Tokyo earlier Thursday.

The euro was at 137.95 yen from 137.80 yen in New York but also well off the 138.10 yen in Asia Thursday.

The single currency also bought $1.3554 compared with $1.3553."Risk-off sentiment and the threat of renewed US military involvement in Iraq... will keep investors in sell mode -- or sidelined," said Norihiro Fujito, senior investment strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities.

With high oil prices raising the chances of a jump in inflation traders moved into gold, which is a hedge against rising prices. The precious metal was up at $1,273.95 an ounce at 0230 GMT compared with $1,264.20 late Thursday. (AFP)

Nasa readies satellite to measure atmospheric CO2

WASHINGTON: NASA is preparing a July 1 launch for its first satellite dedicated to measuring atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that plays a key role in climate change.

CO2 levels have reached their highest point in at least 800,000 years, according to the US space agency.

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite is very similar to its predecessor, OCO-1, which was destroyed during its launch in February 2009.The satellite will help provide a more complete and global picture of man-made and naturally occurring CO2 emissions as well as the effects of carbon "sinks," like oceans and forests, which absorb and trap the gas.

"Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere plays a critical role in our planet´s energy balance and is a key factor in understanding how our climate is changing," said Michael Freilich, director of NASA´s Earth Science Division.

"With the OCO-2 mission, NASA will be contributing an important new source of global observations to the scientific challenge of better understanding our Earth and its future," he added in a statement.

The OCO-2 satellite will be launched on a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, aiming for an orbit at 438 miles (705 kilometers) above the Earth´s surface.

NASA envisions it becoming the lead satellite for a six-strong fleet that will circle the Earth every 99 minutes, allowing nearly simultaneous observations across the globe.OCO-2, designed to operate for at least two years, will take measurements of carbon emissions and carbon sinks around the world to help scientists analyze how they change over time.

In April, monthly concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere surpassed 400 particles per million in the northern hemisphere, which NASA said was the highest level in at least the past 800,000 years.

Human activities -- including the burning of fossil fuels like oil, natural gas and coal -- are blamed for emitting nearly 40 billion tonnes of CO2 in the atmosphere each year, leading to an unprecedented accumulation of the greenhouse gas.

Climate scientists have concluded that the increase of CO2 emissions from human activities, especially from fossil fuels and deforestation, have upset the planet´s natural carbon cycle, prompting rising temperatures and planet-wide climate change.

Currently, less than half of the CO2 emitted by human activities remains in the atmosphere, scientists say.

Measurements of CO2 levels taken by the new satellite will be combined with data obtained by land-based observatories, airplanes and other satellites. (AFP)

Brazil beat Croatia 3-1 in World Cup opener

SAO PAULO: Star striker Neymar scored a bitterly contested penalty among two goals as Brazil beat Croatia 3-1 in the opening game of the World Cup on Thursday´s opening match.

After Marcelo scored an own goal, Neymar equalised and then put Brazil ahead from a highly controversial penalty in the second half when Fred fell in the area. Oscar rounded off the scoring in injury time with a brilliant solo goal. (AFP)

Football: Brazil, Croatia kick-off World Cup

SAO PAULO: Hosts and favourites Brazil kicked-off the World Cup against Croatia in Sao Paulo on Thursday.


In a stirring nation anthem the entire crowd and players continued singing a second verse even after the music had stopped, demonstrating just how much expectation there is around the first World Cup in the country since 1950.

The tournament runs until July 13. (AFP)

World Bank cuts global economic forecast for 2014

WASHINGTON: The World Bank downgraded its forecast for the global economy this year, citing a bitter American winter and the political crisis in Ukraine.

In an outlook released Tuesday, the bank still expects the world economy to grow faster — 2.8 percent this year versus 2.4 percent in 2013. But its new estimate is weaker than the 3.2 percent expansion it had predicted in January.

The U.S. economy — by far the world´s largest — shrank at an annual rate of 1 percent from January to March, chilled by an unusually nasty winter. The political crisis in Ukraine dragged growth in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Together, those factors will "delay the recovery we talked about in January but not derail it," World Bank economist Andrew Burns told reporters.

Helped by super-low interest rates, the world´s wealthiest countries will expand 1.9 percent this year, up from 1.3 percent in 2013. In developing countries, growth is expected to stay flat at 4.8 percent.

In its twice-yearly Global Economics Prospects report, the World Bank estimates that the 18 European countries that use the euro currency will grow 1.1 percent collectively this year after shrinking in 2012 and 2013. It sees the U.S. economy recovering from the weak first quarter and growing 2.1 percent this year, up from 1.9 percent in 2013.

World growth is accelerating as the U.S. and Europe regain strength. Overall, the global economy is expected to expand 3.4 percent next year and 3.5 percent in 2016.

The rate of economic growth has stalled in China and other developing countries that had bounced back quickly from the financial crisis of 2008-2009. China´s economy is expected to decelerate steadily, from 7.7 percent growth last year to 7.6 percent this year to 7.5 percent in 2015 and 7.4 percent in 2016.

In China, the slowdown is partly deliberate. Authorities are attempting to manage a transition from rapid growth based on exports and investment in real estate, factories and infrastructure to slower but more stable growth based on spending by Chinese consumers.

But the Chinese slowdown has pinched other developing countries— from South Africa to Brazil — that provide the world´s second biggest economy with raw materials.

The good news: The U.S. and Europe should pick up some of the slack as their economies improve and they demand more imports from developing countries. After growing less than 3 percent each of the past two years, world trade will expand 4.1 percent this year and 5.2 percent in 2015, the bank predicts.

Central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have been supporting economic growth by keeping interest rates low.

Last week, the European Central Bank announced additional rate cuts and took the historic step of imposing a negative interest rate — charging banks for deposits with the ECB in an effort to prod them to make more loans instead of hoarding money.

Burns said the ECB´s moves to protect Europe´s fragile recovery were "appropriate" and "go in the right direction."

But he and other economists worry about what will happen when the central banks declare their mission accomplished and let interest rates rise again. Higher rates in the U.S. and Europe likely will lure investment away from developing countries. If the shift occurs too quickly, it could damage developing countries´ economies and cause chaos in their financial markets — a potential rerun of the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998.

Other risks to the World Bank´s growth forecast include continued tension in Ukraine, political instability in Syria and Thailand and the possibility that China´s economy slows faster than expected. (AP)

Drones for fun, games and more

NEW YORK: It may be a while before drones start patrolling American skies or delivering packages, but kids and adults will be able to command their own personal flying devices very soon.

The French electronics firm Parrot on Tuesday unveiled its "Rolling Spider" and "Jumping Sumo" mini-drones to go on sale in the US market in August.

"We wanted to create connected robots for the generations of smartphones and tablets," Parrot spokeswoman Vanessa Loury told AFP at a demonstration in New York.

The mini-drones are controlled by mobile apps loaded on tablets and phones using Apple´s iOS or the Google Android platform, Parrot said.

With these new devices, "everything around you becomes an excuse to play, and the world transforms into a giant playground," said a statement from Parrot.

"Rolling Spider" has four rotors and can also be adapted to move on two wheels to roll on the ground or on a wall. It features "kid-friendly piloting."

"Jumping Sumo" is a two-wheeled device which can jump up to 80 centimeters (2.6 feet). It can spin, roll and take pictures with a wide-angle camera.

The devices will sell for $100 dollars and $160 in the US, and will be sold in France for 99 and 159 euros.

Parrot is also known for its civilian and professional drones, including one that can be used for mapping and for agricultural crop monitoring.

In the United States, the question of drones is still being studied by aviation officials, although these types of toys may be flown at low altitudes.

As for the question of drones for package delivery -- as envisioned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos -- Parrot said the time has not yet arrived.

"Delivering packages is a long way off," said Parrot executive Peter George.

"I can´t see that happening for 20 years." But George added that with the devices, "it´s really been about having fun with toys." (AFP)

Banana bread with chocolate swirl

Ingredients

3 whole Overripe Medium-sized Bananas, Peeled And Mashed
⅓ cups Canola Oil
½ cups Coconut Sugar (cane Sugar Works Also)
2 whole Large Eggs
2 Tablespoons Greek Yogurt (plain Yogurt Works Also)
2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
1-¼ cup Rolled Oats, Ground (or Just Over 1 Cup Oat Flour)
¾ cups Brown Rice Flour
1 Tablespoon Ground Psyllium Husk
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
½ teaspoons Ground Nutmeg
½ teaspoons Salt
½ teaspoons Baking Soda
½ teaspoons Baking Powder
½ cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF (180ºC). Either grease a standard size loaf pan directly with cooking spray or oil, or line the pan with parchment paper and then spray the insides. Be sure to have at least half an inch of parchment paper hanging over the sides of the loaf pan
2. In a large bowl, mix the mashed bananas, oil, coconut sugar, eggs, yogurt, and vanilla together.
3. In another bowl, mix together the ground rolled oats (or oat flour), brown rice flour, psyllium husk, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
4. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. I like to add the flour mixture in three batches.
5. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips. I typically heat it in the microwave for about a minute and then check the chocolate. Be careful with hot bowls! If the chocolate has barely melted, continue microwaving at 15-second increments until the chips are partially melted and very soft. The chocolate doesn’t need to be saucy—just melted enough so that you can stir the chips together into a creamy consistency.
6. Pour the banana batter into the loaf pan. Add dollops of the chocolate sauce on top of the batter.
7. Using a butter knife, swirl the chocolate around so that you create a nice swirl pattern.
8. Bake the bread for about 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when you pierce through the banana bread portions. Try not to test the bread by sticking the toothpick in the chocolate portions, as the toothpick will always come out with gooey melted chocolate. Remove pan from oven.
9. Let the bread cool for at least 45 to 50 minutes before taking it out of the pan for slicing.
10. Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate any bread that you haven’t finished in several days.

Germany urges Russia, Ukraine to work together on border control

(GNN) - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on both Russia and Ukraine to better control their common border ahead of a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

"(It is about ensuring) there is common border management in some form," said Steinmeier shortly before the meeting, which will also include Poland's foreign minister.

Steinmeier added that the situation in eastern Ukraine must be stabilized and that it was important to ensure a substantial exchange develops between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's new President Petro Poroshenko.

The two met briefly in France last week at a World War Two anniversary event.

On Monday, Ukraine said it had reached a "mutual understanding" with Moscow on parts of a plan proposed by Poroshenko for ending violence in the east of the country.

The Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski emphasized his worries about the situation in eastern Ukraine.

"We will explain to our Russian colleague the concern that we feel in the European Union at the destabilization of eastern Ukraine," said Sikorski before the talks.

Scores of people have been killed since April in eastern Ukraine, including separatists and government forces. But fighting has ebbed in the past few days despite renewed shelling of rebels in the city of Slaviansk.(GNN) (NIN) (Reuters) (AIP)

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold and Gabriela Baczynska; Writing by Madeline Chambers in Berlin; Editing by Noah Barkin)