The legacy of Donna Summer, America's disco queen, is lasting

Much like the expressive era that her music defined, Donna Summer danced her way through the 1970s with extraordinary success, posting successive hits that electrified dance floors and prompted her coronation as America's queen of disco.

But her own life was marked by the highs and lows of the ballads that she energetically sang, and even at the height of her popularity, she once took steps toward suicide -- only to be stopped by the interruption of hotel maids. She overcame the negative dimensions of relentless public attention, and her legacy as a genre-leading vocalist endures decades later among music enthusiasts, even resulting in an appearance a few years ago on "American Idol." Summer died Thursday morning from cancer, her publicist, Brian Edwards, said. She was surrounded by her family in Florida, he said.Said her family in a statement: "Early this morning, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith. While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy." Summer, who was born in Boston and whose father was a butcher and mother a schoolteacher, sang from the moment she learned to talk, and her debut performance came in church at age 10 when the scheduled singer didn't show and the pastor asked Donna to step in. Summer later recalled that the church performance left worshipers in tears. In her singing career, she won five Grammys, and while she is iconic in the disco genre, her Grammy wins were also in the R&B, rock, inspirational and dance categories. This won't be our 'Last Dance' to Donna Summer: A playlist "Her talent was a true gift to the music industry," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy. At the height of her career, she and Casablanca Records created a sex symbol persona for her, and in an October 1977 cover story for Ebony, she remarked about her other nicknames: Queen of Love and Symbol of Eros. "Well, you have to get people's attention some kind of way," Summer told the magazine, "but I'm not just sex, sex, sex. I would never want to be a one-dimensional person like that. "I can sing songs like 'Love to Love You, Baby,' but I can also sing ballads, light opera, things from musical comedies, church hymns -- all kinds of things. Plus I can write, act and think." Summer added that she didn't "want to be known for just one thing." In a 2003 interview with CNN, she said the initial absence of a manager led her to do provocative photo shoots. Her public image as a sex symbol and diva conflicted with her religious upbringing, she said. Her grandfather was a minister and her father a church deacon. "Yes, it was a big complex and the image was sort of created around me," Summer said. "I was sort of there, but not consciously there. And I didn't have anybody sort of on my side at that point, fighting for me, except for me, being in the middle. And then people would say, you know, 'Lay down here and do this.' And you know, whatever," Summer said. Her big break came when she was a teenager and auditioned in New York for a European version of "Hair." She landed a role and went to Europe. When she achieved success by her mid-20s, she wasn't able to handle it well. "It was tough," Summer said. "I think success is always a surprise, you know." She eventually suffered depression and found herself in an abusive relationship. "If people are in abusive relationships, I think they need to get out of them or at least get help," Summer said. She lived in fear during that relationship, she said. "Thank God this person was from Europe, so they were deported. And then I was able to sort of be free, but I was afraid for years," she said. Her hits included "Hot Stuff," "Bad Girls," and "She Works Hard for the Money." Summer first rose to fame the mid-1970s, thanks to "Love to Love You Baby." The song, with Summer's whispered vocals and orgasmic groans supported by heavily synthesized backing tracks, fueled the decade's disco mania and hit No. 2 in 1976. Summer followed the song with such hits as "I Feel Love," "Last Dance" and a disco version of the Richard Harris hit "MacArthur Park," which outdid Harris' version by hitting No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. It was Summer's first of four chart-toppers. But with her 1979 album "Bad Girls," Summer broke out of the disco mold as the genre, stimulated by the success of the Bee Gees' "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, was feeling a backlash. "Bad Girls" demonstrated Summer's vocal and stylistic range and produced two No. 1 hits, "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls," as well as a Top 10 ballad, "Dim All the Lights."However, Summer had some trouble adjusting to the changing times. Her next album, "The Wanderer," went for more of a rock feel. It produced a Top 10 hit in the title track but fared relatively poorly on the charts -- especially disappointing after the success of "Bad Girls," a double album that spent five weeks at No. 1. It wasn't until 1983's "She Works Hard for the Money," which became a ubiquitous video as well as a big radio hit, that Summer's fame approached its late '70s zenith. In 2003, she wrote of the demands of being superstar in a memoir, "Ordinary Girl: The Journey." She disclosed the pressures associated with being a superstar and revealed that at the peak of her popularity, the disco queen even contemplated suicide. In an interview with CNN that year, she was asked about sticking her foot out of a hotel window to get a feel of whether to jump. "No, I wasn't getting a feel. I was jumping over. I was attempting to go. I didn't plan it. I just decided, I'm out of here," Summer told CNN. Then the maids walked in. She stopped herself. "Then I sought help. I got help. I realized that I had a serious problem with depression, and I went to a doctor and he gave me some medication," Summer said. More recently, she appeared on the finale of the popular show "American Idol" in 2008 and performed some of her greatest hits with the show's leading female singers. That year, she released her album "Crayons," and in an interview with CNN, she spoke of her musical "mission." "I don't like to be categorized because I think that I am an instrument, and if you play me, I'll make whatever particular sound is supposed to come out for that color," Summer said. "And so, in the overall spectrum of things, I'm just trying to be true to my, what I feel my mission is."

Syria's Assad: Nations that sow chaos will suffer

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday that countries trying to "sow chaos" in Syria could be infected with it themselves, an apparent warning to Arab Gulf nations that back the insurgency aimed at forcing him from power. Assad's remarks, to a Russian TV channel, came after U.N. staff monitoring an increasingly shaky ceasefire were caught up in an attack that killed at least 21 people, and had to spend a night with rebel forces. The stranding of the observers and new claims of a massacre by Assad's security forces underscored the relentlessness of the violence that continues to rage 14 months into mass protests and an insurrection against the Syrian strongman. Assad said countries hostile to him and his government that may have believed he would follow in the footsteps of four Arab leaders ousted after popular protests now knew better. "For the leaders of these countries, it's becoming clear that this is not 'Spring' but chaos, and as I have said, if you sow chaos in Syria you may be infected by it yourself, and they understand this perfectly well," he told Russia's Rossiya-24 TV channel. Assad's government has repeatedly accused foreign states of backing a "terrorist" campaign in Syria, an apparent reference to Gulf powers Saudi Arabia and Qatar which have argued that Syrian insurgents should be supplied with weapons. Those accusations have grown louder following a series of bomb attacks on security and military installations in Damascus and other cites that Syria calls proof of a "terrorist" conspiracy. However, the opposition says the state itself organized the attacks in a cynical attempt to discredit the uprising against Assad. Rebel fighters are largely drawn from Syria's Sunni Muslim majority, and the uprising has taken on a sectarian tone that emphasizes Assad's status as a member of the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam. Shi'ism is the dominant sect of his ally Iran whose influence the Sunni-led Gulf Arab states seek to check. In the same interview, Assad said Western sanctions were affecting his country - which has had to scramble to import grains and other staples - but that Syria still had a "wonderful relationship" with non-Western countries. Russia is one of its few allies. U.N. MONITORS CAUGHT UP IN FUNERAL ATTACK Six ceasefire monitors caught in the crossfire of Syria's conflict were handed back to their U.N. colleagues by rebels in the northern province of Idlib, after walking into an attack on a funeral that killed at least 21 people. "We gave the six with their cars to a U.N. convoy near the entrance of Khan Sheikhoun. They are all safe, in good health and on their way to Damascus," Free Syrian Army commander Abu Hassan said by satellite phone from the site of the handover. A pro-government TV station said unidentified gunmen opened fire at the funeral. But the rebel commander said a pro-Assad militia was responsible. His forces had the names of at least 27 people killed, he added. Other opposition groups have said at least 66 people were killed. The head of the U.N. monitoring mission, Major-General Robert Mood, confirmed the monitors were heading back to base. "They have departed from Khan Sheikhoun and are on their way back. They expressed to me that they have been well treated," he told reporters in Damascus. He thanked the Syrian government for "facilitating coordination" for the exit of the observers, and to the people of Khan Sheikhoun, about 220 km (140 miles) north of Damascus, for treating them "with respect." "That kind of violence is obviously the kind of violence we don't want to see," he said. "It is not going to contribute constructively to the aspirations of the Syrian people." ACCOUNT OF NEW MASSACRE The handover came as a Britain-based opposition group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said at least 15 people had been killed since Tuesday when security forces stormed the Shammas district of Homs, parts of which Assad's forces reduced to rubble with artillery fire earlier this year. The group said security forces carried out summary executions in the city. Footage distributed on YouTube showed bodies - some with what looked like gunshot wounds - purported to be those killed during raids in the city. There was no independent confirmation of the claims from within Syria, which has restricted media access during the 14-month-old uprising. The Free Syrian Army has a nominal leader based in Turkey and tenuous ties with the divided political opposition group, the Syrian National Council (SNC), which on Tuesday re-elected Burhan Ghalioun, a secular long-time resident in France, as its leader for another three months. People involved in the vote, which took place in Rome, said Ghalioun was viewed as acceptable to Syria's array of sects and ethnic groups, and to major factions within the umbrella SNC which seeks recognition as the sole legitimate opposition group to Assad. Shortly afterwards, Fawaz Tello, a prominent dissident, resigned from the SNC, the latest of several senior figures to quit the body in recent months. The SNC said he was not a member in the first place, underscoring tensions within the organization. As the SNC debated its leadership, Damascus announced the results of parliamentary elections it points to as proof of Assad's determination to resolve the uprising peacefully.

NAWAZ SHARIF: $32 million money laundering scandal

daily times

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday said it has started investigations against the Sahrif brothers in a $32 million money laundering scandal. “The reference against Sharif brothers was sent by Interior Minister Rehman Malik and it will be decided on merit,” NAB spokesman Zafar Iqbal said while addressing a media briefing at the NAB headquarters. Replying to a question about the reports that President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the NAB chairman to initiate an inquiry against the Sharifs and reopen pending cases against them, the spokesman said the president had only directed the NAB chairman to ensure that there was no political victimisation. Malik had earlier claimed he had evidence to prove that the PML-N leaders were involved in laundering $32 million. Iqbal said NAB has so far recovered Rs 2.012 billion from Rental Power Plants (RPPs) on the directives of the Supreme Court (SC). Giving details, he said Rs 109 million were recovered from Pakistan Power House and Walter International, Rs 546 million from Techno Engineering, Rs 50 million from Young Generation, Rs 225 million from Gulf company and Rs 100 million from Reshma company. The bureau has recorded the statements of former power minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Shaukat Tareen and Liaquat Jatoi, but no money has been recovered from them, he said, adding the three will be summoned again if needed. The NAB spokesman said the Interior Ministry has not yet put the names of ministers involved in RPPs’ case on the Exit Control List (ECL) despite a request by NAB. Responding to a question, he said that nobody has been given clean chit in the case, rather NAB is in the process of recovery from the RPPs. Moreover, the bureau has also sent its teams to inspect the sites of RPPs and teams are busy finalising their reports. Iqbal said NAB was in contact with an army team questioning generals named in NLC corruption reference.

876 security personnel guarding Sharif family

http://www.thenewstribe.com

Sharif Family, one of the most politically influence families in the country, and ministers of Punjab province have deputed 876 security personnel to protect their homes, offices and family members.

These security personnel giving round the clock security duty are from police and Elite Force. The cost of their salaries, vehicles and other expenses is millions of rupees annually to national wealth. “But the other scene in the province is hundred of incidents of roberies, terrorism and kidnappings are being held everyday making the law and order situation bad to worse,” security officials told.

Over 100 of security personnel are deputed only for the protection of head of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Sharif and his family. “They are basically responsible for protection of Nawaz Sharif, Captain Safdar, son in law of Nawaz, Mariam Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz, Kulsoom Nawaz and kids of the family,” the sources revealed. “Any movement of these persons means consumption of official resources and such scenes are common in Raiwind, the area where house of Sharif family is situated,” they added. They say security guards for Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and his family inlcuding Hamza Shahbaz, Salman Shahbaz and Nusrat Shahbaz are in addition to guards of Nawaz family. “Deploying government personnel on personal protection is creating a VIP culture in the province,” the sources said. “To improve law and order situation in the province, it would be better for Sharif family to withdraw their guards or at least decrease the number to minimum.”

Dozens protest outside Obama headquarters, consulates

About 75 protesters marched today from President Barack Obama's re-election headquarters to several consulates of countries that belong to NATO, protesting the alliance's involvement in the war in Afghanistan and other military action. Before the march stepped off around noon, the demonstrators lined up in front of a barricade formed by about a dozen Chicago police officers standing behind their bicycles along a sidewalk at 130 E. Randolph St. Many of the demonstrators belonged to Code Pink, which describes itself as a "women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement." Tithe Barry, from Washington, D.C., held a cardboard model of a drone to protest drone strikes by the United States which he said have killed hundreds of innocent people. "Barack Obama, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning president, needs to come clean," Barry shouted. "He's not for peace or for ending these outdated wars."

A dozen of the protesters staged what they called a "die-in" -- laying on the ground and pretending to have been struck by a drone. As they laid on the ground, others drew outlines of their bodies on the sidewalk with pink chalk. About 12:30 p.m., the group marched west on Randolph toward Michigan Avenue. Police followed with their bikes to keep protesters off the street as their numbers grew to about 50. The group turned east on Lake Street to stop at the Canadian consulate at 2 Prudential Plaza to protest the use of Canadian troops in Afghanistan. The group then marched north, headed for the British and German consulates north of the Chicago River on Michigan Avenue. By the time they reached the British consulate at 400 N. Michigan Ave., their numbers had grown to about 75 people. As they walked to the German consulate, 625 N. Michigan Ave., the marchers clogged the sidewalk, chanting "Say no to NATO!" and "When drones fly, children die. Stop the war!" Most of the group disbanded at Rush and Huron streets around 1:30 p.m. after taking a group photo. About two dozen protesters stayed after the protest was over and gathered near 676 North Michigan, where they heard an impromptu speech from Tobias Pflueger, who said he is a former member of the European parliament from Germany. He applauded the protesters for their demonstration. "I am happy you are here demonstrating against the war organization NATO," Pflueger said. "When NATO does wars they kill people and they also kill democracies. We will not allow NATO to kill democracy." Pflueger than translated a speech from Inge Hoger, a member of the German parliament, through a megaphone. "I say no to NATO and no to war all over the world," Hoger shouted in English first. "I am here to support the protests of NATO, especially because NATO starts wars all over the world," Pflueger said, translating for Hoger. "The money that is being spent on this occupation in Afghanistan should be spent on a peaceful solution in Afghanistan, and because NATO is a war organization, Germany should pull out of NATO, and NATO should be disbanded."

Balochistan : A Distasteful Joke

The Baloch Hal

Why are there no reactions, both from the government and the civil society, to the brazen and bizarre statement of Balochistan Communication Minister Ali Madad Jattak that there is nothing wrong with indulging into corruption? A person holding a public office and defending corruption would have indeed been kicked out of the cabinet had he lived and worked in a civilized country with a functioning democracy. Mr. Jattak is going to continue to work in his office because he works under a boss who once publicly endorsed possession of fake and fraudulent degrees for the members of the Parliament. Aslam Raisani, Jattak’s boss and Balochistan’s current chief minister, told the media that a degree was a degree whether it was fake or original. This is a sickening state of affairs in Balcohistan where overt defenders of corruption and fraud hold public offices. There is no reaction on the part of the civil society ostensibly because of public sense of powerlessness and despondency. The ordinary citizen in the province is caught between rogue and repressive intelligence agencies, security forces and a bunch of crooks occupying public offices. While talking about the conflict in Balochistan, one key area that almost always remains ignored is the performance of the provincial government. One often hears about the illegal actions of the military and the intelligence agencies, flawed policies of the federal government and a growing rebellion in the province among the youth who aspire to seek independence from Pakistan. What we do sufficiently hear about is the members of the provincial government who get the least attention in the conflict. If not getting attention is a blessing then only ministers in the Balochistan government can explain its benefits. Balochistan has a group of permanent members of the Pakistani Establishment who continue to rule the province during all good or bad times. This bunch of individuals mainly comprises of tribal chiefs and the clergy. They have nominal political affiliations. They switch political loyalties with the change in the federal government. They join the Pakistan Muslim League, either Nawaz or the Quaid-e-Azam League, when this party rules the country but instantly become members or supporters of the Pakistan People’s Party when it comes into power. Thus, there is a little that changes in Balochistan’s internal politics following an electoral process. This group of people will remain in power no matter what Balochistan’s relations with the central government look like. For example, more than half of today’s provincial government comprises of the loyalists of General Musharraf. They immediately become supporters of the PPP as Musharraf lost popularity. Some of them are gradually becoming admirers of Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan keeping in view the changing politics in the country. What is missing is the clear absence of a political or civil society-driven movement in Balochistan that calls for accountability of the provincial government. The current assembly of 65 members has only one member of the opposition whereas everyone else is a part of the government as a minister or an adviser. They are corrupt to such an extent that they, just like Mr. Jattak, publicly defend corruption because they know that they are not answerable to anyone for their deeds. While being skeptical and cynical of government policies is a positive attitude in a democratic culture, pessimism and complete disassociation is catastrophic. It offers a free opportunity to politicians to misuse public office and indulge into corruption. Lack of public interest leads to lack of the primary public quest for accountability. No one can help the people of Balochistan but themselves to stand against the status quo. The youth in Balochistan, political parties and the media must play a vibrant role in holding the provincial government accountable just like the way they vigorously fight the federal government for its exploitation of the province’s mineral wealth and committing human rights abuses. The people should give up a policy of forgiving to their elected representatives for whatever nonsensical statements they make. We would also like to urge the Minister to apologize for his remarks. The PPP central leadership should take notice of his remarks and it must discourage such undemocratic attitude in the greater interest of the democracy. Democracy should not be deemed as a means to absolute authority and stark impunity. If unchecked, such arrogant (mis)use of power leads to collapse of democracy in any given society and serve as the catalyst for authoritarianism.

New French govt agrees 30% pay cut for president, ministers

Members of France’s new Socialist-led government will promise Thursday to take a pay cut, a gesture of shared sacrifice by leaders who must now both reduce the country’s massive debts and tackle spiraling unemployment. President Francois Hollande promised during his campaign to protect France’s elaborate social benefit system -- even vowing to roll back some cuts that his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy had made -- while also continuing to trim the country’s deficit. France hasn’t balanced a budget in nearly 40 years, and Hollande has promised to eliminate the deficit in 2017. It will be a difficult balancing act for the Socialists, who are taking power in the middle of a global economic slowdown and Europe’s debt crisis. France’s GDP did not grow in the first quarter of the year, and restarting growth will be key to managing the country’s finances. But economists have said growth will require deep reform to France’s inflexible labor market -- and it’s unclear if Hollande is willing to take it on. “Francois Hollande has always said we have to fight the debt, reduce the deficits, secure France’s situation. A country that is indebted is a country that grows poorer,” said the new Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici on BFM television on Thursday. “But responsibility and growth are not mutually exclusive.” He added that the government wouldn’t renege on its campaign promises. Hollande’s new Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Wednesday night that the government would start by making its own sacrifice, by cutting the ministers’ salaries by 30 percent. “It’s setting an example,” he said on France-2 television. The cuts will be proposed later in the day when the new Cabinet meets for the first time. But as a series of handovers of power took place Thursday, the emphasis seemed to be more on fulfilling campaign promises to enhance or at least protect benefits than on cutting spending. Employment Minister Michel Sapin said his major challenge would be reducing unemployment that has reached 10 percent and allowing people who started working at a young age to retire earlier than a law passed under Sarkozy currently allows them to. Sarkozy faced down unions and strikes to push the retirement age to 62 from 60, saying it was the only way to save the system. “We need to as quickly as possible put an end to the flagrant injustice put in place by the previous government,” said Sapin after the handover of power. “What’s on the agenda is to ensure the sustainability of our social benefit system that will allow retirees to live.” The new government will also confront major international questions, like Hollande’s promise to withdraw troops by the end of the year from Afghanistan. Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, an old friend of Hollande’s, and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, a former prime minister, will surely wade into that debate, which will be raised at a NATO summit this weekend in Chicago. Many NATO partners are unhappy with Hollande’s decision. France had previously committed to keeping troops in the country until 2013 -- already faster than the alliance’s timetable.

Opposition arrests spark Bangladesh clashes

Source: Al Jazeera and Agencies

A general strike is under way in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, after 33 senior opposition leaders were charged with involvement in an arson attack during an anti-government strike last month. The main opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP) called for Thursday's strike, which they said would take place across the nation, in response to the ruling. The BNP said the court decision was "politically motivated" aimed at crushing "legitimate protests" over the disappearance of a BNP leader. "It's totally unbelievable and a fabricated case," said BNP spokesman Nazrul Islam Khan, "We are awestruck at the court's decision not to grant bail to our top leaders." Khan added that the charges against the men were bailable offences. Following the arrests on Wednesday, there were angry scenes outside the court in Dhaka. Police baton-charged angry demonstrators and a number of vehicles were attacked and set alight in the capital and several other towns, news reports said. ATN Bangla television station said several opposition supporters were arrested. Other stations said at least two vehicles were burned in separate incidents in Dhaka immediately after the ruling. Opposition activists also smashed vehicles in protests in several other towns, news reports said. Those arrested include Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir, the acting secretary of the BNP led by Khaleda Zia, and former Dhaka mayor Sadeq Hossain. Secretary missing The BNP heads the 18-party opposition alliance that has called a series of general strikes to protest alleged government involvement in a politician's disappearance. Jebel Rahman Ghaani, chairman of the opposition Bangladesh National Awami Party, told Al Jazeera "the government has been quite incompetent in the handling of most national issues," particularly, the disappearance of an official in the BNP. The opposition also set a June 10 ultimatum for the government to restore a caretaker government system to oversee the next national elections, due in 2014. The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina scrapped the 15 year-old system last year in what the opposition says was part of a plan to rig the elections. The opposition has said it will boycott the elections if the system is not restored. Political tensions have sharply escalated since Elias Ali, an organising secretary in Zia's party, went missing along with his driver on April 17 from a street in Dhaka. Police found his car abandoned in Dhaka and his driver is also missing. The opposition says the government and its security agencies are behind his disappearance. Authorities deny the allegation. As a result of Wednesday's ruling, the 33 defendants will remain in jail until further legal proceedings.

Donna Summer dies

http://www.usatoday.com/

TMZ reports that the Queen of Disco - Donna Summer - died this morning in Florida at age 63 following a battle with cancer. Summer was a 5-time Grammy winner who shot to superstardom in the '70s with iconic hits including Last Dance, Hot Stuff and Bad Girls.

NAB starts inquiry into money laundering case against Sharifs

National Accountability Bureau has started investigating money-laundering allegations against President PML-N Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Spokesperson and Director NAB Zafar Iqbal briefing the media here on Thursday said the bureau has started probing the allegations leveled by Interior Minister Rehman Malik against Nawaz Sharif of money laundering. The investigation would be based strictly on merit, he said. He said NAB so far, on the orders of SC, has recovered Rupees 2 billion from Rental Powerhouses and statements of former minister for power, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Shaukat Tareen and Liaquat Jatoi have been recorded but no money has been recovered from them. Furthermore, he added, names of ministers involved in RPPs case have not been placed on Exit Control List. He further said arrest warrant against former Chairman OGRA, Tauqeer Sadiq had been issued while member of OGRA, Mansoor Zafar in gas prices scandal has been arrested and he is being interrogated.

Gilani advises PML-N to read constitution

PAKISTAN TODAY

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Thursday that the political parties that consider it their responsibility to get apex court’s orders into action, should go through the constitution. Speaking to the media persons here after a ceremony held in connection with World Communiccation Day, Gilani made a specific reference to the PML-N when making this statement. He said in court orders it was not mentioned that implementation of court verdicts was responsibility of politicians or N-League. When asked by a reporter if he would be resigning, the prime minister replied “who should I give my resignation to?” He added we are following the constitution of the country. It is not enshrined in the Constitution that any political party, especially the N-League will implement Supreme Court orders, said Gilani. He said that a bunch of people did not want to see his face and want to remove him in order to succeed in their conspiracy to hinder the formation of Seraiki province. Seraiki province was the demand of 40 million people and resolutions for the formation of new province have been passed both in National Assembly and Punjab Assembly. He said that government was adamant to create new province. The prime minister said that to overcome the energy crisis and to control loadshedding, government is utilizing all the facilities at hand and trying to control the long hours power breakdown, adding that government has initiated various steps in this regard to pull the country out of crisis. Gilani said that there is no restriction on provinces to produce electricity. He said that government servants who were expelled by Nawaz Sharif were re-appointed by the incumbent governments and steps were take to regularize all those who fell victim to Nawaz government’s biased policies, adding that government was taking steps to regularize the remaining government servants serving on contract. Answering question regarding the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner, the premier said he had sought recommendations from Leader of the Opposition but he denied saying he didn’t accept him the prime minister. Gilani said that parliamentarians have accepted the committee constituted by him and they will also accepts him as PM of the country. Gilani said that parliamentary committee headed by Syed Khurshid Shah would now oversee the issue of appointment of Chief Election Commissioner. Gilani further said that the opposition did not accept him as the prime minister but were willing to sit in committees formed by him. He said that talks with the US over the restoration of Nato supplies were underway, adding that President Zardari has been invited to the Chicago summit unconditionally which president will attend. To a question whether the army would launch operation in North Waziristan, Gilani said that army could take measures against foreign militants on its own.

Obama Talks Gay Marriage, Politics and Pop Culture on 'The View'

Obama Campaign Announces Raising $43.6 Million in April

President Obama and the Democrats raised $43.6 million in April, adding to the president’s edge over his rival, Mitt Romney, even as money continues to pour in to outside groups ahead of the fall campaign. Campaign Cash News and analysis on campaign fund-raising. The $43.6 million is a dip from March, when Mr. Obama’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee raised a combined $53 million. But it does not count several large fund-raisers — including one in Hollywood that reportedly raised $15 million — that took place in early May. Mr. Obama’s campaign is also hoping to capitalize in the months ahead on increased fund-raising in the gay community after Mr. Obama’s statement this month that he supports same-sex marriage. In a video released Wednesday morning, Jim Messina, the president’s campaign manager, focused on the need to compete with the outside groups like Crossroads GPS and Restore Our Future, a “super PAC” formed to help Mr. Romney. “Oil company executives and other special interests are dumping millions of dollars in super PAC attack ads,” Mr. Messina said. “The Koch brothers-funded super PAC spent $6 million on TV ads attacking the president. Mitt Romney’s super PAC put another $4 million on the air.” The campaign is eager to light a fire under its supporters to donate money to combat those ads. But it’s also trying to show potential donors how contributions are being used to build an effective organization on the ground. In the video, Mr. Messina described how the campaign has opened dozens of field offices in swing states like Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia in the hopes of overwhelming Mr. Romney with a superior organization. Still, the campaign knows that the ability to compete with Mr. Romney and the outside groups with television advertising will be a key to winning the election. And that takes money. Just this month, Mr. Obama’s campaign announced a $25 million advertising buy in the battleground states in a largely positive effort to promote the president’s accomplishments in office. And on Wednesday, the campaign is paying for a two-minute attack ad about Mr. Romney’s time at Bain Capital. So far, Mr. Obama has easily outpaced Mr. Romney’s fund-raising. By mid-March, Mr. Obama’s campaign had amassed nearly 10 times the amount of cash on hand that Mr. Romney had collected. But that was just as Mr. Romney was wrapping up the nomination. The Republican candidate has plans to raise as much as $800 million to spend on the general election, and has increased his fund-raising since becoming the presumptive nominee.

U.S. Census: Minorities now surpass whites in US births

For the first time, racial and ethnic minorities make up more than half the children born in the U.S., capping decades of heady immigration growth that is now slowing. New 2011 census estimates highlight sweeping changes in the nation's racial makeup and the prolonged impact of a weak economy, which is now resulting in fewer Hispanics entering the U.S.

"This is an important landmark," said Roderick Harrison, a former chief of racial statistics at the Census Bureau who is now a sociologist at Howard University. "This generation is growing up much more accustomed to diversity than its elders." The report comes as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on the legality of Arizona's strict immigration law, with many states weighing similar get-tough measures. "We remain in a dangerous period where those appealing to anti-immigration elements are fueling a divisiveness and hostility that might take decades to overcome," Harrison said. As a whole, the nation's minority population continues to rise, following a higher-than-expected Hispanic count in the 2010 census. Minorities increased 1.9 percent to 114.1 million, or 36.6 percent of the total U.S. population, lifted by prior waves of immigration that brought in young families and boosted the number of Hispanic women in their prime childbearing years. But a recent slowdown in the growth of the Hispanic and Asian populations is shifting notions on when the tipping point in U.S. diversity will come — the time when non-Hispanic whites become a minority. After 2010 census results suggested a crossover as early as 2040, demographers now believe the pivotal moment may be pushed back several years when new projections are released in December. The annual growth rates for Hispanics and Asians fell sharply last year to just over 2 percent, roughly half the rates in 2000 and the lowest in more than a decade. The black growth rate stayed flat at 1 percent. The immigrants staying put in the U.S. for now include Narcisa Marcelino, 34, a single mother who lives with her two daughters, ages 10 and 5, in Martinsburg, W.Va. After crossing into the U.S. from Mexico in 2000, she followed her brother to the eastern part of the state just outside the Baltimore-Washington region. The Martinsburg area is known for hiring hundreds of migrants annually to work in fruit orchards. Its Hispanic growth climbed from 14 percent to 18 percent between 2000 and 2005 before shrinking last year to 3.3 percent, still above the national average. Marcelino says she sells food from her home to make ends meet for her family and continues to hope that one day she will get a hearing with immigration officials to stay legally in the U.S. She aspires to open a restaurant and is learning English at a community college so she can help other Spanish-language speakers. If she is eventually deported, "it wouldn't be that tragic," Marcelino said. "But because the children have been born here, this is their country. And there are more opportunities for them here." Of the 30 large metropolitan areas showing the fastest Hispanic growth in the previous decade, all showed slower growth in 2011 than in the peak Hispanic growth years of 2005-2006, when the construction boom attracted new migrants to low-wage work. They include Lakeland, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; Atlanta; Provo, Utah; Las Vegas; and Phoenix. All but two — Fort Myers, Fla., and Dallas-Fort Worth — also grew more slowly last year than in 2010, hurt by the jobs slump. Pointing to a longer-term decline in immigration, demographers believe the Hispanic population boom may have peaked. "The Latino population is very young, which means they will continue to have a lot of births relative to the general population," said Mark Mather, associate vice president of the Population Reference Bureau. "But we're seeing a slowdown that is likely the result of multiple factors: declining Latina birth rates combined with lower immigration levels. If both of these trends continue, they will lead to big changes down the road." William H. Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution who analyzed the census data, noted that government debates over immigration enforcement may now be less pressing, given slowing growth. "The current congressional and Supreme Court interest in reducing immigration — and the concerns especially about low-skilled and undocumented Hispanic immigration — represent issues that could well be behind us," he said. Minorities made up roughly 2.02 million, or 50.4 percent of U.S. births in the 12-month period ending July 2011. That compares with 37 percent in 1990. In all, 348 of the nation's 3,143 counties, or 1 in 9, have minority populations across all age groups that total more than 50 percent. In a sign of future U.S. race and ethnic change, the number of counties reaching the tipping point increases to more than 690, or nearly 1 in 4, when looking only at the under age 5 population. The counties in transition include Maricopa (Phoenix), Ariz.; King (Seattle), Wash.; Travis (Austin), Texas; and Palm Beach, Fla., where recent Hispanic births are driving the increased diversity among children. Also high on the list are suburban counties such as Fairfax, Va., just outside the nation's capital, and Westchester, N.Y., near New York City, where more open spaces are a draw for young families who are increasingly minority. According to the latest data, the percentage growth of Hispanics slowed from 4.2 percent in 2001 to 2.5 percent last year. Their population growth would have been even lower if it weren't for their relatively high fertility rates — seven births for every death. The median age of U.S. Hispanics is 27.6 years. Births actually have been declining for both whites and minorities as many women postponed having children during the economic slump. But the drop since 2008 has been larger for whites, who have a median age of 42. The number of white births fell by 11.4 percent, compared with 3.2 percent for minorities, according to Kenneth Johnson, a sociologist at the University of New Hampshire. Asian population increases also slowed, from 4.5 percent in 2001 to about 2.2 percent. Hispanics and Asians still are the two fastest-growing minority groups, making up about 16.7 percent and 4.8 percent of the U.S. population, respectively. Blacks, who comprise about 12.3 percent of the population, have increased at a rate of about 1 percent each year. Whites have increased very little in recent years. Other findings: —The migration of black Americans back to the South is slowing. New destinations in the South, including Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Raleigh, N.C., and Orlando, Fla., saw sharp drop-offs in black population growth as the prolonged housing bust kept African-Americans locked in place in traditional big cities. Metro areas including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco had reduced declines or gains. —Nine U.S. counties in five states saw their minority populations across all age groups surpass 50 percent last year. They were Sutter and Yolo in California; Quitman in Georgia; Cumberland in New Jersey; Colfax in New Mexico; and Lynn, Mitchell, Schleicher and Swisher in Texas. —Maverick County, Texas, had the largest share of minorities at 96.8 percent, followed by Webb County, Texas, and Wade Hampton, Alaska, both at 96 percent. —Four states — Hawaii, California, New Mexico and Texas — as well as the District of Columbia have minority populations that exceed 50 percent. The census estimates used local records of births and deaths, tax records of people moving within the U.S., and census statistics on immigrants. The figures for "white" refer to those whites who are not of Hispanic ethnicity. ___

NATO's rush for exit risks Afghan collapse

NATO's rush to get out of a "quagmire" in Afghanistan risks the collapse of the state and strategic failure for the Western alliance in its decade-long war, a former EU adviser has warned. "The intervention veered from 'too little too late' in its crucial early years, to one of 'too much too late'," says Barbara Stapleton, who was deputy to the EU special representative for Afghanistan, in a report. The report for the independent Afghanistan Analysts Network, entitled "Beating a Retreat", comes ahead of a NATO summit in Chicago that will hammer out details of the withdrawal of some 130,000 troops by the end of 2014. Stapleton criticises the inflexibility of the deadline, saying the transition of security to Afghan control "cannot be divorced from actual conditions on the ground with respect to security, governance and development". "The idea that the official transition timeline can generate even minimally conducive conditions on the Afghan ground -- that would substantiate claims that the transition strategy can succeed -- is a delusion," she writes. Implementation of the transition without these conditions being taken into account, "increases the risk of the Afghan state's collapse and with it, the prospect of strategic failure for NATO". After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the United States led an invasion of Afghanistan to topple the Taliban regime for harbouring Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden -- and has been fighting an insurgency by the hardline Islamists ever since. With the long war increasingly unpopular in the West, NATO set 2014 as the deadline for pulling its combat troops out, while training some 350,000 Afghan security forces to take over the fight. "In the rush to get out of the quagmire that Afghanistan has become, the US and other NATO member states may be preparing the ground for more instability there, rather than less," Stapleton says. The Afghan government will take to the NATO summit on Sunday a firm demand for $4.1 billion a year for its security forces after Western troops pull out -- insisting that it is an investment for the West's own security. "This is not charity, Afghanistan is and will be on the frontline of the world's fight against terrorism," Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin told foreign journalists ahead of the summit.

President Zardari to attend NATO summit on Sunday

Foreign Office Spokesman in Islamabad on Thursday said the

President Zardari will address the Expanded ISAF Meeting of NATO and also meet various leaders on the occasion. He will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. The spokesperson said decision to attend the summit was made after both the DCC and the Cabinet had endorsed the invitation. To a question the Spokesman said Pakistan will continues to remain engaged with the United States on all issues and decisions in this regard would be taken in the best interest of the nation. Responding to some speculative media reports be clarified that the government will abide by recommendations of the Parliament, the official said as decided by the Defence Committee of the Cabinet negotiations on NATO supply‚ question of apology‚ fresh border ground rules and cessation of drone attacks are being carried out in a transparent manner.

Malik urges Sharifs to stop using state’s machinery for rallies

DAWN.COM Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Wednesday said protests led by Sharif brothers are an eye opener for public as to what level they (Sharifs) can go for their personal enmity where they even do not mind using the state machinery for their protest rallies. He said law and order situation is not satisfactory, corruption and mismanagement can be seen in Punjab province as wrong and vague policies of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif have made people to suffer. The minister was responding to a question raised in a press conference regarding statements being issued by the PML-N leadership against the government. “I advise both the Sharif brothers to avoid telling lies and bring change in their attitudes. They should realise that people support Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) which is trying to bring positive change in their lives,” he said. Malik said he has evidence against Sharifs of their involvement in corruption and added he would gradually reveal their other frauds before the masses. Replying to a question, the minister said he would approach the courts regarding their (Sharifs) corruption but first he will fight against them in the “court of masses.” He said the amount embezzled and wasted in Sasti Roti Scheme and corruption in free laptops distribution is so massive that with the same amount half of the Punjab would have been self-sufficient in electric supply, he added. “If Sharifs bring only 50 per cent of their wealth from abroad laundered through various banks and stolen by Pakistani banks can make Pakistan self-sufficient in the energy supply,” he said and asked Nawaz and Shahbaz to bring back the stolen money and invest in the country instead of “talking.”

HRW urges Zardari not to sign Human Rights Commission bill

The Human Rights Watch on Thursday urged the President of Pakistan not to sign a bill to authorize a newly formed national human rights commission until it is revised to “authorize investigations of the military and the intelligence agencies for human rights violations.” “The National Human Rights Commission if given teeth can play a critical role in improving Pakistan’s dire human rights situation. President Zardari should tell parliament he will only sign the bill when it gives the commission authority over abuses by the military and intelligence agencies,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at the international human rights’ watchdog, in a press release issued today. Pakistan’s National Assembly had passed a bill – the National Human Rights Commission Act – on May 4 for the commission’s formation, but the act requires the president’s approval before it goes into effect. The Human Rights Watch has expressed concerns that the bill would prevent the commission from addressing or investigating “human rights violations by members of the armed forces and intelligence agencies.” “Pakistan’s military and its intelligence agencies have a long and well-documented history of serious and systematic abuses,” said Adams. “A primary reason to create a national human rights commission should be to address longstanding impunity for the army and intelligence services.” The HRW has repeatedly called for more accountability of Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies, which it says, manages the country’s security policy. Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad, who was mysteriously killed in May last year, had told the HRW that he had been getting threats from intelligence agents. The government had formed a commission to investigate the death, but it was unable to specifically hold anyone responsible for the killing. The HRW had blamed the commission of being “fearful of confronting the ISI over Shahzad’s death.” “The commission’s failure to get to the bottom of the Shahzad killing illustrates the ability of the ISI to remain beyond the reach of Pakistan’s criminal justice system,” Adams had said earlier in January. Thursday’s press release adds that the bill creating the National Human Rights Commission contains many positive elements to promote and protect human rights in Pakistan. “A strong and independent National Human Rights Commission can be a key institution in aiding Pakistan’s transition to a truly rights-respecting democracy.” But a commission that cannot take on cases involving the army and intelligence agencies would perpetuate a cruel joke on Pakistanis whose rights have been violated.”

Islami Jamiat-e-Talba terrorists attacks, damages PU VC’s office

The historic Punjab University converted into a battlefield on Wednesday, when more than a hundred Islami Jamiat-e-Talba (IJT) activists attacked and damaged the PU Vice-Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran’s office, terming him responsible for the murder of IJT activist Awais Aqeel, Pakistan Today has learnt. The PU had opened on its first working day on Wednesday after the murder of the student. It is pertinent to mention here that Aqeel was murdered by former IJT activist Abrar Watto while at the PU hostel canteen. After the incident, the varsity’s departments were closed after the IJT called for complete closure of academic activities. During the demonstration, the IJT activists, who had gathered on the express invitation of the organisation, shouted slogans against the PU VC and warned the PU administration of dire consequences for the loss of their activist. PU IJT Nazim Rai Haq Nawaz said the organisation had proof attesting to the involvement of the administration in the murder as the administration had supported Watto. He added that Abrar had been involved in criminal activities, but the administration did not take any action against him. The IJT activists claimed that the varsity’s top officials, especially the VC and PUCIT Principal Mansoor Sarwer were involved in Aqeel’s murder. According to the official PU spokesman, two professors were also attacked by the activists, while most faculty members and employees shut down their offices after the incident. The PU is no stranger to clashes between the university’s administration and the IJT, as just last week PUCIT Principal Sarwer vacated hostel rooms from the illegal IJT occupants, inviting another clash during which two IJT activists were injured. An FIR was also registered against the PUCIT principal by the IJT. According to IJT activist Nawaz, Aqeel had been warned of dire consequences by principal Sarwer before his murder. The activist said the organisation was investigating the incident and would not spare those involved in the crime. He said also criticised the administration’s ‘double standards’, saying that many trouble-makers had been expelled from the varsity in the past, with the exception of Watto. Nawaz denied allegations that the IJT had attacked teachers and said it was a part of the administration’s propaganda. However, according to the PU spokesman, the murder was a result of internal clashes in the IJT, adding that the administration was not linked to the incident. He said the administration and PU Academic Staff Association was protesting over the disruptive activities of the IJT and were demanding security measures from the Punjab government. The PU spokesman added that Aqeel and Watto were not PU students and that the administration had launched an operation to vacate the PU hostels from illegal occupants such as these. According to PU spokesman, the organisation had supported Watto during his attacks on the houses of syndicate member Prof Dr Shaukat Ali and Examinations Controller Prof Dr Liaqat Ali. He said the IJT activists were involved in negative politics that had claimed a precious life. PUASA condemned attack on VC Office: Meanwhile, a meeting of PUASA was held on Wednesday at executive club of the varsity where PUASA representatives condemned the attack on the VC office while other PU faculty members also opposed the incident.

Pakistan: Civil, military leaderships on same page over NATO supplies

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Wednesday claimed that there was no difference of opinion between the civilian and military leaderships on the reopening of NATO supplies, adding that the decision to complete the dialogue process expeditiously was a unanimous decision. Briefing reporters on the federal cabinet meeting at the PM’s Secretariat, the minister said individual views were always there but decisions were made collectively and all owned them. The federal cabinet met and endorsed all the decisions adopted by the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC). Meanwhile, the military top brass also held an informal meeting at the GHQ, chaired by COAS General Ashfaq Kayani and the meeting which was attended by all corps commanders, also discussed the DCC decisions and deliberated upon the issue at length. Kaira said the decision on the issue of NATO supplies resumption, would be made in the light of parliament’s resolution keeping in view national interests and dignity. Dispelling the impression given by a section of the media about concealing the decisions, he said, “The government does not need to hide any decisions on the NATO supplies, but being a sensitive issue the media should report it correctly,” adding that the president had been extended an invitation to attend the Chicago Summit, but neither the civil government nor the security establishment had given any assurances to the US. To a question, he said the democratic government had taken bold steps on the NATO supplies’ issue as no past regime had ever taken such a stance. He also reminded that the government had singed agreements with Iran despite opposition from certain countries. Kaira said Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh assured the cabinet that in the next budget all required funds would be allocated to the power sector to avoid unscheduled load shedding. About power theft, he said the cabinet decided that there would be “zero tolerance” for this crime. He said it was hoped that in the coming days inflow of water in dams would increase and power generation from hydel sector would increase considerably which would help minimise load shedding. He said that the cabinet had formed a committee headed by the finance minister to monitor the power situation on a daily basis and take appropriate steps in this regard. About Thar coal gasification by a team headed by Dr Samar Mubarkmand, he said funds required for the project would be provided and the impression that he was not being provided funds was incorrect. To a question, he said the superior judiciary, parliament and national institutions considered Prime Minister Gilani legitimate head of the government. Meanwhile, the prime minister informed the Cabinet meeting that economic indicators of Pakistan’s economy were moving in the right direction despite the global recession and the devastating floods of 2010 and 2011. He said his government would present a pro-people budget and he had given following policy guidelines and broad parameters on which the Finance Ministry should focus in preparation of the budget. “The budget should be people-friendly and priority be given to alleviating the difficulties of common man and provision of relief. Job creation through the next budget should be a top priority. Job opportunities for 100,000 young men and women have to be created,” asserted Gilani. At this stage, the cabinet set aside the regular agenda and turned into a Special Cabinet meeting to discuss the energy shortages in the country. The special cabinet meeting had a detailed view of energy shortages in the country. All members of the cabinet took part in the exhaustive discussion and shared their point of view. The cabinet took the following decisions: the Cabinet Energy Committee comprising ministers for finance, petroleum, water and power, information and broadcasting, planning commission deputy chairman and state bank of Pakistan governor would meet frequently to sort out the issue of energy shortages. The finance minister assured the cabinet meeting that all financial resources will be utilised, until the next budget, for the generation of energy to meet the energy requirements.

Mehran Bank case: Durrani says Beg was on board since beginning

Former ISI chief Lt Gen (r) Asad Durrani said on Wednesday that former army chief General (r) Mirza Aslam Beg was on board right from the beginning in the process of issuing instructions as well as overseeing the disbursement of funds to political parties in the 1990s. In his statement last week, Beg denied his involvement in disbursement of funds allegedly by the ISI among politicians to topple former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's government. The former COAS stated that from the very outset of this case, he has maintained that he had absolutely no involvement in the disbursement of donations, ordered by former president Ghulam Ishaq Khan. Responding to his statement, Asad Durrani, in a two-page statement submitted to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, said, "I received my initial orders to organise distribution of election donations... Though the subsequent instructions were at times conveyed by Mr Ijlal Haider Zaidi, a member of the president's election team, I kept the army chief fully informed." He said that Beg was trying to absolve himself of any role in distribution of funds to various recipients. According to Durrani, the institution of the ISI was brought under political control way back in 1975. According to Gen (r) Beg's affidavit dated 23.2.97, a political cell was created in the ISI by the then PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. "Be as it may, ISI as an organisation responds to multiple centres of power: the President, in his capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces; the three service chiefs and the chairman JSHQ; and indeed the Prime Minister." Durrani said that in practice, however, the army chief wields more power over the ISI than any of its other 'bosses'; not only because of his extraordinary status in the national polity, but also because most of the ISI's senior appointments, including its director general are serving soldiers. "All accounts were maintained by the officers belonging to various MI detachments and funds were placed in temporary accounts (details can be provided on confidential basis). Only after the disbursements were over, the balance was transferred to a special fund of the ISI. Since records were meticulously maintained, all transactions can be accounted for." Asad Durrani said, "However, as I had stated when called upon by the Hon'able Court to do so on 9.3.2012, I do not wish to merely take cover of the mandate, or of carrying out orders from the competent authority." "I believe that as a General of the Pakistan Army, I also have to take responsibility for my action. In this case I followed orders convinced that it was in the country's best interest. I seek the court's permission to explain my decision on confidential basis; or if it pleases the court, to submit an 'eyes only' paper on the subject," he said. The court will take up Air Marshal (r) Asghar Khan's petition against disbursement of millions of rupees by the ISI among anti-PPP politicians to manipulate the 1990 elections today (Thursday). The amount was allegedly disbursed by General (r) Beg, Asad Durrani and defunct Mehran Bank chief Younas Habib.

Turkey, the US, and Pakistan bargain on Afghanistan

BY: MURAT YETKİN

As of May 15, Pakistan was not on the list of countries that would participate in the NATO Summit on May 20-21 in Chicago: As of May 16, it is. Coincidentally the invitation was made just hours after Pakistan has reopened the NATO supply routes into Afghanistan through its Afghan border. Islamabad had been restricting the routes since November 2011, after U.S. drone attacks killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, and has been demanding an official apology before relations could return to normal. U.S. officials had expressed their regrets and said that it was a mistake, but that was not enough for the Pakistani government, which has been under serious pressure from the opposition. Finally, Pakistan stopped insisting on more from the U.S., and voila, they got the invitation, as Afghanistan’s most influential neighbor. U.S. military activity in Pakistan related to the NATO operation in Afghanistan, not necessarily under the authorization or even with the knowledge of Pakistani authorities, has been a problem between the two countries for some time. Osama bin Laden, the former leader of al-Qaeda, was killed in a U.S. commando operation in Pakistan, in a house only 60 kilometers away from Islamabad, on May 1, 2011. Pakistan’s mountainous border with Afghanistan is highly porous when it comes to the movements of the militants of al-Qaeda, the Taliban and other radical Islamist groups. Pakistan’s notorious intelligence service, the ISI, which is under the control of the country’s political power-focused army, has been accused widely of ignoring, if not supporting, such groups. Pakistan is a nuclear power with missile technology and it is a matter for concern among NATO circles that one day radical Islamist groups might somehow acquire such capabilities. The possibility of non-state actors coming into possession of nuclear warheads or missiles or both is among the concerns behind NATO’s missile shield project, which is to be leveled-up at the Chicago Summit. Turkey, hosting the early warning radar portion of the shield, has been involved in the diplomacy behind including Pakistan in the picture, in order to help the country be a part of the centripetal forces, instead of the centrifugal ones. Turkey’s statement of its intention to remain in Afghanistan, if the Afghans want it to, even after NATO starts to leave the country, could also be seen as part of this effort. It is important to have a working political and economic system in Pakistan for the good of the Asian sub-continent, and actually for the good of an even greater area, including the Middle East. Speaking of the Middle East, the Israeli defense minister’s visit to Washington, D.C. to see his American counterpart there at such a time can be isolated neither from the approaching NATO Summit nor from the Baghdad talks planned for May 23 (right after Chicago) to discuss the nuclear program of Iran, another important neighbor of Afghanistan. Russia is holding its appetite for a possible bilateral summit with the U.S. until after the presidential elections in November of this year. The picture is getting complicated, and it is hard to simply call it realpolitik revisited, or just another act in the great play that has been on the stage since the nineteenth century.

“Blasphemy law not to be used against minorities”: Zardari

AAJ TV

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said the government while vigorously promoting interfaith harmony was determined not to let anyone misuse the blasphemy law against minorities and other vulnerable sections of the society. The President was talking to Father Robert McCulloch, Procurator General from the Vatican, who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. He highlighted the contributions of the minorities in Pakistan and informed him of the constitutional protection to their fundamental rights. The President further added that the government had taken important measures to ensure protection of the minorities.

Pakistan preparing to reopen NATO supply

NATO commander pointed to indications that Pakistan is preparing to open NATO supply lines.The top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan pointed to indications today that Pakistan is preparing to open cross-border NATO supply lines into Afghanistan.Speaking by video teleconference, Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), told the sixth annual 2012 Joint Warfighting Conference he would welcome the move as well as improved relations with Pakistan for the stability of the region.“There have been in the last several days, some very important signals coming out of Islamabad that there is a consideration to re-open the ground lines of communication, and we, frankly, would welcome that, we would applaud that decision,” Allen said. “It would, in fact, be helpful to us if the ground lines of communication were opened, not just because of what could flow into Afghanistan but what could flow out of Afghanistan.”Relations between ISAF and Pakistan have been strained since a November 26 engagement near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border left 24 Pakistani soldiers martyred. Pakistan closed ISAF ground supply lines into Afghanistan in response. Allen noted the closing of the routes has not affected the ISAF mission.“I will tell you the effect of the closure of that route on the campaign has not slowed us at all,” he said. “The air bridge into Afghanistan and the flow of materiel across the Northern Distribution Network were modulated in a way that continued to support the campaign in every operational respect.”

SECULAR PAKISTAN: Building Jinnah’s Pakistan

THE movement for independence from the British was fought by Jinnah and leaders of the Indian National congress and the Muslim League. Jinnah echoed the secular sentiments of Dr Ambedkar when on Aug 11, 1947, he spoke of equality among citizens and the right of freedom of expression and worship to all citizens of Pakistan. He believed that religion was not the business of the state and said this authoritatively. He did not want the state to legislate on religion which he believed was personal to each individual. Did the path we were supposed to take come to an end on Sept 11, 1948? Have we drifted since then experimenting with different ideologies and forms of government? Countries around us have progressed much beyond us. Do our problems lie in our geostrategic location with big powers breathing down on us. Have aspirations and ambitious plans beyond our frontiers been the cause of our problems or have we embroiled ourselves by looking beyond our borders. We need an inward looking-government considering only our internal development and national interest. Did authoritarian regimes for 30 years block our progress towards political consciousness, pragmatic policies and democratic maturity on account of shortsighted leadership. The answer is yes — yes but we only have ourselves to blame because the people of Pakistan as the ‘ultimate sovereign’ and the media did not assert enough. We are a nation with an abundance of resources, a vibrant population of over 180 million with 50 per cent being under the age of 30. The otherwise hardworking and intelligent Pakistani population needs to be channeled in the right direction to achieve maximum benefit from the available talent. Civil society needs to be vibrant and in conjunction with the media, efforts need to be made to mould public opinion in the right direction. Pakistan needs to send right messages to the US, EU and all our neighbours. Let us stop being dependent on any nation, regain our pride, adopt pragmatic and sensible national policies, control our population, enhance education and literacy, promote honesty and hard work and we are bound to succeed. Our goal should be Jinnah’s Pakistan which will have no place for corruption, parochialism, sectarianism, extremism, etc. We need to emphasise the benefits of education, literacy, tolerance, equality, justice and fair play to everyone but while doing so, we must endeavour to promote honesty and adherence to the rule of law at all levels. Even President Obama has decided to bring the war in Afghanistan to an end, stop the large amounts of money being spent on this war and use these funds for internal development, growth and larger benefit of the American people. What is the problem which prevents us from utilising our resources for education, health and internal development? LIAQUAT H. MERCHANT Karachi

Barack Obama teases David Beckham over underwear

France: New Socialist cabinet takes power in France

France unveiled President Francois Hollande's new government on Wednesday, with exactly half of the posts going to women – a promise the new head of state had made during his campaign. Not counting the prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, who was appointed on Tuesday, the cabinet consists of 34 members, two more than the outgoing cabinet that served under conservative Nicolas Sarkozy. There was some concern over the news that Martine Aubry, Hollande’s former party rival and one of the Socialist Party’s most experienced women, would not join the cabinet after she was declined the prime ministerial position. There was also some criticism over the top-level posts being given to men, despite the cabinet being France’s first to reach gender parity. Former prime minister Laurent Fabius, 65, who campaigned against the European Constitutional Treaty in 2005, was handed the role of foreign affairs minister, sparking concern among some Europhiles. Pierre Rousselin, senior editor at French conservative daily Le Figaro, told FRANCE 24 that while the French might find him a “strange choice and a potential problem for Europe,” he may also turn out to be an advantage by gaining support from the majority of French people who voted “no” in the bitterly divisive 2005 referendum. There was also some surprise over the appointment of Pierre Moscovici, 54, as finance minister. Moscovici was very close to Dominique Strauss-Kahn before becoming Hollande’s campaign manager. His post was expected to go to Hollande’s long term ally, Michel Sapin, who was instead named as labour minister. Jean-Yves Le Drian, a 64-year-old local politician from Brittany, was named defence minister, while Manuel Valls, a free-market moderniser and a moderate within the Socialist Party, was named interior minister. Arnaud Montebourg, a 49-year-old from the left wing of the Socialist party, was put in charge of growth and industry. Women in power Christiane Taubira, from French Guiana, was named justice minister, making her the highest-ranking woman in the new cabinet. Outspoken and charismatic, the 60-year-old lawmaker authored a French law in 2001 making slavery a crime against humanity. She was the first black woman to run for president in 2002. Other women who received cabinet posts include Marisol Touraine, minister for health and social affairs; housing minister Cecile Duflot, who is also the leader of the Green party; and several women who helped run Hollande’s presidential campaign, including Aurelie Filipetti, as culture minister, and Najat Vallaud-Belkacem

, in charge of women's rights, one of two new cabinet posts. She will also act as government spokesperson. Anne-Cécile Mailfert, a gender equality activist from women’s rights group Osez le Féminisme (Dare to be feminist), told FRANCE 24 that she felt that there was a “clear divide” between women and men on the cabinet, with women receiving less important roles, save for minister of justice. “This is a little bit disappointing,” she said, though recognising the numerical parity as a “positive example” for society. The first cabinet session will take place on Thursday at 13.00pm Paris time.

HIV may afflict almost half Asia-Pacific transgenders: UN

Nearly half of transgender people in the Asia-Pacific region could have HIV as poor healthcare and high-risk lifestyles push infection rates to "critical levels", a UN report said Thursday. The region's estimated 9-9.5 million transgender population is "bearing the brunt of the HIV epidemic", the UN Development Programme study said, adding that figures suggest 49 percent of the community could be infected. The figure is drawn from anecdotal evidence of infection rates among trans-women -- men who become women -- taken from the "scattered and often small-scale research" available across the region, the UNDP said. Report author Sam Winter, of Hong Kong University, urged governments to take note of the "burning need to address a very human crisis", pointing out many transgender people end up working as prostitutes and having unsafe sex. "Social exclusion, poverty and HIV infection contribute to what we call a 'stigma sickness slope' -- a downward spiral that is difficult to reverse," he said in the "Lost in Transition" study. Transgender people also routinely suffer violence and prejudice while being offered narrow economic opportunities and scant psychological support, the report found. Billed as the region's most comprehensive study, the report collates information from the last 12 years, painting a picture of hardship for many transgender people, who lack basic healthcare and emotional help. It recorded cases of "backyard" sex change surgery including castration and the widespread use of unsafe industrial silicone for breast implants among those who cannot afford quality healthcare. Often transgender people leave home at a young age in response to family disapproval, drop out off school because of bullying and struggle to find work, which pushes them into prostitution, it said. But the study also highlighted positive developments, noting an increasingly confident transgender identity has taken root. It also detected greater will from the community to engage with mainstream services and policy discussions. "The creation of advocacy networks, community-based organisations and non-government organisations devoted to empowering our communities is a source of joy," according to Thai transgender activist Prempreeda Pramoj Na Ayutthaya.

A real slap in the face of political orphans

by Dr. Saif

On April 26, 2012, on one hand the Supreme League Court had given a verdict against an elected Premier, while on the other people supported the candidate of PPP in South Punjab in by-elections in Multan PP-194. On May 12, 2012, in Kamoo Shaheed, Pakistan Peoples Party(PPP) held the largest public procession in the country by any political party in last four years. It was a real tsunami for real revolution. Independent observers believe the PPP rally in Ghotki was attended by two million people people. Previously, on October, 18, 2007, it was also Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which had gathered about 3.5 millions Pakistanis of all ethnicities and faiths to wellcome Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, to support democracy in Pakistan and to oust a military dictator from the country. It was largest ever public gathering in the history of Pakistan. The number of people was record high and we saw that in general elections in 2008, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emerged as victorious. Yet, again, people have expressed their solidarity with PPP in Kamoo Shaheed on may 12, 2012. I appreciate Mr. Abdul Nishapuri’s analysis of the PPP rally at Kamoo Shaheed (border of Sindh and south Punjab also called Siraikistan): “Millions of Pakistanis (estimated to be two millions) belonging to Sindh, Sarikistan, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and other areas of Pakistan gathered in this area to express their support for democracy, in particular for the Pakistan Peoples Party and its leaders President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.” But question arises why two millions people came out in the favour of PM and current PPP government? I am not going to exaggerate but fact is that current PPP government has resolved so many issues of our country. During the general elections campaign PPP chairperson Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was murdered in cold blood by the very forces which did not want to see democracy take root in the country. And then a new government was formed. However, now it is being targeted by an increasingly hostile media, judiciary and army (the Teen Jeem trio). The frequent suo motu notices taken by the Supreme Court were putting the government in a very vulnerable situation where it constantly has to fight for its survival. Who restored the judiciary? Who settled the long- standing disagreements over the National Finance Commission? Who guaranteed provincial autonomy through the 18th Amendment? Who passed the 19th Amendment and 20th amendment? While some people say that these do not affect the common man in any tangible way, the effects of passing such legislation is going to be positive for the country — though they may take effect in the long run. PPP government has facilitated people and thousands of jobs have been created during its current tenure and people are very very happy with this current government. People of Pakistan believe that this is the peoples government, this is the reason why they have displayed show of power and people have announced their verdict on 12th may. Prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani did not write letter to Swiss authrities to re-open graft cases against President of Pakistan, because President enjoys national and international immunity under the law under the constitution of Pakistan. So, he got convicted to uphlod constitution. Moreover, it is not written in the detailed verdict of the Supreme Court (SC) that the Prime Minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gilani is to step down or be removed from office or disqualified. Only the political orphans demand his resignation. In fact, they are devoid of wisdom and they lack the wit to interpret SC detailed verdict, or get the message from the two millions people’s rally and both Houses’ resolution in the favour of PM. Political orphans should develop moral courage to face the realities instead of pushing whole nation in trouble by highlighting their self-manufactured issues.

Feasibility of Gwadar Port

While the government of Pakistan has invested billions of rupees in constructing Gwadar Port for the development of Balochistan province over a long period of time, it has failed to evoke the widely-anticipated response from the "users of the facility". As such, it was only natural that questions about the feasibility of this important project would be asked at some stage. According to reliable reports, in a recent meeting to review the progress on the project, the Planning Commission assured the Balochistan government of its full support for making the Gwadar port fully functional and completing the necessary road network to link it with other parts of the country, but asked the provincial government to review the port's feasibility, keeping in view its economic viability. The Deputy Chairman Planning Commission is reported to have remarked that "most development projects in the country have been launched without properly preparing a feasibility report" and it was imperative to ensure that Gwadar port was a viable project instead of making ambitious claims and proposals. He also asked officials of the Gwadar Port Authority to explain why the Singapore Port Authority, which had been awarded contract for port operations by the Musharraf government, for 40 years, was not working at the project. The security situation and other matters related to the project were also discussed in that meeting. Chief Minister of Balochistan is reported to have complained about the non-implementation of the Balochistan package and the failure of the Federal government to issue the notification for appointing the Balochistan Chief Minister as the Chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority. Although, the above episode about the feasibility of Gwadar Port may appear to be rather insignificant or uncalled for, especially at a time when the project is almost complete, it is very pregnant for a number of reasons. To put it rather mildly, the remarks of the Deputy Chairman have simply strengthened the prevailing perception that political considerations rather than economic imperatives greatly determine the choice of certain important and highly expensive projects in the country and the Planning Commission is an almost irrelevant entity in such cases. Such a situation is of course against the long-term economic interest of the country, because the country's scarce resources are largely frittered away and not used in an optimal fashion. The harmful effects of such poor economic management could be visualised from the fact that the Gwadar Port was not an isolated case, but a number of other projects have also been thrust upon the nation on non-economic grounds. Add to this other entirely politically motivated projects like Sasti Roti, green cabs and houses and rampant corruption in the system to estimate the extent of wastage of resources and their sub-optimal utilization in aggregate terms. Some of the projects were so badly planned and carelessly executed to please certain circles that the country is now known as a graveyard of projects. It is really mind-boggling that while this was happening, the Planning Commission looked the other way or was a silent spectator all along and did not bother to raise questions about the justification of its existence. There is absolutely no doubt that the situation has to change drastically, if economic development and welfare of ordinary people are the real goals. For this, feasibility of all the competing projects have to be prepared and compared purely on professional grounds and only those projects have to be selected for completion which promise the highest yields for the country's economy and are within our means. Gwadar Port may not pass such a test but we are happy that somebody in the Planning Commission has finally spoken his mind, probably with a view to optimising the potential of a country's resources, reversing the old order and placing the economy on a sound footing. Ill-conceived projects, and therefore injudicious spending, are always an abstraction.