Sara wins tennis title at PTF complex

ISLAMABAD: Top-seed Sarah Mehboob Sunday clinched the title of National Ladies Tennis Championship; while, boys Under-19 title was carried away by Heera Ashiq.Sara defeated Ashna Shaheel 6-4 and 6-3 in the event’s final at PTF Complex Islamabad.In boys’ under-19 event, Heera’s rival Faizan Khurram was declared hurt retired in the first set with Heera ahead 4-1.PTF member Shahida Kausar Farooq distributed the prizes among the winners.

SRK to be conferred honorary doctorate degree

LONDON: There is a good news for millions of Shahrukh Khan fans, the University of Bedfordeshire from United Kingdom has decided to confer him with an honorary doctorate degree in Arts and Culture. According to reports, the University of Bedfordeshire will confer the honorary doctorate degree upon the actor on July 10, next month. Once honoured with the doctorate, Badshah Khan will find himself in the elite list of Indian heroes and heroines who have been conferred with the honorary doctorate in the past. The elite list includes Big B-Amitabh Bacchan, Shilpa Shetty, Akshay Kumar, Shabana Azmi, Dilip Kumar and others. Presently, in San Francisco, America, Shahrukh when asked to comment on the issue said, “I am honoured and proud to be an Indian to be awarded this doctorate in London. I am really looking forward to personally receiving it from the vice chancellor of the university. The University of Bedfordeshire had received nomination of King Khan from the NGO Routes for Roots, which is also a member of World Association for Non Governmental Organisations. It works in the sphere of augmenting people to people contact across the world with special emphasis on SAARC member countries. Shahrukh Khan currently shooting for Karan Johar’s 'My Name is Khan' in San Frnacisco, California, is slated to reach London by July 7, to receive the honorary Doctorate degree from the University of Bedfordeshire, United Kingdom

Indian troops martyr Kashmiri youth

SRINAGAR: Indian troops martyred one Kashmiri youth and critically injured another at two different places in held Kashmir. According to Kashmir media service, Personnel of 26-Border Security Force shot dead a youth without any reason near Chak Phagwari in Khour village of Akhnoor. An Indian trooper was killed in an attack in Poonch.On the other hand, forceful anti-India protest demonstrations, amid complete shutdown, were held against the injuring of a youth by the troops in Baramulla town, today after which curfew has been imposed. At least 30 persons were injured when Indian troops used brute force and fired tear gas shells on peaceful protestors in Shopian and Baramulla towns.

Light rain in Peshawar turns whether pleasant

PESHAWAR: The weather in the provincial capital has turned weather pleasant with strong breeze late on Monday.The black clouds covered Peshawar late night and it started raining, neutralizing the intensity of heat while making the weather pleasant.According to met office forecasting, the downpours will continue for several hours entire night meanwhile, Pakistan Electricity Producing Company (PEPCO) cut supply of electricity of chief areas including Saddar, following light rainfall.

Honduras unrest flares

MANAGUA: Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya vowed to return to Honduras later this week as violent clashes flared here, while international pressure grew for him to be restored to power."I go to Tegucigalpa on Thursday," Zelaya said in a speech in Managua before regional leaders, setting up a potential clash with the newly installed administration of congressional leader Roberto Micheletti.Defying a government curfew meanwhile hundreds of angry Zelaya supporters erected barricades near the presidential palace, threw rocks and Molotov cocktails and used pipes and metal bars to accost shield-bearing riot police, with security forces cracking down with tear gas and gunfire.The violence, the most serious unrest in years in this Central American country, left several demonstrators and security forces wounded.

Forces kill 18 extremists in last 24 hours: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: The security forces killed at least 18 terrorists were killed in the ongoing operation during the last 24 hours. While, 23 extremists were apprehended from Swat and Dir. Also, three soldiers embraced shahadat and 8 others including 3 officers were injured. Security forces also recovered one explosive-laden vehicle.According to a press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), it has been reliably learnt that during clearance of Biha valley, 18 wounded terrorists, who could not have been taken to safety, were slaughtered by their own people on orders of their commanders. Security forces commenced operation to secure Swat’s Shah Dheri from two directions. From north, Samai Killile was secured. In the process 3 soldiers embraced shahadat and 5 soldiers including 2 officers got injured. From the east security forces secured Bhoka, Dande and Yakh Tangai Sar. During this operation 3 soldiers including an officer were injured.Security forces commenced clearance and search operation around Rahatkot, and Jukhtai south east of Fatehpur and recovered 1 explosive laden vehicle from the house of Dua Khan and 1 red colour Double Cabin vehicle was also blown up. During exchange of fire with terrorists, 8 terrorists were killed.Security forces conducted search and sweep operation in areas around Matta and Wanai. On a tip off by locals, 8 terrorists were engaged and killed. Security forces conducted clearance and search operation at Balasur and apprehended two suspected terrorists Mian Afil Zada and Aziz Ahmed.Security forces conducted clearance and search operation at Sambat in which terrorist Muhammad Raheem alias Bhai son of Gulpur Jan was apprehended.Lashkar conducted house to house search and burnt 15 terrorists hideouts. During exchange of fire with terrorists 2 terrorists were killed and 20 were apprehended.An IED exploded near traffic police check post at Swari Bazaar in Buner, resultantly 2 policemen and 2 civilians were injured.Reportedly, parents of young boys, who were forcibly taken for suicide training by Baitullah Mehsood group, have demanded release of their siblings. However, Baitullah Mehsood has flatly refused to release them at any cost. The ISPR pres release also reported that 8-10 individuals impersonating as army officials searched luggage of IDPs at Fazal Kallay Camp, Mardan and took away gold ornaments, Rs. 25,000/- and other valuables on 18 June 2009. In another incident, at Garhi Gohati, Swabi, unknown persons reportedly checked cards of IDPs on 23 Jun 09. IDPs are requested to contact on following telephone numbers on any suspicion and help. (091-5287457, 0300-355177 or 0923-631494-6)The security forces continued the relief activities, as at least 16 trucks carrying food and relief items dispatched for IDPs to Bunnu. As many as 1000 IDPs residing at Rawalpindi / Islamabad have been provided food items.Electricity, PTCL, Mobile service and Sui Gas facilities have been made functional in Besham, Darmal, Shung and Darmang in Shangla District. Most of the IDPs of Buner have returned to their villages.