Sujatha Singh to be next Foreign Secretary; name cleared by PM's office

Sujatha Singh, currently India's envoy to Germany, will be the next Foreign Secretary following an approval of her appointment by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, ending months of speculation on who will head the foreign services.

59-year-old Ms Singh, a 1976 batch IFS officer, was a close contender for the top job along with India's Ambassador to China, S Jaishankar, who is a batch junior to her. Jaishankar's name was doing the rounds for the post because of his excellent service record, particularly as envoy to China.

Australia's first Muslim minister racially abused for taking oath on Quran

Hours after Ed Husic became Australia's first ever Muslim minister, he was flooded with online racial abuse for taking the oath of office on the Quran.

43-year-old Husic was appointed as parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and parliamentary secretary for broadband on Monday.

Husic, son of Bosnian migrants, was the first minister to be sworn in to federal parliament with his hand on the Quran. Husic told media on Tuesday that he had made a "straightforward decision as someone of the Muslim faith" to take the oath on the Quran."I couldn't take my oath on a Bible and I didn't want to affirm. I am who I am and I just made a straightforward decision," he said.

SC refuses to change the dates of West Bengal Panchayat polls

New Delhi: In a setback for the Mamata Banerjee government, the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to interfere with the Panchayat elections dates in the state. The elections are scheduled to be held in five phases from July 11 in the state.

Naxal attack in Jharkhand: Pakur SP, seven cops killed

In the latest Maoist attack, banned outfit attacked the cavalcade of Pakur SP at Kathikund in Dumka district of Jharkhand on Tuesday.

According to the report, Superintendent of Police, Pakur, Amarjit Balihar along with seven other policemen were reported to be killed in the naxal ambush.

Afghan talks must not undermine legitimacy of state: Khurshid

India on Tuesday supported Afghanistan's reconciliation process with the Taliban, but warned that it must not undermine the legitimacy of the Afghan government and should be within the internationally accepted "red lines".

"We support the efforts made by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to establish a peaceful dialogue with all armed opposition groups," External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said in his Intervention at 20th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting here today.

Dozens convicted, jailed over coup plot in United Arab Emirates

ABU DHABI - A United Arab Emirates court on Tuesday jailed scores of Emiratis convicted of plotting a coup, after a trial that reflected the Gulf state's mistrust of Islamist groups following the Arab uprisings.

Among the 68 men convicted were academics and members of some prominent families in the UAE, including a cousin of the ruler of one of the seven emirates in the oil-rich federation.

Judge Falah al-Hajiri read out the names of 26 acquitted defendants, then announced jail terms for the remaining 68, eight of whom he sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison.

Protesters storm Muslim Brotherhood HQ in Cairo

CAIRO: The Cairo headquarters of Egypt's ruling Muslim Brotherhood was overrun by youths who ransacked the building after those inside had been evacuated on Monday following a night of violence.

Security sources said five people were killed in hours of fighting around the besieged building. Medical sources said over 100 were wounded. Reuters journalists saw youths hurl petrol bombs and rocks at the offices. Guards inside opened fire. By Monday morning, people inside were still firing on youths outside. Reuters journalists saw two men hit.

Egypt opposition to continue mass protests

Group leading millions seeking Morsi ouster call for leader to quit by Tuesday threatening "civil disobedience".

Protesters seeking to force Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi from office are gearing up for a second day of action, after large crowds thronged the streets of Cairo and cities around the country and marched on the presidential palace.

Some preparing for rallies on Monday spent the night in dozens of tents pitched at the capital's central Tahrir Square and the palace, positions organisers say they will hold until Morsi resigns.

Protesters set Army school on fire in Bandipora

Protesters today tried to set an Army school on fire in Kashmir's Bandipora district, which has seen massive protests since yesterday over the death of two young men in Army firing.  There have also been protests in other parts of Kashmir and separatists have forced a shutdown in the Valley with a bandh call today.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police said a small fire broke out inside the Army-run Goodwill School in Hajan but fire tenders managed to douse the flames. The protesters also smashed windows and furniture in the school.

Police names three TTP suspects in Peshawar attack

PESHAWAR: Three commanders of the banned Tehrik-Taliban Pakistan were on Monday named responsible for yesterday’s car bomb attack on a convoy of the Frontier Corps in Badhber on Peshawar’s outskirts.

The case pertaining to the attack was registered in the Badhber police station. Police said Jangrez, Ghufran and Aurangzeb, all associated with the TTP, were found responsible for the attack as initial investigations into the incident went underway, adding that all three of them were said to hail from Darra Adamkhel.

Quetta shuts down to mourn attack as blast toll rises to 30

QUETTA: The death toll in the Quetta suicide bombing reached 30 on Monday morning as two of the injured persons succumbed to their injuries in the Combined Military Hospital.

Earlier on Sunday night, at least 28 men and women of Shia Hazara community were killed and 60 others injured in a suicide blast in the Aliabad area of Hazara town.

Shehzada Farhat, a senior government official, told Dawn.com that the condition of some the injured persons was still serious. The wounded were being treated at the army run CMH.

Parents out for shopping, 2-year-old locked in car dies

A two-year-old girl suffocated to death after her parents locked her inside a closed car and went off shopping for an hour. Another sibling and a cousin, who were also left in the car, had to be admitted to hospital in a critical state.

Police said Ishtaq Khan, resident of a nearby village, and his wife Unnas locked the kids, Mahima (2), Parwana (3) and Farhan, their 5-year-old nephew, in Ramgarh town on Friday evening.

A police officer said the children soon started suffocating.

Brazil humiliate Spain 3-0 in Confederations Cup final

RIO DE JANEIRO: A young and inexperienced Brazilian side led by 21-year-old striker Neymar crushed world and European champions Spain 3-0 win in the Confederations Cup final here on Sunday.

Playing effective and assertive football, Brazil steamrolled over the football powerhouse Spain in front of 78,000 fans at the Maracana to win the Confederations Cup for the fourth time. With this victory, Brazil sent a message to all its rivals: under Luis Felipe Scolari, the host country will be a strong contender for the World Cup title in 2014.

Bandipora erupts after 2 youths killed in firing

SRINAGAR: With Srinagar staggering under successive terrorist assaults, things turned for the worse on Sunday when Sumbal in Bandipora erupted in massive protests after two youth were killed in firing by security personnel on a combing mission.

Irfan Ahmad Gania, 18, and Irshad Ahmad Dar, 25, were, according to their parents, attending a wedding at Markundal village in Sumbal, at 4am when they were killed by the security forces. However, Rashtriya Rifles said its jawans acting on specific intelligence inputs about presence of terrorists, had cordoned off the area, when there was a burst of gunfire from a house beyond the sanitised area.

Policeman killed, two injured in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir

A policeman was killed and two other security personnel were injured in an encounter with militants in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Monday.

The encounter took place at Tral during a counter-insurgency operation launched by the security forces following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police spokesman said.

Uttarakhand: 3-yr-old girl with fractures in both legs found abandoned in Gaurikund

Dehradun: A three-year-old girl who has got fractures in both her legs was found abandoned by pilgrims at Gaurikund after the flood fury in Uttarakhand. The minor is unable to communicate anything about herself or about her family's identity.

The pilgrims left her at a Rishikesh hospital where she received primary treatment for two days. Now Dehradun's Child Helpline has taken charge of the girl and have got her admitted to Dehradun district hospital where she has been for the last five days.

Lawyers boycott legal proceedings over SHC judge attack

KARACHI: Lawyers across the country boycotted court proceedings on Thursday to protest against yesterday’s suicide attack on Sindh High Court’s (SHC) Justice Maqbool Baqar, DawnNews reported.

At least nine people were killed and 15 others injured on Wednesday when a bomb targeting the convoy of Justice Maqbool Baqar exploded near Karachi’s Burns Road area.

Narendra Modi meets Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai

Narendra Modi  met Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray at his home Matoshree in Mumbai today. Mr Thackeray had attacked him in two back-to-back editorials and later said his intent was to offer "constructive criticism" to the Gujarat Chief Minister.Mr Thackeray, in his party's newspaper this week - ran Mr Modi down on two fronts.

Two girls, mother killed over family video

GILGIT: A family video showing two teenage girls enjoying rain in their house led to their murder in Chilas on Sunday night. Their mother was also gunned down allegedly by her stepson and his four friends.

Five masked men barged into the house of retired police officer Rehmat Nabi and started firing, killing his wife and daughters, aged 15 and 16.

According to police, the crime was motivated by a video clip circulated on mobile phones and showing the girls overjoyed by rain in the lawn of their bungalow.

Bombing in southeast Pakistan kills 2

QUETTA: An alleged suicide bomber and a civilian were killed in a explosion near a mosque in Kuchlak area of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province on Thursday.

A police officer who requested not to be named since he was not authorised to speak to media told Dawn.com that a suspected suicide bomber was carrying a suicide jacket, when killed in a mysterious blast.

"The suicide bomber was coming to Quetta to cause maximum damage, when his own suicide jacket went off", he said.

Ethnic riots kill 27 in in China's Xinjiang

A fresh wave of ethnic riots has hit China’s troubled restive far western region of Xinjiang, killing more than dozen people, state media say.

The riots erupted after knife-wielding mobs attacked police stations in a remote Turpan prefecture early on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

SC adjourns Musharraf treason case indefinitely

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the treason case against former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for an indefinite period to hold consultations over setting up of a special court to hear the case against the ex-army strongman.

Moreover, the apex court also rejected a plea to order the formal arrest of Musharraf citing that no formal charges against the former president had been put before the court.

Pakistan should hold talks with Taliban: Fazl

ISLAMABAD: Welcoming the initiation of Doha peace process, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday reiterated his desire that the Pakistan government should also hold talks with Taliban to bring peace and stability in the region.

“The use of force does not work all the time and in all situations,” said the JUI-F chief while talking to a group of reporters after his meeting with a delegation headed by the Special Representative of United Nations (UN) Secretary General on Afghanistan Jan Kubis.

Grand Ayatollah 'Makarem Shirazi' Condemned Shia killing in Egypt

A prominent Iranian cleric has strongly condemned the recent killing of Shia Muslims in Egypt, saying that Takfiri extremists are seriously damaging the reputation of Islam and the Muslim world through such vicious actions.

“The main problem facing the Muslim world is Salafist Takfiris, who are dealing heavy blows to the pillars of Islam and the reputation and dignity of Muslims worldwide through their brutal actions. They introduce Islam, which is a religion of mercy and kindness, as a religion of violence, bloodshed, cruelty and savagery,” Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi said in a statement released on Wednesday.

Hopes for revival of dialogue with India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is hopeful of resumption of stalled peace dialogue with India in a few weeks in which trade is likely to take precedence over core bilateral disputes.

Soon after its installation, the PML-N government had signalled to India its desire for restarting the talks held up since January due to flare-up of tensions along the Line of Control. The Indian government has promised to send its proposals for resumption of talks, which are being awaited.

Brazen show of competitive politics at Dehradun airport

Dehradun : In a brazen show of competitive politics, Andhra Pradesh MPs belonging to Congress and Telugu Desam were today locked in a scuffle in public view at the Jolly Grant airport here over ferrying pilgrims back to the state.

The embarrassing altercation between Congress MP Hanumantha Rao and TDP MPs Ramesh Rathod and K Narayana, who nearly exchanged blows, came in the presence of TDP chief N.

PM, Sonia flag off train connecting Banihal in Jammu and Qazigund in Kashmir

BANIHAL, J&K: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday flagged off the first train connecting Banihal in Jammu region with Qazigund in Kashmir Valley.

The newly constructed station here, 125 km from summer capital Srinagar, was decked up with flowers and garlands to receive the VVIPs for flagging off the first train which will pass through 11 km tunnel through Pir Panchal range.

The eight-coach train carrying school children and officials of IRCON and Railways reached Qazigund in 25 minutes.

Qatar power transfer seen as historic move in Arab world

The smooth and voluntary transfer of  power by HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad  al-Thani is unprecedented in the history of the Arab world, particularly the Gulf region,  Dr Mohamed al-Misfar, professor of political science at Qatar University, said yesterday in a comment on Qatar TV.

He said he had seen that there was a consensus among many politicians, sociologists, mediapersons and university professors in the Gulf region that HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad is an amiable and much loved personality. He also enjoys a deep perspective in discussing all issues of the area.

Pakistani Taliban claim attack on SHC judge in Karachi

KARACHI: At least nine people were killed and 15 others injured on Wednesday when a bomb targeting the convoy of Sindh High Court judge Justice Maqbool Baqir exploded near Karachi’s Burns Road area.

Spokesperson for the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Ehsanullah Ehsan, told Dawn.com that the militant organisation was responsible for the attack on the senior SHC judge.

Ehsan further said that the judge was targeted for what he said were "anti-Taliban and anti-mujahideen decisions" adding that the group would continue to target judiciary.

Rival groups launch operations against Pakistan Taliban in Mohmand

ISLAMABAD: Several heavily armed rival groups on Wednesday launched major attacks against the Pakistan Taliban in Mohmand tribal region along the border with Afghanistan to expel the group’s supporters from the area, a Taliban commander said.

Omar Mukarram Khurasani, spokesman for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Mohmand agency, told The Express Tribune that hundreds of militants were resisting the opponents.

Why Did Narendra Modi Rescue Only Gujaratis from Uttarakhand Floods? Shiv Sena

At a time when the whole nation is reeling in shock following the devastation caused by the killer floods in Uttarakhand in the last few days, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi reportedly rescued only Gujaratis from the affected areas, inviting criticism from various quarters.

It was reported that team Narendra Modi rescued 15,000 Gujaratis from flood-ravaged Uttarakhand during his two-day stay in the state.

PTI, MQM lawmakers extend support to Musharraf: Aide

LAHORE: Lawmakers belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) approached the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) and assured their extensive support for party head Pervez Musharraf — to be extended at the “right time.”

Details of the meeting were disclosed by political advisor and close aide of Musharraf, Chaudhry Sarfraz Anjum Kahlon.

Kahlon said that several senior lawmakers including representatives of PTI and MQM had privately conveyed their dismay over Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s stance on Musharraf and had provided assurances of extensive support for Musharraf.

Court clears Chandy in palm oil import case

The Kerala High Court yesterday dismissed petitions of opposition leader V S Achuthanandan and former bureaucrat Alphons Kannanthanam to against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the 1992 palm oil import case.

Upholding the trial court decision, the high court also wondered if the petitioners were trying to delay the trial and making political capital out of it. The court also observed that the petitioners did not approach any court after it was taken up for trial in 2004.

Manmohan Singh condemns 'cowardly attack' on armymen in Srinagar

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday condemned the militant attack in Srinagar in which five army personnel were killed, and said the "cowardly attack" would not deter the security forces engaged in bringing peace and order to the Kashmir Valley.

Six people were injured in the attack which took place when militants opened fire on an army convoy on the outskirts of the city ahead of the prime minister's visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Uttarakhand chopper crash: all 20 on board feared dead 12 bodies found

Dehradun: On the morning after a tragic helicopter crash in which all 20 people on board, including five Indian Air Force personnel, are feared dead, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne is in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand and said, " Our rotors will not stop turning. We owe it to those who lost their lives in this rescue op."

The Air Chief landed in Dehradun this morning and then reached Gauchar, the hub of relief and rescue operations, to boost the morale of his men engaged in their largest-ever rescue mission. At Gauchar, the Indian Air Force's helicopters took off on their rescue sorties on schedule this morning.

Seven killed, 12 injured in Karachi blast

KARACHI: Seven people were killed and 12 others sustained injuries in a bomb explosion at Burns Road, Karachi, Express News reported on Wednesday.

Police said Sindh High Court Justice Baqar Maqbool’s convoy was the target of the attackers. They added that explosive material was planted on a motorbike.

Police and rescue personnel have reached the area and injured – including Justice Maqbool – have been shifted to nearby hospitals. The affected area has been sealed for initial investigation.

All seven militants dead at end of Kabul airport attack

KABUL: All seven militants who launched an attack Monday on Kabul airport died in the assault, Afghan police said, adding that no civilian and security force casualties had yet been reported.

"There were seven assailants -- two (suicide bombers) died detonating themselves and five others were killed in fighting," Mohammad Ayoub Salangi, chief of Kabul police, told reporters.

One Killed in Clash near Iranian Embassy in Beirut

The Lebanese Army issued a statement on Sunday in which it said that a citizen was killed in a clash which took place near the Iranian Embassy in Beirut, as demonstrators arrived to the region to protest the Syrian developments.

String of bombings kill 12 in Iraq market: officials

BAQUBA: Three near-simultaneous bombings -- two car bombs and a suicide attack -- killed at least a dozen people in a fruit and vegetable wholesale market north of Baghdad on Monday, officials said.

The blasts went off in the town of Judaida al-Shat, which lies just west of the restive city of Baquba and remains one of Iraq's most dangerous.

The bombings left another 48 people wounded, a police officer and a medic said.

Akbar Bugti case: Arrest warrants issued for Shaukat Aziz, Pervez Musharraf

QUETTA: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) issued non-bailable arrest warrants against former dictator Pervez Musharraf and former prime minister Shaukat Aziz in connection with the Akbar Bugti murder case on Monday, reported Express News.

The arrest warrants were issued due to repeated absence from the court. The former governor of Balochistan, Owais Ghani and former deputy commissioner of Dera Bugti, Samad Lasi were also included in the list of issued arrest warrants.

Javed Hashmi withdraws calling Nawaz Sharif his leader

MULTAN: Senior leader of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf Javed Hashmi on Sunday, June 9, announced the withdrawal of his remarks made in the National Assembly that Nawaz Sharif was his leader and will always be his leader.

At a press conference Javed Hashmi said his supporters and voters from his constituency did not like the remarks therefore he was withdrawing them.

However, Hashmi accused media and some anchors for fueling the controversy. He said that he had made the remarks out of respect.

Militants attack Nato containers in Khyber; six killed

PESHAWAR: Six people were killed when militants attacked three Nato containers in Shagai area of Jamrud tehsil of the Khyber tribal region on Monday.

Security forces were engaged in a firefight with the militants who attacked the containers and set them on fire.

As a result, six people, including the drivers of the containers were killed.

Khyber is among Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal districts near the Afghan border, rife with homegrown insurgents and home to a number of militant organisations.

LK Advani resigns from all posts in BJP

New Delhi: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani on Monday resigned from all party posts just a day after party President Rajnath Singh made Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi the chief of Central Election Committee for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The resignation of Advani, who was reportedly sick and ignored by the party top leadership at the two-day National Executive meet in Goa, brings the split within the party out in the open. Advani's resignation has stunned the BJP leaders to silence, who are refusing to speak on the issue. BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu met Rajnath Singh a few minutes after Advani's resignation.

NO END TO BULLET-RIDDLED BODIES

QUETTA: Five bullet-riddled bodies were recovered in different parts of Balochistan on Sunday, June 9.According to levies sources, three bodies were found in Johan area of Kalat. They said that the dead bodies were almost one month old. The victims belonged to Bibi Nani area of Bolan district and they were kidnapped a month ago by armed gunmen.

Balochistan CM does away with secret fund

QUETTA: Announcing the abolition of secret funds in his address to the provincial assembly soon after taking oath as the 14th Chief Minister of Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch on Sunday said he would rule with respect and prefer resignation to compromising on principles.

Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi administered the oath of office to Dr Malik at the Governor’s House. Acting Chief Minister Nawab Ghous Bukhsh Barozai, Speaker Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali, Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Alam Khan Khattak, IG Frontier Corps (FC) Maj.

Umrah visa validity limited to 14 days

The Ministry of Haj has decided to limit the validity of Umrah visas to only 14 days because of the ongoing work to expand the mataf — the open area around the Holy Kaaba.

According to a circular sent two days ago to Umrah agencies in the Kingdom and Saudi missions abroad, the new rule comes into effect from Monday, June 10.

There will be no one-month visas this year.

New Delhi apologises over Pakistani diplomat’s mistreatment

ISLAMABAD: In a telephone call to the Pakistani Foreign Office on Tuesday, India's foreign secretary apologised to his Islamabad counterpart over the mistreatment of a Pakistani diplomat in New Delhi, diplomatic sources told DawnNews.

Pakistan's First Secretary (Trade) Zargam Raza and his driver Haider were beaten up by a group of men while the former was returning home from the High Commission Monday evening.

Ex-Bangladesh captain Ashraful admits fixing - official

DHAKA: Former Bangladesh cricket captain Mohammad Ashraful was suspended from the sport on Tuesday after he confessed his involvement in fixing, a top cricket official said.

The International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has been probing allegations of match-fixing during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), a Twenty20 competition.

“As Ashraful has confessed his involvement in fixing to the ACSU team, so he should not be allowed to play any level of cricket until we get a full report of the investigation,” Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan told reporters.

Musharraf appeal: IHC judge recuses from bench over smear campaign

ISLAMABAD: Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of Islamabad High Court on Tuesday recused himself from the bench hearing the appeal challenging the cancellation of Pervez Musharraf's bail in the judges' detention case on account of what he called a smear campaign against him on social networking websites.

Justice Siddiqui dissociated himself from the IHC's divisional bench, comprising himself and Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan, at the start of today's hearing of the appeal.

The appeal was filed against the rejection of the former military ruler’s post-arrest bail petition by the Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) of Islamabad.

Rasmussen rules out decision on future force size

BRUSSELS: As NATO defence ministers began a two-day meeting here on Tuesday, the alliance secretary-general ruled out an immediate decision on the number of troops that would stay in Afghanistan post 2014.

“I wouldn’t expect this meeting to make decisions on the exact number of troops and trainers after 2014,” Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters. NATO and ISAF defence ministers would adopt guidelines for the new mission in Afghanistan, he said.

About the shape of the Resolute Support mission, beginning in 2015, he said certain elements were already clear and that it would be a non-combat campaign with a much smaller number of troops and trainers.

Sreesanth, others in judicial custody till June 18, MCOCA invoked

New Delhi: There is more trouble for arrested cricketers S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan in the IPL spot-fixing case. They have been sent to judicial custody till June 18 along with 21 others.

Prosecution has invoked the harsh Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act against them. But the police have not decided on whether MCOCA will be applicable to all those arrested in the case.

MCOCA is one of the most stringent laws. It provides for any confession made in front of the DCP in Delhi or the SP in any other state to be accepted as evidence.

US, Germany warn their citizens about potential violence in Turkey

The U.S. Embassy to Turkey has issued a warning to its citizens in Turkey about potential violence, the Hürriyet Daily News has learned.

The embassy issued a warning letter for the attention of American citizens, reminding of the tension in the country that has been ongoing since last week.

The Daily News has also learned that U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone has canceled a trip to the U.S. due to the ongoing unrest in Turkey. He had been due to attend an American-Turkish Council meeting.

Nawaz, Fahim file nomination papers for PM election

ISLAMABAD: Nawaz Sharif, whose nomination papers for the prime minister's election were submitted today, is set to become prime minister for the third time after his party secured simple majority in the newly-elected National Assembly.

The nomination was submitted by Ishaq Dar, Tariq Fazal, Khawaja Asif and Abdul Qadir Baloch on Sharif's behalf.

Moreover, Amin Fahim, who also submitted his nomination papers is the Pakistan Peoples Party's candidate for premiership.