EU set to adopt new sanctions against Syria

BRUSSELS — A senior EU official say the bloc will soon impose harsher sanctions against Syria as it seeks to weaken the regime and end President Bashar Assad's crackdown against political opponents. Pro-Syrian regime supporters wave Syrian and Russian flags as they cheer a convoy believed to be transporting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Thousands of Syrians waving Russian flags cheered Russia's foreign minister as he arrived in Damascus Tuesday for talks with embattled President Bashar Assad on the country's escalating violence. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman) Pro-Syrian regime protesters hold a banner in Arabic that reads, "Thanks Russia," as they cheer a convoy believed...

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Nawaz Sharif says No consensus on 20th amendment without independent EC

Chief of his own faction Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has categorically said that the government could not evolved consensus on 20th amendment unless it meets his party’s demand of independent election commission. He was talking to media in Bahawalpur on Wednesday. While replying to a query, former prime minister said that he supported formation of Bahawalpur province as it had nothing to do with ethnicity. When asked to comment on Prime Minister Gilani's remarks that Bahawalpur province was not viable, Nawaz said Gilani could not stick to his remarks. He said that general election should be held as earlier as it could be because it was in the interest...

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Pakistan talks with Nato, Afghan forces

This is the first meeting between the three forces after the deadly US airstrikes on a Salala checkpost that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on Nov 26 last year.—File Photo RAWALPINDI: Representatives of the Pakistan Army held a meeting with the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Afghan National Army at a border coordination centre in Torkham on Wednesday, DawnNews reported. The Pakistan Army was represented by Director General Military Operations Major General Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmed. According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting was held in an effort to improve coordination between the three forces. “The meeting is part of a tripartite engagement to discuss and improve...

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7,000 kg whale shark docks in Karachi Fish Harbour

In what is believed to be one of the biggest catch in the high seas, Pakistani fishermen have caught a giant whale shark - about 36 foot long and weighing over 7,000 kg. The fishermen bought the giant fish to the Karachi Fish Harbour and claimed to have found it dead in the open sea. Though some experts believed that the shark might have been killed after it got entangled in a net, The Dawn daily reported. Pic/AFP The whale shark was taken out of the channel with the help of two cranes amid rapturous applause by hundreds of onlookers. "I have bought the fish, which usually has no significant commercial value, with the help of my friends just to appreciate the efforts of the fishermen who deserve some reward after spending...

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Andy Murray praises instant impact of new coach Ivan Lendl

 Andy Murray believes new coach Ivan Lendl has improved his game already. The British number one appointed Lendl, the winner of eight Grand Slam titles, in December. Murray reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open before losing a five-set thriller to Novak Djokovic, but says Lendl has made a difference. "I spent five days with him before the Australian Open and I feel like I improved just in those days," Murray told the BBC. "I'll go and spend a lot more time with him and work harder, and that's really all that you can do." World number four Murray has 22 ATP titles to his name but has yet to win a Grand Slam after losing three finals. Ivan Lendl factfile Born March, 1960 in Ostrava, Czech...

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Graeme Swann rubbishes Andy Flower's claim England lost to Pakistan due to taking too long a winter break

Graeme Swann refuses to accept England coach Andy Flower's claim that the whitewash defeat to Pakistan was in large part due to the fact the side arrived in the UAE underprepared after taking an extended two month winter break. In a spin: Graeme Swann says England's failure against spin rather than complacency or being underprepared cost England against Pakistan  Photo: ACTION IMA...

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