US reissues warning on travel to Pak

     Washington: US citizens should defer all nonessential travel to Pakistan, the US State Department has said in an updated travel advisory. "Due to ongoing concerns about the possibility of terrorist activity directed against American citizens and interests, the Department of State continues to warn US citizens to defer nonessential travel to Pakistan," the Dawn quoted the US saying in a statement. "Al-Qaeda and the Taliban elements continue to operate inside Pakistan, particularly along the porous Afghan border region. Their presence, coupled with that of indigenous sectarian and militant groups in Pakistan, continues to pose potential danger to American citizens," it said. The State Department said the US embassy in Islamabad and Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar consulates were operating at reduced staffing levels. Continuing tensions in the Middle East also increased the possibility of violence against Westerners in Pakistan, the advisory added.

India 379/6 following Sehwag's double century (Go To Top)

     Bangalore: Master blaster Virender Sehwag again hit Paksitanis hard and scored an explosive double century 201 and India scored an impressive 379/6 in the third and final Test today. Sehwage, displayed a magnificent shot-playing skills with two sixes and 28 fours off 262 balls and made a mockery of Pakistani bowlers. India was following Pakistan's first-innings total of 570. Sehwag, who also scored a triple-century against Pakistan last year, became the fastest Indian to complete 3,000 Test runs during his 10th three-figure knock in 55 innings, surpassing former captain Mohammad Azharuddin (64). India were in trouble for a brief spell when they lost in-form Rahul Dravid (22) and Sachin Tendulkar (41) in the afternoon session, still needing 114 more runs with seven wickets in hand to avoid the follow-on. The hosts were just 34 short of the follow-on target of 371 when Sehwag departed, offering an easy return catch to Kaneria (3-97) two balls after completing his double-century. Sehwag played a risky shot on 199 when he lofted Kaneria in the covers behind two fielders for a brace to reach his double- hundred. India then lost out-of-form skipper Sourav Ganguly (one), who was stumped off Kaneria only a ball after he was dropped by Younis Khan at silly-point. He has so far made 46 in his last four innings. India required 28 to make Pakistan bat again with the last five wickets in hand, but VVS Laxman (51 not out) saw to it with his sensible knock that Sehwag's brilliant effort did not go waste.

      India's total owed much of its substance to Sehwag, who put on 98 for the opening wicket with Gautam Gambhir (24), 74 for the next with Dravid, 85 for the third with Tendulkar and 80 for the fourth with Laxman. Sehwag's liking for the Pakistani attack began last year at Multan, where he became the first Indian to score a Test triple- century. He continued in the same vein, scoring 173 in the opening Test at Mohali and 81 in the second at Kolkatta. He was again among runs, finding plenty of gaps in the field with breath-taking strokes on both sides of the wicket. Sehwag, 39 overnight, gave a sharp chance when on 43 off spinner Arshad Khan but Asim Kamal fumbled with the ball at forward short-leg. Pakistan had to pay dearly for their fielding lapse as Sehwag did not curb shots and reached his 150 by lofting Kaneria over long- on for the second six. Pakistan did well in the second session to remove Dravid and Tendulkar, but could not put pressure on Sehwag. who continued to dominate the rival attack. Dravid, who made a century in each innings of the second Test, was trapped leg-before while trying to sweep Kaneria to leave his home fans disappointed. Tendulkar, seeking a world record 35th Test hundred, struggled for his first 10 runs as he survived a confident appeal for leg- before against paceman Mohammad Sami. Just when it looked that Tendulkar had settled down to play a long knock, he miscued a drive off leg-spinner Shahid Afridi to be caught by Younis at point. He fell five short of surpassing compatriot Sunil Gavaskar's record of 10,122 runs.

Five die in Iran football match stampede (Go To Top)

     Tehran: At least five people have been trampled to death in Tehran following a football World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Japan, Irna reported. About 40 others were hurt as more than 100,000 spectators at the Azadi stadium moved to the exits after the game, doctors told the agency. At least five of the injured were in a critical condition, the report said. Police, judicial and football officials were investigating the incident that followed Iran's 2-1 win, Irna said. The injured people have been admitted to three hospitals, Tehran's emergency centre officials were quoted as saying. All of the casualties were believed to be Iranians. No reason was given for the rush to the doors, reports the BBC. Irna also said that 86 buses were damaged in crowd violence after the match, although no arrests were reported. Iran's victory in the Group B World Cup qualifying match leaves them top of the group.

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