OBL family deported to Saudi Arabia via chartered plane

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Fri, Apr 27) – Pakistan has reportedly deported 14-member family, including 3 wives and 11 children plus grand children, of slain Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to Saudi Arabia on Friday morning via a chartered plane.    

OBL family deported to Saudi Arabia via chartered plane

The family lawyer has confirmed the news while talking to the Reuters. “Yes, they’re being deported to Saudi Arabia,” said Aamir Khalil, the family lawyer. “It is a special flight.”

The plane departed at about 1:30 a.m. (2030 GMT) for Saudi Arabia, according to local TV channels. The destination of the flight in Saudi Arabia was not known.

Pakistan detained the Bin Laden’s family after the Al Qaeda leader was killed in a U.S. raid on May 2 last year.

Experts say once outside Pakistan, the family could disclose details about how the world's most wanted person was able to hide in Pakistan for years, probably assisted by pro-militancy elements of its powerful military and spy agency.

The family were interrogated by Pakistani intelligence agents and eventually charged last month with illegally entering and living in the country. (Reported earlier this month, read HERE)

Report Tags: Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda, Al-Qaeda, Al Qaeda leader, Family of Bin Laden, Bin Laden family, bin Laden family deported,

PM Gilani sentenced for 30 seconds but faces no removal after backing from cabinet

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Thu, Apr 26) – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has been convicted of contempt of court by Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday (April 26). (Read detailsHERE)

PM Gilani sentenced for 30 seconds but faces no removal after backing from cabinet

The conviction which carried only a 30-second symbolic sentencing, meant however that PM Gilani was the first Pakistani Premier to be sentenced, and faced disqualification from his Parliamentary post.

Even the verdict by SC is believed to be symbolic; but, experts say, PM Gilani could have faced pressure to quit the office in near future; but reportedly the Pakistani cabinet has backed convicted Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and said that he need not resign despite today’s judgment passed  by the Supreme Court.

The case has captivated Pakistan's fragile political system, driving a lock between the government and the judiciary; while the country plunging into economic and security threats. Yet both sides have assumed unshakable stances.

The case was centered on a letter the SC ordered PM Gilani to write to the authorities in Switzerland to renew an inactive corruption inquiry into the finances of President Asif Ali Zardari. PM Gilani didn’t conform, arguing that Mr. Zardari has immunity from prosecution.

Report Tags: Pakistan, Politics, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan Prime Minister, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, President Zardari, PM convicted, Supreme Court Verdict

SC convicted PM Gilani for contempt of court -- Wording of Verdict

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Thu, Ap 26) – Pakistan's apex court found Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani guilty of contempt in an apparently symbolic gesture today (Thursday, April 26) but left open the prospect that he could be removed from office later. 

SC convicted PM Gilani for contempt of court -- Wording of Verdict

After months of altercations and conflicts between the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the government, the court sentenced PM Gilani to detention but only until the court adjourned a few minutes later. It was the most indulgent sentence possible.

Even the judgment is believed to be symbolic; but, experts say, PM Gilani could still face problems because he has been convicted, a result that could mean that he could face removal from office in the near future.

The case has captivated Pakistan's fragile political system, driving a lock between the government and the judiciary; while the country plunging into economic and security threats. Yet both sides have assumed unshakable stances.

The case was centered on a letter the SC ordered PM Gilani to write to the authorities in Switzerland to renew an inactive corruption inquiry into the finances of President Asif Ali Zardari. PM Gilani didn’t conform, arguing that Mr. Zardari has immunity from prosecution.

Dawn News, local English daily, has retrieved the wording of the SC verdict read as below:

For the reasons to be recorded later, the accused Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister of Pakistan/Chief Executive of the federation, is found guilty of and convicted for contempt of court, under Article 204 (2) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, read with Section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance (Ordinance 5 of 2003) for wilful flouting, disregard and disobedience of this court’s direction contained in paragraph number 178 of the judgment delivered in the case of Dr Mubashir Hasan versus the Federation of Pakistan (PLD 2010 SC 265).

Continue reading the remaining text here

http://dawn.com/2012/04/26/text-of-the-sc-short-order/

Report Tags: Pakistan, Politics, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan Prime Minister, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, President Zardari, PM convicted, Supreme Court Verdict

Lahore Railway Station Bomb Blast (Video) -- 3 killed, 40 injured

LAHORE, Pakistan (Tue, April 24) – At least three people were killed and more than 40 others wounded in a blast at Lahore Railway Station today evening.

Lahore Railway Station Bomb Blast -- At least 3 killed, more than 40 injured

According to details; the bomb exploded at platform No 2 of the Railway Station on the counter of Business Express train bound to Karachi when a porter was shifting a briefcase, allegedly having the explosive material. Two people were killed at the spot, including the porter and a policeman. The third person was pronounced dead by one of the hospitals sources where injured were shifted.

Lahore CCPO Aslam Tareen told media persons at the Railway Station that the bomb had contained six to eight kilograms of explosives and had produced a high forced blast. “We will investigate how this occurred,” he said. “With the security checks in place, this should not have happened.”

Later on, police confirmed that two people dead at the spot were identified as Muhammad Boota (porter) and Baba Siddque (Constable) lost their lives in this tragic incident.

Watch exclusive video report about Lahore Railway Station Bomb Blast

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Amazing VIDEO: Google Doodle Zipper working for Gideon Sundback's 132nd Birthday

Search engine giant Google has celebrated the 132nd birthday of Swedish inventor in a totally unique way on April 24. Google 'zipped' its homepage to remember Gideon Sundback, the inventor of the modern metal zipper. To play and enjoy Google’s doodle you need just a click, and the page unzips to reveal a search results page on the Swedish-born engineer.

Google Doodle Zipper working for Gideon Sundback's 132nd Birthday

Born on April 24, 1880, Sundback migrated to United States from Sweden in 1905. There he worked at the Universal Fastener Company in New Jersey, and went on to become its head designer in 1909. (Via Wikipedia)

If you are a Firefox user, you might not be allowed to play with the new, interactive zipper Google doodle. This is because the new zipper Google doodle does not seem to be fully compatible with the Firefox browser.

We checked the same issue on other browsers including Google's own Chrome, Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Apple's Safari, and it seemed to work fine on them. Google is believed to use advanced JavaScript and HTML5 elements for many of its fun and interactive doodles, but some of the code isn't always compatible on all modern Web browsers.

Google has been pushing its Chrome Web browser in a big way, including advertisements in the mainstream media and outdoor hoardings. Advertising approaches that we do not usually associate with Google. Chrome is now the most serious contender to Internet Explorer in the battle of the browsers.

Watch video below to see the Google Doodle Zipper in action: 
 

Report Tags: Google Doodle, google, Zipper Doodle, video, Sweden, Youtube, Google Doodle Zipper, 132nd birthday

London Marathon Runner Died: Claire Squires, 30, runs charity named 'Samaritans'

LONDON, UK (Mon, Apr 23) – London Marathon 2012 will be remembered for long time because of the death of the 30-year-old female participant, who collapsed and died yesterday while running on the final stages of the marathon. 

London Marathon Runner Died: Claire Squires, 30, runs charity named 'Samaritans'

 According to details; Claire Squires, a hairdresser from North Kilworth in Leicestershire, reportedly fell down at Birdcage Walk, near St James's Park, on the last mile of the 26.2mile course. Immediate medical attention was provided at the spot; but she couldn’t survive. The organizers have confirmed the death of Ms Squires and showed their concern for the family of the deceased.

A statement on the London Marathon website read: 'We would like to emphasize that our immediate concern is for the family of the deceased. 

'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them at this difficult time.'

A report published in ‘Mail Online’ suggests that Claire Squires was participating London Marathon for a noble cause i.e. to raise funds for her own charity – the Samaritans. She had managed to raise more than £500 on justgiving dot com by running the marathon. The amount increased dramatically to more than £2,500 after the news of her death on the course.

Twitter has flooded with the tributes paid by her friends.

Rayne, Louisiana: 4 children died in mobile home fire, mother charged

RAYNE, La. (Mon, Apr 23) – A mother of four has reportedly been charged on Sunday with four counts of negligent homicide after her four kids were burnt to death Saturday in a mobile home fire.

Rayne, Louisiana: 4 children died in mobile home fire, mother charged

According to the details; four children aged between 2 to 8 were alone in the mobile home in the town of Rayne - about 70 miles west of Baton Rouge in southern Louisiana – when the mobile home caught fire just before midnight on Saturday.  

Police sources revealed that the mobile home was completely swallowed up by flames when firefighters rushed at the spot. All four kids were found inside the burnt remains of the white mobile home after the fire was doused off.

The 26-year-old mother Shaqueta McDade was not at home, police told further; but it is still unclear that where she was at the time of tragic incident.

Captain Doug Cain, a spokesperson for Louisiana Department of Public Safety, told media that Rayne police officials investigated McDade after the fire and consequently detained her because "she is suspected of leaving the children unattended." She was being held at the Acadia County Jail.

Report Tags: Rayne, Mobile home fire, Louisiana, Shaqueta McDade, Doug Cain, Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Acadia Country Jail, Crime, Kids Burnt, four kids died