Kosher store savior will stay in France

Lassana Bathily, who emerged as the hero of the Paris supermarket attack, receives his new French passport from the hands of Prime Minister Manuel Valls at a ceremony in Paris.

Kosher store savior will stay in France

Lassana Bathily, who emerged as the hero of the Paris supermarket attack, receives his new French passport from the hands of Prime Minister ...

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Promises ‘smarter’ war policy after getting troops home

In his State of the Union address, Obama declared he had delivered on what voters first elected him to do: conquering a "vicious" economic crisis and ending ground wars in the Middle East.<img alt="" height="1" src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_us/~4/jtCiS8eOUMw" width="1"/>

Promises ‘smarter’ war policy after getting troops home

In his State of the Union address, Obama declared he had delivered on what voters first elected him to do: conquering a "vicious" ...

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Return of the Jedi as Aussies face China

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/825231/return-of-the-jedi-as-aussies-face-china/"><br /> <img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/825231-AsianCup-1421851453-548-160x120.jpg" width="160" /><br /> </a><br /> <p><p><strong><strong class='location'>BRISBANE: </strong>Inspirational captain Mile Jedinak is set to return for Australia as the Socceroos and undefeated China battle for a place in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup on Wednesday.</strong></p><br /><p>The Crystal Palace midfielder was injured in Australia’s opening Group A win against Kuwait, and sat out the 4-0 drubbing of Oman and Saturday’s narrow loss to South Korea.</p><br /><p>“If selected, I’ll be ready. That goes without saying,” said Jedinak, nicknamed ‘Jedi’. “Sitting out the last couple of games hasn’t been easy. But it’s given me a little [bit] of time to see what other ways I can help.</p><br /><p>China, like Australia, have never won the Asian Cup and they are seeking a title which would finally put football’s ‘sleeping giant’ at the top of the regional pecking order.</p><br /><p>China – twice Asian Cup runners-up – finished with a perfect three wins out of three in Group B, two of them in Brisbane, and largely thanks to the goals of Sun Ke.</p><br /><p>The winger has netted three times, including a spectacular winner against Uzbekistan, and he said China were fully focused for the quarter-final. “I think if we can focus on the game and keep our concentration to make sure we pay attention to every detail, we can leave the pitch having performed well,” said Sun.</p><br /><p><strong>Koreans look to keep Wolves from the door</strong></p><br /><p>South Korea face a serious test of their title credentials when they take on Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup quarter-finals today with the White Wolves hungry for revenge.</p><br /><p>The Koreans broke Uzbek hearts by denying them a place at the 2014 World Cup by virtue of goal difference, forcing them to contest a playoff with Jordan, which they lost.</p><br /><p>Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov has promised the Group B runners-up will tear into their illustrious opponents in Melbourne.</p><br /><p>“We will use that as motivation for sure,” said Kasimov. “We’ll use every little bit of motivation to get a big result. We want revenge but it’s also important for us to be calm.”</p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><i>Like </i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EtribuneSports"><i>Sports on Facebook</i></a>, <i>follow </i><a href="https://twitter.com/ETribuneSports"><i>@ETribuneSports</i></a><i> on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.</i></p><br /> </p><br /> <br clear="all"/>

Return of the Jedi as Aussies face China

BRISBANE:  Inspirational captain Mile Jedinak is set to return for Australia as the Socceroos and undefeated China bat...

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Ailing Nadal stays alive to join Federer, Murray in third round

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/825190/ailing-nadal-stays-alive-to-join-federer-murray-in-third-round/"><br /> <img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/825190-nad-1421848250-819-160x120.jpg" width="160" /><br /> </a><br /> <p><p><strong><strong class='location'>MELBOURNE: </strong>Struggling Rafael Nadal survived a mighty scare before joining Roger Federer and Andy Murray in the men’s third round at the Australian Open on Wednesday.</strong></p><br /><p>The Spanish world number three, returning from injury, was taken to the brink by American qualifier Tim Smyczek before winning a tough five-setter when he looked down for the count.</p><br /><p>The 14-time Grand Slam champion prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 7-5 in 4hr 12min and will now play unseeded Israeli Dudi Sela in the third round.</p><br /><p>Nadal, who lost to Stan Wawrinka in last year’s Melbourne final, said he was suffering from stomach cramps during the thriller as he used all his experience to get himself over the line on Rod Laver Arena.<br /><br />“It was a very tough night for me,” said Nadal.</p><br /><p>“For me after a tough period of time out of competition in the last seven months and just playing a few matches, today was a little bit humid and I felt very tired after the first set and for the whole match.”</p><br /><p>Swiss Grand Slam master Federer was stung into action after losing the first set to reel in Italian Simone Bolelli in four sets and take his place in the seeded round.</p><br /><p>Murray, a three-time runner-up in Melbourne, extended his record against Australian opponents to 10-0 with a consummate straight sets victory over Marinko Matosevic.</p><br /><p>Elsewhere, 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov overcame Lukas Lacko in four sets and seventh seed Tomas Berdych accounted for Jurgen Melzer.<br /><br />Second seed Federer, chasing his fifth Australian Open title, problem-solved his way to a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Bolelli and will play another Italian Andreas Seppi in the third round.</p><br /><p>The 17-time Swiss Grand Slam champion, who developed a mystery swollen finger during the contest, lost the opening set after the only break on his serve, but he found a solution and swept through the next three sets.</p><br /><p>“It’s always a good feeling fighting your way out of a match, winning the last three sets convincingly and actually playing really positive tennis,” said Federer.</p><br /><p>“Today I had to do some adjustments because he was doing things very well. By figuring things out it’s a great feeling to have once you’ve got it.”</p><br /><p>The Swiss legend was non-plussed by a swollen finger that may have been caused by a bee sting.</p><br /><p>“It’s the weirdest thing. I don’t know. I feel it on the tip of my finger. I feel like it’s numb and swollen,” he said.</p><br /><p>Murray got some payback on vocal local hope Matosevic, with the British sixth seed having few problems in winning 6-1, 6-3, 6-2. He will next face Portugal’s Joao Sousa.</p><br /><p>It was some riposte for Murray after Matosevic criticised the surprise appointment of Amelie Mauresmo as his coach last year.</p><br /><p>Matosevic created headlines back then when he dismissively said of Murray’s decision to replace Ivan Lendl with Mauresmo: “I couldn’t do it because I don’t think that highly of the women’s game.”</p><br /><p>Bulgaria’s Dimitrov reached the third round after downing Lacko 6-3, 6-7 (10/12), 6-3, 6-3 and will now play former finalist Marcos Baghdatis.</p><br /><p>Rising Australian younger Nick Kyrgios also advanced with a four-set win over big-serving Ivo Karlovic, while Sam Groth knocked out fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in five sets.</p><br /><p>Groth will now take on another young Australian Bernard Tomic, who squeezed home in four sets against German Philipp Kohlschreiber.</p><br /><p><i>Like </i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EtribuneSports"><i>Sports on Facebook</i></a>, <i>follow </i><a href="https://twitter.com/ETribuneSports"><i>@ETribuneSports</i></a><i> on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.</i></p><br /> </p><br /> <br clear="all"/>

Ailing Nadal stays alive to join Federer, Murray in third round

MELBOURNE:  Struggling Rafael Nadal survived a mighty scare before joining Roger Federer and Andy Murray in the men’s ...

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Pakistan must exorcise demons of 2014

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/824814/pakistan-must-exorcise-demons-of-2014/"><br /> <img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/824814-Analysiscopy-1421774381-801-160x120.jpg" width="160" /><br /> </a><br /> <p><p><strong>Despite the insistence of coach Waqar Younis, heavy expectations lie on the shoulders of those who will wear the green Down Under. But if they are to have a snowball’s chance in hell, the regular batsmen must exorcise the demons of 2014.</strong></p><br /><p>There are no two ways about it, last year was not a kind one for Pakistan in the ODIs. The side won only six matches and lost 10, with a win/loss ratio of 0.6. In comparison, they won 16 and lost as many in 2013; a win/loss ratio of 1.</p><br /><p><img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/talha.jpg" /></p><br /><p>The numbers in terms of bilateral series make for even poorer reading. Pakistan won five series in 2013 and lost two. In 2014; there were no series wins, only three losses.</p><br /><p>So who is to blame? The short answer: the batsmen. The long answer: the regular batsmen.</p><br /><p>In 2013, the top two run-getters in the world were Pakistanis; Misbahul Haq and Muhammad Hafeez. The duo made 1,373 and 1,301 runs respectively, at an average of 54.92 and 46.46. Last year, Ahmed Shehzad was the only player from Pakistan to make it into the top 20, barely making it into 20th with his 629 runs in the calendar year.</p><br /><p>Haris Sohail and Sarfraz Ahmed only became regulars in 2014, while both Younus Khan and Sohaib Maqsood have been in and out of the side since 2013 for one reason or the other. So of the eight specialist batsmen selected for the World Cup, only Umar Akmal, Shehzad, Misbah and Hafeez have been regular members of the side for the past two years.</p><br /><p>The quartet made 3,877 runs between themselves in 2013 at an average of 44.56. Last year they managed only 1,636 at an average of 32.08. The decrease in runs can be explained by the fact that Pakistan have played only 16 matches in 2014, as compared to 34 in 2013. But the decrease in averages over 12 months is alarming. To put it in simpler words, Pakistan’s four best batsmen over the past two years made, on average, 50 runs fewer in every match last year.</p><br /><p>Haris Sohail and Sarfraz Ahmed were two of Pakistan’s brighter lights in 2014 and will have to carry the beacon if the established names continue to misfire. Sohail improved drastically on his 2013 score of 45 at an average of 15 by scoring 235 at an average of 58.75 last year. Sarfraz did the same, making 254 runs in 2014 as compared to his 29 in 2013. The wicketkeeper more than doubled his 2013 calendar year average of 14.5 to 36.28 in the process.</p><br /><p>Since 2013, Pakistan have not won a match in which they have scored less than 200. During the time they have won 22 matches, scoring at an average of 37.56 at a run-rate of 5.39. In the matches they have lost, they have scored at an average of 22.25 at a run-rate of 4.62.</p><br /><p>The bowlers tend to paper over the worryingly large cracks often left behind by inept batting. But now there is a considerably large Saeed Ajmal-sized hole that also needs filling. Pakistan may yet pull of the spectacular with the ball in hand every now and then but even their bowlers require something to work with.</p><br /><p>Despite its own fair share of troubles, the bowling has continued to more or less perform consistently. It may seem like an obvious thing to say but Pakistan win when they bat well and lose when fail to do so — but the latter is becoming increasingly more common.</p><br /><p>So if 40-year-old Misbah is to wrap his hands around the cold silver and gold World Cup trophy come March 29, then the batsmen must deliver. The men with the blade will decide Pakistan’s fate; for better or for worse, they have been doing so for a while now.<em> </em></p><br /><p><em>Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st,  2015.</em><em><b></b></em></p><br /><p><i>Like </i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EtribuneSports"><i>Sports on Facebook</i></a>, <i>follow </i><a href="https://twitter.com/ETribuneSports"><i>@ETribuneSports</i></a><i> on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.</i><b><i></i></b></p><br /> </p><br /> <br clear="all"/>

Pakistan must exorcise demons of 2014

Despite the insistence of coach Waqar Younis, heavy expectations lie on the shoulders of those who will wear the green...

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CAA official suspended as two PIA aircraft ‘nearly’ crash

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/825191/caa-official-suspended-as-two-pia-aircraft-nearly-crash/"><br /> <img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/825191-pia-1421845264-438-160x120.jpg" width="160" /><br /> </a><br /> <p><p><strong>A Civil Aviation Authority official has been suspended after two Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft came at a ‘dangerous’ distance due to negligence.</strong></p><br /><p>The two aircraft were in Karachi airport’s airspace when they were a mere 1,000 feet apart from each other, <em>Express News</em> reported.</p><br /><p>As per initial details, one aircraft was taking off and the other was landing when they ‘nearly’ crashed but luckily the incident was avoided.</p><br /><p>Blaming the incident on an official’s negligence, DG Civil Aviation Authority has reportedly suspended the official on shift at the time,  <em>Express News</em> reported.</p><br /> </p><br /> <br clear="all"/>

CAA official suspended as two PIA aircraft ‘nearly’ crash

A Civil Aviation Authority official has been suspended after two Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft came a...

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Security forces arrest local Islamic State commander in Lahore: sources

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/825178/secuirty-forces-arrest-local-islamic-state-commander-in-lahore-sources/"><br /> <img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/825178-mideastcrisisusafbi-1421844558-981-160x120.jpg" width="160" /><br /> </a><br /> <p><p><strong><strong class='location'>LAHORE: </strong>Pakistani security forces have arrested a man they believe is the commander of the Islamic State group in the country as well as two accomplices involved in recruiting and sending fighters to Syria, intelligence sources said on Wednesday.</strong></p><br /><p>Authorities in South Asia are concerned about the rise of the militant group in a region already beset by home-grown insurgencies fighting to topple local governments and set up strict Islamic rule.</p><br /><p>Three intelligence sources, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the man, Yousaf al Salafi, was arrested in Lahore and confessed during interrogation that he represented IS in Pakistan.</p><br /><p>“Al Salafi is a Pakistani Syrian who reached Pakistan through Turkey five months ago,” said one source. “He crossed into Turkey from Syria and was caught there. Somehow he managed to escape and reached Pakistan to establish ISIS (IS).”</p><br /><p>The account could not be independently verified.</p><br /><p>The source said one of his accomplices, Hafiz Tayyab, was a prayer leader in Lahore and was involved in recruiting Pakistanis and sending them to fight alongside Islamic State in Syria, charging IS about $ 600 per person.</p><br /><p>Rifts among the Taliban and disputes about the future of the insurgency have contributed to the rise of Islamic State’s popularity but security sources believe there are no operational links yet between IS and South Asia.</p><br /><p>Disgruntled former Taliban commanders have formed the so-called Khorasan chapter – an umbrella IS group covering Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and other South Asian countries – in recent months but have not been involved in any fighting.</p><br /><p>Their leader, Hafiz Saeed Khan Orakzai, a former Pakistani Taliban commander, appeared in a video address this month urging people in the region to join the group.</p><br /> </p><br /> <br clear="all"/>

Security forces arrest local Islamic State commander in Lahore: sources

LAHORE:  Pakistani security forces have arrested a man they believe is the commander of the Islamic State group in the...

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Birds covered in mystery ‘goop’

Hundreds of birds were found covered in "goop" that authorities can't identify, according to a spokesman for the California Fish and Wildlife Department.<img alt="" height="1" src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_us/~4/-4281mAsUg4" width="1"/>

Birds covered in mystery ‘goop’

Hundreds of birds were found covered in "goop" that authorities can't identify, according to a spokesman for the California Fi...

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Saying ‘divorce’ consecutively should be punishable, rules CII

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/825143/saying-divorce-consecutively-should-be-punishable-rules-cii/"><br /> <img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/825143-CII-1421837567-348-160x120.jpg" width="160" /><br /> </a><br /> <p><p><strong>The Council of Islamic Ideology recommended on Wednesday punishment for individuals who say ‘divorce’ three times consecutively in a bid to finalise the finality of their marriage. </strong></p><br /><p>Citing increasing divorce rates, Islamic Idelogy Council’s chairman Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani said repeating the word <em>talaq</em> (divorce)<em> ‘</em>thrice’ is unlawful and rather a spouse should say the words over a period of time.</p><br /><p>“Saying the word <em>talaq</em> thrice consecutively is against the Sunnah,” the chairman said.</p><br /><p>Islam requires the divorcee to pronounce <em>‘talaq’</em> thrice for it to be legalised. However, the council has upheld it should not be said consecutively.</p><br /><p>Maualana Sherani said people get divorced without any hesitation nowadays and much more care should be taken while ending such a ‘sacred’ relationship.</p><br /><p>Islam takes distinction over other religions when it comes to women’s rights, going as far as allowing a woman to seek divorce from her husband if he fails to fulfill his obligations. However, despite laws concerning litigation over matrimonial disputes Pakistani women, face great humiliation and hardships when it comes to safeguarding their rights. <i><br /><br /></i></p><br /><p><img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0-LINE-1420726462.jpg" /></p><br /><p><a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/807840/know-your-rights-rights-of-a-spouse/" target="_blank"><em><strong>RELATED POST: Know your rights: Rights of a spouse</strong></em></a></p><br /><p><img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0-LINE-1420726462.jpg" /></p><br /><p>Further, last year several rights activists condemned a report of the CII declaring the law requiring consent from first (second or third) wife for another marriage un-Islamic. The CII had said that Sharia did not bind a husband to seek permission from any of his wives before contracting another marriage.</p><br /><p><img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0-LINE-1420726462.jpg" /></p><br /><p><a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/684016/womens-rights-anti-poor-anti-women-cii-should-be-abolished/" target="_blank"><em><strong>RELATED POST: Women’s rights: ‘Anti-poor, anti-women CII should be abolished’</strong></em></a></p><br /><p><img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0-LINE-1420726462.jpg" /></p><br /><p>Aurat Foundation manager Mumtaz Mughal said, “The CII is acting as a supra-state body it has nullified the little constitutional and legal gains working classes, women and non-Muslims had made so far. It nullified land reforms of the 1970s, it dismissed tests as evidence of criminal violence against women and now it is attacking the civil rights of women in Pakistan.”</p><br /> </p><br /> <br clear="all"/>

Saying ‘divorce’ consecutively should be punishable, rules CII

The Council of Islamic Ideology recommended on Wednesday punishment for individuals who say ‘divorce’ three times cons...

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Some elements in Pakistan can be wrong but a whole nation cannot: Akshay Kumar

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/825129/some-elements-in-pakistan-can-be-wrong-but-a-whole-nation-cannot-akshay-kumar/"><br /> <img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/825129-akshaykumar-1421833558-505-160x120.jpg" width="160" /><br /> </a><br /> <p><p><strong>Refuting rumours that his upcoming thriller <i>Baby</i> is anti-Pakistan, Akshay Kumar said some elements in Pakistan can be wrong but a whole nation cannot be wrong.</strong></p><br /><p>“See, some elements in Pakistan can be wrong but a whole nation cannot be wrong.” Akshay said, according to the <a href="http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/baby-talks-terrorism-isnt-anti-pakistan-akshay-kumar-2056957.html" target="_blank"><i>First Post</i></a>.</p><br /><p>“Terrorism has no religion, and we believe that religion and country are two different things,” the actor added.</p><br /><p>Refuting claims that the movie is anti-Pakistan as “untrue,” the actor said the movie stars three Pakistai actors in crucial roles.</p><br /><p>“The film talks very openly about it. The story of <i>Baby</i> is inspired by various real life incidents,” he said.</p><br /><p>Commenting on the storyline, Akshay said the movie talks about terrorism, which is a big consideration in today’s world.</p><br /><p><img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0-LINE-1420726462.jpg" /></p><br /><p><a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/824680/baby-openly-talks-about-terrorism-akshay-kumar/" target="_blank"><strong><em>RELATED POST: ‘Baby’ openly talks about terrorism: Akshay Kum</em><em>ar</em></strong></a></p><br /><p><img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0-LINE-1420726462.jpg" /></p><br /><p>“Terrorism, as a topic, can be seen in every newspaper. So we thought of making people aware about it. The film talks very openly about it. The story of <em>Baby</em> is inspired by various real life incidents,” he said.</p><br /><p>Akshay’s playing the role of an undercover agent who tries to prevent terror attacks. The movie will see Akshay packing in a punch as far as action scenes are concerned.</p><br /> </p><br /> <br clear="all"/>

Some elements in Pakistan can be wrong but a whole nation cannot: Akshay Kumar

Refuting rumours that his upcoming thriller Baby is anti-Pakistan, Akshay Kumar said some elements in Pakistan can be...

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Japan PM rushes home to lead hostage crisis response

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/825081/japan-pm-rushes-home-to-lead-hostage-crisis-response/"><br /> <img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/825081-shinzo-1421825992-341-160x120.jpg" width="160" /><br /> </a><br /> <p><p><strong><strong class='location'>TOKYO: </strong>Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was rushing home from the Middle East Wednesday to take charge of Tokyo’s response to IS militants threatening to kill two nationals unless he pays a $ 200 million ransom.</strong></p><br /><p>A defiant Abe vowed he would not bow to “terrorism”, as Japan was thrust centre-stage in the conflict gripping Syria and Iraq, where jihadists have seized control of large areas.</p><br /><p>“I strongly demand that they not be harmed and that they be immediately released,” he told a news conference in Jerusalem Tuesday. “The international community will not give in to terrorism and we have to make sure that we work together.”</p><br /><p>IS has murdered five Western hostages since August last year, but this is the first time the group has threatened Japanese captives.</p><br /><p>In footage posted on extremist websites, a black-clad militant brandishing a knife addresses the camera in English, standing between two hostages wearing orange jumpsuits.</p><br /><p>“You now have 72 hours to pressure your government into making a wise decision by paying the $ 200 million to save the lives of your citizens,” he says.</p><br /><p>The militant says that the sum is equal to the aid that Abe pledged in support of the fight against IS.</p><br /><p>Japan has repeatedly insisted it has offered non-military assistance for countries affected by the IS group’s bloody expansion in Iraq and Syria, which has spurred an exodus of refugees to neighbouring countries.</p><br /><p>Constitutionally pacifist Japan has steered clear of the armed entanglements of the US, Britain and other Western nations in the Middle East.</p><br /><p>The ensnarement of two of its citizens in the IS group’s bloody ideological battle is deeply shocking to Japan, and there is likely to be considerable domestic pressure on Abe to try to negotiate their release.</p><br /><p>The video of a militant with a British accent brandishing a knife over the heads of journalist Kenji Goto and self-employed military contractor Haruna Yukawa was given blanket coverage Wednesday, with much speculation on the authenticity of the footage.</p><br /><p>Film editor Genta Tamaki noted apparent discrepancies in the shadows cast by the hostages, which he said could indicate images of the two men had been inserted into the desert footage.</p><br /><p>“In principle, these shadows do not look as one might expect in sunlight,” he was quoted as saying.</p><br /><p>This might occur if filming was done indoors using several lights and combined with the background later, he said, although he added it was not possible to be certain.</p><br /><p>Outlets also noted clothes worn by Yukawa moved more than those Goto was wearing, and neither man flinched when their captor waved his knife near them.</p><br /><p>Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said experts had examined the footage. He did not address the speculation, but said the Japanese government was assured of the identity of the men.</p><br /><p>Hiromasa Nakai, chief spokesman for the Japan Committee for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), insisted Goto was a peace-loving man.</p><br /><p>He “has been working hard for children in the Islamic world — not only in Syria but also in Afghanistan, Somalia and many other places,” he told AFP.</p><br /><p>“It’s an extreme shock to us. We hope he will return safe.”</p><br /><p>National broadcaster NHK said it had spoken to someone claiming to be in charge of “public relations” for the militant group.</p><br /><p>“We don’t need money,” they quoted the person as saying.</p><br /><p>“Islamic State is spending more than ($ 200m) in one day. It’s not an economic war but a spiritual war,” the person said, repeatedly adding the group was confident “your government will pay the money”.</p><br /><p>The release of a video on the day Abe was in Jerusalem and due to give a major press conference is a grim reminder of the well-oiled PR machine of the IS group.</p><br /><p>It follows a pattern established last year with the killings of US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, American aid worker Peter Kassig and British aid workers Alan Henning and David Haines. All of them were beheaded.</p><br /><p>The man who appeared in the video threatening the Japanese hostages spoke with a very similar southern English accent to the militant who appeared in the footage posted of the executions of the Britons and Americans.</p><br /><p>Memories in Japan are still fresh of the 2013 Algerian gas plant crisis, in which 10 Japanese lost their lives at the hands of militants.</p><br /><p>The last Japanese citizen believed to have been beheaded by militants was tourist Shosei Koda, 24, who was killed in Iraq in 2004 after Tokyo ignored demands to pull out troops engaged in reconstruction work.</p><br /> </p><br /> <br clear="all"/>

Japan PM rushes home to lead hostage crisis response

TOKYO:  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was rushing home from the Middle East Wednesday to take charge of Tokyo’s r...

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Muslim scholars urge UN to outlaw ‘contempt’ of religions

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/825128/muslim-scholars-urge-un-to-outlaw-contempt-of-religions/"><br /> <img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/825128-CharlieHebdoReutersx-1421833652-375-160x120.jpg" width="160" /><br /> </a><br /> <p><p><strong><strong class='location'>DOHA: </strong>A leading Islamic organisation has called on the United Nations to make “contempt of religions” illegal and urged the West to protect Muslim communities following the attack on French magazine <i>Charlie Hebdo.</i></strong></p><br /><p>The Qatar-based International Union of Muslim Scholars, headed by influential preacher Yusuf al-Qaradawi, appealed to Muslims to continue peaceful protests against images of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) but “not to resort to any violence”.</p><br /><p>The latest cartoon of the prophet in <i>Charlie Hebdo</i> has angered many Muslims and triggered protests in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.</p><br /><p>In a statement released Tuesday, the union said there should be protection for “prophets” and urged Islamic countries to submit a draft law to the UN calling for defamation of religions to be outlawed.</p><br /><p>The union said the UN should then issue a “law criminalising contempt of religions and the prophets and all the holy sites”.</p><br /><p>It also called for the West “to protect Muslim communities from attacks, whether they are citizens or residents or visitors”.</p><br /><p>The union has condemned the publication of a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) holding a “Je suis Charlie” sign under the headline “All is forgiven” in the first <i>Charlie Hebdo</i> edition since gunmen killed 12 people in an attack on its offices.</p><br /><p>It said that the new drawing would give “credibility” to the idea that “the West is against Islam” and warned the image would incite further hatred.</p><br /><p>Qaradawi, 88, is seen as a spiritual guide of Egypt’s banned Muslim Brotherhood, the movement of ousted former president Mohamed Morsi.</p><br /> </p><br /> <br clear="all"/>

Muslim scholars urge UN to outlaw ‘contempt’ of religions

DOHA:  A leading Islamic organisation has called on the United Nations to make “contempt of religions” illegal and urg...

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Imran too busy to give World Cup-bound team a ‘pep talk’

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/825107/imran-too-busy-to-give-world-cup-bound-team-a-pep-talk/"><br /> <img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/825107-image-1421833930-920-160x120.jpg" width="160" /><br /> </a><br /> <p><p><strong><strong class='location'>LAHORE: </strong>Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was unable to take time out from his busy schedule to meet up with the World Cup-bound Pakistan squad members for a much-needed ‘pep talk’, (<a href="http://sports.ndtv.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/news/236317-imran-khan-unable-to-meet-up-with-world-cup-bound-pakistan-team?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ndtv%2FqJNd+%28CRICKETNDTV.COM+-+Latest+News%29" target="_blank">NDTV)</a> reported on Wednesday.</strong></p><br /><p>Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan told the media in Lahore that he had requested the former captain to spare some time to meet the players and give them a motivational lecture.</p><br /><p>“But unfortunately he has not been able to give us time and we were told that if the team went to Islamabad he could try to meet them for a while,” Khan said.</p><br /><p><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh6C2VKMeyYAkE2VDNVCszbJtNq3dzmUPgpNZBsSlfvSJgR7jMHQKTsTUOHxeLXMKF-ixsY9DVL73D2kZ7GpJTgA5gZLFu10zRhxmw1whSRQoN5EHddPKAhy20OUsFr7wp4nL5JoQkecX8hOWxNJefT3oOfyvJR5PlgIb82eF1zUm4XPGcuU3Wd=s0-d-e1-ft" /></p><br /><p><em><strong><a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/824690/good-cricket-more-than-results-the-focus-for-world-cup-misbah/" target="_blank">RELATED: Destination World Cup: Sans Junaid, the chosen 15 depart for New Zealand</a></strong></em></p><br /><p><a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/824690/good-cricket-more-than-results-the-focus-for-world-cup-misbah/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh6C2VKMeyYAkE2VDNVCszbJtNq3dzmUPgpNZBsSlfvSJgR7jMHQKTsTUOHxeLXMKF-ixsY9DVL73D2kZ7GpJTgA5gZLFu10zRhxmw1whSRQoN5EHddPKAhy20OUsFr7wp4nL5JoQkecX8hOWxNJefT3oOfyvJR5PlgIb82eF1zUm4XPGcuU3Wd=s0-d-e1-ft" /></a></p><br /><p>Imran captained the team that surprised everyone by winning the World Cup in 1992 in Australia and New Zealand.</p><br /><p>The PCB chairman further said that the players were very keen to meet with Imran before flying off for the World Cup. The cricketer-turned politician who also recently got married a second time is revered and respected by players of the present generation and team who were keen to meet with him to talk to him about the World Cup before going to Australia and New Zealand.</p><br /><p><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh6C2VKMeyYAkE2VDNVCszbJtNq3dzmUPgpNZBsSlfvSJgR7jMHQKTsTUOHxeLXMKF-ixsY9DVL73D2kZ7GpJTgA5gZLFu10zRhxmw1whSRQoN5EHddPKAhy20OUsFr7wp4nL5JoQkecX8hOWxNJefT3oOfyvJR5PlgIb82eF1zUm4XPGcuU3Wd=s0-d-e1-ft" /></p><br /><p><em><strong><a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/818643/imrans-nikkah-ceremony-said-to-be-underway-at-bani-gala/" target="_blank">RELATED POST: Imran and Reham Khan tie the knot in Bani Gala</a></strong></em><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh6C2VKMeyYAkE2VDNVCszbJtNq3dzmUPgpNZBsSlfvSJgR7jMHQKTsTUOHxeLXMKF-ixsY9DVL73D2kZ7GpJTgA5gZLFu10zRhxmw1whSRQoN5EHddPKAhy20OUsFr7wp4nL5JoQkecX8hOWxNJefT3oOfyvJR5PlgIb82eF1zUm4XPGcuU3Wd=s0-d-e1-ft" /></p><br /><p>Shaharyar Khan also admitted that since the Pakistan team didn’t possess world class batsmen like Virat Kohli or AB de Villiers, they would have to rely on team spirit and collective effort to get good results in the World Cup.</p><br /><p>The Pakistan squad is due to embark on their World Cup campaign on Tuesday night from Lahore and will play two one-day internationals against New Zealand on January 31 and February 3 before flying to Australia for their warm up games.</p><br /><p>Khan said the team would have short conditioning camps in New Zealand and Australia to acclimatize to the conditions there.</p><br /><p>“I have told the players that if they win the World Cup we will reward them handsomely. What every Pakistani wants from them is 100 per cent effort. In cricket nothing is impossible and we have won ICC events in the past as well,” he said.</p><br /> </p><br /> <br clear="all"/>

Imran too busy to give World Cup-bound team a ‘pep talk’

LAHORE:  Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was unable to take time out from his busy schedule to meet up with the...

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Q&A: The reality of ransoms

Ransom is as old as kidnappings, bad guys and money. But it never gets old enough not to demand again, as the Japanese government now knows all too well.<img alt="" height="1" src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_world/~4/dcZ-RLEEgC4" width="1"/>

Q&A: The reality of ransoms

Ransom is as old as kidnappings, bad guys and money. But it never gets old enough not to demand again, as the Japanese government now knows ...

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Bomb threat affects 2 flights

A Delta flight that landed in New York Monday night was searched after a bomb threat was made.<img alt="" height="1" src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_us/~4/ByjaJUn5Wtw" width="1"/>

Bomb threat affects 2 flights

A Delta flight that landed in New York Monday night was searched after a bomb threat was made.

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