Heat Waves in CHINA

At least 10 dead as record heatwave hits Shanghai

SHANGHAI: More than 10 people have died in China's commercial hub Shanghai, a local health official said Wednesday as the city grapples with its highest temperatures in at least 140 years.

Much of China is in the grip of a summer heatwave, and the China Meteorological Association issued a high temperature warning for several eastern and central provinces, saying temperatures could reach 41 degrees Celsius (106 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday.

Leng Guangming, a spokesman at the Shanghai Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, said there had been at least 10 victims of heat stroke up to last Friday in the city. He declined to give a more precise or more recent number.

City forecasters said temperatures were "rising rapidly" and could reach 40 C in People's Square on Wednesday.

Experts blame a subtropical high pressure system and a lack of rain for the record-breaking heatwave, according to state media.

Pictures have shown people sheltering from the heat in air-conditioned shops or subways, and trying to cool off in swimming pools and rivers.

Footage of a slice of pork cooked through in 10 minutes on outdoor stone slab, taken by a Shanghai TV station, has gone viral online.

Obama Barack

Obama warns China against 'coercion' at sea

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama warned China on Thursday against the using force or intimidation in its tense maritime disputes with its neighbors and urged a peaceful resolution.

Obama, meeting Chinese officials who were in Washington for wide-ranging talks, "urged China to manage its maritime disputes with its neighbors peacefully, without the use of intimidation or coercion," a White House statement said.

Tensions have steadily risen between China and Japan, which accuses its growing neighbor of sending an increasing number of ships to exert its claim over sparsely populated islands managed by Tokyo in the East China Sea.

The Philippines and Vietnam have also charged that China has used assertive means to exert claims in the conflict-riven South China Sea, although tensions have abated slightly with Hanoi in recent weeks.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi, addressing a press event at the end of the two days of talks, said that China supported "freedom of navigation in all oceans" and "will continue to firmly implement its policy."

The United States since 2010 has repeatedly been outspoken over the South China Sea, saying that it has a national interest in ensuring freedom of navigation but does not take sides on individual claims.

With an eye on the tensions, the United States has boosted military cooperation with Japan and the Philippines -- which are both treaty-bound allies -- as well as with former war adversary Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

PM Nawaz discusses Kerry's visit with COAS, DG ISI

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday presided over a high-level meeting, attended by Chief of Army Staff and DG Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Geo News reported.

Sources said the meeting held consultations over the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry and finalized distinct points to discuss with the diplomat.

It was also decided that the civil and military leadership with take the similar stance in the meeting John Kerry, the sources said.

The meeting also exchange views and consultations on recent incidents of terrorism besides Pak-Afghan relations and situation at the borders.

The meeting was also attended by Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan, Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Tariq Fatimi and CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.

Meanwhile, one-on-one meeting between Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani and PM Nawaz also held.

The two leaders decided to raise the issue of drone attack with the US as per the government policy.

New priorities of Pakistan relations with the US were also chalked out in the meeting.

Election Commission of Pakistan

CEC Fakhruddin Ebrahim resigns

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Fakhruddin G Ebrahim has tendered his resignation. The resignation has been sent to the presidency for approval.

"I want the new parliament to elect a new Chief Election Commissioner," Ebrahim said.

Ebrahim a former Supreme Court judge was appointed as the CEC on 23 July 2012. The May 11 general elections and the presidential election were conducted during his tenure.

Ebrahim had been criticized for rigging during the general elections and the recent change in the polling date for the presidential election.

Presidential Election

Altaf Hussain greets President-elect Mamnoon Hussain

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain Tuesday felicitated Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate Mamnoon Hussain on his election as 12th President of Pakistan with a thumping majority.

In a message issued here Tuesday, Altaf Hussain congratulated the President-elect as well as on behalf of MQM leaders and workers.

The MQM Chief hoped that the new president will play his active role towards national unity, economic progress, counter terrorism and overcoming other challenges including the crippling loadshedding.

In his message, he also felicitated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif and other leaders of PML-N besides leaders and workers of all the political and religious parties as well as the people of Pakistan.