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Czech storm into Euro 2012 quarters
Greece reach last eight as Russia exit Euro 2012
Strawberry thieves hit Austrian farm
Unmanned Air Force space plane lands in California
England beats West Indies by 114 runs in 1st ODI
Bautista takes pole for British MotoGP
Wildfires rage near Athens, hours before crucial vote
PPP leader Fauzia Wahab again in critical condition
Solidarity with Judiciary: PTI to organize march on June 18
Aisam, Rojer reach Gerry Weber Open final
Egypt's military say parliament dissolved
Kohat: 5 policemen among six killed in blast
Sri Lanka beats Pakistan by 44 runs in 4th ODI
Critical juncture in Syria as US seeks next steps
Yemeni troops kill 21 militants

Czech storm into Euro 2012 quarters

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The Czech Republic qualified for the Euro 2012 quarter-finals dashing the dreams of co-hosts Poland with a 1-0 win in their Group A match on Saturday. A well-taken goal by Petr Jiracek in the 72nd minute, after being set-up by Milan Baros, was enough to separate the sides in a match the Poles could have had wrapped up by half-time. The Poles should have taken the lead in the 10th minute as Robert Lewandowski had a superb chance, a finely-worked move by Poles saw him free on the left but he fired his shot wide. Petr Cech was easily the busiest of the two goalkeepers and twice he saved his side, the best of the two when he got down smartly to turn away Sebastian Boenisch s fierce long range shot for a corner. The Czechs had suffered a blow before the match as inspirational playmaker Tomas Rosicky was ruled out having failed to win his race to recover from a calf injury he suffered in the 2-1 win over Greece on Tuesday.

Greece reach last eight as Russia exit Euro 2012

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A Giorgos Karagounis goal seconds before the break gave 2004 champions Greece a surprise 1-0 win over Russia in Euro 2012 Group A on Saturday, giving them a shock quarter-final berth at their rivals  expense. The win left the Greeks as group runners-up ahead of the Russians on the head to head rule, both having four points to six for group winners the Czech Republic, who beat co-hosts Poland 1-0. The Russians, 16 matches unbeaten, had most of the possession against a Greek side which had lost their last four straight meetings with their rivals and Alexander Kerzhakov and then Andrei Arshavin both sent early efforts off target against a side needing a win to have any hope of advancing. But Karagounis, a 35-year-old veteran of the Greeks  2004 shock final win in Portugal, drove home right-footed to stun Dick Advocaat s side. The Russians began their tournament with a 4-1 demolition of the Czech Republic in their tournament opener and then held co-hosts Poland to a draw but they failed to find their form in the second half as Karagounis looked to have won a penalty for the Greeks. Tackled by Sergeo Ignashevich, the veteran went down but was then booked for diving - meaning he will miss the quarters. Giorgos Tzavellas then hit the bar as the Greeks tried to increase their advantage - but they held out for a famous success.

Strawberry thieves hit Austrian farm

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There s been a tasty break-in at a farm in southeastern Austria, where a ton of strawberries went missing under cover of darkness. Police in Styria province said Saturday that the thieves cut down a fence in Kalsdorf, near Graz, during the night and stripped 10 rows of strawberry plants bare. They say the fruit was worth some $3,030. It wasn t clear who the thieves were or where the strawberries ended up.

Unmanned Air Force space plane lands in California

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An unmanned Air Force space plane steered itself to a landing early Saturday at a California military base, capping a 15-month clandestine mission. The spacecraft, which was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in March 2011, conducted in-orbit experiments during the mission, officials said. It was the second such autonomous landing at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, 130 miles (209 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. In 2010, an identical unmanned spacecraft returned to Earth after seven months and 91 million miles (146 million kilometers) in orbit. The latest homecoming was set in motion when the stubby-winged robotic X-37B fired its engine to slip out of orbit, then pierced through the atmosphere and glided down the runway like an airplane. "With the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet, the X-37B OTV programme brings a singular capability to space technology development," said Lt. Col. Tom McIntyre, the X-37B s program manager. "The return capability allows the Air Force to test new technologies without the same risk commitment faced by other programs. We re proud of the entire team s successful efforts to bring this mission to an outstanding conclusion." With the second X-37B on the ground, the Air Force planned to launch the first one again later this year. An exact date has not been set. The twin X-37B vehicles are part of a military programme testing robotically controlled reusable spacecraft technologies. Though the Air Force has emphasized the goal is to test the space plane itself, there s a classified payload on board a detail that has led to much speculation about the mission s ultimate purpose. Some amateur trackers think the craft carried an experimental spy satellite sensor judging by its low orbit and inclination, suggesting reconnaissance or intelligence gathering rather than communications. Harvard astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, who runs Jonathan s Space Report, which tracks the world s space launches and satellites, said it s possible it was testing some form of new imaging. The latest X-37B was boosted into orbit atop an Atlas 5 rocket. It was designed to stay aloft for nine months, but the Air Force wanted to test its endurance. After determining the space plane was performing well, the military decided in December to extend the mission. Little has been said publicly about the second X-37B flight and operations. At a budget hearing before the Senate Armed Services subcommittee in March, William Shelton, head of the Air Force Space Command, made a passing mention. That the second X-37B has stayed longer in space than the first shows "the flexibility of this unique system," he told lawmakers.

England beats West Indies by 114 runs in 1st ODI

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Ian Bell struck his second one-day international hundred to lead England to a 114-run victory over West Indies in the first ODI on Saturday. Bell, who scored 126 from 117 balls in a knock that included 12 boundaries and a six at The Rose Bowl, justified his recall to the ODI team for the first time in nearly eight months as England reached 288-6 after being put in to bat. The West Indies reply got off to a steady start as the top of the tourists  order all reached double figures with opener Dwayne Smith reaching 56 before he was bowled by Tim Bresnan, who was the pick of England s bowlers with figures of 4-34. But the West Indies innings unraveled after a short rain delay that resulted in a revised target of 287 under the Duckworth-Lewis method, as its middle order failed to gain a foothold in the game with the last six wickets falling for just 45 runs. Sent in to bat, England had lost Alastair Cook on the third ball of the innings. But Bell and Jonathan Trott (42) then put on 108. Bell last played an ODI for England against India last October. He scored his other hundred in 109 ODIs at this venue, hitting 126 not out against India in 2007. There are two more matches in the series.

Bautista takes pole for British MotoGP

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Honda rider Alvaro Bautista earned his first MotoGP pole position on Saturday after dominating qualifying at the British Grand Prix while local favorite Cal Crutchlow crashed and was taken to hospital in morning practice. Bautista clocked two minutes, 3.303 seconds, ahead of Yamaha s American rider Ben Spies and Australia s defending champion Casey Stoner on a Honda. Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo, who leads the overall standings by 20 points from Stoner, was fourth fastest. Ducati s Nicky Hayden posted a time good enough for seventh on the grid before crashing out, while teammate Valentino Rossi recovered from an early crash to qualify in 10th. Britain s Crutchlow sprained an ankle during morning practice and missed the afternoon qualifying session. He could still start Sunday s race, albeit from the back of the grid.

Wildfires rage near Athens, hours before crucial vote

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Wildfires raged through different parts of Greece on Saturday a day before crucial elections which has already spooked voters, international banks and world markets.  The first blaze was reported in Keratea, some 50km south of the Greek capital Athens at around noon local time , where flames spread through isolated houses burning down several homes. As the day progressed fires were also reported in Pendeli and Marathonas, suburbs in the north east of Athens, and in Patras and Neapoli in the Peloponese. Four aircraft, one helicopter and more than 100 firefighters with dozens of engines battled flames surrounding the settlements of Synterina, Agiasmos, Katafygi and Palaia Fokaia. Residents were running around wooded areas with water buckets and hoses to try to put out the flames The Greek radio station Skai said the Keratea fires were started accidentally by welders working near a wooded area. They said the Keratea fire is not threatening residential areas but because because it is spreading fast they evacuated villages and closed off roads.

PPP leader Fauzia Wahab again in critical condition

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Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Fauzia Wahab is again in critical condition two weeks after she underwent a successful gallbladder surgery, her son Murtaza Wahab said. Doctors had put Wahab on ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after the surgery and her blood pressure and nervous system had normalised. Murtaza Wahab and the party have requested whole nation to pray for her good health. Hailing from a middle class family, she made her place in politics through continuous effort. She also campaigned against the violation of human rights in Pakistan and was a close aide of slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto.

Solidarity with Judiciary: PTI to organize march on June 18

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Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that his party will organize march across the country on June 18 to express solidarity with judiciary. Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said that government cant even think to hatch conspiracy against judiciary. This he said while addressing a press conference in Karachi. He said that government respects judiciary and will do so in the future too. Meanwhile, members of Sindh Bar Council in a joint press conference at the City Court Karachi after All Sindh Lawyers Conference said that the lawyers across Sindh will stage protest on Monday to express solidarity with Chief Justice while Attorney General (AG) Irfan Qadir, advocate Zahid Bukhari and Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan have been banned from entering all law bar associations in Sindh on Saturday.

Aisam, Rojer reach Gerry Weber Open final

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Pakistan tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and his Dutch partner Jean-Julien Rojer moved into the Gerry Weber Open (Men’s Doubles) final on Saturday. In a one-hour match, Aisam and Rojer beat Poland’s Lukasz Kubot and Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny 6-2, 6-4 in the semi-final. Earlier, the duo reached the semi-finals of French Open, but was defeated by Bob and Mike Bryan. Aisam and Rojer have played 13 tournaments together so far and enjoy ninth rank in the ATP Men’s Doubles rankings. They will be facing Treat Conard Huey (Philippine) and Scott Lipsky (USA) Sunday in the final to defend the title.

Egypt's military say parliament dissolved

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Egypt s military told parliament on Saturday it has been dissolved and banned its members from entering the house after a court annulled the last legislative poll, official media and a senior MP said. The Islamist Freedom of Justice Party (FJP) which dominates the house called for a referendum on the decision and accused the ruling generals of wanting to monopolise power ahead of a planned handover to civilian rule by July. The Islamist-led parliament received a notice saying that Egypt s ruling generals had decided "to consider parliament dissolved," the official MENA news agency reported. The decision is already being implemented and lawmakers are now barred from entering parliament without prior authorisation, the agency reported. "Constant threats to dissolve parliament, elected with the will of 30 million Egyptians, confirm the military council s desire to monopolise power," the Brotherhood s political arm, the FJP, said in a statement. "Dissolving the elected parliament must go to a fair referendum," it added. Essam al-Erian, deputy head of parliament s dominant Freedom and Justice party, said parliament received a notice from the military-appointed cabinet saying military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi declared the house dissolved. The generals "decided in application of the constitutional court ruling to consider parliament dissolved," Erian said, reading from the text. The court on Thursday nullified parliament, saying the electoral law that oversaw last winter s election was unconstitutional. The decision came as a further blow to the Muslim Brotherhood, the FJP s mother organisation, that is fielding a candidate in this weekend s presidential election against Hosni Mubarak regime figure Ahmed Shafiq. Although it won the most seats in the parliamentary and senate elections, the Islamist movement has been losing support as dissatisfied voters flock to Shafiq, who has promised to restore the country s stability. The largely powerless senate was not affected by the court s decision, which ruled the lower house illegitimate because party members contested seats initially meant for independents. Parliament speaker Saad al-Katatni, also an FJP member, said an interim constitution drawn up by the military after president Mubarak s overthrow in an uprising last year did not hand the generals the power to disband parliament. The interim constitution "contains no clear provision, or one that is open to interpretation, that allows any party to implement this ruling," he said in a statement. Katatni added that parliament s legal and constitutional committee has been asked to study the ruling, and that disbanding parliament required a constitutional basis and a referendum. Parliament earlier this month had appointed a constituent assembly to draft a charter to replace the one annulled by the military after it took charge of the country following Mubarak s overthrow on February 11 2011. The United States, the Egyptian military s chief foreign benefactor, on Friday said it was troubled by the constitutional court s ruling to annul parliament. "We are troubled by the court ruling yesterday that will effectively dissolve a democratically elected parliament," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters in Washington.

Kohat: 5 policemen among six killed in blast

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As per details, a bomb targeting a police van at University Road killed at least six people and injured three others. Among the casualties were five police officials. According to police, it was a remote-controlled blast that targeted a police van. Law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area and launched search operation.

Sri Lanka beats Pakistan by 44 runs in 4th ODI

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Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 44 runs in the fourth one-day international in Colombo on Saturday to gain a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Seamer Thisara Perera (4-42) bagged a hat-trick as Sri Lanka, who scored 243-8, bowled Pakistan out for 199 despite a 113-run stand for third wicket between opener Azhar Ali (81 not out) and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (57). Kumar Sangakkara top-scored for Sri Lanka with a 130-ball 97 while off-spinners Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal, and paceman Sohail Tanvir each bagged two wickets for Pakistan in the day-night match. Pakistan won the opening one-dayer by six wickets and Sri Lanka won the second game by 76 runs in Pallekele, while the third match was abandoned due to rain in Colombo on Wednesday. The fifth one-dayer will be played in Colombo on Monday.

Critical juncture in Syria as US seeks next steps

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The White House renewed calls Saturday for Bashar al-Assad to step down at a "critical juncture" in Syria after UN observers suspended their mission, saying it was discussing the way ahead with allies. The unarmed observers have been targeted almost daily since deploying in mid-April to monitor a UN-backed but widely flouted ceasefire brokered by international envoy Kofi Annan, and they were likened to "sitting ducks in a shooting gallery" by Susan Rice, the US envoy to the United Nations. "We call again on the Syrian regime to uphold its commitments under the Annan plan, including the full implementation of a ceasefire," a White House official said. Explaining the decision to halt the observer operation, mission head Major General Robert Mood spoke of an escalation in fighting and of the risk to his 300-strong team, as well as the "lack of willingness" for peace by the warring parties. "At this critical juncture, we are consulting with our international partners regarding next steps toward a Syrian-led political transition as called for in Security Council Resolutions 2042 and 2043," the White House official added. "The sooner this transition takes place, the greater the chance of averting a lengthy and bloody sectarian civil war." UN Security Council resolutions 2042 and 2043 addressed the deployment of monitors to Syria. Mood said the observers will now no longer conduct patrols and will remain at their locations until further notice, adding that "operations will resume when we see the situation fit for us to carry out our mandated activities." Violence in Syria has killed more than 14,400 people since an uprising against the Assad regime erupted in mid-March 2011, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The UN mission s suspension came two months into its three-month mandate, and after the United Nations accused both sides in the Syria conflict of willingly intensifying the violence. With world powers at loggerheads over how to stem the bloodletting, Syrian ally Russia urged that pressure be increased "on both the regime and the opposition (to) make them cease fighting" and start talking peace.

Yemeni troops kill 21 militants

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The fighting in Azan town in Shabwa province and the Hassan valley in neighboring Abyan follows a surprise government assault earlier this week that recaptured the al-Qaida base of Jaar after weeks of battles that raged back and forth. The military campaign, assisted by U.S. military advisers and bankrolled by neighboring Saudi Arabia, has left al-Qaida s dangerous Yemen branch on the run. The group remains in control of only a handful of towns, with hundreds of its members scattered in the mountains, valleys and vast desert of the Arab world s most impoverished country. In the most recent clashes on Friday and Saturday, 17 militants died in fighting that raged until early morning in Azan. Six soldiers were wounded in those clashes, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations. The officials said tribal chiefs asked the militants to leave the town, because otherwise the population would suffer from army shelling. Witnesses said they saw several trucks carrying al-Qaida fighters and their weapons leaving Azan for the mountains. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they did not want to be involved in the conflicts. On Friday, Yemeni warplanes pounded militant hideouts in the mountains surrounding Azan, but the officials said casualty figures from those bombings were not available because of the ruggedness of the terrain. Four other militants and one soldier died in fighting Saturday in the Hassan valley area in the adjoining Abyan province, the officials also said. The valley is located east of the provincial capital of Zinjibar, which al-Qaida captured last year and held until this month s offensive.