GALLE: Sri Lanka opener Tharanga Paranavitana scored an unbeaten 57 to help Sri Lanka recover from a poor start and reach lunch on 104-3 on the first day of the opening test against Pakistan on Saturday. Paranavitana’s maiden test fifty rescued the hosts after Pakistan’s 17-year-old pace bowler Mohammad Aamer struck twice on debut to leave Sri Lanka reeling on 21-2 in the early stages of the three-match series. The 27-year-old left-hander, who faced 72 balls and hit nine boundarie... Read Full Story

SEOUL: North Korea fired four missiles off its eastern coast Saturday, South Korea said, in what was likely to be seen as a message of defiance to the United States on its Independence Day holiday. The launches, which came two days after North Korea fired four short-range missiles, could further escalate tensions in the region as the U.S. tries to muster support for tough enforcement of the U.N. resolution imposed on the communist regime for its May nuclear test. South Korea’s Joint Ch... Read Full Story

KABUL: A blast in eastern Afghanistan killed two American troops and wounded four others Saturday, a U.S. military spokeswoman said. The troops were attacked in eastern Paktika province, but there were no immediate details about the incident, said Lt. Cmdr. Christine Sidenstricker. The deaths come as thousands of Marines in southern Afghanistan are involved in the biggest U.S. military operation here since the American-led invasion of 2001, trying to cut insurgent supply lines and win over l... Read Full Story

GHALANAI: Nine tribesmen were killed in fighting with the militants in Mohmand tribal region on Saturday. According to reports, nine tribesmen were killed in tribal Lashkar’s battle with militants in Pampokh area of tehsil Anbar in Mohmand tribal Agency. Three militants were also reported killed in the fighting. A tribal force with strength of 300 to 400 tribesmen was formed last week in tehsil Anbar to fight the militants in the region. The force had arrested several militants and handed the... Read Full Story

Wimbledon Finals 2009, Roger Federer channeled Pete Sampras on match point in the Wimbledon semifinals Friday, tucking both feet back beneath his body and uncorking an overhead smash. And now, after years of chasing Sampras, Federer is poised to surpass him. A victory over No. 6-seeded Andy Roddick of the United States in Sunday’s final at the All England Club would give Federer his 15th Grand Slam singles championship, breaking a tie with Sampras for the most in history. It also would ... Read Full Story

4th July, In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and tr... Read Full Story

ISLAMABAD  : Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said National Judicial Policy will strengthen free judiciary system in the country. Addressing to the National Judicial Policy (NJP) conference here on Saturday Chief Justice said the goal of NJP is great and our mission is to provide justice to everyone at everywhere. He further said we have to make our judiciary system fair and organized and all judicial decisions will be taken without any pressure and fear. Read Full Story

GALLE: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field in the first against Sri Lanka here on Saturday. Pakistan playing without Danish Kaneria replaced by off spinner Saeed Ajmal. Two Pakistani fast bowlers were debutants – the 17-year-old Mohammad Aaamer and the 30-year-old Abdur Rauf. Amid the debutants, Mohammad Yousuf made a comeback, becoming the first ICL player to play a Test match again. Sri Lanka went in without a specialist wicketkeeper. Instead they gave a Test cap to Angelo Mat... Read Full Story

4th of July Firework Shows, The spectacular Macy’s July 4th fireworks display is moving across town in 2009. To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the exploration of the Hudson River by Henry Hudson, Macy’s will stage a showstopping pyrotechnic show over the Hudson River instead of the East River this year.(happy 4th of july comments) The Macy’s July 4th fireworks display originally made its debut on the Hudson River in 1958 before becoming an East River tradition in 1976. Macy... Read Full Story

Sarah Palin just announced that she is resignins and that Lt. Governor Sean Parnell will take over the job of Governor! Sarah Palin Resigns I will update this post as more information comes in. Apparently this is effective in about two weeks. MSNBC is reporting a statement from Palin saying “at this time faith and family are more important then the state of Alaska”. What in the hell does that mean? I am watching a video of her announcement now. She is absolutely unbelievable! Ment... Read Full Story