30 die in Afghan hospital car bomb: officials

PULI ALAM: Thirty people were killed in a suicide car bombing Saturday targeting a hospital in Afghanistan's Logar province, just south of the capital Kabul, a provincial official said.

"A suicide car bomb attacker targeted a hospital in Azra district of Logar province," Din Mohammad Darwaish, the Logar provincial spokesman, said. "The suicide blast killed 30 people and wounded another 45. The casualties are all patients, their visitors and relatives and hospital personnel."

He added: "The blast was caused by an SUV packed with explosives and driven by a suicide attacker. "The target of the blast is not clear but what is obvious is that a hospital was attacked and civilians were killed."

The head of Logar's provincial council, Abdul Wali Wakeel, confirmed the toll and said local officials had contacted foreign forces to ask for help in evacuating the wounded to hospital.

A spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul said he was "not aware" that ISAF had been approached for assistance. Militants in Afghanistan frequently target the Afghan police and other government employees as well as foreign forces in their near decade-long insurgency. But civilians are the biggest casualties in the war, with 2,777 killed last year, according to the United Nations.

 

MQM’s Sindh Assembly walkout MQM’s Sindh Assembly walkout on AJK seat polls put off

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s members of Sindh Assembly staged a walkout in protest against the putting off of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) seats’ polling in Karachi.

Sindh Assembly went into session here today with Speaker Nisar Khuhro in the chair, when the MQM members of the assembly led by the party deputy parliamentary leader, Faisal Sabzwari chose this occasion to ventilate their grievances and express their protests against the postponement of tomorrow’s polling on AJK seats in Karachi by staging a walkout from the assembly.

Later talking to the media, Faisal Sabzwari said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) wanted that MQM should give up contesting on anyone of the two seats. He said that it was absolutely against the democratic norms to use Election Commission and Sindh IG for getting the elections deferred on these two seats only on the pretext of bad law and order situation.

On the other hand, efforts by the Sindh assembly PPP members Jam Mahtab, Ayaz Somroo and Murad Ali Shah to bring back the hurt MQM members into the assembly through talks failed. 

 

Osama weighed name change for Al-Qaeda: US official

WASHINGTON: Osama bin Laden was so worried about Al-Qaeda's image that he proposed changing the group's name to try improve its ‘brand,’ a US official said Friday.

In a letter found at his compound, the late Al-Qaeda mastermind contemplated new names for his network that he hoped would better reflect his vision of war with the West, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told this news agency. "It was sort of like brand-imaging," the official said.

Bin Laden's proposals for alternative names were not exactly dynamic.

He suggested possibly Taifat al-Tawhed Wal-Jihad, or Monotheism and Jihad Group, and Jama'at I'Adat al-Khilafat al-Rashida, translated as Restoration of the Caliphate Group, the official said.

News of the letter, which was first reported by the Associated Press, quickly sparked a flurry of online parodies, including satiric contests to select Al-Qaeda's new name.

The defense blog Danger Room's contest included entries for "League of Extraordinary Beards," "iQaeda" and "Kandahar Ardent Brotherhood Of Orthodox Muslims (KABOOM)."

Danger Room proposed a new slogan: "Now With 20 Percent Less Eschatological Violence."

Bin Laden debated the name change because he was unhappy that the original name of his group -- Al-Qaeda Al-Jihad, or The Base of Holy War -- had been widely referred to only as Al-Qaeda, dropping the reference to religious war, the US official said.

"His concern was that the al-Jihad part was dropped and it was short-handed to just al-Qaeda," the official said. "From his perspective, that sort of separated the religious aspect of Al-Qaeda's mission. And that allowed the West to portray it as an organization and not tied to a ...religious movement," he said.

Bin Laden, who was killed in a raid by US Navy special forces last month, comes across in the letter as a leader struggling to get the upper hand in the "information war" against the United States, the official said.

"What he was being frustrated by was that most people were seeing the fight against Al-Qaeda for what it really is -- it's an effort stop a violent organization not a war on religion," he said. "That bothered him."

It was not clear who the letter was addressed to or whether or not it was delivered, but the document appeared to be written in the last couple of years, according to the official.

In other letters, bin Laden also wrote to his then number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, to voice his concern that attacks that had left Muslims dead -- especially in Iraq -- had harmed Al-Qaeda's image, the official said. (AFP)

Freed Pakistanis: Daughter, father reunite

KARACHI: Emotional scenes were witnessed when Laila Wasi, the daughter of Captain Wasi reunited with her father. It took ten months for this moment to happen and included several obstacles. Laila Wasi burst into tears when she met he father after the ordeal he went through.

Speaking to the media Laila Wasi said that the promise made by Governor Sindh Ishrat ul Ibad and Ansar Burney to bring her father back home was fulfilled. Captain Wasi also spoke and thanked the media for the role it played in bringing the crew back home. He also thanked Governor Sindh, Ansar Burney, naval Chief and the Captains and crews of the PNS Zulfiqar and Babur for bringing them back home.

Captain Wasi was among the 22 crew members who were kidnapped by Somali pirates and held hostage for ten months. They were released after a ransom was paid.

KARACHI: Emotional scenes were witnessed when Laila Wasi, the daughter of Captain Wasi reunited with her father. It took ten months for this moment to happen and included several obstacles. Laila Wasi burst into tears when she met he father after the ordeal he went through.

Speaking to the media Laila Wasi said that the promise made by Governor Sindh Ishrat ul Ibad and Ansar Burney to bring her father back home was fulfilled. Captain Wasi also spoke and thanked the media for the role it played in bringing the crew back home. He also thanked Governor Sindh, Ansar Burney, Naval Chief and the Captains and crews of the PNS Zulfiqar and Babur for bringing them back home.

Captain Wasi was among the 22 crew members who the MV Suez who were kidnapped by Somali pirates and held hostage for ten months. They were released after a ransom was paid.

Oil prices down in Asia

SINGAPORE: Oil prices dropped in Asian trade Thursday as investors took profits from an overnight rally powered by strengthening US energy demand.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light, sweet crude for delivery in August, was down $1.19 to $94.22 a barrel while Brent North Sea crude for August tumbled $1.00 to $113.21.

"This is just basically a consolidation of prices, especially after a 
strong rally last night," said Serene Lim, a Singapore-based analyst at ANZ Bank.

Crude prices rallied Wednesday after the US central bank decided to keep interest rates at near-zero levels "for an extended period" to boost the flagging US economic recovery.

Prices were also supported by data showing stronger-than-expected energy demand in the United States, the world's biggest economy and the largest oil-consuming nation.

The US Department of Energy (DoE) said in its weekly report that crude reserves sank 1.7 million barrels in the week ending June 17, much more than forecasts for a drop of 800,000 barrels.

Gasoline stockpiles fell 500,000 barrels, while analysts had forecast a 
gain of 800,000 barrels.

Gasoline figures are closely watched during the peak-demand driving season in the United States, with many Americans hitting the road for their summer holidays. (AFP)

Marvi Memon resigns from NA, PML-Q

ISLAMABAD: Marvi Memon has resigned from her seat in the National Assembly and from the PML-Q, Geo News reported. 
Speaking to the media, Memon said that she took the decision in protest of the PML-Q joining the government and in opposition of the budget which was against the aspirations of the people.

She added that current government was working against the people of Pakistan and the PML-Q leaders did not live up to the voters by leaving the opposition and joining the government.

“The PML-Q did not correct the disastrous course of the government” she said. The statement read out by Marvi Memon listed the government as being inadequate, not serving the people, not responding to natural disasters, not protecting the country’s sovereignty and depriving people of basic human rights. 
Memon added that under these circumstances she could no longer be a member of the National Assembly and that she would not take back her resignations under any circumstance. She however did say that her struggle for justice would continue on the streets and in courts.

Former Indian chief justice to face graft probe: report

NEW DELHI: India's home ministry has ordered revenue officials to investigate allegations of corruption levelled against a former Supreme Court chief justice, a report said Wednesday.

The ministry has called for a probe into the assets of K.G. Balakrishnan, who was India's highest ranked judge for more than three years from 2007 and currently heads the National Human Rights Commission.

The ministry's order followed a petition which alleged Balakrishnan had "acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income," the news agency said, citing unnamed home ministry officials.

"The petition with allegations has been sent to the secretary (of the) revenue department for inquiry," PTI said.

The home ministry's official spokesman was not immediately available for comment on the report.

A string of corruption scandals has dented the image of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Congress party-led government and fomented outrage across Indian society at the apparent scale of graft by officials going unpunished.

The government has offered to draft an anti-graft bill in consultation with civil society activists who are pushing for tough provisions to punish corrupt bureaucrats, members of the judiciary and politicians.

India has a dismal record of bringing corrupt senior public officials to justice, with current laws requiring the government's approval before any sitting bureaucrat or minister can be prosecuted.

In six decades only one senior politician has been convicted of graft and served a jail term. (AFP)

Pak, India peace talks begin today

ISLAMABAD: Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will arrive here on Thursday to hold two rounds of talks on June 23 and 24 with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir to discuss peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges between the two countries.

The meting between the two foreign secretaries is part of the resumption of dialogue process following meeting between Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh in Thimpu, Bhutan in April last year on the sidelines of the Saarc Summit.

According to the foreign office sources, there will two rounds of talks between the foreign secretaries. They will discuss peace and security related issues on June 23 while on June 24 they will focus on disputed Jammu and Kashmir issue.

The Indian Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna told reporters in New Delhi this week that talks between two foreign secretaries would narrow the trust deficit and pave the way for normalisation of relations.

The two foreign secretary meetings at Islamabad on June 23 and 24 is expected to review the results of the meetings between the home/interior, commerce and defence secretaries of the two countries held since the two foreign secretaries met at Thimphu on the margins of a Saarc meeting in last year.

It is expected that the two sides will also finalise the dates for the meeting of two foreign minister being held in New Delhi next month so that the progress made at the meetings of different secretary level talks could be reviewed for taking final decisions.

Meanwhile, an Indian official said on Wednesday that after many false starts, hopes were being kept deliberately low for the two days of talks. According to Indian media reports, the Indian government suggested not to make high expectation from today’s talks between the two arch-rival countries.

“We have realistic expectations,” an Indian government official said. “We should not expect quick and dramatic resolutions.” He added. Though both sides do not expect major results and disagree on Kashmir and terrorism, sources in the government repose faith in a sustained dialogue process to narrow the trust deficit and build an understanding to resolve issues of discord, TV said quoting Indian official.

Obama declares beginning of end of Afghan war

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama Wednesday ordered all 33,000 US surge troops home from Afghanistan by next summer and declared the beginning of the end of the war, vowing to turn to nation building at home.

In a watershed moment for American foreign policy, Obama also significantly curtailed US war aims, saying Washington would no longer try to build a "perfect" Afghanistan from a nation traumatized by its blood soaked history.

"Tonight, we take comfort in knowing that the tide of war is receding," Obama said in 13-minute primetime speech at a time of rising fatigue over costly foreign wars among Americans ground down by deep economic insecurity.

"Even as there will be dark days ahead in Afghanistan, the light of a secure peace can be seen in the distance. These long wars will come to a responsible end," Obama said.

The president argued US forces had made large strides towards the objectives of the troop surge strategy he ordered in December 2009 by reversing Taliban momentum, crushing Al-Qaeda and training new Afghan forces.

But he ultimately rejected appeals from the Pentagon for a slower drawdown to safeguard gains against the Taliban and his decision will be seen as a political defeat for talismanic war General David Petraeus.

The president said he would, as promised, begin the US withdrawal this July and that 10,000 of the more than 30,000 troops he committed to the escalation of the conflict would be home this year.

A further 23,000 surge troops will be withdrawn by next summer, and more yet-to-be announced drawdowns will continue, until Afghan forces assume security responsibility in 2014.

"This is the beginning -- but not the end -- of our effort to wind down this war," Obama said.

More than 1,600 US soldiers have died in Afghanistan since the US invasion after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The US death toll already this year stands at 187.

The president's speech came as domestic questions mount over the purpose of the Afghan war, following the killing of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden by Navy SEALs last month, and as Washington backs fragile Afghan reconciliation talks with the Taliban.

But despite the drawdowns, there will still be more than 65,000 troops in Afghanistan when Obama asks Americans to give him a second term in November 2012. 

Turning to Al-Qaeda, Obama said documents seized from bin Laden's compound in Pakistan showed the organization was under "enormous strain." "Bin Laden expressed concern that Al-Qaeda has been unable to effectively replace senior terrorists that have been killed, and that Al-Qaeda has failed in its effort to portray America as a nation at war with Islam -- thereby draining more widespread support," he said.

Obama also placed the Afghan mission in the context of his wider foreign policy and war strategy, arguing he has drawn down 100,000 troops from Iraq and will oversee the full withdrawal by the end of this year.

He announced a NATO summit to review progress on Afghanistan will take place in Chicago in May 2012, alongside the G8 summit of industrialized nations. (AFP)

Haqqani's inputs on Pak-US ties revisit

WASHINGTON: Pakistan's ambassador to the United States has said it is through demonstration of mutual respect that the two countries can forge a long-term relationship.

"Both countries have their respective processes. We need to show respect for each other's processes. We need to show respect for each other's people and then develop a partnership that is long term," Haqqani told The Washington Times in an interview.

The envoy noted that the U.S.-Pakistan relationship has some strength and many challenges. "We are working on the challenges.

I think what is needed is for the Americans to show patience to the emerging democratic process in Pakistan and understand that all the concerns you have about public opinion adherence to the rule of law...etc. in the context of the United States should also be applied to Pakistan.

"You cannot have the attitude that Pakistan should just do anything on demand whereas the American side while delivering anything for Pakistan has to go through a process."

On America's reputation in Pakistan, the ambassador said it is something that the U.S. has to work to change public opinion and to ensure that the Pakistani people feel the benefits of the U.S. Pakistani partnership. It is a consistent phenomenon for several years that Pakistanis have not looked upon the United States as a reliable friend ever since the United States walked away from Pakistan in the aftermath of the war with the Soviets, Haqqani explained.

Questioned about value of the bilateral relationship, Haqqani said the U.S. is Pakistan's largest trading partner and a major supplier of sophisticated conventional weapons for Pakistan. "There are almost a million people of Pakistan living in the United States and above all we are both democracies committed to strengthening democracy around the world."

Regarding Islamabad's policy toward Afghanistan, the diplomat reaffirmed that Pakistan has always been supportive of the Afghan-led reconciliation process in that country. Pakistan would like to see a stable Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistani and American officials indicated that the two sides are discussing provision of two additional P3C Orion aircraft and equipment for Pakistan. The United States has used U.S. military assistance to refurbish and upgrade P-3C aircraft that were provided to Pakistan under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program in the past, the State Department said.

"Discussions concerning the provision of additional military equipment under the EDA program are ongoing," the office of spokesperson said in response to a question about the status of the Pakistani request regarding replacement of two maritime aircraft, which were destroyed in a terrorist attack in Karachi.

Political speech of Zardari won’t affect masses: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N secretary information Ahsan Iqbal, while reacting on President Asif Ali Zardari’s remarks about Nawaz Sharif, stated that it seems the soul of General (retd) Musharraf was speaking in PPP Co-Chairman, Geo News reported.

Talking to ‘Geo News’, Ahsan Iqbal said that 120 million people of Pakistan would not be affected by political speech of the President.

He further said that President Zardari has hit the personality of Nawaz Sharif, adding that he wanted to be focused in this way but it would not benefit him.

Nawaz had criticised the policies of the government, he added. PML-N leader said the whole nations knew how Zardari struck deal with Musharraf.

Ahsan Iqbal said, “ thinking of Nawaz Sharif is high and he talks about democracy”. “PML-N never criticises army, adding that it is a national institution and we want to see its professional action”.

The nation would make government accountable and that they had option of democratic change, he said and added that PML-N wanted to strengthen democratic system.

Nawaz wants to bring army, govt face to face: Zardari

NAUDERO: PPP Co-Chairman and President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari has alleged that PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif wanted to bring army and the government face to face, Geo News reported.

Addressing a gathering in connection with 58th birth anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto in Nauder, Larkana, the President said that there is no difference between thinking of Nawaz Sharif and Taliban leader Mullah Omer.

Zardari said that PPP always fight with doctors rather than any institution.

Asif Ali Zardari said that the thinking of ‘Molvi’ Nawaz Sharif resulted in assassination of Benazir Bhutto. “Our first fight is with the thinking of Nawaz Sharif,” he said. He added that thinking of Nawaz Sharif defeated.

Zardari further said, “All of my cases were created by Nawaz Sharif”

CNG stations to remain closed for 2 days in Pothohar

CNG stations to remain closed for 2 days in Pothohar

ISLAMABAD: Secretary Petroleum Aijaz Chaudhry Thursday said CNG filling stations will remain closed for two days (Friday and Saturday) in Pothohar regions this week, Geo News reported.

Talking to Geo News he said the CNG stations in the region were closed for only day in the previous week due to shortage of petrol.

He said now there was no such shortage of petrol, so the CNG stations will be closed for two days in line with the normal practice.

To a question he said, observing one day CNG closure affects the supply of gas to other industries which had to suffer last week due to one day closure of CNG stations.

Youth only hope of Pakistan’s future: Nawaz

KOTLI: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has stated that war is not the way out of problems and that dialogues can resolve all such issues, Geo News reported.

Addressing the party workers during election campaign of PML-N candidate Malik Muhammad Saleem in Kotli, AJK on Thursday, Nawaz Sharif said during his tenure the situation in the country was much better.

The Indian Prime Minister during his visit to Pakistan had promised to resolve Kashmir issue till 1999, Nawaz said and added that a group of conspirators had damaged all that process by raising Kargil issue.

He said our army personnel are rendering sacrifice of their lives and that in this era issues could be resolved through dialogues rather than war.

PML-N leader was optimistic that youth are the only hope of future of Pakistan, adding that alongwith this youth he would rebuild the country 

We will kill Zawahiri just like Osama: US

WASHINGTON: The United States Thursday dismissed new al Qaeda supremo Ayman al-Zawahiri as a pale imitation of Osama bin Laden and warned the Egyptian to expect a similar fate to his slain predecessor.

US officials painted the 59-year-old long-time number two as an "armchair general" with no combat experience, saying he not only lacked charisma and leadership skills but was also a divisive figure who could fracture al Qaeda.

Top US military officer Admiral Mike Mullen told Zawahiri to expect the same treatment meted out to bin Laden, who was killed by US commandos in the dead of night in a May 2 raid on his hideout in Pakistan.

"As we did both seek to capture and kill -- and succeed in killing -- bin Laden, we certainly will do the same thing with Zawahiri," said Mullen, who is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, giving his valedictory press briefing at the Pentagon, could barely disguise his scorn, but warned that the announcement should serve as a reminder of the continuing al Qaeda threat.

"First of all I think we should be mindful that this announcement by al Qaeda reminds us that despite having suffered a huge loss... al Qaeda seeks to perpetuate itself, seeks to find replacements for those who have been killed, and remains committed to the agenda that bin Laden put before them."

But Gates, who joked that it was "probably tough to count votes when you're in a cave," said Zawahiri faced "some challenges."

"Bin Laden has been the leader of al Qaeda essentially since its inception," he said. "In that particular context he had a peculiar charisma that I think Zawahiri does not have. I think he was much more operationally engaged than we have the sense Zawahiri has been."

Gates also alluded to possible suspicion within al Qaeda because of Zawahiri's Egyptian nationality, a point taken up earlier by a senior administration official.

"He hasn't demonstrated strong leadership or organizational skills during his time in AQ (al Qaeda) or previously while in the Egyptian Islamic Jihad," the official said, asking to remain anonymous.

"His ascension to the top leadership spot will likely generate criticism if not alienation and dissension with al Qaeda."

The official stressed that Zawahiri had not had any actual combat experience, and had opted instead "to be an armchair general with a 'soft' image."

"The bottom line is that Zawahiri has nowhere near the credentials that (bin Laden) had," he added.

"No matter who is in charge, he will have a difficult time leading AQ while focusing on his own survival as the group continues to hemorrhage key members responsible for planning and training operatives for terrorist attacks.

First pre-monsoon showers during next 48 hours

KARACHI: The Met office has predicted that the first pre-monsoon showers over the North-Eastern parts of the country (Islamabad, Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha division and Kashmir) will take place during the next 48 hours.

According to the Met office, some pre-monsoon currents have started to penetrate the upper parts of Pakistan. These are likely to produce the first pre-monsoon showers. The expected showers will lead to a decline in temperatures in Punjab, KPK and Kashmir from Saturday.

The second spells of pre-monsoon showers are expected from 20th June and the third spell will be in the last week of June.

Regular monsoon rains are likely to start from the first week of July.

 

SC to hear PFUJ plea today

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has admitted for hearing a constitutional petition of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), seeking formation of a high-powered judicial commission under an apex court judge to probe the Saleem Shahzad murder case, and the first hearing will be held on Friday (today).

According to SC Registrar Dr Faqeer Hussain, a three-member Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and comprising Justice Tariq Mahmood and Justice Ameer Hani Muslim, will hear the petition.

The PFUJ, invoking Article 184-3 of the constitution, has sought the SC order about formation of a high-powered judicial commission under a Supreme Court judge to probe the mysterious circumstance in which renowned journalist Saleem Shahzad was kidnapped and killed.

The petition also seeks the apex court instructions to the administrative and law-enforcing authorities to appoint a competent police officer to investigate the Saleem Shahzad case and provide complete protection to the journalists.

Former Supreme Court Bar Association president Munir A Malik would represent the PFUJ in the court, in which the federation has been made the respondent party.

Extrajudicial killing: Witnesses identity Rangers

KARACHI: Two witnesses have identified the Rangers and seven others in the extrajudicial killing of Sarfaraz Shah, Geo News reported.

Six Rangers and seven others were presented in the court of Judicial Magistrate Nadeem Badar Kazmi. The statements of the two witnesses were recorded before the court and they identified the Rangers.

The witnesses informed the court that accused Afsar Khan had handed over Sarfaraz Shah to the Rangers. Shahid Zafar was the Ranger who shot Sarfaraz Shah. Witnesses further said that Sarfaraz Shah was pleading with the Rangers and after being shot he was begging for his life but no one helped him. The witnesses informed the court that they were not aware if the deceased had committed a crime in the park.

Family enmity claims five lives in Lahore

LAHORE: Five members of the same family were shot dead in Mangla Mandi, an area of Lahore, Geo News reported Thursday

According to police sources, the reason of the incident is personal enmity.

The five family members were killed when they were on their way to appear before court when the family was attacked by their enemies. They opened fire on them that left five people dead on the spot. The culprits fled from the scene after targeting the family.

Later, police took control and dead bodies were sent to the hospital while the search for the attackers is still underway.

Demand of protesting journalists accepted

ISLAMABAD: Government has accepted the demand of journalists and appointed a sitting judge of the Supreme Court Justice Saqib Nisar to head the commission for the investigation of the murder of journalist Saleem Shehzad, Geo News reported.

Federal Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on early Thursday development announced that the government has accepted the demand of journalists and announced that Justice Saqib Nisar will now head the commission.

Dr Firdous said that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has signed the summary to appoint Justice Saqib Nisar as the head of the commission.

Journalists had boycotted the National Assembly and Senate sessions on Wednesday and launched a 24-hour sit-in in front of the Parliament House to protest the killing of Shehzad.

However, after the announcement by Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan the protesting media personnel decided to end the sit-in which was planned to continue till 4pm on Thursday.