Bomb kills two, wounds five at Pakistan-Afghan border crossing
By Afp
Published: 20:48 BST, 12 June 2015 | Updated: 20:49 BST, 12 June 2015
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A bomb in a pushcart killed at least two people and wounded five
others Friday at the main border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan, officials said.
The blast came at the Torkham crossing, the main frontier post in Pakistan's restive northwest.
The bomb was apparently hidden in a pushcart
used by travellers to ferry goods across the frontier.
"The bomb killed one person on the spot and another died of his injuries while on his way to hospital," senior
local administration official Daftar Khan told
AFP, updating the earlier toll of one killed and six
wounded.
Khan said one of the five injured was in a serious condition and doctors were struggling to save his life.
He added both of the dead were Afghan nationals, whose bodies were later handed over to Afghan authorities at
the border crossing.
Another senior local administration official, Tayyab Abdullah,
also confirmed the incident and casualties.
Torkham lies in Khyber region, one of the seven semi-autonomous tribal districts
where the military has been battling Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants for over a decade.
The border crossing has been used extensively by NATO supply convoys transporting
goods overland from Pakistan's main port Karachi to forces in Afghanistan.
The Pakistan army began a major campaign against Taliban and other militant strongholds in the North Waziristan tribal area in June last year and authorities have now vowed to intensify operations both in the border
regions and across the country.
This story is part of Home Tips, CNET's collection of practical advice
for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.
Is the economy slowing or growing? Are we facing a recession or
not? We all are anxious about the growing costs of goods and
the subsequent impact on our shrinking budgets. Where can we cut?
What might we be able to live without? Certainly, our home internet connection doesn't fall into that category, does it?
According to recent Parks Associates data, US households spend an average
of $116 per month on home internet, which is a sizable chunk of
change. Whether you use it for remote work, streaming your favorite shows, online gaming or video chatting
with friends and family, it's hard to live without the
internet. We get it. But to keep your budget in check, there may be a few ways to lower your broadband costs.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Get familiar with your bill
Before you can find ways to save, you'll first need to know what you're currently paying.
Read the bills from several previous months, and try to understand what your internet service
provider is actually charging. What download speed are you supposed to receive?
Do you have a data cap? If so, are you staying within that data limit, or do you typically incur
overage fees? It's important to see how much you pay for internet speed and data usage.
While you can't remove some fees, you'd be surprised at how many can be eliminated if you ask.
So having this info at hand will be key when it's time
to negotiate with your provider.
2. Check your internet speed
You want the fastest speed available, right? Some folks have access
to a 25Gbps plan, for goodness sake! Let's be honest:
While most of us like the idea of having the fastest internet speed available,
we probably don't need it. Having a suitably fast internet package is probably
near the top of your priority list if you work from home and have
others in the house (whether several roommates or a family).
But that could still mean you might be able to lean on a 500Mbps plan vs.
jumping right to a full gigabit tier or even a multigigabit plan.
But if it's just you and a roommate or spouse, or you're not working remotely and use your internet service for little more than recreational purposes, you may want to consider lowering your internet speed even more.
Perhaps you can hop down from a 500Mbps plan to a 200Mbps tier.
This could be an easy way to reduce your bill yet not have it
impact the quality of your internet service.
3. Reduce devices
This is a tough one because our homes have become increasingly filled with connected
devices, including smart TVs, phones, gaming consoles,
voice assistants, smart thermostats, security cameras, smartwatches and so on. The more smart home gadgets
you have, the more they'll consume your bandwidth.
If you're the only one in your household, you may better be able to wrangle these, so they don't eat
up your data cap (if you have one) or start to bring down your home's overall speed.
Fewer devices mean you might avoid paying data overage fees and get more
effective internet service.
On the other hand, this probably won't work if you
have other people in your home -- like family or roommates -- and they all have multiple devices.
It's one thing to ask your fellow household members to turn off (or minimize the usage of) their devices
so you can stream the big game, but it's another to ask them to give them up altogether.
4. Look for low-cost internet options
Another potential way to reduce your spending on your
home internet is to dig into what discount programs might be
available to you. You should start your search with
government programs to help eligible customers cut costs. That starts with Lifeline, a program that offers assistance to low-income households.
You'll get just over $9 a month off your broadband bill if you qualify.
If you qualify for Lifeline, you'll also be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, a government subsidy from the Federal Communications
Commission that provides a discount of $30 a month off
your internet service (up to $75 monthly for households on Tribal lands).
Finally, while you can use the monies and discounts from those federal programs on any
internet plan from the more than 1,600 participating ISPs, you can also couple those subsidies with
providers' low-cost plans, almost all of which are $30 or less.
That means you could get your home internet
service for free. In the past, that might have meant paltry speeds of 10Mbps or less, but in 2022, many providers have committed to offering low-cost plans with
a minimum of 100Mbps download speed. That's a significant difference.
5. Peruse available competitors
Now that you know your internet speed, what you use the internet for and what you're paying to
receive your home broadband, it's time to shop around. Many competitors are vying for your business.
For example, T-Mobile and Verizon are aggressively getting into the home internet space with their 5G home internet products.
Other providers will happily give you an introductory rate less
than what you currently pay. Sometimes smaller,
local ISPs can provide a better rate than the internet behemoths such as AT&T
and Comcast Xfinity, but that's not always the rule.
Use our comparison shopping tool below to research providers in your
area.
Before signing up, get an idea of your monthly costs when you switch your internet service to a new provider.
Compare what you're paying now to what you'll pay for the next month, six
months and year. Along with that, what's the cost after the promo plan ends?
Consider your long-term use as well. With the competitive
landscape out there, try to avoid signing any long-term contracts unless you know for certain that you're getting the best possible rate at your
address.
6. Use your own modem and router
Many internet service providers charge an extra monthly fee for
you to rent a modem and router. Sometimes it's just an extra $5 per month, but some ISPs
charge as much as $15 monthly. In the long
run, it could prove cheaper to buy your own and
even boost your speed and performance. My CNET colleague, Ry Crist, goes into further detail on how you can save by using your own modem and router.
7. Bundle with other services
Obviously, your internet connection isn't the only household service you pay for.
You could pay less by bundling broadband with other services, such
as your cell phone and cable TV plans. See if your provider offers discounted bundle packages -- if you like the offer, it's usually easy to
sign up through the company's website.
This is a good idea if you use what you buy. If you've cut the cord and
are now a streaming household, buying a cable TV package might
not be necessary.
8. Negotiate with your service provider
You've reviewed your bill and checked your internet speed, how many devices you have and competing offers.
Now you can negotiate with your current ISP and call them with confidence.
This isn't always the easiest or most time-efficient step, but it's important.
If you've had the same provider for a few years, it's more likely to
work with you on lowering your bill. Many will ask the same questions: Can you lower your internet
speed? Can you increase your internet speed (they'll often try to lure you to a
higher speed by offering better promos and a better cost per Mbps)?
Now you're equipped to better answer those questions.
Do your research on the competition. If you mention any offers from competitors you've come across,
your customer service rep may give you a deal to keep
you a happy customer. Knowing about competing offers gives you
an advantage -- you can move on to another
provider if you don't like what you currently have or what
they're offering.
Ask your current ISP if there are any promotions available
for new customers that you would also like to receive. If you haven't
found a deal that works for your budget (or you've run into an inflexible sales agent), it's all right
to end the call and try again later or plan to end service with that provider.
Don't be afraid to cancel your service. It may take some time to close one account and
open another, but if you're saving a significant amount,
it's worth it. Remember, though: It's not just about
the promotion period. Otherwise, you may need to negotiate your
bill this time next year when the promo rate is over.
Save Money on Your Internet Bill FAQs
Is it possible to get your home internet service for free?
Yes, but you'll need to take advantage of some federal programs.
Start with Lifeline, a government program that can get eligible customers just over $9 off the monthly cost of internet service.
If you qualify for Lifeline, you're eligible
for the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program, which nets you
a $30 discount on your home broadband connection. Many internet service providers across the country have
plans up to 100Mbps download speed for $30 or less, so you can use your federal discounts
to get free home internet.
What's the cheapest type of internet connection?
That's a tricky question because so much depends on what's available at your location.
Generally speaking, fiber internet will often provide
the best value in terms of cost per Mbps, where you'll get more download and upload speed for your
money. However, regarding the cheapest internet, at least in terms of what you'll pay right out of the gate, that
usually comes from cable internet providers. Their first-year promo prices can be tough to beat.
Just be sure to avoid signing any long-term contract so you can opt out
once the price increases.
Do internet prices always go up after one year?
Often they do. Many providers will offer an enticing price for your first 12 months of
service and then ratchet the price up after one year.
However, we're seeing that change as increased competition has developed.
Some providers -- like , for example -- don't do promo prices,
while others -- including -- offer two-year price guarantees.
Not to be outdone, a few other providers (including
) will do a price-lock guarantee for the life of your contract.
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Roxy Music are rumoured to be taking to Glastonbury next year during the Pyramid Stage's iconic
legends slot.
Bryan Ferry and co reunited for a 50th anniversary tour this month,
and have sparked speculation that they'll be coming back in an even bigger fashion at the legendary Worthy Farm music festival.
But it could dash hopes of the Spice Girls taking the Sunday slot, after
rumours circulated earlier this year that the former girl band were in talks to reunite and take it on.
Return: Roxy Music could be gearing up to take to the Glastonbury 2023 stage in the legends slot - (frontman Bryan Ferry
pictured in March 2020)
Rock band Roxy music were formed in 1970 by lead singer Bryan Ferry and bass guitarist Graham
Simpson.
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Each year, a music maestro returns to the Glastonbury stage for the coveted Legends Slot,
performing on the main stage alongside other headlining
icons.
And with predictions already being made, the official eFestivals Twitter page tweeted: ‘I'm hearing that Roxy Music will do the Legends Slot at next year's Glastonbury.
‘Like all rumours, it might be wrong but
I don't think it is,' the account finished.
Not looking good: It could have dashed hopes of the Spice Girls' rumoured return to the Worthy Farm festival (pictured in 1996)
Performer: Rock band Roxy music were formed in 1970 by lead singer
Bryan Ferry and bass guitarist Graham Simpson (Bryan performing in 2020)
Citing a 'very reliable source', the eFestivals forum also shared that the band were looking like front runners for the
slot.
Roxy Horner's Bryan, Andy Mackay, Phil Manzanera and Paul Thompson all reunited this year for their 50th anniversary tour - taking to North
America and the UK.
And as they could be set to take Glastonbury, they
would be following in the footsteps of superstars such as Kylie Minogue, Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton and Tom
Jones - who have all taken the legends slot.
Rumours: The official eFestivals Twitter page tweeted: ‘I'm hearing that Roxy Music will do the Legends
Slot at next year's Glastonbury
'Great booking': And fans appeared to be excited for the signing as they took to
Twitter
But Spice Girls fans could be disappointed with the news, after Mel C heavily hinted that the Tell Me What
You Want hitmakers would be making a full return.
Chatting with BBC Breakfast at this year's festival, Sporty Spice described playing Glastonbury as
a five-piece as 'the dream'.
‘It's the dream, the absolute dream, we would love to do
it. The girls and I, we have chatted about it, it's the biggest stage in the world, we have the best festival in the world right
here…,' she explained.
Iconic: The band, who parted ways in 2000, before coming back together
briefly in 2007, reunited for a tour back in 2019 - but for the first time, were a four-piece
The band, who parted ways in 2000, before coming back together briefly in 2007, reunited for
a tour back in 2019 - but for the first time, were a quartet.
Consisting of Mel B, Mel C, Geri Horner, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham
- fashion designer Victoria chose not to return for the reunion.
But sharing that she had a 'good feeling' that Posh Spice Victoria would be up for the legends spot, Mel C continued to the BBC: 'I have a good feeling [she would]'.
Hinting: Chatting with BBC Breakfast at this year's festival, Sporty Spice described playing Glastonbury as a five-piece as 'the dream'
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