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World Heart Day today

ISLAMABAD: World Heart Day is globally held on 29 September each year to inform people to become proactive about reducing heart disease and stroke which are the biggest cause of death worldwide, the theme this year is "One World, One Home, One Heart".
Cardiovascular diseases are the world's largest killers, claiming 17.5 million lives a year, according to WHO. Risk factors for heart disease and stroke include raised blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, smoking, inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables, overweight, obesity and physical inactivity.
The World Heart Federation created World Heart Day in 2000 to remind people of the enormity of the problem and of ways to prevent cardiovascular disease related deaths. In 2012, campaign activities focus on taking action to prevent heart disease in women and children.
In partnership with WHO, the World Heart Federation organizes awareness events in more than 100 countries including health checks, organized walks, runs and fitness sessions, public talks, stage shows, scientific forums, exhibitions, concerts, carnivals and sports tournaments.
It also aims to promote preventative measures that reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The term "heart disease" refers to several types of heart conditions.
The most common type is coronary heart disease (CHD), which can cause heart attack, chest pain, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
CVD is commonly considered an "older persons" and a "man's" disease. women underestimate their CVD risk, even though almost half of the 17.3million annual deaths occur in women. Children are particularly at risk, since they have little control over their environment and can be limited in choices to live heart healthily.
The World Heart Federation organizes awareness events in more than 100 countries. They include health checks,organized walks, runs and fitness sessions, exhibitions. These activities are done in partnership with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), which is the UN's directing and coordinating authority for health.
World Heart Day was created to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world's leading cause of death. Together with organizations such as WHO, the World Heart Federation spreads the news that at least 80 percent of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if the main risk factors - which are tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity - are controlled.

10 more dengue cases confirmed in Punjab

LAHORE: Dengue virus has been confirmed in 10 more patients in Punjab, raising the toll to 186, Geo News reported.
According to the Punjab Health Department, with confirmation of these 10 more dengue cases, the number has reached to 186, of them 121 are men 65 women.
There is total of 3021 suspected dengue patients in the province, it added.

Geo Entertainment Christie's offers Bond items on 50th anniversary

LONDON: Christie's will offer 50 items of James Bond memorabilia over the coming week in a charity sale that culminates in a live auction next Friday, the 50th anniversary of the release of the first 007 movie "Dr. No".
The auction, which will raise funds for a range of charities including UNICEF, is one of a series of events being held around the world to mark the anniversary of one of the world's longest-running and most successful film franchises.
Fifty lots will be up for sale, many of them coming from EON Productions, the company behind the movie series.
Of the total, 40 will be sold online between Sept. 28 and Oct. 8 and 10 of the star items have been reserved for the live auction on Oct. 5, "Global James Bond Day", at Christie's offices in South Kensington in London.
All lots will go on public display there from Saturday until Oct. 4. Admittance is free.
"I think what we wanted to do was to celebrate the 50th anniversary in a meaningful way and let people have the opportunity to buy some of the things in our archive that we could raise money for charity from," said Michael G. Wilson, who along with Barbara Broccoli is guardian of the Bond films.
"There's a lot of things ... from 1,000 pounds ($1,600) on up, really," he told Reuters. "There's plenty of things for a whole range of collectors."
Among the highlights for him was a one-third scale model of an Aston Martin DB5 used in the filming of "Skyfall", the next Bond adventure which hits the screens in October.
The car was used in earlier Bonds and has become closely associated with the fictional double agent.
"In Skyfall we go back to the old Aston Martin, the DB5, we bring that out of mothball," Wilson said.
"We used it in the film but we had to make a model of it. We made an extra model, one third scale ... that was made for the film and I think that's a pretty unique thing to get."
The model is expected to fetch 30-40,000 pounds, while another Aston Martin built in 2008 and used in the opening sequence of the last Bond movie "Quantum of Solace" has a price tag of 100-150,000 pounds.
There is also a special edition of Bollinger champagne on offer for 10-15,000 pounds.
"Can you imagine, a champagne that comes out in an edition of 12 only?" Wilson said.
He added that Bond producers had been working with a number of charities for some time, although their ties to UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, were particularly close through the involvement of former Bond actor Roger Moore.
Among the smaller items being sold are 10 tarot cards used by Jane Seymour playing the character Solitaire in "Live and Let Die" and a belt with a golden bullet buckle worn by Christopher Lee as Scaramanga in "The Man With the Golden Gun".
"With memorabilia offered from every official Bond film evermade, the auction is sure to appeal to new and established fans of the famous British spy," said Nicolette Tomkinson, a director at Christie's.

Model Mehreen Syed injured in road mishap

LAHORE: Pakistani Model and actress Mehreen Syed got injured in a road accident and shifted to ICU ward of a private hospital.
According to the sister of the model, Mehreen was on the way from Lahore to Sialkot for a fashion shoot when a car coming from the opposite direction collided with her car, resultantly she got serious wounds.
Mehreen was immediately taken to the private hospital, located in Defence area of Lahore.
The doctors said that the condition of the model is out of danger.

People set to watch India-Pakistan T20 clash

LAHORE: Citizens have geared themselves up for all-important India-Pakistan clash in T20 World Cup in Colombo today (Sunday).

The weekend has doubled the excitement of cricket lovers as they would be free to enjoy the two archrivals in action a Super Eights match. Since no international cricket match has been held in Pakistan since the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, citizens have made arrangements to watch the match in large gatherings in parks, public places, cinemas and restaurants.
Multimedia projectors, LCDs and LED TVs would be placed at hotels, shopping malls, public parks and even on roads to air live coverage of the match.
Screening of the match has been planned at Falcon Complex, Hotel Maisonette, Royal Palm, Mall of Lahore, MEC Bedian Road, Sozo World, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, National Park and Bagh-e-Jinnah. The price of tickets for these venues ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 1,200, depending on the quality of screen and refreshments on offer.
Besides public places, people have also arranged screening of the match at their houses.
A number of citizens expressed their good wishes for the national cricket team.
Adeel, a university student, said that he had cancelled all his activities just to watch the “battle of cricket” between Pakistan and India. He said he did not want to miss the action “no matter which team wins today”.
Adeel said that he and his friends had planned to place an LCD in their street and invited more than 40 people to join them.
“We have also arranged snacks, cold drinks and ice cream for our friends in order to match the ‘enjoyment package’ being offered by cinemas and restaurants.”
Sadia, a housewife, said that although she was not a big fan of cricket, she could not miss an India-Pakistan clash.
“I love to watch dramas on TV but I forget them whenever there is a match between the two archrivals,” she said. “I will also finish cooking and all other stuff half-an-hour before the match starts so that I don’t miss a single ball.”
Muhammad Ali, 68, said that he has watched several matches between Pakistan and India but he waits for an encounter between them with the same excitement and enthusiasm. Saleh, who has arranged screening of the match on Bedian Road, said more than 600 people could gather at his place, adding that 500 tickets had been sold by Saturday evening.
He said cricket lovers would also be served refreshments during the match.

1st. Oct. last date for change of old Rs500 notes

KARACHI: Monday, 1st October is the last date for change of old design big size note of Rs500 from State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)’s field offices as well as from all branches of the commercial banks, Geo News reported.
Following the expiry of this deadline, SBP would not be liable to change this note to any person or bank or for the payment of any amount in exchange of it, said a handout issued here by SBP.
SBP has once again advised the public to get the old design big size Rs500 note changed by Monday, 1st of October within banking hours from SBP field offices and over 10,000 branches of the commercial banks across the country.

Government approves cut in POL prices

ISLAMABAD: Government has approved summery of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) pertaining to decrease in petroleum product prices, Geo News reported.
OGRA, under weekly revision of POL prices, had sent a summary proposing a reduction in the POL prices to the ministry of petroleum.
It had suggested Rs 6 per litre cut in petrol price, 14 paisa in diesel, kerosene oil by 40 paisa light diesel by 95 paisa and CNG prices by Rs 5 per kg.
With this approval, the new prices of petrol would be Rs 102.45 per litre, diesel Rs 113.16, kerosene oil Rs 101.23 and light diesel Rs 96.22 per litre.
Meanwhile, CNG prices have been deceased by Rs 5.49 per kg in region-I and Rs 5.2 in region-II.
The new prices would be effective from October 01 after the final notification of OGRA.

Rioters torch Buddhist temples, homes in Bangladesh-World News

DHAKA: Thousands of rioters torched Buddhist temples and homes in southeastern Bangladesh Sunday over a photo posted on Facebook deemed offensive to Islam, in a rare attack against the community.

Officials said the mob comprising some 25,000 people set fire to at least five Buddhist temples and dozens of homes in Ramu town and its adjoining villages, some 350 kilometres (216 miles) from the capital Dhaka.

The rioters claimed the photo allegedly defaming the Koran was uploaded on Facebook by a Buddhist man from the area, district administrator Joinul Bari said. "They became unruly and attacked Buddhist houses, torching and damaging their temples from midnight to Sunday morning," he told AFP.

"At least 100 houses were damaged. We called in army and border guards to quell the violence," he said, adding that authorities had temporarily banned public gatherings in the area to prevent further clashes. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

Buddhists, who make up less than one percent of Bangladesh's 153 million population are based mainly in southeastern districts, close to the border with Buddhist-majority Myanmar. Sectarian tensions have been running high since June when deadly clashes erupted between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar's western Rakhine state.

Although Bangladesh has witnessed deadly clashes between Muslims and Hindus in the past, sectarian clashes involving Buddhists are rare. In recent weeks tens of thousands of Muslims have hit the street across the country to protest a US-made anti-Islam film.

Rangers arrest 12 accused in Baldia Town

KARACHI: Rangers have apprehended 12 accused including six alleged target killers during search operation in 100-quarters Baldia Town on Sunday, Geo News reported.

The paramilitary forces, in the targeted operation, also recovered 28 different kinds of weapons from the custody of accused.

EC a great achievement of Govt.: Bilawal

NEW YORK: Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the setting up of a non-controversial election commission was a great achievement of the government, while efforts were afoot in favour of the dual nationality holders, Geo News reported.

Addressing USA International Convention here, Bilawal Bhutto condemning the anti-Islam film demanded that the strings of such hate campaign must stop. He said that was a religion of peace and those protesting peacefully against the blasphemous film were the real followers.

Talking about Balochistan situation, Bilawal Bhutto said that his party considers Baloch people part and parcel of Pakistan. He said that historic actions have been taken for meeting the challenges in Balochistan. The share of Balochistan in national resources has been doubled through NFC Award.

Bilawal Bhutto said none has the right to doubt the patriotism of Pakistanis residing abroad. Efforts were afoot that Pakistanis holding dual nationality could participate in the country’s affairs.

He said PPP believes in independent judiciary and, as such, it sacrificed in supporting the lawyers’ movement.

Gunned down police officer's funeral prayer offered

KARACHI: The funeral prayer of the Landhi Juvenile Jail’s Assistant Superintendent Pir Masood was offered Sunday morning here, while his burial would take place at his native town Shikarpur, Geo News reported.

Landhi Juvenile Jail’s Assistant Superintendent Pir Massod and Landhi Jail’s Deputy Superintendent Abdul Razzaq Abbasi were Saturday night gunned down in unknown persons’ firing at Nipa Chowrangi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal here.

Razzaq Abbasi’s body has been sent to his native place at Sehwan, while Pir Masood’s funeral prayer was offered at Central Jail here.

Sindh Minister for law, parliamentary affairs and prisons, Ayaz Soomro, I.G. prisons Gulzar Ahmad Channa and other high officials also attended the funeral ceremony.

Guard of honour was presented after the funeral prayer of the jail officers.

Talking to media on this occasion, Ayaz Soomro announcing the compensations to the heirs of the martyred police officers besides jobs said that the incident was being investigated by the high police officials.

لاپتا ا فراد کی بازیابی کیلئے سنجیدہ ہیں، رحمن ملک Geo Pakistan Govt. sincere for recovery of missing persons: Malik لاپتا ا فراد کی بازیابی کیلئے سنجیدہ ہیں، رحمن ملک

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Rahman Malik Sunday said that the government was sincere for the recovery of missing persons and blame game was unwarranted.
No Balochistan politician has the right to disrespect Pakistani passport. “I swear no military operation was underway in Blaochistan”, Malik asserted.
Talking to media here, Rahman Malik said that our government was the first to have facilitated Akhtar Mengal to come to Pakistan and removed his name from the ECL on his request.
“No politician of Balochistan has the right to disrespect the Pakistani passport. We are sincere about the missing persons. There should be no blame game. Hundred percent sure that no military operation underway in Blaochistan. The disgruntled Balochs have to be brought back”, Malik said.
As regards dual nationality, he said that Supreme Court has called him on October 3, he would be going there and nothing more he would like to say on this issue at present.

Petrol prices likely to go down by Rs 6/litre

ISLAMABAD: Petrol and CNG prices are expected to come down by Rs 6 per litre and Rs 5 per kg respectively from October 01, Geo News reported.

Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), under weekly revision of POL prices, has sent a summary proposing a reduction in the POL prices to the ministry of petroleum.

It has suggested Rs 6 per litre cut in petrol price, 14 paisa in diesel, kerosene oil by 40 paisa, light diesel by 95 paisa and CNG prices by Rs 5 per kg.

Imran admits PTI popularity dropped 10%

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Saturday admitted that his party's popularity has witnessed a decline of 10 percent.
Talking to media persons following his meeting with Baloch leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal here, Imran Khan did not accept the figures of a recent survey report which said PTI's popularity had dropped by 22 percent. However, he admitted that his party's popularity did go down but only by 10 percent.
The PTI Chief maintained that 'these voters did not turn in favor of some other party' and that his party would soon be able to reverse this trend.
He said the ruling Pakistan People's Party has also gone down.

Rise in criminal activities alarming in Balochistan: IGFC

QUETTA: Inspector General Frontier Corps Major General Ubaidullah Khatak has admitted that terrorism and criminal activities have risen to an alarming rate in some areas of Balochistan province.

Addressing a commandant’s conference at the FC headquaters in Quetta, he said that in 2012, 1157 incidents have occurred including killings of 500 people and injuring of 1500.

The IGFC said that all efforts would be made to maintain peace in the province and apart from their usual duties commandants should cooperate with the provincial government and the administration so the law and order situation can be improved.

He instructed the commandants that while taking action against the criminals, the law-abiding citizens must be dealt with respect so they feel safe and secure.

He further said that the civil society and other institutions should cooperate with the FC to make Balochistan a peaceful and an exemplary province.

Karachi violence claims 3 lives

KARACHI: Three more people fell prey to firing and other incidents of violence in the provincial capital on Saturday, Geo News reported.
A dead body of an unidentified man with torture wounds was recovered from a sack dumped in a nullah near Bakra Peeri in Lyari, police source said.
In a similar incident, a body was found from a house in Mehmoodabad number 1.
A man was shot dead by unknown armed assailants in Pir Ilahi Bux (PIB) Colony.

Army's job is to protect country not rule it: Mengal

ISLAMABAD: Baloch leader, Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Saturday said the Army's job is to protect the nation from internal and external threat and not to rule the country.

"Benazir Bhutto opposed the army operation in Balochista and declared Nawab Akbar Bugti a martyr and but her party after coming into power gave a farewell guard of honour to Pervez Musharraf. Independent judiciary is also not being tolerated," he regretted during his meeting with Amir Jamat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hassan here at Balochistan House.

Munawar Hassan, on the occasion, said Baloch people were patriots in the past and they still are even today. The issue of missing persons is on top of the list, he said.

Earlier, addressing a program at the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Akhtar Mengal said everyone knows what the general's did to the Constitution. "Was Pervez Musharraf held accountable for what he did?" he asked.

He said the actual leaders of Balochistan were killed in the past and are still being wiped out.

"I am not saying that the generals be hanged but they should at least be brought before the court," he demanded.

He said President had sought forgiveness of Baloch people but 'is it going to resolve the province's problems?'

Sri Lanka thump West Indies to step closer to semis

PALLEKELE: Hosts Sri Lanka outsmarted the West Indies by nine wickets to move one step closer to a semi-final berth after winning their Super Eights group one match at Pallekele stadium on Saturday.

Sri Lankan spinners kept the West Indian big hitters to 129-5 in 20 overs before chasing the modest target in the 16th over for the loss of only one wicket to record their second win in the round of eight teams.
Mahela Jayawardene led the Sri Lankan reply with an unbeaten 65, sharing an unbroken 108-run stand for the second wicket with Kumar Sangakkara (39 not out) after Tillakaratne Dilshan fell for 13.
Sri Lanka must avoid defeat in their last match against England while the West Indies need to beat the Black Caps with a superior net run-rate -- both games here on Monday -- to reach the last four.
In case Sri Lanka lose to England and West Indies beat New Zealand -- it will come down to net run-rate to decide the semi-finalists, with three teams on four points.
New Zealand's slim chance of reaching the semi-finals hinges on Sri Lanka winning their last match and they convincingly beat the West Indies.
The West Indian bowlers failed to worry any of the two great Sri Lankan batsmen, with Jayawardene hitting 10 boundaries and a six off 49 deliveries while Sangakkara hit five boundaries during his 34-ball knock.
Earlier, Ajantha Mendis took 2-12 in his four overs while Jeeven Mendis fetched 1-12 as West Indies, who won the toss and opted to bat, found it hard to score freely in their 20 overs after batting first.
Marlon Samuels (50) and Dwayne Bravo (40) were the main run-getters, lifting their team through a 65-run third wicket partnership after West Indies lost Chris Gayle (two) and Johnson Charles (12) at the same score of 16.
Samuels hit two sixes and four boundaries during his 35-ball knock before he holed out in the last over.
Mendis, who came on to bowl the fifth over of the innings, had Charles stumped off the fifth ball of the over which was a maiden.
Bravo hit four boundaries and two sixes during his 34-ball knock before he holed out to Jeevan Mendis.
Earlier, defending champions England beat New Zealand by six wickets in another group one match, to remain in contention for a semi-final place.-PAK nEWS

PTI’s popularity goes down, ML-N’s up: Survey

KARACHI: Pakistan Tahrik-e-Insaf (PTI), which was near the peak of its popularity graph, has gone down, while ML-N has taken over the top position.This has been revealed by the International Republican Institute (IRI) Survey, which was conducted by taking the opinions of six thousand persons from different segments of the society about political parties and the public problems during July-August period.
To a question, which party would they vote for if elections for the national assembly were to be held next week?
Twenty-eight percent of the people replied that they would vote for PML-N, 24 percent for PTI, 14 percent for PPP and 3 percent for MQM.
If this compared with the IRI February survey results, then the PML-N’s popularity has increased by 3.7 percent, while the PTI’s popularity has sharply dropped by 22.6 percent and that of PPP by 12.5 percent.
The replies to this very question if taken province-wise then PML-N is on the top in Punjab, as 43 percent people have said they would vote for PML-N, 27 percent for PTI and 7 percent for PPP. As against last February survey, here also PML-N support has surged, as their voters rose to 43 percent from 41 percent, while PTI’s came down to 27 percent from 33 percent and those of PPP dropped to 7 percent from 9 percent.
Seventy-nine percent people vowed to cast their votes in the next elections, 12 percent people don’t want to vote, while 6 percent are not yet fully ready.

World Rabies Day 2012 on Friday

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KARACHI: Rabies in Asia Foundation has arranged a seminar at Indus Hospital on Saturday to observe World Rabies Day, said Dr. Naseem Salahuddin, Head of the Foundation on Thursday.

The mission of World Rabies Day is to raise awareness about the impact of human and animal rabies, how easy it is to prevent it, and

how to eliminate the main global sources, she said.

The senior physician and microbiologist said that even though the

major impact of rabies occurs in regions of the world where many needs are present, rabies should no longer be neglected.

The seminar will be addressed by renowned doctors speakers that will be followed by a series of awareness activities including a puppet show for the SOS village children

South africa is batting

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7 overs

Katy Perry named Billboard's woman of the year

LOS ANGELES: Pop star Katy Perry was named Billboard's Woman of the Year on Tuesday, after a whirlwind 12 months in which she split up with her husband and turned their break-up into a hit single and film.

Perry, 27, channeled her split with British comedian Russell Brand in late 2011 into the chart-topping hit "Part Of Me" and a 3D behind-the-scenes film "Katy Perry: Part Of Me" that documented her personal and professional ups and downs.

The singer has won over a legion of fans, known as 'katycats,' on Twitter and Facebook with her quirky costumes and catchy bubble gum pop songs.

Forbes placed Perry at No. 3 on their highest-earning female musicians list in December 2011, estimating her pre-tax earnings at $44 million.

She has sold 48 million tracks in the United States alone, according to Billboard, including the hits "Firework," "California Gurls," "E.T." and "Hot N Cold" from her major-label 2008 debut "One Of The Boys" and 2010 album "Teenage Dream."

Perry has become a branding machine, lending her name to her own fragrance, nail polish and false eyelash lines. She is also the face of skin care line Proactiv and Popchips snacks.

Billboard's editorial director Bill Werde said in a statement that Perry was chosen for her achievements, calling her "one of the most exciting and inspiring artists in the industry."

"Katy Perry broke into the industry not even five years ago, and has already accomplished more than most artists can hope for in an entire career," Werde said.

The Billboard Woman of the Year award selects a female artist with trailblazing achievements. Previous recipients include Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie.

Perry will receive the award at the 2012 Billboard Women in Music event in New York on November 30.

Lady Gaga sends Paris new rap song

PARIS: Lady Gaga has sent a musical message to the Paris fashion crowd on Wednesday night, giving a preview of her first rap song at the Mugler show by Nicola Formichetti, who is also her personal stylist.

Entitled "Cake", the track -- on which the diva's voice is barely recognisable -- has been doing the rounds on the Internet for the past 10 days, but the star had yet to acknowledge it as her own.
The song's highly offensive lyrics led Slate.com to write last week that it hoped Gaga -- if confirmed as the author -- was acting tongue-in-cheek, in order "to highlight the awfulness of certain rap lyrics."
Gaga was in Paris last week for her first concert in the country but was not at the late-night Mugler show -- she was performing in Zurich at the time.
For his new spring-summer collection, Formichetti sent out "chic and fearless" women, their adventurer's wardrobe inspired by the humid rainforests of Asia or Latin America.
Ultra-short dresses, in ochre or burnt sienna, paired built-up shoulders with elaborate pleats on the skirt, taking turns with second skin black pants worn above towering reptile sandals.

'Pink Panther' star Herbert Lom dies aged 95

LONDON: Veteran Czech-born actor Herbert Lom, known best for his roles in the "Pink Panther" films, died on Thursday aged 95, his family said.
Lom, who appeared in more than 100 films, often played villains and was most famous for his role as the irritable police chief Charles Dreyfus in the Pink Panther movies, starring opposite Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau.
In a career spanning six decades, Lom also played in classics including "Spartacus", "El Cid" and "The Ladykillers".
Relatives said the London-based actor, who was born in Prague in 1917, died peacefully in his sleep.
"Like many actors, he never wanted to be pigeon-holed in a particular role," his son Alec Lom said.
"After having played the role of East European gangster in many films, it was a delight to him later in his career to be cast by Pink Panther producer and director Blake Edwards."
Lom moved to Britain before World War II and worked as a newscaster for the BBC's overseas service before his acting career took off.

He was hugely successful as the King of Siam in the original London stage production of the musical "The King and I" in the 1950s, and also played the title role in the film version of "The Phantom of the Opera" in 1962. (AFP)

                   

12 police killed in Iraq prison clashes: officials

    

TIKRIT: At least 12 policemen were killed in clashes at a prison in the Iraqi city of Tikrit that was seized by militants but has since been retaken by security forces, officials said on Friday.

Salaheddin provincial deputy governor Ahmed Abdul Jabbar told that 12 policemen were killed in fighting at the prison in Tikrit, 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of Baghdad.

Abdul Jabbar said that the prison had been retaken from militants who seized it on Thursday night, but that 83 prisoners escaped.

A source in the Salaheddin police command said that 15 policemen and seven prisoners were killed in the violence, and put the number of escaped prisoners at around 100.

"We took control of the prison, and the gunmen handed over their weapons," the source said.

The violence in Tikrit comes after Al-Qaeda's front group the Islamic State of Iraq said in July that it was launching a "new military campaign aimed at recovering territory."

An earlier message posted on jihadist forums said the ISI would begin targeting judges and prosecutors, and try to help its prisoners break out of jails.

Oil extends gains in Asian trade

SINGAPORE: World oil prices rose in Asian trade Friday, extending gains made in New York, as rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East stoked concerns over crude supply.
Spain's announcement of an austerity budget also helped lift the market as it eased fears over an escalation of the eurozone crisis, analysts said.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for November, was up 43 cents at $92.28 a barrel in the morning and Brent North Sea crude for delivery in November added 14 cents to $112.15.
"Tensions between Iran and the West reinforced concerns about potential supply disruptions," Phillip Futures said in a market commentary.
"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew his 'red line' for Iran's nuclear programme in a speech at the United Nations... and voiced confidence the United States shares his view," it added.
Western powers have been pressuring Iran to halt its nuclear programme but Tehran has insisted its efforts were solely for peaceful purposes.
Madrid unveiled it 2013 budget focussed on spending cuts and featuring structural reforms agreed with the European Union, bringing relief to the crisis-weary eurozone as it pointed to a full bailout of the debt-strapped nation.
IG Markets Singapore said in a commentary the budget is "widely seen as the first step to approaching the EU for a full bailout as it gets its house in order".

Australia shark attacks spark kill orders

SYDNEY: Sharks that stray too close to beaches on Australia's west coast will be caught and killed under a new government plan in response to an unprecedented spate of fatalities.

Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett unveiled a Aus$6.85 million (US$7.12 million) package in shark mitigation strategies, including a track, catch and destroy programme, in the wake of five fatal attacks over the past year

.
Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said the move would enable "proactive action" as soon as a shark was detected close to beachgoers instead of waiting for the animal to strike.

"Previously the orders were used in response to an attack, but now proactive action will be taken if a large white shark presents imminent threat to people," said Moore.
The funding package includes Aus$2 million for shark hunting and killing and Aus$2 million for a tagging and tracking programme that is already underway and providing real-time alerts on social media when sharks enter populated areas.

A further Aus$2 million would be set aside for shark research, while the remaining funding would be devoted to extra jet-skis for life guards, a study and trial of enclosures and a smartphone application for shark alerts.

"These new measures will not only help us to understand the behaviour of sharks but also offer beachgoers greater protection and confidence as we head into summer," said Barnett.
Western Australia's government has come under growing pressure to increase protection measures after the five deaths over the past year -- an unprecedented number for such a short period.
The most recent fatality was in July, when a surfer was bitten in half in a savage attack near Wedge Island, north of Perth, with another mauled but escaping alive last month at far-flung Red Bluff.

Three bodies found in Karachi

KARACHI: Three bodies were found from different areas of Karachi Friday while two persons were wounded in a firing incident at Maripur Road, Geo News reported.
According to police, a charred body was found from Sakhan Nadi while a body in gunny bag was found from ICI bridge. Another body was found from Korangi area.
Police shifted the bodies to hospital for medico-legal formalities.
Two persons were injured when unknown gunmen opened fire at Maripur Road.

Nakoula Basseley a.k.a Sam Bacile jailed-Paki News

LOS ANGELES : The 55-year-old film-maker who sparked violent protests across the Muslim world over his anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims, has been sent to jail for violating his parole.
Nakoula, who used the moniker Sam Bacile in the anti-Islam film’s production notes, appeared before a Los Angeles federal court on Thursday. Judge Segal, remarked that he posed “danger to the community” and had a “lengthy pattern of deception” which included lying to parole officers.

Shopkeeper gunned down in Karachi-PAKI NEWS

KARACHI: Unidentified gunmen killed a shopkeeper while four bodies were found from different areas of Karachi Friday, Geo News reported.

According to police, attackers sprayed bullets on a shop in Gulbahar area that killed the shop owner on the spot. The victim was identified as Mirza Sohail Baig and his body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
A man was gunned down in Garden area by unknown culprits. A charred body was found from Sakhan Nadi while a body in gunny bag was found from ICI bridge.
Another body was found from Korangi area. Police has shifted the bodies to hospital for medico-legal formalities.
Two persons were also injured when unknown gunmen opened fire at Maripur Road.

India's Oscars entry draws copycat flak-PAKISTAN NEWS THRILLER

MUMBAI: India's entry for best foreign language film at next year's Oscars has become the latest Bollywood movie to draw flak for allegedly plagiarising foreign hits in a 'mash-up' of ripped-off scenes.
"Barfi!" has won over critics and cinema-goers for its portrayal of a love triangle between a deaf man named Barfi and two women, one of whom is autistic -- not typical subject matter in the prolific Hindi-language film industry.
But since its release two weeks ago, several videos have spread through YouTube and social media sites highlighting a number of scenes that appear to draw heavily from international classics.
Film buffs spotted stark resemblances with clips from Gene Kelly's hit "Singin' in the Rain" (1952), Jackie Chan's "Project A" (1983), Buster Keaton's "Cops" (1922) and "The Notebook" (2004) starring Ryan Gosling among others.
The plot has been likened to "Benny & Joon", the 1993 film starring Johnny Depp, while the soundtrack has drawn further comparisons with the musical score from "Amelie", the 2001 hit starring Audrey Tautou.
One of the clearest sources of inspiration is Charlie Chaplin: one scene shows Barfi dodging a policeman through a sliding door, just as the king of silent film did in 1917's "The Adventurer".
"Barfi!" director Anurag Basu has hit back at critics, saying the film is intentionally paying homage to Chaplin in a similar way to "The Artist", the black-and-white silent film that won Best Picture at this year's Oscars.
"If I would have changed the shot, twisted things around and made it my own it would have been stealing," Basu told the Indian TV show Headlines Today.
"I did shot-to-shot because they are famous iconic shots and scenes from famous masterpieces, every filmmaker knows them."
Bollywood has come under fire before for remaking Hollywood flicks in the Hindi language, but "Barfi!" is under particular scrutiny because the movie-mad country is yet to win an Oscar in the foreign film category.
"So why would an Oscar jury pick a movie that reminds them of the very many movies they've seen before -- and which include films that are now Hollywood legend?" asked online magazine Firstpost.
In one of several earlier Bollywood copycat rows, US studio 20th Century Fox submitted a $1.4-million claim in 2009 against BR Films over "Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai", alleging it was an illegal remake of "My Cousin Vinny". The case was settled out of court.
Image consultant Dilip Cherian worried that entering "Barfi!" into the Oscars could cause embarrassment for India in the long-run.
"The fact is that critics will start wondering at which stage does plagiarism end in Indian movies and at what stage is it inspiration," he told Headlines Today.
Only three Indians films have been shortlisted in the foreign film category at the Oscars: "Mother India" in 1958, "Salaam Bombay!" (Hello Bombay!) in 1989, and "Lagaan" (Land Tax) in 2002.
Manju Borah, who chairs India's selection committee, defended the latest choice.
"We selected 'Barfi!' because of its treatment and freshness," she told the Hindustan Times. "In any case, every filmmaker is inspired by some cinema."
Film critic and curator Meenakshi Shedde said an "affectionate tribute" to world cinema, such as "Barfi!", was not the same as stealing someone's ideas -- but she doubted for other reasons whether the film was the best selection.
"The criteria the Oscars look for is something uniquely Indian. Something that offers insights into the culture or society," Shedde told.

World T20:Pakistan to take South Africa in Super EightS

COLOMBO: Team Pakistan is ready to take on the South African pace attack in its Super Eight match of the ICC World Twenty20 here at the R Premadasa Stadium Friday, Geo News reported.

The match will be of more significance for Pakistan as a win against the Proteas will put them in the perfect frame of mind ahead of the big-ticket encounter with arch-rival India on Sunday.
South Africa has been in its consistent self in the group stage, but the real tournament starts now, and more so for the Proteas.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Thursday, captain Mohammad Hafeez said although South Africa had one of the best pace attacks, his batsmen were confident to face them.
While Pakistan is pinning its hopes on spinners, South Africa will rely on its fast bowlers.
“It’s all about the strategy of the team,” Hafeez said. “We rely on our spinners because we have some really special bowlers in the side like (Saeed) Ajmal. He’s been producing the goods for the last two years.
“Afridi is the other one, we’re really happy to get his form back. He bowled well in the last game and is getting better.
Hafeez said the conditions in Colombo were a lot different than in Pallekele, where Pakistan won both their Group D matches, against New Zealand and Bangladesh.
He said adjustability would be a factor with the change in the conditions. “But we as a team have played enough cricket here in Colombo to know the conditions well.”
Meanwhile, the matches to be played here at the R Premadasa Stadium today might be affected by some bad weather.
The conditions in Colombo on Thursday remained overcast with the sun playing hide and seek throughout the day.
The wicket being prepared for Pakistan’s match seemed to be a good track for Twenty20 cricket.

'Bloodiest day' of Syria conflict hangs over UN meet

DAMASCUS: More than 305 people were killed across Syria on Wednesday, making it the bloodiest day of the 18-month revolt, a human rights group said, after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged action from the "paralysed" UN Security Council.A total of 14 people were killed when twin bombs rocked the headquarters of the armed forces general staff in the heart of Damascus in one of the most spectacular attacks of the uprising, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
An Islamist rebel group said its men carried out the attack, and five of its fighters, including a suicide bomber, died during the assault. Its claim was impossible to verify.
The Syrian Observatory said that 199 of Wednesday's dead were civilians.
"This is the highest toll in a single day since March 2011. And this is only counting those whose names have been documented. If we count the unidentified bodies, the figure will be much higher," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told.
The previous highest death toll of the uprising was on July 19, when 302 people were killed, according to the Britain-based watchdog.
More than 30,000 people have been killed in violence since the outbreak of the revolt against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad in March last year, according to the Observatory's figures.
All senior commanders and other officers escaped injury in Wednesday's attack on army headquarters, the military said.
State television showed video footage of a white van exploding beside the military headquarters, and a second blast inside the compound. It said the bombings came 10 minutes apart, and that 14 people were wounded.
A spokesman for the Free Syrian Army's Military Council in Damascus, Ahmed al-Khatib, said the attack was staged with two car bombs.
Syria's military said the "terrorist explosions around and inside the army headquarters were caused by two car bombs driven by suicide attackers."
It was the biggest attack on the security apparatus since a July 18 suicide bombing against a heavily guarded headquarters in Damascus killed four top regime officials, including defense minister General Daoud Rajha and Assad's brother-in-law, Assef Shawkat.

R U WAITING..?

PAK MATCH WITH INDIA THIS SUNDAY!

-pak news

E goes down with oil giant OGDC

KARACHI: The local capital market ended lower on Thursday, in line with market heavyweight Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), traders said.The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) benchmark 100-share index ended 0.27 percent, or 41.83 points, lower at 15,357.59, on total volume of 86.62 million shares.
The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited lost 0.74 percent to close at 176.00 rupees.
"With low volumes, activity remained confined in mid cap stocks particularly in cement sector. Although the index closed in negative primarily on account of decline in index heavyweight OGDC, cherry picking was seen in cement stocks amid improved dispatches for the month," said a dealer.(Reuters)

Proposal for handing FIA anti-graft wings to NAB nixed

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has declined a proposal regarding handing over of FIA’s Anti-corruption and Economic Crime Wings to National Accountability Bureau, Geo News reported.A summary in this regard was sent to PM, which recommended that in order to effectively deal with anti-corruption and economic crimes cases, the NAB must be invested with exclusive jurisdiction of FIA’s relevant wings.
The summary argued that such a restructuring would empower NAB on top of expanding its ambit of investigation.
According to sources the Chairman NAB Adm (Retd) Fasih Bukhari had sent the said summary to PM on January 20, 2012, but the PM eventually shot it down even after a long hum and haw.
It is mention-worthy that the Raja Pervez Ashraf’s predecessor Syef Yousuf Raza Gilani was in the favour of this intra-departmental acquisition.
Analysts say this rejection could be an upshot of an old grievance as NAB had been the premier investigating agency in the rental power scandal in which the incumbent PM was an accused.

-PAK NEWS

Mufti Muneeb announces rally against hate film on Sep 29

KARACHI: Ahl-e-Sunnat wa Jamaat, a joint platform of various religious and political parties, on Wednesday announced to hold protest rally on September 29, Saturday, against anti-Islam film made in the US.Rally would be taken out from Noorani Chowrangi to Tibet Centre at 10am, to be led by Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman and other religious leaders.
This was announced by Chairman ASWJ managing committee Allama Muhammad Rizwan Naqshbandi, Sahibzada Muhammad Rehan Amjad, Allama Qazi Ahmed Noorani and others during a press conference at Karachi Press Club.
They said rallies will start leaving different areas of the city at 9am for the venue and will converge at M.A Jinnah Road at 10am. They also appealed to traders to shut their business on the day till 3pm.
Commissioner assured them of full cooperation by the government.

West Indies win toss, bat against England

PALLEKELE: West Indies captain Darren Sammy won the toss and elected to bat against England in a group one Super Eights match of the World Twenty20 in Pallekele on Thursday.

Both teams added an extra spinner, the West Indies bringing in Samuel Badree and England playing Samit Patel.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand, the other two teams in the group, played out a thrilling tie earlier in the day before the hosts won the Super Over tie-breaker.

Teams:

England: Stuart Broad (captain), Jonathan Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Craig Kieswetter, Samit Patel, Eoin Morgan, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright

West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Samuel Badree, Johnson Charles, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels

Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS) and Asad Rauf (PAK),TV umpire: Aleem Dar (PAK)

Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)

-PAK NEWZ

Charles, Gayle lift West Indies to 179-5

PALLEKELE: Openers Johnson Charles and Chris Gayle notched aggressive half-centuries to propel West Indies to 179-5 in the Super Eights group one match against England at Pallekele stadium on Thursday.Charles smashed three sixes and 10 well-timed boundaries in his 56-ball 84 while Gayle hit four sixes and six fours in his 35-ball 58 after West Indies won the toss and decided to bat.
West Indies had raced to 103 by 11th over when Gayle was finally out, caught by Steven Finn at long-on off as the left-hander tried to hit Graeme Swann out of the ground.
Three of his sixes came in one over from left-arm spinner Samit Patel.
But Gayle's dismissal allowed England to pull back as they dismissed Marlon Samuels (two) and Kieron Pollard (one) in quick succession, with Stuart Broad claiming one wicket besides bowling a maiden over.
Charles finally holed out at mid-on, missing a low Jade Dernbach full toss and was caught by Jonathon Bairstow.
Broad was the pick of England bowlers with 2-26.
Earlier Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in a sensational Super over finish after both teams were tied in the 40-over contest, giving the Super Eights stage an interesting start.

Geo Pakistan SC hit blind ally after ousting Gilani: Aitzaz

LAHORE: Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan Thursday that Supreme Court had hit a blind ally after sending the former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani home.
Talking to media men here, Aitzaz said the apex court should by now be convinced that the President of Pakistan should not present himself before a foreign magistrate. "If a letter is written upon dictation, it would lead to further complications," he asserted.
He said he had no idea if the government would write the letter to Swiss authorities.
Aitzaz Ahsan said he had seen the draft of the letter and that he had some reservations in this regard.

ECP can deploy army to ensure fair polls: CEC

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Fakhruddin G Ibrahim Thursday vowed to ensure free and fair elections in the country, saying if required the army personnel will be deployed at polling stations.

"Pakistan's future hinges on transparent polls, so no compromise will be made towards holding free and fair elections," the CEC resolved while talking to media persons here.
To a question, he said media persons, representatives of civil society and, if required, even army personnel will be deployed at polling stations to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the country.
He said the political parties have also been asked to extend their cooperation for holding transparent polls. Election Commission will be responsible if fair elections are not held, so no compromise will be made to make them free and fair, he added.

Balochistan case: SC seeks civil, military leaderships' response

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has sought the response from the civil and military leaderships in the Balochistan law and order and missing persons case Thursday, Geo News reported. A three-member bench of the SC comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain resumed the hearing of petition regarding worst law and order situation in the province filed by Balochistan High Court Bar Association. Former Chief Minister Balochistan and chief of Balochistan National Party (BNP) Sardar Akhtar Mengal appeared in the court today to assist the bench on the issue of missing persons. During today’s proceedings, the BNP leader in his statement said that he has seen a ray of hope after 65 years on the matter of missing persons that has now gained international importance. Mengal said that his brother Asadullah Mengal was kidnapped in 1976 and could not be recovered to date. He said that the people of Balochistan were given false hopes. Mengal continued saying that the situation in Balochistan is worst than Palestine. He said that the real leadership was removed from the province and a fake leadership was imposed on Baloch nationals. He said that the mutilated bodies that were found from different areas were of political workers and not of Sardars or Nawabs. He alleged that the ‘death squads’ of intelligence agencies are exterminating the nationalists. The BNP leader also urged for the arrest of Nawab Akbar Bugti’s killers. He said that the issue will not be resolved without talking proper action. The chief justice, in his remarks, said that the matter of missing persons is a big question mark. He said that the nation will observe that how far the court can go in resolving the matter. Justice Khilji remarked that Akhtar Mehgal’s presence has proved that he is not anti-Pakistan. The chief secretary Balochistan told the bench that all the civil leaders including the prime minister have been apprised about the matter and the provincial governor is taking interest in the issue. On Mengal’s statement, the court sought response from the IG FC, chief secretary Balochistan, federal secretaries of interior and defence. The SC also sought response from the civil and military leadership including the president, prime minister, Army chief, ISI and Military Intelligence by tomorrow (Friday). The chief justice warned that if the orders were not implemented, the SC would conduct hearing on case-to-case basis. He said that the law allows to form a trial court comprising high court judges. Later, the court adjourned the hearing till Friday. The Baloch leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal had arrived in Islamabad from Dubai on Wednesday after eight years to become party in the case and record his statement. It is worth mentioning here that on last hearing, vice president of BNP Sajid Tareen informed the court that Akhtar Mengal wants to become party in the case and would arrive Islamabad on September 26. The court accepted Akhtar Mengal’s application and directed the federal interior secretary to provide security and other facilities to the Baloch leader during his stay in Islamabad.

Srilanka won from New zealand in the super over

LAHORE: Punjab Government has finalized service structure for young doctors and the final round of talks in this regard will be held on September 29, Geo News reported.

According to Punjab Health Department, the provincial government has accepted 43 out of 45 demands of the young doctors. The announcement of the service structure would be made on September 29.

The health department further said that the government has not approved appointment of doctors directly in grade 18.

According to the sources, the service structure and demands of young doctors have been linked to desist strike.

Geo Pakistan Karachi: Ongoing violence claims five more lives

KARACHI: Five more people lost their lives in the ongoing violence in the metropolis, Geo News reported Thursday.

According to the police, unknown gunmen killed a man in Orangi Town and another in Ittehad Town area of Baldia.

A man was also shot dead near Ayesha Manzil while another was killed in Bufferzone.

Another body was recovered from a plot in Defence phase 6 on Thursday morning.

It is pertinent to mention that fourteen people including activists of political and religious parties, were killed in different parts of the metropolis on Wednesday.

ISLAMABAD: Russian President Vladimir Putin has postponed his visit to Islamabad, Geo News reported. Vladimir Putin was to attend the quadrilateral summit of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Russia .