Two rockets fired into Kabul on day two of jirga

(batkhela-movies)KABUL: Two rockets were fired into Afghan capital Kabul Thursday, police said, ahead of the start of day two of a major gathering to discuss future relations with the United States.

"It's apparently rocket shots fired into Kabul," said Kabul police chief Mohammad Ayoub Salangi after witnesses reported hearing two loud explosions.

The interior ministry said in a statement that one civilian had been injured in the attack.

The Taliban have threatened to attack the loya jirga, a traditional meeting of elders convened by President Hamid Karzai to discuss a strategic partnership with the United States, plus a peace strategy.

During Afghanistan's last loya jirga in 2010, militants fired rockets at the event in a breach of security that led to two ministers resigning. (AFP)

Stars gather for ‘Breaking Dawn’ premiere

 (batkhela-movies)LONDON: Twilight fans gathered in their hundreds at the London premiere of "Breaking Dawn - Part 1," the fourth installment of the hugely popular Twilight franchise, as the stars of the film came out to greet them at the Westfield Stratford shopping centre. 

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner signed autographs and posed for pictures with the screaming fans. 

After the third film, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" ended on a proposal, the fourth film sees young lovers Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen finally come together in a highly anticipated wedding that has had Twilight fans in a frenzy. 

"I proposed to Bella so many times … you had to get married at some point otherwise it wouldn't make any sense. It would look like you had some kind of issue," said Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward. 

Actor Taylor Lautner, who plays werewolf Jacob Black, said the movie was much more mature than the previous installments. 

Best answer will be granted if attacked by Israel, Iran

TEHRAN:(batkhela-movies) Iran said on  ... that attackingIsrael would be granted a full response, Iran'shead of land will be protected. Iran's supremeleader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's foreign mediaadvisor Johnny IH truck he said in an interviewwith the neighboring countries to develop nucleartechnology are katbadlh. kujuhry power plant inIran, Turkey can potentially support. JawadLarijani said that Iran and the world is a achakammonopoly on Iran nuclear program for example,is set to take over. He said that Israel not attackIran so that Iran can and will answer it fully, the people of Iran are determined to protect theirrights.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's daughter became a mother, Amitabh

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Aishwarya RaiBachchan scholar and former beauty queendaughter is born with. Their father and Bollywoodsuperstar Amitabh Bachchan is to report the birthof their baby tuytr message said that they arenow a grandfather. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan washospitalized Monday night suture Hills, securityarrangements outside the hospital while a number of his fans were there. the gambling onAishwarya Rai Bachchan, the baby's head warmmafyabhy and put hundreds of millions ofgambling news was coming out.

'Sun Drop' diamond fetches record $10.9 million at auction

(batkhela-movies) GENEVA: A 110-carat yellow jewel called the Sun Drop Diamond, thought the biggest of its kind in the world, sold for a record 10 million Swiss francs ($10.9 million) at auction in Geneva, Sotheby's announced Tuesday.

"Ten million francs (8.06 million euros). Sold!", Sotheby's David Bennett said before about 150 people gathered for the sale at a luxurious Geneva hotel.

"It's an absolute record for a yellow diamond," Bennett told journalists after the sale. "It is a spectacular, unique stone."

He said the buyer was an "anonymous individual" who made the winning bid over the telephone.

The sale price was slightly less than the estimations of experts who had valued the yellow diamond at between 11 and 15 million dollars.

Gemologists have certified the pear-shaped jewel as "Fancy Vivid Yellow", the rarest and most desirable colour for a yellow diamond, Sotheby's said.

The gem was discovered in South Africa in 2010 and wowed visitors to London's Natural History Museum where it was displayed earlier this year, and also in Hong Kong.

The yellow diamond, about the size of a woman's thumb, takes its colour from traces of nitrogen in its carbon makeup.

"Every time we've shown it around the world, people have gone 'oh my god'," Bennett, head of jewellery for Europe and the Middle East, told AFP last week.

"It has never been owned so the buyer will be the first person to wear it," he added.

The sale price did not include commissions. (AFP)

Medical researchers decoding the aging process

(batkhela-movies)WASHINGTON: Scientists are beginning to decode the complex biology of aging and are optimistic that recent advances in research may lead to treatments that can slow or even reverse degeneration and disease.

"We are seeing a major change, very important developments and real therapeutic efforts to try to treat age-related illnesses," said Norman Sharpless, professor of medicine and genetics at the University of North Carolina.

The French research, led by Jean-Marc Lemaitre at the Functional Genomics Institute, published in October, shows cells from elderly donors can be rejuvenated as stem cells, erasing the ravages of age and proving that aging is reversible.

"It's a major advance," Sharpless said, noting that if many age-related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular problems or Alzheimer's are to be defeated, regenerative medicine will be required.

But he stressed that "cellular therapy is very difficult to develop," and expectations must be kept in check.

At the end of 2010 an American study in Boston showed that aging could be reversed in mice that were treated with telomerase, a naturally occurring enzyme in the body that protects DNA sequences (telomeres) at the end of chromosomes and which shorten cellular aging. (AFP)

Reema weds Dr Shahab in Virginia

 (batkhela-movies)LAHORE: Lollywood barbie doll Reema Khan has officially tied knot with American cardiologist surgeon Dr Tariq Shahab Wednesday in Virginia court, Geo News reported. 

According to sources, the Nikkah took place at a local court in Virginia according to American law while Rukhsati will take place on November 18.

While talking to Geo News on telephone, Reema said that she considers herself very lucky as she will be a part of an educated and respected family. 

Regarding wedding preparations, the actress told that she has put amazing Hennadesigns on her palms and her family members have created a joyful wedding mood all around. 

Hassan Shehryar, who is a Pakistani fashion designer of international repute, has prepared the wedding dresses for the bride and groom.

The wedding ceremonies began from Monday with the Mayun function.

Reema is in the US with her parents and relatives who will attend the wedding functions. After marriage, the actress will stay in America for few weeks in a house bought by Dr Shahab for his wife.

India eye Test series win against Windies

(batkhela-movies) KOLKATA: India strengthened their chances of winning the second Test and the series despite the West Indies' improved batting show after a first-innings collapse on the third day on Wednesday.

The West Indies, dismissed for 153 in their first innings in reply to India's mammoth 631-7 declared, did better in their second innings to reach 195-3 at stumps at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The tourists, who lost the opening Test of the three-match series by five wickets in New Delhi, face a stiff task to save the match as they still trail by 283 runs with seven wickets in hand.

Darren Bravo was unbeaten on 38 with the help of three sixes and Shivnarine Chanderpaul on 21 not out.Opener Adrian Barath (62) and Kirk Edwards (60) defied the Indian attack with a 93-run stand for the second wicket after the early dismissal of Kraigg Brathwaite (nine), who was caught behind off paceman Umesh Yadav.

Barath and Edwards played some attractive shots before fast bowler Ishant Sharma broke the stand immediately after the tea-break when he had Barath caught by Venkatsai Laxman, who held a low catch to his left at first slip.

Barath hit 10 fours in his third Test half-century.

Sharma struck again when he removed Edwards, trapped leg-before after hitting one six and six fours in his second Test half-century.

India gained the big advantage through their bowlers in the morning session as the West Indies could add just 119 runs in 36 overs after resuming at 34-2, with left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha finishing with 4-64.Yadav, who took one wicket on Tuesday, struck twice in the morning to finish with 3-23 in only his second Test match, while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bagged 2-49.

The West Indies' batsmen failed to apply themselves in the first innings on a pitch offering turn and bounce to spinners, with Bravo top-scoring with 30.Ashwin and Ojha did the early damage when they took one wicket each before Yadav jolted the West Indies by removing Bravo and Marlon Samuels (25) in successive overs.Ojha got a wicket in the fifth over of the day when he trapped Edwards (16) leg-before for his 50th Test victim in 13 matches after the batsman had added only four runs to his overnight score of 12.

Ashwin, who got married a day before the Test started, captured a big wicket in his opening over when he removed in-form Chanderpaul, who was also trapped leg-before.

Chanderpaul, who scored 118 and 47 in the opening Test, was able to contribute just four runs this time.

Bravo and Samuels played some attacking shots during their 46-run stand for the fifth wicket before falling in the space of seven runs to leave their team struggling at 99-6.

Skipper Darren Sammy tried to counter-attack but did not last long, caught behind off Ojha immediately after smashing the spinner for a straight six. He hit one six and two fours in his 14-ball 18.Ojha finished the innings when he trapped Fidel Edwards leg-before for 16. (AFP)

Memon accompanies Mirza to London

(batkhela-movies) LONDON: Information Sindh Sharjeel Memon has accompanied Dr. Zulfioqar Mirza to London, Geo news reported. 

Speaking to Geo News Memon said he would make an important announcement upon his return to Pakistan. 

Memon did not answer in what capacity he had travelled to London but did add that he does not take a decision without the consent of his party (PPP). 

Zulfiqar Mirza on Tuesday night left Karachi for London for stated purpose of pursuing the murder case of Dr Imran Farooq before the Scotland Yard and judiciary there.

Talking to the media at the Karachi airport and also in TV talk shows, the former minister said he was expected to meet officials of Scotland Yard.

Mirza claimed he was carrying two bags containing 'evidences' into killing of MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq, who was killed in London last year. Mirza said he would come back after one week and would give good news to the nation.

Buzz over Aishwarya in hospital for delivery

(batkhela-movies)MUMBAI: There was fresh round of speculation on Sunday evening that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had been admitted to Seven Hills Hospital in Marol, Andheri east, for her much-anticipated delivery.

However, there was no official confirmation about it, with the family as well as hospital officials denying that Aishwarya had been admitted. Sources, though, said security around the hospital had been beefed up following rumours that the actor had been brought to the hospital.

Last week, there was speculation that Aishwarya would give birth on 11.11.11, but actor Amitabh Bachchan denied the reports on his Twitter account.

Shah Rukh Khan's Don 2 release in doldrums

(batkhela-movies)MUMBAI: The release of Bollywood mega star Shah Rukh Khan's next movie Don 2 is said to be doldrums over a copyright infringement.

The allegation of copyright violation has emanated from none other than the production house Nariman Films that produced the original Don movie starring Amitabh Bachchan in 1978, said reports.

According to Nariman films, Excel Entertainment, headed by Farhan and Ritesh, only had the copyright to remake the original Don movie which they did in 2006 with Don: The Chase Begins Again. The agreement for the remake expired in 2009 and was not renewed by Excel Entertainment.

Excel Entertainment has been served a legal notice for the infringement of copyright. 

It has been reported that Nariman films will be approaching the courts to halt the release of Don 2 on December 23.

Ladies vs Ricky Bahl trailer released

(batkhela-movies)MUMBAI: Official trailer of Ladies vs Ricky Bahl starring sizzling Anuskha Sharma and Ranveer Singh has been released.

Ladies vs Ricky Bahl is all set to hit the cinemas on December 9.

Maneesh Sharma's latest direction is about Ricky Bahl, a ‘classy’ conman, who cheats women across different cities for a living and finally meets his match in the sizzling Anushka Sharma in Goa.

Pak-India ready to ease visa regulations

 (batkhela-movies)NEW DELHI: Pakistan took further steps toward normalization of trade and travel ties with India on Tuesday, agreeing to broaden cooperation on many business fronts with its larger neighbour by February in the latest sign of a thaw in relations between them.

At a bilateral meeting in Delhi, the two countries' trade secretaries agreed that Pakistan will notify India by February of a "negative list" of items that it cannot trade with its neighbour, minutes of the meeting showed.

"There has been further progress," India's trade secretary Rahul Khullar said at a briefing after the meeting with his Pakistani counterpart.

Replacing the current limited "positive list" of items that can be traded with a short list of products that cannot, is a step towards regular trade ties.

Earlier this month, Pakistan promised to give India a most favoured nation trade status, a move that would end heavy restrictions on what India is allowed to export across the border.

India and Pakistan also agreed to push for easing of visa rules that severely restrict business travel across the heavily armed border. They will look at the feasibility of electricity trading and will open a second road trading post by February.

Pakistan's Trade Secretary Zafar Mehmood said the negative list would be drawn up within a couple of months and said an expert panel would decide in January on allowing the trade of oil products. 

NA passes Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill

 (batkhela-movies)ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday passed the "The Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill 2008" aimed at prohibiting certain practices leading to exploitation and discrimination against womenfolk.

The Prevention of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 2008) was recommended for approval by the Standing Committee of National Assembly concerned. 

Speaker Dr Fahmida Mirza had deferred the bill during the last session as a number of suggestions were floated for incorporation in the bill by the parliamentarians. 

The bill moved by Dr Donya Aziz was pending since 2008. 

In the statement of objects and reasons, Dr Donya said that there were several practices and customs in vogue in the country which were not only against human dignity but also violated human rights.

She said the bill provided that such customary norms, which were contrary to Islamic injunctions, should be done away forthwith and the persons who continue such practices be dealt with severely by providing penal and financial liabilities.

The bill recommends punishment for giving female in marriage or otherwise in 'badla-e-sulh', wani or swara. The bill says, "Whoever gives a female in marriage or otherwise compels her to enter into marriage, as 'badla-e-sulh', wanni, or swara or any other custom or practice under any name, in consideration of settling a civil dispute or criminal liability, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years but shall not be less than three years and shall also be liable to fine of five hundred thousand rupees."

Besides the bill proposed prohibition of depriving woman from inheriting property, prohibition of forced marriage and prohibition of marriage with the Holy Quran. 

The violators will be handed over either imprisonment or a fine of five hundred thousand rupees for each crime. 

President pressured me to provide Davis immunity: Qureshi

 (batkhela-movies)MULTAN: Former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said it is time to seek fresh mandate from the masses and asked for an unbiased and independent election commission for polls, Geo News reported.

He was talking to media at Multan airport and said that he had resigned on January 30th and President Asif Zardari forced him to give immunity to Raymond Davis.

Qureshi noted that he would announce his future plan on November 27 in Ghotki. 

'I quit the portfolio by myself,' he said.

The former minister demanded early polls saying it is time to seek fresh mandate from masses and asked for an independent election commission. 

'The present setup lacks the ability to solve the issues faced by the country,' Qureshi said.

British police arrest four men in counter-terror probe

 LONDON: (batkhela-movies)Police said they arrested four men Tuesday in the central English city of Birmingham as part of an ongoing counter-terrorism investigation that has uncovered an alleged suicide bombing plot.

The men, three aged 19 and one 24, were detained under counter-terror laws in the Sparkhill area on suspicion of fundraising for terrorist purposes and of 
travelling to Pakistan to undertake terrorist training.

"Today's arrests were pre-planned and not made in response to any immediate threat to public safety. Officers were unarmed," said a statement from West Midlands Police.

They are the latest arrests in a counter-terror investigation in Britain's second biggest city which was launched in September.

Police say eight people have so far been charged as part of the probe, with seven remanded in custody after appearing in court in London.

Three men were charged with "planning a bombing campaign" and "stating an intention to be a suicide bomber".

Other charges the suspects faced included collecting money for terrorism, travelling to Pakistan for training in bomb making and making a "martyrdom" film.