'One Day' feels like it lasts years and years

LOS ANGELES: Vague approximation of a guy meets sketchy notion of an intelligent woman, and then they spend two decades circling each other for no apparent reason. It's not exactly "boy meets girl," but that's the best that the new romance "One Day," based on a best-selling novel that I have not read, has to offer.

Author David Nicholls may have made these characters more substantial on the page, but in the big-screen adaptation (which he wrote), the leads are so lightweight and barely-there that a stiff breeze in the projection booth could make them disappear entirely.

And since the whole movie is about the two of them and whether or not they ever get together, that's kind of a problem.

On July 15, 1988, Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) hook up at the end of a drunken night celebrating their graduation from college. (Sorry, university: They're supposed to be from the UK, although if you didn't get that from Hathaway's vague accent, you're not alone.)

What's supposed to be a booty call gets terribly awkward -- she puts Tracy Chapman's "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" on as mood music, he gets dressed to leave while she's prepping in the bathroom -- and then leads to what will become a lifelong friendship.

And so, we check in with these two every July 15 and observe the passage of time and the ups and downs of their lives.

Emma spins her wheels waiting tables at a Mexican restaurant and dating an untalented would-be stand-up comic (Rafe Spall), while Dex becomes a D-bag television personality and all-around shallow jerk. (One of the laziest tropes in contemporary fiction is to make one of your characters become famous, and "One Day" does it twice, as Emma eventually blossoms into a successful author of young-adult fiction, complete with Audrey Hepburn-esque makeover.)

Along the way, characters die, relationships begin and fall apart, but Emma and Dex somehow stay close and keep their unrequited love burning between them. But why, exactly?

"One Day" never bothers to spell out for us just who these people are, what they want, or why they do what they do. So it's next to impossible to get revved up about their feelings for each other, except for the fact that Emma and Dex are the principal characters, and they're being played by attractive, charismatic performers.

Nicholls' wafer-thin screenplay eventually beats down both Hathaway and Sturgess, who try desperately to give this couple something approximating depth.

And the whole same-time-next-year business -- which must have worked on the page, since the novel was huge with the book-club set -- winds up feeling gimmicky and pointless.

Jumping through the turn of the 21st century was no doubt lots of fun for the hair and wardrobe department -- Hathaway spends the first chunk of the film being frumped up with unflattering glasses and outfits, but Sturgess goes from posh preppy to '90s fashion victim, sporting an array of looks you'd prayed would never return.

(If only any of Sturgess' lines had been as interesting as his hairdos.)

The music supervisor had a bit of a lark as well, throwing in Clinton-era jams from the likes of Fatboy Slim and Del Amitri, with some Robbie Williams karaoke thrown in once the film makes it to the 2000s.

But there's only so much fun to be had with "Jurassic Park" references, denim vests, and "Sowing the Seeds of Love."

Rather than tell a story that would organically elicit certain emotions, it feels like Nicholls and director Lone Scherfig ("An Education") want us to yearn wistfully here and tear up there, and then they set out to create moments that would hit those marks. So we're left with a plot that feels forced (and subsequently predictable) being acted out by ciphers.

Patricia Clarkson, as Dex's mother, shines brightest among the cast, even though she's saddled with a thankless role that's all wise advice and the stoic avoidance of tears in a time of crisis. She's taken the pudding cup the movie gives her and somehow transforms it into chocolate mousse.

The people behind "One Day" no doubt thought that the passing of the years within the story would be a potent reminder of how life slips right by us, but the more likely response is along the lines of, "Ugh, it's only 2008? Is this movie ever going to be over?"

Diet alone helps lower bad cholesterol: study

 NEW YORK: A diet based around plants, nuts and high-fiber grains lowered "bad" cholesterol more than a low-saturated-fat diet that was also vegetarian, researchers reported on Tuesday.

And the drop in low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, was big enough that dietary changes could be an alternative to statin medications for many people, they said.

"There's no question that statins have made a major difference in terms of cardiovascular disease control," said study author Dr. David Jenkins, from the University of Toronto. But at least for now, he added, "we can only get so far with statins."

One in four adults age 45 and older in the U.S. takes the cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Jenkins and his colleagues wanted to see how big an effect a diet based on the pillars of lower cholesterol could have on LDL numbers without statins.

They randomly split 351 Canadians with high cholesterol into three groups. One group got nutrition counseling promoting a low-saturated-fat diet for six months.

In the other two groups, dietitians helped participants fit more cholesterol-lowering foods, including soy milk, tofu, nuts, oats, peas and beans, into a healthy diet -- meeting with some of them twice during the study, and with others seven times. All the diets were vegetarian.

After six months, people on the low-saturated-fat diet saw a drop in LDL cholesterol of 8 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), on average, according to findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

That compared to 24 mg/dL and 26 mg/dL decreases in participants on the cholesterol-lowering diets. (The average starting LDL was about 170 mg/dL. A number 160 mg/dL and above is considered high.)

That drop is "really a lot," said Dr. Yunsheng Ma, a nutrition and heart disease researcher from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, who was not involved in the new study.

Volunteers in the cholesterol-lowering group were encouraged to consume about a gram of plant sterols in an enriched margarine per 1,000 calories of food they ate, as well as about 10 grams of fiber in the form of oats, barley and psyllium, 22.5 grams of soy protein and 22.5 grams of nuts, per 1,000 calories.

"A lot of people rely on the medication, but diet is really powerful actually," he told Reuters Health. "People ignore that. They think if they're on statins, they can do anything they want, they can eat the high-fat foods because the statins are going to take care of that."

One in five of the participants dropped out before the full six months, and even those that didn't had a hard time sticking closely to the diet plans -- but many still saw cholesterol benefits.

The researchers had everyone in the study who was taking statins go off the medication for the diet intervention. Jenkins said the question of how diet and statins could lower LDL in tandem is for future research.

But for those who like the idea of changing their diet instead of going on medications, this is a reasonable option, he said. Others who aren't interested in adjusting their eating habits might be better suited to sticking with statins, Jenkins added.

"If you want to sit on the couch with the six pack and the wings and watch other people exercise and you're quite determined not to do anything other than that, then we've got a medication for you," he said.

For other people, genetics or very high cholesterol may mean that diet isn't enough to get LDL down to a healthy level without statins, said Dr. Joan Sabate, head of nutrition at Loma Linda University in California.

Jenkins said that doctors should encourage their patients with high cholesterol to try diet changes, if they're interested. A couple of visits to a nutritionist might be enough for motivated patients to make the switch to a plant-based, higher-fiber diet, he added.

"The diet only is enough for the majority of the people that have a not-so-good lifestyle," Sabate, who was not involved in the new research, told Reuters Health. "By changing the diet and their lifestyle they can establish good control of their cholesterol

Kadhafi urges residents to cleanse Tripoli of 'rats'

 TRIPOLI: Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi on Wednesday urged residents to cleanse Tripoli of "rats", after rebels overran his compound in the centre of the capital.

In an audio message on Syrian-based Arrai Oruba television station and rebroadcast by satellite channel Al-Arabiya, Kadhafi also said he had walked incognito through the streets of Tripoli.

"I walked incognito, without anyone seeing me, and I saw youths ready to defend their city," the strongman said, without specifying when he took to the streets. He also urged residents to "cleanse Tripoli of rats."

On the other hand,Libyan rebels hunted Wednesday for Moamer Kadhafi and battled the remnants of his forces after overrunning his Tripoli compound, as the strongman urged residents to cleanse the capital "of rats." Two powerful blasts thought to be caused by an air attack rocked the capital early in the morning as a NATO warplane flew overhead. The explosions came during a night of shooting as fighting continued following the storming of Kadhafi's Bab al-Azizya compound by rebel fighters on Tuesday.

Wasan out of his dream points nine places for operation

 KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister, Manzoor Wasan has said that nine places have been marked for the underway surgical operation in the mega-metropolis here, while 11 target killers have thus been arrested in the process.

Addressing 12th passing-out parade of the Elite Force at Raziqabad Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Training Centre as chief guest, Manzoor Wasan expressed his satisfaction over on the training of the policemen for meeting the challenges from within and without.

He said that the children of the policemen would be given scholarships and the Sindh police salaries would made at par with those of the Punjab police.

Later talking to media, Manzoor Wasan said that nine places have been marked for operation in the city here, which would not be disclosed beforehand, as the operation aims at arresting some people. He said we have decided to restore peace in the city and hoped for positive results from the action.

Manzoor Wasan said that 11 target killers have been arrested thus far and suspects arrested in connection with the police bus attack in Korangi being grilled.

Some 328 jawans participated in the Elite Force passing-out parade, while 9 women also took part in the training. 

12 held in Karachi, minus Lyari, operation

 KARACHI: The overnight operation of the law enforcing agencies across the mega-metropolis city continues, which has thus far resulted in the arrests of twelve suspects from whom arms were also recovered, however, the LEAs had to retreat after entering Lyari areas, when a violent protesting crowd came out on the streets.

Meanwhile, Micasa Centre operation by the Rangers has been completed, where six suspects were taken into custody and shifted to an unknown place during the search operation. Another six suspects were arrested from Orangi Town, Kati Pahari and its adjoining areas, while the LEAs search operation at Five Star Arcade, Sultan Complex near Civic Centre, Jumani Road and adjoining apartments located on the University Road was underway. Search operation was also conducted by the LEAs in the New Karachi areas—Khamiso Goth, Bashir Chowk etc.

However heavy contingents of police and Rangers, which had entered Lyari last night for search operation, had to beat back soon, as a violent crowd came out on the streets strongly protesting, torching tyres and voicing slogans. Presently, the Rangers remain deployed around the Lyari area, but search operation conducted.

The officials told that the search operation by the LEAs in the volatile areas would continue even today. 

The military government in Sindh or blanyka decision is regrettable, ANP

Karachi: Sindh Awami National Party's spokesman in Karachi to seek the testing decision is regrettable. Spokesperson said in a statement that the people of Karachi mbtlahyn in serious fear, feeling their problems and try yauqty formula can be solved. nationalities settled in Karachi found that the public bear the sense of deprivation measure has been filled. ANP Sindh Awami National Party spokesman told the pak. military to Karachi on the pattern demands. 

Strauss-Kahn sex case dismissed

A New York judge has dismissed the sexual assault case against former IMF director Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

The move came as prosecutors cited doubts over the credibility of his accuser, 32-year-old hotel maid Nafissatou Diallo.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, was accused in May of attacking the African immigrant as she entered his hotel room to clean it.

The ruling means he is a free man, though he still faces a civil suit Ms Diallo filed this month.

"Our inability to believe the complainant beyond a reasonable doubt means, in good faith, that we could not ask a jury to do that," Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon told Judge Michael Obus.

'Hurried sexual encounter'
The dismissal of criminal charges at the New York State Supreme Court will take effect once the judge rules on an appeal against the move.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, considered a French presidential contender before the case, arrived for the hearing in lower Manhattan on Tuesday in a six-car motorcade with his wife Anne Sinclair.

Outside, about two dozen placard-waving protesters denounced the result, their cries audible from the packed courtroom on the 13th floor.

Continue reading the main story
At the scene


Barbara Plett
BBC News, New York
Outside court a noisy group of demonstrators - mostly feminists and socialist activists - urged the judge not to drop the case. "Another rich powerful man gets away with whatever he pleases," read one banner.

Amid the chanting, a lone voice shouted, "she's a liar, she's a liar". It came from an African woman in a black cloak and headscarf. Brandishing a signboard that questioned in lurid detail Nafissatou Diallo's virtue, the woman claimed Mr Strauss-Kahn's accuser, an African immigrant, had tried to frame him.

In fact, prosecutors asked for the charges to be dropped not necessarily because they believed the former IMF head to be innocent, but because they had lost confidence in the hotel maid's credibility. Mr Strauss-Kahn looked pleased, but not jubilant, and gave his wife a small smile.

The combustible mix of sex, race and class presented by the case has particular resonance here. With a civil case now pending, interest will probably rumble on in America if not in Europe.

Ms Diallo claimed Mr Strauss-Kahn had confronted her in his luxury hotel suite in the city on 14 May and forced her to perform oral sex.

Prosecutors said DNA evidence had found that a "hurried" sexual encounter did occur between the two, but it did not establish Ms Diallo's claim that it was non-consensual.

In a statement released by his legal team on Tuesday, Mr Strauss-Kahn said: "These past two-and-a-half months have been a nightmare for me and my family.

"I want to thank all the friends in France and in the United States who have believed in my innocence, and to the thousands of people who sent us their support personally and in writing.

"I am most deeply grateful to my wife and family who have gone through this ordeal with me."

He added: "We will have nothing further to say about this matter and we look forward to returning to our home and resuming something of a more normal life."

'Rush to judgment'
Outside the court on Tuesday, Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyer, William Taylor, accused the media, police and prosecutors of a "collective rush to judgment".

"I want to remind you how uncritically the media examined this case from the beginning without even looking at the improbability of the story on its face," he said.

In court papers filed on Monday, Manhattan prosecutors said they did not feel at ease pursuing the case, citing deep concerns over Ms Diallo's credibility.


Protesters chanted slogans and waved placards outside the court
She "has not been truthful on matters great and small" and has an ability to present "fiction as fact with complete conviction," they wrote.

Medical and DNA evidence, meanwhile, was "simply inconclusive" as proof of a forced sexual encounter, they added.

Mr Strauss-Kahn's was forced from his job as director of the International Monetary Fund after his arrest on board an Air France jet in May.

But within weeks, prosecutors said there were inconsistencies in Ms Diallo's accounts of the alleged assault and of her background.

It was revealed that she had been recorded discussing the case with a jailed friend and appeared to refer to Mr Strauss-Kahn's wealth, which his supporters said pointed to a financial motive.

Prosecutors also said Ms Diallo had not been truthful in tax documents, nor on an asylum application form in her account of a gang rape she said she suffered back in Guinea.

Ms Diallo's lawyer said on Monday that she had been denied justice
Mr Strauss-Kahn was later freed from his restrictive bail conditions.

Ms Diallo then took the unusual step of giving media interviews, defending her allegations against him, and on 8 August, she filed a civil suit against Mr Strauss-Kahn.

The Frenchman's legal travails are not yet over: authorities in Paris are still considering whether to press charges against him over a claim by French writer Tristane Banon that he tried to rape her during a 2003 interview.

Ms Banon made the allegation after the Diallo case, saying that she feared no-one would have believed her beforehand.

Indiscriminate action would be taken against miscreants: Rehman

 KARACHI: Interior Minister, A. Rehman Malik has said that 14 accused including 10 target killers and four extortionists have been arrested from different parts of Karachi, during the last 24 hours.

He was talking to media at National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC), here on Tuesday.

Rehman Malik directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh, Wajid Ali Durrani to disclose the names of the arrested accused through a Press Note.

He said indiscriminate action would be taken against the miscreants and terrorists across the board in light of the directives of Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.

He also appealed to the media to provide leads about the criminal elements and cooperate with the authorities.

The Minister recalled that he held a meeting with SindhChief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Sindh Home Minister, Manzoor Hussain Wassan earlier today and reviewed the action which has been taken against the criminals.

He said Karachi is a mega city and crimes can occur here but these incidents should not be portrayed in a wrong way.

He said a four-digit number '1126' has been set up in the NCMC to facilitate media to get verification information about arrested accused.

Rehman Malik also lauded the performance of the Karachi Police for taking action against criminals. He also directed the IG Police Sindh to present the arrested accused before the media within 24 hours of their arrest.

Earlier he held a meeting with IG Police Sindh, Wajid AliDurrani, CCPO Karachi, Saud Mirza and other officials concerned about law and order.

PPP decides not to call in Army in Karachi

 ISLAMABAD: The core committee of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Tuesday decided not to call in Army, however Rangers would carry out surgical operation in the country’s financial hub to control law and order situation, sources said.

PPP’s core committee met here with the President Asif Ali Zardari in chair to discuss law and order situation in Karachi, internal affairs of the party among various other issues.

Sources said that the meeting also decided to extend relationship with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and to continue reconciliation policy.

Amin Fahim, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Rehman Malik, Nazer Muhammad Gondal among various others party leaders attended the meeting.

Overall situation prevailing in the country was also discussed in the meeting, sources added.

Fossil find shows life on Mars possible

 LONDON: Scientists have found Earth's oldest fossils in Australia and say their microscopic discovery is convincing evidence that cells and bacteria were able to thrive in an oxygen-free world more than 3.4 billion years ago. 

The finding suggests early life was sulphur-based - living off and metabolizing sulphur rather than oxygen for energy - and supports the idea that similar life forms could exist on other planets where oxygen levels are low or non-existent.

A natural defense mechanism used by cells in the gut to neutralize harmful toxins may lead to new ways to fight Clostridium difficile, the most common cause of hospital-acquired bacterial infections, researchers said on Sunday. Tests of an experimental compound that mimics this defense mechanism that has shown promise in the lab and in mouse studies, and the researchers say they are already planning human clinical trials.

Dollar against rupee hits record

KARACHI: Dollar as against rupee in the inter-bank market has reached to a record level due to payments made for the import of crude, while dollar during the trading was seen selling at the highest level of Rs87.07. Forex market dealers said that the rupee against dollar remained under pressure in inter-bank market, as dollar against rupee during the trading was seen at Rs87.05, besides the swelling government borrowing also spurring the increase in the value of dollar. Forex market dealers said that the payments for crude escalated the demand for dollar. On the other hand, the rupee could further fall under pressure in the backdrop of persisting lackadaisical approach of the foreign investors.

Gold hits record above $1,900 an ounce

 HONG KONG: Gold soared above $1,900 an ounce in Hong Kong for the first time on Tuesday as dealers flocked to the safe haven asset due to growing concerns over the state of the global economy.

The precious metal was trading at $1,914.50-$1,915.50 an ounce in the morning after opening at $1,898.00-$1,899.00.

Karachi violence: Sindh govt decides not to call Army

 KARACHI: The Sindh government expressed confidence in the performance of the police and rangers and decided not to call the Army in Karachi, .

A law and order meeting was held at the Chief Minister House which was jointly chaired by Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister Rehman Malik. The meeting reviewed the security situation in Karachi and interior Sindh.

According to the sources, 25 banned organizations were warned to shut their offices and activities and action would be taken against those banned organizations which were operating under different names.

Relics of Ming emperor on display

 BEIJING: An exhibition featuring the relics of an emperor of the Ming dynasty has begun. This is the first time that such relics are being featured. 

The relics of emperor Win Li are 400 years old and the exhibition includes 200 pieces. 40 to 50 pieces which are part of the exhibition have never been displayed.

The exhibition which is being held at the Beijing Museum will continue till February

526 dengue cases registered in Punjab so far

LAHORE: As many as 526 cases of dengue fever have been registered in Punjab so far, whereas 466 such cases registered only in Lahore, out of which, 491 patients have recovered, says a report of Punjab Health Department.

According to the report issued here on Monday, only 35 dengue fever patients are under treatment in various hospitals. Around 85 cases of dengue fever were reported during the last 24 hours throughout province, out of which, 78 related to Lahore while one each related to Gujrat, Nankana Sahib, Multan, Sahiwal, Sheikhupura and Jhelum and two patients related to Faisalabad.

At present, nine patients of dengue fever are under treatment in Mayo Hospital, one in Mental Hospital, two in Shalamar Hospital, three in LGH, four in Services Hospital, four in Surgimed Hospital and 11 patients in Doctors Hospital.

According to a spokesman of Health Department Punjab, medical facilities are being provided to the dengue fever patients in all government hospitals free of cost

Five killed as violence continues unabated

 KARACHI: Firing incidents in different parts of metropolis continued on Tuesday as five persons were killed while several others sustained injuries,.

Two dead bodies were found in gunny bags while three others lost lives from firing including one each in Qasba Colony and Shah Latif Town. Firing incident also took place near Askari Park area at University Road that killed 23-year-old Zain Mirza.

According to police, an unidentified body was found in gunny bag from Qasba Mor area of Orangi Town while an injured person was recovered from Lyari Nadi who was severely tortured. Another body was found from Bakra Peri area.

Heavy contingent of police have been deployed to control the situation in the city.

Brangelina ranked third richest couple by Forbes

 LOS ANGELES: They may not be as famous in Europe as Posh 'n' Becks, Brangelina or even Jay Z and Beyonce, but the richest couple in the world are supermodel Gisele Bundchen and her American football playing husband Tom Brady, according to Forbes magazine.
The pair earned a grand total of $76m between May 2010 and May 2011 says the magazine, and it seems that Gisele was the household's main breadwinner (if they do actually eat bread).

The Brazilian raked in $45m during the year and is apparently on course to become the world's first billionaire supermodel. Her husband only contributed a meagre $31m to the family finances. But even if they were to lose all their endorsement deals the couple would probably still be able to scrape by on Brady's $18m-a-year salary from the New England Patriots.

Mr and Mrs Bundchen may have taken the prize this year but they faced stiff competition from pop's premiere couple, Beyonce and her rap star husband Jay Z. The pair have extensive business interests, but it seems Jay was slightly more successful with his last year. He contributed $37m of the $72m that the couple earned, although Beyonce was not far behind with earnings of $35m.

In third place came Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. As with Gisele and Tom Brady it was the lady of the house who earned the most. Jolie was paid $30m last year, while Pitt pulled in rather less - just $20m, although it was a quiet year for the actor.

Next on the list come David and Victoria Beckham, who between them earned $45m last year. Almost all of it was down to David, whose career on the pitch may be drawing to a conclusion but who still has plenty off clout off it. He made $40m last year thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, while Victoria's fashion interests helped her rake in an extra $5m.

That $5m may not sound like much, but it helped elevate the Beckhams above the fifth-placed couple, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, who both earned $20m last year thanks to the success of the Twilight films in which they star.

Traders’ daily losses soar to Rs2 bn

 KARACHI: The city is facing a complete shutdown as traders, transporters and fuel station owners decided to keep their regular operations closed after the MQM announced ‘day of mourning’ Tuesday, 

The traders blamed the police and security administration for failing to protect their businesses in such a situation.

Chairman Traders Action Committee, Siddique Memon told Geo News that currently the traders are facing losses up to Rs2 billion while the sales have dropped to 70 % owing to the city situation.

According to sources of industrial sector, colossal loss of Rs10 billion is expected in the production sector due to deteriorating situation of the city.

Economic experts said that the labourers working on daily wages are the worst affected due to business paralysis in such situation while unemployment is also rising on a larger scale.

Therefore, traders’ bodies have demanded the government to deploy army as the police and Rangers have failed to protect them.

Lackluster warning for extortionists

 KARACHI: A handout of the Sindh government has outlined important steps which will be taken for restoring peace in Karachi,

According to the handout, extortionists and miscreants have been asked to leave the city immediately and go somewhere else otherwise strict action will be taken against them.

Buses coming from other provinces to Karachi will also be searched because ammunition is being brought from other provinces to the city.

5 year old amazing dancers - must see this wonderful dance

Two kids who are only 5 years take part in a reality show in ukraine shows their amzing skill in dancing... You must see this... otherwise you are missing on...

Governor for visible improvement in LEAs performance

 KARACHI: Singh Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan during a meeting to review law order here on Sunday questioned as to why the people had been forced to look up to other institutions rather than police for bringing peace to the metropolis,  batkhela-movies reported.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Home Minister Manzoor Wasan, IG Sindh and Acting DG Rangers besides other officials attended the meeting.

It was decided that steps would be taken for the release of the people being held hostage in the city.

The Sindh Governor directed that improvement in performance of law enforcing institutions be made visible within the next few days.

The meeting also decided that more SHOs and DIGs be given the task of putting an end to the kidnapping for ransom and collection of extortion money and action be taken against the officials in case they fail to deliver.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah directed the LEAs to launch a crack down on miscreants enjoying any political patronage.

Dengue cases rising in Punjab

LAHORE: Cases of dengue fever are continuously rising in Punjab especially in Lahore, health sources told APP on Saturday.

Residents of different localities of the city including Temple Road and Ghousia Colony have denied a Punjab government claimthat a fumigation drive was underway.

According to doctors, prevention from dengue fever is only possible by fumigation and the number of patients will increase if dengue mosquitoes are not killed.

However, a spokesman of the Punjab government said that free diagnostic and treatment for dengue fever was available in all public sector hospitals.

Meanwhile, DCO Lahore Aahid Cheema has ordered to launch a fumigation campaign in all the towns of the city.

Shoaib Malik back in national cricket team for Zimbabwe tour

LAHORE: Shoaib Malik has been included in the national cricket team for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour, as he would be joining the training camp today, batkhela-movies reported.

It may be recalled that the Cricket Board Integrity Committee headed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt Friday had give a clean chit to Shoaib Malik on his submission of the full details of his foreign bank accounts to PCB’s Integrity Committee, which had raised the possibility of his getting included into the national cricket team. 

Secret to Salman’s fitness is action films

 MUMBAI: Bollywood star, Salman Khan is known for his fitness. His fans worldwide and his colleagues are eager to find out the secret behind his fitness and Salman has finally revealed his secret.

In a recent interview Salman revealed that the secret to his fitness was action films and that is why he is so eager to sign up for such roles. Recently he has worked in four action films and is currently shooting his fifth.

In his 23 year career Salman never earned the sort of success he has earned in the last two years due to his super hit action film

US markets sink for fourth straight week

NEW YORK: Wall Street ended a fourth week of losses on a down note on Friday as most buyers left the market before the weekend on growing fears of another U.S. recession and destabilization in Europe's financial system.

Investors already reeling from big losses in growth stocks were thumped by a dismal outlook from Hewlett-Packard, which dropped nearly 20 percent, its worst day since the stock-market crash of 1987.

It was the latest discouraging event in a month full of bad surprises ranging from the U.S. credit rating downgrade to a sharp slowdown in world growth. The S&P has lost 13.1 percent so far this month -- on track for its worst month since October 2008.

"What I'm seeing right now is a basically a crisis of confidence, more so than an economic crisis or financial crisis necessarily at this stage," said Natalie Trunow, chief investment officer of equities at Calvert Investment Management in Bethesda, Maryland, which manages about $14.8 billion.

Hewlett-Packard's shares tumbled 19.9 percent to a six-year closing low at $23.60 and were the biggest drag on the Dow, a day after the company said it may spin off its PC business, the biggest in the world, and lowered its outlook.

The losses follow a day of sharp declines. At the session lows on Thursday, the Dow was down more than 500 points, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq each shed more than 5 percent at the day's worst.

Worries that the United States and the global economy may be headed for another recession have unnerved investors in recent weeks. Thursday marked the sixth time in the past two weeks that the S&P 500 has moved 4 percent or more.

Technology stocks bore the brunt of the losses among the Dow components, with H-P, International Business Machines Corp, Intel Corp, and Microsoft Corp among the biggest drags on the blue-chip average. IBM shares fell 3.8 percent to $157.54, while Intel dropped 2.9 percent to $19.19, and Microsoft lost 2.5 percent to $24.05.

"I think it's more of a drift than any real selling here," said Frank Gretz, market analyst and technician for Shields & Co in New York. "It's more common to see a drift down with people more fearful about the weekend ... Who's going to buy before a weekend with all the bad news around?"

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 172.93 points, or 1.57 percent, to end at 10,817.65. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index dropped 17.12 points, or 1.50 percent, to 1,123.53. The Nasdaq Composite Index slid 38.59 points, or 1.62 percent, to close at 2,341.84.

S&P OFF NEAR 11 PCT FOR 2011

For the week, the Dow ended down 4 percent, the S&P 500 dropped 4.7 percent and the Nasdaq lost 6.6 percent.

The S&P 500 fell below 1,130, a key resistance level during last summer that is becoming strong support. Analysts see the next support at 1,100.

"It's been a difficult week and confidence that this is just a soft patch or slowdown is declining every day, so I just think more investors are just concluding it's not a good idea to own stocks over the weekend," said Hugh Johnson, chief investment officer of Hugh Johnson Advisors LLC in Albany, New York.

Google Inc lost 2.8 percent to $490.92 and helped drag on the Nasdaq.

The S&P 500 is down 17.6 percent from its April 29 closing high, edging close to bear market territory. For the year, the S&P is down 10.7 percent.

Wall Street typically defines a correction as a drop of 10 percent from a recent peak, while a slide of 20 percent from a recent high is a bear market.

Roughly three stocks declined for every one that advanced on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq, with a volume of 9.87 billion shares traded on the two exchanges and the American Stock Exchange.

Kadhafi forces in retreat as rebels advance on Tripoli

GADAYEM: Libyan rebels advanced quickly eastwards towards Tripoli on Sunday, seizing weapons and tanks in the town of Gadayem after bloody clashes with retreating forces loyal to leader Moamer Kadhafi.

"The rebels have taken the forest," of Gadayem, a strategic area 24 kilometres (15 miles) west of the entrance to the capital, which they hoped to reach later on Sunday, said a rebel who gave his name only as Mohammed.

Rebels, backed by tanks and anti-aircraft guns, broke past snipers hidden in the forest and engaged Kadhafi supporters Sunday morning.

The boom of rockets and mortars echoed around the wooded desert, palls of smoke rising in the distance against the almost constant rattle of automatic gunfire, said an AFP correspondent traveling with the rebels as they came under sniper attack.

"There was general chaos as the rebels tried to pinpoint the sniper positions and returned fire. When the rebels went to find the snipers they were gone," he said, adding that the rebels were in the eastern outskirts of Gadayem, which is surrounded by woods.

The rebels said they were expecting fierce resistance from a key military position known as the "Kilometre 27" checkpoint, 27 kilometres from the centre of the embattled Libyan capital.

"We want to go to Tripoli today," one of the fighters, Bassam, said, adding that NATO forces had been attacking the forest all night.

A rebel doctor, Yusef Mustafa el-Deak, said that four insurgents died in the battle on Sunday, while another who declined to be named spoke of 10 rebels who had minor gunshot wounds.

Other rebels said they had killed four foreign mercenaries. This claim could not be independently verified but an AFP correspondent at the scene saw the burned remains of two Kadhafi vehicles.

Dr Ashraf Dekna, wearing a green surgical outfit and carrying an AK-47, the
weapon of choice for rebels, all seized from Kadhafi's armouries or taken from captured or killed loyalist troops.

"I must protect myself. He (Kadhafi) makes me carry a weapon because he made me a target," Dekna said.

"Thanks God I've only treated minor injuries today, but there was a freedom fighter killed with an RPG down the road," he said, pointing to a smouldering wreck with a charred and limbless torso entombed within.

"I feel optimistic, we will go to Tripoli. He (Kadhafi) stole our money, our jobs, our lives. This is the first time I feel proud of my nationality. We are proud of the rebels. We will win."

Dentist and freedom fighter Mohammed Sula told AFP: "We're three kilometres from 27 kilometre bridge, a major military checkpoint. Kadhafi is finished tonight.

"Rebels rebel against a system. In Libya there is no system," he said, explaining why the fighters prefer to be called freedom fighters.

"We're attacking Tripoli on three main roads, from the south, east and west. We're moving forward quickly but Kadhafi's troops are still on our left and right (to the north and south)."

The rebels advance, those on foot sticking close to walls that offer some cover from snipers concealed in the forest, while others hurtle down the main road to Tripoli in cars and pick-ups with heavy weapons mounted on the back.

Bearded fighter Nasser al-Masri is going through some papers he has found on the roof of a shop from where the rebels were being attacked, now abandoned.

"We've found ID papers here where there were Kadhafi snipers on the roof. They are residency papers he gave to Africans so that they can fight in
exchange for the right to live and work here. They are mercenaries."

A rebel pick-up hurtles back westwards, a wounded Kadhafi fighter lying in the back. He will be treated and interrogated, one of the rebels says.

In the wake of their advance, rebel bulldozers move sand onto the road to afford protection and slow down a potential counter attack by kadhafi's forces.

The rebels have been moving from the centre of Zawiyah, one of three strategic towns on the road to Tripoli which insurgents claim to have captured over the past two days. The other two are Brega and Zliten.

Seven more butchered in Karachi

KARACHI: The bloodshed in the city continues unabated, as seven more persons were killed Sunday, Geo News reported. The carnage, which started on August 17, still remains beyond control for most likely the lack of will on the part of the authorities for reasons best known to them only. Police said that two bagged-up bodies of two young men were found this morning in MPR Colony in Orangi Town. The youths were kidnapped, brutally tortured and shot dead, police said. Rescue sources said that one body was also recovered from under the Teenhatti Bridge, which immediately could not be identified. Another tortured body was found bagged-up in a gunnysack in Pak Colony. Police identified the victim as Rizwan, a resident of Garden area. Police said that some unknown persons’ firing killed Samiullah, 28 and injured two persons near Safari Park. Police said that the two rival drug mafias traded firing overnight at Chanesar Goth, Mahmoodabad. Meanwhile, Sheharyar 10 and Zeeshan 15 were killed in the Snooker Club firing. A house was also torched in the feud. Besides, a day earlier, Water Board Superintending Engineer, Khalid Siddiqui was targeted and shot dead, while one accompanying him sustained serious injuries in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, when some armed persons opened fire on his car. However, mind boggles at the fact that the police failed to arrest any of the culprits.

MQM demands action against criminals

 KARACHI: MQM's Rabita Committee member Raza Haroon Saturday demanded to take action against criminals and extortionist. He said that not a single criminal, involved in Karachi violence, has been taken to task.

Talking to media, Raza Haroon said that Urdu speaking people were being killed in the city, adding that no criminal was arrested in this regard.

He said that government did nothing to rescue the abducted people. He asked the government that where were those hands who used to rescue kidnapped people after having talks with criminals.

Haroon said that meeting of Rabita Committee London and Karachi was underway and they would soon decide the party's future plan

34 Afghans dead in bus crash: officials

 KANDAHAR: A total of 34 Afghans were killed and 24 others injured on Saturday when a bus lost control and overturned on a highway in southern Afghanistan, officials said.

The smash happened just outside Kandahar city in the Daman district of Kandahar province at around 3:00 am (2230 GMT Friday), on the main road from the capital, Kabul.

"Unfortunately, 34 of our countrymen have been killed and 24 others have been injured in the accident," said Zalmay Ayubi, the Kandahar governor's spokesman.

"Some of the injured are in a critical condition and have been taken to hospital."

The director of the traffic department in Kandahar province, Mohammad Ullah Khan, told AFP the incident took place at 3:00 am and the coach was a mangled wreck. 

Aamir Khan wants to be a real hero

 MUMBAI: Superhero movies are becoming increasingly popular in Bollywood, with the new Shahrukh Khan movie Ra-one expected to be released soon.

But not all Bollywood actors are eager to don the superhero outfit. At least, Aamir Khan is not interested in that genre.

The Bollywood buzz has it that the actor has been flooded with offers to play a superhero but he has not warmed to any. Instead he wants to look at scripts that are real to his audience.

Russia plans orbiting hotel in space

 ZHUKOVSKY: A hotel in orbit, lunar sightseeing flights and luxury rides into the cosmos -- all are part of Russia's vision to ensure it is not left behind in the growing space tourism industry. 

Russian firms unveiled their plans at the country's premiere air show this week at Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, saying the race was on to build a new craft to take people into space following the retirement of NASA's space shuttle in April

Waqar Younis resigns as national team coach

 LAHORE: Waqar Younis has resigned as the coach of the Pakistan cricket team, batkhela  News reported. During a news conference, Younis said Pakistan's upcoming tour of Zimbabwe would be his last as coach and that the Pakistan Cricket Board had accepted his resignation.

Citing medical reasons as the main factor behind his decision to resign, Younis said he did not have any differences with anyone.

Younis was appointed coach on March 3, 2010. He was Pakistan's coach during the controversial tour of England during which cricketers Mohammed Aamir, Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif were found to be involved in spot-fixing

12-year-old child in the top-level math

London   , a 12-year-old son, Yusuf binSohail top-grade in maths A-level achieved in mathematics as a child in the country to achievetop-grade young boy became the proud father ofthe child Eastern Daily told the press that the child is very hard kantyjh But most surprising is that this is what she herself, her 9-year-oldyounger brother Ibrahim, and her footstepskaantzar mathematics for GCSE results, whichis expected to announce next week. boys areeducated at home and the best chess playerIbrahim Island kacmpyn players age 9 whileplaying for the country is Joseph. usbc JosephGrammar school a level of support and allowedto sit the exam without a fee.

Caravan is the way I think of the desert sand on the line he was

A press according to the 1995 brkstn riots after the biggest riots were.. Some of these riots, the 1985 Broadwater farm Riots match given. Some 1780 of the Gordon Riots, he likened the. Daily Mail as a crime equivalent There was a wave of opportunity. New York Daily News, a newspaper columnist of the "perception of legitimacy" as the British presence in youth caused the riots. He claims that the British youth worldwide violent and offensive left. a journalist in London riots in 2005 in France, the riots are comparing the two events, a young man by the police over the killing by rioting. rioting reasons to learn how many nzryyy working including (1) criminal Reconciliation idolatry, (2) local people's tensions with the police, (3) violence for entertainment, (4) gang culture, (5) economic conditions, (6) Reduction in unemployment and public facilities, (7) Social inequality, poverty and the widening gap between rich and poor, (8) greed, anger lead to violence, (9) social irresponsibility, (10) groups of black youth culture that affects all ethnic is (11) small class (12) multicultural society.Some Analytics I also consider there is tutnhm a multi alsqaft populated area where most ayfru Caribbean population. The McCain nearly three hundred languages ​​are spoken and the 1985 riots, the police andbut only violent offenders made up. If the Government does acknowledge that the imbalance in the nurturing and teaching them the privilege of youth violence, but the reason does not matter which not only parents but teachers But that's not too heavy and not ruin anything they can to police. parents yell at the police and courts and police have been summoned to give their youngsters. Teacher some stay put, even criminal law. child crimesHe only supports "kasn" are left with. These kids are already offering such a "cure" has caught fire. British human rights activist, multicultural society based on equality, with imbalances has been. Prime Minister David Cameron has admitted that some parts of British society has become sick, but say their fake concern about human rights would be an obstacle. The reference was probably to fsadyun bound punishment is about. It is good that human rights-related laws also cover make the top-Terrorism Act 2000 Section 44 and 47 and the associated watchdog also said the departmentAmong 11 percent Asian and 16 percent black is. terror law watchdog David andrsn Chaos said Section 47 and Schedule 7 under it is necessary that one benefit of the doubt should be stopped and suspected terrorist The threat must be based. This shows that under this law will most Asian and particularly British Muslims are more worried, she searched under the naked, take a simple DNA, 9 hoursI'm leading. Birmingham, three Muslim son lost his life when the prevalence of Muslims in Britain were high and proud father of one of Tariq's world role that Islam actually prove counter-give priority to, the teaching fraternity to follow my good name is Mustafa asuyh. more can only say that:Where have retreated in writing of their painAre entertaining themselves with a bit of paper

Australia: Women in burqa cover the $ 5,500 fine, a penalty decision

SYDNEY  Australian Government burqacover women penalties to decide. Burqa offrefuses 5,500 dollars fine and one year prisonsentence will be. Media reports, the AustralianParliament next week in the Law editor's, in which the driving veiled women, their identitiesfor burqa completely remove the bound will bethe driver masks and Helmut remove the bindingwill. burqa remove refuse at least fined 228dollars and more than a year jail and 5,500dollars in fines imposed will be the Australianauthorities say the women's unveiling only to identify the will and the laws in the jail to meetthe court and in the burqa cover women to apply.

Karachi's poor intelligence on the status reports be tabled in Parliament, Nawaz Sharif

Lahore  : Pakistan Muslim League(Nawaz) of former Prime Minister MohammadNawaz Sharif, head of the bad situation inKarachi while expressing serious concern that the proposal regarding the National SecurityAgency intelligence reports, analysis and makerecommendations to Parliament,representatives of the people of the country'seconomic development strategy to avoiddamage to the aorta and the Government iscommitted to its implementation. in a statementon the situation in Karachi, Mohammad Nawaz Sharif expressed serious concern while not the largest city Karachi, the country's economicaorta, which is put a long injury, the situation has reached the end of an error, Karachi issemi-lives, the destruction of the country istantamount to the destruction, the Karachi issueis directly related to national security is soimportant that information regarding the NationalSecurity agency, informed analysis andrecommendations to Parliament and say whatthe elements involved in are, what theirobjectives are, how they are and whereconnections and relations are spread, how toprotect them and who has interrupted his srkuby.

Lstyn next election will be voters in the picture, EC

Islamabad: Election Commission to prevent fraudulent voting, the ballot paper prospectus Water Mark has decided to introduce a new computerized voter lstyn will be issued without a photograph but a photo of the lists will be the presiding officer. Secretary of the Election Commission Nadra told the media briefing in Islamabad More than 8 million new voters have given lstyn EC, August 22, lists his house with the verification process is started, after the confirmation uutrlstyn then given to Nadira The final lists will be published and will be in March, the Secretary said after lstyn computerized voter turnout will not double post, but voters will not put pictures on lstun, Deputy Secretary with the Nadra chairman Tariq Malik lstun half million voters in the old identity was not present, 12 lakh and 25 lakh duplicate fake identification card was the consequence, the media, parliament was informed that the Election Commission considered a proposal submitted to the Committee for consideration and approval , it is said that women should not accept the result of the polling stations where voting will be less than 10 percent. 

Jamrud explosion injured several critical condition

Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency, Peshawar ...massacre in the mosque in Peshawar blastinjured have been shifted to various hospitals.Where the aid is being given, the hospitaladministration is the most critical condition.Kybrayjnsy Jamrud Tehsil of overall, theexplosion in the Hayatabad Medicalkmplyksmyn seventy-five seriously injured were brought to the hospital administration has reported that the hospital kybrtycng ansth zkyunfive of which were brought to the spot where it isLady Reading Hospital in the six injured weretaken to a locker then succumbed to injurieswhile three is the spot.

Egypt announced the recall of Ambassador to Israel

Cairo: Egyptian-Israeli border police officials in the killing of Egypt summoned the Israeli ambassador, to demand an apology has decided to withdraw its ambassador. Egyptian state television, according to the Israeli bombing of the Egyptian police officials recalling its ambassador from Israel in Egypt killing prahtjaja decided, the Egyptian Foreign ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador at the Israeli border police officers killed in the attack to be protest. two days before the Israeli attack on convoy Egyptian and Israeli forces attacked the border aurn kyatha search operation for the arrest. Israeli officials and Egyptian officials were killed by gunfire. 

U.S. forces will stay in Afghanistan until 2024, revealed

Karachi ...      ... Afghanistan, U.S. troops by 2014 withdrawal, a deception, the U.S. Army in 2024 by Afghanistan in the will. Afghanistan and the United States in a strategic agreement to close the American case, Pakistan, Iran And China wants to maintain its presence. Pakistan and Iran are opposed to such a potential deal, U.S. will reject any such agreement. British newspaper "Telegraph" has revealed that a strategic amrykaaur Afghanistangoing to sign the agreement under which thousands of American troops will be allowed to stay in Afghanistan until 2024. U.S. newspapers' Huffington Post ',' Newsweek 'site' The Daily Beast and the British newspaper the Mail alsoShaw's report did ya, this agreement not only military trainers to train the Afghan army and police would be allowed to stay, but U.S. Special Forces and air power will also be present. The possibility of agreement on AfghanistanThe U.S. Army Pakistan, Iran and China to maintain its presence around. Afghan and U.S. officials said in December that year before the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan will likely be signed. sdrbarak Obama last week, the U.S. and Hamid Karzai have agreed. The national security adviser in the two countries will meet in Washington in September. akbarku Karzai's security adviser, told Spanta that the agreement is a significant step forward. U.S.Officials said the agreement until December completion does not reach the disappointment will be. Afghan forces, U.S. fighter jets and helicopters, the presence of his need to understand, past U.S. officials 25 thousand U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the need considered . Dr. Spain added that Iran and Pakistan is opposing the deal.

Karachi, killing three police officers were paid for funeral Funeral

Karachi in Karachi on Sunday killed ... Three ofthe four policemen, police ahyd funeral prayerswere offered at Garden Quarter, including theinterior minister and police chief of Sindhparticipated. Korangi area of ​​Karachi on Sunday in two groups Malir to encounter thesituation called for the police force headquarterson the bus were fired by miscreants resulting inthe injury of three officers who were on the spothoney Waqas injuries today to discuss bringingclabsa . three martyrs arch Ali, Ali Abbas and Prime Minister Ali on the occasion of the funeralhome passed Wasan, Wajid Ali Durrani, IGSindh, Karachi police chief and police officialsincluding DIG Jaz attended the Minister ofInterior for police officers who killed 20 lakh andRs 2 lakh for those injured while the victim'sfamily, officials announced for the employer.ahlkarun victim of police after the funeralNowshera Feroze mytyun their native village andwas sent Qambar shdad coat. the victim waspresented guard of honor for those.

Lok Pal bill should not be given up, uhh grand announcement

New Delhi's         commitment to curb corruption ...taking the field against the Congressgovernment's firm commitment thousandatrnyualy ego. Sitting on hunger strike forseventy four-year-old social worker said of histhree and a half kilos in four days and still hasnot lost will comply. New Delhi's Ram Lilaground in a thousand of them with close friendsand hundreds of fans on hunger strike. Tihar jailafter being released from the Ram Lila ground inthe heart of the believer, the ego thousandcontroversial bill against corruption sister'sinvitation to discuss the ego of the ego is just outof the Lok Pal Bill to be passed by Parliament.thousands of them for her sister's three-weektime period, while no interference with theirconstitutional and parliamentary affairs legalcontrol. Delhi Police Ram Lila ground for theego thousand fifteen days is allowed to protest.Tihar jail hunger strike starts today, the fifth dayof the massacre is ego. the last four days, hesaid half pound weight loss but not have to obey.India free from corruption to the growing number of supporters are fond of.

Five killed in Karachi, toll reaches 77 in four days

kARACHI: Five people were killed in the metropolis on Saturday as violence continued unabated, batkhela-movies  reported Saturday. In four days of violence at least 77 people lost their lives.

Violence erupted in Karachi after the kidnapping and killing of five people belonging to Lyari. Violence was reported in North Karachi, F.B. Area, Orangi, Pak Colony and other areas of the city. An Edhi ambulance was attacked in Orangi, and three including the driver were injured. Mini buses were also attacked in Korangi and Sorhab Goth. The car of DIG East was also targeted in Korangi but no loss of life was reported.

The wave of violence began on August 17 and firing, hand grenade and rocket attacks took place in Tariq Road, Saddar, Soldier Bazaar, Kharadar and the Old City areas of the city. Sixteen including a former PPP MNA, Waja Karim Dad were killed while 20 others were injured.

On August 18, terrorists kidnapped and killed 30 people belonging to different areas of the city. Their bodies were recovered from the Old City area, Lyari, Pak Colony, Sher Shah and other areas of the city. Many of the victims had been decapitated.

Violence continued on August 19, and despite the presence of Interior Minister Rehman Malik in the city, 26 people were killed and 46 were injured.

Human mind up to the nearest micro-

International technology company IBM has claimed that a 'micro-chip, which is designed as a creative human mind is the best copy.
The microchip is the main thing that's driven within any living system on this new information, re-wire 'power to the communication is resumed.
Researchers say the technology could be the property of the learning process itself and the next computer to know and understand human behavior and can help the environment monitor.
The project leaders say muda drmndr emotions, feelings, consciousness and awareness of such mental powers are trying to create.
The technology is called Sai nyps contains two computer chips. A means to program chip, while the other chip 262.144 65.536 modes of learning.
Currently, IBM does not give details about Sai nyps processor system, but Dr. Richard Cooper, University of London, according to the system through a non-visible machine will actually receive a copy of the messages.
The 'Association of mymry Initiative is a simple system that could be derived from work bysr. Like a cat watching a mouse when we can think of. "
But University College London Dr Mark Bishop Gold smths different opinion about this technology is. "Powers of mind I make the claim of a computer is nothing short of magical."
IBM and its partners continue to work on Sai nyps and fans for the U.S. Advanced Research Development Agency prajyktz million dollars has been provided.