Babies Learn First Lullabies in the Womb

An infant can recognise a lullaby heard in the womb for several months after birth, potentially supporting later speech development, a new study has found.

The study by the University of Helsinki focused on 24 women during the final trimester of their pregnancies.

Half of the women played the melody of ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ to their foetuses five days a week for the final stages of their pregnancies.

The brains of the babies who heard the melody in utero reacted more strongly to the familiar melody both immediately and four months after birth when compared with the control group.

These results show that foetuses can recognise and remember sounds from the outside world.

This is significant for the early rehabilitation, since rehabilitation aims at long-term changes in the brain.

“Even though our earlier research indicated that foetuses could learn minor details of speech, we did not know how long they could retain the information. These results show that babies are capable of learning at a very young age, and that the effects of the learning remain apparent in the brain for a long time,” said researcher Eino Partanen.

“This is the first study to track how long foetal memories remain in the brain. The results are significant, as studying the responses in the brain let us focus on the foundations of foetal memory. The early mechanisms of memory are currently unknown,” said Dr Minna Huotilainen, principal investigator.

The researchers believe that song and speech are most beneficial for the foetus in terms of speech development.

According to the current understanding, the processing of singing and speech in the babies brains are partly based on shared mechanisms, and so hearing a song can support a baby’s speech development.

However, little is known about the possible detrimental effects that noise in the workplace can cause to a foetus during the final trimester.

New Season Of Koffee With Karan

Karan Johar is back with the new season of Koffee With Karan. The director is all set to host a new season of Koffee With Karan and if the teaser promo is anything to go by, this new outing will be just as spicy as the last few.

The promos shows Karan Johar singing and dancing with chorus girls, promising shocking revelations about all your favourite Bollywood stars.

Previous seasons of the show have seen Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor fling mud at Ranbir Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor call John Abraham ‘expressionless.’

If sources are to believed, the season, that starts on December 1, will kick off with an interview with Salman Khan a coup for Johar since Salman and KJo’s pal Shah Rukh are still not entirely on talking terms.

Bangladesh beat New Zealand in second ODI amd Win Series

DHAKA: Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 40 runs in the second one-day international to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series in Dhaka on Thursday.

Set a target of 248, New Zealand caved in for 207 in 46.4 overs to suffer their sixth successive ODI defeat to Bangladesh, who won Tuesday's series opener by 43 runs.

Off-spinner Sohag Gazi and paceman Mashrafe Mortaza led Bangladesh's bowling attack, sharing six wickets between them to stifle New Zealand, who lost to Bangladesh 4-0 in their previous visit in 2010.

Mashrafe provided the early breakthrough when he bowled Hamish Rutherford for one before Sohag took a return catch to dismiss the other opener, Anton Devcich for 19. The tourists were soon on 45-3 when Abdur Razzak trapped Grant Elliot lbw for 14.

Corey Anderson and Ross Taylor tried to repair the damage, but a stunning catch by Mushfiqur Rahim off Mashrafe ended their 61-run stand and gave Bangladesh a firm grip on the match.

Bangladesh sensed victory when occasional left-arm spinner Mominul Haque had New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum out lbw for 14. Taylor held down one end before he was caught by Mahmudullah off Sohag at long on.

Some late blows by Nathan McCullum (25 off 23 balls) and unbeaten Kyle Mills (27 off 25 balls) only delayed the inevitable.

Earlier, Corey Anderson and James Neesham each grabbed four wickets as New Zealand bowled out Bangladesh for 247 on a slow Sher-e-Bangla pitch.

Anderson finished with 4-40 while Neesham claimed 4-53, his second successive four-wicket haul in the series.

Bangladesh also lost wickets at crucial times even though most of their batsman got a decent start. Tamim Iqbal scored an arduous half-century but was out just when the team were looking for him to accelerate. His 58 off 86 balls, which included five fours and a six, saw him overtake Shakib Al Hasan to become Bangladesh's leading scorer in one-day international cricket.

Tamim, who has now 3,702 runs to his name in 124 ODIs, put on 63 with debutant Shamsur Rahman in the opening stand after captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and elected to bat.

Shamsur, replacing Anamul Haque in the line-up, managed only 25 before he fell to Nathan McCullum.

Bangladesh went into the batting powerplay in the 36th over on 149-3, but three wickets in three consecutive overs pegged them back. Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim were the other notable scorers for Bangladesh.

The third match of the series will be held on Sunday at Fatullah.

(AFP)

Police Arrest 18 over Nanga Parbat Massacre

ISLAMABAD: Police in Gilgit-Baltistan said Thursday they have arrested 18 suspects over the killing of 10 foreign climbers in the Himalayas in June, but warned that others remain at large.

The June 22 attack was the deadliest assault on foreigners in Pakistan for a decade and was claimed by a purported new faction of Pakistan’s umbrella Taliban movement, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Police in the northern districts of Gilgit and Diamer in the Gilgit-Baltistan region said they have arrested 18 suspects on suspicion of planning and carrying out the attack. The officer leading the investigation said only four of those held are believed to have been directly involved in the killings at the foot of Pakistan’s second highest mountain Nanga Parbat.

“We have arrested four culprits who shot the tourists at Nanga Parbat base camp while seven are still at large,” Muhammad Naveed told AFP.

The victims of the attack, carried out by men in police uniforms, were identified as one American with dual Chinese citizenship, three Ukrainians, two other Chinese, two Slovakians, one Lithuanian and one Nepalese. A Pakistani guide was also killed.

Further details of the attack have emerged during interrogation. The suspects have revealed that their original plan was to kidnap the trekkers, an investigating officer said.

“They said their plan went foul when one of the Chinese resisted after they approached them,” he said.

“After the Chinese tourist retaliated, one of the terrorists fired a shot that killed him and the terrorists fought with each other over it. After that they sprayed bullets at all the tourists.”

Court Orders TV Anchor Mubasher Lucman to Stop Smear Campaign against Jang Group

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has barred a satellite television channel's anchor from spewing venom against Jang Group of Companies, Geo News reported Thursday.

Chief Justice IHC, Mohammad Anwar Khan Kasi, has also summoned three people including the TV anchor for broadcasting libelous reports in an attempt to smear Jang Group's image. The stay order halts the media group in question from airing or printing anything against Jang Group.

The three summoners, who have been slapped with the notices, have also been ordered to submit written replies on December 2.

Advocate Faisal Iqbal has defamation suit at the behest of petitioner, Jang Group of Companies, after a "controversy-monger" started letting fly barrages of unfounded accusations at the Group during his talk-shows.

The Jang Group, which always openhearted welcomes constructive criticism from its competitors, was forced to move the court only after the line was crossed.

Nawaz Hopes Dialogue with Taliban to Progress within Constitutional Framework

LONDON: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday said dialogue with Taliban has started and hoped that it will progress within the Constitutional framework of Pakistan.

He was talking to British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who called on him. They discussed issues of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister apprised Clegg on the dialogue with Taliban, relations with India, energy situation and economic reforms agenda of his government, a press release from the Pakistan’s High Commission said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the government could not wait and see the innocent people and members of law-enforcement agencies being killed in the streets of Pakistan.

He said the government was making its counter-terrorism forces and intelligence agencies fully capable to root out extremism and terrorism from the country.

The enhancement of the capacity of the counter-terrorism forces was a part of different options to deal with extremism and terrorism, he added.

The Prime Minister also briefed Clegg on the recently promulgated Protection of Pakistan Ordinance and said that it was specifically prepared to deal with those terrorists who were waging war against the people and the state of Pakistan.

OGRA Notifies a Tad Reduction in Petroleum Products

ISLAMABAD: In the latest monthly revision of petroleum products prices the government has reduced that of petrol by a meager Rs0.48 per litre, Geo News reported.

A notification issued here by Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) sets the new price of the petrol at Rs112.78/litere. The new rates take effect from November 1, 2013 (12:00 AM).

The prices of the petroleum products, which were raised in rupees, are slashed in paisas which will not help the consumers at large in any way.

According to details, the price of diesel went down by Rs0.20 bringing its new retail price down at Rs116.75, whereas the price of light diesel remained unchanged at Rs101.24/litre. Kerosene oil after a reduction of Rs0.13 will now be sold at Rs108 per litre.

On the other hand consumer will now get High Octane Blending Component (HOBC) for Rs140.23 a litre.

Federal Interior Minister Chauhdry Nisar Ali Khan Suspends Police Official for Filling Wrong FIR Against Singer Annie

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chauhdry Nisar Ali Khan issued orders to suspend and arrest an official of Islamabad police for filing a wrong FIR against singer Annie.

Ch. Nisar said in a statement, over responsibilities of the police, on Thursday that the police should concentrate on capturing the criminal elements and maintaining honor of common citizens’ homes and prestige, instead of poking into the domestic quarrels of the people.

Earlier few days ago, Malik Noured Awan, husband of singer Annie Khalid, filed a FIR against his wife in Kohsar Police Station, alleging she had cheated him.

The police reached on conclusion, after investigation, that the allegations were false and the FIR was registered wrongly against the female singer from her husband.

When Ch. Nisar came to know about this false FIR, he issued orders to take that police official into custody after suspending, who filed wrong FIR against singer Annie at behest of her husband.

Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli Tons Help India Chase 350 by Australia

NAGPUR (Web Desk) India have completed their second stunning run-chase of the series against Australia as they overhauled 351 in the sixth One-Day International (ODI) at Nagpur. Virat Kohli (115 not out) and Shikhar Dhawan s (100) tons helped India win the contest. Kohli saw it through to the end as India won the game by six wickets.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and put Australia in to bat. India made two changes as Bhuveshwar Kumar and Amit Mishra came in place of R Vinay Kumar and Jaydev Unadkat.

Although the Indian bowlers made early inroads and kept the runs in check. But, once George Bailey and Shane Watson got going there was no stopping the. India had three spinners, but Watson and Bailey were ready for anything. If it was pitched short, they waited back and would smash it over the leg-side.

They also hit anything off the front-foot. Watson raced to his ton and then Bailey was quicker. Ultimately, he finished with 156 off 114 balls as Watson was bowled out for 102.

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma started the run-chase in steady fashion and got their eye in initially. They got to the fifty-run mark in the 10th over and were motoring along smoothly. Dhawan was more aggressive of the two and was hitting the regular boundaries as he got to his fifty first.

As India crossed the half-way mark, Rohit and Dhawan then took the attack. The spinners were hit around and Rohit found his touch with a few sixes. However, he then holed out to the deep with James Faulkner taking a good catch. But, that did not affect India as Virat Kohli came out all guns blazing. He started off with a few powerful shots through the off-side and punished anything on his legs.

He also carted a huge six over mid-wicket to announce his intentions. Dhawan then moved along to his century and celebrated in unique fashion. However, he lost his wicket soon after as he walked across the stumps and was bowled by Faulkner.

Suresh Raina walked in at number four and hit a few crisp shots for four. But then, a short ball was his undoing as the umpire ruled that he had gloved one down the leg-side off Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson then welcomed Yuvraj Singh with a bit of short-stuff and then bowled one swinging delivery which was full and it shattered his wood-work. India then needed 61 off 43 balls.

Dhoni walked in and consumed a few deliveries before hitting his first boundary. Kohli then took control in the last four overs with 44 needed as he hit the bowlers around and won the game for India with three balls remaining.

He got his ton by edging one through third-man for four. A few great shots through mid-wicket sealed the deal for India. The series is now level at 2-2 and the two teams move to Bangalore for the seventh and final ODI on November 2.

PTI Rejects Defamation Notice to Imran Khan by a Media Group

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Central Information Secretary Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Shireen Mazari has said that Chairman PTI Imran Khan is firm on his every word what he said in his interview for a private TV channel.

Talking to Dunya News, she said PTI's central office received a fax copy of a defamation legal notice against party Chairman Imran Khan on October 29.

The notice was sent against his interview that was aired by a private TV channel on October 28. Shireen Mazari said that the legal notice had been sent on behalf of the registered companies that own certain media Groups.

She said the notice had demanded of the PTI chairman that he should stop the broadcast of his interview of 28th October on channel as the language and the conclusive tone that Imran Khan allegedly used in the interview was highly defamatory and unacceptable.

Mazari said that Imran Khan categorically stated in his interview that any allegations regarding any media house relating to money coming from abroad and allegedly creating links with foreign intelligence agencies must be properly investigated.

The PTI chief reiterated that regardless of which media house was alleged to be involved in any such activity an investigation was in order, she added.

Mazari said that the legal notice seems to reflect a guilty mindset where muzzle of free speech is being asserted, while there is clear character assassination of the TV anchor who conducted the interview.

She said that Imran Khan did not take the name of any media house when demanding an inquiry, the defamatory note itself can be subject to a defamatory legal notice to the media house sending it.

As Parliamentary leader of the second largest political party in the country, Imran Khan has every right to seek an explanation of how contracts and bids are decided by the government, she added.

She pointed out that the PTI chief had shown an exceptional level of tolerance to criticism and personalized attacks against him by a certain media group.

But, despite all this, PTI has chosen not to take legal action against that particular media group so far. Those who demand freedom of expression/speech for themselves clearly cannot stomach it for others.

Meanwhile, Mazari stated categorically that Imran Khan stands by all his comments in the interview and PTI stands firmly behind its chairman and the position he has taken.

Scientists identify a new Dolphin Species off Australia

Australia : A team of scientists says it has found a new species of dolphin swimming off the northern coast of Australia.

The dolphin, a member of the humpback family, isn’t exactly new to science – researchers have known about the population for years – but it is newly described by science. In fact, it is so new it doesn’t have a name.

Humpback dolphins are wide-ranging but have not been well studied. They have a tell-tale bump in front of their dorsal fin and prefer coastal waters like estuaries and deltas. They can grow to 8 feet, and their color ranges from dark gray to pink or even white. Scientists believe they eat mullet and other fish.

For more than a decade, a debate has raged about how many species of humpback dolphins exist. Some scientists said two – the Atlantic humpback and the Indo-Pacific humpback. Others thought the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin was actually two separate species.

Recently, Dr. Martin Mendez, assistant director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Latin America and Carribbean Program, and Howard Rosenbaum, director of the society’s Ocean Giants Program, decided to see whether they could shed new light on the question. Together they collected hundreds of samples of humpback dolphins to compare genetic and morphological characteristics among geographic populations.

In a study published in the Journal of Molecular Ecology, the team said it analyzed 180 dolphin skulls and looked at 245 tissue samples, mostly from beached humpback dolphins and museum specimens. The results surprised even them.

Running for a Bus while Wearing High Heels could Damage a Woman’s Knees for Life

Running for a bus, darting across a busy street or dashing to get the last train, most busy women find themselves in need of a little turn of speed every now and then.

But according to a study, even short bursts of activity could make women wearing high heels prone to arthritis – causing misery for millions in later life.

Researchers claim high heel wearers who find themselves regularly having to run are putting themselves ‘at risk of long-term damage’.

Nine out of 10 women who regularly wear high heels report soreness, fatigue, numbness and bunions.

Despite this, wearing high-heels continues to be a fashion statement, said the researchers from Ningbo University, in Zhejiang, China.

They measured hip and ankle movements in young women wearing different types of footwear – flat shoes with a half-inch (1.5cm) heel, shoes with low heels of 1.75 inches (4.5cm) and high heels of 2.75 inches (7cm).

The team discovered that women running in high heels suffered a range of knee and hip strains which could lead to long-term damage.

Kim Kardashian to take Kanye West’s Last Name after Wedding

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian will take her fiance Kanye West’s name and make Kardashian her middle name once they tie the knot.

The 33-year-old reality star made the revelation on the red carpet of her birthday party at Tao in Las Vegas last week, reported Aceshowbiz.

The ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star also talked about her surprise engagement which took place at San Francisco’s AT&T Park on her birthday.

“I cried afterwards. I was shaking. And when you’re like, ‘Is this really happening?’ But you’re just shaking… I honestly had no idea, none whatsoever. I knew we were going to San Francisco for my birthday, because he had a show there the next night. So I thought it was just a birthday dinner.

“My eyes were closed and then I got up and still the whole time I didn’t think it was a proposal. I thought it was dinner on the baseball field and we had a nice orchestra. I still didn’t get it… when he got on his knee, I kind of figured out what was going on,” the mother of one, who admitted that she left the wedding plan to West, added.

Mumbai Case Documents Handed over to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: India has handed over Pakistan a crucial documents running into 600 pages to be produced as evidence against seven 26/11 attacks accused.

A Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court is conducting trial against Lakhvi and six of his associates who face charges over the Mumbai terror attacks which killed 165 people including 26 foreigners.

Sources said two other documents were related to the proceedings of the seven-member Pakistan judicial commission which visited Mumbai in September to cross-examine witnesses including the magistrate who had recorded Ajmal Amir Kasab’s confessional statement, and a senior Pakistani public prosecutor’s application for the articles recovered from the terrorists who were also killed in the attacks.

Sources said that the Foreign Office would hand over the aforesaid record to the FIA which would submit it in the Anti Terrorism Court before November 6.

Drone Strikes Take Place with Approval of Pakistan Said Alan Grayson

WASINGTON: US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee member Congressman Alan Grayson has said that drone strikes in Pakistan could end tomorrow if the country wanted to and that no such attacks take place without the approval of Pakistan.

The Democrat Congressman from Florida also said that he received no evidence from the Obama administration to suggest that there would be a drop in drone strikes conducted in Pakistan by the end of this year.

He said that had Pakistan wanted, drone attacks on its territory could end tomorrow if the country stopped facilitating the US strikes.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during his recent trip to the US, had talked to President Obama on the drone issue after which the government had announced that the results of the talks would be visible shortly and that the nation would see its positive effects in the coming days as the number of drone strikes would significantly be reduced by the end of this year.

Pakistan has a strong Air Force which had the power to impose a restriction on its borders whenever it chose to, according to the Congressman who added that, such attacks were not possible without the consent of the country struck.

Grayson further said that it was possible that a similar situation developed in Pakistan and only then there would be an end to drone attacks.

Moreover, he said Pakistan's armed forces were capable of tackling militants and that in such a situation the US should not have blood on its hands. He added that there were only a handful militants in the country, whose numbers hardly run into hundreds, whereas the strength of Pakistan's military was more than a million.

Sindh Several Towns Observing Strike on the Call of JSMM

DADU: Several towns of the province of Sindh went on a strike on the call of Jeay Sindh Mutahida Mahaz (JSMM) and other nationalist parties, while four more cracker attacks this morning rocked Dadu, fortunately, causing no loss of life on Wednesday here, Geo News reported.

JSMM and other nationalist parties have given this call for strike in protest against the unwarranted arrest and murder of their activists and in support of their other demands.

Sources said that a shutter down wheel jam strike is being observed in Dadu, Khairpur, Jamshoro, Mehar, Tando Mohammad Khan and some other small towns of Sindh interior, while the life in Sukkur reported to be normal.

Sindh University and Liaquat Medical University have postponed their scheduled examinations today in view of the precarious situation emanating from yesterday's scores of serial cracker blasts in several towns of Sindh interior including Hyderabad and Karachi. Sindh University spokesman said that the B.A, B. Sc., B.Com and M.A papers scheduled today have been postponed.

On the other hand, some unknown persons this morning hurled four crackers at Dadu new bus stop, new chowk and Qasai Mohalla in Mehar to terrorize the people and forcing them to remain confined in their houses. Yesterday also as many as 33 serial cracker blasts had occurred in Karachi, Hyderabad, Kotri, Nawabshah, Larkana, Dadu, Nausheroferoze, and Khaipur that killed one person and two injured in Hyderabad, while three vehicles were torched in Kotri.

Smartwatches abound. But who really wants one?

NEW YORK: If consumer electronics companies are to be believed, someone on your holiday shopping list is just dying for a wristwatch that displays message alerts and weather updates.

Samsung and Sony have devices out for the holidays. Qualcomm has one coming. Apple is believed to be making one, and a new report says Google is developing one, too.

Why the big push for computerized watches? It's not coming from consumers, says Jonathan Gaw, a research manager at IDC. Rather, it's a product in search of a market _and an expensive one at that.

`We've had smartwatches for a while, and while the capabilities and technology have gotten better, this is still not something that people are clamoring for,'' Gaw says. ``The idea that it would ramp up for the holidays was always kind of a stretch.''

That hasn't stopped gadget makers from trying. Companies are under pressure to create a new source of buzz now that consumers are no longer wowed by the latest smartphones and tablet computers. Many people already have those devices, and the new ones out this year are evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

Gaw says many gadget makers see an opportunity to jump in with a smartwatch, before a behemoth like Apple is able get its rumored iWatch ready.

Last month, Samsung Electronics Co. started selling the $300 Galaxy Gear in the U.S. It works with selected Samsung smartphones to display email and text alerts. There's a camera on the strap for low-resolution photos and a speakerphone on the watch to make calls while leaving your phone in the pocket. You can install apps for additional functionality, such as tracking fitness activities and playing games, though there are only a handful of apps available for now.

Brazil to Export Vaccine against Measles, Rubella

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil will produce a combined vaccine against measles and rubella exclusively for export to poor countries, mainly in Africa, its health minister said Monday.

Alexandre Padilha said the aim was to produce 30 million doses by 2017 for sale at a price of 54 US cents each. Currently such vaccines are made only in India.

Padilha made the announcement at an event in Rio where he announced that the government was inking an investment deal with the US Bill & Melinda Gates foundation to develop the vaccine.

He said his ministry would invest $727 million in construction of a state-of-the pharmaceutical plant at the Bio-Manguinhos Institute, a government institution located in Rio.

"This plant will generate employment, revenue, know-how, research and technological innovation in this country," he added.

"The agreement which we are signing provides more investments and buying guarantees, which makes it possible to export at the lowest cost," he said.

The Gates Foundation is meanwhile allocating $1.1 million for the project. Measles was eradicated in Brazil in 2000 and rubella (or German measles) in 2009. But the diseases remain endemic in some countries.

In 2011, 158,000 people died of measles around the world, most of them in poor countries, according to data from the World Health Organization.

Meanwhile Carlos Gadelha, the health ministry's science and technology secretary said Latin America's dominant economic power also hopes to make headway toward developing the pentavalent vaccine and a vaccine against dengue fever.

The pentavalent vaccine simultaneously provides protection against five life threatening diseases - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Hib (Haemophilus influenza type b).

Brain has Specific Radar for Snakes: Study

WASHINGTON: Ever wonder why snakes inspire such fear? A new study on monkeys out Monday says the brain has specific cells that fire off rapid warnings when confronted with slithery danger.

Certain neurons respond "selectively" to images of snakes, and they outpace comparable neurons that react to visuals of faces, hands or geometric shapes, the researchers said.

The report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences offers new evidence to support the notion that primates evolved keen vision skills so they could survive the threats snakes pose in the jungle.

"It really strengthens the argument that snakes are very important for the evolution of primates," lead co-author Lynne Isbell, a professor in the anthropology department at the University of California Davis, told AFP.

"Snakes elicited the strongest, fastest responses," said the study, co-authored by Quan Van Le of the University of Toyama and researchers at the University of Brasilia.

The research was done using two young macaque monkeys that were born on a national monkey farm in Japan.

LG Unveils Curved Screen Smartphone G-Flex

SEOUL: LG Electronics unveiled Monday a curved-screen smartphone, taking on rival Samsung in a niche market seen as a first step on the road to fully flexible products.

Despite its name, the "G-Flex" does not bend, but uses flexible OLED (organic light-emitting diode) to produce a curved six-inch display.




The model is "the best representation yet of how a smartphone should be curved," the president of LG's mobile unit Park Jong-Seok said, in a clear dig at Samsung.

Earlier this month, Samsung started retailing its "Galaxy Round" -- a 5.7-inch (14.5 centimetre) handset with a display that curves from side-to-side to fit the contour of the hand.

The "G-Flex" is curved on the vertical axis in order to, the company said, "follow the contour of the face".




Curved displays are already commercially available in large-screen televisions offered by both Samsung and LG. The displays are supposed to offer a more immersive viewing experience but are significantly more expensive than standard screens.

The Galaxy Round is currently only available in South Korea and retails at 1.08 million won ($1,000). Curved screens are still at a nascent stage in display technology, which is shifting towards flexible panels that are bendable or can even be rolled or folded.



LG said the G-Flex would be available to South Korean consumers from November, but did not provide a price estimate.

Ponting Offended as Taylor Wades into Clarke Feud

SYDNEY: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Wednesday said he was "offended" after Mark Taylor blasted his feud with Michael Clarke, saying it should have stayed in the dressing room.

Current skipper Clarke was reportedly furious when he learned ex-captain Ponting's autobiography, released last week, contained concerns about his then-deputy's attitude.

The book also offers an unfavourable appraisal of Clarke's ill-fated relationship with bikini model Lara Bingle, which ended in 2010 when he flew back from a tour of New Zealand to sort out his private life.

Clarke bristled at a press conference on Tuesday when asked for his reaction to Ponting's comments.

"Ricky said that did he? Well, Ricky has my number," he said.

Ponting reportedly responded that Clarke "won't read anything in the book that he wouldn't have known about himself or how I felt about it around the team".

Taylor, who was captain from 1994 to 1999 and is now a Cricket Australia director, said the players' differences should have stayed behind closed doors.

"The disappointing thing for me was that this wasn't left in the change-room and it wasn't sorted out in the change-room," he told commercial radio late Tuesday.

"Look, to me it takes two to tango -- I reckon Michael Clarke probably could have done more to appease the situation, and from what I've seen and read and heard in recent times, there's no doubt Ricky Ponting could have done more as well."

At Least 44 Passengers Died when Bus Catches Fire in Andhra Pradesh

BANGALORE: At least 44 bus passengers were feared killed when its fuel tank caught fire in a road mishap near Palem village in the district in the early hours of Wednesday, police said.

The police said the incident occurred around 5.10am when the Hyderabad-bound private bus from Bangalore hit against a culvert, damaging its diesel tank which caught fire and the vehicle got engulfed in the blaze.

The bus, carrying 49 passengers, started from Bangalore at 11pm on Tuesday night. The driver along with cleaner and five other passengers managed to escape, police said quoting eyewitnesses.

"It seems the bus was travelling at a high speed when its fuel tank hit the roadside culvert and caught fire. There are some causalities feared as the entire bus has been gutted," a senior police officer. They are ascertaining the exact number of casualties, he added. Kothakota police were further investigating the case and senior police officers have rushed to the spot.

NSA Head Denies Reports on U.S. Spying in Europe

WASHINGTON: U.S. National Security Agency Director General Keith Alexander on Tuesday told lawmakers that the recent media reports about the agency's spying on European allies are "completely false."

Top U.S. intelligence officials testified before the U.S. Congress, the first of its kind following recent media disclosures about U.S. spying on European allies, including millions of citizens in France and Spain and Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"The assertions by reporters in France, Spain, Italy that NSA collected tens of millions of phone calls are completely false," said Alexander at a House Intelligence Committee hearing.

The NSA chief said such data in question came from foreign intelligence agencies and was usually gathered outside Europe.

"This is not information that we collected on European citizens, " he said, adding that the European media has misinterpreted the classified documents leaked by former U.S. defense contractor Edward Snowden.

Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) Foil Bid to Smuggle more than 10 KG Heroin

LAHORE: Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) have foiled a bid to smuggle more than 10 kilograms of high quality heroin at Lahore Airport.

According to Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) sources, a vehicle carrying footballs was checked at Lahore airport. The 45 boxes of footballs were packed with more than 10 kilograms of high quality heroin.

The sources said that the seized heroin was brought from Faisalabad which was planned to be smuggled to African countries. The agent with the car, Faisal, was also arrested, the sources added.

Bomb Martyrs Two Soldiers in South Waziristan District Wana

ISLAMABAD: A bomb explosion on Wednesday killed two soldiers and wounded four others in restive tribal region near the Afghan border, security officials said.

The explosion took place in a village in the South Waziristan Agency (SWA)tribal region.

"Two soldiers embraced shahadat (martyrdom) and four others were injured when an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists exploded on roadside in a village," a senior security official told AFP.

Homemade bombs are a major weapon for militants who attack government forces in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the tribal districts bordering Afghanistan.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Wednesday's blast. South Waziristan is one of the seven semi-autonomous tribal areas, which are a haven for militants including the Taliban.

Police Detain Suspects in Hyderabad after Cracker Blasts

HYDERABAD: Police conducted raids in a number of areas of Hyderabad, detaining several suspects, following the cracker explosions in the city. According to DIG Naeem Akram Bharoka, security has also been beefed up in the city.

How To Avoid Junk Foods

When you want to lose weight, you have to cut out some of your favorite unhealthy treats. Although easier said than done, the desire to eat these tasty foods often stems from an underlying desire for something else. According to David Bedrick, writing for Psychology Today, identifying the desire can make dieting a heck of a lot easier.

To illustrate, Bedrick gives an example of a man who had a bad habit of eating ice cream each night before bed:

I say, “Tell me about eating chocolate chip ice cream.” He replies, “It’s the end of the day; my chores and work are over and I just want to sit back before bed. That’s when it hits.” I suggest, “Imagine your day is done and you have a spoonful in your hand. Taste it.” He replies, “Mmm, it is good. The whole day feels good somehow.” I say, “The whole day feels good?” He replies, “Yes, even God rested after the 6th day and looked upon his work and blessed it.”

He wanted a time of reflection, acknowledgment, and affirmation of his day. It was more than just a sweet reward; he was hungry for feeling good about how he spent his time and what he had accomplished. As he made time with his spouse to do this, not only did the “hunger” for ice cream diminish but a truer and deeper appreciation for his work and his contribution to his family grew.

Bedrick argues you’ll fail if you just try to cut out certain parts of the foods you like (e.g. the bun from a hamburger) because you become accustomed to getting what you like. If you can attribute the feeling the food gives you to something else, however, that underlying desire will no longer cause you to cheat on your diet.

New Soy Flour may help Boost Memory, Cut Dementia Risk

Scientists have developed a new soy-based flour product which they believe can improve memory in older age and reduce the risk of dementia.

The flour originates from tempe a fermented soy-based product similar to tofu used widely in Asian cooking. Tempe contains phytoestrogens (plant based hormones) and several B vitamins and has been shown in studies to be associated with improved memory function among the older population.

Eef Hogervorst, Professor of biological psychology in Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, has been working with her PhD student Atik Irsan and colleagues at the University of Indonesia and Bogor Agricultural University to develop a flour that retains the folate and cobalamin found in tempe.

“Our follow-up studies have shown that eating more tempe helps improve the memory of older people in Indonesia. We also found older rats who were given tempe had improved memory and fewer markers associated with dementia, such as plaques on the brain,” Hogervorst said.

“Tempe can be chewy, which may make it more difficult for older people to eat it. By turning it into flour it gives us more ways of administering it; we can now use it in a liquid form, making it more accessible to the older population those who would benefit most from tempe,” he said.

“We previously found that eating lots of tofu (which also contains phytoestrogens) in Indonesian elderly was associated with worse memory, similar to other studies in older Japanese Americans.

“It may be the case that the folate and cobalamin in tempe protect, allowing phytoestrogens to exert protective effects on the older brain. The next step is to see if we can repeat our initial findings in a Western population. If it works, it will be a major step towards preventing memory decline in old age,” Hogervorst said.

The scientists have patented the flour’s manufacturing process, and plan to test it in nursing home settings in the UK and Indonesia to validate earlier findings of pilot studies.

Kareena was Paid Rs 1.5 Crore for Dancing on TV

Kareena Kapoor Khan charged a whopping amount for dancing on a reality TV show ‘Arab’s Got Talent’ in Lebanon

Some people are simply lucky. According to sources, Kareena Kapoor had been holidaying in Beirut, Lebanon when she was offered a chance to put up a dance performance on the reality show, ‘Arab’s Got Talent’. In return, the actress apparently was paid a whopping amount of Rs 1.5 crore.

Says a source, `Bebo performed the opening act on the show and also attended the launch of a new channel the next day. She had also been promoting her upcoming film ‘Gori Tere Pyaar Mein’ but managed to take some time off.`

While trade sources say that actresses usually do not charge such a high fee for a single performance but Kareena’s popularity in the Middle East helped her earn big moolah. Says a source from the show, `Kareena is immensely popular in the Arab countries. The organisers also went home happy as they received a great response from the audiences.` Kareena’s spokesperson remained unavailable for comment.

Bigg Boss 7 - Salman Khan Criticised for Taking Tanisha's Side

MUMBAI (Web Desk) - Usually a great attraction for the show, superstar Salman Khan has been getting both pats on the back and brickbats on the microblogging site Twitter for being partial towards "Bigg Boss-Saath 7" contestant and actress Tanisha Mukherjee.

Salman gave an earful to contestant Kushal Tandon, a TV actor, on his bad behaviour towards the actress and many appreciated his stand. But others felt that the popular host is biased when it comes to Tanisha and allege that he defends her due to the fact that she is actress Kajol s sister

"A clear cheat by Salman Khan today (Saturday) to support Tanisha ... why because she is from Mukherjee family or she is a relative of Ajay Devgn," said a Twitter user Shweta.

While others think that Armaan Kohli and Tanisha s Bollywood background is what is making the Salman choose them over the others.

"Salman Khan is so partial towards Tanisha Mukherjee and Armaan Kohli. Bollywood is backing them and so is Salman Khan," Pratibha tweeted.

Salman was visibly upset when he featured on the show Saturday because of the fight between Tanisha and Kushal and even said this would be his last season as host. Many twitterati supported his stand.

Bangladesh Crush New Zealand by 43 Runs

DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 43 runs in the first one-day international at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Scores: Bangladesh 265 all out in 49.5 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 90, Naeem Islam 84; J. Neesham 4-42, T. Southee 3-34) and New Zealand 162 all out in 29.5 overs (G. Elliot 71, Rubel Hossain 6-26)

Rubel Hossain claimed six wickets including a hat-trick as Bangladesh crushed New Zealand by 43 runs Tuesday in the first one-day international, leading 1-0 in the three-match series.

Rubel finished with 6-26, helping the hosts to dismiss New Zealand for 162 runs after the visitors were set a revised target of 206 runs in 33 overs in the rain-hit match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

New Zealand were 82-3 in 20 overs, replying to Bangladesh s 265 all out, when rain halted the game for nearly two hours.

Needing 124 off 78 balls on resumption, Corey Anderson hit some lusty blows before Rubel turned the table with his hat-trick.

Rubel bowled Anderson, who scored 46 off 31 balls including three fours and fours sixes, before taking the wicket of Brendan McCullum and James Neesham to complete the hat-trick in his third over.

New Zealand skipper McCullum was caught by substitute fielder Shamsur Rahman while Neesham flicked a catch to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim on the leg side as Rubel became the third Bangladeshi to claim a hat-trick in a one-day international (ODI).

Rubel took the wicket of Ross Taylor before rain later added Nathan McCullum and Grant Elliot (71) to his tally, equalling the record of Mashrafe Mortaza for the best ever ODI bowling for Bangladesh.

Mashrafe, who claimed 6-26 against Kenya at Nairobi in 2006, took the catch of Elliot, the last man out for New Zealand.

The visitors conceded a defeat as Kane Williamson was unable to bat for a thumb injury.

Earlier, Mushfiqur and Naeem Islam hit half-centuries to set up Bangladesh s total after New Zealand captain McCullum won the toss and elected to field.

The pair added 154 for the fourth wicket to rescue the home side from a perilous 25-3.

Skipper Mushfiqur hit a solid 90 off 98 balls with eight fours and two sixes before he fell to Neesham.

Naeem struggled initially, taking 17 balls to get off the mark, but soon grew in confidence to hit a career-best 84 off 113 balls.

Naeem, who was picked in the starting line-up after Bangladesh were forced to leave out ailing all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, smashed 12 fours in his fourth one-day half-century.

Tim Southee ended Naeem s innings when he forced an edge to the wicket-keeper.

Neesham and Southee were the pick of New Zealand bowlers, sharing seven wickets between them as Bangladesh lost their last five wickets for 33 runs.

Neesham claimed a career-best 4-42, while Southee returned with 3-34.

Drone Stricks Hits Pak Family Recounts Terror before US Congress

WASHINGTON (Web Desk) - A Pakistani family affected by US drone strikes, appeared before members of the US Congress on Tuesday to record their account from when they were targeted last year.

Rafiq ur Rehman – a primary (elementary) teacher in North Waziristan – and his children Zubair (13) and Nabila (9) are the first victims of the covert drone programme to give evidence in person to members of Congress. The children’s grandmother – Mr Rehman’s mother – Mammana Bibi (67) was killed in a CIA strike in October 2012.

The family was accompanied by Jennifer Gibson, an attorney with the human rights charity Reprieve. Rehman’s son Zubair, 13, said that the “US drone took my grandmother’s life.”

Replying to a question Rehman said when his mother died in the drone strike, the neighbours “told me that see what US has done to your mother, you should hate US.”

“Our children now do not want to go to school, they even fear to play outside, we live in a constant fear. Before drone campaign started, we were busy in our own lives.”

In reply to a question raised by an Al Jazeera correspondent, Congressman Alan Grayson said that presence of five members of Congress at the briefing indicated that there is a fair amount of interest from representatives. He conceded that he does not see any formal briefing on drones soon as most of the house committees are chaired by the people who are friends of military industrial complex not those who oppose of it or are sceptical of it. “I believe that over the span of time it people will realise the gravity of this issue.”

Nawaz Sharif Ties Global Growth with International Economic Cooperation

LONDON: Terming it an outcome of interdependent global cooperation, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday said that no country in the world could make ‘progress’ on its own.

“There stands no hurdle between the Islamic nations and other countries that could stop them from doing business with each other”, said he addressing the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIRF) here.

Sharif said the international trade was expanding fast evident from the improving standard of living of the people across the world.

“The dividends of this global growth must trickle down to more and more people”, said he.

He said it was a matter of grave concern that no Islamic nation had so far lived up to its full growth potential despite the fact that some countries' progress went through the roof with the advent of modern technology.

Over 19 Small Blasts Across Sindh as Province Braces for Strike

HYDERABAD: A series of low intensity explosions struck different cities of Sindh in the evening, killing at least one and injuring many others. As many as 19 coordinated cracker attacks took place in Hyderabad, Dadu, Naushero Feroz and Kotri.

According to reports, the blasts and intermittent firing took place in Liberty Chowk, Qasimabad, and Hyder Chowk areas of Hyderabad, killing a policeman and injuring 2 others.

Three vehicles were also torched by unknown people in the city. Seven cracker attacks were carried out in Dadu on Station Road, Jail Road, and other places. However, no casualty was reported from the areas.

A cracker was hurled at Mehrabpur Police station in Naushero Feroz. Though no group claimed responsibility for the attacks, police said that the attacks were carried out when the province braces for a strike called by a banned group on Wednesday.

Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Hamid Karzai Reaffirm Commitment for Regional Peace

LONDON: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and British Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday reaffirmed their continuing commitment for the Afghan peace process.

The three leaders during their trilateral meeting held at the Downing Street discussed economic co-operation and the Afghan-led peace process to which they all reaffirmed their continuing commitment. They continued their dialogue about Afghanistan and Pakistan’s shared interest in advancing regional peace, stability and prosperity.

The meeting took place following the World Islamic Economic Forum. The British Prime Minister earlier welcomed Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for the trilateral discussions. This was the first meeting of the three countries since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assumed his office.

Nawaz Sharif Meeting With Obama Concludes

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived at the White House for a much anticipated meeting with US President Barack Obama here on Wednesday.

The very first meeting of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with President Obama, which was described as a significant one, lasted for almost 90 minutes. The Prime Minister also visited the Oval Office during his time at the White House.

The prime minister was welcomed to the White House by a military honour guard lining the driveway leading to the West Wing.

Prime Sharif was accompanied by Foreign Affairs and National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz, Special Assisstant Tariq Fatmi and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. The two leaders will hold a news conference following their meeting.

Meeting with US Vice President Biden

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with US Vice President Joseph Biden at his residence. During the breakfast meeting with Biden, issues related to terrorism, US withdrawal from Afghanistan and other issues of mutual interest were discussed.

Both leaders reaffirmed their keenness to work together to maintain the positive trajectory in the bilateral relations and identified the revived Strategic Dialogue process as the ideal vehicle to further strengthen a people-centric, broad based and mutually beneficial relationship.

State Department - White House for Shakil Afridi’s Release

WASHINGTON: The US State Department and the White House pressed Pakistan to release Dr Shakil Afridi, who helped US hunt down al-Qaeda Chief Osama bin Laden.

The demand came as Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is sitting with President Barack Obama. A White House spokesman said; “Afridi did a good job and he should not have been “treated like that”.

Similarly, a US Statement Department Spokeswoman said that Washington had apprised Pakistan of its concerns regarding Dr Afridi. She said that war against terrorism was a war against a joint enemy of Pakistan and the United States. She said that the US got access to Osama bin Laden through intelligence information, adding that Washington seeks strong relations with Islamabad. 

Putin Seeks Closer Cooperation with Pakistan

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladamir Putin has called for closer relations with Pakistan in combating terrorism and the illegal drug trade.

According to a Russian news agency, Putin praised his country’s plans of joint economic projects with Pakistan. During a ceremony to receive the credentials of 19 ambassadors, Putin stressed Russia’s desire to not only promote political dialogue with Pakistan but also enhancing economic coordination.

Putin said Russia and its neighbors in Asia had plans for projects in the energy and metal industries.

Pakistan Singing Legend Zubaida Khannum Passes Away in Lahore

LAHORE (Web Desk) – Zubaida Khannum emerged on the film scene in 1950s when she started her career as a playback singer. She also performed as an actress in films like Dhullah Bhatti and Pattay Khan. Faisal, son of Zubaida Khanuum, is a known cameraman and director.

Zubaida Khanum epitomized the robustness of the rhythm based music of Lahore. Zubaida’s parents had migrated from Amritsar and settled down in Lahore, but Zubaida Khanum did not belong to any musical ‘gharana’ and singing was not part of her family norms.

It was purely her passion and talent plus financial need, which made her enter films and then turned her big in the film industry. Before Noor Jehan changed the concept of playback singing in the 60s, Zubaida Khanum ruled the Urdu/Punjabi playback singing from her Lahorian loftiness for a large part of the 50′s.

Zubaida’s thrillingly adventurous vocals which sang of love and life without regrets, filled a vacuum in Pakistani playback singing when Nazir and Swaranlata signed Zubaida Khanum for ‘Shehri Babu’ in 1953.

Rashid Attre was the composer. Gallan sun kai mahi dai naal meriyan, Raatan merian bana ke Rabba immediately brought Zubaida’s voice to the forefront of playback singers in Lahore.

During early years, Zubaida also appeared as guest artist and brief roles in handful of films including ‘Patey Khan’ and Morni’. This was more for fun, which did not last long. However, what went on was Zuabida’s sweet voice filmed mostly on Musarrat Nazir and Sabiha, the two leading ladies from the fifties.

Although she could sing all type of songs with equal ease, it was her frothy and sensuous songs where she had no equal. Whenever the film required club or dance number, Zubaida was number one choice for any music director be it Khurshid Anwar, Rashid Attre or Feroze Nizami.

Juhi Chawla Gears Up Against Mobile Phones

MUMBAI (Web Desk) - Actress-turned-social activist Juhi Chawla has highlighted the harmful effects of radiation from the mobile phones and towers and urged people to use land-line telephones. Juhi Chawla, along with a citizens  group, organised a press conference to talk about the issue.

"Why don t the mobile operator companies give us some information about how the mobile phone works and that one should use it carefully? I would say for long-duration calls, one should use either landline phones or connect earphones to your mobile and then use it for longer call duration," Juhi told the reporters.

"I think it s just lack of awareness and information, and that is what I am trying to promote as we all carry a mobile phone in our pockets," added the actress. Juhi, a mother of two, also requested parents to keep their kids away from the mobile phones as they are more prone to its health hazards.

According to reports, earlier this month, the actress and her fellow activist Prakash Munshi asked the state government to ensure that the rules for mobile phone towers curb the radiation hazard. The actress will soon be seen in producer Anubhav Sinha's " Gulaab Gang"

FBI Probing Lasers Targeting Airplanes

NEW YORK CITY (AFP) - The US Federal Bureau of Investigations says its antiterrorism unit is investigating lasers that have increasingly been targeting commercial airplanes arriving at New York City s airports.

The incidents which "can temporarily or permanently blind a pilot and crew" -- have increased 17 percent since last year, according to the statement from the federal law enforcement agency dated Friday. The two latest incidents happened Tuesday. The first, at 7:35 pm local time (2335 GMT), involved a flight with regional carrier Shuttle America.

"The aircraft cockpit was illuminated by a green laser" as it approached La Guardia airport, while it was around six miles (10 kilometers) away, the FBI said. The laser beam came from the Bronx, according to the crew.

In the second incident, three hours later, a private aircraft reported another green laser coming from Queens, around two miles (three kilometers) southwest of La Guardia airport. No one was injured in Tuesday s incidents, but "several commercial pilots earlier this year suffered significant injury including a burnt retina," the FBI said.

The agency "is asking anyone with information about any of these dangerous laser incidents to pick up the phone and call us," George Venizelos, a top FBI official in New York said.

"Our paramount concern is the safety of aircraft passengers and crew."

The statement said the agency is offering a reward of an unspecified amount for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

According to the Federal Aviation Authority, laser incidents have been increasing for several years. Across the US, some 3,592 incidents were reported in 2011, up from 2,836 incidents the year before. It is a crime in the United States to point a laser at an airplane -- punishable with jail time and a fine up to $11,000.

The FBI s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is leading the investigation, comprises more than 50 local, state and federal agencies.

US Releases $1.6 Billion in Aid to Pakistan

WASINGTON (Web Desk) - NATO supply routes have reopened, drone strikes are down and the uncomfortable allies have resumed their  strategic dialogue .

The US has quietly decided to release more than $1.6bn (£1bn) in military and economic aid to Pakistan that was suspended when relations between the two countries disintegrated over the covert raid that killed Osama bin Laden and deadly US air strikes against Pakistani soldiers. Officials and congressional aides said ties have improved enough to allow the money to flow again.

US and Nato supply routes to Afghanistan are open. Controversial US drone strikes are down. The US and Pakistan recently announced the restart of their "strategic dialogue" after a long pause.

Pakistan's new prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, is travelling to Washington for talks this coming week with President Barack Obama. But in a summer dominated by foreign policy debates over the coup in Egypt and chemical weapons attacks in Syria, the US has not promoted its revamped aid relationship with Pakistan. Neither has Pakistan.

Australia beats India in a Thriller 3rd ODI Match at Mohali

MOHALI: Australia has defeated India by 4 wickets with three balls remaining in the third One Day International (ODI) on Saturday. Third ODI between the two witnessed a thriller between the two teams but Australian players Adam Voges and James Faulkner hold their nerves and sealed a victory.

Australia invited India to bat first after winning the toss, who faced an initial surge and India were 76 for 4, The India captain MS Dhoni took the charge but twisted his ankle in the 14th over while turning for a second run. He hadn't even faced a ball yet. He reached 50 off 77, and then accelerated to his ninth ODI hundred in the next 30.

The Australia captain dropped him first ball of the penultimate over. Dhoni pulverized 34 off the final 12 deliveries to end unbeaten on 139.

The Indian skipper along with Virat Kholi, who played a watchful knock of 68 runs, helped his team to set a compatible score of 303 runs.

Australia in chase of 304 runs frittered away a strong position with solid opening partnership of 68 for 0 in 12.1 overs but soon tied down to 88 for 3 in 19.1.
Australian captain George Bailey along with Adam Voges stabilizes the inning after the collapse. But Bailey departed at the score of 171 runs, Voges on the other hand had gamely hung on amid a clutch of middle-order wickets, when James Faulkner joined him at 213 for 6.

While their partnership lasted and grew, it seemed more a belated and inadequate attempt than a threatening one. Faulkner played the key role in Australian win scoring 64 runs in just 29 balls. Australia needed 44 runs in last three overs then Ishant Sharma was brought back for the 48th over. He conceded 32 runs with Faulkner’s blast who hit four 6’s and 4 in that over.

Nadia Gabol Quits MQM and Hooks up with PPP

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) former MPA and provincial minister Nadia Gabol has announced to join Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

The announcement was made during a press conference here on Monday, along with PPP Provincial Minister, Syed Owais Muzaffar.

Nadia Gabol thanked Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and expressed her firm confidence in the party leadership. On this occasion, Provincial Minister Owais Muzaffar welcomed the joining of Nadia Gabol and stated that she will soon prove to be an asset of PPP.

In return to a question about her separation from MQM, Nadia Gabol told that she had no personal reasons, the decision was made due to some ideological differences between her and MQM. Nadia Gabol has also been a provincial minister after getting elected on MQM's ticket.

Earthquake Jolts in Swat and Adjacent Areas

SWAT: Earthquake tremors were felt in Swat and other parts of Malakand division in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday.

The moderate intensity tremors were felt in Swat, Mingora, Shangla and adjoining areas. Tremors sparked panic and fear as people ran out of their homes in open places after feeling jolts of the earthquake.

On Friday, tremors were felt in Sohrab, Khuzdar, Sibbi, Quetta and other surrounding areas in Balochistan. No loss of life or property was reported.

An earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale had struck the impoverished area of Balochistan on September 24 followed by a number of aftershocks measuring over 4.5 on the Richter scale which devastated over half of all houses in the area, killing at least 500 people and injuring over a 1,000.

Pakistan Announce Team ODIs against South Africa

LAHORE: Pakistan on Saturday recalled middle order batsman Umar Akmal and to the ODI squad for the five-match series against South Africa in the UAE.

Sohaib Maqsood, the right-handed batsman who played two T20s in Zimbabwe recently, was also named in the 16-member squad.

The test openers duo Khurram Manzoor and Shan Masood who provided 135 runs opening stand to Pakistan in Abu Dhabi Test and individually made century and half century respectively were not included in the ODI squad.

Selectors left out three players who featured in the Zimbabwe ODIs, including seamers Anwar Ali and Asad Ali and batsman Haris Sohail.

Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt) Ahmed Shehzad, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Amin, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Sohaib Maqsood, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed

ICC to Review Pakistan Seamer Mohammad Aamer's Five Year Match Fixing Ban

LONDON: Pakistan seamer Mohammad Aamer's five-year match-fixing ban will be "reviewed" after a "revised" anti-corruption code has been adopted by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the global governing body said Saturday.

Officials plan to discuss, and possibly adopt, the new code in January, a statement issued after a two-day ICC board meeting in London concluded Saturday said.

"The ICC board was informed that a revised version of a more robust and strengthened ICC anti-corruption code will be submitted for discussion/approval at the January 2014 meeting," said the statement.

"During the discussion, the matter of Mohammad Aamer's five-year ban also came up for discussion.

"The ICC board decided to review the matter in due course after the revised ICC anti-corruption code has been finalised and adopted."

Prior to this weekend's meeting the PCB, who have taken up Aamer's case, had set great store by the opinion of a senior British lawyer or QC that the bowler's "unjust and perverse" ban should be relaxed to at least allow him to play first-class cricket, given his admission of guilt and appearance in ICC anti-corruption videos.

The PCB, responding to Saturday's announcement, said they'd been encouraged by their talks with England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke, who is heading up an ICC anti-corruption laws review committee.

"Mr Giles Clarke, head of the ICC's anti-corruption laws review committee working group, assured PCB chairman Najam Sethi that he would work with him to find ways and means of positively reviewing the young fast bowler's (Aamer's) case," a PCB statement said.

"Earlier, Mr Sethi made a passionate pitch before the ICC board to review Aamer's case and enable him to play first-class cricket as soon as possible.

"The British QC engaged by the PCB has argued that, keeping in view the acceptance of guilt by Mohammad Aamer, the ban has become unjust and perverse."

The PCB statement said Sethi, since becoming PCB chairman, had "tirelessly argued for Mohammad Aamer at all forums of the ICC" and would be pressing his case again at the next board meeting.

In February 2011 the now 21-year-old Aamer was banned for five years, along with team-mates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, for deliberately bowling no-balls in return for the promise of money during the 2010 Lord's Test against England.

Butt, Pakistan's captain at the time of the incident which came about as a result of a sting operation by now defunct UK tabloid the News of the World, was banned for 10 years (five suspended) and Asif seven years (two suspended).

All three players served jailed terms for violating English law's Gambling Act.

There was, however, widespread sympathy for talented left-arm paceman Aamer, who at the time of the scandal was regarded as world cricket's hottest property,

He'd made a huge impression in 14 Tests, taking 51 wickets at an average of under 30 apiece following his debut in 2009, with a best of six for 84 against England at Lord's in 2010 -- the same match in which he bowled the no-balls that led to his downfall. (AFP)

Pakistan Needs $ 76.19 Billion to Pay Off Debts : IMF

WASHINGTON: Pakistan requires $76.19 billion (Rs8 trillion) or 30 percent of its per annum GDP in order to pay off its maturing debt, estimates the IMF’s Fiscal Monitor Report.

This places Pakistan firmly at the top of the list of indebted emerging countries.The size of Pakistan’s economy stands at Rs26 trillion, while Rs8 trillion is required for the repayment, instead of the rolling over, of matured debts in the current fiscal 2013-14, according to the IMF’s assessment.

Among 27 countries, Pakistan is on the top where of debt will require 29.9 percent of GDP in fiscal 2013-14 against 25 percent of GDP in last financial 2012-13.

The report by the IMF said gross financing needs in advanced economies, though still large, have stabilised at about 22 per cent of GDP. They are set to rise in emerging market economies in 2013-14 relative to previous projections, mainly driven by higher levels of maturing debt.

They are particularly large (exceeding 20 percent of GDP) in Egypt, Jordan, Hungary, and Pakistan, reflecting short maturities and high deficits.

Pakistan Attains Fourth Position in ICC Test Ranking

DUBAI: International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued the latest test ranking, Pakistan’s team got the fourth position while captain of national cricket team Misbah-ul-Haq has been promoted to the seventh position, ARY news reported on Friday.

 Misbah-ul-Haq has achieved his career-best rankings. The 39-year-old batsman was rewarded for his 100 and 28 not out with a jump of five places that has put him in seventh position, just one place and seven ratings points behind Younis Khan.

Furthermore, Asad Shafiq and Khurram Manzoor( player of the match in Abu Dhabi), have also made progressed in their ranking. Asad has gained nine places and is now in 25th position while Khurram's Test best score of 146 has given him a leap of 45 places and 52nd position in the latest rankings.

On the other hand South Africa's Hashim Amla, who gained five ratings points after scoring 118 runs in the first innings, by 15 ratings points, has maintained his top rank in the world ranking followed by his team mate AB de Villiers, who earned three ratings points after scoring 19 and 90, which has brought him ahead of West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpul.

Meanwhile, there is no change in bowlers ranking at the top 10 but Vernon Philander has become the 21st bowler and third from South Africa after Shaun Pollock (909) and Dale Steyn (908) to reach the 900-point mark. Saeed Ajmal maintained his fourth position while seamer Junaid Khan promoted to 22nd place.

Moreover, Pakistan handsome against Proteas provided them upward movement to fourth. Team Pakistan will remained at the same place irrespective of the result of second test because if the series ends in a draw, South Africa will finish on 131 points and Pakistan will end on 102 and one point ahead of the Australia.