News

KARACHI: Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play a three Test series, five one-day internationals and a T20 match in the United Arab Emirates from Oct. 18 to Nov. 26 this year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Tuesday.

The series will also see the revival of Test cricket at the Sharjah stadium after 11 years after Pakistan and Australia last played Tests at the desert venue in 2002. Pakistan has been forced to play its home series against Sri Lanka in the UAE after the Lankans refused to tour Pakistan because of security concerns. Sharjah will also host an ODI between the two teams marking its return as an international venue after eight years.

The PCB announcing the itinerary of the series said the matches would be played at Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi as the venues were cost effective. "We had a choice of neutral venues but we opted for UAE because it allows us to manage things smoothly," chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmad said.

The Sri Lankan team came under attack by militants in March, 2009 in Lahore in which six Pakistani policemen and a van driver were killed and five visiting players wounded. Since then no foreign team has toured Pakistan. Sri Lanka had also offered to host the series at home but the offer was declined by the PCB.

Pakistan is also due to host England in Jan-Feb next year in the UAE for a full series.

 KARACHI: Pakistan’s tax recovery during the month of August recording a rise by 6 percent amounted to about Rs89 billion, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said.

Last year in August, FBR had recovered Rs83.75 billion, which compared to the current year August recovery of Rs89 billion shows an increase by 6 percent.

FBR sources told that the current year August tax recovery amount constituted of the first 29 days of the month’s available data.

Sources further said that the recovery from local taxes viz. direct tax, sales tax and federal excise duty amounted to over Rs76 billion as against Rs73.66 billion of the corresponding month previous year showing a rise of 3.6 percent.

MOSCOW: Eight people, seven of them police, were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Chechnya's capital Grozny on Tuesday during celebrations at the end of the Muslim festival of Ramazan, a police source told Interfax news agency.

A man detonated an explosive device when a police patrol tried to detain him and a second blast occurred soon afterwards, an unidentified police official told the privately-owned agency.

State-run RIA news agency quoted a police source as saying two suicide bombers were behind the blasts.

The explosions killed seven police officers and an emergency services worker, and wounded at least 16 people, Interfax said.

The scene of the explosion, in a densely populated district of Grozny 50 metres from a local parliament building, was cordoned off by police.

Residents told they heard gunshots after the explosions. (Reuters)

 HYDERABAD: Heavy rains lashed various districts of Sindh province, displacing a large number of people, and sending low lying areas inundated.

Rains coupled with winds lashed Naushehro Feroze, Moro, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Khairpur and other areas, compelling administration to call an emergency.

A large number of people were displaced after low lying areas went flooded. Makeshift camps were set up for the displaced families in the building of government schools when food and other facilities were being provided to them.

Several other areas of the province including Hyderabad, Mirpurkahs, Nawabshah and Ghotki also received heavy showers. (PPI)

 ISLAMABAD: Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today all-over Pakistan, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan with great religious zeal, fervor and festivity, marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramazan.

Big Eid congregations will be held all-over Pakistan. Special arrangements had been made to offer Eid prayer across the country.

On the occasion, special prayers will be offered for the progress and prosperity of the country, unity of the ‘Ummah’, solution of their problems and liberation of Muslim territories, including occupied Kashmir.

In the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the Eid congregations too place at more than 300 places. In Islamabad, the largest congregation will be held at the grand Faisal Mosque, where the high-ups of the government also offered Eid prayers.

In Rawalpindi, the biggest Eid congregation will be held at the historic Liaquat Bagh. Following the Eid prayers, Muslims spent their time feasting with family and friends and feeding those who are less fortunate.

In Karachi Eid congregations will be held at Memon mosque, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Nishtar Park, National stadium and other small and large places and mosques.

Sweets and other special dishes are being prepared for serving the guests. People also exchanged gifts on the occasion.

Immediately after the announcement that the Shawwal moon has been sighted on Tuesday night, a wave of happiness surged through the masses. People swarmed the markets and Eid bazaars for shopping and women crowded the beauty parlours and shops, selling bangles and mehndi. Till late night people were busy in shopping in the markets.

Meanwhile foolproof security measures have been adopted on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Policemen have been deputed outside the bazaars, shopping centres and sensitive public and private buildings. Strict security measures had also been adopted outside the ‘Eidgahs’, while police kept patrolling.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have greeted the people of the country on the occasion of Eid, and urged them to promote affection, tolerance, patience and brotherhood. The two leaders said these principles were needed to create a society according to the tenets of Islam. (Geo Urdu/PPI)

 BARCELONA: Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez marked their home debuts for Barcelona in La Liga with goals as the champions crushed Villarreal 5-0 in their opening match of the campaign on Monday.

World Player of the Year Lionel Messi scored twice and Spain Under-21 midfielder Thiago Alcantara was also on the scoresheet for Barca in their bid for a club record-equalling fourth consecutive Spanish title.

The victory was an impressive response to title rivals Real Madrid after Jose Mourinho's side inflicted a 6-0 demolition on Real Zaragoza on Sunday when Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo netted a hat-trick.

After dominating the early stages, Barca were ahead on 25 minutes at a sultry Nou Camp. As Alcantara ran at the Villarreal defence they backed off waiting for a pass, allowing him space to shoot low past Diego Lopez into the corner of the net.

Former Arsenal captain Fabregas, who returned to his boyhood club this month after eight years with the Premier League side, made it 2-0 just before halftime when he raced on to a Messi pass, rounded Lopez and slotted home.

Chilean Sanchez, another new signing after his close-season move from Udinese, put Barca three up two minutes after the break before Andres Iniesta played Messi through to round Lopez and make it 4-0 five minutes later.

The Argentina forward grabbed a second and Barca's fifth when he turned in Alcantara's fine centre with 15 minutes left.

La Liga kicked off a week late after the first round of matches fell victim to a strike called by the players' union (AFE) over unpaid wages. The dispute with the league (LFP) was finally resolved on Thursday. (Reuters)

 KARACHI: Pakistan’s tax recovery during the month of August recording a rise by 6 percent amounted to about Rs89 billion, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said.

Last year in August, FBR had recovered Rs83.75 billion, which compared to the current year August recovery of Rs89 billion shows an increase by 6 percent.

FBR sources told that the current year August tax recovery amount constituted of the first 29 days of the month’s available data.

Sources further said that the recovery from local taxes viz. direct tax, sales tax and federal excise duty amounted to over Rs76 billion as against Rs73.66 billion of the corresponding month previous year showing a rise of 3.6 percent.

 NEW DELHI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed for eight weeks the execution of three Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts.

The three — Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan — lodged in Vellore Jail, were scheduled to be hanged on September 9.

Granting the interim stay, a bench comprising justices C. Nagappan and M. Sathayanarayanan observed there had been a delay of over 11 years in the disposal of the mercy petitions filed by the convicts to the President seeking clemency.

The matter involved a question of law, the judges said and admitted the writ petitions and issued notices to the Centre, the state and Tamil Nadu police.

Their case was taken up by senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani and others.

A crowd that had gathered outside the court welcomed the court order. MDMK leader Vaiko, who strongly pleaded for the commutation of capital punishment, was also present in the court.

 KARACHI: The Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry has adjourned the hearing of the suo moto case regarding the security situation in Karachi till September 5, Geo News reported Tuesday.

A five-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing the case while the bench comprises of Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, Justice Ameer Hani Muslim and Justice Ghulam Rabbani.

Sindh government lawyer Abdul Hafeez Pirzadah in his arguments said that the ratio of punishments to the accused is very low while the powers of police and Rangers are not being utilized properly. He said that the ratio of punishments could be made better by providing security to the witnesses.

Pirzadah said that 300 people lost their lives after the elections in Ayub khan era while same kind of riots took place in Mumtaz Bhutto’s time in 1972.

He further told the court that Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) came into being after Sohrab Goth incident and according to NADRA, the foreigners population now stands at 2.5 million which was not even 0.1 million in Karachi. They have gained power to the extent that a Burmi national was also elected as a counselor, he added.

While giving his arguments, Pirzadah said that it is important to cure the root causes of this violence. He said that the situation in the city has improved after the court took suo moto notice on August 24.

He said that the SC in its order wrote that the government has failed to provide security to the people and their assets which can be turned into constitutional petition according to Article 199 for high court to conduct investigation.

Karachi Bar Association, Jamat-e-Islami, Sindh Bachao Committee, Awami Tehrik, ANP and other parties have submitted their requests to become party in the case.

 ISLAMABAD: The number of patients affected by deadly dengue virus continues to grow across the country as another 63 people have been tested positive for mosquito-borne disease.

Another 16 cases of dengue virus have been reported in Karachi. The recent rain spell has further aggravated the already terrible situation.

According to Health Department, 51 new dengue-hit patients have been brought to various hospitals in Punjab. Eight patients have been reported in Faisalabad. While four cases have appeared in Sargodha.

Overall, 1263 cases of dengue virus have been verified in Punjab.

According to Sindh Health Department, 16 more cases of dengue have been reported in Karachi.

The number of people affected by dengue has reached 37 in August.

Medical experts say that ongoing rains could worsen the situation and its intensity could further grow. (APP)

 KARACHI: Two men were killed in a blast that occurred on Abul Hasan Ispahani Road, Geo News reported on Tuesday. The bomb was fixed in a motorcycle and according to SHO Mobina Town Yaqoob Sammon, the riders were alleged suicide bombers.

According to police, the body parts of the suicide bombers were collected from the site for further investigation.

SSP East Ahsan Umer told Geo News that one rider was the alleged bomber while the other was going to drop him. He said that it is possible that these men were about to conduct some terror activity but they got victimized before that.

Umer said that the bomb disposal squad is collecting further evidences from the blast site.

The blast was of high intensity and approximately four kilograms of explosives material was used.

Rescue teams rushed to the site of the incident after the blast while the Rangers have arrested four suspects from the site.

 LOS ANGELES: Pop star Lady Gaga opened the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday dressed in drag and singing her "You and I" while Britney Spears and Katy Perry took awards, but it may be Beyonce who stole the show.

The R&B singer whose hits include "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" appeared visibly pregnant as she showed up on the red carpet outside the show, posing for photographers and outlining a baby bump with her hands under her long gown.

Beyonce, who is married to rapper Jay-Z, avoided reporters waiting to ask whether she is pregnant. For years, her fans and the media have speculated whether and when the pair might have a baby.

Lady Gaga, who showed up last year at the MTV video awards in a dress made of raw meat, did an about face this year, opening the program in a man's dark suit and T-shirt as her male alter ego, Joe Calderon who gave the audience a lecture in just who Gaga is -- high heels, wild hair and crazy costumes.

"When she gets on stage, she holds nothing back," Calderon said.

Lady Gaga then launched into a version of "You and I," backed by a group of dancers and legendary rock guitarist Brian May of Queen. She danced on her piano and spewed beer from a bottle into the air in celebration.

The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) annually give out honors for the top music videos and performances to singers and bands, and each year, audiences can count on at least one surprise.

Beyonce's picture-perfect baby news will likely be this year's unexpected event.

But awards are the focus of the night and the first winner was Spears for best pop music video "Till the World Ends."

The pop star took the stage and seemed surprised, saying she hadn't expected to win and thanking her family and fans.

Along with Spears, Foo Fighters picked up an early honor for best rock video with "Walk," and Nicki Minaj picked up the "Moonman" winner's statuette for her "Super Bass." Katy Perry and Kanye West were named best collaboration with "E.T."

Another major award still to come is best new artist, and Tyler, The Creator figures prominently in that race, too, alongside Wiz Khalifa with "Black and Yellow," Kreayshawn for "Gucci Gucci," Foster the People with "Pumped Up Kicks," and Big Sean (featuring Chris Brown) for "My Last."

British singer Adele with her chart-topping song "Rolling in the Deep" is vying for the top award, video of the year, against Katy Perry ("Firework"), Bruno Mars ("Grenade"), the Beastie Boys ("Make Some Noise") and Tyler, The Creator ("Yonkers").

Early performances included a duet by Jay-Z and Kanye West, singing a song from their new album, "Watch the Throne."

Other singers still to come include Lil Wayne, and there will be special tributes to Britney Spears and late soul singer Amy Winehouse. (Reuters)

 KARACHI: Pakistan cricket authorities on Monday formed a committee to pick a new national team coach to replace Waqar Younis, who will step down next month.

Waqar is leaving his post for medical reasons after Pakistan's current tour of Zimbabwe.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the four-member committee will be headed by former captain and coach Intikhab Alam, and will consider candidates from within and outside Pakistan.

"Following Waqar's resignation, PCB has constituted a committee to look for a new coach," it said in a statement, adding that the other members were Zaheer Abbas, Naushad Ahmed and Ramiz Raja.

PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad said Sunday that former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in 1996 before guiding Bangladesh to the World Cup Super Sixes in 2007, could be approached.

"Although Whatmore is currently employed in India's National Academy, we can still contact him for the post," Ahmad told media in Lahore.

Former paceman Aaqib Javed, who was Waqar's assistant until this year's World Cup, has also emerged as a strong candidate to take over as head coach.

Pakistan has a bitter history of sacking coaches after abysmal performances by the team. They hired South African Richard Pybus and Australia's Geoff Lawson in the past but both were dismissed before their tenures finished.

Former England batsman Bob Woolmer also coached Pakistan between 2004-2007 until he died in mysterious circumstances after the team's shock defeat against Ireland in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

Pakistan approached former Australian great Greg Chappell last year, who turned down the offer of the position.

 NEW YORK: Emergency officials said at least 21 people across the United States have died as a result of Hurricane Irene: six in North Carolina; four each in Virginia and Pennsylvania; two in New York; and one each in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and Florida.

Authorities are trying to determine whether an additional death reported in New York is connected to the storm.

The youngest fatalities were a boy killed by a falling tree in his apartment in Newport News, a city on a coastal peninsula in Virginia, and a girl who died in North Carolina.

North Carolina emergency management spokesman Brad Deen said one of the six victims in his state was a man who had a heart attack on Friday while nailing plywood over his windows in preparation for the hurricane.

Two people were also killed in the state in separate driving accidents. Another North Carolina fatality was a man struck by a falling tree limb while outside feeding his animals.

Ruth Miller, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, told that four fatalities had so far been confirmed in her state.

In New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie initially said two people had been killed -- a woman trapped in her car by rising floodwaters and a firefighter who succumbed to his injuries during a rescue attempt.

But only the woman's death was confirmed -- the firefighter was still alive in a critical condition in hospital and Christie had spoken out of turn after being given inaccurate information by his staff.

One man was killed by a storm-related electrical fire in Connecticut, while another storm-related death was a 55-year-old surfer who took to his board in treacherously high waves off the Florida coast on Friday.

Irene barreled up the east coast Sunday into the densely populated northeastern states of Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

In Vermont, Governor Peter Shumlin told CNN that a woman was feared dead after being swept into a rushing river, but a spokesman for the state's Emergency Management Agency, Mark Bosma, said her death was not confirmed.

Millions of people are without power and officials warned that flood damage from Irene's heavy rains may be felt for days.

Irene earlier left at least five people dead in the Caribbean, including one in the US territory of Puerto Rico. (AFP)

 ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner in Islamabad Adam Thomson on Monday said there is no truth in reports regarding the attempt made by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain to move out of UK besides the news of his arrest in London is also unfounded, Geo News reported.

Talking to media men here, the British HC described the present political scene of Pakistan as very interesting and that he was enjoying how the developments were unfolding.

To a question, he said investigations into the murder of Dr. Imran Farooq were underway.

When asked if Altaf Hussain had written any letter to the former British prime minister Tony Blair, he said had no knowledge of it nor 'do I know of any letter written by (MQM's) Nasreen Jalil.

 KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief, Altaf Hussain is under treatment in a London hospital for the last one week, said a MQM handout issued here today.

Altaf Hussain who is being treated by the specialists is recovering.

MQM Rabita Committee has appealed to all the workers, mothers, sisters, elders, children and the people at large to pray for his complete recovery and his long life, not to give ears to the rumors and maintain unity in their ranks.

Rabita Committee has also expressed its thanks to the President Asif Ali Zardari, Federal Minister, Rahman Malik and other dignitaries for sending the bouquets and enquiring about the health of Altaf Hussain.

 KARACHI: The Supreme Court’s Karachi registry began hearing the suo moto case regarding the security situation in Karachi, Geo News reported. The case is being heard by a five-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

The Chief Justice asked what steps were taken by the government over the violation of fundamental rights and who was backing killers in Karachi. The apex court also summoned reports from intelligence agencies from the attorney general

During proceedings, IG Sindh Wajid Durrani informed the court that 306 people had been killed during July 24 and August 24. 25 bodies were recovered, 17 of which were recovered in gunny sacks. 332 cases were also lodged.

The Chief Justice asked the IG if he had investigated where the abducted people were taken and that he should have recorded the statement of at least one of the abducted. The IG informed the court that 20 criminals had been arrested but those abducted had failed to identity anyone due to fear. In his defense the IG told the court that those abducted on August 19 had been recovered.

In his remarks, the Chief Justice said the protection of life and property lay with institutions. He asked why SHO’s were not aware of crime in their jurisdiction. To this, IGP Sindh Wajid Ali Durrani replied that police and ordinary citizens were not allowed entry in no-go areas of Karachi. He also informed the court that extortion was a problem which was plaguing the city for the last 10-12 years.

Durrani informed the court about weapons which were present in the city, such as rocket launchers and anti-aircraft guns to which the Chief Justice asked where were these weapons coming from? The Chief Justice asked the IG where torture cells had been discovered, to which Durrani replied that the police had not found any.

The chief justice formed two benches for hearing cases at the Karachi Registry on August 29 and 30. The first bench is headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry while the second bench will be headed by Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali.

The families of the victims of target killings were also asked to volunteer their appearance before the apex court and may also submit any evidence, if available.

The court has adjourned the hearing till Tuesday.

 ISLAMABAD: Dengue fever is gripping Punjab fast and total number of dengue patients has reached 945.

In Punjab, 100 new cases have been reported during the last 24 hours. Out of these, 99 were reported in Lahore.

There are total 856 reported dengue cases in provincial metropolis Lahore, while one case each in Faisalabad, and Gujranwala. Two cases were reported from DG Khan during last week.

Talking to a private news channel on Saturday, Dr. Ayez said that dengue is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands , and rash.

The presence of fever, rash, and headache is particularly characteristic of dengue, he added.

He said other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.

Dr Ayaz said that Dengue strikes people with low levels of immunity because it is caused by one of four serotypes of virus, it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times.

However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular serotype to which the patient was exposed, he added.

He said the virus is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person.

The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags, and cans year-round. One mosquito bite can inflict the disease, Dr said.

The prevention of dengue fever requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue, he said. (APP)

 MUMBAI: Actor Salman Khan is heading out to the US next week to treat a nerve disorder he was diagnosed with earlier this month.

Khan, 45, whose ‘Bodyguard’ opens in cinemas next week, will be in the US for treatment after the film's release.

"It's a non-surgical procedure and doctors have told I'll be back to work within four days," Khan told.

The actor had been suffering from pain in his jaw and the condition was recently diagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia.

"It's been happening for the past 4-5 years and just got diagnosed this month," Khan told.

Khan is known for his box-office dominance over the Eid weekend. His biggest hits in the last few years have come during this period, with ‘Dabanng’ being 2010’s blockbuster.

Khan is also scheduled to do a number of big-ticket films, including ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ with Katrina Kaif. With the success of ‘Ready’ in June, he cemented his place as a star who can pretty much guarantee box-office success with his charisma. (Reuters)

 BULAWAYO: The Pakistan cricket team will begin its tour of Zimbabwe on Sunday with a match against Zimbabwe XI, Geo News reported Saturday.

The cricket team led by Misbah-ul-Haq will practice at the Bulawayo stadium on Saturday. Pakistan will play one Test against Zimbabwe which will begin from the first of September. Three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) will be played on the 8, 11 and 14 of September while two Twenty20 matches will be played on 16 and 18 September in Harare.

 ISLAMABAD: Asian Development Bank (ADB) is considering various options in a positive direction to finance multi-billion dollars Diamer Bhasha Dam project.

ADB Director General Jaun Miranda, while talking to the Federal Minister for Water and Power, Syed Naveed Qamar, told that ADB wants to help Pakistan in the energy sector and in this context besides financing of the construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam, it was ready to provide guarantee for energy generation projects also.

ADB is already providing financial assistance for revamping of the electricity distribution system, while it is ready to provide help for replacement of the obsolete electricity distribution system also besides financing the distribution of the 30 million energy savers all across the country, which would help save 1,000 MW of electricity.

 NEW DELHI: Indian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare ended his 13-day hunger strike on Sunday, a day after parliament agreed to consider his demands over proposed legislation.

Hazare took sips of coconut water mixed with honey on a stage in New Delhi in front of tens of thousands of cheering supporters, before delivering a speech broadcast live on national television.

"This protest has been a lesson for the world," Hazare told the crowds after his peaceful campaign tapped into massive support among India's urban middle classes and rural poor.
"Today corruption is increasing because power is centralised in the government ministries."

Arvind Kejriwal, a senior organiser of Hazare's protest, told the rally that the fast had been an expression of the nation's public feelings against corruption.

"We are thankful to the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh), he showed remarkable leadership yesterday in the parliament. We are also thankful to all the parliamentarians for listening to the voice of the common man," he said.

"The entire country had poured out on the streets, their anger over a corrupt system was boiling over."

Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said that Anna would be taken to hospital for 2-3 days after he breaks his fast. "He has not been eating since the past 12 days, he has to be closely checked and monitored," said Balram Gupta, a member of Naresh Trehan's team. He might remain in the hospital for a couple of days due to his deteriorating health condition, he added.

 ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker, Fahmida Mirza has constituted a 17-member parliamentary committee for reviewing the prevalent situations in Karachi and Blaochistan, Geo News reported.

The committee members comprise of PPP’s five, ML-N’s 4, ML-Q’s 3, MQM’s 2 and one member each from the JUI-F, ANP and ML-F.

Among the members included in the committee are: Khurshid Shah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Noor Alam, Ayetullah Durrani and Qadir Patel pf PPP, Sardar Mahtab, Khawaja Asif, Zahid Hamid and Rana Tanvir of ML-N, Ghaus Bukhsh Mehar, Riaz Peerzada and Zubaida Jalal of ML-Q, Haider Abbas Rizvi and Sohail Mansur of MQM, Khuda Bukhsh Rajar of ML-F, Ghulam Ahmad Bilor of ANP, Maulana Fazlur Rahman of JUI-F.

The committee will present its report in the parliament on Karachi and Balochistan situations within two months.

 LOS ANGELES: It's the thing you don't see that's always the scariest part of a horror movie. And it's those places you can't see as a kid -- underneath the bed, inside the closet, up in the attic -- where the horrible child-eating monsters are always waiting to get you.

Put those things together, and you've got "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark," a goosebump-y haunted-house flick where the floorboards and the mattresses and the big old furnace in the basement really are hiding something deadly.

A remake of a fairly-effective TV movie from 1973 -- the monsters were cheap, but the suspense was smartly ratcheted -- the new "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" was directed by first-timer Troy Nixey, although you'd be forgiven for thinking it's a new movie from Guillermo del Toro, whose name gets the most prominent placement on the posters and in the advertising.

Even if del Toro didn't yell "Action!" and "Cut!" the movie bears his imprint, from his fascination with scary stories told from a child's point-of-view ("The Devil's Backbone") to the elegantly grotesque creatures (which bear more than a resemblance to the creepy-crawlies from "Pan's Labyrinth").

The child in question this time around is Sally (Bailee Madison), an unhappy young girl being shuttled from her unstable mother to go and live with her father Alex (Guy Pearce), who's in the process of restoring a gorgeous old mansion with the help of his girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes).

Kim does her best to get close to Sally, particularly since the work-obsessed Alex doesn't pay much attention to her, but Sally resists. And while exploring one day, Sally finds a sealed-off room that Alex opens up over the warnings of Harris (Jack Thompson), the house's longtime caretaker.

And you can pretty much imagine what happens from there -- beasties get loose, Sally hears and eventually sees them, no one believes her. But Nixey (working from a script by Del Toro and Matthew Robbins) cranks up the suspense with each appearance of the creatures; as "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" progresses, we learn more and more about just what these terrifying imps have in mind, and why we should grip our armrest when we see them make off with a pair of scissors.

Strong performances anchor the film. In movies like "Bridge to Terabithia" and "Brothers," and even in the ludicrous "Just Go With It," Madison has proven herself to be an expert at tween gravitas, and she nails Sally's fear and hopelessness throughout.

Even Holmes gets the pitch of the film just right, juggling her initial skepticism about monsters in the house with having stepmom duties suddenly thrown at her. If Pearce registers less than his two co-stars, it's because the character he's playing is so inert that he can't avoid slipping into the background.

If there's one big flaw with "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark," it's that in 2011, there's only so long that we can watch movie characters face the perils of a haunted house without thinking,

"GET OUT ALREADY!"

Long after it should be thoroughly obvious to even the most hardened skeptic that something very unnatural is going on in that old mansion, Alex insists that they stick around, and there aren't enough plot demands to make his stubbornness ring true.

(As clunky as "The Haunting in Connecticut" was, at least the script made it clear that the family couldn't afford to move.)

But if you're a fan of Guillermo del Toro's baroque brand of horror -- there's a disturbing mural here that would fit perfectly into almost any of the Mexican filmmaker's movies -- you'll find plenty of fun scares and popcorn-box-twisting tension. (Reuters)

DUBLIN: England avenged their World Cup defeat against Ireland with an 11-run victory over the hosts in Thursday's rain-affected one-day international at Clontarf.

The Irish were eyeing another famous win over England after restricting Eoin Morgan's team to 201-8 in 42 overs.

But hopes of a repeat of Ireland's World Cup victory in Bangalore in March were washed away by the constant drizzle that disrupted the hosts' chances of establishing any momentum.

After two rain interruptions during the Irish innings the target was reduced to 129 from 23 overs and England were able to maintain enough control in the closing stages to secure a relatively straightforward win.

Despite losing to the Irish in the World Cup, England opted to make a host of changes for this match and included three debutants in a side captained by Dubliner Eoin Morgan for the first time.

England's understudies found it hard going as new boys James Taylor and Ben Stokes made just four between them.

The visitors were given a solid platform from a century stand between Morgan, who made 59, and Jonathan Trott, who top-scored for England with 69 but they failed to capitalise.

John Mooney took the new ball for Ireland in the absence of the injured Trent Johnston and started well, dismissing Craig Kieswetter for 14 when the wicketkeeper edged to Niall O'Brien took a smart low catch.

Taylor began his international debut with a risky single and his innings ended moments later when Boyd Rankin had him caught at mid-wicket from a mis-timed pull.

There had been some unhappiness among the hosts about England's decision to field an under-strength team. But the Irish crowd still gave a warm welcome to Morgan before rain forced the reduction in overs.

Morgan hit George Dockrell for six after the resumption and brought up his 50 from 52 balls before Trott followed him to a half-century off his 78th delivery.

Paul Stirling made the crucial breakthrough when the off-spinner found Morgan's leading edge and made a diving return catch.

With 10 overs remaining, England were at 139-4, with a second debutant at the crease in Stokes.

The 20-year-old Durham all-rounder made just three before becoming Stirling's second caught-and-bowled victim.

Trott's 105-ball innings ended when his uncharacteristic heave found Jones in the deep off Mooney, but Chris Woakes and Scott Borthwick rallied in the closing overs to see the visitors past 200.

Paul Stirling started Ireland's chase by hitting a six over cover but fell two balls later attempting a second big blow off Steven Finn.

Ed Joyce, who won 17 one-day caps for England before recommitting to Ireland, became Finn's second victim when Kieswetter took a thin edge behind the stumps.

Durham leg-spinner Borthwick was handed his first over for England after the restart following more showers and William Porterfield was run out off his second delivery.

That brought Kevin O'Brien to the crease and the man whose unforgettable 113 in 63 balls downed England at the World Cup soon found his range.

He heaved his third and fourth balls over the ropes, seeing Borthwick out of the attack after an over and delighting the home fans.

O'Brien had made 26 from 15 balls before a fine Jade Dernbach yorker clattered leg stump, taking Ireland's hopes with it.

 KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued the notification relating to withdrawal of the 3.5 percent withholding tax levy on the sale and purchase of phutti, Geo News reported.

Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association has termed the notification a positive step for the industry.

Cotton ginners will be providing details of the sellers of phutti on the specified form of the FBR, under this notification. The notification further said that it would be mandatory for the cotton ginners to deduct 10 percent withholding tax from the commission of the commission agents, while 3.5 percent withholding tax will have to be paid on buying phutti from traders other than growers.

 NEW DELHI: India's parliament prepared on Friday to debate the anti-corruption proposals of a self-styled Gandhian activist in a move to end an 11-day hunger strike that has united millions of Indians against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government.

The campaign by 74-year-old Anna Hazare has sparked the biggest protests in decades from a middle class angered by endemic bribes. He emerged as a lightening rod for widespread anger at a political class seen as arrogant and out-of touch.

The debate on Hazare's proposals to create a powerful anti-corruption agency, a condition he made to end his fast, may take place on Saturday as parliament struggled on Friday to agree on the wording of several of the proposals, sources in the ruling Congress Party told.

Several thousand supporters gathered by the stage where Hazare was fasting in an open ground in the capital, New Delhi, singing Bollywood songs. Hazare has lost 7 kilos, but his health is stable, doctors said.

After a personal appeal from Singh, Hazare said on Thursday evening he would consider breaking his fast if parliament began discussing his tough anti-corruption proposals, including incorporating low level civil servants into graft probes.

There was some confusion to whether Hazare would end the fast at the start of the debate or when the anti-corruption bill was passed, and the debate may not take place on Friday. (Reuters)

 SAN FRANCISCO: Apple's legendary co-founder and top ideas man Steve Jobs resigned as chief executive Wednesday in a move long expected after he began a dramatic fight with cancer.

In a written statement, Apple, the world's second most valuable company by market capitalization, announced that chief operating officer Tim Cook would replace Jobs as CEO, and said Jobs would become chairman of the board. Jobs is seen as the heart and soul of Apple, with analysts and investors repeatedly expressing concern over how the Cupertino, California-based company will fare without the figure seen as its driving force.

"Steve's extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world's most innovative and valuable technology company," board member Art Levinson said in a statement.

Apple stock price slid more than five percent to $356.32 in trading that followed news of Jobs's resignation and it remained to be seen what the market has in store for the company with the opening bell on Thursday.

Jobs will still be around as chairman of the Apple board and the company has product plans mapped, according to the analyst. Apple is expected to launch a fifth-generation iPhone in September or October.

No reason was given for Job's resignation, but his health problems, including a lengthy medical leave for a liver transplant in 2009 and his gaunt appearances at public events, fueled speculation he would have to give up the everyday running of the company he co-founded in 1976.

 LAHORE: Geo News has received CCTV video footage of Shahbaz Taseer’s car moments before he was kidnapped in the Gulberg area of the city.

The video shows the white Mercedes of Shahbaz Taseer making a turn towards his office at 10:19 AM. It is on this street that the son of the former Punjab governor was kidnapped.

Reportedly, an SUV and a motorcycle stopped Shahbaz Taseer's car and he was kidnapped by four men.

Police say that Shahbaz had been provided with a security escort which was not with him at the time of the kidnapping.

 LAHORE: Shahbaz Taseer the son of former Punjab governor, Salman Taseer was kidnapped in the Gulberg area of the city, Geo News reported.

Four men riding on a motorcycle and a Land Cruiser Prado intercepted the car of Shahbaz Taseer and kidnapped him. The kidnappers left his mobile phones and laptop behind.

Shahbaz was out with a friend when the kidnapping took place, his brother Shehryar Taseer told an international news agency. The friend was beaten and released by the kidnappers.

According to police, Shahbaz was traveling from his residence to his office when he was kidnapped. Following the kidnapping, the crime scene was cordoned off and a forensic team searched Shahbaz’s car for finger prints and other evidence.

Police and Rangers were also deployed outside the Taseer residence following the kidnapping.

 TRIPOLI: Libyan rebels say they launched their first attack on the nation's capital in coordination with NATO, while rebel fighters in Tripoli late Saturday, in what they hope is a final push in the six-month-long rebellion against long-time leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Explosions and heavy gunfire rocked Tripoli overnight as the Libyan government denied there was an uprising in the city. Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said small groups of armed rebels infiltrated the capital but that the incursion had been quickly put down.

In a live audio message carried on state television, Mr. Gadhafi dismissed the rebellion as an ill-fated attempt by “traitors” and “rats.”

The reports of fighting in Tripoli came hours after the rebels reportedly seized control of two strategic towns — Zawiya in the west and Brega in the east.

In Zawiya, the rebels said they were now occupying positions formerly held by pro-Gadhafi forces, who continued shelling the city from the east.

A senior rebel commander said Saturday his fighters were also in full control of the eastern town of Brega after seizing its industrial sector, which also contains a major oil refinery. However, the claim could not be verified independently.

Fighting spilled across the border into Tunisia, where clashes erupted late Friday between Tunisian troops and a group of Libyans traveling in vehicles with weapons. Tunisian forces reported several casualties, but did not say whether the fighters were Libyan rebels or pro-Gadhafi soldiers.

Mr. Gadhafi has seen the areas under his control shrink significantly in recent weeks as rebels advance on Tripoli from the west, east and south after six months of fighting to end his four-decade autocratic rule.

NATO warplanes have been supporting the rebels by bombing pro-Gadhafi forces to enforce a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing military action to protect Libyan civilians from government attacks.

Meanwhile, two more Gadhafi aides appear to have defected to the rebel side. Tunisian officials said the Libyan leader's former number-two, Abdel-Salam Jalloud, departed from the Tunisian island of Djerba on a flight to Italy Saturday. A day earlier, Libyan rebels said Jalloud, a former prime minister, had joined their ranks.

Tunisian officials also said Libyan Oil Minister Omran Abukraa has decided not to return to Libya after a recent mission to Italy.

 ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari held an important meeting with key Sindh ministers at the Presidency on Saturday night to discuss the law and order situation in Karachi and find a political solution to bring peace to the financial capital of the country.

It was decided in the meeting that peace would be restored in Karachi with the cooperation of all the political parties at any cost and that no administrative reshuffle would be made in Sindh.

Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar said President Asif Ali Zardari directed Senior Sindh Minister Zulfiqar Mirza for activating party workers at gross-root level to initiate party membership.

According to sources, MQM would be granted the ministries that they held before quitting the government. Federal Minister Khursheed Shah has been assigned the task to resolve the issue of ministries with MQM.

They added that President Asif Ali Zardari said that policy of reconciliation would continue and that peace in Karachi is the top priority. Strict action would be taken against the miscreants and police and Rangers would perform this task, the sources said.

Interestingly, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Home Minister Manzoor Hussain Wasan did not attend the meeting. Those who attended included Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Durrani, Minister for Planning and Development Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, Information Minister Sharjeel Memon, Minister for Law Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Agriculture Minister Syed Ali Nawaz Shah and Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Sources in the Presidency said the meeting was very important from the political point of view as all the ministers who met the president are considered very close to him.

The president also directed beefing up of the intelligence network in Karachi to provide real time information to the police to apprehend culprits planning criminal activities.

 KARACHI: The bloodshed in the city continues unabated, as seven more persons were killed today, 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.

Police said that two youths’ trussed up bodies in bags were found this morning at MPR Colony in Orangi Town. The youths were kidnapped, brutally tortured and short dead, police said.

Rescue sources said that one body was also recovered from beneath the Teenhatti Bridge, which immediately could not be identified. Another one trussed up body in bag was found at Pak Colony who was tortured and slain. 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, Shahryar 10 and Zeeshan 15 were killed in the Snooker Club firing. A house was also torched in the feud.

Besides, Water Board Superintending Engineer, Khalid Siddiqui yesterday was targeted and shot dead, while one accompanying him wounded at Gulshan-e-Hadeed, when some armed persons opened fire on his car.

However, mind boggles on the fact that the police failed to arrest any of the culprits

 LAHORE: Cases of Dengue fever are continuously increasing in Punjab including Lahore, Geo News reported Saturday.

Residents of Lahore have denied the government’s claim that fumigation drives are being conducted. Families of patients suffering from Dengue fever said that fumigation drives were not held in their neighbourhoods and they had requested the district management to conduct fumigation drives but no action was taken.

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.

 CINCINNATI: Fifth seeded Indo-Pak pair of Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Rohan Bopanna lost in the doubles quarterfinal of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, USA Geo News reported Saturday.

Fourth seeded Michale Llodra of France and Serbia's Nenand Zimonjic defeated the Indo-Pak express and secured their position in the semi-final of the event.

The fourth seeded pair won by 6-3 and 6-2.

Aisam and Bopanna downed the Argentine pair of Juan Ignacio Chela and Juan Monaco 6-3, 5-7, 10-4 in their second round match to get into quarterfinals earlier.

 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. (Reuters)

 NEW DELHI: Anna Hazare's fast demanding a strong Lokpal entered the fifth day on Saturday with his team saying they were ready to talk to the government but no such communication channels have been opened.

Hazare came to the podium at around 10am as supporters started pouring in Ramlila Maidan where he launched his protest yesterday after coming out of Tihar Jail.

The 73-year-old anti-corruption crusader alleged the funds in government treasuries were being threatened not by thieves but from those guard it and the country is being threatened by these traitors.

"Why should we fight? The funds in government treasuries are ours. The treasuries are not threatened by thieves but by those who guard it. The country is not betrayed by enemies but by these traitors," the Gandhian said.

He said he has lost three-and-half kg in the last four days. "I feel a little weak. But there is nothing to worry about it. The fight will go on till we get a strong Lokpal," Hazare said in his brief address to the gathering.

His close associates Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia said the team was ready to talk to the government on the issue of Lokpal Bill but no one has approached them. "We are ready to talk to the government but there is no communication from their side. Where should we go to talk and whom should we talk to?" Kejriwal and Sisodia said.

Hazare had yesterday raised the political stakes by giving a deadline to the government to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill by August 30 failing which he would continue his fast "till my last breath

KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister, Manzoor Wasan said 100 target killers have been arrested so far, Geo News reported Saturday. He made this statement after attending the funeral prayers for three policemen martyred in the attack on a bus carrying elite force personnel on Friday.

Speaking to the reporters, Wasan said the target killers were being interrogated and were expected to reveal important information. He added that those believed to be behind the attack on the police bus in Korangi were among the arrested and a large amount of arms and ammunition was present in the city.

In reply to a question, Wasan said that a plan was being formulated for the protection of Karachi’s residents

 KARACHI: Five people were killed in the metropolis on Saturday as violence continued unabated, Geo News 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.

 LAHORE: 70 new cases of Dengue fever have been reported in Punjab, out of which 64 belong to Lahore, Geo News reported. The total number of Dengue fever patients in the province has risen to 180.

According to the Department of Health, 64 new cases of dengue patients have been verified in Lahore, 2 in Faisalabad, and 1 each in Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sargodha. According to EDO Health Lahore, the first round of fumigation in city will be completed by August 19. The Department of Health has advised all government hospitals to provide complete healthcare free of cost to all dengue fever patients.

 MUMBAI: Actor Salman Khan and his beloved bracelet are almost inseparable. It was his father, writer Salim Khan who had gifted the turquoise blue bracelet to Salman few years back and the actor has never stopped wearing it since then.

Fans saw it first in the 1998 hit film ‘Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya’ and since then we are sure almost all of them have got themselves something resembling it. Sallu considers it to be his lucky charm and has seldom parted with it, both on and off screen.

However, the star had to keep the adored object away for his super hit film ‘Dabangg’. Director Abhinav Kashyap had requested him to part with his bracelet as he felt that it would not go well with the image of a desi cop. As a result, Salman had to remove the bracelet whenever he was called for shots.

In his upcoming film ‘Bodyguard’, Salman portrays the role of a no-nonsense bodyguard and dons a proper stitched suit and glares to get the macho effect. This time again, it was being said that he would have to part with his bracelet for the demand of the script. However, recently few of the posters of film exhibit the bracelet in his hand.

 KARACHI: Sindh cotton crop has been severely hit by the rains giving rise to the fears that the cotton production target for the current year would not be achieved.

Pakistan Cotton ginners Association’s member executive committee, Ehsanul Huque told Geo News that the cotton crops in Badin, Tando Mohammad Khan, Mirpurkhas, Thatta and Gharo have been badly hit by the torrential rains and floods giving rise to the fears that the current year target of 15 million bales of cotton production would not be met.

Ehsanul Huque said that the cotton prices today recorded increase, Punjab cotton up by Rs100 selling at 6,600 per maund, while the Sindh cotton recording a rise of Rs50 stood at Rs6,250 per maund.

 CINCINNATI: Roger Federer, playing in his final event before the US Open, surged into the third round of the ATP and WTA hardcourt tournament Tuesday by beating Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets.

The Swiss star, who turned 30 earlier this month, cruised past del Potro 6-3, 7-5 for his first win over the Argentine in their last three matches which included the 2009 US Open final. Federer had won their first six meetings, dating back to Wimbledon in 2007.

"I played some tough matches against him in the past and obviously the US Open final sticks out the most," Federer said. "I told him at the net that it was good to see him back."

Federer hammered 12 aces and won 83 percent of his first-serve points in the 92 minute match on centre court.

Federer said he felt confident but a little nervous going into the second round contest.

"There was a lot of pressure," said Federer, whose only title this season came in Doha in January. "I haven't played much so this was a big match for me.

"I mixed it up well with slices and strong forehands and I was able to retrieve well today."

Del Potro, who upset Federer in five sets in the 2009 US Open final, is climbing back up the rankings after missing much of 2010 with a wrist injury that required surgery.

"We can't compare the 2009 match and this one," del Potro said. "I feel well tonight, but Roger played like No. 1 in the world. He was very confident with his serve."

In the women's tournament French Open champion Li Na also moved smoothly into the third round Tuesday with a straight-set victory over Lucie Safarova.

Li, whose triumph at Roland Garros made her China's first Grand Slam tennis champion, defeated the Czech 6-3, 6-4 to become the first woman to reach the third round.

It was Li's first match win since her second-round exit at Wimbledon, and followed her opening match defeat in Toronto last week.

"I needed some matches for the hard court," said Li, who reached the Australian Open final in January.

"It's always tough, but I was happy I could win the match today," added Li, the fifth seed. "Because I missed a lot, I think I need some matches for me to find the timing on the court."

Fourth-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova, sixth-seeded Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and eighth-seeded Marion Bartoli also swept past their opponents in second-round matches on Tuesday.

All of the top eight seeds, led on the women's side by Caroline Wozniacki and on the men's by Novak Djokovic, have first-round byes.

Sharapova routed qualifier Anastasia Rodionova 6-1, 6-3, finishing off the Australian in just 71 minutes.

Sharapova posted just one ace but dominated with her serve winning 57 percent of her second serves and converting six of seven break point chances.

"I thought I played aggressively and felt better than I did last week, definitely," Sharapova said.

Sharapova will face the winner of a match between Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova and Czech Petra Cetkovska in the next round.

In other first-round matches on Tuesday, in-form former world number one Serena Williams - winner of her last two tournaments - held on to beat tenacious Czech Lucie Hradecka 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).

Unseeded Flavia Pennetta upset 12th-seeded Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, while 13th-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia cruised past Czech Iveta Benesova 6-0, 6-3.

On the men's side, Czech Radek Stepanek - winner of his first title in 2 1/2 years earlier this month when he won the Washington Classic - withstood 21 aces from John Isner to defeat the gargantuan American 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7/4).

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a Wimbledon semi-finalist and the 15th seed, defeated Croatia's Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-4, while Croatia's Ivan Dodig defeated Latvia's Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) to line up a second-round clash with sixth-seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils. (AFP)

 NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday slammed a hunger strike campaign by anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare as "totally misconceived" and deliberately confrontational.

"The path he has chosen... is totally misconceived and fraught with grave consequences for our parliamentary democracy," Singh said in an address to parliament that was interrupted by cries of "shame" from opposition benches.

Singh said Hazare's plans to hold an indefinite fast to push for changes to a new anti-corruption bill now before parliament was a direct and unconstitutional challenge to the government's authority.

"The question is who drafts the law and who makes the law," Singh said, adding that legislation was the "sole prerogative" of parliament.

Singh's remarks followed a day and night of protests in cities across India after Hazare was arrested on Tuesday morning as he prepared to begin his "fast unto death" in a New Delhi public park.

As the protests mounted, the police ordered Hazare's release on Tuesday evening, but the 74-year-old activist refused to leave New Delhi's Tihar jail without a guarantee that his indefinite fast could go ahead.

Singh argued that Hazare's arrest had been justified as he had refused to accept police restrictions that included limiting his public fast to three days.

While acknowledging that Hazare's actions might be driven by "high ideals", Singh said his efforts to "impose" his own version of the anti-corruption bill on parliament were unacceptable and undemocratic.

Corruption has become a focus of public discontent in India, and Hazare has emerged as a prominent national figure in his campaign demanding that a new anti-graft law currently before parliament is strengthened.

Aswathi Muralidharan, a spokesman for Hazare's India Against Corruption movement, said Wednesday that the activist had refused food since his arrest.

"And he will not leave Tihar jail unless he is given permission to fast indefinitely," Muralidharan told.

With his white cap and spectacles lending him a passing resemblance to independence hero Mahatma Gandhi, Hazare has galvanised public opinion at a time when the government is reeling from a succession of high-profile graft scandals.

His arrest was shown live on television and Wednesday's newspapers showed an editorial consensus that the government's action had backfired badly, with Hazare playing the role of wrongly-imprisoned martyr.

"Anna holds government hostage," ran the banner headline on the front page of the Hindustan Times.

In apparent anticipation of his arrest, Hazare had pre-recorded a message of defiance that clearly referenced his hero Gandhi.

"The second freedom struggle has begun," he said. "Time has come, my countrymen, when there should be no place left in jails in India." (AFP)

 ISLAMABAD: Governor Sindh, Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad met with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and discussed the MQM's return to the government and the situation in Sindh, Geo News reported.

Following his meeting with the Prime Minister, Ebad is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday night. It is expected that the President will set a timeframe for when MQM ministers will return to the cabinet with MQM chief Altaf Hussain. Sources add that the MQM will rejoin the federal and provincial cabinet by this week.

 HAMBANTOTA: Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan elected to bat after winning the toss against Australia in the second one-day international on Sunday.

Australia lead 1-0 in the five-match series following their seven-wicket victory in the opening game.

Sri Lanka made two changes when they brought in paceman Lasith Malinga and spinner Rangana Herath in place of Suranga Lakmal and Suraj Randiv, while Australia retained the team.

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath.

Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Xavier Doherty, Doug Bollinger.

 JAFFERABAD: A powerful blast that brought down the two-storey building of a hotel killed at least 11 people and hurt 21 others in Dera Allayar area of Jafferabad, Geo News reported.

The blast was so powerful that razed the building completely and majority of the casualties were due to the building collapse. According to the sources, some unknown militants hid the explosives-filled bag inside the hotel and blasted it with a remote control.

Locals have retrieved at least 11 dead bodies from the rubble and a crane is now being used for rescue. Ambulances reached the spot very late and the nearby hospitals lacked first aid treatment facilities that compounded the pain of the injured brought there later they were shifted to Larkana and Jacobbad hospitals.

 OHIO: A boy in Ohio had his leg backward after he had undergone an unusual leg surgery to beat cancer.

Dugan Smith, 13 year old boy from Ohio is now able to play football, thanks to a unique procedure that turned his foot backwards.

It wasn’t a medical mishap or a doctor error – it was a bridge to getting the boy cancer-free and allowing him to keep most of his leg.

Dugan was 10 when he fell from a tree and fractured his femur.

He was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that's extremely rare in children, and Dugan’s parents had to make a difficult decision of having their son undergo a complicated leg surgery.

 MUMBAI: Legendary Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor, whose acting and dancing style heavily influenced modern-day Indian film stars, died on Sunday aged 79.

"Shammi Kapoor ji passed away this morning at 5:15 am," Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan wrote on Twitter, using the Hindi honorific, saying Kapoor brought had "flamboyance and joie de vivre" to the screen.

Nikhil Gangavane, a family friend who headed the official Shammi Kapoor fan club, said the actor was admitted to the private Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai earlier this week.

"He was on a ventilator for three or four days. He was having some chest infection, which he had had for the last one or two years. He died of renal failure this morning," Gangavane told AFP.

"He had been undergoing dialysis for the last six or seven years but developed complications."

Kapoor's dance performances in romantic hits like Tumsa Nahin Dekha" (You're One of a Kind, 1957), "Dil Deke Dekho" (Give Your Heart and See, 1959) and "Junglee" (Wild, 1961) earned him comparisons with US singer Elvis Presley.

Key to his success was his avid interest in music. Kapoor personally selected the songs he would dance and mime to, mindful that they needed to fit his exuberant on-screen style.

In doing so, he and singers like Mohammed Rafi provided some of the industry's most popular and memorable tunes.

In later years, as he withdrew from acting and direction, Kapoor became a champion of the Internet and was the founder-chairman of the Internet Users Community of India, maintaining a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

His own web site www.junglee.org.in profiled his famous family, the Kapoors, who have dominated Hindi-language cinema virtually since its inception.

He described himself on his Twitter account profile as a "Renaissance man, retired actor, computer buff". (AFP)

 ISLAMABAD: National junior hockey team returned home in the wee hours of Sunday after their successful tour to Egypt, Geo News reported.

Talking to media at Islamabad airport, team coach while praising performance of national players said that all players were happy after beating Egypt's senior hockeyteam.

Rana Mujahid Ali Khan expressed hope that future of junior hockey team players are bright, however adding that they should be given chances to play.

Replying a question over Egypt hockey team's visit to Pakistan, he said that Egypt's team would visit Pakistan if latter qualify for Olympics 2012.

 BIRMINGHAM: A man and a teenager were due in court Sunday, police said, charged with the murder of three men hit by a car while defending their neighbourhood against looters in Britain's second city.

They are the first people to be charged over the deaths that occurred during Britain's worst riots in decades that began in London last Saturday and spread to other major English cities.

Haroon Jahan, 20, Shazad Ali, 30, and his brother Abdul Musavir, 31, were killed early Wednesday by the entrance to a fuel station in the inner-city neighbourhood of Winson Green in Birmingham, west central England.

Joshua Donald, 26, from nearby Ladywood and a 17-year-old male from Winson Green were charged Saturday with three counts of murder, West Midlands Police said. The police cannot name those aged under 18.

They were due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court at 9:00am (0800 GMT).

"Two people, aged 23 and 27, remain in custody," WMP said.

"A 16-year-old and 32-year-old have been bailed pending further enquiries."

Police said earlier that they had recovered two cars in their investigation and had obtained 400 exhibits and more than 70 witness statements.

Jahan's father Tariq has been praised for his emotional plea not to seek revenge for his son's death.

Police acknowledged that his appeal lowered the temperature, amid fears for relations between Birmingham's ethnic communities.

A total of 509 people have been arrested across the greater Birmingham conurbation following last week's disorder, which also hit the West Midlands city of Wolverhampton and the town of West Bromwich.

Besides the three deaths in Birmingham, two other people died in the wave of urban unrest.

Trevor Ellis who was found shot in his car following rioting in Croydon, south London, on Monday. A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Richard Bowes, a 68-year-old man, was attacked in Ealing, west London, on Monday. He died due to a head injury, a post mortem found. Police are holding a 22-year-old man on suspicion of murder. (AFP)

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that they want long lasting solution of Karachi violence. He directed Speaker National Assembly to constitute a committee in this regard.

Addressing a convention being held to celebrate Independence Day, the prime minister said that no leader could resolve individually the problems facing our country.

Gilani while praising the sacrifices rendered by the Pak armed forces said that the whole nation was united against terrorism.

He said that women have been given their rights and they were playing a vital role for the development of the country. He said that government wanted to see supremacy of the parliament and independence of the judiciary.

Prime minister said that minorities have also been given equal rights to practice their religions with freedom.

He further said that provincial autonomy have been given to provinces under 18th constitutional amendment, adding that federation has handed over health sector to provinces.

He assured that unannounced loadshedding would end soon.

 ISLAMABAD: The nation is celebrating its 65th Independence Day with great fervour but simplicity. The day began with special prayers in mosques for the unity, solidarity and prosperity of the country.

The celebrations began with a 31-gun salute at the federal capital and 21-gun salute at all the provincial headquarters. Quran Khawani are being held for the martyrs of the Pakistan Movement for their eternal peace.

The national flag has been hoisted on government and private buildings. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani hoisted the national flag in a ceremony at 9:00am in Jinnah Convention Centre. The national anthem was also played on the occasion.

The prime minister felicitated the nation on its 65th Independence Day and paid tribute to the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and leaders of Pakistan Movement for providing a spirited leadership which created the world's first ideological state through democratic struggle.

The flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at provincial capitals.

Sindh Governor, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah along with members of the Sindh cabinet visited mausoleum of father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to pay homage to the great leader on 65th Independence Day of the country.

They hoisted the national flag at the ceremony held at Mazar-e-Quaid in connection with the Independence day of the country.

Various political parties and civil society organisations across country have also arranged seminars, walks and debates to mark the Day.

 ISLAMABAD: US Senator John McCain on Saturday called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and demanded withdrawal of NOC requirement on the movement of US diplomats, Geo News reported.

US ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter was also present in the meeting.

The meeting stressed on moving a step further from the cooperation on counter terrorism and working on a joint strategy to improve bilateral relations.

PM Gilani reiterated that stable, sovereign and prospering Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan.

The Premeir also assured McCain and Munter for considering the matter of removing condition on the movement of diplomats.

Meeting of Senator John McCain is also expected with President Asif Ali Zardari and the military leadership.

 BIRMINGHAM: England became the world's number one Test side as they beat India by an innings and 242 runs to win the third Test at Edgbaston here on Saturday.

England's victory gave them an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the four-match series and meant they replaced India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table after winning this series by the required two-match margin.

It is the first time England have topped the Test table since its creation in 2003.

England piled up a massive 710 for seven declared -- their highest Test innings total for 73 years -- that featured Alastair Cook's career-best 294.

That was in reply to an India first innings total of 224 where England seamers Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan took four wickets apiece.

Fast-medium bowler James Anderson then took four for 85 as India were dismissed for a second innings 244, with the tourists much vaunted batsmen still to make 300 this series.

England won with more than a day to spare for the second match in succession after their 319-run triumph at Trent Bridge.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni top-scored in his side's second innings with an unbeaten 74.

Only Sachin Tendulkar, who made 40, offered much top-order resistance before his latest bid to become the first batsman to score an unprecedented 100 international hundreds ended in unlucky fashion when he was run-out backing-up.

The fourth and final Test starts at The Oval on Thursday.

Brief scores:
India 224 (MS Dhoni 77; S Broad 4-53, T Bresnan 4-62) and 244 (MS Dhoni 74 no; J Anderson 4-85) v England 710-7 dec (A Cook 294, E Morgan 104, A Strauss 87, K Pietersen 63, T Bresnan 53 no; A Mishra 3-150)

Result: England won by an innings and 242 runs
Series: England lead four-match series 3-0.

 HAVANA: Cuban revolutionary icon Fidel Castro turns 85 on Saturday amid celebrations in his honor that he so far failed to attend.

Cuba has been partying since Tuesday, with concerts, ballet performances and art exhibitions organized on behalf of the man who led the island nation for nearly 50 years before ill health led him to cede power to his brother Raul in 2006.

The celebrations culminated late Friday with a "Song of Loyalty" gala at the Karl Marx Theater, Cuba's largest with a capacity of 5,000.

Most of the events have been organized by the Guayasamin Foundation, named for the Ecuadoran painter Oswaldo Guayasamin, a close friend of Castro. The organization is often involved in planning Castro's birthday celebrations. However, the guest of honor did not show up.

Castro's public appearances are increasingly rare. The last came in April, at the ruling Communist Party's annual congress, when Raul officially succeeded his older brother as party leader. Since that time, Fidel has only been seen in video footage visiting ailing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez -- who is receiving chemotherapy treatment in Cuba.

Castro's birthday comes as Latin America, which he hoped would adopt his revolution, has swung to the left, with a wave of progressive governments taking power from Argentina to Nicaragua.

Chavez, Castro's political heir of sorts, could make an appearance at his birthday celebrations, which coincide with the Havana carnival.

Castro now spends his time writing books and "reflections" on international issues -- he has so far published 361 such works -- from his home in western Havana, which he shares with his wife Dalia Soto del Valle.

Born August 13, 1926 to a prosperous Spanish immigrant landowner and a Cuban mother who had been his housekeeper, Castro was the hero of the island's revolution which swept Fulgencio Batista from power in 1959.

A communist icon when the Cold War was at its height, the unrepentant anti-American and anti-imperialist leader is seen by supporters as a great revolutionary and by critics as a merciless dictator.

His enemies say the revolution will die with him, but Castro's illness has allowed for a smooth transition of power.

When asked what will follow his eventual death, observers can only agree on one thing -- "a historic funeral." (AFP)