Geo Business

Ogra makes fuel dearer by up to 5pc

ISLAMABAD: Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority finally made official an up-to-five-percent rise in petroleum products early Saturday morning with immediate effect, Geo News reported. Compared to September prices, petrol has been raised by five per cent and high octane blending component (HOBC) by Rs2.72/liter owing to a jump in global crude market. Despite a drop in high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs0.62 worldwide its local prices were jacked up by Rs1.51/liter to adjust petroleum levy. Diesel price jumped to Rs94.16/liter from an earlier Rs92.65. HOBC price hopped by Rs112.65/liter from Rs109.93/liter last month, and petrol Rs88.95/liter from a previous Rs84.80/liter. Prices of light diesel oil (LDO) and kerosene oil kept status quo to remain at Rs83.52 and Rs86.82/liter respectively.

Geo Entertainment

Geo News anchor Saba Qamar hit by Dengue

LAHORE: Geo News anchor Saba Qamar has been hit by the Dengue virus, Geo News reported Friday. Sabahat Qamar, polularly known as Saba Qamar, is suffering from Dengue from the past three days. She is currently appearing in Geo News program ‘Hum Sab Umeed Se Hain’ and a new drama serial ‘Jo Chalay To Jan Se Guzar Gaye’. The virus has spread across the province and many people including politicians, players and actors have lost their lives after suffering from the virus.

US forces not to enter Pakistan: US official

 WASHINGTON: A senior US official told Reuters on Friday that Washington would not send ground troops into Pakistan to attack militant positions in North Waziristan.

"There will be no boots on the ground," the official said. "That has been communicated to them (the Pakistanis)."

Geo World

Obama puts in his push to hit Haqqanis

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama on Friday said Pakistan must "take care" of the extremist Haqqani network, as a fierce dispute raged over US claims the group was an arm of Islamabad's intelligence agency. Obama did not endorse the accusations, made by retiring chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, but said US intelligence was not entirely clear on links between Haqqani operatives and Pakistani spy agencies. "I think Mike's testimony expressed frustration over the fact that safe havens exist, including the Haqqani network safe haven inside Pakistan," Obama said on the Michael Smerconish syndicated radio show. "I think that the intelligence is not as clear as we might like in terms of what exactly that relationship is," Obama said. "But my attitude is whether there is active engagement with Haqqani on the part of the Pakistanis or just passively allowing them to operate with impunity in some of these border regions, they have got to take care of this problem." Last week, Mullen accused Pakistan of exporting violence to Afghanistan through proxies and charged that the Haqqani network, an Al-Qaeda-linked group, was a "veritable arm" of Pakistani intelligence. His comments triggered new tensions with Islamabad, with Pakistani leaders closing ranks against US pressure for action against the Haqqanis and refusing to be pressured into doing more in the war on terror. Obama said in the interview that there was "no doubt" that the US relationship with Pakistan "is not where it needs to be" though he did note outstanding cooperation with Islamabad in the fight against Al-Qaeda. "We are going to keep on pressing them to recognize it is in their interests, not just ours, to make sure extremists are not operating within their borders," he said.(AFP

Geo Amazing and Interesting

Electric cars set to hit Paris roads

PARIS: Paris will on Sunday launch an ambitious electrically powered car-share service that it hopes will not only improve the quality of life in the City of Lights but also herald a revolution in sustainable urban transport. But the “Autolib” venture also constitutes a risky gamble both for Bertrand Delanoë, the Socialist mayor of Paris, and for Vincent Bolloré, France’s best-known corporate raider and buccaneering entrepreneur, who is supplying the electric cars and operating the new service. In the volatile French pre-electoral political climate, Mr Delanoë hopes to repeat with the electric car project the huge popular and political – albeit costly – success of the Vélib bicycle-sharing scheme, which he launched four years ago. The city of Paris, and its neighbouring suburban communes, have together invested more than €200m to construct the necessary infrastructure, from parking spaces to battery recharging stations. Organisers hope the project will eventually reduce the numbers of privately owned cars in the city’s crowded boulevards, while also cutting pollution.

Geo Pakistan

Pakistan holds 48 Indian fishermen

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Maritime Security Agency (MSA) has arrested 48 Indian fishermen on board eight boats after they were found fishing in Pakistan’s seas, Geo News reported. The arrests were made late on Thursday night. “ First the fishermen were interrogated and then later, were handed over to the Docks police” MSA spokesman confirmed. It was the fourth such action by the MSA in September taking the total tally of such arrests to 94 with 24 boats to boot.

Geo Health

Educational institutes change time in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: School timings in the federal capital have been changed due to Dengue threat while the private schools have also been instructed to follow the new timings with effect from October 1, Geo News reported Friday. According to spokesman of Federal Directorate of Education Prof Waqar Ashraf, 420 federal schools and colleges will follow new timings from October 1. The educational institutions will commence classes from 8.30 am instead of 8 am and will be suspended following the old time. The classes in the evening shift will continue to follow previous schedule, the spokesman added. The institutions have been instructed to strictly ensure that the students wear full sleeves and pants.

Geo Amazing and Interesting

Make dog your fitness buddy

NEW YORK: When it comes to getting fit a person's best friend just might be a four-legged one. Experts say studies show dog owners walk more, walk faster, and are more likely to enjoy an active lifestyle because of their companion animal. "I'm fascinated by what a great motivator dogs can be," said Dr. Sandra McCune, co-editor of the book, "The Health Benefits of Dog Walking for People and Pets." McCune, an animal behaviorist based in Leicestershire, England, said studies show if you're a dog walker, you're more likely to meet the guidelines for daily activities. Dogs are the reason behind two-thirds, 66 percent, of the walks their owners take each week, according to a recent survey of more than 1,011 adults commissioned by pet food company Mars Petcare. One-quarter of people with children and pets regularly visit parks and other outdoor spaces because of their dog. (Reuters)

Geo Pakistan

Khar stresses close cooperation to tackle terror

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan is committed to achieving peace in neighboring Afghanistan and cooperating with the U.S. and Afghan governments, Pakistan's foreign minister told the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday. The remarks of Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar came after Pakistan warned the United States on Tuesday to stop accusing it of playing a double game with Islamist militants and heaped praise on its close friend China. "Pakistan is willing to do its best with the international partners and, most notably, the governments of Afghanistan and the United States, to acquit itself of this high responsibility (in Afghanistan)," she told the 193-nation assembly. Khar suggested that current tensions between Pakistan and its partners were partly due to the difficulties they are all facing in their fight against terrorism, adding that it was important not to prematurely judge one's allies. "Given the volatility of the situation, it is perhaps understandable that there is a high level of anxiety and emotions," she said. "But we must not lose sight of the goals," Khar said. "We must work closely and as responsible partners in a cooperative manner and not rush to judgments or question each other's intentions." Khar reiterated that she and the rest of her government "condemn the recent terror attacks in Kabul in which many precious lives were lost." "Eliminating terrorism is in our national interest," she said. "We believe that our success is critical to regional and global peace and security." She also praised the record of Pakistan's ISI in combating al Qaeda. "It is well known that following the Tora Bora bombing and consequent dispersal of al Qaeda it was Pakistan's intelligence and security agencies that interdicted a large number of al Qaeda operations," Khara said. "Very recently, (Younis) al-Mauritani, the chief operative of al Qaeda, was arrested in a joint ISI and CIA operation," she said. Khar said her country was firmly committed to combating terrorism and militancy. "Pakistan has reached out to all countries of the world to establish mechanims and arrangements ranging from intelligence cooperation, mutual assistance in legal and criminal matters, as well as joint operations where required," she said. But it was vital for allies to remain united. "We must demonstrate complete unity in ranks, avoid any recrimination, build greater trust and, more importantly, bring about the requisite operational coordination in combating this menace," she said. "Otherwise only the terrorists will gain." (Reuters)

Geo Pakistan

Munter holds 2nd meeting with Bashir in 24hrs

ISLAMABAD: US ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter met Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir in Islamabad today at the Foreign Ministry, Geo News reported. Bilateral relations, security of the region and the current status of ties between the two countries were discussed during the meeting. This was Munter's second meeting with the foreign secretary in 24 hours. In Monday's meeting both the officials agreed on dialogue and deeper engagement at all levels. The meetings come as ties between both the two allies are on a downward spiral following the US accusations of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) being linked with the Haqqani Network US blames for attack on its embassy in Kabul. Pakistan has dismissed the US accusations and said these would only worsen the relationship between the two countries.

Geo World

Pakistan must unravel Haqqani Network: US

WASHINGTON: The Pakistani government must act to clamp down on the Haqqani network, blamed for the attack on the US embassy in Kabul, a White House official said Tuesday. "The Pakistani government needs to take action to deal with the links that exist there," said spokesman Jay Carney, adding "the Haqqani network is responsible for attacks on the US embassy in Kabul and on ISAF as well as some others." Last week, the outgoing top US military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, bluntly accused Pakistan of "exporting" violent extremism to Afghanistan through proxies and warned of possible action to protect US troops. Asked whether questions were being raised about the large US aid to Pakistan, Carney told reporters that: "We obviously are always reviewing our aid programs. "I believe the State Department and others have talked about that. I do not have anything new to add on that. We obviously take it seriously and discuss these matters with our Pakistani counterparts." (AFP)

Geo Business

Rupee gains against dollar in open market

KARACHI: The US dollar on Tuesday lost paisas 50 against rupee in the open market which closed at Rs89.50, Geo News reported. President Exchange Companies of Pakistan, Haji Haroon and Chairman Malik Bostan told Geo News that the open market witnessed a 50 paisas decline in dollar after the State Bank of Pakistan's assured exchange companies of provision of money. The dollar is now being bought at Rs89 and sold at 89.50. Haji Haroon cited decrease in the value of dollar in the international market as another reason for stability in the value of the rupee.

Geo Pakistan

 Official SC website hacked

  ISLAMABAD: The website of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has been hacked Tuesday, Geo News reported. This is the second time when the SC website has been hacked.

The hacker has left objectionable messages on the website and told that the data of the website is still intact and no harm has been done to it. It is only the index file that has been replaced with the hacker’s message.

Geo Entertainment

Michael Jackson doctor due in court in LA

LOS ANGELES: Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray finally goes on trial Tuesday accused over the King of Pop's death two years ago, aged 50, from an overdose of a powerful drug. A jury of seven men and five women will be sworn in at Los Angeles' Superior Court to decide Murray's fate on involuntary manslaughter charges over the star's death on June 25, 2009. Murray, 58, faces up to four years in jail if convicted at the twice-delayed trial, expected to last five weeks. Murray is accused of giving Jackson an overdose of the powerful sedative propofol to help alleviate his insomnia at a rented estate in the posh Holmby Hills neighborhood while rehearsing for a series of London comeback shows. The doctor has never denied administering the drug -- typically used as an anesthetic during surgery -- to Jackson, but denies having "abandoned his patient" at the fatal moment. His lawyer Ed Chernoff is expected to argue that the world-famous "Thriller" singer, desperate for sleep, administered more of the drug himself while Murray was out of the room. The trial will be televised live, but judge Michael Pastor has stressed that jurors cannot be recorded in any way. He has rejected a defense request for them to be sequestered, as took place during the O.J. Simpson trial. Security will be ratchet-tight at the court in downtown Los Angeles, where a major media circus is expected to be joined by often colorful Jackson supporters lamenting the star's demise and demanding justice. Some fans complain that Grenada-born Murray, who was being paid $150,000 a month by Jackson at the time of his death, faces only four years in jail. He has been free on $75,000 bail since being charged in February 2010. "I believe the trial is going to be a big disappointment no matter what the outcome is," said Wesley Noorhoff, head of the Legendary Michael Jackson Fan Association, which has members in over 180 countries. The jurors include high school graduates, some with a college education and one with an MBA. Six substitute jurors were chosen in case any of the first 12 selected drop out. Half are Jackson fans -- one of those selected, a 54-year-old woman, wrote that she "loved his music as a very young girl, as an adult not so much," while a man of the same age said he thought Jackson was a "gifted performer." The trial was originally due in March, but was delayed twice. In that time the judge has rejected a string of requests, notably to let Jackson's former doctors testify, in what the defense hoped would prove he was a drug addict. On the eve of the trial the judge ruled that footage of Jackson the London comeback shows cannot be shown in court. Murray's defense lawyers claimed the footage showed Jackson already under the influence of drugs -- by implication out of control -- while prosecutors said the footage was "absolutely irrelevant." Jackson's family is expected in court -- his mother and father, Katherine and Joe Jackson, as several of his siblings who attended six days of pre-trial hearings in January. But simmering tensions between them were stirred in July, when Katherine Jackson announced a tribute concert for her son, scheduled in Britain on October 8, a couple of weeks into the trial. Two of her sons, Randy and Jermaine, immediately criticized the plans as "inappropriate" and an "ill-timed event" during the LA trial of their brother's doctor. (AFP)

Geo World

Rabbani's killing plotted abroad: Afghan intel

KABUL: Afghanistan's intelligence agency said on Monday it had arrested a key figure in last week's assassination of former President Burhanuddin Rabbani and suggested the Taliban's senior leadership may have been involved. The National Directorate of Security (NDS) said an Afghan suspect had revealed that last Tuesday's suicide bombing that killed Rabbani, the government's top peace negotiator, was plotted outside the country. He told a hastily arranged news conference late on Monday that he would not identify the arrested man to avoid jeopardising the investigation. Deputy head of the NDS Zeya suggested the Quetta Shura, the Taliban's leadership council, may have played a role in Rabbani's killing and said the NDS would recommend to President Hamid Karzai that he push for the investigation to be taken beyond Afghanistan's borders. (Reuters)

Geo Business

Pak will be able to repay IMF loans: Hafeez

WASHINGTON: Pakistan will have no trouble repaying a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), finance minister said on Monday. "I think that there is no danger or threat of Pakistan not having the funds to pay back the IMF," Abdul Hafeez Shaikh told reporters at an event in Washington. "It's not even an issue that is a concern for us at this point," he said after attending the IMF and World Bank meetings over the weekend. The IMF has helped prop up Pakistan's economy with an $11 billion loan, of which the country has received $8 billion. Although the loan package ends Sept. 30, Pakistan does not plan on seeking the remaining funds because it has enough foreign exchange reserves. "Pakistan's reserves are higher than they would have been," Shaikh said. Shaikh said he "felt" that his country would be able to weather the economic hits. "Where we want to go, is to get back to 5 to 6 percent growth so we can accommodate our young people looking for jobs," he said. (Reuters)

Geo Pakistan

Chakwal mishap claims 34 lives

CHAKWAL: In a tragic road accident, thirty-four persons including students and teachers lost their lives while more than 50 got injured, Geo News reported Tuesday. The accident took place when a bus overturned near Kallar Kahar Chakwal on motorway. According to police, the crash took place near Salt Range due to failure of bus brakes. The bus was carrying more than 100 students returning from an excursion when the incident happened on a motorway. All the victims aged between 12 to 20, belonged to Millat Grammar School Faisalabad. Heirs identified 33 dead bodies while one student could not be identified whose dead body has been handed over to Faisalabad Assistant Commissioner. DCO Faisalabad while condoling the incident announced a holiday today. All education institutes, offices and markets would remain closed across the district. So far 17 dead bodies have been sent to Faisalabad while 15 injured students are being treated at Allied Hospital.

Geo Amazing and Interesting

'E-gate' adds face recognition to airline security

SAN JOSE: Silicon Valley-based AOptix on Monday introduced new "e-gates" that recognize faces as well as irises of passengers before opening to let them board flights. "This is what we call the future of passenger boarding," AOptix director of corporate communications Brian Rhea said as an InSight Duo electronic gate was tested at the San Jose International Airport in Northern California. AOptix e-gates that confirm identities based on iris scans are already in use at airports in Britain and Qatar and at a "high-security facility" in the US capital. The new system making its public debut at a Biometric Consortium Conference in Florida on Tuesday is touted as the first to add facial recognition to scanning irises, which are unique to every person. Those being "enrolled" look briefly at a scanner, which maps faces and eyes in seconds. Biometric data stored in computers is synced to bar codes on boarding passes or other documents. Someone trying to get on a flight places a boarding pass on a reader at an e-gate and looks into a nearby screen, which can check whether irises and faces match information on record. Security gates only open for correct matches. AOptix, founded 11 years ago in Northern California by astronomers, paired biometric scanning technology with gates made by Germany-based Kaba. The company said it has seen interest in combined iris-face identification systems from officials who run high-security buildings, airports, or border checkpoints. E-gates will not spare people from routine security screening at airports. Airlines tend to keep biometric data only for the short-term, dumping it after flights are completed and the data is no longer necessary for security checks. The iris or face databases linked to Duo e-gates at locations such as border checkpoints or building entrances would be up to those in charge of security. (AFP)

Geo Sports

Lahore Eagles record second successive win in T20 Cup

KARACHI: Three wickets off first three balls in the final over of the match by fast bowler Junaid Zia sealed a 15-run victory for Lahore Eagles against Abbottabad Falcons in the Faysal Bank National Twenty20 Cup here at the National Stadium on Monday night. Chasing 151, Abbottabad Falcons were collapsed for 135 runs in 19.3 overs as six of their batsmen could not get into double figures and two of them including captain Younis Khan got out for a duck. Only opener Yasir Hameed, who had hit a century against Quetta Bears previous day, resisted to score 44 runs from as many balls while Yasir Shah contributed 28. For Lahore Eagles, Junaid, Taufiq Umar and Mustafa Iqbal claimed two wickets each for nine, 16 and 24 runs, respectively. Earlier, Abbottabad Falcons scored 150 runs for four wickets in the allotted 20 overs after captain Taufiq Umar won the toss and decided to bat first. Openers Imran Farhat and Taufiq Umar provided a fine start, making 87 runs in ten overs. Imran made 43 runs from 31 balls with four boundaries and a six while Taufiq scored 35 off 36 balls with three fours. Hamza Paracha was unbeaten on 28 while Azhar Ali hit 21 with a six. For Abbottabad Falcons, Wajid Ali claimed two wickets while Junaid Khan and Khalid Usman took a wicket each.

Geo Entertainment

'Lion King' box office champ for 2nd week

LOS ANGELES: Disney's redux of "The Lion King" was crowned box office winner for a second straight week, with an estimated haul of $22.1 million, industry analysts said Sunday. Disney's new 3D version of the classic animated film now has a two-week domestic take of $61.7 million, box office tracker Exhibitor Relations said. Brad Pitt baseball drama "Moneyball" about a Major League team vying for glory despite its puny purse, came in second place with $20.6 million in tickets sold. Third place went to "Dolphin Tale" a family film about a dolphin's long-shot survival after an accident that caused his tail to be amputated. The movie was expected to earn bout $20.3 million weekend. Action picture "Abduction" debuted in fourth place with $11.2 million, while another new movie, "Killer Elite" opened in fifth, earning $9.5 million. In sixth place was the Steven Soderbergh thriller "Contagion" about a team of doctors attempting to track and contain a deadly pandemic. It earned $8.6 million, for a three-week total $57.1 million. Seventh place went to "Drive" about a Hollywood stunt driver working as a heist getaway driver, which earned $5.8 million. Rounding out the top 10 were "The Help"' which earned $4.4 million, "Straw Dogs" which netted $2.1 million, and "I Don't Know How She Does It" with $2 million. (AFP)

Geo Amazing and Interesting

Doctor in Brazil sends patient to morgue a bit too soon

RIO DE JANEIRO: A Brazilian woman in her 60s being treated in hospital for pneumonia was given up for dead by her attending physician, and sent to the morgue too soon, O Globo newspaper reported Sunday. The doctor felt no vital signs, ran tests and pronounced her dead. She was sent to the morgue and spent at least two hours in a plastic body bag. "I went to give my mom one last hug, and I could feel that she was breathing. I screamed out -- my mom is alive! And they all looked at me like I was crazy," Rosangela Celestrino, the patient's daughter, told the paper. "Not only did I have to go collect my mom from a cold storage drawer at the morgue, but when I got there, I find her still breathing," Celestrino went on. Hospital officials said the patient, Rosa Celestrino de Assis, had two strokes and had been on assisted breathing. At 7:30 pm local time Friday, a nurse phoned the attending doctor because she did not show vital signs. The doctor confirmed her death and sent her to the morgue. Hospital director Manoel Moreira Filho said the mistake was identified at about 10:00 pm, and the patient was immediately intubated and put back on life support. (AFP)

Geo World

Gun attack at Kabul 'CIA compound', 2 hurt

KABUL: A compound in Kabul used by the US's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) came under attack Sunday, officials said, the latest in a series of assaults in the Afghan capital. Afghan interior ministry spokesman Siddiq Siddiqui said police had heard "a couple of minutes" of gunfire from inside the Ariana Hotel compound at around 9.15pm (1645 GMT). "Our police heard there were some shots from inside the Ariana compound," he said. But he added that Afghan forces could not go inside as the site "belongs to coalition forces" and was "not within the reach of police". Two Afghan forces personnel were also wounded in the gun attack. An Afghan government source speaking anonymously to AFP said the Ariana compound was used by the CIA. A US official in Washington confirmed an attack against a facility used by US officials in Kabul, telling AFP "the situation is fluid, and the investigation is ongoing" over the incident. The CIA declined to comment. A spokesman for the US embassy in Kabul, Gavin Sundwall, also said he could not comment on the incident. Major Jason Waggoner, spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul, confirmed that "there were shots fired" near the hotel but did not have further details. (AFP)

Geo World

British police charge six with terror offences

LONDON: British police said Sunday they had charged six men who were arrested last week in Birmingham as part of a major counter-terrorism operation targeting extremists. Four men were charged with preparing for an act of terrorism, and two more with failing to disclose information, West Midlands police said. One of the men charged with failing to disclose information was also charged with terrorist fundraising. Unarmed officers detained seven men, all from Birmingham, last week. The officers arrested six suspects at or close to their homes in Birmingham, central England, between 11:30 pm (2230 GMT) on September 18 and 1:00 am on the following day. They arrested the seventh man on Thursday. Police said all the suspects were British passport holders. The six men, aged between 25 and 32, will appear at West London Magistrates Court on Monday. Irfan Nasser, 30, Irfan Khalid, 26, Ashik Ali, 26, and Rahin Ahmed, 25, will face charges of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts. Nasser and Ali are accused of planning a bombing campaign and stating an intention to be suicide bombers. Nasser and Khalid are also accused of visiting Pakistan to receive training in bomb, weapon and poison making. Bahader Ali, 28, and Mohammed Rizwan, 32, will face charges of failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism. Police said they were still questioning the seventh man, aged 20. Police also arrested a 22-year-old woman last Monday on suspicion of failing to disclose information that could help prevent of an act of terrorism. (AFP)

Geo Pakistan

 Diseases spread in flood-hit areas

  BADIN: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant rainwater that accumulates in parts of Sindh causing Malaria among various gastro diseases.

District Badin is still under water where flood affectees are experiencing tough life. Flood affectees are facing food shortage and suffering from various diseases due to lack of medication.

Rainwater could not be drained out in Mirpurkhas, Jhaddo, Tando Jan Muahammad and Naukot despite passing 18 days. Various houses and government office are still underwater in Mirpurkhas while land contact among villages could also not be restored.

Situation in tehsil Dor of Nawab Shah, Qazi Ahmad and Dolat Pur is no different from the rest as various diseases spread in the region due to stagnant water.

Geo Pakistan

'All options open' on Pakistan: US

WASHINGTON: The United States will have to consider all options "including defending our troops" in confronting Pakistani support for militant networks fighting U.S. soldiers in the region, a senator said on Sunday. "We need to put Pakistan on notice," Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican member of the Armed Services Committee said on "Fox News Sunday." U.S. military leaders said last week the Pakistani army's powerful ISI spy agency supported the Haqqani militant group that Washington blames for an attack on its embassy and other targets in Kabul, Afghanistan. Pakistan denied the allegations. Graham said Pakistan has to choose between helping the Haqqani network and helping the United States fight al Qaeda in Afghanistan and border regions of Pakistan. "The idea of Pakistan's intelligence agencies supporting terrorism as a national strategy needs to come to an end," Graham said. "It destabilizes Afghanistan. They're killing American soldiers. If they continue to embrace terrorism as part of their national strategy we're going to have to put all options on the table, including defending our troops." Graham said Washington should reconsider assistance to Pakistan and noted last week's approval by a Senate committee of $1 billion to Pakistan for counterterrorism operations. The panel made that and any economic aid conditional on Islamabad cooperating with Washington against militant groups, including the Haqqanis. The senator did not elaborate on what U.S. military action he would advocate if the situation did not change. "I am saying that the sovereign nation of Pakistan is engaging in hostile acts against the United States and our ally Afghanistan," he said. (Reuters)

Geo Pakistan

Commanders tear apart US chargesheet

RAWALPINDI: A Corps Commanders’ over-the-top meeting with Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in chair Sunday hashed out the latest Pak-US rift at length, brushing aside all the blames US slapped on Pakistan, Geo News reported. The meeting, which lasted for several hours, zoomed in on security affairs vowing a befitting retaliation to any cross-border incursion. The military top brass also agreed upon letting the political leadership of the country in on the decisions taken for which General Kayani will very soon hold meetings the President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Corps Commanders gave all the national security issues a 360-degree reckoning.

Geo Amazing and Interesting

 World's oldest operational car to be auctioned in October

  LONDON: It isn't quite a car, but this steam powered 1884 De Dion Bouton Et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos runabout is claimed to be the oldest running motorized vehicle in existence. The 127 year old De Dion can reach 38 MPH thanks to it's twin compound steam engines which need a tank of water every twenty miles.

Amazingly, this runabout has only had four owners since 1884. If all goes according to plan, this piece of history will find a fifth owner at RM Auction's annual Vintage Motorcars of Hershey auction on October 7. Pre-sale estimates have the De Dion selling somewhere in the $2-$2.5 million range.

Geo Sports

 Lahore Lions crush Hyderabad Hawks by 82 runs

  KARACHI: Lahore Lions defeated Hyderabad Hawks by 82 runs in the second match of the Faisal Bank National Twenty20 Cup 2011 being played here at the National Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing an improbable target of 195, Hyderabad Hawks were bundled out for 112 runs in 18.4 overs. All their batsmen except four failed to get into double-figures.

The main scorers were Sharjeel Khan (30), Faisal Athar (23) and Azeem Ghumman (20).

For Lahore Lions, slow left-arm spinner Raza Ali Dar and left-arm fast-medium bowler Wahab Riaz claimed two wickets for nine and 19 runs, respectively.

Earlier, openers Ahmed Shehzad and Kamran Akmal guided Lahore Lions to set a difficult target of 195 runs for Hyderabad Hawks.

After being put into bat by Hyderabad Hawks captain Azeem Ghumman, Lahore Lions piled up a big total of 194 runs for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad and Kamran Akmal provided a solid start of 116 runs in 12 overs on the basis of which other batsmen easily took the score to 194.

Both openers hit half-centuries as Ahmed made 72 off 50 balls with nine boundaries and Kamran scored 62 from 41 deliveries with seven fours and a six.

Kamran’s younger brother Umar was unbeaten on 33.

Off-break bowler Nasir Owais took three wickets for Hyderabad Hawks.

Geo World

Saudi king gives women right to vote

RIYADH: Saudi King Abdullah announced on Sunday he was giving women the right to vote and run in municipal elections, the only public polls in the ultra-conservative Gulf kingdom. He also announced that women would have the right to join the all-appointed Shura (consultative) Council, in an address opening a new term of the council. (AFP)

Geo Business

Trade body tense over Pak-US tension

LAHORE: The Pak-US Business Council Sunday expressed their serious concerns over the series of wild allegations and threats to Pakistan by the US administration and armed forces chief to achieve their interests. Founder Chairman Pak US Business Council and veteran trade leader Iftikhar Ali Malik while talking to APP here said that The United States must realise the sacrifices being offered by Pakistan to fight against menace of terror in the region. He said that the US should demonstrate the highest degree of responsibility in the war against terrorism. He said the entire world candidly acknowledged several times that Pakistan is the only country of the globe that suffered trillions of dollars' losses since 9/11, he added. He said that 5000 valiant troops of Pakistan armed forces laid down their lives in the war against terrorism and more than 35000 innocent people lost their lives in suicide attacks. Pakistan has sustained loss of at least $4 trillion including $ 200 billion to its economic sector in the aftermath of 9/11 and turmoil in Afghanistan", said Iftikhar Ali Malik. He said that at this crucial juncture, the entire nation especially business community stands united with valiant armed forces of Pakistan against any external threats. He said that conspiracies hatched against Pakistan by foreign elements would fizzle out. "With the grace of Allah Almighty our country will survive well". He lauded the services of armed forces personnel who sacrificed with their lives while fighting with terrorists. (APP)

Geo Entertainment

'Moneyball' scores a home run

LOS ANGELES: This is something that American men are never supposed to admit, but here goes -- I don't care about sports. I never followed a team, I've never cared who won the Super Bowl or the World Series, and I can count on one hand the number of games I've watched from start to finish on television. So it's really saying something that I was riveted by "Moneyball." And yes, it's set in the world of pro baseball, exploring how Oakland A's manager Billy Beane subverted the dominant paradigm by assembling a team of inexpensive, non-flashy players who could make it to base rather than spend millions on celebrity hot-shot ballers who might or might not deliver on the field. But really, "Moneyball" is about throwing out the established conventions of doing business and trying something new. So it could be about the iPod or the Obama 2008 campaign or the Fox network's decision to air new episodes of "Beverly Hills, 90210" during summer rerun season. This isn't a sports story, it's a tale of bold visionaries, so it's a perfect follow-up to "The Social Network" for screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, collaborating here with the equally acclaimed Steven Zaillian ("Schindler's List," the upcoming "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"). Baseball fans will, presumably, enjoy a peek behind the curtain of the 2002 season, but you don't need to know a bunt from a sacrifice fly to enjoy the movie, any more than you needed to write HTML code to follow "Social Network." "Moneyball" begins with Beane's disappointment at the end of the 2001 season - not only do the much-better-funded New York Yankees knock the A's out of the playoffs, but Oakland is also about to lose its star players (Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, and Jason Isringhausen) to teams that can offer them higher salaries. Attempting to replace these stars with a minimal budget, Beane visits the Cleveland Indians head office and finds some unexpected talent: Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), a number-cruncher who graduated from Yale with an economics degree and who has formulated an entirely different way of evaluating players. Brand doesn't care about their confidence or their handsomeness or their fielding skills or their throwing arms - everything boils down to whether or not they can get on base, even if it's by walking. The more players on base, the logic goes, the more runs scored and the more games won. The scouts for the A's refuse to believe that the process can be boiled down to statistics, but Beane believes in Peter's theories, particularly since Beane himself was a once-promising young player who gave up a full ride at Stanford to play baseball right out of high school, only to disappoint once he'd made it to the big time. The flashbacks of his lackluster career as a player underscore the older, wiser Beane's decision to rely on past performance rather than future potential in choosing players. So when Beane winds up with a roster filled with rejects, has-beens, old guys, and injured players, everyone from the front office to sports radio thinks he's lost his mind. But as 2002 moves from spring training to the games of summer to the playoffs, the nay-sayers are in for some surprises. "Moneyball" is based on Michael Lewis' book, and while the movie could have been an endless series of phone calls and people staring at screens, director Bennett Miller ("Capote") keeps things percolating, mixing in disparate elements like Beane's family life and his conflicts with team manager Art Howe (Philip Seymour Hoffman, all buzz-cut and red-nosed and looking like George Dzundza) and making everything feel organic to the story. Which is not to say the phone calls aren't riveting as well - there's a scene where Beane and Peter juggle three different teams in an attempt to close a trade that's a little masterpiece of managerial chicanery. If "A River Runs Through It" was Pitt channeling young, golden-boy Robert Redford, then this film represents Pitt growing into his predecessor's later roles in films like "Three Days of the Condor" and "The Candidate," where he took a somewhat bemused and cynical look at the world around him. Having come up through major league baseball on both sides of the bench, Beane knows how entrenched the sport is with doing business in a certain way, but he nonetheless forges ahead with his (and Peter's) radical notions. Whether Beane is berating a losing team or spending quality time with his daughter (Kerris Dorsey), Pitt gets every moment just right. Somewhat surprisingly, Hill more than holds his own opposite Pitt, exercising comedy muscles we've never seen him use on screen before. In movies like "Accepted," "Superbad," and "Cyrus," Hill generates a wonderful brand of manic-nebbish energy, but here he's a tamped-down, tie-wearing, soft-spoken Ivy Leaguer, and yet even within those constraints, his comic timing is perfect, turning the most disposable throw-away lines into nuggets of hilarity. The best of the "based on a true story" films manage to make things suspenseful even when you're aware how they turned out in real life. And while I was completely unaware of these events, even baseball fans may be surprised at the aftermath of the 2002 season and its ongoing impact on Beane's life. "Moneyball" is a witty and captivating look at thinking outside the diamond. (Reuters)

Geo Amazing and Interesting

Brain scans let computer reconstruct movie scenes

NEW YORK: It sounds like science fiction: While volunteers watched movie clips, a scanner watched their brains. And from their brain activity, a computer made rough reconstructions of what they viewed . Scientists reported that result on Thursday and speculated such an approach might be able to reveal dreams and hallucinations someday. In the future, it might help stroke victims or others who have no other way to communicate, said Jack Gallant, a neuroscientist at the University of California, Berkeley, and co-author of the paper. He believes such a technique could eventually reconstruct a dream or other made up mental movie well enough to be recognizable. But the experiment dealt with scenes being viewed through the eyes at the time of scanning, and it’s not clear how much of the approach would apply to scenes generated by the brain instead, he said. People shouldn't be worried about others secretly eavesdropping on their thoughts in the near future, since the technique requires a person to spend long periods in an MRI machine, he noted. (AP)

Geo Sports

National T20 Championship begins today

KARACHI: Karachi Dolphins hope to get sixth time lucky as they begin as hot favourites for the title at the Faysal bank T20 Championship which explodes into action here at the National Stadium from Sunday. The Dolphins have played and lost five domestic T20 finals and have never annexed the title but the heartening fact for their fans is that their team is one of the most balanced outfits in the tournament and has a solid chance of finally winning the crown. Led by the charismatic Shahid Afridi, the star-studded Dolphins have received a pre-tournament boost as they will now be playing on home turf after the event was recently moved here from Lahore because of a dengue outbreak in the Punjab. They have been placed in a rather easy group 'D' with Peshawar Panthers and Islamabad Leopards. One expects them to have an easy sailing at least till the knock-out stage. Their main rivals are Sialkot Stallions and Lahore Lions but Dolphins' good luck is that the two of their biggest rivals are in the same group, which means that one of the big two will not be able to go beyond group stages. But perhaps more importantly, it will be the support of home crowd and the advantage of playing in their own backyard that can help them to finally reign supreme in the event. Meanwhile, the tournament can be lit up by the unknown Afghan Cheetas, who are taking part in the event for first time in history. Though, they are not bringing some of their main players to the event but history beckons that the Afghans can prove to be tough nut to crack in shortest format of the game. They have been placed with current champions Rawalpindi Rams, former winners Faislabad Wolves and a dangerous Multan Tigers' outfit in Group 'B', in what certainly seems to be a 'group of death'. But Cheetas' can turn out to be the surprise package of the event. Test leg-spinner Danish Kaneria will be leading Karachi Zebras in the tournament and they will play the last match on Sunday against bitter rivals Lahore Eagles. The crowd can expect to see some fireworks when these two take on each under floodlights. The other teams to join them in Group 'A' are lowly Abbottabad Falcons and Quetta Bear. Meanwhile, five-time champions Sialkot stallions, the most successful side of Pakistan's T20 history, have been drawn with Lahore Lions and Hyderabad Hawks. Hawks can prove to be a nightmare for these two giants, as they have become a strong team in recent times and can cause a few upsets. Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali is expected to be the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the tournament today. Today's matches: Abbottabad Falcons vs Quetta Bears (12pm), Lahore Lions vs Hyderabad Hawks (4pm) and Karachi Zebras vs Lahore Eagles (8pm).

Geo World

Sikhs protest during Manmohan’s speech

NEW YORK: Hundreds of Kashmiris and Sikhs on Saturday staged separate demonstrations in front of the United Nations building as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the 66th session of the UN General assembly. Both groups called on the international community to raise its voice aginst human rights abuses by Indian security forces in Kashmir and Punjab.A third group of about a dozen supporters of Indian Congress Party stood silently with placards of support for Sonia Gandhi and her son, Rahul, as well as Manmohan Singh. The Kashmiri group most voiferous. Carrying placards and raising slogans, they called on the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to implement its resolutions that provide for the exercise of right of self-determination by the Kashmiri people. They also called for an end to the atrocities being committed by Indian occupation forces in Kashmir. "Implement Security Council Resolutions on Kashmir," was one of the many placards carried by the protestors. Others included "UN Wake Up, Wake Up", "No Justice,No Peace," and "Indian Occupation Forces: "Out, Out", and "We Want Right Of Self-Determination." Kashmiris belonging to all political parties were present. Among those who addressed the gathering were Sardar Sawar Khan, Captain (Rtd) Shaheen Butt and Hafiz Sabir. They urged the UN to implement its own resolutions and to bring an end to the repression of Kashmiri people. The Sikhs, most of whom were wearing yellow turbans were most conspicuous.They said India practiced sham democracy that gave no rights to the minorities and carried out a repressive policy.

Geo Pakistan

Corps commanders discuss security

RAWALPINDI: A special corps commander's conference under the chair of Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is underway at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi to discuss the country's security conference, Geo News reported. According to an ISPR statement, a Special Corps Commanders Conference will review the prevailing security situation in the country. All Corps Commanders and Principal Staff Officers are attending the meeting.

Geo Business

Pakistan Railways to rent Indian locomotives

LAHORE: Pakistan Railways will rent engines from India, Geo News reported. A meeting chaired by Railways minister Ghulam Bilour evaluated acquiring engines on rent from India. According to the Railways Ministry, the engines will be rented to increase performance and initially 50 engines will be acquired.

Geo Pakistan

US calls on Pakistan to break with Haqqani network   WASHINGTON: White House spokesman Jay Carney on Friday called on Pakistan to "break any link they have" with the Haqqani terror network, blamed for attacks in Afghanistan including the recent strike on the US embassy in Kabul. "We know that the Haqqani network was responsible for the attacks on our embassy in Kabul," Carney said. "We know that the Haqqani network operates from safe havens in Pakistan, and that the government of Pakistan has not taken action against those safe havens. This has been a longstanding concern of the United States, and one that we discussed with Pakistan, in public and in private," he said. Carney said that it was "critical" that Pakistan "break any links they have and take strong and immediate action against this network so they are no longer a threat to the United States or to the people of Pakistan." Islamabad on Friday warned Washington that it could lose an ally if it continues to publicly accuse them of exporting violence to Afghanistan through proxies like the Haqqanis. Earlier top US military officer Admiral Mike Mullen has called the Haqqani network a "veritable arm" of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.(AFP)

Geo Entertainment

Shakira to take part in Big Boss 5

MUMBAI: Latino pop star Shakira will take part in famous Indian reality show Big Boss 5. The show will be hosted by Bollywood actor Sunjay Dutt. This is not the first time an international celebrity will take part in the show. Hollywood actress Pamela Anderson was featured in the show during its last season. Big Boss 5 will start from October 2 and it is rumoured that Pakistani actress Humaima Malik will also be taking part in the reality show.

Geo Pakistan

Mullen’s Haqqani statement baseless: COAS

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said the statement of Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff regarding links with the Haqqani network is against facts, Geo News reported. COAS Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, in a statement, termed these accusations as very unfortunate and not based on facts. This is especially disturbing in view of a rather constructive meeting with Admiral Mullen in Spain, he said. On the specific question of contacts with Haqqanis, the COAS said that Admiral Mullen knows fully well which all countries are in contact with the Haqqanis. Singling out Pakistan is neither fair nor productive, the statement said. ‘Categorically denying the accusations of proxy war and ISI support to Haqqanis, the COAS wished that, the blame game in public statements should give way to a constructive and meaningful engagement for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan, an objective to which Pakistan is fully committed.’