Save the shalwar!

As summer approaches I see colourful billboards everywhere! Skinny models in glam make-up are wrapped in designer fabric – all to impress female consumers. The models wear long qameezes and short ones, baggy shirts and tight ones – what they do not wear are shalwars

Pakistan’s ‘ad-woman’ stuck in a time warp

Most ads in Pakistan show women as maids. Their major worries seem to be their family’s health, their complexion, hair and aging skin. All they do is cook, wash and their whole lives revolve around their family. But is this a true reflection of Pakistani women today

Facebook posting: Video clip captures mock suicide missions

A young boy dressed in black bids farewell to other children standing in a queue. The boy, around 12 years old, has his face covered with a black cloth. The children standing in the queue appear to be around four to 10 years of age

World Cup 2011: Why isn’t India prepared?

If India has one thing to learn from the Commonwealth Games debacle in New Delhi last year, it is to improve organisational skills before hosting a mega event.

Afridi, Pakistan fined for slow overs

NEW DEHLI: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has been fined 20 percent of his match fee and his team mates will lose 10 percent for their slow over rate in Saturday’s 11-run win against Sri Lanka, the ICC said on Sunday.

10 things I hate about World Cup fever

1. The hokey advertising. Not only do I have to endure endless matches endlessly playing themselves out on TV, I also get to watch cricketers mock-pensively recall how one bank changed their lives forever.
2. That we bank all our hopes for redemption on the promise of winning the World Cup. Pakistan’s name has been besmirched by ball-biters? That’s ok, a world cup win

YouTube video of the day: Snowfall in Lahore!

The weather took a turn for the unexpected when a hailstorm which lasted for nearly half an hour left much of Lahore covered with a layer of ice on Saturday.
The heavy hail, unusual for Lahoris, left most residents of the city astonished by the change in weather. However, many residents took to the street to enjoy the

Shabana Azmi’s emotional reunion with Faiz’s daughters

It was a tearful moment for actress Shabana Azmi, as she walked across the Wagah border into Pakistan and had an emotional reunion with famed Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s two daughters.
Shabana and husband Javed Akhtar went across the border this week along with 10 theatre artists including M.S. Sathyu, Shama Zaidi, Atul Tiwari, Rajendra Gupta and Lubna Arif on an invitation from the Faiz Foundation for the Faiz Ahmed Faiz Centennial.
“Faiz is my most favourite poet of all and even

Gaddafi unflinching as rebel city fears counter-attack

Rebels awaited counter-attack by Muammar Gaddafi’s forces on Monday, after the Libyan leader defied calls for him to quit in the hardest-fought of the Arab world’s wave of uprisings so far. Rebels holding Zawiyah, only 50 km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, said about 2,000 troops loyal to Gaddafi had surrounded the city. “We will do our best to fight them off. They will attack soon,” said a former police major who switched sides and joined the rebellion. “If we are fighting for freedom, we are

Portman wins best actress Oscar for Black Swan

Natalie Portman won the Oscar for best actress Sunday night, a credit to her terrifying portrayal of an obsessed, paranoid ballerina in “Black Swan.” It was Portman’s first win in two nominations and follows her supporting actress nomination for “Closer,” which was made in 2004. Portman, 29, who lost 20 pounds in the year she prepared for the film, is in the midst of a new transformation — she wore a deep purple off-the-shoulders dress on the red carpet to accommodate her growing baby bump.

Milan fashion awaits Chinese design boom

Chinese designers will drive catwalk trends more than deep-pocketed Asian buyers as China’s creativity becomes fashions’ next big thing, top fashion executives and designers said at Milan fashion week.
Chinese newly-rich fueled a record year for sales at luxury goods makers such as LVMH, with designers such as Ralph Lauren, Ermenegildo Zegna and Prada drawing inspiration from oriental prints and crystals to cater to Asian shoppers.
“The next big issue for fashion is not China’s economic boom but Chinese creativity,” Italian trend-setter designer and retailer Elio Fiorucci said on the sidelines of a Dolce and Gabbana show.

Petroleum dealers announced to end strike in Karachi

Abdul Sami Khan, the president of Petroleum Dealers Association, on Monday announced to end the ongoing strike.
The delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) met with Petroleum Dealers in Karachi. During the meeting, the senior leader of MQM, Farooq Sattar talked with Abdul Sami Khan on telephone.
President of Petroleum Dealers Association, Abdul Sami said during talking to media that Farooq Sattar ensured to discuss the issues with federal government.
Earlier, hundreds of people staged protest against the closure of petrol pumps in different areas of Karachi.

Stars gather as 'King's Speech' eyes Oscars crown

 HOLLYWOOD: British royal drama "The King's Speech" got another boost on the eve of what supporters hope will be its Oscars coronation Sunday, as stars gather for the climax of Tinsel Town's annual awards season.

The movie, nominated for 12 Academy Awards including best picture and best actor for Colin Firth, won best foreign film at the Spirit independent movie awards, barely 24 hours before the main Hollywood show.

Ballet thriller "Black Swan," nominated for five Oscars, won best film at the Spirits as well as best actress for Natalie Portman -- who is frontrunner in that category on Sunday.

With less than 24 hours to go before the annual awards mega-bash, stars were fine-tuning their acceptance speeches -- fingers crossed -- and

Fox enjoys high life on Britain's tallest tower

 LONDON: A death-defying fox clambered up Britain's tallest skyscraper and lived the high life on the 72nd floor of the tower in central London for nearly two weeks, officials revealed.

The intrepid animal climbed to the top of the Shard, which is more than 288 metres (945 feet) high and still under construction, where it enjoyed panoramic views over the British capital and lived off builders' scraps.

It managed to outfox its captors for almost a fortnight until February 17 when it was finally put into a cage and brought down from the tower, which will be the tallest skyscraper in Europe when it is complete.

It is believed the fox climbed up the building's central stairwell.

The fox, dubbed "Romeo" by his rescuers, was

Tea improves brain power, alertness

 AMSTERDAM: Natural ingredients found in a cup of tea can improve brain power and increase alertness, according to the latest study.

Researchers looked at the effect of key chemicals found in tea on the mental performance of 44 young volunteers.

The effects of these ingredients, an amino acid called L-theanine – which is also found in green tea – and caffeine at levels typically found in a cup of tea, were compared with a dummy treatment.

The active ingredients significantly improved accuracy across a number of switching tasks for those who drank the tea after 20 and 70 minutes, compared with the placebo

Imran wants Younis, Misbah to bat at 3-4 spots

The former Pakistan Captain Imran Khan believed that experienced batting duo of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq should bat at number three and four spots in ongoing Cricket World Cup (CWC) would be more fruitful and benefitting.
“Younis and Misbah are our best Pakistan batsmen and should bat up in the top order instead of batting in a crisis situation down,” he told a private Television Channel in his comments. Younis and Misbah have to bat under pressure situation if wickets fell early,” he said.
“War is always fought from the front and we

BREAKING NEWS: England and India play out an epic tie at Bangalore. India remain top of Group B

India 338 (49.5 ov)

England 338/8 (50.0 ov)

Match tied

Pakistan won by 11 runs

Pakistan 277/7 (50 ov)

Sri Lanka 266/9 (50.0 ov)

Patience is a virtue, believes Katrina Kaif

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif sincerely believes that “Sabr ka phal meetha hota hai” (Patience always pays off) — the slogan for her new Mango Slice ad campaign. She says she adapts to it in real life too.
“When one hears the word patience, a lot of people think of ‘waiting for a long time’ and sitting idle doing nothing’ but it is not my interpretation of patience. For me, patience is about waiting for the right thing and also about what you’re doing while you’re waiting,” said Katrina.
“It is about actively having a plan and a goal and

Google search formula gets more discerning

Google has changed its secret search formula in the United States to be more discerning when it comes to which websites are worth recommending and which should sink in the rankings. The move announced late Thursday was part of an ongoing duel between the search titan and low-quality websites that feature only content copied from elsewhere on the Internet or use techniques to trick their way high in results. “Many of the changes we make are so subtle that very few people notice them,” Google principal engineer

US national DeHeaven sent on judicial remand

The Judicial Magistrate in Peshawar sent the detained US national Aaron Mark DeHeaven on 14-day judicial remand on Saturday.
The arrested American national was nabbed on Friday on charges of illegally staying in the country after his Visa expired in October last year. Police say Deheaven, who runs a security agency named ‘Catalyst Services’, was arrested from University Town here.
The American was produced before the court of Judicial Magistrate Qudratullah on Saturday where he told the Pakistani government had issued him licences for different assignments.

Butt, Aamer appeal against corruption ban

Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and paceman Mohammad Aamer have lodged appeals against their bans for corruption at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, lawyers said Saturday.
“We have filed a statement of appeal in the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport against the ban by the International Cricket Council anti-corruption tribunal,” Butt’s lawyer Yasin Patel told AFP by email.
Opening batsman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Aamer were all banned on charges of corruption

Pakistan Blind team beat Australia by 61 runs

Pakistan Blind Cricket team beat Australia on Saturday in the 1st ODI by 61 runs at Park 25, Adelaide, Australia.
Australia won the toss and send Pakistan into bat. Pakistan had a terrible start of the innings as Pakistan lost both their openers on just 24 runs, Arfan Majeed was bowled on 7 runs and Muhammad Jameel the in-form batsman was bowled by Raymond Moxly after scoring 3 runs.
Pakistan lost its wickets in regular intervals, the wicket of Anees Javed left Pakistan in deep trouble, he scored just 8 runs and was bowled by Peter Robinson, says a

Egypt army apologises for beating Tahrir protesters

Egypt’s ruling military council apologised on Saturday after military police beat protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, but activists called for fresh protests to denounce violence by the authorities.
A security official and witnesses said that shortly after midnight, military police surrounded protesters, beating them with batons and using tasers to disperse the crowd of several hundred that had gathered to push for reforms.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces said that “what happened late Friday was the result of unintentional confrontations between the military police and the youth of the revolution.”

UK treasury ‘to seize’ Kadhafi’s billions

The British government plans to seize billions of pounds in assets belonging to Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi which include property and bank accounts, the Telegraph reported Friday.
The Treasury has set up a special unit to track down the assets which are believed to include a 10 million pound London home, the paper said.
“The first priority is to get British nationals out of Libya,” a government source told the daily.
“But then we are ready to move in on Kadhafi’s assets, the

Discovery shuttle blasts off on last space odyssey

The shuttle Discovery blasted off on Thursday on its final odyssey into orbit, marking the beginning of the end for what has been a central mission of the US space program for three decades. NASA’s most journeyed shuttle launched at 4:53 pm (2153 GMT) on its way to the International Space Station (ISS), and when it returns next month, it will become the first of the three-member fleet to enter retirement. “Good to be here,” Discovery Commander Steve Lindsey said by radio once the shuttle reached orbit.

PMLN ousts PPP from Punjab Govt

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has decided to end its coalition with Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) in Punjab as the 45-day ultimatum given to the government to implement PMLN’s 10-point agenda ends today.
Addressing a press conference after an important meeting of PMLN is at Punjab House here, PMLN chief Nawaz Sharif said his party had decided to part ways with PPP in Punjab.
“We have suffered enough at the hands of government and our patience has run out now,” said Nawaz Sharif.
Nawaz Sharif said the government had done

Ireland restrict Bangladesh to 205

Ireland bowled out Bangladesh for a modest 205 runs in their Group B clash on Friday as a sell-out home crowd of 25,000 looked on in stunned silence.
Seamer Andre Botha picked up three wickets and George Dockrell and Trent Johnston claimed two each after the home side elected to take first strike on a slow pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.
Wickets tumbled at regular intervals in a match Bangladesh had targeted as a must-win after they lost their first match to India by 87 runs at the same venue last

Raymond Davis requests immunity

The detained US national and alleged CIA contractor, Raymond Davis was produced before the additional session judge Yousuf Aujla at Kot Lakhpat prison here on Friday.
The accused insisted, during the hearing, he enjoyed diplomatic immunity and refused to sign the Challan against him.
Raymond Davis, who fatally shot dead two Pakistani citizens in a broad daylight last month, requested the court to grant him diplomatic immunity.
The western media say the detained US national was a CIA contractor in Pakistan.

Anti-Gadhafi forces plan new push in Libya

Libyans braced for mass protests Friday as the rebel movement called for a new push to oust Moammar Gadhafi after a day of fierce fighting in which rebels made new gains and advanced closer to his stronghold in Tripoli while pro-government forces attacked two nearby cities in battles that killed at least 17 people.
International momentum also has been building for action to punish Gadhafi’s regime for the bloodshed.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said Friday that the bloc needs to consider sanctions

Australia beats New Zealand

Shane Watson scored 62 as Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets in their Group A match at the World Cup on Friday.
Scores:
Australia 207-3 in 34 overs (Shane Watson 62, Brad Haddin 55; Hamish Bennett 2-63)
New Zealand 206 all out in 45.1 overs (Nathan McCullum 52, Daniel Vettori 44; Mitchell Johnson 4-33, Shaun Tait 3-35).

Pakistan won by 205 runs

Pakistan 317/7 (50 ov)

Kenya 112/10 (33.1 ov)

Pakistan won by 205 runs

Pakistan reach 317-7 after disastrous start

HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan made 317 runs for the loss of seven wickets after a disastrous start in Group A match of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium on Wednesday.

Qureshi says he is ready for trial

Former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday said in the National Assembly that there have been a lot of blames on me, such as that I am accused of meeting Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Chaudhry Nisar.
He said that he has never said or done anything against the party.
“During Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s first government she showed a lot of faith in me and when former President Farooq Leghari dissolved the government, I was in India then, I caught the first flight back to Pakistan to be with Mohtarma

I should not have acted in `3 Idiots`: Aamir

He won hearts with his portrayal of an engineering student in blockbuster `3 Idiots` and Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan says the only reason he decided to act in the film was that its subject was education.
“I shouldn`t have acted in `3 Idiots` as in no way do I look like an 18 year old. The only reason I did the film was because it was about education,” said Aamir.
The Rajkumar Hirani-directed film is the story of three students in an elite engineering institute reeling under pressure from the current educational system to excel in their

4 American hostages killed by pirates, US says

A pirate fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a U.S. Navy destroyer shadowing a hijacked yacht with four Americans aboard Tuesday. Then gunfire erupted, the military said. U.S. special forces rushed to the yacht only to find the four Americans fatally wounded.
The experienced yacht enthusiasts from California and Washington are the first Americans killed by Somali pirates since the start of attacks off East Africa several years ago. One of the American couples on board had been sailing around the world since 2004 handing out

Raymond Davis ‘was acting head of CIA in Pakistan’

A US intelligence agent arrested after shooting dead two men was the acting head of the CIA in Pakistan and had been gathering intelligence for drone attacks, according to intelligence sources.
Raymond Davis, a 36-year-old former special forces soldier, had taken command after the CIA station chief’s cover was blown, according to reports.
American officials insist he is entitled to diplomatic immunity and that he be released immediately.
Davis has been held for almost a month in a

After good reviews, ’7 Khoon Maaf’ earns Rs.28 crore

Vishal Bhardwaj’s films may not be money spinners, but they are high on content as is his Priyanka Chopra starrer “7 Khoon Maaf” that has a different story to tell. The film has not only garnered good reviews but has so far earned Rs.28 crore from its opening week box office collections and satellite and other rights.
The dark thriller about an incorrigible serial spouse-killer cost Rs.22 crore, which includes the money spent on publicity and advertising.
Released with 786 prints, its opening weekend

Salman Khan shoots action scenes on tuk-tuk

If his arch rival Shah Rukh Khan shot action scenes on a desi cycle-rickshaw, Salman Khan decided to be different and performed his stunts on tuk-tuk, the Thai auto-rickshaw, in the narrow streets of Pattaya for Anees Bazmee’s “Ready”.
“It was Bhai’s (Salman’s) idea to shoot with tuk-tuks which are very fast and powerful. He wanted to shoot an action sequence nobody has done before,” Bhushan Kumar of T-Series said in a press statement.
“People have shot romantic songs or scenes perhaps, but such a high-voltage action sequence will be seen for the first time in ‘Ready’. People will enjoy this unique Thai action,” he added.

Milan abuzz as Fashion Week kicks off

Glitterati, hawkish buyers and fashion-savvy writers flocked to the Italian capital on Wednesday for the start of Milan’s glamorous Fashion Week.
After London and New York, fashionistas flew in to see over 66 designers on show on 76 runways, including an exclusive few who will show off their collections on catwalks in front of the city’s towering Gothic cathedral.
Fashion giants Gucci, Alberta Ferretti and Roccobarocco will open the show on Wednesday, while Thursday’s catwalks will star Fendi, D&G and Prada.

Pakistan Blind beat Australia by 43 runs

Pakistan Blind Cricket team beat Australia on Wednesday by 43 runs in the 2nd Twenty-20 at Park 25, Adelaide, Australia. Australia won the toss and asked Pakistan to take guard. Pakistan scored a mammoth 232 runs on the board for the loss of 2 wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Muhammad Jameel who didn’t capitalised yesterday in 1st T-20, played a brisk innings of 97 runs on just 47 balls. Anees Javeed and Masood Jan remained not out on 63 and 59 runs respectively. Chris Bailie took 2 wickets, says a press release issued here on Wednesday.

Zardari invites Japan’s auto parts giant to invest in Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday invited Toyota Tshusho, a leading Japanese auto parts giant, to invest in Pakistan, as automobile sector in Pakistan is flourishing with the passage of time.
He said that Pakistan is providing attractive investment opportunities and security to foreign investors in various sectors and has set up a special economic zone at an area of 2000 acres near Karachi for Japanese investors.
He was talking to Junzo Shimizu, President Toyota Tsuhsho (Trading House dealing in supply of auto spare

Light showers likely in Lahore

Yesterday’s westerly wave that continues to affect upper country may cause light rain in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad divisions and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, GB , Kashmir during next 24 hours.
According to Met office sources, snowfall is also expected in the mountain areas.
Isolated rain was recorded in some parts of the country. Rain recorded in Quetta was 19 mm, Kalat 8 mm, Parachinar 6, Zhob 4, D G Khan 3, and Multan 1.5 mm during last 24 hours.
On Wednesday minimum temperature of

Excessive use of red meat causes cancer, heart diseases

 LONDON: Cutting back on steak, sausages and salami could help prolong your life, according to the most comprehensive study done on meat and mortality.

A team of researchers tracked half a million Americans over a decade and found those who ate more red and processed meats appear to have a "modestly increased" risk of dying from all causes, and specifically from cancer or heart disease.

In contrast, those who ate more white meat have a decreased risk of dying, and in particular of dying from cancer.

According to a research, excessive use of red meat may cause cancer and heart diseases.

Hakim Zardari acquitted in Baloch’s murder case

 HYDERABAD: District and Session Court Hyderabad acquitted Hakim Ali Zardari, father of President Asif Ali Zardari in the murder case of former federal secretary Alim Baloch.

Former federal secretary was killed in Hyderabad 14 years ago. Case was registered against nine alleged including Asif Ali Zardari and Hakim Ali Zardari.

Town changes name from ‘Speed’ to ‘Speedkills’

SYDNEY: Names can matter, thinks one Australian town named Speed -- which renamed itself ‘Speedkills’ in an effort to promote road safety. Speed, an outback town in rural Victoria with a population of just 45, will change its name for the month of March to reduce rural road accidents and increase awareness of the

Our aim is to win all group matches: Afridi

Skipper Shahid Afridi has said that our main aim is to win all our group matches where Pakistan will face Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Canada.
“There have been so many upsets in the World Cup in the past, like the one against Ireland four years ago, so we have that in mind and we will be on our toes in every match, be it Kenya or Sri Lanka,” Cricket 365 quoted Afridi as saying.
The current Pakistan squad has only four survivors from that Irish defeat – Younis Khan, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez and Kamran Akmal – but Afridi said no player has

Raymond Davis undercover for the CIA

An official said on Monday that an American official arrested last month for killing two men on motorcycles was working undercover for the CIA.
“It is beyond any shadow of a doubt that he was working for CIA,” an official from Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) agency told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The official said the shooting in broad daylight at a busy junction on January 27 in Lahore and arrest of Raymond Davis had damaged relations with the Central Intelligence Agency.
“He’s on contract. He’s not a regular CIA guy, but he’s working for CIA. That’s confirmed,” the official said.

Salman gets relief in chinkara poaching case

Bollywood star Salman Khan Monday got a relief in the 1998 chinkara poaching case as the Jodhpur bench of the Rajasthan High Court allowed him to leave the country without informing it in advance. The court had imposed the restriction on him before granting bail in the case in 2007. Following that, the actor had to inform the court before leaving the country in connection with movie shootings abroad. “The court while hearing our application has exempted Salman from the necessity of giving information prior to

Corruption row will not haunt Pakistan: Waqar

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said on Monday that the spot-fixing scandal, which sparked lengthy bans for three high-profile players, will not haunt his embattled team at the World Cup. In fact, the controversy, said Waqar, is not even discussed in the dressing room. “I don’t think it will haunt Pakistan at all,” said Waqar, ahead of Pakistan’s opening match here on Wednesday against Kenya. “We all know that we have been through tough times in the