China News: China smash their Asian Games gold record

GUANGZHOU: China smashed their 20-year gold medal record at the Asian Games early on Friday when women's karate fighter Feng Lanlan captured the delegation's 184th title.

The 26-year-old Asian champion Feng felled Japan's Emiko Homma 3-0 with a single scoring blow to clinch gold in the 68kg kumite class.

Kayaker Zhou Yu's triumph in the women's singles 500m discipline had earlier brought China's total to 183, equalling their haul at the 1990 Beijing Games.

China underlined their dominance in the event by picking up two more golds, including the men's canoe single 200m and the women's kayak double.

The hosts had already breezed to their goal of exceeding their 165-gold haul at the 2006 Doha Games with days to spare.

Although losing some of their most decorated athletes to injury and retirement, China brought 34 Olympic champions to the southern city of Guangzhou to usher in a new generation ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

China will hope to further boost their record on Friday when Olympic boxing champion Zou Shiming defends his 49kg title against Birzhan Zhakypov, while the hosts will fancy their chances against South Korea in the men's basketball final.

One competition where the long arm of China's Soviet-style sports system has yet to produce success will wrap up on Friday, when Afghanistan take on Bangladesh in the final of the men's Twenty20 cricket competition.

Afghanistan's band of refugee camp-raised players upset a second-string side from world cricket power Pakistan in the semi-final on Thursday and will hope a fairytale ending can bring joy to their war-torn country.

Lahore News: Govt fails to ensure sugar sale at Rs 72 per kg

THE powerful sugar mafia has outsmarted the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) which has failed to ensure the sale of sugar at the official rate of Rs72 per kilogram and the commodity is being sold at Rs80 to Rs100 per kilogram in the open market. Sources in the CDGL have claimed that the authorities are only focusing on the sale of imported sugar by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) at Rs 72 per kilogram in the open market while getting the Pakistani sugar, hoarded by dealers, at the official rate is still a dream for the public. The reason behind the difference in the rate of the TCP’s sugar and Pakistani sugar is that the former is thin while the latter is thick and called crystal sugar. Ashgar Butt, President Lahore Sugar Dealers Association, said the CDGL had no mechanism to check the sugar price in the open market. He said Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif was not informed properly about the demand and supply of sugar. He said a particular group of dealers was distributing the imported sugar to their favourites in the City. He said the daily demand of sugar in the provincial capital was around 1,000 tonne per day and the supply line was completely empty. He said though the mills had started sugarcane crushing but they were demanding Rs 80 per kilogram from the dealers, adding that if the dealers would buy sugar at Rs 80 per kg, then how they could sell it at Rs 72 per kg. MPA Saeed Elahi, who is member CM’s Taskforce on Sugar, admitted that local sugar was being sold at higher rates in the City. He, however, said that the TCP’s sugar was available at the official rate and there was no shortage. Rana Ayub, President Punjab Sugar Dealers Association, said the reason for sugar shortage was the lack of lifting capacity of the government. He said the lifting capacity of the TCP Karachi godown was around 5,000 tonne while the daily demand of sugar was around 12,000 tonne. He said the TCP should have spread the sugar stock across the country much earlier because the transportation time from Karachi to Lahore was that of about five days. He said the lack of lifting capacity was widening the gap between the demand and supply which ultimately was affecting the public. Mr Ayub also confirmed that sugar mills were demanding Rs 80 per kg and a large number of industrial consumers were ready to buy the sugar stocks at Rs 78 to Rs 80 per kilogram. He said he was ensuring the supply of sugar to the public instead of industrial consumers. He also criticised the local sugar dealers, saying many black sheep were still involved in hoarding of sugar. “This is why we have changed the supply time and on Thursday, we supplied sugar at Akbari Mandi during the day instead of the night,” he said, adding that the act had resulted in availability of sugar in the market for many hours. District Coordination Officer Lahore Ahad Cheema said that the city government was ensuring the sale of sugar at the official rate. However, he also admitted that Pakistani sugar was being sold at higher rates. He said teams were constituted to check the availability and sale of sugar at official rates in the City and they teams were checking around 700 retailers on a daily basis. He said the city government had also started inspecting big stores to ensure the sale of sugar at the official rate.

Sports News: Pakistan win cricket bronze, beat Sri Lanka

GUANGZHOU: Skipper Khalid Latif smashed an unbeaten 53 off 42 balls as Pakistan won the cricket bronze medal at the Asian Games with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Friday.

Khalid, whose five one-day internationals made him the only capped player in his young team, hit four sixes and two fours to lift Pakistan past Sri Lanka's 135 all out with two overs to spare.

Three of those sixes came in one over from leg-spinner Malinga Bandara, boosting the total after Pakistan had lost four wickets for 85 runs.

Bilawal Bhatti returned unbeaten on a quickfire 24 off 14 balls that included the winning hit for a six off Nuwan Zoysa.

Pakistan made amends for the 22-run defeat in Thursday's semi-final against Afghanistan, who take on Bangladesh in the final later on Friday.

Sri Lanka's total revolved around an opening stand of 53 in eight overs between Zoysa and Jeevantha Kulatunga.

Kulatunga top-scored with 31, while Zoysa, who played 30 Tests and 95 one-dayers primarily as a left-arm seamer, hit two fours and a six in a run-a-ball 24.

Dilshan Munaweera's 28 carried Sri Lanka to 100-3 by the 15th over, before the last seven wickets crashed for 35 runs, four batsmen being run out.

Left-arm spinner Raza Hassan was Pakistan's best bowler with 2-19 from his four overs.

Pakistan News: Senate approves report on RGST amid opposition protests

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Friday approved review report of Committee on Finance and Revenue on Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) amid massive protest from the opposition and some of PPP allies, anewz News reported. Committee on Finance and Revenue presented its review report on RGST amid massive uproar in the house. The report was presented by Senator Ahmed Ali. A massive uproar was witnessed in the upper house over the bill. Opposition as well as the coalition partners of the government, MQM, JUI-F opposed the RGST and demonstrated against it. Awami National Party (ANP) supported PPP government over the bill. At the beginning of the session, government allies MQM and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) along with opposition PML-Q presented their proposals and a motion rejecting the RGST. PML-Q staged walk out against the bill. PML-N and Jamaat-e-Islami also opposed the bill and raised slogans against it. Senator Raza Rabbani raised his reservations on the bill, saying the report presented by the committee is inappropriate. Chairman Farooq H Naek refused voting over the bill presented against RGST.

World News: US Worried at New WikiLeaks’ Release

WASHINGTON: The United States is concerned about a big dumping of classified documents by WikiLeaks which is expected to include diplomatic cables.

“We are gearing up for the worst-case scenario, that leaked cables will touch on a wide range of issues and countries,” Crowley told media.

India News: RSS Hooligans Attack Mirwaiz in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was attacked by the hoodlums of the Hindu communal organisation, Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh in Chandigarh Thursday during a seminar on Kashmir and Pak-India relations.

According to the KMS news agency, the attackers barged onto the stage, where Mirwaiz had just started his speech and snatched mike before him. They subjected the APHC Chairman to physical assault.

The All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) has started a campaign to apprise the people of India about the gross human rights violations being committed by Indian troops across the Valley and need for resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq reached Chandigarh to address the seminar as a part of the campaign. He was also likely to travel to Kolkata for attending another seminar.

It may be mentioned here that the hooligans of Hindu extremist organizations had earlier attacked veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, and senior APHC leader, Shabbir Ahmad Shah.

Entertainment News: Romanian satire Morgen speaks universal language

LOS ANGELES: Set against the staunch bureaucratic backdrop of international border politics, “Morgen” is an oddball, gently-observed, fish-out-of-water tale that leaves an impression despite its languid, low-key tone.




Working with a cast of regional actors, Romanian filmmaker Marian Crisan refrains from firing more pointed satirical barbs to make his case for tolerance in the face of ever-tightening government regulations. His efforts were rewarded with multiple prizes at this year”s Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.



While out fishing, Nelu, a middle-aged, mild-mannered supermarket security guard (Andras Hathazi) lands more than he bargained for when he encounters Behran, an illegal Turkish immigrant (Yilmaz Yalcin) ducking Romanian-Hungarian border police.



Despite the tricky language barrier (the impish, bearded Turk”s lines aren”t even accompanied by subtitles), Nelu offers the cold, hungry man refuge back at his rural farmhouse, much to the irritation of his bossy wife (Elvira Rimbu). In the process of trying to figure out how to smuggle his unintended guest across the border into Hungary, Nelu and Behran end up forming a curiously engaging bond.



Allowing his story to unfold in extended wide-angle shots that underscore the unhurried daily regimen of Nelu”s small-town existence, writer-director Crisan puts an accessible human face on the subjects of politics and xenophobia. While it recalls Danis Tanovic”s Oscar-winning “No Man”s Land” (depicting the 1993 war between Bosnia and Herzegovina) in its examination of the folly of international conflict, Morgen takes a less biting approach to its brand of satire, allowing its universal truths to unfold organically, with the patience of a seasoned fisherman intent on landing the big catch.

Latest News: Krishna asks Pakistan to dismantle terrorists’ network

Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has asked Pakistan to dismantle the terror machine operating from its territory and bring all the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack to speedy justice.

In a statement to coincide with the second anniversary of the terrorist attack in Mumbai, the Minister said, Once again I call upon Pakistan to dismantle the terror machine operating with impunity in territories under its control and to bring all the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks to speedy justice. India has accused Pakistan of not doing enough to bring the plotters behind the audacious attacks to justice.He said India seeks peaceful, stable and cooperative relations with Pakistan. India is committed to resolving all outstanding issues with Pakistan through dialogue, the Minister added.

Bussiness News: EURO Devalues to Historic Low

EURO has plunged down to a historic low after the fears of fiscal crisis in Europe whereas bearish Asian markets have transformed into bullish.

European currency remained under pressure due to increased interest rates on Spanish debts and protests in Portugal. Value of EURO reached 1.32 dollars in London which is a historic low value. Apprehensions related with affects of Irish fiscal crisis reaching Portugal and Spain are also prevailing.

On the other hand German Chancellor Anjela Merkel has termed the fiscal and monetary situation of Europe as serious.

Afghanistan defeat Pakistan, Pakistan Got Upset Defeat

In the first semi-final game of cricket of Asian game Pakistan got defeated from Afghanistan team. The match was played at Guanggong International Cricket Stadium. It was upset defeat to Pakistan team. Pakistan team was favorite to win the Asian game but it was bad luck for them as they got defeated from Afghanistan team.

Babar Awan says Agriculture Tax is Provincial Matter,

Federal Law minister Babar Awan has said that after the 18th amendment, imposition of tax on agriculture has become a provincial matter.

Talking to the media outside the parliament house,

Freida Pinto look for work in Indian language film

Updated at: 1011 PST,  Thursday, November 25, २०१०

MUMBAI: Slumdog Millionaire’ star Freida Pinto has ruled out starring in a Bollywood movie as she thinks many of the films are “churned out” by producers with no quality control.


The Mumbai-born actress, who shot to worldwide fame with the Oscar-winning movie, has been offered several “

Pakistan, Malaysia final clash begins in A. Games hockey

GUANGZHOU: The final clash between Pakistan and Malaysia for lifting the Asian Games hockey title has begun here.
Pakistan has reached the final of Asian Games hockey after 20 years,

United States worried at new WikiLeaks release

The United States is concerned about a big dumping of classified documents by WikiLeaks which is expected to include diplomatic cables, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.

"We are gearing up for the worst-case scenario, that leaked cables will touch on a wide range of issues and countries,"

M.Q.M: Urges Agriculture Tax in RGST Talks

KARACHI, Pakistan News: The second round of talks, held between government officials and a delegation from MQM to review RGST, has concluded here late Wednesday.
Talks, ended after 1:00 am, lasted for no less than 8 hours .
Government, during the talks, assured MQM of reviewing RGST, however, MQM

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Rehman Malik: Anti-Corruption Drive To End Mence From Country:

Minister for Interior Rehman Malik said on Tuesday that the anti-corruption drive launched by the government would end the menace from the country.Talking to mediapersons outside the parliament, he said “the measures taken by the government

SHC To Hear Twin Offices Case Tomorrow

KARACHI: Chief Justice of Sindh High Court Sarmad Jalal Osmani today constituted a three-member bench to hear a constitutional petition challenging the two offices of the president of Pakistan and co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party held by Asif Ali Zardarim, our News reported Tuesday.