Russia says its submarine fired missiles at Daesh base in Syria

MOSCOW: Russia said Tuesday its submarine deployed in the Mediterranean fired three ballistic missiles to destroy a command post of Daesh group in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province. "A missile strike with three Kalibr missiles destroyed a command post with large numbers of militants and armed vehicles and also a large weapons and ammunition depot," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement posted on Facebook. It said the strikes targeted the area around the town of Abu Kamal, one of the few remaining urban strongholds of Daesh in Syria. The ministry added it could confirm "the destruction of all the given targets." It posted a video on Twitter of a missile blasting out of the sea. There have been heavy clashes between the Syrian army and Daesh group in the city of Deir Ezzor, capital of the Deir Ezzor province in eastern Syria. Russia said Tuesday that its Veliky Novgorod submarine has carried out four cruise missile strikes on terrorist groups since it was deployed to the Mediterranean in late August. At Russia's Syrian naval base of Tartus in the eastern Mediterranean, Russian ships have played a prominent role backing up an aerial bombing campaign in support of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. The submarines are covered from Syria by Moscow's S-300 and S-400 missiles systems and its Bastion coastal defence system.

India, Nigeria, Thailand join top business reformers

Developing economies such as Nigeria, India, Thailand and El Salvador have made the largest strides in improving their business. Photo: AFP file. WASHINGTON: Developing economies such as Nigeria, India, Thailand and El Salvador have made the largest strides in improving their business climates while New Zealand and Singapore retained their top ranks for ease of doing business, the World Bank said Tuesday. In an annual report on 190 countries? efforts to encourage investment and job creation by cutting red tape and reforming regulations, the global lender also said Sub-Saharan Africa was again the region which saw the most progress ?but countries there varied widely in performance. ?It is particularly gratifying to see that many of the reforms are being carried out in economies and sectors where they are most needed,? Rita Ramalho, acting head of the bank?s Global Indicators Group, said in a statement. Now in its 15th year, the annual report tracks indicator areas such as the ease of starting a business, connecting to power grids, contract enforcement, taxes and bankruptcy proceedings and then scores countries for their commercial environments and improvements made over time. Countries with higher scores also tend to create more jobs, according to the report, but it warned this correlation should not be interpreted as a cause. Countries with lower scores also tended to exhibit higher income inequality, it said. War-torn Somalia remained at the bottom of the list while the island nation of Mauritius ranked 25th, higher than Thailand, Poland and Spain ?showing broad variety of experiences in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, women can now open businesses without first getting permission from their husbands but 36 economies still put barriers before women entrepreneurs, according to the report. White House advisor Ivanka Trump last month touted the launch of a World Bank-fund aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among women. India ranked 100th, up more than 30 places, and was among the top ten most-improved, having implemented eight reforms between 2016 and 2017. India also had the highest score in South Asia for protecting minority investors. The United States moved up two places to sixth, ahead of Britain but behind Hong Kong and South Korea. Mainland China, the world?s second-largest economy, held steady at 78th and scored a low 172nd in for dealing with construction permits, even though the country?s recent building boom helped propel economic growth. According to the World Bank, Beijing and Shanghai perform below international best-practices, with 23 steps and 249 days required to obtain a permit and related costs amounting to 7.8 percent of the cost of actual construction. In 60th-ranked Turkey, by comparison, which ranks 96th in construction, permits took only 18 steps and 103 days, costs amounted to four percent.

Bitcoin jumps as CME unveils plan for futures contract

NEW YORK: Bitcoin prices rose Tuesday after exchange giant CME Group announced it planned to launch a futures marketplace for the cryptocurrency in the fourth quarter. The move is a vote of confidence in the controversial virtual currency, which has not been listed on a major exchange previously. The CME operates a range of prominent exchanges around the world and handles three billion contracts a year. "Given increasing client interest in the evolving cryptocurrency markets, we have decided to introduce a bitcoin futures contract," said Terry Duffy, chief executive of the Chicago-based CME exchange group. "As the world's largest regulated FX marketplace, CME Group is the natural home for this new vehicle that will provide investors with transparency, price discovery and risk transfer capabilities." The start of the exchange is contingent on regulatory approvals, CME said. The contract will be for bitcoin futures, a derivative product that sets pricing for a commodity or financial instrument at a future date. Some types of futures contracts rarely result in delivery of the underlying asset. Since November 2016, CME has published each day at 1600 GMT a bitcoin reference rate (BTT) based on the trade flow of major spot exchanges. The announcement sets up a race between CME and its Chicago-based rival CBOE Holdings, which in August announced plans to launch a cash-settled bitcoin futures contract in the fourth quarter of 2017 or early 2018 with the Gemini Trust Company. The CBOE said the launch depended on a review by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The cryptocurrency market has grown to $172 billion, with bitcoin accounting for 54 percent, CME said. Near 1445 GMT, bitcoin was worth $6,367, up 4.3 percent compared with Monday's closing price, according to Bloomberg. The value of bitcoin has risen rapidly since its launch in February 2009 from a few cents to about $1,000 at the start of 2017 before this year's surge. The currency has encountered some roadblocks. China barred its trade on virtual currency markets, and some prominent figures in finance, such as JPMorgan Chase chief executive have also sharply criticised bitcoin.

Axed Catalan president stays in Brussels 'for safety'

BRUSSELS: Catalonia's axed separatist leader said Tuesday that he would stay put in Brussels after being dismissed by the Spanish government, but denied he would seek asylum to avoid possible rebellion charges. Calling himself the "legitimate" Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont told a packed news conference he was in Brussels "for safety purposes and freedom" and to "explain the Catalan problem in the institutional heart of Europe." "We want to denounce the politicisation of the Spanish justice system, its lack of impartiality, its pursuing of ideas not crimes, and to explain to the world the Spanish state´s serious democratic deficiencies," he said. The 54-year-old, whom Spanish prosecutors want to charge with rebellion - punishable by up to 30 years in jail - and sedition, denied, however, that he would seek legal protection from Belgium. "I am not here in order to demand asylum," Puigdemont said. The media-savvy and floppy-haired former journalist did not detail how long he intended to stay but said that other members of his "legitimate" government would remain in Catalonia to "carry out political activity". Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said that Puigdemont - who has said he is ready to go to prison rather than give up on independence - "will be treated like any other European citizen". The Belgian leader was at pains to stress that his government had "not undertaken any step to encourage Mr Puigdemont´s arrival on Belgian soil". Motorway to Marseille After being axed on Friday, Puigdemont reportedly drove hundreds of kilometres (miles) from Catalonia to Marseille in southern France with several members of his dismissed cabinet and then flew to Belgium. His departure is the latest dramatic twist in the saga over semi-autonomous Catalonia's drive for independence that has presented Spain with its biggest political crisis in decades. With its own language and distinct culture, Catalonia, which accounts for a fifth of Spain's economy and 16 per cent of its population, is deeply divided over independence. On October 1, Catalonia held an unregulated referendum - marked by a heavy-handed operation by Spanish police - that saw a large majority in favour of seceding from Spain Turnout was just 43pc, however, and Spain's top court ruled the plebiscite illegal. Puigdemont insists this gave the Catalan parliament a mandate to declare independence on Friday, a decision beamed onto big screens to cheering crowds in regional capital Barcelona. But the reaction from Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government was swift and emphatic. Invoking a never-before-used article of the constitution, Madrid dismissed Catalonia's leaders and imposed direct rule. Previously the region had a high degree of autonomy over key sectors such as education, healthcare and the police. On Tuesday Spain's top court ordered the suspension of the Catalan parliament´s independence declaration. Spain's Civil Guard police force meanwhile searched the headquarters of Catalonia's regional police in a probe centred on the independence referendum, a spokesman said. Spain's Supreme Court summoned the former speaker of the Catalan parliament to charge her. The international community including the European Union, struggling with Brexit and other challenges, has largely spurned the independence declaration and backed Rajoy. Slow down There had been speculation that Catalan leaders and civil servants might seek to disrupt Madrid´s imposition of direct rule but it passed off without major incident. "We haven't come across a single civil servant who isn't doing his or her duty," Enric Millo, a central government representative in Catalonia, said Tuesday. But it appears that the crisis has converted more Catalans into independence supporters. A regional government opinion poll carried out in October showed there are more Catalans who favour independence than not. Carried out in October, it showed 48.7pc of respondents said they wanted a separate state against 43.6pc who didn't. In the last such poll conducted in July, those against independence were close to 50pc versus 41.1pc in favour. Still, a former Catalan minister, Santi Vila, told Catalan radio Rac1 Tuesday that Puigdemont´s government had been "under the illusion" that it would be easy, and that the independence drive "could take place rapidly and without damage." Puigdemont said in Brussels that he did not want to put Catalan civil servants in a "difficult situation" and that the independence drive should "slow down" to avoid unrest. Rajoy has called snap elections for December 21 to replace the Catalan parliament in a drastic bid to stop the secessionist drive. Puigdemont said on Tuesday that he accepted the "challenge" and that he would "respect" the result. He urged Madrid to do the same if separatists retain their majority.

Protestants, Catholics mark 500 years since Reformation

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) waves to wellwishers as she walks to her car after leaving the Schlosskirche (All Saints' Church, Castle Church) in Wittenberg, Germany, where she attended a celebratory mass on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Photo: AFP WITTENBERG: Catholic and Lutheran leaders Tuesday begged forgiveness for violence sparked by the Reformation, as worshippers celebrated 500 years since the religious revolution that created the Protestant church. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived for a service at the church where German theologian Martin Luther is said to have first displayed his list of criticisms of the Catholic church in 1517. Legend has it Luther nailed his "95 theses" to the church door in a brazen challenge to the powerful institution, creating shock waves that eventually changed the face of Christianity. The Reformation caused major upheaval in Europe, leading to wars, persecutions and exoduses, including the departure of the pilgrims for what was later to become America. The deadliest of Europe's religious conflicts was the Thirty Years' War which ended in 1648 and after which religion's role in European politics was reduced. The Vatican and Lutheran World Federation released a rare joint statement on the anniversary Tuesday, saying they "begged forgiveness for our failures and for the ways in which Christians have wounded the Body of the Lord and offended each other during the five hundred years since the beginning of the Reformation until today". "We recognise that while the past cannot be changed, its influence upon us today can be transformed to become a stimulus for growing communion, and a sign of hope for the world to overcome division and fragmentation," the statement read. ´Overcoming differences´ The service at the gothic Schlosskirche (All Saints' Church) in Wittenberg in eastern Germany marks the end of year-long celebrations by Protestants in 700 German towns and cities. Ahead of the service, celebrants crowded the street leading to the 16th-century house of worship, which houses Luther's tomb. Luther challenged Catholic clerics' practice of selling "indulgences" to repentant worshippers. He said Christians could not buy or earn their way into heaven but only entered by the grace of God, and his challenge had widespread ramifications, including the establishment of the Church of England in Britain in 1534. However, the theologian's name has also been associated with one of Germany's darkest periods: his attacks on Judaism in his writings were used as a reference for Nazi ideology. Merkel, herself the daughter of a Protestant pastor, said it was essential that Luther's anti-Semitism never be scrubbed from his theological legacy. "That is, for me, the comprehensive historical reckoning that we need," she said in her weekly video podcast on Saturday. There are many theological differences between Protestants and Roman Catholics, including whether or not the Bible is the highest authority in matters of faith and whether the pope has full power over the Church. In the joint statement, both parties committed to "overcome remaining differences between us", adding that it was "clear that what we have in common is far more than that which still divides us". The precise number of Protestants is difficult to establish, given the number of Churches and offshoots, but the independent Pew Research Center estimates there were more than 800 million in 2011.

iPhone X is best yet and FaceID works, mostly: reviewers

An attendee uses the Face ID function on the new iPhone X during a presentation for the media in Beijing, China October 31, 2017. Photo: REUTERS The first reviews of Apple Inc?s eagerly awaited iPhone X are out and the verdict is clear: it is the best iPhone yet. The run-in to the November 3 release of the redesigned glass and stainless steel device has been dominated by concerns over the supply and functionality of its new FaceID access system. At $999, it is also the most expensive phone the company has ever launched, but going by channel checks run by market analysts, demand is already far outstripping supply. ?It?s thin, it?s powerful, it has ambitious ideas about what cameras on phones can be used for, and it pushes the design language of phones into a strange new place,? Verge reviewer Nilay Patel said in a lengthy review, which he promised to keep updated as he explored more features. There is no home button in the iPhone X, a key feature on previous phones, and users instead tap the device to wake it up. The fingerprint sensor is gone as well, replaced by the much-talked-about FaceID, which unlocks the phone by recognising your face with the help of a front-facing ?TrueDepth? infrared camera. So does the FaceID work? Reviewers had reservations. While the feature works even if the user changes their appearance, wearing sunglasses for instance, it may not work as well if some key facial features are obscured. CNET reviewer Scott Stein posted pictures of himself with various props, giving FaceID a thumbs up under most circumstances. ?I tried the phone with at least five of my coworkers. None of their faces unlocked it - although none of them look remotely like me,? he said, adding that all the tests worked far better than Samsung?s face unlock feature on the Galaxy Note 8. Reviewers said FaceID, as well as the lack of a home button, would take some getting used to. Reviewers said Apple had given guidance that the system works best at a distance of 25 to 50 centimetres away from your face or about 10 to 20 inches. The iPhone X also has wireless charging and is the first time Apple has used an OLED display. ?The iPhone X display is the best display I?ve ever seen on a smartphone,? said CNBC?s Todd Haselton. ?I had my doubts before going into the review because Samsung?s Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 smartphones were at the top of my list. But Apple took screens from Samsung and had its engineers' fine tune them.? Apple shares were up almost 1 percent in early trading in New York.

Iraqi forces advance to edge of final Daesh bastion Al-Qaim

BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces on Tuesday battled up to the edge of Al-Qaim, the largest town still held by Daesh in the country, as they pushed a final assault on the militants. Iraq's Joint Operations Command said government troops - backed by US air strikes and tribal fighters - captured the village of Al-Obeidi, some 20 kilometres from the Syrian border on the eastern outskirts of the town. "IS fighters resisted the advance of the troops, but the majority retreated to positions in the centre of Al-Qaim," it said in a statement. Al-Qaim and the surrounding pocket of barren desert territory along the Euphrates river is now the last remnant in the country of the self-styled caliphate Daesh declared after rampaging across Iraq and Syria in 2014. Iraq launched the offensive on the Al-Qaim region - which also includes the smaller town of Rawa - on Thursday to finish off a punishing campaign that saw it force the militants out of their major urban stronghold Mosul in July. Al-Obeidi was "one of the most important locations for IS fighters, who were there in great numbers," local tribal militia commander Qatari al-Obeidi told AFP. "They had arms caches and production lines for making explosives and preparing suicide bombers." Since the start of the offensive, last week government forces have also retaken a cement plant and phosphate processing facility, said operation commander General Abdel Amir Yarallah. As Iraq makes its final push, Daesh is also battling for survival against competing offensives backed by the US and Russia in the territory just over the porous border in Syria. Long before the rise of Daesh, Al-Qaim became renowned as a hotbed of insurgency in the wake of the US-led invasion in 2003. The roughly 150,000 people living in the Al-Qaim region - with 50,000 inside the town itself - are from a small number of influential tribes. Under Daesh, the town has been a vital supply route for its forces in Iraq and the oil-rich province of Deir Ezzor it once dominated over the border in Syria.

Hate campaign shuts down French anti-harassment hotline

French feminists who set up an anti-harassment phone line announced that they had been forced to shut it down after just three days because of a wave of insulting messages. Photo: AFP file. PARIS: French feminists who set up an anti-harassment phone line announced Tuesday they had been forced to shut it down after just three days because of a wave of insulting messages. Activists Clara Gonzales and Elliot Lepers launched the ?anti-relou? (anti-annoyance) mobile phone service Friday, encouraging women being hassled by insistent men to give its number out instead of their own. If a man who refused to take ?no? for an answer texted the fake number, he would receive an automatic response reading: ?If a woman says no, there´s no point in insisting.? Gonzales and Lepers said they axed the service late Monday after the number received ?more than 20,000 insulting messages? over the course of a few hours. The organisers were also targeted on Twitter with a flood of hate messages including death threats, while dozens of food orders were made to their homes. ?We were the victims of a coordinated attack against the service and a campaign of harassment against us personally,? Gonzales and Lepers wrote in a statement. ?We will try to reactivate a similar service as soon as possible.? They added: ?Above all we want a government response that matches the expectations expressed by the whole of society in recent weeks concerning the fight against violence targeting women.? The trolling campaign comes in the midst of a global outpouring of anger over sexual harassment and abuse following the Harvey Weinstein scandal. The French initiative took its inspiration from a similar phone number set up by US feminist pop culture website The Mary Sue following the claims against Weinstein and millions of other men around the world. The coordinated wave of text messages appears to have been intended to bankrupt the initiative ?which had launched an online fund-raising campaign ?as the service sent an automatic reply to each one. Gonzales and Lepers said the campaign against them was organised via an infamous youth forum on website jeuxvideo.com ?roughly a French equivalent of the English-language message board 4chan, a hub for young internet trolls.

Egypt says air force kills militants after attack

CAIRO: Egypt's military said Tuesday its air force had carried out a desert raid, killing "a large number of terrorist elements" responsible for the deaths of 16 policemen earlier this month. The policemen were killed in an October 20 shootout with militants on the road between Cairo and the Bahariya oasis in the Western Desert, a rare flare-up outside the Sinai Peninsula. Authorities are fighting the Egyptian branch of Daesh, which has killed hundreds of security personnel in northern Sinai, more than 500 kilometres from the site of this month's clash. The state television said Tuesday the military had acted on "confirmed information" on the whereabouts of the militants involved. The air force attacked a hideout in "a mountainous area west of Fayoum" south of Cairo, it said. The raid destroyed three four-wheel-drive vehicles carrying large quantities of weapons, ammunition and "extremely explosive material", it said. Armed forces and police are combing the area for other fugitives, it added. The defence ministry said that on October 20 it had sent police to the area, less than 200 kilometres southwest of Cairo, after learning that militants there were "hiding, training and preparing to carry out terrorist operations". As they approached, militants opened fire with heavy weapons, triggering a shootout that lasted several hours and also left 13 police officers injured and one missing, the ministry said. No group has yet claimed responsibility.

Nation not individuals to decide minus, plus formulas: Nawaz

[embed_video1 url=http://ift.tt/2z0MxS7 style=center] LONDON: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif, weighing in on the debate surrounding the minus-Nawaz formula for PML-N, remarked that it is the decision of the nation and not individuals. While speaking to the media on Tuesday, he remarked that ?nation has the say on the decisions surrounding minus and plus formulas.? He added, ?individuals cannot take such decisions on their own.? Rumours are rife pertaining to ?minus-Nawaz? formula for the ruling PML-N. However, party leaders have time and again claimed that this formula is unacceptable. Earlier in the day, Punjab Law Minister and senior Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday said that the party will not accept the 'minus-Nawaz' formula. PML-N won't accept 'minus-Nawaz' formula: Rana Sanaullah 'We will not accept the minus-Nawaz formula, this was firmly our stance and shall remain to be so' While speaking on Geo News' Programme Geo Pakistan, he remarked: ?We will not accept the minus-Nawaz formula; this was firmly our stance and shall remain to be so." 'Minus-Nawaz formula unacceptable' On Monday, the party senior leaders in a high-level huddle reiterated their support for Nawaz and said a minus Nawaz formula is not acceptable. It was reportedly said during the meeting that Nawaz?s disqualification on the basis of Iqama [foreign work permit] had rallied supporters around him as the party feels he was not given a fair trial in the Panama Papers case. The participants of the meeting also said that there is no space in the political landscape of the country for any unconstitutional step and there is no support from any quarter for such measures. Shehbaz to be PM if PML-N wins 2018 polls Moreover, it was also decided in the party meeting, which was held in London, that if victorious in next year's general elections, the party's prime ministerial candidate will be Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Shehbaz to be PM if PML-N wins 2018 polls, decide party leaders Decision made in high-level PML-N meeting in London on Monday As reported in Geo News' programme Aaj Shahzab Khanzada Kay Saath on Monday night, according to sources, it was also decided in the meeting, chaired by PML-N President and former premier Nawaz Sharif and attended by Shehbaz and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, among others, that statements on party policy will now be given by the Sharif brothers and not their respective children ? Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz. During the meeting, which lasted over three hours and was held at Hasan Nawaz's office, Shehbaz and the prime minister attempted to convince Nawaz to avoid clashing with state institutions, especially so close to next year's general elections. Agreeing with the proposal, sources said Nawaz was of the opinion that one cannot be expected to stay quiet if an injustice has been meted out to them.

PTI will oppose any legislation aimed at delaying general elections: Imran

[embed_video1 url=http://ift.tt/2gZGVRc style=center] KARACHI: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan on Tuesday said that his party will oppose any legislation that aims at delaying the general elections. <="" a><="" blockquote>="">=""> Imran took to Twitter to express his opinion, which comes a day after he alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz's (PML-N) president and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif seemed to be desperate for another National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)-like deal. ?He is desperate for NRO to avoid conviction on money laundering and save his Rs300 billion stashed abroad from being frozen,? Imran had tweeted. Photo: Imran Khan TWITTER A high-level PML-N huddle in London, on Monday, had decided that Nawaz would continue as the head of the PML-N but also tone down his tirade against state institutions on the basis of his "unfair trial". The former prime minister had said that he will return to Pakistan to attend the corruption trial against him on Friday. PML-N huddle in London decides minus-Nawaz formula not acceptable Talking to media after arriving in London, former PM said a weak government results in a weak state Last week, the accountability court hearing corruption references against the Sharif family issued bailable warrants for the former premier in the three references against him as he has lately been a no-show in the proceedings. The references against the Sharif family pertain to the Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment, their London properties and over dozen offshore companies owned by the family. The hearing was then adjourned until November 3, with the last chance for the former premier to ensure his presence in court.

Google ditched autopilot driving feature after test user napped behind wheel

CALIFORNIA: Alphabet Inc's self-driving car unit stopped developing features that required drivers to take control in dangerous situations, its chief executive said Monday, as autopilot reliance left users prone to distractions and ill-prepared to manoeuvre. The decision followed experiments of the technology in Silicon Valley that showed test users napping, putting on makeup and fiddling with their phones as the vehicles travelled up to 56 mph. John Krafcik, the head of Waymo, which was formed in 2009 as a project within Alphabet's Google unit, told reporters that about five years ago the company envisioned technology that could autonomously drive cars on highways as a quick way to get on the market. Other self-driving automakers include similar autopilot features for highway-driving in vehicles, but they require drivers to take over the steering wheel in tricky situations. Waymo planned to do the same. "What we found was pretty scary," Krafcik said on Monday during a media tour of a Waymo testing facility. "It's hard to take over because they have lost contextual awareness." Krafcik said the company determined a system that asked drivers to jump in at the sound of an alert was unsafe after seeing videos from inside self-driving cars during tests. The filmed tests were conducted in 2013, with Google employees behind the wheel. The videos had not been publicly shown until Monday's event, Waymo spokeswoman Lauren Barriere said. The company decided to focus solely on technology that didn't require human intervention a couple of days after the napping incident, said Krafcik, who joined as CEO in 2015. It has also since argued against allowing "handoffs" between automated driving systems and people. "Our technology takes care of all of the driving, allowing passengers to stay passengers," the company said in a report this month. The two drive controls provided to passengers in Waymo's Chrysler Pacifica minivans are buttons for starting a ride and asking the vehicles to pull over at their next chance. Waymo is running a ride-hailing pilot program around Phoenix, Arizona that chauffeurs an undisclosed, but growing number of users in self-driving cars. The service area is limited to well-mapped roads on which Waymo has extensively tested. Krafcik declined to specify when the company would expand beyond the small experiment, saying only that such a moment is getting close. "He reiterated that the company is simultaneously also identifying ways to launch self-driving trucks, municipal transit services and partnerships with carmakers. "We see four potential applications, whether it's Waymo branded or not," he said.

PML-N won't accept 'minus-Nawaz' formula: Rana Sanaullah

LAHORE: The Punjab Law Minister and senior Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday said that the party will not accept the 'minus-Nawaz' formula. "We will not accept the minus-Nawaz formula, this was firmly our stance and shall remain to be so," Sanaullah stressed while talking on Geo News' Programme Geo Pakistan. Responding to a question about a possible change in the party leadership, the provincial law minister said that Nawaz Sharif will continue to be the final authority for all decisions. "Every member has the right to consult and express their opinions, but the final decisions will be taken by Nawaz Sharif," he said. He also denied the rumours of rifts within the PML-N, though former interior minister and senior PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, on Monday, openly admitted to the existence of issues in the party. ?If [members of the party] rise above personal interests, only then issues that exist within the party and even personal interests can be tended to,? Nisar had said in an informal conversation with the media. PML-N needs to rise above personal interests: Nisar ?If party members rise above personal interests, only then internal party issues, personal interests can be tended to? Sanaullah dismissed Nisar's statement by saying that the latter's opinions were 'his own' and only he could explain his statement best. "The party has shown [good] performance under Nawaz's leadership and shall continue to do so," he said, adding that Nawaz has never resorted to tactics like lockdowns and protests. The provincial law minister said that the party had 'bowed down' to the Supreme Court's July 28 decision to disqualify Nawaz from holding public office but the party leadership had the right to disagree with the verdict. "If Nawaz questions the decision or defends himself, how can that be termed as the politics of resistence?" Sanaullah said, responding to an allegation that the PML-N has resorted to the 'politics of resentment.'

What has gone wrong with Real Madrid?

Just a few month ago, Real Madrid became the champions of both Spain and Europe. Winning the Champions League first time in the history of the competition. The royal team from Madrid were widely recognised as the best team in the world. Domestically, Los Blancos are in trouble, trailing Barcelona by 8 points this early in the season, Real Madrid has never had such a big deficit in the league. So what has changed for Real Madrid, which has had five players featured in FIFAPRO WORLD XI just last week? Squad Depth Real Madrid was known for their options available on the bench, where the likes of Alvaro Morata, James Rodriguez, Pepe had to fight for a starting position in the team. Even though Madrid did sign few of the hottest youth prospects, such as Dani Ceballos and Theo Hernandez, and had Jesus Vallejo, Marcos Llorente and Borja Mayoral return from loan spells but that is not enough. All the signings mentioned are talented and can be the best in the future, but at this point in time, they can?t be relied upon to change games by themselves. Lack of Late goals The men in white salvaged points on nine different occasions in the last 10 minutes. In the current campaign, only Cristiano Ronaldo?s winner at Getafe has snatched a late victory, while the team has conceded in the 93rd minute to lose at home to Real Betis last month. Overconfidence Real Madrid lost to Girona 2-1 after taking the lead early on with the help of Isco. Zidane couldn?t be blamed for taking the opposition lightly as he named his strongest 11 available. However, Real did take their foot off the gas after taking an early lead in Catalonia. ?We lacked a bit of attitude, we allowed them to come back very easily,? admitted Isco. ?We need to play better and work harder,? added midfielder Casemiro ?Madrid are always obliged to win.? Striker problem After selling Morata, Real Madrid only have Benzema as an out and out striker. Though Benzema was never known for scoring goals week in and week out, he holds the play and makes room for the likes of Ronaldo and Bale to score goals. This season hasn?t been the case at all, with Bale injured and Ronaldo misfiring, Real Madrid are finding it hard to score goals freely as they did last season. Ronaldo has only scored a single goal in the league, although a suspension saw the 32-year-old miss the first four La Liga fixtures, one goal in six games is his worst start since joining the club. Injury Crisis It would be unfair to put the entire blame on Ronaldo. Real Madrid has had a fair share of their players injured early on in the season. Real Madrid has had 10 injuries in 12 matches so far this season. With Carvajal recovering from a heart problem, Navas and Bale are set to miss their crucial tie against Tottenham in the Champions League. Madrid clearly have a talented squad, but they need to get their domestic focus back quickly or Barcelona will disappear over the horizon before the first Clasico of the season at the Bernabeu on Dec. 23.

Korean Male Pop Stars Are Breaking Stereotypes of Masculinity & It's A Glorious Revolution

Shiny and glowing skin, smoky eyes, perfectly coiffed hair and eye-popping apparel. No we are not talking about our lovely Bollywood divas, but the classic look of K-pop male idols. Now, while India is yet to fully embrace the Korean wave of music what we can learn and appreciate for sure is how these “Hallyu” (Korean wave) artists are smashing stereotypes of masculinity left, right and centre. © Twitter-SM Entertainment Let's be brutally honest. How many times have you made fun of a man who seems to be dressed a wee bit more flamboyantly than the usual? How many times have you smirked wickedly when a guy talked about his love for shoes? And lastly, how many times have you channelled your inner Supreme Court judge when facing a man talking passionately about skincare? We are all guilty here. After all, Indian men were brought up with the concept of a certain defined radius of masculinity which, God forbid, no one dare challenge. I can't tell you how many times I have mentally beaten up people (both men & women) for saying things like “Pink? Really? I thought you were a guy!” or this particular one which turns me into an angry bear, “GAY LAG RAHA HAI!”. I swear, such narrow minded barbs and jabs only show how much more we need to develop as a society. via GIPHY The Korean pop industry boasts of a stellar line up of “pretty boy” bands who besides smashing records with their amazing music are stealing millions of hearts across the globe with their perfect, doll-like look which, sometimes, appears to be computer generated (seriously). via GIPHY Bands like BTS, EXO and GOT7, who are the current flavour, are filled with boys who are driving women around the planet to insanity with their looks. Colourful hair, skin which is unbelievably clear and a pop of tint on their lips is enough to leave fans obsessing for hours. Unfortunately, this look is brushed aside as downright “girly” as the concept of men wearing makeup is still unacceptable in many of our societies. © Twitter- Big Hit Entertainment V from BTS is one classic example of someone who constantly juggles bold choices and regular looks, pulling off both with flair. On stage while performing, he flaunts bedazzled jackets, oversized hoodies, smoky eyes, contact lenses and unbelievably bouncy hair. © YouTube While appearing on talk shows and game shows, he jazzes up the regular shirts-pants combo with a beret or earrings. Both ways, he ends up looking immaculate in pictures which leave his fans and public, in general, with jelly-legs. via GIPHY Now, while some of our Indian bros are still learning how to use a face wash (sigh), we have men in Japan and Korea who not only use a variety of skincare products but also dabble with make up in their daily routine. They are ditching the traditional 'manly suit', which has always been believed to be a confidence booster for men, and are boldly embracing outfits & colours that highlight their personal best features, ranging from displaying sexy collarbones to flaunting sculpted thighs and knees. © Twitter- Allure K-pop's leading men are redefining the very idea of masculinity, and while it is still being digested by men from other cultures and countries, we applaud their daring choices which highlight their individuality and speak volumes about their identity. © Facebook- Shinee Official Many Korean idols openly talk about their rigorous skincare regimes and often take to social media showing fans how they take care of their skin and the range of products they use. The sheer confidence with which they display that side of theirs is commendable. Sadly, here in India, we still lose our minds when an actor wears pink or rocks an outfit that is even slightly unconventional for a man. © Viral Bhayani We are hoping Bollywood stars take a page from Korean “oppas” and just stop already with the predictable blue-black-suit-shirt-sneaker look which is just…no other way to say this…BORING! Why should poor Ranveer Singh single-handedly shoulder the burden of being the daring fashion challenger? © Facebook Ranveer Official However, top marks go to our men from the North-East, whose fashion sense can give stellar competition to their female counterparts. Many men from the north-eastern states are inspired by K-pop artists and it is visible in their day to day life. I lived in Nagaland for four years and was witness to it. I dreaded going to church every Sunday, because I knew I would be the only one looking like garbage in my plain jeans and shirt while the Naga dudes layered their hoodies with leather jackets and rocked artfully ripped jeans and sneakers. Most importantly, they did not just copy paste K-pop fashion, but carried a certain look with their individuality stamped over it. © Facebook- Big Bang If a man wants to look more physically attractive to others, or even himself, then no one has the right to stop him. There is no set concept of masculinity in any culture and everyone needs to be open to change. Some are able to celebrate themselves as men within the traditional boundaries while some find solace in a hint of kohl. © Facebook- BTS By showing their fans that they can be sexy even with shiny jackets and oversized sweaters, K-pop idols are sending a message saying “Watch me! There is nothing girly in this. I can sing, dance while looking pretty and still rock your damn world.” via GIPHY via GIPHY So, just unclench already and walk boldly into that salon and ask for a facial if you want. This writer has personally seen men who are trying to experiment with makeup, skincare and keep up with fashion trends, but are violently demotivated by society including their own sisters and girlfriends. We are forgetting that gender roles are not set in stone and we have all the right to bring about change. Experimenting is the key here and it needs to be embraced by both sexes. © Facebook- BTS Official Now, while K-pop single-handedly cannot bring a revolution into the lives of Indian men, it can surely inspire one to go beyond the boundaries and have fun with life. So, the next time you see your buddy trying to jazz up his regular look, please don't be a jerk and shoot him down with your venomous jibes. Also, if you feel your hands inching towards that particularly funky pair of shoes, go for it.

Faryal tells fans to 'relax' after criticism pours in on Halloween costume

American-Pakistani model Faryal Makhdoom found herself in the middle of yet another controversy, and this time it was not because of her relationship with British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan. The model dressed up as DC supervillain Poison Ivy for Halloween and her followers were not happy. Social media users lashed out at the model for ?disobeying Islam? after she unveiled her stunning makeover on Instagram. Amir Khan?s estranged wife has hit back at her fans asking them to ?relax? after coming under fire for dressing up as DC supervillain Poison Ivy for Halloween. The snap showed her wearing a bright-red wig and face gems. Some fans were unhappy that the model had decided to celebrate Halloween. ?As a Muslim, u shouldn?t really dress up but looks alright,? an individual wrote. Another comment said: ?You?re a role model to so many young Muslims. May Allah swt guide you and us.? Others ran to her defence, with one commenting: ?What?s in celebrating Halloween? It?s not a sin. Like u just some creepy makeup and costume that?s it. Duh.? The 26-year-old model could not let the controversy pass without commenting herself. The pregnant model, who has previously admitted that she was ?not perfect Muslim?, visited her comment section to tell fans to take it easy. She wrote: ?It?s a Halloween look guys. It?s not an everyday party look lol. Please relax.? Faryal later removed the video from her Instagram account. Faryal and Amir split up earlier this year in a string of explosive tweets in which Khan accused his wife of cheating on him with fellow boxing star Anthony Joshua. She had hit out at the former light-welterweight world champion with claims he had slept with other women during their four-year marriage, writing: ?After all these years. I?ve always defending a cheat, always stuck around for him, always had his back.? In September, Faryal had said she wanted to get back together for the sake of their unborn child and apologised to her in-laws for their public spat. The couple is now in the process of a divorce despite earlier claims that they were trying to give their relationship another go. But boxing champ Amir tweeted: ?Unfortunately it didn?t work out between Me and Faryal and we are still going ahead with the divorce. We are in good talking terms. We have to think about our daughter Lamaisah who I will always be there for. I wish Faryal all the very best for the future.?

Do not see a future for MQM, Imran: Wassan

Parliamentarian Mazoor Hussain Wassan speaking to media on October 31, 2017. Photo: Geo News screen grab2 KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Home Affairs Manzoor Hussain Wassan claimed that there is no future for political opponents, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan. ?MQM?s name will cease to exist and the party will be dissolved. More people will leave the party and another party will be formed in its place,? he predicted while speaking to media on Tuesday. In the future, MQM?s head will be in Dubai, he claimed further. Speaking of the PTI chief, he remarked ?people who wanted to use Imran for their personal gains have done so. Don?t see a future for Imran either.? Instead of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, it will be Imran who will be imprisoned, he claimed. ?Imran says that Zardari will be imprisoned. I say that Imran will be imprisoned.? He also remarked: ?Time for dreams has ended, now I predict future.? Speaking about the future of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, he said that it is possible that either Maryam Nawaz or her uncle Shehbaz Sharif will become the prime minister. Reacting to PML-N Head Nawaz Sharif returning to Pakistan, he said if Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan, it is possible that he is not able to go back to London. ?Nawaz Sharif will definitely be jailed.? Wassan claimed that important decisions will be made in November.

Michael Jackson tops Forbes list for top earning dead celebrities

Michael Jackson - AFP File Photo It?s been ten years since the king of pop passed away, yet he continues to generate millions of dollars. In a list released by Forbes, Jackson is the number one dead celebrity when it comes to generating revenue for the fifth consecutive year. According to Forbes, Michael Jackson generated $75 million which was boosted by the release of a new greatest hits album, a Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show and a stake in the EMI music publishing catalogue. Second on the list is golf legend Arnold Palmer who generated $40 million. The creator of the Peanuts franchise, Charles Schulz ranks third with $38 million. The list also includes Elvis Presley who ranks fourth with $35 million and Bob Marley who ranks fifth with $23 million.

Blast hits Afghan capital Kabul: witnesses

KABUL: A loud blast shook windows and doors in an area of the Afghan capital Kabul where many foreign embassies and government departments are based, Reuters reporters heard on Tuesday. The cause of the blast and the extent of any damage was not immediately apparent.

National Assembly to retain 272 seats: Ayaz Sadiq

NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq addressing the media on Tuesday. Photo: Geo News LAHORE: The National Assembly of Pakistan will retain 272 seats, a decision which was taken during the meeting of parliamentary parties. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq said while the number of seats would remain the same there would be a change in the allocation for provinces. ?The number of seats for Punjab will decrease, KP and Balochistan will see an increase, while an additional seat would be allocated for Islamabad.? It was decided in the meeting that nine seats from Punjab, out of which seven are general and two are reserved for women, will be decreased. However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will witness an increase of five seats, of which four will be general seats and one reserved for women candidates. Balochistan will see an increase of three national assembly seats, two general and one for women. Sindh and Fata will not see any changes in the number of seats, while Islamabad Capital Territory would have and increase of one seat in the assembly. Sadiq, speaking to the media, elaborated that a short NA session will be held as the "decision has been made in principle" to not increase the number of NA seats, which would remain capped at 272. He added further that after the national assembly passes the bill, it will be passed on to the Senate. "We are trying to get it done by Friday, and will then present it [bill] in the Senate," said Sadiq. The speaker of the assembly said the decision was taken after knowing the time constraints faced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). "All agree that the seats should not be increased." Earlier today, Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) Secretary Babar Yaqoob said that after holding the new census, it is not possible to conduct polls on the old constituencies. Yaqoob said the ECP is worried about the delimitation of constituencies in light of the new census. He informed that the delimitation and work on voters? lists would be undertaken simultaneously, but added that he feared there will be more room for error if the ECP is given less time for these exercises. Yaqoob said even if by November 10 the government is able to complete the legal formalities with regard to the new constituencies, the ECP will be able to make it work.

Turkmenistan sells China ice cream as energy profits melt

ASHGABAT: Reclusive Turkmenistan hailed on Tuesday its first shipment of ice cream to China as the crisis-stricken Central Asian country seeks to diversify its exports beyond hydrocarbons. Ata Bayramov, a representative of state-endorsed Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, said a private company, Taze Ay, had dispatched over six tonnes of ice cream to China, which is also Turkmenistan's leading purchaser of natural gas. "This is a trial party designed to test the ground for further cooperation," Bayramov told AFP. If the trial delivery is successful, "the company plans to increase supplies and the number of assortments," he added. According to Turkmenistan's state statistics committee, the tightly-controlled republic does not presently export any other food products to China. Strongman leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has implored businesses to add diversity to an economy where hydrocarbons equal more than 90 per cent of exports. A growing economic crisis in Turkmenistan has seen the government slice nearly a fifth off the value of its manat currency in 2015 while slashing subsidies that made water, electricity and gas effectively free earlier this month. Downward pressure on energy prices in recent years and the collapse of a long-term contract to supply natural gas to the Russian market last year has increased Turkmenistan's dependence on Chinese demand. Turkmenistan sits on the world's fourth largest reserves of natural gas in the world.

Reviewing if PSL final will be held in Karachi or not: Sethi

PCB Chairman Najam Sethi while speaking to media on October 31, 2017. Photo: Geo News screen grab LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board Chairperson Najam Sethi shared that it is currently being reviewed if the final of Pakistan Super League season three will be held in Karachi or not. While speaking to media, Sethi remarked that discussions are being held pertaining to PSL season three. It was also advised that two playoffs of PSL should be held in Lahore, he shared. The schedule of West Indies tour of Pakistan will be announced in coming days, PCB chairman shared on Tuesday. When asked if India will play in under 19 tournament, Sethi replied: ?I don?t know if India will play in Pakistan or not. If India doesn?t, it can forfeit the match.? However, the tournament will for sure be held in Pakistan, he added. On the other hand, Director Cricket Operations Haroon Rashid remarked that only Quaid-e-Azam Tournament shouldn?t be counted as domestic cricket. Speaking about the necessity of hosting international matches and teams, he said that it would considerably reduce the financial burden from the cricket board. ?When we play with other countries in their home grounds, it meant us having to reciprocate that. However, many international players did not want to come to Pakistan. Now, that the country?s security situation has improved, we are trying that at least juniors teams come play in Pakistan,? he explained. On October 27, reports emerged that PCB is still waiting for a final word from Cricket West Indies (CWI) on the proposed tour of Pakistan by the West Indies team for a series of three T20Is. A source in PCB had confirmed to Geo.tv that PCB has sent the proposed itinerary and the related plans to the CWI and the board is now waiting for the final approval. ?We are hoping for a reply from them by Wednesday,? the source had remarked. A joint statement from PCB and CWI had stated that Cricket West Indies and Pakistan Cricket Board were advancing discussions that would see the West Indies team play three T20 matches against Pakistan in Lahore in late November. However, the statement then had said that the proposed tour will be subject to the ICC World XI team's visit to Pakistan and affirmation of manageable security by ICC-sponsored security experts.

5 Unknown Female Erogenous Zones You Should Definitely Know About

A lot of men are probably unaware of the fact that women have special areas on their bodies, where a boatload of sexual pleasures resides. All you guys have to do is find the right spot(s) to turn the heat up a little and enjoy giving your woman some extra loving. For those who are unaware, these spots are known as the erogenous zones and some of them are away from the usual breasts, nipples, clitoris and anal area. The word 'erogenous' comes from the Greek word ' eros' which means love and the English word 'genous' which means producing. So to put it simply, there are tons of other 'love producing' zones in a woman's body you probably didn't know about, that heighten sexual pleasure for her and make your work much easier! If you remember that iconic scene from the hit sitcom 'Friends', where Monica is talking to Chandler about the seven most common erogenous zones in a woman's body (seven, Seven, SEVEN!), you will be surprised to know there are more than seven and some of them are not really known at all. Everyone responds to touch differently and each zone develops different stimuli to touch. So here we are, talking about the lesser known erogenous zones in a woman's body. Listen up! The Collarbone Yeah, kind of an important one, the collarbone, apart from being an extremely elegant part of a woman's body is also very sensitive to touch. If you lay your fingers right and stroke her collarbone, it can certainly seem intensely pleasurable for her. The skin around the collarbone is quite thin, so it makes it even more sensitive to touch. Don't be rough around the edges! © Thinkstock The Fingertips The fingertips are known to be the second most sensitive part of the body (the first being the tongue), since they have the ability to touch and feel things around. Lightly graze your tongue on her fingertips or suck on them gently. You can also use a bit of your teeth but be gentle. © Thinkstock The Spine This one's the least explored zone of all and also one of the most pleasurable. You can gently kiss the length of her spine as you go down her back or trail her spine with just one finger applying the right pressure. See her tremble with pleasure and get all goosbumpy! © Pexels The Ears The fairly common pleasure producers are the ears. Nibble, suck and bite her earlobes and she's yours. You could also gently kiss the back of her ears and see her body tingle while doing so! Here's a trade secret: While you're roaming about her breasts doing your thing, gently caress her earlobes with your fingers and watch her go insane with pleasure! © Thinkstock The Feet Okay, maybe ask you woman to wash her feet before she gets into bed with you. Why? Because feet are sexy and they deserve some love! Nibble and bite her toes. You can also lick and suck her heels (if they aren't cracked). It will drive her mad. The foot area, if caressed well, can turn from awkward to strongly erotic if the right technique is used! © Thinkstock There are many more zones that turn a woman on immensely but for now you can start with the easier ones. They're damn easy to locate, in case you want to give up being Sherlock for a night! We'll come back with some 'complicated' erogenous zones on a woman's body, very soon! Till then, happy exploring!

Despite T20 World Cup Win, Indian Blind Cricketers Have To Pay For A Place In State Team

The Indian cricket team won many accolades after winning the 2017 World T20 for the blind in February. In a spirited showing in the summit clash, India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by nine wickets to clinch the World title in Bangalore. In their second consecutive T20 World Cup title win, the Indian team put up a brilliant performance with eight victories in nine games. Such was their performance that it drew plaudits from every corner of the country. From cricket bigwigs to famed celebrities, India's team for the blind won everyone over. But, just 10 months later, their feats and the laurels they brought to the country have already been forgotten. Not just that, they are now being asked to pay for a place in the state teams! In a stunning revelation by Mid-Day, India's World Cup-winning blind cricketers have been asked to part with 30 per cent of their prize money for a place in the state side for the national cricket tournament for the blind. © BCCL More stunning is the fact that players who don't contribute their hard-earned rupees are in danger of not getting picked for their respective state teams. Indian cricketer Anish Baig has revealed that he is not part of the Maharashtra team playing the national cricket tournament because he did not contribute 20 per cent of his T20 World Cup prize money and other earnings to the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and another 10 per cent to the Cricket Association for the Blind in Maharashtra (CABM). "I want to play for Maharashtra and of course for India again, but since I had not paid a total of 30 per cent of my prize money and earnings to the associations, I was not included in the Maharashtra team for this event," Mumbai-based Baig was quoted as saying by the Mid-Day. Baig also revealed that India's all-rounder Ketan Patel also missed out on a spot in the Gujarat team for the Nationals due to a similar reason. Barring Baig and Patel, all members of the T20 World Cup-winning side have contributed to their respective associations and are playing in the tournament held across Mumbai. © BCCL "The Boards have given us a platform to play cricket by raising money and we too contribute to the Board. I have contributed Rs 1.5 lakh from my earnings to CABI and Rs 1 lakh to the Cricket Association for the Blind in Andhra Pradesh," Indian captain Ajay Reddy said. Reacting to the allegations, CABM secretary Ramakant Satam revealed: "After the World Cup triumph, we helped him (Baig) get Rs 15 to Rs 20 lakh, but later on, he was not in contact with us. Even though there is a regulation that a player has to give 10 per cent (of his prize money) to the state association and 20 per cent to the national body, we told him not to give a single rupee to us, but continue to play cricket." While Satam highlighted the mandate for players to share some of their prize money and earnings to the associations, CABI president GK Mahantesh claimed it was up to the players. "The players had a meeting and decided to contribute to their state as well as the national association. © BCCL I have to check, but I think except Anish and Ketan all others from the World Cup-winning team put in some amount. Both (Baig and Patel) have some issues with their state associations. They are very good players and I am happy to talk to both players and resolve the matter," Mahantesh said. Whether the players are obliged to share their prize money with the associations or not, the latest controversy has once again highlighted the plight of Indian players who continue to suffer at the hands of red-tapisim and corruption across state bodies in the country.

Witchcraft helped us beat Pakistan in Tests, says Sri Lanka captain

Dinesh Chandimal COLOMBO: Sri Lanka´s surprise two-match Test cricket win against Pakistan this month was down to witchcraft, captain Dinesh Chandimal said Tuesday, drawing mockery on social media. Chandimal told reporters he had received a special blessing from a meyni, or sorcerer, ahead of the two-match series in the United Arab Emirates. "I am always ready to accept the blessings of anyone -- whether it is a meyni or any clergy," Chandimal told reporters after returning to Colombo. "You can have talent, but without this blessing you can´t move forward." His comments came a week after Sri Lanka´s sports minister denied ordering the struggling national team to use witchcraft ahead of the Test series. Dayasiri Jayasekara threatened to sue a sorcerer for claiming that at his request she cast a spell over Pakistan to ensure Sri Lanka´s victory. Several Sri Lankan politicians, business leaders and sports stars put their faith in witchcraft or astrology. Former president Mahinda Rajapakse took the advice of his personal astrologer before calling an election two years ahead of schedule in January 2015, only to lose badly. Chandimal said the sorcerer he consulted was the mother of a friend, and he was willing to accept her blessings. But since the Test victory, Sri Lanka have fared less well. They lost 5-0 in the subsequent one-day series against Pakistan and also went down in a three-match Twenty20 series. Sri Lankan fans made fun of Chandimal and criticised his sorcerer online, with many calling her a fraud. "You made predictions, tied talismans, held poojas, but finally we were humiliated," posted one social media user. "So Rangana Herath went to "Hogwarts" as well," tweeted another.

Pakistan Post to issue special stamp in tribute to Champions Trophy victory

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs 10 denomination and souvenir sheet of Rs 50 denomination in honour of the country?s remarkable Champions Trophy victory in England earlier this year. The commemorative postage stamp will be available for sale at all important Post Offices in Pakistan from Thursday. Pakistan team poses with the Champions Trophy, June 18, 2017 Meanwhile, a postage stamp of Rs 8 denomination is being issued on Wednesday on 125th anniversary of Government Islamia College Lahore. Pakistan outclassed India by 180 runs in the hotly anticipated final match of the ICC Champions Trophy held at The Oval, London in June this year.

Next polls cannot be held on old constituencies, asserts ECP

ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob. Photo: File ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Secretary Babar Yaqoob said on Tuesday that after holding the new census, it is not possible to conduct polls on the old constituencies. Talking to the media, Yaqoob said the ECP is worried about the delimitation of constituencies in light of the new census. He informed that the delimitation and work on voters? lists would be undertaken simultaneously, but added that he feared there will be more room for error if the ECP is given less time for these exercises. Yaqoob said even if by November 10 the government is able to complete the legal formalities with regard to the new constituencies, the ECP will be able to make it work. Earlier, Yaqoob said the ECP has not kept any facts from the media. He also praised the recently passed Elections Act, 2017, saying it has truly empowered the commission. Moreover, ECP officials have said the present assemblies will complete their tenure on June 5, 2018 and the ECP will finalise the voters? lists on May 5, 2018. Officials said in December this year a door-to-door verification of voters will take place whereas the electoral rolls will display the voters? lists in January 2018. Similarly, in February, the objections to the lists will be fixed and from March to April the new lists will be published.

Pakistan to supply 400 cricket balls for Blind Cricket World Cup

Pakistan Blind Cricket team/File photo ISLAMABAD: Pakistan would be supplying 400 cricket balls for the Cricket World Cup of the Blind scheduled to be held in Pakistan and UAE in January 2018. Talking to APP, Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) chairman Syed Sultan Shah said besides the World Cup, all blind cricket playing nations are using Pakistan-manufactured blind cricket balls. ?Recently Australia and England had requested us for 1,000 cricket balls, each. We had sent 500 cricket balls to both the countries and as many are yet to be supplied,? he said. Sultan said that the schedule of the World Cup will be announced on November 15. ?If Asian teams make it to the final of the World Cup than the final would be held in Pakistan but if European teams qualify for the top honour then it would be played in UAE,? he said. He said the Nepalese team would be participating in the World Cup for the first time. ?The South African team will not participate in the World Cup while the other participating seven teams include Pakistan, West Indies, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Australia,? he said. The national team for the World Cup will be announced on November 24. ?As many as 24 matches of the World Cup will be played in UAE while 7 matches will be played in Pakistan,? he said. Pakistan have won two Blind World Cups in 2002 and 2006, while the other two were won by South Africa (1998) and India (2014).

Pakistan to top T20 rankings if India beat NZ

Pakistan players celebrate after whitewashing Sri Lanka in the T20I series in Lahore/Getty Images ISLAMABAD: India will do Pakistan a huge favour if they defeat New Zealand in the upcoming three-match Twenty20 International series, as such a result will see their archrivals top the ICC T20 Team Rankings. New Zealand are the top-ranked side in the shortest format with 125 points, but Pakistan have closed in to within one point after securing a 3-0 win in their series against Sri Lanka, which culminated in Lahore on Sunday, said an ICC press release. India are placed fifth at 116 points and can at best go to second position with a 3-0 win over New Zealand, which will take them to 122 points. Pakistan will reach the top rank with their tally of 124 points in such a scenario, with New Zealand slipping to 114 points and fifth position. Even a 2-1 series win for India will be enough for Pakistan to move to the top with New Zealand slipping to 121 points. Meanwhile, India pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah will head into the series on Wednesday as the number one bowler in the ICC T20I Player Rankings, which were updated after the Pakistan-Sri Lanka and South Africa-Bangladesh series. Bumrah, who attained a career-best third position in the ODI rankings on Monday, has regained the T20I top spot after Pakistan spinner Imad Wasim slipped one place. India captain Virat Kohli, who on Monday edged AB de Villiers to claim top ranking in ODIs, also goes into the New Zealand T20I series as the top-ranked batsman in the format. For New Zealand, captain Kane Williamson is the leading batsman at fourth place while left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner is the leading bowler in 12th position. Pakistan?s Shoaib Malik moved up three places to 26th in the batsmen rankings. South Africa spinner Aaron Phangiso (up 19 places to 47th) has also made significant gains while Pakistan bowlers Shadab Khan (up 21 places to 40th), Mohammad Amir (up 21 places to 49th) and Hasan Ali (up 10 places to 63rd) have also climbed up.

Telecom import s up 21.84%, mobile phones 30.18% in 1st quarter

ISLAMABAD: The telecom imports into the country increased by 21.84 percent during the first quarter of the current fiscal year as against the imports of the corresponding period of last year. The telecom imports during July-September (2017-18) were recorded at $333.701 million compared to the imports of $273.895 million during July-September (2016-17), according to the latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Among the telecom products, the imports of mobile phones witnessed growth of 30.18 percent during the first three months of the current year compared to last year. The mobile phone imports into the country were recorded at $190.795 million during the first quarter compared to the imports of $146.566 million during last year. The imports of other telecom products also increased by 12.23 percent by going up from the imports of $127.329 million last year to $142.906 million during the current fiscal year, the data revealed. Meanwhile, on a year-on-year basis, the telecom imports into the country witnessed decrease of 0.43 percent during the month of September 2017 compared to the September 2016. The telecom imports during September 2017 were recorded at $102.781 million against the imports of $103.229 million during September 2016. The mobile imports on year on year basis increased by 14.01 percent, from $53.859 million during September 2016 to $61.403 million while the imports of other telecom apparatus witnessed negative growth of 16.19 percent by falling form the imports of $49.370 million last year to $41.378 during the first quarter of current year. On a month-on-month basis, the telecom imports decreased by 12.08 percent in September 2017 when compared to the imports of $116.905 million during August 2017. The mobile phone imports witnessed decrease of 26.22 percent on month-on-month basis during September 2017 when compared to the imports of $56.083 million in August 2016 while the imports of other telecom apparatus also decreased by 28.48 percent in September 2017 when compared to the imports of 12.240 million in August 2016, the data revealed.

Interior minister visits journalist Ahmad Noorani, says supervising investigation

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal at the residence of Noorani. Photo: Geo News ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal visited on Tuesday journalist Ahmad Noorani ? who was recently assaulted by unidentified men ? and said that he is personally supervising the investigation of the attack. The interior minister and Prime Minister's Adviser Irfan Siddiqui arrived at the residence of the senior The News reporter and inquired about his well-being. The interior minister said that the latest tools are being utilised to aid the investigation process. The initial report of the attack on Noorani was submitted to the Interior Ministry, although no one has been identified as yet. The report said that a total of six attackers were following Noorani from Rawalpindi. The attackers were trained to the extent where they expertly hid their faces from CCTV cameras of the Safe City Project along the way, it has been learnt. The report mentioned that only one attacker's picture was available, which can be identified. It also recommends the Intelligence Bureau and Federal Investigation Agency for geofencing. Journalist Ahmad Noorani's health is improving, confirms brother Noorani was assaulted on Khayabane Suharwardy road on Friday On Oct 28, Noorani's car was stopped by men travelling on a motorcycle near Zero Point Interchange while he was on his way home from Rawalpindi. The men severely beat up Noorani and his driver with iron rods and a knife after throwing out the keys from the ignition. They later fled the scene.

Banners favouring Vohra, against Waseem Akhtar appear outside KMC

Banner against Mayor Waseem Akhtar outside KMC building. Photo: Geo News KARACHI: Banners in favour of Deputy Mayor Arshad Vohra, and against Mayor Waseem Akhtar were seen outside Karachi Metropolitan Corporation building on Tuesday. The banner put by unknown people read:, 'corrupt Mayor Unacceptable' and ?head of corrupt mafia Waseem Akhtar?. A charged city council session is expected today, after the inclusion of Deputy Mayor Vohra in Pak Sarzameen Party. Vohra announced to end his affiliation with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan in a press conference on Sunday. ?Unfortunately, I was not able to deliver to the people of Karachi,? he lamented. ?We have been quite unjust to the people of Pakistan,? he shared ?I will resign from the post of deputy mayor after completing all the legal formalities,? he added. When there is no vision there is nothing to do, said Vohra, adding that he tolerated the situation for a year. The deputy mayor said that the local government leaders for a year complained about the lack of resources. ?If we cannot fulfill responsibilities then it is better to leave,? he said. Vohra joined PSP as he couldn?t sustain pressure, says Sattar MQM's Farooq Sattar claimed the biggest chunk of MQM supporters is behind him and many of the people who left the party want to come back Meanwhile, the KMC city council comprises 308 members. MQM-Pakistan holds majority in the council with its 205 members, while the opposition stands with the tally of 100 members, which includes 42 members from Pakistan Peoples' Party, 27 members of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, 14 members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, 10 of Jammat-e-Islami, four of Jammiat Ulma-e-Islam (Fazl) and three of Awami National Party, A simple majority is needed to de-seat the Mayor or Deputy Mayor. Speaking today in Geo Pakistan, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar said that he has not yet taken any decision to de-seat Vohra from his post in the city council.

Polio team assaulted in Hyderabad over vaccine refusal

Police with the suspects' brothers. Photo: Geo News HYDERABAD: Unidentified people assaulted a polio vaccination team in Heerabad Qureshi area of the city on Tuesday after a reported disagreement. The anti-polio team did not have a police escort with it. Following the incident, the vaccination campaign in the area has been suspended for now. Police officials said the incident was caused after male members of a family began arguing with a polio team that had administered vaccination drops to eligible children. Anti-polio campaigns begin in Sindh, KP and FATA The campaign in Sindh primarily targets 7,127,711 children under the age of five Polio officials Naveed, Kainat and Jannat claim they had the family's permission to administer the vaccine but were assaulted by the male members as they did not want their children to take the drops. Following the incident, police arrived on scene but the attackers had left. However, police detained two people, reported to be brothers of the attackers, and are investigating the case after lodging a report on the complaint of the polio team. The Emergency Operation Centre for Polio launched on Monday an anti-polio campaign until Friday (November 3) in 21 districts/towns of Sindh. Members of the polio team lodging a complaint with the police. Photo: Geo News These districts include Karachi, Dadu, Ghotki, Jaccobabad, Kambar, Kashmore, Larkana, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Badin, Hyderabad, Khairpur, Matiari, Naushero Feroz, Sanghar, SBA, Sajjawal, Thatta and Jamshoro. Five cases of the crippling disease were registered so far this year. Polio cases have been on a decline in the country with 54 and 20 cases reported in the years 2015 and 2016 respectively, as opposed to 306 cases in 2014.

Nawaz Sharif?s name should be placed on ECL: Aitzaz Ahsan

PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan. Photo: File ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Senator Aitzaz Ahsan has called for the name of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL). Aitzaz said if Sharif?s name is not placed on the ECL, then this would be a double-standard. According to Aitzaz, this would be a major test for the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau. Meanwhile, Sindh Minister for Industries and Trade, Manzoor Wassan said if Nawaz returns to Pakistan he might not be able to leave. Calls for Nawaz Sharif?s name to be placed on the ECL have also been made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry. Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court on October 25, Chaudhry said the frequent travel of the former prime minister was delaying the corruption proceedings against him. Shehbaz to be PM if PML-N wins 2018 polls, decide party leaders Decision made in high-level PML-N meeting in London on Monday Nawaz Sharif is currently in London where he chaired a meeting of the top brass of the PML-N on Monday. During the meeting, it was decided that the party would not accept a minus-Nawaz formula. The huddle further decided that if victorious in the 2018 general elections, the party?s prime ministerial candidate would be Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Nawaz Sharif said we would be returning to Pakistan on November 2. An accountability court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the former prime minister and is expected to resume hearing the corruption references against him on November 3.

Sarfraz?s dilemma: Busy schedule and an unhappy wife

Sarfraz with his wife/File photo Looks like the entire nation is happy with skipper Sarfraz Ahmed ? and why shouldn?t they be? He?s been unbeaten in ODIs and T20Is ever since leading Pakistan to the Champions Trophy gold in June this year. Except for one person; and that?s none other than his wife, who is a bit grumpy that the busy captain doesn?t get to spend as much time at home as she?d like. ?Keeping the wife happy is the most difficult thing in the world,? a laughing Sarfraz told former cricketer Ramiz Raja in an interview post-T20I match against Sri Lanka in Lahore. ?My wife always complains I don?t give her much time. It gets [a bit difficult to manage] due to the busy cricket schedule,? said the 30-year old. ?But I try to make it up to her by bringing her gifts,? he quickly added with a smile. Sarfraz poses with his wife and son after winning the Champions Trophy final in June 2017 On Pakistan?s high-flying form, Sarfraz said the youngsters in his team are working very hard and learning from their mistakes. About his rather enthusiastic demeanor on the field, Sarfraz said he enjoys great friendship with all of the players. ?But I still keep getting angry,? he remarked. The skipper said that he is confident of taking on any opponent anywhere in the world with his current team. To a question, Sarfraz said that the responsibility of captaining the team hasn?t made his hair turn grey. ?But I?m definitely going bald,? he laughed. Pakistan whitewashed Sri Lanka 3-0 in the recently concluded T20I series, after clean sweeping them 5-0 in the ODIs.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui?s memoir lands him in trouble

Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui perhaps didn?t anticipate the strong backlash he would receive once snippets from his book went public. The actor recently had excerpts from his memoir ?An ordinary life? published in a daily. Little did he know, that following the content being public he would be embroiled in a legal battle for defaming women he had brief affairs with. It came to the extent where he had to pull back his book and apologise on Twitter. Nawazuddin had revealed snippets of his affair with his ?Miss Lovely? co-star and another former girlfriend Niharika Singh, after which a Delhi-based lawyer filed a complaint against him with National Commission for women. Niharika had accused Nawazuddin for exploiting and disrespecting women in order to sell the book. The actress said she came to know later about Nawazuddin?s wife back in his village. Niharika said she didn?t have any knowledge of the content and she didn?t give her consent for the memoir. Sunita Rajwar, another woman mentioned in the book, said that the book is about manipulation of events, calling it ?extraordinary lies?.

After Virat & Anushka, Sania Mirza & Shoaib Malik Take Their Twitter Romance To The Next Level

Following their emphatic win over the World XI side last month, the Pakistan cricket team gave their fans another reason to celebrate after dismantling the Sri Lankan team in front of a raucous crowd in Lahore to seal the three-match T20 International series 3-0. At the helm of affairs, middle-order batsman Shoaib Malik was once again at his prolific best, blazing his way to a pivotal half-century that paved way for Lanka's whitewash in the series. He was also adjudged the Man of the Match (MoM) and Man of the Series (MoS) for his notable contributions in the series. © Reuters Thanks to his performance, Shoaib attracted plaudits from all corners with the fans calling him 'Mr. Dependent'. Along with all the praise, the Pakistani batsman also received a special message on Twitter. Sania Mirza, who was in the stands during the third T20I in Lahore, took to the micro-blogging website and added a romantic touch before praising her hubby. Using the photo of Shoaib where he was seen sitting on a bike - his MoS award, she tweeted: "Chalen phir is pe??". Chalen phir is pe?? ððð#MOM #Manoftheseries @realshoaibmalik http://pic.twitter.com/iEnkxuKJ7O — Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) October 29, 2017 Yes yes! Jaldi se ready ho jao jaan im on the way â¤ï¸ https://t.co/QnLkPmbNGP — Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) October 29, 2017 Acknowledging his wife's request to go for a bike ride, Shoaib replied, "Yes yes! Jaldi se ready ho jao jaan im on the way." Ok never mind.. I guess the seat is taken already ð¤·ð½‍âï¸ð @realshoaibmalik @76Shadabkhan ð¤ http://pic.twitter.com/TuAquumw5j — Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) October 29, 2017 Moments later, the Indian tennis sensation shared another photo where the Pakistani cricketer was seen sitting behind Shoaib on the bike. "Ok never mind. I guess the seat is taken already? @realshoaibmalik @76Shadabkhan?" she tweeted. No no left him at the ground far away koi chakkar hi nai hey aiesa — Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) October 29, 2017 To which Shoaib quickly replied: "No no left him at the ground far away koi chakkar hi nai hey aiesa". Ooops. Sorry bhabi ð https://t.co/6Oy7UAIbTm — Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) October 29, 2017 Joining the funny conversation between Sania and Shoaib, Shadab who was the pillion rider also played along by tweeting: "Ooops. Sorry bhabi". While Indian captain Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma have long been seen setting relationship goals for new-age couples, Sania and Shoaib aren't far behind either. The duo is arguably one of the most powerful couples in the sports industry.

IMF tells Gulf states to speed up switch from oil

DUBAI: The IMF on Tuesday advised energy-rich Gulf economies to speed up their diversification away from oil after projecting the worst growth for the region since the global financial crisis. Oil exporters in the Middle East, especially those in the Gulf Cooperation Council, have been hit hard by the collapse in crude prices which provided a major part of their finances. Following the slump, GCC members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates undertook fiscal measures and reforms to cut public spending and boost non-oil revenues. As a result, economic growth has slowed considerably as the GCC six and other regional oil exporters posted huge budget deficits. In its Regional Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday projected GCC economic growth at just 0.5 percent this year, the worst since the 0.3 percent growth in 2009 following the global financial crisis. "It is the right time for GCC economies to accelerate their diversification outside oil and to promote a greater role for the private sector to lead growth and create additional jobs," said Jihad Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia at IMF. "Preparing their economies to the post-oil era is something that is becoming a priority for authorities all over the GCC," Azour told AFP. "We are seeing governments developing diversification strategies and introducing a certain number of reforms to allow the economy to be prepared for the post-oil era. And those are important reforms," he said. Non-oil sector on rise Azour said the GCC growth projections are mainly driven by the oil producers deal to cut output to bolster low crude prices which meant GCC states pumped and exported less oil. The IMF report also projected that the economies of oil exporters in the Middle East and North Africa -- also including Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Libya and Yemen -- would grow 1.7 percent, down from 5.6 percent the previous year. MENA oil importers, on the contrary, were expected to expand 4.3 percent this year, up from 3.6 percent in 2016, the report added. Azour said the IMF was projecting flat growth this year for Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the MENA region, but the non-oil sector was growing faster than expected. This was an indication "that the Saudi economy is bottoming up and it shows that the gradual implementation of the fiscal adjustment now is going to allow the Saudi economy to grow faster," Azour said. He estimated that Saudi Arabia and UAE could achieve a fiscal balance by between 2020 and 2022. Azour said the introduction of the five percent value-added tax (VAT) was one of the reform measures that would allow the GCC countries to diversify their revenues away from oil. "Its low rate will have a limited impact on price rise and inflation," said Azour, adding that VAT is estimated to generate between 1.5 and two percent of gross domestic product annually. So far, Saudi Arabia and UAE have said they would apply the tax at the start of next year while the remaining four nations have the whole of 2018 to implement it.

Iran's envoy calls on COAS, discusses regional security

Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost and COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Photo: ISPR RAWALPINDI: Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa today at the General Headquarters. A statement by the army's media relations wing, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the focus of the discussion remained on regional security, Pak-Iran border management, visits and exchanges in the defence realm. "The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army?s contributions for peace and stability in the region and pledged to keep working for better relations between two brotherly countries," the ISPR statement said further.

Sri Lanka plan more Pakistan trips after T20 success

Sunday's T20 was Sri Lanka's first in Pakistan since their team bus was attacked near the same venue in March 2009 - AFP COLOMBO: Sri Lanka are planning to send more teams to Pakistan after playing a Twenty20 match in Lahore for the first time since a gun attack eight years ago, a top official said Tuesday. Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Ashley de Silva said the national team were impressed with the extraordinary level of security for the match at the Gaddafi stadium on Sunday. "They delivered the security they promised and we were very satisfied with all the arrangements," de Silva told reporters in Colombo a day after the team returned home. He said the board would send junior sides to Pakistan soon and the senior side would follow as soon as possible. "Our FTP (Future Tours Program) does not include Pakistan, but we will have one as soon as possible," he said. "We are sending our A team and an Under-19 team to play against Pakistan shortly." Sunday's T20 was Sri Lanka's first in Pakistan since their team bus was attacked near the same venue in March 2009. That attack, which left eight people dead and seven Sri Lanka players and their staff injured, forced Pakistan to play all their home matches at neutral venues, mainly in the UAE. Sri Lanka's T20 skipper Thisara Perera said several team members had raised concerns about safety, but he was able to assure them based on his experience in playing in a three-match World XI series in Lahore last month. "In my nine years of cricket I have never seen that level of security," Perera said of Sunday´s match which Sri Lanka lost by 36 runs. "I think we can play again in Pakistan." Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara and board President Thilanga Sumathipala also travelled to Lahore for the final of the three-match T20 series to underline Colombo´s confidence in the security arrangements. The first two matches, which Pakistan won by seven and two wickets respectively, were played in Abu Dhabi before Sri Lanka flew to Lahore in a 24-hour fly-in, fly-out arrangement.

Samsung Electronics posts record Q3 profits, replaces CEOs

SEOUL: Samsung Electronics logged a record profit of $10.0 billion for the third quarter and announced a sweeping reshuffle of its top management on Tuesday, seeking to maintain its lead while its heir is in prison. The world's biggest memory chip and smartphone maker has faced multiple challenges since last year, including a humiliating recall of its flagship Galaxy Note 7 handsets and a corruption scandal that engulfed its de facto leader. But its net profits for July to September soared 148 percent on the same period a year ago -- its best for any quarter -- it said in a statement, thanks to strong demand for its memory chips and a recovery in smartphone sales with the roll-out of the new generation Galaxy Note 8. The figures come only two weeks after chief executive Kwon Oh-Hyun resigned, saying the South´s biggest firm was facing an "unprecedented crisis" and its current profitability was "merely a fruit of decisions and investment made in the past". The firm described Tuesday's numbers as an "overall robust performance". Operating profit nearly tripled on-year to 14.5 trillion won -- also a quarterly record -- it said in a regulatory filing, while sales surged to 62.05 trillion won, another all-time high. Samsung Electronics is the key subsidiary of the sprawling Samsung Group, whose heir Lee Jae-Yong was found guilty in August of bribery, perjury and other charges stemming from payments to the secret confidante of ousted president Park Geun-Hye. Lee, who was jailed for five years, says he is innocent and is appealing. Samsung Electronics also announced Tuesday the first major reshuffle in its top leadership since 2014, when the wider group´s chairman Lee Kun-Hee suffered a heart attack that left him bedridden. Samsung Electronics replaced each of the three co-CEOs who lead its semiconductor, mobile and TV units with younger executives, while chief financial officer Lee Sang-Hoon -- known to be close to the founding Lee family -- was named chairman of the board, succeeding Kwon. It is the first time the company has separated the roles of board chairman and CEO, it said -- a standard recommendation to improve corporate governance. 'Longer-term horizon' Samsung's profits and share price have rocketed this year, as global chip prices have soared amid booming demand for the high-powered processors used in handsets, computers and cloud storage servers. It said separately it would double its dividends in 2018, and confirmed a further share buyback for the fourth quarter. The firm provides memory chips for PCs, servers and mobile gadgets including those belonging to industry rivals including Apple, with the "component business" helping the firm cushion a fall in sales of its own devices. Samsung has sustained and widened its lead in the market partly by investing massively in building and expanding semiconductor factories, often faster than its competitors. Its investment in infrastructure, mostly on chip plants, will reach a whopping 46.2 trillion won just for this year, compared to 25.5 trillion won in 2016, it said. The firm operates the world´s biggest semiconductor plant in the city of Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometres (44 miles) south of Seoul, and is upgrading or expanding many of its production lines there and elsewhere. Such aggressive investment has stoked concerns that increased supply may drive down prices and eventually dent the firm´s own profits in subsequent quarters. But senior vice-president Chun Se-Won told a conference call: "We are looking at a longer-term horizon... with a goal of boosting our business capabilities for the next two or three years and beyond." Samsung shares rose 1.92 percent to close at 2.75 million won on the Seoul stock market. Kim Yang-Jae, analyst at KTB Investment & Securities, said profits would rise further in the fourth quarter, with global semiconductor prices continuing to rise into next year. "Samsung´s display unit would also see profits grow as it supplies panels to Apple´s iPhone X," Kim said, forecasting a new record operating profit of 15 trillion won in the fourth quarter.

Facebook says 126 million Americans may have seen Russia-linked political posts

A 3D-printed Facebook like button is seen in front of the Facebook logo, in this illustration taken October 25, 2017 - Reuters WASHINGTON: Facebook Inc said on Monday that Russia-based operatives published about 80,000 posts on the social network over a two-year period in an effort to sway US politics and that about 126 million Americans may have seen the posts during that time. Facebook's latest data on the Russia-linked posts - possibly reaching around half of the US population of voting age - far exceeds the company's previous disclosures. It was included in written testimony provided to U.S. lawmakers, and seen by Reuters, ahead of key hearings with social media and technology companies about Russian meddling in elections on Capitol Hill this week. Twitter Inc separately has found 2,752 accounts linked to Russian operatives, a source familiar with the company's written testimony said. That estimate is up from a tally of 201 accounts that Twitter reported in September. Google, owned by Alphabet Inc, said in a statement on Monday it had found $4,700 in Russia-linked ad spending during the 2016 U.S. election cycle, and that it would build a database of election ads. Executives from Facebook, Twitter and Google are scheduled to appear before three congressional committees this week on alleged Russian attempts to spread misinformation in the months before and after the 2016 US presidential election. The Russian government has denied any attempts to sway the election, in which President Donald Trump, a Republican, defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton. Facebook's general counsel, Colin Stretch, said in the written testimony that the 80,000 posts from Russia's Internet Research Agency were a tiny fraction of content on Facebook, equal to one out of 23,000 posts. However, the posts violated Facebook's terms of service, and any amount of such activity using fake accounts is too much, Stretch wrote. "These actions run counter to Facebook's mission of building community and everything we stand for. And we are determined to do everything we can to address this new threat," he wrote. The 80,000 posts were published between June 2015 and August 2017. Most of them focused on divisive social and political messages such as race relations, Facebook said. Twitter's revised estimate of how many Russia-linked accounts were on its service comes a month after an influential Democratic senator, Mark Warner, slammed it for what he called an insufficient investigation. Twitter has suspended all 2,752 accounts that it tracked to Russia's Internet Research Agency, and it has given U.S. congressional investigators the account names, the source familiar with the company's testimony said. "State-sanctioned manipulation of elections by sophisticated foreign actors is a new challenge for us - and one that we are determined to meet," Twitter said in written testimony, according to the source.

Woman allegedly poisons in-laws with lassi, death toll rises to 15

[embed_video1 url=http://ift.tt/2xDRSLe style=center] MUZAFFARGARH: Two more people died from complications after allegedly consuming poisonous lassi in Tehsil Alipur's neighbourhood Lashari, bringing the total toll of the tragedy to 15 on Tuesday. A seven-year old girl was the latest to succumb to the illness while under treatment at Nishtar Hospital Multan. Twelve others among the affected remain under medical supervision, Geo News reported. Police said a woman, identified as 20-year old Aasia, conspired with her lover Shahid and his aunt Zarina Mai to kill the members of her husband's family. Woman allegedly kills 13 members of husband?s family with poisonous lassi A failed attempt to kill her husband may have resulted in the 'accidental' murder of her in-laws, the police say She was accused of poisoning a container of milk that her husband, Amjad, was to consume. He, however, did not consume the poisoned milk, which was later used to make lassi ? a milk and yogurt-based drink ? that resulted in the death of 15 people who drank the poisoned beverage. The suspect denied all of the allegations leveled against her when the accused were presented before the media. Later today, the three suspects were presented before the Anti-Terrorism Court in DG Khan and sent into police custody on a 14-day physical remand.

OGRA seeks Rs2.5 hike in petrol price

[embed_video1 url=http://ift.tt/2z4JYhE style=center] ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulation Authority (Ogra) on late Monday forwarded a summary to the federal government, seeking an increase in the prices of POL products. The OGRA has recommended the petroleum division to increase the petroleum prices from Rs2.5 to Rs16 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs5.19. The new prices would come into effect from November 1 after the approval of the prime minister. On October 1, the ministry of finance revised prices of petroleum products, increasing the price of petrol by Rs2 per litre. The petrol was sold at Rs73.5 per litre. Prices for high-speed diesel (HSD) and light-speed diesel (LSD) were also increased by Rs2. The ministry also increased the price of kerosene oil by Rs4 per litre.

London game plan obvious, Nawaz desperate for NRO: Imran

[embed_video1 url=http://ift.tt/2igSj7E style=center] ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Tuesday that the "London game plan" has become obvious now as it seems former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is desperate for another National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)-like deal. The PTI chief, in a series of tweets, said that the former prime minister still wants to retain control of the party and use it to malign the National Accountability Bureau. Imran alleged that the Nawaz will pressurise the judiciary and military for another NRO. ?He is desperate for NRO to avoid conviction on money laundering and save his Rs300 billion stashed abroad from being frozen,? tweeted Imran. Imran further said that Nawaz Sharif has no concern how much damage he does to the nation ?to save his ill-gotten Rs300 billion stashed outside Pakistan?. The PTI chief didn?t spare Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as well, saying that the premier is reducing Pakistan to a "banana republic". Imran also accused Abbasi of defending Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. Nawaz arrived in London from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia late Sunday to hold a high-level party huddle. The huddle decided that Nawaz would continue as the head of the PML-N but also tone down his tirade against state institutions on the basis of his "unfair trial". The former prime minister said that he will return to Pakistan to attend the corruption trial against him on Friday. Last week, the accountability court hearing corruption references against the Sharif family issued bailable warrants for the former premier in the three references against him as he has lately been a no-show in the proceedings. The references against the Sharif family pertain to the Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment, their London properties and over dozen offshore companies owned by the family. The hearing was then adjourned until November 3, with the last chance for the former premier to ensure his presence in court.

Court orders SECP to freeze Hussain, Hasan Nawaz's assets

Hussain Nawaz (left) and brother Hasan Nawaz. Photo: File ISLAMABAD: The accountability court hearing corruption cases against the Sharif family ordered on Tuesday the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to freeze the assets of Hussain and Hasan Nawaz, sons of ousted premier Nawaz Sharif. As the hearing against the brothers, whose trial in the high-profile corruption case has been separated from other family members' owing to their continued absence, went under way, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) submitted a report detailing assets owned by Nawaz's sons in Pakistan. NAB said in its report that according to the SECP, Hasan and Hussain own shares in six companies. The court then directed the SECP to freeze their shares and ordered both accused to appear in court by November 8 ? failure to do so would result in them being declared proclaimed offenders. The hearing was then adjourned until November 14. The next hearing of Nawaz, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt (retd) Safdar is on November 3. Court approves Maryam, Safdar's bail; separates cases of Nawaz's sons The hearing has been adjourned until Oct 13 when Nawaz, Maryam and Safdar are expected to be indicted Trial separated The accountability court is hearing a total of three corruption cases against the Sharif family filed by NAB in light of the Supreme Court's judgment in the Panama Papers case. Hasan and Hussain are accused in all three references: Avenfield properties, Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment, and Flagship Investment Ltd. At an earlier hearing on October 9, Judge Mohammad Bashir had accepted NAB's plea to declare Hussain and Hasan proclaimed offenders and separated their proceedings in the three references filed against them. Their non-bailable arrest warrants, issued at the last hearing on October 2, remained in effect The judge directed for initiating the process of declaring them proclaimed offenders. This involved publication of notices in newspapers directing the accused to appear in court. Failure to do so would result in seizure of property and issuance of further warrants. Proclamations against Hussain, Hasan Nawaz pasted in accountability court The notice orders Nawaz Sharif's sons to appear in court in the corruption references against them Proclamations posted On October 12, proclamations against the two were posted in the accountability court and a day earlier, on the main gate of the Sharif family's residences in Jati Umra and Model Town, Lahore. Sources in NAB Rawalpindi had said the action was taken in light of the accountability court's directions for the initiation of the process to declare them proclaimed offenders, as they failed to show up in the court's last hearing. Both the respondents were directed to appear before the court within 30 days, starting from October 11. The order also mentioned that the properties of the accused may be seized at any given time. NAB laws don?t apply to me and my brother, says Hasan Nawaz Three British Pakistani experts say the NAB warrants and summons have no value and are not applicable to Hasan and Hussain Both Sharif sons are reportedly in London along with their father where their mother, Kulsoom Nawaz, is undergoing treatment for lymphoma. Hasan is a permanent resident of London whereas Hussain too is a non-resident Pakistani.