google-site-verification=PQhoeY8jjSrcyLjfBbnc50coDKLcSE_kcv93i2a1668 An intelligent writer: 2018-11-11

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Saturday, November 17, 2018

Hasan Ali puts New Zealand on the back foot

Hasan Ali puts New Zealand on the back foot
Hasan Ali brought Pakistan back into the game on day three of the first Test in Abu Dhabi, claiming two quick wickets to put New Zealand on the back foot during Sunday's morning session.

New Zealand resumed batting at 56-1. Spinner Yasir Shah bowled out skipper Kane Williamson for 37. Hasan, who had Tom Latham out yesterday, removed Jeet Raval and Ross Taylor within the space of five deliveries to take the match closer to a low-scoring thriller.

Boult´s 4-54 earlier derailed the Pakistani batsmen who were bowled out for 227 in response to New Zealand´s first innings total of 153.

He was well supported by debutant spinner Ajaz Patel (2-64) and Colin de Grandhomme (2-30) as Pakistan managed a first innings lead of just 74.

New Zealand then battled to 56-1 when bad light forced umpires to end the day with 4.2 overs still remaining on Saturday.

New Zealand can take heart from the fact that Pakistan lost a Test at this venue last year against Sri Lanka by 21 runs, falling short of a target of just 136.

Pakistan squandered a good chance of taking a big lead through some inept batting, with only Babar Azam (62), Asad Shafiq (43) and Haris Sohail (38) making significant contributions.

Azam hit five boundaries in his 109-ball knock and was the last man out when he edged Boult for wicketkeeper BJ Watling to take a low diving catch.

Pakistan had resumed at 59-2 but lost overnight batsmen Sohail and Azhar Ali (22) in the space of just six balls at the same score of 91.

Sohail was the more confident of the pair who added 64 for the third wicket. He hit four boundaries but was caught at short mid-wicket by Latham after a loose shot off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi´s low full toss.

Azhar was dropped by Jeet Raval off Boult on 19 and was again lucky two runs later when given not out as the fast bowler reviewed for a leg-before decision.

But Boult had the last laugh, forcing an edge off Azhar´s bat for Watling´s one-handed diving catch.

In spite of losing those two wickets during the morning session, Pakistan were well-placed at 144-4 at lunch, seeking a big lead to get a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series.

But Boult checked their progress by dismissing Asad Shafiq for 43, bowled off an inside edge. That was 174-5, the start of a passage that saw Pakistan´s last six wickets fall for 63 runs.

Patel had Sarfraz Ahmed caught off a miscued sweep for two and Bilal Asif stumped by Watling for 11 while Boult, de Grandhomme and Neil Wagner also chipped in.

Wagner, playing in his 37th Test, achieved a personal milestone by becoming the eighth New Zealand bowler to take 150 wickets when he dismissed Yasir Shah for nine.

Richard Hadlee leads the chart of New Zealand bowlers with 431 wickets in 86 Tests.

Others who have 150 or more wickets are Daniel Vettori (361 in 112 Tests), Chris Martin (233 in 71), Tim Southee (220 in 60), Boult (219 in 55), Chris Cairns (218 in 62) and Danny Morrison (160 in 48).

The second Test will be played in Dubai (November 24-28) and the third in Abu Dhabi (December 3-7).

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PM will not give NRO to opposition: Fawad Chaudhry

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that the opposition wishes to receive the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) but Prime Minister Imran Khan will never give it to them.

Chaudhry said, “A culture of sweeping everything under the carpet has emerged. To prolong your authority, one should not shield corruption.”

Pointing towards the opposition, the information minister said, “The current government has not even appointed a single sweeper in the National Accountability Bureau."

Chaudhry continued, “We will keep the Supreme Court informed of the government’s investigation into the fake bank accounts case. Asif Ali Zardari should leave his palace and find out how unpopular he is among the public.”

On the subject of the political alliance with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and the Punjab chief minister, Chaudhry stated, “We will side with Usman Buzdar if Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Buzdar come face to face.”

When asked about the recent wave of protests in the country that paralysed the public for three days in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's verdict acquitting Asia Bibi, the federal minister said, “We came to an agreement with the rioters to maintain peace in the country. Give and take is part of that.”

“Asia Bibi is in Pakistan and we stand with the Supreme Court’s decision. It is fortunate all the departments of the state are united on this decision.”

He announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan will take the nation into confidence on November 29 over the government’s 100-day progress.

“Till we find good officers, transfers will keep happening and removing ministers who are lacking in their performance is the premier's lawful right," Chaudhry said.



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PM Imran to depart for day-long visit to UAE today

Prime Minister Imran Khan will undertake a day-long visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the invitation of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE's Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan today (Sunday).

The premier will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Minister of Energy and Power Omar Ayub Khan as well as adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood.

PM Imran is expected to discuss matters of bilateral, regional and global interests in meetings with the UAE Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crown prince and other officials.

This will be PM Imran's second visit to the country, the first official one being on September 19.



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Ex-DIG Naeem Kakar shot dead in Quetta

Ex-DIG Naeem Kakar shot dead in Quetta
Some unidentified armed assailants on Saturday shot dead former deputy inspector general of police Naeem Kakar in the provincial capital.

As per the details, Naeem Kakar was heading towards his house after saying prayer when some unidentified armed men riding a motorcycle opened firing, resultantly, the ex-cop sustained critical injuries.

He was rushed to local hospital for medical assistance where he succumbed to his wounds.

Following the incident, police reached the spot and cordoned off the area. Police have launched a search operation for the arrest of culprits.



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Google's marketing head describes Pakistan as fast emerging 'digital-first country'

Google's marketing head describes Pakistan as fast emerging 'digital-first country'
Google’s Head of Large Customer Marketing, South Asia, Lars Anthonisen has termed Pakistan as a place which is quickly becoming a “digital-first country”.

He wrote this in a blog post for Think with Google, a platform that hosts expert analysis for e-commerce and digital branding in the Asia-Pacific region.

“There’s a reason Pakistan is attracting interest from major foreign investors. With an economy powered by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and a rapidly growing population of mobile users, the country is on track to produce one of the largest digital audiences in the world,” says the blog post.

Anthonisen has given five reasons for companies to consider expanding their digital campaigns into Pakistan.

Growing population

“Pakistan has a population of more than 202 million people, which means there are lot of potential consumers coming online every day. And the country is even more urbanized than neighboring India, with nearly 40% of total households living in cities.”

Fast-growing economy

“With a current GDP at $1,641 per capita, Pakistan is expected to be the fourth fastest growing economy globally through 2030. Driven largely by SMEs (more than 90% of all companies in Pakistan are SMEs), these smaller businesses contribute 40% to the country’s $305 billion GDP.”

Increasing smart phone users

“Currently, there are 59 million smartphone users in Pakistan, and more than 83% of those users are on Android devices. This number will likely grow quickly as smartphone prices have dropped over the last few years. Pakistan also has some of the cheapest data prices in the world, which is helping to grow mobile app usage. YouTube captures a huge chunk of smartphone users’ attention and is the most-used online video streaming platform among millennials.”

Internet penetration

“Pakistan’s overall internet penetration stands at 22% with 44.6 million users. In spite of this, digital consumption in the country continues to grow quickly. YouTube watch time, for example, has seen over 60% growth over the last three years.”

China’s investment

“The Chinese-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the largest Chinese investment in a foreign country (valued at $62 billion). One of the first CPEC projects is to lay 820 kilometers of fiber-optic cable, connecting more Pakistanis to the internet. This is in addition to ongoing investments in 3G and 4G network expansions from China Mobile — the company has already announced plans to invest another $225 million in 4G expansion (bringing its total investment to $2.4 billion).”

Anthonisen advises businesses to leave a mark on Pakistan by reaching out to the SME audience to help them scale.



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2,500 shops demolished in Karachi’s Saddar area: KMC report

2,500 shops demolished in Karachi’s Saddar area
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) on Saturday sent a report regarding the anti-encroachment operation in the metropolis’ Saddar area to the commissioner and stated that 2,500 shops were razed.

In keeping with the Supreme Court’s directives, KMC prepared a report on the anti-encroachment operation in Karachi’s Saddar and surrounding areas which was conducted from November 5 to 15.

Along with its report, KMC also sent pictures of the area cleared following the drive to the Karachi commissioner.

As per the report, 2,500 illegal shops were razed during the anti-encroachment operation. Six RCC basement and a two-storey building were also demolished to “restore Empress Market”.

“480 illegal shops on Sohrab Khattak Road, 150 encroachments on Sarmad Shaheed Road and 450 stalls at Shahrah-e-Iraq were demolished during the drive,” the report added. It further said that 7,500 sun shades at Akbar Road and surrounding areas were also removed.

“Encroachments on Zaibunnisa Street, Magazine Line, Abdullah Haroon Road, Raja Ghazanfar Ali Road and Mir Karam Ali Talpur Road were also removed,” the report read.

Further, the report informed that anti-encroachment operations are under way in six other zones of the city.

Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar while speaking to media outside an anti-terrorism court said, "We had told the Supreme Court that matters will have to be resolved after taking all stakeholders on-board."

"People are clearing encroachments themselves. Footpaths are for people to walk on and not for stalls but in Karachi people do as they please," he added.

"The Supreme Court had directed that Saddar be cleared of encroachments to set a model. Now, KMC will increase the scope of the anti-encroachment operation," the Karachi mayor added.

 



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Check out Pakistan's new kit for hockey world cup

Check out Pakistan's new kit for hockey world cup
Pakistan hockey team’s new kit for the upcoming world cup in India was unveiled in a grand style at a ceremony attended by Peshawar Zalmi and Haier CEO, Javed Afridi, management and others.

Ahead of the team’s departure to India for hockey world cup, the sponsors Haier Pakistan organised a kit unveiling programme and a send-off for the team in Lahore on Saturday.

 With the entire team and Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials present, a team song was also released.

During his speech, Javed Afridi said that Pakistan Hockey Team has brought great prestige to the nation by winning four World Cups, three Champions Trophy and three Olympic gold medals in the past.

 “I am hopeful that they will bring back the prestige ahead of the World Cup being held in India and perform really well," he added.

The management of Pakistan Hockey Federation along with the players thanked the Peshawar Zalmi and Haier management for all their efforts.

 Haier and PHF signed an MOU in which Haier Pakistan will be the title sponsor of Pakistan Hockey Team till 2020.

 



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Pakistan condemns farcical Indian charge sheet against Aasiya Andrabi

Pakistan condemns farcical Indian charge sheet against Aasiya Andrabi
Pakistan has strongly condemned the farcical Indian charge sheet against Dukhtaran-e-Millat Chairperson Aasiya Andrabi.

Foreign Office spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Faisal in a tweet said the continuing Indian attempts to label the legitimate Kashmiri struggle for self-determination as terrorism have failed miserably.

He said Indian incarceration of Kashmiri leaders on baseless charges violates the human rights charter and makes a mockery of Indian claims of being a democracy.

Asiya Andrabi is incarcerated while Syed Geelani was allowed out of house arrest after 8 years.

Dr. Mohammad Faisal said India needs to accept the reality of its failure to try to label every Kashmiri, from women to old men and children, as a militant or terrorist.

Foreign Office spokesperson called upon the international community to expedite establishment of Commission of Inquiry as recommended in OHCHR and APPKG reports.



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New Zealand 56-1 at close on second day against Pakistan

New Zealand 56-1 at close on second day against Pakistan
New Zealand, trailing by 74 runs in the first innings, were 56-1 at close on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Skipper Kane Williamson was batting on 27 and with him opener Jeet Raval on 26 not out as New Zealand still trail by 18 runs with nine second innings wickets intact.

Pakistan, resuming at 59-2, were dismissed for 227 in their first innings on the second day.

Babar Azam top-scored with 62 while Asad Shafiq (43) and Haris Sohail (38) were other contributors, helping Pakistan to a 72-run lead over New Zealand's first innings total of 153.

Trent Boult finished with 4-54 while debutant spinner Ajaz Patel and medium pacer Coiln de Grandhomme took two wickets apiece.

The second Test is in Dubai (November 24-28) and third in Abu Dhabi (December 3-7).



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COAS briefed about security situation of Sindh: ISPR

COAS briefed about security situation of Sindh: ISPR
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday visited Headquarters Pakistan Rangers Sindh, where he was briefed about the security situation in the province.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief was given a detailed briefing by DG Rangers Sindh on the law and order situation in Karachi.

The army chief lauded efforts of Rangers Sindh and all other law enforcing agencies for the improved security environment.

He said that Karachi is the engine of national economy and we shall further improve its security environment so that the positive business trajectory is maintained.

The army chief was accompanied by Commander Karachi Corps Lieutenant General Humayun Aziz.



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Anti-corruption drive would be completed till March: Sheikh Rasheed

Sheikh Rasheed
Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed has on Saturday announced to move National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against corruption in department during Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s (PML-N) tenure.

He was addressing presser here at Railways Headquarters in Lahore today.

“We are also taking case of Business Train in the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) along with cases of Shalimar Express and Royal Palm”, the vocal minister was quoted as saying.

The Awami Muslim League Chief confessed to holding an hour long meeting with Chaudhry Nisar. Responding to a question, the minister stated that he did not know whether Nisar was joining Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz.

The minister hinted that anti-corruption drive would be completed till March while obliquely lambasting Asif Ali Zardari and Khawaja Saad Rafique with ‘street vendor and welding’ metaphors respectively.He added that the landmark China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) couldn’t be completed without M-1 project.

The minister renewed commitment to vacate department’s land from the land grabbers group.

Responding to a question, the minister added that he did not know the context in which Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had made statement of u-turn.

Replying to a question, Rasheeed added that it would take at least one year to fix the blunders of past.



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Misuse of funds: Shehbaz, Maryam to be referred to NAB

Misuse of funds: Shehbaz, Maryam to be referred to NAB
The government has decided to send cases of financial misuse by the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Addressing a press conference, Advisor to Prime Minister Shehzad Akbar and Special Assistant to PM Iftikhar Durrani shared details of the alleged misuse of government resources by Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, brother and daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, respectively.

Akbar said Shehbaz, who was the former chief minister Punjab, and Maryam Nawaz, a senior PML-N leader, used government planes for travelling.

Probe will also be carried out in the use of Rs600 million Shehbaz spent on air travel and Rs340 million spent illegally in total on air travel by the government, he added.

Moreover, Rs275 million were spent on Nawaz’s Jati Umra residence out of national exchequer, he said.

Shehzad said that details of expenditure by Nawaz and Shehbaz have been sent to the NAB.



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Governor Sindh responds to Murtaza Wahab's criticism

Governor Sindh responds to Murtaza Wahab's criticism
In a response to Advisor to Chief Minister for Information, Law and Anti-Corruption ‎Barrister Murtaza Wahab’s criticism of incorrect use of English language, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail ‎on Saturday advised him to mind his own business.‎

While talking to media, the governor went on to challenge Murtaza Wahab for an English language ‎competition. ‎‎"If Murtaza Wahab desires an English language competition, he should come out," he was ‎quoted as saying.‎

Imran Ismail defended Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s remarks about U turns he had taken during ‎his political career, and said whatever the premier said was correct.‎

Responding to a question about Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s recent speeches, the ‎governor said the minister himself is responsible for everything he says.‎

On Thursday, Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Information and Law Barrister Murtaza Wahab ‎asked Ismail to post in Urdu instead of tweeting in incorrect English.‎

Talking to media persons at the Sindh Assembly, the adviser said that posting tweets in the national ‎language was a better option for the governor than using incorrect English on the micro-blogging ‎website.‎



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Governor Sindh responds to Murtaza Wahab's criticism

Governor Sindh responds to Murtaza Wahab's criticism
In a response to Advisor to Chief Minister for Information, Law and Anti-Corruption ‎Barrister Murtaza Wahab’s criticism of incorrect use of English language, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail ‎on Saturday advised him to mind his own business.‎

While talking to media, the governor went on to challenge Murtaza Wahab for an English language ‎competition. ‎‎"If Murtaza Wahab desires an English language competition, he should come out," he was ‎quoted as saying.‎

Imran Ismail defended Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s remarks about U turns he had taken during ‎his political career, and said whatever the premier said was correct.‎

Responding to a question about Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s recent speeches, the ‎governor said the minister himself is responsible for everything he says.‎

On Thursday, Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Information and Law Barrister Murtaza Wahab ‎asked Ismail to post in Urdu instead of tweeting in incorrect English.‎

Talking to media persons at the Sindh Assembly, the adviser said that posting tweets in the national ‎language was a better option for the governor than using incorrect English on the micro-blogging ‎website.‎



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Foreign investment is important for economic development: Finance Minister

Foreign investment is important for economic development: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Asad Umar has reaffirmed government's resolve to fully facilitate foreign investors for investment in the country.

Talking to a delegation of Pakistan Britain Business Council and Pakistan Scotland Business Council in Islamabad, he noted foreign investment is important for economic development.

The finance minister said that proposals for bolstering investment will also be highly welcomed.

The delegation briefed the minister about the councils' plans for investment and financing different projects in Pakistan including health and financial sector. It particularly shared with the minister the proposal regarding establishment of a network of hospitals across the country aimed at providing quality healthcare to the people.

The delegation also stated that Pakistani diaspora in Britain and other countries are keen to invest in the country.

Meanwhile, in an interview with a private television channel, the finance minister said there is visible increase in country's economy over the last three months.

Asad Umar said the government is taking loan on minimum interest rate rather looking for financial aid.

He said that bailout package was unavoidable from the International Monetary Fund to help country’s economic challenges.



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CIA thinks Saudi prince ordered Khashoggi killing — reports

CIA thinks Saudi prince ordered Khashoggi killing — reports
According to a US media report, the CIA has high confidence that the order to kill Jamal Khashoggi came from the highest level. The CIA reportedly linked members of the hit squad directly to the prince.

The US Central Intelligence Agency believes Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman directly ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey last month, Khashoggi's former employer The Washington Post reported on Friday.

The CIA reportedly has high confidence in its assessment, which contradicts the official Saudi line that a rogue group was behind the killing.

The report was confirmed by Reuters news agency and The New York Times, which both cited unnamed sources. Reuters said the CIA had briefed other government departments on its findings.

The report could throw a spanner in the works for the Trump administration's attempts to ease political pressure on their ally against Iran.

US Vice President Mike Pence said there would be consequences for Khashoggi's murderers but declined to comment on the intelligence agency's assessment.

"The United States is determined to hold all of those accountable who are responsible for that murder," he told journalists on the sidelines of an APEC summit in Papua New Guinea.

According to The Washington Post, the CIA examined multiple sources to reach its conclusions, including audio recorded inside the consulate and shared by Turkey, as well as an intercepted phone call from the Saudi ambassador (also the prince's brother) to Khashoggi during which he encouraged him to visit the Istanbul consulate.

The ambassador has vigorously denied he made such a call.

CIA analysts were reportedly able to link members of the hit squad directly to the crown prince.



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FM Qureshi, UAE Foreign Minister discuss bilateral ties

FM Qureshi, UAE Foreign Minister discuss bilateral ties
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a meeting with his United Arab Emirates counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of Sir Bani Yas Forum, in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual interest came under discussion.

A day earlier, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal shared that the minister had left for the UAE. In his tweet, Faisal added that foreign ministers from various countries will attend the conference which is being organised by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi is attending #BaniYasForum in #UAE where the changing environment of #MiddleEast and efforts to bring peace in the region are being discussed. FM will apprise the participants on #Pakistan's position on ME pic.twitter.com/qPHAY5e4hM

FM Qureshi, during his official visit, will also hold meetings with leadership of the UAE and other countries.



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Amazing Cambodian kid who can speak 15 languages invited to Beijing to sing on television

Amazing Cambodian kid who can speak 15 languages invited to Beijing to sing on television
A Cambodian boy with a gift for languages has now been invited to China after showing off his incredible linguistic skills while selling souvenirs near Angkor Wat.

In a viral video filmed by a Malaysian tourist, the 14-year-old kid switches effortlessly between 10 different languages while trying to convince the woman to buy some of his wares, speaking in Cantonese, Mandarin, Malay, French, Thai, Filipino, Japanese, German, and Spanish.

The boy, named Thaksin, says that he speaks about 15 different languages which he picked up while talking with tourists.

It turns out that Thaksin’s younger brother is also a polyglot, able to speak 11 different languages. In a video that has gone viral on Chinese social media, the two brothers are seen answering questions in Mandarin, saying that it is their favorite language and that they hope to study in Beijing someday.

Well, it now appears that the kid’s wish is going to partly come true with a Beijing TV station inviting Thaksin and his family for an all-expenses-paid trip to China’s capital where he will be interviewed and take the stage to sing a song.

While attempting to convince the Malaysian tourist to buy something, Thaksin had shown off his musical talents singing a bit of the popular song “We Are Different,” changing one line of the lyrics to “we are here selling things to you” instead of “we are here waiting for you.”

Becoming an internet star has also meant that Thaksin and his brother have received gifts and financial aid from charitable organizations with the Cambodian Red Cross pledging to pay for the brothers’ schooling.

 



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JIT completes probe into Azam Swati's misconduct, assets

Federal Minister Azam Swati
A joint investigation team (JIT) formed by the Supreme Court to probe Federal Minister Azam Swati's misconduct and assets has completed its investigation, sources said on Saturday.

According to sources, the JIT completed its probe and prepared a report which has been signed by all members of the team. The JIT was probing alleged misuse of authority, misconduct and encroachment by the federal minister.

“The JIT is expected to submit the report in the Supreme Court today,” the sources added.

Swati appeared before the JIT at the National Accountability Bureau headquarters on Wednesday and was questioned for two hours.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of Islamabad IGP Jan Muhammad’s abrupt transfer last month. The IGP was transferred on October 27 after he allegedly refused to take action on a complaint by Swati’s son regarding a fight over purported encroachment with a family at their farmhouse.

The apex court had formed a JIT to probe allegations of misuse of authority, misconduct and encroachment against the minister. The JIT is headed by DG National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi Irfan Mangi and includes top officials from the Intelligence Bureau and the Federal Investigation Agency. The team was tasked to submit its report to the court within 14 days.

The Supreme Court had suspended the transfer of Jan Muhammad but had to withdraw its order after he excused himself from performing duties as Islamabad IGP.



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US paves way to get 'lab meat' on plates

FDA would oversee the collection and differentiation of cells while USDA would oversee production and labeling of food products.
US authorities on Friday agreed on how to regulate food products cultured from animal cells — paving the way to get so-called "lab meat" on American plates.

The Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration agreed to share regulation of cell-cultured food products, they said in a joint statement, following a public meeting in October.

While technical details have yet to be confirmed, the FDA would oversee the collection and differentiation of cells — when stem cells develop to specialized cells — while USDA would oversee production and labeling of food products.

"This regulatory framework will leverage both the FDA´s experience regulating cell-culture technology and living biosystems and the USDA´s expertise in regulating livestock and poultry products for human consumption," the statement said, adding that the agencies see no need for legislation on the matter.

The question of whether to approve cell-cultured food products has never really arisen in the US. In fact, several niche "lab-meat" startups already exist, but production costs are very high and nobody has a product that is ready to sell yet.

Californian company Just, known for its eggless mayonnaise, has said previously it plans to sell cell-cultured meat by the end of this year — and told AFP it looked forward to working with the agencies.

Others such as Memphis Meats and Mosa Meat, in the Netherlands, are working to get production costs down — with some backing from the agri-food industry.

The backers of "lab meat" argue avoiding slaughtering animals will reduce both suffering and greenhouse emissions -- and is a sustainable option to feed growing populations hungry for protein.

"American consumers deserve a wide array of healthy, humane, and sustainable choices," said Jessica Almy, policy director at The Good Food Institute.

But they are locked in disagreement with farming organisations about whether such products can indeed be called "meat."

The authorities have made no statement on that — but the US Cattlemen´s Association welcomed the news.

"USDA is going to oversee labeling, which we are ecstatic about because the FDA does not require pre-market label approval... before the products hits the shelves," said spokeswoman Lia Biondo.



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PM Imran Khan will take a U-turn on his U-turn statement: Khawaja Asif

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Asif
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Asif on Saturday mocked Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement where he said a leader who does not take “U-turns” according to the requirements of the situation is not a real leader.

“Imran Khan will take a U-turn on his U-turn statement as well. Please wait it won’t be before long,” the former foreign minister tweeted.

Asif is not the first one to criticise the PM for his statement.

Reacting to the prime minister’s statement, Pakistan Peoples Party leader Khursheed Shah on Friday said, “Imran Khan is Hitler and is taking U-turns to avoid losses.”

“He [PM Imran Khan] has made it clear and told the nation that he is Hitler,” Shah added.

According to the PPP leader, the prime minister was also sending a message that Hitler had failed because he did not take a U-turn while he would be successful as he would.

“No Hitler, who was also a dictator, has ever been successful in history,” Shah asserted.

 



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Quaidabad blast: Can't comment till investigation is complete: Murad

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Saturday said he cannot comment on the nature or target of the Quaidabad blast, which claimed two lives and injured 12 others a day earlier, till investigation is complete.

At least two persons were killed and 12 injured Friday as a powerful explosion hit the Quaidabad area of Karachi. The blast reportedly damaged buildings and triggered panic.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, the provincial chief minister confirmed that two people were killed in the explosion and said, “12 people were injured in the blast of which 10 were provided medical treatment and discharged from the hospital while one is critical.”

“Another explosive device was found from the area after the explosion and was defused,” he added.

“We are conducting an investigation into the matter and only when the investigation is complete will we know the intensity, nature and target of the blast. Thus, till investigation is complete we cannot say anything,” Shah asserted.

The Sindh chief minister further shared that they have acquired land for a forensic lab. “We are trying to build a lab in Sindh but in the meantime will seek help from other provinces,” he said.

Responding to a question on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement on “U-turns” a day earlier, the provincial chief minister said, “I don’t know what the purpose of the statement was. He [PM Imran] has gone from U-turns to W-turns.”



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Friday, November 16, 2018

Facebook CEO Details Company Battle with Hate Speech, Violent Content

A television photographer shoots the sign outside of Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., May 18, 2012.
Facebook says it is getting better at proactively removing hate speech and changing the incentives that result in the most sensational and provocative content becoming the most popular on the site.

The company has done so, it says, by ramping up its operations so that computers can review and make quick decisions on large amounts of content with thousands of reviewers making more nuanced decisions.

In the future, if a person disagrees with Facebook's decision, he or she will be able to appeal to an independent review board.

Facebook "shouldn't be making so many important decisions about free expression and safety on our own," Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a call with reporters Thursday.

But as Zuckerberg detailed what the company has accomplished in recent months to crack down on spam, hate speech and violent content, he also acknowledged that Facebook has far to go.

"There are issues you never fix," he said. "There's going to be ongoing content issues."

Company's actions

In the call, Zuckerberg addressed a recent story in The New York Times that detailed how the company fought back during some of its biggest controversies over the past two years, such as the revelation of how the network was used by Russian operatives in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The Times story suggested that company executives first dismissed early concerns about foreign operatives, then tried to deflect public attention away from Facebook once the news came out.

Zuckerberg said the firm made mistakes and was slow to understand the enormity of the issues it faced. "But to suggest that we didn't want to know is simply untrue," he said.

Zuckerberg also said he didn't know the firm had hired Definers Public Affairs, a Washington, D.C., consulting firm that spread negative information about Facebook competitors as the social networking firm was in the midst of one scandal after another. Facebook severed its relationship with the firm.

"It may be normal in Washington, but it's not the kind of thing I want Facebook associated with, which is why we won't be doing it," Zuckerberg said.

The firm posted a rebuttal to the Times story.

Content removed

Facebook said it is getting better at proactively finding and removing content such as spam, violent posts and hate speech. The company said it removed or took other action on 15.4 million pieces of violent content between June and September of this year, about double what it removed in the prior three months.

But Zuckerberg and other executives said Facebook still has more work to do in places such as Myanmar. In the third quarter, the firm said it proactively identified 63 percent of the hate speech it removed, up from 13 percent in the last quarter of 2017. At least 100 Burmese language experts are reviewing content, the firm said.

One issue that continues to dog Facebook is that some of the most popular content is also the most sensational and provocative. Facebook said it now penalizes what it calls "borderline content" so it gets less distribution and engagement.

"By fixing this incentive problem in our services, we believe it'll create a virtuous cycle: by reducing sensationalism of all forms, we'll create a healthier, less-polarized discourse where more people feel safe participating," Zuckerberg wrote in a post.

Critics of the company, however, said Zuckerberg hasn't gone far enough to address the inherent problems of Facebook, which has 2 billion users.

"We have a man-made, for-profit, simultaneous communication space, marketplace and battle space and that it is, as a result, designed not to reward veracity or morality but virality," said Peter W. Singer, strategist and senior fellow at New America, a nonpartisan think tank, at an event Thursday in Washington, D.C.



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PM Imran informed the nation he is Hitler: Khursheed Shah

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah provided his analysis of a statement by Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding leaders taking U-turns.

In a meeting with senior journalists, Prime Minister Khan said a leader who does not know how to take U-turns according to the requirements of the situation is not a real leader. The prime minister added, “Hitler and Napoleon suffered huge defeats and caused losses as they did not take U-turns.”

Reacting to the prime minister’s statement, Shah said, “Imran Khan is Hitler and is taking U-turns to avoid losses.”

“He [PM Imran Khan] has made it clear and told the nation that he is Hitler,” Shah added.

According to the PPP leader, the prime minister was also sending a message that Hitler had failed because he did not take a U-turn while he would be successful as he would.

“No Hitler, who was also a dictator, has ever been successful in history,” Shah asserted.



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APEC summit sees China and US at odds over trade war

APEC summit sees China and US at odds over trade war
The Asia-Pacific summit has become the latest stage for the trade dispute between the US and China. Beijing called for consultations as Washington threatened more tariffs.

The main protagonists in the US-China trade war set out their positions at the start of an Asia-Pacific summit in Papua New Guinea on Saturday.

Ahead of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit on Saturday, Chinese President Xi Jinping was first to speak and said there would be no winners from a trade war or a new cold war. Protectionist actions were short-sighted and doomed to fail, Xi said.

"We should say no to protectionism and unilateralism," Xi said, in evident reference to President Donald Trump's "America First" policies.

"Attempts to erect barriers and cut close economic ties work against the laws of economics and the trends of history," Xi said. "This is a short-sighted approach and it is doomed to failure."

The Chinese leader said the world should "uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all."

Xi's comments follow months of a trade dispute between the US and China with each imposing tariffs on each other's goods. "History has shown that confrontation — whether in the form of a cold war, hot war or trade war — will produce no winners," he said.

He also called for a resolution to the dispute through consultation, in a spirit of equality and mutual understanding.

US VP Mike Pence defiant

But as the US Vice President Mike Pence addressed the assembly, he said the US would not back down in its trade dispute with China and could double its tariffs unless China agreed to its demands.

"We have taken decisive action to address our imbalance with China," Pence declared. "We put tariffs on $250 billion (€218 billion) in Chinese goods, and we could more than double that number."

"The United States, though, will not change course until China changes its ways," Pence stated.

Pence also attacked China's global infrastructure "Belt and Road" initiative, calling many of the projects low quality and leaving developing countries with loans they were unable to afford.

Xi had defended the initiative: "It is not designed to serve any hidden geopolitical agenda, it is not targeted against anyone and it does not exclude anyone... nor is it a trap as some people have labelled it," he said.

"Mankind has once again reached a crossroads," Xi remarked. "Which direction should we choose? Cooperation or confrontation? Openness or closing doors. Win-win progress or a zero-sum game?"

The assembled leaders of the Pacific Rim countries account for 60 percent of the world's economy.



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Ayesha Omar talks about her role in Kaaf Kangana

The romance film, helmed and written by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar, features Ayesha in one of the lead roles.
Ayesha Omar has been busy shooting for her next project Kaaf Kangana and revealed to Images that the film features not a love triangle, but a love square!

The romance film, helmed and written by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar, features Ayesha in one of the lead roles.

Talking about her character Gulnaz, she said that she's a young woman who lives in a haveli with her Dada and sister in the walled city of Lahore.

"She's a very feisty, super-confident Punjabi girl who's not afraid of anyone. She's straightforward and moonphaat," Ayesha added.

In Kaaf Kangana, Gulnaz falls in love with her neighbour, who's played by Sami Khan. The story is a square, says Ayesha, because "while I'm in love with Sami Khan, he's in love with someone else and someone else is in love with me!"

Sound complicated? Ayesha reveals that Kaaf Kangana's story has two tracks, one of which is led by her and the other by Sami.

Talking about her experience of working with Khalil, she said, "Working with Khalil sahab has been a great experience. He is full of knowledge and expertise and there's lots to learn from him and he has no problems learning from others as well.

"We were on the same page, and because I used to pick up from his direction and guidance, he used to call me 'cheeti' after every scene. It felt very good to be able to have that dynamic.

"I heard a lot of things about him, that he gets angry a lot, for instance, but I feel he's not an unreasonable man and only gets angry when things aren't organised, which is totally valid."



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Man involved in telephone banking fraud arrested in Jhang

Man involved in telephone banking fraud arrested in Jhang
The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Faisalabad wing on Saturday arrested a man involved in telephone banking fraud in Jhang.

Assistant Director Cyber Crime Wing Shoaib Haroon said, “We conducted an investigation after a complaint from an Abbottabad resident, Muhammad Sadeeq, that Rs105,000 had been withdrawn from his bank account.”

During the investigation, we traced suspect Asif, who used to call people pretending to be a bank officer and gather their account details, the assistant director added.

“The suspect used a fake ID to trick people and transferred money into his own bank account after gathering details of people’s accounts over the phone,” Haroon further said.

Following the inquiry, FIA’s cyber crime wing arrested Asif in Jhang.

Further investigations are under way, the assistant director cyber crime wing added.



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Canada's Trudeau Uses Trump Card to Attack Main Political Rival

 President Donald Trump talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a G-7 Summit welcome ceremony, June 8, 2018, in Charlevoix, Canada.
Donald Trump is so unpopular in Canada that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is using the spectre of the U.S. president to attack his conservative rival ahead of a national election set for next year.

Trudeau, whose ruling Liberals have a 12-seat majority in the 338-seat parliament, calls Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer a climate change "ideologue" who stokes "fear and division" on immigration.

Only 25 percent of Canadians have confidence in Trump, a fraction of the 83 percent garnered by former President Barack Obama two years ago, according to a Pew Research Center survey published last month.

Trudeau and Trump have traded barbs. The U.S. president tweeted in June that the Canadian leader was "very dishonest and weak" and later threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian-made cars that he said would be the "ruination" of Canada's economy.

Liberals gain ground

The Conservatives led in the polls in March, but the Liberals drew ahead in July after Trudeau's spat with Trump and now hold a one-point lead in the latest survey by Ipsos Public Affairs.

"It's political manna from heaven (for Trudeau) to have a fight with Donald Trump," said a source familiar with the thinking of the Conservative leadership. Party officials are concerned that comparisons with Trump could turn off supporters, the source said.

Scheer, still relatively unknown to voters after taking over as party leader last year, is choosing his words carefully on issues like climate change and immigration, while Trudeau is attacking his rival's position on the environment as being tantamount to Trump's.

The U.S. government announced last year that it intended to formally withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate accord. Canada, a major oil and gas producer, remains committed to the agreement.

Trudeau, 46, portrays Scheer as someone — like Trump — who denies climate change is man-made. Polls show Canadians overwhelmingly agree climate change is real and must be tackled.

Trudeau plans to tax carbon emissions, a measure which Scheer opposes on the grounds it will force "suburban moms and dads" to spend a lot more money on gas.

Speaking in Ottawa's National Gallery in front of a wall-sized picture of an old-growth forest on Oct. 29, Trudeau said Scheer's criticism shows the Conservatives want to "make pollution free again.”

Scheer doesn't deny climate change

The phrase mimicking Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan has since been repeatedly used by Liberal ministers and legislators.

Scheer, 39, does not deny climate change and has said he will present his own strategy to combat carbon emissions without raising taxes by the time Canadians are due to vote on Oct. 21, 2019.

While the Conservative source said the attempts to link Scheer to Trump were calculated, an official close to Trudeau declined to comment.

The official said Trudeau's characterization of Scheer's position on climate change is "very factual."

Pressure on immigration

Ipsos pollster Darrell Bricker said the Liberal strategy to paint Scheer as a northern Trump could work in the ruling party's favor given Canadians' "very poor view" of the U.S. leader.

Scheer is also under Liberal pressure on immigration.

In July, the Conservative Party withdrew an ad that had been posted on its Twitter feed showing a black asylum seeker entering Canada through a broken fence while walking over the text of a 2017 Trudeau tweet that read: "Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength."

The ad alleged that Trudeau's tweet lured thousands of people into Canada from the United States to file refugee claims. Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said the Conservatives were "peddling false information to stoke fear."

Bannon appearance draw protests

Canadians' view of Trump, who has adopted hard-line policies on immigration, was highlighted earlier this month when the mere presence of former Trump strategist Steve Bannon at a Toronto debate drew hundreds of protesters, resulting in 12 arrests.

The protesters "were calling the audience fascists and taking their pictures and threatening to put them online," Bannon said in an interview. "It was a tough audience. They hated Trump."



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Facebook to launch independent body for calls on content

Facebook to launch independent body for calls on content
Facebook announced Thursday it is creating an independent body to make potentially precedent-setting calls on what content should be yanked from the social network.

The announcement came as Facebook reported it has ramped up its ability to quickly detect "hate speech" and other posts violating community rules, with the leading social network under pressure from regulators in various countries and activists to root out abusive and inappropriate content.

"I have come to believe that we shouldn t be making so many decisions about free expression and safety on our own," Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said in a media briefing.

Content spied by artificial intelligence software or reported by users is now reviewed by an internal system that Facebook has been ramping up.

An independent body to be constituted in the coming year will act as a "higher court" of sorts, considering appeals of content removal decisions made by the social network, Zuckerberg said.

The composition of the appeals body along with how to keep it independent while remaining in line with Facebook principles and policies was to be determined in the coming year.

Facebook also planned next year to begin releasing content removal summaries quarterly in a tempo on par with earnings reports, according to executives.

"We have made progress getting hate, bullying and terrorism off our network," Zuckerberg said.

"It s about finding the right balance between giving people a voice and keeping people safe."

Challenges faced by the California-based social network include the fact that people naturally tend to engage with more sensational content that, while perhaps at the edge of violating Facebook policies, are unhealthy for civilized discourse, according to Zuckerberg.

"We see this in cable news and tabloids too," Zuckerberg said.

"A lot of our work is to insure that borderline content that comes close to violating our content gets less attention not more."

Bullying represents a tougher challenge to AI systems, because it tends to be personal and subjective. For example, someone might playfully mock a friend in a post that could also be interpreted to be mean.

Detecting bullying or hate can also require understanding of the gamut of languages used at Facebook, along with cultural contexts.

"We are getting better at proactively identifying violating content before anyone reports it, specifically for hate speech and violence and graphic content," Facebook said in the new transparency report.

"But, there are still areas where we have more work to do."

Facebook said that since its last transparency report, the amount of hate speech detected proactively, before anyone reported it, has more than doubled.

"The single biggest improvement comes from AI and machine learning," said product management vice president Guy Rosen.



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Trump administration must return press pass to CNN reporter Jim Acosta

CNN journalist Jim Acosta
A judge has ordered the Trump administration to immediately return White House press credentials to CNN's Jim Acosta. The journalist's press pass was revoked after a contentious press conference with President Trump.

A US District Court on Friday ordered the White House to temporarily restore the press credentials of CNN journalist Jim Acosta.

The journalist, who is CNN's chief White House correspondent, was barred from the White House after a contentious press conference with President Donald Trump. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders accused Acosta of "placing his hands" on an intern as she sought to take the microphone from him after the president indicated he would not answer a question from Acosta.

The White House agreed to temporarily reinstate Acosta's press pass after the order.

Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, ordered the administration to restore Acosta's press pass while the case is pending. Kelly said there should be a due process in place for limiting a journalist's access to the White House.

Describing the White House's reasons for revoking Acosta's credentials, Kelly said the "belated efforts were hardly sufficient to satisfy due process."

Sanders had spelled out the reasons in a series of tweets only after CNN filed its lawsuit.

'Let's go back to work'

The judge also found that Acosta suffered "irreparable harm," as he dismissed the Trump administration's argument that CNN could just send other reporters to report on the White House in Acosta's place.

"Let's go back to work," Acosta told reporters after the hearing.

CNN said in a statement it "looked forward to a full resolution in the coming days" and thanked "all who have supported not just CNN, but a free, strong and independent American press."

Trump has made no secret of his dislike for the US broadcaster, often describing the network as "fake news."

But in court, US government lawyers said Acosta was penalized for acting rudely at the conference and not for his criticisms of the president.



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Perfect Djokovic gears up for ATP Finals last-four with win

Perfect Djokovic gears up for ATP Finals last-four with win
Novak Djokovic prepared for Saturday s last-four clash with Kevin Anderson at the ATP Finals in ominous fashion by outlasting Marin Cilic 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 as Alexander Zverev geared up to face Roger Federer.

The Serbian world number one started Friday s evening match at London s O2 Arena with the luxury of knowing he had already qualified as the winner of the Guga Kuerten Group but looked sharp and focused from the first point.

Earlier, Zverev saw off John Isner 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the season finale for the first time, meaning the dream Djokovic-Federer final remains a possibility.

Djokovic, dressed all in black, won a remarkable 31 points in a row on his serve from the third game of the first set until the fourth game of the second against a determined Cilic, who was unable to progress even with a victory.

"Obviously I knew before the match that I had already qualified, and I knew who I m playing, so it wasn t easy to approach this match with 100 percent willingness to win it," said Djokovic.

"But this is a unique format and both of us wanted to win from the first point. It was a close first set which probably decided the match.

"(Anderson) is playing some great tennis, it s definitely his best season and he s continued doing that throughout this tournament. He s playing well, serving well, very aggressive, so I know what to expect."

In a high-quality contest, the 14-time Grand Slam champion stayed calm to save a set point in the first-set tie-break before taking it 9-7 on his second set point.

In the second set, Djokovic immediately put Cilic s serve under severe pressure.

The Croatian former US Open champion dug deep to stay in the contest in the early stages but cracked in the fifth game, giving himself a mountain to climb and also succumbed in his next service game, leaving Djokovic to serve out for the win.

Djokovic, who has not dropped a single set in his three round-robin matches in London, has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance in the second half of the season after elbow surgery and indifferent form earlier in the year.

He has lost just two matches since the start of July, winning Wimbledon and the US Open along the way and emerging once more as the man to beat as he attempts to pull level with Federer on six ATP Finals titles.

Zverev was aware that a win by any scoreline against American giant Isner would take him through to the semi-finals.

The turning point came at the end of the 12th game, when the 21-year-old German saved a set point on his own serve with an ace, going on to force a tie-break, which he won.

In the second set a single break of serve in the eighth game proved decisive and Zverev served out for the win.

"It s obviously great getting to the semi-finals," he said. "But the tournament isn t over. I am in the semi-finals. There s only good opponents left. There s only the best in the world.

"I m playing Roger tomorrow, which is going to be a very difficult but hopefully very nice match. We ll see how far I can go."

Third seed Zverev, coached by Ivan Lendl, is the youngest semi-finalist at the ATP Finals since Juan Martin del Potro in 2009.

Second seed Federer, chasing his 100th title, beat Anderson in straight sets to top the Lleyton Hewitt Group on Thursday but both players progressed, meaning early exits for Kei Nishikori and Dominic Thiem.



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First round of Thal Jeep Rally ends

First round of Thal Jeep Rally ends
The qualifying round of Thal Jeep Rally concluded here on Friday with international drivers participating in the race.

Nadir Magsi clinched the first spot, while Asad Khuhro stood second and Sahibzada Sultan third. At least, 88 vehicles were registered for the qualifying round. The races in stock category will begin today as well as the final between women drivers.

Women racers are participating in the rally for the second time.

Talking to the media, Salma and Tushna Khan said it was great as last year only two women had participated in the rally, while this year there were half a dozen of them participating.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Ehtasham Anwar told the media that it is a great honour for Muzaffargrah district where such an international competition is being held. The rally track was 176 kilometres long and strict security measures had been taken for the competition.

Additional District Collector (Revenue) Ataul Haq explained that the track started from Head Muhammadwali, touched the boundary of Layyah district and would finish back at Head Muhammadwali. He also said that 14 checkposts had been set up with police and Rescue 1122 personnel. Ambulance service would also be provided for medical assistance.



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Illegal allotment of land: Anti-corruption launches probe against PTI's Jahangir Tareen

Tightening noose against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, the anti-corruption department on Friday launched an investigation against Jahangir Khan Tareen into the illegal allotment of 250 acres of land in 2004 in Karachi.

According to anti-corruption department officials, the PTI leader is accused of corruption in Industrial Park project during former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf’s tenure.

Tareen had illegally allotted 250 acres of land worth Rs2.5billion, officials said and added the land was allotted to the PTI leader’s friend in 2004 after it was announced that an industrial park would be established on the land.

“The approval to give the land to private company was given by then Sindh cabinet,” officials added.

The anti-corruption officials also decided to question former chief minister Arbab Ghulam Raheem in the case.



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California Wildfire Toll Rises to 71, More Than 1,000 Missing

A vintage car rests among debris as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 8, 2018.
Officials in California say the number of people missing from the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history has risen to more than 1,000 and the death toll has increased to 71.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said Friday that a list of the missing, which he released Thursday with 631 names has now increased to 1,011 names.

He stressed that list likely includes people who fled the fire and don’t realize they have been reported missing, and said the list will likely fluctuate in number up and down. Honea urged people to inform authorities if they survived the fire.

Search for remains

Firefighters battling what is known as the Camp Fire gained ground Friday in containing and suppressing the flames.

Some 500 rescue workers sifted through debris in and around the northern California town of Paradise Friday, one week after the deadly blaze erupted and quickly raced through the town of 27,000. The blaze reduced the town to ashes, having destroyed nearly 12,000 structures, including at least 9,700 homes, and still threatens thousands of additional structures.

The blaze forced the evacuation of about 52,000 people who are staying in shelters, motels, homes of relatives and friends, and at a makeshift camp on a nearby Walmart parking lot and an adjacent field.

Officials said Friday that at least 25 people staying at shelters following the blaze have been hospitalized because of an outbreak of norovirus.

Authorities say schools and tourist attractions across the San Francisco Bay Area were closed Friday because of smoke from the forest fire.

The cause of the Camp Fire remains under investigation, but officials say it may have been sparked by malfunctioning electrical equipment.

Wildfires common

Wildfires are common in California, particularly at this time of year when warm, dry winds help fan the flames. At the southern end of California, firefighters and rescue workers have been grappling with other wildfires, including the Woolsey Fire that killed three people and burned at least 500 structures near the Malibu coast near Los Angeles.

The Woolsey Fire, which torched nearly 390 square kilometers, roughly the size of the western city of Denver, Colorado, was about 60 percent contained, allowing more residents to return to the area.

The White House announced that U.S. President Donald Trump would visit California on Saturday to meet with “individuals impacted by the wildfires.” He plans to travel to both regions of California that have been devastated by the blazes.

Trump’s visit comes a week after he initially blamed California officials for the wildfires and threatened to withhold federal money. His tweets did not mention California’s drought conditions, which many scientists say are symptomatic of climate change.

California Governor Jerry Brown, U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, and Brock Long, head of the emergency management agency, FEMA, visited the Paradise area Wednesday. Brown blamed climate change and drought for the massive blaze, while Zinke cautioned against assigning blame to any one factor.

“Now is not the time to point fingers,” Zinke said, saying dead trees, higher temperatures, and poor forest management were among the causes.



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Chief justice takes notice of GB tourism minister's 'misbehaviour' at Islamabad airport

Chief justice takes notice of GB tourism minister's 'misbehaviour' at Islamabad airport
The Supreme Court has ordered Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Minister Fida Hussain and the arrival in charge at Islamabad Airport to appear before the court on November 17 and explain their position about an incident where Hussain allegedly misbehaved with the airport official following a flight delay on Thursday.

Chief Justice Saqib Nisar issued court summons on Friday asking both Hussain and the airport official to appear before the Supreme Court's Lahore Registry on Saturday.

"As per media reports, the incident took place over a flight delay due to bad weather and the minister pushed the arrival incharge so hard that he stumbled," observes the SC notice.

On Thursday, November 16, Gilgit-bound Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-607 scheduled for 7am was first delayed due to technical reasons and cancelled later due to bad weather.

Videos of an angry passenger protesting against the delay went viral on social media that day.

The passenger, reported by the videographer to be Hussain, set fire to his possessions in protest over the delay, including "an expensive jacket". When a fire extinguisher was brought to put the flames out, the passenger kicked it away in anger, as seen in the video.

Furthermore, when an airport security official approaches him to address the matter, the passenger can be seen holding his arms up and repeating: "Go bring handcuffs."

In another video, the same man, reportedly the tourism minister, can be seen arguing with a white-uniformed official.

"The weather is bad you say. The weather is bad for one flight and not the other?" he exclaims incredulously before proceeding to ask the white-uniformed man his designation.

"I am the arrival in charge," responded the man, introducing himself.

At this the vexed passenger's annoyance turns to hostility and asking him to bring the manager of operations he shoves the arrival in charge hard, causing him to skid across the airport floor and stumble.

Later that day, the PIA spokesperson said CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik talked to GB Law Minister Aurangzeb Khan, who was also going to travel on the flight, and told him that the flight had been cancelled due to bad weather.

He said the passengers were moved to hotels for the night and assured that a special flight will be operated for them on Friday.

 



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At least two dead, multiple injured in Karachi blast

At least two dead, multiple injured in Karachi blast
At least two persons were killed and 10 injured Friday as a powerful explosion hit the Quaidabad area of Karachi, police authorities said.

Police disclosed the identity of one of the deceased as Pappu son of Mushtaq; while the injured include Rasheed Rafique, Mushtaq Bilal, Haq Nawaz, Siddiq Dawood, Arsalan Tariq, Allah Ditta, Qamar Abbas, Shahabud din, Munir and Shahid.

SSP Malir Irfan Bahadur said the blast took place under the Quaidabad flyover near a crowded area of the locality. He said the police were still trying to ascertain the exact nature and cause of the explosion.

Dr Seemi Jamali at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) confirmed the death toll. She said that five wounded persons were in critical condition at the hospital.

Power supply to the surrounding areas was disrupted following the powerful explosion, which could be heard from a distance.

According to information received to Geo News, the blast took place at a crowded place where several vendors set up their stalls.

Police have cordoned off the site and are looking for any clues.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the incident and sought a report from the additional inspector-general of Sindh police.

Police diffuse second bomb

The bomb disposal squad in its surveillance after the incident found another bomb, weighing 400-500 grams, from the site of the incident, sources informed Geo News.

The bomb present in a tiffin was diffused in a nearby ground after a close review to avoid any unfortunate development, said police officials present on the site.

Police said that a timing device was also attached to the bomb.

A heavy contingent of police and paramilitary forces were present during the time of diffusion.

Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Incharge Raja Umar Khattab said that the police is yet to ascertain the implosives used in the blast, while speaking to the press.

The CTD chief said that the force will share information after the final review of bomb disposal squad.

"We will be able to share more details after the chemical examination of the explosives," he added.



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KSE-100 index extends its bullish streak on Friday

KSE-100 index extends its bullish streak on Friday
The KSE-100 index extended its bullish streak on Friday and ended higher by 232 points following a volatile session.

However, many investors chose to stand on the sidelines because of the absence of positive triggers.

Earlier, trading began on a positive note but uncertainty soon took over, erasing early gains and resulted in the index oscillating between positive and negative territories. Surviving the volatility, the index managed to climb in the first half before some selling removed a few index points in the second half.

At the end of trading, the benchmark KSE 100-share Index recorded an increase of 232.12 points or 0.56% to settle at 41,660.75.

Arif Habib Limited, in its report, stated the stock market had a positive session throughout the day, without the hint of a red sign.

“(It) opened up 107 points with activity in bank and cement stocks. Lucky Cement and United Bank, despite being downgraded in the MSCI review, remained the favourites of investors,” the research house said.

“A notice to the exchange clarified that the major investor in Lucky Cement was Providus, which claimed 1 million shares post-MSCI exit.”

Nonetheless, there was selling pressure in steel, fertiliser and refinery sectors and mid-cap banks. Sector-wise performance showed that chemical companies performed quite well but Engro Polymer lacked lustre.

Stocks that contributed positively to the index included United Bank (+46 points), Pakistan Oilfields (+44 points) and Oil and Gas Development Company (+37 points).

Stocks that contributed negatively were Habib Bank (-23 points), Pakistan Petroleum (-17 points) and Searle (-12 points).

Overall, trading volumes decreased to 201.5 million shares compared with Thursday’s tally of 254.9 million. The value of shares traded during the day was Rs10.4 billion.

Shares of 371 companies were traded. At the end of the day, 173 stocks closed higher, 177 declined and 21 remained unchanged.

Lotte Chemical XD was the volume leader with 19.3 million shares, gaining Rs0.14 to close at Rs19.95. It was followed by Pakistan International Bulk Terminal with 13.7 million shares, gaining Rs0.06 to close at Rs12.75 and Siddiqsons Tin Plate with 13.5 million shares, losing Rs0.02 to close at Rs20.22.

Foreign institutional investors were net sellers of Rs1.4 billion worth of shares during the trading session, according to data compiled by the National Clearing Company of Pakistan.



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Federal Police formed 7-member JIT to probe SP Tahir Dawar's murder

Federal Police formed 7-member JIT to probe SP Tahir Dawar's murder
On the request of the federal police, a seven-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been formed today (Friday) to investigate murder of Tahir Khan Dawar, a superintendent of police in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

SP Investigation will head the JIT, whereas, each member from Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Military Intelligence (MI) has been included in the team. Moreover, SP Islamabad, SDPO Shalimar and DSP CID have also been made part of the JIT.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had ordered an inquiry into the death of the senior police officer who disappeared from Islamabad last month. The body of Tahir Dawar was recovered on Tuesday in the Afghan province of Nangarhar, nearly three weeks after he went missing.

PM Khan said he had ordered authorities to carry out "an inquiry immediately".

Islamabad said it had twice summoned the Afghan Charge d’Affaires to "seek clarity". 

"His abduction, move to (Afghanistan), murder and follow up behavior of (Afghan) authorities raise questions which indicate involvement or resources more than a terrorist organization," military spokesman Major General Asif Ghrafoor said on Twitter.

It was not immediately clear how he knew Dawar had been adducted and murdered.

The governor’s office in Nangarhar said it had delivered the body to tribal elders near the Pakistani border.

Rights activists have questioned how Dawar, who was visiting family in Islamabad from Peshawar on Oct. 26, came to be in Afghanistan.

Moments after the body of SP Tahir Khan Dawar was handed over to Pakistani authorities at a border crossing, Pak Army’s spokesperson DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said the abduction and brutal murder of a senior Pakistani police officer in Afghanistan and the follow-up behaviour of Afghan authorities indicate involvement of more than a terrorist organisation.

“[The] brutal murder of SP Tahir in Afghanistan is highly condemnable. We have lost a brave police officer,” Major General Asif Ghafoor wrote on his official Twitter handle.

“His abduction, move to Afghanistan, murder and follow-up behaviour of Afghan authorities raise questions which indicate involvement or resources more than a terrorist organisation in Afghanistan,” he added.

Maj Gen Ghafoor reiterated call for cooperation from Kabul in investigation into the gruesome murder of SP Dawar.



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'Don't worry, I am safe': Missing CDA Officer Ayaz Khan releases video message

'Don't worry, I am safe': Missing CDA Officer Ayaz Khan releases video message
The Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) Deputy Director Ayaz Khan on Friday issued a video message saying he was safe and visiting his family in Dera Ismail Khan.

The video message comes hours after reports emerged that the CDA deputy director was missing from Islamabad since Thursday when he left his office at 2:30pm.

Ayaz Khan while thanking the authorities for the concern said in the video message, “I am with my family in DI Khan and am safe and sound. I had lost my mobile.”

It is pertinent here to mention that police officials said that Ayaz Khan visited CDA office on Thursday and last time he contacted was with his wife.

Officer’s wife told that he left office at 04:00pm and he was on his way to his home in G13, police added.

The officers had launched an investigation after registering the missing report. Unfortunately, the CCTV cameras installed in Melody Market were out of order, police informed.

The missing officer was appointed at Khanpur Dam for services.



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NAB recommends to place Hamza and Salman Shehbaz on ECL

NAB recommends to place Hamza and Salman Shehbaz on ECL
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday suggested the Ministry of Interior to put the names of Leader of Opposition in Punjab and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shehbaz Sharif and his brother Salman Shehbaz on the Exit Control List (ECL).

Sources told that the anti-graft watchdog in a letter to the Ministry of Interior stated that sons of former Punjab CM and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif are under investigation.

Hamza and Salman are being probed by the anti-graft agency in Ramzan Sugar Mills and Saaf Pani Company Scam. NAB had failed to prove charges of financial irregularities in what he thought were politically motivated cases against him, he stated before the LHC bench in his bail plea.

It is alleged that Rs200 million was spent from national exchequer for the construction of a bridge to facilitate transportation for the sugar mill.



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Person who doesn't take U-turn according to situation isn't a leader: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Imran Khan
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that the leader who cannot take apt U-turn is foolishest.

While talking to media in Islamabad, PM said that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did not apt U-turn and lied in the court.

PM Khan said that Shehbaz Sharif does not qualify for the post of chairman Public Accounts Committee (PAC) because a person who is facing corruption charges cannot be appointed as chief of any team.

Shehbaz Sharif s appointment as PAC chairman would portray a negative image of Pakistan at international level.

PM Khan also advised the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to lay hand on big fish involved in corruption.

He asserted that amendments in NAB Ordinance are necessary for smooth working of NAB.



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