President, PM decide in principle to expand and reshuffle federal cabinet

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have decided “in principle” to expand and reshuffle the Federal Cabinet.

Reliable sources told that during the meeting President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have agreed to change portfolios of Interior Minister, Petroleum Minister, Health Minister, Investment Minister, Health Minister and Kashmir Affairs.

It is reported that PPP Senior leader, Mian Raza Rabbani is likely to take charge, as Interior Minister while Naveed Qamar will be appointed as Petroleum Minister after replacing Dr. Asim Hussain.

While current Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Health Minister, Ejaz Jakhrani will be assigned new portfolios.

Sources further added that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani while appreciating the performance of Senator Waqar, Investment Minister and Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme has decided to assign them important portfolios.

Sources added that Prime Minister while expressing his dissatisfaction with the performance of interior ministry has expressed his grave concern on the increasing incidents of terrorists and law and order situation in the country.

It is said that Prime Minister is committed to induct qualified and experience person in his cabinet so that they can effective defend the good polices of government in the parliament.

When contacted with officials in the Prime Minister House, none of the officials confirmed the timeframe for the reshuffle and expansion in Federal Cabinet; however, it is expected in a week.

Abdul Kalam frisked, asked to remove shoes at IGI

Continental Airlines apologizes to Ex president| Read More

In what is clearly a breach of protocol and an insult, former president APJ Abdul Kalam was frisked and also asked to remove his shoes for checks by an international airline at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport recently.

The former President has verified that the incident occured, indeed. He refused to comment on the issue.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has ordered a probe into the incident involving the ground security staff of Continental Airlines which subjected Kalam to security check before he was to board a Newark-bound flight on April 24.

Prior to boarding the flight at the IGI airport, the former head of state was asked by the airline staff to take off his shoes during frisking and his belongings were scanned through an X-ray machine.

As per sources close to Kalam, he did not take up the issue with the government. “It is the airline policy to check everyone. They never listen to any Indian agency,” they said.

The former president also had to “surrender” before the staff for a complete body check, the sources claimed.

But Kalam was “very cooperative” and “he happily underwent the entire process”.
This is a clear breach of protocol because as a former president, Kalam is exempted from frisking and all other security checks.

The Directorate General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is responsible for security at the country’s airports, denied the security checks were conducted by them.

DIG CISF (Airport Security) Udyan Banerjee said the first level of security check, which is conducted by the force, was waived but a second level of checking is done by the airlines.
However, Continental defended its action saying that, as a policy, each of their passengers, including VIPs, are frisked across the world.

The airline’s spokesperson told a TV news channel that the former president happily went through all security checks.

The incident has created uproar in the Parliament, with the MPs cutting across party lines demanding strict action against the erring airline.

In Rajya Sabha, the entire House, including Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan, expressed anguish over the “humiliation” meted out to the Bharat Ratna, whom they described as the tallest figure and a national hero.

In his response to the Rajya Sabha, Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel also termed the frisking of Kalam as an ‘unpardonable act’.

“Not only the preliminary inquiry has been ordered but we also have a preliminary report on the basis of which the Continental Airlines has been issued a show cause notice why action for wilful violation should not be taken,” Patel said. .

This is not for the first time an Indian VIP has been frisked at an airport. Last year, the then External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee was frisked at Moscow airport. In 2003, the then Defence Minister George Fernandes was also made to undergo security screening in the US.

Century’s longest solar eclipse in India

New Delhi: The wait to witness a once-in-a-lifetime celestial phenomenon ends as an eclipsed sun rises over the horizon. And tens of thousands of people all over India wake up to a shaded sunrise and gather at rooftops, planetariums and parks to watch the century’s longest total solar eclipse.

The total eclipse, which starts at sunrise in Surat in Gujarat, was expected to last six minutes and 44 seconds, making it the longest till 2132.

The total solar eclipse has brought Bihar’s nondescript village, Taregna, into the limelight with scientists, sky gazers and tourists from across the world making a beeline to watch the celestial spectacle.

But a Maoist bandh call in Bihar put authorities in tenterhooks and threatened to dampen the spirits of the star gazers. Taregna is the worst Naxal affected place in Patna district.

The phenomenon is said to be best glimpsed from Taregna, which is suddenly boasting temporary toilets, repaired roads and uninterrupted electricity supply to cater to its many visitors from India and abroad.

“We have been waiting for days, now we want it (the solar eclipse) to happen soon,” said Dhananjay Singh, a teacher in a private school who has been asking his students not to miss the event.

Delhi witnesses 85 percent of the eclipse. It begins at 5.30 a.m. and ends at 7.20 a.m, lasting for an hour and 50 minutes.

“I am really very excited about the event. I have already bought a pair of solar glasses from Nehru Planetarium and will watch the total solar eclipse Wednesday morning,” said Rahul Singh, a student of Class 12.

Many people also decided to visit the Nehru Planetarium which is organising a public sky watch.

“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I cannot miss it at any cost. I along with my wife and daughter will visit Nehru Planetarium sharp at 5.30 a.m. to see all the phases of the solar eclipse,” said 65-year-old SN Mitra.

Catch the eclipse

In Surat, where it begins, the solar eclipse comes into play at 5.28 a.m. when the shadow of the Moon touches the earth at local sunrise at a point in the Arabian Sea close to the western coast of India. The eclipse ends at 10.42 a.m. when the moon’s shadow finally leaves the earth at local sunset at a point in the south Pacific ocean. (Zee news)

Complete wheel jam strike observed in twin cities

Transporters of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday observed wheel jam strike against hike in petroleum prices.

Two associations of the transporters had given call for the strike in twin cities. Public transport was completely closed in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other adjoining areas, causing problems for the commuters.

Those who suffer most were primarily the civil servants, students and daily wage earners besides patients, who are unable to reach hospitals, however, the heavy traffic flow of the private vehicles was witnessed.

The strike has left commuters of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in tremendous difficulties. Due to the strike, commuters of twin cities kept waiting for a long time for transport.

Finding no vans, the commuters had to hire taxies, which overcharged them. Over 80,000 commuters, traveling daily between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, were thrown into chaos.

The transport association has demanded the government to withdraw the recent rise in petroleum prices, if failing then they would deliver another strike call.

A large number of buses, omnibuses and coaches remained off the roads. However, taxis and rickshaws did not join the strike and took advantage of the strike by minting money from the passengers.

Wish the hit queen Katrina Kaif on her birthday

MUMBAI : When Katrina Kaif forayed into Bollywood she was slammed by one & all for her bad acting skills and was termed as ‘good for nothing actress’, but despite all the criticism she received, the fiery lady stood unfazed and kept moving on. And to everyone’s surprise the leggy lass with her sheer dedication & hardwork conquered Bollywood.

Where many a actors take years to carve a niche for themselves, Katrina is one such actress who in a very short span of time has made it big in Bollywood.

After constantly churning out back-to-back hits, today the pretty lady is referred as the ‘Goddess of Luck’. Every second filmmaker wants to have the ‘Midas touch’ lady in their film. Not only Bollywoodwala’s but even brandwala’s are going gaga over Katrina. She is rapidly emerging as one of the most sought after faces for brand endorsements.

Today as Bollywood’s hot favourite Katrina celebrates her 25th birthday, on this happy occasion let’s shower her with loads of happiness & best wishes and also have a look on films which changed her fate and gave her the tag of ‘HIT MACHINE’

The video of Michael Jackson Pepsi Cola commercial incident is been on aired first time

Click here to watch the video of this incident

The video of Michael Jackson Pepsi Cola commercial incident has been on aired first time in the last 25 years and being widely watched through out the world.

The unfortunate accident that occurred more than 25 years ago which happened when the singer was filming a commercial for Pepsi at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, left him with serious burns.

The late entertainer was singing his hit song Billie Jean for a Pepsi Cola commercial when the “highly publicised” incident took place.

The footage, which surfaced for the first time this week, shows the singer’s hair being set alight by a pyrotechnic explosion.

Jackson, who was 25 at the time, was taken to hospital where he was treated for second degree burns to his scalp.

It has since been alleged the pop star became addicted to pain-killing medication as a result of the incident.

A spokeswoman for Pepsi told BBC that the drinks giant has no idea where “terrifying” footage of Michael Jackson’s hair catching fire in 1984 came from.

“We don’t know how the footage became available,” Nicole Bradley of Pepsi-Cola North America said in a statement.

“This was an unfortunate accident that occurred more than 25 years ago.”

“It was a terrifying event that we’ll never forget,” Bradley continued, saying Pepsi had been “deeply saddened” by his death last month.

“We were grateful for Michael’s recovery and for the chance to continue working with him on a number of successful projects.”

Musharraf residence electricity connection ordered to be cut: MD PEPCO

Managing Director PEPCO, Tahir Basharat Cheema has said that former President Pervez Musharraf was the defaulter of Rs. 0.5 million and order has been issued to cut-off electricity connection of his farm house in Chak Shahzad.

Musharraf has recently bought a house in london which costs more than £500,000

While addressing a press briefing at WAPDA House in Lahore he said that 34 people including former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf have been issued notices for misusing power tariff.

He said that it was a fact that country faced load shedding; however, government was trying to induct 3000 MW electricity into its system in order to overcome the load shedding issue.

He said that PEPCO itself was a defaulter of Rs 90 billion but KESCO has also been served with notice on being defaulter of Rs 17 billion.

Tahir Basharat Cheema further said that auto meter reading system was being introduced in the country to prevent electricity theft.

Similarly, he said that the current electricity crisis was due to refusal to WAPDA for electricity production and tariff provision in the last 12 years.

COAS chairs 120th Corps Commanders Conference

The Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani chaired the 120th Corps Commanders’ Conference held at General Headquarters today.

The meeting was part of a regular monthly meeting, during which the participants were briefed on the external and internal security situation and measures to improve it.

In his opening remarks, the COAS dilated upon various issues related to national security and current challenges, expressing his satisfaction over the ongoing process of smooth, peaceful and safe return of Malakand IDPs. He also appreciated the efforts of all those involved in resettlement of IDPs.

General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of officers and men during the operation in Malakand and FATA. He also appreciated the high morale and dedication of the officers and men who are engaged in fighting the menace of terrorism and violent extremism in the country.

COAS also expressed satisfaction about conducting of Army War Games, code named ‘Exercise AZAM-E-NAU’, being participated by senior officers of the Army and Air Force.

Barani University riots injure more than 30

At least 30 persons, including students and citizens were seriously injured, in volatile rioting and police action at Barani university.

July, 17: Students of University of Arid Agriculture block Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Road as they protest against killing of a fellow student Shehzad

Earlier the students of Barani University were protesting against a killing of student, during his tussle with some mobile snatchers.

When the students tried to follow the culprits, a police mobile party on motorbikes, who totally misunderstood the situation, resorted to aerial firing which infuriated the already angry students, who indulged in vicious stoning on vehicles and burnt tires; blocking all the traffic, till late night at 2300 hrs; during which sub-inspector Zafar Gondal also suffered broken leg.

The police retaliated the very next day, by baton-charging the Barani university students, while they were busy in taking their exams. The police fired teargas shells through ventilators, due to which the students ran out, where they were arrested by police.

After the rioting heavy contingents of police were deployed, while the dead body of murdered student was delivered at District Headquarters Hospital , where it was delivered to the kin of deceased after carrying out a post mortem.

Case filed against Shumaila Rana, PML-N MPA in connection with illegal occupation of a rented house

A case has been filed in a civil court here against Shumaila Rana, a PML-N MPA in connection with illegal occupation of a house while session judge has granted her interim bail plea in credit card theft case.

One Zafar Abbas in his application filed in civil court had taken the plea Shumaila Rana MPA and her mother Anjum Aara had acquired a house located on Bedian road from him on rent and they were using his house as office of PML-N. Shumaila Rana had occupied the house illegally and she was neither paying the rent nor was she vacating it, he informed.

Applicant Zafar Abbas has prayed the court to issue orders for vacation of house by Shumaila Rana and her mother and payment of outstanding rent by them.

Civil Judge Shahzad Sipra while issuing notices to Shumaila Rana and her mother had summoned both of them in court on July, 30.

In credit card theft case against her the interim bail plea has been granted by additional district and sessions judge Lahore

Additional district and sessions judge Lahore had directed her to furnish surety bonds of Rs 50000 besides summoning her in the court on July 23 in connection with confirmation of bail plea.