Dr. Fehmida greets nation on Pakistan Day

ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza has greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of March 23; known as Pakistan Day and said this year the day has special significance for the country.

In her message, the Speaker National Assembly said sixty-nine years ago, on this day, Muslims of the South Asia, under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Lahore on March 23, 1940 resolved to work for an independent Muslim state.

The Lahore Resolution, which later on came to be known as Pakistan Resolution, imparted new vigor and impetus to the movement for independence and gave the Muslims a new sense of purpose and direction.

For centuries, non-Muslims lived peacefully and enjoyed complete religious freedom under Muslim rulers.

However, the government which came into power under the Government of India Act 1935, gave a rude shock to the Muslims forcing them to conclude that their rights would not be protected within a united India and they were thus left with no choice except to demand independence not only from the yoke of colonialism but also from Hindu domination.

Quaid-e-Azam embodied Islamic principles of tolerance and humanism which enabled him to rally around, not only Muslim public opinion of all shades but also support from other minorities, to demand and create a separate Muslim homeland.

“It is a tribute to his leadership and honesty of purpose that within a short period of seven years he secured Pakistan against heavy odds and through peaceful means,” said the Speaker.

The present democratic government can take genuine pride for restoring the Quaid’s vision of Pakistan as a democratic, tolerant and peace loving nation, she added.


http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/37991.htm

reedom of media, democracy necessary for stability: Sherry

KARACHI: Former Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman has said on Sunday that the center government has been facing multi-faced challenges since 1971 while serous threats are hovering over country.

“Instead of destabilizing one another we must work for the stability of our country”, warned Sherry insisting that neither will she quit Pakistan Peoples Party nor will she halt supporting her party.

On the occasion of inaugural ceremony of the office of Association of Television Journalists (ATV) here she said, “This is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that country is undergoing immense crisis after 1971.”

“Pakistan also has been hit bitterly by global economic meltdown like other countries of the world”, she remarked adding, “Poverty, terrorism and unemployment have added fule to the fire”.

She said that she had stepped down as the Minister but was still a PPP’s member and she would continue to extend her support to government and her party.

She was in favour of sticking to law, rules and regulations instead of ministries or power.

“Freedom of media and democracy utterly essential for the stability of country”, remarked she.

http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/37987.htm

President prays for long life of Nusrat Bhutto

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has preyed for the long life of the former first lady of Pakistan Begum Nusrat Bhutto on the eve of her eightieth birthday celebration.

President, on the occasion, also lauded her services rendered for the country and nation.

“She stood like a concrete wall against her opponents to seek the stability of democracy and for provision of human rights to common people of Pakistan”, Zardari underlined and added, “She led people’s movement against a dictator as a leader of MRD.”

She enjoys the honour of becoming the mother of two times Prime Minister of Pakistan Ms. Benazir Bhutto, he added.


http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/37995.htm

Next target restoration of parliament’s autonomy: Ahsan

LAHORE: Secretary information Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Ahsan Iqbal vowed on Sunday that the next mission of their party was to restore the autonomy of the parliament, which demands repeal of 17th amendment at all costs.

In his statement Ahsan said PML-N has introduced new way of democracy in guise of Charter of Democracy (CoD) so that Pakistan’s respect could be uplifted in the eyes of foreign nations.

“PML-N has achieved its goal by getting the deposed judiciary restored and we have proved to our nation that keeping one’s words in opposition is possible if your intentions are purified”, he pointed out and remarked, “Our efforts have foiled horse trading attempts in Punjab assembly”.



http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/37996.htm

England beat NZ to lift Women World Cup

SYDNEY: England women won the Women World Cup for the third time by defeating New Zealand in Sydney on Sunday.

Winning the toss, New Zealand batted first but could not face English bowlers and collapsed at 166 runs.

England's Nicky Shaw bowled excellently to take a career-best four for 34 while for New Zealand, Lucy Doolan top scored with 48.

Wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor also played an important role in England’s victory as she not only dismissed four players from behind the stumps but added 74 runs with Caroline Atkins.

Though three wickets by Doolan brought back the Kiwis into the game but England eventually made it home by four wickets in the 47th over.

Pakistan women could get the sixth position in the tournament.


http://geo.tv/3-22-2009/37950.htm

Oil prices up in Asian trade

SINGAPORE: Oil prices rose in Asian trade Monday, driven by optimism in the financial markets ahead of an expected US government announcement of a plan to sell toxic assets, analysts said.

New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, was up 30 cents to 52.37 dollars a barrel. The Nymex contract for April delivery expired on Friday.

Brent North Sea crude for May delivery gained 45 cents to 51.67 dollars.

"Right now, the crude oil market is primarily driven by the financial markets," said Victor Shum, an analyst with energy consultancy Purvin and Gertz in Singapore. "What we are seeing in the crude oil market is a financial rally."

The US government is expected to to unveil the plan as early as Monday to sell toxic assets weighing down the financial system.

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner would detail the "Public Private Investment Programme" to entice hedge funds and other private investors into investing in bad assets choking banks' balance sheets, US officials said.



http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/37998.htm

NATO forces claim to have killed 10 Taliban in Afghanistan

KABUL: NATO forces claimed to have killed 10 Taliban including a senior commander.

NATO says its troops have killed 10 insurgents, including a senior commander in southern Afghanistan. NATO said Monday its troops targeted the compound of insurgent leader Maulawi Hassan in Helmand province. He and nine associates were killed. The attack took place Saturday.

NATO says Hassan was a senior insurgent figure in northern Helmand. Two NATO soldiers and a contractor were killed Sunday in the same region. Southern Afghanistan is the center of the Taliban insurgency, where thousands of new U.S. troops will deploy later this year to try reverse militant gains.


http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/38008.htm

Nation celebrating Pakistan Day today

ISLAMABAD: The nation is celebrating Pakistan Day on Monday with great zeal and enthusiasm in remembrance of “The Pakistan Resolution” passed on March 23 in 1940.

The day was dawn with special prayers for solidarity and integrity of Pakistan. Various programmes have been arranged to commemorate the most outstanding achievement of the Muslims of South Asia who passed the historic Pakistan Resolution in Lahore.

The events arranged on the day included rallies of Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and students and exhibition of documentary films for school children and the public.

Recitation of Holy Quran verses, debates, and essay competitions have been organized all over the country and prizes to awarded to winners. Poetry concerts were also held in major cities while sweets were distributed at orphanages and Darul Amans throughout the country.

All radio and TV stations broadcast and telecast special programmes on the day in which well-known workers of Tehreek-I-Pakistan have been invited to participate.

Governors and Chief Ministers hosted receptions at the provincial capitals. People belonging to all walks of life participated in Pakistan Day celebrations.

On this day in 1940, the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent had pledged to create an independent homeland, where they could live in accordance with their religious and cultural values.

From March 22 to 24, 1940, the All India Muslim League held its annual session at Minto Park, Lahore which turned historical.



http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/37986.htm

Zardari says his position not weakened by restoration of judges

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that his position has not weakened by the restoration of judges in the wake of long march.

In an interview to US media, President Asif Zardari said, “We didn’t receive a single dollar for fighting war against terror and war against terrorism could not be fought sans world assistance”.

President Asif Zardari further said that the victory in war against terrorism was possible, but for this US and Britain’s assistance would be required.


http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/38006.htm

PM leads tributes to Jade Goody

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is leading tributes to reality TV star Jade Goody who has died of cancer at 27, praising her as a "courageous woman".

Goody died at home with her family in Upshire, Essex, in the early hours of Sunday after a high-profile battle with cervical cancer.

Floral tributes at the mother-of-two's house have been steadily mounting since news of her death broke.

The prime minister said he was "deeply saddened" by the news.

"The whole country has admired her determination to provide a bright future for her children.

"She will be remembered fondly by all who knew her and her family can be extremely proud of the work she has done to raise awareness of cervical cancer, which will benefit thousands of women across the UK."

Mourners started arriving at the house to pay tribute to Goody within minutes of the news breaking.

Jackie Marron, who was among those leaving floral tributes at the gates, described Goody's work to highlight the risks of cancer as an "inspiration".

"The way she's done her things is absolutely fantastic... her courage, her guts," she added.

Goody's mother Jackiey Budden, who was at her side as she died, said: "My beautiful daughter is at peace. Family and friends would like privacy at last."

Details of the star's funeral have yet to be finalised but Goody's publicist Max Clifford said it was likely to be a "celebration" of her life.

Her cortege is likely to process through Loughton - near her home - after a church service, he said.

Goody shot to fame after being a contestant in the third series of Big Brother in 2002 and was taking part in a version of the show in India last year when she was told of her illness.

The disease spread to her liver, groin and bowel and she was told it was terminal in February.

Jeff Brazier, father of Goody's two sons Bobby, five, and Freddy, four said he was "grateful the boys were able to say their goodbyes and spend that precious time with their wonderful mother".

"Bobby and Freddie are my absolute priority and I will be doing everything I can to be their rock and to give them all my love and support to get them through a confusing and upsetting time."

Media interest

Goody's illness had featured in the media on a daily basis and she allowed digital channel Living to continue following her treatment as well as documenting her wedding to partner Jack Tweed a month before her death.

OK! magazine also paid a reported £700,000 to cover the event.

Writing on the mini-blog website Twitter, Stephen Fry said she was "a kind of Princess D from the wrong side of the tracks".

The pair met while guests on Jonathan Ross' BBC chat show. Fry said: "Poor, dear Jade... I warmed to her immensely. All impulsive spirit and smiles. What a life.

She was a very, very brave girl and she faced her death in the way she faced her whole life - full on, with a lot of courage Max Clifford Goody's effect on screening In Pictures: Jade Goody

"Jade lived life under a magnifying glass. Magnifying glasses magnify (obviously) but they distort and they burn."

Former dental nurse Goody, who shot to fame in the 2002 edition of Big Brother, felt the double-edged sword of fame when she appeared again, this time on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007.

She was accused of being racist after several heated rows with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.

Racing commentator John McCririck, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother with her, said: "She brought out one of the most serious problems in this country, the inherent racism... that people try and keep quiet.

"It's about people who don't know they are racist but when they're losing an argument with somebody whose Asian or a black person they go back to the old stereotypes, and she did that."

Goody later said she was "embarrassed and disgusted" by her own behaviour.

Mourners have left floral tributes and personal messages

Fellow contestant, actress Cleo Rocos described how "she lived every second to its fullest exploding point" and said Goody took the highs and lows of her fast track to fame in her stride: "In a way, when she was criticised, you were criticising her directly, because she wasn't phoney, she never put up a pretence.

"She was Jade Goody, like it or lump it, that was her."

Goody and Shetty were later reunited on the Indian version of the show, Bigg Boss. It was on that programme that Goody learnt of her illness.

In a statement from Mumbai, Shetty said: "I am deeply saddened by the news but in hindsight glad she is out of pain and passed away peacefully in her sleep."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7957852.stm

Cancer drug 'fuels tumour growth'

A type of drug designed to stunt tumour growth has actually been found to fuel cancer if given at too low a dose.

UK scientists were investigating a kind of drug called an anti-angiogenesis, still under development, which hampers the growth of tumour blood vessels.

Avastin and Sutent, which act in a similar way, have been proven to work and were not covered in this research.

But cancer experts say the study in Nature Medicine could help make those drugs more effective.

The researchers focused on a drug called Cilengitide which is designed to prevent blood vessel cells sticking together and moving - an important part of angiogenesis.

Previous tests on people have found that a few patients with brain tumours benefited from high doses of the drug, but that it failed to work for most.

Knowledge of this mechanism will help us develop new ways to make these drugs as effective as possible Dr Andy Reynolds, Institute of Cancer Research

In this research, tests carried out on mice showed that low doses of Cilengitide actually stimulated the growth of cancers.

Further investigation showed it did this by switching on a molecule called VEGFR2, which triggers the angiogenesis process.

That is significant because although when a patient is initially given a drug, its level in the blood rises quickly ensuring a big dose goes to the tumour, after a while levels start to fall as the body begins to deal with the drug.

This is likely to be why trials of the drug have shown such poor results.

Caveat

Dr Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke of the Institute of Cancer, who led the study, said it was important that the trials looking at this drug continued.

"We've got evidence now that low doses can enhance tumour growth. So there is no benefit of giving a high dose, which then drops, and then a high dose again.

"But that's not to say it can't work at all. It can, but there is this caveat."

She said it may be more effective to give the drug via an infusion pump, which would allow the dosage to remain topped up at an effective level.

Sutent and Avastin have proven effective enough for use in the NHS but there is still need to understand why they can sometime fail Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK

Dr Andy Reynolds, from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research, who also worked on the study, said: "Knowledge of this mechanism will help us develop new ways to make these drugs as effective as possible.

"In the future, we may be able to combine these inhibitors with other drugs to maximise their effectiveness for patients."

Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK, which helped fund the research, said: "This study is important because it may help to explain the mixed results previously seen in patients and turn around disappointing results so people may still benefit from the drug without the potential harm."

Mechanisms

The research also has implications for the existing drugs Sutent, used to treat kidney cancer, and Avastin, for colorectal cancer.

They work by the same process, but on different targets.

At the moment, they can extend a patient's life by several months. Experts hope that this research could lead to a better understanding of the drugs' mechanisms and so to ways of making them more effective.

Dr Walker said: "Sutent and Avastin have proven effective enough for use in the NHS but there is still need to understand why they can sometime fail.

"It may be that there are similar mechanisms at work."

Last month, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence - the NHS's drugs appraisal body - said Sutent could be considered for people with advanced kidney cancer. However, it decided against recommending Avastin for advanced colorectal cancer.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7954472.stm

Call to bar Gandhi family scion

ndia's election authorities have advised the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to not nominate a grandson of the late PM Indira Gandhi.

The authorities said Varun Gandhi had made "highly derogatory" remarks while campaigning in his constituency.

The BJP says it stands by Mr Gandhi and has accused the commission of "bias".

Mr Gandhi is alleged to have made anti-Muslim statements while campaigning for the upcoming polls. He has denied the claims.

Mr Gandhi says an apparent recording of his speech has been "doctored".

The Election Commission, however, says it is convinced that footage of Mr Gandhi's speech has "not been tampered with, doctored or morphed as alleged by the respondent".

'Highly derogatory'

In a 10-page order, the commission said that Mr Gandhi "does not deserve to be a candidate".

It said that Mr Gandhi's statements contained "highly derogatory" references and seriously provocative language of a "wholly unacceptable" nature.

Meanwhile, several BJP leader have come out in Mr Gandhi's support.

BJP spokesman Balbir Punj told reporters that Mr Gandhi should be given a chance to explain his position before he was declared guilty.

Another party leader, Prakash Javdekar, said it was not the commission's job to decide as to who should contest the polls and any action with regard to someone's candidature could be taken only by the courts.

"Varun Gandhi has raised doubts on the authenticity of the CD [containing the recording of the speech]. The Election Commission has chosen to give a judgement without any examination," Mr Javdekar told the channel.

"It seems the commission has turned into an investigating agency and a forensic laboratory. After receiving a formal letter from the commission, we will give our view on it at an proper time," he said.

'A victim'

Mr Gandhi cannot be barred from contesting elections unless he is convicted or found guilty by courts, but criminal charges have now been filed against him.

Mr Gandhi says he is a "victim of a political conspiracy".

"It was not my voice, not my words," he told reporters last week.

"There is no question of saying anything against any community. India is home to all faiths and beliefs and I respect this," he said.

Mr Gandhi, a BJP candidate for the Pilibhit constituency in northern Uttar Pradesh state, is the son of Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi's younger son who was killed in a plane crash.

Although he is a descendant of the influential Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, Mr Gandhi belongs to a side of the family that has disowned them.

Now a member of the Hindu nationalist BJP, he had been set to make his political debut in next month's general election.

During one of two controversial speeches, which was aired on television, Mr Gandhi is seen apparently making offensive remarks against Muslims.

Criminal charges have been filed against him since the election commission reviewed the footage.

The BJP has distanced itself from the remarks and says it will consider action if the charges are proved.

If convicted, Mr Gandhi could be disqualified from contesting the election and face imprisonment.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7958450.stm

Obama ponders Afghan 'exit plan'

President Barack Obama has said that the US must have an "exit strategy" in Afghanistan, even as Washington sends more troops to fight Taleban militants.

He was speaking in a CBS interview, as the White House prepares to unveil a comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan.

Mr Obama said preventing attacks against the US remained its "central mission" in Afghan operations.

Earlier, the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan said US policy would no longer treat the two separately.

Making sure that al-Qaeda cannot attack the US homeland and US interests and our allies. That's our number one priority US President Barack Obama

Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, told the BBC: "In the past, the United States government stove-piped it, they had an Afghan policy and a Pakistan policy. We have to integrate the two and I hope the rest of the world will join us in that effort."

Mr Holbrooke said Taleban sanctuaries in Pakistan's tribal areas along the Afghan border were the primary problem for Kabul.

He also said that the era of "neglect" of the region was over, promising more troops and resources.

'Effective strategy'

"What we're looking for is a comprehensive strategy [for Afghanistan]," President Obama told the CBS programme 60 Minutes on Sunday.

"Threre's got to be an exit strategy. There's got to be a sense that this is not a perpetual drift."

Mr Obama - who last month ordered the deployment of additional 17,000 US troops to Afghanistan - acknowledged that military force alone would not be enough to achieve Washington's objectives, which included the defeat of Taleban and al-Qaeda militants.

He said an effective strategy could include building up economic capacity in Afghanistan and improving diplomatic ties with Pakistan and other regional players.

But Mr Obama stressed that Washington "can't lose sight of what our central mission is".

"Making sure that al-Qaeda cannot attack the US homeland and US interests and our allies. That's our number one priority."

He said the central task was the same as when US troops went into Afghanistan after the 11 September 2001 attacks.

Bonus row

In the same interview, Mr Obama expressed doubts about a recent bill in Congress to impose punitive taxes on bonuses at companies that have been bailed out by government money.

The lawmakers' move followed outrage over the decision by AIG insurer to award its employees $165m (£113m) in bonuses after taking $170bn in aid from the government.

But Mr Obama questioned whether such a measure would be legal and constitutional.

He stressed that it was important to focus on the bigger picture of rescuing the US economy.

"We can't govern out of anger. We've got to try to make good decisions based on the facts in order to put people back to work, to get credit flowing again.

"And I'm not going to be distracted by what's happening day-to-day, I've got to stay focused on making sure that we're getting this economy moving again," Mr Obama said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7958447.stm

Prostate screening to be reviewed

Routine prostate cancer screening could cut death rates from the disease by 20%, a major study suggests.

The results, which suggest 2,000 lives a year could be saved in the UK, have prompted a review of the current policy not to offer routine NHS screening.

The study, based on results from 162,000 men, assessed the impact of testing levels of a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA).

It is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

There has been concern that the PSA test could produce inaccurate results, leading to some men receiving unnecessary treatment which carries a risk of side effects such as impotence and incontinence.

PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by cells of the prostate It is present in small quantities healthy men, but is often elevated in the presence of prostate cancer However, it cannot differentiate between aggressive cancers, which require urgent treatment, and slow growing cancers, which often require no treatment at all PSA may also be elevated in men with other non-cancerous prostate disorders

But the latest study suggests that although the test can result in some men receiving treatment that they do not need, the benefits of screening may outweigh the risks.

In the UK men over 45 can ask their GP for a PSA test, but it is not offered as standard. Currently, only about 6% of men ask for the test.

Worldwide, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death.

The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), which started in the early 1990s, involved men aged 55 to 69 from eight European countries.

Men whose PSA level was at least of 3.0 ng/ml (nanograms per millilitre) were offered further tests.

This led to an increase in early detection of cancer before it had a chance to spread to other parts of the body.

Overall, for every 1,408 men screened, one life was saved.

However, significant numbers of men were wrongly diagnosed with a problem requiring speedy action.

And a second US study, published in the same journal and based on 76,000 men, did not find a significant difference in death rate between men who had taken the PSA test, and those who were simply monitored.

Responding to the research, Ann Keen, health minister for England, said: "We will formally ask the UK National Screening Committee to review the evidence on prostate cancer screening and make recommendations.

"We look forward to examining this new evidence and are committed to having a prostate cancer screening programme if and when screening and treatment techniques are sufficiently well developed."

Significant findings

John Neate, chief executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, welcomed the review of the current policy on screening.

This is exciting news and we look forward to hearing the views of the National Screening Committee in due course Professor Julietta Patnick NHS Cancer Screening Programmes

He said: "This is the first significant study to provide evidence that a PSA-based screening programme could lead to a reduction in deaths from prostate cancer, in the UK."

However, Mr Neate stressed that the study had confirmed that a PSA test could not distinguish between aggressive and slow growing forms of prostate cancer.

Around 30% of cancers detected in the trial were slow growing, and did not require urgent treatment.

Mr Neate said: "We need to be mindful of the fact that prostate cancer is a complex disease and, unlike other common cancers, may not need immediate treatment."

"This new research highlights the critical importance of the development of a scientific test that can identify aggressive forms of prostate cancer and differentiate them from slow growing forms of the disease.

"Such a test would enable treatment to be focused on men for whom prostate cancer poses a serious risk to their health and avoid the over treatment of men with the harmless, slow growing forms of the disease."

Dr Chris Parker, from the Institute of Cancer Research, said the study did not necessarily mean routine screening should be adopted.

"Proponents of screening will point to the fact that it reduced the risk of death from prostate cancer by 20%.

"Critics will argue that this translates into a benefit for only one in 1,400 men, while around one in 30 men were harmed because they had to deal with the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer that would never otherwise have caused any problem."

Professor Julietta Patnick, head of NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, said: "This is exciting news and we look forward to hearing the views of the National Screening Committee in due course."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7949028.stm

Protein 'behind Alzheimer's fits'

Scientists in Scotland say they may have found what causes some Alzheimer's patients to develop epilepsy.

The amyloid protein, which forms in clumps in patients' brains, makes nerve cells too sensitive and prone to seizures, tests in mice suggest.

The cells short-circuit and fire too many electrical signals, the Journal of Neuroscience reports.

If true in humans too, which the experts say is likely, it may mean some patients will need different drugs.

A mainstay of treatment for Alzheimer's is a class of drugs called the cholinesterase inhibitors.

They work by stopping the breakdown of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter associated with memory.

Our findings could lead to a rethink of the type of drugs that are given to patients with Alzheimer's disease Researcher Professor Tibor Harkany

But an unwanted effect is that this can also increase a person's susceptibility to seizures.

However, medication to control seizures can also make Alzheimer's symptoms worse.

A third of Alzheimer's patients have some degree of epilepsy, posing a treatment dilemma for doctors.

New understanding

Researcher Professor Tibor Harkany, of the University of Aberdeen, said he hoped his findings would lead to the discovery of new drugs to treat both problems with fewer side-effects.

He said: "We have shown for the first time the actual cellular process that links epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.

"This provides us with a new wave of understanding in Alzheimer's disease.

"Our findings could lead to a rethink of the type of drugs that are given to patients with Alzheimer's disease.

"It should be possible to design drugs to tackle the two problems of seizures and cognition at the cellular level because both share common mechanisms."

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: "One third of Alzheimer's patients have some degree of epilepsy, and some people who live with the disease are 80 times more likely to suffer seizures than the general population.

"This research builds greatly on our understanding of the connection between the two conditions."

Neil Hunt, of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "These seizures can be extremely distressing for people with dementia and their families.

"This research enhances our understanding of the relationship between epilepsy and dementia."

33 rebels killed in Afghanistan

KABUL: A bomb blast in the Afghan capital Wednesday wounded three people, the government said, as the NATO-led military announced it had killed 33 rebels.

The bomb was planted outside a petrol station in a western suburb of the city and wounded three civilian passers-by, the interior ministry said.

In a statement late Tuesday, NATO's International Security Assistance Force said troops clashed with militants on Saturday in Kapisa province, northeast of Kabul, and an assessment of the battle was ongoing.

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Sanam refutes presence of conflicts in family

KARACHI: Sanam Bhutto has denied existence of differences in Bhutto family. According to sources, Shaheed Benazir’s sister Sanam Bhutto, denying the reports of conflicts in Bhutto family, said on Wednesday, “I enjoy good relations with President Asif Ali Zardari.”She denied having any genre of controversy in regards with property with Asif Ali Zardari. Meanwhile, she assured her all out concrete support to the people of Pakistan to overpower the ....


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Nawaz sees no justification for governor rule

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that restoration of judiciary is not the victory or defeat of any individual, but it is a triumph of Pakistan and rule of law.

Addressing a news conference here on Wednesday, he said: “Our society has witnessed a revolution through people power and this process should continue in the future too.”

http://geo.tv/

Migrants to pay extra for visas

Migrants and students from outside the EU are to be charged an extra £50 for UK visas to support communities struggling to cope with migration.

The £70m raised by the scheme, to be announced by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, will go towards providing more teachers, police and translators.

Many councils have warned of the strain that new arrivals has put on services.

But critics say the cash will not have much effect and also warn that the move could stir anti-immigrant sentiments.

Friction

Ms Blears will unveil details of the plan, which will require migrants and students from outside the EU to pay a levy on top of the basic cost of a visa.

She will outline where the money will be allocated on region-by-region basis.

The BBC's political correspondent Carole Walker said ministers made clear over a year ago that immigrants should be expected to contribute towards the cost of public services they use.

In 2007, Ms Blears acknowledged that rising migrant populations had caused friction and tensions in some English towns.

As unemployment rises and the number of job vacancies in the economy falls, there are mounting concerns that migrants could become targets for social unrest.

Local authorities have said they need £250m in additional resources to cope with migrant populations and the challenge of community integration.

Former Labour minister Frank Field, who heads a cross-parliamentary group on immigration, said the new scheme would only scratch the surface of what was required to give councils the support they needed.

And the Institute for Public Policy Research expressed concerns that the proposal could ignite anti-immigrant feelings.

Anger over contracts being awarded to foreign workers sparked a nationwide series of strikes last month.

Social cohesion

The Department of Communities and Local Government has been advising local authorities for several years on managing migration as part of efforts to improve social cohesion.

It has sent specialists to several towns to advise on building relationships between different communities and how best to help newcomers settle in.

Last year ministers introduced a new immigration points system for non-EU applicants - which they said would strictly limit the number of unskilled workers entering the UK.

The Conservatives say this does not go far enough and have called for a cap on immigration from outside the EU, something Labour says would damage the economy.

A House of Lords report last year called for tougher curbs on new entrants, saying there was little evidence that record levels of immigration in recent years had boosted the economy.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7951721.stm

Fresh attack on Koreans in Yemen

A suicide bomber has attacked a South Korean delegation visiting Yemen after a deadly attack on tourists on Sunday.

Officials said no one apart from the bomber was harmed in this attack.

Reports say he walked between two cars in the Korean convoy as it was driving back to the airport in Sanaa and detonated an explosives belt.

Four Korean tourists and their local guide were killed in Sunday's attack in the city of Shibam in Hadramut - a Unesco world heritage site.

A foreign ministry official in Seoul said the vehicles were carrying government officials and bereaved family members from their hotel in the capital to the airport.

He said no one in the convoy was hurt although some of the car windows were shattered.

The Yemeni authorities have blamed local militant groups for Sunday's suicide bombing, the latest in string of attacks against foreign targets.

Yemeni security officials quoted by AFP said they found a piece of the bomber's identity card. It showed his address and the fact he was a 20-year-old student, they said.

There are conflicting reports about the perpetrators of Sunday's attack in Shibam.

A local teenager went up to a group of 16 Korean tourists and posed for pictures with them as the sun set over the historic high-rise desert city. Moments later, a bomb he was carrying blew up.

Reports initially said the attacker was linked to al-Qaeda elements in Yemen, but a later report on the official news agency said he had been "tricked into wearing an explosives vest".

France set for nationwide strike

France is bracing itself for a second nationwide strike in two months by protesters urging the government to do more to protect jobs and wages.

Public and private sector workers are expected to join the marches and services in schools, hospitals and transport are likely to be disrupted.

President Nicolas Sarkozy says he understands the worries of the people.

But he insists there is nothing more his government can do to help those struggling in the financial crisis.

Beleaguered industries

Three-quarters of French people support the strike, claiming the 2.4bn euros ($3.2bn; £2.3bn) offered by the government earlier this year is not enough to protect jobs and wages.

Unemployment is likely to shoot up to 10% in the next 12 months with a further 350,000 lay offs expected by the end of this year.

Unions are calling on the president to scrap his plans to cut public-sector jobs and to reverse tax cuts.

Private-sector workers from the beleaguered car industry, oil and retail sectors will also be on the streets - many are angry that big companies like the oil giant Total is making staff redundant while simultaneously announcing record profits.

In January more than one million people took part in demonstrations - this time, the protest may be even bigger with 200 cities and towns across France calling for a day of action.

World Bank lowers China forecast

The World Bank has cut its prediction for China's economic growth in 2009 from 7.5% to 6.5%, saying it could not "escape the impact of global weakness".

Falling demand for Chinese goods abroad is seen as the main reason for the cut.

But the bank added that China's economy was still holding up well compared to other countries, and remained a bright spot amid all the financial gloom.

Analysts are particularly worried about a slowdown in China, due to the threat of social unrest if the economy stalls.

Exports exposure

China is heavily dependent on the global economy that buys its imports. But as recession grips the US and Europe - which are among its largest customers - demand has fallen, resulting in factories closing and millions of people losing their jobs.

T

As the global crisis has intensified, China's exports have been hit badly, affecting market-based investment and sentiment, notably in the manufacturing sector," the World Bank said.

But the World Bank's country director for China, David Dollar, said China still remained a relatively bright spot in an otherwise gloomy global economy.

"In many ways [it's] a fantastic performance and it's based on the fact that there's a lot of strength in China," Mr Dollar told the BBC.

"On balance, you've got decline in real estate and exports and then you've got growth in areas that the government can directly influence," he said, mentioning infrastructure and social programmes.

Party worries

The World Bank warned that the drop in trade was set to hurt investment and job creation in China.

It expects between 16 million and 17 million non-farm jobs to disappear this year, but said the key to avoiding instability was an effective social welfare system.

China's economy cannot escape the impact of the global weakness World Bank

"Somewhat lower overall growth is not likely to jeopardise China's economy or social stability, especially if the adverse consequences of dislocation and layoffs are alleviated by using and expanding the social safety net," the report said.

China's communist rulers have said they are prepared to offer more stimulus spending in order to achieve the 8% growth target.

But the bank said this may not be the right approach and the government should nurture reserves in case growth falls further.

"China's economy cannot escape the impact of the global weakness," the report said.

"Government-influenced activity makes up a modest share of the total: it cannot and should not offset fully the downward pressures on market-based activity."

However, China would still do better than other economies, and its stimulus plans were beginning to inspire confidence, the bank said.

According to the latest World Bank global forecasts, published in December, the world economy is set to expand at a weak annual rate of 0.9% in 2009, with a 0.1% contraction in developed economies offset by growth in developing countries of 4.5%.

A Chinese government think tank this month forecast first-quarter growth would slow to 6.5%, from a 6.8% pace in the fourth quarter last year.

Notification of judges’ restoration likely today

ISLAMABAD: The formal notification regarding the reinstatement of the deposed judges of the superior judiciary, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, is likely to be issued today.

Federal Law secretary will likely handover the restoration of notification today.

The notification to be issued will reinstate five judges of the Supreme Court: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Khalil ...

Lawyers start pouring outside Justice Iftikhar’s residence

ISLAMABD: Prior to the expected announcement about the reinstatement of the deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, lawyers started pouring outside the residence of the chief justice at the Judges’ Colony in Islamabad.

In a mean time, the deposed CJ offered the prayers of thanks ahead of the announcement of his restoration.

Hundreds of people including lawyers, political activists and other civil society members have thronged the residence of Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to express felicitation over ahead of reinstatement.

Government has heightened the security around the chief justice house.

Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry restored as Chief Justice of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani early Monday morning announced reinstatement of the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other judges.

“I restore the deposed chief justice and others according to the promise made by me and the President,” Gilani said in a televised address to the nation.

The announcement, in light of the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari, met the main demand of the political parties and the lawyers’ community.

He said, “A notification to this effect is being issued now.” He said Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry would replace Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, who retires on March 21.

Gilani said and pledged to “continue the politics of reconciliation.” The deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was removed from service by former President Pervez Musharraf on March 9, 2007, sparking a wave of protest that led to his resignation from his office on August 18, 2008.

The prime minister also announced reinstatement of other judges of the Supreme Court and said the number of judges for the apex court has already been increased through legislation to accommodate the reinstated judges.

The prime minister also announced that the federal government would file a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking reversal of the order of disqualification of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, and addressing all issues in light of the Charter of Democracy.

“I invite them to move forward along with all political forces for the implementation of the Charter of Democracy,” Gilani said.

He asked the provincial governments to lift the Section 144 immediately and release the arrested persons. He said the PPP had made a lot of contribution to the lawyers’ movement and rendered numerous sacrifices. He said shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had pledged to reinstate the deposed Chief Justice.

Gilani said President Asif Ali Zardari also pledged to do the same.

Gilani recalled that soon after securing a heavy mandate from the parliament he had announced the release of the detained judges and also restoration of their emoluments.

The prime minister said the decision was taken in consultation with the allies.

Gilani also greeted Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, lawyers, political workers, and civil society on this auspicious occasion and asked them to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner.