Roach hat-trick lights up Delhi.

Paceman Kemar Roach took a stunning hat-trick as West Indies thrashed the Netherlands by 215 runs in their World Cup Group B clash in Delhi.

Roach became only the sixth bowler to take a World Cup hat-trick as he finished with outstanding figures of six for 27 and gave his side an emphatic victory at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.

Netherlands skipper Peter Borren won the toss and elected to field, leaving Chris Gayle to score 80 and Kieron Pollard a belligerent 27-ball 60 as West Indies post 330 from their 50 overs.

Borren's side never looked remotely likely to challenge as the Associate nation were swiftly reduced to five for 36 inside 10 overs, and they never recovered with their resistance extinguished after just 31.3 overs courtesy of Roach's brilliance.

It was a strange opening to the match as the normally rampant and free-flowing Gayle played in circumspect fashion and was overshadowed by early fireworks from his opening partner Devon Smith in a startling role-reversal.

Smith departed in the 17th over having compiled a brisk 53 off 51 balls and provided his side a solid platform, before Darren Bravo added a swift 30.

Gayle's innings gradually accelerated as he plundered seven fours and two sixes, while Ryan ten Doeschate was given a fearful hammering as he finished with figures of one for 77.

Pieter Seelaar was the pick of the Netherlands bowlers with his three for 45, and the spinner also accounted for captain Darren Sammy as the West Indies innings tailed off towards the end.

Ramnaresh Sarwan was given two galling reprieves as the Dutch fielding left a lot to be desired, but his luck finally ran out with 49 runs to his name.

But it was the scintillating half-century from Pollard which had the crowd in raptures: the number five and IPL star located the top tier of the grandstand on four occasions in a quite staggeringly uncompromising knock.

The Netherlands reply needed to be assured, but it lacked any conviction as opener Wesley Barresi was sent back to the hutch with just two runs on the board for a four-ball duck as Roach seized his first scalp.

Only Tommy Cooper provided any semblance of a resistance with a gutsy and at times enterprising 55 not out, but his class and character was in stark contrast to the insufficient contributions made around him.

Star man Ten Doeschate failed as he was trapped lbw by the languid and unflappable Sulieman Benn, while middle-order incumbents Bas Zuiderent and Tom de Grooth were each sent packing with just a solitary run a piece.

Number eight Mudassar Bukhari produced an obdurate, dogged knock to accompany Cooper for a fleeting stint at the crease, but Roach demolished his woodwork for 24.

Seelaar and Bernard Loots departed for one and a golden duck respectively, and suddenly Roach had ignited the Delhi crowd with two wickets in successive deliveries.

Roach roared in and scattered the stumps once more as Berend Westdijk was comprehensively clean bowled, and the paceman had clinched victory for his side in the most emphatic fashion possible.

Both teams needed a victory to get their campaigns back on track following opening loses in Group B, and it was West Indies who prevailed by a convincing 215-run margin.

Pakistan to keep momentum going – Saurav Ganguly.

I have always stated that I am not a firm believer of the tag ‘favourite’ and I was proved right once again by Pakistan’s win over Sri Lanka.

Most people had termed Sri Lanka to be the favourite to win this match but as I always believe, it is the team in form on that particular day which took away the honours.

Pakistan needs to be congratulated for the win, but at the same time Sri Lanka will have to be careful in preparing wickets.

They have to prepare the twenty-yards in such a way that the team batting first after winning the toss doesn’t carry away most of the advantage. The wicket at Premadasa slowed down as the game went on and run-chase was extremely difficult.

I have liked the Pakistan team as much I have seen them till now.

Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq at four and five will have crucial role to play in the tournament and will be the anchor for the team’s batting. The Pakistan think-tank have set the batting line-up in such a manner that it portrays perfect balance with Afridi and Razzaq at seven and eight.

The Pakistan bowling also looks to be in good health with Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar leading the pack. Afridi seems to have developed hugely as a bowler and is leading with his heart.

They could have won the game with ease had they not let off Sangakkara and Chamara Silva early on.

It will be interesting to watch Pakistan in the next few games, waiting to find out as to how they keep the momentum going.

Sri Lanka, I have always believed, is a top heavy batting team. They rely heavily on Sanga and Mahela and if these two fail to shoulder the team Samaraweera, Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews seem to lack the wherewithal to carry the burden.

Sri Lanka is definitely missing Lasith Malinga in their scheme of things. His ability, experience with the new ball and at the death is being surely missed by his team.

The big matches are now on in this World Cup and it’s time for the cricket fans to sit up and take note. One needs to keep a close eye on how the big guns are shaping up for the final onslaught from the quarter-final stage.

Websites to Google 'You're killing our business!'.

NEW YORK - Google made one of the biggest changes ever to its search results this week, which immediately had a noticeable effect on many Web properties that rely on the world's biggest search engine to drive traffic to their sites.

The major tweak aims to move better quality content to the top of Google's search rankings. The changes will affect 12% Google's results, the company said in a blog post late Thursday.

"Our goal is simple: to give users the most relevant answers to their queries as quickly as possible," said Gabriel Stricker, Google spokesman. "This requires constant tuning of our algorithms, as new content -- both good and bad -- comes online all the time. Recently we've heard from our users that they want to see fewer low quality sites in our results."

Typically, Google's algorithm changes are so subtle that few people notice them. But these most recent changes could be seen immediately.

How to test the change: The IP address 64.233.179.104 displays Google search results as they would have appeared before the recent algorithm change, according to several webmasters posting to the WebmasterWorld.com forum.

Google would not confirm that IP address uses the older algorithm, but comparing searches of trending topics on google.com with searches using the special Google IP address reveals how the search engine now seems to be favoring certain content.

The changes appear to be affecting so-called "content farms" the most, which are websites that amass content based on the most-searched terms of the day. Demand Media, AOL, Mahalo and the Huffington Post have all been accused of such tactics, including a notable "story" from HuffPo about the Super Bowl that Slate.com media critic Jack Shafer called "the greatest example of SEO whoring of all time."

Tests using trending topics show Google's tweaks in action.

The current top Google result for a search of Charlie Sheen rant target "Haim Levine" is a New York Daily News page, followed by a story from gossipcop.com. The old algorithm would have featured two Huffington Post stories at the top, with the New York Daily News story not appearing appear until the second results page.

A controversial decision: Any change to Google's algorithm is a zero-sum game. Some websites win, some lose.

Comments from site operators lit up on the WebmasterWorld.com forum starting on Wednesday. Many webmasters complained that traffic to their sites dropped dramatically overnight, and others expressed concern that they can't adapt quickly enough to Google's changes to its algorithm.

"Why is it that every single time the search engine result page starts to stabilize and sales return, Google has to throw a monkey wrench in the system again?" asked commenter backdraft7. "Hey Google, this is not fun anymore - YOU'RE KILLING OUR BUSINESSES!"

"My God. I just lost 40% of my traffic from Google today," said commenter DickBaker. "Referrals from Yahoo, Bing, direct sources, and other sources are the same, but Google dropped like a rock."

There are many legitimate ways content creators optimize their sites to rise to the top of Google's results. But Google has been cracking down on what it regards as inappropriate attempts to do so: The company recently penalized Overstock.com and JC Penney in its search results after the companies were found to have set up fake websites that linked to their own, causing Google's algorithm to rank them higher.

When it comes to site content, the lines get very fuzzy. Operators like Demand Media (DMD) -- which now has a market valuation of $1.9 billion, more than the New York Times Co. is worth -- sit right on the ever-shifting boundaries.

"Sites of this type have always been controversial," said Daniel Ruby, research director at Chitika, Inc. a search advertising analytics company. "On one hand, they often do produce extremely informative, well-written articles. On the other hand, they put out countless articles on a daily basis, and some claim they exist only to generate the top result on as many keywords as possible."

Demand put out a very carefully worded response to Google's changes.

"As might be expected, a content library as diverse as ours saw some content go up and some go down in Google search results," Larry Fitzgibbon, the company's executive vice president of media and operations, wrote in a blog post. "It's impossible to speculate how these or any changes made by Google impact any online business in the long term -- but at this point in time, we haven't seen a material net impact."

So will Google's changes have a lasting effect on search quality? Perhaps. But it's an arms race: Any time the company adjusts its algorithms, those determined to beat them immediately adjust.

"Content originators make money, and Google makes money," said Whit Andrews, analyst for Gartner. "Their interests will always be in conflict, and as long as there is greed, people will try to game system." To top of page.

World’s most expensive purse unveiled.

The world’s most expensive purse has been unveiled in Dubai. The House of Mouawad designed purse is encrusted with 4,517 diamonds. It took 1100 man hours to make the purse and it is priced at US$ 3.8 million.

Designed by the House of Mouawad, the heart shaped bag is encrusted with a 105 yellow, 56 pink and 4,356 clear diamonds. The 1001 Nights Diamond Purse encrusted with a total of 4517 diamonds is only valued at US$ 3.8 million.


Mouawad was quoted saying, “The Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse is designed to mesmerize with its lavish attention to detail and elaborate workmanship incorporating thousands of diamonds.”


It took 10 artists 1100 hour of work, over a period of four months to handcraft the purse from 18-carat gold. The diamond purse has already found place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Seven year old magnetic boy in Serbia.

In Serbia, Seven year old Bogdan has something rather attractive about his body. His body has an unusually stronger magnetic force than normal humans. His body has the unique ability to attract metals and other objects.

Bogdan is known as the magnetic boy in Serbia. Metal objects like spoons, forks, safety pins and even frying pans stick on his body without any external force. Not only that his plates made from China and the TV remotes also stick onto his body.

Bogdan is not allowed near electrical appliances as his magnetic force shuts them down. His magnetic body the fused light bulbs and even turned on security alarm systems. Bogdan’s family who refused to disclose their last name said that he has had this magnetic force ever since he was born and the intensity of the magnetic force is increasing day by day.

Chinese snowman creates new Guinness world record.

Jin Songhao, a 54-year-old man from Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, has created a new Guinness World Record of staying bully buried in snow for 46 minutes and 7 seconds.

He created the record at the A ershan Eco-Square of Inner Mongolia, where the temperature was 36 degrees centigrade below zero.

He was buried in full and direct contact with snow, with only the head out. He showed no sign of shivering during the entire process and he even asked the Guinness World Record authenticator to count down before he was pulled out.

The final time of 46 minutes and 7 seconds has been validated by the Guinness World Record representative. Jin began his cold resistance training more than 20 years ago. He could perform a series of cold resistance feats,such as standing barefoot on ice for several hours and taking icy water bath in bitter cold winter. Last year, he stayed fully buried in ice for two hours.

A geologist’s view of the Hingol Island.

Hingol, Balochistan: A soft muddy island appeared a few kilometers offshore in Hingol on the Makran coast, Balochistan on November 16, 2010. The Director General, Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) dispatched a team of earth scientists to investigate the sudden appearance of this white mud dome, about three kilometres offshore near the Kund Malir beach.

The island is 90 metres high with a span of approximately three kilometers.

Before the upsurge of sludge, local fishermen reported high tides near the coast and several boats were trapped due to the emergence of this mud volcano from nowhere.  Another island of similar nature was also reported to have appeared 12 years ago. That island disappeared into the sea after four months. It is inferred that this mud dome which is given the name of Khizr, will also disappear with passage of time when methane and other gases are released from this structure.

The pictures taken by GSP earth scientists during their field investigations shows the eruption of white hot muddy sludge on top of the island. The ejected material is a sludge of fine solids, hydrate-bearing sediments suspended in acidic water and hydrocarbon fluids.

This mud dome seems to be formed by geo-excreted liquids and methane gas when hot water mixes with mud and surface deposits. Mud volcanoes are associated with subduction zones and the Makran coastal area is in close vicinity of triple junction where three major tectonic plates – namely Eurasian, Arabian and Indian plates meet.

Mud volcanoes are not true magmatic volcanoes.They are like steam-vents erupting pressurised gases and the strength of their eruption is quite diverse. It may be a result of a cone-like structure created by pressurised mud diaper or salt dome, which breaches the earth’s surface or ocean bottom.

Mud volcanoes along tectonic subduction zone may be indicative of petroleum products. These mud domes tend to start out as small bulges in the earth which develop into cones.

The bulge is created by a build-up of pressure underneath relatively plastic rock. Areas of increased tectonic activity are frequent sites for mud volcanoes. More than 80 active mud volcanoes have been identified on the Makran coast; there are about 10 locations in Hingol and Hinglaj area having clusters of mud volcaones.

One of the highest and biggest mud volcanos in the world, Chandragup – means moon volcano – is located in close proximity. It is 125 metres high and more the 450 metres wide. Such type of mud volcanoes are associated with active subduction zones and tectonic forces and large sedimentary deposits create these geological formations.

Mud volcanoes sometimes temporarily emerge due to earthquakes but the mechanism by which earthquakes trigger changes in submarine mud extrusions are not completely understood.

An earthquake may have resulted in mud flow and release of methane and hydrogen sulfide gases which can cause the volcano to flare. On 28 November, 1945 during M8 great Makran Earthquake, which also generated a tsunami, a light was reportedly seen over the Chanay mountain in the direction of Hinglaj and fell on the sea, burning for about three days in two parts. Interestingly enough, an earthquake of 5.1 magnitude was recorded the in the area on the 16th November, 2010.

The geological field investigation for the emergence of Arabian Sea Sapt Island (ARSSI) revealed that the island is located 17 km from the Wad Bandar and 3.2 km from the Chadman coast. The island is spread over an area of 0.8 Sq. km and its height is 35 meters above sea level. There are five vents on the island which are still active and erupting mud with pressure. Methane gas emitted out from the vent-2 is highly flammable while vent-3 mostly reacts after four minutes with sound and pressure and mud is flown in the air up-to 15 meters.

Azerbaiijan and its Caspian coastline are home to nearly 400 mud volcanoes. While mud volcanoes found in Andaman Island, India; Taman Peninsula of Russia and Kerch Peninsula and Ukarine are sometimes used for recreation, this is not advisable with Makran coast mud volcanoes due to the unpredictability of ongoing seismic activity and sudden eruptions.

China’s middle class stampede for luxury handbags.

HONG KONG: It could be a queue for a pop concert, a top nightclub or even the opening night at the theatre. But the hundreds of people lined up in a Hong Kong street are actually waiting to bag a bit of luxury.

“We’re looking for new handbags,” says student Celeste Law as she queues patiently alongside her friend Karina Luh outside the supermarket-sized branch of Chanel on Hong Kong’s Canton Road.

The students, both 20, already sport impressive accessories — Celeste carries a Louis Vuitton monogrammed bag, while her friend’s is from Chanel.

Both work part-time and saved for over a year to buy their trophies.

“We want them because of the famous brand,” said Celeste. “What can I say? People will focus on your bag. It’s about feeling confident.”

Even on a weekday morning, Canton Road is flooded with shoppers happy to pay a small fortune for a luxury tote, shoulder bag or evening clutch in its jumbo designer stores.

Many are from the Chinese mainland, and some even carry suitcases to get their purchases home. The market for such luxury has extended far beyond China’s roughly 900,000 US dollar millionaires.

The market is now being driven by China’s burgeoning middle class, with the truly rich going ever further up-market — happily spending tens of thousands of dollars on the right bag.

Handbag sales for Prada alone grew by over 80 percent in China in 2010, Sebastian Suhl, chief operating officer at the Prada Group, told AFP, while those of the group’s Miu Miu brand rocketed by over 500 percent.

“We believe we have only begun to scratch the surface of China’s potential,” Suhl added.

The brokerage firm CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets predicts China will become the world’s largest luxury goods market by 2020, accounting for 44 percent of worldwide sales and bigger than the entire global market is now.

Christina Ko, who blogs at HK Fashion Geek, said the Asian love of the luxury bag has become “a cultural fact. In the same way that Asians prefer rice to potatoes, they also prefer luxury handbags to non-branded ones.”

But as customers become more sophisticated, the demand is changing — bringing those who would previously have bought fakes into the market for the real thing.

“Middle class people are getting the Louis Vuitton bags, and the people who used to get them are now looking for something else,” Amanda Lee, who writes the Hong Kong-based blog Fashionography, told AFP.

Zuki Ho, a sales associate and mother, is one of the middle-class buyers boosting the industry: she owns 15 luxury handbags, and once spent HK$40,000 (US $5,135) “double her monthly salary” on a handbag.

She says she loves handbags because “I enjoy being watched on the street when I’m carrying the bag.” But she would never buy a fake — “I’m afraid of being found out,” she added.

Fakes remain big business in China, but genuine luxury is bigger.

And while women are a growing force in the Chinese designer market, men are not immune, competing fiercely over the most stylish ‘man bag.’

At the second-hand luxury handbag store Milan Station in Hong Kong’s upmarket Central district, bags sometimes sell for more than their retail price.

“People always ask for some kind of limited edition, a more expensive bag,” supervisor Jackie Lau told AFP. “People don’t feel guilty about it (buying a designer bag) because it’s like an investment.”

Customers can trade in their bags and take to the streets with a new one as often as they like, while those lucky enough to make it onto waiting lists for limited-edition bags can sell them straight to a second-hand store for a profit.

A waiting list is common for a truly coveted bag, with a wait of several months currently the norm for Mulberry’s Alexa bag.

The ultimate bag of desire remains the Hermes Birkin, which famously takes 18 hours to make by hand. The crocodile skin version uses the finest sections of hide from four crocodiles.

It costs from $9,000 to an astounding $160,000 for one of the top diamond-studded models, a Hermes spokeswoman told AFP.

Chinese women appeared immune to the “luxury shame” that affected females in other parts of the world during the global economic downturn, the consultancy Bain & Company said last year.

But while handbags are traditionally used to broadcast one’s success and good fortune, this too may be changing as more and more women join the designer-toting club.

Lee herself has a denim Chanel bag, a gift from family — but carries it “so that no one sees the double C (logo)”, she said.

“People would know (who the designer was) already if they were really into Chanel, from the shape and so on, but I feel like there’s no need to let the entire world know.”

Zimbabwe crush Canada.

An assured 98 from Tatenda Taibu and a devastating opening spell from left-arm spinner Ray Price spurred Zimbabwe to a crushing 175-run victory over Canada in their World Cup Group A match.

After setting Canada a daunting 299 for victory, Zimbabwe made sure they maintained their perfect record against the North Americans by skittling them for 123.

Price removed John Davison (duck), Nitish Kumar (one) and Ashish Bagai (duck) to leave the Canadians reeling on seven for three and they never recovered from the setback.

Bagai's team had crawled to 14 runs after the first 10 overs and facing a required run-rate of 7.12 at that stage, the result was all but a foregone conclusion.

Ruvindu Gunasekera scored a painstakingly slow 24 off 64 balls and when Greg Lamb dislodged his bails with a rather tame delivery, the Zimbabwean was rewarded with a sweaty cheek-to-cheek rub from one of his delighted team mates.

Price finished with 3-16.

"With the ball, things went really well. I wouldn't mind taking that wicket around with me, it's fun to bowl on," grinned Price, who was handed the new ball in a move that is proving to be popular on the slow-turning sub-continent pitches.

"You never complain when you come to India as a spinner."

His captain Elton Chigumbura, perhaps getting a little carried away with their first win here, added: "We are up and running and (ready) for the semi-finals."

Although reaching the second round let alone the semis might be a far-fetched dream for the Zimbabweans, who are grouped with world champions Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, at least they recorded their first win in this World Cup.

Canada seem destined to catch an early flight home after being subjected to a second successive hammering.

Earlier, man-of-the-match Taibu (98 from 99 balls) and Craig Ervine (85 off 81 balls) rescued Zimbabwe from a terrible start to propel the Africans to a total of 298-9.

In a clash between the tournament's two whipping boys, Zimbabwe looked as if they were going to suffer a bad case of stage-fright despite a nearly empty Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium as they too were reduced to seven for two.

Canada's Khurram Chohan struck with the first ball of the match when he had Brendan Taylor trapped lbw, a verdict that was confirmed by the review system.

The Canadians shouts once again echoed around the 40,000-seater arena when Charles Coventry (four) fell lbw to Harvir Baidwan in the fourth over, leaving Zimbabwe facing an uphill task to post a respectable total against a team of part-timers.

However, once Taibu and Ervine came to the crease, they steadied the innings with an 181-run partnership for the third wicket by playing some smart cricket.

Ervine was dismissed when he offered an inside edge to wicketkeeper Bagai while Taibu fell attempting a slog-sweep to bring up his century. His mis-timed effort, also off Balaji Rao, went straight to John Davison at deep midwicket.

Karachi’s petroleum dealers call off strike.

KARACHI: Karachi’s petroleum dealers who went on a strike against declining profits earlier on Monday have decided to resume operations.

Prior to the decision, petrol pumps had not been operating across the city.

Citizens had been experiencing difficulties and minor clashes were also witnessed in some areas of the city.

Citizens also protested against the unavailability of petrol and blocked roads in various parts of Karachi.

Shahrah-i-Faisal had also been blocked by protesters and traffic was suspended as a result. However, Rangers personnel baton-charged demonstrators and reopened the road for traffic.

However, Chairman Petroleum Dealers Association Sindh Zone Shabbir Sulemanjee told petrol pump owners to immediately reopen the stations.

Moreover, the Sindh Assembly denounced the strike and passed a resolution against it.

Nawaz says will start another ‘long march’ if need be.

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Monday said that if necessary, the PML-N will start another ‘long march’ with the country’s revolutionary youth.

Addressing party workers from Sindh, Nawaz said President Asif Zardari had asked him to “support former president Pervez Musharraf’s unconstitutional measures”.

Nawaz further said that Pakistan was losing wealth as a result of corruption and that instead of relying on the country’s resources, the government was depending on foreign aid.

He said if the government had worked on reforming Pakistan’s economy, there would not have been a need for the Kerry-Lugar Bill.

Moreover, Nawaz said the PML-N would have supported the government if it had implemented the 10-point agenda.

Obama, Biden to meet with governors at White House.

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama hopes to hear ideas from the states on how to best repair the United States' slowly recovering economy when he meets Monday with the nation's governors.

"Our federal system is a laboratory for democracy. In each of your states, you guys are trying all kinds of things. Oftentimes, your best ideas end up percolating up and end up becoming models and templates for the country," Obama said Sunday night as he welcomed the governors and their spouses to the White House for a black-tie dinner.

At that dinner, Obama urged collaboration between the White House and statehouses, where Republicans made gains and have the highest level of influence in legislatures since before the Great Depression.

"Our goal has to be to find ways to find common ground to work together. And I am confident we can do that moving forward," Obama said.

"Know that you've got a partner here in the White House. If you look around the room, we come from a lot of different parts of the country and people may have different perspectives. But one thing that we all absolutely share is the belief in the American Dream and the confidence that when our people get opportunities, they've got the ingenuity, the stick-to-it-ive-ness and the drive to succeed."

The governors, in town for weekend National Governors Association meetings, planned to return to the White House on Monday to meet with Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their wives. On Friday, Obama met privately with the Democrats; Monday's bipartisan affair will be open to reporters.

Obama acknowledged the governors were on the front-lines and often received the direct criticism.

"The thing about governors is that you're in charge and people know where to find you, and they expect you to help them in tough times," he said.

Libyan official Gadhafi 'should step down in the interest of Libya'.

Tripoli, Libya - As relentless unrest entered a 14th day Monday, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi remained defiant and gave no indication of stepping down -- even though a Libyan official said doing so would be in the interest of the country.

Abdullah Alzubedi, the Libyan ambassador to South Africa, told journalists Monday that Gadhafi "should take the ultimate decision to step down in the interest of Libya."

Speaking in Pretoria, South Africa, Alzubedi said he will not leave his position despite resignations by other Libyan officials because he must continue to "serve the needs of Libyans living in South Africa and help South Africa evacuate its citizens." But Alzubedi said he would not continue working for Gadhafi if the longtime ruler ultimately crushes the people's rebellion.

The recent protests -- which began February 15 -- have been fueled by protesters demanding freedom and decrying high unemployment. Crowds have chanted for an end to Gadhafi's nearly 42-year regime.
Gadhafi control wanes outside Tripoli
Libya: Stranded in Benghazi
Gadhafi's history of tension with the West
Wolfowitz on Bush and Libya

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denounced violence by Libya's military on its people.

"The use of military force against the civilian population, as it happened in Libya where hundreds of civilians were killed, is unacceptable," Lavrov said Monday at a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Gadhafi seemed increasingly cornered as security forces defected to the opposition in a town near the capital and the United Nations Security Council voted for tough restrictions and possible war crimes charges against the Libyan regime.

On Sunday, Gadhafi criticized the Security Council resolution, passed over the weekend, telling private Serbian station Pink TV by phone that council members "took a decision based on media reports that are based abroad." He added, "If the Security Council wants to know about something, they should have sent a fact-finding committee."

The Security Council measures -- which include an arms embargo, asset freeze and travel bans for Gadhafi and members of his family and associates -- also refer the situation unfolding in Libya to the International Criminal Court.

Security forces said they had switched sides and joined the opposition in Zawiya, a town about 55 kilometers (35 miles) west of the capital, Tripoli, on Sunday.

About 2,000 people took part in an anti-government protest there, some standing atop tanks or holding antiaircraft guns. They said they wanted the government overthrown, calling Gadhafi a "bloodsucker."

The opposition now controls several Libyan cities after weeks of protests inspired by demonstrations that toppled longtime leaders in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt.

The death toll from the recent unrest has topped 1,000, according to an estimate from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the Security Council measures form "one of the speediest international responses to a government targeting its own people."

"We recognize the killings are ongoing," Clinton told reporters en route to a meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Switzerland. "We recognize we need to advance the humanitarian, the military, judicial, and even forensic planning already under way."

And Britain announced it was freezing the assets of Gadhafi, five of his children, and those acting on their behalf.

"Show me a single attack," he said. "Show me a single bomb. Show me a single casualty. The Libyan air force destroyed just the ammunition sites."

Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kirstin Davis awarded as worst actors.

Action flick "The Last Airbender" and comedy "Sex and the City 2" were the top movies to earn the wrath of Razzie voters in the annual Oscar spoof that spotlights Hollywood's worst performances.

M. Night Shyamalan s "The Last Airbender" "won" five Razzies to eclipse all other 2010 movies. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis, the four principle stars of "Sex and the City 2," were collectively named worst actress at the Razzies. The film also won "Worst screen couple/Worst screen ensemble" and "Worst prequel, remake, rip-off or sequel."

‘King’s Speech’ wins best-picture, 3 other Oscars.

LOS ANGELES: ”The King’s Speech” was crowned best picture Sunday at the Academy Awards ceremony, with the monarchy drama leading as expected with four Oscars and predictable favorites claiming acting honors.

Colin Firth as stammering British ruler George VI in ”The King’s Speech” earned the best-actor prize, while Natalie Portman won best actress as a delusional ballerina in ”Black Swan.”

The boxing drama ”The Fighter” claimed both supporting-acting honors, for Christian Bale as a boxer-turned-drug-abuser and Melissa Leo as a boxing clan’s domineering matriarch.

”The King’s Speech” also won the directing prize for Tom Hooper and the original-screenplay Oscar for David Seidler, a boyhood stutterer himself.

”I have a feeling my career’s just peaked,” Firth said. ”I’m afraid I have to warn you that I’m experiencing stirrings somewhere in the upper abdominals which are threatening to form themselves into dance moves.”

Among those Portman beat was Annette Bening for ”The Kids Are All Right.” Bening now has lost all four times she’s been nominated.

”Thank you so much. This is insane, and I truly, sincerely wish that the prize tonight was to get to work with my fellow nominees. I’m so in awe of you,” Portman said.

Network censors bleeped Leo in the US for dropping the F-word during her speech. Backstage, she jokingly conceded it was ”probably a very inappropriate place to use that particular word.”

”Those words, I apologise to anyone that they offend. There is a great deal of the English language that is in my vernacular,” Leo said.

Bale joked that he was keeping his language clean. ”I’m not going to drop the F-bomb like she did,” he said. ”I’ve done that plenty of times before.”

But the Oscars, being a global affair, were telecast elsewhere in the world with Leo’s words uncensored. Viewers who watched the show on Star Movies, a major channel available throughout Asia, heard the F-word loud and clear.

British-born Hooper, a relative big-screen newcomer best known for classy TV drama, took the industry’s top filmmaking prize over Hollywood veteran David Fincher, who had been a strong prospect for his Facebook drama ”The Social Network.”

The prize was presented by last year’s winner, Kathryn Bigelow, the first woman to earn a directing Oscar.

”Thank you to my wonderful actors, the triangle of man love which is Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and me. I’m only here because of you guys,” Hooper said, referring to his film’s male stars.

Leo’s win capped an unusual career surge in middle age for the 50-year-old actress, who had moderate success on TV’s ”Homicide: Life on the Street” in her 30s but leaped to big-screen stardom in her late 40s, a time when most actresses find good roles hard to come by.

In disbelief when she took the stage, Leo said, ”Pinch me.” Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, who presented her award, obliged with a little pinch on her arm.

Bale earned the same prize his Batman co-star, the late Heath Ledger, received posthumously two years ago for ”The Dark Knight.” At the time, Bale had fondly recalled a bit of professional envy as he watched Ledger perform on set like a whirlwind as the diabolical Joker while the film’s star had to remain clenched up as the stoic, tightly wound Batman.

”The Fighter” gave Bale his turn to unleash some demons as Dicky Eklund, a boxer whose career unraveled amid crime and drug abuse. Bale delivers a showy performance full of tics and tremors, bobbing and weaving around the movie’s star and producer, Mark Wahlberg, who plays Eklund’s stolid brother, boxer Micky Ward.

The screenplay win capped a lifelong dream for ”King’s Speech” writer Seidler, a boyhood stutterer born in London in 1937, a year after George took the throne. Seidler, who overcame his own stutter at age 16, had long vowed to one day write about the monarch whose fortitude set an example for him in childhood.

Seidler thanked Queen Elizabeth II, daughter of King George, ”For not putting me in the Tower of London for using the Melissa Leo F-word.” The film includes two scenes where the king spouts profanity in anger to help force out his syllables.

The Oscar for adapted screenplay went to Aaron Sorkin for ”The Social Network,” a chronicle of the birth of Facebook based on Ben Mezrich’s book ”The Accidental Billionaires.” ”The Social Network” also won for musical score for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and for film editing.

The sci-fi blockbuster ”Inception,” which came in with eight nominations, tied with ”The Kings Speech” with four Oscars, all in technical categories: visual effects, cinematography, sound editing and sound mixing.

'King's Speech' rules at the 83rd Oscars.

Los Angeles - The story of a king overcoming a speech impediment to lead his people through World War II took top honors at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.

"The King's Speech" won the best picture, best actor, best director and best original screenplay Oscars at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre Sunday night.

The saga of how a college student created Facebook, which is now credited helping citizens overthrow their leader in the Mideast, lost out on the big awards, but "The Social Network" did win Oscars for best musical score, film editing and best adapted screenplay.

Natalie Portman, who played a ballet dancer in "Black Swan," was given the best actress Academy Award. Portman also won Golden Globe and SAG best actor trophies in recent weeks.

When "King's Speech" director Tom Hooper accepted the best director Oscar, he noted that it was his mother who found the script for him.
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"The moral of this story is listen to your mother," Hooper said.

"King's Speech" writer David Seidler pointed out that at 73, he was the oldest person to ever win best original screenplay.

"My father always said to me I would be a late bloomer," Seidler said, noting that at 73 he is the oldest winner ever in the category. "I hope that record is broken quickly and often."

Colin Firth, who portrayed the stuttering King George VI in "The King's Speech," completed his sweep of best actor honors with the Oscar win."I have a feeling my career has just peaked," said Firth, who also won a Golden Globe and the SAG award.

Christian Bale repeated his Golden Globe and SAG award wins by taking the best supporting actor Oscar for his role in "The Fighter."

Melissa Leo, who played the mother and manager of two boxers in "The Fighter," completed her trifecta of major awards when 94-year-old Kirk Douglas handed her the best supporting actress Oscar. Leo also won Golden Globe and SAG best actress trophies.

Douglas, who walked with a cane and spoke slowly with slurred speech, managed to upstage Leo with his humor, jokingly delaying reading what was in the envelope. His stand-up routine was rewarded with big laughs.

Leo, whose acceptance speech included a censored expletive, used Douglas's cane to walk off stage.

"Inception, " a film that explores the human mind and dreams, won four Academy Awards, including for cinematography, sound mixing, sound editing and visual effects. The film was also a best picture contender, although most of its eight nominations are in the technical categories.

Two awards went to "Toy Story 3" for animated feature film and best original song. It is also a best picture contender.

"The Lost Thing" won for short animated film.

"True Grit," based on the same book as the 1969 John Wayne film, failed to win in any of the 10 categories for which it was nominated.

"Alice in Wonderland," which was not among the 10 best picture nominees, was rewarded Sunday night with two Oscars, for costume design and art direction.

Dolce & Gabbana mix men and women at their Milan show.

Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana created a masculine vs feminine collection for their 2012 women winter in Milan on Sunday.

Slim cut tailored jackets were worn with lower-rise calf-length pants in dark intense colours in a revisited tribute to the 80s casual looks. Some models wore suspenders and men hats with sleeveless vest jackets. The catwalk was shared with sensual glittering creatures in stretch printed dresses covered with star motifs and musical notes in a contrasting palette of yellow, blue, black, gold and silver.

Crystals and sequins added glam and glitter to the show.

For Astronauts on Discovery, No Time for Oscar Predictions.

It looks like the glitz and glamour of the Academy Awards won't quite make it into space this year.

On Saturday, the six astronauts on NASA's shuttle Discovery joined up with the crew of the International Space Station for a week of work installing spare parts, a storage room and a humanoid robot called Robonaut 2.

Amid all their work to transfer cargo between the two spacecraft, all 12 astronauts aboard both spaceships (there as six on the station) will likely skip tonight's film awards show, NASA officials said.

Brian Lunney, lead flight director for Discovery's STS-133 mission, told SPACE.com that he was unaware if anyone had specifically requested to see the Oscars from onboard the space station, but that it was unlikely given their full schedules.

But, it's not all work and no play up on the International Space Station.

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The space station crew has watched at least one of the films nominated for Best Picture this year – "The Social Network" based on the rise of the Internet social media network Facebook, NASA officials said.

Movies in space

Even though the orbiting laboratory flies 220 miles (354 kilometers) above Earth, NASA has ways of beaming entertainment such as movies or the news, to the astronauts to help them unwind. So the shuttle and space station crews will be able to eventually find out the winners and losers of the 83rd annual Academy Awards after the show, if they desire.

"There is live Internet onboard the space station now, so they can get on the web and that's one way they can get the news," NASA spokesman Kelly Humphries told SPACE.com. "They also have The Houston Chronicle e-mailed to them every day. But, anytime they want to request specific information, or watch something special, they can send that down as an e-mail request."

And the winners are … wait for it

If any of the astronauts did want to watch the Academy Awards tonight, for instance, they can request to have the program sent to the station, NASA officials said. But, they will have to wait even longer to find out who the lucky winners are this year.

For a program like the Oscars, there would be a delay because NASA is unable to transmit television shows in real-time. So the shows are recorded and then sent electronically instead.

"The stuff we send them generally isn't live, so it's usually sent up after the fact when it would not be a hardship on the station operations," Humphries said.

Most frequently, astronauts on the station ask to see certain football games, he added.

The station residents also have a fairly large collection of CDs so they can listen to music, and movies can be sent for them to watch, although those files tend to be quite large, Humphries said.

And even though they won't be tuning in to see the awards show itself, Humphries did say that the station residents have watched the Oscar-nominated film, The Social Network.

Still, majority of the astronauts' time onboard the station is dedicated to work.

"They're pretty busy, so they don't spend that much time watching movies or the news," Humphries said. "They have some time for that stuff during their post-sleep period, or when they're exercising, sometimes they can put something on the treadmill screens."

Discovery's astronaut crew is in the middle of an 11-day mission to the International Space Station. [Photos: Space Shuttle Discovery Launches on Final Voyage]

The mission is the final flight for shuttle Discovery, which will be sent to a museum for public display after NASA retires its 30-year space shuttle program later this year.

83rd Annual Academy Awards kick off.

HOLLYWOOD: The stars were out in full force at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood Sunday night for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.

Anne Hathaway and James Franco were the youngest presenters ever in the show's history in the hope that they would bring a new energy and a more youthful demographic to the Entertainment Industry's biggest night.

Hathaway and Franco kicked off the night with a montage of the nominated Best Movies before introducing Anne's mom and Franco's grandma to the audience.

Melissa Leo won the best supporting actress Oscar for playing the fiery mother of troubled Irish-American boxing brothers in "The Fighter."

"Toy Story 3," the third instalment of the family-friendly franchise, won best animated film Oscar.

Danish film "In a Better World," a hard-hitting drama about a doctor's family, won the best foreign language film Oscar.

Britain's Christian Bale won the best supporting actor Oscar for his role as a former boxer brought down by drug addiction in "The Fighter."

Oscar awards Police and security personnel deployed as precaution.

In the city of Los Angeles, security measures have been beefed up for the Oscar award ceremony. Police and security personnel have been deployed near the Kodak Theater where the award ceremony is taking place.

Fire fighter will also be on standby as there will be about 500 guests in the hall. According to the administrators of the event, the workers for the assistance of the guest will be dressed in normal plain clothes.

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held on May 16, 1929 and this will be the 82nd award show and viewership is expected above 40 million.

Oscar Awards The King’s Speech, Colin Firth and Natalie Portman among winners.

The film, The King's Speech won the Oscar award for the best movie while Colin Firth playing the lead role in the King’s speech won the best actor award as Natalie Portman wrapped it up by winning the best actress award for her role in Black Swan.

The King’s Speech was the big winner at the 83rd annual Oscar awards held at the Kodak Theater in the city of Los Angeles. The movie won the award for the best picture and also won the award for best original screen play. Tom Hopper won the best director award for, The King’s Speech and Colin Firth won the best actor award for his lead role in the movie.



The show started outside the Kodak Theater on red carpet where celebrities made appearances before going in for the show. Fans from around world gathered to see the celebrities and the show. The King’s Speech despite winning four awards wasn’t the only winner. Toy story 3 won the award for the best animated film. Christian Bale won best supporting actor and Melissa Leo won the best supporting actress award for their roles in ‘The Fighter’.



On the other hand, Bollywood super pairing Abhishek Bachan and Aishwarya Rai made special appearances at the red carpet. Mallika Sherawat was also in attendance. Halle Berry, Penelope Cruise, Nicole Kidman and A.R Rehman along with his wife were present at the red carpet ceremony.

England and India share thrilling tie.

England shared a tie with India in a quite thrilling World Cup Group B encounter in Bangalore as Andrew Strauss inspired his side to level their opponent's 338 in a pulsating clash.

A dramatic finale saw England take 12 runs off the final over to tie the match after an imperious 158 from Strauss gave his side the opportunity of clinching a stunning run-chase.

It would have been an incredible effort from England after Sachin Tendulkar's 120 looked to have given India a dominant position as they posted their opponents a target of 339 to win.

India appeared to have set a daunting winning target in the Group B match but England kept cool and were coasting towards victory as they eased to 281-2, thanks largely to Strauss.

However, when England opted to play their powerplay from the 42nd over, Zaheer Khan produced a superb bowling spell to take three wickets in six balls to revive the home team's fortunes.

Needing 14 to win off pace bowler Munaf Patel's last over, Ajmal Shahzad brought England right back into contention after blasting a huge six that had Strauss leaping off his seat in the pavilion.

The electrifying match went down to the last ball with England two runs short of their victory target.

Graeme Swann nudged the ball to mid-off to secure the tie - a result that was loudly cheered by all those lucky enough to witness one of the best ever ODIs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

"In some ways we're happy and in some ways we're distraught. A great game of cricket," man-of-the-match Strauss said during the presentation ceremony.

"You back yourself to play better than that (in the powerplay). We lost (Ian) Bell and myself which is the last thing you want and that put pressure on the batsmen coming in.

"In some ways we're disappointed but in some ways we're privileged to play in a game like that.

"Some good performances, some less so."

His India counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni added: "At the end of the day, I'm happy with a tie.

"With just two wickets down (after 42 overs) ... it was getting pretty difficult for the bowlers and Zak (Khan) came in and bowled a really good spell and brought us back into the game. Otherwise it would have been done by 48 overs."

Earlier India's total revolved largely around Tendulkar's 47th one-day international century and a record fifth in World Cups.

In reply, England's run-chase was set well on its way helped by Strauss's sweetly-timed knock, the first century by an English captain in a World Cup.

Ultimately, though, it was one point each for the Group B front-runners via the fourth tie in the history of the competition after Swann could scramble only a single from Patel's final ball with eight wickets down under lights.

England relishing India challenge.

England are hoping their big-game temperament can help spoil the “party” India have planned at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore tomorrow.

Captain Andrew Strauss is well aware of his team’s ominously poor record against the World Cup favourites - they have not beaten India in any form of cricket for almost four years - but is confident the big stage will bring out England’s best.

India, he senses, may by contrast fall prey to the huge weight of expectation from the one billion-strong population of their cricket-obsessed country.

Strauss cites England’s world-beating exploits at last year’s ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean - where they won their first global trophy, under Paul Collingwood - as evidence that they can rise to the occasion again not just in this second Group B match but throughout their sub-continental campaign.

“In some ways, perhaps there’s more pressure on India than us in this game,” he said.

“We’ve played a lot of good cricket in big games in the last 24 months or so. That’s something we’re very proud of, that in high-pressure games we’ve performed well. This is one of those games, and we’re very confident of doing well again.

“I think there’s a real vibe and excitement and enthusiasm about our guys. If you can get a couple of breakthroughs early and put the Indian batting order under pressure they’re obviously carrying a lot of expectation on their shoulders.

“Playing against India is always a big challenge. But we’re up for it and think we can do well. It’s not something we’re overawed about; it’s something we’re very excited about.”

A victory for England, against opponents they may end up playing 19 times this year, would identify them as big-hitters in this tournament.

Strauss, however, is careful not to get ahead of himself on that score - in the knowledge England are up against the might of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, among a sheet full of other superstar names in India’s ranks.

“It would be potentially a huge lift for us and would send out a pretty strong marker to other sides,” he added.


“We’ve got to do it first ... but we’d love to spoil an India party here in Bangalore.

“There’s a huge sense of anticipation. This is a huge occasion. It’s going to be a great atmosphere, and I think it’s one of those games that everyone dreams of playing - against India, in the World Cup on their home turf.”

If England are to prevail, a return to his best for Kevin Pietersen would clearly not go amiss.

He has not made a one-day international hundred since he did so against India in the final match of a curtailed series which England lost 5-0 on their last tour of this country in 2008.

But Strauss, optimistic after Pietersen’s surprise move up the order to open, said: “I think this is the sort of match that brings out the best in him.

“In the big matches and big tournaments, generally we see the best of Kevin Pietersen. I don’t think it’s time to take the pressure off (him). It’s a World Cup - we all need to stand up and perform. He knows that as well as anyone else.

“We know what he can bring to our side when he does perform, because he’s a match-winning player and one other sides will fear.”

Pietersen and his fellow batsmen will face a trial by spin at some point tomorrow - if they stay in long enough - with Harbhajan Singh their chief adversary.

“If it is a challenge on a turning wicket then we are fully up for it,” said Strauss. “If it’s going to turn then it will challenge all batsmen. We’ve got to be good enough to counteract that, and I think we will be.”

Irrespective of how they play Harbhajan, though, one thing England must improve drastically from their scrambled opening win over the Netherlands is their fielding.

“What they have had is a pretty stark wake-up call, that we can’t be that bad again,” the captain said of his players.

“I think we all know that. They don’t need me to ram it down their necks. But it has happened very infrequently to us, and I don’t expect it to happen again in a hurry.

“We take a lot of pride in our fielding. In this game, I think our fielding could be an advantage. The most important thing is we’re switched on, and all 11 of us recognise our responsibilities to put in a flawless fielding performance.”

Should pace bowler Stuart Broad overcome a stomach upset in time as expected, after having to miss nets today, the only selection question facing Strauss and team director Andy Flower is whether to bring in Michael Yardy as an extra spinner.

Afridi enjoying invigorated Pakistan.

Just a week ago, few would have slated Pakistan among the World Cup favourites - but that was a week ago.

Since then, they have obliterated Kenya by 205 runs and then on Saturday, really showed off their title credentials by beating co-hosts Sri Lanka by 11 runs.

That margin of victory looks slim but Pakistan were in control for most of the Sri Lankan innings and only a couple of late slogs and generously wayward bowling took the co-hosts so relatively close.

In their captain Shahid Afridi, enjoying a new lease of life in this tournament at the age of 30, Pakistan boast one of the most dangerously in-form men of the World Cup.

He has yet to take off with the bat because generally the Pakistan upper order have functioned but his wide, bewildering array of deliveries is making leg spinner Afridi almost unplayable as a bowler on the evidence so far.

Against Kenya he took a World Cup career-best five wickets and followed up with four more on Saturday against Kumar Sangakkara's far more accomplished batsmen. That included his 300th victim in one-day cricket, fittingly Sangakkara on 49.

How he is relishing this opportunity in the form of the game that surely suits his mercurial talents and nature best.

"It's a great feeling performing like this," Afridi said after winning the man-of-the-match award against Sri Lanka on Saturday, in which he became only the 11th player past that 300-wicket milestone in 50-over cricket.

"Three hundred wickets was my goal as an all rounder. It's a big achievement in one-day cricket."

Some fans, as ever demanding perfection, have missed his explosive 'boom-boom' batting performances in these matches.

"I am missing that too," he said. "But my first priority is bowling -- I want to focus on my bowling first and then batting.

"I think the way I am going and batting for just three overs or four overs, I try to play some big shots. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't."

The 1992 World Cup champions will next meet Canada in Colombo on Thursday with the north American cricketing whipping boys likely to be more cannon fodder for Afridi.

However, the skipper promises there will be no complacency, not with their 2007 World Cup shock first-round exit at the hands of Ireland still so fresh and painful in the memory.

"Every game is very important," he said. "Winning is a very good habit and in the next one or two games we will have one or two changes. We want to rest one or two guys. Otherwise we will play every game with all our strength."

Afridi knows there are several areas of their game still to polish if Pakistan, plagued by a corruption scandal before the World Cup, are to repeat their 1992 triumph in the business end of the tournament leading to the April 2 final.

Their fielding and catching against Sri Lanka was often distinctly ragged as catches were dropped and run out opportunities missed.

"That was not the way to field. I think we should improve more for upcoming games," said Afridi.

Nevertheless, Afridi, who was not always the first choice of the Pakistan cricket board to lead the team, is happy with the way senior players are generally taking responsibility in bowling and batting and the team spirit looks sky high.

Asked whether his side have now become one of the favourites to win this World Cup, Afridi has no doubt: "Definitely."

World Cup - Pakistan claim Colombo win.

Pakistan secured an 11-run victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo to top World Cup Group A after the hosts failed to chase down 278 runs batting second.

Shahid Afridi's side posted 277 for seven after the all-rounder won the toss and elected to bat first, as Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq both recorded half-centuries.

Sri Lanka raced to 76 without loss, but faltered badly in their middle order as Afridi claimed four scalps for 34 runs to reach 300 one-day international wickets and their run-chase petered out on 266 for nine.

Pakistan stalwarts Khan and Misbah shared a century partnership as the pair came together after Pakistan were reduced to 105 for three and they provided a solid foundation as Pakistan seized the supremacy between the two former champions.

Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez and Kamran Akmal were left wondering which of them was out after a mix-up left them both comically stranded at the same end.

Kamran Akmal scampered to the striker's end for a quick single when Hafeez swept the ball behind the wicket facing off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in the 13th over. Hafeez did not move an inch, even after Sri Lanka wicketkeeper and skipper Kumar Sangakkara's initial wayward throw flew well over Muralitharan. Angelo Mathews successfully returned it to the bowler for the simplest of run outs.

Once Younus and Misbah came together, they employed a safety-first strategy and nudged the ball through gaps to pick up singles and twos instead of trying to score off boundaries against tight bowling and sharp fielding by the Sri Lankans.

Younus struck four fours in his knock of 72 before he top edged a sweep off Herath to Mahela Jayawardene at short fine leg. Misbah kept a cool head and played a solid innings to remain unbeaten 83 with six fours and batting with a runner.

Upal Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan assumed a strong early position for their side with 76 on the board for no loss, but a steady stream of dismissals followed as Sri Lanka lost their way.

Captain Sangakkara led the way with a controlled and composed 49, but Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera departed for a combined total of three runs as Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar seized the initiative for Pakistan.

Chamara Silva compiled 57 runs, but at such a pedestrian rate the number six did little to inspire or inject urgency into his side's run-chase. Indeed, it took Silva a full 67 deliveries to muster his first boundary.

Another sloppy display in the field threatened to derail Pakistan's challenge, with two missed stumpings by Kamran Akmal, a string of dropped catches and 29 extras undermining the bowlers' efforts.

Kulasekara racked up a swift 24 as Sri Lanka were left to require an improbable 18 runs off the final over, but Umar Gul ensured that Pakistan held on to claim an 11-run win.

The victory moves Pakistan above Australia with the two sides having both recorded two successive wins as the top teams jostle for position with the quarter-finals at the back of their minds.

PPP to play role of opposition in Punjab.

ISLAMABAD: With the final burial of the Charter of Democracy between the PPP and the PML-N after the announcement of Mian Nawaz Sharif to say goodbye to the PPP in the Punjab, the People’s Party on Friday announced it would sit on the opposition benches in the Punjab Assembly and play an active and vibrant role of opposition to make the Punjab Government accountable.

It, however, reiterated that the policy of reconciliation will continue despite the odds.

The Top PPP leadership that includes Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Raza Rabbani, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan, who accompanied the PPP leaders from Punjab Raja Riaz, Tanveer Ashraf Kaira and Information Secretary PPP Qamar Zaman Kaira addressed a press conference on Friday to respond to the PML-N decision of saying goodbye to the PPP.

“We will play an effective role of opposition in Punjab on issues relating to politics and will hold the Punjab Government accountable. We will nominate our leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly after consultation,” said Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Raza Rabbani.

“The Punjab Government has decided to replay the politics of 1988 with the gang of Changa Manga,” said Law Minister Dr Babar Awan. The PPP response to PML-N decision through the press conference was a mixture of defensive batting of Mian Raza Rabbani and fast bowling attack of Dr Babar Awan, who threw bouncers to the PML-N on bringing the “lota culture” back into politics.

Law Minister Dr Babar Awan said the federal government will give its detailed response to PML-N decision to dissolve the Punjab government once the PML-N took action on the same. Raza Rabbani counted the measures on 10-point agenda, which were implemented by the government.

Babar Awan described Friday decision of the PML-N as “regrettable” as what he called Nawaz Sharif removed the democratic people of the Punjab and wore the ‘garland of lotas’.

In reply to a question, he said the PPP ministers will not resign from Punjab Government. He said the PPP government will complete its constitutional term and there will be no mid-term election as elections will be held in 2013. “If any one thinks about mid-term elections, he should just think as there is no bar on seeing dreams,” he added.

Raza Rabbani said despite playing the role of opposition, the PPP will not bring no-confidence motion in Punjab and will not become party to destabilise the system. However, at the same he demanded of the Punjab Government to implement Article 63-A of the Constitution to bring good governance as if it is not implemented it will weaken the political parties of the country.

He said after general elections, the PPP was in a position to form its own government in Punjab with the help of other parties minus the PML-N but it pursued the policy of reconciliation envisioned by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.

Mian Raza Rabbani emphatically stated that there would be no political instability as a consequence of the latest development. In reply to a question, he said the Federal Government is fully stable and ruled out mid-term polls.

When asked whether the hidden hand again came into action, Rabbani did not see such a progress. Dr Babar Awan remarked that how the hidden hand could play its game in the presence of such a vibrant media.

Mian Raza Rabbani said the PPPP has taken serious and sincere steps for implementation of the 10-point agenda presented by Pakistan Muslim League-N and claimed that 100 percent progress was made on most of the points. “Pakistan People’s Party did not drag its feet because this 10-point agenda is our agenda and it is also part of our manifesto,” he added.

He pointed out that these ten points were part of the PPP manifesto and that is why the party leadership strived hard for its implementation in a sincere manner. He said most of the points of the agenda had already been implemented as the parliamentary committee formed by the prime minister is devising a mechanism for fixation of prices of POL products and the government has not increased the prices of oil for the last two months despite hike in its prices in the international market.

He said a transparent mechanism was worked out and presented before the PML-N negotiating team for appointment of chief executive officers of public sector entities. Raza Rabbani said a list of written off loans was sought from the State Bank and the central bank asked to identify politically written off loans out of first 100 cases of each bank.

Rabbani said a bill has been prepared for revival of magistracy to ensure effective price control while National Assembly speaker has notified names of the parliamentary committee for appointment of members of the Election Commission.

He said the Federal Government has also undertaken exercise to reduce expenditure by thirty percent and the size of the federal cabinet curtailed. He said board of nine Discos and other entities were finalised while work is in hand to set up boards of remaining ones during the next few weeks.

Mian Raza Rabbani said a Judicial Commission was instituted to probe the issue of hike in sugar prices while other instances pointed out by the PML-N were sub judice before the Supreme Court.

About accountability, Rabbani said draft of the bill was prepared and handed over to the PML-N team. Minister for Law Dr Babar Awan said there should be no horse-trading in Punjab and the law and constitution should be respected.

He said the PML-N was embracing those who were partners of General Pervez Musharraf. He said the PPP ministers in Punjab were happy with the PML-N decision as now they would play the role of effective ombudsmen in the province rather than junior partner of that government.

Dr Awan said during the meeting of the PML-N, a person who used to sit on the stage with General Musharraf was also sitting there. “From the slogans of revolution, only ‘Lotas’ (turncoats) were brought out,” he added.

He said rather than playing the politics of gang of Changa Manga, the PML-N should listen to the voices of Memoona Javed Hashmi. Dr Babar Awan said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had opposed registration of cases against Mian Nawaz Sharif. “It was the PPP which convinced the PML-N to end the boycott of election,” he added.

Zardari calls Raja Riaz, urges positive role in Punjab.

ISLAMABAD: Co-Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari in a telephone call on Saturday directed PPP leader Raja Riaz to play a positive role in the Punjab province so that democracy was not derailed,

The phone call came as Pakistan’s most famous political marriage of convenience ended in a divorce on Friday as Nawaz Sharif signalled the ouster of the PPP from the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s Punjab government and both sides contradicted each other over the implementation of a 10-point agenda, raising fears of future tensions.

Mr Sharif announced “parting of ways” with the PPP at a news conference in Islamabad because of what he called unsatisfactory performance of the PPP-led federal coalition government in implementing his party’s economic-cum-political agenda during a 45-day deadline that ended on Wednesday.

As a consequence, he said, the PML-N’s Punjab chief minister and his younger brother, Shahbaz Sharif, would dissolve his cabinet, which includes several PPP ministers, and form a new one, possibly with the breakaway “unification bloc” of the opposition PML-Q, which will give him the majority in the 371-seat provincial assembly. This, he said, would happen within two days, possibly on Saturday.

Riaz has however stated that the PML-N leadership “could not accuse PPP ministers in Punjab of any wrongdoing”.

Moreover, Riaz said he had returned the bullet-proof vehicle given to him by the Punjab government and had also directed PPP ministers in Punjab to return all government vehicles.

Riaz further stated that PPP ministers would not go to their offices from Saturday.

Jubilant Pakistan hope to down hosts today.

COLOMBO: In Hambantota last Wednesday, it was child’s play for Pakistan as they toyed with minnows Kenya on their way to a 205-run triumph.

But fun time is over for the Greenshirts. They will have to raise their game to a higher level as they look to conquer Sri Lanka, one of the serious contenders for World Cup 2011.

In a way, it’s not really a do-or-die match for either team. Even the side that loses the game on Saturday (today) would most likely be progressing to the quarter-finals.

But then it’s also quite an important game as its outcome could impact the quarter-final line-up, as Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach aptly pointed out here on Friday.

“It’s an important game of course. In this tournament, for momentum it is important and to get to the quarter-finals and in which stage, position you get there, in that sense it’s very important. If you want to go ahead, you have to build momentum,” said Waqar.

Waqar admitted that Sri Lanka will be a tough team to beat. “Sri Lanka in their home ground is very good. It’s very difficult to beat them because the conditions and weather here help them. But the way we’ve played and trained and with the momentum, I am hopeful we can beat them.”

Sri Lanka have a much-touted bowling attack with spin ace Muttiah Muralitharan being one of their most potent weapons.

But Waqar is confident that his batsmen have the ability to tackle Murali.

“We’ve played really well against him in this country. I don’t think we should worry about him that much, he is not 28 anymore. It is not going to be easy for him anymore. We’re prepared not only for him but the entire team,” he stressed.

Both teams began their World Cup campaigns with a bang with Sri Lanka thrashing Canada by 210 runs and Pakistan recording a 205-run win over Kenya. Both know it’s going to be much more serious business as they clash here at the R Premadasa Stadium in front of over 30,000 spectators.

Pakistan have won all their six World Cup games against Sri Lanka but Kumar Sangakkara is confident that his team has the firepower to reverse the tide. “I wasn’t really aware of that history so yeah maybe it’s time to change that now, hopefully tomorrow if we can do our basics better than Pakistan I think we have a pretty good chance,” the Sri Lankan captain told reporters here on Friday.

But Sangakkara admitted that his team is wary of the dangerous Pakistanis. “I think they’ve got a team all 11 players are capable of doing that they’ve got a great batting line-up well balanced — good pace and good spin, so against them you just got to be mentally strong and absorb as much pressure as you can and keep competing with them because you can make them crack under pressure at certain situation so you got to be in the game until those situations come up,” said the seasoned batsman.

Sangakkara believes that both teams are almost evenly-matched in the bowling department. “I think both the sides have good pace and good spin. I think that’s been a vast improvement for us actually to have good fast bowlers in our squad, we have guys who bowl over 140, we

have guys who could swing and seam as well so I think it’s going to be a battle between two teams who are looking forward to a very keen contest and whichever side can do whatever their discipline is better than the other will probably come out on top.”

Teams:

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq (vice-captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Matthews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath.

ISI asks CIA to unmask covert opeatives in Pak.

LONDON: Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has asked its American counterpart Central Intelligence Agency CIA) to unmask all its covert operatives in Pakistan after arrest of Aaron DeHaven in Peshawar, a British paper said in its report.

Pakistani authorities arrested US national Aaron DeHaven in Peshawar on Friday, over visa expiry. Peshawar police arrested DeHaven, saying that his visa had expired.

DeHaven runs a company named Catalyst Services which provides security to foreigners and its office is in Islamabad.

A case has been registered against DeHaven for living illegally in Pakistan. He will be produced before Peshawar court tody.

US embassy spokeswoman Courtney Beale said DeHaven was not a direct employee of the US government but added that details could not be confirmed until a consular officer had met him.

Farrakhan's Nation of Islam to Argue UFOs Are Real.

CHICAGO –  The Nation of Islam, long known for its promotion of black nationalism and self-reliance, now is calling attention to another core belief that perhaps isn't so well-known: the existence of UFOs.

When thousands of followers gather in suburban Chicago this weekend for the group's annual Saviours' Day convention, one of the main events will include a panel of scientists discussing worldwide UFO sightings, which they claim are on the rise.

The idea of seeking the divine in the skies is deeply rooted in the Chicago-based Nation of Islam, whose late leader Elijah Muhammad detailed in speeches and writings a massive hovering object loaded with weapons he called "The Mother Plane" -- although religion experts, Nation of Islam leaders and believers offer very different interpretations of what exactly happens aboard the plane, its role or how it fits into religious teachings.

It's one of the group's more misunderstood -- and ridiculed -- beliefs, something organizers took into account when planning the convention, which starts Friday and ends Sunday with Minister Louis Farrakhan's keynote address.

"There's enough evidence that has been put before the world and public," Ishmael Muhammad, the religion's national assistant minister, told The Associated Press. "There have been enough accounts and sightings and enough movies (documentaries) made, I don't think you would find too many people that would call it crazy."

During last year's Saviours' Day speech, Farrakhan for the first time in years discussed in detail a vision he had in Mexico in 1985 involving an object he calls "the wheel." Using charts, photos and drawings, he spent almost four hours describing how he was invited aboard and heard Elijah Muhammad speak to him. Farrakhan says that experience led him to inklings about future events.

Farrakhan, 77, has said the wheel, with its great capacity for destruction, contains the "wisdom to purify the planet," but has harmed no one so far. He also claimed there have been governmental attempts to cover-up proof of the wheel, which he says many call UFOs.

Nation of Islam leaders often quote Biblical references to the prophet Ezekiel -- along with Elijah Muhammad's teachings -- when it comes to the wheel. In his book of articles on the subject, Muhammad described a planet-sized manmade vessel that orbits earth and is purported to be loaded with 1,500 planes or wheels, words that have since been used interchangeably. Their purpose is unclear.

Some experts have made comparisons to the Biblical concept of Rapture, which teaches believers will be taken up to heaven, while everyone else will remain on earth for a period of torment, concluding with the end of time.

Why the Nation is turning more attention to the wheel now isn't certain. One explanation could be an attempt to keep longtime Nation of Islam followers happy after recent years during which Farrakhan has haltingly tried to move the group toward more mainstream Islam and pushed for the inclusion of other groups like Latinos and immigrants, said Jimmy Jones, a religion professor at Manhattanville College in New York.

The history of the highly-secretive group -- which doesn't release membership or the number of mosques -- has been marked by splinter groups and fracture.

"This is a way that the Nation of Islam defines itself," said Jones about the wheel's significance.

But Ishmael Muhammad, who is widely considered a potential successor to Farrakhan, said reasons for the recent interest is simply that it's a core belief.

He said the theme of the convention, which commemorates the birth of the religion's founder and is expected to draw more than 10,000 people this weekend, is about scientific analysis. Another session is about natural disasters and what those events mean religiously.

"It is written, that these things would happen," he said about Scripture. "We should prepare for such calamities."