India beat Pakistan by eight wickets

Virat Kohli hit two sixes and eight fours in a career-best 78 not out as India crushed Pakistan by eight wickets in the ICC World T20 Super Eight.

Victory keeps India in the semi-final hunt, particularly as they boosted their net run-rayete by getting home with three overs to spare.
India chased down Pakistan's below-par 128. After losing Gautam Gambhir on the second ball of the innings, Kohli and Virender Sehwag (29) combined for a 74-run stand off 61 balls that virtually sealed the match for India.
Pakistan's total was their lowest ever World Twenty20 total, although it represented a recovery from 60-5 at halfway.
Imran Nazir was trapped lbw by Irfan Pathan as Pakistan started badly after winning the toss.
The out-of-form Shahid Afridi drove his first ball emphatically over the bowler's head for four but again could not build a total, holing out to Suresh Raina after making 14.
Nasir Jamshed and Kamran Akmal both edged Yuvraj (2-16) to keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni while targeting the stands and captain Mohammad Hafeez played the innocuous Kohli straight on to his stumps to depart for 15, from 28 balls.
Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal put together a highly creditable stand of 47 in 5.3 overs before Malik (28) swatted Ravichandran Ashwin straight to mid-wicket.

Brilliant

Umar Akmal followed for 21 as Ashwin also finished with 2-16 and Yasir Arafat was brilliantly run out by Yuvraj.
Umar Gul clipped Lakshmipathy Balaji for six but was caught behind trying for another, and Saeed Ajmal scooped straight to Dhoni next ball to give Balaji figures of 3-22.
Gautam Gambhir chipped the second legitimate ball of the India innings straight back to bowler Raza Hasan and they limped to 11 for one from three overs.
But Sehwag hit two boundaries in the next and his side never looked back.
The veteran was outshone by Kohli in a second-wicket stand which reached 50 in 46 balls, Kohli having lofted Afridi for six in the previous over. The pair put on 74 before Sehwag was superbly caught at long-off by the backpedalling Gul for 29.
Umar Akmal dropped Kohli despite a brilliant diving effort and the batsman reached his half-century from 41 balls by cutting Ajmal for his seventh four.
He also drilled him for six the ball after Yuvraj hit Hafeez for four, but Kohli was dropped again when Nazir could not get into position quickly enough.
Two boundaries followed in that over and Yuvraj hit the winning single in the next to finish 19 not out.

Twenty20 World Cup hopes alive with an empathic eight-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Super Eights on Sunday.
India dismissed their neighbours for a paltry 128 with Lakshmipathy Balaji taking three for 22 before Kohli tore into the Pakistan attack in a match-winning knock made off 61 balls.
Kohli, who hit two sixes and nine fours, was supported by Virender Sehwag (29) and Yuvraj Singh with an unbeaten 19 as India cruised home with three overs to spare.
Man-of-the match Kohli, missed on 42 and 64, also bowled Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez and finished with a figures of one for 21 in three overs.
Pakistan, who chose to bat first, were bowled out for 128 in 19.4 overs, Shoaib Malik (28) and Umar Akmal (21) lifting the 2009 winners with a 47-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuvraj captured two wickets each.
India and South Africa were facing the exit door after Australia's earlier win over the South Africans but India's victory kept Group Two wide open.
Australia look virtually certain to reach the last four and the other three teams all still have a chance of progressing.

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IMF shows Egypt need to engage public

Cairo -Mohammad al-Sheikh was among hundreds of Jordanians who joined protests against an increase in fuel prices, pushing King Abdullah II to scrap a policy aimed at meeting pledges to the International Monetary Fund.
'The government increased the prices in secret, like it was afraid of something,' al-Sheikh, an air conditioning salesman, said in an interview in Amman, explaining why he joined a street protest for the first time in his life. 'This is provocative. We have the right to know.'
Al-Sheikh’s comment signals the new engagement among Arab citizens after the protests that brought down governments last year. A consequence is that the fiscal restraint backed by the IMF and investors is harder to implement without the kind of broad support that requires a public debate. That’s especially resonant in Egypt, where talks with the IMF on a $4.8 billion have been on and off for more than a year.
Mohamed Mursi, Egypt’s first freely elected president, already faces near-daily strikes by labor groups empowered by last year’s uprising. After campaigning on the promise that he had a detailed plan to end Egypt’s worst slump for a decade, Mursi is coming under fire for stalling on the specifics of what his government will commit to in return for IMF money.
'If I were the government I would start talking in a language that the average man on the street would understand,' said Mohamad Al-Ississ, assistant economics professor at the American University in Cairo. 'A quick solution is going to bring down the government with it.'
Iran Example
Egypt is seeking the loan after spending more than half its currency reserves in 2011, leading to concern it would be forced to devalue the pound. The budget deficit, at 11 percent of output, is the highest for five years and, according to the IMF, the region’s largest.
This year’s budget allows for 146 billion pounds ($24 billion) of subsidies for staples such as food and fuel, more than a quarter of all spending. Prime Minister Hisham Qandil has drafted a plan to reduce the bill by 25.5 billion pounds, Al Masry Al Youm newspaper said Sept. 24, citing an unidentified official.
The government says it can open its economic program to national discussion and still conclude an IMF deal this year.
That timetable compares with the two years Iran spent holding public debates before it started eliminating as much as $60 billion in subsidies, to ensure the cuts wouldn’t spark unrest. The Islamic republic won rare praise from the IMF for its 'long and careful preparations to ensure the success of the reform and its support by the public.'
‘Still Time’
Qandil’s 'young government' still has time to engage in more detail over policy, said Shadi Hamid, director of research at the Brookings Doha Center. 'The Muslim Brotherhood will use all of its grassroots networks and parallel institutions to mobilize behind a public diplomacy campaign,' he said. 'I think it can be effective.'
Expectations that Mursi, the Brotherhood’s candidate for president, and Qandil can square public pressures with likely IMF demands and reach a deal have helped bring Egypt’s borrowing costs down from record highs. Yields on the dollar bonds maturing in 2020 have dropped more than a percentage point in the past three months.
Some investors warn that the optimism is overdone.
Egyptian bonds 'offer poor compensation for the risks,' Michael Cirami, who helps manage $12 billion at Boston-based Eaton Vance Corp. (EV), said by e-mail. An IMF deal is becoming more difficult because 'as time passes the conditionality will likely increase,' he said.
‘Lacks Transparency’
Ministers have repeatedly told Egyptians that IMF money will come without conditions, though they typically involve policy targets that must be met before loans are disbursed.
Even some Mursi allies have criticized the delay in detailing economic policy. Abdallah Shehata said on a debate hosted by Cairo-based ONTV television that the government 'lacks transparency.' Shehata is head of the economic committee of the Freedom and Justice Party, the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm headed by Mursi until his election as president.
Mursi isn’t the first Egyptian leader to target reducing energy subsidies. Mubarak repeatedly pledged to do so yet never did, fearing unrest in in a country where one in five live in poverty.
The IMF has backed subsidy reductions in Jordan, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.
‘Like Adults’
'We recognize that this is a socially and politically difficult thing to do,' Masood Ahmed, head of the IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department, said of Jordan’s efforts to tighten the budget in a Sept. 18 interview. 'They have to manage it. It will require difficult decisions.'
In Egypt’s emerging democracy, the IMF says a loan program would need a 'critical mass' of support. The country’s new leaders aren’t on the right track to obtain that, said Elijah Zarwan, a Cairo-based senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
They are 'not treating citizens like adults by explaining the serious problems the country faces,' he said in a phone interview. 'It’s a shame that since the uprising the government has continued the old style.'

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Do you know male breast cancer?

Breast cancer just affects women, right? Wrong. Here's what you need to know.

In his new short film Irish comedian and actor Chris O'Dowd is surrounded by topless women, so it's no surprise that his portrayal of Lars Larson - hapless Health & Safety Officer of the Topless Female Trampolining World Championships - is designed to raise awareness of breast cancer.
But perhaps more surprisingly, O'Dowd's talent and fame - he starred in the Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd and hit movie Bridesmaids - are being used to highlight the male form of the disease. He may be surrounded by female breasts, but Lars is here to remind us that men can get breast cancer too.
Male breast cancer: the facts
As Lars says in the video (www.toplessfemaletrampoliningworldchampionships.com), men have breasts, so men can get breast cancer. "Crazy but true," as he puts it.
Let's be clear, though. Male breast cancer is rare. Whereas around 45,000 women get breast cancer every year, only around 300 men are diagnosed with the disease.
The problem, according to Patrick Cox, founder of the Male Cancer Awareness Campaign (MCAC), is that many men consider breast cancer the "most embarrassing cancer". Many others don't know that men can get breast cancer at all. All of which means that too many men delay seeing the doctor when they notice any symptoms, which makes curing the disease so much more difficult.
Risk factors and symptoms
Doctors are not entirely sure what causes male breast cancer, but they do know that risk rises with age and that obesity can also be a factor.
Obesity may be a factor because it leads to high oestrogen levels, and though all men produce oestrogen, excess oestrogen has been linked to breast cancer in men. Drinking alcohol may also increase your risk.
Men are also more at risk if they have a close relative, male or female, who has had breast cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, "men, as well as women, can inherit faulty genes that can cause breast cancer."
The symptoms are similar to those of female breast cancer, and should always be checked out by a GP. They are:
-Oozing from the nipple (a discharge) that may be blood stained
-Swelling of the breast
-A sore (ulcer) in the skin of the breast
-A nipple that is pulled into the breast (called nipple retraction or an 'inny' nipple)
-Lumps under the arm
These symptoms may well be nothing, because male breast cancer is rare, but it's best to let the doctor decide
The most embarrassing cancer
And according to Patrick Cox of MCAC, male breast cancer is certainly uncommon, but "the sad truth is the amount of men affected is rising."
In some ways male breast cancer is like other male cancers: more men face intensive treatment and even death because they don't know how to detect the symptoms in the early stages, when treatment would be more effective.
The same is true for bowel, testicular and prostate cancer, says MCAC: "This ignorance is made worse by the prevailing 'culture of embarrassment' that discourages men from discussing and resolving problems related to intimate parts of their body."
A spokeswoman for CoppaFeel, the breast cancer charity that, along with MCAC, is running the new campaign, said: "It seems silly to us that men are dying unnecessarily because of this disease so we strongly believe this subject needs to be brought to the forefront of blokes' attention."
So the message is a familiar one. Men have to put their embarrassment aside and act on the symptoms they experience. That doesn't mean waiting a couple of months in the hope they go away on their own - it means having a quick chat with the GP who, after all, has seen and heard it all many times before.
The lowdown on male breast cancer
The fact is, you're highly unlikely to be diagnosed with male breast cancer. But you do need to get into the habit of seeing the doctor if you notice anything unusual. That's as true for the symptoms of male breast cancer as it is for anything else.

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President Zardari to leave for London

LONDON: President Asif Ali Zardari will leave for London after concluding his US visit. He visited US to address UN General Assembly session.President Zardari will stay in London where he will also meet MQM Chief Altaf Hussain.

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Government approves cut in POL prices

ISLAMABAD: Government has approved summery of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) pertaining to decrease in petroleum product prices, Geo News reported.OGRA, under weekly revision of POL prices, had sent a summary proposing a reduction in the POL prices to the ministry of petroleum.It had suggested Rs 6 per litre cut in petrol price, 14 paisa in diesel, kerosene oil by 40 paisa light diesel by 95 paisa and CNG prices by Rs 5 per kg.With this approval, the new prices of petrol would be Rs 102.45 per litre, diesel Rs 113.16, kerosene oil Rs 101.23 and light diesel Rs 96.22 per litre.Meanwhile, CNG prices have been deceased by Rs 5.49 per kg in region-I and Rs 5.2 in region-II.The new prices would be effective from October 01 after the final notification of OGRA.

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How to handle tricky conversations

Samineh I Shaheem, Assistant Professor of Psychology, offers the best professional psychological advice  and answers your questions regarding wellbeing. Send your questions to: advice@jawhara.me
We have all been there – those uncomfortable topics that need to be discussed but we dread bringing them up. Could it be that you don’t want to face the facts? Are you afraid of the answers? Let’s explore a few of the most common tricky conversations.
The ‘we’re exclusive’ conversation
When deciding on the exclusivity of a particular relationship, it’s better to observe the actions of that individual first rather than have a talk about it. After all, many people can tell you what you want to hear and therefore the exclusivity discussion may be useless if the partner’s behavior doesn’t indicate a certain level of commitment. Here are some of the signs to look for when a person wants to demonstrate exclusivity:
- Begins to disclose personal information about himself and his family
- Spends most of his time with you, even some week nights
- Introduces you to friends and some family members
- Shows interest about making future plans like traveling together
- Doesn’t hide, switch off, or put his phone on silent when around you
- Most of the time answers his phone when you’re not together
- He shows interest in your life and provides support during stressful/difficult times, not just there during fun times
The ‘marriage conversation’
The only man who gets scared off is the man who doesn’t want to get married. If both partners are on the same track with a shared understanding of their present and future expectations, the marriage chat is simply a natural evolution in the relationship. Sometimes, men might have certain fears about taking the big step and those anxieties are likely to be expressed if you have indirect general conversations about marriage. For example, he might say, ‘I don’t know why Mike is getting married, his finance is going to change right after the wedding and then they’ll be miserable!’ Therefore through these general conversations, you can uncover what he might be worried about which is stopping him from proposing.
The ‘baby’ conversation
It is best to discuss this issue before marriage to have at least some measure of how an individual feels about becoming a parent. At times, the person may be adamantly against it and hoping that they will change their mind after marriage can only lead to frustration, sadness and mistrust. Otherwise, when all other variables seem favourable, such as finances, living arrangements, health, age, quality of the relationship, the discussion should be raised in a realistic manner, highlighting all the changes, both good and challenging.

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Don't Puzzle to Chatting with Girls

Whether it’s in a bar or on a dating website, we’ve all been on the receiving end of a dubious chat up line. Although it may not be the best way to get your phone number, they certainly grab your attention (think Tom Cruise in Top Gun). We’ve rounded up a few of the worst opening lines on the dating scene.
1. “Wow. You’ve got beautiful eyes.”
This is the ultimate cliché because EVERYONE’s got nice eyes. It’s like those dating profile profiles that say: “I love sunny days. I’m easygoing. I enjoy ingesting food sources and converting them to energy.” Alright, admitting you like weaving baskets or dressing up as a badger on Saturday nights might be an over share, but a spark of originality wouldn’t go a miss. The same applies to chat up lines. If ‘beautiful eyes’ was on a high school exam this man would get ‘must try harder’ scrawled in the margin.
What to do: Close your eyes and keep them closed until he goes away. (OR just thinks you’re crazy…)
2. “What’s a pretty girl like you doing in here?”
Probably the exact same thing as everyone else. Enjoying a drink, having an evening meal with friends or dancing in a nightclub. It’s not as though pretty women are different species.
What to do: Say “Sorry you’re right, I’m in the wrong place. I must have confused this bar with my fairy castle.”
3. Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?
The man who made this up would get credit for originality, but now it’s been so overused that the cheese factor just makes it tacky. Whatever happened to “Hi my name’s Dave it’s nice to meet you?”
What to do: Say yes. Try to convince him you genuinely believe you’re an angel. Eventually he’ll get freaked out and leave you alone.
4. Staring
When a man stares at a girl across the room it gives her the impression he’s recently escaped from a high security mental institute. He might think he’s doing some sexy Patrick Swayze inspired ‘Hungry Eyes’ thing but it comes across more Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho than Dirty Dancing the musical.
What to do: Ask if he’d like a photograph.
5. I’ve lost my phone number, can I have yours?
Another graduate from the school of cheese, this guy needs to be given a wide berth. (Or be visiting a phone shop.)
What to do: Give him a fake number.
6. “You’re sort of cute, can I have your number?”
Almost worse than the exaggerated compliments,this chat up line equivalent of ordering pasta in a restaurant when you really wanted steak. Even if you went on a date, you wouldn’t believe he really liked you.
What to do: Tell him you admire his pulling efforts. Hopefully he’ll get the message.

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Are You Accept "Bilawal-Khar Marriage"

 Pakistan Army has denied the allegation of Indian and British Newspaper Daily Telegraph which alleges Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for running a defamation campaign through a Bangladeshi tabloid “Blitz weekly” against Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman, these allegations are absurd and baseless. “The ISI has nothing to do with this defamation campaign and neither any problem exists between the foreign minister and the Agency”.

It is handiwork of those who want to weaken the state by creating misunderstanding between various institutions. It is not something new because such people have been fabricating misleading and impish stories in the past as well.

The Newspaper needs to behave more responsibly and confirm veracity of information from respective entities before printing such malicious stories.

Spokesman termed the effort involving the agencies as rubbish and part of a propaganda campaign, and said that we reserve the rights to take legal action on such anonymous reports without quoting any names and sources. SAMAA

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10 Getaways You Will Both Enjoy

Taking a vacation with your significant other can improve your relationship and help to create and preserve positive memories but planning a trip you will both equally enjoy is not always an easy task. Here are 10 destinations that are likely to be a hit for you and your partner.
1. Fairmont Le Château - Montebello, Quebec
World famous for its breathtaking scenery and climate timely for all four seasons, Fairmont Le Château Montebello, is an elegant log resort that offers seasonal attractions including horseback riding, golfing, outdoor tennis, swimming, cross-country skiing, curling, dogsledding, tubing, and – last but certainly not least – Canada’s only Land Rover Experience Driving School. Unadventurous men and women need not apply.
2. Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort Spa - Palm Springs, California
The JW Marriott Resort is nestled in the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains and comes with a brilliant desert landscape. Despite the impressive and inviting outdoors surrounding the resort, the elegantly appointed guest accommodations combined with luxurious amenities may persuade you to stay put and enjoy the great indoors. Dine at the sushi bar and Lake View restaurant. Outdoors you may want to try your hand out at Golf (something Palm Springs is known for).
3. Disney World - Orlando, Florida
Hold her tight inside the Haunted Mansion or strolling outside the magical castle. Trot the globe together in a matter of minutes; 'It’s A Small World' takes you through each country and their enchanting cultures. After stirring up an appetite try the World Showcase. EPCOT's bevy of countries promises fireworks and a light show. Dance or laugh the night away at Pleasure Island, watch a game at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex or take in Cirque du Soleil at La Nouba. There is a plethora of options right at your fingertips to ensure romantic success.
4. Kanantik Reef Jungle Resort - Belize, the Caribbean
As the biggest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere and the world’s second longest, the Belize coast is a favourite diving spot that extends from one end of the country to the other. Indulge in some sensual discretion at a resort which provides a remote, secluded space (no access to phones or television). At Kanantik Reef and Jungle Resort, the Caribbean and the rain forest intersect in an intimate, private, luxurious beachfront location. With only 25 thatched-roof cabanas situated in lush tropical gardens and fronting a sandy beach, Kanantik provides a truly authentic and relaxing tropical beach and jungle holiday. With some of Belize’s finest scuba diving, wildlife, jungle sights, and activities at your doorstep, you will surely find it to be the Belize of both of your dreams.
5. Wairakei Terraces - Taupo, New Zealand
Built as a tribute to the original Pink and White Terraces (branded as the 8th Wonder of the World) that were buried forever when Mount Tarawera erupted in 1886, the Wairakei Terraces are a manmade creation of cascading silica terraces in blues, pinks and whites, fed by the steaming multi-hued waters of the Alum lakes that, in turn, have been created by a spectacular manmade geyser of superheated waters. At Wairakei you can experience the blue pools, heated ‘Te Kiri o Hinekai’ Stream, Honeymoon Pool (worshipped for its therapeutic and healing powers), red mud pools, a geyser, and a Maori carving house showcasing carvers at work. The Bayview Wairakei Resort is the most expansive international 4-star resort in the central North Island and the Pavilion Restaurant cooks only the best New Zealand meats and seafood. The terraces of Wairakei serve as the perfect outdoor excursion for men and women looking to try something new and different.
6. McGregor Mountain Lodge - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Old upheavals, volcanic eruptions, and glacial scouring sliced and sculpted timeless splendour into this multi-dimensional gem. Rocky Mountain National Park most conveniently resides amidst Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forests, and Colorado State Forest. McGregor Mountain Lodge was built four miles from downtown Estes Park, Colorado and one half mile from the Fall River Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Staying at this lodge, you won’t need to go far for hundreds of miles of hiking trails and only a mere five minutes to exhilarating shops, restaurants, and other attractions in Estes Park. No matter what time of year, you can expect nothing less than world class hiking, climbing, snowshoeing, fishing, mountaineering, boating, horseback riding and more. This is the ultimate destination for nature-lovers alike.
7. Bellagio Hotel - Las Vegas, Nevada
For the big spenders, Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas is the place to be. Ogle the Strip fronting this luscious resort where thousands of fountains orchestrate a thirst-quenching aquatic ballet in sync with music and lighting. Several luscious trees wave on the grounds, and the red-tile roofs lining the Mediterranean-blue Lake’s edge resemble those in Tuscany. The inside is just as impressive, from the lobby's ceiling sculpture of hand-blown multicoloured glass to the various guestrooms and suites that display an all-encompassing view of the lake and surrounding mountains. The Bellagio is a ‘pull-out-all-the-stops’ destination where you can dress to impress and sweep her off her feet!
8. Molokai Resort – Molokai, Hawaii
Located on Kamiloloa Beach, the oceanfront Molokai resort is designed like a conventional Polynesian village including Hawaiian cuisine and nightly entertainment, establishing a genuinely Hawaiian island experience. Couples may also enjoy relaxing in the freshwater pool, swinging in a hammock or soaking in the peacefulness of the outdoors in the tropical garden which boasts swaying palm trees and colourful flowers. Hike to remote waterfalls, kayak secluded rocky coastlines, and ride donkeys into the lush valleys, or just laze beachside in order to truly relax with your partner.
9. Hotel Villa Cipriani - Veneto, Italy
If you both share a passion for romance and historical architecture, you won’t have a hard time making yourself home in Venice. Veneto is home to Romeo Juliet; no surprise it’s considered one of the most passionate and magical cities in the world. At Hotel Villa Cipriani, the Villa lies parallel to a meticulous garden, at the heart of which is an ancient well, surrounded by shady pomegranate trees. The garden of the Hotel engages in seasonal metamorphoses and can be viewed from one of 31 rooms separated between the Villa and the 'House in the Garden'. Each room is fully decorated with antiques, exposed beams, bedcovers in pastel shades, fruit and flowers. The Villa has seen the likes of many celebrities and even royalty, but celebrity or not, privacy is always ensured.
10. The Westin Trillium House - Blue Mountain, Ontario
The Westin Trillium House in Blue Mountain renders as a striking mountain resort inserted between the Georgian Bay and the Niagara Escarpment. Only two hours northwest of Toronto, it is located in the new Village at Blue, a pedestrian community of shops, restaurants, and activities just moments away from the province’s most popular skiing and snowboarding. Don’t forget to stop by the Plunge, the year round aquatic center providing indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, rope swings, and slides. The mountain resort’s rooms revel in their trademark Heavenly Bed (great for sleeping or, even better, for staying awake with your partner) and the rejuvenating Heavenly Bath which is enjoyable for both men and women.

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Change Your Old Rs500 Notes

KARACHI: Monday, 1st October is the last date for change of old design big size note of Rs500 from State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) s field offices as well as from all branches of the commercial banks, Geo News reported.Following the expiry of this deadline, SBP would not be liable to change this note to any person or bank or for the payment of any amount in exchange of it, said a handout issued here by SBP. SBP has once again advised the public to get the old design big size Rs500 note changed by Monday, 1st of October within banking hours from SBP field offices and over 10,000 branches of the commercial banks across the country.

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Imran admits PTI popularity dropped %10

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Saturday admitted that his party s popularity has witnessed a decline of 10 percent.Talking to media persons following his meeting with Baloch leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal here, Imran Khan did not accept the figures of a recent survey report which said PTI s popularity had dropped by 22 percent. However, he admitted that his party s popularity did go down but only by 10 percent.The PTI Chief maintained that these voters did not turn in favor of some other party and that his party would soon be able to reverse this trend.He said the ruling Pakistan People s Party has also gone down.

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Facebook Welcomes Back Gifts

Two years after its last attempt failed, Facebook is giving Gifts another shot. The ability to buy and send real gifts to your friends will gradually roll out to Facebook users in the U.S.
Facebook closed its “Gift Shop” in August 2010, in favor of focusing on Photos, News Feed, Inbox, games, comments, the Like button and the Wall.

At the time, it seemed that Gifts just wasn’t popular enough to be in Facebook’s list of priorities. But now the social network is ready for a new revenue stream.
You’ll know if you have the ability to send a gift by looking for the “gifts” tab — a little present box with a red bow alongside photo and post tags, or next to the person’s name if it’s their birthday.

Then you choose a gift, and opt to pay now or later. You can keep your gifting private or share the news on your Timeline. You can also send a card along with the gift. Your Facebook friend will be notified about the gift just as they would be if you wrote them a message — via their phone, email or Facebook page.
They can view the gift even before it arrives in their mailbox. The receiver confirms the gift and confirms their address of where the gift will ship.
15 Geektastic Gifts for Baby Nerds Facebook said it has hundreds of gifts to chose from, with more added daily. Gifts include cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, a stuffed animal from Gund, or a digital gift card from Starbucks.
What do you think about Facebook Gift? Is this something you will use? Tell us in the comments.

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Behind the Social Media Campaigns of Obama and Romney

With about five weeks left until the 2012 presidential election, both Democrats and Republicans are kicking their campaigns into high gear.
As more potential voters turn to the Internet to stay connected — and less are catching political TV spots — the need to leverage social media to hit respective audiences has never been greater. But the payoff could be huge for either party.
The force behind the campaign for Republican candidate Mitt Romney includes a digital rapid response department that works alongside the communications team at its Boston headquarters. Romney’s digital director, Zac Moffatt — who oversees all social media initiatives, as well as email and text message marketing, website and online advertising and mobile strategy — says the campaign is getting ready to ramp up efforts in the days leading up to the election, and social media will play a big part in that.
“There is a higher level of expectation for speed than in past elections for getting information out, and the campaigns have to be that much faster, whether it’s through mobile or social media sites such as Google+, Facebook and Twitter,” Moffatt said. “The Internet is a powerful thing, and not everyone is watching TV spots anymore, so we’re trying to use the web to our advantage the best way we can.”
To manage the flow, the team went from 14 staffers in the primaries to about 120 people. The campaign keeps an eye on social media sentiment and what people are saying, from voters to journalists. About 6 million people are already connecting to Romney’s campaign on social media sites.

“We are always monitoring the online audience, but it’s hard to measure success right now,” he said. “There are about six million people connected to the campaign on social media sites right now, and we know people are engaged. We need to keep that engagement thriving.”
To do so, Moffatt said the team is about to work even harder in the days leading up to the debates and Election Day.
His day begins at about 7 a.m. with a series of conference calls and meetings that conclude around 9 a.m. The meetings don’t pick up again until about 11 a.m. across different states and departments, and then momentum builds throughout the day as projects in need of approval pour in. On a good day, things wrap around 8 p.m.
SEE ALSO: Romney Digital Director: Obama Running Facebook ‘Like It’s 2008′ “There have been a lot of really late nights,” Moffatt said, adding that he’s relied on Diet Coke to make it through the sleepiest of times. “Fortunately, I don’t have to travel that much — it’s far more time-efficient not to travel and just get work done at the office. Plus, I have a young daughter at home, so I like to be as close as possible to my family.”
Moffatt said his team has become especially close throughout the entire process, noting that many even went to his wedding: “When you spend so much time doing what you do for work, it’s important to have the right people around you,” he said.
As time rolls closer to Election Day, millions of people will start to visit the website in the next 30 days, coupled with the 6 million people already engaging on Facebook and Twitter, so the team is about to ramp up efforts now more than ever.
“When we get into the final stage, we will work with state teams for volunteers who do door-knocking and boast up our online strategy about eight times more,” Moffatt said. “We are moving into a phase of mobilization where every day is important.”
But after the election, Moffatt has just one thing on his mind: “Sleep,” he said. “I also want to spend more time with my young daughter and my wife.”

Meanwhile, President Obama’s team is also keeping social media top of mind throughout the campaign. Not only is it leveraging his more than 20 million Twitter followers and nearly 29 million Facebook fans — significantly more than Romney’s social media presence — by sending out registration information and statements about Obama’s views, they are also posting articles, tweeting facts about Romney’s stances and using it as a platform to respond quickly when needed.
“As we push through the few weeks of this election, social media is one important way we can keep a conversation going with our supporters and undecided voters across the country about the clear choice Americans face in this election — between the President’s plan to keep moving forward with an economy built on a strong middle class, and Mitt Romney’s plan to go back to the same failed policies of the past,” Obama spokesperson Adam Fetcher told Mashable.
Those behind Obama’s social media strategy are clearly sharp and quick, too: It didn’t take long for Obama to react to Clint Eastwood’s “Invisible Obama” routine, which took place at the 2012 Republican National Convention last month and became a meme that spread like wildfire across the Internet.
Obama tweeted a picture — sent from the @BarackObama account, run by his campaign — of him sitting in a chair marked “the President.” His caption: “This seat’s taken.” Many applauded the campaign’s use of social media to respond quickly to what was happening.

This seat’s taken. OFA.BO/c2gbfi, twitter.com/BarackObama/st…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 31, 2012

In addition, Obama received national attention for participating in an “Ask Me Anything” Q&A session on popular site Reddit. It marked a key moment for the blending of politics and Internet culture, with more than 200,000 users viewing the session at one time.
Social media is also being blended into other strategies, including mobile. The campaign is using a Dashboard tool for supporters and volunteers, so they can get all of the necessary information to become engaged with the campaign, both online and offline. For example, volunteers making calls through the Dashboard tool can have results uploaded in real time to the exact same system used in the field offices. This eliminates duplication and redundancy, and volunteers can share their progress with others on Facebook and Twitter along the way.

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Make Restaurant Reservations via Foursquare

See a restaurant you like on Foursquare? Instead of adding it to your to-do list, you can now make a reservation directly through Foursquare’s mobile apps.
Foursquare has partnered with OpenTable to provide the service. It won’t work with every restaurant — just the 25,000 that allow online booking through OpenTable. Qualifying restaurants will have a “Make Reservation” button on their Foursquare pages.
The location-based app has been offering this service on its website since May.
The experience is seamless. Other integrations with OpenTable, like Stamped’s, don’t allow for in-app booking, instead sending you to OpenTable.com in your mobile browser to make a reservation.
Foursquare will presumably receive a small commission for every booking made through its app. It enlarges a new revenue stream for the not-yet-profitable startup, which continues to rely primarily on advertising for income. A Foursquare spokesperson declined to disclose the terms of the deal.

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1000 Years of the Tower of London on Facebook

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Google Docs to Drop

This week, Google announced through a very short update to its official Google Apps update feed that Google Docs will be dropping export support for older Microsoft Office formats.
As of October 1st, Google plans to eliminate the ability for Google Docs users to export their documents in Office 1997-2003 formats. Specifically, users will no longer be able to export their Google Docs documents in .doc, .xls, or .ppt formats. This applies to both Google Apps and Google Apps for Business, Government, and Education.
Users will still be able to use newer Microsoft Office .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files, as well as a plethora of other XML formats, including the .odf OpenOffice format.
Users who use versions of Microsoft Office from Office 2003 and later should see no trouble in adapting to the change. On the other hand, users who still use .doc and other antiquated Office files on a regular basis could run into trouble. Considering the amount of people who still use very old versions of Microsoft Office, those who prepare documents through Google Docs would be well-served to check with the people they send their files to and make sure they are able to access them.
Though pulling support for a feature that already exists and works is odd, it is an indication that Google is on-board with the push toward XML and other more open formats. The change might just be the push that some businesses and governments need to update their productivity software.

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SBA Web Chat Series

First of Four Web Chats is Thursday, October 4, at 3 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Are you a woman who is ready to start or expand a small business? Now's a good time to take that first step, with help from a U.S. Small Business Administration series of four web chats during October, which is also National Women's Small Business Month.   

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110909/DC65875LOGO)

Each week in October, SBA's web chat series will feature experts who will give advice to women on how to put together business plans, navigate the challenges of entering competitive markets, and establish the foundation for a successful, profitable enterprise.

Here's a list of the web chats, and the corresponding links:

Oct. 4, 3 p.m. ET:  "Starting and Growing Your Business" with Erin Andrew, of SBA's Office of Entrepreneurial Development.  Participants can join the live web chat, and also post questions beforehand by visiting www.sba.gov, and clicking on the web chat event under "What's New."

Oct. 11, 4 p.m. ET "Finding Capital" with Jeanne Hulit, Associate Administrator, Office of Capital Access
http://web.sba.gov/livemeeting/public/dsp_meeting_view.cfm?meetngid=184

Oct. 16, 3 p.m. ET " Contracting with the Federal Government" with John Shoraka, Associate Administrator, Office of Government Contracting and Business Development
http://web.sba.gov/livemeeting/public/dsp_meeting_view.cfm?meetngid=185

Oct. 25, 2 p.m. ET " Business Opportunities for Young Women" with Ana Harvey, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women's Business Ownership
http://web.sba.gov/livemeeting/public/dsp_meeting_view.cfm?meetngid=186

To see archived web chats, visit http://www.sba.gov/content/monthly-web-chat.

Contact:  Cecelia Taylor (202) 401-3059

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

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