Toronto International Film Festival Winners

TrendPK.com: And this year’s 2011 winners of the Toronto International Film Festival are:

Cadillac People’s Choice Awards
As voted by Festival attendees:

Cadillac People’s Choice Award
Nadine Labaki for Where Do We Go Now?

Cadillac People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award
Gareth Evans for The Raid

Cadillac People’s Choice Documentary Award
Jon Shenk for The Island President

Canadian Awards
As voted by the Canadian Film Jury

City of Toronto Award for Best Canadian Feature
Philppe Falardeau for Monsieur Lazhar

Skyy Vodka Award for Best Canadian First Feature Film Nathan Morlando for Edwin Boyd

Award for Best Canadian Short Film
Ian Harnarine for Doubles With Slight Pepper

The International Film Critics’ Awards

The International Federation of Film Critics Awards Prize Discovery
Axel Petersén for Avalon

The International Federation of Film Critics Awards Prize Special Presentation
Gianni Amelio for The First Man

On the India-Pakistan border, a cold peace

SURATGARH: It has been nearly eight years since India and Pakistan agreed a ceasefire over

Kashmir – long enough for residents to start building brick houses and plant paddy fields up to the edge of one of the world’s most heavily militarized borders.

US scientists express concern over Pak nuclear assets

According to the Federation of American Scientists report, Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are at greater risk due to the emergence of powerful militant groups with links to the country’s security services.

The report said that many western quarters firmly believe that militants are capable to reach Pakistan nuclear assets.

The report was supposed to be brought out at the end of the year but it was released earlier in the wake of Osama Bin Laden’s killing and the ongoing concerns about Pakistan’s alleged links with terrorist organisations targeting the US interests.

‘Ali Baba 40 thieves joined govt to rob country: Shahbaz

Talking to the media, the chief minister said that the Ali Baba 40 thieves are now planning to grab billions of rupees of EOBI, adding that accused of NICL, Punjab Bank, rental power and Hajj scandals were also active now. He stated that no corruption would be tolerated in the Punjab. He stated that PM Gilani and Raza Rabbani wanted to transfer ministries to the provinces but some non-democratic elements were creating hurdles.

He said that the federation owe Rs 70 billion to the provinces.

The CM also test-drove the vehicles to be provided under the yellow cab scheme. He selected green colour for the scheme cabs. Shahbaz also directed the representative of the company to improve the quality of the vehicles.

India hopes for grand F1 finale

CHENNAI: India’s top drivers said on Monday they were upbeat about the country holding a spectacular inaugural Grand Prix to complete the 2011 Formula One season after the race was pushed back to December.

The sport’s governing body, the FIA, unanimously voted last week to reschedule the Bahrain race, which was cancelled in March due to civil unrest in the Gulf state.

The Bahrain GP will now be held on October 30, the original slot for the Indian GP which will now be the season-closing finale on December 11.

The Indian race is set to be staged at a new $350 million 5.14-kilometre (3.2-mile) circuit designed by renowned German architect Hermann Tilke in Greater Noida on the outskirts of New Delhi.

Karun Chandhok, a Team Lotus reserve driver, said the decision to postpone India’s race provided an opportunity to put together a show worthy of a season climax.

“On one hand it is tough for the people in the teams as this extends the championship and gives them very little time before the next season,” he said in a statement.

“But on the other hand it will be an honour for our entire nation to host the season finale in the inaugural year of the Indian GP.”

Chandhok is hopeful of getting a one-off race seat ahead of regulars Jarno Trulli or Heikki Kovalainen after being limited to practice duties this season.

Hispania Racing Team driver Narain Karthikeyan, from Chennai, said the cool weather conditions in December could have a bearing on the race.

“The one concern is the morning fog. That could make things a little more testing,” said Karthikeyan, 34. “But to host the season finale is very prestigious.”

Karthikeyan, making a comeback to the F1 circuit after six years, is looking forward to driving before home fans although Hispania are struggling at the bottom of the table.

The under-construction circuit is part of an ambitious 1,000-hectare (2,500-acre) sports complex being built by the Jaypee group, a fast-rising business conglomerate run by the Gaur family.

The race will be followed by the FIA General Assembly and the prize-giving gala.

Vicky Chandhok, president of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), said it would be challenge to rework planning for the event.

“By rescheduling the race, we now have to address logistical issues such as hotel re-booking and flight tickets. But we are ready to put up a great show,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity to prove what India’s capable of.” AGENCIES

Tsunami may wash over Pacific islands: Red Cross

GENEVA: The tsunami set off by Japan’s major earthquake is currently higher than some Pacific islands which it could wash over, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Friday.

“Our biggest concern is the Asia and Pacific region, where developing countries are far more vulnerable to this type of unfolding disaster. The tsunami is a major threat,” Paul Conneally, spokesman for the Federation, the world”s biggest disaster relief network, said in Geneva.

“At the moment, it is higher than some islands and could go right over them,” he said.

The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire.

IHC becomes operational today

Islamabad High Court (IHC) would become functional on Monday (today), however, the hearing would not be resumed because so far judges have not been appointed.

In April, the government has ordered revival of the IHC in the light of the 18th Constitutional Amendment. The high court will start functioning after appointment of judges. Law Minister Babar Awan said that the chief justice and judges of the IHC would be appointed from all units of the federation. Three judges for the IHC including the Chief Justice have been nominated, however the parliamentary committee would likely to notify more judges. The SC last year declared the Islamabad High Court as illegal, saying it had been established under the Provisional Constitutional Order imposed by former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf of Nov 3, 2007. In its July 31 judgment, the apex court had struck down the order of establishment of the IHC and reverted the judicial system to the status of Nov 2, 2007. All the judges who were part of the judiciary on Nov 2, 2007, had been ordered to return to original courts. All judges who were not part of the judiciary had been ordered to cease acting as judges. The IHC employees had been ordered back to their original positions or to the federal surplus pool. The Supreme Court, under Justice Hameed Dogar, had decided in favour of the establishment of IHC. But its creation was delayed because of a stay order issued by the Lahore High Court after its establishment was challenged. The IHC was to start functioning in Feb 2008.

Pak. hockey team honored by CM Punjab

Staff Report

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has given a reception, in honor to the gold medal winning Pakistan hockey team in Asian Games, in the Chief Minister House on Sunday.

CM Shahbaz welcomed the hockey players led by the captain Zeeshan Ashraf. All the players were wearing gold medals in the reception.

The president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Qasim Zia and others were also present in the reception. Trend Pk

Hockey not included in National Games

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Hockey is Pakistan’s national game but this time it has not been included in the National Games therefore the Sports Minister Eijaz Jakhrani has taken the notice and has asked the Pakistan Olympic Association to explain immediately.

The spokespersons of the Sports Minister said that Eijaz Jakhrani was not happy over the issue.

On the other hand, Asif Bajwa, the Secretary of Pakistan Hockey Federation, told Trend Pk that such attitude with the national game was pathetic.

The National Games are being started from 25 to 31 December in Peshawar. Trend Pk

Transport operators threaten fare raise

Staff Report

KARACHI: Threatening to raise fares, transport operators across the country demanded an immediate withdrawal of the fresh hike in prices of petroleum products.

The Muttahiada Transport Federation Punjab (PTFP) and Twin City Transport Union called an urgent meeting of all transport unions.

The meeting is expected to announce raise in transport fares.

Similarly, Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI) President Irshah Bokhari also called a meeting to decide future line of action in the wake of new petroleum prices.

The KTI has also requested the government to reconsider the raise.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) announced new prices of petroleum products late on Sunday.

The new petrol price is Rs. 72.96 with an increase of Rs 5.97 per liter; with an increase of Rs. 4.51, the new price of high speed diesel

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