Pakistan beats Zimbabwe by 5 runs in 2nd T20

Pakistan completed a clean sweep of Zimbabwe in all three formats of the game, with a victory in the second Twenty20 in an exciting, last-ball finish in Harare. Zimbabwe s chase – thanks to controlled bowling from Pakistan – did not have any momentum until the final over, when Tatenda Taibu attacked.

With 20 runs required off six balls, Taibu smacked the first delivery for a six over long-on to set the tone for a fighting finish. His feisty running ensured two runs off each of the next four deliveries and left him with six to get off the last ball. Sohail Khan held his nerve and bowled a low, full toss wide outside off stump.

Taibu had backed away to the leg side and was not even able to play a shot. It brought an anti-climatic end to a chase that Zimbabwe allowed to get too big for them, when it should not have.

Jermaine Jackson denies father’s abuse

TrendPK.com: There’s not much fact in Jermaine Jackson‘s newest attempt to cash in on his late brother Michael. His book, “You Are Not Alone,” reads like a compendium of fictions and half-truths to anyone who’s reported anything about Michael Jackson over the last 20 years. It’s so far from reality that Jermaine defends his father while citing his abuse; still argues that Michael’s kids are his biologically; and basically excises the people closest to Michael like his personal assistant Evvy Tavasci and surrogate family, the Cascios.

This is largely because Michael didn’t have much to do with Jermaine after his 1991 recording, called “Word to the Badd.” Jermaine was jettisoned from Michael’s life. And yet, the older brother would continue to try and get back into Michael’s inner circle, playing on his vulnerabilities.

“You Are Not Alone” contains at least one anti-Semitic reference and is full of inaccuracies. It’s hard to believe, really, that a reputable publisher (Simon & Schuster) did no fact checking on “You Are Not Alone.” The anti-Semitic part is not a surprise. Jermaine is happy to go into details of his life as a Muslim, his following of Louis Farrakhan, and his introduction of the Nation of Islam into Michael’s life. Ironically, it’s NOI bodyguards who don’t let Jermaine in to see Michael in Las Vegas.

Coffee addiction ‘in your genes’

Coffee buffs, you can now blame your genes for downing another cup of the hot beverage, for a new study has claimed that genetic factors could explain why some people consume large amounts of caffeine.

Researchers scanned genetic variations in over 40,000 individuals to search for links with high caffeine intake. And they found two stretches of DNA associated with high intake of tea, coffee, chocolate, softdrinks and other caffeine sources.

Study author Dr Neil Caporaso of the National Cancer Institute in Maryland, said people with the high consumption genetic variation consume more caffeine — about 40 mg – or a third of a cup of coffee or a can of cola — than others.

“There are hundreds of genes known for specific medical conditions – for dietary consumption we know very little. Now, for the first time, we know specific genes that influence the amount of caffeine that individuals consume,” he was quoted as saying by the  BBC .

The two stretches of DNA linked with high caffeine consumption contain two genes thought highly likely to be involved in the way the body processes caffeine.

The study s co-author, Dr Marilyn Cornelis of the Harvard School of Public Health, said there has always been some anecdotal evidence that everyone responds differently to caffeine, but most research has focused on environmental factors. “For caffeine at last we have been able to find some genetic factors.”

US hikers will not be released: Iran

Press TV on Wednesday said two Americans arrested two years ago while hiking in Iran will not be released. Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal were sentenced in Iran last month to eight years in prison.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told U.S. media on Tuesday (September 13) that they would be freed “in a couple of days,” in what he called a humanitarian gesture shortly before he travels to the United Nations. The judiciary on Wednesday said Bauer and Fattal s release on bail was under review.

The lawyer for the two Americans said on Tuesday they would be released on 500,000 U.S. Dollars (USD) bail each.

The pair were arrested in July 2009 near Iran s border with Iraq, where they say they were hiking in the mountains as tourists, along with a third American, Sarah Shourd.

Washington has denied they were spies. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was encouraged by Ahmadinejad s remarks.

Soha Ali Khan and Sharmila Tagore to endorse Kohinoor Basmati rice?

We have seen this ‘clan-ing’ happen in the earlier times too. At first it was the trio of Hema Malini, Ahana Deo and Esha Deol endorsing Kent water purifiers. Then, it was the father-son duo of Abhishek Bachchan and Big B in the Maruti Versa commercial, and recently, it was the Gen-Next heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor with papa Rishi Kapoor in the Pepsi ad!

Well, the latest ones to join the ‘brandwagon’ is Soha Ali Khan and Sharmila Tagore, who, according to News Trends’s sources, are now all set to endorse Kohinoor Basmati rice.

The official announcement of the same is being awaited.

Karachi: Brotherhood Week from September 21

A meeting was held un Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister Rehman Malik at the Chief Minister House in Karachi which was also attended by Sindh Home minister Manzoor Wasan and higher officials of law enforcement agencies. It was decided in the meeting that ‘Brotherhood Week’ will be observed from September 21 to restore law and order and peace in Karachi.

It was also decided in the meeting that as per Supreme Court instructions, all the arrested target killers will be brought before public. Talking during the meeting, Rehman Malik vowed to continue indiscriminate action against criminals.

Salman’s plate full for next two years

Putting all rumours to rest, it has now been confirmed by Salman himself that after Ek Tha Tiger, the only new films that he would be doing are Dabangg 2, Sher Khan and Kick. While the first two are home productions and would be made by brothers Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan, Kick would be with Sajid Nadiadwala who is a close friend.

“With so much happening in quick succession, it is bound to keep him overtly occupied. Also don’t forget that at least two out of these four films would require extensive travel. While Ek Tha Tiger is being shot across four-five countries in different parts of the world, Kick would be shot entirely in South Korea. Where is the time for him to accommodate any other film in the interim”, a close associate questions.

Salman has denied picking up other new film in the interim since his plate is already full for next two years at the least with commitments made to aforementioned filmmakers. This pretty much makes one wonder when he would do his next with David Dhawan, Anees Bazmee and Sooraj Barjatya – three filmmakers who were supposed to be looking at Salman green lighting their next projects.

“Salman wants to do Partner 2 with Dhawan but they are struggling to get the right script. As for Bazmee, he has to come up with something interesting for No Entry Mein Entry. Sooraj’s next with Salman is more of hearsay as nothing concrete is being developed yet”, a source adds.

With Salman talking about these films at the least, these filmmakers can still look at this positively and hope that at least in 2013 there would be something in store for them. Now whether it would be David Dhawan, Anees Bazmee or Sooraj Barjatya, who would win the race is something that only time would tell.

Shahbaz laments hurdles in way of democracy

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, while addressing the closing ceremony of International Judicial Conference at Lahore, said that justice cannot provided without elimination of gap between rich and poor. He said that there is need of accountability of judges and bureaucrats just like politicians.

The chief minister said that institutions in India are stronger than Pakistan. He said that hurdles are created in way of smoothly run democracy and it is the main reason that people again prefer dictatorship.

Shahbaz Sharif blamed that former president Pervez Musharraf accepted foreign aid to massacre Pakistanis.

Police recovers 1500 ID cards from nullah

According to police, they have found the 1500 ID cards from a nullah at Mawach Goth and started cleansing them.

An unknown man escaped after throwing these cards in the nullah. Some of them are original while the remaining are coloured copies, police officials said. Area police have called the NADRA team at police station to probe into matter. Further investigation is underway to trace out the conspiracy.

Police recovered more than 1500 Identity Cards from a nullah and started investigation.

Afghan suicide attacker wounds 50 American soldiers: US Army

JALALABAD: A suicide bomber driving a truck attacked an advance NATO combat post in central Afghanistan, wounding 89 people including 50 American soldiers, the United States Army said Sunday.

The Taliban claimed responsibility on their Internet site for Saturday’s attack, news of which came as the world marked the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that killed almost 3,000 people in the United States.

US Army spokesman Major David Eastburn said: “It happened at 5:15 pm on Saturday.

“It detonated near the entrypoint at a combat outpost, resulting in 89 wounded in action and a 20-foot hole in the wall.”

NATO’s International Security Assistance Force said in a statement: “A Taliban suicide bomber detonated a large vehicle-borne improvised explosive device at the entrance of Combat Outpost Sayed Abad, Wardak province, yesterday (Saturday).”

Eastburn said 50 American soldiers were among the injured. AGENCIES

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