FIFA unveils 2018 World Cup emblem in Moscow

As World Cup 2014 buzz fades, Fifa gave football fans something to be excited about by unveiling the official emblem of the 2018 Fifa World Cup scheduled to take place in Russia, the official Fifa website reported.

Fifa President Blatter, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee Vitaly Mutko and captain of Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning side Fabio Cannavaro joined presenter Ivan Urgant for the occasion.

“The launch of the Emblem is a wonderful event to kick things off and I’m certain that the World Cup will be a success here in four years,” said Blatter.

The unveiling of the emblem was an extraordinary event which included three Russain astronauts revealing it from their space capsule in the Russian space station, “and subsequently the visual icon for the 2018 World Cup in Russia was brought into the television studio to rapturous applause.”

In an attempt to make the launch more grandiose, the emblem was projected on the historic Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

With over three years to go kick-off of the tournament, the launch of the emblem has reignited the buzz surrounding the most anticipated footballing event.

Speaking about the design element behind the emblem, Miguel Viana, chief creative officer of Brandia central told Design Week: “apart from our own preconceptions, we dug really deep into russia’s identity. all of the research corroborated the idea that russia is the land of magic. a centuries-old culture, a fairytale-like architecture, the soul of its people, known by its determination and by the achievements that follow.”

The evening show Urgant Night Show was specially renamed Late Night Mundial and was converted into a stadium for the unveiling of the emblem.

“The band Fruits dressed in the shirts of the eight World Cup winning nations to date, formed a worthy backdrop to proceedings,” Fifa reported.

Agenda setting: PM orders curriculum overhaul for schools

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to make amendments in the curriculum of compulsory subjects, such as Pakistan Studies, English and Urdu, of all schools, colleges and universities, after due consultation and approval of the provincial governments.

According to a hand-out issued by PM Office on Thursday, the proposed amendments will include chapters aimed at promoting the appreciation of the constitutional democracy for the country’s progress. It will also include merits of pluralism in international and national context.

The new curriculum will strengthen the knowledge base of students to counter misunderstandings surrounding constitutional democracy, the statement claims.

“It will also help to enhance appreciation of modes of accountability like judicial oversight, media, freedom of speech, right to information and elections,” it stated.

To achieve these objectives, the PM Office has directed the HEC to coordinate with academics, universities and publishers to develop, within two months, grade-appropriate material.

This content will include fables, essays, speeches, teaching guides, extra-curricular activities, examinations and other relevant interventions, for all classes from the earliest years to the university level. The curriculum is for both public and private institutions.

PM announces reduction in petrol prices by Rs9.43

ISLAMABAD: Petrol prices have been reduced by 9.43 rupees per litre to provide relief to public, the prime minister announced on Friday while addressing the special meeting of Cabinet in Islamabad.

The prime minister said the government is drastically reducing petroleum prices despite sit-ins and protests causing huge losses to the national economy.

“The government is committed to bring economic change in the country and provide relief to the people,” said the PM, adding that the country was moving towards economic stability, but sit-ins and protests had disrupted the development process.

Audit report

Earlier, rejecting an audit report on inflated electricity bills, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered concerned authorities to refund overcharged bill money to consumers.

The audit report submitted to the premier revealed that energy consumers were charged over Rs2 billion in over-billing in July.

The report was presented during a special cabinet meeting called to discuss the issue of over-billing and performance of various ministries particularly Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Planning and Reform and Ministry of Railways.

According to the audit, the over-billing was a result of debt adjustment, wrong meter reading and incorrect bills.

The report, however, failed to hold any official responsible. The prime minister, however, rejected the report and called for a reassessment. Sources in PML-N said that the cabinet decided to form a high level committee to probe the saga.

Officials said the Cabinet meeting could continue for three days, and could possibly continue after Muharram and the prime minister’s visit to China in the first week of November.

Over-billing

Distribution companies, which install electricity meters, had allegedly put up meters which functioned at a fast pace, hence increasing electricity costs. However, power companies were reportedly not aware of this issue.

As per government policy, meter readings for July should be taken again and additional money should be repaid to the consumers.

Economic Growth

Commenting on the current economical state of the country, the PM said that there has been a halt in economic growth which Pakistan had begun to experience prior to the sit-in in the capital.

“The country would have been in a much better state economically. However, there are those who have been a hindrance to the country’s growth and development,” the PM said, while rejecting all rigging allegations made by protesters in Islamabad.

He attributed a good economy to reduced poverty, better streets, better projects and dams, and new motorways.

The premier stood firm in his stance that any given government should serve their five year term before the next government comes into power.

“If we finish our five year term, we will work on improving and building a better Pakistan. We will then be able to give the next government a more stable Pakistan to build and grow further,” the PM explained.

The PM expressed regret about the Chinese president postponing his visit to Pakistan and added that this has extended to the president of Maldives as well and Sri Lanka.

“Investors no longer want to come to Pakistan and the value of the rupee is declining,” the PM said regrettably.

PM Nawaz concluded by touching upon petrol prices and urged the chief ministers of all provinces to focus on reducing transport costs so that the public could reap the benefits of lower costs.

Bus drivers refuse to reduce shares

After the premier announced that petrol prices will be reduced, the Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI) said that they will not reduce their fares until diesel prices aren’t brought down to Rs93.

The premier stated that only petroleum prices will be reduced, whereas roughly 90% of the public transport in Karachi is run on CNG and diesel. Hence, the KTI has decided not to reduce their fares.

Apple to officially launch iPhone in Pakistan by year end.

Apple is all set to launch iPhone in Pakistan by year end, I have confirmed with sources. An inaugural ceremony is being planned during late November or by December this year.

Apple has contracted with all cellular operators for the procurement of iPhones in the country, however, currently no operator has plans to offer iPhones on contracts i.e. phones with yearly agreements with subsidized rates  but I can confirm that all operators have partnered with Apple to make sure that their networks are officially configured to use iPhones.

With this, various Apple services that require partner networks to work will now be available to iPhone users in Pakistan.

For those who don’t know, iPhones are brought in Pakistan mostly through grey channels, that is, through other markets on individual or semi individual basis. Such import channels only push iPhone lovers to pay thousands of rupees extra to buy Apple’s smartphones in the country.

With this development, iPhone lovers will also be able to buy iPhones with official price tags  and with warranties right away when they are launched globally.

It is yet to be ascertained that which distribution mechanism Apple has planned for Pakistan, but we can confirm that cellular operators have plans to procure iPhones at the time of the launch. Meaning that, along with other distribution networks, cellular operators will be selling devices to their customers through their sales and service centres.

Expect more details on this development in coming few weeks.

Google Nexus 6, Nexus 9 & Nexus Player Steamer

#Google unveils #Nexus9 tablet, #Nexus6 phone, Nexus player steamer. The products will serve as the showcase devices for the latest version of #Android, Lollipop, until now nicknamed Android "L." If you're buying a Nexus 6 or Nexus 9, you can get Android Lollipop from November 3rd but if you already have a Nexus 5, 7 or 10, you should get it in a free over-the-air update in the "coming weeks"