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"

Apple has unveiled two new smartphones

Apple has unveiled two new smartphones. The #iPhone6 and a larger model, the #iPhone6Plus The new 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is only 6.9mm thick, with the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus slightly thicker at 7.1mm. Both are thinner than the last iPhone, the 5S which measured 7.6mm thick.

iPhone 6

  iPhone 6Plus

Three cars were together

"We went to kolachi for dinner 2 nights ago, whole family. All three cars were together, till nueplex, my brother and others decided to stop for movie tickets. I was driving, my dad and Aunty were with me, as it was getting quite late, was 1:10 am already, we decided to move on, leaving two cars behind.

Okay, so the place I am talking about is next lane of nueplex, which goes towards Ithaad. Street was pitch dark, no street lights nothing, all was good until we were almost half way on that road. A new corolla came from behind, on full speed, I was on the fast lane, considering they were in a rush, I gave them space, instead of moving on, they slowed their car, and came right next to my driving side, slowing their speed, man ( who was around 30 plus years old wearing shalwar kameez) rolled down his window trying to say something, which I didn't understand at first, but when I looked closely, he had a gun with silencer, in his hand, and was telling me to stop, straightaway. I put my foot on the accelerator hard, decided not to stop, he fired on the car, on my door. I left them behind me, and since the road is narrow, they were trying hard to over take the car, but I tried not to give any space to them, until a point came, where was a lane going on the left, there they came ahead us, and stopped the car in front of ours. The man from the back seat got off, proceeding towards us. I don't know how, but Allah swt, gave me the strength, and courage to do it. I decided not to give up, put the car in the reverse gear on full speed, the man got shocked, and ran back to sit in his car. I went into that lane on left which came before, it was dark, all dark nothing could be seen, I turned off the cars lights so that they cannot trace us, I don't know how in that darkness, Allah swt showed me the way, to get out from there, and escape, leaving them behind. Else there was no hope, at all. Khair the whole purpose of writing this is that, there were 5 men in that car with guns, and Allah knows what their intentions were. I would have stopped and not taken the risk, if they were on bikes, and simple mobile snatchers. But when I saw their faces, It looked different, worse. I don't want to say the feelings I got, worst endless possiblities I can think of. They could be there for kidnapping or Allah knows what. Later, I got to know that there had been a lot of kidnapping happening in that area, and they are targeting female drivers, and families. I would not have written this, but I just realised, that there are night shows happening at nueplex, and mostly couples and families, go to those shows, and am sure many take that route. Please AVOID !! What I went through, I don't want anyone else to go through it. Chase lasted for 10 minutes. Those were the worst 10 minutes of our lives, may Allah doesn't make anyone else go through it. P.S those who think I should have stopped the car, and not tried to run away please ignore such comments! I agree there was risk involved in this, but I did what I felt was right, in that moment, and Allah guided me, and dua'as of elders saved us. If I would have stopped the car, it would have been a lot worse, and God forbid, but I might not have been there to write this. And at that moment getting out of there, taking my family out of that situation securely was my priority."