Fate of 35 MPAs is in the hands of ECP

LAHORE: The fate of 35 members of provincial assembly hangs in the balance as the Election Commission decides on their future on Thursday, following their failure to submit declarations affirming they do not hold dual nationality.

According to the source, the lawmakers include Zaeem Qadri, Tariq Mehmood, Raja ShaukatAziz Bhatti, Ghulam Sarwar, RanaBabar Hussain, Dr Faruukh Javed,Syed Raza Ali Gilani, Pir Kashmir Ali Chishti, Tahir Khalil Sindhu,Makhdoom Muhammad Irtaza,Arifa Khalid Pervez, Shehryar Riaz,Zaffar Zulqarnain Sahi, Tanvir-ul-Islam, Humaira Awais Shahid, Zeb Jaffer, Samiyya Amjad, Mussarat Hussain, RaziaJoseph, Makhdoom Syed Iftikhar Gilani, Fozia Behram, Muhammad Saeed Mughal,Sardar Muhammad Hussain, Faiza Ahmed Malik, Imran Khalid Butt, Shah Jehan AhmedBhatti, Ali Haider, Noor Khan, Hafiz Mian Nauman, Mohsin Latif, Malik Shamsher Haider,Imran Ashraf and Muhammad Yar Heraj. Election Commission (EC) has issued notices to the provincial assembly members to appear in the hearing of dual-nationality reference today. Two of the assembly members including Jamil Ashraf and Tahir Ali Javed have already stepped down, however, notices were still served to them to appear before the ECP. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10688

Karachi Registry of SC is hearing the suo moto case

KARACHI: The Karachi Registry of Supreme Court is hearing the suo moto case taken in the backdrop of Karachi law and order situation where Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said that the authorities are not taking the matter seriously.

A larger bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Jawad S Khawaja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, JusticeSarmad Jalal Osmany and Justice AmirHani Muslim, is hearing the Karachi law and order situation case here today. During today’s proceedings, JusticeJawwad S khawaja remarked that theSindh Government has not submitted apara-wise report regarding the implement of the court’s orders. On this, Advocate General Sindh told that the report presented on Wednesday includes the answers of each paragraph. Justice Khawaja, then, remarked that it seems as if the authorities are not taking the matter seriously and the court is carrying out a meaningless drill. He said that the report did not include that the people involved in terrorism have support from the political parties. He alleged that the concerned authority did not even attempt to answer that which means that they are accepting political interference behind deteriorating security situation in the city. Rejecting previous reports of the provincial government on Wednesday, the court sought a comprehensive report from the Sindh IG and chief secretary on the law and order situation in Karachi in light of its decisions, latest by today. Inspector General Sindh Police Fayyaz Leghari told the bench the police have arrested 3,000 proclaimed offenders and more than 20,000 absconders in Karachi. He said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has banned the recruitment of 7,500 police personnel due to the forthcoming general elections. He submitted the capacity ofASIs was being enhanced after setting graduation as mandatory education for their appointment. Justice Hussain said that the police department has confessed in its report that over 22,000 absconding offenders are roaming free in the city. “How then can the life of a common citizen be saved? How can free elections be ensured under the worst law and order situation? Who should we blame? We see no hope of peace in the city,” he said. He remarked the provincial government should give an advertisement stating that people should come out of their homes at their own risk. Prosecutor General Sindh ShahadatAwan apprised the court that there are 22,535 proclaimed offenders and absconders present in the city. Justice Khawaja questioned the prosecutor general why the authorities have not taken any action so far to arrest these offenders. He remarked that the government is responsible if the citizens’ life and property are not safe. He told the police to admit that they are unable to arrest the offenders and criminals. The SC scolded the senior police officials who produced reports on the law-enforcement agencies’ performance in dealing with criminals. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10685

PPP and PML-Q agreed on joint election strategy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) have agreed on joint election strategy for next general elections.

The meeting, held at PM House, was attended by Prime Minister Raja PervezAshraf, PML-Q leaders ChaudharyShujaat Hussain, Deputy Prime Minister and PML-Q leader Chaudhary PervaizElahi and others. In the meeting, PML-Q and PPP agreed upon joint strategy for next general elections. The issue of restoration ofBalochistan Assembly would be raised in the next meeting. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10674

ڈپٹی ڈی ای او فضل الہی کے ہاتھوں وزیر اعلی کے انٹرنی پریشان

گورنمنٹ پرائمری سکول ٹھوکر نیاز بیگ میں ایجوکیشن ڈیپارٹمنٹ کے ڈپٹی ایجوکیشن آفیسر (علامہ اقبال ٹاون) فضل الہی کی اساتذہ اور انٹرنیز کے ساتھ بد تمیزی اور بد اخلاقی تمام حدود پار کر گئی۔ سکول میں آ کر حاضری رجسٹر تک پھاڑ دیا ۔ انٹرن شپ پروگرام میں تبادلہ کی سہولت نہ ہونے کے با وجود اپنی مرضی کے اساتذہ کا تبادلہ کام نہ آنے کا الزام لگاتے ہوئے زبردستی استعفے کا مطالبہ اور بات نہ ماننے کی صورت میں سنگین نتائج کی دھمکی جبکہ بد تمیزی کا شکار ہونے والے انٹرنی پہلے سے تدریس کے فرائض انجام دے چکے ہیں اور اپنی فیلڈ میں انٹرنیشنل ایوارڈ بھی حاصل کر چکے ہیں۔ ڈپٹی ڈی ای او فضل الہی کی روز روز کی دھمکیوں سے تنگ انٹرنی نے پرائیویٹ کمپنی میں نوکری کا بہانہ بنا کر استعفی دینے میں ہی عافیت جانی۔ مستعفی ہونے والے انٹرنی کا کہنا تھا وزیر اعل¾ی کا انٹرن شپ پروگرام خوش آئین ہے اور پڑھے لکھے نوجوانوں کی گورنمنٹ سکولوں میں تقرری تعلیم کی بہتری کی طرف ایک مثبت قدم ہے۔ ان کا ےہ بھی کہنا تھا کہ پڑھے لکھے نوجوان ملک اور قوم کی بہتری کے لئے کام کرنا چاہتے ہیں لیکن ایسے تعلیم دشمن افسران ترقی کے راستے میں رکاوٹ ہیں۔ ایسے تعلیم دشمن عناصر کے خلاف سخت سے سخت کاروائی ہونی چاہیے اور نو جوانوں کو آگے بڑھ کر کام کرنے کا پورا موقعہ ملنا چاہیئے۔

http://rtilive.pk/urdu/detail/5612

Worries for Internees of Punjab Government

Lahore: Govt. primary School Thokar Niaz Biag’s Deputy Education officer (Allam Iqbal Town) Fazal Elahi’s misbehaving attitude with teaching staff and internees of Punjab Govt. Cross all the limits.

According to the sources, deputy education officer FazalElahi’s misbehavior attitude is increasing day by day, he used to tour the attendance register and also alter the duties of internees which is against the law the law. While on opposing he threatens internees and demand resignation from internee. One of the victim who is internee in that school told that I am already teaching in private school and know the duties of teacher. Internee also claim be to the international award holder in his media field. Internee Umar  also told RTI LIVE reporter that due to such hiccups and day by day demand of resignation from  Fazal Elahi  make him decide to resign from Punjab internship program. Internee after resignation also said that youth internship program is positive steps from Chief Minister Punjab Shabaz sharif but due to some black sheep’s, beneficiaries of that program suffer. He also demand and request Chief Minister to take some serious action against such people. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10539

Raja replaces Wattoo in talks with PML-Q

LAHORE: Because of PML-Q leaders' unwillingness to hold talks for seat adjustment with PPP's Punjab president Manzoor Wattoo, President Asif Ali Zardari has authorised Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf to initiate contacts with them.

Raja Ashraf is likely to hold first meeting on arrangements for the elections with PML-Qpresident ChaudhryShujaat and Deputy Prime Minister PervaizElahi in Islamabad this week. “President Zardari has asked PM Ashraf to directly hold seat-adjustment talks with the PML-Q leadership,”Moonis Elahi, son ofChaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, told Dawn on Sunday. “We are more comfortable with PM Ashraf because of his understanding of politics. We hope PML-Q and PPP will unanimously finalise potential candidates, especially in Punjab,” he said. He said the PML-Q had already done its homework and expected that the seat-adjustment issue would be resolved. When asked about reports that some PPP leaders were trying to woo PML-Q’s‘electables’ in the province, he said there was an understanding between the two parties not to ‘work’ on each other’s leaders. President Zardari had constituted a four-member team headed by Mr Wattoo for talks withPML-Q. Moonis Elahi was leading his party’s team. But when Mr Wattoo contacted some strong PML-Q candidates and tried to persuade them to switch loyalty, relations between the two sides were strained. Chaudhry Shujaatreported the matter to President Zardari who stopped Mr Wattoo from making more such contacts. Sources close to Mr Wattoo said he was keen to win the confidence of his boss by bringing potential winners from the PML-N and PTI into his party after becoming its provincial chief a few months ago. But failure to achieve any success made him desperate and he started baiting influential people in the PML-Q. At one stage, some PPP and PML-Q leaders started predicting a break-up between the two parties ahead of the election if their leaders failed to sort out the issue. “As Wattoo’s role in seat adjustment is over, relations between the PPP and PML-Q will improve and there is no immediate threat to their alliance,” a Punjab PPP leader said.

http://rtilive.pk/detail/10519

Afghan and Pakistani presidents in Britain for talks

LONDON: Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari are set to hold key talks Monday with British Prime Minister David Cameron on the Afghan peace process.

The summit at Cameron’s Chequerscountry retreat near London is aimed at boosting cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan, amid growing fears that a civil war could erupt when international troops leave Afghanistan next year. “This trilateral process sends a very clear message to the Taliban — now is the time for everyone to participate in a peaceful political process in Afghanistan,” a British government spokeswoman said. Support from Pakistan, which backed Afghanistan’s 1996-2001 Taliban regime, is seen as crucial to peace after Nato troops depart — but relations between the neighboursremain uneasy despite some recent improvements. Both Kabul and Washington have regularly accused Pakistan of helping to destabiliseAfghanistan. But Afghan peace negotiators have welcomed Pakistan’s release of dozens of Taliban prisoners in recent months, a move they believe could help bring militants to the negotiating table. Cameron hosted a private dinner for Karzai and Zardari at Chequers on Sunday evening, ahead of Monday’s in-depth talks between the leaders and their officials. These are the third trilateral talks in a year following meetings in Kabul in July and New York last September — but they are the first in which Pakistani and Afghan army and intelligence chiefs will also take part. In an interview with Britain’s Guardian newspaper and ITV television station released late Sunday, Karzai said the biggest threat to peace in Afghanistan was not the Taliban, but meddling from foreign powers. “Peace will only come when the external elements involved in creating instability and fighting, or lawlessness in Afghanistan, are involved in talks,” he said, without naming any particular country. The president also suggested Western troops had been “fighting in the wrong place” in Afghanistan, saying security in the southern Helmand province was better before British troops arrived there. A statement released by his office said the talks in Britain would be “focused on ways to accelerate peace process in Afghanistan and further strengthen cooperations between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and extremism”. Karzai is also due to meet the heir to the British throne Prince Charles during his three-day trip to Britain, which began on Saturday. Britain still has around 9,000 troops in Afghanistan ahead of a scheduled withdrawal in 2014. Afghan soldiers and police are taking on responsibility for battling Taliban militants from the 100,000 Nato troops due to depart by the end of next year. But more than 60 foreign soldiers were killed in 2012 in “insider attacks” by members of Afghanistan’s security forces, which have bred mistrust and threatened to derail the training process. Afghan forces are also increasingly being targeted by Taliban bombers as they take on a greater security role. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10516

India's ex-Olympics boss pleads not guilty in graft trial

NEW DELHI: India's former Olympics chief pleaded not guilty in court on Monday to an array of corruption charges related to his handling of the chaotic Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Suresh Kalmadi, a lawmaker for the ruling Congress party, faces charges of criminal conspiracy, forgery, abuse of office and intimidation over a contract awarded to Swiss Timing, which is part of the Swatch luxury goods empire. Kalmadi and seven others pleaded not guilty in written statements submitted to a special court set up to try the suspects over the massively over-budget Delhi event. They face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Also facing charges are Kalmadi’s deputy during the Commonwealth Games, LalitBhanot, who has since been elected number two in the Indian Olympic Association. The Delhi Games organising committee’s director-general V.K. Verma, procurement director Surjit Lal, sports director A.S.V. Prasad, treasurer M. Jayachandran and three others are also on trial. The next hearing was set for February 20. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10521

Beyonce admits Inauguration Day pre-recording

NEW ORLEANS: Beyonce answered critics of her Inauguration Day performance the best way she could — with another sterling performance of the national anthem.

The difference? On Thursday, it was live: She admitted during her Super Bowl news conference that when she performed for President Barack Obama and the nation, she decided to sing to a prerecorded track because she didn’t have time to practice. Calling herself a self-proclaimed “perfectionist,” she said wanted the day to go off without a hitch. “I practice until my feet bleed and I did not have time to rehearse with the orchestra,” she said, adding that she was also emotional that day. “Due to no proper sound check, I did not feel comfortable taking a risk. It was about the president and the inauguration, and I wanted to make him and my country proud, so I decided to sing along with my pre-recorded track, which is very common in the music industry. And I’m very proud of my performance.” It was the superstar’s first public comments on what has become known as “Beyonce-gate.” Her rendition of the anthem was critically praised, but was scrutinized less than a day later when a representative from the US Marine Band said Beyonce was lip-syncing — merely mouthing the words to a pre-recorded track — and the band’s accompanying performance was taped. Shortly after, the group backed off its initial statement and said no one could tell if she was singing live or not. With the controversy growing each day, and everyone from politicians to other entertainers weighing in, the inauguration performance threatened to overshadow her planned Super Bowl halftime show. So the 31-year-old, wearing a tight, cream mini-dress, addressed the issue as soon as she took to the podium Thursday afternoon. She asked everyone to stand, and, with an image of the American flag behind her, performed a live rendition of the national anthem that mirrored the one on Inauguration Day. After, she said with a laugh: “Any questions?” Despite her performance, there were. When pressed about whether any sound was coming from her voice when she sang for the president, she said she was singing along to the track and not mimicking (though it’s unclear how audible her voice was). And when asked if she would be singing live at the Super Bowl, she said: “I will absolutely be singing live. “This is what I was born to do.” She added later: “I always sing live. … The inauguration was unfortunately a time where I could not rehearse with the orchestra, actually because I was rehearsing for the Super Bowl. So that was always the plan.” Beyonce also got a chance to talk more in detail about the reason why she was in New Orleans — to perform at the halftime show. Calling it one of her career aspirations, she said when she arrived at the Superdome, she was so moved by the experience she took her shoes off and ran on the field, taking in the history at the famed venue. “It really makes me emotional,” she said. “When I am no longer here, it’s what they’regonna show.” Beyonce has teased photos and video of herself preparing for the show, which will perhaps be the biggest audience of her career. Last year, Madonna’s halftime performance was the most-watched Super Bowl halftime performance ever, with an average of 114 million viewers. It garnered more viewers than the game itself, which was the most-watched US TV event in history. But she would not give anything more away about the performance. While a Destiny’s Child reunion was shot down by Michelle Williams, who is starring in a production of“Fela!”, the third Destiny’s Child member, Kelly Rowland, is in town. Beyonce laughed off questions of whether Rowland or Beyonce’s husband, Jay-Z, would join her on stage. “I can’t give you any details, sorry,” she said. She also would not reveal her set list, though acknowledged she was having a hard time trying to “condense a career into 12 minutes.” Before the news conference, Beyonce’s “Life is But A Dream” was shown to the media. The documentary about the star’s life features her talking in-depth about intimate details of her life, including suffering a miscarriage; it will air on HBO on February 16. In it, she also reveals more of her 1-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, whom she called her inspiration. “I feel like my daughter changed me and changed my life and has given me so much purpose,” she said. She added that she was counting down until 9 p.m. Sunday, when her performance would be over — and she could be reunited with Blue Ivy. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10506

Saved country from martial law: Qadri

LAHORE: Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran Chief Tahirul Qadri said Sunday that if he had not ended the sit-in martial law would have been imposed in the country in the next five minutes.

Addressing the central executive committee of the Pakistan AwamiTehreek (PAT), Qadri said he would not allow thieves to come into power in the name of democracy. “Corrupt politicians had been robbing the country for the last 65 years.” Qadri added that he was in favour of a new southern Punjab province but new provinces should not be formed on the basis of political aspirations. “A referendum should be conducted from the people of south Punjab regarding the formation of a new province.” According to Qadri he had retired from the post PAT president. Regarding contesting elections, Qadri said he had received the mandate today but a decision would be taken after a survey was conducted. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10497

India beaten by England in Women's WC

MUMBAI: After their shock last-ball defeat to Sri Lanka two days ago, England were back to what they do best, beating opponents with superior skill, athleticism and power. Leading the comeback, or restoring normalcy, was the captain Charlotte Edwards, with her seventh century that also made her the highest-run getter in the history of women's ODIs.

After a scratchy start, Edwards grew in confidence to hit boundary after boundary as India's attack failed to contain her onslaught. In the chase, as expected, Katherine Brunt came hard at India, who were soon reduced to 29 for three, the same position that England had been against Sri Lanka. England had batted first that day, and could afford to take their time to scrap and rebuild to 238. But Mithali Raj had chosen to field, and watched Edwards and No. three Sarah Taylor reel off a brisk century partnership for the second wicket. Faced with an asking rate that soon went above a run a ball, India never looked like coming close to getting 273, despite vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s defiant refusal to give up with a counter-attacking, maiden, unbeaten ODI hundred. Raj had hoped for early wickets with the new ball when she sent England in early in themorning, but Edwards barely gave India a sniff after a quiet start, her first 20 deliveries producing the lone single. She got beaten outside off stump, inside-edged to leg and pushed the ball uncertainly to the field. India took out the other opener Danielle Wyatt, who could not push on after being dropped off Jhulan Goswami at slip by Thirush Kamini, and turned the bowler straight to midwicket in the fifth over. Lydia Greenway swept and slog-swept to 29 off 27, Brunt was promoted to lash 21 off 16, and Arran Brindle lofted her way over the infield to an unbeaten 37 off 32. Edwards reached her century, meanwhile, with a late steer to the fine third man rope off her 113th delivery. It was a tired rush for a single in the 44th over which found Edwards short of her crease for 109 off 123 England were heavily reliant on Brunt, and Brunt did not let England down. First ball of the fifth over, Thirush Kamini, centurion against West Indies, was trapped in front. Raj herself went after Brunt, an upper cut off a short delivery finding third man in the seventh over. The other opener Poonam Raut missed an attempted tuck to leg off Anya Shrubsole and was given lbw. Kaur and wicketkeeper Karu Jain set about repairing the innings with a steady century stand. While Jain wasn't short of effort, she struggled to beat the infield at times in making 56 off 92. Kaur flowed into an extra-cover drive second ball, and never looked back, displaying admirable calm under pressure for someone only 23. England chipped away at the other end. A flagging Jain mishit a heave to backward point off Brindle in the 34th over with 138 still needed. Raj promoted Goswami, who slogged . a few boundaries before falling to an outstanding, leaping take by Heather Knight at mid-off. Knight had batted at No. 8 and been run out for 2. She didn't bowl in the game, but her catch, among the many tough chances that England otherwise put down, probably ended whatever little aggression Kaur could hope for from the other end. From 172 for 5, Kaur was chiefly responsible for stretching the innings to 240, a drive toto long-on in the 46th over raising her maiden ODI century, off 102 deliveries. Brunt wasn't done yet, and in the next over, struck off successive balls as England closed the door firmly on India, with Kaur returning unconquered. (Cricinfo). http://rtilive.pk/detail/10505

Constitutional impasse in Balochistan: JUI-F presents formula to end deadlock

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F, the third largest party in the Balochistan Assembly after the PML-Q and PPP, has offered its unconditional support for the ruling coalition to elect a new chief minister.

The JUI-F has urged coalition partners to nominate a new chief minister or let MaulanaFazlur Rehman make a choice to enableBalochistan to move ahead with other provinces in democratic transition. Talking to media, senior JUI-F leader Senator Maulana Mohammad Khan Sherani said the sooner the government heeded to his party’s advice the better it would be for continuation of the political process in the crisis-ridden province and for the rest of the country. Maulana Sherani, who is also chairman of the Islamic Ideology Council, said his party had asked the PPP to immediately lift governor’s rule and let the political process take its due course in Balochistan. He said JUI-F would support any move to replace deposed chief minister Nawab AslamRaisani. “I assure the ruling PPP leadership that Nawab Raisani will resign within seven days after his reinstatement and the parliamentary parties in the provincial assembly can unanimously elect a new leader of the house,” he said. At present the PML-Q has 19 MPAs, PPP 14, JUI-F nine, BNP seven and ANP four. There are 10 independent MPAs in the 65-member assembly. Explaining his party’s formula to resolve the political crisis, Maulana Sherani said the PPP, PML-Q and ANP should nominate a new chief minister or leave it to the JUI-F andBNP. He said his party and the BNP were ready to sit on opposition benches if the other parties wanted their own chief minister. He said Maulana Fazlur Rehman had discussed the issue of lifting governor’s rule with all parties in the ruling coalition, but their response was still awaited. “Our concern at the moment is to proceed smoothly towards the general election which is possible only in the presence of a working chief minister and leader of opposition in theBalochistan Assembly after the passage of the 20th Amendment,” Maulana Sherani said. He said that after the dismissal of the Raisani government last month, JUI-F had offered a similar democratic recourse under which a new provincial government without Mr Raisanicould have been formed, but the government didn’t pay heed to it. Constitutional experts are also of the opinion that after the constitutional amendments the federal government has no other option but to either reinstate Mr Raisani or replace him with someone else to move towards the general election. They said only the chief minister could recommend dissolution of the assembly if the PPP wanted to do so before April 6 when it would complete its five-year constitutional term. Secondly, positions of the chief minister and leader of the opposition are mandatory for the formation of a caretaker set-up. A senior PML-Q leader confirmed the talks between his party and the JUI-F leadership on the issue of ending governor’s rule and replacement of Nawab Raisani and suggestions given by the JUI-F. “The PML-Q leadership will hold a meeting with the PPP in a day or two and discuss the Balochistan issue,” he said. PPP’s information secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira said a JUI-F delegation had met his party’s leadership with a set of proposals for political arrangement in Balochistan. But he said he was not aware of any recent development because he had been in his home constituency for a couple of days. But another PPP leader said the JUI-F proposals would be discussed at a party meeting after the return of President Asif Ali Zardari from the UK next week. Responding to an unprecedented sit-in held by the Shia Hazaras who had refused to burry the 86 victims of twin bomb blast in Quetta till the dismissal of the Raianigovernment, the centre had imposed governor’s rule in Balochistan Jan 14. The JUI-F and BNP have since been protesting against the governor’s rule in sessions of the Senate and National Assembly and in Balochistan and demanding reinstatement of the elected government. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10520

Scientists explain how owl rotates head

WASHINGTON: US medical specialists from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore have figured out how owls can almost fully rotate their heads - by as much as 270 degrees in either direction.

The birds do so while hunting without damaging the delicate blood vessels in their necks and heads, and without cutting off blood supply to their brains. "Until now, brain imaging specialists like me who deal with human injuries caused by trauma to arteries in the head and neck have always been puzzled as to why rapid, twisting head movements did not leave thousands of owls lying dead on the forest floor from stroke," said interventional neuroradiologist Philippe Gailloud, the lead author of the study. To solve the puzzle, the team studied the bone and blood vessel structure in the heads and necks of several types of owls after their deaths from natural causes. A contrast dye was used to enhance X-ray imaging of the birds' blood vessels, which were then meticulously dissected, drawn and scanned to allow detailed analysis. The most striking finding came after researchers injected dye into the owls' arteries, mimicking blood flow, and manually turned the animals' heads, the study says. Blood vessels at the base of the head, just under the jaw bone, kept getting larger and larger, turning into reservoirs as more of the dye entered the system. This contrasted starkly with human anatomical ability, where arteries generally tend to get smaller and smaller, and do not balloon as they branch out. Researchers believe these blood reservoirs allow owls to pool blood to meet the energy needs of their large brains and eyes, while they rotate their heads. The supporting vascular network, with its many interconnections and adaptations, helps minimize any interruption in blood flow, the study said. "Our new study results show precisely what morphological adaptations are needed to handle such head gyrations and why humans are so vulnerable to osteopathic injury from chiropractic therapy," said Gailloud. The team's findings appear in the February 1 issue of the journal Science. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10470

Opposition staging sit-in outside Parliament House today

ISLAMABAD: Members of several opposition parties, led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders, are all set to stage a march and sit-in outside the Parliament on Monday (today), demanding free and fair elections in the country.

The opposition parties will march from Parliament House to offices of the nearby Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) followed by a protest sit-in to press the ECPfor army’s involvement in the process of door-to-door verification of voter lists in Karachi and redrawing of electoral constituencies. PML-N says the sit-in is aimed at making the ECP a fully autonomous body while the PPP has termed it a source of cheap publicity. Nationalist parties of Sindh and Balochistan have also planned to join the PML-N in their protest. The PML-N is leading this sit-in while other parties include, Jamat-e-Islami (JI), SunniTehrik (ST), Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Awami League (AL). Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F has refused the join the opposition in their protest. Fazl says “since the PML-N did not support our walkout from the National Assembly against governor’s rule in Balochistan so we will also not render support to their sit-in. PML-N leader Ishaque Dar says the ECP should implement Supreme Court’s court verdict on delimitation in Karachi. On the other hand, ruling PPP leader Mola Bux Chandio has termed the sit-in as “a conspiracy against democracy”. Chandio said some elements want to postpone general elections but their wishes would not be fulfilled. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10511

Lahore: Doctors setup hunger strike camp at Services Hospital

LAHORE: Protesting doctors of the Young Doctors Association (YDA) has announced to setup a hunger strike camp outside the Services Hospital till acceptance of their demands.

However, the medics say that they will not stop their services inOPD and emergency of the hospital. The YDA calls for implementation on services structure and registration of FIR against those involved in torturing doctors inGujranwala. The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday issued a contempt notice to YDA for defying a court order against their strike. The LHC also asked for reply from the Punjab Health Department for its failure to initiate action against the protesting doctors. According to the petition, filed by Judicial Activism Panel, the doctors remain absent from hospitals despite reports of deaths due to measles. http://rtilive.pk/detail/10510